PNGCCI to close Wewak office
THE Wewak branch of the PNG Growers Association is unhappy that the PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute (PNGCCI) has decided to close its office there, fearing that the move would inconvenience local farmers.
Secretary Peter Loff alleged that the move was based on self-interests.
He said there were about 40,000 cocoa farmers in East Sepik and they contributed about K40 million to the economy each year.
They should have been consulted before the decision was made, he said.
PNGCCI acting chief executive officer Hosea Tubarat, however, explained that the closure was only temporary due to internal management problems.

No transport to court, cases postponed
TWO murder cases were postponed by the Lae District Court on Wednesday because the Buimo jail authorities could not transport them over.
Scott Daera, 29, from Butibum village, is alleged to have killed Steven George Vura at Butibum Rd in Lae last August.
His case was postponed to a later date this month.
The other case involving Mokare Okol, 29, of Wain in Nawae District, was postponed to next month.
He is alleged to have murdered a man at West Taraka in Lae last year.
Magistrate Sasa Inkung also issued a warrant of arrest for Jimmy Mupangke, 43 of Kabwum district in Morobe when he failed to appear in court to answer a charge of stealing copper cables worth K2,900 from PNG Power.
He was a technician with the company based in Lae at the time.

Landowners seek compensation
A SIMBAIKU landowner group from Simbu has engaged a law firm to seek compensation for the water supply to Kundiawa town.
Group chairman John Kua said water came from a dam on land owned by them.
He said that when the Government built the dam in the 1980s, it did not draw up any agreement with the landowners but promised the people K300,000.
The money was never paid, he said.
Mr Kua said the PNG Waterboard had made more than K100 million from the water over the past 20 years.
“Initially, we submitted a claim for K5 million but we now want K20 million,” he said.

Submarine base needs workover
THE submarine base at Tavui in Rabaul, East New Britain, needs over K5,000 for repair and improved as a tourist site.
A landowner, George Taman, was happy the Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane made calls for the base to be repaired.
It was used by the Japanese during World War II to bring in supplies.
An underground hospital was also built at Tavui N0:3 to treat the injured.
Mr Taman was currently charging K5 per head for site visits, K10 per head for diving and K30 for underwater photography.
Fees would increase once the facilities were improved.
Tourists can also visit the bunkers and the hospital.

Hygiene kits for disabled HIV/AIDS victims
By BONNIE ABOLA
THE Morobe Provincial AIDS Council (MPAC) has been giving hygiene kits to Lae health centres for disabled people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA).
The 72 hygiene kits containing plastic mattress covers, gloves, bed pans, buckets, hoses and portable hand basins were supplied by Appropriate Technology Projects (ATPro) of Goroka under AusAID funding.
The kits are especially for disabled PLWHA residing in high risk areas or as it is now called – the Tingim Laip Project – sites in Lae as well as the outer districts of Morobe.
So far, ten kits have been given to West Taraka Urban Clinic, 15 kits to Mutzing health centre, six to the Yang Creek and Umi sites, and two each to Save the Children, Anua Moriri Clinic, Salvation Army and the Family Health Association (PNGFHA).
A further 30 are still to be given to other urban clinics as well.

Suspect arrested in rape case
AN elderly man who raped a 15-year-old schoolgirl at the Bunowau area in North Waghi last year was arrested by Mt Hagen police early this month. Robert Kumi was identified by another suspect who was arrested last October. Three others were still at large. Provincial police commander Chief Insp Ambane Kaiglo said both Kumi and Kapil Omba from Kalaga village were charged with raping a minor. On Aug 31, the victim was sleeping in her aunt’s house when five men broke in and raped her. Mr Kaiglo expressed disappointment that the Mt Hagen District Court released Kumi on K500 bail despite being charged with a serious offence.

Dead infant found in plastic bag
THE body of a dead infant wrapped in a plastic bag was found in a kaukau garden at Faniufa village in Goroka, Eastern Highlands. A woman made the gruesome discovery when she went to harvest kaukau two weeks ago. She told police that the body was buried beneath a thin layer of soil. Village authorities are investigating, but village court mediator Joseph Hanamo admitted it would be difficult to find out who was responsible as there were many settlements around Faniufa. He described the action as “totally un-Christian”.

Legal year to open with service
THE legal fraternity will open this year with an ecumenical service at the Boroko Baptist church in Port Moresby on Feb 4. The service will be attended by members of the legal profession including judges, magistrates, lawyers as well as the public. It is scheduled to begin at 9:30am and end at 10:45am. All courts in Port Moresby will be closed to enable the legal profession to attend the service. The Royal PNG Constabulary band will lead the procession from the Boroko Scout Hall to the church.

PNG Power staff donate to Oro
STAFF of PNG Ltd donated more than K7,400 worth of foodstuff, clothing and utensils to the victims of the Oro disaster. Most of the money was raised from a Christmas party in Port Moresby and the rest came from PNG Power staff in Yonki, Daru, Mt Hagen, Wau, Kokopo and Kimbe. The collection was started after one of their coworkers returned from her village in Oro and reported that no relief supplies had reached her people. The items will be sent to Oro by the Oro Disaster Appeal Committee and the PNG Defence Force.

Armed men rob lottery outlet
FOUR armed men escaped with more than K11,000 from a lottery outlet in Mendi, Southern Highlands, last Thursday. They entered the Gold Merchants’ premises at about 3am after a security guard left the door open to chase away some birds. Acting provincial police commander Insp Papto Sedron said when the guard returned, the robbers tied him up before proceeding upstairs where three employees were sleeping. The employees were forced to hand over the previous day’s taking of K11,379. Insp Sedron said two suspects were detained the same day and charged. Further charges would be made against the two men, aged 25 and 32.

WHP charity houses give to Oro
PNG Red Cross Society branch in Western Highlands together with other charity organisations and a business house donated three bales of clothing to the Oro Disaster appeal. The donation was presented to the coordinator of the appeal committee in the province last Wednesday at the Anglican church.