Fish threatens ecosystem
By PIUS MON
DURING a recently-held workshop in Goroka, concerns were raised over the destruction of the ecosystem caused by the introduction of a fish species into the Sepik River.
Sepik wetland management initiative chairman Jerry Wani, during the protected areas establishment and management training workshop, said most of the fish introduced by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) were slowly feeding on the native fish, posing a greater threat to their habitat and future survival.
Mr Wani said three of the introduced fish species were feeding on other native fish, plant roots and, above all, the crocodile eggs that are the main source of income for the Ambunti and Sepik River people.
The three fish species – Sabolo or Raba Maus, Pacu or Bol Cutter and Java or Gras Cutter – were introduced by the FAO into the catchments of the Sepik and Ramu rivers.
He said these fish feed on the fresh fish and crocodile eggs and they also attack young crocodiles, making it impossible for the local farmers to sell crocodile skins at a better price.
Mr Wani said most farmers rely heavily on the sale of live crocodiles, their skins and eggs and he urged the authorities, especially the FAO, to address the issue.
He said the Environment and Conservation Department’s aerial survey found that most of the crocodiles were migrating out of the protected areas and into the Sepik River.
“An A grade crocodile skin can be sold at around K500 locally and we cannot afford to lose it. Therefore, something must be done about it,” Mr Wani said.
He said most of the crocodile skins, eggs, jaws and teeth are sold to Mainland Holdings.

Ramu Nickel trains people in skills
RAMU Nickel Management Ltd (RNML) in Madang has embarked on providing skills training to landowners to help them actively participate in its project, including its current construction phase, the company said in a statement.
RNML is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China’s Metallurgical Construction Corporation. The mine is expected to be commissioned late next year.
In a bid to provide vocational skills to locals, RNML, in collaboration with the Talidig Vocation Centre in North Coast Madang, last week launched a three-month skills training course for 30 landowners from the Ramu project area in the trades of carpentry, plumbing, welding and motor mechanism.
“The company is presently exploring ways to train and get more local people involved in the project to help them gain sustainable skills through appropriate skill transfer programmes,” RNML vice-president Futian Wang said.
Mr Wang urged the participants to study and work together to develop the country using the training acquired.
RNML human resources manager Jianping Gu told the participants that such skills training launched now and others on site would give them a greater chance to be employed with the project after they become certified skills persons.
“This would also equip you with skills for future pursuits of other opportunities,” Mr Gu added.
He said the launching of the training course was one of the recent measures to implement the training and localisation plan according to the project memorandum of agreement.
RNML also concluded a similar training agreement with Kamaliki Vocational Training Centre in Goroka. Training is expected to start next month.
RNML has worked out a programme to send 250 project landowners, on a progressive basis, to vocational training centres for skills training.
RNML said up to now the local workforce at the Ramu project, especially project area landowners, only accounts for a small percentage of the workforce outside of immediate impact areas.
A recent survey has indicated a shortage of skilled manpower within the project impact area and the immediate area of Madang province, it said.

Health centre badly needs funding
DAIGUL Health Centre in Bogia district, Madang province, is in dire need of funding to continue its normal operations.
Officer-in-chargeAndrew Ska said his requests for financial and technical assistance for the past three years had fallen on deaf ears.
“I have made numerous requests to the authorities for help but have received no response. The state of the buildings and ward beds would speak for themselves,” he said.
Mr Ska said the major problem affecting the health centre’s normal function is the unavailability of a water pump and electricity to pump water from the well into the storage tanks to be used in wards and out-patient divisions.
“We closed down our children’s, adult’s and maternity wards three years ago as we do not have running water. We operate on emergency cases only. The blood- stained beds have not been washed for ages,” he said.
Sabui Panu, a community health worker, described the plight of the health centre as “very serious”, adding it had given a lot of pressure on the staff.
“When mothers come for delivery, we have no running water, so I have to fetch well-water, using a bucket; then I have to boil it for use. It’s hard work but that’s the least I could do,” Ms Panu said.
Daigul Health Centre currently serves more than 16,000 people in the Bogia district.

Returning officers accept nominations
By GABRIEL FITO
THE 26 returning officers who threatened to boycott local level government elections (LLG) in East Sepik have moved into their respective areas and started accepting nominations.
The move came after the Electoral Commission (EC) addressed some of the issues outlined in their petition last week.
The returning officers petitioned the EC last Wednesday to settle more than 400 claims totalling about K500,000 for service-renders and polling officials during the national elections before the issue of writs for LLG elections or they would boycott the elections.
They also asked for the removal of Sale Bunat as provincial returning officer (PRO) and the appointment of LLG adviser Lukas Engime as the PRO.
Following the petition, Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen issued instruments, approving the appointment of Mr Engime as the PRO, replacing Mr Bunat last Friday.
A total of 100 cheques were also released by the EC to settle debts incurred during the national elections.
Speaking from his Wewak office on April 21, Mr Engime said the returning officers had come to an understanding with the EC and returned to their respective LLG headquarters to accept nominations on Saturday and Sunday.
Mr Engime, who personally visited Maprik and Wosera districts over the weekend, said everything was running smoothly.
He said the EC had commenced work on the remaining cheques for service-renders, fuel for trucks and outboard motors and payment for a helicopter which would be used during the polling period.
Meanwhile, candidates for ward members and president seats have also flocked to Mr Engime’s office for nominations as they have no time to return to their districts to do so.

Smith joins Sir Arnold
By JASON SOM KAUT
MADANG Governor Sir Arnold Amet will accompany Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith on visits to Aus-AID-funded projects in Madang, including a visit to the Divine Word University today.
The visit is part of the two-day programme of the 18th PNG/Australia ministerial forum held in Madang.
Sir Arnold said he was pleased to welcome the ministerial delegates of the forum, led by the two respective foreign ministers Sam Abal and Smith.
The main objective of the conference is to look at issues affecting development between the two neighbouring countries.
Smith will also visit Beon Correctional Institute, the PNG Maritime College campus and parts of the recently-sealed Madang-Bogia Highway.
Sir Arnold personally thanked youths of the town who helped to clean it up in preparation for the event.

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