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Sports |
We can’t emulate Venezuela
I THANK Patrick Kaiku for
highlighting an important global issue in ‘A lesson from
Venezuela?’ (The National, May 24). However, whilst I support the
efforts president Hugo Chavez is taking to break the domination of
the United States, it would be very difficult for a country like
PNG to follow suit. What guarantee do we have that the Chavez
driven “Bank of the South” will not impose harsh economic recovery
packages similar to that imposed by IMF and World Bank? While I
agree that the global neo-liberalism agenda is worth critiquing, I
do not feel that PNG has the social, political and economic
institutions and resources that can sustain our move should we
align ourselves with the Venezuelan cause. Venezuela and some its
other South American neighbours certainly have a lot of control
over their oil and other economic reserves and as such are placed
in a better economic position to renegotiate their international
trade relations with the US. PNG does not have a lot to offer and
as such, will become a puppet along with other smaller resource
endowed countries, who would be used to aid the Venezuelan cause.
— Tony Manuda, Palmerson North, NZ
‘Inner circle owns’ Hagen
THE people in the inner circles of Mt
Hagen city are greedy and power hungry. They never give
opportunities to ‘outsiders’ to do business or get involved in
politics. This is the situation that had led to opposing Jika
clansman going on the warpath last weekend over the post of
provincial administrator. The people in this inner circle are
manipulating others for their own interests and this is not a good
sign for the thousands of outsiders, including businesses, in the
city. However, most business houses in the city are owned by the
inner circle. If you buy a store or land in the city, sooner or
later, they’ll intimidate you unless you are married to them. But
even then, you have to be careful and smart. NHC houses are now
being taken over by force and titles are becoming useless. These
are the headaches caused by the so-called Hagen Central tribes,
especially those in the inner circle who wield the power. I call
on the Government and the Jiwakas to push for a separate province
– the sooner the better. — Kiluwe Solo, Mt Hagen
Telikom here to stay
THE acting CEO of Telikom PNG seems
to be in a state of paranoia. Competition is here to stay and he
should focus on that and come up with strategies for Telikom to
combat it so that it would always remain the main player. Just
look at BSP Bank. It is still the dominant player even after it
has been privatised. It has its place in PNG. Telikom PNG is here
to stay and nobody can make it disappear. Telikom PNG does not
only offer mobile phone services, it offers data lease lines,
internet gateway service, the PSTN fixed phones and soon broadband
internet services that mobile companies will not be offering yet.
Most people would still be using Telikom’s PSTN fixed phone lines
to call any mobile phones, regardless of whether it’s Telikom,
Digicell , etc. Embrace competition and at the same time address
your weaknesses. — Telikom supporter, NCD
Raw deal over GPA
I APPLIED for a job with a major
company in Port Moresby and my name was among those shortlisted. I
was told to attend an interview. But the manager told me that my
application was unsuccessful because my GPA was hand written. I
cannot understand why a premier university like the University of
PNG cannot print GPAs of students. I believe a majority of
students are affected by this. Can UPNG explain why this is
happening? —Tok Out Tok Stret, Port Moresby
Electorate seeing changes
THE people of Anglimp-South Waghi
electorate have finally seen changes for the better after years of
neglect. Among the developments we are now enjoying are water
supply projects, EMTV signal for the whole of Waghi Valley, mobile
phone setup, renovation of police station, new district treasury
staff houses at Minj, intermediate animal transportation, AIDS
awareness, police vehicles and equipment, road upgrading in
Anglimp district, etc. — Ngeneka Joe Tombil, Anglimp-South
Waghi
Expand police force
THE continued violence in the country
may be attributed to the small size of our police personnel. The
incident in Mt Hagen last weekend would not have happened if there
was enough manpower to quell the situation. The Government must
conduct more recruitment exercise. — Andy, Madang
 
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