Unitech students still on strike
 

STUDENTS at the PNG University of Technology (Unitech) continued their boycott of classes yesterday, ignoring a plea by the Government last Saturday to resume their studies.
They still refuse to accept a 5% increase in semester fees next year.
Student Representative Council vice-president Sampson Apai said the boycott would go on as long as the Government refused to respond to their petition.
“We have not received any favourable response as yet,” he said.
Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Michael Ogio met the students last Saturday and appealed to them to return to classes by yesterday.
He explained that if the fees were not increased, the additional costs would have to be borne by the Government which would have to relocate some funding from the Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme (TESAS).
He also said that he would discuss the issues raised in the petition with the university’s governing council.
The university had originally proposed to increase the fees by 20% next year but following the protest, said it would increase it by only 5% next year and decide on the quantum of increase for the following years at a later date.
The compromise has been rejected by the students.
The situation at the university’s campus in Taraka yesterday was quiet.
There was no police present.

Sir Michael meets Kaua
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare held informal discussions with Solomon Islands acting prime minister Toswell Kaua at Honiara International Airport in the Solomon Island last Friday.
Sir Michael was transiting through Honiara on his way to the 38th Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Tonga.
Solomon Island foreign affairs minister Patterson Oti accompanied Sir Michael and top officials of the two countries.
The two leaders will transit through Fiji where they will meet other leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) for talks on important issues affecting Melanesian countries.
From Fiji, the leaders will then travel to Tonga for the Forum Leaders Summit which starts today.
Mr Oti joined Sir Michael on Sunday in Port Moresby after talks with other ACP leaders in Brussels.
Mr Oti and planning minister Steve Abana will represent Solomon Islands at the forum in place of prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is in Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Moti is least of PNGTUC worries: Malabag
THE Julian Moti affair is not a “bread and butter” issue and unions will not pursue the matter, trade union leaders told Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare last week.
PNG Trade Union Congress and its affiliates gave the assurance during a meeting with Sir Michael, his chief of staff Dr Theo Yasause and special adviser Chris Haiveta at Parliament House last Friday.
Council president Michael Malabag said the Moti affair was insignificant compared to the many social and economic issues that needed the Government’s attention.
He said the Government, however, should complete its investigations into the Finance Department and suspend anyone implicated.
It should also investigate the Defence Department, the Transport and Works Department and the Health Department, in particular the Pharmaceutical Board, he said.

Govt dept sets up audit team
THE Department of Commerce and Industry has formed an internal audit committee as part of the Government’s effort in maintaining transparency in the efficiency of delivering goods and services in the country. Department Secretary Anton Kulit said a five-member committee would bring about positive changes and improvement in addressing loopholes and discrepancy that might exist in their financial administration. Finance Secretary Gabriel Yer and Audit-General first assistant secretary Thomas Holland, in thanking Mr Kulit for his effort in establishing the committee, said it would now make both of their jobs easier in managing the transparent dispensary of public funds.

Kabui attends leaders forum
A THREE-member delegation led by Autonomous Bougainville Government President Joseph Kabui is currently in Tonga for the Pacific Leaders Forum. The trip is an invitation by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to accompany his delegation to the forum as observers. Mr Kabui said this was the first time for ABG to be given the opportunity to have representatives to attend the Pacific Leaders Forum. He described the forum as of great importance to the infant political future of ABG and also the Bougainville peace process.

Temu challenges Government officers
PUBLIC servants in the Central province have been challenged by Abau MP and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu to go to the rural districts and work. “You have wealth of public service experiences that you have accumulated since 1975, and you should be out there delivering the much-needed services to the people in the rural areas in the province,” he said. Mr Temu told them that they had attended enough workshops and seminars in the past while people in the rural areas were still suffering from services like health and education.

Students on education drive
ENGA students have been challenged to educate children and mothers about the issues affecting their daily lives during their awareness campaign in the province. Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu said this during the launching of the Enga Kom Piyam (Enga Reborn) campaign. The students will conduct their campaign from Dec 1 to next Jan 30,where they will be addressing issues like tribal fighting, HIV/AIDS, violence against women, illegal supply of ammunition and weapons with other social-related problems.

Unicef gives new vehicle to hospital
By SENT TIMBI

THE United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) has donated a new Toyota Landcruiser to the Mt Hagen General Hospital.
Unicef country representative Hamish Young handed over the keys of the 10-seater vehicle to the chief executive officer Dr James Kintwa in front of patients, staff and public outside the hospital’s administration building last Thursday.
Mr Young, while presenting the keys, said that Unicef had engaged heavily in some major health development projects in the province during the last two years and would continue to support in the future.
He described the donation as small but important for the hospital to carry out its activities in the province.
He said Unicef had been operating in 165 countries in the world protecting children, and PNG was one of them.
Mr Young said Unicef was committed to work closely with the Western Highlands provincial health to help children and women.
He appealed to the other stakeholders like the provincial government and NGOs to support health activities to improve the quality of health services in the province.
Dr Kintwa thanked the Unicef for the donation.

Lawyer withdraws services
A LAWYER for two men accused of murdering Australian Russell Green in Lae has withdrawn his services after one of them decided to change his plea.
Luke Vava said that prior to the trial, it was his understanding that Carl Arua Beni would plead guilty to killing Green at his home in Nov 9, 2005.
However, just before hearing began last Thursday morning, he said Beni changed his mind.
Mr Vava told Justice George Manuhu that he could no longer represent the two and asked to be discharged.
Justice Manuhu granted the request.
The other co-accused is Menos Duma Dong.

Morobe University Centre relocated to Lae city centre
The newly renovated Morobe University Centre conveniently located at the heart of Lae city will now cater for the increasing demand of student intakes for next year.
The Morobe University Centre is a branch of the University of Papua New Guinea Open campus where courses are offered through extension learning.
Morobe University Centre Director Kensol Rui told The National yesterday that the centre was moved from the Hunta Lutheran Mission station where it was not really convenient for students taking the courses.

Nestle AIDS campaign targets grassroots
PLAYS are the most effective means of conveying information and increasing awareness about the deadly HIV/AIDS epidemic in rural villages and settlements.
Nestle (PNG) Limited is now employing the means to impart HIV/AIDS awareness at the grassroots level. The Lae-based food and beverages manufacturer said in a statement through publicist TokAbaut Nius: “It is effective as it is entertaining and captures the audience’s attention.”
Nestle has formed a strategic partnership with the PNG Red Cross Society and the National AIDS Council (NAC).
The dramas were in Tok Pisin with acts emphasising love, family unity and faithfulness.
Nestle’s approach is further endorsement of Morobe Provincial AIDS Council HIV/AIDS response coordinator Charles Pepe’s assertion that drama was a creative way of providing awareness and education in an entertaining way to capture the audience’s attention and impart valuable lessons.