Group irked over leadership
THE Nakuwi Association is the only legitimate mouthpiece vested with powers to represent the interest of landowners from Nauti, Winima and Kwembu in the Hidden Valley gold project and no one else, association executives said last Wednesday in Lae. Nakuwi Association president Rex Mauri told a press conference at the Mavra guest house at Eriku they were the only legitimate landowners that was recognised by the Morobe provincial government, the National Government and the developer Harmony Gold. “I want to remind Bulolo MP Sam Basil that he was misled by accepting a petition from certain landowners regarding the Hidden Valley gold project when it would be more appropriate for him to meet with all the landowners of Hidden Valley gold project to discuss the issue,” Mr Mauri said.

Students advised on HIV/AIDS
THE dangers of HIV/AIDS and anti-social behaviour were among key messages given to graduating students of St Ignatius Secondary School in Sandaun province recently. Finance and Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch, who was guest speaker, cautioned students that negative influences would destroy their lives if they were not careful. “I am also reminded of the horrible disease HIV/AIDS that has already ravaged many countries and is starting to destroy our own country at a frightening rate. You young people are in the age group that is most vulnerable to this disease and I not only urge but warn you to respect yourself and to be careful in your social life. Our country needs responsible hard-working people, not those who are sick and sit back expecting something for nothing.”

Kikala backs liquor ban call
THE Vice-Minister for National Planning and District Development Philip Kikala has supported moves by Barrick Porgera Joint Venture to ban liquor in Porgera. The Lagaip Porgera MP in a statement called on the Enga provincial government and the governor to immediately ban all liquor outlets before the end of this month. The member is now calling on the Enga provincial government and the governor to immediately ban liquor outlets in Lagaip Porgera electorate and to revoke all liquor licences that have been issued to these outlets before the end of this month. Mr Kikala said that consumption of liquor had contributed to the ongoing law and order and illegal mining activities at the mine site.

CAA closes Hoskins airport
THE Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has closed the Hoskins airport in West New Britain to all jet-powered aircraft for repairs to be carried out. CAA chief executive officer Joseph Kintau said Air Niugini could still fly to Hoskins using its Dash 8s instead of the usual Fokker 100. He said Hoskins was the busiest airport for F100s and over time, the runway had been damaged and needed to be resurfaced. “Safety is more important than business convenience,” he said, adding that the contractors would need about three weeks or more to complete the job.

Transmission lines vandalised
VANDALS shot at two transmission lines carrying supply from the Boroko and Waigani sub-stations at the Port Moresby Golf Club last Wednesday afternoon, damaging disc insulators. The incident caused a trip at the Kanudi Power Station, disrupting power supply. Repairs have since been made.

Doctors should take the lead
PROMOTING good health is very important and doctors must work together collectively to achieve this, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Abau Dr Puka Temu said while addressing the final year medicine students at their final year ball at the Holiday Inn over the weekend.
Dr Temu said he wanted to see PNG achieve something in health when it reached its 50th anniversary and as the future doctors of this country, they had to carry out this task.
He said two of the major health concerns in PNG were the high maternal mortality rate and the child mortality rates and these needed to be addressed.
Students were encouraged to take the lead in addressing those issues as they were now the young health professionals.
He said to have an impact in the country, they needed to work hard and give their best.
“If you love your country, give it your very best shot,” Dr Temu said.

ESP CAP receives funding aid
By GABRIEL FITO
COMMUNITY auxiliary policing (CAP) in East Sepik needs further strengthening to combat an upsurge in armed robbery incidents in Wewak, Sepik Savings and Loans (SSL) marketing officer Edward Woisub said.
Mr Woisub said the security of business houses and individuals was very important and that improving or sustaining their operations should be supported by the community.
He was speaking last Friday at the Wewak West CAP station where he presented K500 to help rebuild the station that was burnt last May.
Using small contributions from business houses and individuals, the CAP members led by councillor Vincent Namis started work on another building to be used as temporary station while a permanent one is yet to be built with help from the Wewak Rotary Club.
Mr Namis, who is the second in command in Wewak West, thanked the SSL for its generous contributions to help complete the building of a temporary police station.

Student hit by stray bullet
A Grade 8 student was hit by a stray bullet when pursuing men from a security company fired shots at suspects fleeing in another vehicle.
The victim, David Kimbi, 16, a 4 Mile Primary School Student from Asaro, Eastern Highlands, is now at the emergency unit at the Angau Memorial Hospital.
The slug entered his back and lodged in his chest.
Kimbi said he and his friends were discussing the results of the just concluded examinations by a roadside lawn when two vehicles suddenly appeared in the vicinity, with the vehicle owned by a security firm in pursuit.
The men at the security vehicle were firing at the other vehicle, Kimbi said.

Get tough on penalties: Ex-MP
By JAMES KILA
A FORMER politician in Goroka has urged the Government to get tough on the penalties for marijuana-related offences, saying that the drug was the cause of many other crimes.
Francis Harokave said marijuana had become a serious problem among youths nationwide.
He said rapes, armed robberies, arms trafficking, assaults and many other types of crime were often committed by people under the influence of marijuana.
“The authorities must amend the laws as the present prison sentences of between three months and nine are not tough enough,” he told The National.
He said the Government should consider capital punishment as practised by countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
“The Government must act before the problem really gets out of hand,” he said.

24 for personal viability course
Dressed with “Grassroots University” logo embroidered on their outfits, 15 men and nine women were Ok Tedi Mining Ltd’s (OTML) first candidates for the personal viability course.
Grassroots University was often associated with the personal viability (PV) training programmes which are being carried out by the Entrepreneurial Development Training Centre (EDTC).
OTML has supported and facilitated PV programmes with the EDTC since 2000. Early this year, Governor-General, Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane launched the PV programme in Tabubil for OTML employees and dependents.