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Be proud of Telikom
ALMOST everyone in PNG seems to be criticising Telikom PNG but I want to
point out some facts before making conclusions.
Yes, competition has made mobile phones and calls cheaper.
We should be proud of Telikom because it is the pioneer in bringing
technology to some of the most remote communities.
Telikom is a proud corporate citizen, paying taxes and dividends to support
Government services, sponsorships to sports and social events, employing
over 2,000 Papua New Guineans and giving them training.
Digicel has yet to do that and is poaching skilled personnel from Telikom
and other communication companies.
Telikom has its fair share of failures and is trying its best to rectify
them. However, we are not helping them with the continuous cable cutting,
harassing of Telikom staff trying to fix faults and negative and illogical
criticisms.
We must be proud that Telikom is our very own and no matter what happens, it
will continue to serve us as it has done for the last 50 years. - Ten One
Gipo, Ufeto, Goroka
Unitech loses pride
I CANNOT believe what is happening at the Papua New
Guinea University of Technology. But then I am not surprised that this is
happening because of the ignorance of the Government and the university
council. Students and lecturers have been crying over the past years, and
not to mention, the lecturers (NASA) and students’ strikes this year. It is
a shame the Somare Government and the university council paid no attention
to these cries. Lecturers warned they would resign and yet nothing was done
about it. Now, the lecturers are leaving and the administration has two
months to look for replacement. It is impossible to find qualified and
experienced professionals within this short period. Unitech has lost its
pride due to the ignorance of the Government and university council. I
regret to say that the country has lost some of its future leaders. As a
student, I strongly recommend that the current administration step down
which has been the cry of NASA. – Very concerned sumatin, via email
Proactive approach needed
I WOULD like to express my concern over the possible closure of the mining
engineering department of Unitech due to a lack of lecturers. Throughout the
year, both the staff and students have been pointing the finger at the
administration. And if it had taken a more proactive approach, the situation
would not have come to this stage. Now there is not enough time to get
qualified staff, both national and expatriates. During the NASA (National
Staff Association) strike at the beginning of the year, Chancellor Philip
Stagg said he could replace lecturers in an instant when they threatened
with mass resignation. Where is he now when all the qualified staff, not
only the mining department but others, are leaving? Can the administration
inform us on the latest happenings in the university and the measures it is
taking to ensure the successful commencement of the 2008 academic year? –
PiTBuLL4LiFE, via email
Govt needs to act now
I AM a mining engineering student at Unitech. Next year is my final year.
This possible closure of the department is affecting my life. It is the only
department that is generating mining engineers in the whole Pacific region.
Since PNG is enjoying a mining boom, companies are in desperate need of
mining engineers. Therefore, the Government must act to arrest this
situation from becoming worse. I cannot afford to miss my final year. It is
not the students’ fault that the lecturers are leaving. So I call on the
Somare Government, if you have a heart for your citizens, to step in. –
Christopher R, Porgera
Nilkare’s generousity lauded
I WOULD like to thank Robert Nilkare for his generosity and help towards the
people of Omkolai. His financial support towards the rural aid post that
caters for a population of 4,000 to 5,000 is marvellous. A young man like
him who thinks of his people at such a time when the country is economically
burdened really signifies a generous and giving heart. Thank you also for
your financial support towards the people of Simbu. His action is a
challenge to the elites of Simbu. If we all can do the same like Nilkare, we
can take Simbu to the next dimension. Let’s forget our little differences
and work together for a better Simbu. – Jokafu KFK, Port Moresby
Improve military capabilities
THE Pacific region is increasingly becoming a geopolitical hotspotand it is
a concern the PNG Government must address. If Australia can invest billions
of dollars in new high-tech submarine fleet and modern air force, PNG too
has to plan to counter any problems that may arise in the future. As
reported, the Australian defence minister has committed A$25 billion for the
next 20 years to refleet its marine and air capability. We should also be
doing the same to improve our military capability not only to protect our
sea and airspace, but to respond effectively to natural disasters instead of
waiting for foreign assistances. – JPL, via email
Review InterOil agreement
I SUPPORT the call by PNGTU general-secretary John Paska (Dec 28) for the
Government to review its decision on the hefty tariff increase on the prices
of fuel. The ordinary citizen must not become a victim of this ill and
unthinkable decision. Air Niugini, PNG Power and others will cash in on fuel
increase. How much are we going to pay for fuel, power, airfare, etc? Is the
Government going to look at increasing the salary of the workers to meet
this increase? Can the Government review its existing agreement with
InterOil and come up with a suitable pricing? – Willie Doaemo, Lae
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