Practical Village Concept # 1: Village Census Data Keeping

This is my first post on the topic of village improvement in terms of living standards and quality livelihood of the village people. This first concept I wish to point out is that of a database or record of all the people that live within the village to be made, kept and maintained. The idea is that, the village councillor, as part of his duties to collect all the information of the individuals and families within his village and kept as his record for the village. Every six months or at the end of every year he/she should conduct a village census and keep a record of the village's own population. In that way when the country conducts its population census, the village will be prepared and have readily available the village census information to provide to the country's population census office. The data could also be utilized for other ways to improve the quality of life for the people. I attribute this concept to my elder sibling for this very practical idea.

New Look Lae City

On a recent visit to Lae recently at the end of May this year 2012, after 5 years since my last visit, I've noticed that Lae has definitely changed in a big way. The pot holes of Lae city are now fast turning into concrete paths for vehicles to drive and people to walk on. A couple of shots below show the concrete roads of the new look Lae Town.

Central Avenue towards Vele Rumana

6th Street and Central Avenue

6th Street to Telikom Building

Central Avenue towards Town Bus Stop

Planet Rock or The Liquid Inn building is now no more and Theodist and other buildings have taken residence along the Markham Road. The old Lae Airport now is a container yard as can be seen below also.

Theodist located along Markham Road

Container yard at the old Lae Airport

Eriku has also changed with Bar fences fencing the Huon Road on both sides and the new Raumai 18 building is pictured below as well.

View of Eriku with new Raumai 18 Building from Andersons

Fenced Huon Road along Eriku shopping Centre

You will have to visit Lae for yourself to see the new look Lae City.

EMTV's Election Focus Program

The Election Focus program aired on EMTV every Sunday is one really good pragram that EMTV has come up with. Mr. Eggins, the host of the show interviews people, so far, current members of parliament in the likes of Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Namah and Mr. Polye about their actions and future endeavours as leaders of the country. I congratulate EMTV for coming up with this program, as it puts our leaders on the spot, it asks them to justify their actions as well as seek their opinions on current issues, and we the citizens of this country can really see for ourselves what they are really like. I encourage the PNG media society to do more of this type of programs and interviews.

Something for the voting public to think about

I'd like to make a point here for all eligible voters to take note of when listening to candidates' campaigns to lure your vote. Listen carefully to what they are saying, if they preach about bringing water, electricity, etc... to your area, they must explain how they are going to do it. Do not be fooled by their talks, they must tell you how they plan to achieve what they want to do for you. Anybody can say what they want but only the ones who have the skills to attract investors, seek and obtain funds for their projects are the real leaders you want to vote for. These leaders will actually deliver their promises to you. So be aware when you listen to candidates preachings and pick out the ones that know how to deliver or have set plans on how to deliver their promises to you.

Listen carefully now and vote the right leader who will deliver for you.

Papua New Guinea 2012 National Elections

It's the time of the year again, where the nation goes to the polls to elect the best person to represent them in the house of parliament for the next five years. The Electoral Commission as well as serveral intending candidates have been making awareness for all to choose carefully who they want to represent them, as the next five years will see alot of revenue coming into the country mostly through the LNG Project. The right leader will ensure all these funds will go to the right areas whereas a crook leader will misuse these funds, hence awareness is made to the public to choose good leaders. Here in the nations capital, campaigning is full on with cars installed with loud hailers promoting their candidates throughout the day and posters and banners of candidates almost everywhere you look. It is said there are about 3400 people contesting for the 111 seats of parliament and about 45 different political parties vieing for the Prime Ministers seat. June 23rd is said to be the start of voting, so little time is left for candidates to convince the people to vote for them by getting their policies and messages across to the people.

PNG turmoil UPDATE

The protest march conducted yesterday was somewhat successful as the Prime Minister said to repel the Judiciary Bill on the condition that the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Judge Nicholas Kirriwom step down as judges pending investigations. He also appealed to Legal professionals to point out the exact clause(s) in the act that needs to be taken out. As to the deferment of elections, the Electoral Commissioner himself has declared upon consultation with all stakeholders that the issuing of writs will be delayed by 3 weeks and not 6 months as parliament voted. This means that the election campaign period for intending candidates will be shortened by 3 weeks to only 5 weeks instead of the normal 8 weeks. In all, everything turned out to be a success for the people of Papua New Guinea.

PNG in turmoil

10^th April, 2012, marks the day PNG citizens make known their intentions to the country’s Political leaders, its government in particular, to show their grievances, against the government’s recent political decisions. The first is the passing of the Judicial Review Act and the other is the deferral of elections by a further 6 months. The Judicial Review act in brief empowers the Legislative arm of the government to place judges under investigation for misconduct or biasness in their official duties, as a recommendation to the Governor General to appoint a tribunal for review of the case. The deferral of elections by 6 months due to a parliament decision by vote of 63-11 to defer the elections by a further 6 months has been seen as again an act of disregard or disrespect to the country’s constitution. As a result, the people have decided to take action against the government by conducting a protest march to parliament today to have them repeal their decisions with regards to the mentioned decisions discussed above. The groups involve include the student groups from the countries universities especially UPNG and Unitech, NGO group’s, Trade Union Congress and all its affiliated association members (where all workers of PNG fall into through their respective unions), civil society members, women’s groups, and the general public. School for all kids has been cancelled, many business houses are closed, public transportation has been reduced to a minimum and police presence is on a high.

Opportunists have used the occasion to disrupt normalcy by doing some of the following:

• TST Waigani has been destroyed by a mob from Morata.
• KMC at Badilli has been set on fire by a mob there.
• Mobs have been reported to chase away Asians and loot their shops at 6 Mile area.

These reports will have to be confirmed, but the general public has been warned to take extra caution when moving around the city.

This is the news as of lunch time today. Whatever develops throughout the afternoon, will be made known later. May our good Lord step in and take command of the situation.