Western Highlands Province

Western Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Mount Hagen. The province covers an area of 8,500 km², and there are 440,025 inhabitants (2000 census), making the Western Highlands one of the most densely populated provinces. Tea and coffee are grown in the Western Highlands. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea, is on the border of the Western Highlands.

The fertile Wahgi valley is in this province. In July 2009, it was announced that the Jiwaka region would be removed from the Western Highlands to become its own province.
Electorates of Western Highlands Province.

The following are the electorates of Western Highlands Province;

1. Mt. Hagen Central Open
2. Tambul Nembilyer Open
3. North Waghi Open
4. South Waghi Kambia Open
5. Jimi Open
6. Mul/Baiyer Open
7. Dei Open

Papua New Guinea and Foreign Aid

Fellow is my response on discussions I had with like-minded Papua new Guineans worldwide on how foreign aid is being used and foreign influence in Papua New Guinea.

It was interesting to read your discussions and comments regarding issues in one way or the other affecting Papua New Guinea. From my perspective, PNG as a democratic country has to open up to any country for bilateral relations, either be Australia, China, United States, etc...for diplomacy, Aid, business, etc...

I like one of the guys in here who said earlier and I quote, " Whoever comes to help Papua New Guinea will probably lead us to the water but will not make us to drink". As a independent country, we are the masters of our own destiny and we can't let foreigners to dictate to us on how to run our affairs.

Discovery Service Projects partner with NGO, International Aid to complete the water filter installation and larina stove installation in the La Flecha region of Honduras in 2008

AUSAID or others as most of you have discussed is given at least partly with the objective of benefiting PNG. It may have other functions as well: it may be given as a signal of PNG's diplomatic approval, or to strengthen a PNGDF ally, to reward PNG for behaviour desired by the donor, to extend the donor's cultural influence in PNG, to provide infrastructure needed by the donor for resource extraction from PNG, or to gain other kinds of commercial access.

You've seen how Aid packages have been put into use over the years by the relevant government agencies and it's departments. Even if the principles of a definition are set, it remains difficult to determine the effective flow of aid because aid is fungible: receiving aid may free up PNG's funds for use in non-aid projects that could not have been undertaken had the aid not been received.

If AusAID is funding renovations in major correctional service facilities throughout PNG; for example, where is Papua New Guinea's share of the money that have been budgeted for the same project but should have been diverted to other areas, either purchasing new fleet of vehicles?

I constantly read about CIS officers complaining about transporting offenders to court and back on the same vehicle and once that vehicle breaks down, the cells are full of inmates waiting to go to court because there is no vehicle to take them to court.

The scenario is true for other departments, ie, police, education, etc...instead of buying new police vehicles, millions have been pumped into hire car companies owned by politicians. I failed to understand this and make sense of our current situation in PNG about Aid and our approach toward our donors.

What I see PNG lacking is, we need good leadership who has people's interests before theirs (vital), proper medium, short, and long term goals for PNG, formulate strict mechanisms for the channeling of overseas aid, proper decisions to suit the interest of PNG and not few, strict laws on corruption, mismanagement, bribery, etc...

These are impediments to the development of Papua New Guinea and unless we take time to minimize some of these, we'll continue to expect aid to be our saviour and steal our own funds in broad daylight in the pretext of development.

Present and past successive governments have failed miserable in addressing our deteriorating infrastructure throughout the country and this saddens me when I read about a school with no classroom or a mother has to die because there is no hospital to deliver her baby. This hurt me to the core of my heart when I read of such events everyday.

Lets speak up and be heard, fellow PNGeans!

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Papua New Guinea and Foreign Aid

Fellow is my response on discussions I had with like-minded Papua new Guineans worldwide on how foreign aid is being used and foreign influence in Papua New Guinea.

It was interesting to read your discussions and comments regarding issues in one way or the other affecting Papua New Guinea. From my perspective, PNG as a democratic country has to open up to any country for bilateral relations, either be Australia, China, United States, etc...for diplomacy, Aid, business, etc...

I like one of the guys in here who said earlier and I quote, " Whoever comes to help Papua New Guinea will probably lead us to the water but will not make us to drink". As a independent country, we are the masters of our own destiny and we can't let foreigners to dictate to us on how to run our affairs.

Discovery Service Projects partner with NGO, International Aid to complete the water filter installation and larina stove installation in the La Flecha region of Honduras in 2008

AUSAID or others as most of you have discussed is given at least partly with the objective of benefiting PNG. It may have other functions as well: it may be given as a signal of PNG's diplomatic approval, or to strengthen a PNGDF ally, to reward PNG for behaviour desired by the donor, to extend the donor's cultural influence in PNG, to provide infrastructure needed by the donor for resource extraction from PNG, or to gain other kinds of commercial access.

You've seen how Aid packages have been put into use over the years by the relevant government agencies and it's departments. Even if the principles of a definition are set, it remains difficult to determine the effective flow of aid because aid is fungible: receiving aid may free up PNG's funds for use in non-aid projects that could not have been undertaken had the aid not been received.

If AusAID is funding renovations in major correctional service facilities throughout PNG; for example, where is Papua New Guinea's share of the money that have been budgeted for the same project but should have been diverted to other areas, either purchasing new fleet of vehicles?

I constantly read about CIS officers complaining about transporting offenders to court and back on the same vehicle and once that vehicle breaks down, the cells are full of inmates waiting to go to court because there is no vehicle to take them to court.

The scenario is true for other departments, ie, police, education, etc...instead of buying new police vehicles, millions have been pumped into hire car companies owned by politicians. I failed to understand this and make sense of our current situation in PNG about Aid and our approach toward our donors.

What I see PNG lacking is, we need good leadership who has people's interests before theirs (vital), proper medium, short, and long term goals for PNG, formulate strict mechanisms for the channeling of overseas aid, proper decisions to suit the interest of PNG and not few, strict laws on corruption, mismanagement, bribery, etc...

These are impediments to the development of Papua New Guinea and unless we take time to minimize some of these, we'll continue to expect aid to be our saviour and steal our own funds in broad daylight in the pretext of development.

Present and past successive governments have failed miserable in addressing our deteriorating infrastructure throughout the country and this saddens me when I read about a school with no classroom or a mother has to die because there is no hospital to deliver her baby. This hurt me to the core of my heart when I read of such events everyday.

Lets speak up and be heard, fellow PNGeans!

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Papua New Guinea and Foreign Aid

Fellow is my response on discussions I had with like-minded Papua new Guineans worldwide on how foreign aid is being used and foreign influence in Papua New Guinea.

It was interesting to read your discussions and comments regarding issues in one way or the other affecting Papua New Guinea. From my perspective, PNG as a democratic country has to open up to any country for bilateral relations, either be Australia, China, United States, etc...for diplomacy, Aid, business, etc...

I like one of the guys in here who said earlier and I quote, " Whoever comes to help Papua New Guinea will probably lead us to the water but will not make us to drink". As a independent country, we are the masters of our own destiny and we can't let foreigners to dictate to us on how to run our affairs.

Discovery Service Projects partner with NGO, International Aid to complete the water filter installation and larina stove installation in the La Flecha region of Honduras in 2008

AUSAID or others as most of you have discussed is given at least partly with the objective of benefiting PNG. It may have other functions as well: it may be given as a signal of PNG's diplomatic approval, or to strengthen a PNGDF ally, to reward PNG for behaviour desired by the donor, to extend the donor's cultural influence in PNG, to provide infrastructure needed by the donor for resource extraction from PNG, or to gain other kinds of commercial access.

You've seen how Aid packages have been put into use over the years by the relevant government agencies and it's departments. Even if the principles of a definition are set, it remains difficult to determine the effective flow of aid because aid is fungible: receiving aid may free up PNG's funds for use in non-aid projects that could not have been undertaken had the aid not been received.

If AusAID is funding renovations in major correctional service facilities throughout PNG; for example, where is Papua New Guinea's share of the money that have been budgeted for the same project but should have been diverted to other areas, either purchasing new fleet of vehicles?

I constantly read about CIS officers complaining about transporting offenders to court and back on the same vehicle and once that vehicle breaks down, the cells are full of inmates waiting to go to court because there is no vehicle to take them to court.

The scenario is true for other departments, ie, police, education, etc...instead of buying new police vehicles, millions have been pumped into hire car companies owned by politicians. I failed to understand this and make sense of our current situation in PNG about Aid and our approach toward our donors.

What I see PNG lacking is, we need good leadership who has people's interests before theirs (vital), proper medium, short, and long term goals for PNG, formulate strict mechanisms for the channeling of overseas aid, proper decisions to suit the interest of PNG and not few, strict laws on corruption, mismanagement, bribery, etc...

These are impediments to the development of Papua New Guinea and unless we take time to minimize some of these, we'll continue to expect aid to be our saviour and steal our own funds in broad daylight in the pretext of development.

Present and past successive governments have failed miserable in addressing our deteriorating infrastructure throughout the country and this saddens me when I read about a school with no classroom or a mother has to die because there is no hospital to deliver her baby. This hurt me to the core of my heart when I read of such events everyday.

Lets speak up and be heard, fellow PNGeans!

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This is the Moment

David,

This is the moment our movement was built for.
For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.

Home is where we're strongest. We didn't win last year's election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most. And if you're willing to step up once again, that's exactly where we're going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.

There are those who profit from the status quo, or see this debate as a political game, and they will stop at nothing to block reform. They are filling the airwaves and the internet with outrageous falsehoods to scare people into opposing change. And some people, not surprisingly, are getting pretty nervous. So we've got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight.

That's why Organizing for America is putting together thousands of events this month where you can reach out to neighbors, show your support, and make certain your members of Congress know that you're counting on them to act.

But these canvasses, town halls, and gatherings only make a difference if you turn up to knock on doors, share your views, and show your support. So here's what I need from you:
Can you commit to join at least one event in your community this month?

In politics, there's a rule that says when you ask people to get involved, always tell them it'll be easy. Well, let's be honest here: Passing comprehensive health insurance reform will not be easy. Every President since Harry Truman has talked about it, and the most powerful and experienced lobbyists in Washington stand in the way.

But every day we don't act, Americans watch their premiums rise three times faster than wages, small businesses and families are pushed towards bankruptcy, and 14,000 people lose their coverage entirely. The cost of inaction is simply too much for the people of this nation to bear.

So yes, fixing this crisis will not be easy. Our opponents will attack us every day for daring to try. It will require time, and hard work, and there will be days when we don't know if we have anything more to give. But there comes a moment when we all have to choose between doing what's easy, and doing what's right.

This is one of those times. And moments like this are what this movement was built for. So, are you ready? Please commit now to taking at least one action in your community this month to build support for health insurance reform: http://my.barackobama.com/CommitAugust
Let's seize this moment and win this historic victory for our economy, our health and our families.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

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This is the Moment

David,

This is the moment our movement was built for.
For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.

Home is where we're strongest. We didn't win last year's election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most. And if you're willing to step up once again, that's exactly where we're going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.

There are those who profit from the status quo, or see this debate as a political game, and they will stop at nothing to block reform. They are filling the airwaves and the internet with outrageous falsehoods to scare people into opposing change. And some people, not surprisingly, are getting pretty nervous. So we've got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight.

That's why Organizing for America is putting together thousands of events this month where you can reach out to neighbors, show your support, and make certain your members of Congress know that you're counting on them to act.

But these canvasses, town halls, and gatherings only make a difference if you turn up to knock on doors, share your views, and show your support. So here's what I need from you:
Can you commit to join at least one event in your community this month?

In politics, there's a rule that says when you ask people to get involved, always tell them it'll be easy. Well, let's be honest here: Passing comprehensive health insurance reform will not be easy. Every President since Harry Truman has talked about it, and the most powerful and experienced lobbyists in Washington stand in the way.

But every day we don't act, Americans watch their premiums rise three times faster than wages, small businesses and families are pushed towards bankruptcy, and 14,000 people lose their coverage entirely. The cost of inaction is simply too much for the people of this nation to bear.

So yes, fixing this crisis will not be easy. Our opponents will attack us every day for daring to try. It will require time, and hard work, and there will be days when we don't know if we have anything more to give. But there comes a moment when we all have to choose between doing what's easy, and doing what's right.

This is one of those times. And moments like this are what this movement was built for. So, are you ready? Please commit now to taking at least one action in your community this month to build support for health insurance reform: http://my.barackobama.com/CommitAugust
Let's seize this moment and win this historic victory for our economy, our health and our families.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

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This is the Moment

David,

This is the moment our movement was built for.
For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.

Home is where we're strongest. We didn't win last year's election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most. And if you're willing to step up once again, that's exactly where we're going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.

There are those who profit from the status quo, or see this debate as a political game, and they will stop at nothing to block reform. They are filling the airwaves and the internet with outrageous falsehoods to scare people into opposing change. And some people, not surprisingly, are getting pretty nervous. So we've got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight.

That's why Organizing for America is putting together thousands of events this month where you can reach out to neighbors, show your support, and make certain your members of Congress know that you're counting on them to act.

But these canvasses, town halls, and gatherings only make a difference if you turn up to knock on doors, share your views, and show your support. So here's what I need from you:
Can you commit to join at least one event in your community this month?

In politics, there's a rule that says when you ask people to get involved, always tell them it'll be easy. Well, let's be honest here: Passing comprehensive health insurance reform will not be easy. Every President since Harry Truman has talked about it, and the most powerful and experienced lobbyists in Washington stand in the way.

But every day we don't act, Americans watch their premiums rise three times faster than wages, small businesses and families are pushed towards bankruptcy, and 14,000 people lose their coverage entirely. The cost of inaction is simply too much for the people of this nation to bear.

So yes, fixing this crisis will not be easy. Our opponents will attack us every day for daring to try. It will require time, and hard work, and there will be days when we don't know if we have anything more to give. But there comes a moment when we all have to choose between doing what's easy, and doing what's right.

This is one of those times. And moments like this are what this movement was built for. So, are you ready? Please commit now to taking at least one action in your community this month to build support for health insurance reform: http://my.barackobama.com/CommitAugust
Let's seize this moment and win this historic victory for our economy, our health and our families.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

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Bank of South Pacific (BSP) fees outrageous

The managing director of Bank South Pacific (BSP), Mr. Ian Clyne's claims for BSP's retail banking making 'zero profits' is nonsense. How many times have we seen Bank South Pacific making millions of kina annually as shown in it's financial reports. Mr. Clyne failed to tell the thousands of customers throughout Papua New Guinea how many times Bank South Pacific made a loss.

To simply say, fees are increased to aim at trying to make banking easier and more assessable to as many Papua New Guineans as possible is laughable. How many times has Mr. Clyne got out of that comfortable office and visited major towns during busy paydays and weeks? Customers had to wait long hours in long queues to withdraw or deposit their cash. This gets worse and worse each day in centers like Mount Hagen, for example. This this the kind of service that Mr. Clyne trying to provide to his customers?

So many BSP customers seem to wonder why Bank South Pacific charges hefty fees for ATM balance check, over the counter deposits, ATM mini statements, check clearance, and merchant EFTPOS withdrawals. They should be seen as value added services. For a poor farmer in the village who goes to Bank South Pacific to deposit his one hundred kina (K100)might be ripped off by the bank and hopeful he might end up with half or even less than his previous balance.

This is frustrating for so many customers who have worked hard to have that money but over time, the bank continues to use the money in their accounts just under the pretext of "better services for it's customers" Let me tell you, Mr. Clyne, since the privatisation we've not seen an efficient and effective services provided by the Bank of South Pacific. All the fees that you're imposing on the poor customers are free in most countries including the United States.

Papua New Guineans doesn't have that opportunity to choose among the banks to do their banking because they're few banks in Papua New Guinea and therefore, you're taking advantage of their hard earned cash. We are not totally trying to oppose your banking 'service' fees but it should be done in the best interest of your customers.

The service fees for BSP published in the papers were too much for a village farmer to do his/her banking. Mr. Clyne, you mentioned that most of the 500,000 customers of BSP keep small balances but if you did your research, all of these are people from the village and they need to keep a low balance let alone the required twenty kina (K20) minimum balance which most people can't afford in a week.

Ultimately, Bank of South Pacific customers, if I were you; I would probably find a new bank with customer friendly fees for their services and a bit lenient on the banking activities with them. In other words, there should be a level playing field. The opposite is true for BSP and it's 500,000 plus customers nationwide.

Jika Kupingal

Colorado, USA

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Bank of South Pacific (BSP) fees outrageous

The managing director of Bank South Pacific (BSP), Mr. Ian Clyne's claims for BSP's retail banking making 'zero profits' is nonsense. How many times have we seen Bank South Pacific making millions of kina annually as shown in it's financial reports. Mr. Clyne failed to tell the thousands of customers throughout Papua New Guinea how many times Bank South Pacific made a loss.

To simply say, fees are increased to aim at trying to make banking easier and more assessable to as many Papua New Guineans as possible is laughable. How many times has Mr. Clyne got out of that comfortable office and visited major towns during busy paydays and weeks? Customers had to wait long hours in long queues to withdraw or deposit their cash. This gets worse and worse each day in centers like Mount Hagen, for example. This this the kind of service that Mr. Clyne trying to provide to his customers?

So many BSP customers seem to wonder why Bank South Pacific charges hefty fees for ATM balance check, over the counter deposits, ATM mini statements, check clearance, and merchant EFTPOS withdrawals. They should be seen as value added services. For a poor farmer in the village who goes to Bank South Pacific to deposit his one hundred kina (K100)might be ripped off by the bank and hopeful he might end up with half or even less than his previous balance.

This is frustrating for so many customers who have worked hard to have that money but over time, the bank continues to use the money in their accounts just under the pretext of "better services for it's customers" Let me tell you, Mr. Clyne, since the privatisation we've not seen an efficient and effective services provided by the Bank of South Pacific. All the fees that you're imposing on the poor customers are free in most countries including the United States.

Papua New Guineans doesn't have that opportunity to choose among the banks to do their banking because they're few banks in Papua New Guinea and therefore, you're taking advantage of their hard earned cash. We are not totally trying to oppose your banking 'service' fees but it should be done in the best interest of your customers.

The service fees for BSP published in the papers were too much for a village farmer to do his/her banking. Mr. Clyne, you mentioned that most of the 500,000 customers of BSP keep small balances but if you did your research, all of these are people from the village and they need to keep a low balance let alone the required twenty kina (K20) minimum balance which most people can't afford in a week.

Ultimately, Bank of South Pacific customers, if I were you; I would probably find a new bank with customer friendly fees for their services and a bit lenient on the banking activities with them. In other words, there should be a level playing field. The opposite is true for BSP and it's 500,000 plus customers nationwide.

Jika Kupingal

Colorado, USA

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Bank of South Pacific (BSP) fees outrageous

The managing director of Bank South Pacific (BSP), Mr. Ian Clyne's claims for BSP's retail banking making 'zero profits' is nonsense. How many times have we seen Bank South Pacific making millions of kina annually as shown in it's financial reports. Mr. Clyne failed to tell the thousands of customers throughout Papua New Guinea how many times Bank South Pacific made a loss.

To simply say, fees are increased to aim at trying to make banking easier and more assessable to as many Papua New Guineans as possible is laughable. How many times has Mr. Clyne got out of that comfortable office and visited major towns during busy paydays and weeks? Customers had to wait long hours in long queues to withdraw or deposit their cash. This gets worse and worse each day in centers like Mount Hagen, for example. This this the kind of service that Mr. Clyne trying to provide to his customers?

So many BSP customers seem to wonder why Bank South Pacific charges hefty fees for ATM balance check, over the counter deposits, ATM mini statements, check clearance, and merchant EFTPOS withdrawals. They should be seen as value added services. For a poor farmer in the village who goes to Bank South Pacific to deposit his one hundred kina (K100)might be ripped off by the bank and hopeful he might end up with half or even less than his previous balance.

This is frustrating for so many customers who have worked hard to have that money but over time, the bank continues to use the money in their accounts just under the pretext of "better services for it's customers" Let me tell you, Mr. Clyne, since the privatisation we've not seen an efficient and effective services provided by the Bank of South Pacific. All the fees that you're imposing on the poor customers are free in most countries including the United States.

Papua New Guineans doesn't have that opportunity to choose among the banks to do their banking because they're few banks in Papua New Guinea and therefore, you're taking advantage of their hard earned cash. We are not totally trying to oppose your banking 'service' fees but it should be done in the best interest of your customers.

The service fees for BSP published in the papers were too much for a village farmer to do his/her banking. Mr. Clyne, you mentioned that most of the 500,000 customers of BSP keep small balances but if you did your research, all of these are people from the village and they need to keep a low balance let alone the required twenty kina (K20) minimum balance which most people can't afford in a week.

Ultimately, Bank of South Pacific customers, if I were you; I would probably find a new bank with customer friendly fees for their services and a bit lenient on the banking activities with them. In other words, there should be a level playing field. The opposite is true for BSP and it's 500,000 plus customers nationwide.

Jika Kupingal

Colorado, USA

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