Post PNG’s ventures further in E-commerce space

Caption:   Post PNG Philatelic Manager Banian Masiboda

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH E-commerce (Electronic marketing) touted as the next evolution in the economy- Post PNG has continued the evolving of its business activities online in response to the changing business environment.

Philatelic Manager Banian Masiboda revealed this week at the launch of stamps for the Bank of Papua New Guinea on their e-commerce project, launched in May 2015, as a response to the dramatic drop in mailing service demand.

“Now that we are able to put our heads above water with our recent launched online shop, our e-commerce project,” Masiboda said.

“People are not sending letters anymore now and it as really affected our business, which has not been going very well.”

“With the innovative ideas of the e-commerce project now- we are able to have collectors from all around the world clicking 24 hours a day purchasing our stamps.”

He said with the success of the online stamps selling overseas, the second phase of the e-commerce project will come online, the Post Shop, where entities have been invited to be a part of for an e-commerce trading platform.

“We have currently entities like Ela Motors, UMW, Daltron, Fone Haus on board, so clicking onto the Post PNG website, you will be able to purchase products from other establishments as well.”

“The good thing you do not have to be in Port Moresby to do that- if you are in Lae, Alotau, Hagan you can be do that from the comfort of your home.”

“The first phase was the Post Stamps, second phase is the Post Shop where we have invited other organizations to come in, and third is the Post Market where you can be able to sell your pair of shoes, cars, in an e-commerce platform.”

He also revealed the final phase of their e-commerce project being the Post Box concept.

“Now when you go to post offices like that at (Boroko Foodworld)Waterfront you pay for a mail box, automatically when mail is delivered in it they press a button and your phone is alerted so you do not have to burn fuel all the way to the Post office for nothing just to check.”

BPNG launches commemorative currency stamps

Caption: (L) Mr Bakani cancelling a set of stamps to signify the launch of the series as Masiboda guides him.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

BANK of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) launched its stamp series of its commemorative notes and coins of the 15th Pacific Games and the 40th Independence Anniversary released last year, in Port Moresby.

The stamps were cancelled by Governor Loi Bakani to signify their issuance in Post PNG’s stamps series.

Philatelic (Stamps) Manager Banian Masiboda said that the official launch of Bank of Papua New Guinea’s coins and notes commemorative stamps was a partnership with BPNG that begun with the launching of the bank’s own 40th anniversary stamp in 2015.

Masiboda made reference to the trying times for the postal industry with the onslaught and evolvement of communication platforms.

“The devastating forces of technology today really disadvantages post PNG and we are thankful to the governor for the broad decision to continue to be behind us for second consecutive year.”

“People are not sending letters anymore now and it as really affected our business, which has not been going very well,” Masiboda said.

“We are now able to put our heads above water with our recent launched online shop, our e-commerce project, as stamps are not collected anymore now.”

He said with the innovative ideas of the e-commerce project ongoing they are able to have collectors from all around the world ordering 24 hours a day purchasing stamps.

Present to officially launch the stamp First Day Covers and Souvenir Sheets, Central Bank Governor Loi Bakani applauded the partnership between the Central Bank and Post PNG- also highlighting the innovativeness of the postal service provider in modernizing its operations amid the changing climate.

“Frankly it is very encouraging to see Post PNG venturing into new products using modern technology and ways of doing business.”

“We can all appreciate and know that these days you have to change the way you do business to survive in this very competitive world.”

“Congratulations to PPNG to taking right step and direction in new ways to be competitive in market,” Governor Bakani said.

He said the BPNG, over the years, had produced commemorative bank notes and coins to celebrate significant events either hosted in the country.

“Last year we hosted the 15th Pacific Games and BPNG produced commemorative notes and coins to mark that event and also to celebrate the 40th Independence Anniversary of Papua New Guinea.”

“Today we celebrate this significant event by launching the banks commemorative notes and coins stamps.”

“The notes and coins stamp issue is the second issue that Post PNG is consecutively releasing in partnership with the bank of Papua New Guinea,” he added.

He added the importance in keeping historical achievements in various memorabilia to reflect the country’s journey.

“Whist we have the opportunity these days I think it is important to reflect this history and some of the past events in ways that we can always remember them in the future.”

“This is where we are taking part and we see Post PNG as a good partner advancing this objective.”

“We will continue to venture into other areas, other products that will have the same objective of conserving some of these old events or past event, past designs, past items like in notes and coins,” he concluded.

Namah hell-bent on attending May session

Caption:  Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah.

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (Sunday CHronicle, PNG)

REFERING to The National Newspaper’s report (Tuesday 17 May) of Public Prosecutor, Pondros Kaluwin on his suspension from official duties, including attending Parliament- Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah says he will still attend Parliament on May 31.

Namah said on Wednesday that the court order states that pending the hearing and determination of the reference under section 18 (2) of the constitution, the proceeding of the first defendant in the leadership tribunal against him in the leadership tribunal number 6 of 2015 had been stayed.

“When the leadership tribunal is stayed automatically the suspension stays,” Namah said.

“I will attend parliament on the 31st of May- if Peter O’Neill is scared of me I am going to attend parliament.”

“I have to make it clear to my friend Pondros Kaluwin that you have to withdraw your statement- I have given instructions to my lawyer to pursue contempt proceedings against you as your statement is contemptuous.”

He also made a comparison to the case of Treasury Minister and Member for Aitape-Lumi Patrick Pruaitch.

“My case is no different from my brother from Aitape Lumi- his leadership tribunal is stayed where he is able to perform his official duties.”

“Is there a different law that Kaluwin is trying to interpret here.”

Opposition unsatisfied with foreign missions explanation

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE Opposition has rebutted the explanation of Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato on discrepancies in payments made to Foreign Service staff of overseas missions.

Following revelations made by the Opposition on the eventual closure of overseas missions- Minister Pato responded saying incorrect amalgamations were made from the Overseas Living Allowances to the Locally Engaged Staff on the payroll.

Opposition Leader Sam Basil said in a conference on Wednesday that they were not satisfied with the explanation of oversight given by the state minister.

“We are not satisfied with his reports that the funds have been amalgamated into different accounts that has caused the overseas missions to put off their wages for two fortnights and going towards a third,” Basil said.

“We believe that the foreign affairs minister has covered up over a mishap he reckons, but we believe that due to the depletion of our foreign reserves and the state of the economic situation we are in, we believe that those were the cause of the reason why our overseas missions not having access to their funds.”

“We rebut it and we want the minister and be honest. We also send the same call to other ministers and other members of parliament that are serving the Government please do not come out and lie for the Prime Minister.”

He said the damaged made to the economy thus far was now turning around and speaking for itself.

“They will fight a losing battle trying to cover up for our economic mess, so please foreign affairs minister come out and tell the truth.”

Students’ maturity praised

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

BOYCOTTING students from the University of Papua New Guinea have been praised for their matured approach to their protest demands.

Oro Governor Gary Juffa praised the leadership qualities portrayed by the student in light of the heavy presence of police at the Waigani Campus.

“Our students are demonstrating patience and true leadership qualities which I am sad to say we do not see often in parliament,” Governor Juffa said.

“They have been well behaved following all procedures and processes; they have not acted with violence with no destruction of property, no threat of intimidation of state entities or other students.”

“Everything has been done in a very reasonable, mature manner- and I would like to commend the students for that.”

The vocal governor also reminded student from his province of the support of his provincial government in their democratic rights of self-expression and dissent.

“I for myself encourage my student from my province that on behalf of my provincial government we are behind you- to protect your right to dissent, your right to express yourself freely as a citizen in a democratic nation,” Governor Juffa said.

“If they decide that they want to continue and the year be cancelled, the government will support them.”

“If the students feel it is important enough to take whatever measures to take to stand up to speak on behalf of our country and people by all means we should support them.”

He said was vital to protect the fundamental democratic right of dissent- adding that what the government was doing in terms of preventing peaceful dissent as sending the wrong signals to the rest of the world.

“We are now behaving like the way Indonesia behaves towards people protesting in regards to matters of say West Papua.”

“Behaving the way governments of Burma and other autocratic governments behave when their citizens rise up to express concern. They use brutality and oppression.”