Rabaul

The naming will be in recognition of the importance Rabaul, and East New Britain are to Air Niugini’s domestic air services.

The naming ceremony will be followed by a corporate function in the evening to be attended by Air Niugini’s key business partners and stake holders in East New Britain.

An Open Day will also be held the following day, Saturday 28th October at Vunapope School hall.

The day is open to the general public and commences from 10am to 3pm.

It’s a way of bringing Air Niugini to other parts of Papua New Guinea instead of having all anniversary celebrations centred around Port Moresby.

Last year , the anniversary celebrations were held in Mt Hagen and the year before in Lae.

Chief Executive Officer, Simon Foo said the 43rd anniversary activities will commence with a ceremony to name one of its Fokker 100 jets “ Rabaul” on Friday 28th October. 

He said “ This is in recognition of the importance Rabaul, and East New Britain are to Air Niugini’s domestic air services. “

The event started on Friday with the Kinavai at the Rabaul Memorial Park followed by the canoe race and the Go Go Cola Float parade on Saturday.

The Float Parade involved more than 100 business houses parading around Rabaul town.

The festival will end today with a liturgy service to commemorate the volcanic eruptions in 1994.

Today marks 21 years since the eruption.

The organiser, Rabaul History Society has thanked the following sponsors for supporting the 2016 Frangipani Festival.

“The journey was not easy. Great leaders from the province have laid the foundation of what we have been enjoying today.”

ToBaining told Loop PNG that ENB, being the model province in the country, has gone through tough times and proven to be the best.

He said one of the contributing factors to the success of the province is unity among the leaders. Without unity, the province will not be in its current stage.

ToBaining added that after the volcano eruptions in 1994, the province suffered and lost all its development.

Mrs Lau said now that the country has turned 41 years old, the mindset of business entrepreneurs must change as well.

Speaking at the independence celebrations in Rabaul on Friday, Lau called for unity among the business community in the province.

She said doing business in the province now is not the same as it was in the last two decades.

This year’s theme, “The coconut palm – the tree of life”, is sure to result in amazing displays of flair and creativity.

Businesses houses have already pledged Gold and Platinum sponsorship of the event.

Rabaul town is set to come alive tomorrow and Saturday to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the 1994 twin volcanic eruptions and celebrate Papua New Guinea’s 41st year of independence.

On Saturday  Sept 17, the streets of Rabaul will be full of colour as the float parade involving business houses that operate in ENB make their way through town.

Go Go Cola is proudly supporting the annual Float Parade.

“The Festival is a fantastic free community event and we are pleased to support the volunteer organising committee,” said Pacific Industries’ Greg Farrell.

"Last year’s Float Parade was a huge success and we’re looking forward to again seeing lots of colour and creativity fill the streets of Rabaul."

The world renowned Engini Baining Fire Dance is this year being sponsored by RAMS.

Application of the four LLG’s: Rabaul Urban 58 applications, Kombui with 60 applications, Balanatanam with 128 applications as well as Watom with applications have been screened and the subsidy has been approved.

K700,000 will be cleared and paid out in cheques to the universities and colleges both government and private in the province as well as around the country in the upcoming week.

With 70 registered applications, Kokopo Business College was recorded to have the highest number of students applying for the RDTTFS for this year.

The women in the district were the worst affected group during volcano eruptions and had to cater for their families’ water needs, hence, the water tanks will be given to their care in the council wards.

The Rabaul District Council of Women together with Community Development Officers in the LLG is working on a list of suitable sites where the tanks will be stationed for use by women in the community.

Rabaul women have been encouraged to take ownership in taking care of the tanks and ensure all women have easy accessibility to fetching water in the wards.

It is understood a youth from Malaguna No.1 had allegedly touched the backside of one the female market cleaners causing the security guards at the market, who are mostly from Iavakaka, Malaguna 2 & 3 villages, to confront the youths.

The cleane is allegedly related to some of the security guards.

Her relatives got together and raided Malaguna No.1 village chasing youth, women, men and girls last night.

The situation was so tense last night that the PPC and his men were called in, defusing the tension this morning. Police are monitoring the situation.