prisons around the country are facing Christmas without food for about 5,000 prisoners.
The CS have asked Treasury for K8.7 million in outstanding warrants to feed the prisoners.
With no money, the threat of riots and multi-prison breakout is a possibility and could happen any time.
The supplier of food to the prisons has now all but refused to feed the prisoners due to non-payment for the past two months.
- CONTINUE ON PAGE 5
PRIME Minister James Marape -PICTURE: TARAMI LEGEI
ENTRY FORM
REGIONAL FORECAST
THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
SOUTHERN
THURSDAY: Isolated showers and thunderstorms, Becoming scattered over Milne Bay.
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How to contact us
EDITORIAL
EDITOR
Matthew Vari
Ph: 309 1032
Email: skeslep@spp.com.pg
BUREAUS
MAMOSE
ALOTAU: Partly cloudy with a shower or two. Moderate to Fresh SE winds. Max: 30C, Min: 25C.
THURSDAY: Isolated showers and thunderstorms.
possible brief showers/drizzles.
31C, Min: 24C.
WEWAK: winds. Max: 31C, Min: 24C.
NEW GUINEA ISLANDS
THURSDAY : Isolated showers and thunderstorms, Becoming Scattered Over New Ireland & AROB.
24C. LORENGAU: Partly cloudy with possible shower or two.
31C,
25C. KOKOPO/RABAUL: Partly Cloudy with few showers. Light W/SW winds. Max: 30C, Min: 24C.
HIGHLANDS
KAVIENG: Cloudy with few showers. Light W winds. Max: 29C, Min: 24C.
KIMBE: Partly Cloudy with few Showers/Drizzles. Light W winds. Max: 31C, Min: 24C.
BUKA: Cloudy with rain Showers and Thunderstorms. Moderate to Strong Westerly winds. Max: 29C, Min: 24C. DARU: Partly cloudy with brief showers/ drizzles. Light SE winds. Max: 30C, Min: 25C.
THURSDAY: Isolated showers and thunderstorms, then scattered morning fog.
GOROKA & KUNDIAWA: Partly cloudy with chance of Rain showers/Drizzle Tonight, then
MENDI & WABAG: Partly cloudy few evening showers/Rain drizzles, then morning fog
NB: SQUALLY OR GUSTY WINDS AREA EXPECTED IN SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.
FORMER Prime Minister and Member for Ialibu Pangia
Peter O’Neill has expressed his disappointment but respect for the decision of the five-man Supreme Court Bench regarding the 2022 general election.
The Court ruled that there were breaches of the Constitution in the last election but chose not to intervene in the Parliamentary election of the Prime Minister.
According to Court records, the Court declared that the requirement of s 1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament was not complied with, which was in violation of the Constitution.
Despite this, the Court refused O'Neill's application to declare
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Marape appeals to people
PRIME Minister James Marape has appealed to all Papua New Guineans to leave politics to politicians and focus on national development.
Marape has urged all citizens to prioritise the development of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and refrain from engaging in unnecessary political conflicts.
“In light of former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s Supreme Court review application this morning (yesterday), the majority ruling against his appeal signifies the need for us, as a nation, to shift our attention towards fostering growth and progress in various sectors.
“While it is essential to acknowledge that Mr O’Neill has exercised his constitutional right to pursue legal recourse, it is equally important for the country to put this matter behind us and channel our efforts towards key governmental focal points such as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other critical sectors that positively contribute to our nation’s advancement.
“My government is committed to fairness
the first meeting of Parliament on August 9, 2022, as unconstitutional.
The Court also declared that s 1 (3) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament was unconstitutional. O'Neill stated that the Court's ruling was confusing because the election was deemed unconstitutional, but the Court did not intervene, stating that changing events would not have led to a different outcome.
O'Neill thanked his legal team and supporters for their dedication in upholding the Constitution by having the last election tested by the Supreme Court. The Court's decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning the Court's interpretation of the
and inclusivity for all individuals who wish to contribute to the betterment of our nation. I implore every citizen to rise above political divides and come together in unity, working hand in hand as one people, to facilitate the development of Papua New Guinea,” Mr Marape said.
It is imperative to highlight that PNG faces numerous challenges including addressing law and order issues, strengthening the economy, improving public service delivery, and navigating through the complex task of managing the Bougainville situation. The Prime Minister emphasizes that his administration remains fully dedicated to tackling these challenges headon without delay.
As a testament to his unwavering dedication to the nation’s cause, Prime Minister Marape personally prioritizes national interests over personal comfort.
Despite the potential disruption that the Supreme Court decision had the power to cause, he continued with his pre-scheduled meeting with the Australian Government,
Constitution and the impact of the breaches on the election.
“Of course, I am disappointed that the decision did not go our way and that the serious breaches of our Constitution occurred, but I will respect the ruling of the Supreme Court made this morning in Waigani.”
As per Court records, the Court declared that the requirement of s 1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament that the notice in the National Gazette fixing the time and date of the first meeting of the Parliament after the 2022 general election be published after the date fixed for the return of the writs was not complied with.
underscoring his commitment to putting PNG’s interests above his own.
“I firmly believe that work for Papua New Guinea never stops. Our nation’s prosperity and well-being depend on our collective efforts to address the pressing issues at hand. Let us unite and persistently strive towards a better future for our beloved country,” Prime Minister Marape reiterated.
“My government will be fair to all who want to work and I ask people to move away from political divide and work as one people for our country.
“We have many challenges including law and order, economy, public service delivery, Bougainville to name a few and I have no time to waste.
“Like today I did not fret and stay back in PNG to receive the decision that had the potential to call parliament back, I travelled as earlier scheduled for my meeting with Australia Government because country comes first, and not the comfort of me in office. For me work for PNG never stops.”
It is declared noncompliance with s 1 (1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament in respect of the 2022 general election was in circumstances of this case inconsequential.
“Subsequently the Court refused my application to declare the first meeting of Parliament on the 9th of August 2022 as unconstitutional.”
However, the Court also declared that the s 1 (3) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament is Unconstitutional.
“I know many of you will find this very confusing that the Court would rule in my favour that matters were unconstitutional but then still rule that the election of the Prime Minister was okay.”
“My layman’s interpretation is that the Court has chosen to state that the election was unconstitutional but not to intervene in the Parliament process stating that just because it was unconstitutional does not mean that changing the events would have led to a different outcome. The Courts have handed down the ruling today that the breaches of our Constitution did not have a consequence on the election of the Prime Minister on the 9th of August 2022.”
“I wish to thank my legal team and supporters for their unwavering dedication and professionalism to uphold our Constitution by having the last election tested by the Supreme Court.”
Supreme Court refuses O’Neill’s application
BY TODAGIA KELOLA tkelola@spp.com.pg
MAJORITY of the five men bench of the Supreme Court have refused the main relief sought by former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill seeking to have the Supreme Court declare that the meeting of Parliament on 9 August 2022 resulting in the election of the Prime Minister on 9 August 2022 was unconstitutional. The bench constituting the five most senior Judges of our High Court, Chief Justice Gibbs Salika, his Deputy Ambeng Kandakasi, and Justices Panuel Mogish, David Cannings and Ere Kariko while agreeing that the question of the constitutionality of the gazettal notice
as being unconstitutional, invalid and ineffective, it does not mean that the meeting of the parliament on 9 August 2022 was unconstitutional because that section of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the parliament does not indicate the consequences or failure to comply with the notice requirement. Therefore the majority refused to declare the election on that date unconstitutional. (see separate the individual Judges findings.)
O’Neill had argued that the 9 August 2022 meeting of the Parliament was unconstitutional due to the notice calling for that meeting being published on a date before the date fixed for return of the writs contrary to s 1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the parliament, that s 63 of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political
Parties and Candidates, which establishes the procedure that was followed for the election of the Prime Minister on 9 August 2022, is unconstitutional; and therefore the election of the Prime Minister on 9 August 2022 was unconstitutional Final findings and orders by majority of the court are; The application to dismiss the application for being incompetent is refused.
It is declared that the requirements of s.1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the parliament that the notice in the National Gazette fixing the time and date of the first meeting of the parliament after the 2022 general election be published after the date fixed for return of the writs was not complied with.
It is declared that noncompliance with s.1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of
Meetings of the parliament in respect of the 2022 general election was in the circumstances of this case inconsequential.
The applications application for a declaration that the meeting of the parliament on 9 August 2022 was unconstitutional, is refused.
It is declared that s.1(3) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the parliament is unconstitutional.
The applicant’s application for declaration that s.63 of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates is unconstitutional, is refused.
The applicant’s application for a declaration that the election of the Prime Minister at the meeting of the parliament on 9 August 2022 was unconstitutional, is refused.
All other relief sought by the applicant is refused.
Chief Justice dissents and rules for parliament to restart process
CHIEF Justice Sir Gibbs Salika
was the only member of the 5men bench that upheld O’Neill’s application and making declarations that the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the parliament were breached and as such declare that all actions after the breach are invalid and ineffective.
He went on further to order that the meeting of Parliament on 9 August 2022 is declared invalid and ineffective. In his judgement the Chief Justice said “Judges are not in the business of law making. They interpret laws Parliament enacts including Constitutional Laws. That to me, with respect, is
their first and foremost role.
The Courts in PNG also have power to strike down a law including a Constitutional Law if it interprets that law to be inconsistent with a Constitutional Law.
I remind myself here again of my duty.
Here I am asked to interpret the Constitutional Law.
In doing that, I am reminded to be careful in interpreting the Constitution. I must be liberal and purpose driven in my approach to interpreting the Constitution.
I am also urged to use "judicial ingenuity" in appropriate cases to do justice. Ultimately, I must not lose sight of s 158(2) of the
Constitution. In his determination he proposed this orders I dismiss the competency application; I find that s 124 of the Constitution and s 1(1 ) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the parliament were breached and as such declare under s 11 of the Constitution, that all actions after the breach are invalid and ineffective; The gazettal notice calling for the meeting of parliament issued and published on 1st August 2022 is declared invalid and ineffective; The meeting of parliament on 9 August 2022 is declared invalid and ineffective;
THIS WEEK’ S QUESTION
Question of the week from a frustrated driver who has just paid his vehicle registration. “Why should I pay all these fees to make sure my vehicle is roadworthy, when the roads are not car worthy? “Ouch !
BODY ODOUR
Don’t mean to be rude but the ride in on the PMV this morning just brought it to our nose’s attention. Most PNG guys are reluctant to use aftershave on the theory that if you start wearing perfume, you’re heading down a slippery slope that will inevitably lead to rouge, leotards, watching Oprah and cooking shows. So most guys prefer to emit only natural male aromas such as B.O., old beer and deep fried food. But seriously guys, it not only makes the bus smell sweet it is a common courtesy to your fellow passengers.
EDUCATION STANDARDS
The Higher Education Minister has issued a timely warning to parents as they frantically search for a place for their kids for next year. They need to watch where they put their money. Many of the private institutions run TV ads saying they are “accredited by DHERST “Not quite correct as their old NTC registration must have expired by now and they do not comply with the new regulations for institutional or programme accreditation. Too many of these so called HEI’s have built fortunes on very shaky foundations and the gullibility and desperation of parents. Many of the “qualifications” they issue are not worth the paper they are written on. Time for a massive clean up. How many will survive?
TAKE A BREAK
No we didn’t forget your days of observance for December. Because of the festive season there are not so many other days. But here goes. You already did Aids Day on 1st on your own. 9th is Anti-Corruption Day but we don’t have any of that so no need to worry . 11th is International Mountain Day and 14th is Energy Conservation. 15th is haveva cuppa on International Tea Day and 22nd International Mathematics Day. Ironically when everyone is spending madly 24th is Consumers Day and you know the rest . Happy December.
NO RES PECT
We thought the people of Chuave were better than that. Burning down the District Admin Building and blocking the main highway are strange ways to show your respect for a fallen leader. The late member would have condemned such actions outright. It is just like the old days when supporters upib losing an election would destroy property built by their man. Crazy, backward behaviour obviously still thrives in the mountains of Chuave.
ROAD TO PROS PERITY
Loved this one from social media. “a country which tries to tax itself to prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself by the handle.
(Winston Churchill) Ouch!
-PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg
The swearing in of Members of parliament by the Chief Justice on 9 August 2022 are invalid and ineffective; The election of the Speaker of parliament on 9 August 2022 is invalid and ineffective; The election of the Prime Minister on 9 August 2022, is invalid and ineffective; Parliament must dissolve itself to repeat the process properly under s124 of the Constitution and s 1(1) of the Organic Law;
Section 63 of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates is not unconstitutional; and Costs of the application are awarded to the applicant.
A HAPPY Attorney- General Pila Niningi leaving the Waigani court premises with a team of lawyers after the Supreme Court refused the application by former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill challenging the legality of the 11th Parliament.
How the judges ruled
CHIEF Justice Gibbs Salika
In summary the act of issuing and the publication of the gazettal notice calling for the meeting of Parliament after a general election on August 1, 2022, was in breach of s 1(1) of the Organic Law. I declare that notice to be invalid as being unconstitutional and ineffective pursuant to s 11 of the Constitution. The net effect of that breach is that all events that took place on August 9, 2022, are invalid and ineffective.
The Organic Law and the Constitution for that matter do not provide a remedy for noncompliance except under s 23 of the Constitution which jurisdiction can only be exercised by the National Court. The fact remains, there were breaches of s 124(1) of the Constitution and s 1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament.
Deputy Chief Justice Kandakasi
I have had the benefit of reading the draft decisions of the learned Chief Justice and that of my brother, Cannings J. For reasons I will give shortly, I do not with the greatest of respect, agree with their Honours' respective views on the first issue of competency.
The Court can best do that by ensuring it does not get into the field of play, so to speak, but continue to maintain and discharge its duty as an independent and impartial umpire by applying the relevant and applicable law which includes both the substantive and procedural law and any set precedent where there is one, unless a case is properly made out for any departure from any such precedents. As emphasised above, an applicant who comes under s 18(1) of the Constitution has the duty to plead his or her case with clarity and sufficiently, in terms of his or her cause of action, and the reliefs sought and, in the manner, and form prescribed by the SCRs and the numerous case law on point. Where there is a failure in that respect, an intervener is entitled to take issue with that. When an issue is thus raised, the Court will do well by staying well within what is pleaded and sought rather than allowing for departures from what is pleaded and aIlow for matters not in fairness properly and clearly pleaded to be introduced. A failure to do so comes with the risk of the Court being accused of stepping into the shoes of one or more of the parties and attract unto itself accusations of being bias’ or acting impartially. Having regard to all the matters mentioned and discussed above, I find the application in the present case incompetent and is, therefore, not properly before this Court. Proceeding on that basis, I would dismiss the application with costs against the Applicant.
Justice Panuel Mogish
Whilst the process in calling Parliament by the Head of State was in breach of s 1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings
of the Parliament and is, therefore, unconstitutional, it was in accordance with the spirit, intent and purpose of s 124(1) of the Constitution and s 1(2) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament. Parliament was called to sit for the first time to nominate the Speaker and the Prime Minister within the seven days after the return of the majority of the writs. There has been substantial compliance of the Constitution. The spirit, intent and purpose of the provision has been achieved.
Justice David Cannings
1. Should the application be summarily dismissed for being incompetent?
No, the application should not be summarily dismissed. The declaration of October 24, 2022, that the applicant had standing to make the application foreclosed the issue of whether the proceedings ought to be summarily dismissed for being incompetent. In any event, the arguments for summary dismissal are without merit. The application should be determined on its own merits.
2. Was the date of the first meeting of the Parliament after the 2022 National General Election fixed in breach of Section 1(1) of the Organic Law on the calling of Meetings of the Parliament?
Yes, the date of the first meeting of the Parliament after the 2022 General Election was fixed in breach of s 1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament. Furthermore, s 1(3) of that Organic Law is unconstitutional.
3. Is section 63 of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates unconstitutional?
Attorney-General pleased with decision
ATTORNEY-General and Justice Minister Pila Niningi was pleased with the outcome of the decision of the Supreme Court yesterday which refused the constitutional reference by Ialibu-Pangia MP and former prime minister Peter O’Neill.
The Attorney-General was also an intervener in the application and was present in court yesterday to receive the decision in the absence of Prime Minister James Marape, who was overseas on State visits.
Mr Niningi expressed his gratitude to the team of lawyers and said that the Supreme Court had “in a nutshell, dismissed the special reference by Mr O’Neill”.
“This is relieving for our government moving forward.”
He said the full five-men Supreme Court judges have given their opin-
ion and the matter is settled. He added that it was also healthy that such constitutional references are brought up to correct any breaches and uphold the Constitution, and he thanked the applicant
Mr O’Neill for taking that approach.
“We can now put these issues to rest and continue to deliver for the betterment of the country as a government going forward,” Mr Niningi said.
Cannings gives judgement on special reference
SENIOR judge of the National and Supreme Court, Justice David Cannings yesterday gave a detailed finding on his opinion on the Special Reference by Ialibu-Pangia MP and former prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Justice Cannings was part of the five-men bench that presided over the application by Mr O’Neill who questioned the legality of the first Parliament sitting after the 2022 National General Election and other related constitutional questions.
The Chief Justice upheld most of the relief sought in the application while the other judges gave their respective opinions opposing the application.
Deputy Chief Justice Kandakasai was of the opinion that the application was incompetent and should be summarily dismissed while Justices Mogish and Kariko endorsed the opinion of Justice Cannings.
Parliament after a general election be published after the date fixed for the return of the writs was not complied with.
“The time and date of the first meeting of the Parliament was fixed and notice of it was published on August 1, 2022, which was before the date fixed for the return of the writs, August 5, 2022,” Justice Cannings said.
However, he said that his finding did not meant that the meeting of Parliament on August 9 was unconstitutional.
is refused.
It is declared that the requirements of s.1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament that the notice in the National Gazette fixing the time and date of the first meeting of the Parliament after the 2022 General Election be published after the date fixed for return of the writs was not complied with.
I agree with the Attorney-General that the provisions of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates that were declared in SC Ref No 11 of 2008 to be unconstitutional were of a fundamentally different character to s 63. Moreover, though I am of the view that the opinion of the Supreme Court in SC Ref No 11 of 2008 that s 63 was, by inference, constitutional, was not determinative of the issue, I consider that that opinion is now, having heard argument on the issue, of great significance. With respect, I adopt that opinion, which was expressed by the learned members of the Supreme Court in that case, that s 63 of the Organic Law is indeed constitutional.
Justice Ere Kariko
I consider there to be two key factors in the calling of the first meeting of the Parliament after the general elections:
That the majority of the writs are returned; and
That the members-elect are given adequate notice of the meeting. These factors are not in controversy in the case now before this court
I endorse the orders proposed by Cannings J.
Cannings in his opinion, slightly upheld one of the reliefs sought by the applicant, Mr O’Neill refused the rest of the relief sought.
“I have upheld the applicant’s argument that the requirement of s.1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament that the notice in the National Gazette fixing the time and date of the first meeting of the
“Section 1 of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament does not indicate the consequences of failure to comply with the notice of requirements of s.1(1). There was no breach of the overriding requirements of s.124(1) of the Constitution that the Parliament be called to meet not more than seven days after the day fixed for the return of the writs,” Justice Canning said and ruled that the breach of s.1(1) was inconsequential in his view.
Justice Cannings, therefore, gave his final findings and declarations that were subsequently endorsed by the Supreme Court.
By majority, the Supreme Court ruled that:
The application to dismiss the application for being incompetent
It is declared that noncompliance with s.1(1) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament in respect of the 2022 General Election was in the circumstances of this case inconsequential.
The applicants application for a declaration that the meeting of the Parliament on August 9, 2022, was unconstitutional, is refused. It is declared that s.1(3) of the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of the Parliament is unconstitutional.
The applicant’s application for declaration that s.63 of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates is unconstitutional, is refused.
The applicant’s application for a declaration that the election of the Prime Minister at the meeting of the Parliament on August 9, 2022, was unconstitutional, is refused.
All other relief sought by the applicant is refused.
Public servants who defied PM’s order to be penalised
FROM PAGE ONE
DESPITE the warning by the Prime Minister’s office, public servants decided to travel and defied the directives and instructions, hence, a warning has been issued for penalties for these public servants.
“My instructions were clear to Chief Secretary to limit those travelling to bare essential staff, so I have tasked Chief Secretary to look into this matter and suspend public servants who did not heed instructions,” Prime Minister Marape said when the Post-Courier informed him that the number of people in Dubai had gone over the approved ceiling.
Mr Marape reiterated saying: “The instruction was that only those relevant and essential ministers and officials to attend, so I am getting the office of Chief Secretary to look into this purported list.”
Initially there was a list of 56 ministers, departmental heads, protocol staff, and close protection
officers to travel to Dubai, however, when the list came out, PM Marape’s Chief of Staff Andy Hetra confirmed with the Post-Courier that: “This was a proposed list, the list had been reduced and instructions were given by PM Marape to cut down the list.”
Further to the instructions by the PM last week, Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu in a circular also stated that any travel of the government “must be curbed to a minimum”.
“Relevant agencies must be represented and we must limit our travelling but increase the back-hand support in-country to provide technical back up for the delegation.”
However, the United Nations Climate Change office has confirmed with the Post-Couriera 127-member list (as of November 30th) from Papua New Guinea registered for the CoP28 conference.
But they advised “a final list of participants will be made available after the closing of COP28!”
THE PNG list is the highest
number of delegates to travel to Dubai from the Pacific, followed by Vanuatu who have sent 80 officials. The other countries with delegates at Dubai are:
Fiji with 22 officials, including their Prime Minister and technical officials
New Caledonia has sent only 12 officials; Tuvalu has eight representatives in Dubai; and Solomon Islands and Kiribati have both sent six officials to the conference.
The Post-Courier will keep you updated if the PM’s instructions for suspension will also be carried or further defied when the delegation returns, alongside the glaring situation being what is to be done with Ministers within cabinet that were clearly left out of travel from the 29 PM list who still tagged along.
To check on PNG’s list, the link is provided https://unfccc.int/ documents/634503
A HAPPY Attorney-General Pila Niningi and his team of lawyers leaving the court premises yesterday after the court decision. PICTURE: TARAMI LEGEI
Salle commends officers for dedication
POLICE in Moresby South have been reminded about their role in the community.
Zone Commander Senior Inspector Joseph Salle told the officers to maintain law and order, foster trust and confidence within the communities they serve.
Senior Inspector Salle said this at the end of year parade at the Badili Police Station.
Mr Salle said: “As we near the close of yet another eventful and challenging year, I cannot help but reflect on the incredible dedication and commitment displayed by each member of our police force.
“Throughout this year, we have faced numerous trials and triumphs, but through it all, our resilience has shone brightly.
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our communities, often sacrificing our own personal comfort to protect the lives and properties of the people we serve.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment to public service.
“Our main objective as a police force has always been to maintain law and order while fostering a sense of trust and confidence within
our community.
“We have strived to build meaningful relationships, engender respect, and restore faith in our justice system.
“I am proud to say that we have achieved significant milestones in these endeavours,” he said.
“In closing, as we bid farewell to this challenging year, let us celebrate our accomplishments, learn from our experiences, and move forward with renewed determination and optimism. Together, we are an unstoppable force, and I have no doubt that the year ahead will be one filled with even greater achieve-
POTHOLE OF THE WEEK
Prisons brace for riots and breakouts
FROM PAGE ONE
THE threat is so real that the CS Commissioner Stephen Pokanis has reached out to the Treasury Secretary Andrew Oaeke to release outstanding CS Warants.
The Post-Courieralso sighted a letter from Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr in asking for the release of the warrants for the procurement of essential supplies for the CS.
In the letter, the Minister stated: “The total warrants requested is K8,722,142.00.
“Understanding the challenges faced by your office and the numerous demands on government resources, we emphasise the critical nature of this request. The wellbeing of detainees and the effective functioning of our correctional facilities are at stake. Timely action on your part can make a significant
difference in alleviating the current crisis.”
With the need for immediate support, the CS said that should there be no food there is a risk for: Riot within the prisons; More detainees being shot dead as never recorded in CS history as they attempt to escape because of hunger; and Greatest number of breakouts in a single month and sudden spike in criminal activities once these detainees get out of our correctional institutions into our communities. According to information procured by the Post-Courier, the detainees are allowed three meals a day, however, the meals have now been cut down to once a day with no meat for a plate of rice. By the end of this week, prisoners around the country will be without food should the funds not be released.
Dept of Personnel Management launch corporate plan 2023-2027
BY MESWIN IPAYA
THE Department of Personnel Management (DPM) officially launched its 2023-2027 Corporate Plan at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby yesterday.
As the keynote speaker of the ceremony, the Minister for Public Service Joe Sungi advised all public
servants from DPM to understand the meaning of the corporate plan and different functions and meanings of other development plans like the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP).
He advised them to understand what it means to have a plan and how to actually execute it.
“When you do plan, know how to
implement it.
“Make it your business to understand what is a corporate plan, development plan, strategic plan, MTDP and other different types of plans in the government sectors.
“A corporate plan is all about inhouse systems to help us prepare to achieve the development plans,” the Minister said.
Mr Sungi also reminded of a few functions DPM performs in order to deliver services to the people.
“For the DPM, our development outcome is to support all public servants to make sure they deliver services to our people in the country.
“Our job is to make sure that all the public servants are on pay and they recruit the right people on merit basis.
“We are here to ensure that all the HR in the respective sections of the government sectors are very well trained and they are in a good condition to help the public sectors on the ground like teachers to teach, health workers to save lives and police officers to enforce the laws.”
ZONE commander senior inspector joseph salle speaks to the police officers at Badili Police station in Moresby South. PICTURE SUPPLIED
WITH the Port Moresby Business College in the vicinity of Miki Street in Gordon, Moresby Northeast, one would think that the road which has heavy traffic would be fixed. This particular road has also been the scene of car-jackings and the pothole is one of the reasons vehicles slow down to navigate the road. PICTURE: TARAMI LEGEI.
lae daily
Binga: Funds, other issues affect aid posts
BY MARIE SONNY msonny@spp.com.pg
INFRASTRUCTURE improvement, human resources and funding must be taken into account to reopen the 186 health centres and aid posts in the Morobe Province.
The Morobe Provincial Health Authority chief executive officer Dr Kipas Binga said in order to get the aid posts opened, there are numerous is-
sues that need to be addressed first.
“One is to improve infrastructure which requires resourcing,” he said.
“It needs all of government approach now from the provincial health authority, the provincial government, and the district development authorities to start working together to renovate those aid posts.
“And when we renovate them, you need people to work there, that’s when HR becomes an issue.”
He said that 70 per cent of aid posts are shut down due to poor infrastructure and 30 per cent of them lack health workers.
He said for HR, 400 positions have been advertised this year with 480 more to be advertised next year that totals to 880 vacant positions in Morobe.
Dr Binga said of the 400 positions advertised this year, 200 positions are for Angau Memorial General Hospital while the other 200 are for health centres and aid posts.
“Now if we open these aid posts, we need resources to run them, medicine is one of them,” he said.
“A strategy in place to look at medicine is we have formed a Medicine Therapeutics Committee which is to
Sasi breaking down barriers to be a successful businessman
BY ANCILLA ILAVE
BORN with disability, Sasi Ema, is not one to sit back and watch an opportunity pass him by.
He is a person living with disability, who graduated with 77 other, from the Morobe Empowerment Youth Organisation (Meyo) and Evangelical Lutheran Church Yabim District, Partnership Intervention Training Program recently.
The SME training provided opportunity for people like Sasi, who is a businessman, to be upskilled on basic book keeping and savings method, to ensure business sustainability and profit making.
The fifth child in a family of eighth, Sasi is a unique person who was determined to achieve what he sets his mind to.
From Rua village in Sialum, Tewae-Siassi district in Morobe Province, the young man owns and runs five different businesses - a trade store, fish pond, coffee, vanilla, and cocoa.
He does all these with the help of his brothers and employs labourers when needed.
Sasi started his business with one box of dry cell batteries that he bought for K30 and grew his business through hard work, commitment, and support from his family and community.
All his hard work and commitment paid off with five successful businesses and now with the certificate acquired through the basic SME training, Sasi is prepared to open an account with MiBank so he can save his money.
When asked how he usually saves his money, Sasi smiled and said: “I carry the money around with me.” Sasi now has the opportunity to save so that he can apply for a loan to increase his business capital to tap into other projects that are currently under his agenda, like second-hand clothing, PMV transport, and others.
drive the consumption rates of the drugs as at the moment that information is lacking from our side.”
Dr BInga said the committee is working with the districts to devise a cost for moving drugs.
Minister for Health Dr Lino Tom was in Lae yesterday and commented on health issues affecting the province and country.
He said the number one priority is to increase the number of health workers which is low in the country and the second priority is medicine.
“It’s a multi-faceted problem with budget implications, the supply
chain, and procurement,” Dr Tom said.
“The budget for medicine has to increase, the supply chain has to be improved and for supply chain to be improved it’s a two-way thing, there has to be input from districts and the output will follow.
“For procurement, the recommendations made by reports, they want an independent procurement commission which we are about to implement where we will be bringing development partners so that they provide oversights so there’s no corruption and there’s transparency.”
BY ANCILLA ILAVE
THE Assemblies of God (AOG) has elected 17-new members of the church national executive council, with Rev Joe Pandu re-elected as the General Superintendent for the third term.
The newly elected members of the AOG NEC met in Lae last week for the swearing in of the members, after the general conference which started in Kimbe on October 2, 2023 and ended in Wewak on November
2, 2023, after a five-week roll-out for the elections.
Rev Pandu called for unity in the church to move the work of God in the country. He urged every pastor to work in consultation and not in isolation to
BY NATASHA WATAH
THE Lost Tribe Development Program in Lae, Morobe Province, is run by the Tok Stret Consultant Limited in collaboration with Pacific Development Support Services that was funded by the Steamships Community Grant Program. It is a project where persons living with disabilities are engaged in employment with a fortnightly wage that supports them.
Tok Stret Consultant admin officer Dianne Korau said the Lost Tribe Program stared in mid-2023 when they received funds from Steamships and that enabled them to start this as pilot project where they involved seven people living with disabilities.
She said before they started the program, they made sure the seven members underwent financial literacy and business skills training in order to be equipped with skills and knowledge on how they can manage their funds when they are on payroll.
According to the Director of Pacific Development Support Services, Kenny Lawrence, this opportunity was given to the lost community in
BUMAYONG Secondary School
has beaten off its “dark moments” to host its 23rd Grade 12 graduation ceremony after five years.
Despite the dark moments of Bumayong Secondary, which was known for violence, school fights, and cult practices, this image is slowly changing because the students, teachers, staff and management of the school want to bring back the good name of the school as one of the top in the province.
Maintaining the school’s standard depends on the students and teachers and this is true in all the schools in Morobe.
The graduation ceremony was the break through and publicity needed by the school after the decay that
Lae where they came up with the Lost Tribe business name.
He said, in this project, they try to emphasis more on sustainable living by giving them this opportunity.
“It is a sad reality because if you send a person with disability to go find employment the door will be locked that is why we created this space for them so that we can help them in doing something to themselves,” he said.
“We created a markets space for them by building 7 tables, 7 chairs and market tents as kiosk in the Lae market and we provide goods for them to sell for 14 days so that at least they can go home with something.”
Mr Lawrence said the Pacific Development Support Services supports Lost Tribe by providing transport for each member.
He said people living with disabilities are very important group of people and urged the government to really look into providing their needs.
Mr Lawrence said so far, they have done well and are looking forward to see how this pilot project turns out after evaluation and hoping they could make improvements in some areas and involve more members.
fulfill the church’s mission to win souls to the kingdom of God.
Rev Pandu called on the church to support the bible college to train more men and women of God for the work of the church.
He was first elected in 2014 and has
prevented many good things from happening at Bumayong, an official said.
Former Good News Director for Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea, Rev Elymas Bakung, said the event marked a positive moment for the school as it had forgotten its purpose, through the dark moments experience at Bumayong secondary.
“This is the time students, teachers and the school board and management join hands and work together to restore Bumayong secondary’s name and prestige,” he said.
Students need to break through the barrier and get past the dark moments, leave all that behind and start fresh because this is the new beginning.
been re-elected unopposed for the last two terms and also this term for the next three years.
General Secretary, Mark Ani was also re-elected for the second term, and Pastor Ivan Leslie was elected Deputy General Superintendent.
Nine months of training to be a certified officer.
THREE STAGES OF TRAINING
COMMUNITY POLICING
Public safety
Duty counter
Cell blocks
Community setup etc...
Two months training respectively
1. Prosecution
Case laws
Legislation laws
Court process etc...
Two months training respectively
2. Investigation
Practical cases common and ongoing issues such as cybercrime, PNG Forestry Authority, National Fisheries Authority engaging trainees to see how investigation course works.
Two months training respectively
Three weeks block (On job training to pass to next stage of training)
Training Commandant is changed to Assistant Commissioner of Training structure.
439 positions including provincial training officers will be advertised for jobs.
Only grade 12s with distinction and credits marks is eligible to apply.
Nine months training for policemen, no longer six months.
RECRUITMENT
1.Papua New Guinea Police Application Form and Recruitment information
Police recruitment in Papua New Guinea has been an ongoing initiative the Government of Papua New Guinea has put in place. The main purpose of PNG police recruitment is to increase the police force in the country.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Police Constabulary (RPNGC) has taken the responsibility to recruit new officers every year. We provide some information on Police Recruitment you should know before applying.
2. Police Recruitment
Eligibility Criteria
Those that seek to be Constables
YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM ENTRY CRITERIA BEFORE YOU CAN APPLY.
Must complete Grade 12 and obtain the original certificate; Must have scored C grades in Language & Literature and Mathematics; Must compete grade 12 in an approved and Government certified education institution; Must be age between 20 – 27 years old; Must be physically fit with no disability; Must be of minimum height of 158cm tall; Must not have any criminal convictions in the fast; Must be a single person.
If you have all the above then your application must include the
following:
A signed personal letter of expression of interest;
Completed application form provided;
CV personal particulars and history about yourself;
Include an ID size face photo of yourself;
Copies of both grade 10 and 12 certificates (Keep the original); Three character references from people who know you personally. Your Pastor, Headmaster, Ward Councilor or any senior Government officials etc..
Being a policeman/woman is a higher calling. It is a call to serve the people. It is about respecting the public.
3. How to apply to become a policeman or woman Papua New Guinea Police Recruitment: Applications are open for recruitment twice are year. Usually, calls for recruitment are published in the local newspapers, or you can write directly to the headquarters in Port Moresby for the latest application forms.
Write to the Police headquarters for application forms. If the application forms are available in the newspapers, cut out the form. Fill out the forms and attach two references and all your academic transcripts and certificates. Send your applications to the address given below.
SHORTLISTING AND INTERVIEW:
If you are shortlisted for an interview, the officer in charge of the screening process will notify you either by phone or through print media.
SCREENING: The screening process involves reviewing the applicant’s eligibility and verifying that they meet the minimum requirements for the position, such as citizenship, education, and age.
TESTING: The testing process usually includes a written examination, which evaluates the applicant’s cognitive abilities, problemsolving skills, and general knowledge.
INTERVIEW: Applicants who pass the written examination will then be invited to attend an interview, which assesses their communication skills, personality traits, and overall suitability for the role. The interview may be conducted by one or more members of the recruitment team.
MEDICAL CHECKS:
Applicants who pass the interview may then be required to undergo medical checks, including a physical examination, to ensure that they are in good health and physically able to perform the duties of the role.
PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST:
Applicants who pass the medical checks will then undergo a physical fitness test to assess their physical abilities and endurance. The fitness test usually includes exercises such as running, pushups, sit-ups, and a beep test.
If you successfully complete all these processes, you will be shortlisted to undergo training at the National Centre of Excellence, Bomana for 9 months.
4. Contact for police application forms, recruitment and queries
The address for the police recruitment is given below. You
College to offer diploma and degree courses
ROYAL PNG Constabulary’s training college at Bomana has changed its name to Centre of Excellence in 2017 to reform its training programs to higher standards.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Training John Kolopen said over the years recruits were Grade 10s, conduct of policing have dropped and public have lost confidence in police work.
The department has taken a step forward to change the college structure in rebuilding the force’s strength again.
In 2016 government approved the proposed structure. In 2017, with the name
change, 439 positions were made available to be funded by government within the college.“We are trying to build the capacity of learning and trying to build diploma and degree courses, it will be a long way but we have to start somewhere to get the standard little bit higher,”Mr Kolopen said.
He said rebuilding of classrooms, offices and other buildings will take place and once the funding is available new batches will be recruited.
He said only Grade 12s with higher marks in distinction and credits will be eligible to apply.
Centre building capacity for police force
POLICE in the country can now be offered diploma and degree courses within the training college in coming years in Port Moresby.
The name change from Training Commandant to Centre of Excellence and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG) and Royal PNG Constabulary will enable them to teach diploma and degree courses for prosecution and investigations sup-
can use this address to do the following:
Request for the latest police application form, Send the complete application forms and documents, For applications and general queries. Write to;
OIC RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
ROYAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSTABULARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS
P O BOX 85
KONEDOBU, NCD
You can also call the phone: 322 6100 /3211222
5. Tips for successful application Papua New Guinea Police Recruitment
The best way to apply for the PNG Police Recruitment is to get as much info as you can. Once you know what to do, you can do it right the first time. So, call or write to the police HQ or, better still, contact the recruitment officer directly.
When you deal with recruitment officers (or proxies) DO NOT pay a bribe. This is a community service – the officers are public servants – and they’ll help you. Attach all the necessary documents. Take your application to your teacher, pastor, policeman, magistrate or senior citizen to check before you make the submission. When you have submitted the application form, follow up immediately. Ask when the selection list is coming out.
www.rpngc.gov.pg
ported by Australia Federal Police.
“It will be a refresher pathway for our police who can improve and be good prosecutors and investigators in cases they handle,” Assistant Commissioner of Training John Kolopen said.
He said for diploma courses, they will take two years and will commence next year once the infrastructure and refurbishment of the training college is completed and funds are available.
THE National Centre of Excellence at Bomana, Port Moresby.
responds to media allegations
WYNDALE Investment Limited, a subsidiary of Wyndale Holdings Pty Ltd of Australia (Wyndale) has responded to allegations raised in an article published on December 1, 2023.
One of its directors namely Nikolajs Zuks was brought to the Buka Police Station at Kubu, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and questioned over allegations of conducting unauthorised exploration and mining activities in the Paruparu Area of Eivo Torau Constituency, Central Bougainville and the Jaba Middle tailings area of Ioro 2 Constituency, Central Bougainville thereby contravening sections 343 and 354 of the Bougainville Mining Act, 2015.
A complaint was laid and Mr Zuks was brought into the Buka Police station and questioned.
After the interview of Mr Zuks, Wyndale in a written statement said, "Wyndale categorically denies each and every allegation raised and says that it respected the law and followed due process for such applications as stipulated under the relevant provisions of the Bougainville Mining Act, 2015.
Pending grant or refusal of the Exploration Licence by the Bougainville Executive Council, it never conducted any exploration activities in the Paruparu Area of Eivo Torau Constituency, Central Bougainville."
This was explained to the Bougainville Police and they are now fully aware of this the company stated.
During this entire period since, 2018, Wyndale never did any illegal activity and all it wants is to
do business in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and to continue on with the relationship it has formed not only with the Landowners from the proposed project areas but with the people of Bougainville as it has committed to do so.
We sincerely apologise for the article published on page 8 of the Post- Courier Newspaper dated Friday, December, 1, 2023 where it was reported that Nikolajs Zuks is a bankrupt Australia Miner. It was an honest oversight without malice to Nickolajs Zuks and we unreservedly retract the statements or references referring to Nikolajs Zuks as being Bankrupt.
Fresh produce agency presents 2021 annual report
THE Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) has presented its 2021 Annual Report to the Secretary of Agriculture in Port Moresby on Friday.
As part of meeting statutory requirements, the report provides public disclosure of FPDA's operating and financial activities in 2021.
The performance report is based mostly on the implementation of the annual operational plan and budget.
The results were derived directly from the respective programs and priority projects and were measured against the targets of the annual plan, MTP3, and the government's medium term plan III (MTDP Ill).
The key indicators for measurement include number of farm-
ers contacted, number of formal SMEs established, volume of local production and monetary value earned as well as volume and value of imports.
A total of 10.000 farmers were contacted which was a massive 164 per cent increase against the target. Further, about 35.000 tonnes of supply of fresh produce was recorded against the target volume of 27,000.
The government provided 80 per cent of the operational annual budget for the year, which was a decrease by 21 percent.
This is compared to the previous budget appropriation.
The expenditure of funds was in line with the work plan and budget of K13.9 million.
Chief executive officer, Mark Worinu clarified that the organi-
sation experienced growth in its asset base due to capital investments, resulting in increase in the total equity value compared to the previous year.
“M&E reviews were done regularly to ensure there was effective oversight provided on the implementation.”
He further pointed out that in line with the government medium term targets and current policies, FPDA annual work plan has focused on delivering on key outputs through strong partnerships with districts, provincial governments and other development partners and investors.
“Networking and partnerships with key stakeholders have been fruitful, and we intend to continue into the future.
MARKHAM MP and acting Speaker Koni Iguan looks on as National Parliaments First Clerk Assistant Yape Mosses presented a K40,000 cheque to Wantoat high school head teacher Ben Jacob
‘I come to Wantoat to bring peace’
BY ISMAEL GWASO
MARKHAM MP and Acting Speaker of Parliament Koni Iguan has returned to Leron-Wantoat LLG for the first time since he was declared as the elected leader.
Mr Iguan was accompanied by Markham district CEO Bohage Bebinaso and parliamentary officers to witness the Wantoat High School graduation and launching of a new excavator.
Mr Iguan, who is currently battling a court case regarding the Markham district election, apologised to the people saying that due to the court case, the district budgets were restricted which hinders development progress.
“I come to Wantoat today to bring peace, I am not enemy with anyone, if you have something against me, I asked you to forget your past and work
with me to continue see changes into our district,” he said.
Mr Bebinaso said despite the court case, services must go ahead that they have launched an excavator for the Wantoat road alone.
“We already budgeted K4 million for the Leron-Wantoat road, we will continue the corrugated sheets roll-out, our headquarter at Mutzing station will be launched soon with the five year development plan in 2024 February, the plan is ready and in the process of documentation,” Mr Bebinaso said The district has committed K100,000 to Wantoat High school science lab equipment’s and K200,000 for dormitories while the speaker’s office presented K40,000 to the school to also support its development progress. Transportation is also a challenge in the Leron-Wantoat LLG.
Agreement to focus on security cooperation
BY GORETHY KENNETH kennethg@spp.com.pg
AUSTRALIAN Federal Police personnel will be in the country and work under the PNG police force structure, Prime Minister James Marape announced.
They will operate under the PNG Constitution once the Bilateral Security Agreement is signed.
Mr Marape is set to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement with his counterpart Anthony Albanese when both meet for the PNG-Australia bilateral in Canberra tomorrow.
The agreement focuses on security cooperation in police support and border management.
Mr Marape said this agreement that he will sign on Thursday included provisions for the Australian police personnel to work under the Royal PNG Constabulary and the expansion of training facilities in PNG to become a regional police training centre.
“Cabinet will endorse the finer details before Mr Albanese and I sign off.
Australian police officers will work under the command and control of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabu-
lary and the Police Commissioner.”
Mr Marape expressed his desire to modernise the police forces in PNG and stated that specific details of Australian support would be worked out by officials.
However, he assured that the agreement would benefit both countries in terms of maintaining law and order and ensuring security and safety.
“Overall, the Bilateral Security Agreement between PNG and Australia signifies a deepening of the existing relationship between the two nations.
“It encompasses various aspects of security cooperation, with a strong emphasis on law and order, and aims to bring about improvements in the police and justice sectors in PNG,” he said.
“This landmark agreement, among others, encompasses Australian Federal Police support for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, reinforcing mutual security interests in the region. Prime Mr Marape emphasised the strategic importance of this security arrangement for both Papua New Guinea and Australia.
The agreement extends to potential Australian support for the Police Training Academy at Bomana and explores the creation of a regional academy within Papua New Guinea.
GOING HOME FOR HOLIDAYS
BEING another special occassion to spend with friends and families back home, holiday makers are back in line to purchase tickets home. Pictured are Air Niugini customers waiting to buy their tickets at the airline branch at the Rangeview Plaza in Port
Kotange lauds dept for initiating appointment
THE Department of Personnel Management (DPM) has been lauded for finally initiating the process to appoint a permanent Director General for the National Narcotics Bureau (NNB).
Applications closed last Friday after external advertisements were carried in the print media over the recent weeks.
“I thank DPM for finally initiating the appointment process as I have been acting in it since August last year,” acting Director General Kiria Kotange said last week.
“It is also opportune for me to thank the National Executive Council (NEC) and Cabinet for the vote of confidence in appointing me to lead the NNB in the last 15 months,” he said.
“I inherited a lot of challenges but over time and with the right management team behind me, I am proud to say now that we delivered on the government’s agenda of re-establishing the NNB as a standalone agency primed to resume its action against illicit drugs and its criminal proliferation and abuse,” Mr Kotange said.
Mr Kotange was appointed in his present acting capacity by the NEC through due diligence process on August 05, 2022, and officially gazetted.
According to him, his primary task was to reestablish the NNB as an autonomous statutory agency and roll out its approved nationwide expansion structure starting next year.
Mr Kotange said so far with nil budget support, the management under him had managed to complete 80 per cent recruitment and is primed to place qualified and experienced staff at all provincial headquarters.
He said from the start, it was apparent that the expansion of the bureau would not happen in isolation, provided the change in modern technology, best practice, skills and resourcing.
“Our corporate planning projects our intention to vie for a legal and structural transition from a bureau with its limitations to a full and unhindered authority with the broad access and capability to address the national and global prevalence of drug trafficking and abuse,” the acting Director said.
“Furthermore, we are at a progressive stage of 60 per cent in drafting, enabling and accommodating policies in the way of a National Strategic Plan and Corporate Plan,” he said.
“Once completed and launched, these key policy documents will be firsts for NNB, signifying milestone achievements and laying out the blueprint for the way forward,” Mr Kotange said.
PM commends Sogavare
BY GORETHY KENNETH kennethg@spp.com. pg
PRIME Minister James Marape has commended Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for successfully hosting the XVII 2023 Pacific Games amidst severe criticism from all over the Pacific.
And he said he is satisfied and thankful that the K40 million assistance given to the Solomon
Islands government by the PNG government last year was not a waste.
Mr Marape emphasised the significance of the event for the Solomon Islands and the entire Pacific, proving that the region had the capability to host such large-scale events. He expressed pride in PNG’s contribution to the Games and the support provided to the Solomon Islands –especially assisting to build the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) that was labelled one of the best Academy in the Pacific.
“I’d like to take this time also to congratulate Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for hosting the Games,” Mr Marape said.
“It is the biggest event Solomon Islands has hosted and anyone who doubted Solomon Islands, or any Pacific Island country’s ability for that matter, then the 2023 Pacific Game shows that the Pacific can do it the Pacific way, Melanesia can do it the Melanesian way,” he said.
“Solomon Islands did it very well and PNG is proud in our own small way that the K40 million we gave to support Solomon
Islands has not been wasted and the Game was delivered at a high note,” Mr Marape said. He congratulated Prime Minister Sogavare for also hosting the Pacific nations very well.
Mr Sogavare stood tall during the official Closing Ceremony in Honiara, fighting back tears as the 2023 Pacific Games Flag was lowered and handed to Tahiti on Saturday evening.
There were lots of praises for Mr Sogavare and his government from the Pacific Games Council and the Olympic officials, including PM Marape.
KIRIA Kotange
Moresby. PICTURE: TARAMI LEGEI
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023
No medicine, a death sentence
We were aware that many of the rural health facilities in Morobe were out of medicines.
There was a social media campaign carried out by a group of people living in the province over the last few weeks to draw the attention of Government to the critical situation confronting the health sector in that province.
The closure of the rural facilities in Morobe should be a cause for alarm because we are talking about a health issue here that can have far worse consequences because Morobe is a very big province.
From the Markham plains bordering the Ramu Valley in Madang in the west to the Siasi Island, bordering West New Britain Province in the east and Waria, bordering the Milne Bay province in the south to Teptep in the north, bordering Madang, the entire province is covered in mountains, valleys and broken by huge rivers, making access to government services in Lae city for the bulk of the people very difficult.
It is at these small rural health facilities, scattered around the province where the rural people get care and treatment when they fall sick.
Morobe is home of nearly a million people and they are delivered a death sentence, given that nearly half of the 349 rural health facilities are closed, either due to lack of medicines, medical staff and break down of infrastructure.
There are ten districts in Morobe including the Wau-Waria district which was created by the last Parliament.
Each of these have a representative in Parliament who take home K10 million every year under the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) to invest in social services like health in their districts.
Morobe Governor Luther Wenge or his predecessor took home K5 million per
district every year under the Provincial Services Improvement Fund and that works out to K40 million in the last term of Parliament and K45 million in this term of Parliament.
Every year Morobe has been getting a whopping K130 million that should go straight into the districts to fund critical government services and if that cash was put to good use, no health facility would close down today.
So, what will happen now?
Are we to assume that the crisis had hit the front page of this newspaper and is getting the deserved attention, the Government will have no choice but to come to the aid of the Provincial Health Authority in Morobe by providing more funding?
How many other health facilities around the country had closed, due to lack of funding, breakdown of infrastructure and lack of staff?
We are sure Morobe is not alone. It would be interesting to get some statistics out of Morobe and in fact out of PNG on the number of deaths, incurred as a result of the closure of these facilities.
The Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey may not have the data to show that our people are suffering, like he argued in Parliament recently, and he may not be aware that the situation on the ground across the country is not good at all.
We have to reiterate the calls from within Parliament, within Government and within the country for the Prime Minister, James Marape and his Treasurer Ling-Stuckey to implement the national budget properly.
They must ensure that every toea is spent where it should be spent and accounted for properly.
We do not need to emphasis this but providing no medicine is like we are pronouncing a death sentence on our people.
Lack of law enforcement
Letter of the day
THE chaos around Port Moresby is all because of a lack of enforcement by the authorities and is resulting in the city becoming less ‘Amazing’ than ever before.
The NCDC wants Port Moresby to be a modern city but is allowing it to decline for everday citizens.
Drive around our city and you can’t help become frustrated at the amount of taxis and PMVs taking over the streets, parked everywhere trying to find passengers.
There isn’t a major office, bank, shopping centre or government
location that is not overrun with taxis or buses, preventing road users from moving about freely. It is chaos and dangerous. The NCDC needs to regulate and enforce the behaviour of these transport providers to make sure that the rest of the public are safe. People are nearly bumped every minute in these locations as cars move around each other and do what they like with no respect for the road rules or laws. Stop giving licenses to more taxis. The city cannot cope with any more. By doing this, you make these taxis work harder instead of parking all over the streets waiting for people to
come and hire them.
Put locations in all parts of the city where taxis can park. But fine them for parking in other locations that are not for taxis.
Put traffic police and NCDC inspectors at bus stops and near any build up of taxis to keep them moving and stop them parking across the streets. If we want our city to be safe and modern, we need to fix this chaos that is causing this. Most other cities in the world wouldn’t let these people take over their roads and do what they want.
So why are we!
FED UP CITY ROAD USER
Ward members are not puppets Connect PNG - Complete Farce
THINGS aren’t yet sinking in well with what the Government is doing to us the Ward Members.
As the third tier government mandated leaders, the Ward Members are giving their best 24/7 also as family heads. risking their lives is another problem.
The government has now paid them a long owed overdue 7 months Allowances from April 2023 to October 2023 totaling K3000.
As Melanesians, government mandated leaders with customary and family obligation at the ward level, the K3000 is not money to us, ward members. We have been sacrificing during the past 7 to 8 months to survive with our families.
(For that matter we borrow money as what every Papuan and New Guinean is doing in this beautiful country to live.)
Money matters the most in PNG nowadays.
We are not like business minded lead-
ers or politicians which the K3000.00 is peanuts to them and their families.
Come Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 we all Ward Members be dead broke and in shits.
The ward members election in May/ June 2024 for these next 6 months the Government will pay all our last batch of entitlements without a word of thank you for service rendered during the last 5 years of hardships. (What a great rich black nation PNG.)
Can the government come to our rescue soon? Make plans and revisit (Vision 20/50) with the ALESCO Payroll System, increase the monthly allowances per the NEC 38 Report for the good of the loyal and heardworking ward members in PNG.
As a ward member, I hope I am not fighting alone. No string attached.
TODICK ULUNA
THE current crop of Parliamentarians we have are very highly qualified academically with Masters Degrees, PhDs and double degree’s but most regrettably have nothing (ZERO) to show for in planning and executing realistic and tangible projects.
In the 1970s to the 1990s our leaders then, which included the most venerable late Sir Michael Somare (radio broadcaster), Sir Iambakey Palma Okuk (Motor Mechanic ), Sir Thomas Kavali (Prison Officer) Sir John Momis (Catholic Priest) - were the trueand honest leaders (among many others) of PNG. They never had university degrees and other academic accolades dangling around their neck like gold chains or gold
wrist watches. If we cannot learn from our leaders of yesterday then our tomorrow is doomed.
Honesty does not come with a university degree - it comes with wisdom and the Fear of God Almighty in Heaven.
Our leaders of today are hypocrites and hell bent on lining their pockets and have conveniently forgotten the true purpose of them being in Parliament.
There are far too many failed projects to count under the present Government’s watch.
Connect PNG ( one of them ) is a total disaster.
Whoever concocted this “ grandiose farce “ ought to be hanged.
Putting things into perspective
- Kerema Town in Gulf Province has been connected (by road) to
POM for time immemorial but look at now - continious migration of the Isapea’s to the bright lights of POM city.
While One Street Kerema Town - today remains the same as it was in the 1960’s.
That will be end result of Connect PNG will be a similar scenario as stated above.
Finally the Koairi/Hiri MP, recently stated succinctly - Connect the Districts to the Provincial Capitals first and foremost with all weather cement/asphalt road network.
Now that is brilliant.
Hello there - is the Waigani Political Power House listening or not !
NUMUTOKA MOHO
For Central and Gulf MPs
THIS letter is written for Central and Gulf MPs as a wake up call for them to do something that is supposed to have been done long time ago.
You MPs should have built separate market for your farmers at either Laloki or Bautama or at a location within NCD.
So your people can sell their produce in retail price and earn something higher than them throwing away their hard work at wholesale price.
They are doing this because city market spaces are taken up by people from other provinces.
Don’t you MPs from the two mentioned provinces know that your people, especially betelnut growers and subsistence farmers, are not
getting the real value of their hard work and produce.
Every single day, your people risk lives traveling very long distance. Paying two separate cost, that is their fare and that of their cargoes but when they get to their destination, they have no place to stock their cargoes or to take rest so they can then, sell their produce at wholesale prices and get little and go away. A very sad reality.
To build a separate market for your people is not as hard as solving a maths algebra problem. You MPs are intellectuals and are smart but cannot do anything that is as simple as ABC.
PAUL MINGA Outside Observer
Email: yutok@spp.com.pg
Western cultures and civilisation
IN western countries, including civilised ones, citizens believe in individual developments than group competition like in PNG cultural context.
A farmer who lives in the countryside has permanent buildings containing showers, toilets, common rooms, dining and bed rooms and eats breakfast in the morning, having lunch and eats dinner in the evening.
Having electricity connected to the house, meaning generator or solar, assimilating just like a life in the city.
Whether in a rural or urban, standard of living is just the same.
That means that individual citizens are conscious of improving themselves, managing time well,
prioritise family education and business.
Always invest for future rainy days and they are better off with individuals progression.
In PNG society, we are not rational in our thinking capacity, we are influenced by temporary egos and lusts meaning operating on emotions.
No proper houses, no investments, no business, and yet we are on spending and drinking spree, prioritising bride prices, compensations etc in unproductive areas has no substance of civilisation.
In our cultural context, if one is buying a car, building a house, having an education is perceived as competition to others.
He or she is improving himself or herself to go with the changing world.
Thus, a change in an individual is a societal change and eventually a change in PNG.
Therefore, our society needs people who can empower change and development and be productive.
Country doesn’t need liabilities and unproductive citizens.
Even in a church, if Christians are too lazy and haven’t made any contributions towards empowering gospel commission by paying offerings and tithes, such Christians are liabilities in the church and they need to leave church.
Young girls, under 16 years of age, must also be encouraged to learn about skills of income-generating activities for the family, she cannot be a liability to the family and to the nation.
In this 21st century, everyone needs to be economically productive wether in formal or informal as long as an income is generated for the family survival.
If a country like PNG has one of the highest dependency rates, meaning few are economically productive while the rest are becoming unproductive and liabilities to the nation, then the chances of progress is minimal and slim.
Therefore, an individual progress is in fulfillment of Vision 2050 in PNG.
10 years ago
MAX WAPI, Millep Village Jiwaka
Personal and environment hygiene
THIS is a huge topic now as the conversation around the WASH initiative goes up.
The best model that had a future; if somewhat discoloured, was the Pacific Village concept which was wrapped around tourism. It was politically correct; you know… the prospect of receiving visitors and the tourism dollar to address a difficult agenda such as hygiene and sanitation….as the bottom line.
Pacific Village surfed the airwaves around a decade ago but of which, little mention is heard nowadays.
Broadly, the Pacific Village concept was about using tourism as the impetus to bring about a shift in attitudes. Today; with our involvement in the Pacific Games, the desire to win gold and stash away sporting glory for the country may give the familiar, forgotten feelings a timely shot in the arm. We did that well with COVID-19 didn’t we?
SUCCESS STORY
The novelty was the paradigm shift. This may sound like a repeat but that is the essence of repeats; to stress the point. Lured by the prospect of receiving overseas visitors because of how the visitors might look at us, and of course the extended benefits would result in a spontaneous lifestyle change; a healthier one, because of the need for safe water and marvelous toilets. Just calling on the people to change attitudes in grand speeches by important people has never worked and the chances of improvement there are pretty much negligible. A more practical approach would be to provide life-altering experience for the people to inadvertently crossover. And before you know it, a change in attitude has taken place. In real life situations, such transformations are called success stories; we simply take it for granted. But those who know politics can calibrate such ingenuity as a masterpiece. In other words, transformation would come from within. This kind of attitude - change would be long lasting because there would be sustainable factors behind it. There would be easy accessibility to safe water and the prospect of tourism dollar would educate the people to recognise the value of what they had been sitting on all along; in tourism jargon, tourism products. This would be particularly true in situations where there are no visible means of landing some Kina in their pocket.
BARRIERS
The barrier that really needs to be overcome are seen as follows: Communities need to be able to trust their public servants and politicians. This trust which was first worked on by the colonialists has long been lost. They might have come with enforced rules but there was grudging respect for the rule of law and the white man was the law. We need to break away from the ideology that public servants and politicians are somehow different from the people who are vulnerable and need help. The reason why this point is critical is that our people generally want to live on the same level. Furthermore, if you win the peoples’ respect, yes, they can see you in the same vein as the white man.
MINDSETS
Same level? Yeah; thatched roof everywhere with smoke rising indiscriminately and people defecating in the nearby scrub. In parts of the Highlands, the story is different. Better roads bring competition and the people want to improve themselves. In other places, retiring public servants and those who worked in gold mines with a bit of money have tried to change the image of their poverty-ridden villages by building more attractive homes and hygienic lifestyles. But despite
hands but if the creek is 31 minutes away what difference does that make? That is where reality stops and stares back at you.
HAND - OUT MENTALITY
their best efforts, these individuals invariably succumbed to the ‘same level’ mentality. This is particularly true in many communities hugging coastal regions. In Central Province, the picture is different. With employment and easy access, many are able to build better homesteads. Hygiene and sanitation, however, remains an issue.
For the long haul, it is undeniable that increasing number of villagers are illiterate. You see; education broadens our ability to reason so an ignorant community will want to stay on the same level. They say education can never end and more and more people want to pile their savvy. That is because of the changing world we live in and reasonability means being able to understand the challenging dimensions to stay on top.
PRESENCE OF GOVERNMENT
When the presence of government dropped and respect for the rule of law diminished, many communities went back to their inherent tribal mindsets, which is the only system they are familiar with. They still need health care though. The irony is the connections – personal hygiene and environmental hygiene; the latter, incredibly, is also known as Primary Health Care by health professionals.
To break this human chain is like starting all over again; going back to the days of the kiap and how the councils worked, telling people to build toilets or the aid posts putting out posters urging people to wash hands. And if you didn’t build a toilet, you faced punishment. When we gained independence, all that seemed like harsh rules died sudden death. Instead of building blocks, we allowed things to lapse and all of a sudden, the ideas are new, communities must be taught and money must be found.
We broke with history and there are no real systems out there. So, make the connections and let us sustain the initiatives. We are not addressing the problems in a deliberate, planned and sustained manner if it is taking a long time to bring around our people. Even though their shelters portray graphic poverty, at least they can have clean villages, toilets and water supply. It is one thing, telling the people to wash
The answer seems to be the sound of money being dished out in their millions to impress the little-educated villagers. But there is no change in mindsets. The WASH initiative is very important because it involves quality of life. It should be held in the same vein as infrastructure. Members of Parliament can make a lot of difference and it will be money well spent if they work with WASH to set up water wells in villages. When the people show appreciation for this life - altering experience; tell them to build toilets, keep it tidy and educate them about the usefulness of washing hands. There is no attitude change in handing out cash with a speech and walking away. When everyone wants to live on the same level and you teach handouts, you open yourself to struggle because you cannot satisfy everyone with trucks or cash, if that is what you are handing out. Water, on the other hand in a village might be of benefit to a limited number of people, but the approval rating there is high. As a politician or a public servant, you should be able to figure that.
When you struggle, it simply means poor leadership. Two things stand out like a sore thumb in all this:
There is tribal rivalry to run for Parliament and elections taking the form and shape of tribal fights instead of a democratic process. When leaders are being elected this way, what can we expect?
The response to all issues highlighted here and associated matters such as family, land administration, economic empowerment, education, skilling the people and all that, has been too little too late, if we are not focused on our goals. It can even be argued that this has resulted in a massive breakdown in law and order.
TRUST
The distrust in government is basically emanating from people being elected to Parliament for the wrong reasons and as long as that sickness continues, the manifestation will be a decline in respect for the rule of law. Even political parties are spreading the curse by hunting for members in by-elections, for instance. Focus on what is more important, which is building trust and not numbers.
The rift between people and government is huge. The peoples’ voice is either missing or it is misunderstood. This is fundamental and needs a strategic response. The people are not the enemy and neither is the government. If you like; a water well in the village will speak volumes for the presence of government. There could be respect for the rule of law if the water well ends hardship.
When young people see no future for themselves, we can spin out of control with trouble in communities that are hard to manage. Confused people will see danger at every corner. Building trust can be a good response and WASH will be a strategic response. Young people know how important mother is; she gives them food. If you make mother’s work less - demanding, you will be respected. WASH has implications for climate change which will be another strategic response to bring people closer to government and build trust. Social media thrives where suspicion rules so trust is the way forward.
PICTURES by BARNEY ORERE. Clockwise: WASH project Kimbe, Chuave women fetch water along the Highlands Highway, Kaparoko women carting water, villager in Green River whose forest stream was damaged by logging.
‘Promote agriculture through schools’
THERE is a need to promote agriculture among the young people.
Markham district chief executive
officer Bohage Bebinaso made the call during the launch of a Balsa growers association for the district.
He said most times, young people are reluctant to participate in the small agriculture projects that happen in the communities.
“But if we can be able to introduce them to growing certain crops and they see how much money can be made from that crop, it will capture their interests,” Mr Bebinaso said.
He added many young people failed to see what is in agriculture for them.
“Now that we have introduced Balsa in the district, there is a need for more awareness to be done and we can promote the crop using our schools,” he said.
Mr Bebinaso said if the schools took part in growing the tree, the students would get to know more about it.
“Through students’ participation in growing a certain crop on campus, they will become familiar with how it is planted, which climate or soil composition is ideal for growing it, how and when to harvest it and which markets are available for the crop to be sold in and how much money it made,” he said.
Mr Bebinaso said Balsa being a new crop, people will have their doubts.
“The district had agricultural technical and extension officers who can be engaged to create awareness on this new crop in the schools, then the message can be translated to communities by the students based on how much they understand about the crop,” Mr Bebinaso.
He said people needed to know what Balsa promises for them.
“I appeal to the Markham people to cooperate with the partners and stakeholders to move commercial agriculture forward,” he said.
He confirmed also that agriculture has been placed as a priority area endorsed Five Year Development plan of the district, capturing major cash crops like cocoa, rice, livestock and now Balsa.
Teaching position levels to be elevated
BY ANCILLA ILAVE ailave@spp.com.pg
THE Education Department has moved the entry requirement for teachers up by one level.
Chairman for Teaching Service Commission, Samson Wangihomie, said the gazette for teaching positions will be re-circulated because the teachers will be unattached when their positions become elevated, meaning that if a teacher is
a level two teacher, their position will be elevated to level three and that goes for all levels as well.
When that happens all the teachers will be unattached meaning they will have to re-apply for their positions and that will be across the country.
The National schools of excellence used to be the base level at four and has now moved to level five because the department wants to attract teachers to go into national schools of excellence with teachers particularly with Mathematics, Science, and Engineering qualifications to teach the subjects in those schools. When the department elevate the
level of schools, it has to do the same with the entry requirements for teachers so that the process compensate for the teachers’ salaries.
Mr Wangihomie said if a primary school was a degree school and the base level for teachers was at two, the promotional position is at three, after the elevation, promotional position would be at four, and when doing so teachers would be paid on that level and (or) position.
All the teaching positions will be elevated therefore all the teachers are unattached and must apply for teaching positions through the respective provincial education board for 2024 posting.
Young mother graduates despite challenges
A YOUNG mother of two who juggled the role of a security guard by night and a student by day, graduated with a diploma in primary education last week.
Lorraine Nicko, from Angoram, East Sepik province said the last two years has been a struggle, but was thankful she was able to graduate from the Balob Teachers College in Lae.
“I have sacrificed a lot to attain this qualification and for this I’m grateful for the support that I have received from my family members, especially my mother-in-law,” she said.
She said she felt she had to do something with her life.
“I was a mother and so I felt the need to be able to provide the best for my children,” Ms Nicko said.
She has two sons, the first being 12 years old, doing grade three this year.
Nicko said being a mother, a security guard and a college student at the same time has been a struggle.
“But I was committed to do my job as a night guard, dedicated to my duties as a mother and am determined to excel in my studies and I have made it,” she said.
Nicko added that as a night guard, her shift ends in the morning and from there she attends classes.
“My shift ends at 6am.
“I have two hours to prepare my eldest son as well as myself for school,” Nicko added.
She said her friends at the college would share notes with her if she was late for class.
“My friends are supportive of me and for that I want to thank them for contributing to my success,” she said. Nicko said working towards being a professional woman in this century is a challenging task.
“I want to encourage other women and girls in our communities to be focused and never lose hope.”
‘Rely on the mainstream media’
BY ROBERT TIKI
PEOPLE in Western Highlands province have been urged to rely on mainstream media rather than on social media.
These were the words for the executive officer for the governor of Western Highlands Province John Bak in his address during the 50th Jubilee Anniversary for NBC Western Highlands Province in Mt Hagen last Friday.
He said NBC plays an important role in disseminating the correct information to people in terms of developments.
Need for more Child Protection officers in Morobe
THERE is a need for more Child Protection Officers in Morobe, Femili PNG director Denga Illave said.
The director made the call at the launch of the 20 days of human rights activism in Lae saying sexual violence has been happening to a great extent in the province.
“The abuse of some or every right of children are happening every day,” she said.
Ms Illave said recently the number of children who have been reaching out for help had increased.
“It is important that we all play
our bit in investing now to prevent all forms of violence, not only against children, but women and girls as well,” Ms Illave said. She also called on political leaders to make changes to the existing laws.
“Changes must be made to laws so that these laws and the penalties that they carry can become a deterrent,” she said.
Ms Illave said all stakeholders become partners because they have a purpose.
“All of us make up the society that
we live and work in and that means we have a role to play,” she said.
She challenged all partners to advocate for change of attitude and mindset.
“Advocacy should and must be an everyday occurrence so that we are constantly reminded of the need to protect our children, women and girls from violence and abuse,” Ms Illave said.
She said all partners, including the government must put all resources and efforts where it was due.
Ms Illave said no progress will be made in promoting human rights if partners said things and do not put their support behind it.
She also highlighted that the survivors of all forms of violence were also losing their trust in the ability of the system to give them peace, justice and fairness.
“Survivors of violence are now refusing to let the law take its course simply because of the lengthy delays in the prosecution of cases and the excuses of ‘too much paper work’.”
He said the Western Highlands Provincial Government under the leadership of governor Wai Rapa wanted to work together with NBC Western Highlands to keep the people in the province informed of the developments that is taking place in the province.
“We have to tell our people throughout the province of what is happening in our province under the leadership of Mr Rapa,” he said.
Mr Bak said the provincial government will support NBC in some of its needy areas.
“The provincial government will step in to help the provincial radio because it plays an important role,” he said.
Dirima-Yani takes lead to mark World AIDS Day
By ENNIO KUBLE
THE Dirima-Yani community in Gumine, Chimbu Province, celebrated World AIDS Day through local mobilisation last Friday.
Marking Dec 1, as the 36th WAD with the theme: ‘Let Community take the lead’, the community of more than 9000 people, with support from their sons who are working in various sectors outside of the province, the community leaders, reformed drug addicts, churches, HOPE Worldwide PNG and Caritas PNG celebrated the event in style.
HOPE Worldwide’s Chimbu team leader, Steven Isin took his entire team of 11 technical officers to Dirima.
He said in Chimbu there are more than 5000 people living with HIV/ AIDS on record, however, only 3000 are active in counselling and treatment consultation while the other 2000 are hard to trace.
He said those who are not reporting to the volunteering Care, Counselling and Treatment Centre (VCCTC) are posing risk of transmission to others.
Mr Isin said the untraced PLWHA are a threat to the general community, and for Dirima-Yani to be raising
awareness was a positive approach taken in re-echoing the message of hope to people to take responsible actions toward care, counselling, knowing one’s status, treatment, and prevention of AIDS.
A PLWHA in Chimbu, Mou Ambai, who also made his first public appearance in Dirima, spoke words of hope, encouragement to the people of the availability of treatment, and for people to do blood tests to know their status.
Ambai praised the community for taking the lead and urged PLWHA in the community to stay faithful to their medication and be advocates in the community.
Paramount chief Benedict Kaupa expressed his appreciation to HOPE Worldwide for coming to Dirima.
“I am happy that my community is taking the lead in celebrating the WAD 2023,” an elevated Kaupa said.
He said if Dirima-Yani community can sustain this spirit of mobilisation and take ownership, the community can identify their own challenges and address them without waiting for government intervention.
“Let this spirit of community mobilisation and participation on the WAD live within us.” he said.
Girls scoring good marks
BY MAL TAIME mtaime@spp.com.pg
MORE girls in high and secondary schools in Jiwaka Province are scoring good results and receiving academic and dux awards this year. Jiwaka provincial education adviser Andrew Kuk said this at the third grade 10 graduation ceremony for Aviamp High School on Tuesday.
The dux student Georgina Arikapu came second in maths, first in personal development, second in science, first in business studies and first in agriculture.
The leadership award went to Peter Keke and Junior Kuni.
Mr Kuk said after attending to several graduation ceremonies this year, he was proud to see more female students receiving academic and dux awards.
He said this is a positive sign going forward.
He said he has seen another female
student graduated at Aviamp, who was awarded with dux award that set a bench mark in the province.
Mr Kuk said in previous graduations, mostly male students received dux awards and this year in most high and secondary schools, girls have received academic awards and dux awards.
He said most females were regarded as second class in every societies. Mr Kuk said through education the female students are proving that they can make the grade and they must be commended.
KOROBA-Lake Kopiago MP William Bando greets the mothers in the district during his visit this week. -PICTURE SUPPLIED.
Bando: Respect govt services for road works to progress
PEOPLE from Mogora-Fugwa in the Koroba-Lake Kopiago district, Hela Province, have been told by their local MP William Bando to respect government services.
“Let the work on the Fugwa loop road progress without disturbance.” Mr Bando said.
During a gathering at Betenge village in the North Koroba LLG on Monday, Mr Bando said a minority group of people cannot continue to involve in tribal fights depriving the rights of other innocent people, especially mothers, girls and children.
He said he had travelled to the area more than four times and advised them to respect government services, support the work of the contractor and embrace peace and development.
“This is my final warning to you (Mogora-Fugwa) that this is my last visit here and if you do not appreciate the important government service, the machines will be retrieved and given to other communities that respect government services,” Mr Bando said.
“For many years, people in the Mogora-Fugwa area had been in dire need
of good road and other important government services but tribal fights had prevented them.
“I want to improve the Fugwa loop road, we cannot let vehicles travel to one location and turn back, people should enjoy a ringroad service,” he said.
Mr Bando said road opens up more areas and stimulate economic and social development. It links producers to markets, workers to jobs, students to school and the sick to health facilities.
“Roads are vital to any development agenda,” he said.
Representing the warring tribes, Wato Hania said in few weeks’ time, compensation ceremony will eventuate and end tribal fighting.
He said they will need help from the Koroba-Kopiago DDA for a sawmill.
He said it will be used to cut timber to build schools, health facilities and churches destroyed in tribal fight.
Mr Bando promised to give four sawmills to be under the care of Catholic, Seveth Day Adventist, Christian Brethren Church and Weslyan churches.
JIWAKA education adviser Andrew Kuk (left) presenting the dux award to Georgina Arikapu. Looking on are headmaster Peter Apa and Joe Bal. -PICTURE: MAL TAIME.
Vodafone to enter North B’ville
BY JOE ELIJAH
THE people of North Bougainville have access to the Vodafone network by early next year.
Contractor responsible for erecting the Vodafone towers in North Bougainville, Aronga PNG Limited's Bougainville partner David Tup said they are working on the 10 towers.
Mr Tup said that out of 10 communication towers, four towers that are located at Salasa and Hamatana in the Tsitalato constituency and Malasang and Buka Town have been completed.
Out of three communication towers in the Haku constituency, two towers are being disputed at Lontis and Lemanmanu due to non negotiation with the landowner groups. The other three towers to be
erected at Hagus in Halia Constituency and Hantoa in the Selau constituency and the 10th tower to be erected at Suir, construction workers are currently delivering the materials to the proposed construction sites.
Mr Tup said according to their work plan, it should take all 10 towers to be completed within four months period in the first quarter of 2024.
Safety rail erected for Kubu Hill road
BY JOE ELIJAH
THE Kubu hilltop to Buka and airport road is finally getting safety rails.
Raibro Construction, the company awarded that was awarded the contract to erect the safety rails and line marking job along the Buka ringroad, has been very busy this
month, in order to complete the job, before workers go for their Christmas-New Year break.
Since the upgrade and sealing of the Buka ringroad in 2015, that section of the road has never had any road safety rails to protect the motorist and travelling public.
A PMV driver McBollen Pihei, who drives down the Kubu hill every day said, he often uses low gear to drive down the hill with a bus load, in fear of slipping off the road, especially in wet weather.
The safety rails will give many motorists and travelling public a bit of confidence in moving passengers to their respective destinations.
By JOE ELIJAH
LEMANMANU Primary School, for the third time this year, won the Constituency Member's Annual Encouragement Shield, ahead of five other primary schools in Haku.
The annual encouragement shield which was introduced by the late constituency member, Xasaviour Kareku in 2020, is an annual encouragement shield awarded to any primary school in Haku, who scored the highest GPA in their respective primary schools.
Since the introduction of the Constituency Member 's encouragement shield, Lemanmanu school first won it in 2020 and again in 2021.
Last year, Tanamalo Primary School won the bragging rights to keep the shield at their Head Teacher’s office and this year 2023 Lemanmanu Primary School grade 8 students, with all their combined subjects added together again, won the shield for the third time.
BOM Chairman Edward Ritei said Lemanmanu school this year is celebrating two special occasions in it's
25th grade 8 graduation, the first was for wining their constituency member 's annual shield and the second was to farewell their long serving Head Mistress, Rosemary Hanei who was retiring and leaving the teaching service after clocking 38 years in the Education Department.
Mr Ritei said that this year 48 grade 8 will be passing out on to other high schools in Bougainville, he thanked his BOM committee members. Parents and Citizens committee, staff and the community of Haku for working together, to bring the school to where it is today.
Lemanmanu school is privileged in a number of ways, according to Mr Ritei. He said such privileges like the introduction of the solar power lightning system, funded by the Regional Member Peter Tsiamalili Jr, which made it easy for the staff and students to study at night or at their own time, a new refitting of the Conley Hall sponsored by BSP Buka branch, and a team of professional teaching staff led by Rosemary Hanei, he said.
RAIBRO Construction workers erecting the road rails down the Kubu Hill in Buka. -PICTURE: JOE ELIJAH.
LEMANMANU Primary School Grade 8 students with the shield for academic excellence they won for this year. -PICTURE: JOE ELIJAH.
Lemanmanu wins shield again
ONE of the completed towers. -PICTURE SUPPLIED.
Stay a while at Rondon Ridge Lodge
UNIQUELY PNG U
FOR those who wish to have an amazing hotel experience combined with a burst of nature and culture, do not think twice about booking a stay at Rondon Ridge Lodge.
Rondon Ridge is an accommodation, conference and get away facility that is located at 2,100 meters above sea level and is a 20 minutes’ drive from Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands.
Named after the mountain range it was built on, Rondon Ridge is a part of a chain of wilderness lodges owned and run by Trans Niugini Tours within PNG and there are seven lodges in the Western part of PNG.
They are namely Bensbach Wildlife Lodge and Lake Murray Lodge in the Western Province. Karawari Lodge and the Sepik Spirit in the East Sepik Province. Ambua Lodge in the Hela Province.
Malolo Plantation Lodge on the north coast in the Madang Province and, of course, Rondon Ridge.
The lodges are so amazing that many years ago, their Karawari Lodge won what was known as the Chief Joseph Cultural award. Even more, the most famous person they have hosted at their lodges is Sir Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.
Rondon Ridge itself was built in 2005/2006 before starting operations in 2006 and is owned by a PNG company called Rondon Ridge Limited. Initially, they were a civil engineering construction company and they built some lodges before marketing them to the international traveler.
Rondon Ridge Lodge can be reached by vehicle; it is a 20-minute drive from Mount Hagen. There is also a Heli pad adjacent to the lodge so people can also arrive by helicopter. If you don`t have any means for transportation, they do airport transfers.
They cater for both the international and the domestic market and are in the top end of the international tourist market.
Most of their international clients are American and they try to give their clients the “Hilton
Hotel Experience” in the Papua New Guinea jungle. Something most people strive to get when they go on holiday and stay at an accommodation.
The most amazing thing about the lodge is the way it is designed. The designs of the buildings were done in Papua New Guinea. The views inspired the design in the sense that they want the guests to be being able to walk into the building and experience the expanding views through the large glass windows. The common phrase that most people use when describing the lodge when they are there is that they have incredible views.
The lodge has two main markets, a domestic PNG market and an international market. For the international market, they can deal directly with international tour operators in other countries and they, in turn, have their own client base. For the domestic market, they normally deal directly with the individual person or a family or a company.
The main attraction that draws the guests in is that they can experience the traditional culture, the unique birds and the
natural environment. Along with accommodation, they also offer local birding tours, walks through the tropical mountain forest as well as local village tours to the guests. Guests also try to visit both local villages and some of the other Lodges as well.
Most people who come to stay at the lodge would take a walk through to their orchid garden, visit their animal area and go for a walk through the mountain forest. If you don`t have any transportation for the duration of your stay but you want to play local tourist, they can arrange transport to Mount Hagen town or villages during your stay at Rondon Ridge.
For the rooms, they have standard and executive rooms as well as a “Presidential Suite”. The price range is from K400 per night for their standard rooms up to K2,500 per night for their Presidential Suite. They would normally have a maximum of four people in a room, namely two parents and two children. One unique feature about the lodge is that it has its own mini hydro plant that generates their electrical power 24/7 and they operate electric stoves, electric dryers and they even heat the
HOW TO GET THERE?
RONDON RIDGE LODGE CAN BE REACHED BY VEHICLE; IT IS A 20-MINUTE DRIVE FROM MOUNT HAGEN. THERE IS ALSO A HELI PAD ADJACENT TO THE LODGE SO PEOPLE CAN ALSO ARRIVE BY HELICOPTER. IF YOU DON`T HAVE ANY MEANS FOR TRANSPORTATION, THEY DO AIRPORT TRANSFERS.
WHAT SERVICES DO THEY PROVIDE?
ROOMS FOR ACCOMMODATION
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
BIRD WATCHING TOURS CONFERENCE FACILITIES
WHAT ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO?
BIRD WATCHING TOURS LOCAL VILLAGE TOURS WALKS THROUGH THEIR ORCHID GARDEN WALKS UP IN THE MOUNTAIN FOREST
building with electricity.
For those wishing to have company retreats or workshops away from the usual office setting, the lodge has a conference room that can take up to 100 people. The price for the conference room is K500 per day. Or if you are in the mood to throw a party in a lodge surrounded by nature, they do parties, conferences, and weddings. The lodge can supply stages, sound system and even a portable bridge deck over their fish pond that is often used for weddings. July to October is their busiest time of the year if you wish to book a stay. On some days they would have 100 plus people for a function or a wedding and on other days they could be just a “handful of people” at the lodge. So, don`t think twice about a booking a room at this amazing lodge. If you wish to make your payments, you can do it with cash, online bank transfer or a major credit card. If you wish to contact them, you can reach them via telephone on 675 7198 9397 or 675 7288 7369, or email them at service@pngtours. com or check out their social media page on Facebook.
WITH BONITA DUBA
Ariel view of the lodge.
Rondon Ridge Lodge reception area.
Front entrance of the Rondon Ridge Lodge. PICTURES SUPPLIED.
Cosmopolitan stages weekend concerts
IF you have not planned your weekend yet, check out the local concerts that will be hosted at The Cosmopolitan this weekend with Niugini Ice.
The Cosmopolitan will stage the “Gaunz Wia Night” on Friday, December 8, 2023.
For fans that enjoy music from the beautiful shores of Madang and Wewak, grab yourself a ticket and show your support for local artists.
Demas Saul and Felix Yausi will take to The Cosmopolitan stage with the classics, great local hits that will certainly take you down memory lane.
The supporting acts, Muno Worrix and the Vibe Kingz Band will no doubt set the stage alight with their latest hits and covers, that will surely have fans on the dance floor.
Tickets for the “Gaunz Wia Night” on Friday December 8 are available at K40.
To secure tickets, fans may contact 71968370 or 81685058, the gate fee on the night will be set at K50.
Then on Saturday December 9, The Cosmopolitan will host a concert themed “A December to Remember.”
The event will feature 4 Blordz, Beejoh, Jarahn, Jnr Vigi and Stagajah.
The artists will bring to you their
latest and greatest hits live on The Cosmopolitan stage. Turn it up with Niugini Ice at The Cosmopolitan and show up for a great night.
Tickets for the event on Saturday December 9 are available at K50.
To secure your tickets, contact 78348893 or 74393279.
You may also purchase tickets for both local concerts at The Cosmopolitan!
Mr. Cosmopolitan 2023 Grand Finale
Be at The Cosmopolitan on Thursday December 7 to catch the grand final of the Mr. Cosmopolitan 2023 Competition.
The search for the super club’s male Brand Ambassador is now coming to an end.
The ten finalists will strut their stuff on the runway for their chance to win the title of Mr. Cosmopolitan 2023 and walk away with K8,000 in cash.
The Cosmopolitan is grateful for the generous support from SP Brewery through its Chiller Brand and The Stanley Hotel and Suites. Don’t miss a great night at The Cosmopolitan on Thursday December 7.
The gate fee is set at K20 from 6pm till late, be at The Cosmopolitan to show support for your favourite contestant. The Cosmopolitan –your number one, super club!
Happy International Civil Aviation Day
MINISTRY for Transport and Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASA PNG) join the aviation industry worldwide to commemorate the 2023 International Civil Aviation Day today (December 7).
Other agencies that participate in the aviation industry of Papua New Guinea and celebrate the International Civil Aviation Day include the Department of Transport and Infrastructure, National Airports Corporation (NAC), PNG Accident Investigation Commission (PNGAIC), Niusky Pacific Limited (NSPL), Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), National Information Technology Authority (NICTA), Puma Energy, PNG Air, Air Niugini Limited, Hevi-lift and Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA).
The International Civil Aviation Day is observed on December 7th each year and this date commemorates the anniversary of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, in 1944.
International Civil Aviation Day is observed to raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation and the role that the ICAO plays in the international air transport.
ICAO is a United Nations (UN) body responsible for developing international standards for aviation safety.
International Civil Aviation Day
reminds people about the importance of international civil aviation in modern society.
ICAO, with support from governments, organisations, businesses and individuals, actively promotes International Civil Aviation Day through various activities and events.
This day is celebrated globally, especially in countries such as South Africa, through various activities such as seminars, published material, educational lectures, classroom activities, and
news announcements on international civil aviation topics related to the day. International Civil Aviation Day is a global observance and not a public holiday.
ICAO was established on December 7, 1944, to secure international cooperation and uniformity in civil aviation matters.
The International Services Transit Agreement and the International Air Transport Agreement were also signed.
In 1994 ICAO established International Civil Aviation Day
to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary.
This observance aims to generate and reinforce global awareness of the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development.
The day also commemorates the ICAO’s role in promoting the safety, efficiency and regularity of international air transport.
In 1996 the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 7 as International Civil Aviation Day, in accordance with an ICAO ini-
tiative and with the Canadian Government’s assistance. The assembly urged governments and organisations to observe the day as this day is now an official UN day.
ICAO is a UN body that works closely with other United Nations members including the World Meteorological Organisation, the International Telecommunication Union, the Universal Postal Union, the World Health Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
REPRESENTATIVES from PNG aviation agencies with the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt.
Air Transport in Papua New Guinea
BY BONITA DUBA
PAPUA New Guinea is one of the most geographically challenging countries in the world.
From the coast to the Highlands, there are many communities that are not connected by a road infrastructure due to the huge cost involved in putting roads to link up these communities to the outside world.
It is in these communities that airstrips are built, either by the communities themselves of by the state, to facilitate travel and socioeconomic growth.
In PNG, 80 per cent of the people living in provinces. They work their land (agriculture) to sustain their lives and engage in economic activities. For those living in the coast, the also harvest and sell marine products like lobsters and sea cucumbers exported to the Asian markets.
The air transport sector in PNG is comprised of two Tire 1 airlines that are currently serving the masses domestically through scheduled flights and they are Air Niugini and PNG Air.
The smaller Tier 2 charter airlines are Tropic Air, Hevi Lift and Fubilain Air Transport, along with Mission Aviation Fellowship, SIL Aviation, New Tribes, and Adventist Aviation which are fellowship-based airlines that are tier 3 and they only operate in the remote areas of the country.
PNG`s Aviation sector is a small industry but there is potential for improvement. The
PNG government has recognised this and has been working on a plan to establish and improve all transportation links in PNG. Major structural reforms were implemented in the air transport sector. As per international practice and recommendation from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), different statutory agencies were established to run the different aspects of the air trans-
port sector.
This was to ensure that all personnel working in the different sectors of the industry do not have any conflict of interest when they are dealing with regulations, laws, reports, safety and investigations into accidents. There will be an improvement in air data and more airport masters as they are needed to provide reports for improvements for future investment pro-
grams and other improvements for an airport or air strip.
PNG can expect to see new air strips, renovations of old airstrips as well as airports and have comfortable infrastructure in place in the foreseeable future.
As per the PNG Vision 2025 plan, the government wants to ensure the expansions of the 22 provincial airports and the upgrade of 10 main airports so
Track record of our wonderful bird
BY BARNEY ORERE HISTORY
THE Airline was established in November 1973 as the national airline of Papua New Guinea with the Government holding 60 per cent of the shares.
The other shares went to Ansett, Qantas and Trans Australia Airlines (TAA). It started as an exclusively domestic carrier but then expanded to offer international services thereafter. In founding the airline, the Government aimed to encourage regional development in a country without an extensive road network.
The airline was established using DC-3 and Fokker F27 aircraft. International services commenced very early in the history of the airline with a leased Boeing 720 purchased from Qantas. During the late 1970s, internal services were performed by a combination of Fokker F28 jet and Fokker F27 turbo-prop aircraft. By the end of 1975 Air Niugini leased bigger aircraft to serve routes to Brisbane. The airline also acquired leased aircraft to commence weekly service to Manila and Hong Kong. In 1976, the Government bought out Qantas’ 12 per cent shareholding and TAA’s 12 per cent and in 1980 acquired Ansett’s
16 per cent to make the airline wholly Government-owned. In 1979, Air Niugini opened routes to Honolulu and to Singapore - via Jakarta. That same year, new facilities were opened at Jackson’s Airport and new sales offices opened in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Europe and the United States. Air Niugini operated its Boeing 707 from Auckland to Hong Kong via Port Moresby in a tripartite agreement with New Zealand and Cathay Pacific. This service ran from 1981 to 1985. In 1984, the airline replaced the two Boeing 707 aircraft with an Airbus A300 on lease from TAA. This was replaced several years later with
that they will be able to receive bigger jets and to rehabilitate 50 currently unusable airstrips. The government wants to focus on improving air network for all the outback areas of the country, especially those that are economically vibrant yet cut off from the nation.
This will be achieved by creating safe, reliable, accessible and affordable air transport systems for everyone to use.
two Airbus A310s as the carrier expanded to offer flights between Australian eastern capital cities and destinations in Asia such as Singapore and Manila.
The airline endured considerable hardship in the 1990s, with the unrest in Bougainville and a volcanic eruption in Rabaul. A Boeing 707 was acquired in August 2002 replacing the Airbus and was used to offer expanded international services. Combined with aggressive pricing, this made it the most competitively-priced airline on many of its routes.
On 15 October, 2014, Air Niugini announced a wholly-owned subsidiary airline company, Link
PNG, which commenced operations on 1 November, 2014, to coincide with Air Niugini’s 41 years of operation. As of October 2015, Air Niugini operates to 26 domestic destinations and 11 international destinations in nine countries across Asia and Oceania. International destinations are cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Bali (Indonesia), Honiara( Solomon Island), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Nadi (Fiji), Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila and Tokyo (Japan). The story of our national flagcarrier, a great ambassador and a friendly bird that takes you and I wherever we want to go.
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY SUPPLEMENT
NAC highlights and plans for 2024
The National Airports Corporation (NAC) is a state-owned enterprise responsible for managing PNG’s national airports.Under the CAA Act, the principle function of the NAC is to own, operate, manage and maintain PNG’s national airports.
Highlights of 2023
Tari Airport Redevelopment
Project was funded by the Government of PNG in partnership with the ADB under Phase 1 of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP).
The new airport terminal was officially opened on the 29th of August 2023 by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon. James Marape in Tari, Hela Province.
The new airport terminal is classified as Type B and is equipped with updated facilities and technology including a VIP Lounge, Departure Lounge, Passenger Check-In counters, Arrival Lounge with baggage conveyor belt, screening machines and toilet facilities. The new terminal is spacious and has a holding capacity of more than 100 people compared to the existing facilities which are quite small and not conducive for operations.
Benefits of the new and upgraded Tari Airport and the new terminal include;
New Airport Terminal - Type B, previously there was no such facility
Passenger sitting capacity of more than 100 people
Aircraft pavement strengthening which include improvement to
the existing runway (1, 600 meters)
Construction of new apron and taxiway to accommodate Regular Public Transport (RPT)
Enhanced safety and aviation security services
Improved safety and security through new secured airport perimeter fencing
Improved processing times for passenger and cargo
24-hour back up power supply
New airport market facility to support economic activities for the community.
Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport new terminal building and upgraded infrastructure.
The Nadzab Airport Redevelopment Project (NARP) was initiated in 2015 with the execution of JICA ODA Loan PN-P11. The contract for NARP was awarded in November 2019 to Dai Nippon-Nippo Joint Venture.
Despite the delays caused by the Covid19 pandemic, the project continued in 2020 with an extension of time and was completed in July 2023 just three months behind schedule.
The Contractor began handover of completed portions of the works since 2022. These included the runway, taxiways and apron, security fencing and gates, fire station and a new fire truck, NAC office, Airport lighting and visual navigational aids, water supply and sewerage systems including the power stations. The final delivery was done in 2023, with the completion and commissioning of the new pas-
senger terminal building.
Project objectives
The Nadzab Airport Redevelopment Project was aimed at delivering a functional & economical world class airport facility to meet passenger, aircraft and freight demand and serve as an alternate to Port Moresby International Airport.
Project Outputs
The project outcome improvements are as follows:
Quality and sustainable airport terminal facilities;
Security and safety requirements for international visitors / tourists;
Sustainable efficient airport utility services, power, water and sewage;
Aviation Security facilities; Airport services through improved processing time of passengers and turnaround time for aircrafts;
Justification of airport fees and charges due to improved facilities and services;
Reduction in maintenance costs leading to cost savings and efficiency;
Operational viability of the airport in the long term;
Improvements to aircraft security and safety compliance;
Airport capacity for increased aircraft operations and passenger numbers, growth in demand;
Operational Certification of the airport;
Improved operational capacity of aircrafts;
Improved pavement, runway, apron; and
Improved airport and air service infrastructure.
Benefits include;
Elevated status of the airport to 2nd International Airport for Papua New Guinea and an alternate airport to Jacksons International Airport
New airport terminal with improved modern facilities including new check in counters, departure and arrival lounges, security screening machines, baggage conveyor belts and ample parking space
2 new aerobridges to cater for larger jet aircraft and international flights
Increased Passenger & cargo capacity to meet growing demand for air travel in the region
Enhanced safety and aviation security services
Enhanced passenger comfort and experience with modern check in area and boarding lounge facilities.
Airport City Development
NAC’s mission for the Airport City, is to establish an integrated commercial and community hub which offer a diversified range of modern amenities and services that will add value to the sustained growth of the Port Moresby International Airport, Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport and the Tokua Airport.
Airport City Developments, aim to leverage the strategic locations of these airports to attract inves-
tors and developers looking for opportunities in a rapidly growing region.
Port Moresby International Airport Domestic Terminal
Upgrade Project
Brief overview of the Project The Port Moresby (Jacksons) International Airport Domestic Terminal will be upgraded in 2024. The upgrade project – will involve the re-configuration, extension and fit out of the Passenger Terminal Building.
Key deliverables of this project:
The departure lounge will be relocated to level 1
Air Niugini and PNG Air VIP Lounge will be relocated to level 1
Installation of 2 new aerobridges to cater for 737 aircraft
Installation of new furniture and fixtures for the toilet amenities
Installation of new chill water air conditioning system (more economical, low running cost, and longer life span
Installation of new security systems
Modern lighting fixtures - LED Lighting
Installation of New Building Management System
Upgrade of airport signages to modern signages
Installation of new travelator and lifts.
The design work is currently in progress with preliminary works planned to commence in December 2023 and major works planned to commence in April 2024.
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY SUPPLEMENT
Future plans for Civil Aviation in PNG
By FALANIKI ASAELI
A CIVIL Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) and accompanying National Plans, will be developed to support the Civil Aviation System in Papua New Guinea.
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Civil Aviation, Benedict Oraka said the CAMP is a dynamic long-term strategic planning document that provides the framework for future growth of civil aviation in a state.
“It enhances the capability of a state to use aviation as an effective means to achieve economic
development, in particular, to increase accessibility to funding and financing for aviation infrastructure development and investment in air connectivity as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, 2022),” Mr. Oraka said. He said the National Plans for specific areas of aviation activities will sit under the CAMP and these plans will ensure that Papua New Guinea aligns its aviation activities with the best practices.
CASA PNG’s achievements have far-reaching effects on the
aviation industry in Papua New Guinea.
“Our unwavering commitment to safety and security, coupled with our active engagement in international collaborations, has resulted in increase in compliance rates and remarkable growth within the sub-sector,” Mr. Oraka said.
The impact of CASA PNG’s accomplishments can be seen and felt through the improved safety record and the thriving aviation industry in Papua New Guinea. CASA PNG has achieved ninety five percent (95%) of its overall
Corporate Plan Objectives of its Corporate Plan 2020 – 2022.
One of the main achievements is the successful launching of CASA PNG’s new five-year Corporate Plan 2023 – 2027, which was launched this year. Board Chairman of CASA PNG, Hubert Namani, in his Speech, during the Corporate Plan launching, stated that “we will invest in our people and technology, enabling CASA PNG to embrace the future with confidence.”
“Looking towards the future, CASA PNG, through this Corporate Plan, will build upon
our past achievements. This plan outlines our strategic vision and goals, taking into account the everevolving aviation landscape and it demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in order to maintain and surpass the high standards we have set for ourselves in terms of aviation safety and security,” Mr. Namani said.
With a focus on technological advancements and best practices, the new Corporate Plan seeks to drive efficiency and effectiveness in all areas of CASA PNG’s operations.
Transport fuels economic growth
MINISTER for Transport and Civil Aviation, Walter Schnaubelt summed up the Transport and Civil Aviation sector in the following words when he spoke at the Christmas party he hosted for his staff.
He pointed out that adequate infrastructure is needed not only for economic growth but also to bring the benefits of a higher economic performance to people living in rural and isolated areas and to enable them to participate in mainstream economic activities, thus contributing to the reduction of poverty.
“Going rural Connect PNG” must include rural airstrips, jetties and Provincial and District Roads.
Minister Schnaubelt stressed that:
Connect PNG includes land, Aviation and Maritime Connectivity. All Goods for domestic consumption and exports, will initially be transported by Roads, then by Ports and Airports.
All Aircrafts, Ships and Vehicles that use the transport infrastructures are first cleared of their safety requirements.
We are very much aware that inadequate and poor-quality transport infrastructure not only holds back economic activity but also drastically reduces the quality of life. Therefore, the Marape/Rosso Government has placed infrastructure development very high on our action agenda and we need to step up in our regulatory requirements.
By necessity, our Policies and Strategic Plans must be robust and flexible enough for dovetailing and incorporating any particular development agenda and aspirations of not only by the incumbent Government but the expectations of our people by providing the necessary connections.
The Nine (9) Agencies that report to me as Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation have to operate as one Transport Service. I have had two Sector agency briefs in which “ALL Agency Heads” have attended.
The 2023 achievements by these 9 Agencies are well captured by the media team and displayed for all to see. When Air Niugini, Qantas, Philippine Airlines, Citylink takes off from Jacksons International Airport, you must know that the agencies present here today are the ones that facilitate and ensures that the regulatory and safety aspects are completed.
Continued next page
In December, China Southern Airlines will make its inaugural Flight from Guangzhou to Port Moresby.
He said looking ahead and beyond, the Department of Transport will continue to facili-
tate the coordination of policy, regulation, budgeting and planning of investments on the three modes of transportation (water, land and air). He added;
All our agencies to provide the
CASA PNG’s achievements and major project highlights
CIVIL Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASA PNG) has achieved ninety five percent (95%) of its overall 2020 – 2022 Corporate Plan Objectives.
Some of the achievements and major highlights include the successful launch of its Corporate Plan 2023 – 2027, Consolidation of the Civil Aviation Act 2000 in 2023, Endorsement of the Civil Aviation (Offences) Regulations 2022 by the National EExecutive Council (NEC) and approval of the Civil Aviation General Operating and Flight Rules (Offences) Regulation 2022 by NEC.
CASA PNG also successfully presented its 2021 and 2020 Annual Reports in Parliament with its 2022 Annual Report being prepared and will be submitted to the NEC and Parliament as soon as the financial audit and report by the Auditor General’s office is completed.
Other achievements and major highlights are the Implementation of theSuccession Planning Program, Ongoing Capacity Development for staff, PNG’s attendance at the 2023 Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS), Completion of ICAO Universal Security Audit Program Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP CMA) for closure of Significant Security Concerns, Limited Scope Audit and Completion of ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA) Full Audit.
The 2023 GISS serves as a significant platform where stakeholders exchange knowledge, share best practices and discuss strategies for improving safety standards and practices in the aviation industry.
PNG also participated in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 41st General Assembly in Montreal, Canada and Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Hon. Walter D. Schnaubelt, on behalf of the Pacific Aviation Ministers, launched the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy 2022-2032.
CASA PNG’s major highlights for 2023 also include the approval of the MoA between CASA PNG and CAA Vanuatu from the PNG Office of State Solicitor, and the provision of Aviation Regulation Technical Assistance to Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO), is an international organisation providing quality aviation safety and security services to Member States in the Pacific. PASO is the sole international organization responsible for regional regulatory aviation safety oversight service for ten (10) Pacific States who are signatories to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST). The current PICASST signatories are the Pacific nations of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, Associated Members of PASO are Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Government representatives from these nations make up the PASO Council.
Policy and Legislative Reviews, particularly in the Aviation and Maritime Modal Sectors.
The Aviation Policy will be presented to NEC by end of Quarter 1, 2024 and Railways and Electric vehicles will be pro-
gressed.
Air Service Agreements (ASAs) will progress with United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and New Zealand whilst those with Australia, Singapore and others can be discussed and updated to
meet the demands of post covid travels, and Our PNG/Indonesia cross land border connectivity, announced during the State Visit by President Widodo in July 2023 needs to be progressed.
PNG transport sector
PAPUA New Guinea’s transport system is critical to its economic and social prosperity.
A country with 600 isolated islands scattered around a mainland that is marked by mountains, swamps, virgin rainforests, rivers and deep gorges, economic and social connectivity for people and business is dependent on its transport system.
The Government has recognised this and has formulated the National Transport Strategy (NTS) which is consistent with the PNG Vision 2050, the National Development Strategic Plan (DSP) 2010 – 2030 and other transport plans covering land, sea and air transport.
Transport sector
Three government departments provide oversight for the transport sector. They are the Transport Department, the Department of Works and Highways and the Civil Aviation Department.
These departments are supported by several statutory authorities like the National Roads Authority (NRA), the National Road Safety Council (NRSA), the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA), Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the Accident Inspection Commission (AIC), the National Weather Service and Niusky Pacific Limited.
Private sector involvement in the transport sector includes PNG Ports Corporation Limited, Air Niugini,
PNG Air and other small airline companies.
Transport network
The roads, ports and airports cater for the three transport modes in PNG. The government owns and operates the national network comprising the national roads, the 22 declared sea ports and 21 airports. The state also owns and operates the air and marine navigation and communications infrastructure.
Churches,locallevelandprovincial governments, communities, civil society institutions and private interests also own and operate some of the transport infrastructure in the country.
Road Network
All roads in PNG start around the provincial centres to link up with the population in the outlaying communities. The Highlands region is connected by the Highlands Highway, which connects the five inland provinces to the coastal ports of Lae and Madang.
The public road network comprises declared national roads that come under the responsibility of national government and other sub-national roads under the responsibility of provincial and local level governments.
Sea Ports
PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports) runs the governmentowned port facilities and for the general management of activities
within the defined port limits of the declared ports under the Harbours Act.
There are 22 declared ports, of which 16 are operated by PNG Ports, either directly or through agents (Aitape and Samarai).
Lae is the most profitable port because its serves five inland provinces, and resource projects in the country. The port handles almost half of all cargo across PNG wharves (about 3 million tonnes).
Port Moresby is the second most profitable port. It handles half as much as cargo as Lae port. Kimbe with Lae and Port Moresby make up the three fully self-sufficient ports.
Airports
The National Airports Corporation (NAC) is responsible for 21 of the 27 airports recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Three of the other six airports have been divested to provincial governments from the national government and the remaining three are privately owned and associated with resource development. Jacksons International Airport is currently the only airport supporting international regular scheduled passenger services, although both Daru and Wewak are denoted as international airports. Apart from Port Moresby, Mount Hagen receives the most international passengers associated with international direct
charters for the mining projects.
Jackson International Airport currently accommodates aircraft up to B767-300 size, the second tier of airports F-100, although only designed to F-80, and the third tier supports Dash-8. Jacksons and a further 20 national airports are operated by the NAC. A further six airports are certified in accordance with ICAO and PNG Civil Aviation Rules; these include three airports associated with mining (Ok Tedi –Tabubil and Lihir - Kunaye) and oil snd gas (Kutubu – Moro) and three ex-national airports now operated by provincial governments (Milne Bay PG - Kiriwina and Misima, and Gulf PG - Kikori).
Apart from the 27 ICAO certified and licensed airports, there are a large number of smaller airports, ranging from strip lengths as long as 1,700m down to small rural airstrips as short as 450m.
International Air Services
The main international carrier is the government-owned airline Air Niugini (ANG) which operates the bulk of international services and routes using Jacksons Airport as its hub. ANG codeshares with Qantas on some routes and Qantas also operates a link service between Cairns and Port Moresby. Pacific Blue (Virgin Australia) operates four times a week from Brisbane to Port Moresby and PNG Air operates four times a week to Cairns.
Overview of Civil Aviation PNG
CURRENT situation and future trend
The civil aviation industry in Papua New Guinea has a history which began after WWII (1942). The industry is relatively small and more regulated and is dynamic in aviation service provision.
The industry has seen dramatic changes to its fleet of airplanes over time with about 211 aircrafts on its aircraft registry today.
The earlier days saw DC3s in operation until they were replaced with the F28 as passenger airplanes.
New airport infrastructures (82 airports and airfields, both active and non-active, to date) were built as passenger movement by air transport became more frequent and inclusive for rural airstrips.
The aviation industry has continued to grow in the number of passenger and cargo movements thus warranting expansion and modernisation of a new fleet with bigger and faster capabilities in the 1990s and this was especially true with the introduction of two wide-body and three narrow-body aircrafts servicing international routes.
This meant that new Air Services agreements were
entered into allowing an increased number of destinations to be visited.
More importantly, the current trend into the future has promise for the National carrier Air Niugini to grow into an aviation service provider readily willing to implement International Civil Aviation Organisation’s environmental protection programs toward greener aviation.
The main stakeholders in the aviation industry are:
1) Department of Transport (DoT)
2) National Weather Services (NWS)
3) Civil Aviation Safety Authority of PNG (CASA PNG)
4) NiuSky Pacific Limited (NSPL)
5) National Airports Corporation (NAC)
6) Airline Operators (e.g., Air Niugini)
The Department of Transport
The Department of Transport (DoT) is the policy holder of civil aviation in Papua New Guinea.
As such DoT is the leader in international best practices in compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
The DoT also performs administrative functions including the sponsoring to the PNG National Parliament, ratifications of aviation related treaties (bilateral and multilateral).
DoT also negotiates and ratifies bilateral air service agreements for international travel.
It also issues permit for international flights landing into PNG airports and for overflights utilising the Port Moresby FIR (Flight Information Region).
Air Operators
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and IATA recognised Air Operators in Papua New Guinea conducting international flights either as scheduled, nonschedule, passenger and for cargo are Air Niugini (ANG), PNG Air and Hevi-lift.
Airport Operators in PNG
The National Airport Corporation (NAC) is an incorporated State-owned Aviation Enterprise (SAE) which operates and/or manages all government owned airports in Papua New Guinea. There are twenty-two (22)
national airports in PNG with Port Moresby’s Jacksons Airport as the only designated ICAO International Airport.
In addition, there are 58 other domestic airports plus airfields where some are active and others not active.
The NAC also provides ground navigation aids, design, construction, and maintenance of the runways, stop ways, runway end safety areas, access rounds, with terminal infrastructure facilitation including security (of both land and air side) and management of identified hazards.
Air Navigation Service Providers
The Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP) in Papua New Guinea includes Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS).
Papua New Guinea’s ANSP, NiuSky Pacific Limited (NSPL) is an incorporated State Aviation Enterprise that works in close collaboration with the National Weather Service (NWS) as well as other aviation stakeholders.
The ATM supports national airports, which form the bulk of domestic operations as well
Other airlines have flown into Port Moresby, including Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Domestic Air Transport Operators and Services
Air Niugini and PNG Air operate domestic services primarily from Port Moresby. ANG flies point-topoint services to 11 main domestic airports, two loop services to the Islands and Momase regions covering a further 9 airports and some interconnecting services from the region airports of Lae, Hoskins and Madang. PNG Air operates both on first and second level services using mainly Dash-8 and DHC-6 aircrafts.
PNG Air also flies on-demand and charter services to a number of smaller airports. The largest third level operator is Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), a churchsponsored airline, based in Mount Hagen, with a fleet of 16 mainly DHC-6, Cessna 206 and GA8 Airvans with which it serves remote rural airstrips in PNG, especially in the Highlands. Other small fixed wing and helicopter charter operators include Central Aviation (Mt Hagen), Hevi-lift, Islands Nation-air, Niugini Helicopters, North Coast Aviation (Lae) Pacific Helicopters and Tropic-air (Port Moresby). Much of their work is in support of the resource sector but also general charter, flying into small airfields and remote worksites.
as international operations within the Port Moresby Flight Information Region (FIR).
The NSPL provides ground, aerodrome, approach, enroute control, flight information Service, aeronautical information services (AIS) including an aviation rescue coordination centre for aviation search and rescue service.
Civil Aviation Safety and Security Regulator
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority PNG (CASA PNG) is the regulatory authority for environmental Protection in Civil Aviation.
CASA PNG implements and monitors compliance with the provision of ICAO Annex 16.
CASA PNG has broadcasted operating rules for environmental protection in domestic and international civil aviation through the specification for the design, manufacture and aircraft operational requirements.
CASA PNG also broadcasts rules and specifications for air traffic management, airport operations, and aviation meteorology so that the important elements of environmental protection is managed appropriately.
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY SUPPLEMENT
Air Niugini selects N-Flight planning solution
AIR Niugini Limited (ANG), the national carrier of Papua New Guinea, has selected a flight planning support system to help the airline improve on time and cost to meet operational needs.
ANG announced this when it signed a firm order with Airbus Beyond for six latest generation single aisle A220-100s under its fleet modernisation program as reported by the Aviation Source news website.
Called N-Flight Planning (N-FP), the solution will be provided by Airbus Beyond’s subsidiary, NAVBLUE, for ANG’s fleet and will help the airline improve
on fuel, time and cost to meet operational needs, while ensuring overall safety and compliance.
Aviation source news said the A220 is the most modern airliner in its size category, carrying between 100 to 150 passengers on flights of up to 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km). Depending on cabin configuration, the A220-100 serves the 100-135 seat market, while the larger A220-300 is perfectly tailored for the 120-150 seat market.
The report stated that the aircraft is powered by Pratt and Whitney’s latest-generation GTF™ engines.
MAF continues to serve isolated communities
MISSION Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has provided air services to support the needs of isolated rural communities in Papua New Guinea since 1951.
Although MAF is not the only third-level aviation service provider in Papua New Guinea, many communities depend on MAF for their well-being and MAF in turn depends on support from many parts of the world to be able to keep flying.
According to the MAF Papua New Guinea website, MAF’s vision is to see isolated people changed by the love of Christ and its mission is serving together to bring help, hope and healing through aviation.
Commencing operations over 70 years ago, Papua New Guinea was one of MAF's first operations worldwide, and for many years was the largest operation.
Papua New Guinea has many isolated communities located in some of the most rugged terrain in the world and the country’s unique topography, the absence of usable roads, and poor infrastructure has meant that, for many people in remote communities, MAF provides the only viable access to the outside world, along with the help and hope needed.
Expatriates and PNG nationals who are staff of MAF, serving in Papua New Guinea, need to be willing to leave their comfort zones and face the challenges created by the cultural differences and language barriers in Papua New Guinea.
Pilots fly the planes from point A to B, but there is a group of other people involved in making each flight possible and successful.
Each flight is like a puzzle and it is only half complete when only the pilots are involved.
Other skilled and available people must fill the remaining pieces in the puzzle so it can come together. MAF staff living and working in the communities of Mt Hagen, Goroka, Wewak and Telefomin support and participate in local Christian ministry in a variety of ways.
Creating and maintaining partnerships in Papua New Guinea is important for MAF.
One of the reasons MAF is able to stay linked with the different people groups and communities is through connections with other missions, churches and organisations that have a heart and vision for working with those isolated people groups and communities.
MAF is an international Christian organisation whose mission is to fly light aircraft and to use other technology to bring help and hope to people in some of the world’s poorest communities.
MAF continues to operate in Papua New Guinea and works in partnership with national church groups, mission groups, development and relief agencies, hospitals and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs). MAF currently have ten aircraft serving about 200 airstrips with help, hope and healing.
Offering 25 per cent lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, the A220 also has the largest cabin, seats and windows in its class, ensuring superior comfort.
As with all Airbus aircrafts, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with 100 per cent SAF by 2030.
As at the end of September, Airbus has received over 800 orders from around 30 customers for the A220, of which more than
280 have been delivered.
The A220 is already in successful service with 17 airlines worldwide.
ANG will acquire three A220300s and another two A220-100s from third party lessors and expects its first order of A220 by 2025.
Combining the longest range, lowest fuel consumption and widest cabin in the 100-150 seat category, the A220 will be operated by Air Niugini across its domestic and regional network.
The new fleet will deliver more capacity and greater reliability across the domestic network and
enable the carrier to fly from Port Moresby to new destinations across the Asia-Pacific region.
“This is a milestone in the history of our national airline that will support the growth of trade and tourism in Papua New Guinea. The new aircraft will offer the highest levels of comfort for our passengers, while also ensuring a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions when compared to the aircraft they will replace,” Acting Chief Executive Officer of Air Niugini, Gary Seddon said during the signing ceremony in November this year.
Pacific raises concern over small states’ focus at COP28
DUBAI: CONCERNS were raised about attempts by certain countries to weaken the emphasis on Small Island states (SIDS) at the COP28 climate change negotiation in Dubai.
The issue revolves around the unique circumstances of SIDS and the fear that broader inclusion might weaken their concerns in global climate negotiations.
Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), Sefanaia Nawadra, in a media briefing highlighted the historical context of SIDS.
“The special circumstances for SIDS were negotiated as part of the Rio outcome and convention that emerged from the UN process. Over time, there have been attempts to not only undermine the Pacific positions but also to include themselves as a special case.
“I call it elimination by inclusion, as it started with mountain states and expanded to landlocked countries, arguing that all developing countries should be considered special cases like SIDS,” Nawadra said. Nawadra also pointed out the difference between developing countries and SIDS. Our significant argument is that unlike others, we are insignificant contributors to emissions. Some countries are larger and contribute significantly to the emissions causing the issues we are facing. Additionally, we are the
DIRECTOR General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), Sefanaia Nawadra (middle) listens to a panelist at a media briefing on the historical context of SIDS. PICTURE: PACNEWS
first to feel the impacts of climate change,” he explained. Nawadra acknowledged the changing landscape in climate negotiations.
“It’s becoming harder to argue about being the first to feel the impacts, as countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan also face existential threats due to the nature of their country.
“We need to remain vigilant because negotiations constantly erode our positions, attacking them in different forums. Sometimes we have
to reinvent how we justify our position. At Rio plus 20, our focus was on the special case due to our small size, a perspective different from when it was first negotiated in Rio,” Nawadra stressed.
When asked about the possibility of considering all Pacific countries as special cases, Nawadra said “This is not something we need to argue; it’s already established.
“What we must resist is calls to include others in this category. If everyone is considered a special
case, the value of the special case diminishes. We are now arguing against our own bloc to maintain our unique position, applicable to all Pacific countries and SIDS.”
As the international community negotiations are underway at COP28, the Pacific region emphasises the importance of preserving the special circumstances of SIDS, ensuring that their vulnerabilities and contributions to climate change are not overshadowed in the global discourse. - PACNEWS
Australian government hopes to rush laws that could detain dangerous migrants
CANBERRA: THE Australian government hopes to rush legislation through Parliament on Wednesday that could place behind bars some of the migrants freed after the High Court ruled their indefinite detention was unconstitutional.
The Senate on Tuesday passed draft legislation that would create so-called community safety orders.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles would be able to apply to a judge to imprison migrants with criminal records for violent or sexual offenses because they pose an unacceptable risk to the public.
“We’ve already begun preparations to ensure that we can do all that we can as quickly as we can.” Giles told reporters.
Giles declined to say how many of the 148 freed migrants who for various reasons can’t be deported might be detained under community safety orders. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil urged opposition lawmakers not to delay the legislation passing the House of Representatives on
AUSTRALIAN Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Australian Immigration Minister Andrew Giles answer questions during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, December 6, 2023. PICTURE: AP
Wednesday by proposing amendments that could be unconstitutional. But opposition immigration spokesperson Dan Tehan said
amendments might be needed to ensure more migrants were detained.
“The government needs to act to make sure that it’s continuing to
make every effort to deport these people,” Tehan said.
Amnesty International refugee rights adviser Graham Thom said he was alarmed that the government was rushing through the legislation without appropriate parliamentary scrutiny.
The group urged a delay “to allow for proper scrutiny of this important, highly consequential new law,” Thom said in a statement.
“A sensible conversation is needed when balancing community safety with personal liberty. This is not a time for knee jerk responses,” Thom added.
The High Court on Nov. 8 ruled the indefinite detention of a stateless Myanmar Rohingya man who had been convicted of raping a 10-yearold boy was unconstitutional.
Government lawyers say the judges left open the option for such migrants to be detained if they pose a public risk. That decision would be made by a judge rather than a government minister. - AP
Death toll in Philippines bus accident rises to 17
MANILA: A PASSENGER severely injured when a bus plunged into a ravine in the central Philippines has died, taking the death toll from the accident to 17, authorities said on Wednesday.
The bus was carrying dozens of people when its brakes failed in the central province of Antique on Tuesday afternoon, the local governor, Rhodora Cadiao, told a press conference.
Seven people were in critical condition while four were stable and recovering, she said. Local media had reported earlier than 28 died in the crash.
Cadiao said the bus was travelling to Culasi in Antique from the neighbouring province of Iloilo when its brakes malfunctioned on a winding road and it plunged 30 metres (98.5 feet) into the ravine.
“We call that area the killer curve. It was already the second bus that fell off there,” Cadiao told DZRH radio station.
Rescue operations at the site have stopped after all visible bodies were retrieved, the Antique government said on Facebook.
“The engineering design of this road is very faulty,” Cadiao said. “I want to condemn that road already.” The Philippines is notorious for its lax regulation on public transportation and poorly maintained roads. - REUTERS
Fighters shadow US Navy plane over Taiwan Strait
BEIJING: CHINA’S military said on Wednesday it sent fighter jets to monitor and warn a US Navy patrol aircraft that flew over the sensitive Taiwan Strait, a mission that took place weeks before Taiwan holds elections.
China claims sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, and says it has jurisdiction over the strait. Taiwan and the United States dispute that, saying the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway.
The US Navy’s 7th Fleet said the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane, which is also used for anti-submarine missions, flew over the strait in international airspace.
“The aircraft’s transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
SYDNEY: AN estimated 15 per cent of New South Wales dwindling koala population is set to win some protection from as early as 2025, but environmentalists say that might be too late.
The area is nestled in old eucalyptus forests in Australia’s New South Wales region, To shore up the habitat of these iconic Australian animals, the state government plans to merge 315,000 hectares (1,216 sq miles) of national park and public forest land into the
Great Koala National Park (GKNP), covering an area twice the size of London.
Environmentalists and local forest advocates warn that the best koala feed trees could be gone by the time the park about 500 km (310 miles) north of Sydney is enlarged, due to increased native forest logging in the area.
“There’s been a massive expansion and intensification of logging in some of the most bio-diverse areas of the Great Koala National Park,” said
local forest advocate Mark Graham while sitting on a stump surrounded by recently harvested trees. ”The harm that’s done here will take a long time to repair, and in some respects, it might never repair.”
The koala was classified as endangered in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory in 2022, with environmental groups estimating koalas could be extinct in the wild in New South Wales by 2050 if action wasn’t taken.
According to Reuterscalculations
of data provided by the state’s Forestry Corporation, logging within the next six months inside the GKNP could roughly treble from levels seen in 2021-2022.
Advocates and environmental groups want the state to ban logging in the entire proposed GKNP areas until plans are finalised.
“It doesn’t make sense,” said Stuart Blanch, an Australian conservation scientist from the World Wide Fund for Nature - Australia. - REUTERS
“The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows,” it said in a statement.
China’s military described the flight as “public hype”, adding it had sent fighters to monitor and warn the US plane and “deal with it in accordance with the law and regulations”.
“Troops in the theatre are always on high alert and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,” the Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army said in a statement. - AP
Argentina’s Milei taps Bausili as new central bank chief
BUENOS AIRES: ARGENTINE econ-
omist Santiago Bausili is set to become the governor of the country’s central bank after President-elect Javier Milei takes office on Dec. 10, according to three people with direct knowledge.
Bausili - a close ally of the incoming Economy Minister Luis Caputo - was undersecretary of finance under Mauricio Macri’s administration between 2016 and 2017, and he later became the finance secretary until December 2019.
His selection for the central bank will create a strong front of mainstream conservative economists alongside market-friendly Caputo, that could help moderate Presidentelect Milei’s more radical libertarian propositions.
Bausili’s latest role was as a partner of Anker, a Buenos-Aires based consultancy firm, alongside Caputo, which he joined in October 2020.
Bausili previously worked for Deutsche Bank as a debt origination
director, first in New York and then in Buenos Aires. He worked for over a decade at JPMorgan focused on capital markets and derivatives marketing covering Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Caputo and Bausili were pictured earlier on Tuesday arriving at the hotel where Milei is
staying in downtown Buenos Aires. Milei pledged during the campaign, and reiterated recently, that he would eventually shut the central bank and dollarise the economy, a move he says would help slay the country’s painful triple-digit inflation.
Just a couple of months ago, before winning the election, Milei had appeared to favor his main dollarisation adviser Emilio Ocampo to lead - and close - the central bank. - REUTERS
US announces visa bans after warning Israel over violence
WASHINGTON: THE United States on Tuesday began imposing visa bans on people involved in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Washington officials said, after several appeals for Israel to do more to prevent violence by Jewish settlers.
A new State Department visa restriction policy targets “individuals believed to have been involved in undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank, including through committing acts of violence or taking other actions that unduly restrict civilians’ access to essential services and basic necessities,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
President Joe Biden and other senior US officials have warned repeatedly that Israel must act to stop violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Attacks there have surged in recent months as Jewish settlements have expanded, and then spiked again
First survivor of Zambia landslide that trapped 25 miners rescued
LUSAKA: RESCUE workers in Zambia have pulled out the first survivor of a December 1 landslide that inundated an open-pit copper mine and trapped at least 25 people who were working there without a permit, the disaster management unit said on Wednesday.
The rescue team also retrieved one body which had yet to be identified, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit said in a statement posted on Facebook
“A 49-year-old man has been rescued from the collapsed mine slug dump site in Chingola after being trapped with several other miners,” it said, adding that he was being treated in hospital.
Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema said on Tuesday he was still hopeful that the trapped miners were still alive, as rescue efforts continued.
The miners at Seseli Mine in Chingola, about 400 km (250 miles) northwest of Lusaka, were trapped in three locations and heavy rains had flooded the pit, the government said. The mine was previously owned by Vedanta’s Konkola Copper Mines but is now in the hands of a local company that is yet to start mining operations as it awaits safety and environmental approvals.
It was still not clear how many miners had been trapped but Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe said on Monday 25 families had so far come forward for missing relatives. - AP
since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Blinken made clear to Israeli officials during a visit last week that “they need to do more to stop extremist violence against Palestinians, and hold those responsible for it accountable,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters in a press briefing after the announcement.
Palestinian leaders must also do more to curb Palestinian attacks against Israelis in the West Bank, he added.
The first bans under the new policy would be imposed on Tuesday and more designations will be made in the coming days, Miller said.
“We expect ultimately for this action to impact dozens of individuals and potentially their family members,” Miller said, adding that any Israeli with an existing US visa who was targeted would be notified that their visa was revoked. - REUTERS
‘Widespread’ sexual, gender-based crimes committed during Hamas attack: Israel
JERUSALEM: A MAN hiding in a pit during the October 7 Hamas assault on an outdoor music festival in Israel said he heard someone nearby screaming she was being raped. Elsewhere in the area, a combat paramedic saw the body of a young woman with her legs open, her pants pulled down, and what looked like semen on her lower back.
An army reservist who was tasked with identifying those killed by the militants said some of the women were found wearing only bloodied underwear.
Such accounts given to TheAssociated Press, along with first assessments by an Israeli rights group, show that sexual assault was part of an atrocities-filled rampage by Hamas and other Gaza militants
who killed about 1200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 240 hostages that day.
While investigators are still trying to determine the scope of the sexual assaults, Israel’s government is accusing the international community, particularly the United Nations, of ignoring the pain of Israeli victims.
“I say to the women’s rights organisations, to the human rights organisations, you’ve heard of the rape of Israeli women, horrible atrocities, sexual mutilation — where the hell are you?” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a news conference on Tuesday, switching to English to emphasise the point.
US President Joe Biden called the reports of sexual violence “appall-
ing” and urged the world to condemn “horrific accounts of unimaginable cruelty.”
Two months after the Hamas attacks on the music festival, farming communities and army posts in southern Israel, police are still struggling to put together the pieces.
In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, priority was given to identifying bodies, not to preserving evidence.
Police say they’re combing through 60,000 videos seized from the body cameras of Hamas attackers, from social media and from security cameras as well as 1000 testimonies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
It has been difficult finding rape survivors, with many victims killed by their attackers. - AP
Quick news
UKRAINE FUNDING
KYIV: The Netherlands announced on Tuesday it would support Ukraine in 2024 with a 2.5 billion euros (K10.2 billion) allocation, as the 21-month war drags into another winter and concerns grow that Kyiv’s war effort may falter without continued Western support. Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot announced the allocation during a visit to Ukraine. “Be assured of our support, ”she said at a press conference after a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.
RELIEF FOR FUJIMORI
LIMA: Peru’s constitutional court ordered an immediate humanitarian release on Tuesday for imprisoned former President Alberto Fujimori, 85, who was serving a 25-year sentence in connection with the death squad slayings of 25 Peruvians in the 1990s. The court ruled in favor of a 2017 pardon that had granted the former leader a release on humanitarian grounds but that later was annulled. In a resolution seen by The Associated Press, the court told the state prisons agency to immediately release Fujimori “on the same day.”
FORMER UK PM GRILLED
LONDON: Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson will have a chance to defend his handling of the pandemic in two days of questioning at the COVID inquiry. Mr Johnson is expected to apologise to the inquiry and admit his government made mistakes during the pandemic. But sources close to Mr Johnson have told the BBC he will argue he got big calls right that saved lives.
TRADING BARBS
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden and his would-be challenger Donald Trump have been attacking one another as the 2024 White House campaign heats up. Mr Biden said part of his motivation to run for a second term next year is to thwart the Republican, adding that “we cannot let him win”. In a Fox News event, Mr Trump said he thought Mr Biden was too old for such a political rematch.
SPY CHARGES
HAVANA: A former US diplomat who served as ambassador to Bolivia has been charged with working as an agent of the Cuban government for more than 40 years. Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, is accused of helping Cuba gather intelligence against the US since 1981. Mr Rocha referred to the US as “the enemy” and claimed his work as a secret agent “strengthened the Revolution”, according to court papers. - Agencies
US imposes sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
WASHINGTON: THE United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a Belgian involved in procuring electronics for the Russian military, his companies and a group of Belarusian firms and people tied to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted a network led by Belgium-based Hans De Geetere, which included nine entities and five people across Russia, Belgium, Cyprus, Sweden, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. They are accused of being involved with procuring military-grade equipment for Russia.
Also on Tuesday, the US Justice Department unsealed two indictments against Hans De Geetere and the Commerce Department added him and five firms to its entity list. US sanctions block access to US property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans. De Geetere did not respond to an Associated Press request for com-
ment through email.
State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said the US “is committed to working with our allies and partners to expose and degrade networks engaged in Russia’s military procurement” and “will continue to take actions against the Russia’s military-industrial complex to disrupt the Kremlin’s access (to) the tools it uses to perpetuate its illegal war against Ukraine.”
Additionally, US Treasury sanctioned 11 entities and 8 people tied to the Alyaksandr Lukashenka regime for its suppression of Belarusian democratic civil society, cor-
rupt financial enrichment of the Lukashenka family, and complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine, a Treasury statement reads.
“Today’s action reaffirms our efforts to hold Lukashenka, his family, and his regime accountable for their anti-democratic actions and human rights abuses, both in Belarus and around the world,” said Brian Nelson, Treasury’s under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
“We will continue to target the Lukashenka regime’s revenue generators, his so-called personal ‘wallets,’ and actors who facilitate Russia’s war of aggression. - REUTERS
A PALESTINIAN checks a car burned in an Israeli settlers raid near Salfit in the Israeli-occupied West Bank December 3, 2023. PICTURE: REUTERS
SANTIAGO Bausili
HANS De Geetere
Asia stocks gain as lower bond yields buoy tech; oil sags
TOKYO, REUTERS: Asia-Pacific equities gained on Wednesday as bets firmed for a peak in interest rates among major central banks globally, as bond yields continued to decline. Japanese government bond yields dipped to the lowest since mid-August as US Treasury yields hovered close to a three-month trough. Meanwhile, crude oil sank to a nearly five-month low, while bullion held steady after dropping back from an all-time high. Bitcoin traded just below $44,000 following its surge this week to a 20-month peak. US 10-year Treasury yields held steady at around 4.186% after touching 4.163% on Tuesday as cooling labour market data cemented views that the Federal Reserve is done hiking rates, with bets on a first cut coming by March now at around 64%, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool. Benchmark JGBs yields slid in sympathy, reaching the lowest since Aug. 16 at 0.62%. Lower borrowing costs boosted equity markets, with big tech a particular beneficiary. Japan’s Nikkei (.N225) surged 1.6%, rebounding from Tuesday’s mid-November low, while Australia’s stock benchmark (.AXJO) jumped 1.4% and South Korea’s KOSPI (.KS11) added 0.56%. US stock futures also pointed higher, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq indicated up 0.4% following a 0.31% advance overnight for the cash index (.IXIC). S&P 500 futures rose 0.26%, after the cash index ended Tuesday flat. Overnight, US jobs figures came in softer than expected, but coupled with robust services data, added to the narrative for a soft landing for the economy as the Fed shifts to monetary easing, analysts said.
Exploration finds increased resource at K92 mine
FURTHER exploration conducted by the K92 Mining Inc has found increased resources at its Kainantu mines Kora and Judd deposits in Eastern Highlands.
Chief executive officer John Lewins highlighted that a little under US$7 million (about K26 million) was spent on the exploration with results exceeding the mines initial estimates.
“The updated Kora and Judd Resource estimate has significantly exceeded our expectations for both the Measured and Indicated resource and the Inferred resource,” Mr Lewins said.
“The combined Kora and Judd Measured and Indicated resource increased +13 per cent, net of depletion, to 8.1 million tonnes at 10.00 g/t AuEq for 2.6 million ounces AuEq, and the Inferred resource increased +70 per cent, net of depletion, to 16.5 million tonnes
at 8.48 g/t AuEq for 4.5 million ounces AuEq.
“When comparing the updated resource model’s depletion to mill actuals, Kainantu has delivered a gold reconciliation in line with the updated resource model within one per cent.
“Importantly, the resource growth was also achieved expeditiously, over a period of less than two years and at discovery cost of less than US$7.5 per ounce gold equivalent.
“This was driven by the strong continuity of the Kora and Judd vein systems, with almost all holes intersecting the mineralised structure.
“Looking ahead, exploration at the Kora and Judd vein systems will remain a major focus, with drilling targeting multiple highly prospective target areas concurrently, including Kora, Kora
South, Kora Deeps, Judd, Judd South and Judd Deeps.
“Kora Deeps and Judd Deeps have only recently commenced drilling from the twin incline, and the initial reported results from this area via Judd underground development in late-Q3 have been very promising, including 4.6 m at 14.89 g/t AuEq and 6.8 m at 11.77 g/t AuEq from channel sampling in an area previously sparsely drilled and interpreted to be waste.
“Later in 2024, exploration plans to commence at Kora South Deeps and Judd South Deeps, also from the twin incline.
“Beyond the Kora and Judd vein systems, there are multiple highly prospective areas for resource growth near mine infrastructure, including Arakompa, Maniape and Karempe.
“Exploration pad construction at Arakompa, which hosts a historic
Puma Energy, Hela Investment Ltd forge development partnership
PUMA Energy and Hela Investment Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed for Puma Energy to co-invest in sustainable economic projects.
The MoU forges a new development partnership between the people of Hela and Puma Energy, opening up opportunities for both parties to invest in.
“This MoU sets the pace for participation in socio-economic projects, especially within the clean energy space, which Hela Investment has engagement
within,” said company chairman and managing director, Hulala Tokome.
The MoU was agreed between Puma Energy PNG and Hela Investment Ltd in November 2023, following amicable discussions between Hela Investment and chief executive officer (CEO), Hadi Hallouche, including PNG management in Port Moresby.
“Puma Energy’s purpose is to energise communities and we stand committed to delivering this purpose, through this partnership.
“A partnership that aligns
with the National Government’s current and future development plans that aims to expand access to sustainable infrastructure and services to the people of PNG.”
CEO of Hela Investment Ltd, Gedisa Igah during the MoU said: “Hela Investment is excited to partner with a global company such as Puma Energy.
“This is to explore investing in projects, including within the clean energy space, to bring longterm sustainable prosperity, not only to the people of Hela, but PNG as a whole.”
resource of 800 koz at 9.0 g/t Au, is under way with plans to commence drilling near-term. Porphyry exploration continues to progress, with drilling under way at A1 and plans for follow-up drilling at the Blue Lake Porphyry in the medium-term. Blue Lake hosts an Inferred Resource of 10.8 moz AuEq or 4.7 blbs CuEq.
“Recently, in October 2023, K92 increased its exploration expenditure guidance to US$20 million (About K71 million).
“This was driven by our conviction in the geological potential of the Kainantu Project and we look forward to announcing results from multiple target areas nearterm in addition to operational announcements as we transform Kainantu into a Tier 1 Mid-Tier producer over the next 18 months with construction of the Stage 3 and 4 Expansions under way.”
PNG Power cautions public on use of
Christmas
lights
PNG Power Limited (PPL) has cautioned the public on the use of the Christmas lights during the festive period.
PPL in a notice advised that before purchasing any electrical appliance, always ask the salesperson or shop owners for the Certificate of Approval from PNG Power Ltd.
“The certificate guarantees you that all safety, standard and compliance checks have been conducted by PNG Power Ltd on the electrical appliance before it can be used.
“The Certificate of Approval must be signed by PNG Power Ltd and must contain the common seal of PNG Power Ltd.
“Ensure to check that all information on the name plate of the electrical appliance match the details on the certificate.
“If the information does not match, do not purchase.
“If the salesperson or the shop owner does not want to produce a Certificate of Approval, do not proceed any further to purchase."
Customers are also advised that before using last year's or old Christmas lights, unravel them and look at the plug, leads and lamps holders to check there is no exposed wires or obvious damage.
PUMA Energy PNG chairman and country manager Hulala Tokome (middle) with Hela Govenor Philip Undialu and officials from the Hela Investment Ltd during the MoU signing. PICTURE SUPPLIED BY PUMA.
CHRISTMAS lights wrapped around a Christmas tree.
No update on import chicken ban
IT’S almost eleven months since the government announced the ban on imported chicken products and there is nothing to show for in terms of its enforcement.
The government intended to crack down on unscrupulous importers with an announcement made on January 6 to ban importers from importing fresh, frozen and chilled chicken into the country.
However, since the announcement, there has been no update on the progress of the ban, how many companies have been found to have breached the law, how many have been charged and the opportunities created to grow the local poultry industry in the country.
The National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection authority (NAQIA), the country’s biosecurity watchdog, is enforcing the chicken ban.
Initially, 10 days following the announcement of the ban, NAQIA had confiscated 740 kilograms of the banned chicken cocktails from China brought in by the Food Union Limited, a business operating in Port Moresby.
NAQIA noted that Food Union Limited will be formally charged and penalised, however, to date no update has been made on whether the company has been charged or penalised.
The Poultry Industry Association when welcoming the government’s decision earlier this year noted that this as an opportunity for local poultry producers in PNG engaging in SMEs or any other
large scale business to ramp up their production.
Retail prices of chicken remains the same since the ban was imposed without any notable changes.
President of the Poultry Industry
Association, Chris Prestwood said the restriction on frozen chicken is not creating shortage nor causing an increase in retail prices of chicken.
The ban on all chicken products came following the biosecurity
K14 trillion worth of crops and livestock lost to climate change
OVER the last 30 years, an estimated US$3.8 trillion (about K14 trillion) worth of crops and livestock production has been lost due to climate and other disaster events, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
This corresponds to an average loss of US$123 billion (about K449.7 billion) per year, or five per cent of annual global agricultural GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
These disaster events have also been increasing, from around 100 per year in the 1970’s to a current average of 400 per year.
As agriculture, including crops and livestock production, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture, is one of the main economic activities in developing countries, the implications are profound.
Farmers are resilient and have for centuries adapted to changes
in their environments. They are the best investment in building resilience and adapting to climate change. But what they are experiencing today goes beyond their ability to adapt. Support in dealing with both the economic and noneconomic losses and damage caused by extreme and slow onset events is becoming a lifeline for farming communities and countries.
Getting the loss and damage funding up and running and, most important of all, distributing finance for loss and damage will be a litmus test for success at the United Nations COP28 climate summit.
According to FAO’s latest report on ‘Loss and Damage in Agrifood Systems’, which will be launched at COP28, it reveals that, over a third of countries’ climate commitments or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) explicitly refer to loss
and damage.
For those countries referring to loss and damage, agriculture is overall found to be the single most impacted sector.
FAO is committed to supporting countries to assess the extent and magnitude of loss and damage caused by the impacts of the climate crisis on the agrifood sectors; mobilising adequate and predictable financial resources to support the implementation of loss and damage actions in the sector; assessing climate risks; reducing loss and damage in agriculture; and developing new technologies and practices that can reduce the exposure and vulnerability of food producers and consumers to climate risks, such as drought-tolerant crops, waterefficient irrigation systems, early warning systems, crop insurance and social protection schemes.
threats on the new Avian influenza (bird flu) that has affected a lot of Asian countries, including Australia.
The ban applies to all imported fresh, frozen and chilled chicken
and products, including eggs, from Australia and Asian countries except New Zealand. The ban does not apply to the mechanical de-boned chicken products.
Rural business wants tax refunds, better co-ordination
THE government is putting out its grand plan on SME and Credit Scheme and Agriculture but the implementation is lacking.
Farmers and Settlers Association president, Wilson Thompson said the biggest impediment is government agencies operating in isolation and not addressing the needs of the stakeholders.
Mr Thompson said the Association has been critical of the engagement of the Department of Agriculture & Livestock and its agencies and commodity boards and the Commerce & Industry and its agencies for not leading in addressing concerns of various industries that make up the agriculture and livestock sector and food production and rural and small business in PNG. He also spoke on the tax refunds and GST rebate which has been stopped since 2017, however, various agriculture sectors are yet to get their refunds.
“The government wants to collect
Increase in 2024 function grants for provincial govts and LLGs
THE National Economic and Fiscal Commission has revealed an increase in the 2024 Function Grants allocation to the Provincial and Local Level Governments.
NEFC through its 2024 Budget Fiscal Report determined the Function Grants for the Provincial and Local Level Governments is at K771.3 million. This is an increase of K129.3 million from K642.1 million in 2023. According to the NEFC’s 2024 Budget Fiscal Report, Provincial Government Function Grants for 2024 stands at K655.6 million.
This is an increase of K84.2 million kina from K571.4 million in 2023, while Local Level Government
Function Grants at K115.7 million an increase of K45.1 million from K70.6 million in 2023.
Major sectors like Health, Education, Transport, and infrastructure have seen an increase in funding respectively.
For 2024, Function Grant for Health stands at K133.3 million an increase of K16.6 million from K116.7 million, Education at K155.1 million an increase of K20.2 million from K134.9 million in 2023 while Transport Infrastructure is at K194.6 million an increase of K24.3 million from K170.3 million in 2023 fiscal year.
National Economic & Fiscal Commission chairman and chief execu-
tive officer Patrick Painap said the primary aim of the annual budget fiscal report is to establish a robust foundation for well-informed public policy.
“It centers on the fundamental objectives of fiscal decentralisation, aligning with the government’s development goals and the aspirational vision 2050,” he said.
Mr Painap said a significant highlight for NEFC this year 2023 has been the Intergovernmental Financing Arrangement Review Regional Consultations undertaken by the NEFC, the Department of Treasury, and eleven other key agencies under the PLLSMA Sub-Committee on IGFAR.
He said the progress in 2023 has been promising, with impactful consultative workshops held in the four regions of Papua New Guinea, concluding in the Southern Region in October 2023.
Mr Painap said that since 2009, over K7.8 billion has been given in function grants with an additional K7 billion in GST, adding that these are just two fiscal transfers alone, but if the SIP, PIP, and donor grants to the sub-national governments are considered the total envelope of fiscal transfers has been enormous.
He said the increased funding over the years has provided a vital lifeline for the service delivery mechanism.
tax and that is happening and best corporate business have paid up but then what is the delay in refunding overpayments, GST refunds etc.
“These monies are needed to continue to invest in agriculture or to buy and process agriculture produce that will be paid again as taxes.
“We expect the SME Corporation, Coffee Industry Corporation, Cocoa Board, DAL and DCI to open their mouths to IRC and Department of Treasury to start the refunds,” Mr Thompson said.
He said while the DAL, DCI and their agencies and commodity boards are not helping the industry they have decided to increase the Production Levy by 100 and 150 per cent respectively.
A widespread challenge from the agriculture and rural business is that the government must focus on improving roads, electricity, water and communication support, and deal with law and order seriously.
FROZEN chicken pieces. FILE PICTURE.
Getting property valuation right
BY PAUL OEKA
HAVE you ever wondered how businesses determine the value of their assets or properties?
Valuation is a fundamental practice that helps individuals and businesses understand the value of their assets, enabling them to make informed decisions, whether it's for investments, financial reporting, or planning.
CJ Valuers Limited, a registered tax-paying local SME that have been in business for over 12 years, has emerged as
a trusted name in the field of valuation providing accurate and reliable valuations. Their expertise spans across various industries including real estate, business, valuation of securities (bonds, shares, derivatives and hybrid securities), machinery and equipment, automobiles, and personal property.
The Post Courier recently caught up with CJ Valuers highly skilled valuation team and sat down in a brief Q&A session to provide readers with valuable insights on valuation and determining the
true value of assets.
Also on discussion were the factors that influence valuation outcomes, and how to overcome difficulties to arrive at a fair and unbiased assessment. Here is what they had to say.
What is a property valuation?
CJ Valuers: A property valuation is an assessment of what a property is worth. It determines the value of a property or an asset by assessing the various elements that make up as well as external factors that affect
the property’s value. What Is the Importance of property Valuation?
CJ Valuers: Property valuations are estimates of a property’s value and are impacted by overall economic conditions. It is important to determine a property value with much accuracy according to external economic, social and community factors to ensure that buyers and sellers are completing transactions that benefit both parties.
Why is property valuation needed?
CJ Valuers: Property valua-
tions are important to determine a fair selling price for property buyers and sellers, and for investors in determining the potential future profit value of a property. While most people will want a valuation on a property, they are either buying or selling to determine a fair buying or selling price. There are so many reasons for a property valuation. The most common include selling or buying a property, renting, mortgaging, insurance, financial reporting, probates, shared ownership and matrimonial valuations.
Who conducts a property valuation? And do you compare prices of other properties in the property market?
CJ Valuers: A property valuation is conducted by a valuer, a surveyor, an engineer, an accountant an economist or a real estate professional. These professionals inspect the property and asses the elements that affects its value. Factors such as storage, age, size, corrosion and room layout determine the monetary value. They also compare prices of similar properties in the area and consider what the market is like. Also, for a valuation to be considered formal, the report prepared has to be validated and certified by a registered or certified valuer.
How do valuers calculate the value of a property?
CJ Valuers: There are many methods for calculating the value of a property. Valuations are estimates of a property’s worth and may depend on many factors that can affect its value. In calculating the value of a property, valuers usually use three primary approaches. These are:
The Sales Comparison Approach which compares characteristics of similar properties to determine the value.
The Cost Approach which estimates cost to build or replace a property and compares it to the cost of an existing property.
The Income Capitalization Approach which estimates the value based on the expected future income from the property. These approaches can be done on their own or combined. Within these three valuation approaches, valuers use various methods to calculate the property’s value. These methods are selected based on available data and the basis of valuation.
Whether you're a business owner looking to assess your company's assets, or an investor keen on understanding the value of potential opportunities, CJ Valuers Limited has a proven track record of exceeding client expectations. Their approach to industry standards makes them a reliable partner for individuals, businesses, and institutions seeking accurate valuations.
Nadzab airport operational: NAC
THE NAC (National Airports Corporation) has announced that the Nadzab Tomodachi International Terminal is now operational.
The government has invested millions of Kina to ensure that the facilities are provided at an international standard which include up to date check-in systems, migration facilities, comfortable passenger departure and arrival lounges, adequate baggage collection facilities, efficient baggage transfers from check in desks to aircraft and the use of aerobridges.
NAC Acting Managing Director, Joseph Kintau, urges the airline operators to fully utilise the investments for passenger comfort and the efficiency of facilitating passenger movements.
The facilities are designed to ensure maximum security surveillance by NAC and we urge all users to comply with the requirements of the airport. A state of the art building management and airport management systems are installed that will enable real time coordination, surveillance and recording of all activities within the terminal.
The public is also urged to enjoy the facility with due care that will enable the airport to remain, clean, tidy and user-friendly for all to use. It is an iconic facility that will also be opened up for international passenger movements therefore the public is urged to help maintain high level of care.
"We congratulate Air Niugini and PNG Air and other users of our facility and thank them as our partners in providing aviation services to the people of Papua New Guinea and we anticipate that the new facility will open on the 4th of December 2023 and we hope for them to also be diligent and cooperative to take care of these facilities,”Mr Kintau said.
BSP continues support to Life PNG Care
IN aligning BSP’s charity focus on improving the lives of underprivileged children, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has donated K10,000 to Life PNG Care Inc. in Port Moresby to host its 7th annual charity ball.
The bank has come to the aid of the charity organisation since 2017, believing it will improve the lives of these underprivileged children giving them hope for a better future.
BSP Group chief financial officer, Ronesh Dayal in presenting the donation to Life PNG Care Inc. said the program is vital, as it educates children to ensure self – reliance, also encourages, and keeps their dreams alive to achieve their personal goals and to work towards being someone someday.
“We commend the work that Life PNG does through its ‘Strongim Pikinini Education Program’ in ensuring underprivileged children are given the opportunity to attend school is part of our commitment to our communities through education.
“We trust that our small contribution will assist with these children’s education,” said Mr Dayal.
Life PNG Care Inc. director Colin Pake in response thanked the bank for showing their support and said they were grateful for BSP’s partnership and its enduring support since 2014.
“BSP has generously come to our aid once again and we believe that together we can impact the lives of these underprivileged children and youths of Papua New Guinea through education.
“This support will go towards
hosting our 7th annual charity ball to raise funds for these children’s school fees next academic year.
“These children have great potential and it is only when we give them these opportunities that they realise how important they are in our society and who they are rather than living just to fulfil their survival means.
“We have grown in numbers over the years which saw few children through this support have graduated from Primary, Secondary and even colleges in PNG.
“In aligning this charity support with our community partnerships, BSP continues to improve lives of the less disadvantaged in communities through delivering education, health, sports and charity donations such as this.”
AERIAL view of the Nadzab Tomodachi International terminal which is now operational. - PICTURES SUPPLIED
AN Air Niugini flight at the Nadzab Tomodachi International terminal in Lae, Morobe.
INSIDE the Nadzab Tomodachi International Terminal in Lae, Morobe.
Although every sign is influenced by the confusion
cle, which lasts until the 2rd, because it accents tricky issues or unwise
you could find yourself reviewing, if not undoing, certain arrangements. While this won’t
Often, talking things through is an essential step to dealing with differences with others. At the moment, however, even the simplest of conversations about the issues in question could create even more confusion. Once certain still unknown facts surface, those discussions will be worthwhile. Until then, the less you say, the better.
Over the past few days, there’ve been discussions about a range of ideas or offers, one more exciting than the other. Better yet, they involve situations or individuals you’re convinced are reliable. While that’s true, bear in mind that with so much in transition, things are likely to change, and more than once.
As much as you’d like to clear up certain persistent, if not worrying, issues you correctly sense this isn’t the time to address them. In part this is because with Mercury retrograde, confusion is inevitable. But, as much, you quite rightly question whether others are concealing facts for reasons of their own.
By no means do you ignore your emotions and, mostly, you let others know exactly what you’re feeling. However, the emotional intensity triggered by the recent Full Moon was so overwhelming you somewhat over-dramatised what was going on. That, in turn, means you must now explain things weren’t as bad as they seemed.
One of your greatest assets is your ability to deal with even very tricky decisions, and in a way that’s both wise and benefits everybody. Recently, however, you’ve been forced to sacrifice certain of your own objectives in favour of others’ needs. Soon this generosity will be returned, and in miraculous ways.
Judging by the planetary setup for December, eager as you are to turn exciting ideas into solid plans, you’re better off taking your time. In fact, you’re urged to wait until the 25th, when your ruler Venus encounters the down to earth Saturn. By then you’ll have the crucial facts you’re currently lacking.
Don’t be surprised if seemingly straightforward arrangements need to be rethought, if not substantially altered. This is down to the ideas planet Mercury, being retrograde and especially accenting practical or financial matters. While annoying in the short term, what you learn when dealing with them will justify the effort you make.
a New Moon every month, there’s only one Sagittarius New Moon each year. It’s on the 18th. Knowing that’s coming, you’re urged to avoid making plans in detail and instead, focus on exploring potentially worthwhile changes or intriguing ideas, keeping in mind between now and then, circumstances themselves are bound to change.
Saki Beka Acting Manager, Special Projects Special Projects Unit Phone: (675) 321 3511 Email: sbeka@mragov.pg
Central Monitoring & Repository Hub or Live Data Centre.
Delivery Place Mineral Resource Authority
Mining Haus, Poreporena Highway P.O Box 1906, Port Moresby
National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
Closing Time & Date EOIs must be delivered to the address below by 5pm, Wednesday 13th December 2023 (Port Moresby GMT +10hrs)
All EOIs must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly stating the EOI Reference number (2023-MRA-EOI-003) and be addressed to: -
The Executive Manager Corporate Services Division (CSD)
Mineral Resources Authority PO Box 1906, Port Moresby
National Capital District
Contact Details Interested contractors may obtain further information at the address below during office hours (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (Port Moresby GMT +10hrs).
Saki Beka
Acting Manager, Special Projects
Special Projects Unit
Phone: (675) 321 3511
Email: sbeka@mragov.pg
Interested service providers must be a PNG registered entity and must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar work, experience in similar work, etc.). Interested services providers also must provide valid documentary evidence demonstrating the currency of:1. PNG Company Registration Certificate from IPA; 2. Tax Registration Certificate from IRC; and 3. Documentary evidence of appropriate insurances.
Delivery Place Mineral Resource Authority Mining Haus, Poreporena Highway P.O Box 1906, Port Moresby
Closing Time & Date
National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
EOIs must be delivered to the address below by 5pm, Wednesday 13th December 2023 (Port Moresby GMT +10hrs)
All EOIs must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly stating the EOI Reference number (2023-MRA-EOI-003) and be addressed to:The Executive Manager
Corporate Services Division (CSD)
Mineral Resources Authority PO Box 1906, Port Moresby
National Capital District
Contact Details Interested contractors may obtain further information at the address below during office hours (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (Port Moresby GMT +10hrs).
Saki Beka
Acting Manager, Special Projects
Special Projects Unit
Phone: (675) 321 3511
Email: sbeka@mragov.pg
Interested service providers must be a PNG registered entity and must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar work, experience in similar work, etc.). Interested services providers also must provide valid documentary evidence demonstrating the currency of: -
Authority By:
JERRY GARRY
Mr. Robert Mirou
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LeBron James stars as Lakers beat Suns
BASKETBALL:
LEBRON James
scored 31 points as the Los Angeles Lakers won a thriller against the Phoenix Suns to win 106-103 and reached the semi-finals of the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
James, 38, sank 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers held off a Kevin Durant-inspired second-half comeback.
The win sets up a showdown with the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
"I've been there a lot in my career and I understand the assignment," said James.
"I was happy I was able to make a couple of plays."
The Lakers dominated the first half to lead 59-47 at the break, but Durant's 31 points in total brought the Suns back into contention, before James' final quarter exploits.
In Tuesday's other quarter-final, Giannis Antetokounmpo starred as the Milwaukee Bucks routed the New York Knicks 146-122.
Antetokounmpo, 29, top-scored with 35 points and registered 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Bucks won to set up a clash with the Indiana Pacers in Thursday's other semi-final.
Antetokounmpo praised his partnership with team-mate Damian Lillard, who weighed in with 28 points, following the victory.
"Game by game we are getting more comfortable," said Antetokounmpo.
"As we play more minutes we're going to be more comfortable together. At the end of the day, I think me and him are setting the tone for the whole team."
Brook deletes social media apps
CRICKET: ENGLAND'S Harry Brook has deleted his phone's social media apps in an effort to shield himself from negativity.
Brook, 24, made a superb start in international cricket, playing starring roles in Test cricket and winning the T20 World Cup in November 2022.
But he struggled in the 50-over World Cup in October and November, averaging 28.16 in England's group-stage exit.
"I've been off social media for a while now, anything I stumble across, I delete it from the phone," he said.
"I haven't really seen any negativity, I think that's helped my game, helped my mental health and everything to be off social media and seeing all the negativity that brings."
Brook had only played three oneday internationals before forcing his way into England's World Cup squad at the expense of opener Jason Roy.
He had a difficult World Cup, with a top score of 66, but made an encouraging 71 in the middle order in England's defeat by West Indies in the first of three ODIs on Sunday.
Brook, who signed a three-year central contract during the World Cup, has taken the decision to leave his social media content to his management team so he can concentrate on performances on the pitch.
Earlier this year, Brook featured in the Indian Premier League for the first time after being bought for £1.35m by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
His first three innings saw him score 29 runs, before he smashed a 55-ball century.
In an interview following that innings, Brook said: "I'm glad I could shut them up."
England thump Scotland but Great Britain dream over
FOOTBALL: RUTHLESS England
thumped Scotland in their final Women's Nations League group match but it was not enough to top the table after the Netherlands scored two injury-time goals against Belgium to deny them in a dramatic finish.
That means the Dutch are through to the Nations League semi-finals and, as a result of England's exit, Team GB now will not be in the Paris 2024 Olympics football competition.
England needed to better the Netherlands' result by three clear goals to reach the Nations League finals and keep Team GB's Olympic hopes alive.
A determined first half saw goals from Alex Greenwood, Lauren James with two and Beth Mead before Fran Kirby made it 5-0 just after the break.
But as the game entered stoppage time, the Dutch went 3-0 up against Belgium and the Lionesses needed to produce a sixth goal to put quali-
fication back in their sights.
Lucy Bronze delivered in the 93rd minute with a headed effort but, as relief seemed to take hold at fulltime, the Netherlands scored a dramatic fourth goal to ensure they won the group ahead of England.
England would have secured Team GB's place in Olympics football had they reached the Nations League final.
As England huddled at full-time to await the result of the Netherlands match having scored six goals, they must have felt they had done enough to progress.
The odds were heavily stacked against the Lionesses with a threegoal margin separating them from the Dutch, but they were in fine goalscoring form in Glasgow and the mountain they had to climb started to look smaller.
Greenwood's header had opened the scoring before James' deflected shot found the back of the net one minute before she curled an effort into the top corner.
Mead marked her first England start since recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury with a stunning finish into the top right corner before Kirby poked home from Georgia Stanway's cutback four minutes after the break to make it five.
England did not celebrate any of the goals, each time picking the ball out of the back of the net and racing back to the halfway line to go again, knowing they needed a significant margin to top the group.
Ultimately, even a six-goal win was not enough and questions will be asked about England's performances in this Nations League campaign after they lost to the Netherlands and Belgium away and needed a last-minute goal to beat the Dutch at Wembley on Friday.
When it mattered, the Lionesses were ruthless, but mistakes and missed opportunities earlier in the campaign will be scrutinised as the European champions miss out.
Rice snatches win for Arsenal in 7 goal fest
FOOTBALL
DECLAN Rice's last-gasp header snatched victory for Arsenal in a seven-goal thriller at Luton to move them five points clear at the top of the Premier League. It was the conclusion to a compelling encounter in which the hosts twice fought back and threatened to win when Elijah Adebayo and Ross Barkley scored in an eight-minute period after the break, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya culpable for both goals.
However, the Hatters were denied a valuable point when Rice met Martin Odegaard's cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time, 23 seconds after the six official minutes added on had expired.
Arsenal had dominated a largely uneventful opening to a game which sparked into life when Gabriel Martinelli steered Bukayo Saka's pass into the bottom-left corner.
Gabriel Osho's header from Alfie Doughty's corner brought the hosts level shortly after, but when Gabriel Jesus nodded in Ben White's cross from close range the Gunners looked to have regained control.
But in a chaotic period after the interval, the league's best defence suddenly appeared flustered with Adebayo leaping above Raya to head in another Doughty delivery from a corner.
And with Luton in the ascendency, Barkley collected an Andros Townsend pass and beat White before driving a low left-foot shot under Raya.
The momentum swung back towards Mikel Arteta's side when Kai Havertz prodded in from the impressive Jesus' pass to equalise, but Luton looked to have held the visitors at bay until Rice's dramatic intervention.
The result leaves Luton 17th, two points above the relegation zone. Second-placed Liverpool, five points adrift of Arsenal, play their game in hand at Sheffield United on Wednesday (19:30 GMT). While Manchester City, a point further back, are at fourth-placed Aston Villa (20:15).
Arsenal have now won their past six matches in all competitions but there were clear positives and negatives to take from this latest success. Jesus underlined his importance
Quick news
MESSI NAMED
ARGENTINA and Inter Miami forward
Lionel Messi has been named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year. Messi joined Miami in July and scored 11 goals in 14 games in all competitions to help them lift the Leagues Cup, their first ever trophy. The 36-year-old also won the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in October. “Lionel Messi this year managed to do what once seemed impossible, when he signed with Inter Miami: turning the US into a soccer country,” read Time. The magazine said Messi’s arrival had driven a surge in attendances, ticket prices, merchandise sales and viewership of MLS games. The striker joins the likes of gymnast Simone Biles, swimmer Michael Phelps and NBA superstar LeBron James in winning the award.
ENGLAND ‘DEVASTATED’
BETH Mead said England are “devastated” while manager Sarina Wiegman said it “really hurts” after her side agonisingly missed out on a place in the Women’s Nations League finals on goal difference. The Lionesses thrashed Scotland 6-0 at Hampden Park but it was not enough to top the table as the Netherlands, who defeated Belgium 4-0, advanced on a night of high drama. England’s game had finished when the Netherlands scored their decisive fourth goal in the 95th minute, ending the Lionesses’ Nations League campaign and also meaning Team GB will not be in the Paris 2024 Olympics football competition. “We thought we’d got over the line but it wasn’t to be,” Mead told BBCSport.
WILLIAMS BANNED
BRITISH sprinter Bianca Williams has been banned from driving despite telling a court it would jeopardise her chances of going to the 2024 Olympics. Williams, 29, failed to tell police who was driving a Tesla Model 3 when an alleged offence took place. The athlete claimed a ban would make it difficult for her to get to training. But magistrates at Lavender Hill rejected her claim that she could not use public transport and suspended her from driving for six months. Williams failed on three occasions to reply to letters from the police between April and June 2023. In October, two Metropolitan Police officers were sacked over a stop and search of Williams and her partner, the Portuguese sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos, 28, in 2020.
BIG BASH IS BACK
to Arteta's side with a superb contribution that saw him have a hand in two goals and score another.
The Brazil forward's quick thinking caught Doughty out for Arsenal's first goal, while his physicality and perfectly weighted pass gave Havertz the simplest opportunity to level at 3-3.
While he has only scored two topflight goals this season, his influence is key.
He has not lost any of the 58 Premier League games in which he has scored for Arsenal or Manchester City, and the Gunners will need to keep him fit if they are to stay the course in the title race.
On the flipside Arteta's team had conceded just three league goals on their travels before kick-off, but they leave Bedfordshire with that tally having doubled.
All three appeared preventable, with Martinelli standing and watching as Osho got Luton back on track for the first time in the evening.
The performance of Raya will also undoubtedly add further scrutiny to Arteta's decision to prefer his fellow Spaniard as first-choice goalkeeper to England stopper Aaron Ramsdale.
THE early-morning sunshine and Big Bash cricket from Australia is back for a 13th edition. It starts in Brisbane on Thursday, December 7 and comes to an end on Wednesday, January 24. The eight teams will each play 10 matches in the group stage, with the top four progressing to the knockout stage. From last year, where each team played each other twice, meaning 14 matches each, this year, they will now play just 10 matches each. There is also a new format following the end of the group stage, with the top four teams progressing to the Finals Series.
LET RUSSIA COMPETE
OLYMPIC sports federations have asked the International Olympic Committee to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals at next summer’s Paris Games. Russia and Belarus were sanctioned but not banned by the IOC after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In March, it recommended individual athletes compete as neutrals but has not yet made a decision about Paris. The federations want a decision to “bring clarity” to qualifying events. They added that athletes had competed as neutrals in those events “largely without incident” and that they had the backing of national Olympic committees. The Paris Olympics take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
DECLAN Rice’s last-gasp header snatched victory for Arsenal
‘Genuine winner’ Crichton delivers Bulldogs early Xmas
RUGBY LEAGUE
IF the Bulldogs needed any further confirmation that they were on a winner with Stephen Crichton, it came on Wednesday when the champion centre turned up a month ahead of schedule to join his new teammates in pre-season training.
Just six weeks after finishing his Pacific Championships campaign with Samoa, the three-time premiership winner reported for duty at Belmore, well ahead of the official January 8 arrival he had circled in his diary.
For Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, the sign of intent from the champion centre is a massive boost as he looks to set the tone for a season many expect to produce a return to finals football for the eight-time premiers.
“Stephen wasn’t due back for another month but that shows what sort of person he is that he wants come back and contribute now and form into a leader,” Ciraldo told Big Sports Breakfast.
“He is just a genuine winner, he prepares to win every day, and he’s the ultimate professional.
“He’s the best centre in the world and he can play fullback and he played five-eighth for Samoa at the end of year and would have learned a lot from that.
“The energy he brings every day and the professionalism he brings will be huge for this group.”
At 23 and in the prime of his career, Crichton is the centrepiece of a stunning recruitment drive that has also seen the Bulldogs add Josh Curran, Kurt Mann, Drew Hutch-
Fifita requires surgery
RUGBY LEAGUE: STAR Gold Coast forward David Fifita has sustained a partial tear of his pectoral and is in doubt for Round 1 of the NRL next year.
The Queensland State of Origin second-rower suffered the injury on Monday and a scan on Tuesday revealed the extent of the damage.
Fifita had a knee cleanout in the off-season and was forced to withdraw from Tonga’s three-Test tour of England as a result.
The 23-year-old will undergo surgery on Wednesday. He had been in the rehab group since he returned to training and had done a minimal amount of field work.
The Titans are still holding out hope that Fifita can be fit for their home Round 1 clash with St George Illawarra.
Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe sustained a similar injury prior to Round 2 this year and returned in Round 15.
Fifita had an outstanding season for the Titans in 2023 when he made the Dally M team of the year and regained his Maroons jersey, playing in all three games of the 2-1 series win.
The Titans confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday night.
“Titans forward David Fifita will head for surgery after injuring his pectoral muscle,” the club said.
“The back-rower sustained a partial tear during pre-season training.
“He’ll complete his rehab over the coming weeks, with the aim of making his return for the start of the 2024 season.”
ison, Connor Tracey, Blake Taaffe and Jake Turpin to their roster.
After starting the 2023 season solidly enough the Bulldogs fell away badly when injuries struck, and Ciraldo says the new faces have them better equipped to handle adversity next season.
“We wanted to build a squad with a lot of depth in 2024 and the recruits have all added something in their own way so that has been exciting,”
he said.
“The way we are training we are seeing the strengths they bring and we can make some slight changes around what they can bring to a team - you’d be crazy not to have their input.
“Kurt Mann has been great with offering advice on different things that have worked for him in the past and Josh Curran has showed what he can add.
“Connor Tracey can fullback, centre or wing and attacks everything with gusto, while Drew Hutchison and Jaeman Salmon come from good systems.”
When Salmon pulls on the blue and white jersey for the first time in 2024 he will become the fourth Panthers premiership alumni to complete the switch alongside Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Crichton, all bringing a winning culture to the table at a club that last won a title two decades ago.
One more leading figure Penrith's dynasty who could yet find himself at Canterbury is five-eighth Jarome Luai, who comes off contract at the end of 2024 and is weighing offers from Wests Tigers and the Bulldogs as well as remaining a Panther.
Luai has made his name as a No.6, proving the perfect foil for Nathan Cleary, but speculation has swirled as to whether he could step up and run the show from halfback at a new club.
For his part, Ciraldo has no doubt the 26-year-old could transition from game breaker to game manager.
"Jarome can do anything he wants. He's a quality player, he loves footy, he loves his teammates and every challenge that has been thrown at him, he has gone after it and ultimately succeeded," Ciraldo said.
"His winning ratio in every grade he has played is unbelievable. He could do anything he wants if he puts his mind to it.
"We do have space for more quality talent at the top end and if Jarome landed here that would be great but we are happy with what we have at the moment." -NRL.COM
Cowboy Cotter’s full circle moment
RUGBY LEAGUE: TEN years on from representing his Indigenous culture and his state as a rugby league junior, Reuben Cotter is hoping to be able to again share his family’s Torres Strait Islands traditions as part of next year’s NRL All Stars celebrations.
Next February, the showcase of Indigenous and Maori culture will be staged in Townsville, with the North Queensland Cowboys star keen to put his hand up to play in front of his home crowd.
Cotter featured the last time the matches were played in the city in 2021, but missed out on experiencing a lot of the community engagement which makes the week so special due to COVID protocols.
“If I am fortunate enough to play, it’s a great opportunity to showcase and to represent my culture and my family,” Cotter said.
“I played last time it was up here and it was a great week and an exciting time for Townsville, but it was a COVID year, so it was a bit quieter in terms of cultural experiences with the community.
“We did a few workshops as a team, but it will be different this time; there’s a few things on with fan engagement and community engagement.”
Cotter, whose family hails from Boigu Island and Darnley Island, said the first time he was selected in the Indigenous All Stars team, it was a special experience where he got the opportunity to strengthen his knowledge of his family’s culture.
“I am always learning [about my culture],” Cotter said. “My first year, I was aware of my Indigenous background, but I didn’t know too much,
Quick news
WALLACE TAKEN
NRL veteran Jarrod Wallace maintains he is mentally and physically at the peak of his powers following an off-season boxing camp as he targets a new deal at the Dolphins beyond 2024. The 32-year-old’s coach and mentor Wayne Bennett is also offcontract at the end of next season with his assistant Kristian Woolf set to take over as head coach in 2025. Wallace joined the Dolphins from the Gold Coast to play under Bennett last year after being mentored by the veteran at Brisbane.
TRACEY SUFFERS INJURY
BULLDOGS recruit Connor Tracey suffered a leg injury in his final training session with the Sharks and will be unable to train with his new teammates for six weeks. Canterbury GM of football Phil Gould revealed on social media that Tracey would not start running until mid-January after suffering the injury before his switch of clubs was finalised. “Unfortunately Connor injured himself at Sharks training on Monday [November 27]. Not ideal. But we will get him 100% right and he should be ready to trial in February,” Gould said. “He can play anywhere in the backline.”
HARRIS EXTENDS
WARRIORS captain Tohu Harris has agreed to terms on a new one-year deal which will keep him in Auckland until at least the end of the 2025 season. Previously without a deal beyond the upcoming season, the new deal will see the 31-year-old bring up eight years with the club. Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said the news is a major boost ahead of the 2024 campaign. “I’m a huge fan of Tohu’s. He’s an unbelievable player and person who means so much to our club,” Webster told the Warriors’ website. “Without him and his leadership on and off the field we certainly wouldn’t be where we are right now.
NO ONE LIKE SPENCER
so it’s definitely an opportunity to make a few phone calls and speak to my mum and grandmothers and aunties and uncles and learn a little bit about where I am from.
“I think it’s a great game in that sense for those who don’t know too much and also for those that are well and truly connected to their culture. It’s great to sit around and learn from others about their culture as well.”
A keen fisher, Cotter thought his love of the sea was an expression of his culture, with water holding has an important place in the Torres Strait Islands.
“Up in the Torres Strait, living off the water is a big part of the lifestyle there, so I reckon that’s where I got it from, my family’s love for the ocean,” Cotter said.
“Something I love about going spearfishing and going fishing is being able to bring a good feed home and bring it to relatives and family. I enjoy it, it’s great.”
If Cotter – who returns to training next Thursday after extended time off after representing Australia at the Pacific Championships – does run out for next February’s match, it will also be a timely anniversary for the State of Origin star.
The Mackay-born forward represented the Queensland Murri Under 16 side at the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League held at Newcastle in 2014, an event which took the place of All Stars that year. The team had also taken part in an earlier tour of Papua New Guinea, in an “eye-opening” experience. -NRL.COM
PANTHERS enforcer James FisherHarris has conceded it’s going to be hard to replace Spencer Leniu, but revealed exactly what it takes to be a part of one of the best packs in the competition. Leniu has officially kicked off his new chapter as a Rooster after growing up in the Panthers system and winning three premierships with the club. His exit has left a big hole on the Panthers bench and it’s not going to be an easy fill according to FisherHarris.
FREDDY HAS ‘MOVED ON’
BRAD Fittler has “moved on” from his chapter as head coach of the New South Wales Blues. But he does have one piece of advice for his replacement Michael Maguire. “Enjoy it... Because he most likely won’t be there forever,” Fittler told foxsports.com.au at NRL headquarters on Wednesday after presenting James Fisher-Harris the 2023 Golden Boot. Fittler knows all about the pressure that comes with coaching the Blues — and how quickly things can change. He replaced Laurie Daley in 2018 and guided NSW to back-to-back series wins — the state’s first since 2005 — only to come crashing back down, winning just one of the next four series’.
HASLER MAKES BIG CALL
DES Hasler is wasting no time in his new role as head coach of the Titans, while a key Raiders recruit is determined to force his way into the 17. Veteran coach Des Hasler has quickly settled into his new life on the Gold Coast is diving straight into business at the Titans. News Corp reports he’s made a call on his starting halves with Tanah Boyd to get the first opportunity at halfback alongside five-eighth Keiran Foran. Boyd nailed down the No.7 jersey last season but did miss the final three games due to shoulder surgery. Youngster Tom Weaver stepped in as his replacement.
STEPHEN Crichton gets down to business on his first day at Bulldogs training. Picture: NRL Photos
REUBEN Cotter in action for the Indigenous All Stars in 2021.
Polye stresses on preparations
BY MARCIA NEGRI mnegri@spp.com.pg
MINISTER for Sports Don Polye
(pictured) has awarded K1million to cover incentives for athletes that have contributed to the country’s medal tally with their participation at the 17th Pacific Games in Honiara. He made this announcement during Team PNG’s welcome reception in Port Moresby last night.
As part of his remarks to welcome back Team PNG he made three very
important points.
“First point that I made was that there wasn’t enough facilitation for the preparation for the Pacific Games by Team PNG, and I as Minister have admitted that I have failed in not helping them to prepare properly.” Polye said he was the Minister for Sports for 16 months and could have helped them prepare 12 months in advance.
“But I am very pleased to say that despite the lack of training they have made the top 5 in the medal tally.” He also acknowledged the team for raking in 105 medals despite facing difficulties prior to the Games with their preparations and funding. “PNG has
2023
Dawanincura starts appeal for athletes
done well despite competing against some of the best athletes in the world. And secondly I have released K1million from PNG Sports Foundation as an incentive for all the medalists and their management team that have made PNG proud.” The funding will be released through the office of PNGSF CEO Albert Veratau in consultation with the PNG Olympic Committee will ensure that the funding is received by the athletes and team management.
“And thirdly, the PNG Sports Foundation will now provide salary for two executives in 12-15 Sports Federation in Papua New Guinea, so that they prepare their teams as fulltime employees for the 12-15 Sports Federations,” said Polye.
He added that this is to ensure that teams are prepared for any of the upcoming Games that will see the participation of Team PNG.
Polye said the previous K1.5million that was allocated was already used up hence the K1 million allocation and urged that the Government should learn to be prepared in advance and not wait till the last minute.
IRL Golden Boot winners announced
RUGBY LEAGUE: JAMES FisherHarris, Georgia Hale and Jérémy Bourson have each created Golden Boot history after being chosen as the respective 2023 men’s, women’s and wheelchair winners.
Fisher-Harris is the first prop to win the prestigious award since its inception in 1984 and will add the IRL Golden Boot to the Pacific Cup medal he received after leading the Kiwis to a record 30-0 defeat of the Kangaroos and his third consecutive NRL premiership ring with Penrith.
The New Zealand captain was presented with the 2023 IRL Golden Boot by 2000 winner and two-times World Cup winning Kangaroos captain Brad Fittler at an event in Sydney on Wednesday.
Hale, who is the first forward to win the women’s award, and Bourson – France’s first Golden Boot recipient in any discipline of the game – are both based in the Northern Hemisphere and were unable to attend.
The IRL Golden Boot is awarded each year to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches.
Fisher-Harris was chosen by a panel comprising of Golden Cap recipients Adam Blair, James Graham, Darren Lockyer, Adrian Morley and Ruben Wiki, who are
among just nine players to have played more than 50 internationals for their country.
Previous Golden Boot winners
Stacey Jones, Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Joey Manu were among the many current and former Kiwis to pay tribute to Fisher-Harris.
Michael Maguire, who had charge of Fisher-Harris in all but one of his 15 appearances for New Zealand, including the Pacific Championships triumph, and members of his coaching staff, also sent messages of congratulations.
“I can't think of a better bloke to take out such a prestigious award,” Maguire said. “It’s thoroughly deserved.
“In our time together, over the years, I have watched you grow from that young player to winning grand finals and now leading the Kiwis to an emphatic win against Australia, and creating a bit of history.
“You led right from the front, right from the time you walked into the month of the campaign that we had together. You're an absolute champion with the way you go about things, and there's a lot of reasons why you're such a success in rugby league.
“What an award to have. You have now created a little piece of history for yourself in the international
space, along with such a great win.”
Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry was emotional as he told Hale she had been chosen by a panel of Jillaroos great Karyn Murphy, Kiwi dual code superstar Honey HiremeSmiler and England 2017 World Cup prop turned rugby league commentator Danika Priim.
“I don’t think this award could go to a player more deserving than Georgia,” Henry said. “She is a professional on and off the field.
“Georgia does the things that other players don’t want to do on the footy field; the things that people don’t get rewarded for or recognized for.
“We know that she is a really hard worker but the biggest growth in her game has been her football IQ and that has made her the player she is today.
“This is a reward for everything you have done for rugby league, for yourself, for your family and for us in the Kiwi Ferns environment. You are a massive role model for all the young girls playing rugby league in New Zealand and Australia.”
Hale, who helped the Kiwi Ferns to a gritty 12-6 defeat of the Jillaroos, edged team-mate Mele Hufanga and rival fullbacks Tamika Upton and Apii Nicholls to become the second successive New Zealander to win the Golden Boot after Raecene McGregor.
TEAM PNG: “The most important person in a sport is an athlete, and so I would like to thank the athletes for their participation at the 17th Pacific Games.”
PNG Olympic Committee President Sir John Dawanincura said this during his speech at Team PNG’s welcome reception last night at Gateway Hotel.
“The team’s dedication as well as performances of individuals, dedication, hard-work and sportsmanship give pride to our nation so for that we thank you for your achievement and the sacrifices that you and your family have made.”
Sir John also acknowledged their various partners for their funding and contributions that have been instrumental in Team PNG’s participation at the Pacific Games and with that challenged the Government to start preparing for the next Games in Tahiti.
“I am calling on the Government of PNG to put more effort into supporting Team PNG in achieving our objectives and I am glad that the Prime Minister has ensured that Sports has been given funding for our preparations in the next four years.
“We are currently assisting all sports to qualify for the Olympics in Paris next year and we need support from our government as they help in our successes and that is very important.”
“Every year we have been considered in the national budget through PNGSF to secure Government funding for the following years Games.”
Unfortunately, that has not been successful as our government funds appeal have not been successful since 2015 and they are in line with my challenge to the Government, “include sports in your budget and in whatever decisions that you make because its part of integral human development that’s how important sport is.
“Team PNG represents the entire country and bears the country’s flag. In order to reach the top three in the 2027 Pacific Games, our national federations need constant support and to administer their sports and prepare our teams for any requirement.”
JAMES Fisher-Harris won the Golden boot . -PICTURE: NRL PHOTOS/GREGG
PNG touch footy player Junior Hoki (right) shares a photo opportunity with Sports Minister Don Polye.
SPORTS Minister Don Polye meeting Team PNG athletes.
BOXER Liranda Kidu with parents.
K20 million allocated for PNG Games
BY MARCIA NEGRI mnegri@spp.com.pg
THE Government has allocated K20 million for the PNG Games in the 2024 National Budget. But K5 million is immediately ready for disbursement according to Sports Minister Don Polye.
The PNG Games is scheduled for January 10-20, 2024 and concerns have been raised over funding release due to the close of accounts for the 2023 financial year which is on December 15.
But Minister Polye assured that funding has already been appropriated and will be released before the games kick off.
PNG Games organising committee headed by executive director Albert Veratau held a press conference yesterday to update the public in regards to the PNG Games.
When asked by this paper if they have received funding that was allocated for the Games by the Sports Ministry, he said; “We have asked Treasury to try and
support us for the PNG Games but at the same time we are not waiting for them, we are using whatever resources we have to ensure that ground work is done and we don’t want it to be left till the last minute again.”
Veratau said they are still talking to Treasury for funding and have written and spoken to other sponsors as well.
“So whatever we have, we are continuing with it so whenever the sponsors come in, we will certainly be delighted to receive their support.”
He said looking at past budgets, they are quite excessive, but in this games because of the compulsory sports it will be less.
“The initial number was about 28 sports and we cut that down to 11 sports. The numbers are smaller but even with the smaller number the cost doesn’t change much. If anything, possibly K3million is needed to deliver the Games.”
Veratau also assured that they are not looking at any deferral and the games will go ahead as scheduled.
“We are going to host it with or without support. We need to host it and get the games out of the way as it has been hanging over our heads for the past six years.”
Siales to take part in Australia U19 c’ships
CRICKET: THE PNG Siales team left for Brisbane yesterday to compete in the Australia U19 Girls Cricket Championship from the 6-22 December.
Coach Mahuru Dai expressed his gratitude to the invitation extended by Cricket Australia to be a part of the two weeks Championships.
“It is a great opportunity for our young girls to participate in the level of cricket over there.”
He said they are scheduled to play four T20 matches and two 50 over matches and continue again with 50 over matches for finals against Australian states.
The team has been training for four months in preparation for the Games.
“Beginning August, so mostly we are spending time on our placing, and because they are still young they need to learn the basics well before they advance later on,” he said.
Dai said importantly when they go over there, they will learn as much as they can.
Captain Henao Thomas said she's excited to lead and hope that they can learn as much as they can as young players.
10 teams to kick off Rigo Coast tourney
AFL: RIGO Coast AFL 12s tournament has attracted 10 teams to compete in a three-day tournament starting today in Hula village.
Assisting in running the tournament will be Rex Leka from AFL PNG.
He said the tournament is the first of its kind to be hosted in
The team combining of seven U19 and U23 women have departed with competitions starting December 14, they will have training and practice matches as lead up.
Cricket PNG Siales
1. Henao THOMAS (C)
2. Dika LOHIA (VC)
3. Boio VARE
4. Brenda ELLY
5. Buruka VICKY
6. Duna ALEX
7. Erani POKANA
8. Esther VAGI
9. Gabe THOMAS
10. Initia VAGI
11. Kevau FRANK
12. Kila RAJADURAI
13. Mahuta JAYPHERT
14. Margaret WARI
Coaching Staff:
1. Coaching Director – Tatendu
TAIBU
2. Coach – Mahuru DAI
3. Physiotherapist – Isabelle
MCEWEN
4. Team Manager/ Media Liaison –Megan TAUREKA ANDREW
-BY MARCIA NEGRI
Central province. The participating teams include; Keapara (1 & 2), Hula (1 & 2), Karawa, Alukuni, Kamali, Makerupu, Kalo and KAK mix.
Leka said the objective is to identify AFL players from within the province, especially talents from the participating teams.
He said players identified will
have the opportunity to play for Alavana Swans in the Port Moresby AFL competition as well as next year's AFL national championship. He said the tournament is grateful for the support of Nelson Saroa including POM AFL president Douglas Lai and competition officials to assist in officiating the games.
18 provinces confirmed for PNG Games
FROM BACK PAGE: VERATAU
urged all provinces to be part of the Games as it is an integral part of PNG, saying; “that is why they are obliged to join in on the celebrations and exhibit provincial culture and pride enhancing National Unity and thus the theme of the 8th PNG Games is ‘Unity and Pride.”
He said they are working closely with the PNG Olympic Committee, 11 Sporting Federations and NCDC to run the 8th PNG Games.
“The eleven sports federation have been very positive and are excited to be a part of games organising committee,” he said.
“The new total will be close to the Honiara Pacific Games numbers,” said Veratau.
He said now it all falls on the shoulders of the GOC as they have a daunting task to manage the 300 sports and general volunteers, 350 technical officials and 400 security personnel that brings the total up to 1,050 to provide assistance during the course of the Games.
“I salute the 22 provincial governments and the 96 district devel-
He said currently there is a total of 4,720 games participants that have already been accredited, but the tally is expected to increase to 6,000 when the remaining four provinces complete their registration later this month.
Morobe Kandes 9s heads into day four
RUGBY LEAGUE : MOROBE
Kandes 9s tournament will kick off day four of competition today.
The weeklong tournament so far attracted 32 teams and has been progressing well with its matches since day one of competition on Monday.
Finals playoffs are expected to be hosted during the weekend.
Tournament director Joel Ambrose said the teams came as far as New Guinea Islands, Highlands and from host province Morobe.
He said the first day of the tournament saw mixed results with teams producing high class football.
“We have witnessed good football display on the first day and expect more through out the week,” he said. Ambrose said the tournament basically is to select a side for second franchised team for Morobe apart from Lae Snax Tigers.
He said the Morobe Kandes bid for the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup competition in the future looks favourable. “We have bid and
opment authorities for recognising the value sports adds to nation building by supporting the youths to proudly wear their respective provincial colours to this sporting event,” said Veratau. He also extended invitation to all government agencies and, NGO’s, business organisations and development partners to come forward and set up stalls at all the sporting venues to showcase their products and deliver awareness to those participating in the Games.
“About 200,000 people are expected to visit the game venues over the 10 days kicking off with the opening ceremony on 10th January 2024.”
given provisions for 2025, hopefully we have the Morobe Kandes into 2025 season,” he said. Ambrose said the tournament has picked momentum into day three yesterday.
“High class football has been displayed during these last three days and expected more in the remaining days. We expect to complete all regular matches by Friday (tomorrow) before we can confirm top two teams in each pool for the finals,” said Ambros.
TEAM Gulf player Coni Muri in action against team NCD in the 2017 PNG Games men’s basketball gold medal playoffs. -PICTURE: MARK TALIA
THE PNG Siales cricket team.
SPORTS FOUNDATION BY
MARCIA NEGRI
THE 8th PNG Games set to be hosted in Port Moresby has lured 18 provincial teams confirming their participation.
PNG Sports Foundation CEO Albert Veratau said to date 18 provinces have confirmed participation by means of accreditation via the online registration portal.
“Eighteen provinces are quite a lot and the four that are yet to register are; Enga, East Sepik, Madang and East New Britain,” said Veratau.
-CONTINUE ON PAGE 47
TEAM NCD setter John Soi sets up a pass for Ricky Foò Inee during the 2017 PNG Games men’s volleyball gold medal playoff match against Team Central. -PICTURE: MARK TALIA
