Nineteen officials from government and non-government organizations (NGOs) were awarded certificates today for actively participating in a six weeklong online Dedicated Mentoring Program (DMP) held from April – June 2023. The DMP aimed to train government officials across different sectors on the development of project concept notes and funding proposals to access international climate finance through the Green Climate Fund Mechanism to fund Papua New Guinea’s climate actions.
The participants also participated in a five weeklong Green Growth Fellowship Program (GGFP) held from May – June 2023. The GGFP aimed at providing support to Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and relevant national and provincial government staff in providing green growth policy advisory support, including low-carbon growth and sustainable development advice.
Acting Managing Director of CCDA William Lakain congratulated the participants and described both programs as critical for broadening their knowledge and skills in developing climate finance projects, and green growth policy interventions towards a low carbon growth in Papua New Guinea.
“These two programs are very important and should be supported into the future as it will greatly improve the knowledge and skills of government officials on key areas such as developing project concept notes and providing policy advisory support on low carbon growth and sustainable development”, said Mr. Lakain.
The participants were also the first to receive their certificates under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Climate Change and Development Authority with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the three Universities; the University of PNG (UPNG), University of Technology and the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) to run the programs.
DFAT Australia was represented at the ceremony by Mr Nic Jonsson, the Counsellor Economics at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby. Mr Jonsson said Australia was very proud to fund the DMP and GGFP knowing the value it added will help build the capacity of the Government of PNG and NGOs to access international climate finance and render quality climate change policy advice.
Ms. Priscilla Pep, one of the participants expressed that these two programs are very important because currently, workplaces are becoming more competitive as new ideas or skills are introduced.
“These programs have helped us upscaled our knowledge in building and managing projects at different scales be it private or public sectors”, said Ms. Pep.
The Pacific Leatherback turtle, an awe-inspiring species, now faces critical endangerment due to numerous factors, including industrial fishing, nestling and egg harvesting, and water pollution. Despite these challenges, leatherback turtles hold immense cultural significance for indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea.
Villages such as Karkum, Tokain in Sumkar, and Mur, Yamai, and Male in the Raicoast region of Madang Province, have a rich heritage of legends, songs, dances, and rituals associated with sea turtles. These communities have a profound connection with these gentle giants, reflecting their historical ties and traditional practices.
Indigenous lore celebrates the leatherback turtle’s influence, evident in traditions like the Dalal song, which imitates the turtles’ movements during nesting, symbolizing the deep bond between the communities and these majestic creatures. For instance, the Dawang clan of Mur traces its origins to the sacred leatherback turtle, believing they can catch and utilize them as food or currency through sacred rituals. Karkum’s Legend, a captivating tale of transformation, highlights the cultural significance of leatherback turtles by narrating the tale of a woman who morphs into a turtle and embarks on a journey of resilience.
The population of Pacific Leatherback turtles has dramatically declined by over 90% in just two decades, primarily due to industrial fishing, nestling harvesting, water pollution, and plastic accumulation in the ocean.
Additional factors, including chemical use in agriculture, accidental entanglement in fishing gear, and predation by dogs and feral pigs, have contributed to the irreversible decline of other nesting species like green turtles, hawksbill, and loggerhead varieties.
Preservation efforts should focus on safeguarding the areas where leatherbacks nest, forage, and migrate.
Papua New Guinea’s Huon coast, near the industrial city of Lae in Morobe province, along with sporadic sites in Madang and islands such as New Britain and Bougainville, have been identified as critical nesting sites. To prevent leatherback turtles from the brink of extinction, it is crucial to recognize their vital role in the lives and traditions of indigenous communities and work collectively to ensure their conservation.
The Sea Turtles Restoration Project: Wenceslaus Magun, an ardent advocate for environmental protection in the Western Pacific, has dedicated his life to educating Papua New Guineans, particularly in Madang and across the country, about preserving endangered species like the leatherback turtle.
Collaborating with the Turtle Island Restoration Network, Magun has spearheaded the Sea Turtles Restoration Project in Karkum village. This project aims to protect endangered sea turtles, preserve cultural heritage, safeguard marine habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity, restore food sources, stimulate alternative economic opportunities, and promote integral human development.
The primary objective of the Sea Turtles Restoration Project is to create a conducive environment for marine and near-shore resource management plans through the participation of the resource owners.
By empowering indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea, the project aims to preserve their environment, benefitting both the endangered species like leatherback turtles and the people who rely on them for sustenance. Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural practices, the project seeks sustainable solutions that harmonize community needs with environmental protection.
Through the Sea Turtles Restoration Project, Magun and his team strive to raise awareness about preserving endangered species and their habitats while fostering alternative sources of income for local communities.
Group posing with large leatherback turtle. (Picture courtesy of Wenceslaus Magun)
By adopting a holistic approach to conservation, the project aims to create a sustainable future, empowering communities in Papua New Guinea to take charge of their environmental welfare.
To ensure the project’s long-term success, Mr. Magun collaborated with the Turtle Island Restoration Network to establish the local NGO, Mas Kagin Tapani (MAKATA) association, which sustains the Sea Turtle Restoration Project.
On November 17, 2008, three representatives from each of the four clans in Karkum village signed a conservation deed, granting them greater control and power over their resources. The deed preserves customary practices and enables the villagers to become direct custodians and stewards of their resources. This landmark event empowers them to assert their customary rights, respond to threats, assist in land and sea management, identify crucial protection areas, and preserve and safeguard their traditional knowledge.
Protecting the leatherback turtles of Papua New Guinea requires a concerted effort to balance environmental conservation with the cultural significance bestowed upon these majestic creatures. By acknowledging the integral role of leatherback turtles in the lives and traditions of indigenous communities, we can work together to ensure their preservation. Through initiatives like the Sea Turtles Restoration Project and the dedication of advocates like Wenceslaus Magun, Papua New Guineans are striving to create a sustainable future that respects both their cultural heritage and the delicate ecosystems that support these endangered species.
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Reporting for this story was supported by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network
Nestled in the heart of Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province is the Research and Conservation Foundation (RCF). It was established in 1986 first as a facility to manage the Crater Mountain Wildlife area, the second largest conservation area in PNG bordering Eastern Highlands, Chimbu and Gulf provinces. It is second to the Tonda Wildlife Management Area in Western province.
The Crater Wildlife Management Area was created in 1992 and through donor funding, the operations of RCF was moved to Goroka from Port Moresby. Enabling work to progress with locals especially those interested in conservation work.
An RCF officer holding a rare Bird of Paradise Species, one of many found in the Crater Mountains Conservation Area.
For over 20 years the Foundation has been collaborating with educational institutions providing learning and research aimed at protecting unique species such as the Bird of Paradise as well as several species of mammals and birds in the Crater Mountain Wildlife area.
Research and Conservation Foundation currently has two main programs, the National Resources Management Program and the Conservation Education Program.
RCF’s passionate environment educator is Dr Sangion Tiu. As a secondary school teacher back in 2000, she joined RCF to help set up the Resource Centre and create educational programs. Dr Tiu is the Director of RCF together with a dedicated team of 20 staff they manage the day-to-day affairs of the organization. As an NGO, Research Conservation Foundation relies on donor funding however it also has a guest house and conference facilities to help sustain its operations. Local and international scientists as well as tourists are regular visitors where information on PNG’s biodiversity can be sourced.
RCF Director Doctor Sangion Tiu at work in her office.
In partnership with Balob Teachers College, Simbu Teachers College and the University of Goroka, RCF is able to take the message of conservation from the field into the classrooms. This week in Goroka, RCF together with Conservation Forum of PNG and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program hosted SGP grantees from the Highlands region. The participants received training on management and leadership, project designing, proposal writing and effective communication strategies.
RCF is a current recipient of the Small Grants Program, implementing a project and assessing the effects of climate change on biodiversity in the Crater Mountain Wildlife area.
PHOTO FILE: In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, members of a team dispatched by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management conduct an inspection at the site of an explosion at a restaurant in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Thursday, June 22, 2023. China’s president Xi Jinping ordered a national safety campaign on Thursday after a massive cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in the northwest killed 31 people and injured seven others on the eve of a long holiday weekend. (Wang Peng/Xinhua via AP)
By ZEN SOO Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — China’s president ordered a national safety campaign on Thursday after a massive cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in the northwest killed 31 people and injured seven others on the eve of a long holiday weekend.
The blast tore through the restaurant at around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday on a busy street in Yinchuan, the capital of the traditionally Muslim Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as people gathered ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
The explosion left many people unconscious and they needed to be carried out of the shop, according to the online news site The Paper, which quoted a member of the search and rescue team. Victims included elderly people and high school students, it said.
An hour before the explosion, employees noticed the smell of cooking gas and discovered that a gas tank valve was broken, according to Xinhua. The blast occurred while an employee was replacing the valve. Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded urgent medical care for the injured and a safety overhaul after the explosion, Xinhua said. He urged efforts to quickly determine the cause of the accident and hold people accountable under the law.
Xi also said all regions and related departments should address “all types of risks and hidden dangers” and launch campaigns to promote workplace safety. At a news conference Thursday, the deputy party chief of Yinchuan apologized to all people in the city, according to the news site Huanqiu.com. Before the news conference began, participants bowed their heads in silence.
Nine people have been detained by authorities, including the owner of the restaurant, shareholders and employees. Their assets have also been frozen, according to Xinhua.
The blast happened at an outlet of Fuyang Barbecue, a chain restaurant in Yinchuan popular for its grilled skewers and stir-fried dishes, The Paper said. The two-floor restaurant could seat 20 people on the ground floor and offered private dining rooms on the second floor where customers could also sing karaoke.
A video on social media platform Douyin showed rescuers on ladders trying to reach victims on the second floor. People who appeared to have minor injuries waited for help at the side of the road. Other videos showed at least six fire trucks at the scene and some onlookers weeping.
A staff member at the emergency clinic at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University confirmed that some victims were being treated there but declined to give further information.
The Paper cited a woman identified only by her surname, Chen, as saying she had been about 50 meters (160 feet) from the restaurant when she heard the explosion. She described seeing two waiters emerge from the restaurant, one of whom collapsed immediately, while thick smoke billowed and a strong smell of cooking gas permeated the area.
The central government’s Ministry of Emergency Management said on social media that search and rescue work at the restaurant was completed early Thursday morning and investigators were working to determine the cause of the blast.
The Dragon Boat Festival is a holiday devoted to eating rice dumplings and racing boats propelled by teams of paddlers. While the majority of Yinchuan’s population is Han Chinese, a third are Hui people, or Chinese Muslims.
Industrial accidents of this type are a regular occurrence in China, usually attributed to poor government supervision, corruption, cost-cutting measures by employers and little safety training for employees. At least nine people were killed in an explosion at a Chinese petrochemical plant, and three others died in a helicopter crash during the country’s May Day holiday.
In February, 53 miners were killed in the collapse of a massive open-pit coal mine in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, leading to numerous arrests, and four people were detained over a fire at an industrial trading company in central China in November that killed 38 people.
The central government has pledged stronger safety measures since an explosion in 2015 at a chemical warehouse in the northern port city of Tianjin killed 173 people, most of them firefighters and police officers. In that case, a number of local officials were accused of having taken bribes to ignore safety violations.
AP video producer Penny Wang in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Coca-Cola PNG has rolled out a new program to decrease the amount of plastic waste in and around the environment and encourage the collection and recycling of PET beverage bottles.
The program entails the collection of coke and other soft drink bottles for an incentive.
Tim Solly, the Commercial Director for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PNG said, as a beverage manufacturer, it is their responsibility to have a long-term commitment to sustainability in regards to packaging.
“Packaging waste is undoubtedly a major challenge, and it’s also a solvable one if we take action”.
This collaborative exercise between CCEP PNG, Coca-Cola PNG and Branis Recycling Limited aims to prevent plastic bottle waste from going into landfill, waterways and the environment in general.
Members of the public will be crucial in contributing to the program by collecting PET plastic beverage bottles and taking them to Branis collection centres at Ahuia Street, Gordons; Spondias Street, Hohola; Movivina Street, Gerehu, Stage 6; Gordons Market and Badili, along Hurbert Murray Highway.
There, the bottles will be weighed and the consumer will be paid one kina per kilo depending on the number of plastic bottles brought in.
To help the recycling exercise of plastic bottles, Coca-Cola PNG has purchased two PET shredders to pre-process the PET bottles into flake, which is a more cost-effective material to ship offshore; prior to this, all PET beverage bottles were baled before being shipped offshore.
The Moresby South District Development Authority in NCD recently presented Seven (7) vehicles to support policing in the district.
The vehicles were purchased by Moresby South District Development Authority in Partnership with NCDC, and will be distributed to various police posts in Moresby South.
These police vehicles will help improve police presence in crime hotspot areas in the district.
Badili Police Station Commander Obert Jerry said there is a need for more police presence in hotspot areas like 2-mile hill, Koki, Kaugere, and Badili.
“We will place our policemen there permanently so that police presence and visibility must be maintained in Moresby South,” Jerry said.
In a growing city like Port Moresby, policing has always been a challenge.
NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika said dealing with crime in NCD is tough and difficult, due to limited resources.
He further acknowledged this support to empower policing, and challenged police personnel to be disciplined and look after these resources.
“These assets come from the public purse. It comes with expectations and conditions from the commissioner, divisional commander and the citizens,” The Metropolitan Superintendent said.
Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko when presenting the keys to the police, highlighted plans to empower policing in the district.
With Koki being one of the hotspots of petty crimes in the city, a police post will be opened in the area, with police personnel to be stationed there.
The Moresby South MP said, plans are underway for a police post to be built in Taurama.
“Everybody has a role to play, most importantly to make sure our city and Moresby South is safe and sound,” Tkatchenko said.
Together with the vehicles, the police officers were also presented with new police uniforms.
Gerehu Secondary School in Port Moresby is one of the biggest secondary schools in Papua New Guinea with a population of 2,300 students and 69 teachers.
Current students and Alumni of Gerehu Secondary School on Sunday participated in a clean-a-thon, the group picked up rubbish along the outside of the school area.
The school is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, from a provincial high school to a secondary school. Gerehu secondary school opened its doors in 1983.
President of the Alumni Association Judith Kila says the partnership with the school is to aid the school in achieving some of its target activities for the 40th anniversary and in the long term help the school complete some of their projects.
Like most schools in the country, Gerehu Secondary as a Government school faces overcrowding and shortage of resource material that continues to plague the teachers and students alike.
There are a few projects that lead back to 2008 that have been left abandoned, two six in one classrooms have been abandoned and neglected by the Education Department and its sub contractors, also teachers houses have been left incomplete as well.
Deputy Principal Administration of Gerehu Secondary Paul Lolya says they try to cope with the increase of students with the school taking on grades 7 and 8 as part of the new one six six curriculum, the school has been forced to convert its science labs and practical skills rooms to cater for the increase in student numbers.
The school has only benefited from the tuition fee free education policy by the Government through school stationary, comprising of biros and exercise books, the school has not been allocated any money by the Government for new infrastructure projects.
The only way forward is for Public private partnership and the Alumni is spearheading the move, appealing to former students of Gerehu High School and Secondary school to participate in finding solutions to the schools predicament .
Contact with the Alumni of Gerehu Secondary can be made through their facebook page.
Other Gerehu Stories: https://insidepng.com/fire-destroys-guest-house/
Coca Cola PNG and PNGFM has announced the continuation of their partnership, in nurturing local music artists through Coke Studio Music Platform and YumiFM PNG Musik Awards.
Coca Cola PNG Marketing Manager Rachel Nainggaian commented on the renewed partnership saying, prioritizing consumer relevance has always been crucial for Coca Cola PNG, and music is an essential aspect of PNG’s culture.
“Music Possesses a unique power to inspire and unite people, making it resonates with our target audience’s growing engagement in music and digital audio,”
Coca Cola PNG has been supporting PNG music since 2016, through the Coke Studio Platform.
Coke Studio has served as a signature music platform, providing opportunities for legendary, seasoned, and emerging artists to showcase their distinctive musical style, initially introduced as a TV Music Platform.
Coke Studio expanded in 2018 to include higher production quality and integrated collaboration between TV, Radio and digital media through its first Joint Venture with the YUMI FM Musik Awards.
“Music remains at the heart of Coca Cola’s real magic philosophy, and Coca Cola PNG has a long-standing commitment to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of PNG Artists,” Nainggaian said.
On Saturday, PNGFM successfully hosted the 18th YUMI FM PNG Music Awards, with Coca Cola as the Platinum Sponsor.
The event recognizes and appreciates the efforts of PNG Musicians and Artists, under various categories.
The categories include, Best New Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, International Artist of the Year, Duo / Group of the Year, Producer of the Year, Justin Kili Award, and Listeners Choice of the Year.
PNGFM General Manager Rosemarie ‘Shaz’ Botong was excited about the enhanced partnership with Coca Cola. “With Coca Cola as our official partner, we look forward to providing fans with even better experience, making both Coke Studio and PNG Musik Awards 2023 essential platforms to appreciate local musicians and artists.” Ms Botong said.
ACTNOW! an advocacy group in Papua New Guinea has recently launched a website called the “DDA Watch”.
The website is designed to be an information hub for district developments in Papua New Guinea, targeting to promote transparency with the use of the District Services Improvement Program funds.
The website has gained massive interest from diplomatic missions, other non-governmental organizations and the general public who are concerned about developments in their districts.
The launch itself saw attendants from the PNG Anti-Corruption Movement for Change, Catholic Professionals, Independent Commission Against Corruption, US Aid, ABC’s Media Development Initiative and the Media Council of Papua New Guinea.
They all shared similar views that such a website is timely as the Government increases DSIP funding from K10 million to K20million per year.
Other supporters sent messages via the DDA website itself seeking to find out more and how they can contribute in supplying information about developments in their respective Districts.
ACTNOW Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago stressed the importance of social auditing by the public as a crucial component of the website.
The DDA watch website has a landing page for each of the 94 District Development Authorities in the country and allows the public to upload pictures of DSIP funded projects in the district as well as comment on whether there is development in their districts or not.
District Development Authorities are encouraged to utilize the website in sharing their 5-year district development plans and other necessary auditing reports so that their people are aware of how the DSIP funds are being spent.
The public can also rank their DDA based on key documents such as the 5 year development plans, annual budgets, acquittal reports, Inspection reports and audit reports.
Passengers of Air Niugini who have been bumped off their flights and provided with hotel accommodations are now facing another challenge; the hotel partnered with the airline, the Crown Hotel has reportedly turned them away due to fully booked rooms.
According to reports, after a flight cancellation, the airline provides hotel accommodations to affected passengers until the next available flight. However, passengers have complained that they have been waiting for up to eight hours at the terminal, only to be turned away by the hotel due to the unavailability of rooms.
Crown Hotel management have confirmed their rooms are fully booked and will not be able to cater for any more.
Passengers have expressed frustration and disappointment at the situation, as they feel that they are being let down by both the airline and the hotel. Some passengers have reportedly been forced to find alternative accommodations on their own, which has caused them additional financial burden. And others are stranded trying to find other means of accommodation.
Air Niugini staff at the customer service have acknowledged the issue and stated that they are working to find a solution to the problem.
