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September 2023

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Rugby League

Junior Kumuls a Pathway to Overseas Leagues

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A new pathway to get exposure for young Papua New Guineans that play rugby league is the Junior Kumuls concept, the match between the Junior Kangaroos and the Junior Kumuls is sanctioned by the National Rugby Leagues (NRL) and selection comes under the guidelines of the NRL also.

This was made mention of by CEO of PNGRFL Stanley Hondina during the teams announcement.
Coach of the Junior Kumuls Joe Grima who extensively coached in both England and Australia has complied with set standards from the NRL to pick the best possible junior team to represent Papua New Guinea.
Grima’s last post was as the Elite Pathways Coach and also Assistant Coach at the Parramatta Eels in the NRL.

Grima left his job at Parramatta to take up a job here in PNG with the PNGRFL, his insight into the NRL standards has helped in making sure that PNG has a strong side against the Australians.

“We’ve got three players that we’ve identified from Australia, and they’re linked to Manly, Gold Coast and the other Cowboys. “We’ve also identified players from all four regions of Papua New Guinea. And to top all that off, we’ve identified the best six or seven eligible bass players from the Digicel Exxon Mobil cup.
“And what we want to do is provide a platform for those young men and women. So we have an opportunity for these young men and women to be offered opportunities to get into the Queensland rugby league to get into the New South Wales rugby league, certainly the NRL and certainly Super League and we’ve already had some expression of interest with Australian based clubs already.

“So it’s already starting to manifest. But absolutely, we want to use this opportunity as a platform where we can promote these young men and women into elevated and elite programs in Australia,” Grima said.

The team is made up of Under 20s, from the ages of 20 and below, and Grima says that they have a good mixture of players within the ages of 20 and 17 years of age.

“It’s Junior Kumuls. It’s not a community or junior school boys program. So the age limit is under 20s. So we’ve selected five 20 year olds, and the remainders of the players fluctuate between 17 and 19.
“We’re very, very excited to say that we’ve actually identified three 17 year olds that would have been recognized through a community or school based program and represented their various district and were identified in the national championships here.

“So, out of the 18 players, all players must be no older than 20 years of age, which is consistent to the standards and the regulations set out by the NRL,”Grima said
Grima added that those selected had gone through an extensive vetting process and some players for both the junior Kumuls and the Junior Orchids had to be dropped because of the age restrictions.
“Players need to demonstrate their appropriate age, before they could take part and run onto the field, some evidence would need to be provided.
“And we’re very, very delighted to say that all those men and women have demonstrated and have that documentation before they took to the field.

“Unfortunately, we did identify some players that did not have all the information that was inconsistent to what other information suggested, and unfortunately missed out there.

“No, I think that’s what the chairman and the CEO were suggesting when they said that, you know, we’ve followed the regulations by the NRL and we’re fully compliant in that field so we can take that field and give it the best shot against arguably the world’s best teams,” Grima said

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A Step Closer to Mine Opening

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Porgera Mine

The process in re-opening Porgera Gold Mine is almost at the end, this was made mention by Prime Minister James Marape.

The Prime Minister on behalf of New Porgera received the environmental permit from the Conservation and Environment Protection Agency (CEPA).

The permit is part of the process of the granting of the Special Mining Lease (SML) to reopen Porgera Mine.

Jude Tukuliya the acting managing director for the Conservation and Environment Protection Agency (CEPA) said.

The last three years the Marape Rosso Government has been working hard to reopen the Porgera Mine.

And with the transferring of the environmental permit, this signifies Governments commitment in seeing the mine reopen.

“There has been many legacy issues passed on over the years and New Porgera will still be required by law to attend to a number of regulatory and policy concerns,” Tukuliya said.

He further highlighted that one main issue is the 1995 Ministerial Determination for Compensation for environmental damages caused by discharges of mine wastes including tailings and sediments into the riverine system.

He said NPL will work with CEPA and State Team to undertake a detailed review of the Determination, before a new Determination can be entered into.

“The environment permits are essentially the important management tools the New Porgera Limited will utilize, rely upon and will seek guidance to meet statutory environmental obligations and to better manage the environment in Lagaip Porgera, Strickland River System, all the way down to Lake Murray and the Fly River Estuary,” Tukuliya said.

Prime Minister James Marape said the opening of the new Porgera mine is drawing closer, and the receiving of this permit is part of the process.

“We will allow the process to go ahead so we are almost coming to the end; I just want to indicate to all stakeholders more importantly, to our country, which have been waiting patiently for the reopening.

“If I had it in my own way, by way of voice and direction it would have happened one year ago, when we signed the Porgera Framework, but we are a country that follows the rule of law and process,” Marape said.

Marape further stressed that the New Porgera will ensure they work within the requirements of the environmental permits.

“As the Government I just want to give support to CEPA’s view that continual work on environmental management will be done to make sure that New Porgera Limited does not tamper with the permit requirements and will be done with prudent environmental care and management of the Porgera Valley and the Porgera river system.

“We will not compromise the interests of the future of our Children of Porgera, Riverine the children of Strickland River and the entire foot print of the Porgera Valley,” Marape said

The Prime Minister also announced that plans are in place to have the population within the SML have a better improved living standard as the gold mine progresses.

“Your life as we operate the mine the next 20 years and even beyond that possibly similar to a sustainable facility we have in Ok Tedi will be looked at so that Children of not just of the SML as we relocate you away from the SML Villages to a better life the children of the Porgera river system are protected.

“We will relocate you out to our infrastructure development grant allocated tax credit projects that will impact all of you but more importantly a sustainable development program will be put in place,” Marape said.

Simon Kilepa, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change said there would be an environment audit to follow suit.

“The transfer of the environmental permit is a milestone for me as a first term Member of Parliament in my first year in office, knowing that what my authority has done something to better the lives of those impacted.

“An environmental audit will be done forthwith in the not so distant future as the mine progresses, even so in the four yeas of its shutdown operator Barrick Niugini Limited has taken the burden of maintaining it thus far without government input,” Kilepa said.

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International

Marape Accepts Invite to COP28

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COP28

Prime Minister James Marape has accepted an Invitation to attend the Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai.

The invitation given by United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi signifies the support in addressing climate change effects in the Pacific Region.

Suwaidi heads a unique position in the United Aarab Emirates Government and he’s accredited to Papua New Guinea from Singapore.

Marape outlined his intention to lead a delegation to Dubai for COP28, accompanied by the Ministers for Environment Conservation and Climate Change, International Trade and Investment, and Forestry.

In the forestry sector, Marape aims to establish an arrangement for direct trade of timber products to the UAE market.

Marape pledged to amplify advocating for compensation for Pacific Island Forum (PIF) member countries affected by global warming and emphasized the need to safeguard oceans and marine ecosystems.

Marape said, his initial hesitation to attend the conference was rooted in concerns expressed at the One Forest Summit in Gabon earlier this year.

The World Leader’s Summit will be held in Dubai on December 1st to 2nd.

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Work Begins on Biomass Power Plant

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A new biomass power plant project will be built in New Ireland with the aim to provide a more stabled electricity supply to people in Namatanai town and surrounding communities.

Namatanai MP, Water Schnaubelt said for decades people in his electorate have not been accessing normal power supply.

“Namatanai town has been missing out on regular power supply for nearly 30 years and
leaders before me have turned a blind eye on this very essential service for our people,” said Schnaubelt.
He said the district government plans to provide sufficient power supply for the town and surrounding villages at an affordable rate.
“The priority right now is to give the businesses in Namatanai town enough power to
continue serving the public at large,” Schnaubelt said.

Apart from the biomass power plant, a hectare of the land at Mageh plantation will be dedicated to solar power generation.

Solar power will generate roughly about one megawatt power, biomass will give nearly 750
kilowatt power and that will be gradually increased to one megawatt power.

“The boost for power to two megawatt is important so that we can bring in industrialization
and commercialization in Namatanai town,” Schnaubelt said.

The construction of the biomass power plant several kilometres outside of Namatanai town kicked off today with a ground-breaking ceremony today.

“When we sustain the businesses we will then go into rural electrification for nearby villages so we can open up rural economic corridors to enhance rural development like never before,” Schnaubelt said.

The district is looking at setting up rural electrification programs
after the commissioning of the biomass power plant.
“The priority right now is to give the businesses in Namatanai town enough power to
continue serving the public at large. When we sustain the businesses we will then go into
rural electrification for nearby villages so we can open up rural economic corridors to
enhance rural development like never before,” Schnaubelt said.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/tag/edevu-hydropower-dam/

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News

PNG and US Defense Dialogue

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US PNG

A recently concluded Bilateral Defense Dialogue between PNG and United States concluded with Military Exercise, Capacity Building and Professional Military Education as top three agendas discussed.

From the discussions under,

  1. Military Exercises:
  • PNG and US highlighted the significance of joint military exercises to strengthen their Defense Capabilities and improve coordination between their armed forces.

-These exercises are poised to deepen military-to-military ties and enhance the readiness of their troops.

  1. Capacity Building:

-The United States and Papua New Guinea have committed to mutual capacity building by sharing knowledge and technology.

-Collaborative projects aimed at enhancing their defense infrastructure and capabilities will be a focal point of their partnership.

  1. Professional Military Education:

-In recognizing the importance of education in the military, both nations have unveiled plans for Professional Military Education.

-These programs will offer military personnel opportunities for advanced studies and specialized training, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

The discussions held at Murray Barracks on 11th September was between acting PNGDF Commander, Commodore Philip Polewara, deputy Defense Secretary Simon Tunapai and U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Thomas James.

Talks on this annual bilateral meeting is aimed at reinforcing and deepening partnership and commitment to fostering cooperation in defense between the two defense forces.

A practical example was the completion of a 10 day maritime patrol by two PNG ship riders on board US Coast Guard USCGC Myrtle Hazard.

The dialogue, was seen as an opportunity for both nations to jointly plan activities for the upcoming year.

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Environment

Sponsor an Ocean! Niue’s plan to protect its slice of the Pacific

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Sponsor and Ocean - Niue


PHOTO FILE: A tail of a humpback whale breaks the water in Niue in this 2018 photo. (Richard Sidey/Galaxiid via AP)

By NICK PERRY (Associated Press)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has come up with a novel plan to protect its vast and pristine territorial waters — it will get sponsors to pay.

Under the plan, which was being launched by Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi on Tuesday in New York, individuals or companies can pay $148 to protect 1 square kilometer (about 250 acres) of ocean from threats such as illegal fishing and plastic waste for a period of 20 years.

Niue hopes to raise more than $18 million from the scheme by selling 127,000 square-kilometer units, representing the 40% of its waters that form a no-take marine protected area.

In an interview, Tagelagi said his people have always had a close connection with the sea.

“Niue is just one island in the middle of the big blue ocean,” Tagelagi said. “We are surrounded by the ocean, and we live off the ocean. That’s our livelihood.”

He said Niueans inherited and learned about the ocean from their forefathers and they want to be able to pass it on to the next generation in sustainable health.

Most fishing in Niue is to sustain local people, although there are some small-scale commercial operations and occasional offshore industrial-scale fishing, according to the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“Because of all the illegal fishing and all the other activities at the moment, we thought that we should be taking the lead, to teach others that we’ve got to protect the ocean,” Tagelagi said.

Unregulated fishing can deplete fish stocks, which then cannot replenish, while plastics can be ingested by or entangle marine wildlife. Human-caused climate change has also led to warmer and more acidic oceans, altering ecosystems for underwater species.

Niue is also especially vulnerable to rising sea levels threatening its land and freshwater, and the island is at risk of more intense tropical storms charged by warmer air and waters.

With a population of just 1,700 people, Niue acknowledges it needs outside help. It’s one of the smallest countries in the world, dwarfed by an ocean territory 1,200 times larger than its land mass.

Under the plan, the sponsorship money — called Ocean Conservation Commitments — will be administered by a charitable trust.

Niue will buy 1,700 sponsorship units, representing one for each of its citizens. Other launch donors include philanthropist Lyna Lam and her husband Chris Larsen, who co-founded blockchain company Ripple, and U.S.-based nonprofit Conservation International, which helped set up some technical aspects of the scheme.

Maël Imirizaldu, marine biologist and regional leader with Conservation International, said one problem with the conventional approach to ocean conservation funding was the need for places like Niue to constantly seek new funding on a project by project basis.

“The main idea was to try and switch that, to change the priority and actually help them have funding so they can plan for the next 10 years, 15 years, 20 years,” Imirizaldu said.

Simon Thrush, a professor of marine science at New Zealand’s University of Auckland who was not involved in the plan, said it sounded positive.

“It’s a good idea,” Thrush said, adding that as long as the plan was thoroughly vetted and guaranteed over the long term, “I’d be up for it.”

All contents © copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved

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Lindy Suarupa laid to rest without employer’s help

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Lindy Suharupa laid to rest

LINDY Suharupa was quietly laid to rest in Tomarata village in the Sohe District of Northern Province, Papua New Guinea on the 10th of September 2023.

The burial was witnessed by her family, her village and close friends.

“Lindy Suharupa” was a name synonymous to the nightly 6pm news on the self acclaimed “number one to watch” television station, EMTV.

Like many journalists before her, she proudly walked into that newsroom five days a week and most often clocked out, way after 4:06pm.

Her husband, Micheal Naiye said she was simply married to her job.

Her level of dedication saw her rise to the position of Executive Producer, a year after joining the renowned television station.

She sadly passed away on the 26th of August 2023, following a severe asthma attack.

According to her family, it took the state owned company 10-days to get in touch with them.

The husband was asked to meet with the EMTV board, who gave K3000 cash from staff contributions.

The company said it could not help with repatriation. According to the management, Lindy had passed away over the weekend and not on official hours.

Lindy was also contributing to an insurance company fortnightly, however, the family was unable to claim these benefits. According to EMTV management, this is because she did not declare her condition when she started employment.

The grieving family held a press conference expressing their dismay over the company’s lack of remorse.

Suharupa’s husband explained that the family decided to go public in order to highlight EMTV’s lack of compassion and duty of care towards a member of its staff.

The management did not turn up at the “haus krai”.

“We want to raise awareness that the duty of care and compassionate response in the face of loss from EMTV is lacking, especially been a premier broadcaster in the country and a semi government owned company.

“From our experience with the late Lindy, we hope that this does not happen to journalists or other media practitioners in the media industry who lose their lives while serving and being a voice for the people.”

Lindy leaves behind her husband and two children.

Inside PNG’s efforts to get a response from EMTV concerning this matter, were denied.

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Autonomous Bougainville Government

ABG Cabinet Reshuffle

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Cabinet Reshuffle

A cabinet reshuffle in the Bougainville Government is aimed at redirecting development focus for Finance and Mining ministries.

The new changes include Robin Wilson, member for Terra constituency, assuming the role as Minister for Finance and Treasury in the Bougainville Executive Government.

A role previously held by outgoing minster, Mathias Salas who had delivered three budgets for the Autonomous Government and oversight the permanent appointment of Department Secretary, Johnny Auna.

In assuming the role, President Toroama charged Minister Wilson with reforming administrative functions within the department and expanding its responsibilities to include financial analysis, tax management, risk management, and investment management, as some of the immediate tasks.

“Minister Wilson, your first task in getting the Ministry and Department in order is to take control of the administrative functions of department. You will have the full support of the Presidency and the Bougainville Executive Council to introduce the changes that will ensure the department functions efficiently and in accordance with the vision of my government,” Toroama said .

President Toroama also emphasized the urgent need to revitalize the Bougainville Tax Office, pushing for a policy change to keep tax collections within Bougainville rather than remitting them to the Internal Revenue Commission in Port Moresby.

Another change in the cabinet reshuffle would be President Toroama assuming the portfolio of the Minister for the Department of Mineral Energy Resources, previously held by Minister Wilson.

Toroama stressed that changes in cabinet are driven by the need to institute outcomes consistent with his government’s development and independence policies.

“These changes are vital to ensure consistency in my vision for Bougainville’s development and our independence readiness mission,” said Toroama.

Taking on the role as Minister for Mineral Energy Resources, President Toroama outlined his priorities, which include redeveloping the extractive industry and expanding the energy sector.

Toroama highlighted the establishment of the Bougainville Energy Office and the potential for renewable energy sources such as hydro and wind energy.

“It is time we look at alternative sources of renewable and clean energy to address the perennial energy crisis that we are facing today. We have the potential for hydro and wind energy generation. I will be looking at the possibility of reviving the hydro stations at Togarau and Ramazon and getting them online as soon as possible,” he said.

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PM Visits Haus Krai

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Student Killed

Prime Minister James Marape, has visited the Haus Krai of a third- year UOG student believed to be killed in a tribal attack in Eastern Highlands.

The deceased identified as Kapira from Telapo village, Hayapuka LLG in Tari Pori District was brutally slained in Goroka town on 25th August 2023.

Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander Superintendent, Michael Welly confirmed that the third year student was killed in Goroka allegedly by a group of men from Unggai-Bena district.

He was believed to have been returning to the University campus after visiting some relatives in Goroka Town, when he was killed in a tribal attack.

PM Marape expressed his deepest condolences to Kapira’s family and thanked village elders Tobby Payabe and Ronnie Kapira for urging family and relatives of the deceased from retaliating and allowing for police investigations to bring those responsible to face the full brunt of the law.

“There is no place for killers in our society and I applaud village elders like Payabe and Kapira for taking a strong stand against ethnic retaliation and letting the law take its course,” Marape said.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Kapira’s Haus Krai was accompanied by Koroba Kopiago MP William Bando and other dignitaries.

The body of late Kapira has been laid to rest in his Telapo village.

Student Killed

Recent: https://insidepng.com/marape-speaks-against-killings/

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Court

Justice Purdon-Sully Sworn-In

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Purdon-Sully

The National and Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea has welcomed a new judge through a swearing-in ceremony at the Government House in Port Moresby.

Justice Susan Purdon-Sully from Brisbane, Australia has been appointed for a term of 3 years by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.

Purdon-Sully is one of three expatriate judges who were appointed in June.
Prior to her appointment Justice Purdon-Sully was a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Australia and has a vast experience in family court.

At her swearing-in ceremony today, Purdon-Sully recited the Declaration of Office and Declaration of Loyalty and Judicial Declaration before the Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae.

The ceremony was witnessed by Minister for Justice & Attorney General and Chairman of the Judicial & Legal Services Commission, Pila Niningi and acting Chief Justice Les Gavara-Nanu.

A total of six judges were appointed in June, two of them were acting judges.

Purdon-Sully
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