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July 2024

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Acting Chief Migration Officer Arrested

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Acting Chief Migration Officer, Wellington Navasivu Arrested

The Acting Chief Migration Officer, Wellington Navasivu was arrested and charged yesterday at the Boroko Police Station in Port Moresby.

He was charged with one count each of:

  1. Unlawful detention,
  2. Attempt to pervert the course of justice and
  3. Abuse of office.

Just five months since taking office, Mr Navasivu is facing a possible 10-year sentence if he is found guilty by the court.

Speaking to Inside PNG following his bail, Mr Navasivu refused to comment on his arrest, assuring that his office will release a media statement regarding the arrest.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Commander, Silva Sika, through his executive officer said he would release details of the arrest once he is briefed on the matter.

Mr Navasivu was appointed the Acting Chief Migration Officer when the former CMO, Stanis Hulahau resigned on the 30th of January 2024.

Stanis Hulahau resigned soon after Inside PNG and partners (Organized Crime and Corruption Project & ABC Australia) published an article revealing evidence of him receiving money from a Chinese business woman named Mei Lin, to allegedly facilitate passports for her husband to enter PNG.

Lin who allegedly entered PNG illegally, was arrested in Australia in January for smuggling Methamphetamine into the country via PNG.

An Immigrations Ministerial sanctioned investigation was authorized and carried out by KPMG into Hulahau’s involvement with Mei Lin.

John Rosso on Hulahau investigation. This video was first uploaded on March 27th, 2024.

Immigration Minister, John Rosso had announced during a media conference earlier this year that the findings of the investigation would be made public. .

It has been six months since that announcement with no details of the findings.

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Maladina steps aside ahead of domestic assault court hearing

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Headshot of Jimmy Maladina against a white background.

Petroleum Minister and Member for Esa’ala, Jimmy Maladina has stepped aside from his ministerial portfolio to attend to a domestic assault matter before an Australian Court.

Jimmy Maladina was arrested over the weekend in Sydney following a domestic dispute. He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Waverley Local Court on Thursday (July 11).

Maladina, 58, was alleged to have assaulted a 31-year-old woman known to him. Police who attended to the matter saw bruises on the woman’s face.

Papua New Guineans woke up to the story published online by the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday (July 7) morning.

Maladina immediately released a statement saying he does not condone any forms of violence and requests privacy for all parties involved in the matter.

“I understand the gravity of the situation and the concerns it raises. As a public servant I hold myself to high standards of conduct, both personally and professionally.”

Prime Minister, James Marape through the PM’s Media head, Matrom John advised the media in the morning that “The Australian Authority will have to provide a brief to the PNG Department of Foreign Affairs before the Foreign Affairs Minister briefs the Prime Minister on this matter.”

Late in the afternoon, the Prime Minister then announced the Petroleum Minister’s decision to step aside from his position while a complaint against him is being heard in court in Australia.

“I thank Minister Maladina for taking responsibility to uphold his name and the integrity of the public office he holds in a professional manner in respecting the judicial process to run its course.

“I had my discussion with the Minister, and as a responsible government that respects the Rule of Law, we uphold high standards. Minister Maladina stepping aside is appreciated,” said PM Marape.

The Prime Minister urged the public to refrain from spreading speculations as this matter is now before a competent prosecutorial process.

The cabinet will appoint a new Minister to act in the position.

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Sexual Health Awareness for June Valley Community

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A community engagement program by the June Valley youths and Marie Stopes PNG saw the successful treatment of ten (10) Sexually Transmitted Infections and nine (9) Family Planning Treatment.

The visit to the June Valley community was an initiated by the Doma Youths Association, a community advocacy group in Tokarara, Port Moresby.

Chairman of Doma Youths Association, Pia Kak said June Valley is a fast growing community and it was important to bring in family health organizations such as Marie Stopes to address unplanned pregnancies and sexual health through awareness and treatment.

He said a lot of youths who are sexually active do not know where or whom to reach out for sexual health information or treatment.

People gathered at a field for sexual health awareness program.
June Valley community congregate for sexual health awareness program.

“Bringing Marie Stopes here we hope to address the stigma in getting family planning for youths who are sexually active. While we don’t encourage teenage sex, it is important that the community knows these services are available.”

Marie Stops Community Based Mobilizer, Bapi Timothy said these awareness programs are provided free of charge in communities throughout the country. He said it only needs the community leaders to reach out to them.

“Our mother’s, sisters and wives are vulnerable to child birth deaths because there isn’t enough spacing, and not enough awareness on basic family planning methods and also having too many children which makes our mothers sisters and wives face child birth complications.

Youths were also advised to seek medical treatment at the earliest when they experience discomfort or discharge at the genitalia.

Mr Kak further thanked the 19 people that were screened by Marie Stopes medical team and treated.

“It is a milestone achievement for Doma Youths Association for partnering with one of the vital service providers in the country,” said Kak.

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Coca-Cola Partners Paradise Cinema to Rebrand Premium Lounge

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Coca-Cola Partners Paradise Cinemas to rebrand premium lounge

Coca-Cola PNG and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PNG have joined forces with the Paradise Cinemas to refresh and rebrand the Premium lounge, located at Vision City Megamall in Port Moresby.

Under this partnership, TCCC has unveiled a ‘chill – out zone’ that radiates a relaxed atmosphere, with cozy furnishings and designs synonymous with the brand’s global identity.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing the cinematic experiences for audiences.

The partnership was solidified last Thursday, when Coca-Cola sponsored the private screening of the highly anticipated movie; “Bad Boys Ride or Die.”

Coca-Cola PNG and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PNG join forces with the Paradise Cinemas to refresh and rebrand the Premium lounge at Vision City Megamall in Port Moresby.

The newly rebranded Coca-Cola Premium Lounge was filled with movie enthusiasts and film – goers, to catch a flick of the long-awaited movie.

When asked about their experience of the new look Premium Lounge, film goer Hananaia Dickson said, it is “Clean, Bright and very Inviting.”

She said she would invite her friends to come experience the new look Coca-Cola Premium Lounge.

She also shared her experience on the Private Screening.

“I have never been to a private screening before, so it was very new to me and very nice. The atmosphere was nice, and everyone was really inviting. The movie was really great,” she said.

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Remote School Flies to Port Moresby for Life Saving Lessons

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Twenty-three students from Mougulu Secondary School in Western Province visited the National Ambulance Service headquarter in Port Moresby for some emergency life saving tips.

The excursion is part of the school’s educational program for first aid.

Mougulu Secondary school is located in remote Middle Fly District.

The school was established in 2019.

This year the school will graduate its first grade 12 students.

Founder of the Mougulu Secondary school, Mrs Sally Lloyd said health care is one of the problems that persuades students to drop out of school.

A simple request by Mrs Lloyd to the Management of St John Ambulance Service made the visit possible.

Mrs Lloyd said because of the schools geographical location it was important that they learn first aid from professional ambulance officers.

Mougulu is a small mission station and is only accessible by small engine aircrafts and it is very hard for medivac or transporting sick people.

Mougulu secondary students receive life saving training from St John Ambulance staff.

The only means of transport in Mougulu is canoe. The villagers use the river to access education and basic health needs.

The 23 students received attainment certificates from St John’s Ambulance following the completion of the training.

St John Ambulance’s Public Relations officer, Lulu Mark urged other schools in the country to also take part in such programs to learn life saving skills.

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