Author

Inside PNG

Browsing
News

DDA WATCH Website Lures Keen Interest from the Public

By

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.

The website can be reached through www.ddawatch.org

Keep Reading
By
News

Frustration boils over after hotel turns away ANG passengers

By

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.

Related: https://insidepng.com/continuous-flight-delays-cause-frustration-among-passengers/

Keep Reading
By
News

Continuous Flight Delays Cause Frustration among Passengers

By

PAPUA New Guinea’s national airline, Air Niugini, has been facing a wave of flight delays and cancellations, causing inconvenience and frustration for passengers.

According to Air Niugini officers at the Jackson’s International airport in the capital city of Port Moresby, the airline has been struggling with technical difficulties, and issues relating to crew members; which have resulted in a high number of cancelled and delayed flights. Passengers have been left stranded at the airport, unable to reach their destinations on time.

The situation has caused widespread frustration among passengers, many of whom have taken to social media to express their displeasure. Some passengers have reported waiting for hours without any updates or information from the airline. Other international passengers transiting through PNG are now faced with an added dilemma as they don’t have PNG visas to stay longer in the country.

With the cancellation of flights, Air Niugini Jacksons’ staff are advising passengers either to rebook for the next available flight or find a place to stay till the next available flight.

Many frustrated passengers both international and domestic travellers are calling for compensation for the inconvenience and financial losses they have incurred as a result of the delays and cancellations.

“The situation is unprofessionally handled because they won’t tell you why the flight is cancelled”, says a frustrated international passenger.

“They’re not very transparent on the cancellations and this causes passengers more money, also some of the Air Niugini officers are rude. This is not my fault that the flight is cancelled. The least they could do is explain to us properly”, another frustrated international passenger shares.

“The lack of communication and continuous flight updates from Air Niugini was a disappointment; half the time we were lost because of no announcements about the delay in timing…” said a third frustrated traveller.

One passenger said; “they should compensate us as, this is inconveniencing us and costing us beyond our budgets”.

The situation has also raised concerns about the overall state of the aviation industry in Papua New Guinea.

Attempts to get ANG’s comments about the issues have been unsuccessful.

Keep Reading
By
News

Beon women undergo life skills training with Island Elegance

By

We all have experiences that leave a lasting impact on us; some motivate us into become beacons of hope for others.

 It is not solely the responsibility of our elected leaders or government officials to support communities in need. 

Every Papua New Guinean has a role to play individually, offering care, support, and mentorship in their own capacity to assist their fellow countrymen.

Jennitha Japhetz, the Owner and Managing Director of Island Elegance, firmly believes in the transformative power of education for women. 

Having established her own SME two years ago, she has unwavering faith that every skill she imparts to a woman serves as a seed for nation-building.

Japhetz’s conviction drives her to contribute towards empowering women, recognizing that by educating a woman, an entire nation is educated.

Ms. Japhetz embarked on her journey at the Beon Correctional Institute in Madang on Monday, initiating a prison rehabilitation program aimed at empowering inmates through life skills training. The program commenced with an introductory session, emphasizing the significance of life skills as a stepping stone and foundation for personal growth.

Particularly focusing on female detainees, the training serves as a crucial step in providing them with a second chance in life after their time at Beon. On Thursday, Ms. Japhetz extended the training to juveniles, aiming to equip them with the necessary life skills to foster a changed and positive mindset upon their release from prison.

The objective of the training is to enable inmates to reintegrate into society with a transformed perspective and the ability to earn a livelihood genuinely. This initiative is not the first instance of Island Elegance reaching out to support the community. Previously, the local SME supported the Friends of the Hospital in Madang during their hikes up Mt. Wilhelm in Chimbu Province and Mt. Kanagio on Karkar Island, raising funds for vital equipment for the local hospital.

Currently, Island Elegance is actively raising funds to support the fight against cancer in Papua New Guinea. The company specializes in creating meri blouses, T-shirts, laplaps, and dresses using unique designs of their own.

Keep Reading
By
News

Prime Minister Calls for Reform of Provincial Government System

By

Prime Minister James Marape has urged the government and public service bureaucracy to hasten the reform process of the provincial government system in order to improve service delivery to the people. He made this call during the opening of the Provincial Governors Conference in Port Moresby, which is themed ‘Continuing Dialogue to empower Provinces for Improved Service Delivery, Economic Growth and Self Reliance’.

“Provincial governments are the anchor posts of our country and we must empower them with clarity. We must bring reforms that will allow for positive change that translate to actual delivery of goods and services,” said Marape.

He also acknowledged the struggles and weaknesses faced in delivering services to the people, but reassured governors that the government is not seeking to dilute or remove their powers. Instead, the goal is to empower them to function better in providing services that translate policies to the people.

“The vision and the rationale of establishing the provincial governments is correct because in a land of so much diversity, a centralised form of government in Waigani has no complete answer for our people. The government closest to our people must be functioning better to provide services to our people,” the Prime Minister.added.

The conference brings together the leaders of each of Papua New Guinea’s 22 provinces to discuss issues related to provincial government and service delivery. The conference will continue for the next two days and is expected to cover topics such as funding, governance, and decentralized decision-making.

Keep Reading
By
News

Marape offers condolences to Indian PM after rail accident in India

By

PHOTO FILE: People look at the mangled wreckage of the two passenger trains that derailed Friday in Balasore district, in the eastern state of Orissa, India, Sunday, June 4, 2023. The derailment in eastern India that killed 275 people and injured hundreds was caused by an error in the electronic signaling system that led a train to wrongly change tracks and crash into a freight train, officials said Sunday. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape has offered his condolences to the Prime Minister and people of India following a tragic rail accident that claimed close to 300 lives on Friday 2nd June 2023. The accident reportedly occurred in the Indian state of Odisha, and is believed to be the worst rail crash in 20 years in the country.

PNG Prime Minister, James Marape.

In a statement, Marape expressed sympathy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, as well as to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident. The accident occurred when a passenger train collided with a stationary freight train, resulting in the pile-up of another passenger train travelling in the opposite direction.

Several world leaders have also expressed their condolences to India following the accident. The tragedy has sparked concerns about the safety of the country’s railways, which are said to be outdated and in dire need of an overhaul.

The Indian government has since pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident and take steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The country’s railway network is one of the largest and busiest in the world, with thousands of passengers using it daily to travel across the country.

As the world continues to mourn the tragic loss of lives in the Odisha rail accident, the Indian government has assured its citizens that it will leave no stone unturned in finding out the cause of the accident, and in ensuring the safety of the country’s railways.

Keep Reading
By
News

Tertiary Education a priority for Lufa district

By

The Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change and Member for Lufa Simo Kilepa says as long as he remains in office, education will be one of his priorities.

He said this during the week when presenting K188, 000 to the University of Papua New Guinea as part of the school fee assistance package.

“This funding is from the District and Provincial government to support the National Government’s support to our students studying in the institutions,” he said.

About 47 students from the University of PNG benefited from the assistance, part of a K2m package for school fee assistance.

“K1m is from our Lufa District Development Authority funding and K1m is from Governor’s assistance”.

Students from the Pacific Adventist University outside Port Moresby also were recipients of the school fee assistance.

Many who gave their testaments at the presentation of the funding support said it was the first of its kind to see support coming to them from a political representative.

“This funding is to help your parents and off-set some of the burdens they have, I understand many of them are subsistence farmers and many sell store goods in the informal space,” Minister Kilepa said.

All Lufa students throughout the country will benefit from this funding according to the DDA.

Keep Reading
By
News

MP Justin Tkatchenko steps aside from Ministerial role

By

Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justin Tkatchenko, this afternoon announced stepping aside as Foreign Affairs Minister following protests over statements he made in the media.

Both Tkatchenko and his daughter were the subjects of wide public debate on social media after his daughter posted a TikTok.

The video showed his daughter, Savannah Tkatchenko, parading extravagant meals and a shopping spree during the public funded trip for the Coronation of King Charles.

Papua New Guineans criticized Tkatchenko’s daughter for what they perceived as a waste and inappropriate use of the taxpayer monies.

Tkatchenko responded to critics in a radio interview with ABC calling the social media commentors “primitive animals”

Tkatchenko says his comments were directed at internet trolls and cyber bullies who hailed hateful comments toward his daughter adding that his daughter is now traumatized by the comments on social media.

However, his response only seemed to fan the controversy, with many Papua New Guineans taking to social media and the streets to express their anger and frustration with the Foreign Minister’s apparent lack of respect.

Many have called for Tkatchenko to apologize, while some have suggested that he resign from his position as Foreign Minister.

In light of this, Prime Minister James Marape has issued a public statement asking the people of Papua New Guinea to forgive the Foreign Minister for his recent comments.

Marape says Minister Tkatchenko has apologised to the people of Papua New Guinea for the remarks he made on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio interview.

He further added that he too was offended by Tkatchenko’s remarks, labelling social media critics of his daughter as “primitive animals”, but had accepted the minister’s apology and asked all Papua New Guineans to do the same.

Marape’s statement has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some praising his call for forgiveness and reconciliation, while others argue that Tkatchenko should still be held accountable for his actions.

The PNG Trade Union Congress has condemned Tkatchenko’s labelling of Papua New Guineans and demanded that he resign.

President of the Police Association, Lowa Tambua said the Prime Minister should not make an individual decision to forgive Tkatchenko on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea but let the people decide.

The TUC also demanded that Tkatchenko be deported from the country, arguing that his actions have brought disrepute to Papua New Guinea on the international stage.

The Union leaders concerns were centered around Tkatchenko’s lack of representation and poor choice of words as a leader of this country and leader of the people.

Tkatchenko conveyed a second public apology in a press conference this afternoon with an official announcement that he will step down.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape in a statement has made known that he will take charge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Keep Reading
By
News

Fire Destroys Tumini Guest House

By

Fire Fighters responding to a fire that destroyed Tumini Guest House in Port Moresby’s Gerehu Suburb say that is a wake up call to property owners to install a fire hydrant in their premises.

Superintendent Cedrick Luwai from the Waigani Fire station said they were not able to contain the fire because there was no fire hydrate in that area.

Fire destorys Tumini lodge at Gerehu

“We cannot contain the fire because there was no fire hydrant in this area. While looking for a fire hydrant the fire became bigger, there was fencing on the side and the building doesn’t have a firebreak so the fire spread within the building quickly. We cannot do much,” said Superintendent Luwai.

Superintendent Luwai added that the cause of the fire will be subjected to an investigation.

Eye witnesses at the scene said the fire started at 4pm yesterday and continued until 6pm. By this morning, much of what was a Guest House was burnt to the ground.

Keep Reading
By
News

We were Shocked

By

The news of police senior sergeant, Ludwig Dondo’s passing came as a shock to his wife, Miriam Dondo and daughter, Ludwina.

Wife, Miriam Dondo who is employed with the Department of Justice and Attorney General, said she was on lunch break when she learned that her husband was shot.

She rushed to the hospital only to be told that her husband had died.

Meanwhile, three men are now in police custody, in relation to the killing.

But police say the prime suspect who launched the bow and arrow that killed Dondo is still on the run.

The late officer, was struck with an arrow while attending to a drug smuggling case at ATS settlement.

NCD and Central Divisional Commander, Anthony Wagambie said three suspects were brought in by Central police after community leaders at ATS gathered them at 7am this morning.

“I condemn those responsible for the death of my policeman and I am calling on the community at ATS to stand up together and find the prime suspect responsible for this heinous crime.

“You must give him to me, so he can face the law,” said Wagambie.

Keep Reading
By
Pin It