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Ramu NiCo to Feature Women LO Group at Inaugural CANCONEX

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Ramu NiCo will Feature Women Landowner Group at Inaugural CANCONEX

Ramu NiCo’s Coastal Pipeline Landowners Women’s Association (CPL WA) from the Rai Coast District in the Madang Province of Papua New Guinea will be participating in the inaugural Community Affairs and National Content Conference and Expo (CANCONEX) in Lae, Morobe Province as one of the successful association along the projects corridor area.

The CPL WA is a successful women’s landowner group and comprises of three zones that are Bugati, Marika and Siroi.

It has 3000 active registered members who successfully ventured into financially viable projects and businesses.

These have come to fruition from the portion of royalties allocated to the women’s group.

The portion, in most cases, is used as capital to acquire loans from the People’s Micro Bank branch in Madang to buy trucks and dinghies, which are being used as public motor vehicles (PMVs) to serve the local people living within the mining tenement area, venture into other small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

The expo is set to be held at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) in Lae, Morobe Province from the 28th to the 30th of August; Ramu NiCo is also a gold sponsor for the hosting of the event.

Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited will attend and participate in the first-ever CANCONEX with the theme of “Promoting National Participation for Sustainable Communities.”

With the encouragement of the President of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, Anthony Smare, the conference is an avenue for participants to share their experiences and learn from each other, make new connections, seek opportunities and experience.

Ramu NiCo saw fit that it features one of the best performing and successful landowner groups from the four impact communities to represent their fellow landowner groups.

The successful Women Association from the Ramu NiCo Project in Madang Province is one of the fruitful associations that Ramu NiCo has seen being an active association apart from all the associations in the project’s corridor. Thus, Ramu NiCo thinks highly of this successful women group and other landowner groups coming from afar to attend the CANCONEX.

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International

Discussions begin at the 2023 Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit

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Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit

Vanuatu Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau, official opened the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group, Leaders Summit in Port Vila.

Environment and Climate Change, security issues, and trade agreements were top on the agendas discussed ON Wednesday (August 23).

In attendance were Pacific leaders from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Fiji, French territory of New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.

The welcome ceremony held at the Vanuatu Convention Centre started with a plenary session and each Pacific Island Leader was given the opportunity to make their statements.

PNG Prime Minister, James Marape in his remarks outlined PNG’s stand on Climate Change Mitigation and called on industrialized nations to make real interventions to assist Pacific Countries facing effects of Climate Change.

“I call on China, the United States and Australia to make real interventions to the Small Island States in the Pacific,” said Marape.

Marape conveyed Papua New Guinea’s support of Vanuatu’s move to seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the impacts of Climate Change on the people of the Pacific.

Prime Minister James Marape at the MSG Summit

“I want to offer our support to Vanuatu’s leadership on the initiative to seek an advisory opinion on the International Court of Justice on matters of Climate Change through the United Nations through international law to protect the rights of future generations that are adversely affected. That is correct leadership and I commend Vanuatu,” said Marape.

Marape said Pacific Leaders must continue to represent views within the context of Melanesia and the Pacific.

“We all have interest in dealing with environmental issues, with Climate Change being big among us. We have development challenges; our need to ensure that genuine investors are not here just for today’s need but more importantly for the sustenance of our children after us. These challenges remain our collective voice, if we want to be heard today,” Marape told the MSG member countries.

A Leaders’ Retreat will end the summit for the leaders with an Outcomes Declaration signed on Thursday (August 24).

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News

Namah: Goina’s Suspension is Ill-decision

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Namah

The actions by the National Executive Council to sideline PNGDF Commander, Major General Mark Goina, is described as too soon and serves no purpose.

Speaking as Chairman of the Permanent Parliament Committee- Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Defense, Vanimo Green River MP, Belden Namah said it’s myopic and unsound.

“Why suspend the Commander when there are layers of authority between the training unit and the Commander? The Chief of Training and Deputy Commander should be suspended as well,” said Namah.

Major General Mark Goina was sidelined through an NEC decision announced by Prime Minister James Marape, late last Friday.

Marape said the suspension was for three months and it will allow a General Board of Inquiry into the Kupiano killings to continue.

But Namah said this is all superficial.

“Allow the Commander to get to the bottom of this incident. These soldiers killed and wounded are his soldiers and he owes their families”, Namah said.

Namah said NEC made an ill-decision and urges the Prime Minister and NEC to seek professional advice on such matters.

The last Defense Board of Inquiry conducted by PNGDF was in 2005 and involved a clandestine operation that flew Solomon Islands Attorney General, Julian Moti into Muda Island in Solomon Islands.

Namah said the Strategic Leadership of the force was part of the decision authorizing the use of PNGDF aircraft. Yet the Commander was not suspended. And he cooperated with the inquiry.

Meanwhile a General Board of Inquiry has commenced into the killing of Leading Seaman, Eric Gwale and Corporal Watata Kutegen and the wounding of a soldier and a civilian.

Both soldiers were killed by live ammunitions fired during the final exercise for the Corporal Qualifying Course on 4th July 2023.

Now that Goina is suspended. Deputy Commander, Commodore Phillip Polewara is acting Commander.

Related: https://insidepng.com/nec-sidelines-goina-as-inquiry-continues/

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News

Melanesian Spearhead Group

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MSG

A number of declarations are expected to be signed by members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group this Friday when the summit ends.

Prime Minister James Marape will be flying into Vanuatu tomorrow (Tuesday 22. August 23) to join other leaders of MSG countries for the official opening.

The 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders’ Summit and related meetings commenced in Port Vila as scheduled

  • 18th August – Senior Officials Meeting
  • 19th to 20th August – Pre-Summit Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
  • 21st August – Foreign Minister’s Meeting (FMM) today (21.08.23
  • 22nd August – Official Opening of Leader’s Summit
  • 23rd August – Plenary Sessions
  • 24th August – Leader’s Retreat

Vice Minister assisting Prime Minister Muguwa Dilu is currently presenting Papua New Guinea at the MSG Meetings.

Dilu told MSG leaders in his opening statement for member countries to take ownership of development issues and provide leadership in pursuing the objectives of the MSG.

“The theme (Being Relevant and Influential ) resonates well, the need for the MSG to remain focused and bolster the efforts towards the common goal of building a stronger and resilient MSG family that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of its people, said Dilu.

He added that MSG must provide market opportunities, empower its people and strategically open up the MSG region, wherever possible to the world to seize economic opportunities to building back better economic resilience post COVID-19 through strategic economic partnership.”

Today’s FMM opened with statements from Fiji, Solomon Islands, PNG, Vanuatu, FLNKS, and Indonesia, before leaders went into a ‘Closed Session’ where in-depth concerns were raised on environment and climate change, security issues, and trade agreements, besides an operational report from the MSG Secretariat.

Other documents that are expected to signed on Friday include;

  • An Outcomes Declarations
  • A Declaration on Climate Change
  • Concord for Peace, Mutual Respect, Cooperation and Amity.

MSG members include, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and FLNKS (Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front) and Indonesian Indonesia as an Associate member.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/research-and-conservation-of-pngs-biodiversity/

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News

Marape Speaks Against Killings

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James Marape Speaks Against Killings

Prime Minister James Marape says, the Government is currently evaluating the police structure and the role of the defence force in Enga.

Marape said this in response to the recent killing of five suspected hired gunmen in Enga, whose images were widely shared on social media.

The Prime Minister described the act of violence as a case of “jungle justice” and requires a more peaceful and just resolution to the tribal flights and gun violence seen in the province.

“I want to implore the warring tribes of Enga to abandon violence and also denounce the concept of ‘jungle justice,” said Marape.

Marape said the Police Force has been issued explicit directives to decisively address the ongoing tribal disputes in Enga.

“Police Commissioner David Manning has been mandated to intervene in the persistent tribal confrontations in Enga, to quell the escalation of violence, and to apprehend those who persist in armed conflicts,” Marape continued.

On 15th August 2023, Police Chief, David Manning issued an internal circular to police to use lethal force.

The directive Manning issued read;
“I have directed RPNGC personnel to be prepared to deploy lethal force where it is required and reasonable. Commanders are instructed into respective operational orders.”

The continuous tribal flights and killings in Enga has forced airline companies to temporarily suspect flights into Wapenamanda airport.

While condemning the killings Marape said investigations have been conducted into the financiers of these tribal clashes, many of whom reside outside the province of Enga.

“To all warring factions in Enga, I appeal you to relinquish your weapons and allow the peace initiatives initiated by the Enga Provincial Government to progress,” Marape said.

The three month State of Emergency in Enga is still in place.

Related: https://insidepng.com/calls-against-orders/

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News

COMMUNICATION SUPPORT

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Satellite phones will be used to improve communications between Buka and communities impacted by Mt. Bagana eruption, strong winds and rain.

Five satellite phones from National Information Communication and Telecommunication Authority or NICTA were given to the Disaster Office in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville as part of continued disaster relief exercise.

Chairman of NICTA Board, Noel Mobiha said this is the first time NICTA has come on board to support government department’s response to disaster.

South Bougainville MP who heads the Information Communication and Technology portfolio, Timothy Masiu said the satellite phones were given by NICTA with support of International Telecommunications Unit (ITU).

Communication Support by NICTA and Starlink

Masiu said the Star Link satellite services will also be deployed pending regulatory processes by NICTA and Digicel PNG will also support by strengthening network coverage at Torokina and South Bougainville

The loaned service will be used for three months on Bougainville and the satellite phones will be returned to NICTA for other emergency response in other parts of the country.

“NICTA is looking at improving communications infrastructure and services to support the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) for real time data transmission,” said Masiu.

A team from RVOC was also in Buka last week to assist. The observatory has deployed monitoring devices but need strong communications network for real time relay of information to the RVO Base in Rabaul.

SOE Controller, Esther Usurup thanked NICTA and Mr Masiu for the communication equipment and services that will come as this was urgently needed .

Masiu also announced that a K100,000 funding from his electorate will be given to support the Disaster office specifically for the Emergency Team to continue relief assistance to South Bougainville.

Communication Support

For more stories on the Mt Bagana disaster relief efforts click the links below for our other stories.

Related: SOE Extended

https://insidepng.com/soe-extended/

Bagana Assistance

https://insidepng.com/bagana-assistance/

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News

NEC Sidelines Goina as Inquiry Continues

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NEC Sidelines Goina

Chief of PNGDF, Major General, Mark Goina is now suspended and Deputy Commander, Commodore Phillip Polewara is now Acting PNGDF Commander.

Prime Minister James Marape as Chairman of the National Executive Council said the NEC decision will allow the General Board of Inquiry into the killing of two PNGDF members, the wounding of a soldier and a civilian to continue.

Prime Minister James Marape [Supplied Image]

“Therefore to affirm the integrity of the GBOI, and also the dignity of the Commander, NEC took a decision to suspend the Commander under Section 6 (3) (b) of the Defense Act 1974 for three months, or until such time the GBOI delivers its findings,”said Marape.

Goina’s suspenssion today follows a brief report to cabinet by Defense Minister, Win Barki Daki on the shooting death of Leading Seaman, Eric Gwale and Corporal Watata Kutegen on 4th July 2023 at Kupiano.

The two were part of 40 soldiers who underwent training for the Corporal Qualifying Course but were killed on the final exercise.

NEC sidelines Goina
The two soldiers who were killed early last month.
NEC Sidelines Goina

Initial PNGDF investigations into their killings revealed that they were shot by high velocity ammunitions fired from within 40 meters.

Three soldiers were identified and one has confused to firing the live ammunitions because he had it in his possession.

The Terms of Reference for GBOI covers the shooting incident and expands into any contributing factors which may have led to arms contamination in a training situation.

“As a government we owe it to our men and women of the Defense Force, and especially those who died or were wounded and their loved ones, to find out what went wrong, and how do we fix this wrong. We therefore welcome the General Board of Inquiry that was set up by the Defense Minister,” said Marape

The GBOI is a legal process that will run independently and deliver its findings.

The government will pick up on the recommendations from the GBOI and will address all the issues that come out of the findings.

Related: https://insidepng.com/two-pngdf-soldiers-killed-during-training-exercise-in-kupiano/

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Health

Fighting TB

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Story by Tonny Herok

The Heart of Mary Health Centre, situated along the picturesque north coast of Madang province, plays a pivotal role in providing healthcare services to the local population.

Managed under the umbrella of Catholic Health Services, this facility caters to a substantial populace ranging from twenty to thirty thousand residents.

Main Entrance Fighting TB
Back Yard Fighting TB

This coverage extends over certain segments of the Sumkar district, encompassing the geographic span from Rempi to Banab.

At the forefront of healthcare concerns in the area is Tuberculosis (TB), a challenge that the health center grapples with on a daily basis.

Miriam Bagg, an experienced Community Health Worker (CHW), supervises the TB clinic at the health center. With a steadfast commitment spanning 29 years, Bagg has devoted her tenure to tending to the clinic’s needs.

Sister Miriam sheds light on an issue that has become particularly pronounced in recent times. Since 2021, the clinic has been confronted with a notable problem – a surge in the rate of lost follow-up cases.
This predicament unfolds as patients undergoing TB treatment fail to return for their subsequent appointments, with some individuals relocating to different areas altogether.

Attributing this trend to a lack of educational awareness within the community, Sister Bagg underscores the urgency of imparting knowledge about safeguarding oneself from TB and the critical importance of consistent treatment.

She emphasizes that enhancing community understanding can significantly impact patient adherence to treatment regimens.
In a resounding call to action, Sister Bagg appeals to both the Catholic and Provincial Health Authority to intensify their efforts in bridging this gap.

She emphasizes that effective outreach is pivotal to ensuring those afflicted with TB receive the necessary support.
As she succinctly puts it, “People are dying because we are not reaching out for them.”

It is her conviction that a concerted educational campaign, bolstered by the engagement of these health authorities, holds the potential to save lives and curb the spread of TB.

In a region where Heart of Mary Health Center stands as a beacon of hope and care, addressing the challenges posed by TB stands as a crucial objective.

With collaborative efforts and proactive interventions, in fighting TB, the health center envisions a future where TB’s impact is minimized, and the health and well-being of the community are secured.

Heart of Mary Health Centre Fighting TB

Recent: https://insidepng.com/coastal-protection-biodiversity-in-alexishafen/

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Environment

Coastal Protection & Biodiversity in Alexishafen

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Alexishafen Mangrove

Story by Constantine Alibob

A determined effort to safeguard their coastal areas and promote environmental sustainability, David Bai, a respected community elder and landowner from Alexishafen, has announced plans to plant mangroves along the offshore region.

The strategic decision to plant these vital trees is anticipated to yield numerous benefits for both the local community and the surrounding ecosystem.

David Bai emphasized that the initiative to plant mangroves is born out of the recognition of their multifaceted advantages.

Situated along the coastal areas, the community acknowledges the significance of mangroves in preventing erosion and fostering a nurturing environment for reproduction.

He elaborated that the mangrove planting endeavour will be executed over a six-month period, with an ongoing commitment to continue this effort thereafter.

The benefits of mangroves are manifold. Notably, the decaying leaves of mangrove trees play a pivotal role in preventing soil erosion and fortifying the land.

These trees also contribute to the enhancement of aquatic life by providing a suitable habitat for various species of fish and other marine life.
Moreover, mangroves serve as a reservoir for a diverse array of species such as mud shells, mud crabs, and more.
An intriguing aspect of the initiative involves the sustainable use of mature mangrove stems. These stems are selectively harvested for their exceptional strength and durability, making them an ideal material for constructing houses.

This practice not only demonstrates the resourcefulness of the community but also highlights the symbiotic relationship they maintain with their natural surroundings.
Mangroves reproduce through a fascinating process, involving the cultivation of seeds.

Presenting a seed as an example, David Bai explained, that after germinating for one or two months, these seeds are released and eventually find their way into the surrounding water bodies. While some seeds are transported by currents to distant offshore areas, others settle in their immediate vicinity.
This natural process plays a significant role in rebuilding soil quality through the decomposition of fallen leaves.
Regrettably, the flourishing mangrove ecosystem in the vicinity of Alexishafen has suffered setbacks due to pollution originating from various sources. Manufacturing companies, particularly oil spills from fishing vessels, have contributed to the decline of mangrove populations.

Alexishafen Mangroves

Furthermore, infections from the environment have also contributed to the diminishing numbers of these vital trees.
In cases where suitable soil conditions are lacking for optimal growth, certain mangrove species have been pushed to the brink of extinction.
The success of the mangrove planting initiative hinges upon the recognition of various soil types, including mud, sand, reefs, and other substrates that can sustain different mangrove species.
This acknowledgment underscores the community’s commitment to restoring and preserving their local environment for generations to come.
As David Bai and the community of Alexishafen embark on this transformative journey, their efforts stand as a testament to the power of collective action in preserving ecosystems, mitigating erosion, and promoting biodiversity.

Related: https://insidepng.com/from-determination-to-transformation/

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News

SOE Extended

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The Bougainville House of Representatives has voted unanimously to extend the State of Emergency (SOE) on the island region for two more months.

President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ishmael Toroama presented an comprehensive report on the SOE in the parliament and recommended for an extension in a special session that convened today.

Toroama said a team from the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory Center arrived in Buka to establish a seismic monitoring system at Piva Station at Torokina.

The arrival of the RVOC team comes following an Australian Government initiative to install the monitoring instruments.

“I take this time to thank the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and USA for their generous support. On an international front of our political independence journey, we are open to humanitarian assistance through such strategic alliance,” said Toroama.

The initial SOE was declared on 16 July 2023, following the eruption of Mt. Bagana in Wakunai and Torokina Districts.

Regional Member for Bougainville, Peter Tsimalili Jnr told Inside PNG, continuous rain on the island has made it a little more difficult for effective humanitarian response.

“We now have been hit by torrential rains so the whole of South Bougainville does not have access to Arawa or Buka for store food. So now they are reaching out again for operation on the ground to provide support to South Bougainville, said Tsimalili Jnr.

SOE Extended; State of Emergency

Key action plays outlined by SOE Controller, Esther Usurup and was presented in Parliament by President Toroama include;

  • Establishing a central operations hub at the Buka District headquarters, led by Emergency Controller Esther Usurup-Harou, Deputy Chief Secretary, Operations.
  • Setting up evacuation centers at Piva Station and Wakunai district areas, equipped with essential relief supplies such as food, water, medication, tents, and basic necessities.
  • Temporarily suspending classes from 03 August to 17 August 2023 in impacted areas of Torokina and Wakunai District, following the guidance of the Bougainville Education Board and the Education In Emergency Committee.
  • Collaborating with the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO), a subsidiary of the National Department of Mineral and Geohazards, to establish a seismic monitoring system at Piva Station in Torokina District.
  • Finalizing the Bougainville Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan, which outlines strategies for resource allocation and community response to natural and human-induced disasters

With the extension of SOE, two more evacuation centers were declared in Kopani Ward in Panguna District, and Soroken in Kunua District.

Related: https://insidepng.com/bagana-assistance/

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