The opening of a US Agency for International Development (US AID) Office in Papua New Guinea is desired to improve public health care systems, responses to natural disasters and drive a sustainable economic growth.
US AID Administrator Samantha Power who met with Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby announced an additional funding support of $5.2 million for disaster preparedness. Some of that funding will be used to provide relief assistance to the Mt. Bagana eruption in South Bougainville.
Ms Powers who is the first US AID administrator to visit PNG says the opening of a US AID Representative Office in country is a reflection of USA’s desire to build on the progress both countries have made since PNG’s independence.
“This fulfills President Biden’s promise from last year, and again, is a reflection of this deepened commitment to Papua New Guinea and to the broader region,” Power said.
Prime Minister James Marape said his government’s focus on a special relationship with USA is not just on politics or defence but in all sense.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape meeting US AID Administrator Samantha Power.
“The presence of Ms. Power is to indicate to us the completeness of U.S. presence in our country is not just in security, or not just in government-to-government relationship, or security and defence cooperation, but in every aspect of our relationship with the USA,” said Marape.
The brief visit to Port Moresby focuses on recognising PNG build its own disaster response capabilities by creating disaster management plans, pursuing climate smart agriculture, and providing stronger protection for women and girls.
Power said the additional funding will go towards disaster preparedness to help communities become resilient “Recognizing that Papua New Guinea is one of the countries at highest risk of natural disasters in the world, US AID will provide $ 5.2 million in additional humanitarian assistance and assistance to disaster reliance in PNG,” Power said.
Regional Member for Bougainville Peter Tsiamalili Jnr on the timely assistance in relief efforts by foreign donors. This comes after the recent Mt Bagana eruption in South-West Bougainville.
The Bougainville Vision 2052 launched in Arawa comprises of eight pillars aimed at strengthening sectors within the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The vision states that by 2052, Bougainville will be a high income, educated, healthy and peaceful sovereign nation.
ABG President, Ishmael Toroama, said the ABG already started the process for national building through several economic and development programs initiated through his government.
“This is the question that I had in mind when I stated, under the six-point strategy, a desire for the ABG to get into the practice of long-term visioning and planning so that we can start laying the foundations of a future Bougainville society,” Toroama said.
The Bougainville Vision is the long term plan that will be implemented through six seperate five year development plans starting the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023 – 2027
ABG President Ishmael Toroama launching the Bouginville Vision 2052
“I am very proud of the efforts by our government to create the Bougainville Vision 2052 and the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023 – 2027 because for us in Bougainville it is essential to have a strategic plan to build our human resource capacity, improve and develop our revenue streams, build infrastructure, and enable a stable economy on Bougainville,” said Toroama.
The eight pillars listed in Bougainville Vision 2052 include Bougainville Ways; Integral Human Development; Sustainable Economic Growth; Peace Justice & Security; Infrastructure & Technology; International Relations; and Environment & Natural, Resources and Climate Change.
People’s National Congress Party Leader, Peter O’Neill has formally announced the passing of Gabriel Kapris, the member for Maprik.
Kapris a member of the PNC Party died over the weekend in Port Moresby. He was re-elected into parliament in 2022 and served until his passing on 12th August 2023.
He first entered poltics in 2002 and reamined a popular leader for his district taking on several port folios as minister for Commerce and Industry and Works and Implementation.
The news of Kapris’ passing comes at a time, the people of East Sepik are gearing up to vote for a new member fo Wewak Open.
More relief assistance is reaching villages on Bougainville island affected by the Mt. Bagana eruption on 7th July 2023.
Yesterday the US Army airlifted the first load of relief supplies into Torokina District, three weeks after the eruption.
Through the US Agency for International Development (US AID), $ 200, 000 was injected into the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support the humanitarian response.
IOM is leading the camp management at the declared care centers at Piva and Wakunai. Two new care centers were also declared for locals in Panguna and Kunua Districts.
With most of the water source considered unsafe for drinking, the Australian Government through the Australian Defense Force had supplied water purifying tablets.
An ADF aircraft landed in Buka on 10th August 2023, carrying with it shelter and hygiene kits.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Jon Philp who who flew in with Australian Defense Advisor, Colonel Travis Gordon on at the ADF aircraft C-27 handed over the supplies to Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama.
“This support demonstrates the strength of our commitment to cooperation and friendship particularly in times of need,” said Commissioner Philp.
The New Zealand Government is assisting in this humanitarian response through collecting and testing of water samples for drinking.
Last Wednesday, a Papua New Guinea Defense Force Naval Vessel sailed into Bougainville for the first time after 23 years.
All these responses by the National Government and international partners come after a request by the Autonomous Bougainville Government to assist more than a 1000 people displaced by the eruption.
Mt. Bagana is an active volcano located on South-west of Bougainville.
While no deaths were reported, the ash fall and lava that flowed into river systems and food gardens have affected several other villages in Central Bougainville.
A PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) soldier has confessed to firing live ammunitions that allegedly killed leading seaman Eric Gwale and Corporal Watata Kutegen in Kupiano.
PNGDF Commander, Mark Goina said a month-long investigation by PNGDF identified three suspects.
“There were three main suspects identified, one has owned up to firing the live ammunitions because he had the live ammunition on him during the activity,” said Goina.
The investigations also revealed that the deceased members were hit by high velocity ammunitions fired within 40 meters.
“Results of the post-mortems are consisted with the manner and how they sustained those fatal injuries resulting in instant death. Basically, those late members were being hit with high velocity round or bullets fired in close range less that 40 metres during the activity,” said Goina.
Late members Gwale and Kutegen were part of 43 participants in the final exercise for the Corporal Qualifying Course. They were killed on 4th July 2023.
“The tragic incident occurred during the assault phase of the attack; the deceased members were found dead during the reorganization phase which is after the assault was completed” said Goina.
The investigations showed that military processes were not followed right from the start and did not establish the allegation that some soldiers were drunk at the time of the incident.
“The personnel entrusted to perform their duties and responsibilities in relation to the conduct and control of Corporal Qualifying Course to some extent have failed to do their job or responsibilities effectively,” said Goina.
The three soldiers identified will be prosecuted both through the Military Code of Disciple and the Civil Criminal Court. Others have been suspended since 31st of July pending the outcome of the investigations.
PORT MORESBY – Development plan is the tool that will guide the districts and provinces in achieving its ambitious goals such as nurturing economic transformation and human development through infrastructure development.
Strategic planning sets the pace for development within the districts; and provinces basically strive to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the people which is to improve their welfare and effectively deliver much needed basic government services to the people.
Office of the Department of Implementation and Rural Development
Mr. Vaki said during his presentation that planning is very important to capture people’s need because the government is frontloading huge development grants of more than K1.2 billion in the form of Service Improvement Program (PSIP & DSIP) to sub-nationals to distribute evenly for effective basic services.
He said development plans are intended to promote and guide our districts and provinces on a path of sustainable economic growth, achieving economic prosperity and a high quality of life for people in the rural areas that would increase the economic base activities starting from the districts.
Mr. Vaki reiterated that the plans should be in line with our national plans such as Vision 2050, PNGDSP 2010 – 2030 and MTDP IV which is going to be launched soon.
“Development priorities for the district, which are supposedly initiated through a bottom up planning approach are captured and reflected in the rolling Five Year Development Plan in consultation with stakeholders, and this forum is the way forward, and I congratulate Wau Waria district for the initiative,” he said.
Mr. Vaki stressed that as DIRD being the mandated government agencies to facilitate, monitor and coordinate SIP programs around the country, have sighted that districts and provinces continue to receive SIP funding despite not reporting on previous years implementation, budget resolutions, meeting minutes and project documents that were not aligned to the province or district plans.
“The district development plan must clearly identify the projects under various sectors and costs involved so that the implementation of the plan be realistic.
“Wau Waria will receive K50 million whilst District Support Grants, a K2.5 million over the five year period. That entirely depends on the cash flow. This alone is not enough to fund the five year district development plan nor development aspirations of the district. District should strategies on using these funds to solicit support from other GoPNG programs, development partners or investors for value added and economic of scale,” Mr. Vaki said.
He told the participants that as far as the national government is concern, the SIP program is here to stay, all we want is sub-national administrations and stable political leadership required to deliver basic services based on five year development plans and good decisions, not contrary.
He also highlighted that violating of the Administrative Guidelines and Financial Instruction by not submitting acquittal reports, development plans and budgets raises serious concerns.
The three days development forum was attended by the Department of National Planning & Monitoring, Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce and Industry, Department of Works, Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology, Department of Education, National Youth Development Authority and other relevant stakeholders and development partners.
Wau Waria is a newly created district in Morobe province, and it’s one of the historic district during the pre-independence.
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has released details of the incident that claimed the lives of two PNGDF members, thirty-six hours after the initial incident happened on Monday 4th July at 4:45am.
However, details as to what went wrong during the training exercise have been withheld to allow the process of investigation to take its course.
PNGDF Commander, Major General, Mark Goina said it’s a regrettable incident that should have never happened.
Goina identified the deceased members as;
Leading Seaman, Eric Gwale of Morobe and New Ireland, employed at HMPNGS Tarangau at Manus and;
“At the outset, I want to convey my deepest condolences and those of all the men and women of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force to the loved ones and families of the deceased,” Commander Goina said.
The PNGDF hierarchy said the families of these servicemen will be supported during this difficult time.
PNGDF has launched a 14-day preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
A fortnight, a wait too long for two grieving families, in need of answers.
Meanwhile, a third soldier and a civilian who were also wounded during the Dawn Attack Exercise are being treated at a private hospital.
Two Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) soldiers are confirmed dead while another was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital with gunshot wounds after being shot during the final exercise of a Corporal Qualifying Course.
A fourth person sustaining gunshot wounds as well, is a civilian. He is also admitted at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The Ministry of Defence in a statement confirmed this, adding that police and the defence force have commenced investigations into the incident.
The Ministry has confirmed that the incident took place in Kupiano, Central Province at 4am, this morning.
The training at Kupiano was the final phase of the Corporal Qualifying Course the soldiers have been undergoing at the Goldie River Training Depot.
Defence Minister, Win Bakri Daki said the PNGDF is ensuring that it continues to provide the duty of care to the families of the deceased and wounded members during this time.
“As the Minister responsible for Defence, I convey my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased members, and also my assurances to those who were wounded that their recovery will have our priority of support.”
The Chief of Defence Force will host a media briefing tomorrow to provide more details of the incident.
InsidePNG will bring more updates as the story develops.
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – At the request of the government of Papua New Guinea, Task Force Koa Moana returns to PNG again. Task Force Koa Moana 23, comprised of U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force, have deployed to Papua New Guinea to support PNG’s stability, security, and prosperity.
Their goal is to strengthen relationships with Papua New Guinea through a bilateral and multilateral security cooperation exercise that runs from June until September. The exercise includes capacity training and infrastructure improvement projects. Koa Moana is an ongoing partnership that began in 2016.
Task Force Koa Moana 23 is comprised of approximately 200 U.S. Marines and Sailors from 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group and I MEF Information Group who will organize into multiple detachments. These detachments will conduct subject matter expert exchanges throughout Papua New Guinea at the request of the government of Papua New Guinea.
The task force established a mutual agreement with Papua New Guinea to provide expertise in engineering, medical care, infrastructure development and community engagements.
Named “Koa Moana,” a Hawai’ian phrase meaning “ocean warrior,” the task force is designed to strengthen relationships between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea, enhance cooperation with PNG security establishments, and support national sovereignty of across the Oceania region.
The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau also requested to participate in Task Force Koa Moana as well.
The PNG Media space is now well dominated by women elevated to higher positions.
While that is acknowledged by many as a way forward for breaking gender barriers and stereotypes, challenges still remain both at the helm and those that report to them.
Challenges not only at work place but at home.
Realizing this, the PNG Media Council in collaboration with ABC’s Media Development Initiative is conducting consultative forums for women in the media in Papua New Guinea to see if there is a possibility of starting a Women in Media Association.
The most recent forum was held in Madang Province.
PNG Media Council Secretary, Belinda Kora said the concept will be similar to Fiji’s Women in Media Association which not only tries to address challenges faced by women in the industry but also build capacity to allow them to excel.
The first consultation was held in Lae, Morobe Province, and the 2nd one in Port Moresby.
All three consultation received overwhelming support from the participants with many saying the concept is long overdue.
