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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
Jimmy Uguro, the Member of Parliament for Usino Bundi, has urged his community to become productive members of the district by prioritizing agriculture.
In a recent financial literacy training held in Bill Gara village, nearly 500 men and women graduated with certificates after successfully completing the program.
The training was facilitated by Bank of South Pacific/BSP and helped to capture the district’s goals and visions.
Uguro recognized the significant development that the district has experienced in recent years, such as the establishment of new schools and a sports precinct.
However, he emphasized that now is the time for further progress and community involvement.
Mary Koi, the Madang Branch Manageress of BSP, expressed BSP’s interest in partnering with the local district to set up a cash agent. She also encouraged small- to medium-sized entrepreneurs to register their businesses to receive the necessary support from BSP.
Brenda Igusam, the Officer in Charge of BSP sub branch in Walium, explained that the financial literacy training aims to educate individuals about how they can save and budget their money wisely.
The training covered various topics, including saving terminology, effective saving strategies, spending wisely, and the advantages and disadvantages of saving.
This financial literacy training fills a concerning knowledge gap within Papua New Guinea.
K1 Million was presented to the cocoa program for its continuous roll out in the district and a further k100,000 was committed for BSP to continue rolling out its financial literacy training in the district. Two trucks were also committed to the SME Group. BSP is committed to promoting financial literacy and partnering with local communities to provide the necessary support to help them achieve their economic goals.
A police senior sergeant died from injuries he sustained from a bow and arrow attack in Port Moresby.
54-year-old, Ludwig Dondo a member of the NCD Dog Unit died at the Port Moresby General Hospital as a result of his injuries.
The father of five from Talasia in the West New Britain Province, and his colleagues were responding to reports of a drug trade and sales when he was hit by a stray arrow at ATS Block.
Divisional Commander for NCD and Central, Anthony Wagambie Jnr in a statement called on the public to identify the killers.
“I strongly condemn this barbaric killing, and I am now urging the residents of ATS settlement to surrender the suspects to police immediately,” ACP Wagambie said.
The Commander said NCD Metropolitan police will work around the clock to find and arrest the suspects involved in this ruthless murder.
The arrow penetrated the Sergeant’s left rib and he was rushed to Hospital. He passed away at 2.30pm.
Members of Dog Unit retaliated by torching several houses at the ATS Block, Eight Mile.
Senior Sergeant Dodo passed out from Bomana Police College in 1985 and worked with other sections within the Constabulary before transferring to the NCD Dog unit until his untimely passing this afternoon.
The body of the late Sergeant was taken to his family home at Bomana and later taken to the Funeral Home.
A mother of three has created history for herself by becoming the first and only specialized female operator of Air Niugini’s Main Deck Loader. A machine used to load and unload larger containerized cargo from the main deck of large aircrafts. 36-year-old Michelle Geekala who hails from East Sepik and Gulf provinces and has worked with Air Niugini Cargo Department’s operations section since 2021. Michelle said her journey has not been easy. “It comes with its own challenges but you have to believe in yourself, even when no one does, you have to be your own supporter and critique, challenge yourself to be better than you were yesterday, said Geekala. Her recent task was unloading heavy mining equipment from the main deck of a Boeing 747-400 series freighter at the Jacksons airport in Port Moresby.
Geekala had previously operated the Lower Deck Loader (LDL) for both the B747 and B737 freighters, but the recent task was her first on the Main Deck Loader. Air Niugini’s Manager for Cargo Operations, Trevor Elly said the airline’s cargo department has always maintained a healthy level of female presence in its business and in particular its operational areas both within Port Moresby and the domestic network. “We are proud of Michelle’s progress, breaking into an area where you find only men working there. She is currently the only female in the Port Moresby Operations unit who operates the MDL equipment and joins a legacy of other female Cargo Operations Staff including our current Cargo Business Development Manager.” said Elly.
The SP PNG Hunters are back in Australia this weekend when they take on the Burleigh Bears at UAA Park, Gold Coast in Round 6 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday, 22nd of April. It’s been a short week for the Hunters who returned to Port Moresby following their disappointing loss to the Northern Pride last weekend. The travel to and from Papua New Guinea means the Hunters observed a restricted training schedule this week, but no doubt they will be eager to take the field on Saturday and respond to their Round 5 loss. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for the Hunters to take away from last week’s match against the Pride. The PNG-based side showed that when they hold the ball and control their discipline, they can pile on the points quickly. They also produced some compelling defensive efforts on their own try line to repel an expansive Pride attack. It often took multiple repeat sets for the Pride to crack PNG’s line, and if the Hunters can limit their opponents attacking chances, they will be confident in defending their line.
Player to Watch PNG Hunters skipper Ila Alu stood tallest last week in a beaten side, playing out an inspired 53 minutes through the middle to be one of the Hunters best. Alu took 13 carries for 110 metres (35 in post-contact) last week to be the only forward to notch 100+ running metres against the Pride. His ability to hit a hole in the line and time his runs smartly with hooker Wesser Tenza makes Alu a difficult task for defending middles. He is strong through contact and has great late footwork that allows Alu to either break through the tackle (four tackle busts last week) or find his front to win a quick play-the-ball for his team. An Alu carry is often the trigger for Tenza to scoot from dummy-half on the following tackle. Alu’s point of difference though is the ballplaying option he provides PNG around the ruck. He is a key member of the spine when the Hunters shift the ball through the backline, and as he develops combinations with the players around him, Alu’s value will only increase. Team List
Hot spot areas of Gender Based Violence and Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence (GBV and SARV) especially in the highlands and other remote areas need more focus according to the Secretary for Community Development and Religion, Jerry Ubase .
GBV/SARV Workshop hosted at Gateway hotel
Secretary Ubase made the remarks this morning (Wednesday 29th March) at the opening of the two-day GBV/SARV workshop held at the Gateway Hotel.
Mr Ubase welcomed participants of the workshop comprising of 13 Civil Society Organizations who are recipients of grants that help them carry crisis response and recovery services for the victims of GBV/SARV and urged them to do more.
“We need to do more; we need to extend the support further. We need to cover the wider areas of PNG especially the hot spot areas in the highlands.
“The government system has gone down to the provinces so we should not be pointing fingers to each other who is responsible to carry out tasks, we are all paid to serve our people,” Secretary Ubase said.
UNDP Gender Team Leader, Chelsea Magini supported Secretary’s remarks saying she is happy to hear of the work or the CSOs done so far in the community level where the national and provincial governments cannot reach.
In 2022 the National Government allocated PGK7.93 million to address GBV, the biggest budget allocated to address GBV and SARV in PNG’s history.
On the 9th December 2022, the Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR) awarded 13 grants to civil society organizations.
The grants were jointly funded through the DFCDR and UNDP through the European Union Spotlight initiative on Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Events Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP departed the country today in a bid to encourage stronger diplomatic relationships for Papua New Guinea between three South East Asian countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and China.
Picture Courtesy of the Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events
Minister Tkatchenko who led a delegation of five officials will travel to Jakarta where he will meet his Indonesian Counterpart Hon. Retno Marsudi over a period of 3 days to focus on key bilateral issues affecting both countries. “In the last couple of weeks, we have passed the Basic Border Agreement (BBA) in Parliament which opens the way now for a full review for all parties to come on board and review the BBA.” “This agreement enables us to talk about our boundaries, trade, traditions and culture and our people “and review a long outstanding border agreement that would now be reviewed.” “This includes those members that are on the borders, including the defence and police to enable a common understanding with our border of West Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea,” Minister Tkatchenko said this was long overdue. “As we have stated very clearly, Indonesia is a sovereign country and we respect this nation.”
Picture Courtesy of the Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events
“If there are any issues that Indonesia wants us to be involved especially with West Papua, we are more than happy to support and assist.” “We look forward to that open dialogue on West Papua with the Foreign Minister Marsudi.” “We have officially passed the reciprocal visa arrangements between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, those with a diplomatic passport or official passport will get visa on arrival here in PNG and also in Indonesia.” Minister Tkatchenko said another very important matter is the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. This has been approved by the National Executive Council that allows both the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Indonesian Defence Force to strengthen their ties and their cooperation in areas of mutual security concerns. The three-day visit to Indonesia will also capture initial coordination plans of the official visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in June this year. “Straight after Indonesia I travel to Malaysia to meet the new Foreign Minister and their new government as well.” “We will strengthen our ties with Malaysia as they are big economic and trading partner to PNG.” Minister Tkatchenko said.
Picture Courtesy of the Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events
