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Landowners of the four project impact areas of the Ramu Nickel Project under Ramu NiCo Management Limited, were paid their royalty payment totalling to K14.8 million for the year 2021 on July 20th, 2022.

The landowner groups that the payments were made to include Kurumbukari, Inland Pipeline, Coastal Pipeline and Basamuk. Kurumbukari got a portion of approximately K8.6 million, Inland and Coastal Pipeline LO’s got approximately K2 million each while Basamuk Los got a portion of approximately K3 million respectively.

All payments made totals to the grand total of royalty payment to LO’s for 2021, including the other years concerned. The recent payments are the 6th made by the company since production began in 2013.

Jacob Winis, Principal Landowner of Memeume 1 and Chairman of the Maigari (Inland Pipeline) Landowners Association said, the royalty payments made by Ramu NiCo has contributed immensely in improving the people’s state of living by having access to basic services.

“The royalty payments made by Ramu NiCo to the landowners has helped us in setting up small Businesses or projects, supporting us with school fees, access to health services and I see that there is actual change” Winis said.

The first royalty payments made were in 2018, for years 2013 to 2017, paid in two separate accumulated payments; first payment of approximately K25.5 million was made in June of 2018. While the second  payment of K8 million plus, was made in the same year for July to December of 2017.

Royalty payment of approximately K16.3 million for 2018 was made in 2019, for 2019, approximately K26.2 million was made in 2020. 2020’s payment of K 17.3 million approximately was made in 2021.

With the most Recent payment of approximately K14.8 million made this year, for 2021. A total of K108.1 million in royalties has been paid since 2018 to landowners.

Former Governor for Madang and People’s Labor Party man, Peter Yama is officially out of the race following exclusion number 34 today.

Yama bows out with 39 058 votes.

His votes will be distributed to the last three candidates still in the race.

Leading comfortably is lawyer and People’s First Party candidate Ramsey Pariwa with 100,537 votes.

Jerry Singirok secures the second spot with 60, 657 and Benny Panti on 39,703 votes.

Yama is a seasoned politician.

He was first elected to the 5th National Parliament for the Sumkar Open Seat in a by-election in October 1992 following the death of previous MP, Galen Lang in August 1992.

He served as the Minister for Works from September 1994, then Minister for Transport and Works in 1995.

In 2001, he launched the People’s Labor Party before going into Elections in 2002.

He was re-elected into the 7th Parliament as Member for Usino-Bundi.

In 2003 he succeeded Peter O’Neill as the Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations under Somara/Marat Government.

He was decommissioned as a Minister for State in the 12th of November 2002 and recommended for dismissal from Parliament by a Leadership Tribunal on charges of misconduct in office on the 1st of December 2004.

The dismissal was however overturned by the National Court in 2005.

Yama was then appointed the member of Pensions and Retirement Benefits Committee and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair in May of 2006.

Mr Yama is also a prominent businessman in the Province.

THE Niugini Islands Quick Reaction Force comprising Police and PNG Defense Force personnel were acknowledged for their efforts during the election period in the New Guinea Islands Region.

NGI Assistant Commissioner for Police, (ACP) Perou N’Dranou commended the security forces who were based in Manus, New Ireland, East and West New Britain provinces, saying NGI was the first region to complete counting.

“I want to thank all my Provincial Police Commissions for the good leadership you all have shown in ensuring instructions were given, tasks were completed and also have accommodated any last minute instructions or decisions from the top management, said ACP N’Dranou.

The security personnel who were deployed to NGI have since returned to their respective provinces.

BSP Life PNG Limited (BSPL) has donated two new computer sets and three Wi-Fi-routers to Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School, with access to free e-learning material to supplement the knowledge and skillsets for these students.

BSP Life PNG, a licensed life insurer and subsidiary of BSP Financial Group Limited, handed over an e-library set up worth K30, 000, under the BSP annual community initiative.

With this e-library, students and teachers at Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School can access Resource books , Copies of old  PNG exam papers, Encyclopedias/Dictionaries, Crash Courses,  Wikipedia, Reading books Motivational videos & video tutorials, Microsoft office Training and teachers can upload assignments, notes and other important documents for students to download or access at any time without an internet connection.  

Students and teachers can also connect to the e-library through Wi-Fi access, without requiring internet access.

“Education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its future and part of that starts here in our schools, in the classrooms and in libraries. School libraries provide opportunities for students to think, create, share & grow. They can be a hub of learning, bridging the digital divide and making a difference in the lives of students. Our students are the leaders of tomorrow and it is important they get the best education possible,” said BSP Life PNG Country Manager, Nilson Singh.

“When access to education and learning grows, the ripple effects on communities and countries is remarkable. While we stand as a corporate organisation, each of our staff is a part of a community. I hope that through our contribution today to Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School, it will empower learners, inspire and make meaningful change for current students and future generations as well,” added Singh.

Koiari Park Adventist Secondary School Principal Sailas Wagi thanked BSP for providing them with this much needed educational tool.

“Thank you for the tremendous donation that seemed small but worthy for the school especially teachers and students in boosting their learning, capacity” Mr Wagi said in tears.

BSP has delivered 529 community projects since 2009, worth over K13.39 million. This year, 2022, under the theme ‘Health and Education’, BSP handed-over 11 community projects from the 49 projects proposed by each of our Branches and Business Units.

The delivery of the second Kicks 4 Kokoda Soccer Tournament is scheduled for August 20th and 21st in Kokoda Station and Buna Village in the Oro Province.

The K4K tournament is a community health event which involves students who have been trained over eight weeks by the Skillz coaches, community health workers and Team PNG HERO Athletes.

Team PNG HERO Athletes who will be delivering the tournament are Linda Pulsan (Powerlifting), Raphaela Baki (Boxing) Dianne Vetu (Touch), Basil Joffari and Roland Bala (Soccer), Dennis Kopman (Karate), Dia Muri (Basketball) and Steven Abraham (Para Athletics).

Steven is the new addition to the team delivering the program. He is a Silver and Bronze medallist from the recently held 2022 Pacific Mini Games in the 100m Ambulant and Javelin events respectively.

Similar to the first tournament in April of this year, the soccer tournament will conclude the second phase of the Skillz Coach Training under the K4K program.

Whilst championing female engagements, inclusivity and inspiring young children to take up sports, the tournament also embodies the Olympic Values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship, through the PNG Olympic Committee’s Olympic Values Education Program, and is led by PNGOC Programs Coordinator Rutha Omenefa and Team PNG HERO athletes who are trained to deliver this program.

FIFTEEN technical staff at the National Airport’s Corporation recently received specialized training in the Installation and Supervision of Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) Systems in Kavieng, New Ireland Province.

The AGL Systems are crucial in airport operations as it helps pilots scope out the runway clearly before landing the aircraft and even aids in a safe take-off. The AGL Systems are most helpful during night times and bad weather conditions.

Participants during practical session of the AGL training.

Those who underwent the training were equipped with the knowledge to train other colleagues at other airports in the country, as well as supervise and carryout maintenance works on AGL Systems at the airports.

In a statement, NAC explained that in the past, only a handful of NAC technical staff carried out AGL installation under the supervision of ADBSG, however, since they began in-country training, the attendance in participation began to grow.

The statement further explained that the training coincides with the redevelopments of regional airports around PNG and therefore, NAC is taking measures to ensure their staff members are skilled in the latest technological advances in airport operations to ensure its aerodrome environment is safe and secure and in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, as well as PNG CASA rules and regulations.

Participants during the theory session of training.

The training on AGL Systems was conducted by Mr Sam Gray from ADB Safegate (ADBSG), a world-renowned company specialized in providing integrated airport solutions for safe, environmentally friendly and efficient airport operations.

He was assisted by NAC CADIP consultant, Saibal Bose who is specialized in Electrical Engineering.

The training took place in late July to early August and was funded by the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP).

CENTRAL Governor, Rufina Peter dropped by the Department of Personnel Management for her first Government Department visit since being sworn in as Governor of Central Province on 9th August 2022.

The purpose of the on Thursday 11th August 2022 was to discuss Human Resource employment development for Central Province with the DPM Secretary, Taies Sansan.

Central Governor, Rufina Peter with DPM Secretary, Taies Sansan.

During the visit, the newly appointed Governor said, as a woman and a political leader she and other women politicians have to be demonstrative in order to debunk the perception of women being ineffective in the political space.

Ms. Peter said she and colleague, the newly appointed Rai Coast MP, Kessy Sawang will prove the effectiveness of women politicians in their next five years in office and she is looking at a critical Human Resource to ensure their performances are demonstrated.

“We can be political heads, but we need public servants who can articulate our vision and make it happen,” said Ms. Peter.

After meeting with the DPM Secretary, Ms. Peter was given a rousing welcome by staff members, mostly women, who congratulated Ms. Peter, expressing a sense of empowerment in sharing her win.

DPM Secretary, Taies Sansan told the Central Governor that DPM boasted a ratio of 60% women staffers who hold executive management positions. She gave the Central Governor the assurance that DPM looks forward to working closely with the Central Provincial Government in building the Human Resource and public service job employment.

Meanwhile Governor Peter said she needs to make sure that those who work with her administer and put the people’s interest first by articulating her vision to fit the needs of the people of Central province.

Madang Teachers’ College launched its first ever Strategic Management Plan 2022 to 2026 on August 5th. This serves as a milestone in the institutions management.

Principal Mr. Sorengke Sondo stated that the launch of this five year SMP is a first of its kind for the college and signifies the beginning of the new chapter for the institution.

“The MTC has transitioned and transferred its functions from the National Department of Education to the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology. The College is currently under the provincial registration and should be fully registered under the DHERST by 2026”  Sondo said

Present at the College for the launch of its 5 year plan was the Deputy Secretary for Policy and Quality Assurance, DHERST Mr. Thimon Bune.

Bune in his remarks commended the college for positively responding to the desire of the DHERST to have higher education institutions develop their own strategic plans.

“The SMP launched is a guiding tool for the institution and will provide the strategic direction on how the college will use its scarce resources to achieve its goals and objectives” Bune said

The tourism is a very lucrative industry that has the potential to provide much needed revenue for Bougainville while promoting Bougainville’s cultural heritage.

Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama made this statement during the opening of the 2022 Siwai Cultural Show at Panakei, Siwai District, South Bougainville today.

The opening ceremony showcased many cultural groups from South Bougainville as well as a group from North Bougainville who are taking part in the two day event.

“While we are aware of the investment opportunities that the tourism industry will provide for Bougainville we must also promote and protect our cultural heritage which is our identity,” President Toroama said.

“Our cultural heritage is our identity as a people who are unique and blessed with abundant resources,” President Toroama said.

“As we prepare for independence and sovereignty we must recognize ourselves and the journey that we have travelled to arrive where we are today,” President added.

President Toroama pledged to assist the Siwai Cultural Show to ensure it continues to promote Bougainville’s unique cultural traditions.

President Toroama also congratulated the Member for South Bougainville Timothy Masiu for his continued patronage of the annual event.

Mr Masiu said that he has plans to expanding the event throughout South Bougainville and to involve North and Central Bougainville.

He said through events like this Bougainville has the opportunity to raise more internal revenue for the government and promote peace in the communities.

The 2022 Siwai Cultural Show was officially opened by President Toroama and the Member for South Bougainville Timothy Masiu.

High Risk Workers of Ramu NiCo Management Limited’s Kurumbukari Mine, engaged in the High Risk Work field, have undergone the Verification of Competency training over a seven week period in March and April of 2022.

The VOC training are for those employees that were already certified but needed to be reassessed in terms of their competency levels to ensure that they are brought up to speed again.

A specialist crane operator with Harness Energy Training Company based in Port Moresby, Palikatap Pokanau, conducted the training including the recent session at Ramu NiCo’s Kurumbukari Mine in July.

“The recent training included overhead crane observation and assessment for 100 plus employees that were put in the logbook in various other training including rigging and dogging” Pokanau said

“About 45 are doing overhead crane training, three were put on the logbook for slew crane operations, over 20 did dogging and another 20 plus doing basic rigging were assessed”

Pokanau stated that certificates are only issued upon results being sent to Port Moresby, and that all training is conducted in compliance with Australian Standards.

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