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Nasfund Welcomes New Members on Lihir Island

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The National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) recently welcomed 800 new contributing members on Lihir Island.

They are employees of 200 landowner companies who provide services to Newcrest Mining Limited (NML), through Lihir Business Services (LBS).

All 200 landowner companies this week received their Employer Registration Certificates, confirming their membership to Papua New Guinea’s leading superannuation provider.

CEO Ian Tarutia in welcoming the newly registered employers, praised the management of each entity for their decision to provide a secure financial future for their employees through superannuation savings with Nasfund.

“The process in registering our new members is one that was made possible through cooperation from NML, LBS, and our Nasfund Lihir service centre.

“The bulk registration of our new members on Lihir island is one of the largest we have had, and is a testament to the great working relationship we have with the local business community.

This also demonstrates the importance that businesses, whether large or small, place on retirement savings for their employees.

As members of Nasfund, these members now benefit from our cadre of services, which includes our online platforms, TextBal service, and our popular Membership Discount Program (MDP).

We are committed to providing value for these members while they work today, so that they are ready for retirement, when the time comes,” said Tarutia.

(L-R): Nasfund General Manager Member & Employer Services, Anne Wilson, presenting an Employer Registration Certificate to Director of Tasio Limited, Barbara Siomel, and Acting General Manager Lihir Business Systems, Assumpta Wauwau.

In receiving the Employer Registration Certificates, Lihir Business Services Acting General Manager, Assumpta Wauwau, thanked the Fund for its efforts in ensuring all requirements were met, for the contractors to join Nasfund.

“This is a milestone for LBS in achieving the superfund compliance requirement for its 200 plus contractors under the LBS/Newcrest vendor agreement.

Having the Nasfund General Manager Member & Employer Services, Anne Wilson, on the island to handover the certificate signifies the importance of this achievement given the volume of employer and member registrations at any one time.

LBS commends the company owners and directors of the Lihirian owned businesses for their cooperation in registering with Nasfund, to safeguard the retirement savings of their employees.

The face-to-face meeting with the fund team leads over the duration of this exercise has also given assurance to the employers and new and existing Nasfund members on Lihir that they are just within reach should they encounter unexpected delays in resolving any of their superannuation related queries.”

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Sport

Maskelyne Sets New National Records

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Team Papua New Guinea’s swimming sensation, Ryan Maskelyne finished second in his heat with a time of 29.53 seconds knocking off the existing national record of 29.85 seconds and setting a new one for PNG in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke.

Maskelyne was exceptional in his respective events since starting last Saturday where he swam the Men’s 200m Breaststroke coming eighth in a pool consisting of World Record and Commonwealth Games Record holders.

He also broke the Men’s 100m Breaststroke national record of 1:03:89 (set by himself) clocking a new time of 1:03:31.

Swim Team Manager, Sarenah Pini said she was happy with how Team PNG’s swimmers performed at the Commonwealth Games.

“Ryan has done extremely well in his respective events and his performance is a reflection of all the hard work, sacrifices, the long hours to and from training, and the dedication and time put into his training,” said Mrs Pini.

In other results for Day 4, Team PNG’s Georgia-Leigh Vele swam an improved time of 1:01:60 in the Women’s 100m Freestyle in comparison to her 1:01:73 time at the FINA World Championships in Budapest, five weeks ago.

Georgia-Leigh will now prepare for the Queensland Short Course Championships in two weeks’ time. Then to the PNG FedEx National Short Course Championships in October followed by the FINA World Short Course Championships in Melbourne.

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National Elections

Yakasa Concerned Over Delays in Counting

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NCD Regional candidate, Fred Yakasa is concerned over continuous delays in counting for the NCD Regional Seat.

He said these are the sentiments of all candidates contesting the top seat in the nation’s capital.

“There have been delays in polling, counting and this continues. It’s irritating and candidates are dismayed,” said Yakasa.

Mr Yakasa said the electoral commission has miserably failed with so many issues surrounding polling and counting.

He said with the date of return of writs nearing, he is not sure if counting for the NCD Regional Seat will be completed or not.

The former city police boss said candidates will not stop the process unnecessarily if things are done according to election laws.

“The electoral commission cannot blame us. We are seeing that things are not right and that is the whole reason,” Mr Yakasa said.

Mr Yakasa further stressed that for NCD Regional, counting is being delayed for more than 2 days. He said this is a waste of time.

“The NCD Election Manager, Kila Ralai continues to be late at the counting rooms. The other day we were told by our scrutineers that he arrived late in the evening.

Their actions continue to be suspicious. More and more evidence are being uncovered and those responsible must be held accountable,” said Yakasa.

Mr Yakasa urged the next Government to prioritize fixing all matters relating the election process.

“Whoever forms Government must look into this concern and ensure all matters like the common roll, including voting and the counting process are improved,” said Mr Yakasa.

He said the 2022 national election has not been safe and fair.

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National Elections

Delay in Counting for NCD Regional Seat Continues

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Counting for the NCD Regional seat at the Rita Flynn Court has been suspended since Saturday after allegations were raised of suspected foreign ballot papers being smuggled into the counting venue, this prompted a call for a recount of all the ballot papers.

Counting was scheduled to resume today at 1pm, however, it is not known when counting will recommence.

The NCD Regional Returning Officer was not available at midday today and could not be reached for comments on the matter.

The top five tally for NCD Regional Seat as off Saturday after count 22 has seen the incumbent Governor and Social Democratic Party leader, Powes Parkop leading the race with 1,391 votes, People’s Labor Party man Wari James Vele, with 1,274 votes, Independent Candidate Michael Kandiu sits on the 3rd spot with 964 votes, another Independent Candidate and former NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Andy Bawa is in the 4th place with 921 votes and Ben Dagima in 5th place with 524 votes.

Counting for NCD Regional is still on primary counts with time running out as the dates zero in on the return of writs set for Friday 5th August 2022.

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National Elections

Madang Beefs Up Election Security Due to Threats

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Madang’s Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent, Rubiang Manzuc, says security personnel in the province have been beefed up following recent threats going around.

All road intersections will be blocked and all vehicles and the public travelling in and out of Madang town will be thoroughly searched before they can pass.

“The roadblocks will start at the handymart roundabout intersection point for vehicle and persons moving in and out of Madang,” says Manzuc.

Manzuc says people’s movement after hours is also restricted as there is a liquor ban in place in the province; id says if anyone is caught drunk and moving around after hours, they will be arrested and locked up at the Jomba police cells.

The PPC also visited all counting centers, informing counting officials and election officials to continue counting without fear as there will be tight security to make sure their safety is guaranteed, he added that each center has security personnel on the ground to monitor and check on persons going in and out of the counting venues.

All counting venues each have its own commanders’ to provide security to counting officials.

The provincial Police Commander says the operation plan for the province has now changed so security forces will be working six to six, 24/7 to make sure all counting is completed safely without fear.

“Our concern is safety of the counting and election officials including the public.”

Mobile Squad 13 from Lae, MS 14 from Goroka and the PNGDF are also on the ground to beef up security in the province, thus the manpower on the ground is more than enough to control any situation that may arise in the province.”

Manzuc said security forces on the ground are taking the spread of threats very seriously and assured the people of Madang that their safety is guaranteed.

They started tightening up their operations yesterday to ensure the safety of all citizens including counting and election officials.

The Provincial Police Commander is appealing to the leaders and the public to support security forces during the counting period until all declarations are made.

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Sport

Squash shifts focus to doubles

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Team PNG’s squash trio, Madako Suari Jnr, Feanor Siaguru and Amity Alarcos will turn their attention to the Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles competitions at the Commonwealth Games.

Despite results not going their way over the weekend in the Men’s and Women’s Singles, head coach Marc Forster said there were still positives to take away from the performances of the three.

“Junior (Madako) needs to keep up the standard and keep solid. Youngsters Feanor and Amity will come away with an understanding now of what it takes to be a professional like the players they’re seeing here,” said Forster.

The Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles will start on Wednesday, August 3.

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Sport

Morea Snatches Silver for Team PNG

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Team PNG won its first silver medal yesterday (Saturday 30th July 2022) through weightlifting sensation Morea Baru at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The three-time Commonwealth Games sensation lifted 121kg in the Snatch and 152kg in the Clean and Jerk scoring a total lift of 273kg in the Men’s 61kg division finishing second to Malaysia’s Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin who scored 285kg. India won bronze with a total lift of 269kg.

This is the second time Baru has won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games, the last one was at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

“Morea Baru’s performance at Birmingham 2022 was brilliant. He put on a strong performance against the Commonwealth’s best and came home with a Silver Medal, putting Team PNG onto the medal tally,” said Team PNG’s Chef de Mission, Michael Henao.

 Baru’s quiet, humble demeanour continues to inspire Team PNG, and we join Morea, his family and all Papua New Guineans at home and across the world in congratulating Morea on this fantastic achievement”

In the Women’s category, our female champion Dika Toua took to the platform in what proved to be a highly competitive 49kg division missing out on a medal by a mere 1kg.

Toua lifted 74kg in the Snatch and 96kg in the Clean and Jerk, settling in with a total of 170kg.

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National Elections

Namah Keen to Form Government

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Vanimo Green-River member-elect, Belden Namah commended the Electoral Commission and Election Officials for conducting a free and safe election for the people of Vanimo-Green in West Sepik Province.

“I want to thank the Election Manager, Salote Kai and the Returning Officer for a successful election. There was no foul play in this election,” Namah said.

Namah thanked his supporters and reassured his commitment to form government this year after serving as the front man of the opposition in the last 12 years.

Re-elected member for Vanimo-Green, Beldan Namah, signing the writ after being declared

“12 years is enough; we will form Government. We will join our coalition partners and form Government,” Namah said.

Namah collected 10,213 votes in the 24th elimination after all ballots were exhausted.

Independent Candidate Eric Kowa was the runner up with 8,767 votes.

Namah is yet to reveal what party he will form a coalition; however, PNC remains an option given the history between him and PNC front man Peter O’Neill.

With the return of writs now extended to the 5th of August, the numbers game for forming government will be on show as elected members scramble to join the winning camp.

But for now, celebrations have already started in Vanimo as loyal Belden Namah supporters celebrate his fourth term in Parliament.

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National Elections

PRP Leader Retains North Fly Seat

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James Donald, re-elected for North Fly Open

People’s Reform Party Leader, James Donald has been re-elected for North Fly Open in the 2022 National General Election.

Donald was declared around 5:40pm (Thursday 28th July) by Returning Officer, George Papin at the Provincial Counting Centre in Kiunga.

He polled a total of 12,648 passing the absolute majority of 10,871+1 after the 20th exclusion.

First runner-up was independent candidate, Sam Bob Auwi with 9,092 votes.

MP Donald thanked all the voters for re-electing him as their leader.

“Let’s work together to develop our district and bring services that will benefit us all.” he said.

The North Fly MP signed his writ yesterday after being declared.

Donald is the first Western Province Member of Parliament to be declared and will be serving his second term in Parliament. He won the seat in 2017.

Meanwhile the PRP leader has indicated that he won’t be joining any political camps at the moment and will wait for other declarations to be made.

He said together they will move as possible coalition partners to form the next Government.

Meanwhile, elimination process for South Fly, Delta Fly and Middle Fly Districts are still in progress with declarations expected to be made over the weekend.

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Sport

Squash to hit the courts this weekend

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VETERAN, Madako Suari Jr and youngster, Feanor Siaguru from the sport of squash are set to take the courts come Friday and Saturday for Team PNG at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Suari will take to the court first in the Men’s Singles preliminary round at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre against Malaysia’s Mohammad Kamal on Friday, July 29 at 12:30pm local time (9:30pm PNG time).

Siaguru will go up against Lwamba Chileshe from New Zealand the same day at 7:45pm (Saturday 4:45am PNG time).

Amity Alarcos will play England’s Lucy Turmel on Saturday, July 30 at 12pm (9pm PNG time) in the Women’s Singles preliminary round.

“They’ve all got their work cut out for them,” said Head Coach, Marc Forster.

Forster added preparations have gone smoothly.

“They’re hitting the ball a little sweeter, a little harder, a little straighter, and their length is good. I think it’s just been really good hitting time for them and they’re starting to hit more of their targets.

“Since arriving it’s been all good, no problems. We’ve been putting in two sessions a day and hopefully they all can play as well as they can come Friday and Saturday.”

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