The People of the Ward 4 area of Numbo LLG, in the Yangoru Sausia District, Yesterday celebrated the opening of a new Primary School.

The Newly established Klewia Primary school will serve three villages in the area.

According to Local Ward Member Tony Wamahawa, people in the area have been walking long distance in search for school and better education.

This has caused many students to drop out of school.

This school will help minimize low illiteracy rate among youths in the area.

“With a total of K100, 000 funding support from the Yangoru Sausia District Development Authority, a two in one double classroom was built including a teacher’s house.” the local Ward Member said.

School inspector Maggie Kambaki said they have allocated to this school, and the school will be church run school, under the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA)

Local MP Richard Maru was satisfied with the work done the people to build this school.

He further committed a total of K50, 000 to build staff houses.

“There must be a proper plan for the future layout of the school.

“There must be a proper land development plan, so we can follow the plan to develop the school.” The local MP said.

He challenged the people to look after the school infrastructures and the teachers who will serving there.

The Newly established double classroom will cater for grades 1 and 2, while there are plans to build more classrooms.

The school is expected to commence enrollment next week.

Work has commenced on a new Road that will connect the people living in the Sepik Plains area.

The Newly constructed road from Bararat to Mindokum in the Sauso LLG of Yangoru Sausia District is a vital Road link that has been missing for many years.

Mindokum Community Leader Levi Kuaha said for many years, people have to walk long distances to access basic government services like health services.

“We have asked for assistance to help us build our roads, however nothing has been done.

“We have to walk with our cargoes every night to the main road, to catch a PMV to town.” Kuaha said.

The six kilometers Road was built at a cost of over K500 000.

However there is more to be done, to maintain this vital road link.

Local MP Richard Maru said many villages in the district are still not connected by Road, and many do not have health and education services.

He said, he is committed to ensure no one is left behind.

“The completion of this road is part of my commitment to ensure everyone in Yangoru Sausia has the same level of services.” Maru said.

The PNG Media and Creative Arts Industry Association (MACAIA) is concerned that more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists are being put out of their jobs.

In recognition of World Media Freedom Day Interim President, Tania Bale-Nugent in a statement stressed that the freedom of the media has been compromised and is slowly being ‘chipped away’.

“A free, fair, independent and unbiased media is essential to democracy as well as a free and fair national general elections.

“We have seen in recent years how the freedom of the media in PNG has been compromised and is slowly being chipped away.

“This is a great danger for the security of PNG as a democracy. It is concerning to see more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists being pushed out of their jobs.

“Sometimes we may not like messages that come out in the news but that does not mean we shoot the messenger,” Ms. Bale said.

The interim media union MACAIA was formed in February this year by more than 20 PNG journalists who were concerned about the massive sacking of journalists and cameramen who walked off their jobs in support of their editor who was sidelined from her job for allowing certain reports to be aired on a particular television broadcasting station. The management of the PNG TV station sacked the entire newsroom staff {24) following their protest over the sidelining of their editor on February 17, 2022.

PNGMACAIA was formed on the 27th of February, 2022 at the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) venue following the termination issue.

The group elected their interim executive as follows;

Tania Bale (N as Interim President, Harlyne Joku as Interim General Secretary and Jack Lapauve Jnr as Interim Treasurer.

Work has commenced on a new Road that will connect the people living in the Sepik Plains area.

The Newly constructed road from Bararat to Mindokum in the Sauso LLG of Yangoru Sausia District is a vital Road link that has been missing for many years.

Mindokum Community Leader Levi Kuaha said for many years, people have to walk long distances to access basic government services like health services.

“We have asked for assistance to help us build our roads, however nothing has been done.

“We have to walk with our cargoes every night to the main road, to catch a PMV to town.” Kuaha said.

The six kilometers Road was built at a cost of over K500 000.

However there is more to be done, to maintain this vital road link.

Local MP Richard Maru said many villages in the district are still not connected by Road, and many do not have health and education services.

He said, he is committed to ensure no one is left behind.

“The completion of this road is part of my commitment to ensure everyone in Yangoru Sausia has the same level of services.” Maru said.

The PNG Media and Creative Arts Industry Association (MACAIA) is concerned that more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists are being put out of their jobs.

In recognition of World Media Freedom Day Interim President, Tania Bale-Nugent in a statement stressed that the freedom of the media has been compromised and is slowly being ‘chipped away’.

“A free, fair, independent and unbiased media is essential to democracy as well as a free and fair national general elections.

“We have seen in recent years how the freedom of the media in PNG has been compromised and is slowly being chipped away.

“This is a great danger for the security of PNG as a democracy. It is concerning to see more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists being pushed out of their jobs.

“Sometimes we may not like messages that come out in the news but that does not mean we shoot the messenger,” Ms. Bale said.

The interim media union MACAIA was formed in February this year by more than 20 PNG journalists who were concerned about the massive sacking of journalists and cameramen who walked off their jobs in support of their editor who was sidelined from her job for allowing certain reports to be aired on a particular television broadcasting station. The management of the PNG TV station sacked the entire newsroom staff {24) following their protest over the sidelining of their editor on February 17, 2022.

PNGMACAIA was formed on the 27th of February, 2022 at the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) venue following the termination issue.

The group elected their interim executive as follows;

Tania Bale (N as Interim President, Harlyne Joku as Interim General Secretary and Jack Lapauve Jnr as Interim Treasurer.

Wau Police now have three new vehicles which they say will help them attend to law and order issues quickly.

The vehicles, ten-seater land cruisers, were funded by the Nakuwi Landowner Association of the Hidden Valley Mine at the cost of K1.2 million kina.

Chairman of the Association Rex Maori said the association priorities minimising law and order issues in Wau Town and has been supporting the police in Wau over the years.

Mr Maori said this is because law and order is almost non existent in Wau with deaths almost every. He said the association will continue to support the police into the elections.

The presentation of the vehicles was done last week in Wau Town Oval in the presence of the Deputy Chief Magistrate, Samson Tatakali, the Senior Provincial Magistrate,Pious Tapil, Assistant Commissioner of Police and APC for the Northern Command, Peter Guinness and the Provincial Police Commander, Jacob Singura.

In his address, Guinness urge the people of Wau to report any misuse of the vehicles directly to his office and to cooperate with the police especially during the election period.

Understanding the concept of why certain laws related to sexual assault have been done away with and the laying of right charges against offenders were two important areas discussed in a recent police workshop.

The three day workshop held at Sogeri, outside Port Moresby involved members of the Sexual Offences Sqaud and Police Prosecutors.

Over the last decade, police have recorded an increase in sexual violence against women and minors.

But at the court house, most sexual offences get thrown out because of a lack of police evidence.

The workshop hosted by Justice Services and Stability for Development aims to improve investigation and prosecution of sex crimes.

Lead Advisor, Tevita Seruilumi said workshop is a reflection on the work of SOS and to learn on some new areas where they can work as a group from prosecutions and investigations.

“Often when you do this work, it is not only exhaustive but also very traumatizing and impacts you,” said Mr. Seruilumi.

This is one of many initiatives under the PNG and Australian Partnership Program desired to improve access to justice and help protection of survivors of family and sexual violence.

Senior executives of Harmony Gold Mining have affirmed the company’s investment and commitment in Papua New Guinea.

This follows a visit by two of its executive team from Harmony’s offices in South Africa who had also met Prime Minister James Marape in recently in Port Moresby.

The team was led by Harmony’s Financial Director Boipelo Lekubo and Senior Group Executive Marian van der Walt who spoke highly of the company’s investment in and around Morobe province. “Harmony though its subsidiary companies own the Hidden Valley Mine and 50% of the Wafi Golpu project”, said Ms Lekubo.

Lekubo also announced that significant capital works associated with the Hidden Valley Mine life extension are presently underway and Harmony will continue to assess further investment opportunities in PNG.

As of 31 December 2021, the Hidden Valley Mine paid an aggregate K179.4 million in royalties. However, Ms Lekubo said with many in the industry are experiencing, stakeholders increasingly wish to understand what Harmony doing environmentally, socially and in terms of governance.

“Responsible Stewardship is a key pillar underpinning Harmony’s operating philosophy which is mining with purpose. The principles of sustainable development is embedded in our business”, said Ms Lekubo.

Lekubo also expressed that Harmony s proud to support PNG businesses including landowners. “We understand that preferential procument is a national imperative in countries like Africa and Papua New Guinea.

The Harmony Executive said, the mining company is committed to responding to climate change and has announced its plans to achieve Net Zero carbon emission by 2045. “This commitment will influence our energy choices and approach when developing the mine projects going forward”, said Lekubo.

The mining company pledged its support and encourage the Papua New Guinea Government to work together under this difficult economic times. Ms Lekubo said Harmony looks forward to concluding the permitting of the Wafi Golpu project to enable and create shared values for all stakeholders.