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WNB sign MOU with NCC for Cultural Center

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The West New Britain Provincial Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Cultural Commission to embrace and sustain its cultural heritage in the Province.

The MOU will also see the establishment of a proper cultural center in the Province. This will also allow for proper planning of cultural shows and other activities. NCC will partner with the Province to ensure cultures, arts, and programs in West New Britain are protected.

Speaking at the signing, WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said the Province has one of the unique cultures and also attractive landmarks to develop and attract tourist to the Province. “This is also an effort to embrace our culture,” said Muthuvel.

According to NCC the MOU is one of the partnerships arrangements where NCC is looking to work with Province in the country to sustain arts and culture programs. The MOU will also allow the WNB provincial government to capture all cultural assets, resources, activities, events, facilities and other establishments in the province.

The signing makes West New Britain the fourth province to enter this partnership with NCC with Central, Milne Bay and Enga Provinces already signing similar arrangements.

Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard said this is exciting for WNB. He says the province is rich with diversity and unique cultures not forgetting historical sites and attractive flora and fauna. “The MOU will see many exciting things to develop, preserve and embrace the cultural heritage of the Province”, said Minister Leonard.

Minister Leonard also pledged a K1million for the construction of cultural center in Kimbe.

The MOU was signed between West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, Minister Leonard and National Cultural Commission Executive Director Steven Kilanda.

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News

Manus, NIP, AROB and WNB sign MoA with Works Department for Road Sector Reform

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West New Britain, New Ireland, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Manus Provinces have signed individual Memorandum of Agreements with the Works & Highways Department for the Road Sector Reform Implementation program.

The signing was done at the Department Conference Room last Friday. There to witness and officiate was the Minister for Works Michael Nali, Secretary David Wereh, WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin, Manus MP and Speaker Job Pomat and provincial administration of each province.

Works and Highways Minister Michael Nali said the MoA is a way forward to work with the Provinces to ensure roads are funded, maintained and rehabilitated on time. He said the signed MoA will see the Department decentralize powers including management function to sub-national road authorities to manage their own road networks.

“This is a reform carried out by the Department through an Act of Parliament (Road Management Act 202) for Provincial Administrations to see a sealing of about K600million to assist Provinces ensure better roads are built and maintained,” said Minister Nali.

“It’s a long road but we have to start somewhere,” said Nali.

The signing will allow sub-national road authorities to effectively managed its agencies in the road sector to have clear defined roles and most importantly the legal authority to perform their legislative and policy functions.

The transfer of powers from DOW involves political decentralization, administrative, financial and procument decentralization to provinces.

The MOA signed is a Performance Agreement Pact that will push provinces to be responsible and implement the National Government’s medium term road sector targets in relation to their road network there by increasing productivity of investment in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism sectors of the local and national economy.

WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said road is a key priority but work on most roads are delayed by systems of Government. He said the MoA will now give powers to Provincial authorities to ensure roads are fixed and done on time according to plan and budget.

East New Britain is now the only Province in the NGI Region yet to sign the agreement with Works. The Highlands, Momase and Southern Region will be scheduled to sign their respective MoA with Department of Works and Highways in the coming week.

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Education

UOG Maprik Campus Hosts Inaugural Graduation

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A pastor is among four University of Goroka (UOG) students who graduated from the UOG Maprik Campus on Friday.

Pastor Benjamin Silingin graduated with Bachelor of Education in School Management alongside fellow students Micah Stanley, Noel Nahambir and Alfred Gai through UGO’s Distance and Flexible Learning, Maprik Study Center.

They are now the pioneer graduates of the campus since it’s establishment in 2019.

The other three are community school teachers.

Stanley Micah is from Kubalia and is teaching at Yangoru District.

Noel Nahambir is from Drekikir and teaching in his Electorate.

Alfred Gai is from Angoram and is teaching at Turubu.

Speaking on behalf of the four graduands, Pastor Benjamin thanked the Maprik District Development Authority (DDA) for it’s decision to build a resource center and bringing in Universities to set up Distance and Flexible Learning.

He said this decision has allowed them to not only excel in their education but respective field of work.

“It is a sign of good governance.

“Thank you for the gift of education, we are truly blessed,” Pastor Benjamin said.

Director UOG-Maprik Campus Theresa Dingu said it was crucial the graduation ceremony was held in Maprik Town to encourage others to pursue this education path.

“I was asked to bring the students to Goroka to graduate with all the students at the main campus, but I refused.

“It was crucial the gowns were brought here and the graduation takes place in Maprik Town.”

She also extended her gratitude to the Maprik District DDA to allow UOG the opportunity to extend it’s Distance and Flexible Learning Center in Maprik.

UOG was the first university to accept the district’s invitation to set up at it’s newly built resource center.

CEO Maprik DDA Joshua Himina explained that the resource center was built to give another opportunity for students who have dropped out of Grade 8, 10 and 12.

Following the completion of the resource center, the DDA provided office spaces for FODE and University Centres.

Today, the resource center houses Distance and Flexible Learning Centres for University of Goroka, University of Papua New Guinea, PNG University of Technology and Divine Word University.

Himina said the dream to give the people of Central Sepik another chance in education and bring tertiary institutions closer to home was a dream of the Local MP and the DDA.

The resource center was built from a K1.5 million Government funding through the Department of National Planning.

“Each District was given K1.5million to build education resource centers.

“Maprik District has done exactly that and is currently serving 5000 students who are enrolled in various programs,” Himina said.

Chairman of the DDA and Member for Maprik, John Simon congratulated the DDA CEO for bringing their vision into reality and the first graduation.

Extending his congratulations to the graduating students, Simon encouraged them to not only use their degrees to find employment but also create employment.

“Let’s create jobs for ourselves, let us create employment,” he said.

The Minister for Agriculture believes Education is key for his people to make informed decisions in Agriculture.

The economy of Maprik District was built on Agriculture and depends heavily in Agriculture.

The graduation ceremony took place in the newly built Community Hall which was also officially opened on Friday by Agriculture Minister John Simon.

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News

Onglo: Security contigency teams have been deployed to Hela

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Police Minister, William Gogl Onglo says security contigency teams have been deployed to Hela as of yesterday in light of the current situation which includes a squad from Mendi (yesterday) and a Mobile Unit from Mt Hagen (today).

The Minister strongly condemns the killing of reservist officer by the criminals.

“I do, in strongest term possible, condemn the attack by the warlords and eventually the killing of a reservist Police Officer.”

“We need to respect the rule of law and maintain our conduct as responsible citizens but these barbarians feel they are above the law and can take the life of an innocent policemen who was just doing his job”

The incident was understood to have stemmed from a gun battle between police and men from Kupari village when Policemen from the Mobile Squad 9 unit went to Kupari village for a peace mediation.

The National Executive Council in its meeting today endorsed for early security operations in the entire region leading up to 2022 National General Elections.

Minister Onglo said the security team comprising of both Police and Military personnel would patrol the region including Tari to help contain the situation before things gets out of hand.

He also noted that some mobile squad units from other centres were on their way to Tari in light of the incident.

“We (Government) had a quick cabinet meeting today and I asked for an early call out operation to include the Military and its approved,” says the Minister.

” All the security forces are being mobilised as we speak to patrol the entire highlands region” added the Minister

“We want to see investigations and arrests, we want law breakers and warlords to be dealt with the full force of the law. We must contain the lawlessness.” stressed the Minister.

The Minister concluded by saying with the NEC approval for a call out, both the Police and Military will work hand in hand to curb lawlessness as well as gearing up for the security operations for the National Elections until Dec 31, 2022 under the Election Security Operations Budget.

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Business

PNG Air on the Way to Celebrating 35 Years of Service

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Three long serving employees of PNG Air have proudly spoken of their early days with the airline when it began operations in 1987.

They include acting CEO Stanley Stevens, Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Pitt and Lae Sales and Reservations Manager, Jennifer Ahab.

“We are pleased to be able to share this anniversary announcement today. The airline is pleased to have many long serving staff still with us and will be highlighting their stories throughout the year of celebrations,” said acting CEO Stevens.

In announcing the airline’s 35th year of service today, PNG Air announced a K35 reduction for all tickets bought starting from (today) March 30th to 8th April 2022 for travel between 25th April to 5th June 2022.

For Jennifer, she began her career with PNG Air as the first female load master some 25 years back before moving to Lae to manage the Nadzab Office in the year 2000.

“I have since been looking after the Lae Sales Team and I am proud to be an employee of PNG Air”, she said.

PNG Air commenced operations on 30th June 1987. It was registered as Milne Bay Airlines (MBA) by founder late Sir John Wild Snr. (Sir MBA).

In 2001 it changed its name to Airlines PNG and again in 2015 rebranded to PNG Air.

The airline has grown over the years with introduction of new air crafts like ATR 72-600 and expanded its services throughout Papua New Guinea.

Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Pitt said, to commemorate the airlines 35th anniversary, a logo for this specific occassion will set the bench mark for activities the airline company plans to do throughout the year.

“The logo is a representation of all the distinct elements of our livery represented through the Bird of Paradise,” said Mr. Pitt.

PNG Air customers are advised to use the promotion code ‘PNGAIR35’ when doing bookings.

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News

PFP Endorses Two Women Candidates

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People First Party leader and Yangoru Saussia MP, Richard Maru said imagine a society without women and girls. That society will be no more.

Maru made these remarks when announcing the endorsement of Kessy Sawang who will be contesting Rai Coast Open and Lucy Siki Aiya who will be contesting the Kavieng Open Seat.

Both women contested in 2017 National Elections finishing third and sixth respectively.

Ms Sawang’s professional experiences are in Tax/Revenue Policy And Adminstration as former Deputy Commissioner of PNG Customs and Head of Tax Review at the Treasury Department.

For Ms Siki Aiya, she is involved in the private sector being an SME Owner herself.

Their experiences are in line with the party’s vision which is to see Papua New Guinea become economically independent and self reliant by 2032.

Maru said PFP is a small party recently re-activated after 10 years of dormancy.

“Our aim is to have our foot in the door in 2022 by bringing home two women candidates who we think have chances of winning,” Maru said.

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Sport

POMRFL to commence 73rd Season

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73 years of uninterrupted rugby league is a proud statement, Port Moresby Rugby Football league (POMRFL) established in 1949 as Papuan Rugby League (PRL) is gearing up for this years 73rd season, dispite setbacks by COVID-19 in the past two years, the league has been able to run competitions and hold grand finals in each of its three divisions, despite having two clubs the Brothers and Souths serving a 5 year ban over breach of competition guidelines in 2021, only 12 clubs to remain, the leagues administration says no new clubs are expected to join the competition in 2022.

“That is an obvious question by POMRFL followers, but at this stage No! we are running with 12 clubs, one of the reasons is because the 2 clubs are not banned for life.

“They were banned for five years, they can always comeback and reclaim thier place in the competition”. This was cleard by Meke Maino the POMRFL Administrator.

Teams are definitely preparing for the start of the season, with the annual preseason nines ending tommorrow on Sunday with a total budget of K20,000 allocated for the preseason, the money is a remainder from the 2021 sponsorship deal with SP Brewery, the brewery has maintained uninterrupted sponsorship for the past 68 years since 1953, the 6th of May is slated for the start of this years POMRFL proper season.

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Politics

New Coalition to Provide Alternatives

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Papua New Guineans will head to the polls in June to vote in the National Elections.

The current situation of soaring inflation and the recent passing by parliament to create seven new districts are hot topics heading into the national general election.

Representatives of the Civil Society groups and the Trade Union Congress have always been critical of issues affecting the lives of the working class and the common man.

Last week at a media conference representatives of Civil Society groups and the Trade Union Congress announced a coalition dubbed the “Save the Future Coalition” they are banding together to collectively find solutions to present to the Government and the Opposition concerning hardships faced by society.

Activist Noel Anjo is part of the group that is set to be launched this Thursday at a public event.

“On the 31st of this month we will have the formation of the group Save the Future Coalition to provide solutions and alternatives to the Government in line with the Governments slogan of take back PNG, we will invite Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader” Anjo said.

The launching of the coalition will be at the Unagi Oval in Port Moresby and the public will get the chance to hear of the alternatives and solutions to be presented to Government by the group.

Acting General Secretary of the PNG Trade Union Congress Anton Sekum says the people of Papua New Guinea must head to the polls well informed about issues affecting the country.

Sekum highlighted that the increase in the nation’s debt was a cause for concern and the public needs to know the facts.

He said PNG’s debt overseas by the Government is estimated to be close to K60 billion.

“The national debt level is something we cannot continue to ignore; people must be made aware who is responsible for the debts and what decisions it took to pile on this debt.” Sekum said.

A cause of concern was also thrown into the mix with Sekum questioning why laws were being passed to increase the number of districts in the country during the eve of elections.

“The level of legislation amendments being passed on the floor of parliament is questionable; has due process been done?

“I am not sure how far and wide the consultations were but adding districts is adding on costs, in these difficult times.

“Due processes in passing legislation must be followed; how can it be done within just 24 hours or even 72 hours, to whose benefit are these legislations being smuggled through parliament, without necessary public consent,” Sekum added.

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Politics

ULP and PPP Endorse Candidates for 2022 NGE

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United Labour Party (ULP) has endorsed two candidates in West New Britain to contest the 2022 National General Elections.

ULP Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil flew to the oil palm capital to officially announce the candidates.

The contesting ULP candidates are Phillans Wai and Blaise Dau.

Phillans Wai will contest the Nakanai Open seat.

Nakanai Open was recently created by Parliament following the passing of the Electoral Boundary Commission Report last week.

Former AOG Pastor, Blaise Dau was also endorsed today by the ULP leader during the opening of a Haus Man Project at Buvusi Section 3.

Dau will contest the Talasea Open seat.

ULP Leader Sam Basil said ULP is pleased to announce and declare the two candidates as the 2022 National General Elections nears.

Basil said ULP will provide the necessary policy framework and promote party policies as a guide for Wai and Dau.

“ULP is your party, these are your leaders, vote wisely for a better future”, said Basil.

Phillans Wai is an accountant by profession previously attached with the Finance Department in Port Moresby but resigned from official duties last year.

The two candidates had also contested in the last National General Elections in 2017.

Meanwhile People’s Progress Party has also announced the endorsement of some of its candidates contesting in various seats around the country.

Recently PPP endorsed 38-year-old Amunge Una for the Tewai Siassi Open and female candidate, Dr Joy Traverz for the South Fly Open seat.

PPP has also announced the endorsement of businessman John Knox and John Paska for the Kavieng Open seat.

Former Namatanai MP, Byron Chan was also endorsed with John Merebo, both will contest the Namatanai Open seat while Sir Julius will defend the Governor seat.

The announcement of PPP candidates was witnessed by Governor Sir Julius Chan and the Party President.

So far 33 intending candidates have enlisted with the People’s Progress Party to contest the 2022 National Elections.

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International

PM Marape Accepts Invitation to Visit Indonesia

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Prime Minister James Marape has accepted an invitation by Indonesian President, Joko Widodo to visit the Republic of Indonesia.

He departs the country tomorrow for a two-day visit (30th March to 1st April 2022).

Marape said when he meets with President Widodo tomorrow, he will be proposing for a tri-partite arrangement between PNG, Indonesia and Australia.

Marape’s trip is aimed at elevating the bi-lateral relationship between the two countries in the Trade and Commerce sectors.

“I am taking a business delegation with me on this trip – key people from the business community and our trade and investment sectors,” Marape said.

Marape further said the tri-partite arrangements will be the key point among other discussions where we have the three nations interfacing on key matters such as mutual security, border protection, trade and others.

“Indonesia is a big economy that we have been underutilizing in the past. A nation of 270 million people in the top 15 economies globally speaking and very soon will be in the top 10 economies.

“It is forecast that Indonesia will have a high growth rate. PNG cannot just have a stiff border against Indonesia. We are culturally linked; we are linked by landmass and by sea. Indonesia is amongst the closest neighbors we have.”

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