South Pacific Brewery on Thursday launched its Life Saving Commitments as part of the Company’s program commemorating the annual Global Safety Day, observed every year in April.

The soft launch saw Managing Director, Ed Weggemans, unveil SP Brewery’s revamped Safety Wall that captures the Company’s Life Saving Commitments, in Port Moresby.

A similar unveiling was done at the Lae Brewery, led by Brewery Manager, Stella Ikasa.

This year’s Global Safety Day celebration was an opportunity for staff to take time to:

• Remind ourselves of our commitment to Safety

• Reflect on opportunities to deliver continuous improvement and continue building a strong safety culture

• Role model Safety, through engagement with our teams and

• Celebrate advancement and success

This year’s celebration is special in that it coincided with the launch of SPB’s revamped twelve Life Saving Commitments (what was formerly known as Life Saving Rules).

To mark the day, several internal activities were organized, including, the distribution of LSC booklets to staff and staff pledging their commitment to upholding Safety at the workplace.

In light of recent illegal gambling busts by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (PNGICSA), a partnership has now been forged with the National Gaming Control Board to eradicate all forms of illegal gambling run by foreign nationals.

In February this year, the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority on a special operation with police busted 30 individuals of Asian origin, running cock fighting competitions in the jungles of Vanimo Green, West Sepik Province.

The workers from different companies placing bets of K1000 to K10 000.

Cock fighting is a brutal blood sport that encourages roosters to fight to their deaths.

Blood Sport is illegal in PNG.

The National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat such illegal activities and others in the country.

Under the Agreement, both organisations will collaborate on information sharing and effectively establish a framework to combat illegal activities and apprehend offenders who violate PNG laws.

NGCB Chief Executive Officer Imelda Agon said, the MOU will allow both organisations to conduct joint programmes and awareness to ensure businesses follow proper processes, and regulate and monitor existing business entities owned by foreign nationals or foreign nationals partnering with PNG nationals.

Agon said the Gaming Industry is being diversified and soon new games will be introduced in the country thus there is a need for prudent monitoring and regulation of businesses who are keen to venture or tap into gaming businesses.

“It is important that we strategically forge good working relationship with other government agencies and our partnership with PNGICSA is pivotal to combat illegal foreigners coming into our country and engaging in illegal gaming business and not paying their taxes to the PNG Government”, Agon said.

The Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau said ICA wants to work with all agencies to improve compliance and at the same time help each other to enforce their respective laws and generate revenue for the government.

“At ICA we are stepping up our efforts to close off all loopholes in our efforts to create a joint agency collaboration where information and intelligence can be managed conveniently for the sake of strengthening our domestic laws to ensure foreign nationals who do business in our country are compliant.

“And this MOU is based on this principal of information sharing and collaboration in areas of mutual interests,” Hulahau said.

The MOU now enables NGCB to request ICA to impose travel restrictions or alerts on persons of interest trying to travel out of the country, provide information on persons of interest, and conduct physical spot check operations and removal if necessary.

West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel says it is no secret the Province is facing unprecedented challenges with Law and Order.

Governor Muthuvel said there are a number of contributing factors as the Province host so many ethnic groups and cultures. He said although the police hierarchy is supported notably, the growing population is putting massive social pressure in communities.

“While there is ongoing bureaucratic intervention which the West New Britain Provincial Government has been working on to address, the point on our youths can be easily addressed and it starts at home,” said Governor Muthuvel.

He added that no child is destined to be a thief or thug, he believes the environment and upbringing influences a child’s behavior. Muthuvel said as parents, discipline starts at home to raise a child to be respectful, peaceful and good citizen and contribute meaningfully to the society.

“I appeal to our parents or those who intend to have children to teach them necessary values to be a good human being, “said Muthuvel.

The West New Britain Governor appealed to parents stating law and order starts at homes and parents play a vital role. Governor Muthuvel said to fix the on-going law and order in West New Britain is difficult and a collective effort is needed.

Meanwhile police operations at Gigo and Laleki saw the arrest of 167 men; 114 of whom are adults while the other 53 are youths and juveniles. All have been charged with fighting while those in possession of firearms and drugs will face extra charges.

WNB Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector John Iara said Police will also be checking their files for other crimes. PPC Iara is also appealing to the public to come forward with information on the deaths and arson during the fights.

PPC Iara confirmed that the fight has resulted in three (3) deaths while 14 houses were burnt down.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) observed ANZAC Day with a Dawn Service hosted in Tabubil.

A number of employees, contractors, local dignitaries and members of Papua New Guinea and Australian Defence Force attended the Dawn Service.

OTML General Manager People and Capability, Mark Stone, said the ANZAC tradition has inspired future generations and each year people pay homage to those who have died, were injured, or suffered in their service to their countries, including PNG.

“We remember with pride their courage, their passion, and their comradeship,” said Mr Stone.

Captain Tom Folley, of the ADF said it was an opportunity to reflect on the spirit of Anzac forged at Gallipoli and has continued in the jungles and mountains of PNG.

“We also remember the brave Papua New Guineans who, as part of the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment in World War II, fought alongside the Australians.

“The Australian Army was assisted by about 50,000 Papua New Guinean civilians who carried supplies, evacuated the sick and wounded, and built bases, airfields and other infrastructure.

“The service and sacrifice of these brave Papua New Guineans should never be forgotten,” he said.

OTML General Manager Processing, Greg Moore, recited the ANZAC Day poem while OTML Acting Chief Executive Officer, Kedi Ilimbit, was among those who laid wreaths.

Today is a day of remembrance that commemorates all Australians, New Zealanders and Papua New Guineans “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”.

Tabubil was among seven other centers, which hosted a dawn service in commemoration of Anzac Day.

Other centers included Port Moresby, Alotau, Popondetta, Kimbe, Rabaul, Wewak, Lae.

The Department of Personnel Management in collaboration with Treasury are conducting the Staffing and Establishment review to frame up the 2023 Personal Emolument Budget for the Whole of Government.

The Staffing and Establishment review is an annual gathering of government agencies prior to the start of the second quarter budget review.

The two-week conference which started yesterday (26.04.22) has seen the attendance of Government Agencies, Provincial Administrators, CEOs’ of Provincial Health Authorities, and relevant Human Resource and Management teams of the public service sector in Port Moresby.

DPM Director National Agencies, Ms Roselyn Wrakuavia said the conference is centered around information and data collected for the Personal Emolument Budget will be given to the Budget Steering Committee to be presented to the National Executive Council for Parliament Budget Lockdown.

All agencies, departments and offices will present to DPM and Treasury data relating to Approved Establishments and Staff on Strength.
These are;

1. Position Occupancy Register
2. Unattached Officer List
3. Short/Long term Suspensions List
4. Personal Details of Unattached/Excess Officers
5. Register of Officers for Retirement
6. Establishment & Staffing Matrix by Pay Grade
7. PE Expenditure Matrix by Pay Grade
8. Casuals paid from other sources
9. Establishment Cost Summary
10. Establishment Comparison Table
11. Copy of the Current Agency Corporate Plan
12. And Other PE related expenditure paid outside of the Ascender Pay System

Ms Wrakuavia said it is important for every government agency to take ownership and provide updated data so that they are included in the 2023 Budget appropriation.

“It is challenging when they fail to provide updated data, which forces DPM and Treasury to justify their data on estimate, using last year’s appropriation, with a 5 per cent increase,” said Ms Wrakuavia.

She added that the S&E conference is also important as it also identifies discrepancies in the government’s Ascenda Payroll system, which can be sighted and rectified.

“We hope to compile a well detailed data to help line agencies with the budget going forward for 2023,” said Ms Wrakuavia.

By Stanley Ove Jnr – Port Moresby

The people of Manus will now enjoy the luxury of a modern airport terminal.

Officially opened yesterday (25th April) by Prime Minister James Marape, the new Momote airport terminal stands out with its unique stingray inspired design – an ideal representation of the Manus people.

As part of the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP) – a joint partnership with the ADB and the National Government, a total of K101.9million was put into the project. The project works included improving the runway pavement, runway extension, power and water supply, airport market facility and the new terminal.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt acknowledged the partnership with ADB and thanked the landowners for allowing the project to run without any disruption. He said the airport rehabilitation project is a massive government investment and the people of Manus must embrace it fully.

“The sustainability and operation of this terminal will be determined by how you look after the terminal. It will not operate into the future if you do not look after it,” Minister Schnaubelt said.

The Minister also announced that all outstanding projects under the CADIP 1 program will conclude by the 2nd quarter of 2022, with the CADIP 2 to commence soon after in December.

“Under the CADIP 2 program, the government will look at revitalising a number of regional airstrips. This will open up our country and encourage economic growth,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape spoke about the number of opportunities this project will give to the people of Manus. He challenged them to go into spin-off businesses and generate revenue that can counter the K101.9million investment.

“The Government wants every province to be economically independent. I want to encourage my people of Manus, go into business and generate revenue. This can be achieved because now you have a new airport terminal that will bring more businesses into the province,” said PM Marape.

He said delivering enabling infrastructure is a priority of this Government and it will continue through with the CADIP 2 program. Other projects include the Connect PNG program which aims to connect missing road links in the country.

“We are committed to deliver these projects. We have to open up the country. We must connect our provinces,” Marape added.

The new state of the art facility has a VIP lounge, a spacious departure lounge with 139 seats, modern check-in counters with a conveyor belt for baggage, screening machines, toilet facilities and a kiosk.

Out of the K101.9million, K32million was put to building the stingray designed terminal.

By Rayon Lakingu, Port Moresby

The New Ireland Provincial government in Parnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) – a delivery partner of the Climate Change & Development Authority (CCDA) has launched New Ireland’s first-ever climate resilient plan and climate assessment report.

The climate resilient plan follows three years of consultations with local stakeholders, which started in late 2019.

The plan includes priority actions for the Province to adapt and mitigate climate change in the economic and social services sector with immediate long-term goals.

The plan will prioritize the building of climate resilience in the fisheries, agriculture, transport and energy sub-sectors.

“Working alongside New Ireland to assess its green growth potential, its climate vulnerability, and importantly, its plan to do something about it, has been a great learning curve for all stakeholders, and an experience like no other, for international inter-governmental organizations like GGGI,” said Sakiusa Tuisolia, Country Representative GGGI.

Seven members of the New Ireland Provincial Climate Change Committee (PCCC) were also sworn in.

These follows a Provincial Executive Council endorsement for the establishment of the PCCC.

The role of the committee is to coordinate efforts to combat climate change at the provincial level, communicate with the national Government on climate action, and provide climate-related advice for the benefit of communities of New Ireland.

New Ireland Provincial Administrator Lamillar Pawut in his remarks acknowledged all stakeholders for their contribution to the development of New Ireland’s climate resilient plan.

“It gives me great confidence to say that the launching of New Ireland’s climate resilient plan and assessment report, as well as the swearing-in of our PCCC members, is New Ireland’s response and contribution to the PNG Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs.