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.

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.

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.

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.

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.