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.