Nambawan Savings and Loans Society (NSLS) has created two new products aimed at encouraging more Papua New Guineans to own a house and save for tertiary education.

The products launched on Friday are the “Housing Saver” and “Tertiary Education Saver”.

The Housing Saver is a special purpose savings account designed to encourage members to save to cater for their minimum bank financing equity requirement or where they have land and require finance to build on.

The minimum fortnightly contribution is K300.

Members who save under this saver account, will only access the funds after 36 months or three (3) years.

The Tertiary Education Saver on the other hand is designed to meet financial needs of existing and potential members that wish to save for themselves or their families tertiary expenses.

The minimum fortnightly contribution is K100.

The funds are accessible after two years.

Both products will see a 5% annual interest on savings.

Members who wish to utilize these two new accounts to save can visit any NSLS branch or Nambawan Super branches nationwide.

NSLS CEO John Solok said with the tagline “Savim Moni, Stretim Sindaun”, their products and services focuses on contributing to the improvement of their members and their immediate families quality of life.

“We are trying to encourage more young people to join savings and loans.

“Such products we’re launching is really geared towards young people to make their life easier,” Solok said.

One-Hundred and Fifty-five Police Reservists concluded an intensive six-week training with a passing out parade at the Bomana Training College in Port Moresby.

The recruits underwent training on the history of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, Community Policing, and basic investigation and prosecution as part of their training to assist the regular police force maintain law and order.

The Reservists in their distinctive uniform, long blue pants and grey collar shirts are set to take part in their first major task; providing security during the National General Elections that are set to begin with the Issue of Writs on the 28th Of April 2022.

Police Commissioner, David Manning made a decision to bring back the reserve branch of the Constabulary but with proper coordination and control to assist deliver a free, fair and safe 2022 Election. He said this during the launch of the 10-year RPNGC Corporate Plan last year.

Australia has also assisted through the PNG-Australia partnership by providing among others, administrative and technical support to the Reservists program.

Families of the Reservists were at Bomana today to witness the passing out of their family members who have joined the reservist program.

Among the new recruits is PNG Weightlifter and Commonwealth Gold Medalist, Dika Toua. She believes this is a pathway to becoming a regular police officer after her sporting career.

To mark National Women’s Day on Papua New Guinea’s national calendar, NCD Council of Women invited aspiring women leaders for a dialogue at the National Museum and Arts Centre in Port Moresby.

NCD Council of Women is part of the National Council of Women adopted on the 24th of March 1979, through an Act of Parliament led by the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.

The small yet significant event saw five (5) aspiring women leaders come together to talk on issues affecting women in the country.

These women have made their mark in their own respects, particularly in the areas of Governance in both public and private sectors, the business space, and the media industry.

Lucielle Paru, in the space of business and a human rights activist, Sylvia Pascoe, a businesswoman with management background, Michelle Hauofa with background in the private sector in the area of governance, Tania Bale, renowned media personnel both in domestic and international television broadcast and Anna Bais, in the space of governance, former secretary of the Department of Community Development.

The dialogue looked at three main areas, security, services and opportunities.

With the National Women’s Day theme being “Recognizing Women’s Voices in Decision Making” the dialogue pointed out one main point of discussion, the lack of women in politics.

“In every other area, we have progressed and are progressing, but in the area of women in politics, we have regressed,” said Anna Bais.

Pictures: Courtesy of Creative Capture

Since their departure from home several weeks ago, there have been doubts on the wage by families and friends of those who went to Australia.

Michael Navuru who is part of the team said it’s a normal process.

He said it is due to the upfront payment that was made available for the workers to settle in.

These includes international airfare, 403 Visa Application, four weeks bond and first two weeks rent, Q Fever, Drug test, mobile phones ($120) plus Cash Advance ($280).

The amount of money deducted differs depending on the cost at the time of purchase.

MKA Consultant Elsie Joseph, facilitating the MK Labour Mobility Program also confirmed this.

“Yes, its part of the contract they sign.

“The deductions are shown clearly and is

over a period of time, thus deductions are minimal.”

Despite several criticisms, the workers have settled in well and are following due processes until all reimbursements are settled.

Michael and his colleagues are calling on families and friends back home not to be misled by social media.

“Honestly, we are fed up with all the speculation that is going on in social media.”

“We are facing the situation, and we will tell you how it is like here, so you guys should ask us,” Michael said.

The United States Embassy today officially re-opened its newly renovated American Corner inside the National Library, in Port Moresby.

The American Corner was established nine years ago in partnership with the National Library to allow Papua New Guineans to learn about the United States and its support to the Pacific.

United States Ambassador to PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Ambassador Erin McKee and the Director National Library, Robert Yalip cut a ribbon to signify the reopening.

Ambassador McKee said nine years ago this month, the U.S. Embassy and the National Library forged a partnership to bring America and PNG closer together.

“The embassy provides computers, books, and free internet to ensure that Papua New Guineans have access to accurate news about the United States and the world, free from false narratives.

“The National Library, in exchange, provides us with this incredible space and more importantly, two coordinators who oversee a robust variety of programs.

She said Papua New Guineans can enter for free, search for scholarships, apply for jobs, attend workshops, or improve their knowledge and skills through the US programs.

“American Corners are gateways for audiences to learn about American society, culture, and values.

“And America and PNG have so much in common, it is no surprise that we have such a strong partnership and a robust American Corner.

“Our two democracies share a vision where citizens have free access to information, freedom of speech, and freedom to vote.

McKee pointed out that America and PNG are working together to form a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“We have opened the door to cooperation and collaboration, and PNG has freely chosen to partner with us.

“The American Corner is a symbol of that collaboration,” McKee said.

The Director National Library, Robert Yalip thanked the US Embassy for its commitment to educating Papua New Guineans through resources available in the American Corner.

Pictures: Courtesy of US Embassy Communications Team.

After two and a half years in Port Moresby, Ambassador Erin McKee, the United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu is leaving.

Ambassador McKee announced today that she will be departing PNG in a few weeks for her next assignment.

“I’m leaving knowing that all three countries are in a better position to prosper than when I arrived.

“We fulfilled our promise to engage on issues of health, prosperity, security, and our many shared values.

“We fulfilled our promise to promote gender equality and rule of law.

“We fulfilled our promise to level the playing field and equip women and men with the tools they need to succeed.”

She said together, America and PNG are providing opportunities to all people.

“That’s what democracies can and must do,” McKee said.

She said although she is sad to be leaving, the United States is expanding their presence in the region and is here to stay.

Apart from renovating the American Corner at the National Library, they are also building the new US Embassy.

“The New Embassy, which is nearing completion, symbolizes the United States’ strengthened and enduring partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, while advancing U.S.-Pacific commitment to prosperous, inclusive, secure, and democratically empowered societies,” McKee said.

Prime Minister, James Marape announced that the Bank of Papua New Guinea has recorded the highest levels of foreign exchange ever.

He made the announcement in parliament that BPNG made more than K10 billion, amidst the international crisis brought about by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Marape revealed this in Parliament when answering a question from NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, on whether PNG had sufficient forex for fuel importers, particularly Puma Energy which runs the Napanapa Refinery.

“At this point in time, Bank of PNG has more foreign reserves than it has ever had, more so for the last 10 years,” he said.

“Today, we have got K10 billion-plus, or about US$3 billion sitting in our foreign reserves.

“This means that important customers like Puma, and others who need forex, should have easy access now to US dollars for their purchases.”

The Prime Minister said if Puma had problems accessing foreign reserves to bring in fuel, they should see Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey or himself, to assist.

“This is so that in these tough times, we don’t have queues (for forex), or shortage of fuel in our country,” he said.

On the question of whether Napanapa could source oil from Kutubu in Southern Highlands, PM Marape said Kutubu had fixed contracts, but could attend to domestic market obligations as well.

“As you know, Kutubu Crude has export contracts to it, but this is something that we are looking at going forward into the future,” he said.

“That is why this Government has already been aggressive in the domestic market obligation side of gas, so that we move into the space of downstream.

“Downstream processing is something that we have overlooked in our country for many, many years, but we are now moving to get more from our oil and gas so that we Move into downstream processing.

“This is so that in the future we are not so dependent on imported items like fuel, we are not dependent on external market forces, where a price rise means rise in prices in our domestic economy.”