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Rayon Lakingu

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Education

New FODE Center for Gulf

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Education

The Gulf Provincial Government has partnered with the Education Department to establish a Flexible and Open Distance Education (FODE) center in Gulf Province.

The new FODE center project will be supervised by the FODE Division of the Education Department and it will be built in Kerema town.

It will consist of libraries, conference rooms and staff houses, and will cater for students from the province who have to travel long distance to Port Moresby to receive their FODE materials and attend classes.

In a small ceremony held at the FODE center in Port Moresby, a total of K1 million cheque was presented by Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta, to the Education Department to build the FODE center.

The Gulf Governor said he is fully supportive of the department’s initiative to ensure FODE students in the country receive the same level of guidance and tuition as students attending mainstream education.

“The level of literacy, the standard of education and the level of infrastructure is not all that great, and FODE is the best alternative for my province,” the governor said.

The Deputy Secretary for Education, Walipe Wingi said the FODE system is the biggest government open learning institution in the country.

Realizing its growth over the years, from College of Distance Education or CODE to Flexible Open Distance Education, or FODE, it is now a division of its own, under the education department.

He said the system has been realigned into the mainstream education system, where students are taught the same units, and sit for the same national examinations.

“It is now for us to convince the people that FODE is no longer the same. The curriculum is realigned to the mainstream education, we are going towards one examination, one certification.

”We are looking for opportunities where provinces must with us.” the deputy secretary said.

The deputy secretary thanked the Gulf provincial government for their support, and assured the people of Gulf that they will ensure this project comes to fruition.

He also confirmed that the department has committed K500, 000 for this project.

“FODE has been very good, to hold onto that money, until the provincial government comes on board. I assure you that we will deliver this project.” Wingi said.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/fode-services-to-use-online-platform/

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News

Lack of Access to Water

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Water Problems in June Valley

Access to clean and safe drinking water remains a challenge for average Papua New Guineans living in Port Moresby.

Mary Kemo is a resident of June Valley, Dorido Maba street, Moresby North-West electorate. She says the water supply to her house was disconnected eight years ago. Despite this, she still receives water bills worth hundreds of kina.

“I have received an invoice of K523.00 for the month of June, 2023. What am I going to do with these bills when I don’t receive any water? Are we going to pay them?” said Kemo.

She is forced to send her children to school without preparing a proper meal. Often times, they don’t take water for drinking.

Kemo and others in the community go to Paul Babo’s house to fetch water. “People from Dorido Maba street have been coming to my house to fetch water. I offer it to them free of charge, as it is a basic necessity,” said Babo.

However, even Mr. Babo experiences low water pressure at his residency.

Seeing water supply being installed for people in the Moresby-South electorate, the community at June Valley is now calling on Water PNG and the Moresby North-West District office to install water supply.

Kemo’s challenge is also faced by other mothers in the area. “Sometimes we are out at night, fetching water and storing them in containers for our children to use in morning,” said Kemo.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/edevu-hydropower-dam-opens/

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News

COASTAL VILLAGES RECEIVE BANANA BOATS

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Coastal Villages in Sandaun Province recently received eight Banana Boats, outboard motor engines together with fishing and safety gears, from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as part of the EU STREIT Programme.

The new equipment aims to help improve the livelihood and well-being of communities who mainly depend on coastal fishing. And also to drive sustainable development of agri-food value chains, improve diets, enrich nutrition, and support food security in rural communities.

They were handed over to coastal and island fishing groups in Vanimo-Green and Aitape-Lumi districts of Sandaun Province.

The recipient groups were selected based on a criteria agreed upon, between the Provincial Fisheries and Marine Resources Office and the EU-STREIT PNG programme.

Before the handover of the boats, FAO have also coordinated a capacity development training for boat skippers and crews.

The training covers basic operations of the engines including health and safety operations.

FAO Fisheries Office Mohammed Zakir said, “Banana boats are an essential means of transportation for the coastal and island people of the Sepik Region.”

“The programme is committed to facilitating the access of fishing communities to markets and assisting them in improving existing transport safety and equipment.”

“This intervention will help to sustainably increase the catch and profitability of fish business, while also contributing significantly to food security and nutrition at the household level,” Zakir said.

Angela Passingan, who is the Chairlady of BAMA Women’s Group of Ulau Village, located along the coastline of Aitape East LLG, was one of the recipients.

She said these boats will help villagers, especially women, children and youths with the supply of fish for protein or to sell to earn an income.

Acting District Administrator for Aitape Job Tomur also thanked the European Union through the STREIT PNG Programme for this support.

“We must use these boats to catch more fish, transport to market and sell to make more money because there is money in fish that can contribute to grow our economy here,” the Acting District Administrator said.

The support by FAO also includes major investment in developing the capacity of the beneficiaries. As well as the introduction of improved techniques, equipment and facilities for better production, processing and marketing of fish among fishing communities.

Related: https://insidepng.com/funds-for-major-projects-in-west-sepik-province/

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News

OTDF SUPPORTS SEA TIME TRAINING FOR CADETS

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OTDF

Two New Cadets of Sea Time Training, from Western Province have been inducted into the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Maritime Scholarship Program, in Kiunga Recently.

The cadets, Jacklyn Jeremiah and Sailas Waimona, will now embark on a 24 month Journey, of sea time training aboard P&O vessels.

The training Program is part of OTDF Maritime Scholarship Program, which is delivered in Partnership with Ok Tedi Mining Limited and P&O Maritime Limited.

The Program which commenced in 2013, aims to build human capacity in Western Province while fostering career growth in the maritime industry.

The two cadets were part of the 2022 batch of applicants selected for this Scholarship Program.

They were inducted into the program at the P&O Maritime Kiunga office, by P&O Maritime Health and Safety officer, Superintendent Leo Gideon, and staff from OTDF.

During the induction, Superintendent Gideon highlighted the company’s commitment to safety across its global operations.

The Cadets were also briefed on the P&O Maritime Code of Business Conduct (COBC), which outlines the standard procedures and rules governing their daily operations.

“This induction exercise, serves as a practical guide for maintaining professional relationships with business partners, customers, employees, and communities.” Superintendent Gideon said.

OTDF Program Services Sustainable Manager Andrew Mari said the OTDF Maritime Scholarship Program is open to eligible individuals from Western Province.

“This program presents a remarkable chance for participants to cultivate their maritime careers, enhance interpersonal skills, establish valuable networks, and achieve career goals,” Mari said.

He also encouraged the cadets to become ambassadors for their districts, families, and OTDF, with the aspiration of one day captaining a vessel navigating the Fly River.

Related: https://insidepng.com/otdf-observes-world-environment-day/

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KAMALI BIBLE TRANSLATION PROJECT

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The people of Kamali Village in the Rigo District of Central Province recently celebrated the launching of the Kamali Bible Translation Project.

The project is an initiative of the Kamali United Church and the People of Kamali Village to translate the bible into the Kamali language.

They believe the people will better understand God’s words in their own language.

“We believe that this translation is very important to us, will have an impact on the lives of people, strengthen church growth and also encounter Jesus as their personal savior.

“We believe that this translation will help people to understand God more clearly in their own language,” Kamali Bible Translation Project Chairman Willie Porau said.

Following the launching, there will be more consultation with the PNG Bible Translation Association, with a framework to be established.

The framework is a guide on how to go about completing this project.

The PNG Bible Translation Association will be supporting this project with training programs for the translators who will be involved in this project.

“Our part as BTA is to manage the translation. Whatever update, whatever that you are doing, we must be aware on our end.” A PNG BTA Rep said.

The BTA Rep also explained that they will support them in any training that they need, however they will meet the cost of all training.

“Most of our translators are trained in our head quarters in Ukarumpa, in Aiyura Eastern Highlands Province, but some training will be held here just to equip our translators.” he said.

There are also plans in place for a one book workshop to be hosted in September, where participants will be trained on how to better translate the bible into the Kamali vernacular.

During the workshop, they will focus on translating the book of Ruth, with the new testament to be translated after the workshop.

Though it is a challenging exercise, the church is privileged to have the support of the people of Kamali, church pastors, Rigo District and the PNG Bible Translation Association.

The Chairman says it is through team work, that will help them achieve their goal of translating the New Testament of the Bible.

The PNG BTA Rep also urged the people of Kamali to support translators who will be working on their bible.

“Look after your translators, take care of them, just your pastors.”

Related: https://insidepng.com/rigo-rice-supports-domestic-rice-demand/

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RAPID POPULATION GROWTH A CONCERN

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Population growth has increased considerably since the last census was conducted, and has placed even greater pressure on the government to deliver essential services.

Labour and Employment Minister Kessy Sawang made this statement last week, when announcing the release of the population estimates for 2021.

She commended the National Statistical Office, UNFPA and the Australian Government for supporting this initiative, saying with the population estimates for 2021 now available, it is time to conduct the population and household census.

“I am pleased that the Minister for Finance and Implementation, Rainbo Paita has confirmed that this will be done next year,” Sawang said.

Labour and Employment Minister Kessy Sawang on Population Growth
Labour and Employment Minister Kessy Sawang

Population data is of vital importance, as it helps the government make budget plans on how and where to spend government funding, to achieve minimum standards of services such as health and education, and infrastructure services.

“This data allows informed consideration of the redrawing of electoral boundaries, assessment of the conduct of the last general elections and even fiscal equalisation grants from national to subnational government,” Sawang added.
However, the Minister was alarmed at the implied average annual rate of population change of 4.9% between 2011, when the last Census was conducted and 2021.

“An average annual population growth of 4.9% places Papua New Guinea amongst the fastest growing population in the world.”
The minister further added that her Ministry has commenced using the population estimates to better understand the labour market and employment.

“Our country has a significant challenge to deal with a rapidly growing young population and that this is now an even greater priority. The implications of the new population growth rate for economic growth are stark it reveals that average income per person, after adjusting for inflation, has been falling since 2016,” Minister Sawang said.

Average income per person outside of the mineral and petroleum sectors has been falling for even longer, since 2012.

Using the 2023 National Budget forward estimates, which are conservative, the outlook is for this to continue over the period up to 2027.

The Labour Minister said if this trend is not reversed we will not meet the targets and aspirations in our development plans and strategic goals leaving people with a poorer quality of life.

“This underscores the need to implement the MTDP IV carefully and in a coherent and robust manner to achieve its goals of moving our economy onto a higher, inclusive and sustainable growth path,” Sawang added.

The minister said this must be a call to action.

“We must urgently reinvigorate and concentrate our efforts to create income and jobs, especially for our young adults and for women. We need to grow our economy outside of the mineral and petroleum sectors as only they can provide the opportunities to absorb the large number of our youths.”

The minster also highlighted the need to support private sector growth, to provide more job opportunities.

“We can do this by lowering the cost of doing business and providing coherent, sensible and stable policies,” Sawang said.

“I will seek stronger coordination with my fellow Ministers to advance appropriate education, training and skills development programs that will prepare our people to enter the formal workforce and that will build national productivity to lift economic growth.”

Recent: https://insidepng.com/appeal-on-lae-kabwum-road-project/

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Agriculture

MARKET ACCESS FOR REMOTE COCOA FARMERS

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Cocoa farmers from a remote community living along the Sepik River are now connected to the leading cocoa industry players in the country and overseas and receive a premium price for their quality cocoa products.

With support from the EU-STREIT PNG Programme and PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), MUPA Cocoa Cooperative Society, which comprised of 240 farmers from two villages in Yuat LLG of Angoram District in East Sepik Province, established a business link with Queen Emma Chocolate Company.

Recently, they sent their first shipment of quality beans to the chocolate-making company, achieving a considerably higher market price.

Director of MUPA Cocoa Cooperative Ltd, Sperian Kapia said the company is paying a higher rate for their dried beans at K630 per bag, which is more than the average price offered by intermediary buyers.

Their first shipment consisted of 40 bags of quality dried beans, fetched an additional K4,000 into the cooperative’s bank account.

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme is working on improving the access of local agricultural enterprises to domestic and overseas markets.

This includes organising exposure visits to national and international agri-food trade shows, where the Sepik-based agripreneurs can learn, interact, identify potential buyers, and forge new business opportunities.

Kapia was one of the Sepik cocoa model farmers who participated in the International Food Service & Hospitality Exhibition in Singapore in August 2022, where he initiated the market link with Queen Emma Chocolate Company.

“It was there that Queen Emma Chocolate’s representatives showed interest in our cocoa and invited me to visit their factory in Port Moresby. We reached to an agreement to supply the company with our unique cocoa dried beans,” said Kapia.

Kapia said with these support, they were also introduced to a new potential buyer from New Zealand, the Pacific Cocoa 380.

“The EU-STREIT PNG Programme assisted us in freighting 20 KG of our cocoa dried beans to New Zealand, where they tasted our cocoa, and has shown interested in the quality.”

Kapia said they have agreed to buy 15 to 20 tons of cocoa dried beans from MUPA.

This premium price paid for dried beans and extra income generated at the cooperative level, allows MUPA and affiliated fermentaries to pay a higher rate for wet beans, extending the benefits to farmers at the grassroots level, who produce and supply wet beans to fermentaries.

“The usual price for wet beans used to be lower, around K1.4 per KG, but thanks to the direct connection formed with the premium buyers, we are now able to pay farmers at a higher price, at K1.7 per KG of wet beans, which is 21 percent above the normal rate,” Kapia explained.

“This helps the parents in my community to pay for their kids’ school fees, buy utensils for their houses, and food to improve family’s diets.”

“With this support and market arrangement that gives us more money, we can also continue to support our farmers in terms of social development; we have school and want to support it in terms of infrastructure and educational material, also our health care.”

This connection and access to market is something different and promising for our farmers,” Kapia said.

Related: https://insidepng.com/eu-streit-program-partners-with-agri-enterprises/

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Education

FODE SERVICES TO USE ONLINE PLATFORM

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A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed between the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) and the National Education Department, which signifies a partnership to roll out Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) services using online platform.

This MOA comes as a result of a successful trial run by the Education Department on the Web Based School and Learning Management System earlier this year.

From this result the DoE reached out to NICTA through its Universal Access and Services Scheme, which exist to promote long term socio-economic development in PNG.

This MOA has come about extending this Service throughout the country.

The pilot project will be trialed in six locations, targeting 3,700 students at an estimated cost of K600 000, for a period of two years.

Centers to be trialed out include NCD, Central, Daru, Lae, Goroka and Tari Town.

The Project will be jointly funded by the Universal Access Fund which is administered by the UAS Scheme and DoE.

Through this agreement, NICTA will be responsible for content digitalization, broadband connectivity, training and smart devices, while the Education Department will be responsible for Information Technology Audit, Infrastructure, power, skill staff, administration, security and sustainability plan of the project.

With the governments motto of leaving no one behind, the education department through its Fode has been providing second chance to many drop outs, in the form of upgrades and standards Curriculum using Fode.

This project will provide access to students who cannot have access to formal education due to limited space, low grade point Average (GPA) or work commitment.

This also paves way for more efficient, cost effective mechanism in contrast to the traditional method of delivering FODE materials through hard copies of papers in large volumes to all centers in the country.

Read More: https://insidepng.com/ktf-strengthens-partnership-for-2023/

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News

EU funded program trains farmers in Digital Literacy

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The European Union-funded STREIT Programme in Papua New Guinea is spearheading a program in order to build the capacity of farmers at digital literacy, e-agriculture, and agri-meteorology services in the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea.

The program is primarily focused on empowering farmers by introducing them to important digital tools and knowledge to transform the agri-food business practices; and enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change.

The Sepik region is known for its fertile lands and vibrant farming communities, however, there is a lack of access to digital resources and skills there.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognised this challenged and has in part of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, is bridging the digital divide by building the capacity of lead farmers in various aspects of digital literacy.

Some of which include the effective use of smartphones and mobile applications, and other digital resources to enhance agricultural practices, market access, and decision-making capabilities.

Recently, ITU organized two intensive workshops in Vanimo, West Sepik Province and Maprik in East Sepik Province, pulling together 74 lead farmers and agri-food business actors.

The training program, conducted in collaboration with local partners, provided lead farmers with hands-on experiences in various digital applications tailored to the agricultural context.

Farmers were taught basic computing skills, including Word Documents, Spreadsheets and Presentations, Communication processes using Computers and Smartphones; and the use of social media tools in content creation, information sharing, e-marketing, and mobile payment.

The training also improved their understanding of agri-meteorological tools and services and their capabilities.

William Ripai is the Chairman of KISE Cooperative Society in the Aipate Lumi District, who participated in the training held in Vanimo.

He said, he is fortunate to participate in this training program.

“I’m fortunate to learn basic internet and computer skills that will support my group to market our produce to potential buyers.” Ripai said.

Angela Passingan, a former teacher and Chair Lady of BAMA Women’s Group of Ulau Village in Aitape-Lumi District, also assisted in training the Farmers.

She was exited to see local farmers learn about computer and internet for the first time.

“A male farmer was not confident to touch the computer mouse, but I felt really happy when he did on the second day.”

As part of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, 10 resource centres equipped with PCs and VSAT internet connections are being established across the Sepik region.

This will provide farming communities with reliable access to the internet, capacity-building digital skills trainings, and digital services, including e-marketing.

The ITU-STREIT  Project Officer, Kanagat Alyshbaev, emphasised the transformative power of digital skills in agriculture.

“By building the capacity of lead farmers in digital skills, we are unlocking the potential for innovation and growth in the agricultural sector, including agribusiness activities. This initiative represents a crucial step toward achieving sustainable and inclusive development in the Sepik region.”

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International

FRANCE PRESIDENT VISIT

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Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and France President Emmanuel Macron

The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron arrived in PNG on his official state visit, last Thursday. In his visit, France President Macron engaged in various high-level discussions with government officials and Prime Minister James Marape.

The dialogues focused on the areas of Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Economic Co-operation, among others.

Following the Bilateral meetings, several agreements aimed at strengthening partnership and cooperation between the two nations were signed.

The first document signed between the two nations was a declaration of intent to upgrade of PNG Ports Infrastructure.

The agreement will ensure the PNG Ports infrastructures are upgraded with respect to climate change.

The second document signed will foster cooperation with respect to greening financial systems in PNG ensuring resilience to climate related risks as well as channelling finance for conservation and adaptation to climate change.

The agreement was signed between the French Development Agency, The Bank of PNG and Global Green growth Institute.

“That is clearly a demonstration of the French government and people and their continuous support to the Pacific, and more importantly to Papua New Guinea, a country that hosts the third biggest rainforest on planet Earth,” Prime Minister James Marape said.

The third document was a financing agreement between the two nations to mobilize French funding and expertise on energy transition to support renewable energy integration in PNG Power electric systems.

The Partnership amounts to over K3 million.

The fourth agreement was signed between the European Union Delegation to PNG and Expertise France for the implementation of European Union’s Forestry, Climate Change and Biodiversity nexus support program for PNG.

France President Macron concluded his engagements, by showing his support for the Managalas Project.

The Managalas Conservation Project covers over 360,000 hectares of Virgin rainforest.

The project is an initiative of the Managalas People to preserve their natural environment.

“It is a reflection of France and European Union commitment to biodiversity in our country,” Marape said.

The France President in his visit further thanked the European Union for their contribution to the Managalas Project.

He also spoke of the importance of preserving the world’s biodiversity, saying it is an equal partnership.

“I speak in my interest as well, and the interest of French people. Because if you kill your forests, then we will kill everything, so it is my issue as well.”

Related: https://insidepng.com/environment-conservation-and-land-management/ https://insidepng.com/capacity-building-for-environment-conservation/

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