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ADF’s Role in Recent Exercise

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ADF's Role

The Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea has responded to social media users’ questioning a joint exercise between the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) and the PNG Defence Force’s First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR).

In a statement released by Australian Authorities, Australian Defence Advisor to Papua New Guinea, Colonel Travis Gordon said the training in question is a continuation of a long history of cooperation between ADF and PNGDF that stretches back decades.

“1 RAR’s travel to PNG is the first rotation this year of the longstanding Olgeta training series, focused on activities to enhance PNGDF capability and capacity. Planning for this rotation commenced in August 2023,” said Col. Gordon.

Following the announcement of a team from ADF’s 1RAR preparing to travel to Papua New Guinea, many social media users questioned the role of the Australian Army in PNG.

Thus the head of the Australian Defence Force in country says the trainings is part of the longstanding Defence ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea, the ADF regularly deploys Mentor Training Teams to work alongside the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).

“The partnership between the ADF and the PNGDF plays a vital role in the broader relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea,” Col Gordon explained.

These teams deliver training and activities with the PNGDF on a rotational basis, returning to Australia upon completion of their training activities.

The 1 RAR’s deployment to PNG is only for the purpose of participating in the next Mentor Training Team activity.

Related: https://insidepng.com/exercise-pukpuk-concludes-pngdf-lombrum/

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News

100th Anniversary

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The beautiful Yule Island in Central’s Kairuku district is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE, a French flying ace in the First World War who died in 1924.

The restored plaque of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE.

As part of the celebrations, crew members of Auguste Bénébig a French navy vessel based in New Caledonia, anchored on the island and performed a memorial action through the cleaning and restoration of the grave of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE. Famous for his “acrobatic” landings, his name is still associated with aviation through the expression “landing like Bourjade”.

French Navy vessel Auguste Bénébig at anchor on Yule Island, Kairuku District.

French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine, European Union Ambassador Jacques Fradin and Central Governor, Rufina Peter were part of the dignitaries to the island.

The commemoration ceremony of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE comes days after the first official visit of General Yann LATIL, Commander of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC), to Papua New Guinea. He made a 3-days official visit to Port Moresby at the end of February, where he met officials from Department of Defence and PNGDF to sign a 2024-2025 cooperation plan.

French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine (right), European Union Ambassador Jacques Fradin (obscured), crew members of Auguste Bénébig and Central Governor Rufina Peter (center) laying wreaths in honour of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE

The FANC enable France to have permanent military presence in the Pacific Region in order to protect French interests in the region and maintain France’s military partnerships in this area of strategic interest.

With over 1,650 military personnel, the FANC provide regular support for missions involving government action at sea. They have the capacity to intervene in the event of a security or climatic crisis affecting the area. The FANC regularly share their expertise in the field of HADR and maritime security with the security and defence forces of partner countries in the Pacific.

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Education

Scholarships for Geoscience Students

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Nickel 28 support development of professional geoscientists

In efforts to foster the growth of more qualified professional geoscientists in Papua New Guinea, Nickel 28 Capital Corporation, formerly known as the Highlands Pacific is sponsoring two geoscience students at the University of Papua New Guinea.

The announcement was made last month (Thursday, February 22) by Nickel 28 Capital Corporation’s Head of Asia Pacific, Craig Lennon.

“We want to give back to PNG. Having more professional geoscientists is an area that needs more support,” said Lennon during the award presentation.

Shirley Ambang, who was the inaugural recipient of this scholarship when it was first introduced last year (2023) continues her scholarship this year (2024), while Tongia, is a first time recipient of the scholarship.

The scholarship valued at K19,000 per year covers tuition fees, lodging fees, book and living allowances for Ambang and Tongia.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES: Carlos Tongia (Left), and Shirley Ambang (Right), are two of the first N28 Capital Corporation scholarship awardees. They now have a stronger chance of employment in the mining industry with this scholarship.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES: Carlos Tongia (Left), and Shirley Ambang (Right), are two of the first N28 Capital Corporation scholarship awardees. They now have a stronger chance of employment in the mining industry with this scholarship.

“This is only our second year for this scholarship. We started last year with the objective of growing to the point that we have an ongoing program with three students each year,” added Lennon.

The tertiary student’s sponsorship package is an initiative of Nickel 28 Capital Corporation carried out in partnership with the Earth Sciences Division in the School of Natural and Physical Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).

This support takes much of the school fee burden off of the students and their families.

It also assures resource companies like Nickel 28, that there is and will be a sufficient pool of professional geoscientists to recruit from in the future and gives certainty of employment for scholarship awardees after graduation.

Nickel 28 Capital Corporation is a Toronto-based Company that holds 8.56% joint-venture interest in the world-class Ramu Nickel Cobalt operation in the Madang province.

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News

Neighboring Wards Unite for Peace Amidst Conflict

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Three adjacent wards within the Morobe Patrol Post in Huon Gulf District have come together to call for peace, aiming to quell over three years of internal strife. Representatives from Mayama (Ward 3), Zinamba (Ward 4), and Amoa (Ward 5) recently convened with District Administrator Andrew Namuesh to discuss strategies for reconciliation in a closed-door meeting at the district office.

The primary goal of the meeting was to restore peace and ensure unimpeded movement and service delivery within their communities. Reports shared during the meeting painted a grim picture of the toll the conflict has taken, including casualties, injuries, displacements, and property destruction in Amoa.

The conflict’s origins date back nearly two decades, rooted in a disputed land boundary issue aggravated by settlement encroachments and increased lawlessness, fueled by the growing logging industry in the Local Level Government (LLG) area.

Participants from the three wards unanimously agreed on the urgency of engaging in land mediation, with plans to follow up with a public peace and reconciliation ceremony. Their collective desire for tranquility was emphasized:

“We want peace and normalcy.”

Recent peace initiatives included the deployment of Morobe Water Police two weeks prior and plans announced by Namuesh to conduct comprehensive land and subdivision surveys to accurately delineate boundaries in the conflict-affected wards. Villagers’ cooperation was sought for these endeavors.
Namuesh also revealed intentions to formalize agreements through a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement during a peace ceremony in the LLG. However, he stressed that the district would not provide financial compensation, highlighting the need for community-led initiatives in resolving issues and fostering peace.

Acknowledging historical neglect, Namuesh underscored the significance of Morobe Patrol Post while calling for a collective shift away from past grievances. He encouraged collective responsibility in elevating Morobe’s stature and reputation.

In response to villagers’ requests, Namuesh noted calls for a permanent police presence and the establishment of a village court system, hinting at potential future developments aimed at enhancing security and governance within the area.

This united effort from neighboring wards in Morobe Patrol Post signifies a crucial step towards peace and stability in the region, demonstrating the power of community collaboration in resolving longstanding conflicts and building a better future for all residents.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/clean-water-for-nasuapum-village-after-40-years/

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News

Upholding Security Amid Transportation Challenges

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Madang Police

In the face of transportation hurdles that have hindered police mobility in Madang, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim has rallied for collaborative efforts between business entities and law enforcement to sustain police presence in the region.

Baim has emphasized the necessity for heightened vigilance and precautionary measures due to the looming threat of opportunistic crimes.
“It’s really affecting our mobility, but with the help of a few business houses and supportive police allies, they have been assisting to at least show police visibility around,” remarked Baim, shedding light on the ongoing challenges confronting law enforcement in the province.

Recognizing the constraints imposed by transportation obstacles, Baim has urged businesses to bolster their security protocols, cautioning against potential exploitation by opportunists. He has underscored the risk of delayed police response to incidents under such circumstances, stressing the imperative of increased vigilance within the community.
“Opportunists might take advantage of the situation and commit acts that police might not respond to promptly,” cautioned Baim, highlighting the significance of proactive measures in mitigating security risks.

Despite the adversities, Baim has reassured the public of the police force’s preparedness to tackle any criminal activities. He has affirmed the unwavering commitment of law enforcement personnel to uphold law and order, while urging cooperation from residents in safeguarding their communities.

The concerted efforts between business establishments and the police epitomize a unified approach towards addressing the security challenges prevalent in Madang. Baim’s proactive stance underscores the pivotal role of community engagement and collective action in ensuring public safety amidst logistical constraints.

Furthermore, the repercussions of fuel rationing have extended to operations at the Jomba police station, where suspects detained in cell blocks are being managed amidst logistical constraints.

Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, the Madang Provincial Police Commander, disclosed that the fuel shortage impacting police mobility has also affected the management of detainees at the Jomba police station. Despite these hurdles, Baim has assured that the police force is diligently working to uphold essential services, including the management of detainees.
“The fuel rationing police are managing at the moment has also impacted operations at the Jomba police station, where suspects detained in cell blocks are being managed,” affirmed Baim, addressing the additional strain imposed by fuel shortages on law enforcement activities.

Baim’s proactive approach and collaboration between stakeholders serve as a beacon of hope in navigating through the challenges posed by transportation constraints, reaffirming the collective commitment to maintaining security and order in Madang.

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News

France Visit

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France Visit

The Papua New Guinea Defense Force has hosted a brief visit of Commander in Chief of France Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Brigadier General Yann Latil to Port Moresby.

In a security meeting with PNGDF acting Commander, Commodore Philip Polewara and Defence minister, Dr. Billy Joseph, both countries discussed on humanitarian support and disaster relief exercises.

A similar meeting held with Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko and Fisheries Minister, Jelta Wong expanded into measures of minimizing illegal fishing.

As this is the first visit, The French Commander in Chief toured few military barracks including a brief visit to the Air Transport Wing near Jackson’s airport and Basilisk Nasal Base at Konedobu.

France Brief VIsit
France Brief Visit

His tourend included a stop over at the Bomana War Cemetery outside port Moresby where he laid a wreath to remember the fallen soldiers.

The Defence relationship between PNG and France reached new security height when both nations signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) in 2023.

Related: https://insidepng.com/france-president-visit/

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Health

Angau’s Accountability: Report

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Angau Accountability

Morobe Provincial Health Authority (PHA) CEO, Dr. Kipas Binga, has announced that a financial report and acquittals will be submitted to Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge once the funds allocated to address the drug shortage in Morobe have been utilized.

Dr. Binga clarified that out of the K3.5 million allocated by Governor Wenge on December 4, 2023, K1.5 million was earmarked for the regular operations of the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MPHA).
The remaining K2 million was specifically designated to tackle the pressing issue of drug shortages that had plagued the province.

The CEO emphasized that the K3.5 million provided by the governor constituted a substantial lump sum payment covering both operational expenses and the drug shortage initiative.

Angau Accountability

Of the K1.5 million allocated for regular operations, K200,000 has already been utilized for public health purposes.

However, Dr. Binga assured that the remainder would be carefully budgeted, primarily targeting the first quarter of the current year.

Regarding the K2 million allocated to address the drug shortage, Dr. Binga affirmed that the funds are readily available.

Once these funds are utilized, a comprehensive report will be compiled and submitted to Governor Wenge for review.

The K2 million donation by Governor Wenge was a response to the “Nogat Marasin Campaign,” which gained traction in Lae City.

Led by a dedicated team of Lae citizens and supported by Morobe Citizens the campaign aimed to draw attention to the critical shortage of medical drugs in the province’s health centers.

This initiative underscores the collaborative efforts between local authorities and concerned citizens to address pressing healthcare challenges, with transparent financial reporting ensuring accountability and effective utilization of resources in Morobe Province.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

Related: https://insidepng.com/angau-hospital-crisis-morobe/

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Health

Angau Hospital Crisis: Morobe

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Angau Hospital Crisis

In a recent statement, Dr. Kipas Binga, CEO of Morobe Provincial Health Authority (PHA), highlighted the daunting challenges confronting Angau Hospital.

Dr. Binga illuminated a stark imbalance between patient numbers and available healthcare staff, presenting a significant hurdle to the hospital’s operations.

Serving a densely populated area, Angau Hospital currently grapples with a staggering 860 unfilled positions.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

In response, Morobe PHA has initiated an intensive three-week online recruitment drive aimed at filling these vacancies. Dr. Binga acknowledged that immediate relief might not be attainable, but expressed hope that the recruitment efforts would gradually alleviate the strain on existing healthcare workers, particularly in the Accident and Emergency Department, thus reducing patient wait times.

Addressing allegations of nepotism in the recruitment process, Dr. Binga vehemently refuted such claims. He assured stakeholders that all applicants undergo rigorous screening and interviews conducted jointly by Morobe PHA and the Department of Personnel Management, emphasizing transparency and adherence to established protocols.

Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital

Furthermore, Dr. Binga stressed the critical shortages of medical doctors and nurses at Angau Hospital, affirming ongoing efforts to address these gaps through targeted online recruitment initiatives.

Dr. Binga’s statements underscore Morobe PHA’s resolute commitment to tackling staffing challenges at Angau Hospital. The organization remains dedicated to transparency and fairness in online recruitment processes, with the overarching goal of enhancing healthcare delivery and effectively meeting the community’s needs.

Angau Hospital Crisis

Related: https://insidepng.com/angaus-accountability-report-2024/

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News

NFA Targets China Market for Industry Expansion

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Justin Ilakani Eyes China Markets

Papua New Guinea’s National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is eyeing the vast potential of the Chinese market to propel the country’s fisheries industry onto new heights.

In a recent statement, NFA Managing Director Justin Ilakani emphasized the importance of diversifying PNG’s fisheries exports beyond its traditional markets. While acknowledging the European Union’s significance in terms of value and quantity, Ilakani stressed that tapping into China could significantly boost the development of PNG’s non-tuna sector.

Despite the tuna industry’s prominence, the majority of participants in PNG’s fisheries sector are engaged in other activities such as coastal and inland fishing or aquaculture, reflecting the diverse opportunities awaiting exploration.

In recent years, PNG has witnessed a slowdown in investment in its tuna industry, largely due to external factors. However, there are signs of resurgence, with renewed interest from investors and the return of vessels. Ilakani attributed this positive trend to the government’s proactive measures in addressing policy and regulatory challenges.

Building investor confidence remains a gradual process, but PNG is making strides towards fostering a conducive environment for fisheries investment.

Currenly, PNG boasts nearly 200 fishing companies operating across various sectors, with thousands more involved in aquaculture as farmers. The fisheries sector currently generates approximately K5 billion and aims to quadruple its value to K20 billion, aligning with the government’s ambitious target of growing the country’s economic value to K200 billion.

The NFA’s strategic focus on the Chinese market underscores PNG’s commitment to diversifying its fisheries industry and contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth trajectory.

Related: https://insidepng.com/8th-pacific-tuna-forum-2023-commences-in-port-moresby/

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Climate Change

Tuvalu Drowning Within Decades

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Tuvalu Drowning

Tuvalu, a picturesque island nation nestled in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean is currently grappling with a relentless onslaught of storm surges and towering waves, wreaking havoc on coastal communities.

As with most island nations, spring tides occur, in the case of Tuvalu, February’s king tides is nothing like before.  The island’s one main road has succumbed to the fury of nature, submerged beneath torrents of seawater, exacerbating the already dire situation faced by Tuvaluans.

With this year’s storm surges and the rising sea inundating vital transportation routes, many of the island’s inhabitants are questioning their future in the face of unyielding climate crisis.  The only main road, the lifeline connecting communities and providing the flow of essential services recently became an impassable river filled with water, displaced rocks and coastal waste.

The flooding of the main road in Tuvalu has taken its toll on underground electricity generation.  Homes, business and essential services are now grappling with the harsh reality of life without electricity for hours even days.  This not only disrupts daily lives but also poses significant risks to public health safety.  Papua New Guinea, the largest island in the pacific also face such ferocity within its coastal communities.

Scientists have predicted that Tuvalu might be submerged within 50 to 100 years but Tuvaluans are optimistic.  Many young people are questioning themselves whether to continue living in Tuvalu and what the future holds for them and their families.  The spectre of displacement and the ever-present threat of climate related devastation loom large, provoking deep seated concerns about the sustainability of life on the island.

Related: https://insidepng.com/community-awareness-on-climate-change-unre/

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