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School Fee Program Working in Samarai-Murua

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On his recent trip to Sidudu, Sariba Island in Milne Bay, Samarai-Murua MP and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard had the opportunity to meet a teacher who had been sponsored through the Samarai-Murua Tertiary Students School Fee Assistance Program.

This program is part of his district’s initiative in assisting and addressing the education sector in Samarai-Murua.

After the independence program which had coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Sidudu Primary School, in which Minister Leonard had delivered the keynote message, a Grade 4 Teacher at the Primary school approached him and his team to introduce herself.

To his pleasant surprise, Minister Leonard was informed that Miss Hazel Gwa is a product of the tertiary students’ school fee assistance program in the last term of parliament.

Miss Gwa, a 26-year-old from Panaeati island, west of Misima Island, had completed her studies at the Dauli Teachers College in Dauli Valley, Hela Province.

She spent two years from 2016 to 2018 before graduating with a diploma in primary school teaching.

In her first posting after graduating, Miss Gwa was sent to East Cape Primary School on the eastern tip of mainland Milne Bay in 2019.

In 2020 she was posted to Patnai Primary School, southwest of Misima Island, Samarai-Murua District.

From 2021 last year to this year 2022, she has been at the Sidudu Primary school on Sariba island. Her tenure expires next year in 2023.

Miss Gwa completed her grades nine to ten from 2012 to 2013 at Misima High School before attending Wesley Secondary School on Fergusson Island in Esa’ala District to do her grades 11 and 12 from 2014 to 2015.

She expressed her gratitude to Mr Leonard and his team for giving her an opportunity to complete her studies and become a teacher.

Like Miss Gwa, there are many graduate students across the district who had successfully completed their respective programs and are now helping the people of Samarai-Murua.

This is something Minister Leonard envisioned when he became a member of parliament in 2017 and is determined to continue to assist many more students through the program in this term of parliament.

The Minister encouraged her to continue to strive and serve the people of Samarai-Murua.

He was impressed with the number of success stories of students who had come out of the school fee assistance program and highlighted the need for continuous support in this sector, especially at the tertiary education level.

Minister Leonard pointed out the importance of education for all children in his district and many youths who had missed out on further education, as he was determined to create opportunities for them.

This he said would generally build social intelligence across the district to create a smarter, more informed, creative, skilled, and reliable community to meet the demands of change.

Adding that the school fee assistance program helped ease the burden on many parents who struggled with school fee issues.

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News

Tribal Violence Not the Way Says PM

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Prime Minister James Marape says tribal violence is not the way to resolve issues, as Papua New Guinea celebrates 47 years of Independence.

He said this after the massive destruction in Goroka following the murder of PNG Ports Managing Director, Fego Kiniafa.

The PM condemned the murder, however, added the ensuing violence and destruction in Goroka should never have happened.

“Our nation has just celebrated 47 years of Independence and we cannot forever resort to tribalism to sort out our problems and disputes,” said Marape.

“A murder has been committed, someone has been aggrieved, and normal processes of police and court must take precedence. Our people must not continue to resort to tribalism to resolve disputes – as this will only create more problems,” said Marape

The PM called on the people of Eastern Highlands to allow police to carry out investigations and arrest the perpetrators.

“Let the police and court systems sort this out. Our people in Papua New Guinea must learn to refrain from resorting to violence to solve law-and-order issues,” he said.

Moreover, Marape admitted there was a major problem of police manpower shortage in the country which the Government would attend to as a matter of urgency. He highlighted a major restructure of the entire RPNGC is underway.

“There will be a complete overhaul of the police system to be spearheaded by Internal Security Minister Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr,” said Marape.

A brief of the overhaul has already been presented to Minister Tsiamalili by Police Commissioner, David Manning.

“The restructure will be consistent with our strategies. We want to align with the Government aspirations of delivering a better and safe Papua New Guinea by the time we celebrate 50 years of independence,” said Commissioner Manning.

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Crime

Govt Must Intervene Says ACP Wagambie

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The increasing rural to urban drift has caused a population boom in settlements throughout Port Moresby.

Among many problems that come with an increased population are law and order.

Commander NCD-Central Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jnr said ethnic fights at settlements in the nation’s capital are now becoming very common.

He said the disputes within the settlements are caused by urban drift, population growth, misunderstanding of cultural barriers, high rate of illiteracy, unemployment and so forth.

He said these ills of society, can only be addressed through a concerted effort by the government and all other stakeholders.

“For now the Constabulary is dealing with the law and order issues created by all these contributing factors,” Wagambie said.

“I am pleased with the way my men and women are responding to these issues within the settlements but we need the support of the community, our elected leaders and the relevant state agencies.”

The NCD and Central police boss said police effort is commendable but there is a need to address the core issues.

“We need a concerted effort and intervention by the community, the government and all other stakeholders.

“As a nation, we must address, unemployment and housing and we must encourage the communities to put in place workable peace-keeping initiatives inside the communities.

Wagambie describes the current law and order situation as “covering the wound with a big plaster”, adding, “there is a need for proper medication and treatment from the clinic”.

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Crime

Two Dead in Nation’s Capital as Ethnic Violence Increases

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Commander NCD and Central, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jnr said ethnic fights resulting from trivial disputes are becoming common, especially among the settlement communities in the Nation’s Capital, Port Moresby.

The long Independence weekend was no exception with fighting at Tete settlement and Morata.

Police were commended for quickly stepping in at both sites and effectively containing the situation.

There were two deaths reported over the long weekend.

The death of a PMV bus driver and a man from Western Province.

The death of the PMV bus driver caused public transport issues when all PMV operators refused to carry passengers.

“Police and ambulance workers recovered the corpse of a PMV crew who was reportedly chased and killed near the Kone Tigers oval on Independence Day, ” Wagambi said in a statement.

He said the lifeless body of a Western Province man was also found near Vabukori village on the outskirts of Port Moresby city on September 17th.

Both deaths are from separate incidents.

Wagambi said detectives are now investigating these two deaths.

The Police Chief said armed robberies and motor vehicle thefts rarely occur because of the effective policing strategies put in place by the NCD/Central Command.

Therefore the primary focus and attention now are the intermittent fights especially within the settlement communities because of the city’s rapid growth and expansion of new settlements.

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News

17 Rescued at Sea in Madang

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17 people including women and children were rescued out at sea in the Rai Coast area after their dinghy encountered motor problems.

The dinghy drifted for over two hours out into open seas when they were rescued by a shipping vessel of the Ramu NiCo Mine.  

According to the skipper, they encountered a motor problem between Tabali and Madang Town. The Skipper said, if they were not spotted, they could have drifted out into open seas where it will be difficult for any travelling vessels or boats to spot them.

Captain of the Ramu NiCo Vessel – ‘Angel’, Joseph Suad said the dinghy was overloaded and that it could have been the cause of its motor problem.

Moreover, the 17 were taken onboard ‘MV Angel’ and were given food and water rations before they were taken to Madang town.

Meanwhile, the National Maritime Safety Authority continues to relay its messages of safety when travelling by sea, especially for small crafts or dinghies.

Boat skippers are reminded to check their boats before travelling and avoid overloading passengers at all times.

Passengers of the faulty dinghy onboard MV Angel after their rescue. Picture by Ramu NiCo
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Business

PNG Opens Seafood Facility in Singapore

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Papua New Guinea has opened its first-ever seafood holding facility in Singapore.

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Jelta Wong was in Singapore today (15th September) to officially open the facility and described it as a great opportunity for the country to benefit.

“The future looks promising already and I must congratulate NFA for the foresight in putting together and supporting this innovative marketing arrangement,”

“I commend the NFA for finding and creating new and greater market opportunities for our people to access and benefit from,” Minister Wong said.

As PNG looks on to benefit from the growing Asian Market, Minister Wong said the Government is focused on strengthening trade and investment by working closely with foreign missions and development partners in the region.
“What we have done here in Singapore is to look at tapping the massive Chinese seafood market that PNG already has a fisheries market access agreement with,” said the Minister.

The facility will receive and store live mud crabs, lobsters, prawns and other inshore coastal fisheries products before they can be sold or distributed to buyers and retailers in Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian markets.

Local fisheries farms like the recently opened mud crab fattening farm in Abau, Central Province and others are targeted to benefit immensely from this initiative.

“It is pleasing to further note that, once the facility goes into full operation, it will be receiving live mud crab and seafood products from our people at the village or community level – such as the live mud crab fattening project that was recently launched in Gavuone village in Abau District,”

“It will also be receiving prawns caught by our village people within the 3mile zone in the Gulf of Papua, including other areas that are now being targeted by the NFA in promoting coastal fisheries development with more and more of our people participating directly,” Minister Wong said.

The demand for seafood was evident when an order of 500kg live mud crab was secured soon after the opening of the Zavath Seafoods facility.

Minister Wong and NFA delegates inspecting the storage facility. Picture by NFA Media
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Education

PNGTA Expresses Concern

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The Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) is taking the Education Minister, Secretary and Teachers Service Commission to court following non-compliance with a four-month court order that’s not being complied.

PNGTA National President Aita Sanangkepe said the court had ordered their inclusion in the discussions of the National Education Board, National Capital District Education Board and Provincial Education Boards.

“I’ve directed my lawyer this morning to take contempt proceedings against these people named because there is a court in place,” Mr Sanangkepe said.

He continued, “There’s a national court order in place to allow us PNTGA to represent teachers in Papua New Guinea (in) all education boards”.

The Union representative for the Teachers said for unknown reasons the court order of May 27, 2022, wasn’t implemented and it was frustrating.

“Court order is Court order, no one is above the law,” Mr Sanangkepe said.

The union is also crying foul over the National Education Department and Teaching Services Commission for its failure to publish the Education Gazette for the third consecutive year.

The Education Gazette is important for teachers when it comes to:

  • Applying for a position within the school they are teaching in,
  • Applying for a teaching position in another school,
  • Applying for a position in another district or:
  • Applying for a position in another province.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra in response said it is now incumbent on the PNGTA to appoint their representatives and submit them to the Education Minister’s office.

“The Minister appoints the NEB after each rep of stipulated organizations submits names with CVs. The CVs are assessed to determine a nominee’s fit and proper status by the department,” said Dr Kombra.   

Furthermore, the Minister has recently resumed duties and the matter will be addressed if the Union has made its submission.

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News

K23.7M Security Contract Signed

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Ramu NiCo Management Limited has signed a contract valued at K 23.7 million with local company Raibus Security Services.

The contract will enable the company to secure three Ramu Nickel Project sites Kurumbukari, Basamuk Refinery and the Headquarters in Madang.

The significant event was witnessed by senior management from both parties and several issues relating to the regulations and operating practices of the business were resolved.

Both parties came to an agreement paving the way for the landowner company to continue providing its services. Operating under the famous motto of One Ramu NiCo, One Community.

Ramu NiCo expects to see the success of landowner companies during the life of the Ramu Nickel project, to create business participation opportunities viable for landowners.

The signing will create more than 200 jobs for landowners as well as the locals from the impact communities and surrounding villages. Mr Charlie Hu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs thanked Raibus Management for their support in providing security services for RNML and hopes that Raibus can improve company management going into the future.

Matthew Dengua, General Manager of Raibus Security Services thanked Ramu NiCo for their support so far and has pledged to continuously strive for improvement in their service delivery.

Chairman of Raibus Limited, Moses Kumura, praised Ramu NiCo for providing business opportunities spanning over ten years. This relationship has had a remarkable impact on developments for landowners with employment opportunities as well as royalties to assist communities with health and education services.

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Agriculture

EU STREIT PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH AGRI-ENTERPRISES

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under EU-STREIT PNG Programme, is collaborating with registered enterprises or cocoa nurseries, to sustainably supply quality cocoa seedlings in the Sepik Region of Papua New Guinea.

Over 30 registered nurseries have signed an agreement with EU STREIT PNG, and they are now distributing pest-tolerant seedlings to potential cocoa producers in the Sepik region.

This partnership is to help increase the production of high-quality cocoa.

It also provides an opportunity for the nursery owners to further nourish in PNG agri-businesses environment, being empowered to engage, provide and meet local demands for cocoa seedlings.

The newly boarded partners have been equipped with nursery set-ups by the Programme that meets PNG Cocoa Board standards.

“National Cocoa Production Officer Michael Lames said they are engaging farmer groups as service providers to deliver seedlings to their members including youths and women.”

“The FAO under the Programme will purchase these seedlings at the rate of K3 and K4 per seedling, including transport cost for distribution of seedlings to targeted farmers and cocoa blocks,” Lames said.

FAO – STREIT Cocoa Production Officer Odrick Urum further explained that payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of deliveries that will be followed by field verification where seedlings are planted into the ground.

“The money will be paid into the groups’ respective bank accounts to support their operation as a business, and for the benefit of their members.”

Wilfred Mombiang who represents a registered farmer group of Saure Village, in Wewak District, expressed gratitude towards this partnership.

“It is an exciting opportunity for us to learn new ideas on how to operate as a service provider, which requires quality delivery on a set time,” Mombiang said.

The Programme has also built the capacity of nursery owners as well as the producers in efficient cocoa cloning, budding and block management.

All these initiatives are part of the EU-STREIT Programme’s broader work plan to strengthen cocoa value chain actors in the Sepik region.

Cocoa farmers signing documents with the EU STREIT Program
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Business

Paga Hill Paradise

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Prime Minister James Marape has urged investors to have confidence and invest in Papua New Guinea.

“My government or the government I lead do not care about colour, which political divide or which religion you come from or what tribe, we want to encourage business investments,” Marape said.

He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of the K130 million Paga Hill Paradise development – a 22-floor high-end apartments building project.

The luxury accommodation will be built on the added backfield land on the Port Moresby beachfront just as the ring road takes a bend overlooking the old Fairfax Harbour.

Mr Marape said the country is loyal to investors who are loyal to the country.

“This is a country that has shown its ability to repay our investors a substantial amount on return on investment,” Prime Minister Marape said.

Governor Powes Parkop thanked Asian businessman Jimmy Po and other investors for having trust in the Capital city and for their commitment to ensuring modern facilities for accommodation.

He added the city government has devised the “Amazing Port Moresby global branding to promote the city as a liveable city but the government can’t do it alone.

“For me as a governor I’ve been very passionate about making it happen but it’s been taking a long time. But today, the journey has begun and I thank the investors,” Governor Parkop said.

Lead architect Andrew McFadden said the building meets international standards both from PNG and Australia and is a project that involved input from local knowledge.

The building will be constructed by China State Engineering, a company that has its footprint in the construction of hotels and accommodations including the Ela Beach paradise, Toaguba hill paradise and construction of an office building at Waigani.

An Artist’s impression of the Paga Hill, Paradise 22-floor Luxury Apartment

While the beachfront luxury is yet to be built, interested occupants have purchased 67 units and duplexes out of the 83.

The lowest accommodation is valued at K1.3 million and a whole floor on the 19th worth K10 million has been paid ahead of opening time.

The residential building is expected to be completed after two years.

An Artist’s impression of the Paga Hill, Paradise 22-floor Luxury Apartment
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