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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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Sport

Ramu NiCo Supports Local Rugby Club

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Ramu NiCo Management Limited (RNML), through its Community Affairs Department, has chipped in to support a local rugby union team – the Newtown Jabaris.

RNML has supported the Newtown Jabaris with jerseys purchased straight from the dealer Tati Sports, at a cost of over K5000.

Formerly known as the Newtown Malabeks Rugby Union 7s Club, the team is made up of youths in their late teens and early 20s from Malabor Street, in the Newtown residential area of Madang Town.

RNML’s Assistant President and General Manager, Health Safety and Environment, Mr Jason Jia, prior to making the cheque presentation said that the company will continue to support youth activities in Madang, and are happy to assist such sporting initiatives.

Team Captain Dunstan Kaluwin expressed gratitude to Ramu NiCo for the assistance and said the team will wear the new jerseys in the Mayor 9s Tournament, which is currently underway.

The tournament started on the 3rd and will run through to the 25th of September, a four-weekend tournament for both men and women at the Ron Albert Oval in Madang Town.

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News

Papua LNG Project Signing

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Director of the Gas Project Coordination office Peter Koim said the paperwork to ensure the Papua LNG engineering will be ready in the coming week.

“I think we are expecting the Papua LNG front-end and end engineering design very soon, most likely it will coincide with the independence celebrations,” he said.

Director Koim spoke to the media after the government renewal of his employment for another four years at Government House.

“Once the project feed is announced, then they will announce the final investment decisions and move into construction,” he said.

He was involved in the Pynang, Pasca A and Stanley Gas Condensate project in the Western province.

All four projects are on the radar for commercialisation.

Mr Koim said, “Once we have those projects up and running, we hope to see most of our young people running around employed in different capacities. “

“These are billion-dollar projects and they will create a lot of employment, development and economy for the country,” he added.

The Gas Coordination office facilitates all the new LNG gas project negotiations and after the gas agreements are signed, proceeds on monitoring the implementation of the projects.

These include front-to-end engineering design as well as the conclusion of construction before the Department of Petroleum takes over.

Mr Koim continued, “With all the world energy prices going up, we stand to benefit from these developments”.

“Going forward I will be monitoring the implementation of the signed gas agreements which is Papua LNG and Pynang LNG projects”.

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Review of Real Estate Laws Endorsed

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Key stakeholders of the Real Estate Industry in PNG have endorsed a draft report that will be presented to Government to review later this year.

In a seminar held in Port Moresby last week, the stakeholders including the Constitution and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) highlighted the urgent challenges surrounding the industry.

These include the lack of strong policy, legislative framework, outdated laws and overlapping administrative and regulatory functions.

CLRC Secretary Dr Mange Matui said PNG’s Real Estate Industry has huge economic potential but the regulatory regime is weak, disjointed and loose to enable the industry to unleash its potential.

“As a result, the real estate industry has been subsumed to the whims of market forces, creating unjust outcomes,” he said.

The report also highlights other associated issues on political interference and bureaucratic corruption, mismatch in supply and demand, income disparity, high costs, urbanization, migration and settlements, land scarcity and accessibility, informal home rent business, lack of skilled labour, quality of construction materials and poor designs and decentralizations.

All these are experienced throughout the country, especially in urban areas like Port Moresby where land grabbing, illegal settlements and high costs of substandard housing are on the rise.

Dr Matui added the recommendations address the issues legally, economically, administratively, and socially in terms of a proper policy.

“The recommendations are basically about how we as a country bring together the different pieces of laws, policies and functions of different key players in the industry to properly and effectively manage, coordinate, and regulate the industry for the ultimate gain,” Matui said.

The report will be presented to NEC towards the end of the year.

The Stakeholders including officers of CLRC during the seminar in Port Moresby. Picture by CLRC Media
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