The National Election Security Operations in West New Britain has been launched.

New Guinea Islands Assistant Commander of Police Perou N’dranou was in Kimbe to official declare the commencement of the operation yesterday.

Speaking there the Divisional Commander said the operation is critical to ensure there is a free and safe election national election in 2022. “We now are election ready to execute this operational order by the Police hierarchy,” said N’dranou.

N’dranou said police in WNB must now begin the NATEL Operation. He said security plays a crucial role in elections. N’dranou said Commanders will be given specific commands and guidelines to assist police carryout their duty.

The NGI Divisional Commander said police are at the frontline and must lead the way for a safe society. He also expressed the need for police officers to be presentable during duty hours. “You shouldn’t be chewing betel-nut while on duty, how can you face a victim or complainant? Commander N’dranou said this attitude has to change.

N’dranou said frontline policing is not functional and this are basic policing that has become dysfunctional in the past 10 years. “Not only in WNB but this is also visible in New Ireland and Manus.

The NGI Divisional Commander said the Police Department has spent millions to resource police commands in the country and officers must be honest while on duty. He said some operations do not necessarily require funding.

“Foot patrol is an effective policing method and directly engages police with members of the community,”. If police actively carryout this, there will be less trouble caused, said Commander N’dranou.

N’dranou said all PPC’s in the New Guinea Islands have been directed to address police deficiency and address discipline in their commands.

Commander N’dranou made these remarks while addressing a parade in front of the Kimbe Police Station. The parade also included Correctional Service officers. This is also his first official visit to West New Britain following his appointment as NGI Assistant Commander.

Meanwhile WNB Police Commander Cheif Inspector John Iara has called on candidates and supporters not to overload their vehicles when moving around. He said this was tolerated during the nomination and police will keep an eye out during campaign, polling and counting.

PPC Iara also appealed to the mass population to work with police during the Election period.

Provincial Returning Officer for West New Britain Emily Kelton has applauded the successful completion of the nomination period.

Speaking at the Sir Bernard Vogae Oval in Kimbe, the WNB PRO said it was challenging for her Team to ensure the first part of the Election process is carried out with no obstacles. She said the final part was the order of draw for candidates to be given their candidate numbers.

“I thank all the intending candidates and supporters to show maturity during the nomination period. From Thursday 19th May to Thursday 26th May 4pm was the 7-day period of accepting nomination. There was peace and harmony and I salute you all for displaying maturity during this time, “said PRO Kelton.

Kelton also thanked the contribution of Team Leader and officers of the WNB Media Team, Director of NBC WNB, Chairman and Senior Officers of the WNB Administration, security personnel, Electoral Support Staff, Assistant Returning Officers and the general public.

“For candidates who intend to put their Party leader photo in their poster must submit these at the Electoral Office as soon as possible,” said Kelton. She appealed to candidates to sort this out for formalities to complete.

The WNB PRO said the next process is polling and counting. She said this is a mammoth task which her Team is gearing to carryout in the Province. Kelton said the three ARO’s will work together with other Electoral Staff to see this complete.

PRO Kelton also announced that the WNB Electoral Team will publish polling schedules through the Assistant Returning Officers of Talasea, Nakanai and Kandrian Gloucester. Kelton said ARO’s will also put out Electoral Roll which has been planned for the Province.

She urged the voting population to check the electoral roll to confirm their status before polling begins.

According to PRO Kelton 93 candidates have nominated to contest the four seats in the West New Britain.

That is Kandrian Gloucester 22 candidates, Talasea 32, Nakanai 18 and the WNB Regional Seat 21 candidates. By the close of nomination only 2 females will be contesting in the 2022 National General Elections.

Sitting Gazelle MP, Jelta Wong wants to continue delivering development plans initiated under his leadership in the last term of Parliament.

He expressed this while speaking during his first campaign rally in Keravat earlier this week. The rally began with a convoy of over 300 vehicles packed with supporters.

“We have planted the seeds and we will have to look after it in the next 5 years, so our youths and children can have a future in Gazelle district,” said Wong.

Wong is adamant on Gazelle taking the lead in the province on development over the next decade.

He said the announcement of the Special Economic Zone for Gazelle District including other projects is the drive to defend his leadership in the electorate.

Wong also said, Gazelle District is the first district in East New Britain to incubate chicken eggs into hatchings, which was distributed amongst SMEs in Gazelle.

Wong encouraged partnerships in the district as a way forward to deliver essential services to communities.

As an advocate for Gender Based Violence Wong said Gazelle must lead the way in East New Britain and the country.

He also paid tribute to mothers and challenged men on the importance of Gender Based violence.

“I am telling you men that anyone of you that participate in wife beating, please do not vote for me,” he said.

Wong also urged his supporters not to stir any violence but conduct their support following PNG election laws.

Wong is contesting the Gazelle Open Seat under United Resource Party.

Also present during the rally were former MP for Gazelle, Sinai Brown, LLG Presidents, Changol Manaui, Deputy Governor for East New Britain Cosmos Bauk and Chief Executive Officer for East New Britain Development Corporation, Michael Batia.

The last sitting MP for Kairuku Hiri Electorate Peter Isoaimo is contesting the new Kairuku Open Seat.

Isoaimo made this known following his nomination at Bereina station last Friday.

“Today I have made my decision to contest the Kairuku open seat, one of the seats created in the split of the electorate.

‘’I am thankful to the Marape led coalition government in supporting my fight for the split,’’ said Isoaimo.

Isoaimo said his push to see the creation of the split was because of the huge landmass and high population given the limited funding to deliver essential services to communities.

“I struggled over the last 8 years as Member but I have tried my best in getting the KHDDA to fund and implement service delivery policies across the huge electorate, ” said Isoaimo.

Isoaimo was in full traditional attire during his nomination.

Over 50 convoy of vehicles filled with his supporters escorted him from Veimauri Bridge along the Hiritano Highway to Bereina Station for his nomination.

He also launched his campaigned rally infront of a packed crowd of over 3,000 supporters.

Isoaimo thanked the people of Hiri for their support in the last term as their mandated leader in the 10th Parliament.

I remain the last sitting MP for Kairuku Hiri as I nominate he added.

He will be contesting under National Alliance Party in the 2022 National General Elections.

Nominations in the new Hiri-Koiari Open Seat have progressed well in the Central Province.

Out of the 27 nominated candidates the lone female endorsed by Pangu Party is Samoa Hoi Rage who hails from Tubusereia village.

Rage was flanked by her supporters during her nomination earlier today(Tuesday 24th of May 2022).

According to Electoral Staff, 23 independent candidates are contesting for the newly created electorate while four are endorsed by political parties.

They include Steven John (United Resource Party), Keith Iduhu (New Generation Party), Gabriel Nicholas (PNG National Party) and Samoa Hoi Rage (Pangu).

Meanwhile a young philanthropist from Koiari has raised his hand to contest the Hiri open seat with determination.

Thirty-year-old Willie Kaeaka said Koiari-Hiri people have been neglected for too long.

‘’In the last 46 years, we only had politicians but not leaders. Leaders are supposed to represent us and address our issues,’’ said Kaeaka.

“We have the Kokoda Track, Sirinumu dam, the Rouna power installation plant, the Mt Eriama water treatment plant all located in Koiari land and the Papa Lealea gas refinery plant down at the Hiri-West as well as other major government institutions. Yet we were overlooked and it is about time to redirect government intervention plans for the people,’’ he added.

The young candidate said consecutive governments have failed to recognize the people of Hiri and Koiari with the resources they owned on their land.

‘’The time now is for us all candidates contesting for the seat to have a way forward, plan and not work in isolation for the good cause of the people,’’ he said.

He thanked the Marape led Government in supporting the former Kairuku Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo in his plea for the split of the electorate.

Kaeaka holds a double degree in accounting and business management from Pacific Adventist University (PAU).

He urged all the candidates to work together and bring home a suitable winner to lead the new electorate.

Meanwhile in the Central Regional seat, 18 candidates have nominated so far as of 3pm yesterday afternoon.

Among them is Rufina Peter who is endorsed by People’s National Congress Party (PNC).

Incumbent Central Governor, Robert Agarobe (Pangu), and former Central Province Administrator Gei Raga ( The Peoples Party) have also nominated for the top seat.

More than three (3) thousand eligible voters from four respective LLG’s in Kabwum District of Morobe Province flocked into Kabwum District Headquarters in Selepet LLG to witness their current seating MP, Patrick Basa nominate.

MP Basa dressed up in traditional Yus attire symbolising the Yus people of Yus LLG.

Basa nominated at 4:10pm on Thursday afternoon as instructed by the Governor General for the nominations to open at 4:06 at the Kabwum District Headquarters.

Basa is anticipating a return after this election and is looking forward to the continuation of funding the road projects initiated by his DDA during his term in parliament.

One of his campaign messages in 2017 was a commitment to build roads to link all LLG Headquarters to the District Headquarter in Selepet LLG of Kabwum District.

His dedication to that road project within the last five years has seen almost 90% of it completed.

Basa resonates with the policies of the People’s National Congress Party (PNC) to provide free education, free health care and economical empowerment through the SME structure and building infrastructural development of Papua New Guinea and is confident that PNC Party will form the next Government with Peter O’ Neil as the next Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

Basa who was the only winning candidate for the Christian Democratic Party in the 2017 National General Elections went on straight to join the PNC Party’s Alotau camp, despite emerging from the Pangu Dominated Province of Morobe.

Meanwhile Kabwum District Returning Officer Keteng Ondop has acknowledged Basa’s nomination for the 2022 National General Election on behalf of the Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai.

Apart from Basa’s nomination, two other candidates are contesting for the same seat challenging the incumbent, they are Mr. Norio Kendip and Mr. Wagau Openg.

A number of children and adults living at Mangem Care Centre in Sumkar District of Madang are experiencing severe stomach aches and vomiting after eating dead fish and other dead marine species.

Yabu LLG President, Kenny Boli, says children especially had developed cough and are vomiting yellow liquids.

Boli explained that most of the children have been sick since last Thursday but the community had noticed it on Monday.

The LLG President added that they had report the matter to the Deputy Director Public Health, Makus Kachau on Tuesday; and a text message was sent to the Madang Provincial Disaster Director, Ruduolf Mongalle.

The community is appealing to the provincial health authority, the disaster office including the Madang provincial government to assist the community.

This issue has once again brought to light the issues affecting the internally displaced islanders living in the care centres not only at Mangem but also at Asuramba and Potsdam.

As the population continues to grow, resources available on the care centres are becoming scarce.

The displaced islanders have been living in the care centre since the volcano eruption on Manam island between late 2004 to early 2005, which resulted in the evacuation of more than 5000 men, women and children.

It’s been 17 years and life on the care centres has become a constant struggle for them.

Gatheirng food and water is a constant struggle for the displaced islanders. Even the temporary makeshifts that were built are now falling off with cracks on the walls.

These temporary makeshifts are now accommodating two or three families as there were no resources available for the displaced islanders to build new structures.

As another election period begins in PNG the Internally displaced islanders are still waiting on the government to resettle them.

People Congress Party (PNC) is throwing its support behind an independent candidate and first time contender, Peter Nupiri is gunning for the Southern Highlands Regional Seat.

PNC Leader and former Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill backed Nupiri during a rally in Mendi Town on Wednesday (May 25) clarifying PNC’s reasons for supporting Nupiri in the 2022 National General Election.

Nupiri, O’Neill and other PNC candidates walked the streets of Mendi as supporters rallied behind them to Momei Oval, where over a thousand people gathered to witness a first rally by PNC as nomination nears its completion.

“I have realized that the Provincial Government has lost the plot to serve the people.

“There is evident of mismanagement of finance, including resources. There is no order and stability in the Provincial Administration,” said Nupiri.

The former PNG Power Board Chairman said he wants to rescue and restore the Province by focusing on five key areas. He announced his policies and visions with the theme: “Operation Rescue Muruk”.

The five key areas include restoration of the Public Service Administration, better access to education and healthcare, build modern Infrastructures, improve law and order and provide economic growth for all.

“These are five key areas in my Master Plan to contest and make real changes for our people. That is why I am raising my hand to intervene and lead Province and provide better leadership, Nupiri added.

Peter Nupiri, 45, hails from Olea Village, Karinz LLG in the Mendi Munhiu District. He is a Civil Engineer with 20 years’ of experience and boasts a Masters in Business Administration. Nupiri’s recent role in public office was Chairman of PNG Power Board.

At the rally, PNC leader, Peter O’Neill told those who gathered at Momei Oval, a vote for Nupiri is not just a vote for PNC but to see Change in leadership and better governance. O’Neill urged the people to vote for a Party that relates to the Province.

“Vote for Peter Nupiri, vote for Philemon Embel and vote for Ps Kaku. Pangu is not a home-grown Party. Pangu belongs to Morobeans, it belongs to other leaders. Vote your own leaders because PNC is ready to work with leaders with better policies and bring not just Southern Highlands forward but Papua New Guinea as a whole, said O’Neill.

The former Prime Minister concluded stating PNC is endorsing candidates across the country and is gearing up to form the next Government.