The oil spill at the Kimbe wharf is becoming a concern for local town residents.

Those affected severely are residents from Works Compound, Bayside, KCP, Gigo and Laleki who are close to the wharf. According to sources in Kimbe, the spill has left coastlines with a thick yellowish substance floating and spreading very quickly. Sources say the spill is extending to villages in Talasea and has also reach Ruango village.

Company responsible New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL) has not released a statement regarding the spill but has assisted affected local residents with containers to trap the oil spill and collect its debris.

A local man told InsidePNG the company (NBPOL) has provided containers and youths are assisting by collecting the oil spill out at sea and along the coastline. John Apa said the containers are filling up so quick and more containers will be needed.

“It’s a disaster along our shoreline but for now there are no evidences of marine life being destroyed. But I appeal to the West New Britain Provincial Government and other State agencies to carryout their investigation and provide a report to the public. Our only worry now is that our coastline looks different and may not be safe to use,” said Apa.

Many assumed the oil spill happened on Sunday (15th May) during the night during loading of an oil tanker bound for overseas waters. Locals became curious when they saw the yellowish substance spreading along the shorelines the very next day.

Meanwhile sources at the WNB Provincial Government say Environmental Health Officers have visited the oil spill site and will be carrying out an assessment.

The Supreme Court presiding over the Special Reference filed by the Attorney General Pila Niningi, seeking clarification on the eligibility of convicted criminals to contest the National General Elections has granted leave for four parties to join the proceedings.

Leave was granted on Friday the 13th of May 2022.

The four include, the Public Solicitor, the Speaker of the National Parliament, the Public Prosecutor and Mr Simon Sinai as the Electoral Commissioner.

As defenders of the Constitution, the Public Prosecutor and the Public Solicitor saw interest in the special reference because the questions contained in the Special Reference have a direct impact on the powers, roles and responsibilities of both institutions.

The Public Solicitor, Leslie Mamu cited that the questions raised relate to offences under the Criminal Code and generally criminal law, an area which concerns the Public Solicitor.

Meanwhile for the Electoral Commissioner, it was important that he take part in this Special Reference, because he is in-charge of the overall running of the elections for the National Parliament and the legislative arms of the Local Level Governments.

The outcome of the Special Reference will have a direct impact on the Electoral Commission’s functions.

The Special Reference seeks interpretation on Section 50 and 103 of the Constitution that talks about a citizen’s right to vote and stand for public office and the qualifications for and disqualifications from membership.

The Solicitor General Tauvasa Tanuvasa, representing the Attorney General did not object to the applications.

With leave granted, each of the intervener shall file and serve their statements of response by Tuesday 17th of May 2022.

The Referrer in this matter shall in consultation with the interveners file and serve a Reference Book by the 20th of May for listings.

The matter returns to court on Monday the 23rd of May 2022.

The police hirerachy has released names of the Close Protection Officers who were with the late Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil at the time of the accident that claimed his life.

Police Commissioner, David Manning in a statement released last night confirmed that First Constable Neil Maino died 30 minutes after the accident while Sargeant Fredy Setu survived but sustained injuries.

“This is a tragic road accident, police investigations are now underway to establish what happened,” Manning said.

The three men with another officer were traveling to Bulolo in preparation for Nomination on Thursday 12th May 2022, when they collided with an on coming vehicle, an open-back Toyota Land Cruiser.

Police say the Deputy Prime Minister was in the driver’s seat, First Constable Maino sat directly behind the DPM while Sargeant Setu sat on the offside seat.

Police believe the vehicle that collided with the Deputy Prime Minister’s car hit them on the right hand side of the car, badly injuring the DPM and his CPO, Maino.

Sargeant Setu only suffered minor injures and was discharged yesterday afternoon from Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae.

Maino is from a mixed parentage of Northern and Mekeo in Central Province. He joined the Police Force in 2009 and was attached with the National Security Unit of the Special Services Division.

Commissioner Manning has also extended his condolences to the late CPO’s family.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident of the Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Bulolo Sam Basil is now in police custody.

According to the Assistant Police Commissioner Northern Command, Peter Guinness, the man is currently detained by the Bulolo Police and will soon be arrested and charged with two counts of traffic accidents.

Charges to be laid against the driver, who is now a suspect in the death of the Bulolo MP are Dangerous Driving Causing Death and Dangerous Driving Causing Grievance Bodily Harm.

According to the police report by Guinness, the driver of the vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Open back, was driving in the opposite direction, from Lae to Bulolo.

The report stated that the driver suspect was driving at high speed and crashed into the DPM’s vehicle while trying to avoid fallen rocks.

The driver suspect had attempted to apply brakes to his vehicle when he sightted the oncoming vehicle(DPM’s vehicle)but his vehicle could not slow down, appruptly slamming into the DPM’s vehicle with maximum force, hitting the driver’s side and ripping it off.

The DPM and his close protection officer, Neil Maino, lost their lives.

On the vehicle with the DPM were his two CPOs and four civilians one of which was his media officer. The other CPO and the civilians sustained serious injuries and are currently admitted at the Lae International Hospital.

The driver suspect on the other hand was alone in his vehicle, he had no passengers with him. He sustained chest injuries but is ok.

Police Commissioner, David Manning has given a two weeks amnesty period for people in possession of Illegal firearms to surrender them at the nearest police station.

The appeal is part of the enforcement of amendments made to the Firearms Act 2022.

Manning has issued directives for police to arrest individuals in possession of unlicensed or Illegal firearms which under the amended laws carry a life imprisonment from 19th May 2022 onwards.

Previously offenders who are found guilty were given a Maximum term of 10 to 20 years imprisonment.

Changes to the Firearms Act include Life Imprisonment for the following offences if convicted

– Manufacturing of homemade guns;

· Illegal ownership and possession of firearms;

· Illegal possession and use of firearms;

· Illegal possession of prohibited firearm; and

· Ownership and possession of machine guns.

Four men in Lae have been arrested for being in possession of three homemade pistols and in relation to a break and enter and robbery over the weekend.

The arrest follows a search for firearms and ammunitions alleged to be burried at the residence of Huon Gulf’s former District Administrator at Cassowary Road.

According to police, the four suspects were part of a ten men team, who drove into the premises of Asila Security Company at Eriku’s Oleander Street in a blue ten seater LandCruiser on Sunday morning.

The men held up the security guard at gunpoint, tied him up and broke down a grill door before walking straight to the Manager’s Office where the safe was.

The safe contained the company’s confidential documents, cash worth K50 000, firearms and ammunitions.

All items were stolen.

Police say they are aware of where the rest of the suspects

reside and will pay a visit.

Lae’s Metropolitan Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said Intelligence gathering for the 2022 National General Election is on going and Police will not tolerate anyone trying to build up arms during the election period.

Meanwhile, police located the safe near the bumbu river bank and handed it back to Asila Security Company.

They are yet to retrieve all the items in the safe.

While the four suspects are in police custody, six are still on the run.

An agreement has been signed to promote superannuation retirement savings for participants in Papua New Guinea’s Fisheries Sector.

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and National Superannuation Fund Limited (Nasfund) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, Thursday 12th May 2022, signaling the start of the partnership.

Signed by NFA Acting Managing Director Justin Ilakini and Nasfund Chief Executive Officer, Ian Tarutia this MoU now enables the country’s fisheries regulator and leading superannuation provider to work together to allow more people in Fisheries to save for retirement.

The signing was described as a historic step in creating strategic partnerships for development in the Fisheries Sector by empowering fisherfolk through financial literacy to manage their finances well and to save for retirement through Nasfund.

Most fisherfolk along the coastal areas of PNG contribute a biomass of 130,000 metric tons with an economic value of K3 billion and Nasfund is offering an opportunity for the Fisheries Sector to save under its flagship programmes such as Eda Supa.

The NFA is looking at discussing these and other specific details of the areas of cooperation under the MoU.

Nasfund CEO, Ian Tarutia said this development is an extension of the Fund’s efforts in promoting superannuation across all industries for PNG citizens.

Nasfund has undertaken similar programmes within the agriculture sector through smallholder farmers and aquaculture operators, encouraging them to save for retirement.

In recent years, the Fund extended their services outside of the traditional formal sector to members and potential members in the informal sector.

This is evident with membership from the cocoa and oil palm industries and SME’s who save through Nasfund’s voluntary contribution product, Eda Supa. At present over 35,000 Nasfund members save through Eda Supa. Their savings total over K67.5 million.

This is in addition to the current membership from the Fisheries Sector which comprises of 27 organizations with a total combined workforce of over 27000 contributors all throughout the country and a total of K52 million in superannuation savings held with Nasfund.

Two major road projects in the Laiagam electorate in Enga were declared open on Monday (9th May) at Yokonda by Lagaip-Porgera MP, Tomait Kapili.

This is the Surinki Pili Kembi Commodity Road and Wanepop Yokonda road.

This two vital ring roads cover more than 30 kilometres.

Lagaip-Porgera MP, Tomait Kapili said the District Development Authority aims to connect all communities with better and improved road network.

Other roads under rehabilitation and maintenance by the Lagaip-Porgera DDA include Surinki to Mulitaka ringroad, Surinki to Pilikambi road, Surinki to Abum Valley, Wanapop to Yokonda, Kembis to Mameris, Liop to Yapei and Porias to Mamares.

All these roads are counter funded by the Lagaip-Porgera District Development Authority and the National Government at the cost of over K10million.

Local MP Tomait Kapili said these roads are critical for communities in this part of Enga Province. He thanked the Marape-Basil led Government for assisting with additional funding of K5million for all access roads.

“I believe these roads will ease transport difficulties and also push people to venture into agriculture activities and sustain their lives,” said MP Kapili.

MP Kapili said with the roads accessible, more people and vehicles are moving between communities and Wabag Town.

A local in Yokonda Village said before this road was built, people walked for hours to reach the main road. Paul Kori said it’s a new era for the locals to see improved road conditions.

“We are delighted the District has built this road for us the rural people. We will now be able to travel to town in less time,” said Kori.

According to Lagaip-Porgera MP, Tomait Kapili many of the roads currently being constructed, rehabilitated or maintained are missing links. He said the next big task for the DDA is to seal all these roads.

The local MP through a DDA decision has also purchased two tractors to assist the communities that actively involved in agriculture activities.

A new state of the art district hospital will soon open to serve people in the Laiagam area of Enga Province.

The level four hospital is near completion and expected to serve over fifty thousand people.

Lagaip-Porgera MP, Tomait Kapili says the hospital is a counter funded project by the District Authority and Asian Development Bank.

The District Development Authority allocated K4.5million under its District Service Improvement Program (DSIP) fund to build the hospital and improve existing facilities to serve the people with better health services.

According to MP Kapili, the District has engaged contractor Bulolo Forest from Morobe Province to furnish final construction works in the next month.

“Within the hospital we have a operating theatre, x-ray, scanning rooms, morgue, incinerator and other services that is expected of a Level 4 health facility in the country,” said MP Kapili.

“It’s built up to standard so people will easily access services provided by the hospital and Lagaip people are fortunate to have this health facility built at their doorstep” said MP Kapili.

Previously it was the Laiagap Health Centre and with more improvements done, the facility will see upgraded health services.

According to MP Kapili, two modern houses have been completed for residential doctors with positions yet to be advertised.

He added that the DDA will provide incentives for two full-time doctors to serve the people in the Laiagam electorate.

“Over the years nurses and doctors have been moving in and out of the facility but we want that to stop so there are full-time medical staff to serve the people,” said MP Kapili.