The PNG Media and Creative Arts Industry Association (MACAIA) is concerned that more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists are being put out of their jobs.

In recognition of World Media Freedom Day Interim President, Tania Bale-Nugent in a statement stressed that the freedom of the media has been compromised and is slowly being ‘chipped away’.

“A free, fair, independent and unbiased media is essential to democracy as well as a free and fair national general elections.

“We have seen in recent years how the freedom of the media in PNG has been compromised and is slowly being chipped away.

“This is a great danger for the security of PNG as a democracy. It is concerning to see more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists being pushed out of their jobs.

“Sometimes we may not like messages that come out in the news but that does not mean we shoot the messenger,” Ms. Bale said.

The interim media union MACAIA was formed in February this year by more than 20 PNG journalists who were concerned about the massive sacking of journalists and cameramen who walked off their jobs in support of their editor who was sidelined from her job for allowing certain reports to be aired on a particular television broadcasting station. The management of the PNG TV station sacked the entire newsroom staff {24) following their protest over the sidelining of their editor on February 17, 2022.

PNGMACAIA was formed on the 27th of February, 2022 at the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) venue following the termination issue.

The group elected their interim executive as follows;

Tania Bale (N as Interim President, Harlyne Joku as Interim General Secretary and Jack Lapauve Jnr as Interim Treasurer.

Work has commenced on a new Road that will connect the people living in the Sepik Plains area.

The Newly constructed road from Bararat to Mindokum in the Sauso LLG of Yangoru Sausia District is a vital Road link that has been missing for many years.

Mindokum Community Leader Levi Kuaha said for many years, people have to walk long distances to access basic government services like health services.

“We have asked for assistance to help us build our roads, however nothing has been done.

“We have to walk with our cargoes every night to the main road, to catch a PMV to town.” Kuaha said.

The six kilometers Road was built at a cost of over K500 000.

However there is more to be done, to maintain this vital road link.

Local MP Richard Maru said many villages in the district are still not connected by Road, and many do not have health and education services.

He said, he is committed to ensure no one is left behind.

“The completion of this road is part of my commitment to ensure everyone in Yangoru Sausia has the same level of services.” Maru said.

The PNG Media and Creative Arts Industry Association (MACAIA) is concerned that more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists are being put out of their jobs.

In recognition of World Media Freedom Day Interim President, Tania Bale-Nugent in a statement stressed that the freedom of the media has been compromised and is slowly being ‘chipped away’.

“A free, fair, independent and unbiased media is essential to democracy as well as a free and fair national general elections.

“We have seen in recent years how the freedom of the media in PNG has been compromised and is slowly being chipped away.

“This is a great danger for the security of PNG as a democracy. It is concerning to see more passionate, experienced and highly skilled journalists being pushed out of their jobs.

“Sometimes we may not like messages that come out in the news but that does not mean we shoot the messenger,” Ms. Bale said.

The interim media union MACAIA was formed in February this year by more than 20 PNG journalists who were concerned about the massive sacking of journalists and cameramen who walked off their jobs in support of their editor who was sidelined from her job for allowing certain reports to be aired on a particular television broadcasting station. The management of the PNG TV station sacked the entire newsroom staff {24) following their protest over the sidelining of their editor on February 17, 2022.

PNGMACAIA was formed on the 27th of February, 2022 at the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) venue following the termination issue.

The group elected their interim executive as follows;

Tania Bale (N as Interim President, Harlyne Joku as Interim General Secretary and Jack Lapauve Jnr as Interim Treasurer.

Wau Police now have three new vehicles which they say will help them attend to law and order issues quickly.

The vehicles, ten-seater land cruisers, were funded by the Nakuwi Landowner Association of the Hidden Valley Mine at the cost of K1.2 million kina.

Chairman of the Association Rex Maori said the association priorities minimising law and order issues in Wau Town and has been supporting the police in Wau over the years.

Mr Maori said this is because law and order is almost non existent in Wau with deaths almost every. He said the association will continue to support the police into the elections.

The presentation of the vehicles was done last week in Wau Town Oval in the presence of the Deputy Chief Magistrate, Samson Tatakali, the Senior Provincial Magistrate,Pious Tapil, Assistant Commissioner of Police and APC for the Northern Command, Peter Guinness and the Provincial Police Commander, Jacob Singura.

In his address, Guinness urge the people of Wau to report any misuse of the vehicles directly to his office and to cooperate with the police especially during the election period.

Understanding the concept of why certain laws related to sexual assault have been done away with and the laying of right charges against offenders were two important areas discussed in a recent police workshop.

The three day workshop held at Sogeri, outside Port Moresby involved members of the Sexual Offences Sqaud and Police Prosecutors.

Over the last decade, police have recorded an increase in sexual violence against women and minors.

But at the court house, most sexual offences get thrown out because of a lack of police evidence.

The workshop hosted by Justice Services and Stability for Development aims to improve investigation and prosecution of sex crimes.

Lead Advisor, Tevita Seruilumi said workshop is a reflection on the work of SOS and to learn on some new areas where they can work as a group from prosecutions and investigations.

“Often when you do this work, it is not only exhaustive but also very traumatizing and impacts you,” said Mr. Seruilumi.

This is one of many initiatives under the PNG and Australian Partnership Program desired to improve access to justice and help protection of survivors of family and sexual violence.

Senior executives of Harmony Gold Mining have affirmed the company’s investment and commitment in Papua New Guinea.

This follows a visit by two of its executive team from Harmony’s offices in South Africa who had also met Prime Minister James Marape in recently in Port Moresby.

The team was led by Harmony’s Financial Director Boipelo Lekubo and Senior Group Executive Marian van der Walt who spoke highly of the company’s investment in and around Morobe province. “Harmony though its subsidiary companies own the Hidden Valley Mine and 50% of the Wafi Golpu project”, said Ms Lekubo.

Lekubo also announced that significant capital works associated with the Hidden Valley Mine life extension are presently underway and Harmony will continue to assess further investment opportunities in PNG.

As of 31 December 2021, the Hidden Valley Mine paid an aggregate K179.4 million in royalties. However, Ms Lekubo said with many in the industry are experiencing, stakeholders increasingly wish to understand what Harmony doing environmentally, socially and in terms of governance.

“Responsible Stewardship is a key pillar underpinning Harmony’s operating philosophy which is mining with purpose. The principles of sustainable development is embedded in our business”, said Ms Lekubo.

Lekubo also expressed that Harmony s proud to support PNG businesses including landowners. “We understand that preferential procument is a national imperative in countries like Africa and Papua New Guinea.

The Harmony Executive said, the mining company is committed to responding to climate change and has announced its plans to achieve Net Zero carbon emission by 2045. “This commitment will influence our energy choices and approach when developing the mine projects going forward”, said Lekubo.

The mining company pledged its support and encourage the Papua New Guinea Government to work together under this difficult economic times. Ms Lekubo said Harmony looks forward to concluding the permitting of the Wafi Golpu project to enable and create shared values for all stakeholders.

The West New Britain Provincial Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Cultural Commission to embrace and sustain its cultural heritage in the Province.

The MOU will also see the establishment of a proper cultural center in the Province. This will also allow for proper planning of cultural shows and other activities. NCC will partner with the Province to ensure cultures, arts, and programs in West New Britain are protected.

Speaking at the signing, WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said the Province has one of the unique cultures and also attractive landmarks to develop and attract tourist to the Province. “This is also an effort to embrace our culture,” said Muthuvel.

According to NCC the MOU is one of the partnerships arrangements where NCC is looking to work with Province in the country to sustain arts and culture programs. The MOU will also allow the WNB provincial government to capture all cultural assets, resources, activities, events, facilities and other establishments in the province.

The signing makes West New Britain the fourth province to enter this partnership with NCC with Central, Milne Bay and Enga Provinces already signing similar arrangements.

Tourism Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard said this is exciting for WNB. He says the province is rich with diversity and unique cultures not forgetting historical sites and attractive flora and fauna. “The MOU will see many exciting things to develop, preserve and embrace the cultural heritage of the Province”, said Minister Leonard.

Minister Leonard also pledged a K1million for the construction of cultural center in Kimbe.

The MOU was signed between West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, Minister Leonard and National Cultural Commission Executive Director Steven Kilanda.

West New Britain, New Ireland, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Manus Provinces have signed individual Memorandum of Agreements with the Works & Highways Department for the Road Sector Reform Implementation program.

The signing was done at the Department Conference Room last Friday. There to witness and officiate was the Minister for Works Michael Nali, Secretary David Wereh, WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin, Manus MP and Speaker Job Pomat and provincial administration of each province.

Works and Highways Minister Michael Nali said the MoA is a way forward to work with the Provinces to ensure roads are funded, maintained and rehabilitated on time. He said the signed MoA will see the Department decentralize powers including management function to sub-national road authorities to manage their own road networks.

“This is a reform carried out by the Department through an Act of Parliament (Road Management Act 202) for Provincial Administrations to see a sealing of about K600million to assist Provinces ensure better roads are built and maintained,” said Minister Nali.

“It’s a long road but we have to start somewhere,” said Nali.

The signing will allow sub-national road authorities to effectively managed its agencies in the road sector to have clear defined roles and most importantly the legal authority to perform their legislative and policy functions.

The transfer of powers from DOW involves political decentralization, administrative, financial and procument decentralization to provinces.

The MOA signed is a Performance Agreement Pact that will push provinces to be responsible and implement the National Government’s medium term road sector targets in relation to their road network there by increasing productivity of investment in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism sectors of the local and national economy.

WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said road is a key priority but work on most roads are delayed by systems of Government. He said the MoA will now give powers to Provincial authorities to ensure roads are fixed and done on time according to plan and budget.

East New Britain is now the only Province in the NGI Region yet to sign the agreement with Works. The Highlands, Momase and Southern Region will be scheduled to sign their respective MoA with Department of Works and Highways in the coming week.