Morobe’s Senior Provincial Magistrate, Pious Tapil made time available yesterday during the Easter Public Holiday to hear almost forty cases including twenty-seven summary offenses and four committals.

The special hearing follows the overcrowding at Lae’s Police Station cell in the month of April.

The Summary offenses include the use and sale of illicit drugs like marijuana and homebrew known as ‘fire-wara’ and street vending in public places.

Senior Provincial Magistrate Pious Tapil said, drugs and homebrew will not be tolerated by the District Court, following the offenders’ responses as a means of survival.

Tapil further stated that ‘making ends meet’ in selling the illicit drugs is a lazy way of sustaining lives and is a health risk imposed on others.

Tapil said this when sentencing almost ten offenders for 12 to 18 months imprisonment in possession of drugs and homebrew, whilst street vendors and those drinking in public places were given a fine of K300, or three months imprisonment at Lae’s Buimo Prison.

Meanwhile, the Senior Provincial Magistrate called on the Police to conduct awareness in public places to inform the public not to buy from the street vendors, or they will be penalized when caught by Police.

Tapil further stated that public places including the bus stops and market places must be free from street vending or ‘black market.’

He said this practice may cause opportunists to take advantage of the situation and in turn involve themselves in illegal activities such as petty crimes such as ‘pickpocket.’

New Ireland Police and other disciplinary forces have signed a partnership agreement with the Catholic Church.

This was done during the visit by Apostolic Nuncio (Ambassador) in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Fermin Emilio Sosa Rodriguez during a recent visit to Kavieng.

The partnership will see the police and correctional service work together with the Church in order to identify effective service in the province.

Rodriguez was given a welcome parade upon his arrival at the Kavieng Airport before heading to the Catholic Diocese Cathedral. His visit to the province is to open dialogue and celebrate the Chrism Mass under his leadership.

The Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and important liturgies of the Christian Calendar where the holy oil used for sacrament and Holy Orders are anointed and the consecration of alters and dedication of churches are conducted.

Ambassador Rodriguez was impressed with the warm welcome and thanked New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat for the partnership between the Church and disciplinary forces.

“It’s a historical occasion for disciplinary forces and the people of New Ireland,” said PPC Nebanat.

“I am greatly grateful and truly humbled to see this partnership forged,” he added.

Over 50 health workers and non-clinical staff from the West New Britain Provincial Health Authority presented a petition to the West New Britain Provincial Government on Thursday (April 14) morning.

Their concern is the continuous threat and harassment towards doctors, nurses and PHA staff as law and order issues in Kimbe spiral out of control.

Speaking on behalf of the PHA, Dr Yvonne Sapuri expressed to authorities that a handful of doctors, most of whom are specialists have left the Province in fear of their lives including their families. This follow countless attacks by thugs at their residents, at the hospital and even while on route to duty calls during the night.

Dr Sapuri said if this continues, doctors will not come and work in West New Britain. She said it’s not just a concern from health workers but as members of the public and civil society.

“We are representing everyone to raise this concern and stop the growing criminal attacks in Kimbe.”

“It’s affecting our health system and we have raised our concerns point by point in the petition for our leaders and provincial authorities to consider,” said Dr Sapuri.

In an earlier post on social media, Dr Sapuri said in the space of seven weeks’ specialist doctors left Kimbe because they believe the Provincial Government has failed to provide safety for all in the Province.

She said this has been a growing concern causing much disappointment and frustration over the never ending law and order problems.

The latest attack occurred at the Kimbe Urban Clinic at Gigo where thugs climbed over the fence and robbed some patients; mostly mothers who came early to seek healthcare services.

As a result, the clinic was closed and has been for the past five days.

“Enough is enough, we cannot continue to serve the people while safety of our staff are not guaranteed,” said Dr Sapuri.

“There is so much criminal activities going on in Kimbe, we want our leaders to make a stand and come-up with solutions,” added Sapuri.

She said members of the WNBPHA want to work with the Provincial Government and stop this once and for all because the delivery of health services will be highly affected.

They protested peacefully to the Provincial Government building and presented their petition to Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, the Acting Provincial Administrator Leo Mapmani and other members of the PEC.

The people of Gunangi in Suai LLG in the Sinesine-Yongomugl District of Simbu have received financial support for their mini hydro power project.

A joint of funding K450,000 from the Sinesine-Yongomugl District Development Authority and Simbu Provincial Government was presented to the Community Project Team recently.

That is K350,000 from SSY DDA and K100,000 from Simbu Provincial Government.

The local communities contributed money to fund the hydro power project which began last year, however, despite their efforts, funding still fell short, affecting the progress of the project.

Sinesine-Yongomugl MP and Petroleum Minister, Kerenga Kua said the funding will help complete the first phase of the project.

Kua said such community driven initiatives will be supported for people, including schools and health facilities to benefit from.

The financial support from the provincial government through the leadership of Governor Michael Dua will help purchase another turbine for the hydro project.

The Chairman of the Perige Suai Hydro project thanked both the DDA and Simbu Provincial Government for their support toward the project.

In expressing his gratitude, the chairman said this will bring to the communities of Suai especially Gunangi the service of electricity after years of living in the dark.

He said government institutions like Suai High school, primary school and health services in remote Gunangi will become more improved with proper electricity supply.

More than 10,000 people will have access to electricity once the project is completed.

The mini power project initiative proves the people’s intent to improve their community standards and living conditions.

Now, they aim to put the funding to good use, complete the project and deliver it before July this year.

West New Britain Provincial Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UN Women to partner in empowering women market vendors and improve market operations in the Province.

The MOU has agreed by both parties will enable women’s economic empowerment in the province. The MOU communicates the mutually accepted expectations of all of the parties involved in a negotiation.

Three basic objectives are covered in the agreement.

1) To develop gender-sensitive strategies, mechanisms, and action plans to strengthen the capacity of the market authorities for accountable governance in market management that includes women’s voices.

2) To enhance provincial, district and local level government systems and processes for improved market management systems that build local economies and provide a safe and economically vibrant environment for market vendors to pursue entrepreneur activities in pursuit of their livelihood

3.To build the capacity of women market vendors to seize economic opportunities and voice their concerns with market authorities and resolve problems that adversely affect their economic wellbeing through the establishment of women’s voice mechanisms.

According to UN it’s a work in progress for a collaborative manner to strengthen the local economy by creating safe markets within which women are empowered to pursue entrepreneurial activities, improve their incomes, and control their earnings for the benefit of their families.

Also during the signing, UN Women representatives Vivian Ningi and Eloi Longsen also presented two market booklets as toolkits to Acting Provincial Administrator, Leo Mapmani.

The booklet contains information on helpful market operations.

The U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Ambassador Erin E. McKee will depart Papua New Guinea on Thursday 14th of April 2022 to take up her new role as the Assistant Administrator for Europe and Asia.

The Biden Administration nominated Ambassador McKee, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Career Minister, to be the Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination by unanimous vote on March 24.

She will be sworn in and begin her new position at USAID shortly after her arrival in Washington, DC.

At her departure ceremony, Ambassador McKee acknowledged the partnership forged by US and the three pacific nations that has expanded in recent years.

“I’m departing on a high note, and yes, it is sad, and it is bittersweet, but I’m so deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished in the last two and a half years.

“The United States is expanding our presence in the region and is here to stay.

“The New Embassy Compound is nearing completion, and symbolizes the United States’ strengthened and enduring partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, while we advance the United States’ commitment to the Pacific, to a prosperous, inclusive, and democratically empowered society,” McKee said.

Her leadership saw an increased presence of US in the Pacific.

“Our Embassy staff has expanded significantly – we’ve actually doubled in size since I arrived.

“But not only in size but in diversity, in terms of skills and focus and passion.

“Since I arrived, we’ve added new agencies from the executive branch, our Defense Attaché’s office, USAID, and now we have the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Justice, and Homeland Security, and the U.S. Forest Service- that shows an enduring commitment in a lot of areas where we’ve heard very loud demand signals from our partners here for engagement.

“And we’ve attracted top talent to staff these positions,” she said.

She leaves satisfied that despite only two and a half years she has done her part to strengthen corporation and collaboration through many impact areas.

“I’m proud to say that, again and again we fulfilled our promise to engage on issues of health, the economy, security, and we amplified and shored up our many shared values.

“We fulfilled our promise to promote gender equality and rule of law. We fulfilled our promise to level the playing field and equip women and men with the tools they need to succeed.

“Together, America and Papua New Guinea are providing opportunities to all people.

“That’s what democracy means,” McKee said.

She explains that the US PNG partnership is a demonstration of support to freedom and dignity.

“In the contest between democracy and autocracy, between sovereignty and subjugation, make no mistake: freedom and dignity will prevail.

“As your partner and ally, the United States is committed more than ever to continue working with you and the other partners to achieve Papua New Guinea’s democratic goals.

“So, while I’m sad to leave, I leave knowing that Papua New Guinea is moving in the right direction, ever upwards and onwards, and I depart knowing that you are in good hands, hand-in-hand, with the United States of America.

The artwork of a 48-year-old Papua New Guinean artist is being displayed on SP’s Pacific Export Lager (White Can).

Peter Elavera, an artist who graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea’s Creative Arts School in 1995 has partnered with South Pacific Brewery to showcase his artwork.

“It’s an honor seeing my artwork design on SP Pacific Export Lager. Knowing that the can is not only available in Port Moresby but throughout the country; this means my artwork will reach a wider audience. It is a great feeling,” Elavera said.

Designs from East New Britain, East and West Sepik, New Ireland, Simbu, Enga and Central are already selling on the shelves throughout the country. Sixteen more designs will be hit the market next.

Born in 1974, Elavera is from a mixed parentage of Simbu and Gulf.

Between 1974 and 1984 Elavera lived between Simbu and Morobe province before moving to Port Moresby where he has been ever since.

After a decade of formal employment, Elavera resigned in 2006 and ventured into SME.

“I realized that my creative powers will become stagnant if I continued in formal employment, like a bird in a cage,” Elavera said.

Elavera’s other artwork include:

– Designer in Production of the 30 metre Jungle Mural that was installed at Jackson’s Airport Arrival Lounge.

– Beer Garden Wall at SP Brewery Lae

– SP Brewery Wall in Port Moresby

K3 million funding has been set aside for Police in Morobe for the National Election’s Security Operations.

K1 million from this K3 million will be used for Security Operations while a larger proportion will be used for allowances for security personnel including PNGDF Soldiers and Correctional Service Officers.

Morobe Police Commander, Superintendent Jocob Singura said they are happy with K3million funding assistance from Morobe Provincial Government.

“Manpower and logistical support are our biggest challenges, especially for a province like Morobe with a big landmass and scattered population.” said PPC Singura.

The Morobe Command is looking at engaging 90 plus members from PNGDF and CS in election security exercises.

PPC Singura said the Manpower Nominal roll has been finalized and set to National Election Planning Team for approval at the Police Headquarters in Port Moresby.