A clash by two clans in Karizogo, in upper Bundi, Madang Province on the 17th of March 2022 has not only disturbed peace but almost cost the lives of four people.

Footage supplied by Kumura Foundation show three man bleeding uncontrollably and a woman nursing cut fingers.

The four were slashed with machete or bush knives.

They were lucky, medical experts from Kumura Foundation were close by.

Bundi is located at the border of Madang and Simbu Province. It has some of the most challenging terrains in PNG making it difficult to get to a nearest health center immediately.

Vincent Kumura, the Director of Kumura Foundation said two of the injured were escorted for miles uphill to Snow Pass and the other was carried on a makeshift stretcher for two hours to Betty Camp near Pandambai, Upper Bundi to be transported in the Kumura Foundation’s Upper Bundi Ambulance to the Sir. Joseph Nombri Memorial Hospital (SJNMH) in Kundiawa.

With the help of Rat Wara- a local PMV owner of Gembogl, the head of the Emergency Department at the SJNMH Dr Bobby Welsh and his team, all four injured persons received timely treatment.

Three of them have been discharged from the hospital.

The other is in a stable condition.

Kumura thanked the Sir. Brian Bell Foundation for the much needed Upper Bundi Ambulance that is saving lives in this part of the country.

The Ambulance was donated last year.

So far, 140 patients have been transported to health facilities in Simbu Province.

Thirty percent are from the Kundiawa-Gembogl District and the rest from Bundi.

Long serving West New Britain Provincial Administrator, Williamson Hosea has resigned from duties.

Today he handed over the reigns to his successor, Leo Mapmani who will be Acting Provincial Administrator for the next three months.

Mr. Hosea has served for 46 years in the public service with 10 years as Provincial Administrator.

West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel said this follows a National Executive Council decision on the 9th of March under the compulsory retirement age of 65.

Muthuvel said this is a directive with both Mr Hosea and Mr Mapmani receiving letters from the Department of Personnel Management.

“We will do a formal farewell ceremony after Parliament sitting”, said Muthuvel.

The Governor added that this should see a smooth flow of transition to ensure the public service in West New Britain continues to deliver services.

Muthuvel thanked Hosea for his outstanding service to the people of West New Britain and urged him to work with his successor during the transition period.

Mr Hosea hails from Galilo Village in the Hoskins LLG of Talasea District. He started as an Agriculture Officer and worked his way up to Deputy Provincial Administrator before being appointed as the Provincial Administrator.

He reached the retirement age of 65 last November.

Meanwhile Hosea’s successor, Leo Mapmani was the District Administrator for Talasea District prior to this appointment.

Both announcements were made at the Office of the West New Britain Governor.

Thirty-Five (35) public servants have recently graduated from the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG) Highlands Regional Centre in Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province.

The eight females and twenty seven males were awarded with certificates in Leadership and Governance, a course funded and supported by the SP Foundation Incorporation since 2018.

The public servants were from 9 different organizations within the Highlands region.

While congratulating the participants, Department of Personnel Management Secretary,Taies Sansan who is also the interim Chairlady of the PILAG Board took time to inform them about several changes within the sector.

She highlighted a number of key policy changes to the public service which includes the Public Service long term plan, and the Human Resource Development Strategy Plan 2020 – 2050.

“The public service now has training policies which aligns to and complements the 30 year long term plan”, she adds.

Sansan challenged the graduands to be the change agent in their respective organizations when they return to work.

“Serving in the public service is a well-regarded and privileged role for individuals who are paid to carry out services for and on behalf of the general public.

“Public Servants are expected to display commitment, dedication and ethics in their conduct”, said Sansan.

Secretary Sansan also took time to acknowledge SP Foundation Incorporation for their continued support and PILAG for ensuring that their regional centers provides more leadership training courses to those in the provinces that need up-skilling.

COVID19 entry requirements into PNG has been relaxed.

Commissioner of Police and Controller of the National Pandemic Response David Manning released the new measures today, replacing Measure No.2.

The new measures omits the “timeframe” required by a passenger to get a booster shot or any of the approved vaccines, however passengers travelling by plane will need to take a covid19 test 72 hours before boarding.

Test results from Polymerase Chain Reaction of PCR will be the only one accepted.

For passengers and crews entering PNG through the maritime Ports, covid19 tests will now take place upon arrival.

Previously, the passengers took the covid19 test 72 hours before arrival.

For passengers whose test results return positive they will be required to follow the normal isolation and quarantine protocols until cleared of covid19.

The new measures come into effect on 21 March 2022.

All passengers travelling by both modes of transport must be fully vaccinated.

Moresby North West MP and Pangu Pati Member, Lohia Boe Samuel has been refused police bail after he was charged for Murder.

NCD and Central Divisional Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner, Anthony Wagambie Jnr said the MP was invited to Boroko Police Station where he was formally charged under the Criminal Code Act.

Police report say the deceased, a father of seven lost his life after he was allegedly shot with a firearm in a restaurant in Port Moresby.

Police have established that the licensed firearm is owned and registered to Mr. Samuel and at the time of the incident the member was in company of his staff and the deceased.

Commander Wagambie explained that it took police a while to make the arrest because police investigators had to gather evidence to ensure the right person is charged for Discharging a firearm.

Police Commissioner David Manning is not too pleased with the media after one of the daily newspapers wrote that the police are not election ready.

Post Courier newspaper had “Police Not Poll-Ready” on the front-page headline of today’s newspaper.

The author of the report received comments from Deputy Police Commissioner Operations, Anthon Billy saying there are no firearms and no munitions.

Commissioner Manning called for a press conference today to clarify the RPNG’s preparedness and also took the time to school the media about responsible reporting.

Manning said the media must report responsibly as it is easy for people to misinterpret information.

“The elections, as we all know in Papua New Guinea, are often times volatile. We have a very impressionable population that is often swayed by either public opinion or posts on social media.”

While he did not directly admit what his Deputy had said Manning said it is not for the police force to arm itself but to provide safety.

“The police hierarchy has an ongoing program to replace aging weapons but the delay is caused by the procurement process.

The Police Commissioner said it is their procurement plan to ensure that people are provided the best possible logistical support.

“Elections have its associated risks, as I said there are high proliferation of illegal firearms; high powered firearms in our communities continue to be a risk we will work towards mitigating. ”

“But delay is beyond our control, it’s either the late warrant of funds, of course being public funds, the procurement process needs to be followed.”

Meanwhile the Minister for Police William Onglo says the Government is focused and wants to ensure that the 2022 National General Elections will be free, fair and safe for everyone across the country.

“The Marape Government has transferred K111million already into our police operations for the elections.”

The Public Solicitor, Leslie Mamu presented the 2021 Annual Report to Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae in Port Moresby today.

The 2021 Annual Report highlights the functions and activities of the Public Solicitor’s Office and recommendations for improvement of its services.

The Office of the Public Solicitor is established by the Constitution under Section 176(1) to provide legal aid, advice and assistance to those in need of it.

Public Solicitor, Leslie Mamu, presenting 2021 Annual Report to Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae at Government House.

It is a Constitutional requirement that Constitutional Office Holders present an annual report to the Governor General on the operations of the office as well as recommendations for improvement.

Annual reports are presented to the Governor General to be forwarded to the Speaker of Parliament for presentation in Parliament.

In just under 24 hours, St John Ambulance (SJA) officers responding to emergencies in the National Capital District and Central Province were attacked in two separate incidents.

The first incident happened at 3:30am on Saturday morning.

An ambulance crew responding to an emergency call from Kaugere in the Moresby South Electorate was stopped from it’s path by two drunk man.

One holding a large metal pole and threatening the crew to turn back.

Police were called and the men have been arrested.

Another incident happened along Vanapa in the Kairuku Hiri District of Central Province.

CEO Matt Cannon was on his way to assist his Health Extension Officer attend a maternal case.

“Triplets had been born prematurely and the babies and mother were acutely unwell.

The response car (C01) was displaying red and blue flashing lights.

“A St John Health Extension Officer in A31 (ahead of C01) required urgent back-up from advanced paramedics to manage the patients.

“At approximately 1809hrs, while responding to the case we approached a newly placed speed hump approximately 300 metres from what we understand to be Vanapa Bridge.

“As our vehicle slowed to go over the speed hump slowly, a male ran out in front of the vehicle wielding a knife that appeared 15 – 20cm in length.

“The male used that knife to strike the driver’s side window with force. A loud bang could be heard. The male had a beard. He appeared an estimated age of between 20 – 40 years old.

The knife contacted the glass, and slid down, contacting metal, and leaving a notable dent in the aluminium door.

The driver was lucky, the windows were up.

“Given where the knife contacted the glass, had the window been open or the glass given way, the knife would have stabbed my neck, very likely severing the carotid artery, resulting in death by uncontrollable exsanguination in a matter of seconds.

“Every day our professional ambulance officers are putting their lives on the line, coming face to face with risk and violence so that others may live.

“Obstructing a paramedic or ambulance officer is categorically unacceptable and put lives at risk,” said Cannon.

Meanwhile St John Ambulance Board Chair Dame Jean Kekedo said they are asking the Government to make amendments to the St John Act 1976 to make it illegal to obstruct or hinder ambulance officers performing their duties.

This incident in Central Province is the 4th attack on the ambulance service since January 2022.

Two attacks in Central Province, one in NCD and one in Simbu Province.