Prime Minister James Marape has reminded heads of Government departments and agencies to submit their annual reports by March 31, 2023, to show what they have achieved in 2022. He said yesterday (December 1, 2022) that this would ensure timely and regular checks and balances on Government departments and agencies. “All heads of Government departments and agencies are required to report back to us, by March 31, 2023, on what they have done for the country,” PM Marape said. “We will not tolerate any late reports and warn, in no uncertain terms, that failure to comply with this deadline will result in termination. “All reports, covering what they have done in 2022, should be handed in to the Chief Secretary’s Office. “We want to operate our country in a smarter, business-like, modus-operandi. “As the heads of departments and agencies give in their reports, we will get the Auditor-General to hire independent audit firms outside of Government, to check on the reports. “This is for the benefit of our tax-payers and the ordinary people of Papua New Guinea.” PM Marape said his Government was not a new one, but a continuing one, and all heads of departments and agencies should know what was required of them. “We want to do better for our country,” he said. “We are in the process of taking back our country and putting it back on the right road. “The people have given us their mandate and we want to do the right thing for them.”

Prime Minister James Marape has assured the traveling Papua New Guinean public that he would get the two ministers jointly responsible for Air Niugini to look into the possible review of fees and extra charges that the airline company is imposing upon tickets. The Prime Minister said while the Government cannot interfere with the costs of the tickets because of Air Niugini’s ‘cost structure’, fees and charges, however, could be looked at and he would get the ministers for State-owned Enterpise and Transport & Civil Aviation to look into the matter. Prime Minister Marape was responding to Member for Menyamya Hon. Solen Loifa yesterday (011222) in Parliament during Questions Without Notice when the Member asked for some reprieve in the fees the airline is charging on top of already-expensive airline tickets. “Air Niugini has a cost structure and requirements to operate at a certain level. For the ticket costs, we cannot influence too much. “ But if there is any space in giving relief to the public, we can ask Air Niugini. “For some of these fees associated to the ticket, I will get the Minister for State-Owned Enterprise and the Minister for Transport & Civil Aviation to see into these fees that are built into the costs. Then we will get back to the Member and the people,” PM Marape said.

Prime Minister James Marape has announced to the people of Papua New Guinea that a National Monitoring Authority (NMA) will be set up next year to ensure that the National Budget is implemented and that the Government’s visions and aspirations are realized. He said yesterday, fresh from delivery of the 2023 Budget on Tuesday (November 29, 2022), that the NMA would be comprised of bodies like National Research Institute, National Economic and Fiscal Commission, Transparency International, National Council of Churches and others. “We will also have representation of the Provincial Governors, Inter-Government Relations Department, and Central Agencies,” PM Marape said. “We will check and ensure that all intentions of the Budget are delivered to expectations. “We have just delivered the biggest-ever K24.5 billion Budget and we want to ensure that it delivers positive outcomes for the country. “We want to develop our country and not waste and squander money on unnecessary areas. “Our focus for 2023 is Law-and-Order, Education, Health, Infrastructure and Economic Development. “We want our people to develop their agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and others instead of being overly dependent on oil, gas and mining.” PM Marape said the 2023 Budget had noble intentions for PNG and the NMA – with representation of the people of PNG - would keep a close eye on implementation of the 2023 Budget and others into the future. “We are also looking at getting professional auditing firms to audit Government books, and check Government programmes, to ensure that we are working for our people,” he said. “We are also looking at engaging independent recruitment firms to recruit police, soldiers, warders and public servants to ensure that we get the best young people without accusations of bias and nepotism. “We want the Budget to deliver for our people, instead of appropriating and spending without ensuring maximum return, as we have done for the last 47 years.”

The National Government is now looking into settling long-owed payments for shares in the oil palm businesses in Milne Bay and Oro provinces, Prime Minister James Marape said yesterday (011222) in Parliament. Prime Minister Marape said this as he apologized to the people of Milne Bay and Oro for the inability of the past government to settle these overdue payments which he said have been outstanding for some 10 years. He was responding to Milne Governor Hon. Gordon Wesley who wanted to know if anything was going to finally come from the shares being held at Kumul Consolidate Holdings (KCH). Governor Wesley asked: “When will the National Government pay to the Milne Bay Provincial Government K52 million share payment from the previous oil palm company in Milne Bay that has been held with Kumul Consolidated Holdings for many years? For years, successive Milne Bay governors have been following up on these long overdue share payments currently held by Kumul Consolidated Holdings. We are aware that the NEC has resolved to make a payment of K52 million owned to the Milne Bay provincial government as share payments which have been outstanding going back decades.” Prime Minister Marape said in response: “I sincerely apologise on behalf of the past government, of which I was Finance Minister, and present government for the delay in remittance for what is due to your province. “Last year, we undertook to look at the history surrounding what is due to Milne Bay and Oro provinces as a result of the transfer of these oil palm shares, shares that are held in trust by KCH. “It was confirmed that the National Government owed the two provinces money in the transaction that took place dating back 10 years or so, if I am not wrong. “I want to assure you and your provincial government and the people of Milne Bay that you are owed these payments. “I give you my fullest assurance that at the earliest when we can put together something, we will send the money to you either in cash or kind. “Oro Province is also working with us. We owe them almost a similar amount. “There is a conversation going on that if KCH is not going to fully transfer the cash then we look at assets or something in kind for the provinces. “We welcome you to the Office of the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises to progress this matter for your people and province,” PM Marape said.

The Regional Youth Games for the New Guinea Islands has been postponed to 2024. The Games was initially agreed to be hosted in Kokopo in December 2022 following the success of the Inaugural Papua Regional Youths Games held in Alotau District, Milne Bay Province in April this year. However, the Games is now deferred due to the rise in Law & Order issues and prolonged drought in both East and West New Britain Provinces. Focus will now be shifted to consultations for the Regional Youth Games in the Momase and Highlands Regions earmarked for 2023. The RYG Council appeals to the youths in the NGI Region to register with the LLG Youth Councils in their respective districts to participate in youth sports associated activities and prepare well for the next Games in 2024. In that same year, the Southern Region will celebrate its second Games which will be hosted by Central Province.

The BSP Board has announced the appointment of its current Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ronesh Dayal as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), effective 1st January, 2023. In announcing this, BSP Group Chairman Sir Kostas Constatinou said, “further to the announcement on 3rd November, 2022, regarding the appointment of Mark Robinson as the new Group CEO, Mr Robinson is expected to take up his position on 1st March, 2023. In the interim, the Board has appointed Ronesh Dayal, Group CFO as acting Group CEO from the time of current Group CEO Robin Fleming’s departure on 31st December, 2022, until Mr Robinson arrives in PNG to take up his new role,” Sir Kostas added. Outgoing CEO and veteran banker Mr Fleming said: “Mark is excited about joining BSP next year and will be able to guide and lead BSP in the coming years. He is also looking forward to the go-live of Flexcube, our new banking system, and all the improvements in process. He is expected to arrive in PNG on the 1st of March as he has some unavoidable family matters that need to be attended to before he leaves the United States but he will come sooner than the 1st of March if all is possible,” Mr Fleming added. Mr Fleming’s tenure with BSP ends on 31st December, 2022, after 42 years with the bank

In an important symbol of our enduring friendship with Papua New Guinea, Chargé d'Affaires Joseph E. Zadrozny and Under Secretary of State for Management John Bass hosted Prime Minister James Marape, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, and a broad spectrum of government officials, civil society leaders, heads of foreign diplomatic missions, and guests from the private sector, to dedicate the new U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby. The new embassy highlights the United States’ strong commitment to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the Indo-Pacific region. At the ceremony, Chargé d'Affaires Joseph E. Zadrozny closed by saying, “We look forward to continuing to develop and deepen our partnership and friendship with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, from our base here in Port Moresby. The United States is committed to a strong, free, and open Pacific, and we will continue to work toward the shared progress and prosperity that will result from that strength, freedom, and openness.” The new campus is located on a 7¼ acre site in Harbor City, a new waterfront development adjacent to Port Moresby Harbor. It incorporates a combination of energy- and water-saving features that ensure the embassy is respectful of the region’s resources while providing a secure and sustainable space for the U.S. Mission. The $250 million dollar project is a symbol of our enduring commitment to supporting democracy, prosperity, and security in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. A model of environmental stewardship, the new embassy gives the United States an even more capable foundation to continue to develop and deepen our ties with the region. KCCT of Washington, with Krueck Sexton Partners of Chicago, Illinois, were the architects for the project, and FramacoInternational Inc. of Rye Brook, New York, constructed the campus, injecting an estimated $50 million into the local economy.

On 30 November, Deputy Secretary Annemarie Kona of the National Department of Education on behalf of the Minister for Education, and the Australian High Commissioner HE Jon Philp launched the Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) program at Papa School in Central Province. This new program aims to provide more children with access to quality inclusive education. The PIE program is an eight-year PNG-Australia Partnership funded program designed to improve access, equity, and student learning outcomes in the early grades. The program operates at the national and subnational level in four target locations Enga, West Sepik, Central and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. [caption id="attachment_31515" align="alignnone" width="906"] Children and dignitaries pose for a group picture after the official launch[/caption] The new program, designed in close consultation with the National Department of Education (NDoE) and key education stakeholders, aims to address limitations and challenges faced in early grade education and ensure more children attend school, including girls and children with disabilities. The program will do this through upskilling elementary teachers with dedicated in-service training, providing curriculum materials, books and supporting School Boards of Management improvement plans and support NDoE to improve data management to inform policy and planning. Deputy Secretary Kona speaking on behalf of Secretary Dr Uke Kombra who was called to Parliament with the Minister of Education said, “We are grateful for the ongoing support by the Australian Government through the PNG-Australia Partnership.” Ms Kona said the Department of Education was committed to the program as it aims to achieve quality education for all. [caption id="attachment_31516" align="alignnone" width="1008"] Australian High Commissioner with the heads of the sub schools (elementary, primary and high school) at the Papa School[/caption] Ms Kona said PIE is working closely with the Department to achieve quality education for all, upgrade teacher competency and improve student enrolment and retention. Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp said this investment by the Australian Government will support the PNG Government’s vision towards an educated population that will enable a literate, healthy and inclusive workforce that can contribute to the economic and social development of the country. The foundation of an educated population begins in the early grades. Mr Philp reflected that his own father was a teacher that supported early curriculum development in PNG and had highlighted to him how critically important good teachers are to learning. The PIE program will focus on critical elements to quality education in the early grades including teacher upskilling. High Commissioner Philp emphasised Australia’s commitment to support  greater representation of women at all leadership levels of our society, noting that potential future leaders were amongst the students of Papa School in Central Province. Central Province’s Governor Rufina Peter is one such leader. Deputy Secretary Kona thanked the Australian Government for their collaboration with NDoE and provincial departments of education to refine the approaches and systems to improve early grade education and align with GoPNG priorities and education as outlined in the NEP 2020-2029.

Her Excellency Lady Emeline Dadae today visited sick children at the Children’s Ward of the Port Moresby General Hospital. Lady Dadae accompanied by staff of the Governor General’s Office, visited all the sick children at Wards 1B, Cancer Ward for Children, Children's Emergency and Children's Outpatient. Lady Dadae took time to greet the children and prayed with them and presented gift bags to each of the patients. Lady Dadae held sick babies in her arms and whispered comforting words to them, and at times overcome with emotion shed tears also. Lady Dadae said, she was delighted at the opportunity to visit the sick children which she was not able to do earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many parents and guardians remarked that they appreciated the visit by Lady Dadae and it meant a lot to them to see Lady Dadae's caring for and comforting their sick children. Lady Dadae is grateful for the kind donation of food items and children's toys from Best Gear Trading Limited which she presented as gifts to the sick children at the Children’s Wards.

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has restored banking services in Henganofi District in Eastern Highlands Province  this week, after weeks of shutdown following a breaking and entering of the sub branch. BSP Kainantu Branch Manager Robert Jomino who confirmed the incident said, “the break and enter occurred during a blackout that night when intruders cut open the security wire to gain entry into the premises, but were unable to enter the building and left without any further damages.” This is the third time BSP Henganofi sub branch has closed its doors due to break and enter incidents. The bank is calling on all stakeholders, the local community to take care of the branch and its staff as it is the only bank willing to serve the people and residents of Henganofi District. BSP Group General Manager for Retail Daniel Faunt said, “While BSP is pleased to return and resume services for the people of Henganofi and the Eastern Highlands Province, this is the third instance where BSP will reopen Henganofi sub branch doors due to theft and robbery at this particular sub branch in the same year. Any further criminal act against Henganofi Branch will make it difficult for BSP to once again consider re-opening the sub branch.” “BSP sub branches in rural areas are increasingly becoming frequent targets for criminal activities, which not only cost money for BSP to repair the damage caused but also puts the provision of banking services at risk for customers who rely on BSP in their local communities,” added Faunt. He said: “BSP is the only bank that has representation in Henganofi, no other banks are willing to offer services in this district, or many other rural districts in PNG. We call upon the people of Henganofi and Eastern Highlands to support and look after the bank facilities that provide essential banking service for the community.” These most recent incident follows a spate of similar incidents across BSP’s network in 2022, due to law and order issues throughout the country. Such incidents come at significant cost to BSP. BSP sub branches at Kabwum in Morobe, Chuave in Simbu and Daulo in Eastern Highlands have all suffered from break and enter incidents this year. Meanwhile, Navo Sub- Branch in West New Britain is under indefinite closure and ATM service at Napa Napa has been permanently withdrawn, following attempted theft and destruction of the machine. Despite the cost associated with running and establishing new branches and sub-branches, BSP is committed to expand and extend its services to cater for the number of customers it has. Proof of its commitment to its customers was the recent branch in Lae – Eriku Branch opening and the ground breaking of new Telefomoin Hybrid Branch and the Mt Hagen – Dobel branch.

The Department of Education is operating outside of the Fincorp Haus for the fifth week this week while waiting for the Departments of Finance and Treasury to settle rental arrears for the building. As a result, we have scaled down on all operations including payroll services. Teachers are now informed that the Payroll Division will not deal with any outstanding or new queries regarding their salaries as well as processing of new loans from financial companies from the temporary office setup. We will only ensure that teachers and public servants are maintained on the payroll. Payroll officers need to refer to hard copies of teachers documents in order to address their queries and these documents are all locked up in Fincorp Haus. We are now asking for teachers’ understanding and patience until the rental arrears are sorted out and we move back to Fincorp Haus where we can be able to access their files and serve them.  

Prime Minister James Marape has assured the people of Papua New Guinea that the appointment of a person to the position of the Chief Executive Officer of the National Airports Corporation and all ex-officio appointments to the Board of Directors is done based on merit. Prime Minister Marape said these in response to questions raised on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday (29/11/22) regarding the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer. He informed Parliament that the National Airports Corporation is a State Owned Aviation Enterprise, therefore, the Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the National Executive Council. "This is provided for under the Regulatory Statutory Authorities (Appointment to Certain Offices) Act 2004,” Prime Minister Marape said. “In this case, we will talk about an appointment to a vacant position. When the Board of the National Airports Corporation, finds that the position of the Chief Executive Officer is vacant, they will put out an advertisement calling for applications. "The applications are collected and screened and short-listed candidates are interviewed and screened further until three most suitable candidates are identified and short-listed. "The NAC Board will then recommend the three short-listed candidates for further screening and endorsement, then the most suitable candidate will then be recommended by the Minister for Civil Aviation for appointment by the National Executive Council." Prime Minister Marape said the termination of the Chief Executive Officer of NAC is also provided for under the same Act that provides for the appointment and it is also covered under the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016 as a Air Traffic Service Personnel License holder. He said in both these Acts, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, can make recommendations or a report to the Board of NAC or the Minister for Civil Aviation for the termination of any Air Traffic Service Personnel License holder, including the Chief Executive Officer of NAC, should they find the officer(s) to be unfit to work or hold office during routine investigations to re-issue Air Traffic Service Personnel Licenses or if safety concerns were raised by the concerned public or person(s) and ensuing investigations find there is a safety risks to safe Aviation operation. Prime Minister Marape said the Chief Executive Officer of NAC is held accountable in all instances for safety risk in the Aviation sector of Papua New Guinea because he/she is the Aerodrome License Holder for the 22 airports in the country. He said in terms of Section 50 (f) and (g) of the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016, it provides for and ensures that any Aviation Officer(s) who were found to have committed a transport safety offense or has contravened or failed to comply with any regulation or rule under the CA Act before the Amended Act came into effect are still held accountable. "In terms of the Independence of CASA and NAC, we will check on some of the issues recommended including preserving their independence and functionality without much political interference and look at including them in future amendments," Prime Minister Marape said. The Prime Minister thanked all Members of Parliament for their support of the Bill saying that safety is very important in the Aviation public transport system space and must not be compromised. He again assured Parliament that operational issues that were raised, including the Independence of the CASA and NAC will be tidied in future amendments. He said at the moment, the independence of CASA and NAC is protected by the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016 where any recommendation or directions from the Political Head will not be effective or effected without the approval of the Director or in terms of appointments and revocation of appointments, the approval of the Chairman of the Board of either CASA or NAC. Prime Minister Marape also informed Parliament that there was an attempt to sabotage the passage of the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016 on Monday, November 28, which is an attack on democratic process of the legislature. He said this is an attack on the democratic process at the highest level, therefore, the person who allegedly claimed to be a casual staff of the First Legislative Council (FLC) and asked Parliament staff for the bill to be sabotage must be investigated and prosecuted. The Prime Minister added that he has asked the Speaker and Clerk to investigate and to prosecute those who want to sabotage the law-making processes. “We will prosecute those who attempt to infiltrate our law-making processes.”