It was a day of mixed feelings within the perimeters of the church-run St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Port Moresby as the school farewelled its 6th batch of Grade 12 students at a graduation ceremony witnessed by parents and guardians. Keynote speaker and Deputy Opposition leader Douglas Tomuriesa reminded the graduands that it was the start of a long journey for them and not the end of their career as students. [caption id="attachment_29193" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] D/Opposition leader during his keynote address to graduating students of Charles Lwanga Secondary School.[/caption] He challenged them to remain committed in what they were good at doing and to turn their weaknesses into strengths. “Be wise as you enter the world. One day you may hold a high position in society. But always remember, with great power comes greater responsibility. Be nice to everyone on your way up the ranks. You will meet the same people during your downfall,” [caption id="attachment_29194" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Welcome remarks by the School Principal Br. Joymon Mathew.[/caption] School Principal Bro. Joymon Mathew encouraged his band of students to live and shine the Christian values taught and instilled in them as they venture into the world, living them a reminder “Once a Lwangan, Always a Lwangan.” The packed-to-capacity school hall was host to the graduation ceremony attended by parents, guardians, fellow students and a handful of invited guests to play witness to the important occasion for the departing students. “169 grade 12 graduands made up the Grade 12 classes for this year including a new Gr. 12 science class,” said Bro. Joymon. He said despite three weeks of missed lessons due to election-related violence in the metropolitan city, the students showed commitment in their learning and attended the make-up classes and remedial lessons to compensate the loss. He commended the students for maintaining the discipline of the school and showing their leadership which resulted in no major disciplinary issues faced throughout the year. “As a result we are expecting high results from the examinations for both the grade 10 and 12’s,”said Joymon. The graduating students received their school attainment certificates while three (3) of the schools dux awardees were presented a laptop each, courtesy by the school. The principal assured parents that their children are now well equipped with the best academics and necessary tools to improve their skills as well as elevated ethics and values to lead them in the path of spirituality. “Go forth and embrace your future with open arms, and enthusiastically pursue your own life journey of discovery,” he concluded.  

The FIBA Melanesian Cup 2022 tipped off at Vodafone Area Suva in Fiji with Papua New Guinea and Fiji starting their tournaments with wins. Papua New Guinea (PNG) women held off a fast-finishing Solomon Islands in the first game of the day to start their FIBA Melanesian Cup defence, 63-51. Joycelyn Basia was prolific for the Solomon Islanders with 21 points, but that was not enough to claw their way back in the second half when PNG were in foul trouble, and their fitness was put to the test. PNG Captain, Marca Muri said it was a great fight and a good way to start the tournament with the remainder of their squad due to arrive in Fiji later tonight. “It’s so amazing, we can with only six players, so it was amazing to win today,” Muri said.  “We have another six players arriving tonight, so we are very much looking forward to that.” Finishing the game with 17 points and 5 assists, Muri said the team had to dig deep, especially in the final half to hold off the fast-finishing Solomon Islands. “We just had to hang in there and tried to keep our fitness levels up,” Muri said.  “We have been training a lot and putting in the effort, so it was great hold them off.” The host side, Fiji was too strong for New Caledonia (78-61) in the second women’s match of the day despite strong individual performances from Enola Ah Ah Tchung, Adeline Souque and Moone Konhu from the bench with 14 points for the game. Fiji debutant, Matila Vocea was prolific from the bench with 15 points and 12 rebounds to launch her national career. “It was a really tough game but I’m really proud of the girls, we got through it and we got it done,” Vocea said.  “Playing tonight was really humbling and although it was really tough getting here, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to play for my home.” The former Fiji national netballer, Vocea said that she has always had a love for basketball so converting to the game she loves has been rewarding challenge.  “Netball is more reliant on agility, I was a shooter, so basketball is that plus defending and more running,” Vocea said.  “ “Netball is more agility related, so netball shooter, inside circle so for basketball it’s shooting and defending and running more, the fitness is a lot more.” The FIBA Melanesian Cup 2022 continues tomorrow with Papua New Guinea taking on New Caledonia at 12pm (local time) and Fiji coming up against Solomon Islands at 7:30pm (local time). The top two teams at the Melanesian Cup will qualify for the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.  The Pacific Games then serves as the official qualifier for the Oceania region to the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers. Source: fiba.basketball

'I love getting whacked and I love whacking people. That's what we do'. With that clear mission statement, Nene MacDonald sums up what makes the PNG Kumuls tick and what makes them such a dangerous opponent in the World Cup knockout stages. After knocking off Cook Islands 32-16 to secure their first win of the tournament on Wednesday morning (AEDT), the Kumuls are on track for a quarter-final showdown with England at Wigan on November 5. It's a mouth-watering prospect for all those who have adopted the Kumuls as their second favourite team, but perhaps not so much for the tournament hosts and their fans. "It will be one of our biggest challenges if we get there but we have the team and lots of our players have played alongside each other for many years now," MacDonald said. "It's almost like the same team [from 2017] and we have gelled a lot and we are rising up and trying to make a difference. [caption id="attachment_29155" align="alignnone" width="906"] Yei from the back fence[/caption] "We have our brand, our own style and we want to have an effect in this Cup, not just be part of it. One day we'd like to win it for our people." That Kumuls' style is built on brutal defence and power running through the middle, a mantra coach Stanley Tepend admits his team went away from in a scratchy first half against Cook Islands. Tries to Rodrick Tai and Kyle Laybutt set up a 10-0 lead but the sin-binning of MacKenzie Yei for a dangerous tackle in the 28th minute invited the Kukis back into the game, a try to Paul Ulberg closing the gap to 10-6 at the break. "We went away from our way, the Kumuls way. We tried to go wide too early so at half-time I just told them to run straight, run hard, tackle hard," Tepend said at the post-match media conference. "The boys were not down [after the loss to Tonga] but proud of the performance and we had to put our attention to Cook Islands, who we respect. The start of the second half we played the way we wanted to play. [caption id="attachment_29156" align="alignnone" width="906"] Rocket Rodrick[/caption] "We have a good bunch of boys. It's sad that two of our wingers [Xavier Coates and Edene Gebbie] had to fly home with injury sad but the connection we have is still strong." That connection came to the fore in the second half at Halifax Jones Stadium as the Kumuls ran in four tries through Rhyse Martin, Lachlan Lam, Justin Olam and a second for Tai to give them plenty of momentum heading into next week's clash with Wales. With big men Wellington Albert, Sylvester Namo and Yei laying the platform, Lam was able to take control and get quality ball to destructive outside backs Olam and MacDonald, while Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston was cool and composed at fullback. After a rollercoaster eight-year NRL career that included a horrific broken leg in 2019 and being sacked by the Cowboys the same year, MacDonald was thrown a lifeline by Kumuls legend Adrian Lam at Leigh Centurions and flourished with 26 tries in 27 games. In a stunning season of dominance Leigh won 26 of 27 matches in the Championship before defeating Batley Bulldogs in the grand final to earn promotion to Super League in 2023. "It has been an amazing year, getting promoted to Super League and now playing at a World Cup. It means so much to me putting this jersey on," MacDonald said. [caption id="attachment_29157" align="alignnone" width="906"] Olam to Lam "It has been five years since I last put the jersey on, with injury and other stuff, and then to get a shot at Leigh and fight my way back has been amazing.[/caption] "It has been a long and emotional journey but it’s like I never went away." Making the World Cup experience even more special for the 28-year-old is getting the chance to share it with Adrian Lam, who has been in camp to present jerseys and offer encouragement to the new breed of Kumuls. "We are rising up and creating our own brand and one thing we are doing is making sure we don’t forget the players who made the path for us, so having Adrian and Stanley Gene here has been fantastic," MacDonald said. "Without them, we are not who we are today, and we want to show them how much they mean to us. Source: NRL.Com

A heated argument escalated into a three-hour fight on Monday this week in the Trobriand Island of Milne Bay Province resulting in 23 deaths and several people seriously wounded, says Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Peter Barkie. Mr Barkie said the fight broke out after an argument between the coastal and inland villages following a soccer match that the locals took part in during the Independence celebration a month ago. The coastal villages include Kavataria, Mulosaida and Orabesi and have confirmed six deaths while the inland villages of Gumlababa, Wabutuma, Bwetalu, Luya and Yalaka confirmed 17 deaths. Losuia Station was used as a battle ground. Mr Barkie said the National Maritime Safety Authority assisted police with a boat on Monday evening and on Tuesday morning a Section of 10 police personnel were sent to the Trobriand Islands. He said from initial assessment the fighting has stopped and the people are now mourning and burying those who were killed in the fight. Mr Barkie said Police in Milne Bay do not have boats but small dinghies which becomes quite difficult to reach out to the Islands in the province especially during times like this. Mr Barkie said manpower on the other hand continues to be a serious problem as the total number of police personnel including himself is 74 to police four districts in the province with a total population of over 300,000. He said the ratio of police personnel in Milne Bay Province is one policeman for every 4,150 people. PPC Barkie said as a precautionary measure, he has requested for a Mobile Squad to be put on standby in case the situation escalates again and also requested Police Headquarter to send in a Task Force Team to assist his command. “Currently the Police Personnel have spoken to the villagers and their leaders to end this fight completely and solve the issue properly without any more fighting. “Casualties, deaths, destruction of the villages and people being displaced over a soccer game is not worth it. A simple soccer match is not something to die for,” Mr Barkie and his men told the villagers from both sides. He encouraged the people of the Trobriand Islands to respect the law and allow justice to take its course and also to respect each other so they can continue to live in peace and harmony.

The Papua New Guinea National Department of Health presented its on-going work on building capacity of the health information workforce on day 3 of the World Health Organization 73rd Regional Committee Meeting which is being held in Manila, Philippines this week. In the session on WHO’s 'Work in Countries', Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Dr. Tom Lino, shared with Members States the progress PNG had made so far. "As we have moved to an electronic health information system, real-time, analysis and interpretation are possible and so our data needs and the skills required of health information officers, have evolved", said Dr Tom. He said he was proud of the dedicated and passionate health information workforce. However, many staff have not received the capacity building they need to meaningfully analyze and use this data to improve health programmes and services – and ultimately people’s health. "In recognition of this, we approached WHO for advice on developing a clear pathway to build the capacity of our health information workforce", said Dr Tom. The RCM session was presented alongside WHO-PNG Country Representative, Dr Sevil Huseynova and Ms Manah Dindi from the Performance, Monitoring and Research Branch of NDoH, who gave a detailed presentation via video link on the work carried out through her Branch to address the issues highlighted by Dr Tom. Source: Papua New Guinea National Department of Health

Signing of MOA between University of Papua New Guinea and Goroka Technical College at Goroka Technical College on the 26th of October 2022 at Goroka Technical College. The first initial MOA was signed in 2013 and have been renewed every 3 years since then. Through this MOA students graduating with Diploma Business Accounting at Goroka Technical College can continue their studies at UPNG to do their degree. Only the top students with good GPA can directly continue to year 3 and attain degree with in only two years. Through this arrangement have benefited alot of students over the years and currently some are working in the fields while others still studying now at UPNG. Goroka Technical College is currently in the process of accrediting other course that are also offered at the College so that it will create a pathway for the students. UPNG pro Vice Chancellor Pro. GRIFFIN encourages student to take up Accounting at Goroka Technical Colllege as the pass rate for students coming through this arrangement with Goroka Tech is currently at 100%. Source: Goroka Technical College

BSP Customers in one of the most remote areas of the country - Telefomin District in West Sepik Province will have improved banking services, in mid-2023 once BSP’s upgrade of the sub-branch to a Hybrid Branch is complete. BSP Financial Group Ltd joined the Telefomin District Development Authority today, Wednesday 26th October 2022, for a ground-breaking ceremony to officially start the construction of the new Telefomin District Administration office complex. The Member for Telefomin and Minister for Works and Roads, Hon. Solan Mirisim said the modern office complex is being built by the Telefomin District Development Authority at a cost over K9 million. Upon completion, it will house the various government functions in the district, as well as the new BSP Telefomin Hybrid Branch. BSP Group Deputy GM for Retail, Peter Komon said BSP will invest K2 million to build the new BSP Telefomin Hybrid Branch within the new district complex. “The hybrid branch will be a significant upgrade of the existing Telefomin Sub Branch that was established back in 2013 under the Bank’s BSP Rural Banking program; providing the full range of banking services including ATM services to the more than fifty thousand people living in the Telefomin, Yapsi and Oksapmin LLGs of the district. “The new branch is a larger modern building and will have more staff to serve customers. This upgrade would enable improved communication systems that will see more banking services like account opening, deposit and withdrawal services, lending as well as access to other bank products including ATMs. Businesses in Telefomin will also have access to bank services. “We remain the only bank to operate in the Telefomin and 21 other locations in the country. In the past, locals either travelled by air to Vanimo or to Kiunga and Tabubil in Western Province to do banking. Some even walked the bush tracks through some of the most unforgiving terrain taking many hours, even days, just to do banking,” Mr Komon said. “BSP’s contribution to the development of Telefomin is not just confined to Banking services but also through our Community Projects. We have invested K670, 000 in West Sepik Province through 28 projects since 2009. We will continue to serve the people of West Sepik Province through our two branches (Vanimo and Aitape), Telefomin Sub-Branch, (8) eight Cash Agents, six (6) ATMs and 105 EFTPoS in the province,” Mr Komon further added. In 2020, our Tabubil Branch assisted Telefomin Sub Branch deliver a community project in Telefomin with a donation of computers and printers, library books, and chairs to both Telefomin Primary School and Telefomin Secondary School worth K30, 000.00. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said BSP remains committed to expanding, upgrading and improving our services around the country. “In March we opened the Palmalmal Hybrid Branch in Pomio, in September we witnessed a similar ground breaking in Dobel and today, here in Telefomin. Our Eriku Branch will open next week and we still have Maprik SubBranch to upgrade in 2023” Mr Fleming said. “We are not only bringing banking services to some of the most remote areas, we are maintaining these operations which in many cases are not profitable, and upgrading them to continue improving our customer experience” Mr Fleming added. BSP BSP’s network operation in PNG consists of 42 branches, 42 sub branches over 250 Cash Agents, 326 ATMs and over 9,000 EFTPoS in the country.

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) launched its inaugural awareness campaign on financial abuse today (Thursday 27th October, 2022.) Financial abuse exists in home where there is Family and Sexual Violence and the campaign aims to raise awareness on the issue. It will run for 10 days, commencing today, Thursday 27th, October and will end on Sunday 6th November, 2022. BSP’s understanding of the various types of family violence stems from assisting staff who have formally sought help through its Group Family & Sexual Violence Policy since 2019 - being a key partner in the Bel isi PNG programme. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming strongly condemns violence at home. In a previous awareness on ending Gender Based Violence against women and girls campaign, he said. “Our homes are meant to be the safest place however when it no longer is safe due to family and sexual violence, there is a much broader impact than just the lives of people who live in that home.” Through the BSP CEO’s co-Chair work on Bel isi PNG Steering Committee and awareness on all FSV cases in BSP he said: “As the largest bank in the region, I believe BSP has a moral obligation to drive financial abuse awareness. We see financial abuse in most of the cases reported within BSP, yet it is challenging to recognise it. It is imperative that we share the knowledge we now have because we believe empowering survivors to be financially selfsufficient and financially independent will allow them to make safe choices and hopefully lead a life free of violence”. “Financial abuse is perpetrated to coerce, control, sabotage, and keep survivor in line. Abusers use this form of violence to limit someone’s freedom. For a survivor financial abuse can create financial instability and make the survivor dependent on the abuser. It may vary in situation however, some common forms of financial abuse can be a partner withholding finances from day to day living expenses. Spending money on gambling and drinking alcohol over groceries, school fees, medical expenses, limiting or removing access to bank account or joint account and monitoring financial transactions through electronic banking are other forms of financial abuse,” explained Mr Fleming. A partner feeling entitled to money and assets they have not earned or do not own; not contributing to family expenses; limiting ones’ ability to attend training, higher education or work promotion, spends a partner’s money without their knowledge or consent and holding onto bank cards etc are other forms of financial abuse. In line with BSP’s internal campaign message for 2022, #Empowermenttogether - a message that promotes gender equality to eliminate violence; Mr Fleming further said. “We feel by simply creating awareness on the various types of abuse, will immensely help those who are completely unaware that they are being abused”. “At BSP, we have observed cases increase following targeted messaging or personal stories shared by survivors to which someone may relate to that prompts them to seek help. Through this awareness we hope survivors are able to access available support services and tools through financial literacy to attain financial independence,” concluded Mr Fleming.

Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby is grappling with a youth unemployment crisis as young people come from all corners of the country in search of work. The problem is causing despair to many young adults — some of whom are now resorting to crime to get by. University graduate Bernard Kakori said he has been searching for a job for the last two-and-a-half years. "Looking for a job in Port Moresby I would say is a job in itself," he said. Amid the crisis are accusations of nepotism and bribery committed by recruiters. But business leaders worry the education system isn't properly preparing young people for the workforce. Port Moresby Young Chamber of Commerce president Natasha Austin said it can take six months for employers to train graduates. "The gap between the industry and institutions is wide because we don't work together," she said. "In developed countries, they have students working on real-life projects and work experience. Here we don't have those initiatives." Source: ABC Pacific

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) recently hosted the Minister for State Enterprises William Duma during a site visit to the mine on October 20. Minister Duma was accompanied by Kumul Minerals Holdings Ltd Acting Managing Director Hengene Ivan, Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd Managing Director Prof. David Kavanamur, State Enterprises Ministry First Secretary Junior Koipi and Second Secretary, Kennedy Poiya. Mr. Duma was taken on a tour of the mine and the processing facilities and met with the senior management team who presented the company’s Three-year Plan and the year-to-date performance and outlook for this year. In welcoming the Minister, the OTML Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Musje Werror said that Ok Tedi appreciated the Minister taking time off his busy schedule to visit the operations and be informed of the challenges the company was facing post Covid. He added that the Minister last visited the operations in 2004 when he was Minister for Environment and is familiar with Ok Tedi. Minister Duma said Ok Tedi is an important project for the country and that the Government will continue to support it to deliver maximum returns for its PNG shareholders. “The Government recognizes the importance of Ok Tedi as a State asset, and as a major contributor to our country’s economy and will continue to support the Company to continue operating for as long as possible with the requisite social and environmental license,” he said. Before departing Tabubil he stated that he had enjoyed his brief visit to the site and was impressed with the cleanliness of the Tabubil township and encouraged management to keep up the good work. OTML is 100 percent PNG owned, with Kumul Minerals Ok Tedi Limited holding 67% of OTML’s shares on behalf of the State and the three entities representing the people of the Western Province collectively holding the remaining 33%. These three entities are Mineral Resources Ok Tedi No.2 Ltd, and Mineral Resources CMCA Limited both owning 12 per cent of OTML, and Mineral Resources Star Mountains Ltd holding the remaining 9 percent.

The American Chamber of Commerce Coral Sea (AmCham) hosted U.S. Congressman Ed Case of Hawaii for a roundtable on Wednesday, 19 October 2022. Based in Papua New Guinea, the AmCham was launched earlier this year to promote sustainable economic growth, foreign investment, and greater opportunities for U.S. and Pacific companies in the Coral Sea region. Following last month’s U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit hosted by the Biden Administration, the AmCham discussed with Congressman Case the challenges and opportunities for increasing private sector ties between the countries of the Coral Sea and the U.S., especially Hawaii.   [caption id="attachment_29116" align="aligncenter" width="378"] Congressman Case joins the AmCham Coral Sea for in-depth discussions on strengthening business ties between the U.S. and the Pacific.[/caption] They explored Congress’ role in strengthening U.S. commitment to the Pacific, and ways to partner and create synergies to augment AmCham’s efforts. In his welcoming remarks, AmCham Coral Sea Vice President Peter Burnie (PwC Papua New Guinea) shared that AmCham’s goal of enhanced partnership has multiple facets, one that provides for innovation, inclusion, diversity, trust, transparency and integrity, and all with commercial relationships at its centre. “We recognize the incredible importance of the US government involvement in the region. Our connection to the US is our differentiator from other business organisations and is the key to our success. Our role and goal as AmCham is to seek to build on and harness this reengagement at a governmental level and relate it back to a commercial sector and commercial arrangements. We believe the time is right.” “I deeply appreciated discussing with AmCham Coral Sea how we can all seize the moment following President Biden’s and Congress’ landmark meetings with Pacific Islands leaders in Washington, D.C. last month,” said U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai’i). “Our joint Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership and whole range of related initiatives throughout our Pacific demonstrate the United States’ increased commitment to working with our partners toward full realization of economic potential and opportunities, all toward the mutual strengthening of our countries and shared values. I’m especially excited at the enhanced role my Hawai’i can and wants to play in facilitating this next chapter in the Pacific Century.”

The New Ireland Provincial Executive Council today congratulated former works Manager Solomon Pela for his elevation as the first assistant secretary network management and funding to the National Department of Works. New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan was present to give his blessing to Mr Pela and thank him for his outstanding services to New Ireland. “There are few in the majority that make the difference and I have no hesitation on behalf of the PIC and PEC in the New Ireland Government to congratulate you on your promotion to your new job. “Your leadership as the provincial Works Manager and partnership with my Government over the past 6 and a half years has translated my PIC, PEC and Provincial Assembly policy resolutions into Physical realities right across New Ireland,” said Sir J. Under the leadership of Pela the big infrastructure projects delivered includes road sealing of the Boluminski Highway, Lanzorotte highway, New Hanover Unity road, the New Ireland Legislative Assembly, Kavieng Stadium, the four lane Kavavu Avenue and town road sealing, Government official residence, Namatanai Government House, 10 Council Chambers and the commencement of the West Coast Highway sealing amongst others. Sir J and PEC members while congratulating Pela also hoped that in his elevation he will continue to serve New Ireland. “ We also expect a smooth transition by your successor Mr Collin Dickson.” Mr Pela is also the son of Kandep MP and Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology & Sports Don Polye.