With schools nationwide now into the last term of the 2022 academic year, schools in Rabaul District continue with adjusted timetables workable and flexible for both teachers and students during the prolonged drought weather, East New Britain province is currently facing. District Education Coordinator Markus Tipepe when giving a report on the third quarter academic year said although the province had a bit of rainfall recently, schools in Rabaul district are still facing water shortage with many facing challenges to continue operations. He said the past 4 months and current ongoing dry season forced most of the schools to go into adjusted programs where all play schools finish classes at 10 am, elementary schools at 12pm and all primary and secondary schools at 2pm, on a daily basis. “This month will see the Grades 8, 10 and 12 sitting for their National Examinations. Grade 10s will sit for their exams next week, followed by Grade 12 and Grade 8 and schools have informed parents to allow their children to attend weekend remedial classes in preparation for the examanations,” the DEC said. “This dry spell has negatively impacted on students’ attendance, punctuality, food, water and additional burden on searching for water,” he said. Mr Tipepe said water cartage took place in the last 3 to 4 weeks assisting schools with water. He thanked the Rabaul Disaster Coordinator Joshua Wowo and his team for successfully carting water and upgrading existing water supplies to benefit most wards and schools. “We are now in the fourth term and I encourage schools to utilize whatever resources they have to see the year through,” he said. Meantime he also highlighted that applications for students submitted to benefit from the Rabaul District Tertiary Tuition Free Subsidy this year will be paid off once issues with district funds and Ombudsman Commission are eventually sorted out.

The 35-year-old Paris St-Germain forward has played at four World Cups with Argentina, scoring six goals and making five assists in 19 appearances. He earned a runners-up medal in 2014, and after captaining his country to the Copa America title in 2021, the World Cup is the sole major trophy missing from Messi's illustrious collection. "It's my last World Cup, surely," he said. Speaking to ESPN, Messi added: "I'm counting down the days to the World Cup. There is anxiety and nerves at the same time. Wanting it to be now, what is going to happen, and ultimately, how is it going to go?" Messi made his international debut in 2005 and has gone on to make a total of 164 appearances for Argentina, scoring 90 goals. In reaching his fifth World Cup, he will surpass the previous record for an Argentina player he jointly held with Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano. Argentina are ranked third in the Fifa world rankings, and face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C at the World Cup, which starts on 20 November. "In a World Cup, anything can happen. All the matches are very tough. The favourites don't always end up winning," Messi said. "I don't know if we're the favourites, but Argentina is always a candidate because of its history. Now even more so because of the moment we're in, but we are not the favourites. I think there are other teams that are above us." Source: BBC News

Rabaul District Administration under its road maintenance plan, intends to take ownership of all classification of roads in the electorate and have them fixed. District Works Engineer, Mellie Munulai when giving a progress report on roads said they are focusing on two locations to improve the road network system. This he said, are Origin District Roads which covers all areas within the origin areas including Rabaul Town Roads and roads in resettlement areas including Warena, Gelagela, Sikut/Talvat, Asing and Clifton areas. Mr Munulai said after the volcanic eruptions, new roads constructed in the resettlement areas have expanded the total road length for the district. He admitted this is a challenge to the district in terms of maintaining development infrastructure in terms of roads which allow accessibility for economic and social development. "Without proper road network there will be challenges in delivering services," he said "As it is, all road networks are deteriorating slowly but the Rabaul District Works Sector through its Maintenance Plan will be working very closely with all its appropriate stakeholders to ensure all roads of all classification-District, Provincial and National Roads, are being rehabilitated because at the end of the day, it is the people of the district that are using these public utilities," he said. "As the District Engineer, we will look at rehabilitating all classification of roads as we need to take ownership of projects that other developing partners through the provincial and national levels are bringing down to the wards,” Mr Munulai said.

An ex-policeman has killed at least 37 people, most of them children, in a gun and knife attack at a childcare centre in north-east Thailand. Police say he then killed himself and his family after a manhunt following the attack in Nong Bua Lamphu province. Children and adults are among the casualties at the nursery - police say the attacker mostly stabbed his victims before fleeing the scene. The former officer, aged 34, was sacked in June for drug use, police said. It is not clear if there was a motive for the attack. At least 23 children were among the dead in the mass killing in the town of Utthai Sawan. Some victims aged as young as two were attacked as they slept. A dozen people who were injured have been taken to Nong Bua Lamphu district hospital. Headteacher Nanticha Panchum said the attacker's son attended the centre but had not been there for a month. The man used to drop his child off, and was always polite and chatty, she said. Ms Panchum said there were usually more than 90 children at the school, but just over 20 were present on Thursday due to bad weather and a school bus breakdown. "The shooter came in around lunchtime and shot four or five officials at the childcare centre first," a local official, Jidapa Boonsom, who was working nearby, told Reuters news agency. One of them was a teacher who was eight months pregnant. "At first people thought it was fireworks," she said, adding that the man then forced entry to a locked room where children were sleeping. 'It's shocking' - witnesses describe nursery attack horror Thai pre-school attack: What we know Videos shared on social media appear to show the tears and distress of parents and relatives of those killed, as they gathered at a shelter outside the centre. Police officers arriving after the attack were confronted with horrific scenes, the bodies of adults and children, some of them very young, lying inside and outside the building. "After inspecting the crime scene, we found that the perpetrator tried to break in and he mainly used a knife to commit the crime by killing a number of small children," said Police Chief Damrongsak Kittiprapat. "Then he got out and started killing anyone he met along the way with a gun or the knife until he got home. We surrounded the house and then found that he committed suicide in his home." Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha described the incident as "a shocking event". Source: BBC News

Australian international Cameron Munster has signed a long-term contract extension with the Storm that will see him remain in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2027 season. The four-year deal will see Munster remain "a Storm player for life" with the 28-year-old saying he was delighted to remain in Melbourne long-term. “It is such an important decision for me, and in the end, Melbourne is where my heart is, Melbourne is where I want to play my footy, and Melbourne is the club I want to be a part of for the rest of my career," Munster said in a statement. “I’ve always wanted to be a one club player. Storm gave me the chance to play NRL and the club has become a second home for me since making my debut." Munster informed Storm management of his decision to remain in the purple jersey just hours prior to his departure with the Kangaroos team heading to England for the Rugby League World Cup, which kicks off against Fiji on October 16. Source: NRL.com

Samarai Murua District in Milne Bay province will be receiving district materials, machinery and items worth over Five-Million-Kina this weekend. This will be the district’s first major delivery for this term of parliament after the national elections ended three months ago in July. It is part of an ongoing program from the last term of parliament for delivery of goods and services in the district. Samarai Murua Member of Parliament and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Hon. Isi Henry Leonard was on hand to officially launch the release of the loaded barge at the Motukea Wharf in Port Moresby. The barge is loaded with the district materials and items which are committed for several ongoing projects at the District Centre on Misima Island including wards in surrounding islands. Some of the items loaded include eight PMV trucks for communities around Misima Island, with the other truck for Kulumudava Community School in Woodlark island to be loaded in the next voyage of the barge. Other items include eight copra dryers for the corpra farmers to be distributed to copra farmers in Rossel, Sudest and parts of the district with nine bales of copra bags. “We also have on board Misima Secondary School building materials for the building program. These were supposed to be delivered prior the elections but due to the fast approaching election time, but now it’s been delivered. “We also have with us on board United church materials for Liak community Ward and also the Pantava community church building. This voyage also includes the Women’s association Business arm, the Misima Guest House generator set for back up power, some water tanks and also materials for maintenance of the Tagula government outpost which needs a complete revamp,” Hon. Leonard said. He said these were some of the programs that were lined up in the district, indicating that there were more materials to deliver for the district so the barge would make this voyage and return to Port Moresby to load again and deliver the second lot for other programs. Mr Leonard confirmed that the net worth of the materials and items loaded for this voyage of goods and services to be delivered was over five million kina. He highlighted the struggles of maritime districts with logistics and transportation being a major challenge but was grateful that the district could charter a huge barge to load as much materials as possible. Mr Leonard said all these load of items and materials were from the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) funds with logistics covered as well. He stressed the need for the government to factor a DSIP component for logistics alone for the most remote districts which continued to be a struggle for many leaders and their people. Adding that all districts received Ten-Million-Kina DSIP funding but in reality, the most remote districts had more challenges and expenses with logistics either by sea or air costing more compared to districts in urban cities and centres. He thanked his people of Samarai Murua for their patience and understanding in the delivery of good and services to a challenging maritime district. Mr Leonard will be travelling to the District to receive the barge at Bwagaoia Station on Misima Island this weekend.

The National Department of Health (NDoH) has been focusing on getting the basics right by improving and implementing systems to address future health emergencies. As seen in the polio response in 2018 and the recent COVID-19 pandemic response from 2020, both have presented challenges and opportunities for the country to continue to improve on its preparedness in health emergency crisis. Since May 2021, the NDOH, in partnership with Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETPNG), and with funding and technical support from World Health Organazation (WHO)  and its partners, University of Newcastle Field Epidemiology in Action Project, the Australian Government through the PNGAusPartnership, GOARN, and the National Control Center (NCC) has been running Rapid Response Team (RRT) trainings with Provincial Health Authorities (PHA) around the country to help them be better prepared to respond to future health crisis. RRT’s are critical for early and timely outbreak or crisis investigation and respond in public health emergencies and is made up of technical, multi-disciplinary team of experts who a readily available for a quick mobilization and deployment. There have been 15 PHA and one district RRT Introduction and Composition training conducted. There are eight more PHA’s to undergo this introduction and composition training. After this, all provincial RRT’s will go through an  ‘Action Training Review’ workshop, in which, their response plans are reviewed before they are fully prepared for emergency response. There will be ongoing training as part of their capacity development. The first ever national and provincial RRT trainings for PNG were delivered by WHO  in 2019, shortly after the Polio Outbreak.

Papua New Guinea completed a perfect Pacific Cup as they were crowned champions of the inaugural tournament on Thursday. The Lewas finished as comprehensively as they started, defeating Samoa by ten wickets before the final match against Vanuatu was washed out on the third and final day of action. In the day's other completed morning match, Vanuatu were too strong for Fiji, securing the home side second place. PNG's Naoani Vare was adjudged player of the tournament as well as best batter (225 runs) as teammate Isabel Toua (11 wickets) won the bowling award. Day Two Results: PNG 50/0 (4.5 overs) Vare 25* (16) defeated Samoa 49 (16.3) Toua 3-7 (4) ) by 10 wickets. The Lewas made light work of Samoa in their first match on day three chasing down the target of 50 in less than five overs without losing a wicket. The Samoan wickets were shared among four PNG bowlers with Isabel Toua the pick with 3-7 from four overs. Naoani Vare was 25 not out from 16 deliveries run the chase belting five boundaries in the process. Player of the match: Isabel Toua (PNG) [caption id="attachment_28020" align="alignnone" width="871"] Player of the Tournament Naoani Vare scored 225 runs [/caption] Vanuatu 150/6 (20) Langiatu 55 (49), Solman 50* (44), Vakuruivalu 2-33 (4) defeated Fiji 86/9 (20) Waqavakatoga 20 (40), Navaika 3-13 (4 by 64 runs. Half centuries from Valenta Langiatu and Selina headlined a comeback victory for Vanuatu after losing both matches on day two. Langiatu was in solid form as opener but saw a flurry of wickets at the other end including two run outs leaving the hosts at 41 for 4 in the seventh over. Solman strode to the crease and the two set about rebuilding the innings, putting on 69 in 9.3 overs before Langiatu was bowled. Having played the support role in the partnership with Langiatu with 17 from 28, Solman went into attack mode scoring 33 from the 16 deliveries faced after the fifth wicket fell, completing a half century with a two from the final ball of the innings as Vanuatu's score also reached 150. Ilisapeci Waqavakatoga was again steady at the top of the order for Fiji with 20 from 40 but the tourists could not keep up with the required rate, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Fiji finished on 86 for 9 with Langiatu and Andrew all collecting two wickets each and Nasimana Navaika taking 3-13 from 4. Player of the match: Valenta Langiatu (Vanuatu) Samoa 120/2 (17) Lui Nono 57* (54) match abandoned with Fiji. PNG 154/4 (18.4 overs) Ruma 48 (41), Vare 35 (30) Solman 1-26 (4) match abandoned with Vanuatu. Source: Cricket Vanuatu

On Tuesday, 5 October 2022, Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) resorted to locking out tenants occupying the Revenue Haus (Internal Revenue Commission) and Vulupindi Haus (Department of Finance) after the State failed to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the settlement of its outstanding rental arrears. Overnight, NSL has extended the lockout to Eda Tano Haus (Department of Lands & Physical Planning) and Treasury Haus (Department of Treasury). Over the past 12 months, NSL has been consulting with all levels of the State on the issue of outstanding rentals which date back three (3) years to 2019 and had grown to more than K170 million by October 2022. Through these discussions with the State, we believe that we have presented an accurate account of the arrears owed, based on the Invoices issued each month by the facilities manager and reconciled against payments received. NSL has been actively trying to work with the State to resolve this with little success, leaving NSL little choice but to escalate to locking our own Members from their workplaces. NSL is resolved that the State will remain locked out until they sign the MoA and make the next payment of K30 million as stipulated in the agreement. Once the State enters an agreement, if they default on the payment plan, NSL will not hesitate to lock out its buildings again. We understand this action has a flow on impact to our hard-working Members and causes business disruptions, but the State must meet its obligations. Despite the lockouts, NSL is continuing to engage with the State to proactively resolve the issue in a mutually satisfying manner. NSL will not lock out the Department of Health, which is also a tenant of NSL, and will allow access only for critical staff from the Department of Finance that manage the Payroll and Integrated Financial Management Systems, to ensure public servants’ payroll is not unduly affected by this exercise. While the rental arrears remain unpaid, the Fund’s over 214,000 Members continue to lose value on their potential returns. If the issue remains unresolved, NSL expects that it will compound the already tough global economic conditions that the Fund has been facing in 2022.

Priscilla Tangu’s dream of becoming a construction site engineer became reality due to her dedication to complete her studies, and the support and encouragement of her family and her employer. Originally from East Sepik but raised in Lae, Morobe Province, Priscilla had strong family support to pursue her dream. Priscilla’s father – a builder – encouraged her to be qualified and work in a professional role. He motivated her to attend university and complete her degree. “After my third year, I withdrew from studies to take care of my son and pursue a different career. Seeing my former school mates continue their education, graduate, and join the workforce – something I was passionate about, made me realise that I needed to get my degree. It was then I decided to return to university, complete my studies (fourth year), and get my degree. My parents and my partner were supportive of me,” said Priscilla. In 2019, Priscilla commenced a 1-year Industrial Training placement with CPB Contractors, while still studying. During her four years with CPB Contractors, Priscilla honed her skills on a large construction site and progressed from an under-graduate engineer to a junior engineer role after she graduated with a Bachelor of Building from PNG University of Technology in 2020. During that time, Priscilla worked on the ANGAU Hospital Redevelopment, supported by the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership to transform the health facility and improve service delivery at the hospital. With more than K500 million invested, it is the largest single Australian-funded infrastructure investment since PNG’s independence and is underpinned by new urban and rural health facilities in the province. Priscilla’s typical workday under the current project is busy. “My daily routine varies and usually starts with attending our daily pre-start safety briefing with the entire site crew. After the pre-start, I provide details, or any information required to the leading hand or the site supervisor to ensure the work is carried out correctly and safely. Throughout the day, I check works on site against construction drawings, check for quality, work progress, safety and I also do ‘take-offs’ (quantity checks) for building materials for procurement both locally and overseas,” she said. Priscilla has learnt much about new technologies and approaches in the construction industry, including software, equipment, and methodology. She credits her colleagues for the knowledge gained during her four years on site. “My Australian counterparts that I’ve worked with taught me the ropes of doing construction Quality Assurance, explained the services side of building construction, and enriched my knowledge in Contract Administration, costing and quantity surveying. My managers also taught me a lot and one of those lessons was the importance of planning,” she added. Initially, one of Priscilla’s concerns was how she would fit in as a woman in the construction industry, knowing that it was male dominated. In PNG, women account for approximately 10% of the construction industry. With CPB Contractors’ commitment to gender equality and equity in the workplace, Priscilla felt supported, giving her confidence to do her job without fear of discrimination. Another challenge was balancing work and family life. She is fortunate to work with a supportive company, and a strong support system at home has also made life easier. In the next 10 years, Priscilla sees herself pursing a Master of Construction Management, managing a construction project, and eventually teaching at the local university to share her knowledge and experience. Priscilla’s message to upcoming graduates, especially women joining the construction industry, is that it is demanding so requires commitment and discipline, but it is rewarding to bring an abstract item, such as drawings on paper, to life. “For someone who loves challenges, the construction industry is the right industry for you. I’ve worked with women who are electricians, plumbers, crane operators, quantity surveyors, contract administrators, and engineers and they are thriving in this male dominated industry. So, if all these women can do it, then you can too. Just be confident, be willing to learn, and have an open mind to criticism,” said Priscilla.

The Lae Biscuit Company Morobe Hammerheads are participating in the Kumul Petroluem PNG Rugby Union Mens 15s Championship, the week-long tournament is being hosted at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby.  Kina Bank supported the LBC Hammerheads with training gear (tshirts and caps) and a financial contribution of K3000.00 to go towards materials for ice baths and recovery, straps, electrolytes and hydration packs. Lae based Business Development Manager, Livingstone Nenjipa, presented the gear and dummy cheque to the team in Port Moresby last week Friday. This is the first time Kina Bank has supported the team and the sport. We wish the LBC Morobe Hammerheads and all other teams the very best as the tournament comes to a close this weekend. All players participating will be contending for a PNG Pukpuks jumper. The tournament has seen four associations, Morobe Rugby Union, Capital Rugby Union, East New Britain Rugby Union and NCD Rugby Union compete in the a first past the post challenge this week, which culminates in the finals this weekend on Saturday 8 October. PNGRU national selectors and head coach Sydney Welsey are using the tournament to decide the national team to compete in the Oceania Rugby 15s. The Oceania 15s is scheduled for later this month, October 22 – 29 2022, to be hosted in Port Moresby at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

Whistleblower protection is an important action and is integral in safeguarding public interest and increasing accountability in the public sector. This was highlighted at the opening of a three-day training event on Whistleblower Protection for Public Officials on Monday October 3rd in Port Moresby. The United Nations Development Programme, through the European Union funded Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea Project delivered the event in partnership with National Government’s Department of Justice and Attorney General. Having finished on Wednesday October 5th, it saw over 45 public officials from various Government departments participate, all of whom have a mandate to implement the Whistleblower Act. “As Papua New Guineans we must think seriously about where we stand on the global stage, and of the negative impact of corruption to our society,” said Mr Thomas Eluh, Chairman of the Interim Independent Commission Against Corruption. The key objective of the three-day training was to build capacity. It did this drawing on international expertise, global experience, knowledge tools and practical skills on whistleblower protection. Participants discussed the Whistleblower Act 2020, draft regulations and policies and the practical approaches for the effective implementation of a Whistleblower protection system in public sector organisations. “This training is largely focused on the implementation of the Whistleblower Act, which is another step toward increasing accountability in the public sector. The reason the Whistleblower Act is so important is that it provides protection, for citizens to call corruption out,” said Mr. Edward Vrkic, UNDP’s Officer in Charge. The Whistleblower Act of Papua New Guinea passed in 2020. However, the implementation has not yet commenced. UNDP is providing assistance to key partners to develop regulations, guidelines, and procedures to implement this Act by building capacity and confidence among those responsible for its implementation. ‘’Whistleblower protection is an important action, and it is essential not only for detecting fraud, corruption and misconduct but also for safeguarding the public interest, for promoting a culture of accountability and integrity in both public and private institutions,’’ said Mr. Davide Messina, Programme Manager, European Union Delegation to Papua New Guinea. The Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Papua New Guinea and United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aims to strengthen the Government’s commitment and capacities to address corruption to effectively progress the Sustainable Development Goals for the benefit of all Papua New Guineans.