An undertaking by state owned Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) to increase its PNGLNG equity through a conditional arrangement between PNGLNG partner Santos has raised concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the whole arrangement and the partial financial transaction that already took place between the parties involved, according to the PNG Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. (PNGEITI). KPHL has offered to acquire five percent (5 %) of Santos equity in the PNGLNG Project with asset valued at US$ 1.4 billion. This includes a proportionate share of project finance debt of approximately US$ 0.3 billion which is the condition upon which this commercial arrangement that has been made. PNGEITI Head of National Secretariat Mr. Lucas Alkan said following publication of this arrangement in the media this week . “While it is understood that the compromise between two major players in the PNGLNG project as purely commercial, the PNGEITI is concerned at the opaque nature of the environment in which such arrangements are being made, particularly when substantial amount of money belonging to the people of PNG entrusted under the stewardship of KPHL is involved. This deal can easily be likened to the controversial UBS transaction which recently ended up being investigated by a Royal Commission of Inquiry that cost the State millions of Kina in tax payers' money. We understand KPHL had already made partial payment of US$55 million and subsequent payments to finalise the transaction are expected to be made before the end of December this year. KPHL has a moral and corporate reasonability to be transparent and accountable to Parliament and the people of this country when conducting its business in this sector” Mr Alkan said. “The PNGEITI, a global best practice standard for the good governance of the extractive sector that PNG is a member of takes the position that KPHL must inform the public on where financing is being sourced to secure the purchase of the 5% additional equity for the State. The details of this transaction, whether it is being funded from KPHL’s budget, any external borrowing by KPHL on behalf of the State (if so, what asset is being used as collateral) or through the National Government Budget (this is not in the 2022 supplementary budget). Further, it is not clear as to whether NEC had approved for KPHL to execute this transaction to acquire additional equity from Santos. The public has the right to know these details and understand as to how KPHL’s balance sheet would be affected given that a US$ 0.3 billion debt would be inherited from Santos. The PNGEITI is not against KPHL’s proposal to acquire an additional 5% equity from Santos as it is consistent with the Government’s policy objective of having a greater equity interest in resources developments however, Santos’ intention to deal exclusively with KPHL regarding the sale raises a lot of questions. We strongly urge KPHL and Santos who are both active members of the PNGEITI Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) to demonstrate good corporate citizenship and uphold the principles of the EITI Global Standard by disclosing the commercial and economic nature of this transaction for the sake of transparency and accountability in this planned sale of Santo’s 5 percent share in the PNGLNG to KPHL,” Mr. Alkan said.

PNG Prime Minister Xl Men Soccer Team are the champions of the inaugural MSG Prime Minister Cup after defeating host Vanuatu DT 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out in the packed Korman Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu last night. The Raymond Gunemba led side came from 2-0 deficit in the early part of the match to equalized and went into the extra-time. Both teams scored a goal each in the both half of the extra time to forced the game into the penalty shoot-out. PNG penalty kickers managed by Daniel Joe, Alwin Komolong, Emmanuel Simon and Paul Paul converted their penalties while Vanuatu kickers early penalty kicks were saved by goalkeeper Roland Warisan and the second kicker blew up the chance by sending the ball over the cross bar which literally forcing them out of the game. The match went down to the wire as both teams tried to find each others net. Vanuatu Team led by former Hekari United FC player Barry Mansale and skipper Carl Bong scored two quick goals in the first half before Nigel Dabinayaba pulled one back before the break to make PNG team in the contention of the final. In the second half, PNG fired another killer shot from Emmanuel Simon crossed by Dabinyaba who scored his double to force the game into the extra time. In the opening half of the extra time, Vanuatu scored to take the lead at half time 3-2. PNG with the no care attitude did not give up. They continued to bombard Vanuatu defence to see Raymond Gunemba level the score 3-3 to force the team into penalty shoot out. The Bula boys from Fiji managed to secure the third spot to beat the star-studded side Solomon Island 1-0. PNG picked up Vatu 1,000,000 plus MSG Prime Ministers Cup and the runner up pick the medallions.

Prime Minister James Marape has told the LNG Japan Corporation that Papua New Guinea has about 20-trillion cubic feet (TCF) in stranded gas fields, apart from the major LNG projects, waiting to be developed. He said this in Tokyo on Tuesday (September 27, 2022) when inviting LNG Japan Corporation to invest more and diversify in PNG LNG. He made the invitation to LNG Japan Corporation during a meeting with President and CEO, Kyo Onojima, and his delegation in Tokyo on Tuesday (September 27, 2022) during his one-day visit to attend the state funeral of former prime minister Shinzo Abe and bilateral meeting with current Prime Minister Hon. Fumio Kishida. PM Marape – who was accompanied by International Trade and Investment Minister Hon. Richard Maru, East Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird and PNG Ambassador to Japan H.E. Samuel Abal – said there were so many opportunities for LNG production in PNG as he invited LNG Japan Corporation. LNG Japan Corporation was formed on October 1, 2001 on the foundation of LNG business long established by Sojitz Corporation (formerly known as Nissho Iwai Corporation) and business network established through solid trust from customers by Sumitomo Corporation. “We have a lot of opportunities in upstream and downstream of LNG, as well as in stranded fields hanging around,” PM Marape told Onojima and his delegation. “We have up to 20 TCF of stranded gas fields, and are looking for investors who can partner Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) and Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), with both companies having a combined value of K10 billion. “MRDC represents the landowners, who are important stakeholders, and we also want to give them more opportunity to participate with investors. “I appreciate the fact that LNG Japan Corporation already has an agreement with KPHL in the upstream business, as well as possibly venture into midstream, given that the stranded gas fields need to be mobilised. ” PM Marape said LNG Japan Corporation already had enough exposure to PNG’s LNG industry to know of business opportunities available in the country. He previously had a meeting with LNG Japan Corporation in December 2019 in Port Moresby with then President and CEO, Hiroshi Kawahara, who is now Chairman of the company. LNG Japan is studying feasibility of potential LNG-to-power projects in PNG, leveraging its long experiences in the LNG industry, including a small-scale domestic LNG sea transportation project in Indonesia. It is also looking at producing methanol as a raw material for plywood manufacture, hence, contributing to downstream processing of logs. LNG Japan, from the days of its predecessor, has over 40 years of experience in upstream development, financing, marketing, trading and shipping in the global LNG Industry. LNG Japan and Kumul Petroleum entered into a joint venture agreement on June 7, 2017 (amended on August 2, 2018) to set up as unincorporated joint venture for marketing of spot and short-term cargoes from PNG LNG. The company, together with JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation and Marubeni Corporation (Japanese consortium) and Kumul Petroleum entered into a memorandum-of-understanding on August 30, 2018, to jointly pursue any opportunities to participate in the Papua LNG Project, as equity participants and financiers.

The Greater Sepik region of Papua New Guinea is leading area in cocoa production in the country, but quality has been a concern compared to other cocoa producing provinces. To address this quality issue, the FAO-led EU-STREIT PNG Programme in collaboration with the PNG Cocoa Board organised a series of capacity building trainings for small fermentary business owners in East Sepik and Sandaun provinces. The weeklong workshops were intensive and conducted simultaneously over five weeks in August and September 2022 in eight different districts of East Sepik and Sandaun provinces namely Angoram, Yangoru-Saussia, Wewak, Maprik, Wosera-Gawi, Ambunti-Drekikier, Nuku, and Aitape-Lumi. A total of 470 participants including some model farmers were taken through Cocoa Act 1981, Cocoa Inspection Regulations, requirements for registration of cocoa fermentaries, PNG export standards, and different agencies involved in the cocoa industry. The cocoa business actors were also trained on proper cocoa drying and fermentation processes, including how to break cocoa pods, and quality management skills. Group discussions with field visits to model cocoa blocks and small fermentary set-ups and exporters’ processing facilities were part of these weeklong trainings. While opening the session in Wewak, the EU-STREIT Deputy Programme Coordinator Dr Pavel Burian said: “As a fermentary owner, you have crucial roles to play in the value chain to ensure quality beans are exported for an improved financial return for your business as well as for cocoa farmers to improve their livelihoods in a more sustainable way.” “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure quality beans that are exported for higher financial returns for processing as well as to benefit smallholder farmers with better incentive. After this training, you learn how to process your beans properly, but the beans from other fermentary owners who didn’t get this opportunity will be mixed with yours for export, so it is important to share this knowledge with others to maintain uniform quality for holistic benefit” explained the Programme’s Senior Agricultural Officer, Dr Rabi Rasaily, while closing the training held for Aitape cocoa businesspersons. Facilitating these set of trainings were three female and three national male experts from the Quality Section of the Cocoa Board Head Office in Kokopo, East New Britain Province. Mr Daryll Worimo, the PNG Cocoa Board Regional Manager for Sepik, also emphasised: “the aim of these trainings is to address the quality issues experienced at the farmers and fermentary owners’ levels. With these trainings, we found that many participants are very happy and understand the importance of quality.” For the participants, the opportunity has set them well to improve on their practices. “As fermentary owners I think we now know what to do because the training was presented in practical way and we understood well,” said Grace Klembesa a female beneficiary who attended the session in Aitape. Highlight of Cocoa for Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea, and namely the Greater Sepik region, has excellent agro-ecological potentials to produce valuable agricultural economic crops, including cocoa, and to further downstream agri-businesses activities development. Cocoa production provides jobs and income for the rural population, which remains predominant throughout Papua New Guinea. In the main regions of production, around 30% of households produce cocoa, while representing 15% of the number of households at the national level. Around one million people’s livelihoods depend on cocoa. In East Sepik and Sandaun provinces, where the Programme is being implemented, cocoa is an important source of income for about 500,000 people. Cocoa in PNG is estimated to grow on 130,000 ha in coastal provinces, as a monoculture or intercropped with coconuts or other food crops. However, this potentiality mostly remained untapped or under-developed, mainly due to lack of sufficient investment, support and capacity, and insufficient infrastructures, leaving the Sepik region less equipped with resources to progress toward sustainable economic development. The EU-STREIT PNG, being implemented as a United Nations joint Programme (FAO as the leading agency, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as implementing partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region.  The Programme focuses on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through Increasing the economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains and strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers including the business environment and supporting sustainable, climate-resistant transport and energy infrastructure development. 

Trevor Noah is ending a storied run on the famed Comedy Central late-night series, The Daily Show. Noah has hosted the program for seven years after taking over for Jon Stewart in 2015. The host made the announcement of his forthcoming departure to the studio audience on Thursday evening, though no official date has been announced. In a special message to the viewers, Noah revealed that on his seventh anniversary with the series, "One of the one of the overriding feelings I found myself experiencing throughout the night, and even today, waking up was was a feeling of gratitude." He continued, "There's so many people who make this thing come together. And I want to say thank you to the audience for an amazing seven years. It's been wild. It's been truly wild." "I've loved hosting the show. It's been one of my greatest challenges. It's been one of my greatest joys. I have loved trying to figure out how to make people laugh, even when the stories are particularly shitty on the worst days. You know, we've we've laughed together, we've cried together. But after seven years, I feel like it's time," Noah revealed. In a statement to ET, a Comedy Central spokesperson shared, “We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years. With no timetable for his departure, we’re working together on next steps." "As we look ahead, we’re excited for the next chapter in the 25+ year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them,” the statement continued. Source: ET (Entertainment Tonight)

Seabees supporting Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22) are currently building a new multifunctional two-room classroom at the Buluma Primary School in Kimbe, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Now in its 17th year, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Charge’ D‘Affairs Joe Zadrozny said, Pacific Partnership 2022 brought the Seabees back to West New Britain 79 years later. Pacific Partnership was a joint effort between the United States and Papua New Guinea, and included colleagues from Australia, and even Japan. Former adversaries have now become strong allies. Pacific Partnership is a unifying mission that fosters enduring friendship and cooperation among many nations. And the construction of Buluma Primary School is proof of that. Now, instead of warships, we bring hospital ships. The US Navy vessel Mercy served as the operations platform for Pacific Partnership. From Mercy, our Navy Seabees began construction of Buluma Primary School on August 26, and today, just a month later, the work is done. In peacetime, the Seebees continue to do what they do best – build.” At the event, Engineering Aid Constructionman Matthew Evans said, “this school will give countless children the ability to be educated and grow. The building can also be used as a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief shelter if needed.” Evans and his team of Navy engineers are assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 in Port Hueneme, California. They broke ground on the Buluma school project on Sept. 6. While the Seabees are constructing a building they will leave behind for the local community’s use, the Navy personnel are taking something with them when the complete the project. “I think the biggest take away for me from this experience is the importance of working together to provide aid. With that being said, we also learn a lot from the host nation considering there are many cultural differences.” Learning more about the PNG culture and meeting new friends has been one of the added benefits of this Pacific Partnership project. “The people of Buluma village in West New Britain have been very welcoming, and they love to show it. From bringing us snacks to helping us stay cool, this project is as much a testament to their work as it is ours,” Evans said. PP22 events are coordinated with the host nation and are planned based on the requirements and requests of Papua New Guinea.     

Work on the construction of the West Coast Highway is steadily progressing. As of Thursday 29th of October 700 metres of road had its first coat of prime sealing. Sir Julius Chan emphasized to the contractor China Railway Construction Group and the New Ireland work men that the road works must be of quality and last for a long time. “The election promise by Sir J is taking shape,” said Deputy Governor and Tikana LLG President Sammy Missen. “This is his dream project to make the last, the best ." The West Coast highway begins at Para Junction, all through Sentral Niu Ailan, and through Namatanai to Burukalai which is a total distance of 190 kilometers. The road works and sealing is being done in 5km phases.

Papua New Guinea’s HIV prevalence is on the rise, but unless it increases its testing it will be difficult to know the real situation. According to the National Department of Health technical officer, HIV counselling and testing, Mary Daniel, there were less tests done in the past five years which is of concern to NDoH. Starting on Monday this week, Mrs Daniel is co-facilitating a two-week HIV counselling training for 22 HIV counsellors and clinicians. The training is held at Tuhava, outside Port Moresby, and is on the Provider Initiated Counselling and Testing (PICT), one of the three models of counselling that are used in the country. The PICT training was developed to help health care workers to develop their skills and competency in HIV counselling and testing. She said all the three models – Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), PICT and community outreach – are being executed to increase testing in the country. The 22 participants are HIV counsellors and clinicians and work with different health facilities in the National Capital District. Three of the facilities represented have not begun HIV counselling and testing yet, but will be after this training. Among them are also support workers with the TB program. At the VCT, the client initiates a test – contrary to PICT. This training emphasizes the need for HIV counsellors and health workers to initiate the test, so that the patient that comes to seek help at the health facility does not go away without knowing his HIV status. “It’s their right to know their status. Invite them to go for a test,’’ she said. Those who test HIV positive are immediately put on antiretroviral therapy which has seen many people, including professionals living normal lives. Babies being born to mums with HIV that are put on ART have high chance of being negative. The PICT training has been organized by the National Department of Health with support from the World Vision and Global Fund. “In the last five years, we had less tests done so it is a concern,’’ she said. The country is far from reaching the Global target of 95-95-95 (The Global target is to have 95 per cent of the country’s population know their HIV status; 95 per cent of those with HIV are put on treatment; and 95 per cent of those on treatment should check to ensure their viral load is suppressed). Mrs Daniel said one of the reasons why people are not coming for tests is because of self-stigma and discrimination, especially the male. “They are scared of coming out or because they know their behaviour or of cultural norms. Cultural norms contribute to people not coming out for testing,’’ she said. “Women are more free to come out for testing unlike men.’’ She said the Key Population, including sex workers, people living with HIV and transgender people, is also of concern. They are being targeted in this training to help with the lost-to-follow-up cases through the community outreach counselling and testing program. At the same time, however, they need help and health workers need to ensure they are providing friendlier health services for them to access as well. One of the sessions in the training has highlighted that there are attitudes and beliefs that might assist or get in the way of health care workers providing quality PICT.

Football chief and PNG Football Association President John Kapi-Natto has heaped praises for the huge contributions of the never-ending retiring player and PNG Captain Raymond Gunemba for his leadership in steering the PNG national men’s team into the first-ever MSG PM’s Cup grand finals this afternoon in Port Vila, Vanuatu. President Kapi-Natto said: “The leadership which I saw from you in the first match was outstanding and I knew that you will take our Team right through the Semis and through to the Grand final and bring the MSG Cup to PNG for the first time like our Women’s National Team that did in Fiji.” “We can create another history that can be written down as the 2022 MSG Cup Men’s Champion.” Kapi-Natto also acknowledge the Men’s Team that was made up of both the young and old saying the team all have blended together very well in their contributions on the field. “Coach Harrison, I salute you for believing in the young youths of our players who will one day carry the torch.” Mr Kapi-Natto also thanked PNG Sports Foundation for bringing Alwin Komolong and Nigel Dabinyaba to the Team for the second and the third match and it paid great dividend to reach the finals. ALL THE BEST – Nogat less man!

Ever since its inception in 1967, the Linguistic Society of Papua New Guinea (LSPNG) has promoted the indigenous languages of Papua New Guinea through research and advocacy of literacy and language education. The International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022- 2032 has brought these issues to the forefront of our endeavours. Our “Land of a Thousand Tongues” is rapidly transforming into a modern multilingual and multicultural nation, united in its desire for social progress, justice, and prosperity. There are fears, however, that our indigenous languages and cultures may fade, diluted by the unstoppable socio-economic integration and the national English-based education system. The fate of our endangered languages was the focus of the international conference of the Linguistic Society of Papua New Guinea held at the National Research Institute Conference Centre in Port Moresby from the 21st to the 22nd September 2022. LSPNG 2022 was our second virtual conference, devoted to “preserving and promoting the Indigenous languages of the South Pacific.” Zoom brought together researchers and policy makers from PNG and from around the world. It was a great opportunity for an exchange of ideas on how best to promote Tok Ples languages and cultures of Papua New Guinea, while at the same time meeting the demands of the 21st century. How can the unique linguistic and cultural diversity of the South Pacific survive the levelling convergence of human cultures in our Global Village? It is often said that linguistic diversity is an obstacle to social contact. This is not necessarily the case, since humans have always been able to learn their neighbours’ languages and to even create new languages out of existing tongues when the need arose. The advantage of having English as the language of education in PNG is that it gives people access to all the knowledge stored in books and in cyberspace, and ensures effective communication with the world. How can the use of English go hand in hand with the preservation of indigenous, ancestral languages that reflect important local identities? This was the challenge facing LSPNG 2022. During active deliberations between scholars and policy makers on language education and language-related issues, LSPNG 2022 identified some optimal strategies for achieving the long-term survival of indigenous languages, while at the same time ensuring that the goals of Vision 2050 become reality: 1. Early Childhood Education (ECE) It was noted, with satisfaction, that ECE has become the focus of government education policy. Early childhood (3-6 years after birth) is the “maximum impact” period in human brain development, when children are most receptive to language acquisition – they learn languages easily, from mere exposure. Therefore, to promote all the indigenous languages of Papua New Guinea, we suggest that ECE should not be “English-only” but bilingual (English, to prepare the child for learning in school and the child’s community Tok Ples). Bilingual ECE centres, if set up in every remote village community, would enable very young children to attend their village pre-school. Village elders may be engaged in teaching them Tok Ples and cultural knowledge, ensuring that every child speaks the language of the surrounding community, while specially trained, tech-savvy local youths would use recorded English nursery rhymes, songs and games to teach them English during play. Village ECE preschools should also work together with local health centres, to ensure that children do not suffer from micronutrient deficiencies which may disrupt their brain development (Iodine Deficiency Disorders are particularly dangerous, and they are prevalent in many remote communities of PNG). Bilingual ECE is seen as the most effective way to help all PNG children to start learning to read and write in English when they get to Grade 1 (this is important as, in Papua New Guinea, English is the language of instruction in all formal education). 2. Bilingual Curriculum throughout Primary and Secondary School It is important that all children maintain the knowledge of their Mother Tongue. However, starting from Grade 1 in larger Primary Schools where students come from many outlying villages speaking different Tok Ples, it will not be possible to continue with the teaching of all of the different students’ community languages from Grade 1 to Grade 10. Therefore, one of the two National Languages of Papua New Guinea should be part of the Primary and Secondary School curriculum (Tok Pisin or Hiri Motu). 3. Early Learning of Literacy Research on the effects of Age of Onset of learning English (AO), Age at Literacy (AgeLit) and Early Learning Language (ELL) on the academic performance of National High School and UPNG students [1; 2; 3; 4; 5] has established a strong negative correlation between students’ AO, AgeLit, and ELL (other than English) and students’ academic grades: the younger they were when they learned English and literacy, the better they did in their further studies at school and university. However, if for some reason children have not received bilingual ECE, they should learn to read in the way that is easiest for them – that is, in a language that they speak when they arrive at school (provided theirs is a written language). 4. Transfer of literacy skills from one language to another Research has also shown that when children who do not speak English learn to read in their home language (whether a vernacular or Tok Pisin), then those literacy skills can be readily transferred to literacy in English (or any other language). 5. English Teacher Training The AO Research has shown that children do better at all levels of formal education in Papu New Guinea, if they learn to speak English at a young age. However, research has also shown that many elementary teachers do not have good English skills, which means that their students cannot learn well, either. Therefore, the teaching of good English skills to teachers in training is paramount, so that they can help children learn English well. 6. Community Awareness Community awareness campaigns, explaining the value and benefits of Bilingual ECE should be carried out, followed by monitoring, to make sure the new policies are working as well, as intended. The public should also be informed about the need for the National Languages (Tok Pisin/Hiri Motu) to be part of the Primary, Middle, and Secondary school curricula, in order to foster the sense of national identity and promote the indigenous languages of Papua New Guinea. 7. Significance of Bilingual Early Childhood Education Bilingual ECE, using both the children’s community language and English, will ensure that children are fluent in both languages when they enter Grade 1; this will enable them to learn, as English is the Language of Instruction (LOI) at all post-preschool levels of education (the remarkable success of China’s One Village One Preschool government-supported intervention may well be worthy of emulation in the remote mountainous areas of PNG). Bilingual ECE will thus improve the quality of education at all levels, resulting in greater professionalism of National Human Resources. By extension, national universities will produce more graduates specialized in linguistics. As native speakers of the indigenous languages of Papua New Guinea, they will have the power, and the specialized knowledge required to document and describe their Tok Ples languages – thus, ensuring their survival.

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan along with his brother Michael Chan marked 28 years of their father’s passing by visiting his grave in Sydney. Late Pak Chin passed away on the 28th of September 1994. In passing their well wishes a staff member from Sir J’s Port Moresby office wrote, “Today Marks 28 years of your beloved Father's passing. Not most people on Earth remember & honor their parents though in their death. You have truly been a great blessing to your parents, family , colleagues and those around you. You have fulfilled one of the commandments in the Bible, Honor thy father & mother even to death. May this day bring you fond memories of your beloved father and may the good Lord bless you and keep you healthy and prolong your life to fulfil your purpose. We pray this day will turn out well for you and your families there in Sydney to remember.” Sir J and his brother were joined by other family members to commemorate the day. Sir J has honored his father every year since his passing but due to the advent of the Covid 19 Pandemic he was not able to make his annual visit for the past two years. However he has picked up where he left off when the international borders opened up again. On October 30th, Sir J will also commemorate the 47th Anniversary of his mother’s passing Miriam Tinkoris. A native of Nokon village , Namatanai. She was buried in Rabaul.

Air Niugini Destinations Loyalty Program continues to increase its program partners as it welcomes back on board Axellerate Sports. Axellerate Sports is offering members of Air Niugini’s loyalty program the opportunity to earn and redeem Destinations points for specified products. Items include wheeled luggage bag, travel gear bag, runners, polo shirts, trucker caps, soccer balls, rugby league balls and netballs. Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bruce Alabaster welcomed back Axellerate Sports to the program highlighting the need to have a variety of avenues for members to earn and redeem points. “The Destinations Program now has a total 10 corporate partners for earn and redemption of loyalty points. We are grateful to have Axellerate Sports on board providing a wide range of products where members can earn and redeem their points. The program aims to establish more corporate partners throughout the country,” Mr Alabaster added. Axellerate Sports Executive Director, Mr Anthony Toscano said it was great to be back onboard with Air Niugini the National Flag carrier of Papua New Guinea. Axellerate Sports welcomes all the Air Niugini Loyalty members to stop in at the Taurama Aquatic Centre, 3 Mile Port Moresby where the Axellerate Shop is located to check out these great genuine items. Members must present their physical membership card, virtual membership card or membership number with identification at the point of sale in order to earn points. For redemption, members will select items by requesting and authorizing via email to the Destinations Loyalty Program office to purchase those products using points. Members are sent an electronic voucher specifying clearly the item they have purchased and will typically have 1 month to utilise the voucher. Air Niugini’s Destinations Loyalty Program currently has over 123,000 active members since it was launched in August 2009.