The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary as well as its sister forces around the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand held a special memorial services early this morning (Thursday September 29) to remember those who have died in the line of duty over the last 12 months. September is the day set aside each year to honour and remember policemen and policewomen who have died in the line of duty throughout Papua New Guinea, the Pacific, and our sister countries Australia and New Zealand. It is also an opportunity to remember police officers who have lost their lives over the last 12 months through illness or other circumstances. For the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the memorial service will be held at the School of Excellence in Bomana in the National Capital District. This year we remember, First Constable 13713 Neil Maino, from Central Province attached to the Special Services Division. He was the Close Protection Officer to the Deputy Prime Minister late Hon. Sam Basil, both of whom died in a tragic car accident along Bulolo highway in the Morobe Province on May 11, 2022. Commissioner Manning said, “It is our responsibility to remember them and to stand by the families and the loved ones they have left behind. “Policing is a demanding profession. Those who promised on the Holy Bible to protect and serve the people, know the risks and dangers they will be faced with. “This day offers an important opportunity for us, the living, to remember those departed and to reflect upon our roles as police officers. We are reminded also of the common purpose we share and the shared responsibility we bear. “We will honour the legacy of our fallen heroes and remember their sacrifices. Lest we forget!”

As part of the organization’s member engagement, National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) recently participated in the 2022 Mona Festival. Held in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, from Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th September 2022, this event brought together traditional groups from across North, Central and South Bougainville, to celebrate the autonomous region’s traditional canoe, known as the Mona. Over 1,500 people attended the Festival over the 3 days. According to the Fund’s General Manager Member & Employer Services Anne Wilson, participation at this event provided an avenue to raise awareness on the importance of superannuation, as well as showcasing services on offer by Nasfund. “As the largest Fund by membership size, we believe it is important that we continually engage with our members wherever they are. The Mona Festival provided one such opportunity. The Fund’s Buka Member Service Centre took the lead in facilitating our involvement in the Festival, with the Fund coming on board as a minor sponsor for the 3 day event. Our participation at this event enabled us to engage with our current membership, as well as potential members who may want to join Papua New Guinea’s leading superannuation provider. Those who visited the Nasfund exhibit were provided an overview of the role of the Fund, as well as the service on offer. Awareness was provided on the services provided to members through our branch and online channels, as well as the value of Nasfund membership through our popular Membership Discount Program (MDP). The Festival also allowed the Fund to speak to potential members, especially those within the Micro and Small to Medium Enterprises (MSME & SME) space. We would like to thank the Mona Festival Organizers for allowing our participation at this event, and we look forward to working together in ensuring that we promote the important role of superannuation to the next generation of Papua New Guineans. The Autonomous Region of Bougainville remains an important area of focus for the Fund, particularly as there has been some growth in the amount of economic activity in recent years, largely driven by the MSME and SME sectors. We remain committed to promoting, and enabling superannuation services to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville today, so that our members are ready for tomorrow.

Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) PNG is proud to announce a new partnership with local business Hannah's Beauty Box of Port Moresby. Hannah's Beauty Box will come on board as the Hair & Makeup Partner for the 2022 Palmolive Project Runaway  on Saturday 1st October 2022. Chairperson of MPIP PNG Committee, Mrs Molly O’Rourke said, “Our Hair & Makeup Partner – Hannah’s Beauty Box is a locally owned company who have graciously accepted our invitation to partner with us.” Owner of Hannah’s Beauty Box Ms Anna Nawara expressed her delight at being invited to be part of a prestigious event such as the MPIP PNG Palmolive Project Runway. She further stated that “ When we were invited to come on board we saw this as a great opportunity not just for the company but for our young hairdressers, stylists and makeup artists.” Hannah’s Beauty Box is a 100% Papua New Guinean owned salon and boutique aimed at providing the latest in fashion and beauty. The team will be doing the Hair & Makeup for our 50 models and will also be awarding a prize for Model of the year ! Tickets are going fast but still available don’t miss out email : mpippng401@gmail.com or head down to Alibi to purchase. Tickets not sold on the night Miss PNG Pacific Islands

Ukraine has accused Russia of causing leaks in two major gas pipelines to Europe in what it described as a "terrorist attack". Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said the damage to Nord Stream 1 and 2 was "an act of aggression" towards the EU. He added that Russia wanted to cause pre-winter panic and urged the EU to increase military support for Ukraine. Seismologists reported underwater blasts before the leaks emerged. "There is no doubt that these were explosions," said Bjorn Lund of Sweden's National Seismology Centre, as quoted by local media. The operators of Nord Stream 2 warned of a loss of pressure in the pipeline on Monday afternoon. That led to a warning from Danish authorities that ships should avoid the area near the island of Bornholm. The operator of Nord Stream 1 said the undersea lines had simultaneously sustained "unprecedented" damage in one day. Denmark's Defence Command has released footage of the leaks which shows bubbles at the surface of the Baltic Sea near the island. The largest patch of sea disturbance is 1km (0.6 miles) in diameter, it says. "Gas leak from NS-1 [Nord Stream 1] is nothing more than a terrorist attack planned by Russia and an act of aggression towards the EU. Russia wants to destabilise the economic situation in Europe and cause pre-winter panic," Ukraine's Mr Podolyak tweeted in English. He also called on European partners, particularly Germany, to increase military support for Ukraine. "The best response and security investment are tanks for Ukraine. Especially German ones," he said. \Other European leaders have raised the idea that the damage to the pipelines was deliberately inflicted. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki blamed it on sabotage and said it was probably linked to the war in Ukraine. Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said it was too early to come to conclusions, but that it was hard to imagine the multiple leaks could be a coincidence. At the same time, unconfirmed reports in German media said authorities were not ruling out an attack on the undersea gas network. A Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said he was "extremely concerned" about the incident, and the possibility of a deliberate attack could not be ruled out. The EU has previously accused Russia of using a reduction in gas supplies as an economic weapon, in response to European sanctions imposed because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Moscow denies this, saying the sanctions have made it impossible to maintain the gas infrastructure properly. Whatever the cause of the damage, it will not immediately affect the supply of gas to Europe, as neither pipeline was operational. The Nord Stream 1 pipeline - which consists of two parallel branches - has not transported any gas since August when Russia closed it down for maintenance. It stretches 745 miles (1,200km) under the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast near St Petersburg to north-eastern Germany. Its twin pipeline, Nord Stream 2, was halted after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Although neither pipeline is in operation, they both still contain gas. German, Danish and Swedish authorities are all investigating the incidents. How can the world cope without Russia's oil and gas? How Russia is cutting gas supplies to Europe The Danish energy authority told the Reuters news agency that the leak could continue for several days and perhaps even a week. The pipeline's operators - Nord Stream AG - said it was impossible to estimate when the system's infrastructure would be restored. Energy prices have soared since Moscow invaded Ukraine and scarce supplies could push up costs even further. There are growing fears that families in the EU will be unable to afford the cost of heating this winter. Poland is leading the effort to curb reliance on Russia, once Europe's main energy supplier, with the inauguration of a new gas pipeline. The Baltic Pipe will be a new link for Norwegian gas to Europe, which will allow countries to the south of Poland, including Slovakia and the Czech Republic, to access it.     Source: BBC

Canada has said it is dropping all remaining Covid border restrictions, including vaccine requirements for travellers. As of 1 October, travellers will also no longer need to provide proof of Covid vaccination, to undergo any testing or to isolate and quarantine. The mask mandate on planes and trains will also be lifted. The ArriveCan app - used to upload health documents when entering Canada - will become optional. Federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in an announcement on Monday that Canada is "in a much better position" than it was earlier in the pandemic, in part due to availability of Covid-19 vaccines and treatment options. The country's high vaccination rate - with around 82% of the population having received two doses - and a falling death rate are also factors. Around 32 Canadians are currently dying each day from the the virus. Covid-19 cases are slowly rising in Canada and signs point to a resurgence ahead of autumn, Mr Duclos said, but he added this is "largely explained by the domestic transmission of the virus". He said Ottawa is open to reintroducing measures, especially if a new, highly-transmissible variant emerges. Vaccine mandates for travellers entering the US remain in place, and some American lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to drop remaining restrictions. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, dropped Covid entry requirements earlier this year. Covid-19 mandates were opposed by some in Canada and were the subject of the 'Freedom Convoy' protests in Ottawa, which were held in support of truckers who refused to get vaccinated to cross the US-Canada border. The February protests gridlocked Canada's capital for two weeks. Supporters of the convoy also staged blockades at key border crossings between the US and Canada, disrupting the flow of goods between the two countries. The protests were eventually cleared after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the never before used Emergencies Act, which gives the government additional powers in times of national crisis. The World Health Organisation declared in early September that Covid-19 deaths have hit their lowest point but experts have warned about ongoing threat of the virus, especially if new variants emerge. Despite the end of the restrictions, Mr Duclos urged people to get their booster shots and encouraged people to continue wearing masks in public.   Source: BBC

In a black kimono Shinzo Abe's widow Akie walked slowly, carrying her husband's ashes in a silk-covered funeral urn. She placed it on a wide altar covered in white chrysanthemums. Above it hung a huge photo of Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister. Only once before in Japan's post-war history has a politician been given a state funeral - and Tuesday's event to honour Abe has stirred huge controversy. It drew thousands of guests - local and global leaders, notably from Japan's closest allies. But it also faced a backlash as protesters marched against the decision to hold the funeral. It's a day and an event that appears to have cut Japanese society down the middle. And it's a sign of Abe's complicated and often divisive legacy. The 67-year-old politician was assassinated in July - shot twice by a homemade gun. The killing shocked a country unused to gun crimes or political violence, triggering an outpouring of grief for a leader who had never been that popular. "Abe-San, thank you so much," mourners shouted when they gathered to pay their respects in July - with his death, many of his countrymen realised he had given Japan a sense of stability and security. That mood changed with the announcement of a state funeral. But it has gone ahead despite growing opposition from the Japanese public with opinion polls showing around 60% opposed it. Outside the Budokan - the arena in Tokyo where the funeral was taking place - the queue of mourners carrying flowers stretched for well over 3km (1.8 miles). They wore black and carried flowers to pay their respects for one last time. "I love Abe and everything about him, that's why I am in line," one 19-year-old said. Another mourner, a woman, said she was there to "show my gratitude for his long service as PM". But a short distance away in front of the Japanese parliament thousands more gathered to noisily and angrily demonstrate their opposition. Abe was widely admired abroad, but he was a divisive figure at home. Many of the protesters outside parliament were furious about the $10.7m (1.6bn yen; £10m) cost of the funeral. Others simply said Abe did not deserve the rare honour of a state funeral. "I am frustrated and angry that we let the government do whatever they want without consulting the people," said 25 year old Iori Fujiwara. "Us younger generation needs to speak out more for our own future, that's why I am here." "I could not stay at home while they are spending so much money and inviting so many guests while there are Japanese people suffering from the typhoon last week," said 25-year-old Ayaka Uehira. Many of those who oppose the funeral - and Abe's political legacy - are older Japanese. In a country traumatised by war, the older generation has long favoured a "pacifist" constitution that has kept Japan from heavily investing in its military. Abe, however, sought to change that - not by a referendum or parliamentary process, but by reinterpreting the constitution. This move was controversial and unpopular, but has increasingly been welcomed by Abe's supporters - many of whom are younger Japanese. Untroubled by memories of war, they are also increasingly reacting to China's aggressive claims on Japanese territory. For them, Abe was an extraordinary politician who put Japan back on the international map as a significant player. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Liberal Democratic Party certainly made the decision to honour Abe without considering how the country might react. But there is no denying the fact that Abe was also a man greatly admired by Japan's allies. He pushed for stronger relations among what he called "like-minded democracies", including India and Australia. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Quad - an alliance between the US, Japan, India and Australia. So it's no surprise that the US vice-president, and sitting and former Australian prime ministers travelled to Tokyo to pay their respects. Or that India's PM Narendra Modi made the journey after skipping the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London last week. They perhaps recognise that in some ways, Abe was well ahead of his time. He had always been wary of a rising threat from China - a concern Japan's allies now share. Source: BBC

Around one million people have been left without power and one person has been killed after Hurricane Ian lashed Cuba. Cuba-focused media outlets have also reported damaged buildings across the country. The category three hurricane, packing wind speeds of up to 195km/h (120mph), is now heading for Florida and is expected to strengthen. Parts of Florida have not faced such an intense hurricane in about a century. As of 21:00 GMT on Tuesday, the hurricane was growing stronger in the south-eastern Gulf of Mexico and moving north at 10mph, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports. The storm is expected to pass over the Florida Keys on Tuesday night before approaching Florida's west coast on Wednesday. Florida fears catastrophic flooding as hurricane nears How to prepare for a hurricane The NHC said in its bulletin that Ian could be a category four hurricane by that point, with wind speeds topping 130mph. Over two million people in Florida are under evacuation orders. In Cuba, forecasters had warned that some regions could see up to 30cm (12in) of rain from Hurricane Ian. Mayelin Suarez, a resident of Pinar del Rio, called the night the storm hit "the darkest of her life". "We almost lost the roof off our house," she told Reuters. "My daughter, my husband and I tied it down with a rope to keep it from flying away." Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel visited the area and vowed that the province would rise "above adversity", the Cuban presidency tweeted. A 43-year-old woman in the province was killed after the walls of her home collapsed. Cuban authorities declared emergencies in six areas, with forecasters warning of storm surges on the coast, along with flash floods and mudslides. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned in a news conference on Tuesday that the storm is "the real deal". The governor declared a state of emergency for all of Florida over the weekend and has activated 5,000 National Guard troops to assist with relief efforts. Along Florida's Tampa Bay coast, grocery store shelves were quickly cleared of basic necessities and there were long queues at gas stations. The Tampa area could receive its first direct hit from a hurricane since 1921, officials say, and might see 3m (10ft) of storm surge along the coast. Local officials in Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are distributing free sandbags to help residents protect their homes from flooding. Meteorologists have said flash flooding is possible by Tuesday in the Florida peninsula and Florida Keys as the hurricane approaches. The White House has also made its own emergency declaration, which will help federal and state officials co-ordinate disaster relief and assistance. Federal officials are pre-positioning millions of meals and litres of water in Florida and neighbouring Alabama. President Joe Biden, who had postponed a trip to Florida on Tuesday, told reporters at the White House that his office is "on alert and in action" to help Florida. The Caribbean is still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Fiona, which tore through the region last week. Moving northward to parts of the Atlantic Canada coastline and eastern Quebec, Fiona claimed two lives, washed homes into the sea and downed power lines over the weekend.   Source: BBC

Prime Minister James Marape has today commended Telikom for paying a K3 million dividend to the State for the 2021 financial year. In doing so, the Prime Minister also congratulated holding company Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) and State Owned Enterprises Minister Hon William Duma for successfully guiding Telikom to reach this mark. PM Marape said this was the result of reforms done three year's ago under his government in the10th Parliament. "This is the result of what we have been doing resulting in Telikom making a turn around after many years of losses and now moving into profit," said PM Marape. "We embarked on a reform agenda with all our State-Owned Enterprises three years ago and it is good that we starting to see fruits of our reform. "Having said that, there remains much work to be done in Telikom as well as in others a well," he said. The SOE this week paid the K3 million dividend to KCH for the first time. Telikom and Bmobile had a merger in 2021.

TikTok could face a £27m fine for failing to protect children's privacy when they're using the platform. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) found the video-sharing platform may have processed the data of under-13s without appropriate consent. The watchdog said the breach happened over more than two years - until July 2020 - but that it had not yet drawn final conclusions. TikTok says it disputes the findings, noting that they are "provisional". The ICO has issued TikTok Inc and TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited with a "notice of intent" - a legal document which precedes a potential fine. The notice sets out the ICO's provisional view that TikTok breached UK data protection law between May 2018 and July 2020. The ICO investigation found the social platform may have: processed the data of children under the age of 13 without appropriate parental consent failed to provide proper information to its users in a concise, transparent and easily understood way processed special category data, without legal grounds to do so According to Ofcom, 44% of eight to 12-year-olds in the UK use TikTok, despite its policies forbidding under-13s on the platform. Information Commissioner John Edwards said: "We all want children to be able to learn and experience the digital world, but with proper data privacy protections. "Companies providing digital services have a legal duty to put those protections in place, but our provisional view is that TikTok fell short of meeting that requirement." TikTok has rolled out a number of features to strengthen the privacy and safety on the site - including allowing parents to link their accounts to their children's, and disabling direct messaging for under-16s. But Mr Edwards continued: "I've been clear that our work to better protect children online involves working with organisations, but will also involve enforcement action where necessary. "In addition to this, we are currently looking into how over 50 different online services are conforming with the Children's Code, and have six ongoing investigations looking into companies providing digital services who haven't, in our initial view, taken their responsibilities around child safety seriously enough." Rolled out in September last year, the Children's Code put in place new data protection codes of practice for online services likely to be accessed by children, built on existing data protection laws, with financial penalties a possibility for serious breaches. The ICO said its findings in the notice were provisional, with no conclusion to be drawn at this stage that there had been any breach of data protection law. It added: "We will carefully consider any representations from TikTok before taking a final decision." A TikTok spokesperson said: "This notice of intent, covering the period May 2018-July 2020, is provisional and as the ICO itself has stated, no final conclusions can be drawn at this time. "While we respect the ICO's role in safeguarding privacy in the UK, we disagree with the preliminary views expressed and intend to formally respond to the ICO in due course."   Source: BBC

21 young leaders in the Kokoda Track Foundation’s (KTF) Archer Leadership Development Program travelled to Australia and have undergone work experience based on their different fields of study or professions. The trip to Australia and work placement is just one component of KTF’s Archer Leaders program that provides the opportunity to travel to Australia to undergo work experience and to meet inspiring leaders from all walks of life. The Archer Leadership Development Program is an annual program for final year tertiary students in Papua New Guinea (PNG) who have shown leadership potential and the desire to serve their communities and country as young leaders. The program helps selected participants to grow and develop in their leadership capabilities. KTF guides the Archer Leaders on their leadership journey, supporting them throughout the year with mentoring, tuition and boarding fees support, education and professional development resourcing, work experience and assistance to implement community projects in a community of choice. The recent exchange trip was part of the program, but due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the exchange program for the Archer leaders of cohorts 2020 and 2021 had to be put on hold till this year when borders opened. Thus the 2020 and 2021 cohorts were able to travel with the 2022 cohort to Sydney, Australia. All cohorts had an opportunity to participate in two days of work experience in organisations relating to their areas of study (for those in 2022) or profession (for those in 2020 and 2021). The young leaders joined law firms, hospitals, veterinary clinics, chemistry labs, NGOs, mining and engineering headquarters, reserve banks and news studios right across Australia’s east coast during their exchange. Six of the Archer Leaders spent two days in Brisbane with Newcrest Mining visiting and engaging with mining engineering experts as well as mining Ph.D. candidates from the University of Queensland. The trip was jam-packed and allowed for the students to meets with leaders in both public and private sectors. The young leaders also had the honour of visiting the parliament chambers of the New South Wales Parliament House and meeting with a Member of Parliament. Peterson Mathius, an Archer Leader from the 2020 cohort and a person living with disability shares his experience about the trip. “The immersion trip to Sydney was one of the best moments of my life. KTF taught about ‘getting out of your comfort zone’. This was the real deal for me. My travel from Port Moresby to Sydney and my stay in Australia was an eye-opening experience for me. I was amazed at how great accessibility was for me as a person in a wheelchair. I was able to easily get around all of Sydney – along footpaths, on busses, trains and ferries. It was exciting to see the amazing structure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Not only that but the group had rare access to the NSW Parliament via a tour delivered by Greens Party MP Mr Jamie Parker. The highlight of my experience was my work experience placement with Mr. Sebastián De Brennen, a criminal lawyer and Barrister. As a newly admitted lawyer in PNG, I was so happy that I was engaged with a highly qualified person in line with my profession as a lawyer. I was so enthusiastic to learn about a new jurisdiction. I learned that they have the different court system and different procedures to process the criminal proceedings and also different legal structure. Mr. Brennan facilitated access to a Court Room (Community Justice Court) to witness one of his case presentations on a sentencing hearing. We won the case and it was an emotional moment not only for the convict and his family but I too was emotional and happy that it was a success and justice was served. It was an experience I will never forget.” Being a person living with disability, Peterson knew that the trip would have other advantages as well. His community had thought he would never succeed in life or to get to where he is now, but he has defied that. “The trip also had an impact on how my community views me. As an individual living with a disability, people in my community thought that I had no future and had no place to go. But now, I have a story to tell. This trip has totally changed my community’s perspective of me and that has given me extra confidence to build the status that they thought I didn’t have. I would like to say to everyone out there, that if they have a person living with disability in their family or community, do not ignore the ability that he or she has. It only requires kindness and support from everyone that will encourage him or her to take another step forward in life.” Now that the young leaders have returned home to PNG, they will start to plan their own community development projects alongside completing their studies. Applications for the 2023 Archer Leadership Development Program will be open in December. The program is made possible with generous funding made available by the Fred P Archer Trust, managed by Perpetual and an increased continued commitment from Newcrest Mining

Climate Change is an emerging global threat and it is important to have climate proof infrastructures available in Papua New Guinea, says Climate Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change Simo Kilepa. Minister Kilepa said this during the ground breaking ceremony Alotau Provincial Climate Proofing Wharf on Monday, 26th September 2022. The K36.7million project is an initiative of the Climate Change and Development Authority through its Building Resilience to Climate Change (BRCC) project and is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Minister Kilepa said the Marape-Rosso Govt has prioritize infrastructure development as the number one agenda for PNG. “With the theme of Connecting PNG, we intend to bring socio-economic development to as many people and many places across the country. We do not want to leave any place or person behind. We want to give every man, woman and child the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the development processes.” “With the evidence of Climate Change, there is increasing intensity and frequency of the adverse effects of Climate Change. You see it all around you, here in Milne Province- Storm surges, sea level rise, cyclones, coastal erosion and so forth, which really affect infrastructures including our wharves and jetties,” Minister Kilepa said. He said; “It is therefore important to climate proof critical infrastructures like this provincial wharf which I believe will serve two-thirds of the population of this maritime province, who commute to and from the islands and atolls to buy store goods and sell their produce in Alotau market.” “The lessons learnt from this climate proofing investment will help us to replicate in other 13 provinces of PNG. I will discuss with colleague Ministers of works and transport, PNG Ports and others to come up with new climate resilient standards and designs that will withstand the adverse effects of climate change, Minister Kilepa said. “Climate poses a serious challenge for PNG, going into the future. It is important that we mainstream climate change adaptation into all development planning processes both at the National and Provincial level to be able to ensure our critical infrastructures are intact.” He said it if very expensive to build wharves, airstrips and roads. If we can climate proof them then they will be sustained and can achieve our development goals and priorities. Minister Kilepa said the people of Milne Bay will be the first to have a climate proof port infrastructure. This ground breaking ceremony indicates the birth of a new climate resilient wharf in the country. “On behalf of the Marape-Rosso Govt and as the Minister responsible, I extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank for this good gesture and look forward to our continued development and partner going forward.” This Project is scheduled to take about 9 months to complete and is due to start by next month. ​I therefore expect the Climate Proofing of Alotau Provincial Wharf Project to be completed by June 30th 2023. Milne Bay Province Deputy Governor Lelena Metao in his speech said the Provincial Government has also taken ownership of this project and provided its support towards this project in K2mil in funding and in technical support towards the temporary walls and retaining walls. “We are not just recipients but also active partners in this project together to seeing its full completion,” he said. “This project when completed will certainly be one of the first in the country in Milne Bay to address Climate Change Impacts. This is very important to us, due to the rising sea level affecting many of our maritime transport infrastructures across the province and our livelihoods in our rural communities on the costal mainland and islands, said Mr Metao . He said this wharf will last longer and be able to assist the people especially in transporting goods, cargoes and passengers across the many islands of the 4 districts of the province. “The design of wharf will also help our mothers and the disabled people access this facility, which is a very good thing for our people,” Mr Metao said.  

A 7-week school program integrating Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) and well-being awareness into netball skills training in schools in Central Province’s Hiri District is drawing to a close. A total of 400 students – 200 boys and 200 girls from 10 schools in – five in Hiri-East and five in Hiri-West participated in the program. The Hamamas Long Pilai Program is an initiative of One Netball PNG - a partnership between Netball Australia, WaterAid PNG and Netball PNG supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership through the Australian Sports Partnership Program (ASPP). Hiri-West schools included Iobuna Kouba (Sogeri cluster), Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea primary schools and Hiri-East schools included Gaire, Barakau, Tubusereia, Seme-Dagoda and Kerekadi primary schools. Hiri-East schools will complete session 6 when classes resume in week two of term four. Schools had been selected by the Central Education Division and topics under the life-skills component are in line with the Education Department’s Personal Development curriculum in schools. The HLP Program utilises netball as a vehicle to deliver Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) outcomes in schools. Under One Netball PNG, two programs are delivered including the shorter Come and Play and the longer 7-weeks Hamamas Long Pilai (HLP) program. Both programs are adapted from the original HLP program developed by WaterAid PNG under the Sports for Development program. Life-skill topics relating to self-confidence, communication, leadership, personal hygiene including hand-washing and menstrual health and practical netball coaching was delivered by 15 professional Netball PNG coaches. The Hamamas Long Pilai Program was delivered by 14 professional netball coaches twice a week during students’ non-contact periods in the afternoons to ensure limited disruption as much as possible and as per understanding between One Netball PNG and the Central Education Division. A total of 650 students will have participated in both the Come and Play and the Hamamas Long Pilai by the end of the program.