The PNG National Research Institute (PNG NRI) will host a seminar on the challenges of state fragility and lessons learned. State fragility refers to fragile states having characteristics that substantially impair their economic and social performance. These include weak governance, limited administrative capacity, chronic humanitarian crises, persistent social tensions, and often, violence or the legacy of armed conflict and civil war. The seminar will be presented by a visiting academic from the Australian National University (ANU) Dr Nematullah Bizhan. Dr Bizhan is a Lecturer in Public Policy at the Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University. He is also a Senior Research Associate with the Global Economic Governance Program at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University and is also a visiting lecturer at the School of Business and Public Policy at the University of PNG. The presentation will be comparing the challenges of state fragility and lessons learned from Afghanistan, Burundi, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sierra Leon, PNG and Rwanda. The seminar will discuss key questions on the nature of state fragility, policies used to mitigate it, assessment of outcomes and prospects. It will also discuss the thirteen lessons for reducing state fragility. Government Departments and agencies such as Department of Prime Minister and NEC; Department of National Planning; Department of Personnel Management; Department of Finance; Department of Provincial and Local Level Government; Civil and Identity Registry; National Statistics Office; PNG Royal Constabulary; PNG Defence Force; and PNG Correctional Service, have been invited to attend and be part of the discussions. The media are also invited to cover and report on the event. PNG NRI is optimistic that the seminar will contribute to discussing ideas and effective strategies to mitigate state fragility and prospects of improving governance.

A powerful hurricane made landfall in western Mexico on Sunday, causing heavy rains, flash flooding and landslides. Roslyn, a category 3 hurricane, came ashore in Nayarit state, with maximum winds of 195km/h (120mph). The hurricane has since been downgraded to a tropical cyclone and is expected to dissipate overnight. Images of its aftermath showed flooded roads and upturned vehicles in Nayarit, with collapsed rooves and damaged homes in the worst affected area Tecuala. Further south along the coast in Sayulita, people were pictured wading through and clearing mud from the streets in the area. Flash flooding and power outages also hit the town of Puerto Vallarta in neighboring Jalisco state, but only minor damage was caused, according to the state's governor. Enrique Alfaro Ramirez said people who had evacuated the area have since started returning to their homes. Flights have also resumed, he said. He added, however, that beaches would remain closed for the time being. Prior to the hurricane's landfall, more than a dozen municipalities in Nayarit and Jalisco set up emergency shelters for those who had been evacuated. In May, 11 people were killed after Hurricane Agatha struck south-western Oaxaca state.   Source: BBC 

The Grand Papua Hotel in Port Moresby is a proud winner of The Luxury Hotel Awards 2022. The Luxury Hotel Awards recognizes and celebrates the hotel industry worldwide, with votes cast by travellers, guests, and industry players. It is the third year the Grand Papua Hotel has entered the Luxury Hotel Awards and we are proud to have been awarded the following: Grand Papua Hotel - Luxury Boutique Hotel – Regional Winner in Australasia “It is another prestigious milestone for the Grand Papua Hotel again this year to be recognized as a world-class Upscale Boutique Hotel providing a high-end product and services in Papua New Guinea”. Says Peter Laigaard Jensen – Group General Manager of Coral Sea Hotels. [caption id="attachment_28972" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Picture of Group General Manager Peter Laigaard Jensen[/caption] Grand Papua Hotel – A Member of Radisson Individuals is situated in Port Moresby’s Central Business District and offers 161 upscale guest rooms, suites, and residences. The Hotel was built in 2011 and continues to provide a high standard in its products and services for business travellers and corporate guests who want an upscale hotel experience with friendly service. And not least the newly opened roof garden concept on the 15th floor Under the Shade. Peter Laigaard Jensen explains: “We continue to take pride in giving our guests reasons for coming back not only to Grand Papua Hotel but also to Papua New Guinea and to Port Moresby – this award is dedicated to all our employees and guests” The Grand Papua Hotel boasts an upscale setting and guest experience with the Grand Brasserie, 15th Floor Under the Shade, Grand Bar, and Grand Café, Grand Spa, and the Executive Lounge located on the 15th Floor. The latest is the newly renovated meeting and conference space in the Grand Papua Hotel. Group General Manager, Coral Sea Hotels Peter Laigaard Jensen expresses his gratitude during some hectic years: All staff and management in Grand Papua Hotel have during some difficult years gone the extra mile to look after our guests and their wellbeing and I am very pleased we are awarded as a best-in-class property” [caption id="attachment_28973" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Picture of Grand Papua Hotel[/caption] ABOUT CORAL SEA HOTELS Coral Sea Hotels is a part of Steamships Limited’s legacy and history in Papua New Guinea and offers a portfolio of premium midmarket and upscale quality hotels in strategic well-appointed locations throughout Papua New Guinea. As one of the first hospitality pioneers in Papua New Guinea, Coral Sea Hotels is part of the country’s rich history and culture and continues to play an active part in developing Papua New Guinea with a diversified hotel product portfolio through people and the local environment, enriching lives, and guest experiences. Coral Sea Hotels gives guests reasons for coming back. The portfolio of urban midmarket and city upscale hotels, residences and apartments cater to today’s frequent travellers and local community offering authentic and international hospitality in a warm and friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Coral Sea Hotels owns, manages, and operates 8 properties in Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, Goroka and Kiunga.

Many businesses and individuals are being affected by the increased cost of business and increased cost of living with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in PNG at 5.5% at the end of the June quarter, and the Bank of PNG (BPNG) forecasting 6.0% inflation for the year 2022. BPNG had forecast inflationary pressures rising in the second quarter and used its monetary policy instruments to address inflation. One of these monetary policy steps taken by BPNG was the increase of the Kina Facility Rate (KFR), which is the monetary policy, signalling rate, by 0.25% in July 2022 to 3.25%. The KFR increase by BPNG had the intended effect of increasing interest rates, which financial institutions would pass on to borrowers, thereby limiting consumption, which ultimately slows down inflation. Deposit rates would also increase which rewards savers who exercised spending constraints with higher interest paid on their deposits. BSP increased its interest rates effective September 2022 to align to BPNG’s monetary policy stance and the KFR increase. The Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR), which is a percentage of deposits that all banks must place at BPNG at zero return, has been increased to 9% by BPNG in conjunction with the monetary policy signalling of the KFR. The CRR increase has seen system liquidity reduce by K293.5 million and this has the impact of reducing funds available for lending, or for investing in Government securities. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said it is BSP’s view that price stability is a major concern, especially with the persistent inflation seen globally and PNG’s reliance on imports. “Prudent monetary intervention is needed to contain inflation at acceptable levels given PNG’s pipeline of resource projects expected in the medium-term which will substantially boost economic activity,” he added. Furthermore, Mr. Fleming said BSP supports BPNG correctly calling on the Government to sue windfall revenues associated with higher energy prices to retire Government debt, as an expansionary fiscal policy can be in conflict with the tightening monetary policy stance.

The Fogi Village congregation in Wain Erap LLG in Nawaeb District, Morobe on Sunday celebrated the opening of a new church building worth K29, 000 which they fully funded and built. The village situated in ward six has a population of over 200 people who are members of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. The building was officiated by Pastor Boas Bangum of the Evangelical Lutheran of Boana. It took the less populated community at least 13 years to complete the building, dedicate and launch it. Also during the launching, Pastor Boas witnessed and delivered blessings for the sacrament of confirmation for  students, marriage and infant blessings. Boas Bangum described the villages' achievement as  a tough but worthwhile milestone and commended the community for their perseverance. He said the achievement has demonstrated the faith the Church members' had even though they had a lesser population to deliver such a massive project. Communities from Ward Seven, Five and Three attended the church opening. The event demonstrated that through faith and team work, greater things can be achieved without seeking financial assistance. Locals were engaged to construct the church building which greatly minimized labour costs and materials.

The Oceania Football Federation has begun an investigation into the dismissal of Papua New Guinea's national women's team coach, based on allegations that PNGFA's President, John Kapi Natto, has breached OFC's Code of Conduct. But against that background, preparations for the team's historic appearance at the FIFA World Cup Qualifying event next year have begun at last. It's understood the appointment of a new coach is imminent, but in the mean time 37 players have been called into camp at training centres in Port Moresby, Lae and Madang. The General Secretary and Chief Executive of the PNGFA, Pius Letenge, says they are hoping to secure extra financial support from their own government, and from the PacificAus Sports programme. The aim is make sure the players get the best preparation possible ahead of their do or die match against Panama in February, and to put recent events behind them. Source: ABC Pacific

Both our PNG Kumuls and Santos PNG Orchids are doing well. I am so proud of both teams for representing PNG very well as worthy ambassadors. I have seen the PNG Kumuls promote PNG coffee in the market of the host country. I have also seen the United Nations and United Kingdom Aid support the coffee trade and other trades. Further, I have seen the PNG Orchids doing well in working cohesively with the PNG High Commissioner paying respect as partner ambassadors. As far as sportsmanship is concerned, our players have come a long way and I am confident that they are a success story for PNG. The Kumuls and the Orchids representing PNG at the international level in itself to me is a win already. The exposure , the experience, and the strict routine of discipline and diet that they are being put through are winners. Whatever outcome we realise on the field of play will be another story of experience and celebrations for us all. If the scores do not favour PNG, it is still good as we will learn a good lesson from it. If it is a win on the field, it will also be a win for PNG. I urge all our athletes to enjoy the game as neutral as they can play without nervousity or emotions. I urge all players to play with love and happiness for the game.  When meeting with the PNG Orchids at the PNG High Commission residence yesterday, I made the above remarks urging the PNG Orchids to play the game of win in their mind. I told the girls that they were already champions and made PNG very proud. In order to win, you must win in your mind first. Your physical body will only follow your mind. Play not only to win today but establish your legacy that will live to tell the next generation who take after your sportsmanship to win many times in the many years to come. I was honoured to meet such a very driving young team of women to have risen up to this international level to play the international game of rugby league. In conclusion, the international competition was not fair and just. The world rugby league competition has lost its competitiveness! I urge the world rugby league cup management and other countries' rugby organisations to relook at its competitiveness. The game is losing entertainment and business at the global level. Probably because some countries' players are full-time professional players whilst other are mostly armateurs. I urge the World rugby league body to address this matter so that level playing field is created for all to play a game more entertaining and business driving like we saw in the PNG vs Tonga game. The composition of players in these two Pacific Island teams was very good...comprised of professional and armateurs. The scores coming out of the competition say it all with the huge disparity we see in them. All in all PNG will be a sports country to be reckoned with and I am doing my best smartly and working hard to realising PNG's long-term success in rugby as well as sports in general.

PNG Dataco Limited will now be providing secure cloud storage solutions to Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) after signing an agreement last week. Through this agreement, PMGH will be using PNG Dataco’s data centre infrastructure to host its hospital data and do cloud services on shore. With the data centre, PNG Dataco bears the risks and responsibilities of maintaining and employing its communication infrastructure, the servers and data storage services which PMGH can lease for a certain period while concentrating more on its core business of providing healthcare services. Traditionally, organisations engage in the costly exercise of having their own IT rooms with servers and computers to process and store data in-house, the need for regular power backup, a good security system, licencing and the constantly changing ICT sector. [caption id="attachment_28922" align="alignnone" width="906"] Port Moresby General Hospital chief executive officer Dr. Paki Molumi and PNG Dataco Limited chief executive officer Mr. Paul Komboi sign the agreement.[/caption] Chief executive officer Mr. Paul Komboi said PNG Dataco’s aim is to downstream technology by providing a secure infrastructure where organisations can be confident to store and access their data in real-time and further ensure data sovereignty. “Basically, we are now fulfilling the government’s requirements in terms of nationalising our data requirements in the country. And so, we really appreciate Port Moresby General Hospital coming on board and utilising the infrastructure that we’ve already invested,” said Mr. Komboi. Mr. Komboi encouraged organisations both in the public and private sector to get on board and utilise the data centre infrastructure that is already in place. PMGH chief executive officer Dr. Paki Molumi emphasized a major issue where during the prolonged blackout recently, “our servers went off and we lost almost two months of data”. [caption id="attachment_28923" align="alignnone" width="906"] Port Moresby General Hospital chief executive officer Dr. Paki Molumi shares his views on data storage and the challenges faced as PNG Dataco Limited CEO Mr. Paul Komboi listened.[/caption] “Having a backup in the cloud is the way to go and we are more proud to be partnering with the national company in PNG,” stressed Dr. Molumi. “It’s stored in our country and we feel confident that we can save our data safely within the country”. “We are able to go into telemedicine,” explained Dr. Molumi. “We are also doing high-tech radiology, MRI, CT scans and some of the operations we are doing, we are recording them. We have our Hospital Information System where we have a lot of data to store.” Dr. Molumi said there is a need for training of all categories of health workers and technology can contribute enormously in bridging that gap through online courses or specialists from other hospitals can be consulted to attend to difficult cases without the need to travel. “So these are some of the impacts that we have seen how technology can improve healthcare for this country and PMGH wants to partner using technology to drive our healthcare service,” he said. Source: Port Moresby General Hospital FB Page

Under the National Health Plan 2021-2030, Port Moresby General Hospital is now the National Specialist Referral and Teaching Hospital aligning with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) to train all categories of health workers in the country. The PMGH Board representative Mr Luke Liria said the PMGH Corporate Plan 2022 – 2024 is aligned to the National Health Plan 2021 – 2030 and that the Board is ready to implement the National Health Plan 2021-2030 specifically the:  Key Result Area 3: Increasing Access to Affordable Health Services; and  Key Result Area 5: Strengthening Health System. [caption id="attachment_28905" align="alignnone" width="906"] Port Moresby General Hospital Board member Mr. Luke Liria.[/caption] “The Port Moresby General Hospital requires the support from the Government in facilitating the key enablers that will ensure Port Moresby General Hospital delivers the Key Results Areas 3 & 5 of the National Health Plan,” Mr. Liria said during the recent visit by the Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS Hon. Dr Lino Tom and Shadow Minister for Health Hon. Elias Kapavore to the hospital. The three key enablers include;  The enabling legislation – the Specialist Hospital Bill;  The establishment of the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA) hospital to offload primary and secondary health care; and  Financing and funding of clinical services and Infrastructure Master Plan which PMGH is currently preparing. [caption id="attachment_28906" align="alignnone" width="906"] Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS Hon. Dr. Lino Tom and Shadow Minister for Health Hon. Elias Kapavore chat to a patient during a visit to the Port Moresby General Hospital Catheterization Laboratory.[/caption] Mr. Liria emphasized, “Port Moresby General Hospital’s ultimate goal is to become the National Referral & Teaching Hospital, that is, to provide all the categories of specialist healthcare so citizens will not need to raise money and travel overseas and also stress of raising that funds.” “Train all the categories of health workers for the country to fill the huge manpower gap and drive medical tourism.” He added that the Kumul Petroleum National Heart Centre, supported by the national oil company Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), is producing results with over 700 angiograms and stenting done so far which is saving lives and saving the country over K100 million. “A stroke reversal program will be in place. A theatre complex is planned which will enable our doctors to perform cardiac surgery and all complex surgeries including cancer surgery, support the upcoming Cancer Centre and kidney transplant surgery which is planned for 2024,” said Mr Liria. [caption id="attachment_28908" align="alignnone" width="906"] (Left to right) Shadow Minister for Health Hon. Elias Kapavore, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) managing director Mr. Wapu Sonk, Secretary for Health Dr. Osborne Liko, Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS Hon. Dr. Lino Tom and PMGH Board representative Mr. Luke Liria gearing up to visit the Cancer Centre project site on 11 October, 2022.[/caption] The visit to the PMGH by the Minister and Shadow Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS that took place on Tuesday, 11th of October, 2022 was for the purpose of touring the National Heart Centre and the Cancer Centre project. The KPHL managing director Mr Wapu Sonk shared a similar sentiment share by those who were present that it was good to see Minister Tom and Minister Kapavore – representatives from both sides of the House of Parliament – come together to prioritize the health of our people. “And it’s good to see that you twos are united and we’ve done the walk to see the progress of the investment that Kumul Petroleum and the government have all jointly put together in improving our health services especially special health care for our people of Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Sonk. [caption id="attachment_28909" align="alignnone" width="906"] Port Moresby General Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paki Molumi guides Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS Hon. Dr. Lino Tom and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) managing director Mr. Wapu Sonk into the one of the two radiation bunkers at the Cancer Centre project site.[/caption] Mr. Sonk affirmed that since 2019, KPHL has been working with the hospital and has made a commitment of K75 million, of which K50 million is earmarked for the PMGH for the National Heart Centre, a further K10 million to the Cancer Centre Project and K15 million to ANGAU Hospital in Lae for its Cancer Centre. “We are very proud to be associated with Port Moresby General Hospital and ANGAU and very proud to see the outcome in a short space of time since we signed the MOU in 2019 to now. We’ve just walked through the Cardiac facility on the other side and now the construction of the Cancer Centre here and similar sort of progress is also happening in Lae in ANGAU Hospital,” said Mr. Sonk. “We will continue to support the hospital. We have a 5-year agreement in place and as the national oil company we’ll be here to support your programs and other big programs that save our peoples’ health.” Source: Port Moresby General Hospital FB Page

Premiership-winning Panthers Jarome Luai and Brian To'o carved Greece to bits as Samoa claimed a comprehensive 72-4 victory to put their World Cup campaign back on track. Eight days on from being humbled by England in a 60-6 loss, Samoa piled on the points in Doncaster, with Luai setting up five tries on his way to player of the match honours, while To'o had a colossal 370 run metres, with 17 tackle busts thrown in for good measure. Samoa led 42-0 at the break, and the game was effectively over within the first 20 minutes, with Samoa 12-0 by the time Greece touched the ball for the first time. The Matt Parish-coached side ran for 2409 metres, while restricting Greece to 847, with 75 tackle breaks across the 80 minutes. The win means Samoa will advance to the quarterfinals if they can beat France in their final group game, something which had looked far from certain after they were trounced by England first up.

Distribution of the Government’s tuition fee free education commodity component for schools in the Rabaul District of East New Britain province was rolled out last week. It contains teaching and learning materials for students. They include exercise books, pencils, ball-point pens, rulers, sharpeners and erasers. The kits are packed differently to meet the needs of students from primary to high schools. Rabaul District Administrator, Benedict Mode said today that distribution of the basic learning materials which comes under the support of commodity component kicked off on Monday (Oct 17) and was successfully distributed to the 54 schools in the district by the supplier JJH Seeto. He commended the district education sector for facilitating this important exercise. Since early this week, principals and head teachers were witnessed picking up their truckloads of materials at the JJH Seeto warehouse in Rabaul town. The schools that took delivery of the education materials are Boisen Seondary School, Malaguna Techincal Secondary School, the 17 primary schools and 35 elementary schools. The materials can be able to sustain the schools next year. Meantime, District Education Coordinator Markus Tipepe, said Grade 8 examinations papers were picked up yesterday (Wed) from Kalamanagunan Primary School in Kokopo and delivered to the 16 primary schools in Rabaul in preparation for the National Examinations next week. Last week also saw Grade 12 students at the district’s only two secondary schools- Boisen Secondary School and Malaguna Technical Secondary School sit for their Grade 12 examinations.  

Prime Minister James Marape has congratulated ExxonMobil on its 100 years in Papua New Guinea and says the company is welcome to stay on for another 100 years. He said this when addressing ExxonMobil’s 100th Anniversary Dinner in Port Moresby on Saturday night, which was also attended by Ministers, Governors, MPs, members of the business community and senior executives of ExxonMobil. PM Marape said he had attended ExxonMobil’s 100 anniversary and asked the company to be around for PNG’s 100th anniversary, and hopefully by then, ExxonMobil in partnership with Government had contributed to a better-developed PNG. “Tonight is worth celebrating,” PM Marape said. “One hundred years is a huge milestone, and not just any ordinary company but a global Triple A-rated company and global leader, to have 100 years of unbroken business and service to PNG. “I am duty-bound to thank you on behalf of all Papua New Guineans - past, present and future – for choosing PNG as an investment destination.” PM Marape said ExxonMobil had started from humble beginnings in Rabaul in 1922 and had grown with PNG over the last 100 years. “Your investment in the PNG LNG Project is testament to the fact that PNG, despite many of the headline negativities, remains a vibrant place for consistent presence of businesses,” he said. “ExxonMobil has shown that PNG is a place to do business, and can be a place to do business. “Today, I stand as leader of this nation of a thousand tribes, to thank you and point ExxonMobil to us living together for the next 100 years. “Why not? Yes, we can.” PM Marape said PNG was now moving into an exciting new phase of LNG developments with Papua, P’nyang and others, and goalposts set with investors would remain fixed. He was pleased that Total, the biggest energy company in the world and operator of Papua LNG, was also present for the occasion. “Together with Total, and Exxon Mobil, our participation in the petro-chemical business is set and secured going forward,” PM Marape said. He thanked buyers of PNG LNG in Japan, China and Taiwan for being regular customers since first exports in 2014. “We have other LNG projects that are being lined up and we look forward to more buyers coming onboard,” PM Marape said. PM Marape also thanked ExxonMobil for employing Papua New Guineans in key positions within the company, making available spin-off businesses for nationals and landowners, for paying taxes, and for continued foreign direct investments such as in Papua and Pn’yang. “We look forward to going into the future with you, as you continue to partner us, and to make Papua New Guinea a better place,” he said.