The PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA PNG) this morning (Monday 05th September) has approved the resumption of flights to both Lae/Nadzab and Kiunga airports, allowing airlines to operate flights again to the two airports, effective today. CASA PNG had closed both airports due to outstanding regulatory issues by the National Airports Corporation. These issues however are now addressed, allowing the airlines to resume flights. Air Niugini customers are advised to revalidate their travel to the next available flight. Lae flights resume after lunch today (PX 104 ) while Kiunga resumes tomorrow (Tuesday 06th Sept). Air Niugini regrets the inconvenience caused, however the situation is beyond the airline’s control. Safety is always of paramount importance in their  operations.

PNG Power confirm that water levels at its Yonki Dam catchment area has reached critical level, due to the impact of an unusual dry season experienced in the area. The reduced water levels have forced PNG Power to decrease generating capacity and carry out load shedding on the Ramu Grid, supplying power to Lae, Madang and the Highlands Provinces. Currently, Ramu Hydropower Station is operating thirty-five percent (35%) of its total generation capacity, due to the reduced water levels in the reservoir. PNG Power is accelerating projects to rehabilitate alternate power generating supplies, to reduce the need for load shedding. Centres supported by the Ramu grid will supplement power supplies with generators, where possible. Load shedding will continue until water levels improve substantially and generating capacity can return to normal operations. Independent Power Producers (IPP) are continuing to meet generating capacity shortfalls, especially in Lae with Posco Daewoo (Munum Power Station) and PNG Forest Products through their Baiune Power Station. PNG Power relies heavily on clean, hydroelectric power. Presently, 38% of the power generated on the company’s three grids originates from PNG Power’s hydroelectric facilities. Unfortunately, however, similar issues are occurring at Sirinumu Dam in Port Moresby, supplying the Rouna Hydropower Station and the river system feeding the Warangoi Hydropower Station in East New Britain. PNG Power is appealing to the general public to be mindful of water use and to conserve and ration water supplies when possible. The situation is unlikely to improve in the short term

PNG Football Association has announced its squad for the OFC U-19 Championship 2022 in Tahiti. The tournament runs from September 7-25 (New Zealand time), with the two semi-final winning teams qualifying through to represent Oceania at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™. The squad is made up of ten players who have played in National Soccer League (NSL) including two players who play in Premier Leagues in Australia, while others are respective players from PNGFA Member Associations, who were selected from two split camps held in Port Moresby and Lae respectively. The final squad has players from all the 4 regions of PNG. Among those named in the squad includes 2021 NSL season players which includes Madang’s NSL experienced campaigner Jason Wadunah (Tusbab Stallions), Rex Naime (Hekari) and Nigel Kiaka (Northern Youth), Joshua Urro (Morobe Wawens), Jeremiah Kamake (Northern Youth), Alfred Tinge (Northern Youth), Michael Gambu (Northern Youth), and Maroa Tom (Southern Youth). "Mr Pakakota said the team’s target is to make the top three in our Group in order to advance to the quarter-finals, but whatever extra mile to the semi-finals would really be a bonus for his team." Within the squad, three of the core players that have been part of the progressive international youth teams with OFC level playing experiences since 2018 (OFC U16 Championships, Honiara) and 2019 (U20 UEFA/OFC Tournament, Port Vila), includes Jason Wadunah, Lee-Navu Faunt (Brisbane, Redlands FC) and Joshua Urroh. For the rest of the squad, it would be their first OFC tournament and will look to the leadership of these three experienced players. PNG Coach Anthony Pakakota said he is content with the team despite a very short notice and preparation. This OFC tournament was cancelled twice due to Covid-19 pandemic and was only confirmed in July. Despite, late preparations, the boys are pushing themselves in training and surely there are more room for improvement They've played one friendly match with the Hekari Youth NSL team (combined U23 and U19 players) during the week, winning 4-1. However, the match exposed a few areas in our transitions to defending, which we’ll go back to training to correct. "We’re hoping for one more friendly game in Tahiti before the first match with Fiji on 8th September 2022," said Coach Pakakota. Papua New Guinea: Jeezreel APISING, Issac BASA, Lee-Navu FAUNT, Michael GAMBU, Kuman GENE, Jese GRESE, Charles HAYES, Cyril KADIKO, Jeremiah KAMAKE, Nigel KIAKA, Randell KUAPAITAM, Balthasar MARI, Jahnnel MEIO, Nick NAA’RU, Rex NAIME, Vianney NONENG, Felix SUAIMBAU, Jarvin SUDII, Alfred TINGE, Christian JIMMY, Maroa TOM, Joshua URRO, Jason WADUNAH, Claus WALI, Jezshril WARREN, Hamray WAYNE. Head coach: Anthony PAKAKOTA. Group B – Draw Sept 08, 1700 Fiji vs PNG Sept 11, 2000 Tahiti vs PNG Sept 14, 1700 PNG vs Tonga

Project Yumi Inc an Australian and Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered not for profit today is delighted to announce the launch of its youth empowerment initiative, Project Wok, in Port Moresby. Project Yumi Inc is committed to empowering the youth of PNG in building sustainable skills that will help them create the foundations they need to build a successful future. Project Wok is Project Yumi Inc’s contribution to overcoming the youth unemployment challenge in PNG. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a considerable behind the scenes work since borders were reopened in early 2022. Project Yumi Inc Founder, Renee Mero, said that “The Project Yumi team is very excited to see Project Wok launch as we have seen through the pilot program that attending the program can change lives. The team look forward to seeing the opportunities the program creates for its participants in 2023.” Dawn Robinson, Project Wok’s Volunteer Facilitator, explained that the program is facilitator led and experiential and comprises four modules of job search and employment readiness education. Project Wok is designed to equip Grade 12 students with job search strategies and employability skills to help them to transition from school to work. The program also aims to offer work experience and internship opportunities for program graduates. More information about Project Wok will become available over coming weeks.

Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown joked he was going to take Nathan Cleary’s head off in Friday night’s finals match as the Panthers star gets set to make a return from a four-match suspension. Brown saw the humour in playing Cleary again first-up after the Eels locked in fourth spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder to book a showdown with the defending premiers at BlueBet Stadium for a spot in the preliminary final. Cleary’s return from a lengthy ban for a dangerous tackle on Brown was welcomed by the Eels five-eighth after the pair cleared the air over the incident in Round 20. After being sent off in the match for lifting Brown in a dangerous position, Cleary reached out to the Kiwi international before copping his punishment. He will return on Friday night fresh and ready to mark Brown on the right edge. “We haven't spoken much, we don't speak on the regular but he did apologise after the game at the time,” Brown said. “I'm gonna take his head off. Nah, I'm joking. I saw the video after and he was hitting his head saying 'that was dumb'. It was dumb but he understood that. “It was just heat of the moment sort of thing. There's no beef there or anything. "If anything, it's good to have him back playing because you want to play a good quality side with him and Luai back next week it’s going to be fun and a good challenge for us.” Brown made no apologies for declaring Penrith were the team he wanted to make life difficult for in the finals by forcing them to play again in week two by beating them for a third time this season. The Panthers opted to rest their starting side against the Cowboys, a luxury few sides are afforded at this time of the season. “I understand that tactic, we did that last year. They are obviously minor premiers and can rest as much as they can," Brown said. “[But] I'm excited. They're the one team I want to play at this time of the finals. That's who I want to knock out first. “Beating Penrith is probably one of the hardest things to do against any team. Beating them at their home is the hardest thing to do in league. When you do that it shows what we're all capable of.” The Eels have their own halfback to be proud of with Mitchell Moses weathering a barrage of hits last week against the Storm before putting a shot on Kenny Bromwich to signal his intentions to stand up this finals series. “It was unreal. 100 per cent (it inspired us),” Brown said. “When you see a halfback do it, he's been massive in defence this year as well. He's got way better. “People target him, so when your halves are defending well it makes it hard for people to get through. It helps us. “Mitchell's tough. He's really tough. He's still playing with his fingers [not 100 percent]. I'm sure it's fine, but at the same time, he did break it two weeks ago.”   Source: NRL.com

At the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony on Saturday, former president Barack Obama and the late actor Chadwick Boseman had notable wins. Obama won the outstanding narrator Emmy Award for his work on the Netflix documentary, "Our Great National Parks." Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, created the five-part docuseries on national parks and wildlife throughout the world. Obama is the second US president to win an Emmy. Dwight Eisenhower was awarded an honorary Governors Award by the Television Academy while he was still in office in 1956. Obama is now halfway to becoming an EGOT winner, someone who has received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. The achievement has only been accomplished by 17 people, including Rita Moreno and John Legend. The former president has previously won two Grammys for audio versions of his memoirs. Also on Saturday, the late actor Chadwick Boseman was honored with a posthumous Emmy. Boseman won the character voice-over performance category for his role in the Disney+ animated series "What If...?" as Marvel's Star-Lord T'Challa. The "Black Panther" star died in 2020 at age 43 of cancer. Source: CNN News

To all my brothers and sons who are fathers, “Happy Fathers Day”, and I request you all to serve our families today instead of them serving us. Papua New Guinea can be a better place if all fathers lead a life of service in all our homes. If you are a Christian father going to church today or have gone to church on Sabbath yesterday, here are some pointers for you on fatherhood and leadership. Leadership starts at home: the first person to commit sin was Eve but when God came looking for our first parents, it was Adam. He called out for Adam and not Eve in Genesis 3:9. Why did God call out Adam despite mother Eve causing the sin? My assumption is that it was Adam whom God placed responsibility on by being first to be created and first to be tasked work as steward over rest of creation in Genesis 2:15. Therefore, man as a father, the leader of the family, has greater responsibility over our household as its chief steward. Sometimes, our wife and children may cause us grief, but it is us as man and father that must show direction, forgiveness, tolerance, kindness, love and peace at home. Leadership comes first at Home. All fathers must serve well at home, instead of waiting to be served, not just today but all the days of our lives. PNG fathers must care for all your family members. As Government, we are trying our best as our Nation’s Father through our efforts to bring back school dropouts to second chance education; our programmes to pay school fees from elementary up to universities/colleges; our removal of taxes for those earning salaries under K770; we are trying our best to link people back into earning money through SMEs, agriculture and so forth. But our efforts will be in vain if the father of the individual family is non-responsive. Good leadership at home will impact the society positively from the ground up. I ask all fathers of PNG to be a good server at your respective homes and you rise up. My colleagues in Parliament will try our best with the good people first programmes we have started and we will come down to meet you all halfway up! Take Back PNG starts by taking back our homes. Don’t look elsewhere to work for your God and your country if you are not serving your family well. To all PNG fathers, it starts at home. Pray that Government does the right things but you too do it right at your home because your next generation is watching you. At 12 years of age as a Grade 7 student with no shoe and torn Sunday clothes (I had only 10 pieces of clothing back then). It was February of 1984 when my dear hardworking father left me at Paglum High School as a boarder with K35, one suitcase with 10 items and a comb, a Bible and his parting words: “Son, education is your pathway into your future, don’t come back home, keep on the educational road.” To all of you fathers out there, I am looking for ways to make education affordable, wholesome and meaningful for our children to prepare them for formal work or being a good economic contributor after Grade 12. Myself and Government cannot do this alone. We need all the fathers of our country to rise up by being a leader at home. If me and my father can do it, based on his word to me to focus on education almost 40 years ago, the rest of you rural and settlement families too can do it. All fathers, let us rise and serve our family and our nation of families. May God bless all our fathers today. And to my old man back in the land of Huli, you gave me God and education. I left you and mother at 12 years of age on the education road and you, to this day, allow me to serve others first. I love you, my Father, and thank you for your steady presence in my life.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Management of National Airports Corporation Limited, Managing Director & CEO Rex Kiponge wish to apologise to the travelling passengers, stakeholders, business communities and the general public for the NO FLIGHTS INTO NADZAB AND KIUNGA AIRPORTS yesterday 3rd September 2022. NAC embraces and values the safety and security of the traveling public, the business community and the stakeholders of the civil aviation industry as it's a paramount consideration for the efficient and sustainable operation of NAC. As the regulator of the civil aviation industry CASA PNG without according NAC, the right to a fair hearing abruptly issued cessation of operations for the Nadzab and Kiunga Airports on the 31st of August, 2022 which is causing a crisis. On the 1st of September, 2022, aggrieved by CASA PNGs decision, NAC instructed its lawyers to obtain urgent orders to stay the Decision of CASA PNG to purportedly revoke the NAC‘s Aerodrome Operating Certificates and issuance of the NOTAM for Nadzab and Kiunga Airports, respectively. NAC Technical Team and Mr Kiponge met with Air Niugini Technical Team on Friday morning,  02nd September 2022 at NAC Board Room and went through 21-findings for Nadzab and 7-findings for Kiunga. Air Niugini went away and did their independent risk assessments on the 21-findings for Nadzab and 7-findings for Kiunga Airports. Based on their independent assessment, they released the Media Statement to resume flights into Nadzab and Kiunga yesterday 3rd September 2022. However, at 9.04pm on Sunday night, CASA Director wrote to Air Niugini and STOPPED them from resuming normal flights into Nadzab and Kiunga Airports. The issue is now shifted to Air Niugini by CASA PNG. CASA PNG must explain to the traveling public, the business community and all stakeholders, including NAC as to why it has issued the sudden direction at 9.04pm to cancel all resumed flights to Nadzab and Kiunga Airports again which is a breach of the Court Orders of the 1st of September, 2022 by the National Court. In the interest of the affected traveling public, stakeholders, business communities and the public at large, NAC has done its part in getting Nadzab and Kiunga Airports opened for normal flights operation. NAC considers the importance of the air services for the movement of people and cargo, and the overall economic and social development of the country, hence is taking every step to work closely with CASA PNG to address the findings administratively to resume flight operations back into Nadzab and Kiunga airports. NAC is sending their technical team to Nadzab through Goroka today Sunday 4th September 2022 to rectify some findings at the Nadzab Airport which relate to the Safety Management System and Quality Management System as part of the ongoing training. Also, today Sunday 4th September 2022, eight ( of Senior Persons will sit for their Fit and Proper Person test with CASA PNG to rectify the score value that carries 10 points that disqualified Certification. NAC expresses deep concern about the impact that is having on our business and the Regular Public Transport (RTP) caused by the cessation and cancellation of flights into Nadzab and Kiunga Airports. NAC is appealing to the Minister for Civil Aviation and Transport, Hon. Walter Schnaubelt to be neutral and hear NAC’s side of the story by giving the NAC Board and Management the opportunity to be heard with a view to finding a solution instead of defending CASA PNG alone which is the fair thing to do. "Under the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministerial Determination, NAC falls under our Ministry. Therefore, the Board and Management are very concerned as to why our Minister Hon. Walter Schaubelt is singling out NAC to fend for itself while focusing only on CASA PNG in this crisis affecting the general public,"said Managing Director & CEO Kiponge. NAC maintains that there are no safety risks for flights to resume into Nadzab and Kiunga Airports and states that this was evident from the independent risk assessment carried out by Air Niugini on Friday the 2nd of September 2022. Meanwhile, both Nadzab and Kiunga airports are open with no RPT.

If you can read, you can learn anything! Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) will be celebrating Literacy Week from the 5-9th of September to promote the importance of literacy in PNG. The program will include cultural learning, pre-STEM eco exploration, financial literacy activities at events celebrated with the organisation’s donor partners, volunteers, and parents. Literacy, Numeracy, STEM, and digital skills alongside cultural knowledge are all equally important aspects children need, to prepare for their future careers and life in Papua New Guinea. As the country lags behind its neighbours in the Pacific with regards to literacy rates and access to education opportunities, BbP seeks to use Literacy Week to advocate for the importance of Early Childhood Education, the establishment of school libraries and Inclusive Education to increase literacy rates. Monday and Tuesday will be dedicated to cultural learning. The children enrolled in BbP’s ECE program will be studying the importance of the ocean, village, forest and animals in PNG culture through craft activities and story-telling by parents and officers from the National Museum of PNG. The children will then display their stories, which will be added to the BbP learning app so all children across the country can share their culture and customs. A visit to the National Museum and Gallary will take place Tuesday morning for an immersive cultural learning experience for the children and the announcement Wednesday will be all about eco exploration. The children will engage in 3 types of observation to stimulate and develop basic scientific skills. They will be learning to observe things closely with magnifying glasses and to compare. Activities will include fingerprinting, eco-exploration in nature settings as well as fun literacy and numeracy games. A group of 250 children will be exploring at the Port Moresby Nature Park. Thursday and Friday will be all about financial literacy and the children will be setting up shops and hold a ‘Market Day’ and learn through play to demonstrate their numeracy skills to parents, donor partners and invited guests. BbP has also created a financial literacy video in partnership with BSP which will be used as part of the ECE program to teach the children about PNG notes and coins both from a financial and cultural knowledge perspective. The Literacy Week program has been generously sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG and includes learning materials, uniform t-shirts, mini cash registers and shopping, magnifying glasses, trolleys for all BbP’s Library Learning Centres across the country. BbP’s donor partners will be sending volunteers to engage with the children and lots of stationery, fruit, vegetables, drinks and baked goods the children will be “pretend selling” to each other during their Market Day celebration.

The decision by the PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, to declare the Southern Highlands Provincial seat appears to contradict the democratic principles enshrined within the National Constitution, says Transparency International PNG (TIPNG). As a constitutional office, the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) is tasked with upholding the integrity of the electoral process and this decision appears to go against one of the fundamental principles of the democratic election system, that is universal suffrage. The loss of the right of eligible voters to have their vote counted is at direct odds with this principle and further weakens public trust in the PNGEC to fulfil its mandate in the public interest. “TIPNG identified in our preliminary assessment of the 2022 National General Election, that there is a perceived weakening of the democratic mandate of MP’s due to the many problems encountered in the conduct of the 2022 elections. The decision by the Electoral Commissioner, to declare a candidate under special circumstances, adds further suspicion and doubt in the minds of many citizens.,” said Peter Aitsi, TIPNG Board Chair. “On 9th August during the extended counting period, the Commissioner announced in a statement that despite the destruction of ballot papers, the seats of Kabwum and Markham in Morobe Province would be declared so asto deter those who might seek to disrupt the election. However, this rationale is not supported by logic, as the counter-argument is that it will embolden the assault on PNG’s democratic norms, as further candidates who are leading will use disruptive tactics to have themselves declared. A very dangerous and worrying precedent has been set, and one which all thinking Papua New Guinean’s must not let pass without challenge. It is the view of TIPNG there should be an investigation of the matter by the Ombudsman Commission to ensure citizens’ constitutional rights were not inadvertently or intentionally violated,” said Mr. Aitsi. Under s.175(1A)(b) in the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, where the Electoral Commission has directed the Returning Officer not to declare a result, “in special circumstances, the Electoral Commission may declare the result based on information concerning scrutiny and other information provided by the Returning Officer or an Assistant Returning Officer.” The application of these powers are relatively broad and so an independent investigation by the Ombudsman Commission would test the basis of the information provided to the EC and the fully understand the rationale for the decision by the PNG Electoral Commission. TIPNG’s Summary Paper on the 2022 National General Election described the accumulated failures in the preparation, conduct, delivery and conclusion of the Elections as being a severely flawed process. In the Summary Paper TIPNG provided detailed recommendations for consideration in improving the electoral process, focusing on a 5-yearstructured intervention to restore public trust and demonstrate greater levels of competency. TIPNG stands ready to work with other stakeholders and Government agencies to develop a fully informed reform program that can result in significant improvements in the delivery of our 2027 national elections

The University of Papua New Guinea has appointed Ms. Patricia Angopa as the new head of the Banking and Finance Division in the School of Business and Public Policy. Ms. Angopa has been a lecturer in the School’s Banking and Finance Division for the past eleven years, during which time she has completed her Masters in Business Administration and a Postgraduate Teaching Certificate in the UPNG/JCU Twinning Project. She is also a member of the Certified Practicing Accounting of Papua New Guinea (CPAPNG). Ms. Angopa has been responsible for teaching five of the core courses that are offered in the Banking and Finance Division, and currently is responsible for teaching several postgraduate courses for the Division. Her contributions to the School and the Division in developing young banking and finance students have validated her appointment as the new head of that Division, which is another step in her professional career. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Frank Griffin, and the Executive Dean, School of Business and Public Policy, Professor Lekshimi Pillai expressed their satisfaction with Ms. Angopa’s appointment. PC: UPNG Website

The Papua New Guinea Pacific Games Association (PNGPGA) has announced the appointment of Faye-Zina Lalo as Team PNG’s Chef de Mission to the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands where Team PNG is expected to send a large contingent of over 400 athletes and officials. A lawyer by profession with strong leadership and management experience, including membership various on corporate boards, Lalo presently serves as the legal advisor to the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee board after being elected to that role in 2018. Lalo also sits on the board of AFL Development PNG Ltd that promotes the code of AFL targeting the juniors and creating talent pathway for them to compete professionally. In making the announcement, the President of the PNGPGA Sir John Dawanincura said, “The Pacific Games is always a big games for us. This will be Faye’s first games as Chef de Mission. We have every confidence in her leadership and ability to replicate the existing structures and culture that has enabled Team PNG to excel over the years.” The appointment of Lalo continues the PNGPGAs work in gender equality and women empowerment in sport and leadership roles in PNG with Lalo succeeding another female Chef de Mission in Emma Waiwai who successfully lead Team PNG to the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa where PNG finshed in second place on the medal tally. “Faye is an exceptional talent and individual who has varied backgrounds in management and executive board roles with several prominent organisations in PNG in both the public and private sector. It is through such experience and association that we are confident in her ability to lead such a large contingent of athletes and officials” said Sir John. Lalo’s appoinment comes 15 months out from the 2023 Pacific Games. Her focus will now turn to reviewing the performances of the games sports, setting the games targets, working with the games sports, building her management team and attending a scheduled games update meeting in November in Honiara. “I am delighted to accept the appointment as Chef de Mission for Team PNG to the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. Team PNG has a strong reputation at the Pacific Games, and my team and I will be working hard to ensure our athletes and officials have everything they need to realise their potential over the next few months” said Lalo. “The nucleus of our Team PNG contingent have had a successful year winning the games at the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games in July this year, and with the added benefit of the 2022 Commonwealth Games experience we are building firmly for Solomons” she added. The 2023 Pacific Games is scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November 2022 with 24 sports on the games program.