Digicel is pleased to announce the provision of the ‘Direct Fibre to the Business’ (FTTB) product to two of Papua New Guinea’s leading hotels under Kumul Hotels Limited, Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn & Suites in Port Moresby. The ‘Direct Fibre to Business’ provides dedicated internet access through Digicel’s fibre network with microwave redundancy which guarantees more uptime, availability and stability of the Hotel’s internet services. With the FTTB service in place, Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby and Holiday Inn & Suites Port Moresby internet service is upgraded and more resilient. The hotels are now able to better serve their guests by providing them with the additional benefit of stable, consistent high speed Wi-Fi connections, with zero to minimal internet down time. Mauro Leone, Area General Manager, IHG Hotels & Resort Papua New Guinea said, “Holiday Inn guests expect great value. We know today’s travellers are on the move and looking for options that are high quality and convenient, which is why we offer complimentary Wi-Fi with our rates, a perk we know is essential in our market.” “This is an especially important upgrade for our extended stay guests who occasionally work from home. This upgrade will guarantee our internet service offering is the best in market, we extend complimentary Wi-Fi with our long-term rental agreements,” he adds. With the increased reliability and speed, hotel staff can now download and upload files at the fastest speeds, increasing their day-to-day efficiencies in digital communications connecting and engaging with their head office and suppliers at a much faster rate than before. Digicel’s Head of Business Solutions for PNG, Charlie Clementson said, “Customers staying at Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby and Holiday Inn & Suites Port Moresby can expect world class internet and a very reliable service. Digicel is proud to be providing this service to these hotels, its long-standing customer via its Fibre network.” “Digicel’s ‘Fibre To The Business’ product provides the Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby and Holiday Inn & Suites Port Moresby with the fastest and most resilient dedicated internet service in Papua New Guinea. In addition to ensuring the hotels and their customers are always connected, we have also set up a dedicated redundant Microwave connection which will allow the two hotels’ network design to provide internet connections that will exceed its customers’ expectations. Digicel is proud to deliver this level of Internet experience in PNG” Mr. Clementson added. The ‘Direct Fibre to the Business’ product guarantees higher uptime and redundancy built in to provide 99% service availability. By moving to Digicel’s fibre network, businesses can increase their internet service availability and provide the best internet experience to their end customers. For more information on this product, visit https://www.digicelbusiness.com/pg/en/home.html.

PNG Netball is pleased to officially announce the final PNG National Team, Pepes. Congratulations are in order. GOAL SHOOTERS 1. Goloa Ovoa - Abau Netball Assoc. 2. Violet James - Kairuku Netball Assoc. 3. Kala Ali - Rigo Netball Assoc. 4. Allensandra Smith Ani - Australia based MIDCOURT 1. Jacklyn Lahari - POM Netball Assoc. 2. Villie Nopiri - POM Netball Assoc. 3. Alice James - Kairuku Netball Assoc. 4. Sarah Harris - Australia based GOAL DEFENCE 1. Kilala Owen - POM Netball Assoc. 2. Genevieve Ume - POM Netball Assoc. 3. Shannaz Apelis - POM Netball Assoc. 4. Lesieli Vele Taviri - POM Netball Assoc. Joining the team are Goloa Ovoa and Shannaz Apelis who have been attached to the Wildcats in the QLD Netball Competition under Netball Australia's Athlete Immersion Program. Pepes depart tomorrow to compete with other Pacific sisters for the Regional World Qualifiers in Suva, Fiji. This team will be led by Head Coach Gimanama Crowdy who is assisted by Assistant Coach Margaret Opina and Team Manager Helen Edwards. Upon return, training will recommence for two other international games scheduled in October and December 2022. PNG Netball is also pleased to announce the selection of Umpire Wilma Augerea Gigimat and BO Gewa Raula who will travel with the team to undergo specfic technical training in Suva. Both Wilma and Augerea will stay on to observe the games and will be used at the Tournament if required. Congratulations Wilma and Gewa. PNG Netball takes this time to acknowledge the support accorded by Netball Australia, DFAT and local Sponsor, Gas Resources PNG Limited. Please join us in wishing PNG Pepes the very best of PNG luck - The team will give it their best shot and that is all we expect from them . Source: Netball PNG FB Page

Residents of Ward 3 in the Wampar Local Level Government area of Huon Gulf, Morobe Province have expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which the 2022 National General Election is being run. Ward three Councillor Francis Paul dubbed the 2022 National General Election as the "worst ever election" in the country's history. "My ward area is the most populated ward in Huon Gulf district with 15 hamlets, 7, 000 population, of which 1,200 are eligible voters," said Mr. Paul. "The eligible voting population was 1,020 before 2017 and we have additional 180 eligible voters on top of the previous population, however these names were not included in the common roll book." "Instead of increasing the voters population, we had a drop of 180 voters whose names were not on common roll book," "Apart from the missing names, the Electoral Commission had failed to issue uniforms to polling and counting officials in the ward," "Even the officials allowances' were not being fixed on time," Francis said. He said as a senior Councillor in the LLG and district, he is not happy with the manner in which this election was run.

PNG Air regrets to advise our customers and the travelling public that due to recent vandalism of airport property and suspension of services by the National Airports Corporation in Wapenamanda, Enga Province, all scheduled PNG Air flights into Wapenamanda have been suspended. This suspension will remain in place indefinitely until such time PNG Air can determine the safe operations of our services back into the Province. Customers with existing tickets can rebook or reroute at no further cost. PNG Air Call Centre will be in contact with passengers for inbound and outbound Wapenamanda travel for further advisories. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your understanding during this time. For more information, please contact our Call Centre on 16111 (Digicel toll free) or 7411 2644 (Bmobile and Telikom).

St John Ambulance was called to an incident after reports of multiple casualties injured by gunshots at a location in Port Moresby yesterday. Multiple ambulances and paramedics responded to the call and were on scene within minutes and tried to render aid to the victims. Ambulance staff were blocked from accessing the casualties at the scene by some members of the community who were angry about the shooting and demanded that senior police command attend the scene before allowing ambulance officers to treat the victims. "Our ambulance officers are dedicated to their role in saving lives and serving others". St John says that obstructing ambulance staff endangers other people's lives and pleads with the public to always allow ambulance staff to do their life-saving work.

A total of 548 retired Public Servants will be paid out this week their retirement benefits as the second batch of retirees under the Public Service Retirement Exercise for 2022. The 548 officers are from 18 government agencies. The retired public servants will be paid out at a total cost of K50.78 Million on Pay 14 this week. Majority of the retirees are from the Police Department with 329 retired police personnel and public servants. The total cost is the combination of Gross payments and Personal Emolument (PE) Liabilities, excluding their Nambawan Super retirement funds. The retirees are from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (329), Correction Service Institute (63), PNG Defence Force (29), Department of Works & Implementation (79), Department of Personnel Management (1), Treasury Department (1), Education Department (3), Department of Agriculture & Livestock (1), National Statistic Office (1), Pom General Hospital (4), Laloki Hospital (4), West New Britain PHA (2), Enga PHA (6), Southern Highlands PHA (1), Enga Provincial Administration (17), Hela Provincial Administration (1), Southern Highlands Provincial Administration (4) and Manus Provincial Administration (1). Department of Personnel Management Secretary Ms Taies Sansan said, the officers were identified by their respective agencies and their names submitted to DPM for validation and verification to be paid out. Secretary Ms. Sansan said, the retirement exercise has been on going since 2019 of which over 2, 600 public servants have so far been paid out at a cost of K119.7 million. “We are continuing the retirement exercise this year. The government had allocated K200 million in the 2022 annual budget to retire aging public servants and my department will continue to coordinate with all line agencies to ensure this process is executed well this year”. DPM has coordinated the public sector retirement program following an NEC decision in 2017, which has seen the development of a ‘Whole of Government approach undertaken to ensure all public servants who have reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 or those that are required to retire on medical grounds are paid out and put off the pay roll. “The vacancies created will also mean the workforce is better positioned to implement reforms, including the engagement of a new breed of Papua New Guinean public servants out of universities and colleges”. Secretary Ms. Sansan has thanked the government for the continued support to ensure that public servants who have reached compulsory retirement age are paid out.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape travels to Fiji today (Tuesday, July 12, 2022) for the 51st Pacific Islands Forum (PIF51) taking place in the capital, Suva. He will return on Thursday (July 14, 2022). PIF leaders from 18 member countries will gather face-to face for the first time since 2019 to discuss a basket of issues affecting the region. PM Marape will meet host of the 51st PIF and Fijian Prime Minister Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Hon. Anthony Albanese on the margins of the 51st PIF. The meeting, hosted by the Fijian government, is billed as one of the most-significant in recent history as the region gradually emerges from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. PM Marape, who has been extremely caught up in election matters, has made time available in his very-busy schedule to participate as Head of Government at this important regional summit. “I will be out of the country for a day-and-a-half and return on Thursday, given that the elections are still in progress,” he said. "In my absence, I have designated Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, to be Acting Prime Minister “The PIF is a very-important regional meeting for all Pacific nations, and as the sitting Prime Minister of the largest island nation, I must attend to ensure that PNG presence is felt and support and discuss progress on our shared-regional issues. “A very-pressing issue I have been handling, as a PIF leader, has been my involvement as Interlocutor of the Political Dialogue Mechanism (PDM) endorsed by PIF Leaders to negotiate an amicable way forward for Micronesian countries not break away from the PIF over contentious issues relating to the appointment of the Secretary-General of the PIF Secretariat. "Micronesian countries raised serious concerns that their candidate was not elected on a purported Gentlemans Agreement for the position of PIF Secretary-General under a regional rotational basis. “In fact, there have been indications by Micronesia nations to break away from the PIF. "Yesterday, Kiribati and Nauru informed of their non-attendance at the 51st PIF “As a senior member of PIF, PNG plays an important role to ensure that we, as a family of Pacific nations, remain together in the interest of regional stability and a collective voice for our socio-economic development agenda.” Apart from the above, PM Marape said several issues confronting the region would be on the table as the PIF celebrated 51 years of Pacific regionalism. “Among several issues which will be on the table are the intensifying geopolitical competition in the region, addressing the impacts of climate change, mending the Micronesian rift, COVID-19 recovery, and talks on the regional nuclear legacy, among others,” he said. “The PIF in Suva is expected to conclude with the launching of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which has been developed over three years after wide consultation across the region. “The 2050 strategy, once endorsed, will become the blueprint that will set out the collective vision for the region in terms of oceans preservation, conservation and sustainable management for our future generations” Whilst in Suva, PM Marape will also hand-over the Chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) at a Special MSG Leaders meeting on the margins of the 51st PIF to the incoming Chairman and Prime Minister of Vanuatu Hon. Bob Loughman. He will also formally introduce the new Director-General of the MSG Secretariat, Mr Leonard Louma,, a senior PNG Citizen who will officially be stationed at the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila for the next four years.

Polling in the Eastern Highlands will commence tomorrow with polling officials and materials dispatched today, according to the Election Manager, Steven Gore Kaupa. Mr. Kaupa said the polling officials for the eight districts in Eastern Highlands left this morning after distribution of the materials. Insertion of officials for districts which have areas that are geographically challenging including Obura-Wonera and Okapa would be made by helicopter from the respective stations of Okapa and Obura after the road journey from the Eastern Highlands capital, Goroka. Mr. Kaupa also expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from the Provincial Police Commander Michael Welly and his men and women for the quiet nomination and campaign period. “I am expecting a quiet election in Eastern Highlands. We have done a lot of work. I am thankful for PPC Michael Welly and his men and women who have laid a platform where we expect a peaceful election,” Mr. Kaupa said. The election manager said once polling is completed; all ballot boxes will be stored in containers at the National Sports Institute. “All our security partners, the Police, Defence Force and the Correctional Services will be at the NSI and once all the ballot boxes are brought in, counting will commence.” Counting the province is expected to commence on the 14th or 15th July and end on the 23rd or 24th of July and the writs returned on the 26th.

Police officers in provincial areas are providing increasingly effective services for survivors of family and sexual violence (FSV) under the training and guidance of senior colleagues. Earlier this year, senior Family and Sexual Violence Unit (FSVU) police officers attended training on responding to complaints of family and sexual violence. The training increased awareness of challenges faced by survivors, the manipulation and control tactics used by offenders, and how police should respond. Following the training, senior FSVU officers, including Senior Constable Joyce Nii from Banz Police Station, Constable Newman Limbao of the Chinatown FSVU in Lae, Sergeant Betty Kanari of the Popondetta FSVU, Senior Sergeant Ruth Murup from Morobe and Sergeant Judy Girua of the Goroko FSVU, travelled to the Highlands to mentor local FSVU staff and pass on these skills. This innovative RPNGC training and mentoring program, supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership, has had an immediate impact on the ability of local FSVU police to investigate and respond to FSV complaints and support survivors. Since the training, participants have been putting what they learnt in action with practical results. Senior Constable Joyce Nii drew on what she learned at the training to successfully execute her first arrest for family violence. The perpetrator was subsequently found guilty and placed on a three-year good behaviour bond. Additionally, in a single day in May, officers from the local FSVU in Kundiawa responded to eight omplaints, four of them involving allegations of FSV. Supported by mentoring from the senior officers, the FSVU officers took statements and provided referrals to the nearby Family Support Centre for further support. Further, Senior Sergeant Ruth Murup mentored officers in both Minj and Banz to better support survivors. Murup said that FSVU officers at Minj and Banz were incorporating improved practices in their work, including filling A U S T R A L I A N H I G H C O M M I S S I O N P O R T M O R E S B Y out daily intake forms, following up on cases and establishing links with external support organisations like Voices for Change (a women’s human rights organisation). “The two members from Minj [FSVU] are new and learning at the same time,” Senior Sergeant Murup said, “After attending the training, Constable Rose Philip managed to issue her first Interim Protection Order with help from the mentors, providing immediate protection and support to the survivor.” The Australian Government, through the PNG-Australia Partnership, has provided sustained support for the professional development of senior FSVU officers, including assisting with the delivery of the Goroka workshop. If you or anyone you know is experiencing family or sexual violence, call the 1-Tok Kaunsellin Helpim Lain on 7150 8000 (24 hours, 7 days).

Norman Vanua was ranked 16th last year with Charles Amini at 17th and Assad Vala at 20th. Since than Norman slowly made his way up to the TOP 10 group of the ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder Ranking. Norman is now currently ranked 9th with a rating of 155. Congratulations to Norman Vanua and the KPHL PNG Barramundis on this incredible achievement and continuing to represent PNG in World Cricket. [caption id="attachment_23741" align="alignnone" width="738"] Source ICC Cricket.com[/caption] Text Source: Cricket PNG FB Page

A couple from the United States of America (USA) who illegally entered Papua New Guinea and engaged in alluvial mining with locals from the eastern coast of Central Bougainville were deported, the Minister for Immigration and Border Security Bryan Kramer said. The US citizens, Bradley and Christine Noffsinger, were arrested by police and immigration officials in Central Bougainville, detained, and deported to the US State of Los Angeles on the 12th of June. “The couple were deported because they entered the country through an unauthorized port of entry without legal entry permits,” Minister Kramer said. “The couple entered South Bougainville through Solomon Islands onboard a small boat loaded with alluvial mining equipment.” Immigration movement records show that the couple lawfully visited PNG at least three times in the last ten years. Their first visit was in 2012 and second in 2013 where they spent at least two weeks engaging with local people doing alluvial mining in Wau, Morobe province. In 2015, the couple made a third visit and stayed for eight days in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville where they made connections with ‘people of interests’ to do alluvial mining on the east coast of Central Bougainville. Minister Kramer said that following that Bougainville connection, the couple tried to smuggle alluvial mining equipment into Bougainville in 2016 which were confiscated by Solomon Islands Authorities at the maritime border. “That same year, the couple made another trip to PNG but were denied entry at Jacksons International Airport after an alert was placed on their movement,” he said. With no access into PNG, the couple decided to cross the border illegally. In September 2020, they loaded their small boat with undocumented alluvial mining equipment and sailed into South Bougainville through the Tonolei harbor where they were apprehended and charged for unlawful entry. The undeclared assets they brought in were forfeited to the State. “The PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority (PNGICA) has a duty of care and provided hotel accommodation to the couple during the Covid-19 period and the closure of international borders. We gave them the option to voluntarily return, but after all means were exhausted, we deported them,” Minister Kramer said. He thanked the Chief of Bougainville Police Services and its officers for the positive collaboration with the PNGICA in apprehending the couple, and for their continuous support in addressing border issues. The Chief Migration Officer, Stanis Hulahau, is appealing to PNG citizens and residents to ensure foreigners invited to the country to engage in businesses obtain the appropriate permits, including registration of their entities with the relevant regulatory bodies. The PNGICA is now strictly enforcing its mandated duties and those found to have breached the laws will be appropriately dealt with.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says Papua New Guinea is saddened at the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Hon. Shinzo Abe. He said PNG, and the world, was shocked at the shooting of Abe while campaigning in Japan on Friday. PM Marape said PNG had benefitted so much from Japan during the term of office of Abe, including the PNG Electrification Partnership that was signed at the APEC Summit in Port Moresby in 2018, and many more projects such as the Nadzab Airport Development in Morobe. “Relationships between Japan and PNG were very strong during the time of Abe as Prime Minister of Japan,” he said. “Abe visited PNG two times – in 2014 and for APEC in 2018 – and relationships between our two countries reached a high. “Japan was the first buyer of LNG from Japan in 2014 under the leadership of Abe and I, representing my people of Tari-Pori and as Finance Minister, was present for that momentous occasion. “Abe strengthened the Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM) process, brought PNG into the G7 and strengthened our role in APEC. “He was instrumental in signing the K4 billion PNG Electrification Partnership with USA, Australia and New Zealand during APEC 2018 that will deliver electricity to 70 per cent of PNG’s rural population by 2030. “Japan has been supporting self-reliance and sustainable development of PNG through Official Development Assistance (ODA) in areas such as infrastructure development and maintenance, education and medical care, cooperation for the improvement of agriculture and other sectors, and cooperation for improvement of the sewage disposal system and forest preservation. “Japan, as a friend of PNG since the 1970s, has provided long-term assistance to PNG to this country through development assistance in socio-economic and human resources development, high-level mutual visits and international conferences such as PALM.” PM Marape said Abe set the foundation for stronger Japan-PNG relations, and even after he vacated office in 2020, PNG continued to benefit from Japan during COVID-19 and a K1 billion concessional loan in 2021. “The Japanese loan has helped PNG to finance our K19.6 billion 2021 National Budget, repay our debts and stabilize the economy,” he said. “This came about because of the strong relationship between our two countries forged by Abe. “Papua New Guinea is saddened at the loss of our great friend, Hon. Shinzo Abe, and join with the rest of the world in mourning his untimely passing. “May God Bless his family and Japan at this sad time.”