The SP PNG Hunters are pleased to announce a partnership with security and transport providers Black Swan International through to the end of 2025. The partnership will see Black Swan International become the exclusive transport and security partners for the SP PNG Hunters once they return to Papua New Guinea for the 2023 pre-season. Black Swan International will provide escort security services for the PNG Hunters team to and from training and game venues, including providing escort for the team when out on community engagements. Black Swan International General Manager Mr. Shane Harden says he is pleased to be partnered with the Hunters. We are pleased to officially announce that we will be partnering the SP PNG Hunters for the ’22-‘25 seasons,” said Harden. “As a passionate rugby league fan, I see many similarities between BSI and the SP PNG Hunters. We are both passionate about teamwork, being a family and most importantly giving back to Papua New Guinea.” “I know I can speak on behalf of all my staff to say, we are very excited for this sponsorship deal and we look forward to working alongside the SP PNG Hunters organization over the next four years.” SP PNG Hunters Commercial Manager Mr. Alan Moramoro echoed Mr. Harden’s sentiments. “We are very grateful and appreciate Black Swan International’s (BSI) support for the 2022 to 2025 season in the Hostplus Cup,” Moramoro said. “Black Swan International and SP PNG Hunters share the same values of comradery and family, and this partnership signifies this through both our industries." "On behalf of the SP PNG Hunters board, management, staff and team we welcome Black Swan International to the SP PNG Hunters family.”

 Morea Baru closed out the day yesterday by taking home another 3x Gold Medals and breaking the Pacific Games record in the Clean and Jerk category at 151kg. Fantastic effort by the Weightlifting Team and Team PNG.

Northern Governor Gary Juffa says the provincial government will invest K5 million in education each year. Juffa speaking from Numba village in Afore Local Level Government yesterday, said he will use the Eng. experience in developing education in the province. He said from a challenging province Enga has become the leading province in education. “The key is education, that is why I’m investing in education, because Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas is my mentor. “We have put aside K1 million each year since 2012 for tertiary students to attend university.” Juffa explained that under the education support initiative, Afore has its own programme of K500,000 and another K500,000 for Kokoda under the Kokoda Initiative. “My aim is to put K500,000 in each district so we will have K4.5m for each districts and K1m for the province totaling K5m. “Good things take a long time they don’t happen overnight." “Changing a province and district takes time and that’s what we are doing. When we took office in 2012, it was as if a house had been burnt down. “You cant build it in one half hour, it takes time. “Districts and provinces are like that if you get the wrong person in there they can destroy the province which is what we faced prior to 2012. “We are rebuilding the province and it’s not going to happen overnight, it will take time, “Today even though a lot of people are complaining about Oro but it is much better than before,” Juffa said. Story from Peoples Movement for Change Party

National Airports Corporation (NAC) and Port Moresby Technical College (POM Tech) today signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU paves way for NAC and POM Tech to forge a new partnership in training and developing technical human capital in PNG. This allows POM Tech students to have an opportunity to do on-the-job training with NAC while POM Tech will also assist NAC in providing customized technical training based on NAC's training needs. This strategic initiative will also drive recruitment and training of the best performing students to replace NAC's aging workforce in the area of technical expertise. NAC Managing Director & CEO Mr. Kiponge said, first if its kind for NAC to sign an MoU with POM Tech as one of the National Technical Training Institutions. "Through this partnership, NAC anticipate to create an avenue for students to learn about the airport business and participate in research to develop innovative business airport solutions to address the challenges in airport operations," Kiponge explained.

“There are no cases of Monkeypox reported in Madang.” “The post on social media regarding the case that was reported on social media is false.” This is what the Madang Provincial Health Authority Director, Mr Martin Daimen said when he was interviewed by this newsroom. Dr Daimen mentioned that so far there has been no word from the National Department of Health about monkeypox reaching our shores. There are currently no measures on how the Provincial Health Authority will combat the disease. Meanwhile, attempts to get comments from the National Department of Health’s Disease Surveillance program, Mr Berry Ropa have been unsuccessful.

Historic news for PNG and Oceania as a whole as PNG's top female weightlifter Dika Toua is inducted in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Hall of Fame. Toua who alongside younger sibling Thelma competed in the 49kg in the Mini Pacific Games in Northern Marianas and went on to win three gold medals  for Team PNG in the 49kg event. What a special day for our golden girl! Source: Team PNG FB Page

Electoral Commissioner Mr Simon Sinai has expressed his gratitude to Papua New Guinea’s international partners for their efforts in assisting the Government and Electoral Commission in the 2022 National General Elections. Speaking during the inspection of the election materials at the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Transport Wing terminal on Friday 17 June 2022, Mr Sinai said Australian and New Zealand Governments have been very supportive. “New Zealand Government has supported us with logistics consultancy and security services towards the elections as well as the programs for the payment system, the Kundu pay, for all staff and TEW’s engaged in these elections. [caption id="attachment_22620" align="aligncenter" width="821"] Simon Sinai, PNG Electoral Commissioner. Picture courtesy of National Elections 2022 Information Centre[/caption] “We have engaged almost 100 000 people to assist us during this election and this Kundu pay system will cater for their allowances by way of press of a button in the system through the bank.” The Australian Government through the DFAT has been very supportive in terms of logistical support. “Australia has been here with us from the very beginning and have been helpful in logistics support , especially in transporting election materials around the country during this time. “They have supported us in much bigger way in this election. They have done it in the past and they have done it again and I would like to express my sincere thank you to the Australian Government through DFAT, on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea and the people and PNG Electoral Commission.” Sourced: National Elections 2022 Information Centre

Congratulations to our Team PNG Va'a V12 Women's Team who took out the Silver Medal in the 500m sprints.  Who were just edged out by Tahiti who took home the gold Medal in a tight contest. [caption id="attachment_22607" align="aligncenter" width="673"] Image courtesy: Team PNG Facebook page[/caption]  

Candidates in East New Britain participated in a week-long open forum earlier this month to let voters know about their policies. It was also an opportunity to educate the people about the limited preferential voting system. The forums were organised by the ENB election steering committee who are driving voter education in the province assisting the provincial electoral office under the chairmanship of provincial administrator Wilson Matava. For ENB regional seat and Kokopo open seat, the forum was held at the Kokopo market, Gazelle Open seat at Kerevat market and Rabaul Open seat at Rabaul market. The forum for Pomio Open would be held at Palmalmal. The committee felt it was important to get voters to make informed choices and the importance of LPV awareness. The general message was to ensure a “free, fair and safe” election. People turned up in numbers to hear what the candidates had to offer them. Speaking during the forum in Rabaul, Mr Matava said the forum is an important platform for candidates as well as voters to be informed about policies and platforms. He made a stern warning to candidates to steer clear of criticizing their political rivals and reminded that those caught spoiling posters and other merchandise will be dealt with. Meantime Rabaul District Administrator Peter Lapim when giving a brief status of the district’s profile said the district is ready to work with the duly elected new leader in driving the district mission and vision in growing the local economy and ensuring that people are free of oppression.

FUTURE of PNG President and Rigo Open candidate, Vikki Mossine envisions Rigo District to be an economic hub that will contribute to the national purse. Her vision is for Rigo to become the supplier of fresh vegetables and fruits to other centres in the country and exported to other countries. She made this known during her campaign rallies at Seba, Binagoro and Wiga villages in the North-Rigo area last week. Mrs. Mossine encouraged the people to free up their land for development, that will enable the upgrade and construction of transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges that will in turn open up access to health, education, law and justice services and provide economic opportunities to generate income. [caption id="attachment_22589" align="aligncenter" width="875"] President of Future of PNG Party and Rigo Open Candidate Vikki Gara Mossine and Gary Mossine (son) presented with betelnut at Binagoro village.[/caption] Mrs. Mossine has been traveling by road to conduct her campaign rallies starting from the Rigo Coast, to Rigo Central, Rigo North and will finish in East Rigo. She has taken into account the current state of the roads and other vital infrastructure and heard from the people especially women who have made it known that they want equal participation in the development of Rigo. Helping people out of hardships has always been a soft side of Mrs Mossine as a Director of her own business and she is determined to continue that in Rigo.

An intending candidate contesting the newly created Hiri-Koiari electorate in Central Province said that political leadership is key to change and has urged his people not to vote for money and materials but choose a leader who can perform and bring change to the community and country. Jack Totona from Lealea Village in the Hiri West LLG is endorsed by the Peoples National Congress Party said the struggle for survival has provoked him to stand for the election. He said said despite the electorate hosting the LNG Plant on their land, twelve years have gone as they watched billions of kina worth of LNG being shipped out from their shores with no basic services being received. “Our mothers continue to carry 20 litre containers of water, our roads are turned into potholes and craters, our jetties and foot bridges have never been rebuilt, our schools and health centers are deteriorating,” Mr Totona said. “If I am given the mandate by you, I will ensure Hiri Koiari District development aspiration are well planned and developed within the next five years.” Mr Totona who previously worked as the project consultant to Imbonggu District and First Secretary for then Minister of Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Pila Niningi said his work back then shows his capability to transform and bring about the change that his people need in these times. He further added that the government’s commitment to build a technical institution at Porebada junction to educate technical skills human resource within the LNG impact area of Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea villages were hijacked and the funds remitted elsewhere. "Now we will soon have a second Papua LNG through Total who will build train three and four within our area. But the technical skills required from our locals to participate is not there." “Once our political party forms the government, I will urge the new Government to build this technical institution in our area to produce the labor that is required for the new LNG and give priority to the basic services that we have been denied for decades." "My vision is to create a better future for our children of Hiri-Koiari electorate."

Rigo North rural local level government (LLG) in Rigo District of Central Province has a new President in Duri Tom after the incumbent President Roger McKenzie was terminated by Minister for Provincial & Local Governments Affairs, Pila Ninigi early this year for non-performance of duties. Mr Duri Tom was elected President unopposed by 13 ward members who were present at Rigo Council Chambers at Kwikila in a by-election conducted by acting District Administrator & CEO Garo Bala. The occasion was witnessed by the Secretary for Department of Provincial & local Government Affairs, Dr Alphonse Gelu, senior officials from the department and Provincial Administrator Francis Koaba and his senior officers from the Central Provincial Administration. Mr Tom after his election said, he wants to work with the incoming Central Governor and member for Rigo to deliver much-needed government services to his people in the remote part of the district bordering the Northern Province. Mr Tom said government services do not reach the remote areas like Dorobisoro, Mt Brown, Barai, Doromu, Wiga and Boku and so he wants ensure basic services reach his people. “My aim and goal is to work with the Rigo district administration and Central provincial government and administration to develop those areas in my LLG that are untouched and under-developed to bring services to them”, said Tom. President-elect Duri Tom was later sworn-in as President of Rigo North LLG by Senior Provincial Magistrate Alex Kalandi, last Friday at Central Provincial headquarters in Konedobu. Mr Kalandi, after the swearing-in ceremony told President Duri Tom, his ward members supporters and family, that becoming a leader comes with responsibilities, and being a leader it is not easy to take on board those responsibilities, people will be watching the kind of leadership you will display. “I congratulate you on taking this leadership role as President on board and you must be mindful that this is a very important promise you have made today for your people in Rigo, especially Rigo North LLG and people of Central province,” said Magistrate Kalandi.