Bereina Rugby League in Kairuku District of Central province received two new sets of rugby league uniforms over the weekend for the new season which will kick start next year 2023. Nadi Panthers from Bereina village and BTS Eagles from Bereina station were proud recipients of the new uniforms. Central Provincial Administrator Francis Koaba during the presentation at the Kairuku district office at Bereina said the uniforms were a long overdue commitment made during the Robert Agarobe Boxing Tournament held last year at Bereina station. The uniforms were purchased from Tura, a sports uniform company in Fiji costing almost K18, 000 for a set. Mr Koaba presented the team officials with 20 sets of uniforms each which includes a rugby shorts, socks and jersey. Kairuku district administrator George Aminae thanked Mr Koaba and the Provincial Administration for fulfilling their commitment by delivering the rugby uniforms to the two teams. President of Bereina Rugby League Association Aihi Billy said the competition was cancelled due to affiliation issues with PNGRFL but preparations are now underway for a trial match between the Central Dabaris Rugby League team at Bereina.

Assistant Commissioner Operations Samson Kua has called on the general public to be more responsible when releasing information over social media, especially when they do not have all the facts on hand. Mr Kua made this remark when posts on the social media alleged that a large unknown quantity of police and PNG Defence Force uniforms were confiscated whilst they were being transported into Hela Province via Komo Airport. One of the posts on the Facebook page “PNG Political Limelights” claims that a flight chartered by a regional candidate for the Hela Province contained boxes of police and PNG Defence Force uniforms. Mr Kua refuted this statement, saying, “This is not true and is totally irresponsible of persons who released this. It has the potential to create fear and anxiety and further problems.” “We are concerned at the inference that a large quantity of police and PNG Defence Force uniforms were intercepted in Komo and confiscated. That is not true and is an exaggeration,” Mr Kua further clarifies. Mr Kua confirmed that police have in fact confiscated one blue field uniform, three police Number One long pants with a GB boot as well as one set of PNG Defence Force camouflage uniform, one shirt and one short trouser. The items are now in police custody and investigations are being conducted into their origins.

Cocoa is an important cash crop that contributes an estimated K300 million kina or about US$88 million equivalent to Papua New Guinea’s economy. Cocoa helps sustain around 151, 000 families and provides jobs for up to a million people. Cocoa is grown across PNG in 14 of the 22 provinces with the Morobe Province being one of the major producers. However, PNG’s cocoa industry has been in decline since the serious outbreak of Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB) from 2008. Cocoa exports fell from 52,579 tonnes in 2008 to 33,090 tonnes in 2015. Despite production increasing to over 40,000 tonnes in 2016, the industry still faces problems with low and stagnant yields, and inconsistent quality. USAID’s PNG Lukautim Graun Program is working in partnership with Outspan PNG Limited to help improve production quality among women small holder cocoa farmers. This partnership is helping to improve the lives of rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on cocoa and helping to minimize their reliance on forest resources will help reduce the threat to biodiversity in PNG. Through USAID support, Outspan PNG Limited provides training to women small holder cocoa farmer as well as to provide first aid kits to treat minor injuries. USAID’s most recent contribution includes first aid kits worth over PGK5,700, for 20 women cocoa farmers in Markham and Huon Gulf electorates in Morobe Province. The distribution of first aid kits is inline with USAID’s Lukautim Graun Program objectives where it aims to improve the conservation of biodiversity and equity among genders in priority terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems and support women across the value chain in PNG, from farming in rural and remote areas to women entrepreneurs developing new businesses, to women employees and leaders in the formal sector. “The distribution of first aid kits is important as woman’s health is important to ensuring that the whole household is functioning as it should be. In the event that a mother, for example, falls ill due to farming activities, it affects the whole family due to other roles that the woman play in the family and as such, the first aid kits presented, will contribute to reducing minor farming injuries that lead onto major infections,” said Melinda Thom, Program Manager for Outspan PNG Limited. “In many scenarios when there are minor cuts, bruises or minor incidents that occur on the cocoa patch, farmers do not seek medical assistance. This can be mainly due to access to health facilities (long distance to reach, work load too much) or that farmers have too much to do that going to a medical facility at times can be seen as waste of their time. These minor cuts or bruise when not treated can get infected which leads on to other issues now that can affect families’ financial loss and emotions stress,” she continued. Led by Cardno International Development, LGP works in partnership with PNG governments and a range of implementing partners, including Care International, CEFI, The Nature Conservancy, the PNG Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, the Research and Conservation Foundation, the Wildlife Conservation Program, and the Woodland Park Zoo. Additionally, LGP works with the private sector, faith-based organizations, and civil society organizations. The overall objective of LGP is to empower traditional landowners to manage their resources sustainably and empower women as full participants in PNG’s economy.

3000 ballistic vests and 3000 ballistic helmets arrived at Jackson Airport in Port Moresby flown in on a Royal Australian Airforce C17 Globemaster inbound from the United States. The ballistic vests and helmets are a gift from Australia to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) in response to Papua New Guinea’s request for additional protective equipment for the police force. Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp and Australian Federal Police Commander Jamie Strauss formally signed over the equipment to the RPNGC Police Commissioner David Manning. “Australia is pleased to deliver these ballistic vests and helmets ahead of the 2022 national elections. PNG and Australia share a tradition of representative democracy reflecting our broader shared values and Australia is proud to be able to support PNG through this gift and through our broader Supporting Elections Program” said High Commissioner Philp. The protective equipment that Australia delivered will allow the RPNGC to safely carry out their duties, not only during the upcoming national election, but in the critical operations the RPNGC undertake every day. AFP Commander Jamie Strauss highlighted that “The provision of this equipment is a demonstration of the maturing cooperation between the RPNGC and the AFP under the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership”. The partnership between Australia and PNG was strengthened by our close cooperation during the covid-19 response and Australia looks forward to further deepening the cooperation.

Team PNG’s Women’s Tennis team secured the country’s and the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games first gold on Saturday. The women’s team consisting of the Apisah siblings Violet and Patricia and their aunt, Abigail Tere-Apisah breezed through the first Team category competition undefeated. Abigail set the tone for her nieces and they didn’t disappoint. Despite the onset of pre-game nerves, Abigail did not look too far to find her composure, easily shrugging off her Kiribati opponent before Violet and Patricia turned up the assault in the doubles. Overcoming the first two games between Kiribati and Guam on Thursday dissipated any doubts of their skills as they downed their opponents booking an early semi-final berth and well-earned break on Friday. The team then turned on Saturday morning, doused the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas in the morning session to set up a golden encounter with Fiji in the afternoon. With Abigail first up again, her prowess in calculating her swings made up for a strong encounter that ensured a step closer to glory. But it was Violet’s sharp and powerful serves that proved the difference. Picking her moves with precision and power, young Apisah drove shards of brilliance down the Fijian line leaving no stones unturned. “It feels great. Especially to do it with my aunty and my other aunty as a coach and official. It’s just a good feeling and honor to play all together for PNG as well,” “I played in the 2015 Pacific Games and got a gold medal for the Teams and a Silver and both for mixed and doubles. “And I also played in Samoa and got a few medals there. “It feels good to represent my country and play alongside my family as well,” “I think we will do well. I think recovery is the main thing to take care of. Just take care of our bodies, and make sure we are all good for the next games coming up. Apisah said she was nervous in the lead up to her first match but after getting a few games under her belt, she felt better as the match progressed. Team PNG Chef De Mission, Kila Dick was over the moon with the result. “I’m really excited for our Team PNG Women’s Tennis team to come out on top and get our first gold at the start of the competition. “It’s a moral boost for all our other sports,” Mr Dick said.

PNG Power advises its valued clients and customers that they are currently undertaking load shedding of electricity in Port Moresby due to no fuel delivered to the Kanudi Power Station by the delivery truck. This was due to manpower issues faced with their delivery truck drivers on Sunday. This has resulted in a generation shortfall therefore the need for this load shedding undertaken. PNG Power says they are awaiting the delivery of fuel to the Kanudi Power Station this morning. Load shedding will cease once the Kanudi Power Station is back online. A load shedding schedule will be posted online shortly. For more information contact the PNG Power National Call Centre on Toll Free Number 116 or email callcentre@pngpower.com.pg

The Northern Pride have proven too strong at home for the SP PNG Hunters on Sunday, coming away with a 30-6 win in Round 12 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. With a strong wind at their backs to begin the game, the Pride wasted no time going on the attack thanks to an early penalty conceded by the Hunters in the kick-off set. Suddenly camped on their own goal line, the Hunters looked like they’d defended the set until Pride fullback Julian Christian took possession on the last, feigned a kick to the left and turned back in towards the ruck to link with Matthew Egan in support. The Hunters’ cover defense couldn’t close the space in time as the Pride halfback opened the scoring with a clever four pointer. The Hunters would respond in kind, targeting the ruck area in yardage to collapse the middle and advance quickly upfield into position for a left-side shift on the last. Wartovo Puara Jr and Mark Tony did well to hold up the defense before passing to get Brandon Nima into space, only for the Hunters’ centre to be held up over the line with a superb defensive effort from the home side. Some bruising defense from the Hunters’ Junior Rop and Pride’s Nick Lui-Toso tried to swing the momentum, but both teams absorbed the pressure well as the game looked like settling in the grind. That was until Christian injected himself on the last again, this time scooting from dummy-half down a short side and grubbering back inside for Will Partridge to score in the 13th minute. After watching his fullback produce two big plays for Pride’s first two tries, prop Lui-Toso took it upon himself to be next to score for the home side. Taking possession 20 meters out, Lui-Toso put on a big left foot step to straighten on his run before powering through the defense to score beside the posts. Next it was Gideon Gela-Mosby’s turn, coming off the back fence to take advantage of a fatiguing Hunters’ defense with a solo try in the 37nd minute, giving his side a 20-0 lead at half time. The Hunters’ inability to get through their sets – and a strong head wind effecting their kicking game – saw them play most of the first 40 minutes inside their own half. A notable change in attitude as they returned for the second stanza however saw the PNG side dominate possession and field position. After completing consecutive sets to begin the second half, the Hunters quickly found themselves on Pride’s try line. Some power running and a few late offloads had the home side scrambling but again they somehow managed to hold the ball up when Emmanuel Waine crashed over the line only to be denied. That passage summed up the second half – the Hunters were dominant in yardage and looked likely every time they held the ball, but were repeatedly denied by a desperate Pride defense. Late tries to Will Partridge and Ewan Moore arguably came against the run of play and are a testament to Pride’s resilience playing at home on Sunday.

Highland’s Eastern-end Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi has issued instructions to all the Provincial Police Commanders under his command to deal with unauthorized police officers and impound suspicious vehicles within the provinces during the 2022 nation general election period. Commander Neggi said from past experiences police officers have been accused of conducting illegal activities during the election period. “We are taking this corrective measure to address such allegations in the future. During the election period many illegal elements take cover under the pretext of police and military uniforms and go around conducting all sorts of illegal activities.   “I have instructed all the PPCs to start mounting check-points to check all vehicles moving around the provinces. I have made it very clear that any police units traveling from province to province must inform the Commander’s office and or the provincial command centre before engaging in their duties. This is to ensure command and control and to instill trust and confidence in the security operations during the 2022 election in the Highlands region,” Commander Neggi said. Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander Superintendent John Sagom said the quick response force together with the regular members have already mounted regular check points in parts of the access roads into and out of Western Highlands Province since last week and will continue until after the election.

THE Healthy Islands Concept, a holistic approach to health promotion and education, needs to be embraced by Papua New Guinea to see healthier communities. Executive Manager of the National Department of Health Public Health Division Dr Sibauk Bieb said this when opening a three-day refresher training on Healthy Island Concept outside Port Moresby last week. “If you need to see how this concept works, you look at smaller island countries. You will see how the Healthy Island Concept is working. The communities are beautiful, they are very well set up. People in PNG need to wake up and embrace it.’’ [caption id="attachment_22523" align="aligncenter" width="673"] Executive Manager of the National Department of Health Public Health Division Dr Sibauk Bieb[/caption] The Healthy Islands Concept was accepted by the Pacific Health Ministers’ conference on Yanuca Island, Fiji, in 1994. Since then, the other Pacific Island countries have run with it while PNG had implemented it only in two to three villages and there has been no follow-ups over the past 20 years to ensure these have been extended to other settings and the rest of the country. The goal in the Healthy Islands Concept is to transform all settings to healthy settings. One of the first examples of this concept was Domil village in Western Highlands Province. [caption id="attachment_22524" align="aligncenter" width="785"] Rose Kavanamur, Acting Manager – Environmental Health.[/caption] The Healthy Island Concept encompasses a holistic approach to health promotion and education in the different settings where people live, work, play and die. The approach includes community engagement and participation in all aspects of the health program, including the planning and monitoring of it. This enables the recipients to take ownership of the activities being implemented so there is sustainability in the long term. Dr Bieb has also highlighted that so many changes have occurred since the concept was introduced, including emerging issues that must be taken into consideration. These includes the Climate Change and Gender Base Violence programs as the Healthy Islands Concept attempts to address all aspects of health in a setting such as a village. [caption id="attachment_22525" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Mary Daniel, Technical Officer – STI/HIV/AIDS[/caption] “Tribal fights, for instance, displaces people. Tribal fights result in homes and properties being burned,’’ he said. He said unless mindsets of people are changed it will be difficult to change communities and applauded the organisers of the training which will be rolled out to the provinces. The three-day refresher training was organised by the National Department of Health’s Health Promotion and Education Branch. Participants came from Environmental Health, HIV/AIDS and Family Health. Nickson Samplap, Coordinator of the Health Promotion with the Christian Health Services, also attended and gave an update on a similar program to the Health Island Concept that CHS is implementing in different parts of the country. [caption id="attachment_22526" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Nickson Samplap, Coordinator for Health Promotion - Christian Health Services[/caption] Retired staff of NDoH Health Promotion and Education Branch Jubal Agale facilitated the workshop. The Government, through the National Health Plan 2020 – 2030, is giving Healthy Island Concept a priority. Of the five Key Result Areas of the plan, this concept is in KRA One. Judah Iparam, Acting Manager, NDoH Health Promotion and Education Branch, said the health promotion and education officers will be working with the Provincial Health Authorities to ensure the concept is taken down to the districts and Local Level Governments in each province.

North Queensland scored three tries in three minutes to snatch a stunning 28-26 defeat of Manly at 4 Pines Park on Friday night. Trailing 26-12 just seven minutes from fulltime, the Cowboys mounted a remarkable comeback as Reece Robson, Murray Taulagi and Valentine Holmes crossed in succession to shock the Sea Eagles. The Cowboys did so after losing Queensland forward Reuben Cotter in the warm-up with a hamstring injury that has him in doubt for next weekend's Origin in Perth and they never really looked like winning until the dying stages. Until the late onslaught, it appeared that Manly hooker Lachlan Croker had spearheaded the home team to an impressive win after laying on a try and scoring two in the second half but the Sea Eagles fell agonizingly short. Source: NRL.com  

Since opening its first shop in Port Moresby at Waigani Central and then the Vision City Mega Mall in 2015, the business has branched out to the city and provinces providing clothing and apparels for men, women and children. It has now made available online shopping for its customers around the country and overseas. Jack’s of PNG’s Digital Marketing Assistant, Anusheel Pratap said, “The online payment gateway would be a major boost to our e-commerce platform as this would permit faster, safer and convenient payment method.” “The newly launched shopping website will allow customers to purchase Jack’s of PNG products anywhere and anytime. It also allows overseas customers pay for the Jacks products wherever they are and have it delivered at their preferred location,” said Mr Pratap. “Any customer visiting our website would able to purchase lifestyle and active wear for men’s women’s and kids clothing, fashionable accessories, perfumes, watches, shoes, bags and toys.”, said Mr Pratap. Conveniently, customers can also shop online using their mobile phone and pay instantly and securely via the BSP Internet Payment Gateway service using their BSP VISA Card or MasterCard. Customers can visit the Jack’s PNG website: jackspng.com, view the range of merchandise, select items and pay, provide address for delivery, and have packages delivered to the preferred location via DHL and Post PNG. In providing enhanced payment solutions to businesses and customers, BSP continues improve customer experience with innovative banking and payment solutions while expanding digital inclusion in all our markets. Businesses interested in registering for eCommerce payment solutions can contact BSP through email servicebsp@bsp.com.pg or call BSP 3201212 or 70301212.

To better serve its members, NCSL has reviewed its loan automation approval process for personal loans offered under the 1:1 loan ratio to a maximum threshold of K50,000 per transaction. Personal loans under the 1:1 ratio are fully secured by savings where a member can only borrow up to the current savings balance that he/she has saved. According to NCSL’s Manager Credit, Mr. Kini Vali, any amount exceeding the threshold limit of K50,000.00 will need to go through a due diligence process. “Members who are not aware of this will see that their loan application for the amount over the maximum threshold will not be auto-approved,” he said. “We introduced the threshold as part of good credit risk management practice to minimize the risk of default by assessing the member’s character and capacity to repay the loan even though the loan is fully secured,” he continued. Members wishing to obtain a 1:1 loan exceeding the threshold amount and need more information can get in touch with the NCSL Lending team on 313 2010/313 2016 or email loansgroup@ncsl.com.pg Apart from 1:1 lending ratio, NCSL offers higher ratio loans, SME and Motor Vehicle loans and terms and conditions apply. For more information on this article, please contact Ms. Louise Mary Kodor – Media & Communications Officer on 313 2055 or email lkodor@ncsl.com.pg