Acting Vice Chancellor of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology Dr. Gary Sali, Head of Public Affairs from the U.S. Embassy Damian Wampler, and PNG Tribal Foundation signed an MOU to formally agree and enter a partnership in order to build an Amelia Earhart memorial on the campus of the University. The idea was formed after U.S. Ambassador Erin McKee visited Morobe Province and saw a need to create a statue to honor the legendary pioneer aviator. Since then, the three parties have joined in partnership not only to build a statue in her honor, but to launch a scholarship fund for women and girls to enhance their knowledge of Science and Technology. At the MOU signing ceremony at Matheson library, Acting Vice Dr. Gary Sali said, “The Papua New Guinea University of Technology is proud to provide a way not only to honor this brave woman, but to create a lasting partnership between the United States and Papua New Guinea that began 125 years ago in 1937.” This year July marks the 85th anniversary of Amelia’s disappearance and 125th anniversary of her birth. Head of Public Affairs from the U.S. Embassy Damian Wampler said, “one hundred percent of the population needs to be educated. We hope that this memorial, and the scholarship fund, will motivate women and men, girls and boys, students, faculty, and staff in Lae to push the boundaries of science and technology every day.” CEO of the PNG Tribal Foundation GT Bustin added that “the memorial will serve as a reminder that with determination and courage, women can achieve any height. And the scholarship fund, which will be created by generous donations from American companies and individuals, will award scholarships for PNG women and girls who want to reach even greater heights in scientific fields.” The Papua New Guinea University of Technology and partners will break ground on the memorial site in July after a design is chosen through open competition. The winning design concept will win K1,500. A brave young woman from the state of Kansas in the United States, Amelia Earhart made herself America’s most popular aviator by pushing the boundaries of flight. She became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set records for distance and high altitude flying, and became an inspiration for women and girls around the world. She conceived the idea of becoming the first person to fly all the way around the world. She almost made it. But three weeks before her 40th birthday, Earhart disappeared over the Pacific, last seen by the public in Lae on July 2, 1937.

Team PNG Contingent to the Pacific Mini Games were issued their uniforms this week in time for their departure for the Games this Sunday. The uniforms were happily modelled by the Va’a Athletes as the Team is set to depart this weekend on an Air Niugini direct charter, to Saipan in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas. The Team PNG uniform sets include a jacket, a matching pair of tracksuits (top and bottom), a pair of shoes, two pairs of socks (black and white), training wear, leisure wear, cap, water bottle, backpack and travelling bag. The Team PNG Walkout wear will be revealed in Saipan during the Opening ceremony while the flag bearer will be announced next week before the opening ceremony on the 17th of June. PNG Olympic Committee acknowledges Team PNG’s uniform suppliers for working with us in ensuring all Team uniforms arrived on time. Team PNG uniform suppliers for the 2022 Pacific Mini Games are Axellerate Sport – supplier of all generic team wear; Niugini Native – Walkout Uniforms and bags; Trophy Haus – Shoes and local SMEs in East Sepik Province who supplied hand woven bilums. The 11th Pacific Mini Games is scheduled to be held from the 17th of June to the 25th of June 2022. The Team PNG Contingent with a total of 119 heads, is made up of 85 Athletes, 21 Sports Officials and 14 Members from the General Team Management (GMT). Team PNG will only be competing in 5 sports out of 9 sports on the program and they are Athletics (including Para-Athletics), Va’a, Golf, Weightlifting and Tennis.

Athletics PNG’s 38 strong squad is primed to take to the track and field in Saipan Northern Marianas Islands from June 21 to 25. The team of 24 male and 14 female athletes will head to Saipan in three groups this weekend from Port Moresby , Brisbane and Los Angeles. Thirteen US based athletes and Coach Nelson Stone will fly to Saipan via Honolulu and Guam with some stopping over in Los Angeles this weekend for a final lead up competition. A total of 20 athletes have been competing at the Oceania Championships in Mackay , Qld this week and the highlights so far have been a National Record of 53.33m in the mens discus for Debono Paraka ; an outstanding 10,000m performance from Siune Kagl; and a stunning 400m time from multi event athlete Karo Iga. Young middle and long distance runners Adolf Kauba and Aquila Turalom are also in good form and running personal best times. PNG is set for a strong showing in the mens long distance events especially the 3000m steeplechase and 10,000m. Four athletes clocked times of under 10mins for the steeplechase in Port Moresby last weekend led by Turalom (9min 40 secs) , Israel Takap (9:44) , Wilford Baia (9:52) and Abel Siune (9:59). Kagl is expected to be joined by Dilu Goiye and Baia in the 5000m and 10000m events. Pacific Sprint queen Toea Wisil is not in her best form and her recent times have been well below her best, however she remains determined to give her best at the Games. PNG does have good back up in the sprints with Leonie Beu and Isila Apkup. In the mens sprints the big question will be whether Banuve Tabacaucoro of Fiji can hold off the challenge of Leroy Kamau and the other PNG sprinters in the 200m. Fiji has relied heavily on their star sprinter in the past few Pacific Games, but like Wisil, his recent times have been below his best. Tabacaucoro has been improving in the 100m with every race and he will be the man to beat in this event, however not much is known about his 200m form and it will be interesting to see if his experience will see him through what is sure to be a stiff challenge. Rellie Kaputin only recently returned to Australia to prepare for these Games and is a little rusty after nine months back in PNG. However there hasn’t been any Pacific Islander close to Rellie in the horizontal jumps in recent years other than Annie Topal and PNG’s hopes will again rest on the East New Britain pair to bring home the gold. National record holder Peniel Richard will start favourite in the mens triple jump and PNG will have three men contesting the long jump, including Roland Hure who won Gold in 2017, Richard, and Eldan Toti. Multi eventers Edna Boafob and Karo Iga have both shown good form since going to the Gold Coast at the end of april for a period of training, with Boafob showing good progress in the 100m hurdles and in the long jump. These events combined with her strengths in the 200m and 800m should see her post a much better score in what will be her first heptathlon since her debut in this event at the 2019 Games. Iga is expected to be very competitive in the mens Octathlon after showing good form in a range of events recently. He ran an outstanding 400m of 48.68 seconds at the Oceania Championships on Tuesday this week. President Tony Green thanked sponsors PNGAIR , Kumul Consolidated Holdings , the National Sports Institute, Prima Smallgoods for their support in preparing a very strong team for the Games. He expressed confidence that the team will improve on its gold medal totals from Vanuatu 2017 and Samoa 2019 and expressed a special word of thanks to PNG Sports Foundation CEO Albert Veratau for his support to the athletes who have been camped in Port Moresby. He added that the preparing for these Games has been extremely challenging for the Sports and thanked Team Managers Kylie Martins and Sharon Atuai for all their hard work. Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that all of the team members make it safely through the minefield of covid related travel requirements at this time and reach Saipan smoothly.

The National Alliance Party’s 60 candidates for the 2022 national election represent a blend of experienced former government Ministers, top ranking bureaucrats and individuals with high academic accomplishments, says Party Leader Patrick Pruaitch. “This is a talented and dedicated team capable of running the government even though NA is destined to be part of a Coalition Government in the 118-seat 11th Parliament,” Mr Pruaitch said. The NA team, he said, included a dozen former Cabinet Ministers and Provincial Governors and many individuals who hold post-graduate qualifications. Former Cabinet Ministers are contesting all four regions. This includes former Police Minister Sani Rambi for Mul Baiyer (Highlands), former Agriculture and Livestock Minister Andrew Baing for Markham Open (Momase), former Fisheries Minister Alois King for Madang Provincial (Momase) and former Forests Minister Tim Neville for Milne Bay Provincial (Papua). Islands Region candidates include NA’s Secretary General, Civil Service Minister Walter Schnaubelt, for Namatanai Open and former Agriculture Minister Malakai Tabar for Gazelle Open. Mr Pruaitch, the longest serving PNG Treasurer, will contest his West Sepik seat of Aitape-Lumi (Momase). Former and current Provincial Governors in NA’s 2022 team included Allan Bird (East Sepik), Tony Wouwou (West Sepik), Julie Soso (Eastern Highlands) and Tim Neville (Milne Bay). Other high profile current NA MPs recontesting include Ross Seymour, Huon Gulf Open; Peter Isoaimo, Kairuku Open; William Nakin, North Bougainville Open and Salio Waipo, Angoram Open. NA’s Joyce Grant, a noted figure who has mentored political candidates over many years as the party’s Executive Secretary, will contest Kiriwina-Goodenough Open (Milne Bay). “We are optimistic the electorate will recognise the talent and abilities of our four women candidates and vote Ms Grant, Julie Soso (Eastern Highlands Provincial), Mary Morola (Kerema Open) and Sheila Harou (Morobe Provincial) into parliament with public recognition of the importance of the voice of women in Parliament. “These four women are leaders in their own right and will play important roles within their electorates as well as nationally,” Mr Pruaitch noted. Mr Pruaitch said NA’s “pool of talent includes two candidates who rose to the highest levels in academia – Dr Misty Baloiloil, the longest serving Vice Chancellor at the University of Technology and Dr Francis Baindu Essacu, Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Natural Resources and Environment.” Like other NA candidates, Dr Baloiloil, NA candidate for Esa’ala Open (Milne Bay), and Dr Essacu, for Wosera Gawi Open (East Sepik), are eager to bring social and economic development to rural electorates they represent. “A future NA government will place a high priority on job creation and rejuvenation of smallholder production of coffee, cocoa, and other produce, which has been neglected for several years. NA is determined to transform the agriculture sector to promote prosperity and lower widespread poverty,” Mr Pruaitch said. Other NA candidates include a medical doctor, Dr Petrus Opum, contesting the Anglimp South Waghi Open (Jiwaka). Candidates from the commercial world include Dominic Kaumu, Talasea Open (West New Britain), who served in upper echelons of Air Niugini management for many years and Adam Wangu, a geologist with experience in PNG as well as in Indonesia and Myanmar. Several NA candidates have risen to senior positions in the public service. Among them is Mary Oakiva Morola, NA candidate for Kerema Open, who headed the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations. Ms Morola holds post-graduate qualifications in public finance, business management and human resources. Another distinguished former public servant contesting Morobe Provincial is NA’s Sheila Pati Harou, who recently served as Morobe’s Acting Provincial Administrator. Others with notable public service experience include Norman Barnabas, for Nawaeb Open, Morobe, a former First Secretary for Fisheries; Gregory Ume, for Samarai Murua Open, Milne Bay, an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Planning and Tumai Ipou, for Goilala Open, a disaster management expert in Central. The NA candidate for Telefomin Open, Sandaun, Atimern Buhupe, is development specialist with a Master’s Degree in Development Studies.

With the assistance of sister forces and sister units, the PNG Defense Force, CS and Mobile Squad personnel, New Ireland Police say the are ready to provide security for the 2022 National General Elections. New Ireland Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Felix Nebanat, speaking at the launching of the NATEL 2022 Provincial Security Operation, also thanked the Police Commissioner for the donation of two vehicles. PPC Nebanat says he is ready to freely, fairly, securely and safely execute security for the elections but that this has to be done in partnership with the people. He appealed to all New Irelanders to be security conscious during the election period, to remain vigilant and restrain from provoking election related offences. “Voting a leader to represent you in Parliament is your democratic choice, use it wisely. At the end of the day, it determines the quality of life you live back at home. Our paramount responsibility is to make sure that you are safe and secure,” PPC Nebanat said. Nebanat warned the general public and candidates, that Police will come down hard on anyone who may disturb the election process. “We are going to have you arrested and charged according to the provisions of the Law, be it electoral. crin1inal, summary offence or traffic law.” Nebanat says Police couldn’t carry out effective policing due to manpower issues. But now with reinforcements, they have a better capacity to do so. He urged the general public to adhere to basic traffic rules, as there will be road blocks and check points set up during this period. The PPC also warned candidates and the general public, not to abuse government assets for campaigning purposes, as Police will be forced to confiscate and impound thee assets and charge offenders. “I appeal to our candidates, supporters and the general public to help the Police in ensuring that transparency is maintained during the election, in order for it to be carried out with integrity. It is only fair, that all candidates are given the same privilege to exercise their rights freely to contest this election.” Nebanat appealed to his police personnel, to maintain their integrity during this period. He says police are duty bound to serve with honesty and transparency to prove themselves to the people and there should be no compromises. Police Officers going into the Polls are not to be affiliated with political parties, candidates, they should refrain from accepting bribery and getting involved in other activities that will jeopardize the integrity of the Force. He says Police must maintain that transparency now leading into the future to regain the trust from the community in the long run. “Meanwhile I am deeply grateful for our stakeholders and partners who have started supporting my office in curbing Law and Order in the Province. NATEL is a one-off event that happens every five (5) years. I thank my partners for supporting me during this period and I believe that after the fall of election, we will continue to partner in pursuing some of my initiatives that I have already embarked on.” “On another note, I am honored to re-iterate the Police Commissioners message to our Retirees. As your PPC, I want to thank you for your outstanding service. You have done tremendously in your service to the state, the people of Papua New Guinea and the people of New Ireland. On behalf of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the New Ireland Police, our stakeholders and partners, the people of New Ireland and my family, I wish you well in your future endeavors,” the New Ireland PPC said. In closing, PPC Nebanat urged people in New Ireland to take ownership and support the Police and other Disciplinary Forces and Electoral Commission to ensure a successful 2022 National General Elections.

SNS Tech has been quality approved by Business Link Pacific (BLP), and it is now part of its regional network of business advisors. As a BLP partner, SNS Tech can offer subsidies to eligible SME clients on professional technology services. Being quality approved speaks about the high level of competence of the services provided by SNS Tech. Local SMEs will easily access up-to-date technology services from SNS Tech and can apply for up to 50% subsidy support for their businesses. Technology services can improve customer experience, innovation, and business development. “While we help SMEs join the digital ecosystem and transform their business processes by developing, designing and implementing world-class technology solutions for everyday problems, we are also optimistic that there will be positive causal sequences as their businesses grow.” Based on its research in the Pacific, BLP has learnt that small and medium sized business owners and managers often struggle to find quality local business advice that is also affordable. The right business advice can be a game changer for a growing business. “The BLP Subsidy Scheme is designed to make services more affordable, minimize risks and introduce businesses to reliable and quality services.” To date at least eleven local SMEs have benefitted from this partnership through access to both subsidies and business services. SNS Tech and BLP anticipate more SMEs engaging in and drawing on the benefits of this partnership.

Angelyn Famudi has been appointed as Marie Stopes Papua New Guinea's (MSPNG) new Country Director. Angelyn will be the first Papua New Guinean appointed to lead the organization since MSPNGs establishment in PNG in 2006. Angelyn is a seasoned manager and marketing professional with 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and media. She serves on several boards and is an engaged community member and leader in Port Moresby. Angelyn is a proud mother of four who put herself through school while caring for her family and managed to find success in some very challenging and high-pressure professional environments. “I feel very humbled to be given the opportunity as the first Papua New Guinean Country Director for Marie Stopes PNG,” Angelyn said. “It is a privilege to be involved in Service Delivery to our people across all sectors of our community which works to improve the health and quality of life of women, men and their families providing quality family planning and sexual and reproductive health services.” Marie Stopes International Executive Officer and Regional Director Chris Turner said Angelyn has commenced in the role on May 23, 2022, taking over from Heidi Brown who was MSPNGs Interim Country Director for the last 3 months. “She is passionate about our mission, and I can’t wait for her to bring that passion to MSPNG. I know she is very excited to do so,” Turner said. “This is a significant milestone for MSPNG and one we should all feel very good about.”

Billy Slater’s decision to blood four rookies on the same night he launched his own Origin coaching career paid off in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night as his new boys channelled the Queensland of old to help carry their state to a 16-10 win. From Selwyn Cobbo’s composure to Jeremiah Nanai’s courage, from Patrick Carrigan’s impact to Reuben Cotter’s aggression … Billy’s kids covered themselves in glory as Queensland tasted victory in Sydney for the first time since 2017. Just as they had in 2020, when eight debutants helped the Maroons to an 18-14 win in Game One in Adelaide, the newcomers did all that was expected of them and more in the pivotal opening encounter. After running for 134 metres and making 51 tackles in a barnstorming 80-minute display, Cotter earned plenty rave reviews from his coach and team-mates alike, with Slater declaring ‘he is Queensland!’ Entering the Origin cauldron on the back of 10 no-nonsense performances for the Cowboys this season, Cotter arrived in Maroons camp confident he could do a job but cautious not to get ahead of himself. Charging onto Accor Stadium in front of 80,000 fans was a buzz, sending the vast majority of them home unhappy was another moment to savour. “There was a bond straight away when we got into camp. I feel like we’re all pretty close now especially with that win under our belt,” Cotter said. “Running out to that crowd was surreal and to win down here in front of a packed stadium means so much more. “It was everything I expected and more. The feeling amongst the group has been great all week and to get the win is pretty special. “I felt better as the game went on but they kept coming at us and the last 10 minutes was another level so I had to dig deep, I had no choice.” One man who had no doubt Cotter would answer the call was Rockhampton product Harry Grant, who played alongside the Cowboys tearaway in their junior days. “I played a lot of footy growing up [for Capricornia School Sport] with Reuben so I knew what he was capable of,” Grant said. “He doesn’t let you down as a team-mate, he’s a player you want to play alongside because you know he is just going to turn up and do all the crappy stuff. “He put in a lot of effort tonight and he gets rewarded and that’s good to see. “It’s awesome to see him getting a lot of back-to-back games this year and he earned that Origin debut and he certainly put his heart on his sleeve out there and didn’t let anyone down.” It’s a theme that resonated throughout Slater’s 17-minute media conference on Wednesday night as the Maroons legend saluted the rookies who’d repaid his faith in spades. Bronco Pat Carrigan’s first foray into Origin footy yielded 183 running metres and 34 tackles while Cobbo laid on a try with a deft grubber and Nanai showed great courage to return to the field after rolling his ankle early in the second half. “Pat Carrigan, he’s a real player. We didn’t have to put his name up on the screen when he came on, everyone knew he was there,” Slater said. “His first carry was a real momentum shift for us. One of our best sets in the first half came off Patty’s carry and then he made a real statement with his defence. “There’s some good forwards at the Broncos but Patty’s a leader amongst them and that was a great debut. “Same with Selwyn Cobbo. You could imagine the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg right now, one of their own has just played for Queensland in a wonderful performance. “And Jeremiah Nanai, what a tough performance from a 19-year-old, to come back and say ‘I’m ready to go, put me back out there’. “He’s in that dressing room now eating a pizza with ice on his ankle… there’s some proud boys in that dressing room and they deserve to be. “I’m so proud to be a Queenslander and really proud to be the coach of that group of players.” Match: Blues v Maroons  

Trukai Industries Limited (TIL) has once again come to the aid of Team PNG with the donation of 200 kilograms of Trukai Medium Grain Rice. In presenting the rice donation, TIL Chief Executive Officer Alan Preston said that Trukai has been a great partner of Team PNG and the PNG Olympic Committee for the past 23 years and was happy to support Team PNG in both the Pacific Mini Games this month and the Commonwealth Games in July. Accepting the donation, Chef de Mission to the Pacific Mini Games, Kila Dick conveyed the team’s gratitude to Trukai for its continued support to Team PNG. "The Trukai name has been the rice ‘choice’ trusted by generations when growing up. So thank you Trukai for this wonderful support to Team PNG. Your support will go a long way in ensuring our athletes are well-nourished whilst at the Games and perform to their best in the various sports they will be participating in". TIL is also a sponsor of our elite weightlifters’ duo and Olympians Dika Toua and Morea Baru who have just returned to PNG after undergoing high-performance training in Melbourne for travel to Saipan on the Team PNG Charter. Secretary-General, Auvita Rapilla expressed her gratitude to TIL for this timely donation which will go towards assisting PNGOC with food rations for Team PNG at both Games. “PNGOC is grateful for such donations because it eases a lot of burden as a non-government (NGO) and not-for-profit organization who is doing it tough at the moment having to fundraise to send Team PNG to two (2) Games this year". The first Team PNG contingents will leave for the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Marianas on Sunday, June 12th and the team to the Commonwealth Games will leave on July 19th, 2022.

The all out tribal war that has been gripping fear into the hearts of all citizens in Porgera, Enga Province, has suddenly come to a halt. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent George Kakas advised that even though fighting has subsided, there is still an intense feeling of fear lingering in the air. “Due to the sensitivity of the matter, civilians are afraid to move around,” Supt. Kakas said. He further added that the Police Station Commander at Porgera has taken control of the situation and is working towards bringing both tribal leaders to a round table discussion and hopefully come to make peace. Kakas said that he will be travelling to Porgera in the coming days to facilitate the peace talks in person with the tribal leaders. He said that there is a handful of Defense Personnel and a unit from the Mobile Squad are assisting the local police to keep an eye out for the public and Government property. He also said that the death toll at the moment is unconfirmed as yet due to civilians not reporting them to police stations out of fear. “The death toll right now might be around thirty but that is unconfirmed so it could be higher,” Kakas advised. Picture sourced: PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.     

Papua New Guinea is amongst other countries in the world currently participating in the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn at its 56th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB56). The conference kicked-off this week to lay the groundwork of success for the next Climate Change Conference, (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Governments are meeting for the first time since the conclusion of the UN Climate 26th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last November. PNG is represented by a team of technical negotiators from the Climate Change & Development Authority (CCDA), PNG Forest Authority, National Energy Authority and the Department of Works & Highways. “The conference focuses on work in the key areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, support to developing countries, particularly in finance and loss and damages but also looks at other key issues such as the future of carbon markets, energy security and just transition” said PNG’s Climate Change Special Envoy Mr. Ruel Yamuna. Mr. Yamuna elaborated that PNG’s priority and focus is on the implementation of the Paris Agreement with the Rule Book passed in the last climate change conference, COP 26 while taking stock of some of the country’s issues and challenges relating to implementation including means of implementation. “Enabling framework is now set with PNG’s amended Climate Change Management Act (CCMA) recently gazetted. The outstanding elements of the rule book such as that of Article 6.2 and Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement will enable regulations development in order to manage all carbon related projects in the country,” said Mr. Yamuna. In the Energy Space, PNG’s participation at the Session will look at challenges faced domestically on energy security and transition issues affecting movement towards renewable energy including the need for a just transition in all the fossil fuel consumption industries. Apart from just transition issues are the need to have consistent methodologies. Forestry sector as far as the implementation of the commitments that are set out in the PNG’s Nationally Determined Contribution 2020 is concerned, this session will negotiate methodologies and guidance on implementing Article 6.4 under the Paris Agreement. Such decisions reached will affect the forest sector at the domestic level and practical approaches by the sector defines how the decisions are made. Furthermore, funding, resources and technology capacity is highlighted as a major setback to implementing climate resilient projects in the country. However, developing countries have been embarking on climate resilient innovations to scale up climate change financing from developed countries to achieve their climate adaptation targets. With the launching of the PNG’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) planned for August this year, PNG is also pushing for support for resources to implement the NAP. The implementation of the NAP for PNG will benefit the key priority development sectors in Transport, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Health to build their resilience against the impact of climate change. “The process of negotiations itself continue to present complexities and challenges for every delegation across the board, and PNG is not isolated from this challenge. The small state team in Bonn, have been consistent participants to the process, and are currently putting up with many challenges including the need to protect PNG’s key priorities in every negotiation group”, said Mr. Yamuna. “Climate change is progressing exponentially. With the world currently on track to more than double the 1.5oC goal of the Paris Agreement by the end of the century, ambition must urgently be raised to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and immediate action and progress in Bonn are needed.”

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) presented a cheque of K75, 000 to St John Ambulance PNG to support the redevelopment of its new National Ambulance Control Centre and help them continue with their work in aeromedical retrieval services in the country. Of the K75,000 donation, K50, 000 will support the redevelopment of the new St John National Ambulance Call Centre and K25 000 to go towards the aeromedical evacuation Trust Fund account. The aeromedical evacuation trust fund account is managed by St John to provide free maternal medevacs for mothers in remote areas of Western, Gulf, Central, Oro and Milne Bay. BSP Head of Marketing and Public Relations Gorethy Semi presented the cheque to the St John Ambulance, saying BSP acknowledged the great work that St John Ambulance Services is providing for the communities. "This is not the first time for BSP to support St John Ambulance. In 2018, we donated a K225,000 customized Emergency Response Vehicle that covered maintenance and insurance support over Five (5) years, effective from 2018 to 2022," she said. "We are here today to present our donation of K75,000 to continue supporting this organization's operations that serve and save lives of our people in respective communities," added Semi. St John CEO Matt Cannon said, "The support from BSP, the money will be used to upgrade the uninterruptable power supply for the ambulance control center so that emergency coordination center can continue to operate without interruption during power outages.” The remaining K25, 000 will be put into the trust fund to help us retrieve mothers and babies suffering life threatening emergencies in rural areas. "the donation shows BSP values St John as a significant service provider in the country. This is a good step forward and we hope to see more of it happen with PNG business houses in future.