Small retail and hospitality businesses in Papua New Guinea are moderately engaging in the new approach of fast and transparent payment solutions through the BSP mobile banking platform *131# for an ease of payments. Embracing the efficiency of the approach, these businesses are ushering a new era of transaction behaviour via the mobile phones that is intervening to enhance the way customers pay for goods and services. According to the 2021 BSP Digital Payment Statistics report, retail and hospitality businesses around the country has been marked to have the highest number of consumers purchasing goods and services via mobile merchant payment method, in the mobile payment arena, and have maintained this in the first quarter of 2022. The results shows a shift from cash and card to mobile payment as the “mobile Point of Sale” which represents the biggest opportunity to enhance business growth in PNG through a fast, transparent and seamless way of making payments. Hence, from the statistics 2021 and Quarter 1, 2022 report, number of SME merchants stood out in leading the way with Digital payments in the country. Duffy café, that currently has four express locations around Port Moresby – Harbour-side, inside Jacksons International Departure lounge, BSP Head Office, Waigani and the main outlet at Gabaka Street, Gordons. The café is one of the very first in the country to tap into the mobile payment trend. Renowned in Port Moresby for its impressive speciality coffee, delicious pastries, cakes and gourmet burgers. The café accept payments via card and BSP mobile merchant payment. Duffy Café Sales Supervisor, Ms Aileen John elaborates, “The key to influencing customer behaviour is to display signage with the merchant code and also guide the customer on how to pay with their mobile phones. The receipts are cashless, an added advantage that is environmentally friendly. The other local SME is - Zatisfied Café and Catering that burst the scene early this year (2022), offering BSP mobile merchant payment solutions as a payment option to its customers. Located inside the Telikom Rumana building at Waigani, the local coffee shop offers a variety of affordable delights ranging from cappuccinos to fried fish and chips. The food outlet receives an average of ten mobile payment transactions per day. Business owner, Mr Graham Osborne states, “We have the mobile merchant posters displayed around the café for our customers. The staff are doing so well showing customers on how to pay using their mobile phones” The other prominent BSP merchant is situated in the heart of Kavieng town -Lipkanda Investment, a locally owned second-hand shop best known for selling quality used items ranging from clothing, books and shoes, to video games. Shop owner, Mrs Barbara N’Drihin, “I have not experienced any issues with record keeping since using mobile merchants. The transaction reports are updated end of day making it easy for me to reconcile the daily takings”. I would encourage other businesses to utilize this payment option as it is convenient and saves time with book keeping aspects of running a business. The other merchant is located in the rural area of Aitape, in Lumi District - Sandaun Province (West Sepik). It is the the Melu Trading, an SME with limited access to basic infrastructure like banking services, affordable transport services, electricity and proper roads. Business owner Maggie Melu, stated, “Mobile payments is easy and convenient, we receive mobile payment receipts instantly and our customers also received their electronic receipt on their mobiles. We prefer this payment method because funds go straight to our BSP Account and there are no cash handling involved; no loss from my cashiers and you our rural customer can pay with a “wan-bang” (feature phone) or a smart phone as long as mobile network is available”. Ms Melu said their aim was to empower their rural communities and encourage the growth of SMEs to take up entrepreneurial activities to alleviate poverty and income-source employment for community. Similar to bankcards, EFTPoS machines or cash payments, BSP mobile payment has the potential to be the de-facto standard thanks to its changing technology and convenience, which it offers to businesses as well as customers. Businesses interested in registering for the Mobile Merchant payment solution can contact BSP through email servicebsp@bsp.com.pg or call BSP 3201212 or 70301212.

Prime Minister James Marape says Police will leave no stone unturned in investigations into the death of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil in a motor vehicle accident along the Bulolo Highway in Morobe last Wednesday night. He gave this assurance to family members, people of Bulolo and Morobe, friends, members of Basil’s United Labour Party (ULP), members of the disciplined forces and the public at Jackson International Airport tonight after the arrival of the body of the late DPM on a helicopter from Lae. “Sometimes, in life, it is not easy to understand why such tragic circumstances happen in this manner,” PM Marape said. “I have instructed the Police to give a full account of the last steps of the Deputy Prime Minister, the journey the oncoming driver took, and every circumstance behind what happened in the lead-up to his passing. “A report is expected for us to bring to full conclusion the passing of our nation’s Deputy Prime Minister.” The Prime Minister said the loss of Hon. Basil to the nation was one that words could not express. “We stand with the family, we stand with the people and Wau-Bulolo, we stand with the people of Morobe province, we stand with the United Labour Party, we stand with every citizen – men and women, boys and girls – of our beloved country to receive the Deputy Prime Minister of our country,” he said. “It is his last time to leave Lae for Port Moresby, and for the last time to be with us in Port Moresby, for us to accord him the respect he deserves and send him back to rest. “It is a moment none of us thought would happen, I never thought it would happen.” PM Marape said he was in a meeting last Wednesday night when news came from Lae of the accident. “I asked those who were seated with me to offer a prayer for him (Hon. Basil), as we were hearing that he was struggling,” he said. “Today, the nation is coming to grips with the passing, for the first time, of a deputy prime minister of our country while serving in office. “This is very, very sad.” PM Marape told Hon. Basil’s family that the entire country joined with them in mourning the loss of their father, husband, son and brother. He said Hon. Basil and himself first entered Parliament in 2007 and was privileged to have served with him in Cabinet as a minister and later as DPM. “He (Hon.Basil) excelled to the highest standard in service to his people of Wau-Bulolo – which was second to none, to Morobe and to Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape said. “The nation will give the highest dignity to a servant of our nation who has passed. “We will give him, in his final tour-of-duty, the highest recognition that he deserves.”

Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said the 2022 National General Elections will be very challenging unlike the past National Elections because the counting period has been reduced to one week unlike the usual three weeks as seen in past elections. Mr Sinai made this statement when revealing the new proposed dates for the election process this afternoon. He said the election process has already begun when the Governor General signed the Issue of Writ on July 12, 2022, however he has used his powers under section 177 to extend the nomination days to 14 days following the passing of late Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil. “The new proposed calendar after the issue of writs on May 12 is as follows,” Mr Sinai said. “Nomination will be open after 4pm on Thursday May 19, 2022 and ends on Thursday May 26, 2022.” “Polling will start on July 02, 2022 and ends on July 22, 2022.” “And the return of writ will be on July 29, 2022.” “The calculation now is that nomination period will be for 14 days, campaign period will be for seven weeks and polling period will be for 21 days.” Mr Sinai called on all citizens to assist in ensuring that the timings are workable for a successful elections.

Panamex PNG won the Trukai VPL Final at Amini Park on Sunday May 15 by 274 runs over Koita Warriors. Panamex PNG after struggling in week 1, turned into knockout cricket experts, first beating Northern Alexanders in their Quarterfinal, before defeating the favoured and previously unbeaten Gamoga Lawyers Spirit of Rigo off the last ball in their Semifinal. In the final, Koita Warriors Captain Hiri Hiri Patana won the toss and sent Panamex PNG into bat, hoping to restrict them to a low total for their powerful batting line up to chase down. Tanti Heni opened the innings strongly, scoring 35 runs off 17 balls, with support from John Boge Reva with 13 runs off 10 balls. Penny Loa with 2 wickets for 15 runs off 2 overs and Michael Hairai with 2 wickets for 18 runs off 2 overs were the pick of the Warriors bowlers. The total of 92 runs for six wickets was above the target of 80 that Panamex Captain John Boge Reva felt they needed to take control of the match. In response the Koita Warriors lost regular wickets and were never able to take on the total. The star top four batters, Assad Vala, Uditha Sameera, Tony Ura and Hiri Hiri Patana all failed to reach double figures, with a rear-guard innings by Jeremiah Nigani with 14 runs off 8 balls only offering a slight glimmer of hope. For Panamex PNG Raymond Haoda took 3 wickets for 21 runs from his 2 overs, and Sakavai Gebai took 2 wickets for only 7 runs from his 2 overs. Panamex PNG, suppliers of Sudso Laundry Powder, Max and Flora, Three Cooks Instant Noodles and Cooking Oil, Zap Mosquito Coils, Five Star Canned Mackerel, Blue Sea Canned Tuna and Paradise Matches, to name just a few, become the first Trukai VPL winners, setting a standard for teams to try to catch in the next Trukai VPL in October. Vani Vagi Morea from Zara Wanderers won the tournament MVP for Batting, scoring 143 runs at an average of 71.5 and strike rate of 130. This is a repeat win for Morea, who has starred in the Trukai VPL in 2021 and 2022. Robert Naime from Gamoga Lawyers Spirit of Rigo won the tournament MVP for Bowling, with 7 wickets for 31 runs from only 3 matches. Both MVP’s won an executive stay package at the Hilton Port Moresby. The Trukai VPL was a true festival of cricket, with fans young and old able to enjoy high quality fast paced cricket, in a safe environment. Thanks to our partners Trukai Industries, this edition of the Trukai VPL was bigger and better than the 2021 version, with all the team owners, players, and fans looking forward to the next Trukai VPL in October 2022. The next Trukai VPL promises to be even bigger and better again.

The East New Britain provincial government and its four district development authorities (DDAs) will start to receive direct funds to manage and maintain their own road network from this year onwards. This follows the signing of the road management performance agreement last week for the transfer of provincial and district roads to provincial government and DDAs from the Works department. The signing was between the Works and Highway Department and the provincial government and the four DDAs. The occasion was attended by Governor Nakikus Konga, Gazelle MP Jelta Wong, Pomio MP Elias Kapavore, Rabaul and Kokopo district administrators, ENB administrator Wilson Matava and senior officers from the Department. The transfer of decision-making powers and road management responsibility from the Works and Highways Department to the sub-national authorities is signed in line with the Road Management Act of 2020. Mr Matava said the onus is on public servants including district administrators to see the importance of this MOU signing as they were going to be responsible and accountable for the condition of roads under them. He said ENB must be committed to ensure that it will improve its inventory on roads, bridges and public utilities and improve its database so to reflect on the national assets of this nation. The agreement includes: • The political transfer of road management powers and functions from the department to the provinces which was part of decentralisation; • Administrative decentralisation which would see road management continuity transferred from the department to the sub-national level and the department would assist where necessary; • Financial decentralisation where budgeted funding under the Government for national agencies would be transferred to sub-national authorities or to sub-national roads gazetted by the minister; and, • Procurement decentralisation where the procurement for provincial and districts roads could be done at the sub-national level with K10 million and K5 million threshold the respective limit. About K600 million would be disbursed for all sub-national roads throughout the country annually while the Department will only concentrate on the national roads and highways and the Connect PNG programme.

It is with great shock and sadness that Sir Julius Chan, Governor of New Ireland Province, learned of the tragic passing of the Honourable Sam Basil, Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Bulolo since 2007. “Sam Basil was a great politician, and a great friend,” Sir Julius said. “He was a true son and patriot of Papua New Guinea. I cannot believe he is gone. He was a young man, only 52, and he had many more years of service to offer the people of Bulolo and Papua New Guinea. Words cannot express the sadness we feel at this moment.” Sir Julius said that he and the People’s Progress Party feel the loss of Sam Basil intensely. “I remember Sam’s entry into national politics when he ran for the Bulolo Open Seat in 2002,” Sir Julius said. “In that election he ran as a People’s Progress Party candidate, and though he performed well, he narrowly lost the election. However, Sam spent the next five years working for, meeting with and coming to understand the needs and concerns of his people." "In 2007 he ran again as a PPP candidate, and in that election the people returned him with a resounding victory." "He was only 38 at the time, but he was wise beyond his years. He served with distinction as my Deputy Leader in Parliament, and though in later years he left the PPP, he nevertheless remained a good friend, a good colleague, and a truly honourable partner in the work of improving the lives of all Papua New Guineans.” “And the people loved Sam as much as he loved his people, “Sir Julius said. “In the most recent election, 2017, Sam received more than ten times as many votes as the second-place candidate. That is the level of confidence his people had in him.” Sir Julius concluded, saying “On behalf of myself, my family, the People’s Progress Party and all Papua New Guineans who seek integrity and honour in our political leaders, I want to express my deep and heartfelt condolences to Sam’s family, his many friends, and the people of Bulolo. We have all lost a pillar of strength who can never be replaced. May his soul rest in peace.”

Panamex PNG won the Trukai VPL Final at Amini Park on Sunday May 15 by 274 runs over Koita Warriors. Panamex PNG after struggling in week 1, turned into knockout cricket experts, first beating Northern Alexanders in their Quarterfinal, before defeating the favoured and previously unbeaten Gamoga Lawyers Spirit of Rigo off the last ball in their Semifinal. In the final, Koita Warriors Captain Hiri Hiri Patana won the toss and sent Panamex PNG into bat, hoping to restrict them to a low total for their powerful batting line up to chase down. Tanti Heni opened the innings strongly, scoring 35 runs off 17 balls, with support from John Boge Reva with 13 runs off 10 balls. Penny Loa with 2 wickets for 15 runs off 2 overs and Michael Hairai with 2 wickets for 18 runs off 2 overs were the pick of the Warriors bowlers. The total of 92 runs for six wickets was above the target of 80 that Panamex Captain John Boge Reva felt they needed to take control of the match. In response the Koita Warriors lost regular wickets and were never able to take on the total. The star top four batters, Assad Vala, Uditha Sameera, Tony Ura and Hiri Hiri Patana all failed to reach double figures, with a rear-guard innings by Jeremiah Nigani with 14 runs off 8 balls only offering a slight glimmer of hope. For Panamex PNG Raymond Haoda took 3 wickets for 21 runs from his 2 overs, and Sakavai Gebai took 2 wickets for only 7 runs from his 2 overs. Panamex PNG, suppliers of Sudso Laundry Powder, Max and Flora, Three Cooks Instant Noodles and Cooking Oil, Zap Mosquito Coils, Five Star Canned Mackerel, Blue Sea Canned Tuna and Paradise Matches, to name just a few, become the first Trukai VPL winners, setting a standard for teams to try to catch in the next Trukai VPL in October. Vani Vagi Morea from Zara Wanderers won the tournament MVP for Batting, scoring 143 runs at an average of 71.5 and strike rate of 130. This is a repeat win for Morea, who has starred in the Trukai VPL in 2021 and 2022. Robert Naime from Gamoga Lawyers Spirit of Rigo won the tournament MVP for Bowling, with 7 wickets for 31 runs from only 3 matches. Both MVP’s won an executive stay package at the Hilton Port Moresby. The Trukai VPL was a true festival of cricket, with fans young and old able to enjoy high quality fast paced cricket, in a safe environment. Thanks to our partners Trukai Industries, this edition of the Trukai VPL was bigger and better than the 2021 version, with all the team owners, players, and fans looking forward to the next Trukai VPL in October 2022. The next Trukai VPL promises to be even bigger and better again.

It was an emotional and proud moment for the late Josaia Usumaki’s family, as they attended his graduation during The University of the South Pacific’s graduation ceremony. Josaia passed away a month before his graduation unexpectedly after suffering from a heart condition for some time. Josaia’s brother, an emotional Leone Tawake received his certificate while his proud parents watched on. The late Josaia graduated with a Bachelor’s in Geography and History from the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean, and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS). Leone remarked that Josaia had made his entire family proud and that, "We can confidently say he has done it and achieved his dream on earth". Whilst collecting Josaia’s certificate, Leone broke into tears. “Just last month he (Josaia) was asking everyone in his family to attend his graduation”. Leone added Josaia was the family’s baby and everyone adored him unconditionally. Leone said that God's plan was different, and he would now fulfil his brother's dream of providing for the entire family. "I know he is happy today because he always wanted to graduate and always told us to come to his graduation," Leone said. He added his brother was always eager to learn and achieve success in life. Leone stated that they were not from a wealthy family and as brothers they wanted to change that. “There were times when we did not have enough money to buy food or to travel. "Despite the difficulties, my brother and I knew that a brighter future awaited us. Now I'll be living my brother's dream."

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kiunga Technical Vocational Training Centre (KTVTC) to train and develop trades men and women. Signed between OTML’s Major Projects Business Unit and the KTVTC in March, the MoU defines the application and selection processes for the students attending the college. Under the MoU six students, three male and three female, studying different trades will be selected annually to join the Major Projects Business Unit over the next three years. The intention of the program is to build local capacity and human resource, and provide a career pathway for the successful applicants. KTVTC Manager, Mrs. Helen Dupnai, thanked OTML for providing students an avenue to attain on-the-job training. “We are grateful for this partnership that will add significant value to what the students are learning here and this will provide the selected students the opportunity to gain valuable experience and increase their chances of employment not only at Ok Tedi but elsewhere,” she said. OTML General Manager for Major Projects, Mark Thompson, said although this is a small initiative, he hopes the arrangement will have a great impact in the future. “OTML’s mandate or requirement is for us to leave behind a positive legacy. The implementation of a formal training, development and upskilling program is included as part of the Major Projects execution scope over the next 2 years, which is a very important initiative to realise this mandate” he said. OTML’s Major Projects team are responsible for implementing key strategic projects such as the Nurumi Crusher which was successfully delivered in December 2020 at a cost of K800 million. Currently the Major Projects team are implementing the Process Asset Renewal (PAR) project worth K750 million which involves the safe and timely refurbishment of the aging plant facilities in Kiunga, Kilometre-59 and Folomian. The project also includes the replacement of the current flotation and regrind circuit. OTML is undertaking this, and other key strategic projects, to assure life of mine to 2032.

Braun Lutheran Community Health Workers College will be made into a fully pledged Nursing College for Morobe Province. This announcement was made by Morobe Governor Hon Ginson Goheyuc Saonu at the institution during his Provincial District Visit to Finschhafen. The declaration was binded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understading with Braun Lutheran CHW College, Morobe Provincial Government, Morobe Provincial Health Authority, Lutheran Health Services and Morobe Provincial Administration. The agreement will now see that Braun Lutheran CHW College will receive direct annual funding from the Morobe Provincial Government and will produce more nurses to serve Morobe Province and the FISIKA region. Governor Saonu said the decision will see the transfer for CHW Courses to Etep and the technical proper documentation& physical planning with execution for the establishment of the nursing college will take effect overtime. The announcement was made in the presence of two Deputy Administrators of Morobe Provincial Administration (Mr Robin Bazzinuc & Mr Miring Sigoling), Principal of Braun Lutheran CHW College, Morobe Provincial Health Authority CEO Dr Kepas Binga and Morobe Provincial Planning Executives. A further K200,000 was presented to the school for a new Administration Building to be constructed in parallel with the transition of the status of the institution as well. Governor Saonu said his Government is keen to empower health services in Morobe Province along with services such as Education & Infrastructure support amongst others. “Dispela yumi mekim lo kirapim helt sector lo Morobe Provins so pipol can gat gutpela helt care.” (We are doing this so that we can revive the health sector in Morobe Province and for the people to receive better health care) This is the first time the Morobe Provincial Government has ever taken a step to partner with the institution since its establishment many years ago.

A Public Holiday is planned to be held on Thursday May 19, 2022 in Morobe Province to show respect on the passing of late Deputy Prime Minister and Bulolo MP Sam Basil. Minister for National Events Justin Tkatchenko made this known today, saying a submission has been made on that and is now before the National Executive Council to endorse. Late Basil’s casket will be arriving in Port Moresby this afternoon for the State Funeral program in the coming days before it departs for Lae on Wednesday May 18, 2022. Tkatchenko said the late Deputy Prime Minister will be accorded all the respect and dignity that he deserves throughout the days of his funeral program. “It is a tragic time for all of us, especially his family and his people of Wau Bulolo and the country as a whole,” Mr Tkatchenko said. “Even though our timings are critical with the upcoming National Elections in the way, late Honorable Basil’s life will be celebrated in the highest accord in the coming days of the funeral program.”

The timings on the arrival of the caskets of late Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil and his Close Protection Officer late Neil Maino were slightly changed due to the delay caused by disagreements by the public at Nadzab Airport in Morobe Province earlier this afternoon. Late Deputy Prime Minister Basil’s casket is now expected to arrive at 6pm and late Maino’s casket will arrive at 5:30pm. Minister for National Events Justin Tkatchenko announced the changes to the officials and public in waiting at the Jackson’s International Airport ceremonial carpark who waited the whole afternoon for the arrival. Lae MP John Rosso advised that the delay at Nadzab was caused of public disagreement on the uplift of late Basil’s casket onto the aircraft’s cargo bay. He said they do not want late Basil’s casket to be in the cargo bay and protested for it to be uplifted on a helicopter hence changes were made. Meanwhile the public at Jacksons Airport also made a scene this afternoon after learning of the delay to which the caskets will arrive late in the afternoon.