Thirty-five students (35) from Central Province attending Kokopo Business College in East New Britain Province will be repatriated back to the province today with the help of the Central Provincial Administration. The students sought assistance from the Central Governor Robert Agarobe following the attack on the school early this week by locals where several causalities were reported. Provincial Administrator Mr Francis Koaba said the parents of the students have made contact with his office and arrangements are underway to repatriate the students. “A charter is arranged now with Air Niugini to repatriate the students as soon as possible for the students to return home safely to their parents and guardians,” Mr Koaba said. “We have received reports that Central province students have fled the school area and are currently at Rabaul.” He said the students are in contact with his office and students from Central province, MotuKoita and NCD will be catered for in the repatriation exercise. Koaba said the charter is scheduled to arrive in Tokua airport today to get the students and return to Port Moresby. So far provinces that have gone include Manus, New Ireland, Oro, West New Britain, Hela, Western, Morobe while Central will be this afternoon on a 5pm charter.

Prime Minister James Marape said his Government has increased investments in key infrastructure nationwide, unlike the former government regime where only a few places were developed at the expense of the rest of Papua New Guinea. He said this in Lorengau, Manus, on Monday when opening the K101.9 million Momote International Airport and launching the Manus Special Economic Zone (SEZ). PM Marape also: • Announced K10 million allocation for building of SEZ headquarters; • Announced K10 million for agriculture, fisheries and tourism SMEs through Bank South Pacific and National Development Bank; and • Opened a cold storage facility built by National Fisheries Authority (NFA) for export of fisheries products. “In three hard and tough economic years, we have pushed our investments to key infrastructure in all provinces of our country, unlike the recent past government where only one or two places were getting lop-sided development at the expense of rest of Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape said. “We have embarked on new sea ports like N’Drauke, Vanimo and Manus, to name a few, and rehabilitation of existing economic ports like Kavieng, Lorengau, Oro, Kimbe, Rabaul, Madang, Lae and Port Moresby. “We have embarked on K20 billion worth of road infrastructure over the next 20 years to connect PNG by reliable roads overlaid with electricity and Internet. “Highways like Momote to West Coast Manus, Alotau to Port Moresby, Port Moresby to Kerema /Ihu, Lae to Port Moresby, Kimbe to Kokopo, Buka to Buin, Wewak to Vanimo, Madang to Wewak, Wabag to Sepik, Southern Highlands/Hela to Kikori Gulf, Lae to Finschafen/Kabwum, Kundiawa to Karamui, Tabubil to Telefomin, Hagen to Madang and Kundiawa -Bundi/Madang are being constructed. “We also have over 100 small district and provincial roads we are funding for first-stage construction like Tari to Kopiago, Komo to Bosavi, Banz to Jimi, Namatanai to South New Ireland and Kokopo to Pomio. “These are examples of connecting the forgotten people of our country into one nation, one people, one country. “One country united by economy, by enabling infrastructure, and by Papua New Guinea united – Pangu for short - where no one part of the country like Manus is left behind.” PM Marape said he was in Manus not only to open the new airport but point Manus in a better direction – for a wealthy and united PNG built on Christian and Melanesian values - going forward. “Now that we have taken PNG back from hands and minds of corruption, misuse of people’s resources and uneven distribution of wealth, we all must now work to construct a better Manus and PNG for our children to live in,” he said. “For Manus, this airport terminal must not be a waste but an asset for the country; this investment must not only repay the K101.9 million the country invested in it but generate more commerce and economic activity going forward. “Manus is a strategic province - you are connected to Asia and the Pacific by air and sea.” PM Marape announced that Parliament, under the leadership of Governor Hon. Charlie Benjamin and Open MP Hon. Job Pomat, had passed the Manus SEZ. “Manus will be a special region where there will be no tax for companies operating here,” he said. “We want agriculture, fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, banking, education and health businesses to grow here. “Lorengau International Airport will also receive international flights - a catalyst which will ensure that this special province grows into the place it rightfully deserves to be."

92 Public Servants were paid out last week their retirement benefits as the first batch of retirees for 2022. The 92 officers from 15 government agencies were paid out a cost of K5.7 million on Pay 8. The retirees are from West New Britain Provincial Health Authority, Central Provincial Health Authority, Port Moresby General Hospital, Enga Provincial Health Authority, Eastern Highlands Provincial Health authority, National Health Department, Gulf Provincial Administration, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Constitution & Law Reform Commission, Public Solicitor’s Office, National Museum and Art Gallery, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Foreign Affairs AND Trade, Central Provincial Administration and Southern Highlands Provincial Administration. Department of Personnel Management Secretary Ms Sansan Taies said, the officers were identified by their respective agencies and their names submitted to DPM for validation and verification to be paid out. Secretary Ms. Sansan said, the retirement exercise has been on going since 2019 of which over 2,596 public servants have so far been paid out at a cost of K114 million. “We are continuing the retirement exercise this year. The government had allocated K200 million in the 2022 annual budget to retire aging public servants and my department will continue to coordinate with all line agencies to ensure this process is executed well this year”. Ms. Sansan said, the savings anticipated to be made out of retiring these 92 officers would be K3.1 million. DPM has coordinated the public sector retirement program following an NEC decision in 2017, which has seen the development of a ‘Whole of Government approach undertaken to ensure all public servants who have reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 or those that are required to retire on medical grounds are paid out and put off the pay roll. “The vacancies created will also mean the workforce is better positioned to implement reforms, including the engagement of a new breed of Papua New Guinean public servants out of universities and colleges.” Secretary Ms. Sansan has thanked the government for the continued support to ensure that public servants who have reached compulsory retirement age are paid out.

The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition Match Review Committee has deliberated on a complaint on the incident that occurred on Sunday, 24th April 2022 in the Round 1 match of the Digicel Cup between the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and Kroton Hela Wigmen played in Goroka at the Sir Danny Leahy Oval. Upon reviewing the match with reports provided by the match officials on the ground it is conclusive that: • Goroka Lahanis player, second rower Ake Palus assaulted the match referee, Max Topani, right after fulltime punching him in the head from the back • Media Official for the Lahanis, Yomba Photography, and Post Courier’s stringer David Boli assaulted the referee right after fulltime by slapping him The Match Review Committee has deemed these actions as serious in nature that violates NRLC Participation Agreement Section 6 (e) on compliance with rules. The Match Review Committee therefore with the powers bestowed upon them under the PNGNRLC Administration and Regulations has resolved to apply the following penalties on the Goroka Lahanis team: 1.Lahanis Player Ake Palus is banned from playing in any PNGNRLC and PNGRFL sanctioned matches in PNG for the next 10 years effective 26th April 2022. 2.Home games in Goroka are suspended indefinitely. 3.Media Official of the Lahanis, Yomba Photography, and Post Courier freelancer David Boli, are banned from entering any PNGNRLC and PNGRFL sanctioned games in PNG for the next 5 years, with David Boli’s case to be referred also to the PNG Media Council. The Match Review Committee hopes that such incidents do not arise in the future.

Quarter one of 2022 Foreign Exchange (FX) market inflow momentum is expected to continue into the half-year, assisted by firmer commodity prices, end of half-year dividend flows and foreign aid, according to BSP Group General Manager – Treasury, Rohan George. “As FX inflows can be lumpy, we expect there to be periods where outstanding FX orders build up. “To manage volatility in foreign currency flows, businesses should place FX orders (with correct documentation), as soon as possible, ensure orders are cash-backed whilst awaiting execution, ensuring tax clearance certificates are current and reflect the expected FX order execution time,” Mr. George stated in the BSP Pacific Economic and Market Insight Q1 2022 Report. He emphasized in the report that in the first quarter of 2022, FX market turnover fell 2% from the strong December Quarter 2021, but rose 24% from March Quarter 2021 (12 months ago), supported by strong commodity prices, in particular Oil, Copper, Palm Oil, Coffee. “Firmer commodity prices offset the lost FX market inflows from the closure of the Porgera Gold Mine (Barrick FX inflows down 75%), whilst the stronger commodity prices added to transportation and input costs of imported goods increased the volume of new FX orders placed post-Christmas,” Mr George added. Meanwhile, the outstanding FX orders expectation of reopening the Porgera Gold Mine is also positive from foreign exchange perspective remained similar to levels seen 12 months ago. “BPNG FX intervention rose 8% in 2022, reducing some of the outstanding FX order backlogs, but remains unchanged from March Quarter 2021." “The Kina fell 10 basis points against the U.S. dollar to 0.2840 in 2022, the first movement for over 14 months." Stronger commodity prices, due to the invasion of Ukraine, strengthened the Australian dollar and saw the Kina fall to 0.36,” Mr. George further added.

In a separate, apparently defiant move, it seemed Ukraine was taking the fight to its aggressor, with reports of explosions at a weapons dump at Belgorod - inside Russia. The US has urged its allies to move "heaven and earth" to keep Kyiv stocked with weapons - as Russian forces continue to rain fire on eastern and southern Ukraine. For the second day in a row, explosions also rocked the separatist region of Trans-Dniester in neighbouring Moldova, knocking out two powerful radio antennas close to the Ukrainian border. No-one claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Ukraine all but blamed Russia. It came amid growing international fears the war was beginning to spill further over borders. And in a separate, apparently defiant move, it seemed Ukraine had begun taking the fight to its aggressor's door - with reports of explosions at a weapons dump at Belgorod, inside Russia. [caption id="attachment_21154" align="aligncenter" width="859"] Situation on day 62 of war in Ukraine[/caption] Meanwhile, in Germany, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin convened a meeting of officials from about 40 countries at the American air base at Ramstein. There, he urged delegates to leave "with a common and transparent understanding of Ukraine's near-term security requirements because we're going to keep moving heaven and earth so that we can meet them". [caption id="attachment_21155" align="aligncenter" width="850"] US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin[/caption] Over in Chernobyl, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says it was possible an accident could have occurred when Russian troops seized control of the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster during the early stages of the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the plant on Tuesday, Rafael Mariano Grossi said as Russia troops took over in February on their way to the capital Kyiv, there became a "nuclear safety situation which was not normal, and could have developed into an accident". [caption id="attachment_21156" align="alignnone" width="874"] A dosimetrist measures the level of radiation around trenches dug by the Russian military near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power[/caption] The site is now back in Ukrainian hands but Russians continue to hold a working nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine - the Zaporizhzhia plant - where there was fighting nearby in early March which damaged the plant's training facility. Focus on Donbas After unexpectedly fierce resistance by Ukrainian forces thwarted Russia's attempt to take its capital, Moscow's focus is now the capture of the Donbas, the mostly Russian-speaking industrial region in eastern Ukraine. In response, Ukraine's pleas for heavy weaponry has intensified, and Germany announced it would be sending tanks - better suited for the Donbas, than around the capital Kyiv where much of the earlier fighting took place. In key developments: US State Department diplomats have begun returning to Lviv in Western Ukraine Russia will stop gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria from Wednesday, it has been announced Russia's President Vladimir Putin tells UN Secretary-General António Guterres, he still hopes to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Ukraine UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson dampened down claims Russia will use tactical nuclear weapons Russia's defence ministry has claimed Ukraine has lost control of the entire Kherson region Earlier in the day, officials in Poland and Bulgaria said Russia had suspended natural gas deliveries to the two NATO countries, over their refusal to pay for its supplies in Russian roubles. This led Ukraine to accuse Russia of blackmailing Europe over energy in an attempt to break its allies. Staunch Kremlin opponent Poland is among the European countries seeking the toughest sanctions against Russia for invading its neighbour. The potential effect of the cut-off was not immediately clear. Poland said it was well-prepared for such a move after working for years to reduce its reliance on Russian energy. But, Bulgaria gets more than 90% of its gas from Russia, and officials said they were working to find other sources. Back to work Meanwhile, the US State Department said diplomats had begun returning to Ukraine by making day trips to temporary offices in the western city of Lviv from neighbouring Poland. It said the first group of diplomats crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border and travelled to Lviv on Tuesday morning. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the agency has accelerated its review of re-opening the US embassy in Kyiv, which was closed shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February. He said it was hoped operations at the embassy would resume as soon as possible depending on the security situation in the capital. SOURCE: SKY NEWS

Evelyn Mopafi from Ungai Bena District in the Eastern Highlands Province has been helping women in her district to sell their bilums using the social media platform, to improve their livelihoods.  So far she has assisted about 300 weavers to sell their bilums and help them to earn an income from weaving and selling bilums through their Facebook page 'Apo Meri'. She recently came up with a new initiative to purchase reusable pads from the sale of bilums, called the BILUM4PADS. “First we were just helping then to sell their bilums then we discovered the Queen pads and thought it would be a great way to assist the women this way.” “With the usual disposal pads, it's an extra expense for village women who have no formal or regular income so having reusable pads is more economical.” “We purchase reusable pads from Queen pads from the sales of the bilums for the women.” Ms Mopafi said they started with purchasing 30 reusable pads for 30 weavers to try. She said that the more bilums they sell, more women can be able to receive a reusable pad. Ms Mopafi added that she is currently focused on women from her clan since she works full time. The type of bilums they sell are called skinpiks or Bena bilums. Ms Mopafi added that apart from assisting mothers to sell their bilums, she also assists artisans from Lufa to sell their baskets. She hopes to be able to assist mothers purchase solar lights also from the sale of their bilums.

The top echelon of the Royal Papua New Constabulary concluded a high-level meeting last week aimed to firm down on the 2022 National General Election security operation plans in Port Moresby. The two-day conference was attended by Assistance Police Commissioners, Police Commissioner David Manning, Deputy Commissioner Operations Anton Billie and the National General 2022 Planning Team, as well as PNG Defence Force and Correctional Services officials. The conference began last Thursday and ended on Friday with the team committed to delivering the security overlay required for the elections around the country. Last week marked the end of the planning phase with the transition now into the pre-deployment and operation proper phases. Commissioner Manning when receiving briefs from respective Commanders assured them that the security deployment will proceed as planned and there is no room for complacency nor will the Constabulary retreat from its constitutional duty to provide the conditions necessary for the PNG Electoral Commission to conduct the 2022 National General Elections. “Election operations are not a new thing to most of us and I’m sure your plans are based on past operational experiences and imminent threats assessments within your respective commands,” Mr Manning said. He said in times where the Constabulary lacks the necessary resources it demands experience and good leadership to deliver the expected outcomes for a free, fair and safe national general election. He told the Assistant Commissioners, “You have been bestowed with this position based on your leadership and experiences and I have no doubt each of you will demonstrate those qualities during this election period.” Mr Manning said the conference last week marked the transition from planning into operation mode, adding that “the election security operations will proceed as planned with no retreat”. The Commissioner said that the security forces will deliver the election security operations regardless of resource issues or changes to the election dates. The conference was also attended by the Electoral Commissioner and Senior officers form the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the PNG Correctional Services.

Air Niugini Destinations Loyalty Program proudly welcomes back onboard Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort in East New Britain Province for another two years partnership. This brings the total Destinations corporate partners to 10. The extended two-year partnership provides Destinations members the opportunity to earn and redeem loyalty points when staying at Kokopo Beach Bungalow either for business or leisure. The airline’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Bruce Alabaster welcomed Kokopo Beach Bungalow to the program, highlighting the importance of corporate partnerships, adding value to the program. Alabaster stated that the partnership illustrates Air Niugini’s commitment to focus on the domestic market and continue to promote local tourism. He said, “This is an exciting way for Air Niugini customers to earn points whilst enjoying the experience at our beautiful domestic destinations. “We want to encourage individuals to take trips and enjoy the diversity of Papua New Guinea by working with the hotel industry,” Mr Alabaster added. Each time, a Destinations member visits the resort, they earn points, which can then be redeemed on accommodation the next time they visit Kokopo Beach Bungalow, or redeem on airline tickets or goods and services from our other corporate program partners. Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort Manager, Mukesh Kumar said the resort is proud to be a partner with the Air Niugini Destination Loyalty Program. “Since opening in 2002, we have been in the hospitality sector, promoting local tourism products in the national and international market. “We, as a resort, provide a variety of services such as accommodation, a multicuisine restaurant, conferences, vehicle rental, boat charter, and land and marine tours. “East New Britain's tourism sector will benefit from the partnership with the national airline carrier. “We cordially invite all Air Niugini Destinations members to visit East New Britain Province and indulge in the aesthetic surroundings,” Mr Kumar concluded. Air Niugini’s Destinations Loyalty Program was launched in August 2009 as PNG’s first Frequent Flyer Program with currently over 125,000 active members. Please visit the Air Niugini Destinations website www.destinations.com.pg for more information on similar partnerships with other hotels and organisations in the country and how you can earn more points.

The start of 2022 National General Election has been delayed by two weeks after the start date was moved to May as officially confirmed by the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC). The PNG Electoral Commissioner Mr. Simon Sinai in a statement released by his office, said the Issue of Writs and Nomination Open is now moved to the 12th of May and not initially scheduled for Thursday April 28th. The statement stated that under the Authority of Section 73 (Writs for General Elections) of the Organic law on National and Local Level Government Elections (Election Laws), the PNGEC advised the Head of State to issue the Writs for the 11th General Election for members of parliament in accordance with the provisions of Section 105 (General Elections) of the country’s constitution.      As per this advice, the new election dates are as follows, The Issue of Writs/ Nomination Opens:           Thursday 12th May 2022 at 4:00pm Nomination Closes:                                        Thursday 19th May 2022 at 4:00pm Polling Period Starts:                                       Saturday 09th July 2022 Polling Period Ends:                                        Friday 22nd July 2022 Return of Writs:                                              Friday 29th July 2022 at 4:00pm     Calculation of Dates, (7days) Period of Nomination                                                 12th May to 19th May 2022 (8 weeks) Period from Issue of Writs to start of Polling Period   12th May to 9th July 2022 (14 days) Period of Polling                                                         09th July to 22nd July 2022 (7 days) Period from End of Polling Period to Return of Writs   23rd July to 29th July 2022 Meanwhile, the number of writs to be issued for the provincial electorates is twenty-two (22), including the National Capital District and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The number of Open Electorate writs to be issued increases from eighty- nine (89) to ninety- six (96) following the 10th Parliament acceptance of the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s recommendations for seven (7) new Open Electorates in line with Section 35 (Open Electorates) and section 41 (Determination of New Electorates) of the Electoral Law.   All together the total number of electorate writs is now one- hundred and eighteen (118) for this 2022 National General Election.

Morata settlement in Port Moresby is a sprawling multi-ethnic settlement inhabited by a mix of Port Moresby’s low-income and middle-income households, the unemployed and those who engage in informal economic activities especially the youth. This PNG NRI Issues Paper No. 40: The situation of young people in Port Moresby’s Morata Informal Settlement and what the government could do to keep them from social evils by Research Intern Julian Melpa and Dr. Francis Odhuno, Senior Research Fellow at Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNG NRI), provides insight into the challenges faced by the youth and reforms needed to assist them at the Morata settlement and elsewhere in the country. The lack of job opportunities and lack of source of income, have led some youth from Morata settlement to engage in criminal activities to sustain themselves and their families. In order to keep the youth away from social evils, the government should consider providing the youth: • More facilities for job opportunities through engaging the youth in community service projects; • Financial support through youth loan schemes to start their own businesses; and • Entrepreneurial training opportunities to enable the youth to have more knowledge on how to manage a business in an efficient and effective manner. The initiatives being promoted here using Morata in Port Moresby as a case study can be applied elsewhere in PNG to address the problem of youth unemployment.

Women’s National Conference football in Papua New Guinea has come to the Highlands, after the first games of the Highlands Conference of the Women’s National Conference Soccer League 2022 took place over the Easter weekend. Whilst the three other conferences that make up PNG’s Women’s National Conference League – the Southern Conference, Northern Conference and NGI Conference – were already in full flow, bringing the league to the Highlands is considered a big step forward for the women’s game in PNG. The Highlands Conference will be contested between six teams – Mommers FC, Goroka FC, Simbu Ambai FC, SHP FC, Hagen FC and Kuri FC. The action got underway over the Easter weekend, with round one and two matches played at the Kimininga Police Barracks Oval in Mount Hagen. Mommers lead the way after two games, after beating Simbu Ambai 7-0 and SHP 2-0. Hagen are currently in second after following up their round one 5-1 win over Kuri with a 1-1 draw against Simbu Ambai. Kuri drew their round two game with Goroka 1-1 to ensure they also have points on the board after the first round of historic fixtures. Whilst the results will catch the eye, just having women’s football of this level in the Highlands region is considered a big win for the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA). The PNGFA have helped facilitate the new league, providing balls, training cones and ball pumps to all six teams – as they have with those in the other conferences. “The women taking part are now part of football history in the Highlands region,” PNGFA vice-president Francis Ank is quoted as saying on the PNGFA Facebook page, in which he commends PNGFA president John Kapi Natto and general secretary Pius Letenge for following through with their vision. With the commencement of the Highlands Conference, the Women’s National Conference is now in full flow. After five rounds of the Southern Conference, NCD Hekari United FC currently lead the way with 15 points from a possible 15, scoring an impressive 42 goals in the process. The Northern Conference is currently led by Lahi Power FC on 10 points after four games just ahead of Bara FC on nine points in second. After four rounds of fixtures in the NGI Conference Kiara FC are top with a 100 per cent record following a midweek 3-1 win over nearest rivals Hamatana FC. The Women’s National Conference Soccer League 2022 continues this weekend.