The Lae and Goroka based distance runners along with NSI based sprinter Pais Wisil were in Port Moresby last weekend for PNG Air Sponsored trials to gauge their progress towards the Pacific Mini Games in June. The highlights were another high quality mens 1500m race with Aquila Turalom just getting the better of George Yamak to win in 4min 06.7 secs and a great effort from Wilford Baia in the steeplechase with a time of 9min 56.3 secs. Turalom finished second in 10mins 08 and the weekend also saw another solid 5000m performance from Dilu Goiye. In the girls races Ongan Awa and Scholastica Herman have maintained the good form they showed at the National Championships in Kimbe last December and look set to improve their times as they move into the next phase of training. Officials were pleased to see three girls finishing closely together in the 2000m race with Aina Goir pushing Awa all the way to the line. With Mary Tenge also coming back to form over in Rabaul, the womens distance squad for the Games is taking shape. Mens and Womens Discus National Record Holders DeBono Paraka and Sharon Toako also took the opportunity to gauge their own progress at this stage in their respective preparations. In the mens sprints Terrence Talio impressed in the 200m to win the race in 22.1 from Pais Wisil and then put in a strong finish to overhaul Wisil right on the line in the 300m with an excellent time of 35.4 secs. The athletes are now looking forward to next weeks training camp at the National Sports Institute. Big thanks to PNG Air for sponsoring the athletes’s flights into the Capital.

The National Government has granted a Special Purpose Lease to Newcrest’s wholly owned subsidiary Lihir Gold Limited (LGL), which now allows the company to develop the Londolovit Township on Lihir Island further. Minister for Department of Lands and Physical Planning, Mr John Rosso, handed over the Special Purpose Lease (SPL) for Portion 1021 in Lihir, Namatanai, to LGL in Port Moresby last week. “On behalf of the Department, I thank Newcrest Lihir and key Lihir stakeholders for seeking our assistance with the consolidation and grant of the SPL for Portion 1021,” said Mr Rosso. “Newcrest Lihir is the first mining project in the country to have considered planning and developing a town with post-mine closure in mind; I commend Newcrest for taking this approach,” added Mr Rosso. The consolidation and granting of the SPL are the first phase of a project that would ultimately create a sustainable future for the people of Lihir post-mine closure. Newcrest Lihir embarked on this project following consultations with key stakeholders on Lihir. The process involved the conversion of two Agricultural Leases for Portions 422 and 717, held by LGL, to the consolidated SPL. The first subdivision of the SPL will see the development and grant of approximately 100 state leases to the Kapit families affected by mining activities. The second subdivision will further develop Londolovit township to boost economic growth. “I am delighted that Newcrest is committed to utilising the state lease to achieve these outcomes. DLPP committed to delivering the consolidated title to you (Newcrest), and we are proud to have delivered on our commitment. We will continue to support you at every stage of the project,” Mr Rosso said. Additionally, Mr Rosso encouraged his technical teams within DLPP to develop a long-term partnership that would benefit all stakeholders in the project. He also urged Lihirian people to support the project. “Lihirian communities, take ownership of this project and support it because this township (Londolovit) is important for the generations of Lihirians yet to come,” he said. In partnership with the Nimamar Local Level Government (NLLG), DLPP and other key stakeholders, Newcrest Lihir is preparing to continue with other project phases, which include town planning and surveying. Newcrest Lihir General Manager, Mr Johan Labuschagne, received the SPL on behalf of the company and thanked the DLPP Minister, his team, and key stakeholders for collaborating on this project. “We are delighted as a company and the first mining project to achieve this outcome as it sets the trend for future projects. Owning this Special Purpose Lease is a unique situation in PNG. We are fully committed to creating a sustainable and positive legacy through this lease,” said Mr Labuschagne. “We are proud of this achievement and look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure Londolovit Township becomes a prosperous town, supporting our mining operation now and post-life of mine,” he added.

A 28-year-old female suspect was arrested and charged for allegedly stealing K29,890.00 by fraud, says Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Daniel Yangen. Mr Yangen said the suspect was arrested and charged with one count of stealing under Section 406 (a) of the PNG Criminal Code (PNGCC), Chapter 262 and placed in the Mendi Police cell. She was later released on K500 bail. Mr Yangen said the 28-year-old suspect is from Wombu village in Poroma, Nipa Kutubu District of the Southern Highlands Province. Police allege that between the 16th of October 2017 to the 12th of January 2022 the suspect gave her BSP Kundu Card to a finance company operating in Mendi, Southern Highlands and obtained a loan of K29,890. Police alleged the suspect also obtained loans from two other finance companies and this affected her loan repayments. The finance company lodged a formal police complaint at the Provincial Fraud Unit. The police investigated and arrested the suspect.

Preparations for the 2022 National General Elections in the West Sepik Province are progressing well and on track, says West Sepik Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Joe Poema. Mr Poema said the Provincial Election Steering Committee (PESC) was established and has been identifying hotspot areas, gathering information and intelligent reports. He said they were conducting election briefings weekly to ensure policemen and women are taking ownership of the security aspect of the election before going into the election and the polling periods. “I am taking a bottom-up approach involving Police Station Commanders (PSCs), Officer in Charge (OICs), Section Heads, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and other partners in the security planning briefings to ensure they provide us with weekly situation reports,” Mr Poema said. Mr Poema said the members of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in the province were deployed to the Edwaki area in the Telefomin District to access and collect intelligent reports on the killings of a policeman and two locals last year due to confrontations between Police Mobile Squad members and villagers. He said the area was left volatile and seen as a hotspot so the CID officers were deployed there to collect intelligent reports. He said these assessment reports would assist them in the deployment of the security personnel during the polling periods. Mr Poema said policemen were on standby to travel to Telefomin station this week under the sponsorship of Telefomin District Development Authority (DDA) to conduct awareness and gather intelligent assessment reports. They will remain there till the end of this month. He said if there is air transport support then they will go to Oksapmin, Yapsie and the Numea Local Level Government areas as well to conduct awareness campaigns and risk assessments.

Local NGO and program delivery partner to National Department of Health, Hope Worldwide PNG donated 500 reading books for the children in the Surgical and Oncology Pediatric wards at the Port Moresby General Hospital this week. PMGH Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Beena Dagam thanked Hope Worldwide PNG for their kind donation saying, “We have a little library section downstairs for the kids and now it would be nice to add these books to our small collection on the shelves so that children can learn and be entertained, while receiving medical treatment here”. Hope Worldwide PNG Country Director Priscilla Sine Mal presented the books and said, “This is yet another donation from HOPE worldwide PNG to PMGH through Friends of POMGEN. Many children who are admitted here do not have anything to pass the time or for learning so with this donation, we hope it will put a smile on the children’s faces”. PMGH Pediatric Oncologist Dr. Gwenda Anga also present to receive on behalf of the Children’s Cancer Ward thanked Hope Worldwide PNG, Dr. Dagam and Friends of POMGEN for facilitating this donation. “Some children spend a long time in the hospital, so these books provide support beyond their medical needs”, said Doctor. Anga.

The non-resident Ambassador-designate of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Mr Merzak Belhimeur, recently visited The University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus to discuss ways for effective collaboration. Ambassador Belhimeur said he wanted to take partnership with USP and its member countries to an entirely new level and is ready to facilitate efforts to formalise this endeavour. He added that Algeria is interested in widening its collaboration within the Pacific region in higher education and research. Algeria has 15 universities ranked in the overall Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Ambassador Belhimeur also mentioned the South-South and Triangular Cooperation and Algeria’s commitment to making a positive impact. USP’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Regional Campuses and Global Engagement) Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Pāunga, welcomed Ambassador Belhimeur on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia and relayed his good wishes. Dr Pāunga briefed the Ambassador on the University’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 and the University’s commitment to improving student experience, research collaboration and student exchange. He added that the University welcomes collaboration with the Algerian government and hopes to see the partnership leading to the culmination of initiatives to strengthen USP’s ability to provide quality education in the region. “USP, as the premier institution of higher learning for the Pacific, is very much interested in Algeria’s research experience that our students can learn from and share to benefit the region,” he said. The two parties have agreed to find ways to strengthen collaboration in the areas of students exchange, scholarships and projects.

The Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) continues to support its employees in gaining new skills and knowledge to serve customers better. Trainings are part of the Company’s ongoing commitment in improving customer service. Seven MVIL officers received certificates from the International Training Institute (ITI) after completing customer and telephone skills training recently. “One of the important things we learnt is our role in educating customers. Hence, we are ready to educate customers about the Company and the products and services we offer,” certificate recipient and MVIL Administration Officer Dulcie John said. “The information we provide allows customers to easily access the services they opt to acquire. The same applies to our staff internally. This allows business to be done on time without disappointments or delays considering the specific processes to follow and requirements to meet.” Ms John said the training involved self-assessment and evaluation which has helped her see what needs to be improved to better serve others, externally and internally. xShe encouraged all frontline officers to attend such training to motivate them as it did to her and her colleagues.

Police in the Milne Bay Province are ready for the issue of the 2022 National General Election set to be issued within a few weeks-time, says the Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Peter Barkie. Commander Barkie confirmed that the election momentum in the provincial capital of Alotau has pick-up with increasing movement of people and intending candidates into the province and within the town area. “We have already commenced the pre-election awareness in partnership with other key stakeholders in the province. A combined team of officials from the PNG Electoral Commission, Police and the Provincial Disaster Office have been visiting schools and hot-spots areas in the province educating people of the election offences and the ‘do’s and don’ts’,” Mr Barkie said. The PPC said Milne Bay is a challenging province to police given its geography and scattered atolls islands. “We are also pleading with the people for their willingness and cooperation for a successful and peaceful outcome for the 2022 elections,” Mr Barkie concluded.

On Wednesday 30 March, the New Zealand High Commissioner, Phillip Taula, and PNG Power Management accompanied by the Member for Rigo, Hon. Lekwa Gure and representatives from the PNG Electrification Partnership, visited Hula to commission the recently completed Hula section of the New Zealand-funded Rural On-Grid Extension Project in Central Province. The project was implemented by PNG Power under the PNG Electrification Partnership. Beginning in 2016, the K40 million Rural On-Grid Extension Project extends the Port Moresby Grid into Central Province, delivering new electricity connections across four project sites covering Bisiatabu to Owers Corner, Sabusa to Brown River Station and Tubuseria to Kwikila, and in 2018 the project scope was extended to include Hula. “Electricity service is non-existent in most rural parts of PNG and the rural population must therefore resort to locally available fuel for their energy needs." "Access to affordable and reliable electricity can significantly improve their lives and enable economic growth." "Given the challenging geography of rural PNG and the high cost of service delivery, PNG Power welcomes assistance from the PEP to extend the national grid into rural areas,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer, Obed Batia. The project’s goal is to provide economic and social benefits to the rural populace through the provision of electricity supply and the target was to construct approximately 86km of new medium voltage distribution lines and connect around 5,600 rural households, as well as schools, health centres and SME activities, with Minimum Supply Kits (including Easipay meters). “I’m very pleased to see the project nearing completion and to see it appears likely to exceed the original connections target” said New Zealand High Commissioner Phillip Taula. “The PEP is focused on delivering high impact investments while ensuring improved coordination and governance within the energy sector to bring about transformative change." "The Rural On-Grid Extension Project’s focus on supporting transparent and fair procurement processes, and utilising local contractors and suppliers, is well aligned with this and I commend PPL for continuing to progress the project in spite of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic." The High Commissioner and PNG Power conveyed their appreciation to the Member for Rigo and the Member for Kairuku – Hiri Hon. Peter Isoaimo for their ongoing collaboration on this important project. The PNG Electrification Partnership is delivering projects that provide sustainable and transformative change. The Governments of Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the United States are working together through the PEP to assist PNG meet its electrification target of 70% electrification by 2030. Projects are aimed at: expanding and improving the electricity grid; building institutional capacity, and strengthening policy and regulatory settings; and providing clean energy to rural and remote communities.

To fulfill its commitment to diversity and inclusion, St Barbara, operator of Simberi gold mine in New Ireland has announced a generous parental leave package for its employees. Women staff can now take four months fully paid maternity leave to recover from pregnancy and childbirth while bonding with their babies while the men are entitled to 15 days paid paternity leave. Employees are required to complete their six month-probation to be entitled to the parental leave. It is believed, the four-month fully paid maternity leave incentive is the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea and both men and women employees are grateful to St Barbara for introducing the ground-breaking policy. Some employees who have successfully completed their probation are already benefiting from the scheme while others like accounts clerk Sainian Wurlima looks forward to making the most of the opportunity when her turn comes. Sainian, who has been working at the Simberi operation since 2009, is five months away from having her third baby and is overwhelmed by the good news. “I am very grateful for this incentive. On behalf of my family, I say a big thank you to St Barbara for giving recognition to us, women employees, and understanding the challenges we go through in juggling motherhood and career,” said a very happy Sainian who flies to the mine to work from Kokopo in East New Britain. “It is a great incentive for mothers and babies, especially those with complications. I believe it is a first in PNG and I say how lucky my women colleagues are for being employed by St Barbara,” said accountant and local Tabar islander Paskalis Maradangoi. Payroll officer Margaret Kupo described the parental leave as a unique advantage for mothers and dads and reminded her colleagues to give back to the company in return. “Our company has given us women a unique blessing. I call on fellow women staffers to enjoy it, but not abuse it,” said Margaret. “Once you return to work after four months of resting and bonding with your babies, do your part by remaining committed to your work and giving your best.” St Barbara, an ASX 200 company, is the only Australian mining company to be recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). The company has received this citation for seven consecutive years running and is an initial signatory to the WGEA Pay Equity Pledge. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Craig Jetson says the latest citation confirms the Company’s commitment to addressing pay equity and ensuring gender equality in recruitment, promotions, and reward and recognition. “I feel privileged to have joined a company that is leading the mining industry when it comes to gender equality. As the only mining company to receive the citation again this year, I strongly encourage more resource companies to participate in the WGEA Employer of Choice program to discover the benefits diversity brings to innovation, engagement and performance.”

Blackouts at the Cheshire DisAbility Services in Port Moresby are now a thing of the past – thanks to Newcrest Mining Limited. Cheshire DisAbility Services provides crucial services to people with disabilities, both within Port Moresby and surrounding communities. It is a non-government organisation that relies solely on donations for its operations. Newcrest Mining Limited recently donated a new generator, which will ease their electricity woes during black outs in Port Moresby. Cheshire DisAbility Services General Manager Bernard Ayieko expressed their sincere thanks and gratitude for the donation, as it was crucial to have for Cheshire Homes to have a reliable source of electricity. “Cheshire is an organisation that operates like a hospital. The facility does not close down – we have carers who work on shift, day and night, meaning that at all times, day and night the power has to be on.” Mr Ayieko thanked Newcrest Mining for the timely donation. “This is the first time that Cheshire has received a brand new genset. It’s like you heard our cries because we used to have a lot of problems with PNG Power, going off and on. “We have had some serious problems, including some of our electronics getting spoilt because of the constant black outs. “When the new generator first came on, I didn’t know whether it was working because we are used to have everything shaking when the old genset was on. With this new one, you cannot tell because it is nice and quiet. Mr Ayieko also conveyed the thanks and appreciation of Governor General Sir Bob Dadae, Patron of the Cheshire Disability Services, to Newcrest Mining Limited for the timely donation. Newcrest Mining representative Mr Borone Isana officiated on the occasion, reiterating the Newcrest value of caring about people and working together. He commended Cheshire DisAbility Services for continuing to provide such critical care to the residents and operating with limited resources “Newcrest is happy to support the Cheshire Disability Services with the donation of this generator, thank you again and congratulations to you and your team for the work you do here” Mr Isana said.

The Sumkar district in Madang has submitted its 2020 District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) acquittal reports of K5.3 million to the Department of Implementation & Rural Development (DIRD) yesterday. The report basically specifies how the district integrate their development priorities in line with the national development requirement particularly to implement every project at the district level as per the Medium- Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2018-2022. The K3.74 million was carried forward from the 2019 unspent funds which the reports were submitted together with the K5.0 million received in 2020. While presenting the fiscal reports, local MP Chris Yerr Nangoi stressed that delivering of basic government services to geographically isolated maritime district like Sumkar in Madang province, is arduous as there were delays in transportation of building materials to implement some of their projects on the outer islands. “Much of the DSIP funds were utilized on arranging freight costs including addressing social issues, however the funds were spent on its intended purposes, and that we have implemented many community development projects in which we let the communities take ownership to implement themselves so they become custodians and implementers, at the same time we’re empowering them,” Mr. Nangoi said. He said most of the projects were selected through impact programs categorized in their priority areas of education, health, law & justice, agriculture & economic and infrastructure programs based on their District Development Authority budgets and meeting minutes resolutions. The district has implemented 16 projects under education, 9 projects under health, two projects under law & justice, one under agriculture and economics and 8 projects under infrastructure. MP Nangoi also highlighted some impact projects that would sustain the livelihood of the people are; - Funding for Kinim District Headquarter Building - Rural electrification/power extension program (Mirap- Tokain) - Commodity Price Support Program on Copra - Kapa Masin Factory building project installed with electricity - SME grant assistance to support informal sector - Rural Water Supply Project - Lucas Mills for School Support Programs - Tertiary Students School fee subsidies - Rehabilitation and construction of double classrooms, health centres, ambulances for health centres, police station maintenance and supporting church projects and activities in the district. Acting District Administrator Kuwak Kuagili thanked the departments of Treasury, Finance, Planning & Monitoring and DIRD for the timely release of these development grants to the district for swift implementation of these impact projects. “DSIP is a unique program initiated by the national government, which has been gazetted to be implemented at the district through DDAs as the legitimate body, who has the power and authority to select and approve all project submission and proposals,” he said. Mr. Kuagili said the aim of such program is to sustain and improve the poor infrastructure conditions as well as other needed programs at the district both the institutional level and at the village or community base. “We are happy to work with DIRD as the department is always on forefront to provide technical advise when we face implementation constrains and DIRD is always there to guide and supervise which 90% of our projects were successfully completed,” he added. The district is yet to submit its 2021 DSIP acquittal reports.