The National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 'the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) on March 31, 2022. This MoU is a 12-month partnership between Nasfund and CEFI that enables both organizations to work together in providing financial literacy training to Nasfund’s more than 623,000 members. The Fund’s collaboration with CEFI is important as it empowers Nasfund employees to be champion advocates of the savings culture through financial literacy. Commenting on this development, Nasfund CEO Ian Tarutia was pleased with the partnership, which would benefit the Fund’s membership and the communities it operates in. “The importance of saving for retirement is a priority for the Fund, especially when engaging with our members right across the country. Educating our members on the pathway to a comfortable living after active employment,including how much is required to fund a meaningful retirement is a key focus for us. There is also the challenge of the unbanked segment of our population which is being addressed through the BPNG initiative to extend financial inclusion across the country.We support this program and will play our part in increasing coverage.. This is why working alongside CEFI under this partnership is especially meaningful in preparing  our staff to drive financial literacy to our membership. A well-informed membership makes well-informed decisions – this is crucial, especially in retirement.” Under CEFI’s Training of Trainer (TOT) program, 60 selected Nasfund staff will undergo a 5-day training session conducted by CEFI aimed at equipping and upskilling Nasfund staff on the planning, delivery and monitoring of financial literacy training for Nasfund members. CEFI’s reach for financial inclusion through Nasfund’s branch network and continuous engagement with its membership will be extensive. Nasfund is looking forward to working together with CEFI to promote financial inclusion through education. Similar sentiments were shared by CEFI Executive Director Saliya Ranasinghe. “Financial education plays a very important role as it brings new knowledge and changes attitude,” said CEFI Executive Director Mr Saliya Ranasignhe. “We hope this initiative will change the lives of Papua New Guineans to have a better standard of living,” Mr Ranasinghe added.

The Broncos are investigating a fight between star prop Payne Haas and five-eighth Albert Kelly, with two reportedly facing fines and possible suspensions. Foxsports.com.au has obtained the footage of the pair fighting. It’s understood the incident occurred in Sydney after their game against the Bulldogs in Round 2. News Corp reports Haas and Kelly have been asked to explain their actions to the NRL and will be interviewed by the integrity unit. The footage Haas’ left fist making contact with Kelly. The New South Wales Origin forward can also be heard calling Kelly a “f***ing c***.” Kelly was also heard saying: “Why would I step on your shoes?” “It was in was in the foyer of the hotel they were staying at,” Phil Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast. “It was after their Round 2 (game against) the Bulldogs, they were in Sydney and had been out for a couple of beers after the game there was a dispute between the pair. “The problem for the Broncos is it has gone public and the other problem is Payne Haas should be behaving better than he was in that video. To be roughing up, throwing a punch at a little halfback. “In 2019 he was suspended for four matches and fined $20,000 for failing to co-operate with an integrity unit investigation. “Last year he behaved disgracefully and was charged with offensive language and intimidating police at Tweed Head. He was fined $50,000 and suspended for three matches by the NRL. “I’m wondering if there’s a wider problem here and if Payne Haas even wants to be at the Broncos or whether he wants to play for another club (because) he doesn’t appear to be happy there.” Thomas Flegler and Jordan Riki clashed during the Broncos’ 2021 mad Monday celebrations. It was reported at the time that Riki was left “bloodied” and required stitches. Flegler apologised the next day, while CEO Dave Donaghy lashed the behaviour. “If we are fair dinkum about being a world-class sporting organisation, we can’t just talk the talk, we need to walk the walk and that’s everyone,” he said at the time. “We have reported our matters to the NRL integrity unit and the players understand how disappointed I am with what’s happened in recent weeks. “It (improving the individual) is something I am passionate about and it will be an enormous focus for us moving forward.” This latest incident is untimely for Haas who has been in talks with the Broncos over a monster upgrade which would make him the highest-paid forward in the game. The 22-year-old is also no stranger to the integrity unit. He was fined and stood down by the Broncos in 2019 for refusing to co-operate with an investigation being carried out by the integrity unit. He was then fined and banned for three games for intimidating police last year. The Broncos suffered a humiliating 20-6 loss to the Warriors on Saturday afternoon. Source: via Foxsports.com.au

EU Funded UN Joint STREIT Programme in PNG steps up its converging support to rural communities in Papua New Guinea with setting the foundation for an overall integrated Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) strategy for Sandaun Province to strengthen enabling environment for the adoption of digital solutions for improved service provision in rural areas. In this regard, the EU Funded UN Joint STREIT Programme in PNG in close collaboration with provincial partners, including provincial divisions of Agriculture and Livestock; ICT; West Sepik Investment Limited; Commerce; Cocoa Board; Fisheries Authority; and Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority, developed and validated a tailor-made E-Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan for Sandaun Province. Led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the development of the E-Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan helps the country and the province, at the institutional level, to enhance communication and coordination between stakeholders, institutions, and individuals in using ICTs across different sectors impacting agriculture, leveraging a whole-of-government approach. At the infrastructural level, rolling out of this E-Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan provides a vision and plan to address existing challenges in the access to information resources, networks, digital services and platforms that are critical to support policy decisions and innovative services. In addition, it improves the quality and timeliness of data and information availability (in particular for Cocoa, Vanilla and Fisheries) for better decision making, improving the livelihoods of rural farmers. Improving market access, financial services, risk mitigation, disaster management, logistics, and thereby enhancing income generation and improving profitability, are among other major benefits of the adoption of this E-Agriculture Strategy. As part of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme’s mandate to support capacity development, the E-Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan provide a roadmap to strengthen the capacity at all levels for the use of relevant ICT tools and applications for better access to agriculture information and support services, including financial products and services and strengthen the state of consumer protection, privacy and empowerment through clear policies and guidelines. The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, being implemented as a UN Joint Programme (FAO as the leading agency, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region. The Programme aims to help improve the lives of the people from East Sepik and Sandaun provinces, by focusing on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through improved economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains while strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers, including the business environment, and supporting sustainable, climate-proof transport and energy infrastructure development.

The SP PNG Hunters couldn’t reel in a fast starting Brisbane Tigers side in Round 3 of the Hostplus Cup, going down 22-12 to a Brisbane squad stacked with NRL experience at Bycroft Oval on Sunday. The Tigers found the scoreboard early, making the most of some early field position to score through centre Bernard Gregorius. The Hunters responded well, applying pressure with their defence and working upfield effectively through the middle. On the back of this, in the 17th minute and in his debut appearance for the Hunters, halfback Jamie Mavoko orchestrated PNG’s first points with a perfectly weighted grubber kick that Rodick Tai would fall on to score. The Tigers hit back shortly afterwards with George Fai barging his way over the line in the 29th minute to give Brisbane a 12-6 lead going into the break. Just as they did in the first half, the Tigers came out of the sheds quickly to score again through Gregorius right after halftime. Making the most of their field position, Brisbane crossed once more in the 49th minute when winger Solomona Faataape scored to bring his tally to three for the year. The Hunters would finish strongly, dominating field position and possession in the final quarter of the match. Emmanuel Waine showed an immense display of strength to score in the 64th minute and was strong throughout, busting nine tackles and running for 112 metres in an 80 minute effort. Coach’s Comments Although understandably disappointed, Head Coach Matt Church says there are plenty of positives to take from the loss. “We showed that when we hold the ball and get through our sets we can play some footy,” Church said. “We kept ourselves in the contest and if we can execute a little better or a few calls go our way, the results will come.” Church was also pleased with the efforts of all three Hunters debutants tonight; Jamie Mavoko, Matthew Jesse and Anthony Worot. “I thought all our debutants gave a good account of themselves. It’s just reward for a strong preseason and I was pleased with their efforts today,” said Church. Result Brisbane Tigers 22 def. PNG Hunters 12

A great partnership Library Learning Centre has today officially opened its doors to children in Tabubil. In this remote part of Papua New Guinea, high quality books and literacy materials are hard to come by – yet the only way for children to gain information and knowledge. Established by the LikLik Skul Foundation in partnership with StartMart, Kayop Investment Limited, the Tabubil Development Corporation, the Milum community, the Ok Tedi Mining Limited and Buk bilong Pikinini - the new centre ‘Buk bilong Pikinini Fubilan Library’ (named after Mt. Fubilan) - features an Early Childhood Education program, community library services and a school bus. Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) has established more than 20 such Library Learning Centres across Papua New Guinea with its partners and offers a highly efficient – free – Early Childhood Education program to 5-year-old children. In addition to this, the organisation also conducts teacher and community educator training, donates School Library Kits and publishes books especially for PNG children. Most schools in Western Province have empty library shelves - one teacher mentioned that the last time they were able to order books was more than a decade ago in 2009. Miss Cathy Kiri, the principal of Tabubil International School said that: “Literacy is very important especially for the landowner children as after the mine is gone, what will happen to them? She added that these children have never left Tabubil and the library is a window to the world.” She applauded the initiative by the partners and Buk bilong Pikinini to establish the Library and the Early Childhood Learning Centre. It has taken a lot of work to get this Library Learning Centre opened but everyone has pulled together and got it done for the community. Around fifty, five-year-old children from the Tabubil town community and the nearby mine villages will be enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program in April. The children will be attending the program from 8am-2pm every day, which is delivered by Agnes Taiyo - a highly experienced Buk bilong Pikinini Head Teacher-Librarian. The community library is also open for all school children to attend on weekends. To mark the opening of the Library Learning Centre the Buk bilong Pikinini Fubilan Library also received the donation of a 15-seater bus from Maino Lucas of Kayop Investment Limited. The bus will provide the children with much-needed transport from the villages. Ian Middleton, Founding Chair of the Lik Lik Skul Foundation, said: “I am super excited about the Liklik Skul Foundation's partnership with Buk Bilong Pikinini, and the consequent opportunity to deliver improved education outcomes for children in Tabubil town and the surrounding mine villages. BbP is a proven early childhood development program with demonstrated results across many other locations in PNG, and I look forward to seeing these evolve here in Tabubil. I also look forward to growing our partnership and reaching more and more children across Western Province in the years to come. All this would not have been possible without the added generosity of OTML and StarMart and I sincerely thank both organisations. We would not be here today without you all, happy celebrations.” Leanne Resson, BbP Executive Officer said: “We are grateful for the support from all partners in this venture and are looking forward to assisting the children enrolled at the Buk bilong Pikinini Fulbian Library with a comprehensive Early Childhood Education program, giving them the best educational foundation skills for a very bright future indeed.” Anne-Sophie Hermann, BbP Founder and Chairperson said: “As we are celebrating our 15 years of operations this year – we are so excited to have the opportunity to reach children in a location as remote as Tabubil. We will also look forward to be reaching the surrounding communities to assist with improving access to books, literacy materials and training at schools and thereby help to improve learning outcomes. It is vital that all children across Papua New Guinea be given the chance to become literate and enjoy reading about what goes on in the world around them.” Norman Temu, OTML Acting General Manager, People and Capability said: “Ok Tedi Mining Limited recognises the importance of early childhood education and supporting the Tabubil town and mine village communities with improved education from the very beginning is important. There is currently an absence of proper functioning public libraries in PNG, and Tabubil and its surrounding communities are very privileged to have this library established that will go a long way in helping our children.”

The New Ireland Provincial Election Steering Committee has endorsed one day polling for New Ireland Province and is pending approval of the Electoral Commissioner. While reading the statement during the recent New Ireland Legislative Assembly sitting, Deputy Governor Sammy Missen said one day polling is possible for New Ireland Province. “We have conducted one day polling for the 2019 LLG Elections and successfully delivered. With this experience we are ready for one day polling, pending approval from the Electoral Commissioner. “ According to the Election calender Nomination period begins on the 28th of April to the 05th of May. Campaign period for 58 days starting 28th April to the 24th of June. Polling period 4 days from 25th June to 08th July. Counting period 22 days from 09th July to 29th July. Missen said there will be over 142 polling teams covering 142 wards of the LLGs in the Province. With security planning for the 2022 NGE being worked on by the Provincial Police Commander. “Police manpower shortage is a major concern but the option to utilize the auxiliary police and village court peace officers in the province will help.” The counting venues as endorsed by the PESC are Stamper Hall in Namatanai Town for the Namatanai Open seat. National Fisheries college for the Kavieng Open Seat and NIP Regional seat counting will be done at the respective Open electorate counting centres but the counting centres will be maintained at the main tally centre at the National Fisheries college. The New Ireland Government will be allocating over half a million kina to support the Electoral Commission to assist in delivering free, fair and safe election and on time. On administrative support the Provincial Administrator will release all public servants in the Province to assist the PNGEC to conduct the one day election if approved for one day polling by the Electoral Commissioner. Meanwhile the New Ireland Government has established a computerized data management system to record all data from village record books. Data recorded at the beginning of March shows there are a total of 76, 243 eligible voters out of the total population of 170,053 in NIP. 34,756 for Kavieng and 41,487 for Namatanai. However Missen clarified that the data collected was not part of the Electoral Commissions Electoral roll data. Instead it gives an indication on the type of data the village record system is able to capture. 10 village record books from Three LLG’s including Namatanai LLG, Matalai and Sentral are yet to submitted.

Link PNG, a subsidiary of Air Niugini has suspended all its services to Tari airport, Hela Province this week. The decision to suspend flights was made following recent law and order issues in the area. Passengers who have been ticketed to travel are advise to change your travel to the next available flight without penalties. Link PNG normally operates three weekly flights to Tari, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

A new elementary classroom has inspired Simberi island students to dream big. Early learners at Munun Elementary School on the northeast coast of Simberi in New Ireland have increased their appetite for knowledge and the desire for good careers since their new classroom was opened early this year. Co-funded by St Barbara, operator of Simberi gold mine, and the Simberi Mining Area Landowner Association (SMAA), the new classroom is perched on a picturesque hill at Munun village overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Two students, in elementary 2 are excited to complete the year and enrol at Simberi Primary School in 2023 to start grade 3. Florence Magien and Kelvin Tonny say the new classroom and facilities have inspired them to turn up for school on time every school day and participate actively in class. Ten-year-old Florence, from Munun village, says English is her favourite subject and she wants to be a doctor one day. “I know I have to work hard if I want to be a doctor,” said Florence. “But I love my new school. I am very happy to learn here.” Kelvin, fellow 10-year-old Munun youngster, loves math and dreams to be a mechanic one day working at Simberi mine. “I thank everyone for building the classroom. I want to study hard and become a mechanic one day and work on trucks at the mine,” Kelvin said timidly. Mrs Ruth Belas, teacher-in-charge who also teaches the kindy and prep class, says the new classroom and new desks have certainly lifted the spirts of the children and the community. “When we the teachers see the children turn up bright and early every morning ready for class, we feel obligated to match their enthusiasm even though we are not paid. “Early learning is the foundation of a child’s education. Elementary school is where we must have good classrooms, resources, and qualified teachers to prepare young children in kindy and pre-school to elementary 1 and 2 before they enter primary school. “We thank St Barbara, SMAA and the community for working together on this new classroom which our children are enjoying and benefiting from.” “We are aware that we need specialised training to work with our early learners and we hope we get help soon from the provincial education department for the sake of these children,” said Mrs Belas. St Barbara and SMAA are also building another elementary school on the southeast coast of Simberi to cater for children from that part of the island. As part of its commitment to building stronger communities, St Barbara also supports the Simberi Primary School. Since 2015, St Barbara has contributed over K310 million in community benefits including royalties, tertiary education scholarships, business development, community infrastructure, local employee wages and salaries, and compensation to the communities of Simberi, Tatau and Big Tabar islands.

The 2022 Digicel Cup Franchise Managers Conference was hosted on Wednesday at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby with the theme of the Conference being “Taking the Game Higher.” A total of 11 Franchise Managers together with PNGRFL executives gathered to discuss and come up with better ways in which to manage and improve the quality and level of the country’s only semi-professional rugby league competition. The main highlights of the conference included the announcement of the Digicel Cup 5 Year Strategic Plan, the PNGRFL Banis Protocol for the Digicel Cup Competition as well as the new Organizational Structure for the NRLC. Franchise Managers expressed numerous concerns regarding the overall management of the competition from players’ welfare and professional development to improving administration and operations of the Digicel Cup Competition going forward. Lae Snax Tigers Franchise Manager Mr Joe Krammer expressed concerns regarding the salary cap limit for each Digicel Cup player. He further queried if the PNGRFL could come up with a salary ceiling guideline which franchises can use as a guide to come up with salary packages which commensurate with each players’ level of performance. “If the PNGRFL can come up with a ceiling as to how much a player can be paid depending on their level of skills and experience, franchises can then know how to safely compensate their players.” “If they have this guide, they will be able to make better decisions for their teams and not have to end up losing their best players to other well advantaged Digicel Cup Franchises who are able to compensate players better,” Mr Krammer said. The Snax Tigers Franchise Manager raised this concern after noticing the movement of best players every year to franchises who are financially sound thus resulting in other young franchises having to struggle during the season with their younger, inexperienced teams. He said this movement by best players in search of the best contract deals then makes the competition less competitive as they are all now cramped up in three or four financially stable teams while the rest of the teams have only a few stronger players and said that this makes the competition a little unfair. PNGNRLC General Manager Mr Ora Gairo said the issue of salary cap will be looked into as well as other important matters discussed and better processes put in place to manage these as the competition progresses throughout the year. He said for now, franchises must work with their players to ensure player registration is complete and vaccination cards presented for each player in time for the commencement of the competition on the 17th of April 2022.

The Government will introduce amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act to include provisions for Unexplained Wealth. Minister for Justice Bryan Kramer said the Prime Minister James Marape has directed that these changes be made and brought before Parliament to be passed. “The Unexplained Wealth provisions when passed under the Proceeds of Crime Act, will be used against public officials whose wealth exceeds that which cannot be explained by their legitimate income.” “The organisers and beneficiaries of financially motivated crimes are often very good at distancing themselves from criminal activity and concealing their source of wealth.” “They are seldom directly involved in criminal activity, but will profit significantly from it. Even those who are directly involved can commit crimes without leaving an evidentiary trail or destroy that trail.” “People who profit from crime but cannot be proven to have committed it, should not be able to keep the benefits of their activities unless they can prove that their wealth has been legitimately acquired,” Minister Kramer said. The key features of the Unexplained Wealth provision are: • The unexplained wealth provisions will apply to public officials as given the meaning under the Organic Law on ICAC. • The State may apply to the Court for an unexplained wealth order against a public official. This application may be made in conjunction with an application for a restraining order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, or at any other time. That is, a restraining order does not need to have been made in order to apply for an unexplained wealth declaration. • The Court must make an order against a public official if the Court is satisfied that there is a reasonable suspicion that: (a) The public official— (i) has engaged in one or more serious crime related activities; or (ii) has acquired, without giving sufficient consideration, serious crime derived property from a serious crime related activity of someone else, whether or not the person knew or suspected the property was derived from illegal activity; and (b) any of the public official’s current or previous wealth was acquired unlawfully. • The value of unexplained wealth is calculated by subtracting the person’s lawfully acquired wealth from their total wealth. • The amount so calculated must be paid to the Government. This debt may be satisfied (wholly or in part) through the confiscation of property covered by a restraining order under the Proceeds of Crime Act. It is otherwise payable to the State. • There will be a safeguard in the provision to allow the Court to refuse to make an unexplained wealth order if the Court is satisfied that it will not be in the public interest to make the order. “These amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act are not a panacea-a solution to all our corruption issues. They are however, important changes to legislation that are designed to complement other laws such as the Whistle Blower Act, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act,” Minister Kramer said. “Prime Minister Marape has led the efforts of this Government to curb corruption, and the new laws, and the Unexplained Wealth provisions to go before Parliament, demonstrate that political will.” All these measures by the Government have seen PNG’s ranking on the global Corruption Perception Index move 18 places from 142 in 2020 to 124 out of 180 countries by 2021.

The National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) is committed to effectively roll out the Small Craft Act 2011 in the 15 Maritime Provinces in Papua New Guinea to ensure safety standards at sea are adhered to by owners of small crafts. Effective implementation of the Act in all 15 Maritime Provinces is one of the key objectives of NMSA’s operations, in particular, the safety program that aims to improve safety while traveling at sea. NMSA provides the overall leadership to ensure the Act is effectively implemented by the respective provincial governments through the establishment of Provincial Small Craft Registration Boards. The Provincial Small Crafts Registration Boards are tasked to promote safety by ensuring that owners of all small crafts who ferry passengers are registered, licensed and monitored. During the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council’s (CIMC) Sea Transport Sub-Committee meeting held recently, NMSA revealed that the number of incidents at sea was lower than the previous years after the roll out of the Act. The Act empowers Provincial Governments to enact safety guidelines and rules for small craft operators and their passengers; gives them the power to prosecute those not complying with the Act; and planning on infrastructures that can confine or provide designated berthing bay for the small craft to maintain order. The subcommittee heard that 14 out of the 15 Maritime Provinces in PNG have all implemented the Act in collaboration with the NMSA. The only province that has not implemented the Act is Madang Province though numerous calls were made to the Governor and his administration highlighting the importance of setting up the Provincial Small Crafts Registration Board. The Subcommittee while commending the efforts of NMSA, expressed its disappointment that Madang has been experiencing the highest sea incidents according to statistics presented by the NSMA including loss of many innocent lives in the last few years, yet it does not see this as important and life saving measure. Therefore the Subcommittee called on the Governor, Peter Yama, the Open Members of Parliament for Madang Province and the Madang Provincial Administration to set this up immediately before the elections as a gift to the people of Madang.

Police in the West New Britain Province are prepared to deliver a free, fair and safe 2022 National General Election, said Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector John Iara. Mr Iara said the provincial command has in place policing strategies to provide the security overlay required by the PNG Electoral Commission and the people of West New Britain. Mr Iara commended Police Commissioner David Manning for trusting the various police commands to deliver the country’s 12th National General Election. After all, he said this is not new and the police together with its sister disciplined forces have delivered 11 national general elections for the country so far. Mr Iara said the provincial police command knows what its requirements are and have now gone into the pre-election phase of conducting election awareness to educate voters on election related offences as well as address general law and order issues as part of election preparation. “This helps gain the trust and gives confidence to the citizens,” Mr Iara said. He said his command has no problem with the new Nakanai District created recently by the National Parliament as a result of the increase in population. He said Police have gone along with the Provincial Electoral team to prepare the polling locations in the new district. However, police are yet to conduct awareness into parts of Kandrian-Gloucester District as they are still waiting for the election funding. The district is made up of inland islands mostly accessible by boats. He also stated that they are low on manpower and awaiting approval from the Police headquarters to use police reservists. The PPC said despite these challenges his men and women are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities during the election and are prepared to deliver. “We’ve done this before and we will do it again this year,” said a confident PPC Iara.