Arrangements for persons with disability (PWDs) to vote in the upcoming National General Elections has not been made clear as yet by the PNG Electoral Commission raising concerns from the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNGADP). A report by the Media Development Initiative stated that PNGADP Co-chair Jacqueline Garoau had said that there has not been efficient consultations with the PNGEC around disability access to polling and enrolment. In the 2017 National General Elections in NCD, PWDs were allowed to vote in a separate polling station at the Cheshire Disability Services at Hohola. This was the only station for the whole of NCD and the polling team received only half of the ballot papers they requested for in addition to their request to have two more polling stations in each of the other two electorates. Cheshire Disability Services have also confirmed that there is yet to be a similar arrangement with the PNGEC for the 2022 NGE. The report concluded in questioning whether or not there is a strategy in place for ensuring PDWs have access to polling and enrolling and how and where those who live in remote areas will be able to access polling venues to post their votes.

Access to quality childcare and education can have a remarkably positive impact on children, especially for those children who face developmental, physical or economic challenges. Ten years ago, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) saw the opportunity to address this need to partner with Buk Bilong Pikinini (BbP) Children’s Libraries, with an emphasis on serving children from diverse backgrounds and with diverse needs as part of the banks community values. The partnership has seen BSP supporting BbP in funding its operations at 3 libraries in Lae (Unitech), Manus & Goroka since 2012. This year, BbP celebrates its 15 years of establishment in the country since in 2007, whilst recognising the 10 years of continued support by BSP as platinum sponsors of the program. Speaking at the anniversary celebration and Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) signing at the BbP Library Centre in Lae Unitech Campus, Leanne Resson Executive Officer for BbP said, “Fifteen (15) years ago we opened doors with limited resources for children, today we have facilities and resources to care for the number of children we have each year. Less than 10% of our enrollment is also reserved for children with special needs. Thank you BSP for the continued support.” “All we want is to provide quality, affordable, childcare, pre-school education for families of all economic backgrounds with a mission to help increase literacy rates in PNG. We are keen to provide an opportunity for the most vulnerable children in society by opening to doors of their young minds high quality children's books as well as educational toys and craft materials,” Resson said. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming also present at the celebration commended the BbP for the wonderful work in empowering and educating children who are the future of this nation. “We understand that from current early years’, children learn best through play-based learning. Early learning programs delivered by qualified educators make a big difference to children’s outcomes. And, in the right environment, under the guidance of passionate and qualified educators, children will learn valuable skills to help them have a confident and successful start to school. We believe BbP has it all,” said Fleming. Fleming added: “We are pleased that we have invested in a program that contributes to the development of our people and community, and even more about educating our children on the innovative early childhood learning and providing children with the skills they will need for the emerging world.”

THE Port Moresby General Hospital Emergency Department has reported receiving one casualty and 16 injured persons from a motor vehicle accident early this morning. The majority of the 16 injured were students from Badihagwa Secondary School and the lone casualty is the bus driver who was pronounced dead upon arrival. Acting Emergency Department coordinator Dr. Duncan Sengiromo said that the students were in shock and some were in tears but fortunately, they only suffered minor cuts and bruises. “One of the students just returned been confirmed to suffer from fracture of both legs (bilateral tibial fractures). That’s the only serious one. The rest are soft tissue injuries,” Dr. Sengiromo said. He added that others passengers unaccounted for may not have suffered any serious injuries hence they did not present at the Emergency Department. Picture: Tasminnie ISIMELI

Port Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel was arrested and charged for murder and locked up at the Boroko Police Station cells today. Commander NCD/Central Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Junior said the MP was invited to Boroko. Police station, escorted to the NCD Homicide section and charged today under section 300 sub section (1) (b)(ii) of the PNG Criminal Code Act. The firearm is owned and licensed to the Member of Parliament. Mr Wagambie said the investigators had to piece together information and evidence before effecting the arrest today. At the time of the incident, the MP was in the company of one of his staff and the deceased. Commander Wagambie said while we understand the emotions and public outcry through different forms of media, the Constabulary has a Constitutional duty to perform and must remain focused throughout the investigation. He stated that Police Investigators had to gather evidence and information to ensure that the right person is charged for discharging the firearm resulting in death. The Member for Moresby North West has been detained at Boroko Police Station cell and refused Police bail. His staff member, is currently being interviewed.

35 teams participating in the 2022 Toti soccer cup underway will have at least 2 days free meal including breakfast and dinner courtesy of Prima Smallgoods and Goodman Fielders International. Both companies who are support sponsors of the annual Lae Biscuit Company sponsored Toti invitational soccer tournament supplied bales of rice and flour as well cartons of Prima sausages to the rest of the participating teams opening day one of the challenge yesterday (16/03/22) in Lae City. The Lae Biscuit Company as well supplied cartons of Toti biscuits to the rest of the teams and officials enough to give them a satisfying start to each day of the duration of the tournament. But above all the approach by the Lae Biscuit Company and its support sponsors to supplicate teams with rations only happens in the Toti Cup tournament lessening the burden on teams to dig deeper in their pockets and concentrate more on giving their best efforts in the field of play over the week-long challenge. As is the main aim of the tournament to attract rural Morobe teams, the 2022 challenge at the Lae Football Association grounds is already a positive attraction of 35 teams, adding three more teams compared to last year. As the 3rd Toti Cup gets underway for the next 4 days, a greater eyeing will be on the rural teams and this year we have had a massive turnout of 7 teams coming in from Markham and two from Finschaffen participating. Other teams from the fringes of Lae City coming from Nasuapum to Situm, Busu to Sipaiya and Backroad to Kamkumung as well within Lae City compounds. Heading into second day today, the 8 pools Toti cup tournament is proudly sponsored and promoted by the Lae Biscuit Company and supported by Goodman Fielders International and Prima Smallgoods Company. This is the core tournament scouting rural talents to enlist in the development programs for defending National Soccer league champions, Lae City FC.

The New Ireland Government was saddened to hear about the passing of one of its former member of parliament, strong People’s Progress Party man and much loved Son of New Ireland Ben Micah this morning while sitting for its final Assembly sitting before the National Elections. New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan interrupted the house as a matter of public importance after receiving the news through a note passed onto him by the clerk of the Legislative Assembly. “Ben Micah was a great man. He was a great orator who did a lot for New Ireland and this country in his various capacities,” said Sir J. When Sir J was Prime Minister from 1992 to 1997, Ben Micah was a member of the Constitutional Law Reform Commission becoming Chairman in 1996. “I could not find a better Chairman when I spoke about the law or things affecting the lives of the people and he was the right man for the job. It was a privilege working with him. We can never take away the work he did for this country. Because of him we have Provincial Governments today,” said Sir J. Sir J also revealed that he worked closely with Micah so that they could change the Governance system of Papua New Guinea so that the Prime Minister could be elected by the people emulating countries like the Republic of Singapore. Micah was also sent to the United Nations as Sir J’s special envoy when Sir J was Prime Minister. "I recall him telling me about his chance meeting with Fidel Castro, I think that's where he adopted his signature suit dressing from." Micah was a vocal student advocate when he was a student leader at the University of Technology, standing up for the rights of the voiceless. Sir J recalled that "many of ‘Ben’s’ protest were actually against him but he respected his position. Ben would never leave an issue without a fight. The saying “Evil prevails when good men do nothing was true for Ben,” said Sir J. Micah was the Chief of staff during Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s time. He later stood for the National elections in 2012 and was elected as the Kavieng Open MP. He served as State Owned Enterprise and Investment Minister and later joined the Opposition ranks. Sir J passed his condolence along with all fellow New Irelanders to Micah’s family and the people of Murat. The Assembly stood in silence for one minute in honour of late Ben Micah before adjourning the house to the 7th of September. Micah passed away this morning at 10:15 from a heart attack while hospitalized at Pacific International Hospital. Story supplied: NIPG Media Unit

With the up-coming 2022 National General Elections, many Papua New Guineans want to see changes after the elections when respected members & governors voted into parliament settle in their newly appointed seats as the voice for their people. Mr Gairo Kapana Provincial HIV/AIDS Coordinator Central Provincial Health Authority (CPHA) said from experience as a health worker going around the 5 districts in the province, most of the infrastructures are in poor conditions and need immediate renovations. “Manpower is also a day-to-day problem that is faced. Clinical staffs are not checking patients properly due to shortage of staff,” said Mr Kapana. He also added that, people from the outer villages in the province cannot make it into town due to no transportation or given the common reason that the main hospitals (POM GEN/Gerehu Hospital) are too far to reach. In line with the countries goal to end HIV/AIDS by the year 2050, Mr Kapana said they are currently looking at 270 clients in the ART program from the 16 sites in the province with most of these clients aged between 20 to 35 years of age. Mr Kapana believes that there are youths/young people out there that are living with HIV but don’t know their status due to stigma and discrimination and not much awareness being carried out on this important area of concern.

Plates, bowls and spoons made from betelnut palms, hand-painted coconut shell earrings, paintings on bedsheet canvasses, and double-choc granola bars made from local spices, cocoa and other ingredients are the four PNG-made products to emerge as winners at the judging of the Lily ‘Homemade’ Competition today. The winners are: 1. Wearable – Coconut shell earrings by Daphne Vela, 31, Earth and Ocean Crafts PNG, Boroko, Port Moresby 2. Useful – Betelnut tree plates, bowls and spoons by Geno Geno, 38, The Seed Supplier, Gereka, Port Moresby 3. Artistic – Paintings created on homemade canvasses of secondhand white bedsheets thickened with white paint by Rayleen Taniung, 27, Ray’s Art Haven, Arawa, AROB 4. Edible – Granola/granola bars by Renata Laveil, 36, Sip Beverages, Korobosea, Port Moresby Judges including local chef Julz Henao and fashion designers Tabu Pelei Warupi and Annette Sete inspected about 20 products sent in from across PNG before joining Lily Magazine editor Margo Nugent in announcing the winners at Moore Printing’s haus win at midday. All four winners received a K250 gift voucher from Brian Bell Homecentres, presented by brand ambassador Leon Gawi. The product search held throughout December last year generated over 200 entries across the categories of Wearable, Useful, Artistic and Edible. Ms Nugent said the idea behind the competition was to give exposure through the platform of Lily women’s magazine to innovative PNG-made products. “With a lack of startup capital being the biggest obstacle for our MSMEs, we’ve gathered over K10,000 in prizemoney from our sponsor partners to help provide a financial boost,” she said. “But it’s not just cash that micro-businesses need – it’s access to markets and the chance to put their products in front of their customers, so we’re so grateful that Maku Gifts and the CPL Group have agreed to help work with our winners to ensure their products make it on to the shelves of a supermarket or on to an earring rack in a city boutique.” The overall winner will be revealed in the upcoming Lily Issue #25 to be launched in April/May 2022. Cash prizes will be K6000 for the winner, K2500 runner-up and K1000 each for the remaining two finalists sponsored by the PNG-Aus Partnership, BSP and Kina. The winner will also receive an assistance package worth K2000 from PNG-owned online SME consultancy agency Vai Virtual, including business name and trademark registration, and TIN lodgement. Thanks goes to the judging panel of fashion/accessories designers Tabu Pelei Warupi (label TABU) and Annette Sete (label Lavagirl), Chef Julz Henao (The Healthy Food Co/CPL Eat Smart Campaign ambassador), and representatives from sponsor partners PNG-Aus Partnership, Kina Bank, BSP, Brian Bell Homecentres, Maku Gifts, CPL/Stop & Shop and Vai Virtual Consulting. Comments from winners: WEARABLE Daphne Vela: “My product is custom-made (handmade, handpainted) coconut shell jewellery and accessories that you won't find anywhere else in the world. If I bring joy to someone through my products, that makes me happy too. I'm a civil engineer by profession. Earth and Ocean Crafts is a weekend side hobby that I intend to convert into a registered business one day. There are a few hurdles to overcome before getting to this.” USEFUL Geno Geno: “My product is eco-friendly disposable plates, bowls and spoons made from fallen leaves of the betelnut (areca) palm trees that are grown in every coastal village in Central Province. This is a matchless innovation with export potential that will contribute to our country’s economy while addressing some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If buai is branded the green gold for an individual, definitely the buai leaves will be a bigger green gold for the country as leaves fall all year round without seasons unlike buai fruit/nut which has a season. Every coastal village has buai trees!” ARTISTIC Rayleen Taniung: “I'm a self-taught female visual artist (beginner) from Arawa (AROB). I only started painting in 2020. Most of my paintings are of my Bougainville culture. I create paintings out of pure imagination, stories and nature. My painting styles are: fine art with a bit of abstract, rock art (painted river rocks), dot painting and doodle art. Shops in Arawa don't sell canvas so my canvases are all DYIs. I use timber, white bedsheets/blankets from secondhand shops and white paint to make my home-made canvas. To create my canvas, firstly I dress timber into strips, make frames, measure, then staple the cut-out piece of white sheet or blanket onto the frame then give it a good amount of white coating (white paint) to get the thickness of a genuine canvas. It’s quite a long process but that’s what I do to have a canvas. I also use river rocks, timber off-cuts, floor tiles and plywood to paint on. EDIBLE Renata Laveil: “Growing up I remember my parents trying their best to provide for my siblings and I healthy, nutritious breakfasts. We always had muesli and Sanitarium Weet-Bix. I dreaded breakfast then, but now as an adult I realise the benefits of grains and nuts, and I would like to share them through my homemade granola and snack bars. I make them using local ingredients – Queen Emma cocoa, galip nuts, dried banana chips, organic honey, coconut oil, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon – everything except for the rolled oats and dried fruit. The homemade granola can be eaten as breakfast cereal with milk or yoghurt, or it can be used as toppings for ice cream and smoothies. The bars can be placed in kid’s lunchboxes for snack time and even for adults at work or out and about as energy bars before mealtimes.”

Prospects of Popondetta in Northern Province establishing a recognized football association is on track following a visit by the PNG Football Association heads to the province over the weekend. PNG Football Association President John Kapi Natto and his Member Association Manager Stanley Khanna deliberated on the matter in a meeting with representatives from Northern Provincial Sports Office, Sohe and Ijivitari Districts as well as representatives of various football associations in the province. Mr Kapi Natto told the representatives that PNGFA is fully aware of various associations running competitions in the province but wants them all to enjoy the benefits of being an associate member of the national football family. “PNGFA is fully aware that there are two separate associations; the Popondetta Urban Soccer Association and the Higaturu Oil Palm Soccer Association (HOPSA) but we want to see both combine and form one association to be more accessible than dealing with two or more associations in one province,” Mr Kapi Natto said. He stressed that the PNGFA Executive Committee want to see that the national body is accessible to deliver soccer and want to deal with football in urban areas who can provide as link to other smaller association. “When we establish Popondetta Soccer Association, then all other smaller associations in Higaturu, Tufi, Kokoda and others can affiliate and become association member by paying their membership to Popondetta Soccer Association. “For instance, if Higaturu or any smaller association pay their affiliation fee of K100.00, the K50 goes to Popondetta for affiliation while K50 goes to PNGFA. Whatever benefits in coaching or referee courses Popondetta gets, it must invite all associates member to take part as they are part of PNGFA through their associate membership.” Northern Province is now the fifth province PNGFA has visited to try bring them back to football family. Meanwhile others who have already joined as associate members are Alotau in Milne Bay and Vanimo West Sepik while Kerema in Gulf and Wewak, East Sepik are yet to hold their meetings. PNGFA has four more associations to visit which include Jiwaka, Hela, ENB and New Ireland.

A fatal accident along the road between Lorengau and Momote in Manus Province recently this month has resulted in the death of a pregnant woman and her husband critically injured. Manus Provincial Police Commander David Yapu said the pregnant woman was walking along the road with her husband heading back to their home while a vehicle swung off the road and hit them. “The vehicle hit them and threw them to the bushes at the side of the road upon impact,” Mr Yapu said. “The woman died upon arrival at Lorengau General Hospital while her husband was admitted with serious injuries.” Chief Inspector Yapu said the driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and grievous bodily harm. The driver was identified as Napoleon Simatab, aged 36 from East Sepik and is employed by Hornibrooks NGI as a civil engineer.

TWM Group, a local SME business in the waste and environmental services sector operating in PNG, was recently presented with a Level 3 Environment Permit (EPL-485) by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA). This is the first of its kind to be issued to a Waste Management company in PNG and of this scale. L3 environment permits are applied where the greatest level of environment and social protection are necessary – generally granted to the large corporates within the Oil, Gas and Mining industries. TWM’s environment permit has more than 127 conditions, reflective of the highest levels of scrutiny to be applied by CEPA, as the Regulator on Environment Protection. Established in 2011, TWM Group has been operating under a Level 2 (L2) Environment Permit administered by CEPA. The company has grown its core business in Waste Management and is now delivering other integrated technical services including Industrial Services, Environmental Advisory Services, Renewables and Skilled manpower services (Training and placements) all of which have contributed toward the development of TWM’s Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) in Central Province. With a greater range of services, TWM Group acknowledged the further responsibilities to both the environment and community, therefore a L3 Environment Permit was essential to meet these corporate obligations. The L3 Environment Permit defines a suite of control measures intended to ensure potential for environment harm is avoided and/or minimized. It prescribes many commitments that TWM must meet for monitoring and measurement of environment aspects (i.e., air, water, noise, dust) and it stipulates a stringent record-keeping reporting requirement to CEPA. “The L3 Environment Permit recently granted to our business will allow us to construct and safely operate our Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) to world-class standards. This is the first of its kind in PNG and for the Pacific island’s region”, said Kori Chan, Managing Director of the TWM Group. “This environment permit is reflective of the evolving legislation and increasing regulatory oversight and indicative of the increasing social expectation for companies to operate in a manner that is socially, environmentally and ethically responsible and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).” The Permit issuance is the culmination of a year’s worth of environment and social studies to develop the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment; significant financial investments in understanding the existing conditions, establishing facilities and controls to safeguard the environment beyond the projected 25+ years of operation; TWM Group’s activities passing the highest level of scrutiny by eminent social and environmental specialists from industry, government and educations sectors; and extensive public, government and community stakeholder engagements and consultation. “I see the issuance of the Level 3 Environment Permit to TWM as an enabler to other development partners in PNG; they now have an in-country waste services facility that has the necessary statutory approvals for challenging waste streams”, said Michael Wau, Director of CEPA (Non-Renewable Resource Division - Environment Protection Wing). “TWM Group has raised the bar as the first in the growing waste industry in PNG, and CEPA is equally proud in partnering in the journey”, Wau said. The L3 Environmental Permit will allow TWM Group to undertake construction of the IWMF at Roku (a first and only such facility in PNG and the Pacific islands region) and conduct industrial wastewater treatment, quarrying and rock extraction; operate a full engineered landfill, design world-class standards capable of receiving municipal, construction and demolition and hazardous wastes; waste incineration including industrial and biomedical wastes; bulk waste storage, reprocessing, fixation and treatment including hazardous solids and liquids and material recovery and recycling (including glass, oil, organics, metals, paper and cardboard, putrescible materials and plastics). The grant of the L3 Environment Permit places TWM Group among the Mining and Oil and Gas majors that hold such permits in PNG.

As part of its ongoing membership engagement, the National Superannuation Fund Limited (Nasfund) will be hosting its Annual Employer Conferences. The first conference is scheduled for Wednesday March 16, 2022 in Port Moresby. The Annual Employer Conference is a regular event and provides an opportunity for the Fund to report to its membership on the performance of the Fund and what the Fund is doing to safeguard, grow savings and add value to members. In announcing the 2022 Employer Conferences, Nasfund CEO Ian Tarutia said this year will see a slightly different approach, with the first conference in Port Moresby to be a hybrid event (online and physical), with selected employers to attend physically on a first come, first serve basis. “Due to COVID-19 imposed restrictions, in the last two years, the Fund hosted its conference online. This year, with a better understanding of handling Covid impacts we are reverting back to our physical engagements, in line with COVID-19 protocols – with our regional conferences in Lae, for the first time in Goroka and Kokopo to be held in the coming weeks. “Our Online Employer Conferences in September 2020, and in April 2021 were successful, with each event reaching a combined viewership of over 20,000 members throughout the country, and abroad. We will continue to utilize our online platforms to engage with our membership to ensure that they are aware of what the fund is doing in managing their retirement savings. Registration for the first event has commenced, on multiple platforms including Zoom, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. We are confident that our membership will use this opportunity to join in our discussions. Members will also be given the chance to ask questions on various aspects of the fund’s operations. We encourage all our contributing employers, and members to sign up for this event. Updates on the registration for the 2022 Nasfund Employer Conferences will be provided via the Fund’s website, and social media pages.”