A portion of the 2- Mile Hill settlement in Port Moresby city saw great destruction in the last couple of days stemming from actions of criminals which resulted in the authority forcefully evicting the settlers.Caught up in the middle of this dilemma are the innocent ones, the children, women and girls and the elderly who have been residing in the settlement for so many years. For them the question now is what is going to happen to them, where will they go? The National Capital District (NCD) Governor, Powes Parkop, spoke out in a statement released on Monday 26th January stating that they (settlers) had it coming because for far too long calls have been made by the authorities to the community to address these crimes being committed by youths from the settlement, but nothing much had changed. Still the public were being robbed, stabbed and slashed along the 2- Mile Hill Road, in the public transport buses and at the bus stops. The last straw was drawn over the weekend when criminals from the settlement attacked the police of all people. Governor Parkop says the eviction at Rabiagini 2-Mile was forced on authorities after repeated failures by the community to renounce crime and violence. He said the community had been given many opportunities to change, including a full community meeting in 2022, but the problems continued. “We can’t continue to do the same thing expecting a different outcome. We have to do things differently. It was our plan to undertake an orderly relocation and resettlement, but this situation was forced on our hands” he said. Describing the situation as unfortunate and regrettable, Governor Parkop said many innocent people, especially women and children, were affected by the eviction and many more had been affected by the continuous violence and criminal activities over the years in the area. He acknowledged that some residents were third or fourth generation settlers who would face challenges resetting their lives but said the NCDC Administration was committed to resettling them and had catered for this in its 2025 and now 2026 Provincial budget. “We had a planned resettlement program which we factored into our budget last year and this year. Last year, the anniversary and other emergencies like the 2-Mile Road collapse and the crack at the Hanuabada By-pass affected our plans. We were also waiting for subdivision of our land at Ferea. We would have done a planned and smooth relocation and resettlement.” He said the current situation meant the eviction had to be carried out in this way, adding that the community must accept responsibility rather than passing blame. Governor Parkop said he has instructed the City Manager Ravu Frank and his NCDC team to work with the various communities at 2-Mile to help resettle and provide basic needs to the displaced communities. The governor added that authorities would also begin relocating other communities at 2-Mile, mainly Simbu, Eastern Highlands and some Southern Highlands groups, as part of an orderly and planned relocation and resettlement process as early this week.

PNGFM welcomes Ms. Hennah Joku as the News Director for its news portal PNG Haus Bung, bringing with her years of experience in the media industry and in various other roles. PNGFM Board Chairman Mr. Peter Aitsi says Ms. Joku's appointment announces a bold new era for PNGFM’s refreshed news platform, PNG Haus Bung. “We are very pleased to have Hennah Joku join us as our News Director.” Of Central and West Papuan heritage, Joku comes from a family deeply rooted in Papua New Guinea’s media landscape. Her late father, Franzalbert Joku, was a respected journalist of nearly two decades with The Times, Wantok Niuspepa, and South Pacific Post, before moving into political advisory roles. Her mother, Rosemary Joku, also served in administrative capacities with Wantok Niuspepa and The National. Ms. Joku's media career spans close to three decades, and brings a wealth of experience across television, radio, and broadcast journalism, having begun her journey in the mid-1990s. Her first foray was in television which began at just fifteen years old under the mentorship of John Eggins and Robin Brown at EMTV. While completing senior high school, she spent weekends and school holidays learning the ropes of television production. In 1997, she joined EMTV full-time as an administrative assistant and was promoted within weeks to trainee journalist. Joku later pursued tertiary studies in Anthropology at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, further broadening her regional and cultural perspective. Her distinguished career includes roles with the British High Commission, Media Consultant to the Office of the Opposition Leader, Special Projects Officer at the PNG Embassy in Jakarta, Producer/Presenter with NBC for Current Affairs Radio and the 2017 National Elections TV/Radio simulcast, Presenter/Producer with TVWan, and more recently Media and Communications Manager for PNG Tribal Foundation and Cricket PNG. No stranger to radio, Joku re-joins the PNGFM family after 26 years, returning with deeper insight, strong leadership, and a proven track record shaped by passion and dedication to the PNG media industry. Speaking on the appointment, Rosemarie Botong, General Manager, said: “Hennah’s return to PNGFM could not come at a better time as we reposition PNG Haus Bung as a strong, independent, credible, and people-centred news platform. She brings institutional memory, editorial strength, and a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with storytelling in Papua New Guinea. We are excited to welcome her home and confident she will play a key leadership role in shaping the future of PNG Haus Bung and our wider media group.” Beyond her professional credentials, Joku is also widely recognized as a strong advocate against violence towards women and girls, using her media platform to champion justice and social change in Papua New Guinea. “PNGFM is proud to welcome Hennah Joku to the team, where we know her leadership, voice, and experience will be an asset to PNG Haus Bung and the company.”

Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) recently joined with about 3,000 teachers at Lae Secondary School, during the Resumption of Duty Program organized by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), marking its first Member Engagement for 2026.NSL’s participation in the event reflects its commitment to utilizing opportunities to bring superannuation education and services directly to Members; in this case, Teachers, ensuring they are equipped to make informed decisions for their long-term financial security and retirement before resuming their busy schedule throughout the year. Teachers across the country manage day-to-day responsibilities in classrooms, with many posted to rural and remote communities. As a result, they often have limited time and access to attend to superannuation matters. During the event, NSL Chief Member Services Officer, Mr. George Panao, encouraged teachers to take an active role in managing their superannuation by updating Beneficiary details and Member information, utilizing Digital Services available including: NSL's Online Member Portal, Mobile App, SMS Balance Check and the FREE call service to the Call Centre on number 180 1599 or email to CallCentre@nambawansuper.com.pgThese services are designed to improve support for Members, enabling and equipping them to make informed decisions for a secure and comfortable retirement. Following the Resumption of Duty Program, NSL set up a general Member enquiry booth to assist the teachers with updating their member details and addressing superannuation-related queries before returning to their schools and respective postings. Although unable to attend the event, NSL Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lachlan Baird, acknowledged the vital role teachers play nationwide. “Teachers play a central role in shaping Papua New Guinea’s future human resources and often have limited time to focus on their own financial and retirement planning,” Mr. Baird said. “Through our partnership with the Teaching Service Commission, Nambawan Super can engage directly with Teachers at key events, ensuring they are informed and supported.” Mr. Baird also congratulated Mr. Maini Ugaia on his recent appointment as Acting Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, acknowledging his valuable contribution through the NSL Membership Committee in representing Teachers and Members nationwide. Building on the success of its 2025 Member Engagement activities, NSL will continue rolling out Member Engagements and Member Education through its Financial Literacy Program in 2026.

Through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, the "Light for Learning" project has installed solar systems for over 8,000 homes and early 300 community facilities across the Huon Gulf District in the Morobe province.With solar energy lighting up their homes, children in Laukanu Village, particularly those who attend Laukanu Primary School, can now study whenever they want, for as long as they want. Noelyn Kahata, a Grade 7 teacher at Laukanu Primary School, has already seen a renewed commitment to education, and not just from her students. “After I ring the bell at 7pm, I can hear the parents telling all the children to get back home and do their readings,” said Mrs. Kahata. And while students are working away under solar lights, so are their teachers, marking assignments and preparing lessons for the following day. Solar power is also keeping laptops and phones charged, and digital teaching resources are now available at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a screen. “We use our phones every day, Monday to Friday. We teach the new Standards-Based Curriculum and follow the online teachers’ guides, but we don't have hard copies. We use online apps instead,” said Mrs. Kahata. The Light for Learning project, implemented by Australia’s Pawarim Komuniti Partnerships Program and the Kokoda Track Foundation, has resulted in the installation of solar systems for 8,095 homes and 273 community facilities across the district. The project is already making an impact. Mrs. Kahata has seen a marked improvement in her students’ attendance and performance, and test scores are on the rise. But above all, it has brought opportunity for children to reach as far as their potential can take them.

Air Niugini has commenced a focused customer experience improvement program as part of its ongoing commitment to service transformation and strengthening service standards across the airline.The initial workshop, held last Friday (23rd January) in Port Moresby, brought together employees from across the business to align on how Air Niugini can deliver a more consistent and supportive experience for customers across the full journey — from booking and check-in to boarding, inflight service and baggage handling. The airline acknowledged that the recent festive period was one of the most challenging operational periods in recent years, with flight disruptions causing inconvenience for many customers. Air Niugini recognizes the impact this had on our passengers or guests and staff alike and accepts the need to strengthen how service is delivered, particularly during periods of disruption. These experiences have reinforced the importance of improving how the airline communicates with customers, supports frontline teams, and applies clearer systems and processes to manage disruption more effectively. The current customer experience improvement work is focused on ensuring our guests are treated with care, kept informed, and supported consistently across the network. As part of its service transformation journey, Air Niugini recently completed an independent international service quality audit in November last year by Skytrax, an internationally recognized organization that assesses airlines worldwide based on how customers experience their service across the full travel journey. The audit provided a clear and objective view of how customers experience Air Niugini and have given the airline clear guidance on where improvements are needed to strengthen service delivery. Air Niugini’s Officer in Charge, Captain Samiu Taufa, said this year represents an important opportunity to reset expectations and move the airline forward. “This year is about changing the narrative and moving Air Niugini forward. We are committed to service transformation and to empowering our people at all levels to serve with passion, discipline and empathy.” “Our customers deserve more than simply purchasing a ticket — they deserve to experience the warmth, care and respect that reflect who we are as Papua New Guineans and how we take care of people.”  “We know there are areas where we must improve, particularly in how customers experience our service from booking through to arrival, and we ask for the continued support of our valued passengers as we strengthen our systems, our people and the way we serve,” Captain Taufa said. The workshop was led by Air Niugini’s Manager Service Standards, Mr. Joeli Qereqeretabua, from the Commercial Division’s Customer Experience team, who is overseeing the airline’s service transformation program. In his role as Lead Project Officer, he guided teams through the service improvement framework and the priority improvement areas identified to strengthen how customers are served across the network. “Customer experience is shaped by many interactions across the journey. This workshop allowed teams to reflect on current practices and identify improvements that will help deliver a more consistent and supportive experience for our passengers or guests,” Mr. Qereqeretabua said. Participants were organized into cross-functional workstreams, recognizing that customer experience is a shared responsibility across the airline, including customer service, ground operations, cabin services, engineering, catering, marketing, information technology, human resources, training and others. While the introduction of new Airbus A220 aircraft will enhance comfort and reliability, Air Niugini recognizes that a high-quality customer experience is delivered through people, communication and consistency. As part of this program, the airline is strengthening service capability, empowering employees, and improving coordination across teams to deliver a more seamless passenger experience, particularly when customers require assistance. Customers can expect progressive improvements as these initiatives are implemented. As Papua New Guinea’s national airline, Air Niugini remains committed to representing the country with pride while delivering a safe, reliable and increasingly customer-focused travel experience.

Families travelling along the Madang–Ramu Highway are being forced to cross fast-flowing rivers on foot following the collapse of key bridges, raising serious safety concerns.Samantha Koruga, a mother of four working in Goroka, said she and her children had to wade through rivers with their luggage during their recent trip to Madang after heavy rain made bus crossings impossible. She said the situation is especially dangerous for children when rivers rise suddenly.The Omiya Bridge at Asas has completely collapsed, while the nearby Koroba Bridge is damaged, with only temporary gravel crossings in place. Travelers say conditions worsen during rain, transport fares have increased, and urgent permanent repairs are needed to prevent loss of life.

The first National Press Club for 2026 is set for tomorrow, Wednesday 28th January in Port Moresby city. The National Press Club will feature Dr. Nelson Simbiken, the Director General of the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) who will deliver an insightful presentation on national agricultural research systems.

The Dei Open Seat By- Election is progressing to the counting phase after the successful completion of polling just over the weekend in the Western Highlands province.The acting Electoral Commissioner Margart Vagi, upon receiving update from the Provincial Election Manager and the Retuning Officer for the Dei Open By- Election, said the last polling team wrapped up at the Kimininga Police barracks oval in Mt Hagen city on Saturday 24th January. It now brings to total 58 of 59 ballot boxes locked up in the Electoral Commission container at Kimininga Oval. One box was hijacked and declared void. She said the ground teams are now preparing for counting, which the Returning Officer will advise of. “I would like to thank the voters of Dei, the Provincial Elections Advisory Committee, Security personnel, and the polling officials for their tireless efforts in completing polling,” she said. There are more than 90, 000 registered eligible voters in Dei Open. Polling for two wards of Mun and Palgi in the Muglamp Local Level Government (LLG) were disrupted after fighting erupted last week. This saw candidates demand for a neutral counting ground, agreeing for this to be the Kiminga Police Barracks oval where polling was peacefully completed on Friday and Saturday. Both Dei Open and the New Ireland Provisional Seat are expected to go to counting this week.

For Papua New Guinea (PNG) to achieve a balanced economic growth in the next decade, the advancing of the current natural resource projects is now more important than ever.Prime Minister James Marape, speaking on the margins of the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos in Switzerland, said advancing both LNG and mining projects would ensure balanced economic growth across the country. “Papua LNG and P’nyang LNG anchor development in the south, while Wafi-Golpu and the Frieda River Project anchor mining development in the north,” he said. “This balance ensures that economic activity over the next decade is fairly distributed across Papua New Guinea.” In terms of offshore projects, the prime minister also confirmed that offshore petroleum exploration remains active. He said offshore oil and gas investments continue, with TotalEnergies confirming ongoing exploration in the Mailu area of Central Province, while the Twinza–MRDC joint venture progresses development of the Pasca A Project in the Gulf of Papua. He said investors involved in the Pasca A and Pasca B gas projects, operated by Twinza Oil Limited, have confirmed that offshore exploration activities in the Gulf of Papua and Central Province waters are continuing at full pace. Exploration programmes include assessment for potential oil and condensate resources.

The Madang Provincial Education Director, Mr. Alphonse Igag, has welcomed students, teachers and education stakeholders to the 2026 academic year, calling for full compliance with national education directives as schools prepare to reopen.Speaking ahead of the new school year, Mr. Igag said all schools in the province must follow instructions issued by Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra to ensure a smooth and well-organized start to classes.He clarified the process regarding project fees, stating that schools must first identify either a short-term or long-term project, carry out proper costings, and determine the difference between the total project cost and the government-funded project fee.“That difference can then be shared equally among students,” Mr. Igag said. “However, the amount per student must first be submitted to the Madang Provincial Education Board (PEB) for endorsement before schools can charge it as the parents’ component.”He stressed that no additional project fee charges should be imposed without official approval from the Provincial Education Board.Mr. Igag also announced that school administrations, Boards of Governors (BoG), and Boards of Management (BoM) are now required to accept electronic bank deposit receipts issued by banks as proof of school fee payments.“Only a few schools that are not yet captured by the banking system will continue using manual deposit receipts,” he said.To assist parents, Mr. Igag noted that Bank South Pacific (BSP) will be open on Saturdays for one month mainly for school fee deposits, making it easier for families to complete payments before classes begin.As schools prepare to welcome back continuing students and receive new intakes, Mr. Igag expressed optimism for a positive and organized start to the academic year.“We are anticipating a better start from Monday, 26 January 2026 onwards,” he said. “Let us work together to support education in our province.”On the issue of 2025 Grade 8, 10 and 12 certificates, Mr. Igag informed schools and parents that the Measurement Services Division will only begin printing certificates starting Monday, 26 January 2026.In the meantime, he advised students enrolling in new schools for the first time to obtain some form of identification or official document from the schools they attended in 2025 to help with registration at their new schools.“This will help make the enrollment process smoother while students wait for their official certificates,” he said.Mr. Igag also took time to acknowledge the passing of four serving teachers in January.Three of the teachers were from Raikos District, while one was serving in Bogia District. He said the Madang education community is deeply saddened by the loss, especially as schools prepare to resume the academic year.“I have known some of them at a personal level, and one was even my former student at Papitalai Secondary School in Manus Province in 2002,” Mr. Igag said.He reflected on the continued loss of educators in recent years.“We farewelled some in 2025, and now at the start of 2026, some are leaving us for eternity. We will sadly miss their services and the lives they shared with us in the Madang Province education sector.”Mr. Igag paid tribute to the late teachers by name: Allan, Bill, Carlos and Timothy, thanking them for their dedication and service to education in the province.“May they rest in peace,” he said.He ended his message with words of encouragement and blessing for the year ahead, calling on all education stakeholders to work in unity for the benefit of students across Madang Province.

The weekend in the city of Port Moresby was a scene of thick black smoke coming from fires burning homes at the 2 Mile Hill settlement, set alight by the authority after police officers were shot at by criminals residing in the illegal settlement.This action by the police received support from the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Lands, Physical Planning and Urbanization, John Rosso. In a statement put out over the weekend, Rosso described the ongoing eviction of the illegal settlement at 2 Mile Hill as necessary to protect law-abiding citizens, reaffirming that the area is State land and has been unlawfully occupied for many years. He said the settlement has, for far too long, been a major source of law and order problems in the area and the city as a whole. “This eviction is not happening without reason. It is the direct result of repeated criminal activities and serious threats to public safety. The State has a responsibility to protect law-abiding citizens and restore order,” he said. The Acting Prime Minister expressed sympathy for hardworking and law-abiding residents who have been living at 2 Mile Hill and acknowledged that not everyone in the area has been involved in criminal activity. “These individuals will be identified by the National Capital District Commission (NCDC), and with the support of Governor Powes Parkop and NCDC, arrangements will be made to assist with resettlement where appropriate,” Rosso said. However, he made it clear that those who are unemployed or have no lawful basis to remain in the city should seriously consider returning to their villages, where opportunities for family and community support exist. Rosso stressed that the eviction must serve as a strong warning and lesson to others who are illegally occupying State land or land that does not belong to them. “Illegal settlements which causes continuous illegal activities will not be tolerated. The rule of law must prevail, and land ownership and use must be respected,” he said. The Acting Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with relevant authorities to ensure orderly urban development, improved public safety, and fair outcomes for law-abiding citizens. Meanwhile, the eviction of the illegal settlers at 2 Mile Hill was carried out after criminals that reside in the settlement shot at police whilst they were doing routine patrol along the main road, doing their job to deter any crimes from being committed against the public along that stretch of road that is notorious for vehicle armed hold ups and robberies, usually committed by youths from this particular settlement.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Rabaul District LLG Induction Program continued with a series of important and insightful presentations from various provincial sectors and stakeholders.A key highlight of the morning session was the presentation on ‘Leadership in Disaster Risk Management’ by the Provincial Disaster Services, which complemented further discussions led by the Provincial Environment Services Team. Cornelia Kalimet, the Safety and Mitigation Officer of the Provincial Disaster Services, led the session by emphasizing the critical necessity of local disaster risk management plans. During her address, she reminded the gathered leaders of their fundamental responsibilities toward their constituents. “As leaders it is our obligation to understand Disaster Risks Management concepts and look out for our people in ensuring that communities are well informed and coordinated to reduce risks and be prepared to respond accordingly to whatever that may arise,” Kalimet said. She further noted that as a disaster-prone province, leaders must prioritize building community resilience by weaving disaster strategies directly into their formal plans. “Identify risks in your communities and report them as soon as possible to relevant authorities.” “Do not wait for a disaster to happen, act quickly and decisively, see for early warning signs as it can save lives,” Kalimet iterated. She said that having a Disaster Risk Management Plan is vital as it instils trust between the people and their leaders and added that having leaders that are prepared will build communities to be resilient. In closing, Kalimet cautioned the participants of the current strong winds and rainy conditions experienced in the province and to take preventive measures in keeping their respective families and communities safe. Meanwhile, Acting Advisor for the Human Resource Management Ms. Rose August, also stressed on the importance of Ward Minimum Standards; Governance set of standards or machinery for promoting bottom-up planning based on the priorities and needs of communities. She pointed out that Ward Minimum Standard No.4 includes establishing Community Driven Development Committees. For this Strategic Result Area (SRA)- Disaster, it is important that wards have their own sub-Committee which is advisory to the Ward Development Committee for disaster preparedness.