Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom has voiced concern over a possible rise is COVID-19 cases in schools. “My concern is kids going back to school and in overcrowded schools, schools are expected to see an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. This is due to Omicron,” said Dr Daoni. He said Omicron has shown to infect young people and children more than the other variants. He said, “Schools must prepare and put in place measures to cover for teachers in the event that a lot of teachers get infected and miss schools. “At the same time, schools must work closely with parents to ensure that the spread among kids or children is minimized. “We are also expecting a lot of kids to be absent from school if they become infected. Omicron has been shown to infect young people and children and this will happen in PNG.” Dr Daoni said Omicron, one of the five variants of concern, is easily transmissible so a lot of people will become infected so he advised that people who have flu-like symptoms and cough must get themselves tested. Knowing one’s status will enable people to access care and prevent themselves from spreading the virus. He also strongly advised those 18 years old and above to get vaccinated. “Omicron will spread very fast and a lot of people will become infected,” Dr Daoni said.

Four men are in police custody tonight after cowardly attacking an ambulance at Sabuia village near Gaire in Central Province. The Saint Johns ambulance was responding to a distress call when it was attacked this evening. Two ambulance workers were on their way to aid and transport a pregnant woman to Port Moresby General Hospital when they were unscrupulously attacked by a mob. A group of drunk and violent men broke the ambulance windscreen and attempted to pull the key from the ignition, but the two medics escaped by driving towards Kwikila before raising the alarm. Fox 101 was dispatched when the Police operations centre was alerted this evening. The prime suspect in the centre of this crime is an elderly man. He was arrested with three others and conveyed to Port Moresby today. The four men were initially charged for provoking a breach of the peace and held in police custody. This matter will be referred to CID and more relevant charges are likely to be slapped on them. [caption id="attachment_18780" align="aligncenter" width="517"] The main suspect, an elderly man is now in police custody.[/caption]

Home gardens look best when it features both exotic and native tropical plants and thankfully for PNG, there are heaps to choose from. Here at the Nature Park, we have a variety of beautiful native trees available for sale that can do wonders in any home garden – one such tree is the ‘Lilly Pilly’. Lilly Pilly trees are typically grown as ornamental plants for their attractive glossy foliage. Lilly Pilly trees can grow to a height of 10m and are the perfect plant for hedging and screening purposes as they can be easily managed through regular pruning to maintain density. Lilly Pilly trees grow best in warm climates such as our typical Port Moresby climate experienced year-round. So if you’re someone that loves plants that require low maintenance yet put up a stunning display in your front yard, a Lilly Pilly tree might just be the plant for you! Now selling for under K20, visit the Port Moresby Nature Park and enquire with our Nursery team today or send us an email to reservations.pomnp@gmail.com on how you can purchase one or more for your home garden. Our nursery team has been hard at work preparing plants for our upcoming Plant Sale Weekend coming up on Saturday 12 – Monday 14 February and we thought you should be the first to know! Thank you for supporting your Nature Park and see you soon at our Plant Sale Weekend next month!

THE long, unmanaged queues at the banks pose a risk for the spread of COVID-19, says Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom. “I’m concerned at seeing that there’s been long queues at the banks; people standing in queues are not wearing masks, both inside and outside the bank,’’ said Dr Daoni. “You see these happening all over the country in the banks. “Bank buildings are confined areas that can also be a hub for the spread of COVID-19 infections, including the Delta and Omnicron variants.’’ He urged the management of the banks to ensure the queues inside the banks are minimized and everyone must wear a mask. “They must also ensure that all the bank employees are vaccinated to protect themselves, their work colleagues and families,’’ he said. The Deputy Controller has also urged the bank management to make sure the queues are managed at the ATMs, and the ATMs are sanitized as they are used by a lot of people. “The surfaces at the ATMs can be a reservoir for COVID-19 as they are used by a lot of people,’’ he said. “Currently, most ATMS are not sanitized. People frequently touch surfaces of ATMs where they can contract COVID-19.’’ He urged the bank management to liase with the National Control Centre and come up with Standard Operating Procedures for COVID-19 workplace safety and operations to minimise the spread of the virus in the bank workplaces. He also urged people to make sure they are vaccinated as they can get COVID-19 in crowded places like banks or even spread the virus to others.

Papua New Guinea’s leading anti-corruption civil society organization Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) marked its 25th Anniversary in Port Moresby on Thursday 27th January 2022, with an event recognizing the importance of its individual and organizational supporters. The silver jubilee celebrations by TIPNG, under the theme “Rise to the Occasion”, were also an opportunity to reflect on the efforts of Papua New Guineans 25 years ago to establish an association that would empower citizens to take action against corruption where it occurred, whether that be in the personal, public or private spheres of life. “This 25th anniversary of TIPNG existence is not just a milestone for the organization, but more importantly it is an opportunity for us to reflect and recognize the enduring courage and commitment of many Papua New Guineans who have made it possible. It is a celebration of their courage and their shared desire to see a much better PNG free of corruption,” said Peter Aitsi, TIPNG Board Chair in his official remarks at the event. To commemorate its 25th Anniversary, TIPNG presented certificates of appreciation and recognition to the following individuals and organizations: • European Union Delegation to Papua New Guinea • Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade • Transparency International Asia Pacific Desk • PNG Sustainable Development Program • Johnston’s Pharmacies • Jeff Undah and Family • Mr. Arthur Luluai, TIPNG Individual Member • National Parliament of Papua New Guinea • PNG Correctional Services • Department of National Planning and Monitoring • City Mission • Pacific Adventist University • Ms. Yvonne Ngutlick, TIPNG Deputy Director Communications In addition to acknowledging supporters, TIPNG’s 25th Anniversary event also saw the launch of a commemorative logo marking the occasion, and a new look website that has for the first time been fully developed within TIPNG by its own team. The event commences a year-long campaign of celebrating the efforts of people and organizations in Papua New Guinea that have taken steps to oppose corruption and promote integrity in the last 25 years. TIPNG will be using the #RiseToTheOccasion to promote these outputs which will include blog posts, video interviews and new digital content.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says his Government is committed to rural development throughout Papua New Guinea. He said this at Ponowi Village in Ialibu, Southern Highlands, on Friday (January 28 2022) when officiating at the launching of Siwi Utame Agro Technical High School and Siwi Utame Loop Road. Both are projects of the Southern Highlands Provincial Government of Governor Hon. William Powi with support from the National Government. “My Government is visiting the most-remote parts of Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape said before leaving by helicopter for Kapuna in Kikori, Gulf, to open a new Level 4 hospital. “We want to tell our rural people that all hope is not lost yet. “Just because not much development has been taking place in rural areas over the last 46 years does not mean a gloomy future for us. “The future of this country is in our own hands, especially in places like Ponowi, where there are no tribal fights." “Such places will receive more recognition from the Government in terms of roads, schools, and others services.” PM Marape said government at national, provincial, district and local level should align and deliver services to the rural people. He said a case in point was the Southern Highlands Provincial Government of Governor Powi which was delivering impact projects like the East Pangia Road, Wiru Loop Road and other smaller road projects. The Prime Minister commended Governor Powi for setting up the road and school to better serve the people, and assured of his Government’s support to these initiatives which will serve over 50,000 people. “For many years, before we took over government in May 2019, there was little support to Southern Highlands Provincial Government (SHPG) from Waigani, but that has improved and in the last two years, SHPG has invested in roads and schools and other rural projects consistent with Government policies," PM Marape said. “That is the reason why I am here at Ponowi today to compliment and support a working Provincial Government to continue these two important projects” PM Marape said. He also commended the local people for allowing use of their land for these vital services. PM Marape said for any land claims, proper survey and valuation would be done before payments were made, as was done recently to the Walume Station land. The Prime Minister also assured the people that his Government would continue on with projects started by the previous Government "if the projects are beneficial to the community and country like we have been supporting the Western Pacific University outside of Ialibu Station" .

Schools around the country commenced their first day of school today and Gordon Secondary School in Port Moresby was no exception to this. A total of 700 plus new intakes (Gr9 & Gr11) were taken through registration this morning at the school. Deputy Principal Mr Saju Francis said that this year, the competition to secure spaces at their school has been very tough with only 350 spaces being made available for Grade 9 students out of a pool of more than 1700 students from the feeder schools of Wardstrip Demonstration Primary, Coronation Primary and Hohola Demonstration Primary School competing for a space at the school. Mr Francis when addressing the new intakes (Gr 9s), mentioned that the students must not take for granted their space at the school as there are many other students out there waiting on the reserve list for a space at the school. “You must be thankful that you now have a place at Gordon Secondary to continue your educational journey.” “You are privileged to be among the best students selected out of more than 1700 students to study here at Gordon Secondary School and so you must wear the school uniform with pride and be good ambassadors of the school,” Mr Francis said. Meanwhile, Deputy Principal Student Services Ms Martha Pitpit has confirmed that with the first day of school successfully commencing today, the school has not yet received the government’s first quarter fee component for the year let alone the fee component for the last quarter of 2021 as promised. This has prompted the school to stick to their original arrangements of the parental component fee payment which was communicated to parents last year well before the government’s announcement of the tuition free policy. Under the school’s parental component fee arrangement, students in the lower secondary are required to pay K495 while students in the upper secondary are required to pay a fee of K544.50. “Late last year, we communicated the parental component fees to students and parents and this has also been communicated to the District Education Board for implementation this year.” “With the government’s payment portions not coming through on time, we are now calling on parents to pay their parental component fees so as to allow us to continue operations smoothly at the school,” Ms Pitpit said. “While this may be the case for school fees, we are not turning any students away from class but are only asking that parents also step in to share the responsibility of educating their children,” the Deputy Principal said. Ms Pitpit further confirmed that the school will commence proper classes on Wednesday after registration and orientation has been completed for all students by Tuesday 1st of February 2022.

Prime Minister Hon James Marape is very pleased with the performance of the K92 mine in Eastern Highland Province. The PM said it was pleasing to note that K92 Mine’s 2021 performance was outstanding with a total of PGK67 million Corporate Tax expected to be paid to the State, and PGK85 million is estimated for this year 2022. In addition, the mine has invested significant sum for its capital expenditure for its underground development and expansion, whilst continuing massive investments of K40-50 million is planned for 2022 exploration. The mine continues to pay royalty to its stakeholders. The year 2021 saw PGK 12 million paid to the stakeholders and PGK3 million for production levy. Details of the performances outlined by CEO John Lewins were as follows:- Corporate Tax § 2021 Paid to date PGK48 million, with another PGK19 million due this quarter as final instalment for total of PGK67 million § 2022 Budget PGK85 million Capital Expenditure Actual 2021 § Capital Expenditure PGK 60 million § Twin Decline Development PGK 47.5 million § Capitalised Development PGK45 million Budget 2022 § Capital Expenditure PGK200 million § Twin Decline Development PGK40 - 50 million § Capitalised Development PGK70 - 80 million Exploration § 2021 Actual PGK38 million § 2022 Budget PGK40 – 50 million Royalty Payments § 2021 Actual PGK12 million (+PGK3 million Production Levy) § 2022 Budget PGK15 million (+PGK3.8 million Production Levy) Major Landowner company JV Contracts for Transport, Security, Camp & Ancillary Mobile Plant in 2021 was PGK50 Million (PGK135 million over last three years). Expansion and production The original mine had a capacity of 150,000 tpa and when K92 refurbished the plant we increased the capacity to 200,000 tpa in 2016. § 2021 Stage 2 Expansion to 400,000 tpa Commissioned (Capital Cost PGK100 million) Production – 120,000 ozs AuEq per annum § 2022 Stage 2A Expansion to 500,000 – production 150,000 ozs AuEq per annum § 2022 – 2024 Stage 3 Expansion to 1,200,000 tonnes per annum – production 350,000 ozs AuEq per annum. Capital Cost +PGK1 Billion spent over 2022/23/24 which will include a brand-new Process Plant Work currently underway includes – Twin Incline (5 metre x 5.5 metre and 6 metre x 6.5 metre) capable of producing 3 MTPA; New Workshop at 800 portal; Expansion of Camp to double capacity; Expansion of Warehouse and Store; Raising of Tailings Dam; Expansion of Mining Fleet; Production in gold equivalent ounces since K92 re-commenced mining at Kainantu are as follows: - 2018 – 47,000ozs; 2019 - 87,000 ozs; 2020 – 99,000 ozs; 2021 – 104,000 ozs; and Budget 2022 is expected to be 115-140,000 ozs

Lae Snax Tigers duo Kitron Laka and Sherwin Tanabi who both debuted for the premiership winning club last year will now find themselves on the same side again this year as they prepare to debut for the SP PNG Hunters in the upcoming Queensland Intrust Super Cup. Both lads whose rugby careers initially started in 2017 are the latest inclusions into the Mathew Church coached side and will be bringing in a fresh vibe into the squad as they go through the final leg of preparations down in Queensland. Kitron who hails from Hagen only started playing serious rugby in 2017 when he was in high school back home in Togoba, Western Highlands. The youngster made it through the local village competitions then onto playing representative rugby in university and other tournaments as well before making his big break in the Digicel cup in 2019 playing for the Moni-Plus NCDC Vipers. Laka’s journey although a short one has been quite successful so far as he now has two Digicel Cup premiership wins under his belt in just 3 years of playing in the competition and finally about to make his debut in the Intrust Super Cup. Laka in an earlier interview said that he was aware that there were many good players out there and that entry into the SP Hunters could be tough but that’s something he was willing to sacrifice his time and efforts for and his hard work has truly paid off with the announcement of the final 26-men squad earlier this week. The young man who first made the Hunters pre-season camp in 2018 straight after the Southern Zone Confederate Championships but missed out on making the final playing squad then said that he is happy and satisfied now that he has made it into the Hunters on his second attempt. “I first came into the SP PNG Hunters training camp in 2018 straight after a successful Southern Zone Championships and without any Digicel Cup experience so that was quite a big deal for me.” “Being able to finally make the squad now is a dream come true and is a testament of the fact that as young people chasing dreams, we should never give up no matter the setbacks,” said the elated Hunters debutant. Young Tanabi, who is the new kid on the block like Kitron, also kicked off his rugby league career in 2017 when he made the decision to switch from rugby union to league, joining the Royals under-20 team in the Lae Rugby League competition and also playing in the school boys competition. According to the young man from Lae City, he had his eyes set on making it into the champion Lae Snax Tigers team since 2017 and finally got his call-up to the team in 2021 after a couple of attempts in the Lae Snax 9s tournament. “Every young boy playing rugby in Lae wants to make it into the champion team (Lae Snax Tigers) and so when I look back on my journey now, I realise that it happened so quickly for me and for that I am thankful and blessed,” Sherwin said. It has been 4 years since making the switch and Tanabi has gone from playing suburban and town competitions to making his debut in the semi-professional Digicel Cup competition last year, playing 6 round games and an appearance in the major semi finals to now debuting for the SP PNG Hunters for the upcoming season. In an interview last October, when asked why he chose to switch from rugby union to league, Tanabi said, “I had to choose rugby league over union because I saw that there was a career pathway in league and if I did well, I could actually progress and have a future there.” True indeed, Tanabi’s future in rugby is already looking bright and promising with his departure yesterday (Friday) with the final 2022 playing squad of the SP PNG Hunters to their home at Runaway Bay in Gold Coast, Queensland. Both Kitron and Sherwin come in as young forwards for the SP Hunters side forcing the returning forwards to level up and lead by example as they go into yet another hunt for the coveted Intrust Super Cup championship title this year. Image Sources: Pilai Piksa, SP PNG Hunters

Over 35, 000 people of Kapuna in the Kikori District of Gulf Province can now access improved health care services following the opening of the upgraded Kapuna Hospital on Friday 28 January. The PGK10 million project was funded through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership’s Incentive Fund in collaboration with Gulf Christian Services. Locals joined dignitaries including Prime Minister James Marape, Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp and Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta to celebrate the opening of the upgraded facility. The upgraded facilities include a new emergency centre, dental clinic, birthing suits, operating theatres and 24hour solar power. Other new facilities also include paediatric and maternity wards, as well as additional offices, water systems, hospital equipment, staff houses and kitchen facilities. Australia’s High Commissioner, Jon Philp said “Providing high-quality health care in PNG is challenged by geographical remoteness, lack of access to clean running water, lack of equipment, and other vital resources that impact service delivery. This kind of support is especially needed in the farthest and most remote regions of PNG, such the Purari Delta in Gulf Province where we are today.” He also highlighted that Papua New Guinea and Australia have a long-lasting commitment to strengthening PNG’s health capacity, infrastructure and service delivery through programs such as the Incentive Fund. With approximately 60 per cent of the hospital services supporting women’s health, a key priority for the hospital management is to support the implementation of its gender equality and social inclusion policy. This includes developing relevant policies and building capacity of the hospital staff to implement the policies on a daily basis, while also increasing women’s voices in decision making at the hospital. Representative of Gulf Christian Services and Project Manager for the Kapuna Hospital Project, Marshall McKean stated that “years of hard work and dedication of many wonderful people and organizations has culminated in the completion of our fantastic new Kapuna Hospital.” He continued that the project is “well suited to our mission to provide Christ-centered services to remote communities in the Gulf Province and throughout Papua New Guinea.” In 2021, Kapuna Hospital reached more than 25,000 people through on-site services and community outreach including COVID-19 awareness sessions. The Incentive Fund-supported infrastructure will support increased access to and quality of health services for the local population, both now and in the future. Australia is proud to work in partnership with the Government of PNG, Gulf Christian Services, Total, Curtain Brothers and Summer Institute of Linguistics to deliver this critical health infrastructure for communities in Kikori District.

Police Commissioner David Manning has condemned the alleged rape of a female prisoner whilst being detained at the Kavieng Police Station in the New Ireland Province. Mr Manning said whilst the Police Top Management has not yet been briefed by the New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, the allegation is worrying and warrants a full and thorough investigation. “Members of the public must feel safe and protected in police establishments throughout the country and not be subjected to such abuse. We will investigate the allegation and if confirmed will deal with those responsible both criminally and administratively,” Mr Manning said. Mr Manning said the Police Internal Affairs Directorate is now being tasked to investigate this allegation and take appropriate action.

As an update on Port Moresby Nature Park’s ground-breaking success in sowing Kwila seedlings, the first batch of seedlings sowed in November 2021 are now ready for transplanting into the natural environment. Scientifically named Intsia bijuga or ‘Kwila’ as commonly known, due to its long-term rewards is a great inclusion in the variety of trees already provided for Governor Parkop’s ‘One million Trees’ campaign through the Park’s Trees4life initiative. “From when we first mentioned the successful sowing of the first batch of Kwila seedlings, we’ve received numerous requests for the seedlings; however we had to put those requests on hold in order for the seedlings to be strong enough for transplanting”, said Junior Muli, Port Moresby Nature Park’s Horticulture Team Leader. Over 500 Kwila seedlings are now ready for sale and field planting. Interested buyers can visit the Port Moresby Nature Park to inquire about their prices and how they can purchase. Due to the success of the first batch of Kwila trees sowed, the team are currently hard at work propagating and transplanting a second batch. The ‘Trees for Life’ initiative is supported by the global NGO Cities 4Forests and One Tree Planted, the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, the British High Commission, Rotary Club of Port Moresby and Skal Port Moresby. With continuous environmental issues affecting many societies today, the work of Port Moresby Nature Park will be even more important as we advocate, protect and conserve PNG’s Wildlife and Natural Environment.