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.

Passengers travelling internationally are reminded that they need to provide acceptable evidence of being fully vaccinated at time of check-in. This is now a requirement for travel to most countries, including Papua New Guinea. Exemption from vaccination for children is dependent on the requirements of their destination country. Certificates valid for travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination (ICCV) , the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries. The Green Card PNG Vaccination Certificate is not valid for international travel, as it does not include either the persons Date of Birth or their Passport Number. Passengers without any valid certificate of vaccination valid for travel cannot be checked in. The PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination is available from PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) upon production of a copy of your green vaccination card and passport either to email: intvaccinecertificate@gmail.com or by visiting the NDoH office- Level 3 Aopi Centre in Waigani. The NDoH have been providing the capability for the ICCV to be issued at the airport prior to departure, but this has now ceased. Passengers travelling to Australia are required to complete a new “document” being the Australian Travel Declaration/ATD including as part of this an attestation (confirmation) that the passenger is fully vaccinated and the certificate is valid. The ATD is a mobile phone App and available for download at the Apple iPhone Store for iPhone, and Google Store for Android phones. Initial one off entry of set-up information takes about 15 minutes, so it is recommended this is downloaded and updated prior to coming to the airport. Manual paper forms will be available at check-in if required.

The new proposed electorates recommended by the Electoral Boundary Commission are now subjected to the National Parliament’s discretion whether or not they will be formally recognized and included in the upcoming National General Elections later this year. Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai told PNGHausbung that the recommendations by EBC was given to the Prime Minister early this month and it will be presented in Parliament for its endorsement. “Whenever the report will be presented in Parliament is the cabinet’s call,” Mr Sinai said. He said from there, the parliament through its votes will either accept or reject these recommendations as stipulated under the constitution. “I’m not going to name the proposed electorates, nor the total number of them at this time as this is now a confidential information and the government will announce that,” Mr Sinai said. “But if the majority votes for the recommendations, then the new electorates will be enacted.” “Whether all this will be in time or not before the upcoming 2022 National General Elections is the government’s call.”

Getting the booster dose of the COVID 19 vaccination is as important as getting the first vaccination doses because the COVID 19 virus mutates or changes overtime. Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Esorom Daoni highlighted this in light of the uncertainty by the public on the matter. “COVID 19 vaccines are effective against the known variants that we have seen so far, however the efficiency of the vaccines are reduced when the virus changes itself,” Dr Daoni said. “As a result scientists advised that to increase our immunity to the changes, these boosters must be taken.” The booster dose can only be given to a fully immunized person who has completed the two doses of AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines and the first dose of Johnson & Johnson. “If you already got two doses of AstraZeneca, you are considered fully immunized so after six months, you get the third dose of AstraZeneca and a Johnson & Johnson booster.” “If you have taken a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, you are eligible to get a booster shot of Johnson and Johnson after two to six months.” “As for Sinopharm, if you have two doses of Sinopharm then you can either get a booster shot of Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca after three to six months.” He added that as for how many times the booster shots will be taken depends on the behavior of the virus and what the scientists and pharmaceutical companies will recommend. “At the moment it is premature for me to tell you how many booster you will have but we will be driven by the behavior of the virus.”

West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel and members of the provincial government have gave an undertaking with the Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen to help fund certain projects for Correction Services and Police institutions in the province. This was to address issues such as overcrowding, deteriorating infrastructure and several issues which concerns the welfare of Police and CS officers. Mr Pagen and his team visited the province after receiving complaints of the deteriorating conditions of police holding cells, police stations and the deteriorating and overpopulated police staff houses. The Ombudsman Commission noted that there was a need for the Police, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the Office of the Public Solicitor and the Correction Services to work together in a more efficient manner to ensure they expedited hearing of the cases involving the inmates, especially those on parole and remand to prevent overcrowding. Adding to those issues was the shortage of police personnel in the province. Governor Muthuvel stated that they needed more police personnel on the ground to address law and order issues as the province is a major economic hub and sometimes law and order gets out of hand. He said the ceiling for the province is 200 personnel; however, currently there are only 123 police personnel in the province with most of them stationed at Kimbe town. Mr Muthuvel said the provincial government however, has gone ahead and taken steps to address some of these issues and have initiated the following in liaison with Police and CS: • Building of 20 new houses for police accommodation. • Repair and maintenance of the Provincial Police Commander’s office which had its roof blown off by strong wind. The Police headquarters allocated a mere K16,000 for the repair and maintenance which wasn’t sufficient so the provincial government decided to take full responsibility of the job. • Completed a duplex building for two families at the Buluma Police Station • Building of a Covid testing facility at the Lakiemata jail. • The refurbishing of the PPCs house while the PPC relocates to one of the houses owned by the West New Britain Business Trust. • Refurbishment of the CID wing Mr Muthuvel said that the only thing they could not maintain were the police lock-ups and jail because these facilities abide by certain building requirements which will come from the Police and CS. However he said they are ready to counter-fund any development in that area.

Work is progressing into the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) with the second meeting for this year held by the ICAC Appointments Committee in Port Moresby on Wednesday 26 January 2022. Prime Minister Hon. James Marape called attention to the absolute need for the Government to address the “cancer of corruption” in the country and hastened the Committee to immediately move the process along before Parliament rose for the National General Elections this year. Hosted by the Department of Justice & Attorney General (DJAG) at its WNB Haus office and chaired by the Prime Minister, the meeting discussed the composition of the Commission, its check and balance and administrative mechanisms, its reporting structure, and various other administrative and legal requirements, including recruitment for its composition. Prime Minister Marape also pointed out the Undisclosed Wealth Act and the Whistle Blowers Act – the supporting legislation that will assist to operationalise the work of the Commission when it is up and running. A very stringent process has been agreed to by the Committee, details of which will be released at a later date when the Commission is ready to launch. These efforts by DJAG continue at the back of a record number of legislation sponsored by the department and passed by Parliament last and this year which have contributed to an improvement in PNG’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by Transparency International, report of which was released recently. ICAC Interim Chairman Thomas Eluh, while providing a brief, said PNG has dropped from 142nd placing out of 180 countries to 126th place in the 2021 Corruption Perception Index. "This is a massive drop in one year, highlighting the positive and strong efforts of the Marape Government in tackling rampant corruption in the country, " said Eluh. "The full operationalisation of ICAC will further improve PNG’s grading on the CPI." Prime Minister Marape encouraged the Appointment Committee, the ICAC team, DJAG and other integrity organisations to strive to reduce PNG's ranking on the CPI to double digits, adding that the 2021 CPI ranking is very encouraging for the Government and the country. He also urged DJAG to use the three years before the country turned 50 in 2025 to strengthen the legislative and administrative mechanisms to “clean up the country” in time for the Golden Jubilee celebrations. The meeting was attended by the Chief Justice Gibbs Salika, ICAC Interim Chairman Thomas Eluh, Attorney-General Dr Eric Kwa, and various key members of DJAG.

COVID 19 cases in the country, especially the Omicron variant is expected to surge within this month until March as the National Control Centre awaits the results of COVID samples collected this month and sent to Melbourne, Australia for testing. Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Esorom Daoni sounded the warning yesterday during the COVID 19 virtual press conference in Port Moresby. “With low testing rate, low vaccination rate, people not conforming to the COVID protocols, not wearing proper mask and no physical distancing, we are confident that the Omicron variant will become very dominant very soon because of our behaviour,” Dr Daoni said. “Most of the past surges in the country resulted from major national events and so we are confident that after the Christmas break and the gathering and partying activities, we are expecting a surge between now and March. “From the samples that we sent in December to Melbourne, we got only one case of Omicron variant and two cases of Delta variant.” “On Monday this week, we sent 66 samples and we’re expecting the results to be back early next week.” Dr Daoni said the Omicron variant is highly transmissible and a lot of its patients will require hospital admission. He said the vulnerable groups are the frontline essential workers, people with comorbidities and old people. “So, we will be calling up the Provincial Health Authorities next week to see how prepared they are as we head into the next months.”

This Circular is to inform all staff and the General Public that Port Moresby General Hospital is experiencing 4'h COVID 19 surge indicated by the  rising number of covid- 9 positive cases recorded since the 21st of January 2022. All Coordinators, Managers, Supervisors and staff are hereby instructed to liaise with your respective sections in preparation as we enter into this 4’h surge, particularly with regards to escalation of our surge response plans. COVID-19 Representatives from respective divisions are advised to effectively coordinate through the PMGH COVID-19 Steering committee with regular meetings effective Thursday 27’^ January 2022. I urge all staff and the public to adhere to strict COVID-19 Niupela Pasin Measures as we continue to closely monitor this ever-evolving Covid-19 pandemic on our shores.

The SP PNG Hunters have officially announced their 26-man playing squad that will travel to Australia and compete in the 2022 Hostplus Cup competition. Head Coach Matthew Church announced the squad today and expressed his excitement for the season ahead: “It is my absolute pleasure to announce the final squad of 26 for the upcoming 2022 season. We have an exciting mix of returning and new players from PNG’s premier Rugby League competition the Digicel Cup, and there is a real hunger within the group to perform, challenge each other and strive towards a better season in 2022. Church also confirmed the SP PNG Hunters’ leadership model for the 2022 season: “I am proud to announce that Keven Appo (2021 vice-captain) steps up alongside Ila Alu (2021 captain) to be co-captains of the Hunters in 2022. They will be joined in a leadership group with 2022 vicecaptain Brandon Nima. All three players have been dominant voices throughout an encouraging preseason.” This will be the second year that the SP PNG Hunters have relocated from Papua New Guinea to Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast in order to compete in the QRL competition. Church acknowledged the added difficulty but says his squad is motivated to perform. “Last year presented plenty of challenges, none more so than many of the Hunters’ players living in a new country for the first time. Like most first time adventures, you can't expect to always get things right and we’ve taken confidence from lessons learnt in 2021. Season 2022 has the promise to be better still.” “On behalf of the playing squad and staff, I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of our sponsors, partners and stakeholders that make all this possible. Without your support we couldn’t do what we love and that is represent you all and PNG in the best light. To the families of the Hunters’ players and staff, thank you for supporting them on this journey. To everyone across PNG, please stay safe. We take great honour in representing you all and aim to bring you pride every time we play in 2022.” SP PNG Hunters’ 2022 official 26-man playing squad: Terry Wapi, Solo Wane, Brandon Nima, Gilimo Paul, Judah Rimbu, Ila Alu, Samuel Yegip, Sylvester Namo, Dilbert Isaac, Jordan Pat, Keven Appo, Emmanuel Waine, Benji Kot, Matthew Jesse, Liam Joseph, Rodrick Tai, Mark Tony, Jamie Mavoko, Casey Dickson, Anthony Worot, Sherwin Tanabi, Francis Kembis, Kingstimer Paraia, Wesa Tenza, Junior Rop, Kitron Laka.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has reiterated the importance of technical and vocational training in the country. He said this today (January 25 2022) when announcing higher and technical education reform initiatives supporting the Papua LNG Project and other major upcoming developments in the petroleum and mining sectors. These are: • Generational reforms in quality assurance, regulation and compliance; • Working closely with our development partners; • A National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) which was launched last Friday (January 21 2022); • National Labour Market Survey (NLMS); • Stronger engagement with business and industry; and • Industry-funded Higher Education Institution (HEI) places for eligible Grade 12 school leavers. “Technical and vocational training is an integral part of the higher education sector,” PM Marape said. “Technical and vocational training is also critically important in skills development and in fostering science, technology and innovation, driving the application, adaptation and use of new technologies. “A skilled workforce with the capacity to replace current large numbers of migrant workers at the lower end of the PNG National Qualification Framework (NQF) has significant sustainable benefits to the PNG economy and community.” PM Marape said the Government’s lead agency for higher and technical education, Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST), now had the regulatory power and oversight to provide a positive regulatory framework that reduced barriers and changed the incentives for both the private sector and training providers. “This is very timely as Government and Industry Partners collaborate on the successful rollout and implementation of the Papua LNG Project and related upscaling of other commercial projects across other industry sectors,” he said. “Government regulation of the skills sector has traditionally focused on supply side technical training with a serious disconnect between the training undertaken and its relevance to industry. “Thankfully, that ‘disconnect’ and out-dated regulatory approach is of the past. “The recent transfer of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to DHERST marks a significant turning point in the operation and performance management of these institutions as part of the Higher and Technical Education reforms. “DHERST has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Total Energies Ltd, one of the world’s largest Energy and Petroleum companies, now pivoting strongly to renewable technologies. “DHERST and Total Energies are collaborating to undertake joint activities and leverage their comparative advantage to develop solutions which create positive economic and social value for the people of Papua New Guinea. “To develop and upskill Papua New Guineans, Total Energies are collaborating with DHERST on human resource initiatives that shape both the quality of education received and the capacity of the PNG’s workforce; as well as supporting Total Energies’ ability to access such skilled workers to support the human resource needs of the Papua LNG Project. “Working across partner networks, there are mutual benefits for improving the productivity and competitiveness of PNG’s present workforce in ways that deliver economic and social value. “It is Government’s hope that other large corporate and multinational companies, as well as SMEs, will follow Total Energies’ lead in partnering with DHERST across a range of education and research initiatives.”

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the Government has allocated K65.1 million in the 2022 Budget to the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) to continue supporting students who need financial assistance. He said this today (January 25 2022) when giving an update on higher education in the country. “This Government is fully-committed to ensure quality education is accessed by all students in an affordable manner,” PM Marape said. “The HELP is a signature programme introduced by my Government in 2019 when we took office, and was first implemented in 2020 “This is a loan scheme for the students who cannot afford school fees in tertiary institutions. “It has been managed and coordinated by the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST). “The HELP remains a successful programme since its inception in 2020.” PM Marape said the programme would generate its first dividends in 2022 when the first post-graduate students who had applied last year (2021), and would graduate this year (2022), commence repaying the loan. “The dividends will be saved in what is called Higher Education Endowment Fund,” he said. “This facility will generate return and in turn self-sustain the programme in the long run.” PM Marape commended DHERST Acting Secretary Dr. Francis Hualupmomi, who under the political leadership of Minister Hon. Wesley Raminai, had introduced new mechanisms to transparently manage the HELP. “Dr Hualupmomi has extended the HELP to post-graduate students in 2021,” he said. “This decision will now result in payment of first dividends by the working class post-graduate students.” PM Marape said another important positive outcome was an increase in spaces available for 2022 school-leavers. “The number of spaces available for Grade 12 school-leavers in all tertiary institutions in the country has increased from 11,000 in 2021 to 15,171 in 2022,” he said. “This is largely attributed to a participation of some new institutions in the higher and technical education system in the country. “Technical education is another of my Government’s policy initiatives in skilling up the labour force for the upcoming extractive industry projects.”

St Barbara has recently delivered two major projects at its Simberi Operations without a lost time injury (LTI). The construction team, inclusive of St Barbara employees and contractors, achieved over 109,000 safe workhours in the projects. The multi-million-dollar projects included the Deep-Sea Tailings’ Placement (DSTP) pipeline and the ph monitoring system facility, which were constructed over three months without an incident. The projects form part of Simberi Operation’s sulphides extension, for which St Barbara is currently seeking an environmental permit. General Manager Randy McMahon described the excellent safety performance by the work crew as a safety milestone., Comparing it to a person’s work life, he said, “It’s like one person working for 52.4 years without an injury, it’s outstanding,” said Mr McMahon. Safety performance in the mining industry is calculated by multiplying the number of workers by the number of daily work hours by the number of days worked then dividing the total by the number of weekly hours worked by each person. Construction work started on 20 September 2021 and ended on 6 January 2022. Almost 100 pipeline specialists, engineers, technicians, tradespeople, and divers from Papua New Guinea and abroad had teamed up with St Barbara Simberi Operations teams to deliver the projects. The works included upgrades to the process of monitoring pH levels and the building and safe installation of a 540-metre DSTP line deep on the ocean floor. Meanwhile Mr McMahon, who was this month commenced as the new General Manager of Simberi Operations, was recently given keys to the island by the local chiefs and community members. In a an elaborate traditional Simberi ceremony, Mr McMahon was presented the traditional Mis – New Ireland Province’s traditional currency- symbolising his acceptance into the community. Mr McMahon and community leaders, including women and church representatives, agreed to continue working in close partnership with the mutual goal of securing royalties and other benefits for Simberians and the rest of the Tabar islanders. The communities of Simberi, Tatau and Big Tabar have recently given their full consent for St Barbara to extend mine life through the mining of sulphides. Sulphides’ mining will extend Simberi’s life for at least another 10 years. Application for the environmental permit for sulphides mining is currently being assessed by the Conservation and Protection Authority. The islanders are also currently reviewing Simberi’s Memorandum of Agreement with the company and the Mineral Resources Authority. St Barbara has delivered over K350 million worth of community and government benefits including royalties, income taxes and health and education support during13 years of oxide mining at Simberi.