Communities around Mabudawan in the South-Fly District of Western Province will have better access to the Mabudawan Health Centre following the completion of a new jetty funded by Australia through the Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP) at a cost of PGK3.1 million. As a Level 3 health facility, the Mabudawan Health Centre has a full range of medical facilities including a maternity ward; dental clinic; tuberculosis consultation and isolation ward; pathology laboratory; and accident and emergency centre. The health centre serves a catchment area of around 18,000 people. Communities previously travelled via dugout canoes and boats and struggled through the muddy shores to access the health facility. This was an enormous challenge, particularly for very sick patients and those with disabilities. The health centre now has a floating pontoon with a hinged walkway allowing 24-hour direct access to boats, making it easier to transfer patients and achieve consistent delivery of medical supplies and equipment. Nursing officer Esongke Waurang, who is currently in charge of the health centre, said: “People are traveling long distances, as far as Kunini, Morehead and Daru, to access the clinic because of its [high-quality] setup so the jetty will help to give better access to our services, where they don’t have to walk through the muddy shore like before”. Kelwyn Browne, a health advisor with the PNG Australia Transition to Health (PATH) Program, who works closely with Esongke reiterated: “For sick people and normal patient access, this jetty will make it easier to reach the clinic whether they’re coming in from the rivers or up and down the coasts. It’ll also be a bit easier for the staff and the support team here to move medical supplies and other things to the centre.” The Mabudawan jetty has been designed to withstand high tides and is expected to be in use for at least 20 years.

With only a few weeks away to the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Cricket PNG has announced the appointment of Rodney Maha as the Head Coach of PIH Under 19 Cricket PNG team. Maha is now in charge of all aspects of the World Cup tour and it is a very well deserved responsibility. Cricket PNG General Manager, Tony Naidu in making the announcement and commending Maha added, ‘This is a great honour, and a very popular choice.’ Maha is not new to the cricket scene nor the sporting industry in Papua New Guinea.  He brings with him a wealth of experience and is ready to put on the cap as the Head Coach. 'I've been working in Cricket PNG for 12 years in different roles.  Starting off as a development officer and then becoming the Regional Cricket Manager for Morobe before becoming the Lewas Head Coach in 2015.  I then became the Competitions Coordinator before being given the Cricket Development Manager role.’ Currently the National Talent ID Manager at Cricket PNG, Maha oversees identifying and bringing in male and female players in the junior and senior cricket programs. He has already been heavily involved with the U19 team from talent identification through to their training programme. 'I feel it is not only about coaching but also playing a few other roles like being a parent and a role model.' With the U19 team in training where Maha is in charge, he says the boys are doing well and have created an important bond amongst each other. ‘I hope the boys do well and I am positive they will play well come January,’ he adds with optimism. ‘The boys will be playing against full member nations and these nations will have a high level of skill, as expected.  We will try to match them with our talent and the spirit that PNG is very well known for.’ As he expects, he encourages the country to back the PIH U19 Cricket PNG team. ‘It will be great if the country can support our boys through social media. They will need all the support they can get.’

Farmers from Jiwaka Province and neighboring provinces have been selling their produce to the newly established buying point in Minj, Jiwaka for the last couple of months, as part of the preparation to the official opening of the buying point. The strategic partnership between the leading agribusiness, Innovative Agro Industry Ltd. (IAI), and Jiwaka Provincial Government through the Jiwaka Development Corporation, has established the buying point in Minj, Jiwaka, to purchases the citrus fruits from Jiwaka’s citrus farmers, including lemons, lime, oranges and tangerines. From the buying point the citrus fruits enter a cold chain and are delivered to the urban markets of Lae and Port Moresby, thereby creating market access to Jiwaka’s farmers and providing the urban consumers quality citrus at affordable prices, replacing the highly priced overseas imports. The buying point is part of a large scale partnership that will include assisting the farmers with further inputs, extension services, technology and knowhow. Margaret Deruage from Simbu, is the officer in charge at Minj Buying Point, says: “The buying point receives good feedback from the farmers, before the buying point started its operation accessing markets for their citrus was a an impossible challenge for most individual farmers, the few farmers that succeeded in selling their citrus had to deal with traders and other agents that brought and sold their produce to the markets but paid the farmers a very low price. other farmers that travelled with their produce to the markets had to endure a risk filled, costly and time consuming journey." "Furthermore, the established commercial buying point has rejuvenated and motivated the farmers to tend to their abandoned citrus trees so they can constantly bring in supply and benefit. This will sustain the farmers in the long run”. “It is interesting to note that most farmers own individual orchard yards of around 500 to 1000 or more trees. In the past they typically operated within associations to help them access markets, today I see that the vast majority come to sell their citrus as individual farmers and very few show up as part of an association or other type of groups” Margaret graduated from Vudal University and has been working with Innovative Agro-Industry since 2015. She started as Plant Protection Officer at 9 Mile Farm and moved to the highlands to work as an Extension Officer at the Sirunki farm in Enga. She says the biggest challenge for the buying point team is getting good quality and quantity to meet market demand. “The farmer receive a good price and assistance to ensure consistent flow of supply. We receive full support from the Jiwaka Development Cooperation Limited, linking the farmers to the new venture and providing awareness regarding the market and the benefits for farmers”. The Jiwaka Produce is already available through the existing marketing channels that IAI has established in country like the 9 Mile Farm, and is expected to increase in volumes following the official opening this week.

Indian police say they have foiled a plot by a man who tried to fake his own death to avoid being returned to jail. Officers in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh say Sudesh Kumar, 36, murdered a man and tried to pass the body off as his own with the aid of his wife. But police found CCTV footage of him carrying the body on a bike. Kumar was reportedly released on parole during the Covid-19 pandemic after being charged with the murder of his 13-year-old daughter in 2018. Some Indian states have paroled some detainees in an attempt to prevent overcrowded prisons being overwhelmed by coronavirus cases. But Kumar had reportedly become convinced that authorities intended to end his period of parole and hatched the plan to avoid his re-incarceration. Police allege that Kumar confessed upon his arrest to killing Domen Ravidas on 19 November. Mr Ravidas was a mason of similar height and weight to Kumar, who had hired the contractor to conduct some repair work on his home. Mr Ravidas' body was discovered in a vacant plot the following day. His remains were burned beyond recognition, but he was carrying Kumar's ID card in his pocket. Kumar's wife, Anupama, later identified the body as her husband's at their home in the Indian capital of Delhi. However, after establishing that Kumar had faked his death, officers received a tip-off that he intended to visit his wife. Police raided the couple's home and apprehended Kumar, who confessed to the crime. His wife has also been arrested for her part in the plot. Iraj Raja, a superintendent with the regional police, praised the work of his officers during a press conference on Sunday. "The couple hatched an elaborate plot, but police managed to crack this blind murder case," Mr Raja said. "This team will be awarded for its work," he added. SOURCE: BBC NEWS

Just like most of his PIH Under 19 Cricket PNG teammates, this will be Malcolm’s first time leaving the shores of Papua New Guinea – a big deal for the young batter. The teenager from Hula in the Central province, has already made his presence on the pitch known. Starting as a fun backyard game with his friends is now a lifetime opportunity where Malcolm will be representing his country, after being scouted from the well-known Raukele Cricket Club. ‘I’m excited. I feel happy because this is my first [World Cup] tour,’ he says. There is so much to gain from a World Cup tour; from networking to experiencing different cultures. But what Malcolm anticipates most is watching and learning from the other international teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. ‘I just want to get experiences from other countries, especially from their batting and bowling techniques.’ That is something he looks at in other players he aspires to be like, especially in the Kumul Petroleum PNG Barramundis team. ‘My favourite player is Tony Ura because I love his shots, and his fielding too,’ he says without hesitation. Being young it is only right to absorb how other players perform on field. And even on the court. Interestingly, volleyball is another game that he enjoys playing when he’s off the field. ‘I love playing volleyball,’ he says with a smile. When asked how training is coming along, he assures that preparations are going well for him and the team, agreeing that they are ready to take on other international teams in the West Indies next year. Malcolm admits he will definitely be missing home on this tour, especially his family. But he is looking forward to making his debut on the international stage, hopefully one day tour as one of the Barramundis.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the K140 million 12-storey West New Britain Haus in Port Moresby proves that agriculture is “transformational”. He said this on Friday (December 10 2021) when opening the landmark icon of the people of West New Britain which was funded by money from the province’s lucrative oil palm industry. The Department of Justice and Attorney-General and all its agencies will be taking up space in all 12 floors. PM Marape said the West New Britain story should be an inspiration for every individual and provincial government in the country, and was in line with Pangu Pati’s vision of economic independence for the country. He especially commended Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, and leaders past and present, for having the vision to wisely invest proceeds from its share in the oil palm business in the province. “Today is a wonderful occasion, a testament and a reflection of something I believe in the core of my heart: Agriculture is transformational,” the Prime Minister told hundreds of people, mainly from West New Britain, who were there to celebrate. “Agriculture can make it happen for our people. “This is not oil or gas money, this is not gold money, this is not money from other sources, but money from agriculture. “Who says agriculture cannot transform our country? “Our nation is a nation of landowners. “This story today must inspire, if not individually, provincial governments throughout the length and breadth of our country. “Don’t sit back depending on Waigani. “You talk about power, you talk about autonomy, you talk about wanting more, well you must be an economic powerhouse. “You already have land, you already have people, you already have power: Mobilise them to ensure you transform your land, not just from oil palm, but coffee, copra, cocoa, rubber, vanilla, organic agriculture and everything else.” PM Marape said the opening of West New Britain Haus was a classic example of agriculture revenue being transformational when leaders had the foresight “to think big, think deep, think into the future, think sustainable and are able to invest…not in political feel-good investments or politically-convenient investments in the face of election, but investing in something that will stand the test of time and bring in sustainable dividends for children of that province”. “West New Britain: I step back and say congratulations on the efforts of the leadership.”

Since the first case of the new Omicron variant was detected last month, early anecdotal reports indicate people infected seem to be experiencing mild illness -- leading some scientists to wonder if this version of the virus could be less dangerous than prior variants. But scientists have cautioned it's too soon to know for sure. It "looks less severe in really early data," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton in an interview from CDC headquarters in Atlanta. "We're certainly following and very interested in disease severity." Omicron was dubbed a "variant of concern" due to its many mutations. As a result, scientists are scrambling to determine if these changes lead to increased transmissibility or weakened response from vaccines. The World Health Organization said several studies are underway and that more information will emerge in the following days to weeks. Preliminary studies show that the Pfizer vaccine may be less effective against the Omicron variant, but, again, more research is needed. Early clinical data from researchers in South Africa hint that the virus may cause less severe COVID-19 infections. The South African Medical Research Council has reported that very few hospitalized patients with the Omicron variant have required supplemental oxygen or were admitted to an ICU. Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and professor with the Department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, said that preliminary results are "very encouraging." The U.S reported its first Omicron case on Dec. 1 in California. Many subsequent cases in the U.S. have happened among younger, healthier and vaccinated people who already are less likely to become very sick from COVID-19. But there are still too few people with Omicron to draw meaningful conclusions about whether the variant itself causes a more mild illness, experts told ABC News. [caption id="attachment_17581" align="aligncenter" width="916"] Kennedy Garcia, a Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade registered nurse, prepares her personal protective equipment gear before entering the isolation room of a coronavirus disease COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, N.M., Dec. 9, 2021.[/caption] With an increase in the number of cases, Brownstein said scientists "will be able to characterize the [variant] better." This information will aid public health officials in establishing better guidelines and preventative measures. If it turns out Omicron is more transmissible but less severe than other variants, some experts said that could bode well overall -- perhaps signaling the virus will still circulate among people but become less life-threatening. "I think Omicron may represent the first step in adaptation that you want to see, which is that it's more contagious and less virulent," said Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious disease pediatrician. Even with all eyes on the Omicron variant, experts are reminding the public that the Delta variant remains the predominant circulating strain in the United States, where it's still responsible for more than 99% of cases. Among best practices for avoiding all variants, officials continue to recommend vaccinations, obtaining booster shots as soon as eligible and following mask-wearing guidelines. SOURCE: ABC NEWS

New Zealand on Thursday announced plans to prevent young people from ever being able to buy cigarettes as part of an initiative to make the country entirely smoke-free by 2025. The measures will mean that anyone born after 2008 will not be able to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products in their lifetime, while the level of nicotine in cigarettes available to older people will be reduced. The number of retailers able to sell cigarettes could also be cut substantially, officials said. The legislation is expected to be enacted next year. Health officials and campaign groups have welcomed the move, recognizing the proposed reforms as one of the world’s toughest crackdowns on the tobacco industry. New Zealand already requires plain packaging and has high taxes on cigarettes, but the health ministry says more action is required if it is to reach the goal of making the country smoke-free. “This is a historic day for the health of our people,” Dr. Ayesha Verrall, associate health minister, said in a statement. “We want to make sure young people never start smoking so we will make it an offense to sell or supply smoked tobacco products to new cohorts of youth. People aged 14 when the law comes into effect will never be able to legally purchase tobacco.” Verrall said smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand and causes one in four cancers in its population of roughly 5 million. The health ministry said smoking-related harm was particularly prevalent in Maori, Pacific and low-income communities. ‘A long slog’ The government’s smoke-free goal, first introduced in 2011, is to ensure that the national smoking rate is reduced to less than 5% by 2025 — before eventually eliminating smoking altogether. At present, around 13% of adults smoke nationwide, down from 18% almost a decade ago. However, the current smoking rate among the indigenous Maori population stands at 31%, much higher than the national rate. “It’s been a long slog, but it actually now looks like we will achieve the Smokefree 2025 goal,” said Robert Beaglehole, chairman and founder of the campaign group, ASH. “This collection of complementary measures will be the envy of countries struggling to combat the death and misery caused by smoked tobacco. We will lead the world in tobacco control,” he added. The World Health Organization describes the tobacco epidemic as “one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.” It says smoking, including second-hand, kills more than 8 million people per year. More than 80% of the world’s estimated 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest. SOURCE: CNBC NEWS

Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) in partnership with the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) School of Law has commenced its 2021-2022 Legal Internship Program (LIP) with the 5th cohort of interns starting on Monday 29th November 2021. Through the LIP, TIPNG is able to offer 3rd and 4th Year UPNG Law School students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience as part of its mission to empower people in Papua New Guinea to take action against corruption. “TIPNG values the opportunity to work with Papua New Guinea’s next generation of legal professionals through the LIP. Over the course of the 2-month internship, the UPNG Law School students will be engaged in a variety of activities to hone their academic skills, expand their professional network and meaningfully contribute to addressing corruption in our country. This innovative partnership, now in its fifth year has matured into a fixture of TIPNG’s annual calendar and provides much needed support in our ongoing anticorruption efforts,” said Ms. Arianne Kassman, TIPNG Chief Executive Officer, in a media statement. From a total 73 applicants applied for the LIP 2021-2022, the following three UPNG Law School students were selected for the internship program: Ms. Jasmine Murray, 3rd Year LLB Mr. Lloyd Kombe, 3rd Year LLB Ms. Andrea Marru, 3rd Year LLB The LIP Interns will primarily assist TIPNG’s Anti-Corruption Helpdesk (AnCoHD). The AnCoHD is a free public service offered by TIPNG whereby victims and witnesses of corruption in Papua New Guinea can anonymously seek legal advice and assistance in person, via email, social media, or by calling the AnCoHD toll-free number 180 6000. In addition to assisting TIPNG’s AnCoHD, the legal interns will be given the opportunity to support TIPNG’s other functions which include; Policy, Advocacy, Communications, Events, Partnerships, Finance and Administration. Since beginning in 2018, a total of 14 interns that have successfully completed the LIP. TIPNG recently extended its partnership with the UPNG School of Law, through the signing in October 2020 of a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding from 2020-2024.

After a consultation by Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) in October, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday 03rd of December 2021, between the West New Britain Provincial Administrator, Mr Williamson Hosea and CCDA’s Acting Managing Director, Mr William Lakain. The initial consultation between WNBPA and CCDA begun in 2016. The event was witnessed by WNB Provincial Management Team, Environment and Climate Change Unit and Officers from CCDA who travelled to Kimbe. Mr Williamson upon receiving the CCDA delegation mentioned the efforts of the provincial administration especially its structure to create a Climate Change Unit. This unit will play a vital role in coordinating efforts within the Province through the Provincial Climate Change Committee (PCCC) and liaise with CCDA at the National level. The signing of the MoU is a milestone achievement for the province as it sets precedents as the first province in the country to establish its PCCC. CCDA acting Managing Director, Mr Lakain said the MoU is the key step forward for both parties to foster effective working relationship to address climate change issues within the province. “I commend the Governor, the Provincial Administration and the people of WNB for their efforts towards implementing climate change measures in the province. This committee will also be a mechanism to support donor fundings from international development partners as well as the National Government to support the province in terms of green energy (geothermal) and other climate change related projects within the province. The next step for the Provincial Executive Council of West New Province is to fully endorse the PCCC establishment and allocate budget to be sourced from within the Provincial Administration for PCCC activities. The swearing in and the induction of the WNB PCCC members will be done early next year. The New Ireland Provincial Executive Council (PEC) has also in its decision 55/2021 approved the establishment of PCCC in the Province. The swearing in and MoU signing will be done once dates are set by the Provincial Administration of New Ireland Province.

47 youth representatives from all 13 districts of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), now have a better understanding of the impacts of corruption and the importance of positive leadership, following a five-day training program facilitated by Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) and supported through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership. The Active Civic Engagement Program (ACE) is one of TIPNG’s flagship youth engagement programs designed to foster positive leadership and community values among young people in PNG. The program reintroduced participants to the devastating impacts of corruption at the community level and the effectiveness of positive leadership, unity, and consultation in addressing corruption. A youth representative from Konnou, Jeffrey Kangkei, said he was grateful to be involved in the program, as youth from his area had few opportunities to interact with the young people from other parts of Bougainville. He stated he had learnt about ways to stop corruption in his community and across Bougainville, and he was excited to share what he had learnt with other youths in his village. The program also included exposure to inspiring leaders and positive role models such as ABG’s Speaker of the House of Representatives, Simon Pentau, ABG North Bougainville Women’s Representative, Amanda Masono-Getsi, and renowned filmmaker and artist, Llane Munau who shared their experiences and encouraged participants with messages of good governance and leadership. TIPNG Chief Executive Officer, Arianne Kassman reflected on the training saying, “The need for civic participation and engagement in both our national and sub-national governance frameworks is just as critical as ever. Our ACE program is specifically designed to moderate the general overreliance on the government to solve our issues at the community level.” “We are proud of our participants, and we hope that they can each take it one step further, by sharing what they have learned under this program with their peers and other individuals within their respective communities.”

On 8 December ExxonMobil PNG (EMPNG), operator of the PNG LNG Project, in partnership with the Hela Provincial Government, marked the launch of the Hela Education Program to support students across the province. Key takeaways: EMPNG launches PGK 2.5 million kina education program in Hela Province First of its kind program supports secondary school student tuition fees In collaboration with the Hela Provincial Government over 3,000 students will benefit This first of its kind program in Hela reflects a shared interest in strengthening education outcomes. With a primary focus on secondary education (years 8 through 12), EMPNG’s funding support of PGK 2.5 million will enable the Hela Department of Education to support student tuition fees and related costs in 2022. Governor Undialu said that ExxonMobil PNG’s Hela Education Program represents the strong bond between Hela and ExxonMobil PNG. “ExxonMobil’s Hela Education Program will provide over 3,000 students in Year 8 to Year 12 the opportunity to continue their education. This program will keep students engaged in the classroom, enabling our young men and women to obtain the education needed to not only help themselves and their families, but also to support the broader development of Hela Province,” Governor Undialu stated. Ronny Angu, Director of the Hela Department of Education, thanked ExxonMobil for supporting his department’s efforts on behalf of Hela’s youth. “ExxonMobil PNG has been a steadfast partner and good friend of Hela, and we look forward to seeing the positive results this new program will bring to our students and our province,” Mr. Angu said. ExxonMobil PNG Managing Director Peter Larden thanked the Hela Department of Education and the Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Undialu for prioritising education as a critical foundation for Hela’s socioeconomic development. “To the young women and men of Hela, we join the Hela Provincial Government and community leaders supporting the continuation of your studies. You play a key role in helping build a brighter today, and tomorrow for the Province and for PNG,” Mr. Larden said. According to the Hela Department of Education, over the last few years secondary student engagement in Hela has become challenging due to families being unable to afford tuition, with the ongoing impacts of the 2018 earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic intensifying social issues further. Since 2010, EMPNG has invested over PGK 23 million in educational initiatives across Hela Province including infrastructure projects such as classrooms and teacher’s houses and wash facilities; educational materials; and teacher training.