Athletics PNG is pressing ahead with plans to stage the PNG Air Grand Prix and National Championships in Kimbe starting on 26 November, following the receipt of approval from the Provincial Administration in Kimbe. Sports Director Conrad Golumu is now liaising with Athletics PNG for the conduct of the event through the Venue Management team led by Nolene Pidik. Port Moresby based athletes were able to resume training at the Sir John Guise stadium on 1st November and whilst some have opted to skip the Grand Prix and focus on the championships, there will still be a few athletes from NCD joining other national squad members in Kimbe for the Grand Prix which will serve as a warm up event for the Championships. Meanwhile over in Kimbe the local athletes are excitedly gearing up for the competitions ahead despite the disappointment of the cancellation of the NGI Championships in Kokopo. With ENB Province in lockdown and with a curfew in place it was clearly not practical to conduct the event at this time. The athletes most looking forward to the Grand Prix are the middle and long-distance groups based in Kerowagi Simbu Province and at Utmei Secondary school in ENB. Following the successful PNG Air Grand Prix in Port Moresby early in July these athletes have been looking forward to the second round. Top competition is expected in the mens middle and long-distance events with George Yamak, Dilu Goiye Abel Siune, Siune Kagl, Wilford Baia and Adolf Kauba expected to be amongst the leading contenders. In the womens events Mary Tenge who was dominant in Port Moresby will face stronger competition this time from Scholastica Herman and Aina Goir. With many of the country’s top male sprinters in the USA at the present time, the Grand Prix and National Championships provide the opportunity for the next generation to show what they can do. Local favourite Graham Bai will be up against Paias Wisil and Jobbie Kinzu from NSI as well as NCD based Chabby Solomon and Terrence Talio. With very little athletic activity in ENB this year it is not known whether there will be a team at the Championships other than the small Utmei group. There will however be a small team from New Ireland coached by 1991 Pacific games 400m champion Subul Babo. Meanwhile Lae, Bulolo, Simbu, East Sepik and Popondetta are also understood to be preparing to send a few athletes each to Kimbe. Attendance at the National Championships is very important for those PNG based athletes seeking a place in the team for the Pacific Mini Games this year. Obviously, we have to adapt to the situation we have with the effect of the pandemic on training and competition said President Tony Green but the fact is that the Championships are the last major event we will have before the entry deadline is upon us. This means we have to go with the results and information available to us. The selection policy for the Games can be viewed via the APNG Facebook page and website. Green also stated that Athletics PNG was working to ensure that established team members and those athletes with the proven ability to make the team will make it over to Kimbe

A Myanmar military court has sentenced US journalist Danny Fenster to 11 years in jail. Fenster was found guilty of breaching immigration law, unlawful association and encouraging dissent against the military. He was earlier this week slapped with two additional charges of sedition and terrorism, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. His trial on the new charges will begin on 16 November. Fenster, 37, who was the managing editor of online site Frontier Myanmar, was detained at Yangon international airport in May. He is one of dozens of local journalists that have been detained since a military coup in February. According to Frontier, Fenster had earlier worked for Myanmar Now, an independent news site that has been critical of the military since the coup. "The charges were all based on the allegation that he was working for banned media outlet Myanmar Now. Danny had resigned from Myanmar Now in July 2020 and joined Frontier the following month, so at the time of his arrest in May 2021 he had been working with Frontier for more than nine months," said the news site. "There is absolutely no basis to convict Danny of these charges." His sentencing on Friday comes months after a Japanese freelance journalist was arrested in Myanmar and charged with spreading fake news. Yuki Kitazumi, who was reporting for many of Japan's major news outlets, was one of a few foreign reporters in the country. Myanmar authorities maintain he violated the law but released him because Japan had requested it. SOURCE: BBC NEWS

With urgent support required by Port Moresby General Hospital to combat the Delta Variant Covid-19 crisis in the city, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) is pleased to donate K100,000 to assist the country’s major hospital. In presenting the K100,000 donation today to Port Moresby General Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paki Molumi and his staff, BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said; “BSP understands the plight the hospital is facing in this uncertain times, especially the COVID-19 Delta Variant Crisis.” “The continuous surge in the number of Covid-19 Delta Variant cases not only poses a threat to PNG’s economy, it is greatly affecting businesses and the country’s health system.  Indeed this is worse than the last two surges and our BSP staff and their families are being affected as well. As a community bank, we want to do our bit to assist the Port Moresby General Hospital, as it’s not only the main hospital in the city but the main referral and specialist hospital, including its teaching and training role. “Just like the hospitals, BSP as a bank is an essential service provider and we will continue to keep our branches open and we will continue to encourage our staff to get vaccinated especially when Covid-19 continues to spread rapidly. We would also like to extend our sincere condolences to those families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19,” Mr Fleming added. CEO of the Port Moresby General Hospital Dr Paki Molumi in accepting the assistance said the hospital’s Covid-19 isolation ward is full to capacity and with over 150 cases admitted, more than 60 percent of those patients require oxygen. “We are opening up new wards to accommodate and manage the increasing number of patients so more lives can be saved. Funding from the Government has been slow and we are grateful for the assistance by BSP today. The hospital has lost over 40 patients to Covid-19 since 27th September, 2021, and is struggling to keep its workforce with already 70 staff infected and in isolation. The mortuary is filled to capacity with over 300 bodies, of which more than 50 are Covid-19 victims,” said Dr Molumi. BSP also noted that its support to Covid-19 also included the installation of 150 wash stations around the country by its respective branches to the value of K110, 000.00 in 2020 through its community project initiative. “In 2020 and 2021, our community projects included support to 32 hospitals and medical centres to the value of K1.18 million which included medical equipment donation, solar power installation and building refurbishments.

Power outages in the National Capital District will continue on into next week as PNG Power teams carry out load shedding exercise on its feeders across the city. PNG Power call centre confirmed that the load shedding exercise was undertaken as a result of power shortfall from Rouna. It said water generation from Rouna is not enough at this time to supplement electricity therefore PPL had to do load shedding. Power outages in the city began early this week with various areas being affected. Meanwhile, PPL is yet to issue the load shedding schedule for different areas within the Nation’s Capital.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has announced that applications for its 2022 Apprenticeship Training and Graduate Development Scheme (GDS) programs are now open. School leavers from universities and technical institutions around the country are encouraged to apply. OTML Managing Director and CEO, Musje Werror, said with the mine life extended to 2032 and potentially beyond, there is an exciting career path with OTML after the training programs are completed. Mr Werror is a product of the GDS Program which he attended in 1988 and has worked his way up to become the first national managing director of the mine. “We are looking for young Papua New Guineans with high potential not only academically but also with the right attitude to contribute towards the success of Ok Tedi and the development of Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Werror. “We are also looking for female Papua New Guineans to join our operation. Our current percentage of females in the workforce is 11 percent, and we have set a target to increase to 20 percent by the year 2025.” OTML is offering Apprenticeship Training in the following Trade Categories: • Automotive Electrical • Cabinet Making & Joinery • Carpentry Construction • Electrical Fitting • Electronic • Instrumentation • Heavy Equipment Fitting • Maintenance Fitting & Machining • Metal Fabrication & Welding • Plumbing & Drainage • Refrigeration & Air Condition Under the Graduate Development Scheme OTML offers training in these categories: • Accounting • Geology • Human Resource Management • Mechanical Engineering • Environmental Sciences • Electrical & Communication Engineering • Geotechnical Engineering • ICT • Mineral Processing Engineering • Surveying Visit https://oktedi.com/careers/ to apply. Applications for both training programs will close on the 26th November 2021. Since 1982 OTML has trained 1, 123 trades persons and 560 Graduates. Nearly 360 trades persons and graduates have been employed by the company, while many others are now working in other resource companies within the country and abroad.

Air Niugini has resumed its Fokker jet services to Wewak starting today following the completion of runway repairs by the National Airports Corporation (NAC). Since the works on the airport runway commenced early this year, Link PNG has been operating to Wewak airport using smaller Dash-8 aircraft, but with passenger numbers restricted to as few as 20 at times because of the shortened runway. Air Niugini General Manager Commercial Dominic Kaumu said the last months of restrictions at Wewak has been inconvenient for both the customers and the airline. "However, we understand runways must be maintained to the highest standard and we are pleased the works are now complete and we can resume our Fokker 100 jet services into Wewak airport," Mr Kaumu said. Air Niugini operates daily nonstop Fokker services between Port Moresby and Wewak, and additional services will be scheduled throughout the peak period should demand warrant.

Papua New Guinea has a rich farming culture growing beautiful produce. However, very few children have seen cows or modern green houses where technology plays an important part in growing the produce. With the launch of “When I grow up – I want to be a Farmer” Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) is seeking to inspire children to consider a career in modern farming. This week 5-year-old Joshua, dressed in a full farming outfit and with other BbP children got the opportunity to visit the 9 Mile Farm to see how the produce is grown and understand all about cows and what dairy products are. BbP has published a series of books entitled “When I Grow up – I want to be a Teacher, - Pilot, - Store Manager, -Paramedic, - ICT Officer and - Farmer. These new books were first launched during Book Week together with the Sir Brian Bell Foundation which has sponsored the printing and shipping of the readers. A new set of readers are currently in production and will introduce a Banker, an Engineer, a Pastry Chef, a Nurse, a Pharmacist, a Heavy Equipment Operator and an Architect why photography by Roan Paul. Leanne Resson, BbP Executive Officer said: “We are grateful to Ilimo and 9 Mile Farm for their support to provide the children with vital insight into the world of modern farming. The children are so excited about their visit and we hope to have many more opportunities for field trips which are so educational and inspirational for them. Thank you also for always assisting with our events and providing the children with healthy locally produced snacks to power their learning.” Ilimo said: “In Papua New Guinea, teaching the next generation about the importance of local food & sustainability, and its impact on our future as a nation is vital - and has always been one the primary goals of Ilimo (under the Innovative Agro Industry group of companies). Through wonderful initiatives like this by Buk bilong Pikinini and other organizations, our children can learn and aspire to work in rewarding careers, especially in areas like food production and agriculture which have massive opportunities here in PNG.” [caption id="attachment_16722" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Louise Vuvut (Buk bilong Pikinini's Finance Manager) and young Joshua presenting Jana Salayau (Farm Manager) with the Buk bilong Pikinini Reader: When I grow up I want to be a Farmer.[/caption]

Over 660 owners of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have benefited from the National Government supported loan facility through BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) with over K90m funded as at 9th November 2021. According to BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming, since the announcement in May of the reduction of equity requirement from 30% to 10%, more SME owners have benefited from improved access to the credit enhancement loan. “This also included the change in the maximum loan amount from a maximum of K3m to K5m at a fixed low interest rate of 5% for a repayment period of up to 15 years,” Mr Fleming said. “Since the relaxation of requirement on equity, we were able to fund 667 SMEs with a total of K92.1m at an average loan size of K140, 000 from the K100m allocated to BSP under the CESL.” Mr Fleming added that there have only been a small number of defaults under the facility with the current level of delinquencies well within the banks acceptable thresholds. BSP Head of SME Jeffrey Singer added that apart from funding 667 SMEs across industries with retail and other businesses at 70% and in provinces with the Highlands and Momase regions combined at 65%, BSP also has 233 applications pending to the value of K57.9m. BSP SME Credit Enhancement Scheme Loan is open to all SME owners and it does include the ability to refinance existing loans.

Here at the Port Moresby Nature Park, we are very proud to have this group of individuals known as zoo educators! They play a huge role in inspiring the guardianship of Papua New Guinea’s diverse biodiversity through their creativity. It’s an exciting and varied role that some very passionate young people play. Zoo Educators give public talks, host fun activities, school education sessions, holiday activities and even other educational competitions as well! Our team of zoo educators are great at creating educational materials for a variety of age groups that visit Port Moresby Nature Park all year round. They use the surroundings of the park to connect children and visitors to the wildlife and flora. A zoo educator helps children understand the importance of taking care of the environment as it has a significant impact on the lives and welfare of animals. They also educate about the importance of conservation and animal care. Visitors can also learn the unique story about each animal as they take a walk around the zoo, or Wildlife Park with an educator. Through partnerships with Zoos Victoria and the International Zoo Educators Association, the Port Moresby Nature Park Education and Wildlife teams have undergone proper training and learning internationally through various exchange programs. This has enabled the team to localize education material accordingly to PNG Curriculum to suit students from both private and public schools. Having to adapt Zoos Victoria’s Connect, Understand, Act (CUA) Model, has encouraged so many young children to act responsibly and play their part in preserving our natural environment and the Park is truly grateful for receiving such support from its sister zoo, Zoos Victoria. With all the support and assistance given the Park’s educators, Port Moresby Nature Park’s Educators teach over 24,000 students every year!

PRIME Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea’s partnership with Dr. Andrew Forrest and his company Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) is bigger than just hydro in Purari River and will encompass a huge set of projects worth billions of kina that must be appreciated and guarded by Papua New Guineans. He says the Fortescue Metals Group – through its subsidiary FFI – is seriously moving into futuristic clean energy and its scope is broader than just the Purari River systems but covering also Kikori and Strickland systems, and the geothermal sites throughout Papua New Guinea beginning in West New Britain Province. “I have met Dr. Forrest on a number of occasions and his interest in green clean energy in PNG is sincere and serious. Through his futuristic green energy subsidiary company, FFI is looking at harvesting up to 25 gigawatts of power for clean energy to sell to the world from our country, including migrating some of FMG industries into PNG. These are huge projects worth billions of kina. “I am utterly disappointed in a daily newspaper's misreporting and misrepresentation today. This is a newspaper company with nearly 30 percent of Papua New Guinean shareholding interest who continue to misreport, belittle and tarnish the work the Papua New Guinea government is doing no matter how big or small. For the journalist to always find negativity in innovation shows a shallow mind when the world is at this point moving into clean energy and new frontiers of technology. “I am a prime minister who is very excited about taking our country into new frontiers and breaking barriers that others think we as a country cannot do. This includes clean green energy, Information & Communication Technology, digital and cyberspace, the downstream of our raw resources in gold, gas, timber, fisheries, agriculture and so forth. “This direction is new and might seem impossible to some. This direction will affect the comfort many are used to and may have enjoyed during the status quo, but I will not be deterred from this course. The world will move in this direction in as far as energy is concerned, and Papua New Guinea is partnering FFI to pioneer this very source as part of our global response to climate change. “If we do not join, we will be left behind when countries of the world move away from carbon-based energy solutions and into green energy. “All or any company with proposals to do business in PNG are welcomed and can come in with their proposals. We can agree but due processes on compliance to all our laws on investments, regulations and national interests must first of all take place. "We will process all submissions, like the one from Botswa from Botswana, whom we are awaiting to return to us to advance their business interest in PNG. “The natural resources in PNG are plentiful, including those in the green energy space. Hydro and water resources abound in this country; we can fit any investor in any part of the country who wants to use our rivers and springs so and there is no clash or collision as alluded to by the Post-Courier. “The government has the interest of its people first and foremost and will do everything it sees fit to make sure these large-scale investments are done properly and fully,” said Prime Minister Marape.

11 year old Terrence Manu, a Grade 3 student at Goilanai Primary School in Alotau, Milne Bay Province is the pioneer recipient of the Mrs Joel Scholarship program worth K1,000.00 in school fee and stationary supplies. Mrs Joel Memorial Scholarship program is an initiative started this year by James Joel, the son of late Mrs Joel, a former teacher of Goilanai Primary who dedicated her entire life to teaching until her passing this year. "The scholarship program was introduced by myself to honour my late mun and is directly aimed at supporting unfortunate students of Goilanai Primary especially between grades 1-4, the classes that my mum taught," said Mr. James. Young Terrence's mother had heard about the scholarship initiative and had reached out to Mr James Joel to apply for the scholarship for her son. Terrence is the eldest of 3 siblings and had taken on the role as the man of the house when he, his mother, Maryanne Maso and his two younger siblings moved to Alotau at the age of 9. His mum had to leave her job in Port Moresby and moved her young family to Alotau due to personal reasons and they had no means of making an income but that didn’t stop him from excelling in school and helping his mum out at home. “What really moved me to apply for the scholarship was the act of great love of a son for his mother, caring on even after her death.” “When I applied, it wasn’t much of an application but more a sharing of how one son (a child) expresses his love for his mother in all aspects of his life (in character, academically) to another son (an adult) who's now honoring his mother's memory by blessing this child,” said Terrence Mother, Maryanne Maso. Mr James Joel came up with the idea of the scholarship to honour his late mother, who was a teacher at Goilanai Primary before she passed away recently. "It also gives me closure after losing my mum and so I decided to offer this scholarship as my way or remembering her and farewelling her as well," said Mr. Joel. “I received 10 applications from parents on behalf of their children.” “I chose Terrence because he has very good records; he is a high achiever, well behaved and helps his mum to make ends meet, said Mr James Joel.

The general public and relevant stakeholders are being called on to give comments and submissions regarding the proposed merger between Santos Limited and Oil Search Limited. The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) made the announcement today after it received the Authorization Application from Santos Limited last Thursday. Authorization for business mergers and acquisitions under Section 82 of the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Act, 2002 (“ICCC Act”) is a statutory process through which businesses seek approval from the ICCC before proceeding with any business mergers and acquisitions that would otherwise raise serious competition concerns and potentially breach the ICCC Act. The Authorization process requires the ICCC to invite comments and submissions from all stakeholders on any proposed transaction that is under assessment. The public is also invited to provide comments and views on any likely public benefits and detriments this proposed merger, if it proceeds, may have on other businesses, consumers and the PNG economy at large. All comments and submissions are to be addressed to Mr. Paulus Ain, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the ICCC by or before Monday 22nd November, 2021.