Just as Facebook’s Antigone Davis was live on CNBC defending the company over a whistleblower’s accusations and its handling of research data suggesting Instagram is harmful to teens, the company’s entire network of services suddenly went offline. The outage started just before noon ET, and nearly four hours later there’s no sign or restoration, and no one from the company has offered an explanation of the issues or estimates for when they will be fixed. On Twitter, Facebook communications exec Andy Stone says, “We’re aware that some people are having trouble accessing our apps and products. We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible, and we apologize for any inconvenience.” A peek at Down Detector (or your Twitter feed) reveals the problems are widespread. While it’s unclear exactly why the platforms are unreachable for so many people, their DNS records show that, like last week’s Slack outage, the problem is apparently DNS (it’s always DNS). Cloudflare senior vice president Dane Knecht notes that Facebook’s border gateway protocol routes — BGP helps networks pick the best path to deliver internet traffic — have been “withdrawn from the internet.” While some have speculated about hackers, or an internal protest over last night’s whistleblower report, there isn’t any information yet to suggest anything malicious is to blame. Instagram.com is flashing a 5xx Server Error message, while the Facebook site merely tells us that something went wrong. The problem also appears to be affecting its virtual reality arm, Oculus. Users can load games they already have installed and the browser works, but social features or installing new games does not. The outage is thorough enough that it’s affecting Workplace from Facebook customers and, according to Jane Manchun Wong, Facebook’s internal sites.

The Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) is quite perturb that Service Improvement Program grants are being used to fund municipal operational activities and not funding intended development projects at the district level. DIRD Secretary Aihi Vaki said that there must be a distinct demarcation of roles and responsibilities of District Development Authorities and City Authority which the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs needs to review its enabling Acts and legislations. Mr. Vaki stressed this after Hagen District Administration raised its flagged last Friday pertaining to Mt. Hagen City Authority claiming some of its activities intended for electorate were funded within the municipal area with its District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) grants. DIRD challenges District Development Authorities and the City Authorities to revisit its Acts and Legislation when executing their roles and responsibilities at the sub-national administrations. “These entities must be structured and fully resourced, self-sustaining to ensure generate its own revenue to avoid shifting of SIP funds for administration and recurrent activities. “It is important that Government take note of this policy issues raised before creating more City Authorities around the country,” Mr. Vaki said. Hagen District is part of municipal city in Western Highlands Province, the gateway to the PNG Highlands Region. As per the City Authority Act 2015, the Authority is primarily responsible for providing municipal services in accordance with a memorandum of understanding entered into by the Authority with the Urban Local - Level Government. The Municipal services include, but are not limited to; - the collection of rubbish - the management of the municipal dump, - the cleaning and lighting of roads, streets and paths, - the maintenance of public parks and recreation areas, and - the control of cats, dogs, and other domesticated animals This law applies to Lae, Kokopo and NCDC including Mt Hagen, however the issue is two entities, DDA and City Authorities are created under different Acts now that caused muddle in roles and responsibilities. Whereas, the roles of DDA is to ensure the proper, efficient and economical performance of the Authority's operations for the benefit of the people of the district. It also give directions to the Chief Executive Officer under Section 22(3) (a), and (c) such other functions as are oversee, coordinate and make recommendations as to the DDA, including budget priorities, for consideration by the Provincial Government and the National Government, draw up rolling Five Year District Development Plan and annual estimates for the district, approve the disbursement of District Services Improvement Program and District Support Grants, and carry out such other functions as are prescribed by the regulations. The Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape earlier had said that the Members for Lae and Kokopo Open Electorates do not sit on the respective City Authority Boards, and as a result there is perceived inconsistency in leadership direction, vision, planning and budgeting existing in the city authorities. “Respective City Authority Boards cannot meet to discuss and provide direction, plan and approve budgets because if they do, the decisions can be subject to legal challenge. Occurrences of administrative and governance issues and challenges are prevalent in Kokopo and Lae City Authorities,” he said. “Section 12 (4) of the City Authority Act 2015 for Lae and Kokopo outright denies the elected members to make decisions for their constituents in the electorates and their Authorities do not get their mandates and objectives implemented after four years of establishing the city authorities, while their sister city, Mt Hagen, is in full swing.” A precedent was set in Mt Hagen City Authority when similar amendments were made that saw Member for Mt Hagen Open continue his membership as Chairman of the Board, even though he occupied a Ministerial portfolio in the National Government. “Therefore, the Lae and Kokopo City Authority Amendment Bills as amended must be tabled in Parliament for passage to enable the respective Members of Parliament to continue their membership on the City Authority Boards,” Prime Minister Marape had said.

Cricket PNG has made submissions to the relevant authorities seeking clarification so that cricket can continue to be played in compliance with the new measure restricting any gatherings of more than 20 people now in place. Cricket PNG believes that cricket does comply with this and would like to be able to play and train in accordance with all lockdown measures. While we await confirmation of our interpretation of the new measures, Cricket PNG has suspended all cricket, and has instituted full Covid protocols allowing only small groups trainings. Cricket is a non-contact outdoor sport, where at no time are there more than 15 people on the field (11 fielders, 2 batters, and 2 umpires). A cricket field is a large outdoor space, the approximate size of two rugby fields, where it is rare for any player to be within two metres of each other, and even then, they do not touch.  Cricket PNG acknowledges that no spectators can be permitted to games to be compliant with these measures. Cricket PNG, as much as any sport can be, has been at the forefront of the fight against Covid in PNG.  All our contracted players and staff are vaccinated, and we have consistently promoted vaccination.  We have protocols in place that all staff and visitors to Cricket PNG must follow, including mask use.  We maintain separate areas for each team off the field during games, ensuring that we stay well below the 20 people gathering limit. We are hopeful for a quick and positive response to our submission to clarify the lockdown measures, as it is vitally important for our fully vaccinated Kumul Petroleum PNG Lewas to be able to train and play matches with only four weeks left before they depart to represent PNG in Zimbabwe in their own World Cup Qualifying tournament. We are confident that the authorities understand that Cricket PNG is committed to work constructively with them, are champions for vaccination and diligently practice being Covid Safe.

EU-STREIT PNG on a recent mission to Ambunti-Drekikier District trained 200 lead farmers to act as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) on advanced cocoa cultivation practices and efficient vanilla production techniques. The FAO-led EU-STREIT Programme, in Papua New Guinea in collaboration with Provincial DAL and Cocoa Board in East Sepik Province, conducted two trainings on ‘Cocoa Bud Grafting’ and ‘Vanilla Cultivation, Husbandry and Processing’ that will benefit 2000 plus rural farming-dependant households in East Sepik Province. Building on previous technical assistance provided by the EU-STREIT PNG in August 2021, the Programme continued with another technical assistance to Hambini Village in early September 2021. A total of 200 lead farmers, including a high number of women and female youth, took part in the first 2-day training on ‘Cocoa Bud Grafting’. The participants are expected to act as Trainers for other members of their community and impart the gained knowledge and skills to at least 10 farmers in their cluster groups, hence benefiting 2000 people in the Hambini community. The training was aimed at enabling cocoa farmers to replace old cocoa trees, including those affected by cocoa pod borer (CPB) pest, which has resulted in low production and loss in income for countless rural households. Bud grafting is the latest innovative technique in cocoa cultivation which EU-STREIT PNG is promoting along with the distribution of 18 CPB tolerant species – recommended by the national Cocoa Board – among cocoa farming communities in the Sepik Region. For the farmers, it was an awakening, learning opportunity they have been waiting for many years. “We know cocoa pod borer pest is the issue and the only way to address it is to rehabilitate with new cocoas. Through this programme, the EU-STREIT PNG, we can now be able to produce good quality cocoa to attract better markets,” said 62-year-old Michael Butehe, an active cocoa farmer and an elder in the village. Shedding tears, the old-timer described EU-STREIT PNG as an intervention that will unfold a brighter future for his people. “We are cultivating cocoa ,but who will come and teach us how to cultivate and produce quality beans properly, but today the FAO through EU-STREIT PNG and PNG Cocoa Board is assisting us in moving forward from where we are,” added Mr Butehe. The same 200 participants continued for another 2-day vanilla training on proper cultivation, husbandry and processing methods on 9-10 September. One highlight of the training was the introduction of a simple, efficient technique to pollinate vanilla flowers. The technique only requires lifting the rostellum, which acts as a shield between the stamen and stigma, and then pressing the stamen with the thumb gently down to the stigma for successful pollination. “The advantage of this method is the speed and accuracy of pollinating vanilla flowers in the morning between 6:30 am to 10:30 am, which is the best time for pollination,” explained the FAO National Vanilla Production Officer and Training Facilitator Mr Nanda Siri. All participants had the opportunity to practice this pollination technique during practical sessions and picked up the skills very quickly. “With this new knowledge, I can now do pollination well to produce good quality beans for a higher income to support my children’s school fees,” said Lois Sambrehel, a single mum with three teenage children. The trainings in cocoa and vanilla aimed to fill in the knowledge gaps farmers have in the production process. These 200 lead vanilla farmers are expected to pass the technique they mastered to at least 2000 vanilla farmers in the area. The EU-STREIT PNG Programme continues to guide, mentor and work closely with the farmers , supporting them to increase both the quality and quantity of vanilla beans they produce The EU-STREIT PNG, being implemented as a UN Joint Programme (FAO as leading agency/administrative agent, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as implementing partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region, which focuses on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through increasing the economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains and strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers including the business environment and supporting sustainable, climate-proof transport and energy infrastructure development.

Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) and the National Judicial Staff Services (NJSS) have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an agency-level anti-corruption strategy for the NJSS. This initiative is part of TIPNG’s Promoting Anti-Corruption and Integrity Strategies (PAIS) Project funded by the European Union to strengthen public trust in national integrity institutions. “TIPNG welcomes the decision by the NJSS to partner with us through an MoU for the development of an anti-corruption strategy that will support the NJSS mandate of providing equal access to an independent, fair and quality Judicial Services to all people. This signing signals TIPNG’s renewed engagement with the Judiciary as PNG’s third arm of government,” said TIPNG Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Arianne Kassman in a media statement. “PNG’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2010-2030 calls on state agencies to develop internal anti-corruption strategies, yet to date there has been almost no uptake of this national policy. TIPNG invites other agencies to follow the leadership demonstrated by the NJSS and implement and inform the public of internal measures to bridge the integrity gap we see in our national integrity system,” she said. National Judicial Staff Services (NJSS) was established by the National Judicial Staff Services Act 1987 to provide staff and other support services for the courts in the PNG National Judicial System. The NJSS provide legal, secretarial, and clerical staff to enable the courts to operate efficiently. NJSS further provides administration and support services to the Courts such as Buildings and Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Audits, Policy Planning etc to the Courts. TIPNG through the PAIS Project will be working with state agencies to develop internal anti-corruption strategies in 2021, which will be shared with citizens and journalists so that they can more effectively engage with the public sector to take action against corruption. This work has been informed by TIPNG’s 2021 National Integrity System Assessment (NISA) Report which found that all 14 National Integrity pillars in PNG were less than adequate. Furthermore, the NISA identified a clear integrity gap between the existing laws and practice by agencies. The internal anti-corruption strategies developed by TIPNG in partnership with selected agencies will go towards bridging this integrity gap.

The National Examinations for grades 8, 10 & 12 students in the general education system, including private permitted schools will begin in the second week of October. The published dates for the examinations are; Grade 10 (LSSCE) Exam Dates: 11 – 15 October (One Week), Grade 12 (USSCE) Exam, 18 – 22 October (One Week) and Grade 8 (COBE) Exam 25-28 October, 2021 (4 days). A total of 31, 817 Grade 12, 74, 982 Grade10, and 137,769 Grade 8 students are expected to sit the national examinations. This data includes a few students with special needs especially in grade 8 and 10. “I expect all examinations this year to be mal-practices free as was the case in the last few years. Every child entering our schools should be allowed an even ‘playing field’ to grow and become the person that they deserve to be”, Dr. Kombra said. The Department is urging all citizens to work together to eliminate cheating in the national examinations as cheating and other mal-practices discredit our efforts to improve our country’s education system, thus bringing our country’s  examination and certification system into disrepute. Dr. Kombra said that he is confident that the students have prepared well, as there was minimal disruptions to teaching and learning this year compared to last year. “I thank and appreciate all our Parents, Teachers, School Inspectors, Guidance Officers, Schools Governing Board Members, Provincial Education Advisors and other Stake holders for your dedication and commitment towards the successful completion of the school year,” the Secretary said. The Grade 10 results will be released to the Grade 11 Selection Conference on the 5th of December and the Grade 12 results will be released to the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) on the 12th of December. Grade 8 results will be taken care of by the respective Provinces and the Certificates will be sent to the schools/provinces by the 3rd week of December, 2021. “I wish every grade 10, 12 and 8 student all the best in the coming national examinations, and also in their future endeavors,” Dr. Kombra said.

Lifting rugby Union to be as good as or even better and more popular than rugby league; getting PNG Pukpuks and Palais 7s into the next Olympics and winning the gold medal at the Olympics are the dreams and goals NCD Governor Powes Parkop has set clearly when meeting the newly elected Members of the PNG Rugby Union (PNGRU) and some representatives of its affiliate associations on Friday evening. He hosted the dinner in his capacity as newly-appointed Patron of the PNGRU. Governor Parkop said he was honored and privileged to be appointed as patron, assuring the newly-elected Board of the Union led by Mr. Paul Siwi that he will use all his best endeavors, influence and energy to support the new executive and the affiliates to take this global and Olympic Games to another level in PNG, the region and also at international level. “Rugby Union is a global game and an Olympic sport so it has great potential to achieve a win-win for the code and for the country. It has done wonders for Fiji both in terms of promoting the code, using the games as a platform to promote a positive pathway for young men and women, and also promoting their country in all aspects. If the Fijians can do it, I don’t see any reason why PNG can’t do the same or even better.” On Saturday the 25th September the 17 affiliates of the PNGRU met and elected a new board comprising of Mr. Paul Siwi as President, Mr. Andy Ani from East New Britain Union as Vice President; Mrs Cybele Druma and Mr. Norrie Kepsin as Members of Board of Governors and Ms Mathilda Tigilai who is the President of Alotau Rugby Union as a Committee Member. Noting the many differences that have affected the code in the past, Governor Parkop called on everyone to work together, build bridges and to always remember that the game is more important than anyone. The dinner meeting hosted by Patron Governor Parkop, was also attended by Minister for Housing and Urbanization, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, CEO of Kumul Petroleum, Mr. Wapu Sonk, CEO of Steamship Group, Mr. Rupert Bray, CEO of Jmart Mr. Justin Tan and other guests invited by Governor Parkop. Complimenting Governor Parkop’s commitment to rugby union, Minister Tkatchenko said he would give full support for the good of sport itself and the country as a whole. “Rugby union has suffered for the last nearly ten years because of some personal egos but we must know that sport is bigger than all of us. This sport has a huge future ahead of us we are all here now to take it to the next level.” Said Tkatchenko. PNGRU President Paul Siwi thanked NCD Governor Parkop for his leadership and accepting the role of being the patron for PNGRU. “I believe we now have a good management team in place that will work together and be the change to take the code to the next level,” said Siwi. He said he would work with his executives for the betterment of the sport itself in the country where there are plans to reclassify rugby union so that the sport is played throughout the length and breadth of the country.

The Board and Management of landowner owned companies operating in Southern Highlands, Hela and Gulf Provinces have been vaccinated against COVID-19, sending a strong and clear message of solidarity in the fight against a life-threatening disease. The landowner owned companies who provide essential camp management, catering, security, construction, and logistics support to Oil Search include Kutubu Security Services (KSS), Gobe Field Engineering (GFE), KutMor, PNG Mining and Petroleum Hospitality Services (PNGMPHS), Gigira Development Corporation (GDC), Mananda Umbrella Joint Venture (MUJV) and Trans Wonderland Limited (TWL). John Kapi-Natto, KSS Chairman was vaccinated in Kutubu by the Oil Search Medical Team said KSS recognises the HSES impact of COVID-19 and stands together with Oil Search to support the response to this pandemic. “I made the choice to get vaccinated to protect myself and to ensure continued business operation. We support the Company’s response plan which is in line with the National Government’s Niupela Pasin guidelines.” Benjamin Wabua, GFE Chairman was one of the first leaders to get vaccinated at the Oil Search National Football Stadium vaccination site in Port Moresby. Chairman Wabua said: “It was a personal decision and as a company Chairman, I am setting an example for my management and staff. Vaccination is the only way to protect myself, my employees and our business against more serious impacts of COVID-19”. Larry Andagali, TWL Managing Director, has also demonstrated ongoing commitment and leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Mr Andagali who was one of the first to be vaccinated when the vaccines became available to the public said: “COVID is deadly as it has killed a lot of people around the world and it continues to claim more lives. We need to believe in science and not conspiracy theories and get vaccinated.” Other vaccinated landowner owned company leaders include Sakai Kei, KutMor Chairman, Nathan Nason, KutMor General Manager, Peter Heno, PNGMPHS Chairman, Jonathan Corotan, CEO PNGMPHS, Peterson Pipi, GDC Managing Director and Ipape Hulijeli, MUJV Chairman. All leaders called upon their employees and other contractors to take up vaccination. “In addition, measures such as ongoing testing and quarantine can be relaxed. Prolonged quarantine also takes away valuable time you could be spending with your families,” Chairman Wabua added. Leon Buskens, Oil Search Executive Vice President & Co-Head PNG highly commended each of the landowner owned company leaders for demonstrating shared responsibility for the collective health and safety of all employees and contractors. “Your leadership and duty of care are exemplary. We thank you for contributing to a safe workplace and community.”

Goroka Base Hospital in Eastern Highlands Province is struggling the meet the oxygen demand for the increased number of Covid-19 patients coming in to receive treatment  at the hospital. “The hospital is doing very good but with the demand for oxygen increasing lately, we are trying to meet the demand of patients needing oxygen.” “Because of the respiratory infection Covid-19 has brought about that causes patients to go into severe respiratory distress, the number of the oxygen demand now is more so we have to supply them more oxygen,” said a doctor from the Emergency Department of the Goroka Base Hospital. He made a call on social media asking for assistance from anyone willing to help them with oxygen cylinders for the patients at the hospital. He said that hours after he pleaded for assistance, he received very good response from the business houses who provided nine (9) oxygen cylinders that were delivered to the hospital on Saturday and another eight (8) cylinders on Sunday. Goroka Base Hospital had scaled down its operations since the surge in Covid-19 cases at the end of last month. The Doctor added that they are only receiving Covid-19 Patients and so far the Covid-19 isolation facility is full as well as the emergency department with covid-19 patients hence the high demand of oxygen. He further added that hopefully the oxygen cylinders that they have received from the donations can last and supplement the patients until Tuesday when they receive their next supply of Oxygen which is brought in from Lae.

Once bitten, never shy. Penrith have prevailed in one of the great gruelling grand finals, with Stephen Crichton's athletic intercept proving the difference as South Sydney threatened to pinch the ultimate rear-guard premiership. The Panthers' 2020 grand final night misery at the hands of Melbourne morphed into a shoot-out, but their 14-12 triumph before 39,000 screaming Suncorp Stadium fans on Sunday night typified defence at its finest in a year where points have flown thick and fast. Redfern favourite Adam Reynolds twice had the toughest of chances – off the tee and with a 40-metre-plus, two-point field goal attempt – to pen his own farewell fairytale. Nathan Cleary's own masterclass off the boot forced all five dropouts a thrilling contest saw, kicking the Rabbitohs to the kerb and earning him the Clive Churchill Medal. But fittingly, Crichton's all or nothing play without the ball proved pivotal. Especially when Penrith were so wounded – Cleary, Dylan Edwards, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Brian To'o were just the injuries we know about – Ivan Cleary woke in a cold, 2am sweat on game day. "Three or four of them could be gone by 10 minutes," the coach's unhelpful midnight monologue went. At 8-all and having been that way for most all of the second half, Rabbitohs talisman Cody Walker swung left with a long ball in the 66th minute. Had it hit its mark, Alex Johnston would've been on his way. Instead it was Crichton streaking in the opposite direction, pinching the Steeden on damn near the same blade of grass that Matty Bowen burned Brett Kimmorley in the 2005 State of Origin opener. "I got hammered from the defensive coach (Cameron Ciraldo) all week," Crichton said on Nine. "Having Walker there he is one of the best in the league and eyes for the footy and space to put their players in. We did video on that during the week and I was there at the right time." "We trained for it," Cleary added. Via nrl.com

"Twelve hours on your feet, flying to Kyiv to Zanzibar and back. If you wear high heels, you are hardly able to walk afterwards," says flight attendant Daria Solomennaya, 27. "That includes four hours of security checks and cleaning." She works for SkyUp Airlines, one of the youngest low-cost airlines in Europe, but one of the biggest in Ukraine. It has now decided to replace the old uniform from next month with a far more comfortable alternative. It isn't the first in Europe to do so, but for Ukrainians it is a sign that some of the old traditions are being swept away. An icy wind buffets the tarmac of Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport and this stewardess for one is happy there is about to a revolution in her company's dress code. When SkyUp surveyed its crews, it turned out that its female employees were fed up with their high heels, tight blouses and pencil skirts. "Many of my colleagues are permanent clients of podologists; their toes and toe-nails are constantly damaged by high heels," she complains. Varicose and spider veins are other frequent ailments. Several other airlines have already ditched elements of their dress codes that were previously considered standard in the industry, among them: Virgin Atlantic allowed their flight attendants to give up make-up Japan Airlines scrapped obligatory high heels, giving their employees the option of trousers instead of pencil skirts Norwegian Air allowed flat shoes and dropped the requirement for women to have mandatory cosmetics on board. Ukraine's low-cost flier has gone further: out go the high heels, skirts and tight blouses, in come trainers, loose orange jackets and trousers. "A flight attendant's work is not that romantic. It's hard," explains SkyUp head of marketing Marianna Grygorash. "We realised that our female flight attendants didn't want to be seen as "sexualised and playful'." For decades airlines took advantage of women's looks to aid their business, often at the cost of their basic comfort and health. "The typical image of a stewardess is probably more sexualised and associated with the femininity than any other," says gender expert Olena Strelnyk. And that was particularly the case in Ukraine, where the stereotype has long been of women more focused on their physical appearance than Western women. But Ukraine has changed dramatically in recent years and Olena Strelnyk believes it has begun shedding many of its sexist traditions. That does not mean SkyUp's Ukrainian competitors are necessarily following suit in shaking up their uniform policies. Ukraine International Airlines has a big share of the market, and after 30 years of flying it sees no reason to change. "Our flight attendants have enough time for breaks and their heels aren't that high at all: they're rather token," says the airline. UIA is determined to cling on to traditions in the airline industry and believes each company should decide its own future. For Daria Solomennaya, the problems with heels and pencil skirts are obvious. What if an aircraft made an emergency landing on water and a colleague had to rush to open an exit door over the wing, she points out. She would have to clamber over seats while passengers lined up in the aisle. "Imagine how I could do that in a pencil skirt." High heels are equally of little use in an emergency, so she would have to go barefoot under strict security rules. DRESS CODES: What they mean for cabin crew But it isn't just during emergencies where the airline's old uniform feels inappropriate for what is a physically demanding job, involving irregular hours flying between different time and climate zones. There is that moment at the start of a journey when all eyes are on the flight attendant, demonstrating what to do in an emergency. "You put a life vest, a mask and a belt on the ground, as all the seats are occupied by passengers," Daria explains. "You bow down carefully in your tight skirt to pick up one item after another. Suddenly it's as if you're on a stage and your blouse has leapt up above your skirt." SOURCE: BBC NEWS Images courtesy: SKYUP AIRLINES PRESS SERVICE, GETTY IMAGES

Huonville Primary School in Lae, Morobe Province has just received a new 8 in 1 double classroom which has been made possible by tax payers through the Lae City Authority (LCA). Governor John Rosso who was present to officiate the opening of the classrooms said that the K1.2 million project was funded through the Lae DSIP education component and was managed by LCA through sourcing quality building design, materials and a reputable building contractor for the project. “Few years back several classrooms at Huonville Primary School were condemned by authorities and that really affected the learning of almost 2000 students at the school.” “I visited the school and made a commitment to build a new classroom and thanks to the LCA board who approved an appropriate funding for this brand-new classroom,” Governor Rosso said. Mr Rosso said that over the last four years they have built classrooms, teachers’ houses and provided funding support to schools that have a good record of prudent management. All these have been made possible through the annual K2million Lae DSIP education component. At the opening of the new classrooms, the Governor also handed over new vehicles to the District Education Manager and the District Administration to enable them to carry out their work effectively. “The next 8 in 1 classroom project will commence at Taraka Primary School and every year we will roll out classrooms and teachers’ houses to all the schools in Lae.” “We have 23 primary schools, 5 high schools and several TVET and elementary schools in our city and K2million annually is inadequate to attend to all schools at the same time,” Mr Rosso said. The Morobe Governor expressed his thanks to the LCA board, Ward Councilor Demas Michael, Lae Lord Mayor James Khay, Deputy Lord Mayor Jacob Maragau, Ahi LLG President Malcolm Kalo, District Administrator Robin Calistus and district officers, East Coast Contractors, teachers, parents and everyone who ensured that this project becomes a success.