The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) is now inviting organisations from both the public and private sector to register and field Teams for the annual Prime Minister’s (PM’s) Golf Challenge 2021. With the start of registrations early this month, PNGOC Secretary General Auvita Rapilla re-iterated this call with reminders on the closing dates for both chapters of the challenge in Lae, and Port Moresby, Mrs Rapilla said, “With the current challenges due to the coronavirus, we are hoping that we will get a good number of teams to participate similar to last year’s turnout in both Lae and here in Port Moresby. “Under PNGOC’s new strategic term 2021 to 2024, we have 4 Games on the calendar for Team PNG, which includes the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom and the 2022 Saipan Mini South Pacific Games, in the Northern Marianas, 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands and 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. A mammoth task indeed for PNGOC”. “With registrations now opened, we welcome all organisations to take part and support our national Team”, she said. Chairman of Fundraising Committee Michael Henao acknowledged the continued patronage of our current annual PM’s Golf pool of sponsors The National, Ela Motors, Theodist Ltd, Media Partners, Brian Bell Group and SP Brewery. “We grateful for your myriad contributions and immense support over the years, including invaluable support during and through the pandemic. The on-going support from Team PNG’s current partners is a source of renewed strength in the organisation’s capacity as a valuable agent for positive change for Papua New Guineans”. “As partners of the PNG Olympic Committee, you are important stakeholders that provide significant support to achieve our goals and objectives, you all play an important part in nation building and uniting our country”. Registrations will close on October 01st for Lae while registration for the Port Moresby will close on October 26th, with competitions dates scheduled for October 3rd for Lae and October 22nd for Port Moresby respectively.

President of the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, Anthony Smaré, has applauded the Marape-Basil government, Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua, ExxonMobil PNG, and their joint venture partners for agreeing to reengage in negotiations on the P’nyang project in Western Province. Mr. Smaré said “In light of the extremely challenging economic conditions in PNG, the P’nyang and Papua LNG projects, are projects that are desperately needed to be kick-started to kick-start the country’s stagnant economy creating jobs, bringing in foreign exchange and providing opportunities for PNG businesses, particularly SMEs in the impacted areas”. “I congratulate the Prime Minister, Minister Kua, the SNT and Exxon Mobil and its partners for restarting these negotiations, and strongly encourage them to secure a win-win outcome that sees the progress of the P’nyang project in the near term, and in turn helping PNG and our people.” In making the announcement of re-engaging in negotiations on P’nyang, on August 20th, Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua highlighted the economic importance of these two projects alone. “The benefits of phasing the construction of both Papua and P’nyang projects over an eight year period shall be a substantial boost to the economy and the country. “This tremendous investment would extend our gas pipeline infrastructure into the country’s Western Province and have a meaningful and lasting economic impact for Papua New Guinea and its people,” Minister Kua said. He also announced that there would be a series of workshops regarding the development of the P’nyang Gas Fields, and if these continued unhindered, an expected signing of a P’nyang Heads of Agreement could be expected by end of this month, with a Gas Agreement to follow. “While there continues to be misinformation on the true impact of resource projects in the country, the government remains fully aware that projects which remain in the pipeline, will not be able to effect much financial benefit, until they are negotiated and commissioned. “This announcement by government of re-engaging with ExxonMobil PNG and its joint venture partners on the P’nyang project, is an extremely positive step in the right direction,” Mr. Smaré said.

The PNG National Research Institute’s Economic Policy Analysis Course (EPAC) can open the way for participants to go on to do post-graduate studies. This is one of the values of the course that the participants can gain from, as highlighted by the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNG NRI) Acting Director, Dr. Osborne Sanida in his address to the 2021 intakes on Monday 6 September 2021. “The curriculum is unique in its conception and presentation… A lot of you can go on to do post-graduate studies. EPAC is the stepping stone to it,” Dr. Sanida said. A number of graduates, who are part of the EPAC alumni, have testified of the Course assisting them to pursue post-graduate studies after completing the EPAC program. Other areas participants can expect to gain from the course are: skills to analyse data and design policies; it sharpens thinking; informs decision-making, especially decsions to improve the welfare of the people; and, promotes time management. The course aims to promote the candidates’ knowledge on government development policies, comprising government economic policies and other major public policies with implications for economic growth and national development. Dr. Sanida said the program attempts to present the analysis of major government policies and their impacts on income creation, employment generation or retention, and development. “No other research Institute or educational institution in PNG is better placed to offer the EPAC than the PNG NRI which has been mandated to inquire, inform and influence development policies.” The course is offered for middle and senior management executives and promising bureaucrats in the public and private sectors and leaders interested in government and public policymaking. The EPAC continues to be very popular and has trained many Papua New Guineans holding high positions in the public and private sectors; and it is also in high demand.

One of Papua New Guinea’s commercial banks has come to the aid of the National Control Centre for COVID-19 by donating laptops. In response to a request from NCC, the Kina Bank agreed to donate 10 laptops, two of which were presented to NCC this morning by the bank’s Chief Financial Officer Chetan Chopra and Executive General Banking Lesilie Taviri. The two senior officers said the remaining eight laptops will be given next week. Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom thanked the bank for the donation and said NCC needs such donations to be able to do  its work. “We work very hard.  We work long hours, 24/7, at weekends as well so we need all the help we can get,’’ said Dr Daoni. Dr Daoni also reminded the two bank senior officers that the bank staff were essential workers and hoped that they were vaccinated to protect themselves against COVID-19. In response, Mr Chopra thanked Dr Daoni and staff for the work they are doing. “You work is very important. It gives us confidence that we are safe,’’ said Mr Chopra. There are seven clusters within NCC health operations and the 10 donated laptops will go a long way in supporting and maintaining data.  

Around 100,000 rainbow trout fingerlings were distributed throughout the Enga Province by Wabag MP and Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resource, Dr Lino Tom, and his Fisheries team this week. The distribution of these fingerlings is part of a pilot project that began in July this year and it is aimed to provide an alternate source of protein and improve food security in remote areas. The Fingerlings which are bred at Kalopa Hatchery on the Northern foothills of Mt Giluwe, the second highest mountain in PNG, in the Southern Highlands Province was transported into Enga Province and distributed with the assistance of Heli Solutions. Chief Pilot of Heli Solutions, Captain James Pima, who flew the team for the last two days (Tuesday and Wednesday (today)) during the exercise says apart from being a source of protein for the people in the near future, the trouts could also be an international Tourist attraction for those avid trout fishermen. The fingerlings were transported in coolers and gently released to12 different locations in Maramuni, Kompiam- Ambum, Kandep, Laigam, Wabag and Wapendamanda areas.

Despite border closures and reduced air and sea travel because of COVID-19, Customs administrations in the region say threats in the Pacific remain high from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing fleets – as well as threats from illegal movements of people, drugs and weapons, which are often facilitated by trusted insiders. The issue was discussed at the Oceania Heads of Customs annual meeting last Thursday (August 26), held virtually with 21 of the 23 Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) members attending. Members agreed there is a critical link between national security and traditional customs functions and that the region is more secure if all parties work together through engagements with organisations such as the OCO and the Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS). “We all know that not all of us have ample resources to effectively carry out roles but if we share our resources and we work together, we will become more effective,” OCO outgoing Chair and head of Customs of the Federated States of Micronesia, Salvador Jacob said. “A good example of regional collaboration is the Australian-developed Pacific Small Craft Application, which was launched last year to increase information sharing and enhance border security practices. This mobile app used by Customs administrations in the region will support secure movements in the Pacific in the future as it also includes a COVID-19 quarantine tracking feature.” OCO members also discussed the impact of COVID-19 on their respective countries and their national responses, including border measures to protect their citizens. Members also noted the priorities placed on ensuring the facilitation of essential goods by Customs administrations were consistent with the health protocols in place. To support vaccine supply chain in the Pacific, members also welcomed the Australian and New Zealand-drafted World Customs Organization Operational Guidelines for the Facilitation of Situationally Critical Medicines and Vaccines that would greatly support Customs administrations. Meanwhile, as Pacific Island nations respond to the impacts of COVID-19, Customs administrations also acknowledged OCO’s capacity building efforts focus on COVID-19 recovery, and the implementation of PACER Plus last year provided a useful tool to support economic recovery through greater trade. Fiji based OCO carried out capacity building activities in the Pacific, which included training in valuation, tariffs, vessel searches, border security assessments, small craft targeting, cargo search, e-commerce, disrupting criminal business activities, risk assessment, document examination, investigations and intelligence to bolster Pacific border security. “There is a silver lining to COVID-19, because of the border closures we have had to hold most of our training virtually,” OCO Head of Secretariat, Richard Brennan said. “While it has been challenging, the positive is that we have been able to include more participants from the region. We need to continue building the capacity of our members so that we can be effective in our roles as we face and address the impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing threats to our borders.” The meeting welcomed the incoming Chair Mr. Xavier Mitchell Head of Customs, Cook Islands. Dependent on the re-opening of borders, Cook Islands will host the 2022 annual conference and the Federated States of Micronesia in 2023. Both countries were unable to host the respective events in the last two years with travel restrictions in place.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) recently conducted an inception workshop on Bipi Island, Manus Province. The workshop is part of a project being implemented by the agencies on mainstreaming community based fisheries management (CBFM) in West Coast Manus, particularly, Bipi Island. The aim of the project is to; (1) Provide technical advice and support to mobilize, strengthen and develop knowledge and capacity to engage in CBFM sustainable fisheries; (2) Contribute to strengthened local food systems founded on traditional institutions which are formally recognized and; (3) To prepare relevant communities to trial and implement CBFM as well as to extract lessons learnt and best practices to contribute to the province and nation-wide policies, strategies and plans  for mainstreaming and implementing CBFM. The inception workshop was conducted under the leadership of Mr. Blaise Kuemlangan, Chief, Development Law Service, FAO Head Quarters, Rome-Italy. Mr Kuemlangan provided background information on the project, its aims, objectives and outcomes. In attendance were women, men and youth representatives from the islands of Suwawech, Papi Pus, Paindreh, Papi Sanan, Pai, Patiles, Kaheu, Kopasu, Pehelan, Nyatau, Sapasamu and Pasu. During the course of the inception workshop, participants were informed on Community Based Fisheries Management, the need for Fisheries Management, Controlled Fishing and the impacts of overfishing and dynamite fishing. NFA Fisheries Management officers’, Mr. Haeremai Solomon and Mr. Robinson Liu emphasized on Fisheries Management approaches in the three main areas of, Data Collection, Stock Assessment and Management. Mr. Haeremai stressed on effective monitoring and enforcement of fishing management controls, legal framework to be setup and the need for more collaboration from the government as well as non- government organizations including community support and participation. “Equal participation by both men and women and ownership by the local community in this CBFM pilot project is key to achieving success, as lessons learned will contribute to other foundational work on CBFM in PNG, and further open doors to future support by FAO, NFA, and more importantly, attract support from other relevant International Development Partners and Donors to enhance the support to protect the marine resources of our country”, the FAO Head of Programme, Ms. Mirriam Mondia, emphasized during the Inception Workshop and Launching of the project. This was also an opportune time for the FAO team to meet with the Manus Local Level Government stakeholders, Lorengau Urban LLG President, Mr. Joseph Kimat and the Lorengau Market Manager Mr. Henry Konduo on potential collaboration on FAO’s COVID-19 Emergency Support Project in Manus Province. The objective of the project is to reduce the further spread of COVID-19 along the agricultural value chain and to support agricultural livelihoods recovery and income generation activities through restoring food production, improving nutritional status, strengthening the resilience of affected population in the country. As part of promoting awareness on the COVID 19 “Niupla Pasin”, Ms. Mondia presented a number of COVID PPE items to the provincial stakeholders.

To commemorate International Literacy day, Digicel Foundation donated more than ten boxes of reading books to its’ partner school, Tubusereia Primary School in the Central Province. International Literacy Day has been celebrated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1967 to raise awareness on the importance of literacy in building a more literate and sustainable society. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted the learning of children and young adults, UNESCO has themed this year’s International Literacy Day with “Literacy for human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide” which falls in line with Digicel PNG Foundation’s goal of building a connected, educated and healthy Papua New Guinea. Digicel PNG Foundation CEO, Serena Sasingian, said that libraries are an essential part of a students’ educational journey. Libraries create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape the new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society. “To date Digicel Foundation has built 33 libraries all over the country as part of its School infrastructure program. Tubusereia Primary School is a partner school of the Foundation and one that has done an excellent job at maintaining a library with a collection of books for their students to read. We are happy to support them with this new collection of books to read,” said Serena Sasingian. The donation of the reading books is an addition to the current building of an eight in one classroom for the Tubuserea Primary School. The building of the classroom is to introduce Digicel PNG Foundation’s latest program, the Sustainable Whole School Development program that began late last year. Head Master for Tubusereia Primary, Mr. Kwara Kwara, said it was a great privilege for the school to be supported by Digicel Foundation not only for donating the books for the humble library but also building the new 8 in 1 classroom. “English is not our mother tongue or language so our library set up is one of the way to increase reading in the school. Tthis book donation is timely and I am proud of the team, Digicel Foundation for supporting with the new books and one of our goals is to have a stand-alone library for the school,” said Kwara Kwara. Since the launch of Digicel PNG Foundation in October of 2008, Digicel Foundation have invested a total on K139.8million in education and health projects in all 89 districts in the country. To date Digicel Foundation has built 33 libraries all over the country as part of its School infrastructure program.

Prime Minister James Marape has commended Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey for his comprehensive Ministerial Statement to Parliament today on the ‘2020 Final Budget Outcomes (FBO) and 2021 Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Outlook (MYEFO) and the Way Forward’. He said Treasurer Ling-Stuckey’s presentation updated Papua New Guinea on the state of the economy during the ongoing war against COVID-19. PM Marape also commended the Budget Management Committee (BMC) spearheaded by Treasury and Finance for keeping “MV PNG afloat in rough seas”. “If they (BMC) hadn’t done this, we stood every possibility of sinking, but the Treasurer and his team stood strong,” he said. “There were so many lies and deceit spun by the Opposition that we relied on overseas advisors. “At the end of the day, Treasurer, Government and Cabinet made the call on key policy instruments.” PM Marape said there could be no more-important policy instruments than his Government’s Budgets of 2019, 2020 and 2021. “I, as Prime Minister and his colleague in Cabinet, commend the Treasurer as well as the Finance Minister (Hon. Sir John Pundari) and National Planning Minister (Hon. Rainbo Paita) for how we have run the country,” he said.

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the National Football Stadium is giving away free tickets to the Digicel Cup Match this Sunday (12 September) to anyone who receives their first COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic today. Martin Aihi, 38, from the Central province was excited to receive his free ticket to the finals game after receiving his COVID-19 vaccine at the ISOS Clinic, Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. Martin, who works as the facilities lead with Peuna in Port Moresby, said that COVID-19 is real and is in existence across the world, including in Papua New Guinea. He elaborated that the vaccine will protect himself and importantly his family from serious illness due to the virus. “I feel obliged to take the vaccine as my work involves a lot of interactions with people; both national and international communities who work to combat the virus at the National Control Centre and vaccine roll out facilities.” “I believe by protecting myself, I protect my family too.” Martin encouraged other Papua New Guineans to get vaccinated today. If you would like to receive a free ticket to the game this Sunday, head to the National Football Stadium Clinic for your vaccination (entry via gate 2). Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9am-12pm and 1pm – 4pm Sat: 9am – 12pm

WESTERN Province has seen 14 deaths in the past two weeks due to COVID-19, including one being reported this morning. Deputy Controller for the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom, while addressing a virtual media conference this afternoon, said it is believed these are due to delta variant because of the behavior of delta variant. He said there is also a big surge going on in Western and West Sepik provinces. Positive COVID-19 samples from both provinces have been sent down to Australia for genome sequencing to determine whether these are delta variant cases. Also, of the 30 delta variant cases confirmed in the country so far, 22 have been reported from Western Province. Dr Daoni said tests have shown that the 22 delta variant cases confirmed last month in WP, seven (imported) in National Capital District and one locally-acquired case in Madang are linked to the type of delta variant cases being seen in Indonesia. He said this is a result of people not listening and crossing the border. Dr Daoni said compliance is a big issue in this country and urged that people listen and follow advice being given to protect them from COVID-19. These includes following Niupela Pasin. He said gatherings must be limited and says if the Provincial Health Authorities and provincial administrations do not advise against gatherings, including cultural shows in provinces they will be held accountable for the high surges of delta variant that is already spreading in the country. Apart from WSP and Western, there are also three other provinces experiencing high surges which are NCD, Eastern Highlands and Manus. Dr Daoni said experience in other countries have shown that delta variant is perculiar because it spreads fast and affects both old and young which is already being seen in the country. “If people don’t listen, we will have old and young people dying from COVID-19,’’ he said. "We can do so much, but compliance is a big issue in this country.'' Yesterday's virtual media conference, addressed by both Dr Daoni and Incident Manager for National Control Centre Dr Melinda Susapu also covered high hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccines and other related issues. #COVAX facility gave PNG's surplus vaccines to Vietnam #PNGIMR to begin doing genome sequencing starting next month #NCC to take over the national program on rollout of COVID-19 vaccines from National Department of Health #Awareness on benefits of vaccines to be taken to rural population #NCC assures business community that it will work with them to protect PNG's economy.

The Digicel Cup Awards last night saw sponsors, players, team officials, supporters and invited guests gather at the Oil Search National Football Stadium to witness the awards presentation. Mr Tsandis Saka, Chairman of the PNGRFL thanked everyone who had been a part of the process in making the Digicel Cup to be what it is today and paid homage to leaders past and present who have contributed to the development of the game in one way or another. Mr Saka also thanked the major sponsors Digicel Group who have been supporting the game for 11 years now and said that PNGRFL is blessed to have such a reputable organization leading the way in growing and developing the game here in PNG. “Rugby league has grown from strength to strength over the years and to date it has become such a great platform to develop our young men and so it is only right that sponsors do get on board and support not just rugby but other sports as well around the country,” Saka said. He also thanked each of the Digicel Cup franchises with their players and management teams alike for staying true and committed towards staging a successful 2021 season. Highlight of the night was the awards presentation where a bulk of the awards went to players from the PRK Mendi Muruks as well as the Grand Final contenders the JPG Waghi Tumbe. Rookie coach Baundo Abba who took out the Coach of the Year Award said that he is thankful for the experience this year as it has taught him to step outside of his comfort zone to lead the boys this far. “As a young coach with no proper training on coaching skills, it’s been a great learning experience for me and at the same time a very humbling one for me as well, given that we are also a young province and to be here now in the finals is so overwhelming,” said Coach Abba. Four of his boys in the likes of Joe Frank (Centre of the Year), Tiger Emere (Prop of the Year), David Joseph (Half-back of the Year) and Supa Kokote (Lock of The Year) also took out awards. The other awards were taken by Joe Stanley of MoniPlus NCDC Vipers (Fullback of the Year), Junior Igila (Tryscorer of the Year) and Allan Simbiri (Goal Scorer of the Year) both from the Kroton Hela Wigmen team, Joshua Lau of Lae Snax Tigers who took out the Payer of the Year Award and Leon Undupia (Winger of the Year), Wesa Tenza (Hooker of the Year) and Nelson Yei (Second Rower of the Year) from the Mendi Muruks. All three boys from Mendi Muruks were unable to make it to the Awards Night due to delays in flight schedules. The Club of the Year Award went to the CPG Dabaris while Ms Lorna McPherson was given the “Full Time Reserve Award” in recognition of her tireless dedication and efforts in promoting the code of rugby league throughout the past 11 years.