The Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) wishes to express its serious concern at the spate of newspaper reports recently that have highlighting the light sentences being delivered by PNG courts in relation to GBV. The Chair of the Committee, Charles Abel has made multiple statements decrying the lack of action by law enforcement bodies to address violence against women and children. In response to the multiple news reports of judges and magistrates letting alleged perpetrators found guilty of a crime off without proper punishment, Hon Abel stated today: “This is outrageous, unbelievable and unacceptable. It defies belief that our court system in this day and age can make such decisions in the light of such overwhelming circumstantial evidence." "It makes a mockery of the term justice and our justice system. How can we change mindsets and the culture of violence in general and violence against women if we allow such acts to go unpunished?” He went on to say: “Women being killed and maimed by their partners is a criminal act and it should be treated as such. Our recent Committee Report into GBV specifically called on law enforcement bodies to do their jobs better. We made more than 20 recommendations, calling for the police to investigate promptly and produce proper complaints files. They need to take proper witness statements and witnesses need to feel safe to testify about what they know”. In terms of court cases, Abel said: “We have called on the Office of the Public Prosecutor to promptly prosecute cases and to call for tough penalties. We also call on the courts system to deliver justice – promptly and fairly. The courts must do much better. What message does it send when men who have killed their partners are allowed to pay compensation and get off? This is simply not good enough.” Deputy Committee Chair, Governor Allan Bird was also very clear about his unhappiness with the outcomes from recent GBV cases. He has stated: “The public is outraged that our women and girls are unsafe in our country. Every member of our Committee is equally concerned about this terrible situation. We all want our women and girls to feel safe and to enjoy protection and freedom that they deserve." Governor Bird wanted to make sure though, that the public understands the role of the Committee, compared to the role of Government law enforcement bodies. He went on to say: “While I understand that the community might expect us to respond to individual incidents, we must respectfully ask the community to relay such requests to the relevant authorities. The job of the Parliament Committee on GBV is to hold to account all the different agencies of Government that ought to be responding to individual incidents of GBV, sexual violence and sorcery accusation related violence. When these responsible authorities fail to respond appropriately, that's when the Committee should be brought to bear on the non performing entities.” Governor Bird encouraged members of the public to continue to advocate for more action from the Government to address GBV issues around the country and reiterated that the Parliament GBV Committee will also play its part. He stated: “Our GBV Committee cannot not usurp the role of the Police or the Justice system. We play an oversight role to ensure these systems are working as they ought to and we will continue to do that. We will have a second round of public hearings in late 2021 and we will use these to again call these agencies to account and demand them to take proper action” The Parliamentary Committee on GBV was set up in 2020 and their Report on GBV which can be accessed on their webpage at https://www.unitedforequalitypng.com/gbv-parl-committee. The Committee is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has provided technical support to the Coalition and Committee as part of its gender programming and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. This support aims to address GBV and support longer-term efforts to promote women’s participation and leadership in the Parliament.

U.S Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Her Excellency Erin Mckee, on her recent trip to Kwiop in Jiwaka Province last week was ferried through Western Highlands Province by Heli Solutions. Being her first trip to the region, her excellency, was given an aerial tour of American funded projects in Jiwaka Province upon her return to Western Highlands Province. Her excellency was impressed with Heli Solution’s services and on her return to Mount Hagen, presented two American and Papua New Guinea crossed flag lapel pins to Heli Solutions pilots in recognition of their service. The pins symbolise the existing partnership between American and Papua New Guinean governments. Heli Solutions Grounds Manager, Linda Wii, who was on the tarmac at Kagamuga Airport to receive the US Ambassador thanked her for trusting a fully flagged national company to transport her excellency and her team. Heli Solutions Pilots, Captain David Takindu and Captain James Pima were presented the pins on behalf of the US ambassador by Grounds Manager, Linda Wii, and witnessed by staff of Heli Solutions at their Mount Hagen Hanger. Captain Takindu and Pima who are both former service men in the PNG Defence Force were familiar with the military protocols involving state representatives and transported the ambassador with ease. Captain Pima as Chief Pilot of Heli Solutions was surprised and pleased at the gesture shown by her excellency. Both Pilots extends their gratitude to her excellency and her team at the US Embassy and are humbled to be presented such an honour.

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) will this week be celebrating Literacy Week with the theme “Our Country Our Story” with cultural learning, financial literacy activities and events together with the organisation’s donor partners, volunteers and parents. Literacy, Numeracy, digital skills and cultural knowledge are all equally important aspects children need to prepare for their future careers and life in Papua New Guinea. As the country lags behind its neighbours in the Pacific with regards to literacy rates and access to education opportunities, BbP seeks to use Literacy Week to advocate for the importance of Early Childhood Education, Libraries and Inclusive Education to increase literacy rates. From Monday to Wednesday, the children enrolled in BbP’s ECE program will be studying the importance of the ocean, village, forest and animals in PNG culture through craft activities and story-telling by parents and officers from the National Museum of PNG. The children will then display their stories, which will be added to the BbP learning app so all children across the country can share their culture and customs. Thursday and Friday will be all about financial literacy and the children will be setting up shops and hold a ‘Market Day’ and learn through play to demonstrate their numeracy skills to parents, donor partners and invited guests. BbP has also created a financial literacy video in partnership with BSP which will be used as part of the ECE program to teach the children about PNG notes, coins and the importance of saving. The Literacy Week program has been generously sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG and includes learning materials, uniform t-shirts, mini cash registers and shopping trolleys, video production and logistics for all BbP’s Library Learning Centres across the country. BbP’s donor partners will be sending volunteers to engage with the children and lots of stationery, fruit, vegetables, drinks and baked goods the children will be “pretend selling” to each other during their Market Day celebration.

A total of 396 new COVID-19 cases detected throughout the country have been sent overseas for further testing on Delta Variant. Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom said these cases are inclusive of the previous 79 cases from Western province have all been isolated while they wait for the results that should be ready by today. Following the recent 30 Delta Variant cases, Dr Daoni believes there will be more Delta Variant cases from the 396 COVID-19 cases pending results. Meanwhile the National Control Center for COVID-19 is finalizing new Delta Variant Measures for all provinces given the presence of the virus already on PNG soil which may spread quickly depending on the movement of people. “The new measures are not only for Western Province and neighboring border provinces but the measures will also apply to other provinces that may have Delta Variant cases.” He said the National Control Center is working in partnership with Provincial Health Authorities to make sure the new measures are adhered to by the public. These new measures will be made known this week.

The “No Jab, No Job” move by the private sector has prompted the Ombudsman Commission to call on the private sector to act with caution when it comes to the constitutional rights of citizens regarding mandatory vaccination imposed by private sector. The Ombudsman Commission has noted with concern that more and more organisations, especially the private sector, have imposed No Jab, No Job policies in their workplaces which borders on the rights of citizens who have chosen not to be vaccinated. “Whilst the Commission is mindful of the private sector’s rights and obligation to protect their businesses,  we  urge  them  to  come  up  with  arrangements  that does not infringe on people’s right to choose. People must have a choice and that choice must not be taken away from them,” said the Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen. The Commission is urging the private sector to explore all possible avenues to protect the rights of employees who choose not to take the vaccine. The Ombudsman Commission does not have jurisdiction over the private sector, but as a supervisor of public administration, it is committed to the protection of constitutional rights of the citizens of the Country. And even though it (the Ombudsman Commission) does not have a specific mandate on human rights enforcement, it however has the mandate to inquire into matters of discrimination pursuant to Section 21 S (b) and Section 219 (I) (c) of the Constitution. This anti-discrimination and equal opportunity jurisdiction is an added source of the mandate that gives the Ombudsman Commission the responsibility to supervise the enforcement of these constitutional rights which falls squarely within its general jurisdiction. Hence, the Ombudsman Commission maintains that it is important to prevent discrimination happening to the citizens of Papua New Guinea in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Commission is also calling on relevant government authorities dealing with private companies and entities to ensure that they are aware of their actions when it comes to people’s right and freedoms. “The Ombudsman Commission is fully aware that PNG is a signatory to several core Human Rights Treaties and that it’s National Constitution is very unique that it almost contains all the rights and freedoms enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. As a signatory to these UN Human Rights Treaties and Conventions, we as a Country have an obligation to assist our citizens to ensure that their rights and freedoms are not taken away and that their choices are respected," said the Chief Ombudsman. The Ombudsman Commission urges all who have been affected by the vaccines mandates or have been treated unfairly at work to lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman Commission.

Life after rugby can be challenging as players try to shift their focus to self-sustaining activities after sports. For those with no form of employment, they must have savings set aside to support themselves and their family financially once their rugby days are done. That is why Mantas Rugby 7’s team in Port Moresby, decided to better prepare their players by choosing to save with ncsl. Through senior player Constantine Bais, 12 players now have savings accounts which they can utilize to support them financially when they run into unplanned injury, need new sporting gears, or save for future needs. Mantas has produced some of the best players in the likes of Emil Latumahina, Debe Keith Tore, Shallendra Birney and Junias Sabatha who went on to represent the National rugby 7’s team, Pukpuks and also the Capital Rugby Union. Bais who mentors and teaches them the importance of setting aside savings, said most players are in their early 20’s which was a good time to start saving. He continues to actively encourage players to consider life after rugby and saving money now will ensure a better transition back into their society knowing they are able to support themselves.

Air Niugini would like to advise customers that due to the current outbreak of COVID-19 in New South Wales, Australia, the Australian Government has placed further restrictions on the number of passengers on board all aircraft arriving into Sydney. For the period 8th September to 30th October 2021, the number of passengers the airline is permitted to carry into Sydney has been cut by 40%. Consequently, we expect that some passengers already holding tickets on PX001 to Sydney over this two month period will not be able to travel, and will be contacted and assisted to re-book their flights for later dates. Air Niugini regrets the inconvenience caused, and appreciates our customers’ patience and understanding, while we manage our way through the latest restrictions imposed.

National Capital District Commission’s environment health officers press on cleansing public health hazards and environment pollutions in the city. Following complaints by residents over flowing of raw sewerage from manholes located around the old Civil Aviation compound at Konedobu, they closed parts of Desh Besh Supermarket at Konedobu on Friday. Team leader Abraham Keple said fast food bar and the bakery would be closed for an indefinite period until the shop owner complies with the recommendations of improvement made under the Public Health regulations. The indefinite closure notice was served on the supermarkets management last Friday. Mr Keple said based on a joint inspection by NCDC and Water PNG officers, the supermarket had been in operation while breaching the public health regulations. “There have been blockages on the sewer lines, continuous over flow of raw sewerage at the nearby manhole, direct discharge of raw sewerage into the storm water drainage and other building and structural issues. “The supermarket will now have to demolish their staff sanitary facilities together with the other illegal structures that are currently in encroachment to the drainage reserves,” he said. He instructed them to comply with the recommendations to ensure their business resumes normal operation without delay. “Failure to comply will render tougher legal action against the operation of their business at Konedobu,” he said. He warns that further random checks will continue with other business premises throughout the city to ensure they are complying with public health and sanitation regulations.

Access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities (WaSH) in Western Province’s South Fly District continues to be strengthened under the South Fly Resilience Plan (SFRP). The SFRP, supported by the Australian Government through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, aims to strengthen government and community mechanisms to improve WaSH standards and food security in the South Fly region. Australia is also building upon its existing investments supporting improvements to health and infrastructure needs in South Fly and working to address the harsh impacts of climate change, long dry seasons and flooding, which results in contaminated water, unreliable cropping systems and infectious disease outbreaks. Under the SFRP – refurbishment works have started on community health centres, water tanks have been provided to communities, regular COVID-19 awareness have been conducted, vaccinations have been rolled out and WaSH surveys have been done across South Fly. The South Fly Resilience Plan involves collaboration from World Vision, Community Ranger Program and the South Fly District Administration. On a recent visit to South Fly, Australian High Commission representative Paul Lehmann spent time in communities with the World Vision survey teams and Community Rangers. Mr Lehmann commended the World Vision and Ranger teams for the long days and distances travelled throughout South Fly, the effective engagement with community and local-government, and their commitment to improving living standards in communities.

Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta and his Provincial Executive Council (PEC) has welcomed PNG Football Association president John Kapi Natto and his Member Association Manager Stanley Khanna to its provincial capital to find ways to re-admit Kerema Soccer Association back into the football family. Mr Kapi Natto was on a familiarization visit last Thursday to support Mr Khanna to ensure Kerema Soccer Association returns to the fold as an affiliate member before he steps out of football. The trip to Kerema township was to ensure KSA meet all the guidelines and requirement to elect new office bearers to work together to get KSA back as an affiliate to PNG Football Association. Governor Haiveta had to suspend his PEC meeting to host Mr Kapi Natto and his team stating that as a passionate sport lover, he wanted to see football also find its feet in Kerema Town and also in Gulf province as a whole. “I have known Mr Kapi Natto for a long time on a business front as board member of Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK) and have been following him to get once fragmented football body back to one united football family,” Mr Haiveta said Gulf people are renowned for rugby league but they are also good in other sports such as basketball, volleyball and soccer too. “Late Joe Turia and his brother, Toru were products of Kerema Soccer Association through their adopted family, the former Gulf District Administrator Late Don Sigamata. “He comes here at the only Kerema Main Oval early in the morning and return home in the dark. On Sunday, everyone in Kerema Town goes to church, Late Don Sigamata goes to soccer field trying to convert church goers to follow football,” he said. Gulf Governor said people around Kerema Bay are good in soccer including from the highlands of the province, the people of Kaintiba who were converted into football by Lutheran Missionaries coming from Morobe province. “In fact, Kaintiba has a soccer field with rocks in the middle of the field but players negotiated their way around the rocks to play their favourite game and this is true passion of sport of football,” he said. Mr Kapi Natto thanked Mr Haiveta and his PEC to suspend their PEC meeting to chat with him and his team. “I am very privilege to set foot in Kerema Township. I have been flying in-and-out of Kerema Airport but never had a chance to visit the small colonial township which administer Western and Southern Highlands during colonial era, and now I am glad to visit the township as football administrator,” he said. Mr Kapi Natto said his visit is to familiarize and set up network with Gulf Provincial Government through its Sports Office and the football fraternity in Gulf province to get Kerema Soccer Association back into PNG football family.

The JPG Waghi Tumbe rugby league team from Jiwaka Province have created history by winning the preliminary finals with a 31-16 win over a seasoned PRK Mendi Muruks side thus booking the last spot and their first ever Digicel Cup Grand Final with a thrilling performance at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The boys from Jiwaka took to the field with a hunger and determination for a Grand Final spot and their efforts have proved that they are Grand Final ready come next weekend. In a display of tremendous footy from the Joe Frank led side, the Waghi Tumbe came on top with an 18 points lead to Muruks 10 points at half time. In the second half, the boys from Mendi put up a fight with Leon Undupia leading his boys from the left wing however could not withstand a determined Tumbe side who raked in two more tries and a field goal to push the lead further to 31 points over Muruks 16 points on the 78th minute. First time coach Mr Baundo Abba who was overjoyed at the win said that he is proud of his boys for delivering such a strong performance and securing their first ever grand final appearance in the Digicel Cup since the club re-entered the semi-professional rugby league competition in 2014. “As a young and inexperienced coach, it’s a history for me and also for Jiwaka Waghi Tumbe for us to make it into the grand finals and so I’m very happy and pleased with my boys.” “I am also very happy with Joe Frank for not letting us down and leading the boys well into the grand finals.” “As a captain, he did not let us down and as a leader he had to fight hard and now we’ve won this game and so I am very happy with his performance today,” Abba said. The former Waghi Tumber player who has debuted this year as a coach for his team said that there are however a lot of areas that they need to improve on before taking on the Lae Snax Tigers in the Grand Final Match this weekend. Man of the Match and Captain of the JPG Waghi Tumbe Joe Frank also nicknamed the Six Cylinder by fans said that they will go back to Jiwaka and continue to work hard before they can face the Tigers. The captain also expressed his thanks and gratitude to coach Baundo for his efforts in getting the boys game ready for this season of Digicel Cup and also the Jiwaka Provincial Government for continuing to support them all throughout the season. “I take this time to thank our coach Baundo Abba, although inexperienced, he has led us well with the support of Kupun Wisil right behind him.” “I also want to thank the Jiwaka Provincial Government as well as the few business houses in Jiwaka for their support throughout this season,” Frank said. The JPG Waghi Tumbes will now take on competition leaders the Lae Snax Tigers in the Digicel Cup Grand Final on Sunday 12th September 2021.

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (Kumul Petroleum) welcomes the government’s decision to award a fourth Petroleum Retention License (PRL) to the national oil and gas company (NOC). This decision comes less than five months after the awarding of three licences. The Minister for Petroleum, Hon. Kerenga Kua, in officially announcing the award, described the occasion as momentous for Kumul Petroleum as Papua New Guinea’s NOC. “In April of this year, I announced the Marape-Basil Government’s support of the decision of the Petroleum Advisory Board (PAB) to grant PRL 48, PRL 49 and PRL 50 covering the Kimu, Barikewa and Uramu gas fields to Kumul Petroleum. Today’s announcement brings the total amount of PRLs awarded to Kumul Petroleum to four”. Minister Kua said the award empowers Papua New Guinea’s own NOC to take a “significant step forward in its mandate” and thereby also fulfils the Marape-Basil Government’s greater vision of ‘Take Back PNG’. He said he as Minister for Petroleum is pleased that our own NOC has technically and financially prepared itself to take on some of the licenses as their terms expire, and also be able to support the Papua LNG, Pasca and other developments like P'nyang when they happen. He expressed confidence in the technical capabilities of the nationals employed by KPHL and urged the NOC to swiftly progress development plans to commercialise these fields and proceed to developing them as soon as possible”. Upon receiving the award of the Pandora License, the Managing Director of Kumul Petroleum, Mr Wapu Sonk thanked the PAB and the Minister for Petroleum for having confidence in the NOC’s capabilities and for recognising the NOC as an important partner in the Government’s ‘Take Back PNG’ vision. The Pandora license is the fourth PRL that Kumul Petroleum has secured this year, and presents for the NOC the opportunity to put to test aggregation and development concepts which the company has been developing. He said Kumul Petroleum will now be able consolidate these asset and move toward commercialising fields which were previously held by different owners and were otherwise considered stranded, isolated and economically challenging. Kumul Petroleum’s commercialisation plans will include further to drilling of delineation and development wells and project capital investments. Hence to mitigate Kumul Petroleum’s associated risk exposures, the company will look to invite joint venture partners and technical service providers with the requisite technical and financial capabilities who will assume critical roles in the development of these gas fields. Mr Sonk stated that “Kumul Petroleum will commit itself to work with the Department of Petroleum in carrying out the licence conditions. We will also look at the best way possible to commercialise this licence so that it benefits our people who have entrusted us to hold this licence”.