PNG Haus Bung

NEWS SPORTS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT

Posts by PNG Haus Bung | PNG Haus Bung

POSTS BY AUTHOR

PNG Haus Bung

GET VACCINATED & RECEIVE A FREE BIG ROOSTER MEAL

Big Rooster outlets in Port Moresby will be offering free meals to anyone that receives the COVID-19 vaccination at the Rita Flynn Facility - a campaign drive by the Boroko Rotary Club in partnership with Big Rooster, which begins on the 23rd of August till 8th of September, 2021. The campaigns' primary aim is to boost vaccination coverage and get more citizens to be vaccinated and protected from COVID-19 and the recent Delta Variant strain. Big Rooster's Managing Director Mr Salim Chamadia said they will be giving out 15,000 meals to individuals that receive their vaccine at the designated site which is the Rita Flynn Facility. “Anybody who arrives at Rita Flynn for vaccination for either the first dose or the second dose will be given a voucher that can later be presented at any of the Big Rooster outlets for a free meal.” Mr Chamadia added that lunch will also be provided for all staff at Rita Flynn for the duration of the campaign. Boroko Rotary Club's Lionel Melville said the campaign is an important one and hopes that more people can get vaccinated and protected from the deadly virus. “We hope that we can get more people in to be vaccinated.” “We need everybody, as many as possible to be vaccinated and stop the vaccine hesitation due to misinformation out on the socials.” “There is only one answer to this COVID-19 pandemic and that is to get people vaccinated which is the only way and last line of defense to prevent people from getting sick,” said Mr Melville.

Published on August 20, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/no-cuts-to-income-tax-yet/

Published on August 20, 2021

SCIENCE FAIR HOSTED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO BE INNOVATIVE

The School of Natural & Physical Sciences (SNPS) at the University of Papua New Guinea hosted its’ Science Fair on Wednesday at the Main Lecture Theatre and the Science Blocks. With the theme ‘Promoting Sustainable Solutions Through Scientific Research & Innovations’, the seven strands in the Science Field set up information booths displaying projects, conducting experiments and showing results of their research for those who attended. SNPS SRC representative, Miss Ryna Asiba said the Science fair is an important event to be held because it shows that Papua New Guineans are capable of coming up with ground breaking inventions and innovations that will not only benefit Papua New Guinea but also the rest of the world. “The Science Fair showcases our modern scientific knowledge combined together with our native traditional knowledge and how we can incorporate them into our daily lives to make it better healthier and wealthier,” Miss Asiba said. Miss Asiba added that the fair educates the general public about the applications of science through innovative ideas that can benefit Papua New Guinea and most importantly markets the SNPS and its’ young and bright vibrant scientists to the outside communities, sponsors and potential employers. “I see that science in our country is not as big as it is in other countries and it is one course that is looked down on so we wanted to showcase modern scientific knowledge with traditional knowledge.” “If you combine the two, you will see how it will benefit our lives on a daily basis,” Ryna said. To air out confusions, Ms Asiba added that when people hear about the ‘UPNG Science Foundation Year’, they automatically think of Medical School but there is more to science than just medical school. “We have Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology, Environmental Science & Sustainable Development and the Mathematics Statistics & Computing Science”, added Ryna. The Science Fair also took on a competition in which each strand within the School of Natural and Physical Science were tasked to come up with projects and ideas to compete with each other to win a shield and cash prize money.

Published on August 19, 2021

FROM A SIMPLE TAXI DRIVER TO NOW AN AUDITOR & A UNIVERSITY GRADUATE

40-year-old Steven Allent Pugla from the Tepoka tribe in Dei District of Western Highlands Province is the epitome of success that comes about through sheer hard work, commitment and determination towards achieving set goals. The Grade 10 dropout who is now an Auditor at the Department of Finance & Auditor General’s Office (AGO) said that it has been quite a long and challenging journey since and every experience he has been through has prepared him for this moment in his life. Last month, Pugla graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea with a Bachelors Degree in Public Finance and Accountancy which has been made possible through support from his current employer. Pugla, like all other daring young men with hopes and dreams came to Port Moresby in Year 2000 to pursue further opportunities after he was unable to continue with his Grade 11 studies due to school fee issues. “After completing Grade 10 from Kitip High School in 1999, I was unable to continue on to do Grade 11 at Kabiufa SDA Secondary School in Goroka due to lack of funding.” “Burdened with a low self-esteem as a school drop-out and an uncertainty of what the future held in store for me, I came to Port Moresby in the year 2000 in search of better opportunities,” Pugla said. Unbeknownst to him, Pugla came to Port Moresby in search of good job opportunities which are always quite hard to find here in the city these days. Shortly after arrival in the big city, Pugla secured his first ever paid job as a Boss Crew on the PMV Buses however, he had lasted only 4 months on the job before he decided to find work as a security guard. “I worked as a security guard for 4 years from year 2000 to 2003 with various companies and organisations including BSP.” “Then in 2004, I left to become a taxi driver, a job which I performed diligently for the next 2 years,” Pugla said. “In 2005, after operating as a taxi driver for some time, I decided to go and look for work as a driver at the Department of Finance & Auditor General’s Office.” “With just a driver’s license and a Grade 10 certificate, I took the risk and turned up at the office and to this day, I thank God for leading me to that place at that exact time,” an elated Pugla said. It has been 16 years to the day since Pugla knocked on the doors of the Department of Finance & AGO. Throughout the years, he has made his way up from being the office admin driver to Trainee Finance Officer then on to Finance Officer and finally Auditor for the last seven years. Having a well-paid job, Pugla decided to pursue tertiary studies on self-sponsor to further enhance his knowledge and work experience as an Accountant. In 2010, 11 years after leaving high school, Pugla graduated with a Certificate in Business then the following year, graduated with a Diploma in Accounting from the PNG Institute of Public Administration. “Growing up, I always had a dream to go to university. Whether this would be possible amidst the hardships and challenges I was going through, I was not too sure at the time but I held on to the dream anyway.” “Who would have thought that I would be standing here 22 years later as an Auditor for Department of Finance and a university degree in hand,” said the former taxi driver. Pugla’s experiences in life have taught him to be humble and to have respect for people from all walks of life. “As a former boss crew and taxi driver, I have met different kinds of people through the years.” “In fact, whenever I used to drive people around especially those in the workforce, I would study their lifestyles and would ask myself, what is stopping me from living a life like them, to work in an office like them and earn enough money to look after my needs and that of my family’s.” Being able to experience life in its’ lowest forms and reaching the current status in life, Pugla says that he has so much respect for all those school drop outs like him who are currently out there trying to make something of their lives. “I was a school drop out once and so I know what it’s like.” “To those bus drivers and taxi drivers and anyone who holds jobs that are at the lowest of any corporate ladder, I have so much respect for you.” “Only God knows your struggle and he will reward you one day. You just have to keep going,” said the taxi driver turned Auditor. “Along the way I have faced many challenges both at university and also back at home but they have motivated me to keep going because there is always a reward in the end for hard workers.” The university graduate said that the achievement would not have been made possible without the support of many important people who have contributed towards his quest for a university degree. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude and thanks to his current employer and made specific mention of Dr Ken Ngangan with his Executive Management at Department of Finance, former Auditor General Mr Philip Nauga and current Auditor General Mr Gordon Kega with his Senior Management and Mr Panditha Bandara of UPNG for playing vital roles in his educational journey. Pugla also dedicated the achievement to his wife who has been by his side all throughout and said that choosing a good partner in life is also paramount because he or she will also play a big role in determining the successes or failures in one’s life. “Don’t choose a partner based on their beauty or outward appearance. Instead, choose someone with a good heart, who will back you up when you are down and stand with you in good and bad times. If you choose the wrong partner, he or she can be a burden in your life,” the man from Tepoka said. Mr Pugla’s advise to his former colleagues especially those boss crews, taxi drivers and security guards is to never be comfortable with where they are and to always strive to be better than what they are now. “If a simple Grade 10 drop out like me can obtain a Bachelors Degree in Accountancy and be an Auditor at the Department of Finance & AGO after starting out my career as a boss crew, a security guard, a taxi driver and a simple office driver then I strongly believe in my heart that you too can do it.” Mr Pugla appeals to parents to never give up on their children when they have failed at something and to never class them as failures because there is always something else that their children may be good at and so they must get behind their children and continue to support them. The young man from Western Highlands said that had it not been for his Christian faith in God and the support from his SDA church family, he would not have made it this far as well. “Twenty-two years ago, I found myself as a Grade 10 ‘drop out’. It was the lowest point in my life. Others looked down on me, some made demeaning comments saying that I would never get anywhere in life but I thank God because He never gave up on me.”

Published on August 19, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/new-ireland-education-undergoing-curriculum-reform/

Published on August 19, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/bsp-mt-hagen-assists-pioneer-school-in-minj/

Published on August 19, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/never-a-dull-day-with-gemma/

Published on August 19, 2021

NEVER A DULL DAY WITH GEMMA

If you left home for work, feeling good and then it gets even better when you arrive at work to the welcoming scent of a freshly cleaned office, where your steps feel as if they’re the first ever to have set foot on the sparkly floor...then you should thank your dear friend the cleaning fairy who woke up earlier than you did to get your work space ready! At Port Moresby Nature Park, there is one such person with a beautiful character who has been around almost as long as the Park has, all for the love of housekeeping. Gemma Maraiapo is a hardworking single mother of five from Miaru in the Malalaua District of Gulf Province. Inspired by the famous Gulf Phrase of ‘Yu yet kam na lukim’, one would have to spend merely a minute with Gemma to understand why the Park looks so presentable daily as it is in her nature to ensure everything is set and ready for guests. Gemma is no new face to the Tourism & Hospitality Industry. Since 1992 when she started her first job with the Granville Hotel in Port Moresby as a Housekeeping staff, she had never strayed from the field, which to date sees her clocking in 29 years of service in Housekeeping within the Tourism & Hospitality Industry. She has had a colourful career, working at some of the best hotels in Port Moresby such as Airways and Lamana, even taking up the challenge of working in remote Mine sites in order to support her growing children. All has been worth the sacrifice as she now sees her grand children growing up with her children; following her foot steps and doing the best they can to raise their children under her watchful granny eyes. Day one of her job at Port Moresby Nature Park was the day Gemma finally felt at peace and at home. It was a feeling she welcomed and hoped would stay with her daily. The peaceful, homely feeling certainly was a cushion for her job at the Park for the last 8 years in Park Presentations. Today, Gemma is the Park Presentation Team Leader and is part of the wonderful Guest Relations’ Team. Gemma now leads a team of five women whose daily tasks would begin; sometimes starting as early as 6:30am simply to get everything presentable, including the staff into their crisp Green or Khaki uniforms, ready to open the gates daily to guests of PNG’s leading Tourism Attraction and Wildlife Park, the Port Moresby Nature Park. As if these tasks weren’t enough for busy ‘Miss Gemma’, she also welcomed the additional role of being an active Committee Member on Nature Park’s ‘Green Team’ which advocates on sustainable practices in the office and at home that contribute to saving the environment. It is no easy task maintaining Port Moresby Nature Park. But with a team, who share the same passion and level of commitment, the tasks become a breeze and all you see around the Park are happy team members either wiping down benches, refilling hand-sanitizing stations, mopping, sweeping, scrubbing and so forth all in a day’s work! “It is great to be working here. Yes, I do have a lot to do every day but working for the Park has allowed me to have time for my family and most importantly, to have time for God”, says Gemma as she happily reflects on her life-changing journey with the Park. “There are other staff members like me as well here at Park. We have all found a family here. This is our Nature Park family and we’re a great team”, adds Gemma. Port Moresby Nature Park’s Park Presentation team is responsible for issuing staff uniforms daily, maintaining the Park’s laundry services for its 70 plus staff, cleaning and maintaining its admin offices, ablution blocks and other general Park clean-up which supports the Grounds department in ensuring that the Park is consistently presentable to its guests on a daily basis. With over 550 resident animals and 30 acres of tropical gardens, the park relies heavily on its workforce to keep it maintained thus the organisation provides support and continued learning to all staff to continue the shared mission of environment conservation. Port Moresby Nature Park is a charity organization that relies on grants and donor funding to operate. By visiting the park and joining its Annual Membership Program, you help support the Park’s efforts in preserving PNG’s unique natural environment for future generations, including the Park’s 550 resident animals, majority of which have been surrendered to the Park for care.

Published on August 19, 2021

NEW IRELAND EDUCATION UNDERGOING CURRICULUM REFORM

The Department of Education in New Ireland is undergoing two major reforms since 2015. The structural reform is to change the grade structure from 3 years Elementary, 6 years primary and 6 years secondary to 3 years Early Childhood, 6 years Primary and 6 years secondary. Director for Education Wesley Siangat when briefing the Provincial Executive Council said the structural reform is currently being implemented in phases in New Ireland. “To date St Jude Mongop and Boliu High School are implementing the structural reform whilst 8 primary schools are already having early childhood and primary school in place.” He said the Curriculum reform is already into its fifth year in the province. The curriculum reform is a change from Outcome Based Curriculum ( OBC ) to Standard based curriculum (SBC ). The elementary and primary schools are already using SBC whilst high/secondary will start in 2022. “ Training workshops have been conducted to selected secondary teachers and more training is expected before the end of 2021,” said Director Siangat. The New Ireland Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Sir Julius Chan sees Education as its top priority and since 2007 the enrolment retention rate for all school aged children from 25,000 to over 60,000 children in all sectors of education. This is a big jump of over two and a half times as a result of the New Ireland Governments Free and Subsidised Education policy introduced in 2007. There are currently 8 secondary schools and 3 high schools with an enrolment of over 18,000 students. In 2022, New Hanover, Tanir and Nasko High Schools will enrol their first grade 11 classes. “ This will change their status to secondary. By 2022, New Ireland will have 11 secondary schools giving greater access to students attain Higher Secondary School certification in the province,” said Director Siangat. New Ireland Education is focused on delivering NIPG key policies on total literacy by 2026 in line with the Malagan Declaration, Malagan Declaration Forward and New Ireland Declaration Forward to be internationally competitive. New Ireland is currently ranked fourth in the country through its Mean Rating Index. New Ireland was second last in the country before the current Government took over in 2007. So this is a very big jump.

Published on August 19, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/pm-marape-welcomes-passage-of-laws-on-public-servants-resigning-to-contest-election/

Published on August 19, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/sohe-district-furnish-dsip-reports/

Published on August 19, 2021

SOHE DISTRICT FURNISH DSIP REPORTS

The Sohe District Administration presented their 2019 and 2020 District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) Acquittal Reports to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD). The reports were furnished with both financial and physical expenditures on projects and programs implemented in the district. The report captured all their achievements, constraints and recommendation which have been properly analysed and prioritized from most urgent to the least under each sector. District Chief Executive Officer Zacharias Jamota highlighted that development issues and impediments, some of which have been deliberately ignored for many years by previous government, while others have been inherited have to take necessary steps to improve their management practices to achieve their core responsibilities. Mr. Jamota said despite district faces impediments, they manage to deliver basic government goods and services to it's people over the last three years under the leadership of local MP and Vice Minister for Agriculture Hon. Henry Jons Amuli. The DSIP grants were expanded on the following sectors in each of the four Local Level Government areas; 1. Health - 40% committed for health infrastructures - 30% committed for health on-going programs - 25% for medical emergencies and referrals - 5% for PPEs 2. Education - 60% committed for education infrastructures - 30% committed for Human Resources Development sponsorship - 10% committed for education on-going programs 3. Economic Sector 3.1 DAL/Livestock - 60% committed for Materials and tools - 30% committed for ongoing programs - 10% committed for administration 3.2 Cash Crops - 70% committed for infrastructure materials - 20% committed for agriculture tools -10% for admin 3.3 Commerce, Culture & Tourism - SME - LLG women benefited K100,000 each - 532 individual enterpreneurs under SME - supported Cultural Festival Shows 4. Law & Justice - 1 x Police Station fully renovated and refurbished - On-going police operations fully supported by DSIP 5. 10% Church Support 6. Community Groups - 3 x Community Groups received motor vehicles - 24 x Community Groups received Dinghies & outboard motors - 16 x Community Groups received Chain Saws - 2 x Community Groups received Lucas Mill 7. Infrastructures - 7 x district roads maintained and upgraded - Rural Housing Scheme ware house built, and processing machines procured - 250 tons of iron sheets procured and processed iron sheets. The local MP challenged DIRD to physically go down to the district and verify those projects and programs implemented in the district. "What we report here must be physically check and take stock of it", he said. DIRD Deputy Secretary- Program Implementation Wing Gordon Wafimbi acknowledged the district for furnishing the outstanding reports which the department will vett, appraise and report back to the government as per the Public Finance Management Act. Gordon said it is the responsibility of the sub-national administrations (provincial and district administrators, provincial and district finance managers) to furnish SIP compliance report. DIRD is also calling on other provinces and districts to furnish their outstanding SIP Acquittal Reports as the 2022 election is just around the corner. "You have to clean your backyard before the MPs goes to election next year, we want to see that provinces and districts who face Implementation constraints can consult DIRD for technical advise and support when rolling out SIP programs," Secretary Aihi Vaki reminded.

Published on August 19, 2021

← Prev Next →