PNG Haus Bung

KAINANTU OPEN MP REFERRED TO PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

The Ombudsman Commission has referred Hon. Johnson Tuke, MP Member for Kainantu Open, Member, Eastern Highlands Provincial Assembly and Minister for Mining to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office. The Ombudsman Commission conducted an investigation and has granted Mr Tuke a right to be heard which he responded to, and having deliberated on the matter has determined that there is a prima facie case that Hon Johnson Tuke MP has been guilty of misconduct in office. As required by Section 20(2) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, the Commission has notified Mr Tuke of its intention to refer the matter to Public Prosecutor. After being satisfied, for the purposes of Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Sections 17(d), 20(4) and 27(1) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership that there is a prima facie case that the Mr Tuke has been guilty of misconduct in office, the Commission decided to refer the matter to the Public Prosecutor for his independent deliberations under Section 177(1) (b) of the Constitution. The referral is in the hands of the Publlc Prosecutor Who has the discretion to bring or decline to bring proceedings under the Leadership Code for alleged misconduct in office in accordance with Section 177(1) (b) of the Constitution.

Published on May 5, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/free-taxi-service-for-city-mamas-on-mothers-day/

Published on May 5, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/18th-man-conundrum-for-origin-coaches/

Published on May 5, 2021

18TH MAN CONUNDRUM FOR ORIGIN COACHES

NSW and Queensland officials are awaiting details around the status of the 18th man in State of Origin before finalising preparations for their team camps ahead of the series opener at the MCG on June 9. The squads for Origin I will be named on May 31 and this year's series is the first in which the Blues and Maroons will carry an 18th man after the ARLC recently approved teams using an extra reserve if they have a players ruled out by foul play or lose three to HIAs in a game. However, it is yet to be decided whether each state's nominated 18th man can remain in camp with the for the duration leading up to Origin or return to his club for their match on the weekend. The Dragons, Broncos, Wests Tigers, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Knights and Eels play the weekend before Origin I and if NSW coach Brad Fittler was to select Clint Gutherson as 18th man he would need to know whether the Parramatta skipper has to return to his club for the match. "We are seeking clarity about whether they are stood down from playing the weekend prior to the game, what their payment status is and how the whole 18th man process works," NSWRL CEO David Trodden said. New Queensland coach Paul Green said he wasn't sure of the selection process for the 18th man. Due to the uncertainty over if or when an 18th man may be called upon during each match, officials believe it is unfair to ask a player to play for his club on the weekend and potentially back up in Origin the following Wednesday night. Neither state wants to be restricted to picking a fresh 18th man from the teams with the bye before each Origin. The introduction of an 18th man in Origin will provide a unique selection decision for Green and NSW coach Brad Fittler as the player could be called upon at any time and be required to cover any position. Yet if the teams choose a utility on the interchange bench they may not want another player who can cover multiple positions and someone like Penrith's Kurt Capewell, who can play second-row or centre, may be better suited. However, Capewell is almost certain to be in Queensland's 17 man squad either at centre, second-row or on the interchange. Maroons New Queensland coach Paul Green has vowed not to speak publicly about players in contention for Maroons selection but he said Sydney Roosters forward Lindsay Collins would be a loss. Collins made his Origin debut in last year's series and played all three matches for the victorious Maroons but has been sidelined for the remainder of this season after rupturing his ACL in last Saturday night's defeat of Newcastle. "When people ask me about players my answer is that we haven't selected the team yet but Lindsay had a really good debut series last year and started this season well so he certainly would have been in the conversation," Green said. The 25-year-old prop is the fourth player ruled out of contention for Green, with Roosters hooker Jake Friend and North Queensland playmaker Michael Morgan forced into retirement this season and Melbourne centre Brenko Lee yet to play a match due to injuries. However, the Maroons have been bolstered by the return of Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga and Gold Coast second-rower David Fifita after both missed last year's series triumph. The loss of Morgan and Lee exposes Queensland depth in the centres and Canterbury's Corey Allan or Penrith's Kurt Capewell may be required to fill one spot with South Sydney's Dane Gagai likely to be the other. Capewell started at centre in the first two matches of last year's series before being selected in his first familiar second-row spot for the series decider, while Allan has played the last four matches in the centres for the Bulldogs Besides Ponga and Fifita, the rest of the Maroons squad is expected to be drawn from the 20 players used in last year's series who are still available for selection. "I said when I got the job that the positive was that those guys have got the Origin experience and most of them did the job in Origin level so you have confidence if you have to select them again," Green said. Possible Queensland squad: Kalyn Ponga; Xavier Coates, Dane Gagai, Kurt Capewell, Valentine Holmes; Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans; Josh Papali'i, Harry Grant, Christian Welch, David Fifita, Felise Kaufusi, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. Interchange: Jaydn Su'a, Jai Arrow, Moeaki Fotuaika, Ben Hunt. 18th man: AJ Brimson Blues NSW coach Brad Fittler faces selection headaches over star fullbacks James Tedesco, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Clint Gutherson and locks Cameron Murray, Jake Trbojevic, Victor Radley, Dale Finucane, Isaah Yeo and Nathan Brown. The Blues will be without captain Boyd Cordner, who has not played since suffering a concussion in the opening match of last year's series, and Roosters teammate Luke Keary after the star five-eighth suffered a season ending knee injury in round three. However, Fittler now has Tom Trbojevic, Mitchell and Radley at his disposal, while Papenhuyzen was unavailable until last October's series decider due to an injury suffered in the grand final and missed his Origin debut. With Tedesco set to captain the team from fullback, Mitchell, Trbojevic, Gutherson and Papenhuyzen are likely to be considered for centre, wing or bench spots. Gutherson and Jack Wighton were the NSW centres in last year's series but the latter plays five-eighth for Canberra and could also come under consideration for the No.6 jersey, along with South Sydney's Cody Walker and Penrith's Jarome Luai. The Blues are spoilt for choice in the lock position and Fittler is likely to need to make a selection decision on Murray without the Rabbitohs star playing again before Origin after suffering an ankle injury in last weekend's defeat of Canberra. Radley can cover hooker if Damien Cook was unable to play the full 80 minutes so is likely to have an edge on his rivals for selection in the 17-man squad. Penrith second-rower Liam Martin may also come into consideration in the absence of Cordner. Possible NSW team: James Tedesco; Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic; Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary; Payne Haas, Damien Cook, Daniel Saifiti, Tyson Frizell, Angus Crichton, Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Victor Radley, Dale Finucane, Junior Paulo. 18th man: Clint Gutherson. SOURCE: NRL News

Published on May 5, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/pm-marape-launches-nationwide-covid-19-vaccination-campaign/

Published on May 4, 2021

PM MARAPE LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

Prime Minister James Marape, MP, officially launched the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign ‘Sleeves Up’ today at APEC Haus, Port Moresby. He said the launching of the campaign was timely in the Government’s response to curtail the spread of the second wave of COVID-19 and to protect the people. PM Marape said the first batch of 100,000 vaccines had already been brought into the country and would be distributed throughout the country for the campaign. He encouraged frontline and essential workers to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated, or they could exercise their right under the National Constitution by deciding not to get vaccinated. However, PM Marape warned that those who decided not to get vaccinated must also be prepared to accept the consequences, including getting infected and spreading COVID-19 to their families and communities. He said vaccination had always been a part of the Government’s strategy to curb and stop the worst impacts of COVID-19, and now that the vaccine was available, the Government would be using it to continue to stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent casualties. “Our focus last year before the first index case was always about defence to prevent COVID-19 from coming into our country, " PM Marape said. “Since then, we had our first index case reported in March last year, and we went into an effective three-month hard lockdown strategy trying to curtail and minimise a blowout of the transmission of the virus. “When the second case was reported in Kokopo last year and there was no epidemiology link between the two cases, I knew the virus was already in our communities. “We also knew from reliable information available that vaccinations may take up to a year to be made available, therefore, the immediate action plan was to prevent the virus from spreading quickly, minimizing the transmission rate. “We remember the 121 lives we lost and we want to reduce and prevent deaths of our people. “The 'niupla pasin' must now be a part of every Papua New Guinean lifestyle. “It simply means that if you have no need to go to public place outside of your home or workplace, stay put where ever you are. "COVID-19 spreads from person to person, so when your do not come into contact with an infected person, you reduce your risks of getting the virus. “If you a moving in a bus or in an aeroplane, wear a mask at all time and keep appropriate distance ( 1.5 meters or 2 meters) from others. “Your health and safety individually means that your family is safe, your community is safe and your nation is safe. “I want to thank all our development partners including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and all the United Nations organisations, the people and Government of China, and especially the people and Government of Australia, through their Prime Minister Scott Morrison, for assisting in putting Papua New Guinea in a position to receive the first batch of Astra-Zeneca Vaccine through the COVAX Facility .” PM Marape said over three million people had already died of COVID-19 worldwide. He said PNG was doing relatively well in managing the pandemic as a result of the Government’s Isolation Strategy, through which the country was able to reduce the predicted transmission rate of one person infecting three other persons to a manageable rate for the country.

Published on May 4, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/school-marks-world-water-day-in-pandemic/

Published on May 4, 2021

SCHOOL MARKS WORLD WATER DAY IN PANDEMIC

A primary school in Lae has commemorated World Water day to highlight the importance of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) and nutrition during the pandemic. Omgea primary school in Lae despite the covid-19 pandemic, is going extra miles in applying the new normal protocols in schools. The school had establishing school hygiene clubs, distributed over 100 reusable face marks for students, tippy taps and soap for hand washing. Omega primary school is also the pilot school for the Integrating WASH in Nutrition (INWAN) - Lukautim Gutpla Kai Kai through Klin pasin project. The Integrating WASH in Nutrition (INWAN) project is a partnership between the Morobe Provincial Government, the Lae City Authority and the Australian Government as covid-19 response and recovery for 29 Lae schools. World Vision PNG is the lead implementing partner of the WaSH components of the INWAN project. World Vision Project Coordinator Joel Johnson said over 600 students including teachers and key stakeholders from Lae City Authority and District Health attended the event. Omega primary school Principal director Reuben Kaileah She said World Water Day falls on March, 22, however due to covid-19 lock down in March, the school was not able to commemorate the day, thus postponing it to April 30. School head teacher Nani Antipondu said it was a remarkable event that saw students showcasing their learning in the WASH in School activities in a very creative ways including, posters, quiz and fun games about valuing water. She said prices were awarded to the best 9 winners from the respective classes during the day. World Vision Project Coordinator Joel Johnson said Environmental health inspector from Morobe Provincial Health Authority and Lae city Authority were also engaged during the event and trained teachers and students on proper waste management measures. School Board of management who were very supportive and coordinated the program well till end. WVPNG at the request of DFAT is working in consultation with Australia National University Enterprise (ANUE) as project managing contractor by DFAT with Morobe School Garden project to integrate Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) into the Project.

Published on May 4, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/water-for-women-fund-supports-lae-school-garden-project/

Published on May 4, 2021

WATER FOR WOMEN FUND SUPPORTS LAE SCHOOL GARDEN PROJECT

Over thirty-two thousand students and teachers including support staff in twenty nine school in Morobe will be benefiting from of an Integrating WASH in Nutrition (INWAN) - Lukautim Gutpla Kai Kai through Klin pasin project. The Australian Government through the Water for Women Fund in support of COVID-19 response and recovery is co-funding the integrated WaSH of the Morobe school garden project. The project also works hand-in-hand with high schools and primary schools in Lae to strengthen agricultural education, provide nutritious meals to students, and educate them on good nutrition. It will also address job losses and local food supply disruptions by increasing local food production and creating opportunities for local community members to work on school farms in partnership with the “Lae City Hands Up Program” provides community workers for the project. World Vision PNG WaSH technical Specialist Emmanuel Opoki said WVPNG at the request of DFAT is working closely with the School Garden Steering Committee to integrate Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) into the Project. Mr. Opoki said part of the scope of work is to have solar motorized water supply system at Omega primary school as a model school for 29 schools under this project. “The detail work would include Siting and drilling of one production well at Omega primary school, installation of water pumps, solar panels, 18,000 Liters reservoir tanks and hand washing stations at the school”, Mr. Opoki said. The Morobe School Garden Project is a partnership between the Morobe Provincial Government, the Lae City Authority and the Australian Government as covid-19 response and recovery for Lae schools.

Published on May 4, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/ktf-helps-raise-covid-19-awareness/

Published on May 4, 2021

KTF HELPS RAISE COVID-19 AWARENESS

With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in PNG and throughout the world, KTF (Kokoda Track Foundation), in its efforts to raise more awareness to stop the spread of COVID-19, has made an awareness video with the help of KTF ambassadors, partners and friends: • Amelia Kuk – Rugby player • Michael Usher – Journalist & presenter • Sharyn Ghidella -Journalist & presenter • Andrew Lepani – Former Deputy Director General PNG Olympic Committee • Dika Toua – Olympic Weightlifter • Ryan Pini – Olympic Swimmer • Abigail Havora – Doctor, KTF Archer Leader & former Miss Pacific Islands PNG • Eliza Taylor – Actor • Yahoo Serious – Filmmaker & actor • Bob Morley – Actor The video outlines simple steps that every individual can take to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among communities. It can be found on Youtube at https://youtu.be/61A9pDUMs8s The video has also been shared on KTF’s social media platforms and KTF is extending an open invitation to the mainstream media to also share this important awareness message to the public in PNG. The full video file can be shared with media outlets by file transfer service on request. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://pnghausbung.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Help-stop-the-spread-of-COVID-19-an-important-safety-message-from-KTF.mp4"][/video]

Published on May 4, 2021