PNG Haus Bung

MANNING DIRECTS COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM TO PARLIAMENT

A team from the National Control Center has begun taking swabs of all employees of the National Parliament to test for COVID-19 after 42 staff members were tested positive. The 47 were part of 167 swabs collected and tested earlier. The testing began on Tuesday and continues until all employees of the National Parliament including the political staff are tested. Commissioner of Police and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Mr David Manning said whilst the parliament session is important to the running of the country, measures must be taken to ensure that the leaders are protected and are not exposed to the virus. Mr Manning has directed for compulsory testing to be conducted for both staff of the National Parliament and political staff of the Members of the National Parliament. Pictured above and below: COVID-19 Response Team from the National Control Centre stationed at the parliament house collecting swabs of parliament staff on Thursday.

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/suspects-apprehended-for-alleged-rape-of-alotau-nurse/

Published on April 23, 2021

SUSPECTS APPREHENDED FOR ALLEGED RAPE OF ALOTAU NURSE

Three (3) suspects are now in police custody while a further suspect is yet to be apprehended and handed over to police as investigations continue into the recent alleged sexual assault of a nurse in Alotau, Milne Bay Province. "I condemn the crime on the young nurse - I condemn all criminal activities on Milne Bay people." "It is a sad day for our healthcare workers in Milne Bay. We are working hard to make MBP a crime free province like it was back in the day," said Alotau Police Station Commander Snr Inspector David Kaumara. Commander David Kaumara confirmed that police apprehended two suspects yesterday and one this morning involved in the sexual assault on the nurse on Monday night at Mutuyuwa, just outside of Alotau town. Snr Inspector Kaumara said the as a result of the incident, healthcare workers in the province took the streets to stage a peaceful protest march yesterday calling for the safety and respect of healthcare workers and to put to bed the cycle of violence faced by the health workers. "It was an eye opener for the public for health workers to stage their peaceful march from the town to Mutuyuwa and back around the whole town calling for an end to all forms of violence against nurses and doctors. It's a slap in the face for our government workers," said Snr Inspector Kaumara. He thanked the Mutuyuwa Ward Councillor and the people for assisting police in the joint operation in the area to apprehend the suspects involved. Mutuyuwa Ward Councillor Makalau Saking also shared his grief towards the victim and her family and has condemned the actions of youths from within his ward who were involved in the incident. “We don't tolerate rape and it is unacceptable in all societies in Papua New Guinea." Saking further added that in taking ownership, the people of Mutuyuwa Ward are now working closely with police to ensure that justice is served. Alotau MP Charles Abel was not on ground but condemned in the highest possible manner, the actions of those involved in the sexual assault and demanded for their immediate arrest. "It goes without saying that any such violence against innocent citizens is completely unacceptable. In this case, to attack our hard-working health staff is a big shame. Arrests must be made and these animals be brought to justice!" Mr Abel said. Pictures courtesy of: Eaerua Samoa Samuel

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/ela-motors-supports-nature-park-with-new-bus-2/

Published on April 23, 2021

ELA MOTORS SUPPORTS NATURE PARK WITH NEW BUS

Ela Motors PNG continues its support to the Port Moresby Nature Park with a donation of a 26-seater bus presented to the Park last week. The donated bus would especially assist Nature Park’s Education team in ensuring students in and around NCD and Central province are transported safely to and from the Park to attend its School Excursion programs. Port Moresby Nature Park’s General Manager, Mr. David Thompson on behalf of CEO Michelle McGeorge, expressed great thanks to the Management of Ela Motors PNG for continuing its support to Port Moresby Nature Park. “We appreciate the timely donation as students have now resumed Term 2 of their education calendar and so does our Education team here at the Park. The new bus ensures a great start to Term 2 Education programs for our team”, added Mr. Thompson. Nature Park's School Excursion programs are in line with Ela Motors Corporate Social Responsibility under Education, Environment and Safety. Ela Motors has been a continued supporter of the Port Moresby Nature Park’s Education program since 2013 and continues to support this worthy cause to effectively deliver School Excursion programs in NCD and Central province. Ela Motors believes that children's education is a paramount concern and hopes that this donation will greatly support the Park’s Education Team to educate school-aged children on the importance of native wildlife conservation and preservation. Ela Motors Marketing Manager Benjamin Niligur says, “The company is pleased to assist Port Moresby Nature Park to make an impact on the populace by assisting in the learning opportunity for the children to experience real-science based learning outcomes outside the classroom and help promote Environment and Conservation awareness.” Port Moresby Nature Park’s School Excursion Program is facilitated by the Park’s Education team and is specifically targeted at supporting the learning outcomes of the PNG curriculum. The Park’s various programs include Grade specific Science programs, which support the teachers in their lesson plans and curriculum outcomes. This allows students to learn both theory and practical aspects of their environment lessons at their school and in the park respectively. Such education programs could only be made possible with support from organisations like Ela Motors; giving the park necessary assistance that will help deliver its program in educating the future generations of Papua New Guinea about their unique natural environment. Port Moresby Nature Park is a charity organization that relies on grants and donor funding to operate. By visiting the park and joining our 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 April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/opposition-seeks-legal-advice-on-parliament-adjournment/

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/raminai-seeking-cabinet-approval-to-suspend-czuba/

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/new-dates-for-two-weeklong-png-fashion-week-runway-shows/

Published on April 23, 2021

NEW DATES FOR TWO WEEKLONG PNG FASHION WEEK RUNWAY SHOWS

The Prestigious PNG Fashion Week Runway Show that was set for this month has been rescheduled. That's the word from Managing Director, Ms Philma Kelegai. Ms Kelegai said the POM Fashion Week has been rescheduled from the 17th to the 26th June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic issues. This is done as they want to be COVID compliant and want to move the event well away from the period when the isolation ends to be safe on those for all involved. “We have 13 runway shows and we have not yet finalized the number of designers yet and we expect to have 30 – 40 models that will participate in the runway shows." In terms of venues for the shows, PNG Fashion Week has secured Vison City Mega Mall and the Mosin Plaza at Gerehu; both venues are close partners and supporters of PNG Fashion Week. In terms of the main finale runway show destination, this is a secret location set that is for guests only as it is an invite only event. “We intend to saturate the market with all things fashion and really stimulate the local economy by creating opportunities for economic empowerment for everybody." Ms Kelegai added that the idea of the Port Moresby Fashion Week is to really elevate and highlight the local culture as they want to really promote the Motu Koitabu people and their culture so you will see a lot of movement from this region within the runway shows because as usual PNGFW is a performing arts-based platform. “So we not only showcase our clothing, but we create art and movement and further enhance the experience of our fashion and culture through textile and fashion." “We don’t only focus on designers, we want artists, musicians who want to participate, they can contact us on our PNG Fashion Week Facebook page as there are some performance ideas they can participate in." “We are also inviting expeditioners this year so we will be giving expedition tables and we will be giving to people who will be interested to marketing their business and products as well so it is an opportunity for women who would want to market their products at this huge event." Ms Philma further stated that the POM Fashion Week always gets the crowd excited, and they always have thousands of visitors go past their events, so it is a ‘No Brainer’ if people want to market and push their products.

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/breaking-news-245-new-covid-19-cases/

Published on April 23, 2021

RAMINAI SEEKING CABINET APPROVAL TO SUSPEND CZUBA

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Hon. Wesley Raminai is considering suspending Secretary for Department of Higher Education Fr Jan Czuba due to a pending criminal case against him. Czuba is facing a total of eight criminal charges against him in the District Court, relating to abuse of office and alleged misuse of public funds within the Department. Attempts by his lawyers to dismiss the charges, on the claim Czuba was entitled to diplomatic immunity, were rejected by the court in December last year. Last week, Police prosecutors applied to court to have Czuba’s bail revoked so he can be remanded in custody because police believed he was interfering with prosecution witnesses. But the court refused to revoke bail because police did not provide sufficient evidence to court on witness interference. Minister Raminai said Fr Czuba, like any citizen or resident of this country, was entitled to his constitutional right of being innocent until proven guilty. But he was concerned that the case was a huge distraction for Czuba himself, and those within the Department who are trying to remain focused on their jobs. “The distraction by the pending criminal case is unfair on Czuba himself, the staff of the department, all our stakeholders, and the tertiary institutions we are supposed to serve. “This is so vital, especially when the nation is dealing with a deadly pandemic, and all our efforts and focus should be on ensuring the learning institutions are run with less disruption, in compliance with national pandemic protocols. “Already this year, academic programs in our universities have been disrupted. Some very experienced and highly qualified academic lecturers have succumbed to the disease, and there appears to be an absence of leadership provided to these institutions by the department. “I would be failing the most important stakeholders in the Ministry’s purview, the students, if I did not take the necessary steps to reset our focus, and restore confidence in the department. “That is why I will seek Cabinet approval to ask Fr Czuba to step aside temporarily to deal with the criminal case that is currently before the District Court,” Minister Raminai said.

Published on April 23, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/justine-wellington/

Published on April 23, 2021