PNG Haus Bung

https://pnghausbung.com/png-records-162-new-covid-19-cases-on-thursday-april-8-total-cases-at-8001/

Published on April 10, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/?p=6222

Published on April 10, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/?p=6219

Published on April 10, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/?p=6216

Published on April 10, 2021

PNG RECORDS 162 NEW COVID-19 CASES ON THURSDAY APRIL 8 - TOTAL CASES AT 8,001

Papua New Guinea recorded 162 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 12 midday on Thursday April 8, increasing the total number of cases to 8,001. The country’s COVID-19 related death toll remains at 68. Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 132,946,206 including 517,585 new cases reported in the last 24 hours ending 12 midday on Thursday April 8. The global death toll is 2,867,242 of which 9,264 were reported in the last 24 hours. Five provinces recorded new COVID-19 cases on Thursday April 8. They are: Western Province New cases: 131. Sex: 108 males, 21 females, 2 unknown. Age range: 9-58 years. Symptomatic: Nil. Asymptomatic: 131. Deaths: 2. Total cases: 2,221. East New Britain Province New cases: 25. Sex: 7 males, 17 females, 1 unknown. Age range: 19-85 years. Symptomatic: 22. Asymptomatic: 3. Deaths: Nil. Total cases: 319. Jiwaka Province New cases: 4. Sex: 4 males. Age range: 40-60 years. Symptomatic: 4. Asymptomatic: - Nil. Deaths: 1. Total cases: 48. Eastern Highlands Province New cases: 1. Sex: 1 female. Age range: 27 year old. Symptomatic: - 1. Asymptomatic: Nil. Deaths: Nil. Total cases: 317. Central Province New cases: 1. Sex: 1 male. Age range: 36 year old. Symptomatic: Nil. Asymptomatic: 1. Deaths: Nil. Total cases: 98. The other 16 provinces in PNG including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) that have reported cases include the following: NCD Deaths: 52. Total cases: 3,172. Simbu Deaths: 2. Total cases: – 88; Morobe Province Deaths: 3. Total cases: 374. East Sepik Deaths: 2. Total cases: - 81. Autonomous Region of Bougainville Deaths: - Nil. Total cases: 123. Western Highlands Province Deaths: 2. Total cases: 238. Enga Province Deaths: 1. Total cases: 65. West New Britain Province Deaths: 2. Total cases: 221. West Sepik Province Deaths: 3. Total cases: 354. Hela Province Deaths: - Nil. Total cases: 26. Milne Bay Province Deaths: - Nil. Total cases: 14. New Ireland Deaths: 2. Total cases: 89. Madang Deaths: Nil. Total cases: 71. Southern Highlands Deaths: Nil. Total cases: 66. Gulf Deaths: Nil. Total cases: 13. Northern Deaths: Nil. Total cases: 3.

Published on April 10, 2021

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS CONCERNED OVER PNG POWER OPENING UP CONTRACTS

PORT MORESBY, NCD, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Papua New Guinea have expressed concern over the unilateral review and renegotiation by PNG Power Limited (PPL) of existing contracts and contractually agreed pricing to supply power to the grid. David Burbidge, Chair of the IP3 Industry Group for Independent Power Producers, sees the role of IPPs to work in partnership with PNG Power to deliver affordable and reliable power to the grid and therefore to end-users and customers. “The intention of the Utility to renegotiate the price defined in a contract is problematic for IPPs; it will also have sector wide ramifications. The price at which IPPs sell their power to PPL is a contractual agreement between the IPP as power generator and PPL as the Utility, which is captured in PPA – a power purchase agreement. These PPA contracts are generally for a period of 15 to 25 years to ensure both parties know in advance that there is a market for the power generated (for the IPP) and a consistent power supply (for the Utility) at a mutually agreed price level. This gives financiers certainty over the debt repayment and allows the IPPs to recover the cost of capital employed in what has to date been perceived as a high-risk environment,” added Burbidge. Responding to a recent statement by PNG Power Managing Director, Mr Flagon Bekker, the IP3 Industry Group questioned the way the MD framed the issue. “We see it as misleading that Mr Bekker speaks of subsidies to IPPs. IPPs are paid a mutually agreed price for the power they provide, just like any other commercial arrangement,” said Burbidge. “IP3 emphasises that the generation industry is open to working with PPL to implement the lowest cost possible for future generation, which will help reduce the major liquid-fuel bill that currently affects PPL’s net revenue. However, PPL also needs to improve its financial position by reducing the major financial losses due to power theft and billing losses, over 20%. The State and other large nonpaying customers also need to consistently pay for power used, as this revenue shortfall is directly responsible for PPL’s losses,” said Burbidge. “Setting the precedent that PPL can reopen PPAs at any time to renegotiate prices will be devastating for the power generation industry in PNG. It will increase the cost of any financing and the future cost of power from IPPs as it creates an environment of major contractual uncertainty and major sovereign risk in terms of all contracts with State Owned Enterprises in PNG. This will increase the prices offered by IPPs, which is the opposite of what PPL is trying to achieve, and it will not encourage foreign investment in PNG’s energy sector” stresses Burbidge. “We have seen analysis that reveals the fixed generation costs from IPPs represents less than 20% of PPL’s costs, and a focus by PPL on revenue collection and movement away from expensive liquid fuels is fundamental for PPL to improve its operating position for the short, medium and longer term. “As an Industry Group we also underline and fully endorse the critical nature of transparent and open tendering for future IPP projects. A number of expensive un-tendered previous PPAs have now expired or will expire relatively soon, they can be replaced by lower cost IPPs, a number of which have already passed through a transparent tender process. “We support the statement by the PPL Managing Director that we need a ‘win-win situation for the people of PNG and independent power producers, while positioning the sector for lower tariffs going in the future’. Unfortunately, the approach taken by PPL cannot be characterised as creating a winwin for IPPs, PPL, customers, and the people of PNG, and is more likely to result in power shortages and high power prices, due to increased diesel usage, or the unrequired commitment to large power generation with major capacity charge obligations over 15 years on PPL of over 10 billion Kina,” said Burbidge.

Published on April 9, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/ica-calls-on-non-citizens-who-overstayed-their-visa-to-come-forward-immediately/

Published on April 9, 2021

ICA CALLS ON NON-CITIZENS WHO OVERSTAYED THEIR VISA TO COME FORWARD IMMEDIATELY

Non-citizens who overstayed their visa and unlawfully resides in Papua New Guinea must immediately report in person to the Immigration and Citizenship Authority to be assisted through an in-country visa reissuance incentive, the Chief Migration Officer Mr. Stanis Hulahau says. “The in-country visa reissuance incentive is specifically designed to assist non-citizens who were unable to travel out of the country as a result of the pandemic and the closure of international borders and as a result have overstayed,” says Mr Hulahau. The PNG Immigration and Citizenship is providing this incentive to assist unlawful non-citizens and those whose visa nears expiration to come forward voluntarily and be assisted through this pathway. Mr Hulahau says an increasing number of non-citizens have their visas either expired or nears expiration date but failed to renew it and he warned that they need to contact the authority to seek a pathway that best suits them. “We are providing this initiative because we understand the difficulties the Covid-19 pandemic has caused that resulted in closure of borders and disruption of international flights and we really want to assist them by offering an extension or reissuance of their visa while they are still in the country. A key requirement under the Migration Regulation 1979, requires non-citizens to leave the country and reapply for a visa to come back. However, with the pandemic situation, ICA is providing pathways to assist over stayers to come forward and reapply in-country. Mr Hulahau cautioned the over stayers not take advantage of PNG’s caring attitude and warned that ICA will come down hard on those that are taking advantage of the current Covid-19 situation and are not renewing their visas. “We are giving a two month grace period to over stayers and unlawful non-citizens to come forward voluntarily,” warned the Chief Migration Officer. Over stayers are encouraged to make contact with the Visa Management Team on email kkapus@immigration.gov.pg or call 327 6183 for assistance in this regard.

Published on April 9, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/digicel-png-foundation-was-proud-to-give-much-needed-support-to-the-port-moresby-general-hospital/

Published on April 9, 2021

DIGICEL PNG FOUNDATION WAS PROUD TO GIVE MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT TO THE PORT MORESBY GENERAL HOSPITAL.

A generous donation of more than K10, 000 worth of hand sanitizers, masks and gloves were presented to the CEO of Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr. Paki Molumi at the Digicel Headquarters in Gordons, Port Moresby. CEO of Digicel PNG, Colin Stone and Senior Vice President, Lorna McPherson, handed over the donations to Dr Molumi. Colin Stone thanked the CEO and staff of Port Moresby General Hospital for their tireless in serving the public during the COVID 19 pandemic. “We know that Port Moresby General Hospital is doing its best to assist the general public during this pandemic. Digicel PNG employs over one thousand staff across the country and access to health care at this time is incredibly important. It is our hope this donation helps to protect the frontline health workers at the hospital and shows our appreciation for the incredible work you are all doing”, said Colin Stone. Dr. Paki Molumi said that over the past weeks the hospital has had over 100 of its staff test positive for Covid-19. “The hospital currently has a high number of patients and limited staff. To manage those patients you need a lot of consumables especially the fast running items like face masks to protect our staff, so I want to say thank you to Digicel Foundation on behalf of the board and management of Port Moresby General Hospital for these donations” , said Dr. Molumi. This donation builds on the ongoing work of Digicel PNG Foundation to ensure health workers and educators are protected during the COVID 19 pandemic. Photo caption: Left to Right | Mr. Colin Stone, CEO Digicel PNG, Dr Paki Molumi, CEO Port Moresby General Hospital, Ms Lorna McPherson, Senior Vice President Digicel PNG

Published on April 9, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/sunday-soul-sessions-with-chris-cobb/

Published on April 9, 2021

SUNDAY SOUL SESSIONS WITH CHRIS COBB

During this COVID19 Pandemic, a lot of our Papua New Guinean Music Artists and Musicians have found it difficult to entertain their fans and also to host music gigs here in the city and also around the country. However, for Chris Cobb, he has come up with an idea of hosting a live stream of his ‘Sunday Soul Sessions’ at his CCM Studio which he usually sings covers of songs and also it is about sharing soulful music with his viewer audiences live online. Chris Sese Cobb, 30 years old from a mixed parentage of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Bulolo in Morobe Province grew up in East New Britain Province and was raised by his Australian Father, Ian Cobb. He is married with two (2) children. Chris Cobb added on saying that the Sunday Soul Session's have been inspired by a desire to be able to perform and share music with people no matter where they are but also during these struggling COVID19 Pandemic time. “It is an opportunity for me to have a jam and take in requests from people as well as invite fellow musicians to come and have a jam with me and share that with an online audience.” “He continued saying that since bars and clubs have restrictions on live performances, this gives both the artists and the people who enjoy music to continue to connect musically during these tough times.” When asked where he got the inspiration from to host this live sessions, he said that he lost some live gig opportunities due to the COVID19 restrictions and he has had to think outside of the box for ways he could continue to engage with his fans. “I was inspired by a number of online music events I've been watching on YouTube such as the ‘Tiny Desk’ concert concept. Chris Cobb has hosted 4 consecutive Sunday’s of Sunday Soul Sessions so far and this weekend will be the fifth (5th) session and this week he will be performing alongside Sean Rii and Kugypt. He has featured on Sunday Soul Sessions other talented and upcoming music artists like Eli Kuliniasi who was a finalist on season 6 of Vocal Fusion who he has met during the competition. “I have also had David and Christine Vaname from the Insomnia Band and in the coming week I will be having over my good brother and Producer DJ Toxic Mahn in the studio with me as well as with Wesley Midian aka Professor Lee.” Mr Cobb has said that the online sessions are getting more and more popular each week and he is planning on continuing to host these sessions and most importantly to invite Papua New Guinean artists to share their magic with him down at the CCM studio. “Eventually I'd like to look at a venue partnership to host these live sessions, even beyond Covid-19 times.” Chris Cobb fans can tune in at 6pm this Sunday (11th April) to watch Mr Cobb alongside Kugypt and Sean Rii perform for you some covers and some of their awesome hits.

Published on April 9, 2021