Out of 128 teams that have registered and participated in the Gerehu Rugby League off season Competition, the Top 24 teams in both the A and B Grade Divisions will advance into the preliminary playoffs starting this week Thursday. The Top 24 teams in the A Grade Division are; 1. 45 Sharks 2. JV Tigers 3. 24 Raiders 4. LBS 4 City 5. Route 66 Nightmares 6. MT Warriors 7. Keasu Spiders 8. Rainbow Rangers 9. Hohola Pirates 10. CT6 Crusaders 11. 3B Bulls 12. Boroko Bulldogs 13. 4Mile Cats 14. Kopkop Bears 15. Debona Hornets 16. Tete Brothers 17. Country Mates 18. 9Mile United 19. Country Brothers 20. Gerehu Storms 21. DYC Crows 22. Apple Bullets 23. ID24 Dust 24. Erima Flyover Also in the B Grade (U20) Division, the Top 24 teams advancing into the preliminary finals playoffs are; 1. Route 66 Nightmares 2. Blackouts 3. 45 Sharks 4. Keasu Spiders 5. 24 Raiders 6. Boroko Bulldogs 7. Dusty Blacks 8. Eraks Brothers 9. 35 Storms 10. Nautana Roosters 11. Erima Magpies 12. Dakas 13. Bomai Pythons 14. Hohola Pirates 15. 313 Jets 16. Swamper Ducks 17. Stray Dogs 18. Rainbow Rangers 19. 3B Bulls 20. 4Mile Cats 21. Faientina Blocks 22. Tete Brothers 23. JV Tigers 24. MDK Souths GRL Vice President, Bomai Ninkama said the preliminary finals playoffs will begin next week. “We will go into the Top 24 format of playoffs where by in the first week of games, the Top eight (8) teams will be on BYE whilst the Top nine (9) to twenty four (24) teams will have their match and in the second week of games the Top eight (8) will play the winners of the matches from the Top nine (9) to twenty four (24). He added on saying that they are hoping to play the preliminary playoffs within five (5) weeks and they are expecting the Grand Final playoff match towards the end of February 2021. “I would also like to thank all the Youths throughout NCD, the three electorates and also would like to thank the two teams from Central Province who also participated and we are thankful to have kept them busy in the spirit of sports throughout the festive season and New Year”, said Mr Ninkama. “To all the clubs who participated and registered, there were no trouble or accidents during the start of the competition and I would like to say thank you for cooperating and to make sure the tournament ran smoothly”, said Mr Ninkama. He said since the competition is now heading into the finals, he would like the supporters, spectators and the public to maintain a safe run of the competition and after 30 – 40 years, the Gerehu Rugby League Competition has finally risen again. Country Mates Rugby League Club will be vying for a spot in the preliminary finals this Thursday in the Gerehu Rugby League Comp. Picture sourced: GRL FB page

In December 2020 HGDC Energy Services Ltd was awarded the PNG LNG Project's inaugural "Best National Content Contribution of the Year Award" in recognition of HGDC Energy Services' efforts to provide local employment, business opportunities and workforce development. In congratulating the Hela-based landowner company, ExxonMobil PNG Limited's (EMPNG) National Content Manager, Sisa Kini, said, "We are proud of HGDC Energy Services' achievement and success. Continued growth in the capacity and capability of local companies is central not only to EMPNG's success but also the economic development of Papua NewGuinea." Since 2009, they have made workforce development a core business priority by initiating a variety of programs including: • An apprentice program for mechanical fitters. Three apprentices are currently attached to the PNG LNG's Hides Gas Conditioning Plant maintenance workshop. The program is endorsed by the National Apprenticeship and Trade Testing Board. • A "Women in Workforce" program focuses on developing technical capabilities and increasing roles and responsibilities for female staff. This program also includes career path planning and confidence-building initiatives such as public speaking courses and involvement in Toastmasters Public Speaking Club. • A mentoring program helps junior staff to continue to grow and develop their role in various areas, including safety, engineering, financial, projects and human resources. Ninety-nine per cent of their workforce is comprised of Papua New Guineans with seventy per cent being locals from Hela's many communities. This focus on building and maintaining a skilled local workforce is something the management remains committed to going forward. HGDC Energy Services Chairman Libe Parindali said the award recognizes the team's efforts to deliver high standards in support of the PNG LNG Project. It also boosts the staff's morale as they look forward to continuing their efforts to drive excellence going forward. "We are proud of our work to invest in and build local talent. This enables them to compete and work anywhere in the world. We humbly accept this award as a vote of confidence in our technical, training and managerial capabilities. The company strives to deliver industry best practice and contribute meaningfully to the PNG LNG Project and the nation. "We are committed to supporting local businesses with 19 per cent of its service providers in 2019 were from the Hela Province alone," Mr Parindali added.

As of 4 January 2021 the St John drive-thru has collected more than 30 COVID-19 samples and continues to receive request and inquiries from the public for swabbing. St John Ambulance Commissioner and CEO Matt Cannon said, “St John is providing fast tracked COVID-19 swabbing, and the swab is processed in an authorised private laboratory with results provided within 24 hours.” “Trained by the WHO, the St John nurses will take COVID-19 samples from your nose and sent to an authorised private laboratory in Port Moresby for testing.” “The laboratory will conduct the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing (RT-PCR). The type of testing is also required overseas in Australia, Japan, and other countries,” said Commissioner Cannon. Commissioner added, “With the fast track private testing, a certificate containing the results will be returned within 24 hours through email.” “Patients can also obtain a hard copy of the certificate from the St John HQ reception at 3 mile,” he said. Commissioner clarified why there is a cost for testing, saying, “There is a fee for fast-tracked testing to cover the private laboratory fee and the cost to St John of providing a drive-thru or at home sampling. Public patients needing urgent testing because they are sick are encouraged to attend their local hospital.” The free swabbing testing is expected to return results within 30 days from the CPHL government laboratory. For the private 24 hour results:  Drive Through (PNG Citizen) = K650 Drive Through (Expatriate) = K750 At home/office = K850 Citizens who want to be swabbed can Call 7190 6331 during business hours or email COVID19@stjohn.org.pg . Drive-thru: 0930 until 1230hrs, Monday to Friday Home: 0900 until 1700hrs, every day.

The Free tuition for students to study at the Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) Centres is only available to students that will be studying full time. Students wishing to upgrade their marks will not be eligible. “Students wishing to upgrade their marks will have to pay K150 per subject,” said the Principal for FODE, NCD campus, Port Moresby. “For students that enrol to do grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 who will be studying full time will be eligible for the free tuition as stated by the Education Department.” Enrolment begins on the February 1, 2021 and will go on for the whole month of February with Academic programs to begin in March. “I would like to appeal to all the parents and students not to rush and enrol on the first day. We can cater for all the students interested to study at FODE.” He added that students must provide copies of their transcripts from their previous school to be given an enrolment form for any of their FODE Centres. Meanwhile, the National Department of Education will partner the District Development Authority (DDA) in each of the districts to establish FODE Centre, particularly in areas where there a no high school or secondary school or have a smaller number of schools. This will enable every child to have access to high school and secondary education to students who cannot continue in the formal education system due to various reasons. FODE operates under the National Education Department and has the same recognition as high schools and secondary schools. This means that any student that has completed Grade 10 up to Grade 12 through FODE are eligible to sit for the National Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 12 National School Examinations. If they pass these Examinations, they are eligible to go to selections for higher learning institutions. Picture sourced

National Capital District Commission today honoured its commitment on relocating city residents who were affected by various evictions at infrastructure development sites in the city. Under the NCD Settlement to Suburb Upgrade project, the commitment was honoured in partnership with  Moresby South District Development Authority and, the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.  NCD Governor Hon Powes Parkop, City Manager Bernard Kipit and Deputy City Manager Ravu Frank, and relevant ministers Justin Tkatchenko and John Rosso were present today (Monday 25th, January) at the proposed Saraga Estate site to launch the project.  The project will accomodate 164 block holders and their families who were affected by forced evictions at Paga Hill, 2-Mile and Water Front.  Speaking today during the launch, Governor Parkop said when he was first elected into office in 2007,  his election promise was to end settlements in the city and modernize Motu Koita villages.  He said since Lands Ministers, before Tkatchenko and Rosso's tenure in office, were not cooperating with him as they were hesitant to transfer unused State Land titles to NCDC for the implementation of the Settlement Upgrade project. He stated that today was a great day of celebration as they were waiting for it for a very long time. He commended Prime Minister James Marape and his government for supporting the overall Settlement Upgrade project and K1 million for the Saraga Estate project. He said other parts of Saraga too will be on track now that the Lands Department has given their titles to NCDC. He said there has to be strong foundation for the people to change their bad attitudes and behaviors.  Settlement Upgrade project, he said, is critical to change the behavior and attitudes of the people.  Governor Parkop used the occasion to highlight the progress the Settlement Upgrade project made at 9-Mile Rouna Quary.  He said infrastructures are being delivered to the project site with roads and subdivisions. "We have done the survey and are working on Physical Planning to approve the subdivisional plan for Ragamuga to be upgraded like Saraga as well. So the whole of 6-Mile Saraga to Ragamuga will start to be upgraded to planned suburbs within this year," said Governor Parkop. City Manager Bernard Kipit said NCDC funded the project with K4 million, adding the existing infrastructures are testament of this expenditure.  He said former dumping site has been converted into Saraga Estate. Lands Minister Ross said he was pleased to see residents given properly titled allotments than them being mere settlers.  Lae MP admitted that affordable housing and access to land has been a big challenge for low and middle income earners in urban areas. He flagged that the Marape-Basil government wants to address this problem with making housing affordable and land accessible to the people.  Rosso commended Governor Parkop and Minister Tkatchenko for their leadership and vision in further transforming the city.

The PNG Fashion week rehearsals and preparations for the 2021 Runway is on its feet to make sure they deliver a very fierce and a ‘one to remember show’ on the event night. Director of PNG Fashion Week, Ms Philma Kelegai said the show starts on 25 March and there is approximately 10 more weeks of preparations. “We are trying to fit in rehearsals every weekend and coming close to the date I will try to have rehearsal scheduled twice or three times during the week just to get fully prepared but I wanted the models to start early so they are ready to go as soon as Runway starts”, said Ms Kelegai. A total of 80 models who have shown interest and have passed the audition call outs are learning new runway routines during rehearsals on the weekends but only the final thirty will be selected after being shortlisted. “Preparations are great and we’ve got a bunch of new models as well as some old models, so there is more clarity and we are working hard to get ready because Fashion Week is all about delivering the very best in terms of Fashion Runways and telling the Papua New Guinean story”, said Ms Kelegai. 18 year old N’yamayau Francis from Manus said ever since she was a little girl, she wanted to be like the experienced models and walk the Runways. “I am really nervous as this is my first time but I believe through the rehearsals I will be able to overcome my nervousness and walk the Runway with confidence”, said N’yamayau. Yvonne Numa, 19, said it was her aunt, Ms Abigail Havora (Miss Pacific Islands 2015) who would always tell her to join modeling. “At the end of the rehearsals, I want to learn as much as I can to be the best and personally for me, it has been so tough learning new routines and trying to remember them but I am sure as we go on, I will remember all the routines”, said Ms Numa. Pharaoh Mesibere, a 22 year old male, said he did some modeling back in 2018 and while on Facebook, he came across the ‘PNGFW Model Call Outs’ and decided to try it out. “It is fun and exciting and I am hoping to blend in with everyone else before the main event and attending rehearsals is very important so that I do not miss out on any important information or Runway routines”, said Mr Mesibere. Ms Philma Kelegai said they are very confident in what they can produce as always and cannot wait for it to start.

A low turnout of voters for polling in the Bougainville by-election on 20 January 2021 had forced an extension for a second day and polling was completed on 21 January 2021 in all the three open electorates - North, Central and South Bougainville. Acting Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai who was on the ground to witness polling confirmed that voter turn-out was about 30-40 percent as only about 60,000-70,000 of the total 200,000 registered voters turned up to cast their votes. “Voter turn-out is a problem in any election not only in PNG but anywhere in the world.” “In PNG enrolment or voter registration is compulsory but voting is not compulsory unlike in Australia where both voter registration and voting are compulsory.” Mr. Sinai, however, thanked the people of Bougainville for ensuring a peaceful outcome of polling and urged Bougainvilleans to maintain peace during the counting period. Counting of primary votes was expected to start today (25/1/21) by electorates in Buin for Central Bougainville, in Arawa for South Bougainville and in Buka for North Bougainville. Upon completion of primary votes, ballot boxes from Buin and Arawa will be transported to the central counting venue in Buka for eliminations and declaration of the winning candidate by Friday, 29 January 2021. Writ for Bougainville by-election would be returned on or before Friday, 19 February 2021 to the Governor-General to official conclude the by-election. Photo sourced: RNZ News

As we continue to face the pandemic together, Australia is committed to supporting health security and economic recovery in Papua New Guinea. In October 2020, Australia announced a $500 million (PGK 1.3 billion), three-year Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative to support governments in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to plan for, access and roll out safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Through this initiative, Australia will provide $144 million (PGK 374 million) for COVID -19 vaccination in PNG over three years. This is in addition to Australia’s ongoing development assistance to PNG. Australian High Commissioner to PNG Jon Philp said Australia is proud to be supporting PNG with its vaccine rollout to give all Papua New Guineas the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19. “Vaccination promises to be a game changer and help all of us in the region move on from the COVID-19 disruption safely. Achieving high levels of immunisation is essential for recovering from the health and economic impacts of this devastating global pandemic,” he said. A timely, safe and effective vaccine rollout will pave the way for re-establishing travel, tourism and trade. It will allow more families and friends to reunite and help bring back international training, employment, sporting and cultural exchange opportunities. Under this initiative, Australia will help PNG procure vaccines that have met internationally accepted standards of safety and efficacy. The initiative will provide technical assistance to support PNG’s decisions on vaccination rollout and assessments of vaccine safety and quality and help build capacity for the health workforce. The initiative complements Australia’s support for global efforts to help our region to access vaccines, including through the COVAX Facility Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for developing countries.

NCD/Central Divisional Commander ACP Anthony Wagambie Jnr said all members, rank and file of the NCD and Central command are continuing with normal duties after the national court decision last Friday directing the removal of David Manning as Police Commissioner. "Immediately after the National Court handed down decision against the appointment of Police Commissioner, I held a briefing with Metropolitan Superintendent NCD and Provincial Police Commander Central". "All members, rank and file of the command are continuing with normal duties." He said the decision of the court handed down last week only affects the Office of the Commissioner of Police. The two acting Deputies are there as well as the operational and administrative function of the Constabulary. "I would like to assure important stakeholders and the community at large that the Constabulary continues to function and that we will go on to serve our people," Wagambie said. Police personnel have been directed concentrate on their duties.  "We will leave the issue of Commissioner of Police to the Government and NEC  to sort out in accordance to the National Court Order, while also knowing that Mr David Manning also has his rights to the Courts as well." Wagambie said Mr Manning is still Police Commissioner as per the Court Order until midday this Friday.

Team PNG Hero Poro Gahekave recently visited the PNG distance runners  in training in Kerowagi , Simbu Province to pass on some valuable advice to the athletes. Gahekave who returned from the USA a year ago after graduating from Lubbock Christian University with a degree in Business Administration has expressed her strong desire to pass on the benefits of her experience to the new generation of young athletes. During her two days in Kerowagi she presented sessions on Goal Setting and Time Management , important topics that were covered during her one week induction as a Team PNG HERO in November last year. The Team PNG HERO Programme is the PNG Olympic Committee’s athlete ambassador programme. Secretary General of the PNGOC Auvita Rapilla refers to the HERO Programme  as their flagship programme and one which they are very proud of. The term ‘HERO’ reflects PNGOC’s core values of Honesty, Excellence, Respect and Openness. The program provides an opportunity to develop athletes into leaders in their sport and communities. There was a lot of positive feedback from the athletes. Jenny Albert –  who has travelled a lot herself said that she has heard a lot of such advice over the years and has been asked to sign documents  and write down her goals. “However I never took it seriously she said  but today I realised its true and I am happy I am learning something and will put into practice”.  Another athlete who has been in the sport for a few years Abel Siune said that he was so happy Poro came to talk about such things that he has never heard before and pledged to work hard to reach the goals that he has now set for himself for this forthcoming season. “The athletes were quite taken aback by the presentations” said Coach Wilson Malana. “They found the sessions extremely valuable and they certainly learned a lot. Apart from her five years studying overseas, Poro has 14 years experience with the National team so she has a lot to offer these young athletes”.

When Phillip Solomon walked into the classroom in 2018 his students could not read or write – and he was determined to change this. Phillip is an elementary teacher at Ruatoka Elementary School in Rigo, Central Province – just an hour and a half drive from Port Moresby. He started teaching after being selected by his community to attend an elementary teacher training at the PNG Education Institute in 2003. After three years of training, he returned home to Rigo to teach in Ruatoko Elementary. With eight teachers and 189 students, Ruatoka Elementary is the largest school in Rigo. It teaches the standards-based curriculum in a mix of local languages including Sinagoro, Motu, Tok Pisin and English. In January 2018, Ruatoka was selected to take part in the Together for Education (T4E) project supported through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership. Phillip was among 40 teachers from 26 Rigo schools who attended the first teacher training in early 2018. Mr Philip Solomon addresses a school assembly at Ruatoka Elementary School “He demonstrated enthusiasm, commitment and was an active participant during the training,” said Child Fund project coordinator Dulcie Wefin. “His group presentation skills were outstanding, which earned himself a spot for further training as a resource teacher.” He was also trained to use the tools of Peer Observation and Teacher Learning Circle, where resource teachers conduct school-based or cluster in-service training on identified areas for improvement. An analysis conducted with support from former Ruatoka Elementary School teacher-in-charge Belline Kila identified reading problems as a key issue to address. Belline said what was required was strengthening phonics, reducing language barriers, improving access to reading materials and merging of language and English syllabi to teach reading. “Phillip organized a meeting with parents who identified the same issues. He then created an action plan that pointed to staff meetings, peer observation, school assemblies, teacher learning circles and cluster in-service training ways to overcome the reading problem,” she said. Phillip immediately started the teacher learning circles on phonics and assisted teachers with difficulty in phonics teaching. Fellow teacher Barbara James was drawn to Philip’s style of teaching phonics. “I fell in love with Phillip’s phonics teaching. I wanted to learn more so I would stand outside Phillip’s classroom to hear how he teaches phonics,” Barbara said. Barbara also participated in the training program which provided a boost to her teaching skills and students’ academic performance. “After observing and listening to how Phillip teaches phonics, I can now confidently teach phonics to my class,” said Barbara. With support and commitment from the teachers at the school, reading has now been included as part of the school assembly. While teaching at Makerupu Elementary in 2019, Phillip was rewarded for his performance with a promotion from base level teacher to head teacher. In 2020 he was asked by the Rigo District Education Office to mentor teachers throughout the District. Phillip works alongside the Central Provincial Elementary Coordinator and resource teachers from Launakalana to share knowledge about lesson planning and teach English or Language to improve literacy throughout Rigo. “My students are now in elementary one and can confidently read simple sentences and comprehend,” he said. “This is my success story and what makes me content at the end of the day.” Phillip is training teachers on effective teaching and learning strategies to improve elementary children’s reading skills. T4E aims to improve literacy and numeracy of early grade learners in Central, Morobe and Madang provinces. The project involves collaboration from the National Department of Education, provincial education divisions, church education agencies and schools and communities in the areas where this project is present. The project is delivered by World Vision and its partners Child Fund, the Consultative Implementation & Monitoring Council, Library For All Australia and the University of Canberra. A student from Mr Solomon's class demonstrating his reading skills

News just in! The National Court this afternoon has ordered for the removal of David Manning as Police Commissioner and declared his appointment UNLAWFUL. This decision was based on the facts that Mr Manning does not qualify for the position as he does not have a tertiary qualification. The order will take effect within 7 days from today. Listen to the LegendFM news, NauFM news and YumiFM news or follow our news website pnghausbung.com for more on this story. Picture courtesy: David Dotaona