It has been an extraordinary challenging year for the district, province and country as a whole because of the COVID-19 Pandemic hitting the global arena and affecting the country’s economy. Nevertheless, the Member for Kikori and the board of Kikori District Development Authority and administration have been busy working to bring services to the district. A lot has been achieved since the beginning of the 2020 and the Member for Kikori Hon. Soroi Eoe, has reflected on these achievements thus far and will be making major announcements when he visits the district. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions the Member for Kikori and his administration was able to deliver funding assistance and COVID-19 PPE, medical supplies and equipment to health facilities such as Faia Health Post, Kikori District Hospital and Karati Health Post in the Kikori area. In the Baimuru District – Baimuru Health Center and Kapuna Hospital. and The Member for Kikori, Soroi Eoe congratulated the incoming President of West Kikori, Hon. Buara Esega, MPA. Hon. Esega is from the Goare Ward. He assumes the job as the West Kikori President after the former President of West Kikori Late Hon. Paul Dodobai passed away late last year prompting the District LLG to run a By-Election resulting in his nomination. We welcome him to the KDDA board. Hon. Eoe also congratulates Heagi Luki of Apiope village. Mrs. Heagi Luki has been appointed as the new Women’s Representative for the Kikori District Development Board replacing the late Lina Ori who passed away this year as well leaving the vacancy in the board. Hon. Eoe also is pleased to announce that the District Procurement Committee has been established. The DPC was previously non-extant until the National Procurement Commission was enacted in 2014, enabling districts to establish their own Procurement Committees.  The purpose of the DPC is to approve projects and publicly tender the projects in the district to the value of K2.5m. By doing this, it addresses the delivery of projects in a timely manner and also encourages transparency and good governance in the district. Hon. Eoe says going forward, the KDDA is taking on the national government’s focus on strengthening MSME’s, as well as Agriculture support and he encourages his people to be innovative and work hard and take advantage of the governments support coming through in order to fully benefit. Hon. Eoe will be visiting the district to do presentations and make announcements on the following:  Announcement of K400,000 towards WASH projects. The project is to be carried out for Kikori Secondary School and Belepa area. Both projects would ensure clean water is supplied to the School and communities surrounding the Belepa/Hiloi area. Presentation of funds totalling K500,000 to be given to the following schools:Kikori Secondary School – K200,00.00Ihu Provincial High School – K200,00.00Don Bosco Technical School (Arai Miri) – K100,000 Announcing the allocation of K1m support for agriculture projects. Part of this funding will be put towards Agriculture extension work. Farmers also are encouraged to submit their project proposals for funding various agriculture projects.MSME SUPPORT - Recognizing women as an integral part of change in developing communities is important. The Member for Kikori in the community economic change and Commitment of K500,000 for MSMEs in the district to assist in their businesses. This is part of the further COVID-19 stimulus recovery assistance given by the national government.Through the KDDA Board, gensets were purchased in late 2018. The gensets were delivered on-ground in 2020 and now funding has been secured to ensure connectivity is realized. This announcement will be made during his district visit.Announcement of K6m LEDL/IDG funds. Previously the monies went straight to the Provincial Government and never reached the district. The KDDA board has resolved that the KDDA would manage the funds through the LLGs. So affected landowners who want access to these funds need to submit project proposals through their LLG for KDDA consideration and approval.In Wabo the Member for Kikori will be presenting 4x Motors & Dinghies and announcing the rehabilitation of Wabo Health PostHon Eoe will also do a presentation of funds for construction of bench-cut tracks in Foroba area in the East Kikori LLG then stop-over in Faia to launch Faia Sub-Health Centre Project.In Kikori government station, Hon. Eoe will present funding assistance to Kikori Secondary School and announce the short-term fuel assistance to Kikori District Hospital (fuel)Hon. Eoe will then travel to Baimuru to open new ward for Baimuru Health Centre, Police Station, upgrade of Baimuru Primary School to Baimuru Junior High School and announce the Electricity project. Member for Kikori Hon. Soroi Eoe will announce the K500,000 funding support for sporting groups in the district under the Ministry of Sports through the PNG Sport Foundation. Previously the KDDA board assisted communities in the Upper and Lower Ahia areas of the Ihu LLG to register their Sporting Associations with IPA. This was well received by the sporting associations from the area. So, following this, the Minister will address communities in the Ihu Station area & communities nearby. He will also do presentation of sports assistance to Upper Ahia Basketball Association, presentation of sports assistance to Momohobo Basketball Association, announcement of Belepa Water Supply Project, presentation of Outboard Motor/Dinghy and Community Health Post Materials and presentation of Financial Assistance to Ihu Provincial High School.The Minister will also address the Vailala East Villages & communities nearby and do presentation of sports assistance to Karokaro Touch Association & Lahoharapa Touch Association in the Ihu LLG.The Minister will also pay a visit to the provincial administration office and meet with the Provincial Administrator the Provincial Management Team/PEC and do a presentation of Ihu Special Economic Zone Project update. Hon. Soroi Marepo Eoe will also announce the Prime Minister’s official visit to the district to launch the Ihu Special Economic Zone Project. Hon. Eoe says “Prime Minister, Honorable James Marape has accepted our invitation to visit the project site to formally launch the project program, and will also officially open other completed projects by Kikori DDA”. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Member for Kikori will be visiting his district in the next couple of weeks to make these important announcements and make presentations as well. Ihu Special Economic Zone Project

One of the Top 5 winners of the Jacks of PNG’s, Design PNG – PNG’s Most Influential Design Competition Junior Nalo says he could not believe that his design was chosen as one of the Top 5 designs out of over 330 design entries. “I was traveling to town from the village (Lou Island, Manus) to leave a family member who was traveling back to Port Moresby. When I reached Lorengau Town, I got a call from the Manager of Jacks of PNG that my design was one of those chosen as a winner”, said Junior Junior Nalo, from Mbuke and Timoenai in Manus. He said back in Manus Province when he was young and still in school, he would usually fiddle around with his pencil to draw anything random that he could think of. “Entering this competition was a big challenge for me because this is the first time I entered into such competitions like this”, said Junior. With the K2000 that Junior has won, he plans to stock up on art supplies and materials to grow what he has already achieved and also to continue on creating designs. “I am very happy and thankful to Jacks of PNG for organizing this competition especially for us the Youths who don’t have much to do. We have a lot skills and when given such an avenue or platform like this through competitions, that is when we can showcase our talents”, said Junior. His message to the upcoming or aspiring artists is that God has blessed everyone with talents and gifts and it is up to you how you use it.

Lae based Pharmaceutical company Chemcare have provided a donation of first aid supplies worth over K1,000  to Athletics PNG for its training programme in Kerowagi, Simbu Province. It is the second time Chemcare have come to the assistance of APNG in recent times, having also donated supplies for the training camp at NSI in Goroka leading up to the 2019 Pacific Games. President Tony Green was on hand to collect the supplies from Sales Representative Martha Nakaio which were later  taken up to Kerowagi . On behalf of the athletes, Green thanked  Chemcare’s Operations Manager Angus King   for the generous donation.

The Office of Censorship held its first general staff meeting for the year 2021 this week at the Central Government Office, Waigani. The meeting began with a devotion that was led by the Chief Censor Mr Jim Abani, who shared on ‘Servants for Community’, encouraging his officers to put God first in our personal life as this will reflect on how we conduct ourselves in the workplace. Chief Censor Mr Abani reminded his staff that as Christians, we all have a duty to share the Love of God to our communities that we create within the Offices that we are situated in. ‘We must imitate the life of Jesus within our workplace by sharing what little we have with one and other,’ Mr Abani stated. In his opening remarks, Mr Abani officially welcomed the officers to the new year of work and reminded the staff that as public servants, we are here to serve the people of Papua New Guinea. Mr Abani stressed on two issues during the meeting; 1) A new culture to incorporate a time of Devotion into daily activities and 2) Staff to provide weekly reports to supervisors and supervisors to provide monthly report to Executive Manager (EM) and EM to provide quarterly report to Chief Censor. This new approach will strengthen the performance of officers on a weekly and monthly basis respectively. The Acting Deputy Chief Censor Mrs Lovelyn Douglas, along with the Executive Management Team, Mrs Nancy Kilala, Executive Manager Corporate Services Division, Ms Ilikomau Ali Executive Manager Strategic Policy & Coordination Division, Mrs Poveta Posa Acting Executive Manager Enforcement & Compliance Division, supported and commended the Chief Censor on the new approach taken and encouraged the management and staff to acknowledge this new working culture and to embrace our Creator in everything we do while at the same time respecting the authority and leadership that has been appointed for the Office of Censorship. Executive Manager (SPC) Ms Ali during her remarks, stated that in order to implement our respective annual operational plans, the officers who make up the office are required to work together with their line managers and to engage in constructive discussions to move the office forward. Ms Ali who is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and programs within the office, encouraged the management and staff to take ownership of programs and to improve on areas that need improvement. On closing the meeting, Acting Deputy Chief Censor Mrs Douglas reiterated the need to be mindful of individual performance and attitudes and to continue to work as a team. ‘We must serve as a true public servant and be the agent of change by portraying honesty and commitment in what we do’, Mrs Douglas concluded. The meeting involved discussions on issues that require management input and direction, including emphasis on working together to accomplish given goals and tasks as an Office.

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Australian Government has announced further changes to the requirements for travel to Australia from overseas. These new restrictions include a greater than 60% reduction in the number of passengers allowed to be uplifted on Air Niugini flights to Australia, with effect from 15th January. Consequently, and as previously advised, based on the number of passengers already booked, Air Niugini has already had to close all Port Moresby to Brisbane and Cairns flights for any additional ticket sales from 15th January out to 28th February. Despite the above, and due to the scale of the reduction in arrivals that has now been mandated by the Australian Government, unfortunately there are a significant number of customers who have purchased tickets to travel to Brisbane or Cairns in the coming weeks who we are no longer permitted to uplift on their booked flights. These customers will be notified either directly, or via their travel agent, and will be provisionally booked onto the next flight with available capacity, at no additional cost. These flights may be after 15th February. Should the alternative date offered not be acceptable, customers can request a full refund. Air Niugini sincerely regrets that a significant number of our customers will now not be able to travel to Australia on the dates that they had planned. Unfortunately this situation is outside of the airline’s control, and as such Air Niugini will not be responsible for accommodation or any other costs which may arise as a result of the measures being taken by the Australian Government at this time. We thank you for your understanding, patience and ongoing support as we manage this situation.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has applauded Maprik MP and Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Hon. John Simon, for establishing an avenue for his people and neighbouring East Sepik districts to enhance their businesses. He said this yesterday (Thursday, January 14th, 2021) when opening the National Development Bank (NDB) and People’s Micro Bank Maprik branches. Prime Minister Marape said one of his Government’s main priorities since taking office in mid-2019 was to empower people to participate in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “Last year, this Government ensured that the National Development Bank was allocated K80 million to assist our upcoming SMEs grow their small businesses through affordable loans at reasonable and low rates,” he said. Prime Minister Marape said his Government aimed to set up more NDB branches to create increased opportunities for SMEs. “Creating such avenues for our people to progress in their SMEs will enable and empower them to proceed in their hopes of becoming successful business men and women throughout Papua New Guinea,” he said. “Who said we cannot become millionaires in our own land when the Government is here to assist you financially? “However, this Government does not entertain free handouts. You must prove to these financial institutions that you are capable of borrowing from them and repaying at an affordable rate." “This Government is playing a major role providing financial assistance to our people to help grow their SMEs.” Prime Minister Marape encouraged the people of Maprik, East Sepik and PNG as a whole to utilise this Government initiative to enhance and grow their local SMEs. The Government last year allocated K200 million for SMEs loans, K100 million of which was given to Bank South Pacific, K80 million to NDB and K20 million for administrative and business training purposes by Government agencies like the Department of Commerce and Industry, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, and others.

Prime Minister James Marape has urged Papua New Guineans to venture into small agriculture businesses. He made the call today in Maprik, East Sepik, when launching price support for agriculture produce in front of over 5000 local cocoa, vanilla and coffee growers. Also present were East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon, State Enterprises Minister William Duma, Education Minister Jimmy Uguro and Defence Minister Solan Mirism. Prime Minister Marape said price support meant that growers would get better prices for their produce. “We will partner districts and provinces who want to help National Government empower our people with increased revenue from their investments in agriculture,” he said. “There is a global demand for coffee, vanilla, cocoa, copra, oil palm, rubber, etc. The Government’s investment to give good price to the growers will mean increased production and increases export, which is beneficial to the country and our people." “Every citizen of our country has land, which can produce one or two cash crop, for which our citizens can get good prices for their produce. The Government, through each district and province, will buy at points where growers are. This will cut away middle men and it will be a win-win for everyone.” Prime Minister Marape said the difference between his Loloata team of leaders and Peter O’Neill and Belden Namah’s Crown camp “was such new policies where we want to empower our people”. “My Government is focused on empowering the majority 80 per cent of our people who are presently living a subsistence life,” he said. “This is a deliberate policy to bring this majority of Papua New Guineans into the cash economy. We are not just talking but implementing our policies like agriculture price support, and SME loan scheme, with Budget support." “I encourage Papua New Guineans not to laze around but pick up an agriculture SME – which is now profitable with better prices through the Government’s price support policy.”

The Port Moresby General Hospital Blood Bank team carried out the Blood Donation drive this morning at the Waigani Central Stop & Shop which was open to the general public. The event was hosted by the City Pharmacy Group Limited and the Management of Stop & Shop. City Pharmacy Nursing Services Manager, Ms Sandra Cunningham said lives are saved and donors get to know their blood types in the case of their own health emergencies when giving this gift of life. Port Moresby General Hospital Blood Bank Nurse Unit Manager, Sr Damaris Penias said the reason for the blood donation drive is to maintain the supply of blood in the Hospital. Another reason of the blood donation is due to the lifespan of the blood which cannot last after 35 days, there has to be a consistent blood supply maintained in the Hospital. “I would like to appeal to everyone, individual blood donors, and the regular blood donors including the business houses and organization to arrange a date by calling our blood bank team to visit your companies or organizations. Also to those who have not donated and also to the general public to please come forward and donate blood”, said Sr Damaris. We have a target collection of 350 bags/units of blood per week however we don’t meet that most of the times but we still maintain to meet the supply. However, we need to increase supply for emergency cases”, said Sr Damaris. Blood that is collected is used on emergency cases like the trauma cases from accidents and mothers who have complications in the labor ward during child birth. Blood is also used on children with leukemia and thalassemia, who are on blood therapy, also reasons for surgeries and also on cancer patients and those admitted in wards that need blood transfusion. “Blood is not manufactured; it is a precious gift from any voluntary donor who wishes to save another person so I appeal to the general public to support the blood bank by coming forward to donate blood. You may be saving a life”, said Sr Damaris. The Blood type that is high on demand is the Blood Type O which is the universal blood type. Followed by blood type A or B then blood type AB. During the process of blood donation, interested participants will go through a screening process to select the most suitable donor who is in the most suitable health to donate safe blood. This screening process will also help to identify if the person has some health problems that have not been identified and they can help to refer them to the appropriate health workers for treatment. Preparation for donation; A person has to have 8-10 hours of sleep the night before donation, eat iron rich food, drink a lot of water or maintain hydration, avoid alcohol consumption at least a week leading up to the blood donation. Also personal hygiene is very important. “We are located at the Port Moresby General Hospital Blood Bank on the ground floor right under Ward 7 and the entry is gate #2 along the Taurama Road”, said Sr Damaris.

Oceania Australia Foundation Sponsored track and field athletes Benjamin Aliel and Roland Hure left for the United States this morning after a ten month interruption to their programme brought on by the Covid19 outbreak. Aliel was midway through his final semester last year when the sponsors, in close consultation with South Western Community College and the relevant national bodies made the decision to bring their Pacific Island students home. Hure was in the first year of his two year programme. Aliel said he was very much looking forward to completing his studies at South Western, a sentiment expressed by Hure who said he was excited to go back and finish what he had started. Athletics PNG President Tony Green extended thanks to the many organisations and individuals who assisted with arrangements for the return of the athletes, including Foundation Executive Office Mrs Helen McMurray; the Consular Section of the US Embassy for facilitating visa interviews ; and the National Operations Centre of Air Niugini for their advice and assistance on the matter of travel. The athletes have a long journey to the United States, which is the result of very limited flight options at this time. Many travelers are being routed via Doha on Qatar Airways due to the restrictions on travelling to Sydney and Melbourne which have more flights to the USA ,and this was the route chosen for the athletes

Air Niugini would like to inform the travelling public that the runway lengths at Madang and Wewak airports will be temporarily shortened by the National Airports Corporation (NAC). This is to allow for runway maintenance and upgrading works at both airports. The reduced runway length at Madang commences this month, and at Wewak from March. These runway works at both airports are expected to last until November, depending on weather conditions. As a result of the above, Air Niugini flights to and from Madang and Wewak will progressively be rescheduled onto Q400 and Dash-8 turboprop aircraft, operated by our subsidiary company Link PNG. Air Niugini regrets the inconvenience to the travelling public, however safety of operations remains our primary concern. We look forward to resuming our Fokker jet services to Madang and Wewak once the runway maintenance is completed. Air Niugini and Link PNG continue to operate with strict health and safety measures in place including temperature testing of all passengers, and providing face masks and hand sanitiser to ensure your air travel is safe.

The latest technology for testing for Tuberculosis (TB) at Magarima District Hospital can deliver results in less than 2-hours, eliminating the need for test samples to be sent to Hela Provincial Hospital, a two-hour drive through some volatile parts of the province. According to the Hela Provincial Health Authority (Hela PHA) CEO, Dr James Kintwa this means faster turnaround times and testing closer to home for most rural communities in the Komo-Magarima District. “Previously, all TB test samples would have had to be collected and sent to Hela Hospital for analysis with a potential wait of three or more days for results to be returned.” ‘That waiting period is now over. With support from Oil Search Foundation (OSF), Hela PHA refurbished the Magarima TB clinic which now houses the new GeneXpert instrument,’ he said. Provided by the National Department of Health and installed at Magarima District Hospital, the GeneXpert instrument will be used to detect the presence of the TB bacteria, as well as testing for resistance to the strongest TB Drug called Rifampicin. It can also test for COVID-19, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - viral load, and other diseases including some cancers that affect women.   Peter Pia, a local from Tundaka village in Magarima District, expressed how happy the community was when they were told that their district hospital now has the capacity to perform TB, HIV and COVID-19 tests.” “Bringing this machine to our hospital means that our health services are beginning to improve. In the past, these tests were done in Tari, which meant old people had to travel long distances to get a TB test done. Because of this difficulty, most refused to travel and would just remain in the village without getting proper help needed. This will no longer be the case. We are grateful to partners like OSF who work with Hela PHA to enable positive outcomes.” said Pia OSF Senior Health Advisor, Dr Vincent Pyakalyia said there is the possibility of TB spreading to other persons in the absence of a machine that properly detects the bacteria. ‘Now that the machine has been installed, it’ll help to detect people with the TB-causing bacteria and help in early treatment of patients and prevention of further spreading’. He adds, with the recent installation of the GeneXpert machine, there was a need to ensure staff knew how to properly operate the instrument. Working in partnership, Hela PHA, OSF and the National TB Program trained PHA staff on how to prepare and test samples and then report on the results.

Police in Western Highlands Province have begun a manhunt for eight suspects who have been allegedly involved in the death of a man from Tomba in Tambul Nebilyer District. Provincial Police Commander for Western Highlands Jacob Kamiak said the deceased was brutally murdered over a land dispute between two clans. “Axes and bush knives were used to attack the deceased and he died as a result of the injuries he sustained and the huge amount of blood loss” Kamiak said there were many eye witnesses at the murder scene who managed to assist police identify the eight key suspects, however the suspects have fled the village following the killing. “I had dispatched Tambul police with another police unit to the area to capture the suspects but they ran away to another village and believed to be in hiding.” “With the help of the Council President of the Lower Kagul LLG, they are negotiating the surrender of the suspects” He said the Police in Tambul are working closely with the people to avoid retaliation or any further problems as a result of the killing.