The NCD Governor’s Cup under Gerehu Rugby League is going steady in its competition and currently is in the eighth (8) round of its season proper competition with games expected to be completed by the end of February 2021. Gerehu Rugby League Vice President Bomai Ninkama said there were a total of fifteen rounds but due to time limitations, they had to cut down four (4) rounds of competition. He added saying that there will be five weeks of preliminary final playoffs which will see only 22 teams advance. Then the competition will head into its main finals for two weeks. With a total of 64 team’s altogether, Mr Ninkama said that the aim of the competition was to engage youths into sports so that they don’t venture into any criminal activities on the streets. “By abiding by the 10 pillars of change, we hope that our Youths can transform themselves into better citizens of Papua New Guinea by using sports especially rugby as an agent of change,” said Bomai These are the 10 Pillars of Change that GRL hopes that rugby as a sport would be the agent of change on their youths taking part in the competition. Converting drunkards and drunk addicts into rugby leagueTo reduce the report on petty crimesTo minimize nuisance in residential areasTo reduce reports on robberyTo reduce street vendorsTo convert a violent Youth into a better citizenMaximizing the disciplinary concern in the communityTo raise better leaders in the society, team or an organizationTo make Gerehu and Port Moresby a safe and better place to live inTo help generate income by marketing during games on the day by Mothers and Youths The Top 3 teams on the ladder after round 7 of the competition in the A Grade division are Erima Flyover’s followed by Roots 66 then holding onto the third position are the Hohola Pirates. In the B Grade division, Zero Units Blackout are at the top followed by Keasu Spiders and holding onto the third position are the Erima Flyover’s. ”With only three more rounds remaining to the preliminary finals playoffs, we are thankful to all teams from different suburbs who have showed their interest in the competition and fully registered their teams. Because without those teams, we would not have a competition” said Bomai “I would also like to thank Mosin Plaza Gerehu for coming on board to be the Co-Sponsors of the Gerehu Rugby League competition”, said Bomai. Tanda Warriors Rugby League Club

Sexual crimes are the highest of crimes topping the list in the last four years in NCD since 2017 when NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’ Dranou took office. N’Dranou said he has been continuously appealing to the media over the years to assist in the awareness of sexual crimes that are happening at our communities. “I’d rather you media focus on sexual crimes than things like stolen motor vehicle.” He said other crimes are happening openly in but sexual crimes are happening within the families quietly and the victims are too vulnerable to defend themselves. Most of the crimes are unreported. “Our young children, females and young boys have been targeted. Sexual crime has been the frequent crime from 2017 - 2020” N’Dranou said the other crimes making noise are not frequent compared to sexual crimes. “So it’s not armed robbery, it’s not drink driving or children going missing” “The biggest problem we have in the city is sexual crime” The Metropolitan Superintendent said police go out to communities and do awareness on the issue, however is not enough to curb the crime and he is asking for more help from those in authority and other stakeholders. “ I need more than that, I need stakeholders, I need media, I need people that can continue to deliver the message beyond police.” He said for the last four years, not so much has been done to address this issue and he’s hoping police could partner with stakeholders, NGOs and media to curb this growing issue in the city.

West Sepik police boss Chief Inspector Moses Ibsagi confirmed a total of three separate killings had taken place in the province over the Christmas long weekend almost disrupting a peaceful weekend of celebrations for most residents. Provincial Police Commander Moses Ibsagi further stated that two of the three incidents were related to the consumption of homebrew by youths which led to a fighting brawl and in turn the deaths of two young men on separate occasions, while the third killing was related to illegal activities. In the first incident in Lumi, PPC Ibsagi said the victim had been slashed across the throat with a bush knife and died instantly following a drunken brawl which broke out between the victim and several other youths as they were consuming homebrew on Christmas eve. The body of a youth male killed is arranged to be buried today as the local health faciliity is not equipped with mortuary services. PPC Ibsagi added that the suspects have agreed to surrender to police when reinforcements are sent to the area to apprehend them. The suspects have since gone into hiding in fear of their own safety. The current situation on ground is tense as relatives of the deceased have retaliated during Christmas and Boxing Day. In another similar incident, the body of a 17-year-old male who died after being stabbed during the Christmas period is now at the Vanimo General Hospital mortuary. PPC Ibsagi said the nature of the incident is similar to the killing which occurred in Lumi on Christmas eve. PPC Ibsagi said the victim was stabbed as a result of fighting which erupted after an argument between a group of youths who were also consuming homebrew at the time of the incident. Ibsagi has confirmed that 2 suspects have been arrested and detained. The situation in Vanimo is pretty quiet. "The third incident was a suspicious death that has been reported in the Musu area, believed to be relating to illegal activities," said Chief Inspector Ibsagi. PPC Ibsagi said the victim died due to loss of blood after having his left ear chopped off and his body is now at the Vanimo General Hospital morgue. PPC Ibsagi says the suspect has escaped across the international border to Jayapura, Indonesia. Contact has been made with the authorities in Jayapura to assist in detaining the suspect and handing him to WSP police.

Team PNG received a timely boost to its preparations to the Olympic Games next year in Tokyo, Japan with a cash sponsorship of K136,500 from SP Brewery yesterday at the SP Brewery Office at Gordons, Port Moresby. SP Brewery has been a traditional sponsor of the PNG Olympic Committee since the 1980s, and continue to support Team PNG each year. PNGOC is greatly appreciative of their continued support again in 2020 despite the difficulties of COVID 19. ‘We are here today to show our appreciation to SP Brewery for their continued support to Team PNG in these challenging times. Financial support is hard to come by however, Team PNG is very fortunate to have such a great partner in SP Brewery’, stated Chef De Mission Tamzin Wardley. SP Brewery is synonymous with sports in PNG with its rich history and PNGOC is proud to partner with them as part of that journey touching people’s lives by inspiring them to become better citizens and role models in their communities through sports.

The newly appointed Minister for Education, Jimmy Uguro commended the efforts of teachers and health workers in remote Papua New Guinea for ensuring services meet the people. “I pay tribute to those hardworking staff in the rural settings of our country.” He made the remarks in his opening address to the Secretary and senior staff members of the Department of Education yesterday in Port Moresby during his official welcome to the department. “The only flag that you can see in the rural places is the education flag and the health flag,” Uguro said. “Where the ministers cannot go, where the politicians cannot go, where the bureaucrats in Waigani cannot reach, our hardworking staff are out there in the remote parts of Papua New Guinea.” Uguro further thanked the teachers and health workers who have to endure the hardships of operating from the remoteness of our lands. “Without them, we will not reach the objectives, plans and policies that we design in Waigani – very expensive policies.”

Two police officers from Gordons police station are among the four men that were apprehended and charged in Kerema Gulf Province by Gulf police after they were found to have left NCD without approval from the head of NCD Police. NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’Dranou said Gulf police also found a police fire arm and a shot gun with three rounds in a private vehicle they were using. The other two civilians are believed to be officers that were recently terminated from the Force. “They went to Kerema with the intention to do illegal things.” “Police station commander for Kerema apprehended all four of them and asked for assistance from us and we sent the internal investigation team who brought them back to Port Moresby,”said N'Dranou N’Dranou said they will be criminally charged based on the facts provided by Kerema Police. He said what the officers displayed was rogue behaviour. “Let me warn our police officers involved in Christmas & New Year Operations that they must do their job professionally and not to deviate and take trips outside of command with the intention to do illegal activities.” N’Dranou said they are yet to confirm the officers plan and intention in Kerema, however from his office, he had never authorized any officers to travel out of Port Moresby. “The police officers were acting suspiciously which prompted Kerema Police to apprehend them.” “At this time, we don’t know why they were at Kerema, we can't speculate.” “However based on the brief statement we got from the Gulf Police, they are now charged for leaving their place of work as well as been in possession of police firearms during their private runs.” N’Dranou also warned police officers that their actions will be closely monitored by the internal investigation unit even during this peak period and he asked that they conduct themselves professionally at all times.

People going for COVID-19 testing will now be able to know their results in 30 minutes instead of the normal 7 days wait to know their results. This is all thanks to the World Health Organisation through its presentation of 20,000 Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) Kits to the National Department of Health. “It now changes the landscape of how we deal with the issue of testing throughout the country. There’s 20,000 (kits) so we can scale up in terms of testing and understanding abit more of about what’s happening in terms of the virus.” This is what the Secretary of Health, Dr Paison Dakulala said when receiving the RDT kits. “The Value of this tests coming and being available to us, we can do it (test) anywhere, anytime. It is simple. You don’t need a lot of technical expertise to be able to do this test, just teaching to understand the testing process.” Dr Paison Dakulala further said that with the RDT kits, the COVID-19 testing can be done earlier and quickly respond to the challenges that affect the country during this pandemic. He further added that because of the quality of this RDT kits and the value that it has in the country depending on the need, they will need to procure this kits later on. Meanwhile the Gene Xpert tests will still be carried out at the testing centres as well as the RDT kits. Papua New Guinea currently has 761 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 9 COVID-19 related deaths.

The BSP Fiji Group comprising of the Bank, BSP Life and BSP Finance this week announced it will donate FJ$75,000 towards TC Yasa Relief Assistance Programs earmarked for Fijians who have been severely affected by the cyclone.  “We are saddened to learn about the widespread destruction and damage to infrastructure, schools, livestock and farm produce that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rehabilitate and bring people’s life back to some level of normalcy." "The full extent of damages continues to be assessed by Government authorities and local and foreign partners, with horrific stories of ordeals slowly emerging.” said Haroon Ali, Country Head of BSP Fiji on behalf of the BSP Fiji Group. Mr Ali reaffirmed the BSP Group’s long-standing position as a responsible corporate citizen with Fiji at heart.  “We know that we must act now to support Fiji’s road to recovery and this donation demonstrates our intention to act quickly. This small contribution from the BSP Fiji Group, which includes BSP Finance and BSP Life, underpins the Group’s Value of “Community and the Vanua”. Meanwhile, all companies in the BSP Group have resumed full operations from Monday (21/12). For any queries, members of the public can call the bank between 6am and 8pm daily on 132 888 or via email bula@bsp.com.fj or BSP Life on 132 700 or email bula@bsplife.com.fj.

For those of you in NCD, be advised that a Liquor Restriction will be in force in NCD during the Festive period and respectively on; 1.            Friday 25th December 2020                         -              Christmas Day 2.            Saturday 26th December 2020                   -              Boxing Day 3.            Friday 1st January 2020                                  -              New Year’s Day 2021 The following categories of licensed premises affected by the restriction include; •             Store Keepers •             Bottle shop •             Dealers •             Taverns •             Public bars in both Publicans and Limited Hotels The following categories of licensed premises will be exempted and subjected to: •             Clubs  - Restricted to members and their guests only •             Restaurants - Restricted to diners who take liquor as part of their meal. •             Publicans and Limited Hotels - Restricted to diners/guests, lodgers and their guests in conjunction with a meal in a dining  area. Alcohol may be served and supplied to in-house guests through rooms and units only. Normal trading will resume on Monday 28th to Thursday 31st December, 2020 and Monday 4th January, 2021. Surveillance will be conducted during this period to ensure compliance and those that defy this notice will be dealt with under the NCD Liquor Law. NCDC anticipates the co-operation of everyone concerned. NCDC wishes everyone a safe Christmas and a successful 2021. Authorized by:  BERNARD KIPIT City Manager

This ones for the parents, a reminder to keep the children at home or keep an eye on them when out and about in public places during this very busy time of the year. This is the warning from the NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’Dranou following an increase of missing persons reports especially children in the last two weeks. He said, this is the peak period of the year when the city is flooded with people so parents should be on their guard when taking children out to public places. “Warning   to our parents, please always have your children in front of you when you are moving around or let them stay with their elder siblings rather than running around on their own.” N’Dranou said the shops also are packed with people and it’s difficult to move around with children so it would be best if parents can just leave children at home. “Parents if you are going to do a long shopping, then I suggest you leave your children at home.” “If they need to be with you, then make sure they are always with you because this is the rush hour pre-Christmas shopping when many people will be shopping. “ He also warned parents about kidnapping which is likely to happen during busy peak periods. “Some people can take advantage of the busy Christmas shopping and even attempt to kidnap your child, so please stay vigilant.” The NCD top cop further added that police will do their part in maintaining law and order, however combined efforts from parents and the police is needed to keep the children safe.

Western Province and West New Britain have reported new Coronavirus disease ( Covid 19) positive cases in the last 24 hours, bringing PNG's total COVID-19 cases to 780. Western Province has reported seven new cases whilst West New Britain has reported nine new cases. In the Western Province, five male and two females between the ages of 26 and 70 years old have been reported positive. All cases are from the North Fly area. The seven cases did not show symptoms of the virus at the time of testing but swab samples have returned positive. In Western New Britain, three male and six females between the ages of 13 to 57 years old have tested positive. Five of the cases did not show symptoms of the virus whilst four were experiencing cough, fever, headache, sore throat and chills at the time of testing. A community health worker from Kandrian is among nine cases reported in West New Britain. The other eight cases are from Talasea district. The country’s total positive cases as a result stands at 780 and 9 deaths. Sixteen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. The distribution of the cases is as follows: ProvincesCasesNCD361Western Province211West New Britain133Eastern Highlands13East new Britain13New Ireland11Western Highlands10Central9Morobe6East Sepik3Enga3Milne Bay2West Sepik2Southern Highlands1AROB1Hela Province1TOTAL780 Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 75,704,857, including 575,551 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 1,690,061; of which 9,267 were reported in the last 24 hours.

This news just in. 16 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the last 24 hours in 2 different provinces. Western Province has reported seven new cases whilst West New Britain has reported nine new cases. This brings the national total to 780 cases for the country. Keep practicing COVID-19 safety protocols, listen in to the NAU FM, YUMI FM and Legend FM News or follow our news website pnghausbung.com for more on this story.