PNG has recorded its 8th COVID-19 related death in a 49 or old man from WNB. He passed away on Dec 8th. Total confirmed COVID-19 cases for PNG stands at 720 cases with 36 in the last 48 hours. Keep to your COVID19 safety practises, listen in to the news on this station or follow our website pnghausbung.com for more on this story.

A member of Tonga's parliament has filed a motion for a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa. It was submitted on Thursday by the People's Representative for Tongatapu 2, Semisi Sika, and signed by 10 MPs. Because it came on the last sitting day of parliament for the year the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, ruled that a tentative date for the motion to be tabled in the house would be the next sitting day, 12 January 2021. Fakafanua ruled it complied with constitutional requirements and that it must be tabled between 5 and 14 working days after submission. The Speaker has referred the motion to the Privileges Committee to ensure it complies with rules, and has invited the prime minister to respond. The motion and any reply will be tabled together to Parliament. Source: RNZ news

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) wishes to inform stakeholders and the general public that relevant parties to this proposed sale; namely Kina Bank and Westpac PNG, have already approached the ICCC for initial consultations. The ICCC has received verbal undertaking from the parties that they will go through the relevant processes required under the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Act, 2002 (ICCC Act) to seek ICCC’s approval before completing the proposed transaction. ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Paulus Ain, said that the ICCC is aware of the proposed deal and is awaiting the parties to submit a clearance application to start the process required under the ICCC Act. “I am also urging the public and key stakeholders to be part of the public consultation process and make submissions or comments when the ICCC makes calls for comments on the clearance application.”

Catholic School, St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in the National Capital District has done it again topping the Grade 10 National Examination results for the 2020 academic year out of 348 high schools and secondary schools nationwide. This is the seventh consecutive year for the school’s Grade 10’s to be recognized as the best performing school in the country. Deputy Principal Administration Mrs Bainam Bani said she was humbled at the news of the school’s performance but said; “it came as no surprise.” “We have done it for seven consecutive years. All the hard work by students and teachers have paid off. It’s not new, but it’s always satisfying. We expected this news. We knew it was coming,” said Mrs Bani.   She said this year was very challenging with the unexpected emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions but the dedication and tireless efforts by teachers, students, the school board and the parents, is a reflection in the schools’ overall performance. Marianville Secondary also in NCD and Passam National High School in ESP both topped the grade 12 examinations in best performing secondary schools and national high schools category respectively. The other top performing Grade 10 schools around the country as revealed by Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra are: Top 15 Best Performing High schools/Secondary schools – Grade 10 St Charles Lwanga Secondary  - NCDBusu Secondary  - MorobeCameron Secondary  - MBPManus Secondary – ManusMarianville Secondary  - NCDVanimo Secondary – WSPDe La Salle Secondary – NCDMercy Secondary – ESPMt Hagen Secondary – WHPKundiawa Lutheran Day Hugh – ChimbuOksapmin High – WSPJames Chalmers Memorial  High – MBPMalala Secondary  - MadangLae Secondary – MorobeJubilee Secondary  - NCD Top 15 Best Performing Secondary Schools - Grade 12s Marianville Secondary School  - NCDMt Hagen Secondary  - WHPSt Ignatius Secondary  - WSPBusu Secondary  - MorobeSt Charles Lwanga Secondary – NCDCameron Secondary  - MBPDe La Salle Secondary  - NCDLae Secondary  - MorobeLihir Secondary – NIPTokarara Secondary – NCDKerowagi Secondary – ChimbuSacred Heart  Secondary – CentralJubilee Secondary – NCDPaglum Secondary – WHPSt Mary’s  Asitavi Secondary  - AROB The six National High Schools have been separated from the secondary schools as they will be seen as schools of excellence starting next year. The six National Highs have been listed from best performing to the least performing. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS Passam National High – ESPPort Moresby National High – NCDKeravat National High – ENBSogeri National High – CentralAiyura National High – EHPWawin National High – Morobe

Kina Bank’s acquisition of Westpac Bank’s operations in the Pacific once done, will see the bank expand its operations as par it’s 2025 strategy to become a leading full service regional bank in the Pacific Region, with a market leading digital platform.  Kina Securities Limited (Kina or Kina Bank or the Company) announced this week that it has entered into sales and purchase agreements to acquire 89.91% of Westpac banking operations in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and 100% of Fiji Westpac Banking Corporation.  The Kina Bank in a statement said its customer base, employers, branches, ATMs, Net Loans, and EFTPOS terminals will increase very significantly once the acquisition process is complete.   Westpac Bank also confirmed this week of the acquisition of its operations of up to $420 million (K1, 036 million) by Kina Bank.   Westpac’s Group Chief Executive, Special Businesses & Group Strategy, Mr. Jason Yetton, in a statement said that it is the Group’s strategic decision to focus on the banking businesses in Australia and New Zealand.  “We are taking another step in becoming a simpler, stronger bank while ensuring a high standard of banking service is maintained for our Pacific customers, as well as providing opportunities for our people,” said Mr. Yetton.  The sale price is made up of $315 million payable at completion and $60 million to be paid six-monthly over the following 18 months for Westpac PNG. The sale price also includes earn-out payments of up to $45 million which are scheduled to occur annually over 24 months following completion and are subject to the business performance of Westpac Fiji.   It is expected there will be an accounting loss on sale of approximately $230 million including a Foreign Currency Translation Reserve (FCTR) loss which will be based on exchange rates on completion.  The acquisition of the Westpac Bank’s Pacific businesses supports Kina’s strategic objectives to deliver greater value to customers and shareholders by developing a more resilient and sustainable group.  Meanwhile, the completion of the acquisition, which is expected by 30th September 2021, is conditional on securing regulatory approval in both PNG and Fiji. The process to secure the approvals in PNG and Fiji is now underway. 

The Secretary for Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology Professor Fr Jan Czuba, was arrested and charged by the National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate (NFACD) yesterday in Port Moresby for K4.2million fraud. Professor Fr Jan Czuba,61 of Giwice, Poland was charged with one count of official corruption and 9 counts of abuse of office. Fr Czuba is the current Secretary for the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology and committed the offences whilst in office. He has served in the position since 2017 when he was appointed by the Government. Previously Fr Jan Czuba was the President of the Divine Word University, in Madang. It was alleged that Fr Jan Czuba, in his capacity as the Secretary for the Higher education, Research, Science & Technology engaged services of a Polish Company namely PCG Academia to provide and managed software facilities for the on-line applications and on-line selection program without following the proper procurement process to secure the procurement contracts.  In other allegations it was alleged that he engaged his business partners and associates on the expenses of the Department on goods and services from his private companies in which he authorised the payments.  Police investigation established that the procurement of software services from PCG Academia were illegal and cannot be enforced.  However, despite the contract being illegal and not enforceable, the Department of Higher education, Research, Science & Technology paid more than K4.2 million under the purported contract from 2017 to 2020. Police investigation also revealed that Fr Jan Czuba had used his office to engage his long-time associates and business partners and a consultant for the software program.  There were no public tenders called for but were handpicked by Fr Jan Czuba. The complaint in this matter was lodged with the NFACD by Officers of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology for investigation.   At the conclusion of the investigation, Mr Jan Czuba was invited to the NFACD office, where a warrant of arrest was executed and record of interview conducted. After the interview and charge procedures were completed, Fr Jan Czuba was taken to Boroko Police Station where he was placed in the cells.He will appear in court next week.

The national examination results of the grades 10 and 12 are officially available online now for school leavers and parents and guardians to check. Results came online as of 11:00am today after Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra officially launched results from the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby. Secretary Kombra said that results now available online are not final and may be altered later. "Printed certificates wit the final results are expected to be ready by mid-January 2021." The results for Flexible Open Distance Education are also included in these examination results. 72, 164 grade 10s from 348 high schools and secondary schools sat for their national exams in the country. Meanwhile, 30, 711 grade 12's from 186 secondary schools and 6 national high schools sat their national exams nationwide. Results are now available on mypngexamresults.com

Nestled in the National Capital District (NCD), yet minutes’ drive off the City of  Port Moresby is a primary school, Bomana Primary School. You can see hoary infrastructure, but nothing was going to stop the enthusiasm of happy children and teachers who were keen to launch their newly established double classroom funded by Bank South Pacific (BSP) through the bank’s annual community project initiative, which was delivered by BSP Gordons Premium Branch. The school that serves the surrounding community of Bomana and 9-mile was abuzz for the momentous occasion that occurred after a long time. That is no small feat when you consider the challenges the school faces every day.  Over the recent years, the school experienced several challenges in terms of the conditions of existing classroom infrastructures. There has always been an increase in the number of students enrolled each year, resulting in overcrowding in classrooms, which makes learning and teaching ineffective. “We currently have close to 2,000 students with a few classes having up to 70 to 80 students in a class. We tried to build two more classrooms to accommodate, especially for our grade 3 students but we were unable to complete the double classroom that stood idle since 2017,” said Bomana Primary School Head Teacher Maryanne Ari. “With this newly refurbished double classroom, we really appreciate the assistance from BSP as we anticipate a good start for us next year in 2021. The new classroom facilities will definitely ease the problem of overcrowding and will provide conducive learning environment for our children,” Ms Ari added. BSP Gordons Premium Branch Manager Antonia Dru overwhelmed by the warm welcome from teachers and students during the handover said, “My team and I had planned and decided to deliver our community project for this year to another community. However, at the selection level, this school was chosen for my team to assist. I am thankful we have assisted this school instead, at the look of  the completed classroom and the smiles on the children’s faces show how much this assistance is appreciated.”  “I believe that this project will promote quality education for this community, and on behalf of the bank, I would like to take this opportunity to say that we are pleased to contribute to the development of our communities and of our young elites, ” said Ms Dru. “Now the classroom building is yours. Please remember that from now on, it is your responsibility to take good care of it. I hope it will be maintained so that the project will benefit a large number of students for many years to come,” she added. This year, the bank is conveying Digital Inclusion and refurbishing of specialised classrooms to schools and institutions.  Since 2009, BSP has delivered over 500 Community Projects in PNG and in countries that we operate in to the value of over K11m. The bank continues to do so this year equipping our communities with Hand Wash Stations - Installation Hand Wash Stations, medical equipment for hospitals and equipment schools with Computers and accessories. Each of our Community Project is worth K30, 000 and this year, we are delivering 46 projects in PNG plus over 100 wash stations to respective communities in response to Covid-19. From the 46 proposed community projects, 25 have been completed and handed over to the respective communities whilst 21 are yet to be handed over.

The Port Moresby Nature Park in partnership with major sponsor, Moni Plus Limited is hosting its inaugural Moni Plus Christmas in the Park program at the park grounds in Port Moresby. As part of its Christmas program, the Port Moresby Nature Park hosted its first weekend of activities on the 6th and 7th of December. The Christmas activities will continue to run though this weekend and end on the 20th of December. “It’s a fun filled day where families can come and celebrate Christmas in the park,” said Godwin Eki, Communications Coordinator of Port Moresby Nature Park. “You’ll see some set up areas like Santa’s meet and greet pop up house.” “We’ve also got candy shops and a few other areas where people can hang out and have fun.” “While you’re in the park, you’ll have access to watching the birds and other animals as well.” There will also be dance groups and acrobatic performances by Active City Development Program organized by NCDC who are major sponsors of the Port Moresby Nature Park. “We’re just encouraging the public to come along and enjoy the Christmas in the Park.” “Come visit our Christmas Wonderland. There’s so many fun filled activities to enjoy.”

Deputy Speaker Hon Koni Iguan has welcomed the five-bench Supreme Court decision affirming all his rulings in Parliament on Friday, 13th of November 2020. "I want to thank people of PNG for their prayers. And I am looking forward to work with the Speaker to do as the Supreme Court has ruled," said Mr Iguan. 'I want to appeal to leaders on both sides of Parliament to respect the rule of law and meet on 14th of December 2020 to sort out all these matters and set a way forward for our people and our country," a relieved Mr Iguan said. "I shed tears of joy today when I received the judgement because my rulings as Acting Speaker were done first with advice from the Clerk of Parliament and his team; and without fear or favour. "I was very much aware that the chair I was on as acting Speaker was that of the Supreme Democratic institution of Papua New Guinea," said Mr Iguan, Markham MP. "It is my motivation to serve my people of Markham and any State and Constitutional Office in our country with distinction and integrity - leaving a positive and enduring legacy for future generations of our beloved country. "I had to stay above and out-of-reach of my own party politics and even coalition partnership politics on the floor against the Government-of-the-dayin making rulings as the chair had to be impartial and its integrity protected," said Deputy Speaker Iguan. "As I said, even after session on Friday, 13th November, I double-checked with Clerk of Parliament that my rulings as acting Chair were in order. I was assured they were. "I also briefed Speaker Hon Job Pomat upon his return from Manus that afternoon on what had transpired on the floor and my rulings as acting Chair. "I was surprised by his decision to recall Parliament. But all that is now history as the Supreme Court has ruled - affirming my own rulings as acting Speaker in that day." The Supreme Court on 9th December 2020 ruled that:1. The sitting of parliament on 13 November 2020, chaired by acting Speaker Iguan, is constitutional.2. Speaker Job Pomat's decision of 16th November 2020 to unilaterally recall parliament is unconstitutional.3. Parliament's sitting of 17th November 2020 chaired by Speaker Pomat is unconstitutional.4. Budget passed on 17th November 2020 with the Appropriation Bills chaired by Speaker Pomat are declared void and of no effect hence unconstitutional.5. Adjournment of Parliament from 17th November 2020 to 20th April 2021 chaired by Speaker Pomat is unconstitutional6. Removal of private business committee on 17th November 2020 is illegal, void and unconstitutional implying the changes and composition effected on Friday, 13th November 2020 by 56 MPs stands; and7. Speaker is to call Parliament to convene on 14 Dec 2020 at 10am.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on all Papua New Guineans to accept today’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill. He also asserted that there was no vacancy for the position of Prime Minister he was holding. Prime Minister Marape said this immediately after today’s Supreme Court ruling. “Today, our Supreme Court made its ruling on the matter Hon. Peter  O’Neill filed,” he said. “I appeal to our citizens to respect the ruling of the High Court of our country in favor of Hon. O’Neill’s Supreme Court reference. “Our country’s judiciary is the better arm of government - a fair place where any aggrieved person or parties can seek redress.   “Let us protect our judiciary and refrain from unnecessarily making our own interpretations and inferences on our judiciary. “Let us all continue to protect and respect our judiciary.” Prime Minister Marape said every leader and political party had the right to bid for prime ministership “and this play in parliament is nothing but a bid for someone to be PM”. “In fact, over the last 18 months,  I have been managing politics and the associated court cases that were running until this political upheaval,” he said. “Despite the unsettling political climate, there is no vacancy in the Office of Prime Minister. “The Executive Government is in place doing its work until proper parliamentary processes affirm or denounce my Prime Ministership.” Prime Minister Marape appealed to all citizens, public servants and business houses not to get caught up in the current political fiasco. “ Let politicians manage politics,” he said. “To my colleagues in Opposition: I appreciate your right to be in Government and when the time is set, we will test the numbers on the floor of Parliament. “I am not going to resign just because one or two Opposition politicians have called on me to do so. “There are no grounds for that. “You (Opposition) claim you have the majority, please produce that majority on the floor of Parliament where it matters most and not in locked-up hotels. “In the meantime, I am blessed in my life to have 55 Members of Parliament who continue to give me their personal and people’s support. “These 55 MPs and other leaders I know, are leaders whose souls cannot be bought or sold “I am proud to associate myself with this class of leaders. “So bring your vote-of-no -confidence motion on, name our country’s alternate PM and let’s go on dealing with this matter, so our people can see who is our alternative PM. “At least the country deserves to know who is the alternate PM. “Why keep it a secret,  even from your own 55 Members of Parliament.” Prime Minister Marape appealed to all Papua New Guineans to refrain from personal attacks on politicians. “To our people, please refrain from personalising politics of politicians,” he said. “Let’s maintain calm and peace right around our country. “Prime Ministership is not my birthright, we will go through the correct process. “In the meantime, let’s allow our courts and Parliament to do their functions and you citizens) can do yours in 2022 when the country goes to general elections.

The Supreme Court has ordered that parliament must reconvene its November sitting next Monday 14th December 2020 and has declared all proceedings of the November 17 sitting unconstitutional and invalid. These includes the passage of the 2021 budget by government MP’s and the adjournment of parliament until April 20, 2021. The high court’s decision was unanimously in favour of the Opposition challenging the legal standing in the November 17 sitting of parliament which was recalled by the Speaker Job Pomat overruling an earlier decision by Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan to adjourn parliament to December 01. The court also declared that the parliament sitting of 13th November and the decisions made in the sitting to adjourn parliament to December 01 are constitutional, valid and effective.   The decision for parliament to reconvene next Monday has signalled more uncertainty in the political crisis with more lobbying in both the Loloata and Crown Hotel camps ahead of the Monday sitting for a possible motion of No Confidence in the leadership of PM James Marape. Outside of the Waigani courthouse, Opposition leader Belden Namah told reporters his camp was ready and looking forward to the sitting on Monday. “We welcome the decision today by the Supreme Court. We are ready for 14th December to go into parliament.” Mr Namah called on Speaker Job Pomat to “do the right thing” and recall parliament. He said decision of the court was clear and the orders were given accordingly that parliament be recalled at 10am on Monday. “As far as team Vanimo camped at the Crown Hotel is concerned, we are ready to deliver the government to the people of Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Namah. Heavy police presence manning entry points to the National Court premises