PNG Haus Bung

Nambawan Super Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Dame Meg Taylor as its newest Independent Trustee Director. Chairman Reg Monagi said Dame Taylor was appointed following an extensive search and selection process, through which her depth of experience in the public and private sector and breadth of experience at national, regional and international level deemed her an exceptionalcandidate. “Dame Taylor is experienced in corporate governance and regulatory matters having served on various boards in Papua New Guinea and Australia,” Mr Monagi said. “She is also an experienced legal practitioner having served in both the public and private sector and most notably on the Papua New Guinea Law Reform Commission.” “Her experience also includes having sat on the Board of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, the regulator of the Fund and the wider PNG finance sector.”“Nambawan Super is entrusted to invest and grow the savings of more than 200,000 Papua New Guineans.” “Our members will have a great deal of comfort and pride knowing Dame Taylor will be a part of the team ensuring the ethical and responsible management of their retirement savings – that are collectively worth more than K8 billion,” he said. Dame Taylor was the first woman to become the Secretary-General for the Pacific Islands Forum and before that was the Vice President, Compliance Advisor Ombudsman for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), World Bank Group.She represented Papua New Guinea as Ambassador to the United States and accredited to Mexico and Canada. She holds a Master of Law from Harvard University, USA, and a Bachelor of Law from Melbourne University. She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2002. Dame Taylor replaces Ms Lesieli Taviri who resigned in October 2020 to take up an Executive Management position with Kina Bank. Her appointment to the Nambawan Super Limited Board was confirmed on 25th February 2021, and she will sit in her first Committee and Board meetings in May.

Supporting the Rita Flynn Isolation and Testing Centre, an Emergency Appeal is out for business houses and organizations to help in kind especially with basic items like face masks, gloves, bed sheets, pillowcases, dry goods, fruits and vegetables, bulk disinfectants and other basic and vital items. With the recent surge in the COVID-19 cases in the Nation’s Capital, the Port Moresby General Hospital in partnership with ‘Friends of POMGEN’ have reorganized the Emergency Department and essential services to cater for the COVID-19 Pandemic. Port Moresby General Hospital CEO, Dr Paki Molumi said initially when Rita Flynn was opened up, many of the business houses came in to assist in a big way which helped run the facility in terms of support with linens, food, containers, refrigerated containers and much support that came in from business houses. He said as part of the COVID-19 response towards the end of last year, there was an MOU signed with the NCD Provincial Health Authority so that they could take care of the mild and moderate cases and those patients that needed to be isolated, whilst Port Moresby General Hospital managed the severe cases only. “So that worked really well for us and when the numbers slowed down, we decided to shut down Rita Flynn”, said Dr Molumi. However, Dr Molumi said now with the surge in the virus, the number of cases at the Port Moresby General Hospital had increased so they are currently taking the load that Rita Flynn catered for before it was shut down. “So we are opening up Rita Flynn again to take care of the mild and the moderate and some cases that have been isolated at home and will be looked after at the Rita Flynn whilst we wait for funding to come”, said Dr Molumi. He said the facility needs to be up and running immediately so that it will take the load off the Port Moresby General Hospital so that the Hospital can continue to provide the normal services only. The Port Moresby General Hospital is the only Hospital with the Public Labour Ward which caters the entire city plus the Central Province and parts of Gulf as well and also provides 24 hours Emergency Services as well as 24 hours Operating Theatres like no other hospital. “So we cannot afford to allow our staff extra stress in trying to manage COVID-19 so we have to offload the mild and the moderate cases to Rita Flynn so that we continue to provide the normal services”, added Dr Molumi. Dr Molumi said the appeal to business houses is similar to what they did initially to set up Rita Flynn so POMGEN continues to operate normally in providing services. If you would like to help donate in cash or kind, you can kindly email: friendsofpomgen@gmail.com

Bhosip Kaiwi, the accused in the murder of his late partner, Jennelyn Kennedy, will continue to serve time behind bars at the Bomana Correctional Service Facility in Port Moresby. A ruling scheduled to be handed down today at the Waigani Committal Court by Magistrate Tracey Ganaii deciding whether there was enough evidence to have him stand trial at the National Court did you not eventuate and the matter further deferred to March 23. Magistrate Ganaii told the court that she was still going through submissions by Kaiwi through his lawyer earlier this month, seeking to strike out the case citing inaccuracy in statements from the witnesses. Kaiwi has been accused of murdering his partner late Jennelyn in June of last year and will remain in custody at Bomana until his case returns on March 23.

Prime Minister James Marape said the PNG Medical and Scientific Advisory Comittee (MESAC), after studying the various COVID-19 vaccines developed, has recommended that Papua New Guinea source the AstraZeneca vaccine that was developed through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility and approved by the World Health Organisation. He announced this after a meeting with Health Minister Jelta Wong, National Pandemic Controller David Manning, members of the Joint Task Force, stakeholders and the MESAC.   “We are now in the process of getting the vaccine across, hopefully by April,” PM Marape said.   “Seventy thousand (70,000)will be sourced from India and more than 200, 000 will be sourced through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade."   “However, due to the limited number of vaccines that will be available, vaccination will not be compulsory and it will be targeted at person(s) who are above the age of 50, have underlying health conditions, and importantly, the health workers." PM Marape is concerned that a large number of health workers have been affected by COVID-19, therefore, they will be given priority for vaccination. “Health workers will be vaccinated first as we are seeing a growing number of health workers who are getting infected in the line of their work,"he said. “There is evidence that there is a large community transmission in the National Capital District, and that is affecting health workers who have come in contact with COVID-19 patients in the course of their duty."   “This is a serious community transmission and we are now relooking at our own isolation strategies, and how we can best look after our health workers while processes for bringing in the vaccine are completed and the vaccines are brought into the country.”   Prime Minister Marape said he would not be taking the vaccine ahead of those who really need it, and would only take it to show Papua New Guineans that the vaccine can boost their immune system to fight COVID-19.  

This just in: 5 more COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed while 39 new cases reported for PNG in the last 24 hours. The country’s COVID-19 death now stands at 21 while the total confirmed cases 1,692. The new confirmed cases include 28 in NCD, 5 in Central, 3 in Morobe, 2 in ESP and 1 in Enga. Continue to practice COVID-19 safety protocols and keep listening to the news on this station and follow our news website: pnghausbung.com for more on this story.  

Morobe Province has seen over 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last few days, an indication that community transmission is increasing. Over the course of 2020, PNG Biomass has pro-actively reached out to communities to provide relevant information and support about the COVID-19 pandemic. Over a thousand notices and COVID-19 awareness materials were distributed to communities with the help of community liaison officers. To be prepared for sharp local increases in community transmission, PNG Biomass ordered 9,000 re-useable facemasks last year. By early 2021, some 5,500 facemasks were received and prepared for distribution. With the current surge in local cases, a first batch of 2,500 facemasks has been distributed to local health centres and aid posts serving the communities in the footprint of PNG Biomass’ operation. The Wampar Health Centre received 2,000 masks, with Tararan and Chivasing Aid Posts respectively getting 500 each. At the time of the donation, both aid posts were closed. Most locals are attended to by the volunteer health workers within those two areas, who took receipt of the facemasks and will look after community distribution. The next planned distribution will be in the Umi/Atzera LLG where some 1,500 facemasks will go to each Mutzing Rural Hospital and Tsuia Sub Health Centre in respectively Mutzing and Kaiapit. PNG Biomass advises community to stay at home and minimise movements to only essential trips. Practice social distancing and utilise face masks during essential face-to-face engagements to avoid potentialexposure to COVID-19.

On Monday, people around the World celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) – a day which dates back to the early 1900s when women began campaigning for equal rights in work and life. IWD is now celebrated by countries to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity and to fundraise for female-focused charities.This year the campaign theme is ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world’. Alongside this, a social media campaign was held to encourage women to #ChooseToChallenge and to call out gender bias and inequality. The Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Club of Port Moresby this morning from 6am-10am hosted a Breakfast to commemorate IWD at Stanley Hotel attended by women folks including males from different stakeholders (public, private & development partners) to discuss and highlight the ongoing mission of seeking equality for women, recognizing women and their achievements.   The theme “Choose to Challenge” was perfectly preferred essentially because change can occur when women make the decision to stand up and challenge the status quo. Individually, we’re all responsible for actions but by working together, we can help make the shift to a more inclusive world. Neither women nor men can flourish without one another and there is no sustainable path to development, poverty reduction and eradication of hunger without gender equality. They discussed about gender equality which is not a ‘women’s issue’ but affects both women and men, as it is rooted in the relationship between the two. Both women and men have to change their ways of working, attitudes and social norms, to ensure both are equal, empowered and dignified. IWD is observed every year on March 8. It is a day that encourages the society to promote women power and make an equal space for all. With time, women have managed to come a long way and broke all the barriers and Women's Day is all about celebrating the strength of women and their achievements. There are many success stories that were shared this morning at Stanley Hotel, in our society that emphasized women's capability and contribution towards the nation. A lot of change in gender equality has changed our society and the day is not far when the gap between men and women in the World of business will be bridged. There were success stories about several BPW in terms of women entrepreneurs and in education which they have successfully adapted to the new environment by acquiring new skills, redesigning their processes, and accelerating the adoption of technology to tide over the challenges. It is believed that more the women enter into businesses, the more value influence is created in the community. In this scenario, it is essential to encourage women more often to enter the male-dominated sectors like businesses. This will not only change the mindset of the financial lenders and investors but also add to the economic value of the country. To make an economy a captivating place to do business, gender diversity is of utmost importance. Prominent human rights activist and keynote speaker Ruth J. Kissam and panelist Vani Nades respectively talks about Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) and told of her life story on how she was raised up in Laiagam- Enga province by her Late dad Ps. Kissam amongst male dominated siblings, her achievements and careers. “We need a strong rule of law, we need swift and decisive action from the government. We need men, women and youths to be the voice for those who can’t speak for themselves,” Ms. Kissam eloquently stressed. She said we need to choose to be better in the hope of creating a fair and just society not only for ourselves but for our children and their children. If we want a better world for our children tomorrow, we choose to change ourselves today. There is a Native American saying, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” So since it’s borrowed, we have to leave it in a better condition then we found it. Kissam, who was a champion and human rights defender, buried the condemn body of Kepari Leniata after being tortured and burnt in 2013 in Mt. Hagen. She late adopted Kepari’s daughter. Ms. Nades, a leader already making a significant contribution in the business community and PNG as a nation stressed about entrepreneurship, thus creating lot of job opportunities in the areas of information communication technology (ICT) and education giving priority to rural villages and communities. Jacqueline Boga Garoau, Principal Legal Advisor of the Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council (PM & NEC) highlighted few of the disability issues and concerns basically Special Needs where attention must be given to them in terms of leadership training, infiltrating the fields of reproductive health, and empowering other disabled women, girls or even males by promoting independent living, advocacy, disability rights, legislation and more. The Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) was part of the celebration. DIRD Gender, Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy Advisor Daniel Asher said the department supported BPW in its endeavours to promote, valuing women and girls in the rural areas through the Service Improvement Program (SIP) of provincial and district services improvement program (PSIP & DSIP), a government’s home-policy intervention program. Mr. Asher said under the SIP program through health, education, law and justice and economic sectors women, girls and people with special needs are being taken care of.

Mt. Hagen General Hospital Management will be strict on patients and has advised the general public to wear masks at all times when entering the hospital premises. This follows reports of increasing number of cases in and around the country in the recent days and weeks. Western Highlands Province total positive cases reported so far stands at 18, and climbing and people are being urged to follow safety measures. According to a circular, guards are being tasked to ensure those entering are wearing masks at all times. This measure will last indefinitely following a recent meeting by executives of the Provincial Covid-19 Task Force Committee. Meanwhile there is a general scare that is gripping the township of Hagen with the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. It is being observed that the general public in Mt Hagen are avoiding the area near the entrance of the city's General Hospital. According to several town bus drivers and crews of  Warakum-Market route, they are scared to use the bus stop at the Hospital gate. This follows reports of new covid-19 cases and the strict measures being applied at the entry. However, advice from the health officials is for the people to use masks and practice safe distancing at all times. It is understood that Mt Hagen city is normally crowded every week day, with majority of the people unmasked and going on with their daily activities and physical contact.

THE management and staff of the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs sadly announce the passing of the Director Dr. Henry Tadap Okole, Ph.D. Dr. Okole was selected from a fine pool of candidates and appointed as the Director for NCOBA by the National Executive Council and gazetted on November 25th, 2020. He held that position until his untimely passing on Friday March, 5th, 2021, after a short illness. Dr. Okole from Ravat, Raluana LLG, in Kokopo, previously held an advisory role with NCOBA under the Abt PNG Management Services. He was a former academic at the University of PNG, a former international staff-member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States in Belgium, and at one point, a senior research fellow with the PNG National Research Institute.  He has also been a consultant engaged both in PNG and the Pacific.  At the time of his passing he was also an Adjunct Research Fellow at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia. During his short but prolific term with NCOBA, Dr Okole had accomplished a successful Joint Supervisory Body meeting in Arawa in February this year, completed a 33-page Background paper for members of Parliament and the PNG Consultation team titled “Papua New Guinea and Bougainville: Origins of the Crisis and Implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement”, he facilitated and coordinated talks between the National Government, Autonomous Bougainville Government, and various stakeholders, and he was in steady progress of jointly delivering the very first post referendum consultative meeting between PNG and Bougainville.   He is survived by wife Velin, three daughters Dianne, Ruby, and Abigail, and four grandchildren who stood by him through his commitment to the 43 staff of NCOBA taking on the Bougainville issue.

Papua New Guinea reported 87 new cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours, increasing the country’s total cases to 1,670. The latest cases were reported in four provinces: West Sepik with 12; Morobe with 20; Eastern Highlands with nine; and 46 in the National Capital District. For the NCD 21 of the latest cases are males whilst 25 are females, all between the ages of seven to 68 years. Twenty-nine cases showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst 17 were asymptomatic at the time of testing. West Sepik reported 12 new cases of which one is a male and 11 females. Eleven cases showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst one was asymptomatic at the time of testing. Nine out of the 12 cases came into contact with previous known cases. Morobe reported 20 new cases of which eight are males and 12 females between the ages of 20 to 57 years. Seventeen out of the 20 cases have come into contact with previous known cases. Nine cases were reported in the Eastern Highlands of which five are males and four females between the ages of 29 to 65 years. Seven cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing. The country’s COVID-19 cases as a result stands at 1,670 with 16 known deaths. Seventeen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. The distribution of the cases is as follows: Provinces                        Confirmed Cases NCD                                 704 Western Province            325 West New Britain             196 West Sepik                      174 Morobe                             48 AROB                               39 East New Britain               38 Madang                            35 Eastern Highlands           24 New Ireland                      23 Western Highlands          18 Central                             15 East Sepik                        13 SHP                                    3 Enga                                  3 Milne Bay                           2 Hela                                    1 TOTAL                        1,670 Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 115,653,459 including 353,528 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The global death toll is 2,564,823 of which 7,192 were reported in the last 24 hours.

This just in: Papua New Guinea reported 87 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours increasing the country’s total cases to 1,670. The latest cases were reported in four provinces: West Sepik with 12; Morobe with 20; Eastern Highlands with nine; and 46 in the National Capital District. The country’s COVID-19 cases as a result stands at 1,670 with 16 known deaths. Continue to practice COVID-19 safety protocols and keep listening to the news on this station and follow our new website: pnghausbung.com for more on this story.   

The Somare family has announced that they have gone into home isolation since Friday at Sir Michael and Lady Veronica’s family home at 4mile, Port Moresby due to a carer testing positive for COVID19. "While we have been following COVID protocols such as washing hands, sanitizing and trying as much as we can to social distance ourselves we thought it more prudent to be cautious in light of the increasing number of COVID cases in the City and had arranged for COVID tests to be carried out last week on all family members and relatives that have come in to assist and grieve the passing of our father, Sir Michael," according to a statement from the family. The statement said "fortunately all family members have tested negative to the virus but we have been exposed to people that have tested positive. For this reason we are now observing stricter isolation protocols." In line with COVID measures, family members and relatives are no longer entering or leaving 4mile house. The family also asked that those that have visited 4mile in the last few days also go to locations such as the Rita Flynn Courts where you can be tested for COVID-19. "We sincerely apologize for not be able to attend any ceremonies and we will not be able to receive any more visitors until our quarantine period is over." "We thank everyone for your understanding and cooperation at this time when numbers are spiking in the City. We also thank Oil Search, National Health Department and World Health Organisation for testing and support services." The family urged all Papua New Guineans to stay safe and observe all prescribed safety measures and precautions. COVID-19 is real and even though you might contract mild symptoms the elderly and immune suppressed may not fare so well. Please consider the vulnerable. "We also take this opportunity to thank everyone both in country and abroad for the outpouring of love and sadness at the passing of our dear father Sir Michael Somare since Friday 26 February 2021." "We are humbled and comforted by the many messages of condolence, prayers, flowers and general acts of kindness towards Lady Veronica and the family." Picture by: Tasminnie ISIMELI