PNG Haus Bung

The Port Moresby Nature Park in partnership with Enzo’s Cafe hosted for the first time the ‘World Pizza Weekend” day at the park on Saturday. Port Moresby Nature Park General Manager for Commercial Operation, Mr Sree Vythalingam said that the World Pizza Day falls on 9th February but because the day falls on a week day, most students and parents would attend classes and work so the Port Moresby Nature Park decided to host the event on the weekend. “So today and tomorrow we are celebrating for the first time ever and I want to believe that in Papua New Guinea we are celebrating something quite fun for the family which is called the World Pizza Weekend.” Mr Vythalingam added that its the first time for Port Moresby Nature Park, to host such a big event like this. “What we want is that people are going back to school right now so we thought of doing something totally different to start of the year for us here at the Port Moresby Nature Park just to get a bit of excitement and the kids and their families out there to enjoy the weekend”, added Sree. Enzo’s Café came up with a special small size pizza that is not found in any of the Coral Sea Hotels or at any other outlets in the city but was made specifically for this event. “This special prize pizza is going for K25.00 and after this weekend’s event, you will not find this type of pizza size around so if you love pizza, this is the right place to be this weekend”, added Sree. Apart from that, the event had fun activities and games for the kids like pizza ring toss, face paintings, Nature Park trivia questions and awesome prizes to give away. A booth was set up for customers to buy deliciously baked pizza. “Thanks to the partnership with Gateway, we are also giving away a special promotion this weekend on Saturday and Sunday so a chance and opportunity will be given to guests who attend this event to be in the running to participate in a draw to win”, said Sree. He added on saying that two (2) lucky winners will spend two (2) nights at Gateway Hotel on Saturday and Sunday. “So we are looking at actually getting a lot of people here for the weekend to enjoy the pizza and the activities that they can pay and engage in”, said Sree. He said that all the funds raised from the fun games will go towards the Wildlife Appeal to help us look after the animals. Gateway Hotel Apartments Food & Beverage Manager, Mr Randy Jackson said that Enzo’s is a well-known brand but we looked at our prizes at the Enzo’s Shops and it is a little bit higher and what we have tried to maintain is for the average family person her. “So that is why we have created a special design pizza, same ingredients, same taste but with a much reduced prize and that is what we want to actually market and we want 9/10 people who enter the park to buy pizza and that is our main goal and we could not have done it without the Port Moresby Nature park”, said Mr Jackson.

School leavers that missed out on a space to continue their studies at tertiary institutions have other schools that they can apply to and learn skills or upgrade their marks. The lucky ones get jobs straight after grade 12 but others that are unable to can still further their education. The Limana Vocational Training Centre located at Gordons, in the National Capital District was established by the OLSH Sisters and offers a variety of courses, including tourism and hospitality, business and Grade 9 and 10 studies via Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) for Grade 8 school leavers. “The one year programs are for the grade 9's and Grade 10's. We have short courses for National Certificates 1 and 2 for office administration, hospitality operations, commercial cookery, dress making and tailoring.” Deputy Manageress for the school, Ms Ivy Labradores said this when asked about the courses the school provides. She added that they have 3 month courses for hospitality for food and beverage and cookery, front office and housekeeping. They also offer 3-6 month courses for IT. “For students that wish to do grade 9 via FODE, we will only accept students that completed grade 8 between 2018 and 2020. Students that completed grade 8 before won’t be accepted.” “We will not take in any grade 10 transfers, we will accept grade 9's and they can continue to grade 10.” “For the other courses, we will accept those that have completed grade 10 and grade 12.” “Those that are working and wish to get a National Certificate can come and register for any of our courses.” Registration for grade 9 and 10 started ran for two weeks and ended last Friday for classes to begin on toady. As for the short courses, registration is still ongoing and will close at the end of March. Pictures sourced: Limana Vocational Training Centre FB Page

Police Commissioner David Manning promised that the full force of the law and all resources at the Constabulary's disposal will be brought to bear down upon policemen who continuously flaunt the law and aid and abet crime and criminals. Mr Manning made this comment following recent threats against police detectives involved in the K286 million Ok Tedi investigations. "We had two threats issued against police detectives. Criminals and policemen are involved. I will not stand for this and whether you are a criminal or a policeman who decides to engage or attack policemen you will be dealt with equally under lawful means. "If you want to be a criminal or align yourself with individuals or entities and challenge the Police Force, then you have no place in the Police Force and I will ensure your speedy exit from the police force straight into prison,” Mr Manning said. Furthermore, Mr Manning said that reports of policemen continuously being deployed to provide protection for logging camps or other private business with the full knowledge and authority of their superiors will be investigated and dealt with. In these instances police resources including firearms are being used by these policemen to protect the interest of a few thereby denying the rights of the majority to seek justice. "The Police Force will undergo beneficial change, and those currently opposing these changes for their own reasons will be weeded out. The majority of policemen and women perform their duties with professionalism and dedication, yet we and the country are being let down by these few members. "The proposed changes in the disciplinary proceedings will allow for a swifter and more effective process that protects all parties concerned whilst enhancing greater accountability and appropriate penalties being dealt out. "In the near future legislative amendments will be made to criminalise certain offences that have caused the discipline and performance of the Police Force to deteriorate. If we are to deliver to the people of PNG a Police Force that they deserve and provide a policing service that adds value to their lives we must undergo these reforms and remove impediments now," Mr Manning said.

Papua New Guinea reported three new cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours increasing the country’s total cases to 894. The latest cases were reported in the National Capital District. A 44 year old female who works at a government department and resides in Moresby South electorate is among the three people confirmed positive. She was not showing symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing but her swab samples returned positive. Also tested positive is a 45 year old male. He was experiencing sore throat, headache and shortness of breath at the time of testing. The third case reported in NCD is a 31 year old male employee of Exxon Mobil LNG plant site. He was not showing symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing but swab samples returned positive. The country's COVID-19 cases as a result stands at 894 with nine known deaths. A total of 43,728 people have tested for Coronavirus disease (Covid 19). Eight hundred and forty-six people have recovered whilst 432 samples are pending at the laboratories. Thirty- nine active cases are in isolation. Seventeen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. The distribution of the cases is as follows: NCD 371 Western Province 221 West New Britain 194 East New Britain 30 New Ireland 22 Eastern Highlands 13 Western Highlands 10 Central 10 Morobe 9 East Sepik 3 Enga 3 Milne Bay 2 West Sepik 2 Southern Highlands 1 AROB 1 Hela Province 1 Madang 1 TOTAL 894 Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 104,165,066 including 360,323 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 2,265,354 of which 11,022 were reported in the last 24 hours.

Investigation undertaken into the misappropriation and stealing of K268 Million belonging to Community Mine Continuation Agreement Communities in Western  Province by Special Police Forensic Criminal Investigation Team which is headed by  Commissioner of Police David Manning made two more arrests early this week.  About a fortnight ago, Managing Partner of Young & Williams Lawyers Mr. Gregory  James Sheppard was arrested and charged with two (2) counts of false pretense and another 2 counts of conspiracy after his law firm was paid K52 Million from the  WPPD CMCA Trust Funds as legal fees.  Two directors of Ok Tedi Fly River Development Foundation Limited (OTFRDF) namely Mr. Boston Kasiman and Mrs. Annie Smerewai were arrested in Ningerum,  a sub-station of Kiunga in Western Province at about 4am on Tuesday 02nd February  2021. The suspects were flown to Port Moresby where they were interviewed and each of them were slapped with 15 charges comprising of five (5) counts of false  pretense, 5 counts of conspiracy and 5 counts of misappropriation.  Police confirmed that Mrs. Annie Smerewai has been the director of OTFRDF since the formation of the company on 23rd September 2016, and Mr. Boston Kasiman was appointed as director on 10th of July 2019.  Police formally searched the company’s records held with Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and noted that mandatory forms required by Companies Act 1997, that must be completed and lodged when registering an entity, appointing directors,  secretary, shareholders and changing company’s addresses were never completed and lodged with IPA. No such records were found for years covering 2016 to 2020. The changes in the company’s records were simply made through online by the  company’s appointed agent Mr. Samson Jubi whilst residing in Cairns, Australia.  In the absence of the compulsory company forms, the manner in which the  directors, shareholders, and secretary of OTFRDF were appointed are highly suspicious and questionable. Police developed an impression that 147,000 plus  people of CMCA Communities who are owners of the K268 Million WPPD CMCA Trust  Funds never authorized the registration of OTFRDF and the appointment of its  directors, secretary and sharehoders.  Mr. Boston Kasiman and Mrs. Annie Smerewai were among other directors who were  present and passed number of Board Resolutions during two (2) separate Board  Meetings held in Port Moresby in 2018 and 2019 to illegally pay total of K268 Million  out of the WPPD CMCA Trust Account held with Australia & New  Zealand Banking Group (PNG) Ltd. The following payments were released after the Board Resolutions of the two Board Meeting Minutes, Approved Instruction Application Forms and other necessary  documents were submitted to Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (PNG) Ltd by  OTFRDF:  No. Date of  WithdrawalAmount   Withdrawn-KinaRecipients Purpose of  Payment per “ANZ Payment  Instruction   Application Form”1). 17th August  2018K15,000,000.00 Young & William  LawyersLegal Fees2). 04th  September  2018K5,000,000.00 OTFRDF Ltd For International  Draft and  Telegraphic Transfer 3). 23rd  December   2019K37,000,000.00 Young & William  LawyersLegal Fees (Ex.  Report &  Disbursement)4). 23rd  December   2019K21,000,000.00 OTFRDF Ltd Payment to 7 CMCA  Regions5). 21st  February   2020K190,000,000.00 OTFRDF Ltd Payment to CMCA  Family AccountK268,000,050.00 Total withdrawn To Date The operations of the WPPD CMCA Trust Account held with Australia & New  Zealand Banking Group (PNG) Ltd is administered by the Trust Instrument underpinning the Trust Account. The Instrument issued from time to time clearly stipulates that WPPD CMCA Trust Funds must only be used for funding development  projects and programs implemented by Ok Tedi Fly River Development Foundation along the CMCA Communities in Western Province, and not for any other purpose.   The Instrument also outlines that the WPPD CMCA Trust Funds will only be released to Ok Tedi Development Foundation to undertake the approved projects and  programs after all the requirements stated therein are satisfactorily complied and  approved by Minister for Mining.  Police established that the payments were withdrawn not in compliance with the requirements of the Trust Instrument and the expenditures were not consistent with  the spirit, tenor and intended purpose of the WPPD CMCA Trust Funds, and used for  purposes contrary to the CMCA beneficiaries.  Police also learnt that none of the directors including the two that were arrested are  current formally recognized leaders of the CMCA Communities representing 147,000  people emanating from 158 villages along the CMCA Corridor in Western Province.  Police are now calling on the Chairman Mr. Steven Bagari, Secretary Mr. Samson  Jubi and other five (5) Directors of the purported entity OTFRDF who are currently hiding to voluntarily present themselves to the Special Police Forensic Criminal  Investigation Team for appropriate inquiry. 2 | P a g e  Commissioner of Police David Manning further said the combined forensic and criminal investigation currently undertaken by the Police are also scrutinizing all payments that were made from K268 Million to certain unrelated individuals and  entities. The payees will be asked to provide proof of goods and services that they  delivered for the benefit of CMCA Communities, and inquired on how their goods  and services were procured by OTFRDF. 

Police Commissioner David Manning has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the 19 people recently killed in Tari and vowed that he will do everything within his powers to contain the flight and put an end to the senseless killings. Immediately after the killings Mr Manning sent acting Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief of Operation Donald Yamasombi and senior officers from Port Moresby to Tari to explore strategic interventions to be taken both in the short and long terms to ensure lasting peace and stability within the Tari district and the Hela Province as a whole.  Mr Yamasombi upon arrival visited several essential government services in the Tari township and further visited the PNG LNG Hides 4 project site and Komo airport. He said, “Law-and-order problems across the country are distinct and our biggest challenge is to come up with policing strategies that work for each of them and Hela is no exception.” Mr Yamasombi addressed the Hela Police as well as the policemen engaged with the PNG LNG special operation today in Tari Town on the way forward for policing with the Hela province.  Mr Yamasombi is accompanied by the Director Special Service Division Superintendent Julius Tasion, acting Director Information and Communication Superintendent Dennis Corcoran and senior advisors from the Australia Federal Police.

Papua New Guinea reported 16 new cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday 3rd January increasing the country’s total cases to 891. The latest cases were reported In West New Britain and New Ireland provinces. West New Britain reported 15 cases whilst New Ireland reported one positive case. In West New Britain, 11 male and four female, ages ranging from 19 years to 66 have been tested positive. Among those tested positive are two pastors, three students, three drivers and a health care worker. Fourteen cases did not show symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing whilst one was experiencing cough. In the New Ireland province, a 44 year old male mine worker has been tested positive. He is currently in isolation while contact tracing is continuing.  The country's Covid 19 cases as a result stands at 891 with nine 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 368 Western Province 221 West New Britain 194 East New Britain 30 New Ireland 22 Eastern Highlands 13 Western Highlands 10 Central  10 Morobe 9 East Sepik 3 Enga 3 Milne Bay 2 West Sepik 2 Southern Highlands 1 AROB 1 Hela Province 1 Madang                               1 TOTAL 891 Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 102,942,987 lincluding 349,263 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.  The death toll is 2,232,233 of which 9,423 were reported in the last 24 hours.

Students of Gordons Secondary School in the National Capital District (NCD) will have to work harder this year to enable their school to be competitive with the rest the schools in PNG. The school aims to make 2021 academic year the year for the school to become one of the country’s top 5 performing schools like they did in the past. The Principal of the School, Mr George Kenega said that the past two years, the school didn’t make it into the top 5 but this year will be different. “I have spoken to my teachers and I will work with them to achieve this aim for this year." “If we were to be rated according to the number of our students that make it into tertiary institution, then our school will definitely be in the top 5. It is a bit unfair that we have been rated against schools that have lesser number of students sitting for the exams so their average is higher than ours.” He added that last year the school had over 200 grade 12's sit for the exams and the schools that were ranked in the top 5 had lesser students. “When my students don’t do well, I lose sleep so this year we will work very hard.” “We have 50 teachers in the school but we need another 11 more so that the lesson load can be shared equally and we can achieve our aim for this year.” This week most students braved the heavy rain and turned up at school for the first day of the schooling year. However, due to the heavy rains and wet conditions in the city, classes did not eventuate and grade 10's and 12's had to be sent home while the grade 9's and 11's stayed back for their orientation. Students that missed out on registration last week also turned up for late registrations.

Young people in PNG, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa are the target of a new online campaign by the Save the Children in partnership with tech giant, Facebook in the hope to educate and empower youths to have more safe and positive experiences on Facebook. Launched this week, the 5 week long campaign, "I am Digital" will highlight issues that are faced by the youths from this region and what to do if they find themselves victims of the many threats and cyber bullying faced online, especially Facebook. Save the Children PNG Deputy Country Director Rosario Sam said they have engaged students from various universities in the country to better identify the issues that are on Facebook and how they (Save the Children PNG) can help provide tools and platforms to avoid such experiences. “We are at the back of this children to create such initiative like this to help them empower themselves and also by engaging them as contributors in this campaign,” said Ms. Sam. “This online campaign allows young people to lead the program for themselves and we from behind can support and identify any gaps and then identify any support so we can contribute meaningfully to the campaign.” She further said that with the modern access of internet, something very new to our culture, parents and adults must begin to address issues at home. “Parents need to get to start open dialogue with their children so they do not end up online searching for questions that will end up compromising their safety on the internet,” Ms. Sam said. "I am Digital" campaign will only take us forward and ensure that young people are online to learn, to share and to create an environment on Facebook that they are connected and for parents to ensure of the risks that are involved and that these youths are protected. This is the first of its kind for Facebook to partner with the Pacific region and launch such campaign with the intent to make sure everyone has a positive experience when on Facebook.

The Media Council of PNG is partnering with ExxonMobil PNG to facilitate a Social Media Training over Zoom video conferencing. This is an initiative by ExxonMobil PNG, the operator of the PNG LNG Project, to open up its access to social media training expertise, to the members of the MCPNG, with a specific focus on mainstream media news online teams. Social Media has become the ‘go to’ place for news and current issues, and its scope and use by mainstream newsrooms has expanded to include advocacy, crowd-sourcing of information, and identifying audiences, listener and readership. It is encouraging to see mainstream newsrooms being innovative in their online platforms, and integrating multiplatform delivery of news services to our people. The MCPNG is excited that ExxonMobil PNG is willing to sponsor this training by providing a virtual trainer from an international social media organisation – Social Stimulator, who will facilitate this training. The objective of the training is to provide participants with some skills to develop social media content and guiding principles and tactics to engage effectively on your social media channels. The training is scheduled for Friday 12th February 2021.

Contributors to National Superannuation Fund, Nasfund, are reminded to update their membership details to ensure important information such as member contact details, address, and more importantly, member beneficiaries are included and are current. Nasfund Chief Officer Member Services Anne Wilson made this call when outlining the Fund’s Member Service engagements for this year. Nasfund intends to increase our engagement with our members throughout the country, through shopfloor presentations within covid-19 safety protocols, and online via Zoom. This will be done regularly to update our members on what the Fund is doing to add value to your membership. The updating of member details and the need for a Nasfund ID card will be at the forefront of our engagements in the coming months. Member Detail Update Exercise + Nasfund ID With the Fund now increasing electronic and physical engagements with members this year, there will be a focus on getting members to update their details – via the Member Detail Update Form (MDUF). The form can be downloaded on the Fund’s website via the following link: https://nasfund.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Member-Details-Update-Form.pdf  Members who update their details are also encouraged to get a new-look Nasfund ID card. In addition to being an official Nasfund member ID card, the Nasfund ID can also be used by our members to save money through the Fund’s Membership Discount Program. This is our way of adding value to our members while they remain in active employment. Member Detail Update Exercise & Nasfund ID Although superannuation is primarily for retirement, we recognize that our members need value for their membership in active employment. We are improving our Membership Discount Program so that our members can save that extra Kina now, wherever they are. Our MDP offering is across the retail, wholesale, hardware, transport, tourism & hospitality, and medical sectors. In essence, we are taking care of our members now, so that they are ready for tomorrow (retirement). All you need to do to utilize our MDP is to present your Nasfund Membership ID Card to our MDP providers.

Prime Minister James Marape, MP has conveyed his congratulations to the new Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Mr Henry Puna, the immediate former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. In a marathon telephone secret ballot during the Special PIF Leaders Retreat held yesterday 03 February 2021, Mr Puna was successfully appointed as the new Secretary General. Apart from Mr Puna, three other candidates from Tonga, Solomon Islands and Republic of Marshall Island also contested. In offering his congratulations soon after the election outcome at 10:30pm (PNG time) last night, Prime Minister Marape commended Mr Puna for his appointment, stating that he was well credentialed and suitably qualified for this important post given his vast knowledge and experience in addressing and managing political, socio-economic development, climate and environment issues affecting the Pacific. Prime Minister Marape also conveyed his profound appreciation to the out-going Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor who he described ‘as one of PNG’s most highly respected and distinguished daughter’ who had served the Pacific with great distinction, meritoriously. “It is under her watch over the last two terms that she was able to successfully rationalize the Secretariat to make it more practically responsive to its Leadership and Mandate”, said Prime Minister Marape. “I wish her well in whatever career pursuits she embarks upon following her successful tour of duty at the PIFS.”