PNG Haus Bung

PNG’s former sprinter and former record holder in the 200m event in Athletics, Nelson Stone is using his skill and knowledge to coach, train and mentor the upcoming athletes registered under his club. Under the ‘Nest Athletics Club’ (Nest, short for Nelson), the club was formed back in 2019 and to date there have been a lot of interested individuals showing their interest in joining his club. “I created the club because I wanted to be a trainer and coach at the same time so I could organise my own team for the sprints, middle distance running and a little bit of jumping events”, said Stone. His dream is to build the best and the most competitive Athletic Club in the country. And currently, 21 year old Leeroy Kamau who was a stand out during the National Athletics Championships and currently is the new record holder in the 200m event trained under Nelson’s guidance and mentorship. “During the lock down last year due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, it was difficult to conduct training so what I did, I had to take my athletes over to my residence at Tokarara to continue training”, said Stone. He added that he noticed that his athletes have changed in terms of attitude towards their training and they are more disciplined and hard working and their respect and eagerness to learn has shown a lot of improvements in themselves lately and it has shown in the recent championships. During the recent PNG Air National Athletics Championships that was held in December last year, a lot of his athletes have performed very well clocking in good timings and by taking into consideration everything that they have learnt, a lot of them have performed very well in their respective events.

The PNG Civil & Identity Registry has engaged 112 student volunteers to participate in its Student Volunteer Program (SVP) from January to February this year to help with clearing out backlogs and NID Registrations since 2015. The volunteers will undergo a one-day hands on training which will begin tomorrow. According to the Acting Registrar General, Noel Mobiha, PNGCIR will also engage student volunteers from Lae and Kokopo to participate in the SVP program because of the facilities put in place in these two provinces. Mobiha said that the SVP is in line with Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape’s “Take Back PNG” initiative. “Such programme needs to last long enough to allow young participants to develop job-related competences and to prove themselves in the specific work environment. He added on saying that as a result, they’ll get an idea for their future career path and decide what they like (or don’t like) to do. And to build self-confidence and develop a sense of responsibility. He said to be efficient, PNGCIR is targeting specific groups of young people especially those at risk of becoming unemployed in the long term and those that are still in school. “The path to work for young people often involves temporary jobs or internships which are frequently unpaid”, said Mobiha Mobiha said that PNGCIR will not be paying the volunteers as they have volunteered with their hearts to serve the people of Papua New Guinea. However, the management will be providing refreshments and transportation for the volunteers as they will be working day and night shifts respectively. He also said that the work performance of students who graduated in tertiary institutions during the volunteer program will determine whether they will be recruited by the PNGCIR going forward. Furthermore, Mobiha said that the code of conduct is very high in terms of punctuality, prohibition of alcohol, restrictions to in-house boyfriends/girlfriends relationships and most importantly, people who do not have loans or debt ridden in terms of their pocket pay. This program was specifically designed for high school-aged students, continuing students in tertiary institutions, and those that have recently graduated from a tertiary institution hence to help set them up for successful careers. The students will assist in processing the backlog of birth certificates and NID Registration data for the entire country from 2015-2019

This news just in! Friday 8th January 2021 is a nationwide public holiday sanctioned by the PM James Marape and the NEC. This is for the whole country to pay respect to the late Sir Mekere Morauta as he will be laid to rest on that day. Keep listening to the LegendFM News/NauFM News/YumiFM News and follow our news website pnghausbung.com page for more on this story.

New water and sanitation facilities constructed at a primary school in South Bougainville will greatly improve access to clean water for drinking, cooking, sanitation and hygiene. The new facilities at St Chris Sipii Primary School in Bolave, Bana District include two toilets, 17 water catchment systems and 30 water tanks. The K100,000 project was initiated by the Bolave people who successfully applied for an Australian Government grant after raising more than K8,000 in the community. The new facilities will reduce reliance on mountain water sources, which are often depleted during dry season and can be muddy and contaminated in rainy periods. The project reduces the time that families – particularly women and children – spend on water collection by more than an hour each day. This means they will have more time for education, productive activities and participating in community life. St Chris Sipii Primary School board chairman Tony Siona said the new toilets and water tanks have brought the community together and reduced the time wasted on water collection. “Apart from the many health benefits to the community, another advantage has been students having more time to attend to school activities and get to school on time in the morning,” he said. More than 20 local people were also trained on safe hygiene practices. This knowledge can be shared within the community and prevent the spread of diseases and illnesses. Australia has supported 60 community projects that promote peace, security, and community cohesion by encouraging communities to organise and partner with government to respond to local challenges.

This is always a hopeful time, as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. While 2020 was fraught with unprecedented challenges around the world, we can take solace in the knowledge that brighter days are ahead. Although the obstacles towards full economic recovery and health security are great, the courage and determination we discovered in one another during the darkest days of 2020 will ensure we can rise up and overcome them. It is in that spirit that the United States seeks out opportunities every single day to engage our partners, expand our relationships, and execute on our promises. As ever, we seek to build economic prosperity, strengthen the institutions of democracy, safeguard the future, and teach the next generation of our partners throughout the Pacific. In 2021, as we all strive to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy Port Moresby team will work hand-in-hand with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and PNG to build on the promises of the 2018 APEC Conference by taking the next critical steps to deliver on the five-year, $57 million USAID-PNG Electrification Partnership (USAID PEP) and provide electricity to at least 200,000 PNG households. PEP’s aim is to provide reliable access to electricity to drive inclusive growth and advance development in communities throughout Papua New Guinea. In partnership with key government agencies, communities, and the private sector in Papua New Guinea to achieve the country’s electrification goals, consistent with the National Electrification Roll Out Plan (NEROP), 2021 will be a year of action. We will also work closely with the PNG government to conclude three critical agreements: A Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), a Shiprider agreement, and a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The DCA will lay the foundation for the United States to engage more deeply with the PNG Defense Force, expand training, education, and exchange opportunities with the United States, and execute on the joint Australian-PNG project at Lobrum Naval Base to support the PNGDF. Shiprider is a unique agreement that allows members of the PNG defense and law enforcement officers to embark on U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy vessels to observe, board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within their exclusive economic zones, or on the high seas. Shiprider agreements help close global maritime law enforcement gaps, improve cooperation, coordination, and interoperability, and build maritime law enforcement capacity to more effectively combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and other illegal maritime activity. The agreements are meant to complement and reinforce arrangements in place with partners such as Australia, New Zealand and France.  Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) provide strategic frameworks and guiding principles for dialogue on trade and investment opportunities between the United States and the other parties to the TIFA. Around the world, the United States and our TIFA partners consult on a wide range of issues related to trade and investment. The TIFA provides a platform to identify areas for further cooperation.  Topics for consultation under the TIFA include market access labor, the environment, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, and, in appropriate cases, capacity building. Travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of our education and cultural exchange programs to halt in 2020. Fortunately, we were able to transition our popular International Visitor Leadership Program to a virtual format, holding two popular sessions on Public Health and Global Economic Cooperation with participants from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. This year, we will expand to 10 regional programs, and will included subjects like the U.S. Justice System, U.S. elections, investigative journalism, entrepreneurship, and combatting trafficking-in-persons. COVID-19 also affected the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Initiative a youth leadership development program comprised of participants from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Islands of French Polynesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, and the American-affiliated Pacific including American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawaii. The program strengthens ties and builds a community among the younger generation of government, civic and business leaders to address critical challenges and expand opportunities. Embassy Port Moresby planned to host the 2020 Young Pacific Leaders Conference in Port Moresby but had to cancel the event due to COVID-19. We adapted the program to create a virtual conference series to engage participants who signed up for the conference in early 2020. The events took place September 27 and November 18 and included participants from nearly all participating Pacific nations, including Solomon Islands. A third event is scheduled for early February 2021, and the model has proven so successful that we plan to expand it further throughout the coming year. As Thomas Jefferson said, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." The coming year will undoubtedly have its challenges, but if we learned anything from 2020 it’s that we are more resilient and more capable of meeting and overcoming those challenges than we ever thought possible. I look forward to working with the government and people of Papua New Guinea and to deliver on the promise of a better tomorrow over the next year. Here’s to a great 2021!

Knights general manager of football Danny Buderus expects halfback Mitchell Pearce to remain at the club, but his future as captain appears doubtful. While Pearce wasn't present when Newcastle resumed pre-season training after the Christmas break on Monday, the off-contract 31-year-old's name was a hot topic following a recent off-field incident. Buderus said it was "a private matter between two parties" and declined to go into great detail. Pearce was reportedly caught texting a female club employee whose partner has friends in the NRL squad. "I think Mitchell will be a player in 2021 at the Newcastle Knights. At this stage, there's nothing for us to say he won't be a part of us in 2021," Buderus said after confirming the club want to keep Pearce. However, the latest drama could mean Pearce's time as skipper – a position he has held since moving from the Roosters in 2018 – is over. "For several months we've been addressing and looking at our leadership model within the club," Buderus said. "[Coach] Adam O'Brien's a big believer in strong leadership, group leadership, and we need to hone down into that and work it out. We're still to really finalise those decisions and which way we're going to go with the leadership. We're going to take our time and roll it out. "But we have got some good candidates for leadership within that group. That will be for Adam and his team, more importantly, to work out which way that captaincy will go." Source: NRL.com

Air Niugini will recommence flights to and from Hoskins airport, West New Britain from tomorrow 5th January until Monday 11th January. Flights between January 5th and 11th are for passengers already holding tickets. There are no restrictions on passengers travelling into Hoskins during this period. Per advice from NCC, passengers departing Hoskins will be required to undertake a rapid COVID test at the airport prior to the flight.  This takes 20-25 minutes for the result, so passengers are requested to arrive early.  From 12th January to 21st January, per instructions from the Controller all passenger flights are then cancelled to and from Hoskins. Passengers with existing bookings may make changes on these without penalty to instead travel in the period up to Monday 11th January. The new measure will remain in force until 12am of January 22nd, 2021. Customers holding Air Niugini tickets for this period that need changes are to contact ANG Call Centre on toll free 180 3444, landline 327 3444 or your nearest Sales Office to revalidate your travel without charge. Air Niugini will continue to operate in a safe and compliant manner, adhering to advice from the PNG Government as per the Pandemic Measures issued to mitigate the risks in the spread against Coronavirus (COVID-19). For detailed information on Measure 13, pls check Air Niugini website www.airniugini.com.pg  We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in managing the spread of COVID-19.

Acting Police Commissioner Donald Yamasombi has described as complete fake news on social media that Police Commissioner David Manning will be arrested when he resumes duty. Mr Yamasombi expressed his disgust at the social media claims which he says are not true and is being peddled by people with sinister motives to destroy the image and morale of the Police Force and its hierarchy. Mr Yamasombi said, “I condemn the release of this fake news over the social media which is not only reckless and aimed at destabilising the police force, but furthermore, has the potential to create a national security issue." “This is not the first time such fake news have been released to the public. I cannot allow this behaviour to continue anymore unchecked and unanswered. I have today established a task force to investigate this matter and arrest those involved in the release of fake news. IT experts and appropriate technology and resources will be committed over a space of three months to identify, expose and deal with those responsible. Their actions are not only unethical but criminal in nature as well and as such they will be charged appropriately under the various laws at our disposal.” Mr Yamasombi also called on the relevant and responsible government bodies including NICTA and the PNG Censorship Board to address the abuse of the social media in creating fear, anxiety and disorder. He said it is becoming a serious concern to police and citizens when people can discredit others and raise false and unsubstantiated claims and allegations over the social media. Mr Yamasombi assured the country that he is in constant daily dialogue with Commissioner Manning on Police operations and administrative matters of concern. “We have a good working relationship and such allegations will not destroy the positive efforts and work we have initiated for the police force and the country as a whole,” Mr Yamasombi said.

While addressing the alarming increase of alcohol related cases presenting to the Port Moresby General Hospital Emergency department since New Year’s Day 2021, it is worrying to see a majority of cases being those in their teens, Surgical Coordinator at PMGH Dr Noah Tapaua said the youngest casualty being just 11 years old and a 17 year old, among the fatalities. “The youngest is about 11 years old and that is abuse related to alcohol,” stated Dr Tapaua. “It’s especially the young group that we are seeing. The oldest so far from New Year till now is about 46, but the majority is in the teenage group.” “Both sexes are equal now. We used to see more males. Now we are seeing both males and females,” Dr Tapaua added.

When Detective Sergeant Rachael Pinda was assigned to a case of child sexual molestation and rape, she was determined to put the perpetrator behind bars. She persevered relentlessly and eventually succeeded when the National Court in Waigani, imprisoned Wagua Maroma, a male adult, to a jail term of 15 years, on 18th November 2019. Maroma was found guilty of sexually touching and penetrating four girls, all children, at different locations and times in NCD. The sentencing has brought some closure for the families of the victims, but Sergeant Pinda said, "I am sharing this story with the media because, I want to create awareness on sexual violence against women, girls and children in our society. She said many survivors and victims remain silent because they fear the stigmatization, shame and humiliation, while perpetrators walk freely. She said, I am sharing this story to break the cycle and encourage families of survivors and victims to report such crimes to police. To report such cases please contact the NCD Sexual Offence Squad at Boroko Police Station on 3244 330 or 3244 331.

An extra surgical theatre had to be opened up at the Port Moresby General Hospital to cater for the influx of patients presenting to the hospital’s Emergency department. Hospital staff said with 40 severe trauma cases including cases having been attended to by the hospital following New Year’s celebrations in Port Moresby, all being alcohol related, it was a necessary step the hospital had to take. Surgical Coordinator of the Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr Noah Tapaua, said an emergency meeting had to be called on Saturday to implement an emergency plan to cater for the alarming increase of trauma cases as sanctioned by the hospital’s CEO Dr Paki Molumi. “We are opening up an extra theatre to cater for the situation that we have,” said Dr Noah Tapaua. “From today until Wednesday we are going to attend to these people to try and give them back that life and I hope that they can rethink and do something better rather than consume alcohol.” Dr Tapaua is calling on chief alcohol distributors in the country to also take responsibility of this situation and control the sale of alcohol to the community, saying that this has never happened before and hopes that this will be the last of its kind. Port Moresby General Hospital's Surgical Coordinator Dr Noah Tapaua

BSP has confirmed today that three (3) of its ATMs were damaged during the festive season including the one at Lorengau Hospital which was damaged by criminals on Friday 1st January, 2021, in an attempt to steal the cash.  The Lorengau Hospital ATM is one of four BSP ATMs in Lorengau and the destruction caused is irreparable and will cause great inconvenience to the people of Lorengau. General Manager Retail, Daniel Faunt, expressed his disappointment that criminals deliberately vandalized and destroyed an ATM without any regard to the impact on people in the area, many of whom would be known to the criminals. “BSP is the only commercial bank that provides services to the people of Manus Province and the only bank to have ATMs in Lorengau.” Faunt added that there was some minor damage done to ATMs at Wewak and Kiunga during the Christmas and New Year period as well. The destruction of the ATMs comes only a month after a robbery at BSP’s Kerema sub branch that has resulted in Kerema Branch being closed until criminal investigations are completed. At the same, there was also an attempted robbery at BSP’s sub branch at Hoskins. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming commented that in all three (3) locations, Kerema, Hoskins and Lorengau, BSP is the only bank that has been willing to provide banking services to these areas despite the cost of operations and, where robberies are involved, it poses high risks to BSP’s staff. “BSP does all it can to provide services to customers and non-customers alike around PNG notwithstanding the cost of doing so." "This responsibility is carried by BSP disproportionately with other banks choosing only to operate where it is profitable to do so.” Mr Faunt further commented that BSP staff had been proactively monitoring its ATM fleet over the Christmas and New Year period with more than 100 staff country wide working overtime to top up ATM’s with cash and attend to the ATMs to keep as many as possible operational during this period for our customers. “Therefore, the destruction of the ATM at Lorengau was even more disappointing.”