PNG Haus Bung

Oil Search is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Communications Manager for its Papua New Guinea (PNG) Business Unit following the departure of former PNG Communications Manager Ms Ruth Waram. Ms Celestine Ove, who was previously Communications PNG Senior Advisor for three years has been promoted to the position of PNG Communications Manager. Celestine commenced her career with Oil Search starting as a graduate Trainee 14 years ago. Mr Leon Buskens, Oil Search Country Manager said Celestine’s appointment is a testament to Oil Search’s commitment in helping to expand the national skills base through training, targeted development programmes and ensuring an ongoing focus on diversity in the workplace. The Company also recognizes the valuable contributions, dedication and tireless efforts that Ruth had made in a career spanning 18 years with Oil Search. We appreciate Ruth’s commitment and support to Oil Search during her time with us. Ruth’s leadership, guidance and professionalism are part of the reason why we did not source an external candidate to take on this important responsibility. “Celestine began her career with the Company in 2007 through our Graduate Development Programme. In 2019, she was part of a cohort of female leaders that attended the Oil Search Leading Our Way for Women Programme in Sydney. The programme aims to identify and develop a strong pipeline of female talent and to develop their capabilities to move into senior and executive leadership roles. We are happy to recognize and importantly promote our leadership talents within the organization. "We are confident that Celestine will continue the good work she has consistently demonstrated over the years into her new leadership role andlead the PNG Communications team well." "We look forward to her contributions as a key member of our PNG leadership team.” Celestine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Arts (Journalism) from the Divine Word University in Madang. She previously worked as a communications intern with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in New Caledonia.

Communications Fiji Limited which is the parent company of Legend FM, FM96, Viti FM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam and fijivillage and is the South Pacific’s largest broadcast organisation has completed 19 years of listing on the South Pacific Stock Exchange. Board Chairman William Parkinson says at the time of listing, CFL offered 750,000 shares at $1 and now CFL has 3.558 million shares on issue with an all-time high market price of $6.22 which totals to a market value of $22.13 million. Parkinson says over the 19 years of being listed, CFL has rewarded its shareholders with total dividends paid standing at around $8.11 million adding in terms of shareholder returns, CFL shares worth $1 per share at the time of listing is now valued at $8.51 per share after accounting for the share price appreciation and the dividends paid out by the company. He adds in 2000 the CFL Group comprised of three stations in Fiji (FM96, Navtarang and Viti FM), two in Papua New Guinea, (Nau FM and YUMI FM), the Total Event Company and a fledgling fijivillage.com. Parkinson says 20 years later, Radio Sargam and Legend FM have been added to the Fiji operations and Legend FM in Papua New Guinea. He says fijivillage is now Fiji’s largest news website and a prime source of news and recently a similar news website PNGhausbung.com was launched in the PNG market adding that CFL has a social media presence that outstrips any other media organisation in the market and a multimedia production house, The Magic Factory, a new revenue earner in Fiji. He further says CFL also managed to buy back its 50 percent stake in 231 Waimanu Rd Ltd which was sold as part of the restructure post 2000. Parkinson says when the initial public offering was announced many were a little puzzled by the timing adding the CFL prospectus launched in late 2001 was based purely on the strength and potential of its brands and teams in Fiji and Papua New Guinea. He adds the board at the time led by Chairman Hari Punja, who had much previous experience in listing on the SPX, saw this not only as an opportunity to strengthen the company’s balance sheet but also as a way of allowing listeners and most importantly staff to own shares. Parkinson says despite difficult times facing the world and Fiji in particular, Communications Fiji Ltd continues to grow in both its major markets adding CFL entered 2020 debt free and in a very strong financial position. He says despite all the challenges in the Fiji market, it is delivering strong cash surpluses and growing critical market share. Parkinson says PNG FM Ltd, building on its position as Papua New Guinea’s biggest media organisation in terms of market reach, will deliver a solid profit for 2020 and is in the final stages of completing the purchase of a land in Port Moresby to build PNG FM HAUS. Source: fijivillage.com

Grades 8’s in Jiwaka Province will have to wait a little longer for their selections to be ready and posted up. “Once the PEB meet, one of the things we need to sort out is the selections for the grade 9s for 2021. We will have to decide the cut off mark then principals and head masters from the secondary schools and high schools will be invited to select their students for the 2021 academic year. ” That’s from the Provincial Education Advisor, Dr Charly Muke when asked on the if the grade 9 selections were ready. “The top 5% of the students will be selected by the 7 schools that we have chosen to be the 7 provincial schools of excellence. These schools are Fatima Secondary school, Minj Secondary School, Waghi Valley School, Nondugl Secondary school, Kudjip secondary school, Anglimp Secondary and Jimi Secondary School.” “The high schools will then be given the chance to select their grade 9 students.” He added that even though the year was a tough one due to the pandemic, the schools tried their best to ensure that students were ready for their end of year exams. The school fee structure hasn’t been set yet but parents will have to expect an increase in school fees in 2021. Not only that, parents will have to pay full fees without the government subsidies to help with the operations of schools. Once the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (formerly TFF) is paid to schools then parents can be refunded.

An official program has been released by the PNG government for a State Funeral to be accorded to the late former Prime Minister and Member for Moresby North-West Rt. Hon Sir Mekere Morauta. The body of Late Sir Mek will be flown in from Australia on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 1:30pm to Jacksons International Airport to be welcomed by State Officials and Dignitaries at the VIP carpark. On Monday, 04th January 2021, the casket will be laid in State in the Grand Hall at Parliament House for the public to pay their respects between 10am & 4pm. On Friday, 08th January 2021, a State Funeral Service will be held at the Sioni Kami Memorial United Church from 10am to 12pm before Late Sir Mekere is finally laid to rest during a state burial at Independence Hill.

Hailing from a mixed parentage of PNG (Tatana) and Malaysian Chinese, Angela Law was the winner of the Vocal Fusion Virtual 2020 who walked away with a whooping K30, 000 in Papua New Guinea’s highest locally singing competition.   Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the competition took another twist going 100% virtual hosting online auditions for hopefuls and aspiring singers to audition around mid-October. Ms Law started singing at a very young age when she was only 7years old and says her dad was her number one inspiration. Auditioning for VFV2020 with her incredible rendition of Sam Smith’s ‘Too Good At Goodbye’s’, she got a very good feedback from the judges and was the one to watch throughout the competition. “My experience on VFV2020 was incredible. The first day I sent in my audition, I never thought I’d make it through to another round. But every round gave me more courage and I improved a lot vocally and mentally as well”, said Angela Just like every competition, there were always challenges but Ms Law did not let those challenges stand in her way on focusing on the competition. “The critics were always a challenge to me and also the song choices. Some of the songs were recommended to me by the vocal coach and I had to memorize the lyrics and try my best to sing my heart out”, said Ms Law Angela added on saying that she had to hire two men from Fisherman Island to help her with all her backing tracks. There was also a man from her mother’s village (Tatana) who was also a big help throughout the competition. “The three of them helped me with my songs and video arrangements plus another challenge was to find outfits to match every theme that was selected for each round”, said Ms Law VFV2020 Top 4 & Grand Finalists (from L - R) Jolina Dela Cruz (Kokopo & 2nd Runner Up), Berthshianne Kome (Tabubil and 3rd Runner Up), Angela Law (Pom & Winner) and Desiree Ure (Pom & 1st Runner Up) The Top 10 contestants had to choose songs to sing according to the music genre selected. They were Legendary PNG Hits in the Top 10; Top 8 had them sing Pop Rock songs, Country songs in Top 7, R&B songs in Top 6, Contestants Choice & Night At The Movies songs during Top 5 and Contestants Choice and Hits of Today during the finals. “Hits Of Today was my favorite of the genres because I sang a Mangi Westpa by Estapacifica and also I had fun filming the video at Fishermen Islands”, said Ms Law This is not the second time Ms Law has won in a singing competition. She took part in a talent show years back and was the winner back at her school Riam Road Secondary back in Malaysia. “My plan is to complete my studies and help my parents out and if I have enough time, I’d love to do some gigs in and around of the country”, said Angela The top 4 contestants who made it thru to the LIVE Grand Finals were Jolina Dela Cruz of Kokopo, Desiree Ure of Port Moresby, Berthshianne Kome of Tabubil and Angela Law of Port Moresby. Photo credit: EMTV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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