PNG Haus Bung

It was a proud moment for Tokarara Secondary School Principal, Mr. Gabriel Manga, to have the Nation’s Capital based school listed among the 15 best performing secondary schools in the 2020 grade 12 national examinations. Mr. Manga commended his deputies and the hard-working teaching staff for the admirable results, saying it was the result of their hard work. “I actually believed that we were there somewhere near the top,” Manga added, before acknowledging the COVID-19 pandemic for the top results. “Otherwise, we are very pleased with our efforts this year.” “There’s nothing different from what we’ve been doing. We’ve been doing the same thing all throughout these year.” Despite disruptions to this academic year due to the COVID pandemic, the students have managed to prove themselves through their outstanding performance. “You know, this bunch of kids are good. They are our top students.” “With this recognition here, I think the teachers will be psyched up and we want to keep that momentum going; not only at the secondary level but also at grade 10 level too.” Mr Manga has always held on to the sentiment that Tokarara Secondary is a top performing school and is optimistic for similar results in the future.

The NRL has announced several rule changes for the 2021 Telstra Premiership season to make the game "faster, more free-flowing, entertaining and unpredictable". The changes are: the introduction of a two-point field goal for kicks taken from more than 40 metres out;six-again to be called for 10-metre infringements;penalties for teams if they leave a scrum before a referee calls "break";a play-the-ball restart if the ball or player with the ball goes over the sideline;The Bunker will now review replays after an on-field referee awards a try but a conversion attempt will not be allowed until it gets the green light;injured players will be interchanged if a trainer ask for play to be stopped;when a captain's challenge is inconclusive a team will not be docked for an unsuccessful attempt;and a handover will be ordered when a player does not make a genuine attempt to play the ball correctly with their foot. The ARL Commission met on Friday morning to discuss recommendations put forward from Monday's meeting of the newly formed innovation committee. Chaired by ARL Commission member Wayne Pearce, the committee was made up of chairman Peter V'landys, head of football Graham Annesley, veteran coaches Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart, referee Matt Cecchin, as well as current internationals Luke Keary and Damien Cook. V'landys said these innovations would lead to "less stoppages, more unpredictability and increased excitement for our fans". Source: NRL.com

Medical experts advising the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recommended emergency approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. The decision comes after a 23-member panel met to determine whether the drug's benefits outweigh the risks. The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for the public in the UK, Canada, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The drug still needs to be formally approved by the FDA's vaccine chief, which is expected in the coming days. The recommendation comes a day after the US recorded more than 3,000 deaths in the latest 24-hour period - the highest total in a single day anywhere in the world. Alex Azar, the US health secretary, said on Wednesday that after the FDA meeting, "we could then have a vaccine within days, and be administering it to the most vulnerable by next week". Operation Warp Speed, the federal government's vaccine distribution programme, has said that vaccine deliveries will begin within 24 hours of approval. Pfizer plans to have 6.4 million doses ready for the US in its first rollout round in late December. Because two shots are required per person, that is enough for three million people, out of a total US population of 330 million. Federal officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the nation's 21 million healthcare workers should be prioritised first, as well the three million elderly Americans living in long-term care homes. But there is less consensus on how states should distribute it to other groups. The nation's approximately 87 million essential workers are expected to be next in line for the jab, but it will be up to states to decide which industries to prioritise. Officials say vaccinations for groups that are not at a high risk are expected to take place in the spring of 2021. A second vaccine, developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, is also seeking emergency approval in the US. Like the Pfizer vaccine it requires a second round of injections. Source: BBC news

Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has raised the question on where is the bi-partisanship in the opposition as the National Federation Party was not even part of the decision making process to choose the next Leader of Opposition. Bainimarama has also said in parliament that former Opposition Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka did not sacrifice his seat for anyone but he has abandoned his post. The Prime Minister says Rabuka left his party and also left SODELPA’s leadership bitterly divided. Bainimarama says those who are left in parliament and are still praising Rabuka after his departure should do the honourable thing - leave SODELPA and join the party he has proposed. He says the same goes for the members of NFP including Leader, Professor Biman Prasad who latched themselves to Rabuka’s hip on the so-called Listening Tour. The Prime Minister says the SODELPA members demand that the government work with them but they don’t even work with themselves, and their contributions are empty of ideas, facts and principles. Bainimarama also says SODELPA are a party of pretenders. He has also urged the Leader of SODELPA to set their MP, Mitieli Bulanauca straight for his venomous lies that he is telling in his speech in parliament. However Bainimarama says he cannot tell who is calling the shots in SODELPA. Bainimarama says SODELPA should provide principled leadership. He says last week 7 parliamentarians were charged by FICAC for allegedly claiming money they were not entitled to take. Bainimarama says 6 of those MPs are still sitting in parliament and this is embarrassing. He says FijiFirst MP Vijendra Prakash had the dignity to step down and protect the sanctity of parliament. The Prime Minister then called on Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Aseri Radrodro, Niko Nawaikula, Adi Litia Qionibaravi, Simione Rasova and Peceli Vosanibola to step down and step out. He also says we need to embrace every COVID fighting tool whether it is personal protective equipment, testing kits, vaccines and contact tracing apps like careFiji. Source: fijivillage.com

Papua New Guinea has recorded its eighth death from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a 49-year-old male from West New Britain. The deceased had abdominal pains, cough, headache and shortness of breath that started on 4th December. He passed away on 8 December. Papua New Guinea has now recorded a total of 720 COVID-19 cases, with 36 new cases reported in the last 48 hours. Thirty-five of the new cases are from West New Britain (WNB) whilst the National Capital District (NCD) had one new case. Among the new cases reported in WNB, 34 are from Talasea District while one case is a nursing officer from Gloucester who is a contact of a previously-identified case. The youngest of the new cases is an 8-year-old female while the oldest is a 62-year-old male. Of the new cases, there are eight students, three nursing officers, two community health workers, an environmental health officer, a medical staff and a security guard. Most cases were identified as part of contact tracing and diagnosed through mass testing. The Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response, Mr David Manning said, “Our cases of COVID-19 in PNG continue to increase as contact tracing is ongoing. This is a reminder to all of us that the threat of COVID-19 remains in our communities and there is no room for complacency. "Please continue to observe the COVID-19 health protocols. Use hand sanitisers or wash your hands regularly with soap. Wear a face mask when in a public space and avoid crowded places. Be responsible. COVID-19 is here. There is no cure so our best defence is by taking the necessary COVID-19 health protocols." To date, 16 provinces, including AROB, have reported COVID-19 cases. The distribution of the cases is as follows: Confirmed Cases by Province: NCD - 360 Western Province - 204 West New Britain - 103 Eastern Highlands - 13 Central - 9 Morobe - 6 Western Highlands - 5 East New Britain - 5 East Sepik - 3 Enga - 3 Milne Bay - 2 New Ireland - 2 West Sepik - 2 Southern Highlands - 1 AROB - 1 Hela Province - 1 TOTAL - 720 Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 67,780,361, including 546,703 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 1,551,214; of which 10,132 were reported in the last 24 hours.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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