The much-anticipated Rigo Coast Super League soccer competition kicked off on Saturday 29th March, at Kaparoko village in the Central province. Competition President and Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) Vice President for Southern Region, Mr. Morea Vavine, has gathered teams from the Rigo coast to participate in the competition that will run for 5 months with 11 teams, to prove themselves as the top teams to take part in the PNGFA-sanctioned regional club championships, under the affiliation of Koupa Soccer Association. He said the competition started on Saturday and soccer being a dominant sport in the Rigo coast, a lot of people are looking forward to the matches to come. "So, most of the clubs or associations are not affiliated with PNGFA, only Koupa Soccer Association. I got them in, and my objective is to encourage the youth and all that, to expose their talent. To be exposed to, like, PNGFA sanctioned competitions and other programs,” said Mr. Vavine. Mr. Vavine stated that from yesterday’s first round of matches, he was impressed with the teams fielding young players who displayed great football techniques and a promising future for players like them. He said, this great opportunity paves the way for the best team in the competition to go under the Koupa Soccer Association and take part in PNGFA-sanctioned competition, the regional club championship like the club championships in November-December. He added that, apart from the club championships, the winning team will be exposed to other pathways like the BESTA tournament or even PNGFA-sanctioned tournaments like the Premier Soccer League (PSL) or the National Soccer League (NSL). Mr. Vavine said they will introduce the women’s and Under 17 girls’ teams next week or the week after that. “We only kicked of the men’s competition yesterday with 4 games and the women’s games will kick off next week or the week after that. All the games will be played on Saturdays only. Sunday is reserved for church. But when the women’s and girls' teams start playing, we will have them play on Thursday’s and the rest of the games on Saturday.” Furthermore, Mr. Vavine gave the updates from Saturday with Papaka defeating Hula 2-1, Kaparoko defeated Makerepu 4-2, Kemo drew 1 all with a development team, and Kamali defeated Kalo 1-0.

Turubu landowners near Wewak in East Sepik Province are seeking a judicial review of permits issued for the Momase Large-Scale Integrated Agriculture Project on their land. The land portion 144C covers an area of 116,840 hectares was a subject of the inquiry into Special Agriculture Business Lease between 2014 and 2017. The landowners are demanding transparency and justice and seek answers to why these permits were granted without community consent. Speaking on behalf on the landowners, Mr Eugene Mondu Director of Mojirau Wildlife Management Area said, “The Supreme Court revoked the Special Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) in 2017 and ruled that the logging and agriculture activities there be ceased.” Mr Mondu said, despite this ruling the Momase Large-Scale Integrated Agriculture Project (MLSIAP) continues to operate under the Forest Clearance and Environmental Permit. “The court ruling clearly affirmed that landowners must give their consent for such developments. Clearly there was no free prior informed consent process with the landowners.” he said. In August 2016 the Supreme Court upheld the National Court Ruling of 2014 and declared Turubu SABL was illegal. A few months later in March 2017 then Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announces cancellations of all SABLs and declared them illegal. They question why relevant government authorities; the Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) are not monitoring compliance and are allowing unchecked logging and deforestation. The landowners said their struggle is not only to protect their environment but also their culture, their autonomy and way of life. They demand that the promises of development be genuine, focused on empowerment, improved livelihoods and sustainable practices.

Prime Minister James Marape met with executives of the Wellington Phoenix Football Corporation during his recent trip to New Zealand to discuss pathway development for young Papua New Guineans through a football academy training program there. Prime Minister Marape met with General Manager David Dome of Wellington Phoenix Football Corporation, who is keen to work with Oceania Football Confederation nations, including Papua New Guinea, to help football development in the country. Mr. Dome informed Prime Minister Marape and his visiting delegation that the academy will benefit PNG in terms of developing upcoming Papua New Guinean players. “There are three ways of how we will conduct this academy program. Firstly, we will go to PNG, and by using your contacts, we’ll select the best players and bring them to Wellington. We will then put them in school and train them. These young Papua New Guineans will come out with English based education and provide a proper training program, " he said. He added that a second option is to bring players or teams from PNG, a week at a time, to play while they train under the academy. “Our final option is to go to PNG and set up a satellite academy and train your coaches to be at our academy level to develop your players in PNG,” he said. Impressed with Mr. Dome’s presentation, Prime Minister Marape said whilst the country is predominantly known for rugby league, football (soccer) footprint is almost 70 percent. “We have a semi-pro competition in PNG, which is doing well but not well enough, so it would be nice to have, at the ground level, the academy. I’m sure that thousands of kids will be funneled through this program for development. Your assistance is welcome,” the Prime Minister said. Also sharing the same sentiment with Prime Minister Marape was Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and Sports, Kinoka Feo. Minister Feo who expressed great interest in the program, highlighting that PNG lacked such a program and he was looking forward to working with the facilitators.

In a major step toward raising awareness and advocating against violence, NRL PNG’s Cathy Neap led a powerful Voice Against Violence workshop in Enga Province, in partnership with the Regina Sagu Foundation and supported by the Australian Government through the Team Up Program. The workshop engaged Enga Mioks rugby team players, who participated in group activities and discussions aimed at addressing domestic violence, gender equality, and respectful relationships. “Rugby League is more than just a game; it is a platform to influence lives positively,” said Cathy Neap. “Through programs like Voice Against Violence, we hope to inspire players to become advocates for change in their communities and work towards reducing domestic violence and violence in general. Violence should never be used as a solution to any problem.” The Enga Mioks players actively engaged in discussions and role-playing exercises, reflecting on how social norms contribute to gender-based violence in their communities. They expressed a strong commitment to making a difference both on and off the field and pledged to take three key actions: · Community Awareness in Schools – Educating students on respect and non-violence. · Being Positive Role Models – Leading by example both in sports and daily life. · Social Media Advocacy – Using their platforms to raise awareness and stand against violence. One player remarked, “This workshop opened our eyes to how our actions impact others. As players, we now understand that we have a responsibility to be role models and promote respect and equality.” Collaboration for Social Impact The Regina Sagu Foundation played a key role in the workshop, shedding light on domestic violence statistics in Papua New Guinea and discussing the importance of community support systems. The foundation also generously offered to conduct free financial literacy programs for the players and management. The success of this initiative highlights the power of sports in driving social change. By equipping players with the knowledge and tools to advocate against violence, the Voice Against Violence program aims to create lasting, positive transformations throughout Enga Province and beyond. With continued support from the Australian Government, NRL PNG, and local organizations, Cathy Neap and her team are committed to expanding the Voice Against Violence initiative, fostering safer and more respectful communities across Papua New Guinea.

The Australia Awards In-PNG Scholarship Program proudly celebrated the 2025 Somare-Whitlam scholars at recent ceremonies in Madang and Mt. Hagen, marking the beginning of their academic journey. The In-PNG scholarships provide Papua New Guineans with opportunities to study education, nursing, and midwifery at 12 higher education institutions across the country, directly addressing critical workforce shortages. The program also supports women in the maritime industry by offering cadetships that create new career pathways. This initiative plays a vital role in strengthening PNG’s workforce, particularly in remote areas where graduates often serve as teachers, nurses, and midwives. The extension of the Somare-Whitlam Award name to the In-PNG scholarships reflects the enduring partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia and the shared commitment to education and national development. With this announcement, the Somare-Whitlam Award now applies to both in-Australia and in-PNG scholarship recipients under the 2025 Australia Awards program. Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to support the next generation of global leaders. These scholarships provide study opportunities in Australia and PNG, helping to address critical workforce gaps and offering short-term professional development opportunities. For further information on the Somare-Whitlam Award, visit australiaawardspng.org.

Prime Minister James Marape, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing tangible opportunities for youth empowerment through education, overseas employment, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). At a press conference held at the APEC Terminal in Port Moresby city after returning from his New Zealand trip on Friday, Prime Minister Marape highlighted his government’s efforts to build clear pathways for youth engagement and development, acknowledging that many young people across Papua New Guinea (PNG) face unemployment or lack access to formal education. “For the first time since 1975, my government is taking the issue of youth employment seriously. We have established new pathways for education and work, including flexible open distance education and strategic partnerships with countries like Australia and New Zealand,” Prime Minister Marape stated. He highlighted the success of the New Zealand workforce scheme, which has provided employment opportunities for Papua New Guinean youths earning up to K52,000 annually. Prime Minister Marape encouraged young people to actively pursue such opportunities. “The solution to unemployment is not solely about finding paid jobs. It’s about creating your own opportunities. We want our young people to understand the pathways that exist for them to progress and succeed,” he emphasized. The Prime Minister also outlined his government’s commitment to developing SMEs in various sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, and other essential industries. He underscored the importance of education by mandating all schools, colleges, and universities to include basic business skills in their curricula to prepare students for entrepreneurship. “From agriculture to fisheries to urban enterprises, SMEs are critical pathways for youth empowerment. We are working to simplify lending processes and improve access to capital, making it easier for young entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses,” he said. Prime Minister Marape also recognized the role of sports as a viable career path, citing PNG’s interest in participating in the NRL. “Sport is a growing industry that offers promising career pathways for our youth, and we are committed to supporting their potential in this area,” he added. Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) programme as a significant pathway for youth empowerment. He also extended commendations to private sector entities and government agencies actively participating in youth empowerment initiatives such as National Youth Resource Week 2025. He acknowledged that many youths have been running around not knowing where to go after exiting school at various stages, which is why his government has been establishing clear pathways for them. In the last five years, the government has focused on providing pathways to return to school through FODE, SME encouragement, employment opportunities under initiatives like the Connect PNG programme, and overseas employment through labour mobility schemes. Prime Minister Marape highlighted that over 30,000 youths have been engaged through the Connect PNG programme, contributing to the economy with many becoming members of national superannuation funds like Nasfund and Nambawan Super, with record new members in the last two years. He summarized these pathways; education, SME participation, employment opportunities in-country and abroad, and sports, as viable career options. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his view that employment is not only about finding fixed jobs but also about being productively engaged in various sectors to progress and improve their lives. FODE offers school dropouts an opportunity to matriculate back and complete Year 12, providing them with a recognized certificate that opens doors to higher education at colleges or universities. This initiative, according to Prime Minister Marape, is aimed at ensuring that no young person is left behind due to barriers to formal education. “Our youths deserve every opportunity to better themselves and contribute positively to our country’s future. This government is committed to providing those opportunities and supporting them to reach their full potential,” Prime Minister Marape said.

The Central Provincial Government is hosting of the Papua Governor’s Dialogue 2025: Shaping the Next 50 years, starting today in Port Moresby city. Central Province Governor Rufina Peter said in partnership with the Governors of the Papua Region, the 2025 Papua Governors' Dialogue (PGD) is running for three days starting today Wednesday 26th and ending on the 28th of March. Under the theme "Papua Our Land, Our People, Our Future", in Motu "Eda Bese, Eda Tano, Eda Vaira Maurina", this significant gathering marks a milestone in Papua New Guinea's history, aligning with the nation's 50th Independence Anniversary. “I’ve put my hands up to host this event together with this administration is that 50th independence anniversary is an important milestone event. But it calls upon the leadership of today in terms of what contributions do we make as we reach 50 years? And so the responsibility falls on the political leadership of today to give that hope and confidence to the region,” said Governor Peter. It serves as a pivotal platform for leaders and stakeholders to reflect on progress, address challenges, and lay the foundation for the next 50 years of development and unity in the Papua Region. “How do we address these issues that confront us today and deal with emerging issues. And also, what are the challenges that are present to us where we can work collaboratively to enhance those opportunities for the betterment of our people.” The 2025 PGD will convene Governors, Members of Parliament, national leaders, civil society representatives, youth advocates, church leaders, business stakeholders, and community representatives from across the five provinces of the Papua Region. The discussions will focus on fostering inclusive development, strengthening governance, and maximizing the region's economic and social potential. Key Highlights of the 2025 PGD: · Plenary and panel discussions featuring high-level dialogues on economic equity, governance reform, human capital development, and workforce advancement. · Focus on customary land ownership, resource benefit-sharing, and infrastructure development as catalysts for economic transformation. · Cultural showcases, SME markets, and traditional performances, celebrating the region's rich heritage and entrepreneurial spirit. · Signing of the 2025 Port Moresby Papua Accord, a landmark declaration outlining a collective vision for regional safety, unity, resilience and progress. Governor Peter stated that while the Prime Minister is away on duty travels, the Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, will officially officiate the opening of the event. Other distinguished leaders including Rufina Peter, Governor of Central Province; Chris Haiveta, Governor of Gulf Province; Garry Juffa, Governor of Oro Province; Gordon Wesley Governor of Milne Bay Province, Toboi A. Yoto Governor of Western Province, Powes Parkop Governor for NCD, and Sir Puka Temu and MP Member for Abau, will be making presentations during the Conference. “The last session will be for all the governors to present our vision for our provinces, region and also as a country. As leaders of today, the question is, what is our vision for our region and going forward as a country with the ultimate goal to keep the country united as one nation.” Governor Peter further mentioned that the outcome of the three-day dialogue is to have a. 1 2025 Port Moresby-Papua Accord, and 2 To set an institutional structure/framework to coordinate the implementation of what is captured in the accord. As Papua New Guinea commemorates five decades of independence, the 2025 Papua Governors' Dialogue is a momentous opportunity to shape the country's future. This event will set a clear path toward a stronger, more inclusive, and economically empowered Papua Region.

PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports), which oversees 15 ports across Papua New Guinea, including the international terminals in Port Moresby and Lae, is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Onga as Chief Commercial Officer, which will come into effect on April 1, 2025. In her new role, Onga will lead the Commercial Division, with key responsibilities including the commercialization of port assets, the development of the Lae Industrial Park, and stakeholder management. Bringing extensive experience across the maritime, logistics, and property development sectors, Onga is well-positioned to drive PNG Ports’ commercial strategy. PNG Ports CEO Neil Papenfus welcomed her appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to have Ms. Onga joining us as Chief Commercial Officer. Not only is she an outstanding corporate commercial lawyer, but she also brings significant expertise in areas that align with our key objectives—particularly large-scale land development projects and our multi-million Kina port refurbishment program." Papenfus also highlighted that Onga’s appointment aligns with PNG Ports' gender equality initiatives and reflects the Government’s commitment to gender inclusivity in leadership roles. Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Onga said, "I am honored to join one of our nation's State-Owned Enterprises and look forward to contributing to PNG Ports’ legacy of driving national development and economic growth. I am especially excited about the opportunity to help shape a new era of innovation and commercial excellence for PNG Ports."

March 24th, every year is observed as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to raise awareness about this deadly infectious disease and accelerate global efforts to eliminate it, something which Papua New Guinea continues to work on especially with the high cases of the disease recorded each year. The Central Provincial Health Authority (CPHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. James Amini is one of many health professionals on the eve of World TB Day, is calling for increased TB screenings to address the rising number of cases in the country. In 2024, PNG recorded over 45,000 new cases of TB, with young working-age adults and children being the most affected. The disease is highly concentrated in Port Moresby and Lae, the country’s main business hubs, posing a significant threat to workforce productivity and community health. Hence, strengthening prevention, early detection, and treatment efforts is crucial to combating TB’s impact nationwide. Dr. Amini said, TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs. He said, TB affects the respiratory system where overcrowding is one common factor that contributes to the rapid and widespread of TB, particularly in densely populated areas. He stated that TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. However, he emphasized that tuberculosis is both preventable and curable with proper medical intervention and public health measures. “One of the most common types of TB is pulmonary TB, which affects the lungs. The symptoms include a persistent cough, chest pain, and breathlessness. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are essential for curing pulmonary TB. The issue with TB is that it can affect all the systems in the body which then can affect the lymph nodes, the brain-TB meningitis, the bones and any part of the body.” “But the initial spread is through respiratory. So, overcrowding becomes an issue because it’s easy to pass on the germ easily.” Dr. Amini said, when testing is done for a patient, the whole family needs to be screened to be certain another family member is not infected. He stated that, if someone has a cough for more than ten days (or 2 weeks), night sweats and loss of weight, they need to get tested for TB as these are symptoms of TB. He further stated that, once a person recognizes the symptoms, they need to get checked. “When we have very good screening programs, were we screen the whole population to ensure that no one has TB, the numbers will go down. Because we will know who has TB, which people are developing symptoms, and they can be put on treatment.” This year’s theme is Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, is a bold call for hope, urgency, and accountability. Meanwhile, according to the World health Organization (WHO), about a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria. That’s about 5–10% of people infected with TB will eventually get symptoms and develop TB disease.

The Member of Parliament for Laigaip District and Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Law-and-Order Aimos Akem, has donated three fully equipped ambulance Troopers to the Enga Provincial Health Authority (PHA) and Catholic Health Services. The handover ceremony, held at Sangurap Catholic Church, underscores his commitment to improving healthcare and emergency response in the region. The ambulances, valued at over K1 million, were allocated to Laiagam District Hospital, Yango Health Center, and Kepelam Health Centre, which is managed by Catholic Health Services. The donation also included essential medical accessories to enhance emergency response services. Representatives from the Laigaip MP’s office, Enga PHA, and Catholic Health Services attended the event. Notable attendees included EPHA Board Chairman and Deputy Provincial Administrator Mr. Kenneth Andrew, Director of Public Health Dr. Betty Koka, Medical Superintendent of Laiagam District Hospital Dr. Yau Besawe, and Ancillary Bishop of the Wabag Diocese, Bishop Justin Ain. Speaking on behalf of Akem, Executive Officer and District Project Coordinator, Mr. Londari Lasala highlighted the significance of holding the ceremony on church grounds. He emphasized that the MP’s decision aimed to prevent misuse of government assets and ensure services were delivered through proper channels. "The two main reasons are God's way and the system’s way," said Lasala. "Every service delivered should glorify the Lord and our Saviour, so all glory be to Him. Secondly, the system’s way is about using the proper government structures to ensure effective service delivery." "We do not need to bypass systems and claim to serve the people, as this often results in government assets falling into the wrong hands and wasting taxpayers' money," he elaborated EPHA Board Chairman Mr. Kenneth Andrew praised the initiative, calling it a “new and promising approach” to leadership. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in ensuring services reach the people efficiently. Bishop Justin Ain echoed this sentiment, urging the community to take responsibility for maintaining public assets. Mr. Andrew further emphasized the importance of such partnerships in ensuring services reach the people through the right channels. He appealed to all leaders to collaborate not only with Enga PHA but also with other government institutions to ensure that public funds are allocated efficiently and effectively. Meanwhile, the Ancillary Bishop of the Wabag Diocese, Bishop Justin Ain, commended the initiative taken by the Laigaip MP, calling it a positive and promising trend. He further challenged the community to take responsibility for protecting and maintaining public assets. "These are essential resources that will serve everyone in the community, especially those who rely on health centers and hospitals. It is crucial to take care of these assets so they can last and continue serving the people," urged Bishop Ain. The donation marks a significant step in strengthening healthcare services in Enga Province, reinforcing the collaboration between the government and religious institutions ahead of the opening of the new Enga Provincial Hospital.

Prime Minister James Marape has voiced his frustration over baseless criticism directed at the Government, particularly regarding the disbursement of over K529 million to Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) across Papua New Guinea. The Prime Minister stated that contrary to claims of inaction and lack of funding, his government’s track record in releasing allocated funds remains consistent and above expectations. Prime Minister Marape highlighted that out of the total budget allocation of K529,095,022 for PHAs in 2023, a substantial amount of K519,958,345 has been transferred to PHAs nationwide. He stressed that the Government has done its part to release the funds and is now calling upon PHAs to report on how these funds have been utilized to improve healthcare services in their respective provinces. “What I find insulting is that despite claims of inadequate funding, our record on delivering the funds allocated remains above par. The data speaks for itself. The funds have been transferred, and now we need to see tangible results,” Prime Minister Marape said. He called on Provincial Health Administrators to assess the status of health services provided under their jurisdictions and provide detailed reports on the use of the funds received. Furthermore, he urged PHAs to be transparent and accountable in their financial reporting to avoid future scrutiny. “Leaders and the public continue to blame me, Deputy Prime Minister Rosso, my party, and ministers like Treasury for perceived lack of progress. However, the reality is that we have been diligent in our part. What I now need to see is the work being done with the funds received. I will not hesitate to bring in forensic accountants if these PHAs fail to properly report on their expenditures,” Prime Minister Marape warned.

The East New Britain Provincial Administration has formalized a partnership with St Joseph Training Centre in Balanataman LLG, Rabaul, through a Service Level Agreement (SLA) aimed at enhancing life skills training for women, men, and youth in local communities. This agreement strengthens efforts to equip individuals with practical skills, fostering self-reliance and community development. The signing took place yesterday at the St Joseph Training Centre at Iawakaka ward, coinciding with the Center’s 20th graduation ceremony for its cooking and sewing class. Present during the signing was ENB Provincial Administrator Levi Mano, Community Development acting Advisor Peter Tutmulai, members of the Rabaul District Management Team, Vicar General of the Rabaul Archdiocese Fr. Paul Kote and the Sisters from the Training Centre. Under the SLA, the Provincial Administration has committed K160, 000.00 to support the facilitation of training courses which includes cooking, baking, sewing and basic backyard and gardening skills. This funding will enable the center to conduct four training batches, each accommodating 40 participants. When speaking to the graduates, ENB Provincial Administrator Levi Mano emphasized on the graduation theme, “Empowered to make a difference in the society,” highlighting the significance of life skills acquired through these courses. He added that these skills would aid individuals and their families in generating income. “Today marks the beginning of your new journey. Cooking and sewing is a ministry and we must do it with love. Go forth, utilize your skills and earn from them,” Mano said. He also added that this year’s provincial budget has allocated specific funding for Family and Community Empowerment Program as a standalone initiative, which was previously included under Community Development. Meantime, the Director of St Joseph Training Centre Sr Erlinda Tuzon thanked the ENB Provincial Administration for their support and assured that they would implement the training programs in accordance with the Agreement. She also acknowledged the ongoing support from the Rabaul District Administration since the training’s inception in 2021. Sr Erlinda further said that the training programs have positively impacted many families, sharing success stories from individuals who have started their small catering and sewing businesses. She said that over the years, there has been an increase of participants not only from Rabaul district but also the other 3 districts, even from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and West New Britain Province. The next batch of training starts next month.