In response to Kiriwina Goodenough and Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa’s question regarding the hold-up to open the rural airstrip on Kiriwina Island, Transport & Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt asked Mr. Tomuriesa to write a formal letter and address what he has done so far so that he can see where the hold up is and address the issue immediately. Tomuriesa said that they were able to complete the airstrip through the District Service Improvement Program (DSIP) funds and help from the Provincial Government. “We have completed the terminal and fenced the whole airstrip." "We got a contractor to roll the airstrip and even got Kasa to down on a hire strip there." "The delay is still there, and our people are still waiting." "Its Christmas now and our people would like to see planes flying into Kiriwina Islands for their benefit.” Tomuriesa added, they have waited for about a year to open the airstrip, and they have fulfilled all the standards. He is now urging the relevant ministry to deal with the hold-ups. Meanwhile Minister Schnaubelt said, “I think if you could formally write to me in relation to what you have done so far and write to me immediately and I will stand with you to see where the blockage is and address it.”

Nineteen (19) new National St. John Ambulance (NStJA) officers graduated on Wednesday 27th November after completing a demanding 10-week Ambulance Officer Level One Course at the new National Ambulance Education College in Port Moresby city. This milestone reinforces NStJA’s mission to serve the nation by providing excellence in emergency care to Papua New Guineans in times of sickness, distress, crisis, or danger, without distinction of tribe, class, or creed. NStA Chef Medical Officer Dr. Mangu Kendino said the 19 new officers will immediately join the team, working alongside seasoned ambulance officers to gain on-road experience and on-the-job training while responding to calls in both urban and remote areas. “Now that your part of the NStJA team, this is a critical time (festive period) and emergency medical care is quite expending and diversifying and we need to do more, and you will be there as the first responders.” Dr. Kendino stated that this course was not only prepared to manage emergency but it's also about instilling the qualities in teamwork that define a true professional, and that's to create compassion, teamwork and determination. “You have completed a challenging journey. One that's tested your knowledge, your skills and your resilience. You're ready to step into a role that carries immense responsibility and an opportunity for you to make a difference.” She encouraged the graduates to continue to look crisp as they did on their graduation ceremony and congratulated the 19 graduands on their achievement. The new graduates are poised to make an immediate difference, enhancing the capacity of Papua New Guinea’s jurisdictional ambulance service to deliver life-saving care to communities across the nation. The training program combines classroom learning with practical, hands-on experience, including managing medical, trauma, and psychological emergencies. Recruits also participated in parade drills, bootcamp-style training, and physical fitness activities to instill discipline, teamwork, and the endurance required for the challenging role of an ambulance officer. Additionally, they completed an advanced safe driving course for emergency responders to ensure they can respond safely to emergencies under varied and often challenging conditions. Matt Cannon, Chief Executive of NStJA said, “These new officers are now ready to serve Papua New Guinea as they step into their roles as Trainee Ambulance Officers. They have been rigorously trained to respond to emergencies, stabilize patients, and ensure they receive timely care. This is critical in a country where access to emergency services can mean the difference between life and death.” NStJA continues to play a pivotal role as the government’s jurisdictional ambulance service, ensuring the public receives professional and timely emergency medical care. Cannon also acknowledged the vital role of the National Ambulance Education College and its trainers. “Our ambulance education team has done an outstanding job in delivering high-quality training that prepares these recruits to meet real-world challenges. Their efforts are shaping the future of emergency care in Papua New Guinea.” The program’s success has also been made possible by the generous support of key partners, including ExxonMobil PNG, which funded the Ambulance Operations Centre, the National Government, and the National Department of Health Emergency Medicine Office. These collaborations ensure NStJA continues to expand its services and provide critical care to Papua New Guineans. Further support from the Australian Federal Police through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP) has enabled NStJA paramedics to develop in-house ambulance educators, strengthening the organization's long-term capacity to train and mentor new recruits. The graduates are stepping into a vital role, serving communities in moments of crisis, from remote villages to busy urban centres. Their training ensures they are ready to respond to emergencies, uphold NStJA’s values—Care, Agility, Respect, Excellence, and Service above Self—and support the health of Papua New Guineans.

The Miss Bird of Paradise (MBoP) PNG 2024 pageant hosted its sponsors night over the weekend on Saturday 23rd in Port Moresby city, to thank and acknowledge all the sponsors for stepping up and supporting the ten (10) strong young women who are set to embark on the incredible Miss MBoP PNG journey. MBoP Deputy chair lady, Rubie Kerepa thanked all the sponsors for their unwavering support that has enabled ten beautiful women to come on board and inspire other young girls out there watching. “I want to thank all the sponsors for believing in the cause and thank you for gracing your hands to support our young ladies. I know that it is difficult now, we all know what our country’s challenges are going through but to come on board and dig deep into your pockets to support a cause that's not just about beauty but a platform that advocates for our children, especially those living with disabilities,” stated Kerepa. She said, the MBoP platform is also an avenue to support the young women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education. And just within a year, Kerepa stated that they have heard and had a lot of amazing stories and are excited about the pageants future and where it is headed. “We are committed to making sure that we give more potential and more opportunities for more girls to come on board and take this further.” She encouraged the ten contestants saying, “As you pursue your dreams, you are not forgetting the other little/young girls at the back. The miss Bird of Paradise is about uplifting each other up.” Kerepa acknowledged all the sponsors supporting the young ladies and also thanked KPMG for administering the MBoP account and Hannah’s Beauty Box for their hair and makeup. The ten contestants are as follows: · Miss Michaelyne Marum as Miss BNN Foundation 2024 · Miss Natalie Mwayawa as Miss Edible Planets Limited 2024 · Miss Caitlen Latumahina as Miss Kumul Communications Limited 2024 · Miss Getta Kambar as Miss Datec 2024 · Miss Christy Leslie as Miss Hannah’s Beauty Box 2024 · Miss Nevielly Kavop as Miss Popular Travel 2024 · Miss Yasmine Tabogani as Miss DataCo 2024 · Miss Jan-Khyara Sitapai as Miss Simberi Gold Company Limited 2024 · Miss Jerry Joyce as Miss IBS University 2024. · Miss May Torowi Hasola as Miss Paradise 2024

Central Governor Rufina Peter has reaffirmed that her government is committed to Integral Human Development through investments in the educational, physical, and spiritual development of her constituents. The latest one being the K1 million presented to Sir Moi Avei, the Chairman of the Metago Working Committee, for the advancement of Phase 2 of the Metago Theological Bible College. The presentation took place on Wednesday November 20th, 2024, at the college site along the LNG corridor in Central Province. The source of funding is the PNG LNG Provincial Development Levy. This funding is a critical step in fulfilling Governor Peter’s vision of investing in institutions that combine theological studies and academic excellence, fostering leaders equipped to serve both church and community. The Metago Theological Bible College is strategically located to benefit the province’s growing population and the surrounding LNG communities, underscoring the province’s dedication to empowering its people through education. Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Peter highlighted the significance of theological education in setting and shaping the moral values of society in the current environment of increased and widespread violence and breakdown in law and order faced by many Papua New Guinean's nationwide. “With the issues and challenges facing the country today, we will start to expect the visibility of churches in contributing to addressing these bad behaviors while looking inward at the lives we live as an individual as a testament of our faith," said the governor. "The church really needs to stand up and stand out and say this is what we can contribute, the church really needs to stand firm and be the beacon of hope for all. It comes down to everyone doing their part; from the parents at home to the community we live in, our workspace and ultimately the church and the Metago Theological Bible College will be a beacon of hope and opportunity for Central Province, cultivating spiritual leaders and scholars who will contribute to our province’s growth and development.” The K1 million contribution is part of a larger plan to enhance the college’s infrastructure, including classrooms, dormitories, and a library. This funding builds upon the achievements of Phase 1, which was completed at a cost of K6 million. The upcoming Phase 2 requires an estimated K17 million, with efforts underway to bridge the gap. Speaking on behalf of the working committee, Hiri Koiari MP Keith Iduhu shared an overview of the project’s progress and aspirations. “This project is a testimony of faith and perseverance. While Phase 1 laid the foundation, Phase 2 presents a tall order, but we are making progress. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to our vision,” he said. Former politician and elder statesman, Chairman Sir Moi Ave, thanked Governor Rufina Peter and the Central Provincial Government for the generous contribution which is a blessing for the Metago community and for the province at large. The investment made by the Central Provincial Government is not just an investment in infrastructure but in the lives of future leaders who will spread the light of knowledge and faith throughout communities. The project’s Phase 2 will build upon the foundation laid during its initial development, ensuring that the college meets national standards for theological education. The province continues to navigate the opportunities and challenges brought by resource development in the LNG corridor, and initiatives like the Metago Theological Bible College serve as a reminder of the importance of balancing economic progress with social and spiritual enrichment.

With only three (3) weeks of matches left in the Eastern Papua Cup (EPC) tournament, week two (2) of the competitions ran smoothly this weekend as the ladies played their best to secure spots on the ladder. In the women’s division pool-1, Bomatu FC beat Kula FC 1-0 in a close contest and FC Mix Tribe closed off another game with a win against Galea on Saturday 23rd November 2024. Bomatu FC came off to a good start and had more ball possessions but were fended off in many goal attempts after strong defence plays from Kula FC blocking their attempts. Both halves of the match saw no promise for the teams to secure any points in the game but after a silly foul was flagged by the referee in the last minutes of the second half, Bomatu took the advantage and secured their first win of the season through a penalty shot. Meanwhile, reigning champions FC Mix Tribe came out victorious again after taking down Galea 2-0. Despite the burning sun, both teams played their best. Galea FC put up a good fight by only allowing FC Mix Tribe to score two goals in each of the halves. After round one of the competitions, the women’s pool-1 progressive ladder is as follows: 1-FC Mix Tribe 2-Galea 3-Kasamadagi 4-Bomatu 5-Kula 6-28 Plus

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has responded to the Prime Minister’s concerns about his prudent management of K100 million in his provincial budget. ESPG Bird stated, “Unfortunately, I don't read the PMs public statements anymore because they are mass produced and quite frankly, not worth reading. So, I missed this one until someone pointed out that I should respond. Apparently, I hit a raw nerve somewhere to attract the ire of the PM.” “Unlike PM JM, I believe in transparency and good governance. So when project funds come to the province we ensure they are spent in the right places.” He said, the Provincial Government does not have the luxury to misappropriate funds and pass a supplementary budget to legalize the misappropriation at the end of the year. Thus, they also hardly receive any PIP funds, but when they do, Bird stated that he insists on Public Servants using the funds for the benefit of the people following the Public Finance Management rules, so funds are not stolen or misappropriated. ICAC made a statement earlier this year that up to K5 billion a year of public funds is misappropriated in PNG annually (The National, September 26, 2024). “Thankfully that misappropriation did not occur in ESP”, said ESPG Bird. “Just this week, the Ombudsman Commission directed an investigation into a payment listing that looks a lot like ‘thank you’ for political support costing the country over K250 million.” “I wonder how often this practice has occurred under the management of our good PM?” “PM JM knows very well that the work of MPs is oversight, not micromanagement. Implementation is the work of the Public Service. It's not my job to award contracts, supervise work or raise cheques.” “Perhaps because he is micromanaging the country, he expects all MPs to do the same. Some of us are trained in management, we know where the boundaries are, I have never once interfered with the operations of any public servants in ESP” “I let them do their job. They can be slow, and I don't like it, but I won't give them a list of people to pay.” Meanwhile, Governor Bird said, in terms of service delivery in ESP, the following services need significant improvement. They are: 1. Law Enforcement, 2. Electricity supplies, 3. Water supplies in town, 4. Lack of Foreign exchange, 5. Lack of fuel supplies, 6. Maintenance of National highways He said, “last time I checked, these are all National Government responsibilities: not Provincial.” “On that note, let me say how pleased I am that NEC will be awarding the tenders for our Sepik Roads soon. I hope the tender amounts will be paid into a trust account to ensure the contractors get paid and not have them waiting at DOW for many months to be paid as is the current practice.” “So can the PM kindly spell out which Provincial Government responsibilities we have failed to deliver on?”, said Governor Bird. He further stated that instead of worrying about K100m that they have been carefully ensuring does not get stolen or squandered because of lack of Implementation, perhaps PM Marape should be more concerned about the billions of kina that are going missing every year under his watch. “I also fail to understand how PM JM tries to equate leadership with how much money you can spend. Is he saying that if I blindly spent all K100m I would’ve done a good job? Perhaps this is the practice in Hela province.” "Since it is common knowledge, our good PM is selectively managing all warrants in Treasury and the cash in Finance, I am sure he knows precisely who is getting paid and when," said Governor Bird. “He can start by coming clean on the K250m that is now under investigation by the OC. And perhaps he might care to shed light on how hundreds of millions were paid to Paraka Lawyers under his watch and direction without clearance from the Attorney General, without tender and without contract.” He said, worrying about a province being careful not to waste limited funding without due process should be the least of his concerns. “If anything, he should be pleased that ESPG under my watch respects the rule of law, protects public funds and ensures they are spent as intended, for the public good. Not paying out cronies and political supporters using questionable invoices and documents. Let me repeat, implementation is the responsibility of the line department, in this case the ESPA.” All funds have been committed for expenditure and now that the PM is interested in these funds, I am certain the ESP public servants will make haste in spending the money according to the proper rules and processes. Governor Bird said, his responsibility remains governance and oversight. Not implementation. If the Sepik people had issues with his management of the province, they would not have elected him with an absolute majority in 2022. “I didn't need warlords with guns, intimidation or stuffing of ballot boxes to achieve that outcome.” International donors prefer to work with an honest and transparent government, and therefore, ESPG continues to enjoy the confidence of international donors and partners. “I am proud that even while PNG is regarded as one the most corrupt nations in the world, the ESPG does not share that distinction.

Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paki Molumi stressed that PMGH will assist the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA) where necessary to ensure that the newly established Metoreia Health Centre is fully functioning to relieve PMGH. This after clinical coordinators from PMGH, in collaboration with staff from the NCDPHA, conducted a tour of the Metoreia Health Centre, a Level 3 hospital located in Hanuabada, recently. The tour was led by NCDPHA CEO Dr. Robin Oge and PMGH Director of Medical Services Dr. Kone Sobi, who inspected each room, focusing on equipment and facilities dedicated to maternal and child health services. Dr. Sobi commended all contributors to the development of the health centre. “I acknowledge everyone who contributed to making this facility a reality. It is a small step in the right direction for health care delivery in the city and the country as a whole.” “In particular, we are most grateful to the Australian government for funding this project and all leaders who contributed to this development,” stated Dr. Sobi. Meanwhile, Dr. Molumi added that this initiative was to strengthen the patient referral pathway to reduce the load at PMGH. Dr. Robin Oge thanked PMGH for their support and said he looked forward to working closely with the clinicians to improve health services. Once the health centre is operational, it will significantly improve access to health services for the residents of Hanuabada and nearby communities. The tour concluded with a visit to the 6-Mile Clinic to inspect the newly constructed tuberculosis (TB) clinic and ward.

The Indonesian Navy Hospital Ship KRI, Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-911, provided free medical examinations and treatment to many citizens of the nation's capital. The event began on Monday, November 18, and lasted today, Tuesday, November 19, at the old Container Wharf. According to Yohana Alesia Kadakolo, a student working on the ship, the hospital ship visited the Solomon Islands first then went to Fiji, Vanuatu and then to Papua New Guinea. “All Papua New Guinea citizens are welcomed to come here for free general medical checkup or want dental checkup. We visited four countries.” “PNG is the last. So we went to Solomon, second is Fiji, Vanuatu and the last one is PNG.” “So, from here we are going back to Indonesia.” The services include general exams, dental care, CT scan, X-Ray and many more. The navy medical stuff on board attended to the people quickly and effectively while also checking that their needs are met. For the last two days, more than 500 individuals from various backgrounds came to the ship for quick and effective examinations and care. Two mortuaries, separate wards for men and women, more than five surgical rooms, a CT scan, an X-ray, a dental room, and many other facilities are all included in the hospital ship. The hospital ship will depart tomorrow Wednesday, 19 November for Indonesia.

Reigning champions, the FC Mix Tribe women’s team remained undefeated over the weekend after securing two (2) straight wins in the Eastern Papua Cup (EPC) tournament with the outcome of both matches 6-0 respectively. Their first match on Saturday 16th November at the UPNG oval saw the ladies take on 28 Plus FC, much to the likes of Mix Tribe’s hat-trick goal scorer Emma Kila and Daphne Ambrose, Ruth Obaoba and Valisandra Aipi scoring one (1) goal each for their team. The ladies played a solid defence, making it difficult for the girls from 28 Plus FC to score a goal despite the intense heat. Returning for another clash against the gentle Kasamadagi FC girls, FC Mix Tribe got away with another win 6-0 at fulltime. The start of the match, Emma Kila couldn’t resist to score another hat-trick for her side while Lisi Robert, Valisandra Aipi and Lilly Haro scored one goal each. Though the young Kasamadagi’s fought hard, Mix Tribe were persistent to keep their scoring spree on a high with a submission of six (6) goals. Under the leadership Camillina Mwadeda, the team compromises mostly youths and a few mothers. Creating a pathway for the young people to come and showcase their talents and skills, Camillina hopes that with this year’s theme: “Embracing Change, Moving Forward,” helps to execute her goals for the team to stay on top of their game and to enjoy the sport of football as well.

Leader of the Opposition Douglas Tomuriesa has acknowledged and accepted the decision by Our United Revolution (OUR) Party MPs, led by party leader Rainbo Paita, to return to the Government and support Prime Minister James Marape’s leadership. Tomuriesa said that while it was unfortunate to see MPs return to the Government after vigorously demanding for a change in leadership, it remained a party decision on what they believe their principles and policies are to contribute to national development. Tomuriesa said: “The Opposition appreciates the contributions OUR Party brought to the Alternative Government, and that appreciation was ultimately demonstrated in September when we supported Mr. Paita as the Alternative Prime Minister.” “We also thank the 14 MPs who are led by Mr. Paita and their provisional support of our goal to #SavePNG from incompetent leadership ruining this country.” “The Opposition maintains a good working relationship with all MPs, and we wish them well in their next endeavours.” “Although the Opposition has fewer MPs as a result of this decision, it by no means decreases our voice, our commitment, or our values toward holding the Government accountable.” “But it must be said how the continuous weaponisation of DSIP and development funds by Mr. Marape is a significant factor forcing MPs to retreat to Government.” “Any MP who has spent time with us in the Opposition will attest to the vindictive treatment by Mr. Marape and his close allies.” “Nonetheless, we still remain steadfast in our goal to make PNG better than it has been over these five disastrous years.” Tomuriesa also called on the Prime Minister to make changes to his cabinet now that he has greater choices to improve his executive management. “The MPs going back to Government know very well what needs to be done to fix this country.” “Through our many caucus meetings and policy deliberations, these MPs know what it takes to turn this country around.” “There is a wealth of experience and expertise within OUR Party, and now being the second largest party in Parliament, surpassing United Resources Party and other coalition partners, we expect the Prime Minister to recognise this through a revamped NEC.” “Examples include Paita’s long service as Finance and Planning, Sir John Pundari also as former Finance Minister and capabilities to serve in any capacity, WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel’s experience as former State Enterprises Minister bringing many reforms, Lohia Boe Samuel’s extensive business experience may prove beneficial to commerce and industry – in the same vein Theo Pelgen, Marsh Narewec’s communication and technology experience, Isi Henry Leonard’s potential to serve in the fisheries and tourism sector, and many more informed appointments Mr. Marape could potentially make,” said Tomuriesa. In closing, Tomuriesa also informed the public that the Opposition is preparing its budget response for the final sitting of Parliament and will be disputing several controversial decisions made by the Government since the last sitting.

In a fiercely contested encounter at the UPNG oval, the Solgen FC men's team defeated Ocean Blue FC 2-0 in their first match on the second day of the Eastern Papua Cup tournament. Both teams had a thrilling first half, with the Solgen FC players battling hard for goal attempts but only managing to score their first goal through captain Martin Tokwakwasi. Their opponents, Ocean Blue FC put up a strong defence and tried their best to equalize but could not, due to tight defense from both backlines. Coming back after a much-needed break, both teams came back with the same display and attitude in the first half, but two silly mistakes from Ocean Blue FC earned the Solgen FC players two (2) penalty shots but were unsuccessful due to the strong defense from the Ocean boys. Despite the burning heat in the afternoon hours, Solgen FC came back after two unsuccessful penalty shots and scored their second goal through Nagi Kaniyoisi in the last dying minutes of the match. Meanwhile, despite Ocean Blue FC remaining scoreless in both halves, they put up a good fight and strong defence in the match, taking the fulltime score 2-0.

Youth in North Fly District of Western Province participated in a four-day volleyball tournament. This year's second North Fly MP volleyball tournament took place from October 31 to November 3 with the goal of encouraging young people in the North Fly District to show off their undeveloped skills and develop as athletes. Twenty-two (22) teams which included 11 female teams, and 11 male teams challenged each other both in men and women’s division. This volleyball tournament was held at the Drimdamesuk village situated at East Awin village along the Fly River outskirts of Kiunga town. In men’s division, Team Fly River 1 and Team Gii both played tough, winning two sets each, leading to thrilling fifth set where Fly River 1 won in men’s division. In Women’s division, Fly River 1 played hard and remain victorious over Team Tionams, winning three sets to one. After all the grand finals, Fly River 1 won the volleyball cup topping other participating teams. The grand finals ended on a high note and cash prizes were awarded to all participating teams in appreciation for their participation in this year’s district tournament. North Fly District Administrator Greg Isau officiated the event and appreciated all youths saying such sporting event demonstrated strong community support, youth engagement, fostering community pride and healthy activities for better change in the community. He added that North Fly youth can participate in bigger sporting event in the country if more support and opportunity is given to them. He clarified that this initiative by local MP James Donald which started with first tournament held in Kiunga last year 2023, will continue to ensure youth are better equipped in different sporting codes. North Fly District Development Authority is committed to supporting district tournament in next year’s games going forward. The venue and date for 2025 tournament is yet to be made known pending financial support for hosting the third district tournament. This volleyball tournament has improved youth in North Fly to master their skills and techniques not only in volleyball but other sporting codes.