Prime Minister (PM) James Marape who arrived back in country following his trip to Palau to see the inauguration of the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, said the whole trip was a great success. Prime Minster Marape at the press conference at the APEC Terminal in Port Moresby city after getting off the plane, said the trip was a success because of positive outcomes on talks about fisheries. Accompanied by the Fisheries Minister, Jelta Wong, the PM said the aim was to establish a pacific block in exporting fisheries product and tap into the rewards of the 30% export of tuna from the pacific to the world market. The PNG team had a strategic intent going to Palau, using the trip as part of plans to maximize tuna exports. “It was part of our bigger game plan to mobilize our pacific fisheries resources into a power block in as far as pacific resources are concerned,” said the PM. “That is getting momentum as we speak and I want to confirm that the Micronesian nations as well as PNG, Solomon Islands, are deep in that conversation.” Sometime next month, Minister Wong and all the pacific island ministers will be meeting in Honiara (Solomon Islands) to progress this agenda to mobilize all fisheries resources so that they can be processed here in PNG, strategically to develop marine downstream processing of fisheries in PNG. “Minister Maru (Richard Maru), Minister Wong are working in that space. Pacific Maritime Zone will be the first place of development as well as potentially Rabaul, Kieta, Lae and other parts of our coastal areas.” He further reiterated that the trip to Palau was important because like other Micronesian countries, Palau has a vast ocean territory where fisheries resources can be extracted. “Population wise, they may be small, but they are a big block in the total fisheries and tuna supply to the world.” “We want to get all of them together, so we have a united approach in as far as fisheries resources are concerned for us to supply into the market, nearby and far away.

The relationship Papua New Guinea (PNG) has with its closest neighbour Indonesia, is expected to be strengthened even further this year onwards. According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko, with the 50th Independence Anniversary this year, PNG seeks to strengthen its relations with other countries, and one of these bilateral partner nations is Indonesia. “We look forward to embarking and making our relationship with Indonesia in trade and in commerce, in social, in education, in health in a bigger way,” the minister said. “Indonesia has been neglected by a long time in our bilateral and security and other arrangements. We’re going to strengthen that like never before.” PNG and Indonesia share a land border, and it is only proper that both countries further strengthen trade and bilateral ties in the name of mutual benefit. “That is happening, and I am really proud it’s happening. We look forward to Indonesia being a bigger part of our foreign policy.” What the good minister said further strengthened what Prime Minister James Marape had said when he met with the now Indonesia President, Prabowo Subianto, following his election early in 2024. In August 2024, Subianto, who was then president elect, visited PNG where he and Prime Minister Marape held bilateral talks where both leaders conversed on having a much stronger bilateral relationship going forward. In that meeting both leaders agreed to continue the respect of the sovereignty of both nations as PNG and Indonesia share a common land border and common people to people tie. That bilateral meeting comprised of discussions on education scholarships for PNG students, increase in trade visits to and from Indonesia, and a look into downstream processing for PNG with Indonesia’s assistance. The country has maintained good relations with Indonesia since 1975 when PNG became independent, and now that the country in marking its 50th anniversary, it's time to fine tune that relationship. Nevertheless, 2025 just commenced and the good minister said much is expected, not just with Indonesia, but with the other bilateral partner countries as well.

Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has given assurance that his government will continue to work towards enabling a conducive environment for the country’s manufacturing sector to further grow. In a statement released by his office, Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the significant challenges highlighted by the Manufacturers Council of Papua New Guinea (PNG) regarding economic barriers faced by the country’s manufacturing sector and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to removing structural obstacles and creating a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive. “The concerns raised by the Manufacturers Council are valid and well understood. We recognize that high operational costs, regulatory uncertainty, and inadequate infrastructure continue to impede the growth of our manufacturing sector and other industries,” Prime Minister Marape said. The PM emphasized that PNG’s manufacturing sector is crucial for broadening the country’s economic base beyond resource extraction and reducing reliance on imports. He reiterated his government’s focus on economic diversification, job creation, and empowering local businesses to participate more meaningfully in national development. “The Government is actively working to reduce the cost of doing business in PNG by improving budgetary processes, fiscal management, and reducing bureaucratic red tape. This includes ensuring that state agencies operate efficiently and do not interfere unnecessarily with private sector operations,” Prime Minister Marape said. “We are committed to improving trade-related infrastructure — roads, ports, and electricity — to reduce production costs and improve market access. The Government is currently pursuing public-private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate infrastructure investments across the country. The Prime Minister highlighted land access issues as a key focus of ongoing reforms. “We understand that secure access to land is critical for manufacturing and other industries to expand. The Government is working with traditional landowners and land agencies to streamline land tenure processes and make land more accessible for economic development,” he said. “The regulatory framework is also being reviewed to ensure policy stability and reduce compliance burdens on businesses.” Prime Minister Marape acknowledged that law and order challenges remain a major deterrent to investment and that addressing crime and corruption is high on the Government’s agenda. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving security for businesses and communities through increased police recruitment, training, and resourcing. “We must ensure that our people are skilled and educated to participate fully in economic opportunities,” Prime Minister Marape said. He outlined efforts to improve literacy levels, vocational training, and business skills development to empower Papua New Guineans to engage in entrepreneurship and business ownership.” The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to PNG’s Vision 2050, emphasizing inclusive and sustainable development across all sectors. “We are not blind to the barriers that hinder economic growth in our country. My government is actively working on reforms to address these issues — from land reforms, regulatory improvements, infrastructure development, and enhancing law and order. We are investing in our people, our businesses, and our future. “Our goal is simple: to make Papua New Guinea a better, safer, and more attractive place to do business, while ensuring that the benefits of economic growth reach every Papua New Guinean.” Prime Minister Marape called on the private sector, development partners, and all Papua New Guineans to work together with the Government in achieving shared prosperity.

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) is working very closely with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) in investigating an illicit drug case involving a senior army officer. This was stated by the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Rear Admiral Philip Polewara in a statement, when commenting on investigations into the alleged drug possession case of Col. Paul Iatau. The CDF in that statement made it clear that the case is now a Police matter. “The military police are working closely with their civilian counterparts to assist the process and ensure that the case is brought to a closure,” said the CDF. Rear Admiral Polewara further clarified that the National Executive Council (NEC) has already discharged Col. Iatau as a senior officer of the Defence Force in 2024 following the drug possession allegations. “As such, the charges laid against him by the Police is his personal liability and the officer will answer to the charges as laid. The PNGDF is under no obligation to assist him on those matters,” the Rear Admiral clarified.

The Defence Organization was prompted to investigate following serious allegations of misconduct that lead to a physical confrontation just recently at the Murray Barracks Headquarters in Port Moresby city. The Minister for Defence Dr. Billy Joseph confirmed that eight (officers from the Defence Ministry are being investigated for allegations of paying themselves Annual Recreation Leave (ARL) and leaving other Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) members out. The Minister said the allegations were being investigated as well as the conduct of the soldiers last Friday 10th January at the Headquarters. “Again, the ugly head of ill-discipline in our force has shown up at Murray Barracks. We have set process in place to deal with issues in PNGDF,” the Minister said. In relation to the entitlements of the soldiers and allowances, the Minister explained that the warrants were released late to defence and PFMA shut down for the festive period just opened recently, so they are working on getting soldiers allowances and entitlements paid. The Minister was also not happy with the actions of the soldiers saying, PNGDF will not be a place for ill-disciplined and unprofessional people who resort to violence and mob behaviour. Minister Joseph also stressed the importance of Government releasing funding immediately after an emergency call out is issued. “Otherwise, we will have to seriously consider withdrawing all soldiers on call outs to prevent such incidents,” he said. Minister Joseph further reminded soldiers that in 1990, soldiers who were fighting in Bougainville received only K30 to K40 per day allowances. “This has significantly increased to K150-200/day and the risks are quite low. As long as base salaries are not affected; the allowances will still be paid so there is no need to express frustration by assaulting civilian staff or destroying properties. It will only get them into trouble,” the minister said. Meanwhile, one year on from Black Wednesday, and the fears of any uprising was on the minds of everyone after allegations of soldiers protesting at Murray Barracks went viral on social media platforms across Port Moresby last Friday January 10th. However, all the allegations were extinguished as the soldiers did not do anything but protest quietly at Murray Barracks. Their protest last Friday morning was over outstanding Annual Recreation Leave (ARL) entitlements for some of the soldiers. The aggrieved soldiers gathered at the Murray Barracks after they heard that some of their colleagues in Department of Defence got their ARL and they didn't. The soldiers dispersed after voicing their grievances.

Telikom Limited is all set for roll out a lot of new initiatives and promotions in 2025 as it continues to embark on its rebranding and transformation. This was made known yesterday at a small but significant reopening ceremony of Telikom’s rebranded shop at the Jackson International Terminal in Port Moresby city. Telikom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Amos Tepi who officiated at the ceremony, highlighted the significance of the company’s ongoing rebranding efforts, stating that the new look, featuring Telikom’s signature blue branding, aligns with the wave of transformation that is happening. “We are committed to providing accessible, reliable and customer- friendly services,” said the CEO. “This rebranding and reopening symbolize our dedication to staying connected with our customers and enhancing their journey, whether they are arriving, departing, or just passing through.” Telikom Board Chairman Mr. Cedric Rondoke made similar remarks and assured Telikom customers to expect more this year with the rebranding. “It gives me great pleasure to see this new image going forward in 2025,” he openly expressed before cutting the ribbon to the rebranded shop. Reflecting on Telikom’s journey over the years from the PTC days to present, he acknowledged that a lot has been done by so many people over the years and this reopening, marks a line of activities for Telikom this year going forward as the state-owned company continues to provide for its customers and the country as a whole.

The government will be hosting the 9th Public Service Dedication Service tomorrow, Friday 10th January, using the event to mobilize public servants nationwide to prepare for the country’s 50th independence anniversary and refocusing the future of the public service. Minister for Public Service, Joseph Sungi, in a press conference yesterday said it is important to start off the year with God and urged the 130, 000 plus public servants throughout the country to take time to observe the day and hear the message Prime Minister James Marape will be delivering tomorrow. He said the dedication service will also set the tone for all public servants to prepare for the country’s 50th anniversary. "This week is to target our public servants to reflect back on the 50 years and look at what we are going to do in the next 50 years, starting this year,” said the minister. He added that the public servants play significant role in service delivery and development, and all must appreciate that and continue to work towards the betterment of the country and the people. Meantime, this year’s dedication service theme is “Year of Restoration in the Public Sector” and will be held at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex in Port Moresby city, starting at 8am and wrapping up at 1pm. All public servants in the National Capital District (NCD) are encouraged to attend in person. All attendees are required to wear their respective corporate attire to showcase unity and professionalism. The Public Service Dedication Service 2025 is not just an event but a call to action for public servants to rededicate themselves to service excellence. It serves as an opportunity to inspire a shared vision of restoration, unity, and commitment, reaffirming the government’s dedication to uphold the highest standards in the public sector.

The main suspect in the killing of a police officer in Tari in the Hela Province late last year, has voluntarily surrendered to police. This was announcement by Hela Provincial Member Philip Undialu and Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Robin Bore. Meantime, Prime Minister James Marape has come out to commend the Hela community for their cooperation in assisting police to have the suspect involved in the tragic killing of the police officer, handing himself over to the police. He described the community’s efforts as a powerful example of how citizens and law enforcement can work together to uphold justice. “I commend the people of Hela for not harbouring a criminal and for assisting police in bringing the suspect to justice. This reflects the growing maturity of our communities, showing that we do not tolerate violence, especially against officers of the law,” Prime Minister Marape said. The Prime Minister acknowledged the suspect for surrendering to police, emphasizing that this act of accountability allows the legal process to take its course. “This is an example of justice working through collaboration between police, the community, and even the suspect himself. The people of Hela have shown that no criminal should be shielded, and justice must be served through lawful means.” Hela Provincial Member Philip Undialu said the suspected murderer voluntarily surrendered to police and community leaders within 24 hours of launching of the manhunt. Undialu also assures the grieving family and relatives of the late police officer, George Lapon, that justice would prevail. The suspect, Tasi Parobi had been the one admitting to the killing in a video recording that went viral on social media in the last few weeks. Prime Minister Marape also made a heartfelt appeal to families and communities in Hela, Poroma, and Nipa to remain calm and allow the justice system to work. “To the family of the late policeman, please know that Hela grieves with you. Not every person in Hela or Tari-Pori supported this tragic act. The community has done the right thing by helping police capture the perpetrator. Now, we must let the courts do their work,” he said. Marape reassured the family of the slain policeman that customary obligations will be honoured, and support will be provided for the family’s welfare. The Prime Minister concluded with a message of unity and accountability, calling on all communities to work with police and the government to strengthen law and order in the country. “If we all take responsibility for reporting crimes and supporting the police, there will be no place for criminals to hide in this country. This is the Hela way — working together to ensure justice is served while keeping peace and harmony in our communities,” he said. “I thank everyone who has contributed to this process, including community leaders, councillors, and public servants like Mr. John Tipa, who have shown strong leadership. Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer PNG.”

Production output at Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is expected to increase further with the recent installation of the new Ball Mill Units. OTML replaced two of its 40-year-old Ball Mill Units at a cost of USD$14.59 million with the new ones that will bolster the mine’s processing operations and production output and generate revenue for its shareholders. The project was led by the Processing Maintenance Department with the support of other OTML departments and local contractors. Manager, Processing Maintenance Department, Joe Aufo said over the years, repair and maintenance were conducted, including partial major component replacements but a complete replacement was never done. “This is a milestone achievement for the team as both Ball Mill 1B and 2A have never been completely replaced since they were first installed in the early days of the mine. And we did that in almost two months without any safety incidents and we also finished the installation of the Ball Mill 1B two weeks ahead of the scheduled completion date.” Mr. Aufo thanked the teams who completed this project and cited the opportunity for young members who took the lead in planning and executing such a historic project. He added that such projects also offered a learning opportunity for many of the team members to upskill themselves. General Manager Operations, Ben Burger commended the team for the successful project completion, stating that they can be proud of their contribution to these projects that ultimately support OTML’s vision and production targets. This project’s completion will see the ball mills production increased by USD$ 150,000 per day when both new ball mill units are functioning. OTML is projecting a K40 billion revenue to be generated over the next 27 years, thus the successful completion of strategic improvement projects like this will further support the realization of revenue for the impact communities, and the people of Papua New Guinea.

The New Year just started and already there are a lot of reports coming out about violent crimes being committed including killings, something which the prime minister has come out to strongly condemn. Prime Minister James Marape in a statement strongly condemns these recent reports of violence and killings, particularly the tragic incidents in the Goilala District of Central province. The Prime Minister is calling on all Papua New Guineans to reject violence and adhere to lawful and peaceful ways of resolving disputes, emphasizing that taking another person’s life is never a solution to grievances. “As a Christian nation, we are guided by Christian principles, and one of the fundamental teachings is that life is sacred. Taking another person’s life to resolve a grievance or dispute is not only illegal but also morally wrong,” Prime Minister Marape said. “We saw in the Book of Genesis, when Cain killed Abel, God did not strike him down. Instead, God imposed a punishment and warned that greater punishment would fall on anyone who tried to harm Cain. This teaches us that taking matters into your own hands through violence is never justified.” Prime Minister Marape says communities must refrain from resorting to violence, especially tribal conflicts that result in loss of lives. He stressed the importance of following legal processes and reporting grievances to the police rather than taking the law into one's own hands. “The recent images from Goilala are deeply concerning. We must not allow tribal conflicts and violent retaliation to become the norm. If you feel you’ve been wronged, take the matter to the nearest police station,” he said. “If the nearest police station lacks the capacity to respond, it must escalate the matter to a higher authority within the police hierarchy that can provide the necessary support.” The Prime Minister also acknowledges that police response times can sometimes be slow due to capacity issues, but he reassures citizens that all reported matters will eventually be addressed. "Even if it takes time, police will eventually get around to dealing with those who commit offences in our society. Do not lose faith in the system. Report your grievances to the police, and let the law take its course,” he said. Prime Minister Marape highlighted that taking the law into one’s own hands only leads to more violence and prolonged disputes, which further destabilize communities. As Papua New Guinea approaches its 50th Independence Anniversary, Prime Minister Marape calls on all citizens to reflect on the values of peace, respect, and unity that have held the nation together for five decades. “Our nation is preparing to celebrate 50 years of independence. Let us not taint this milestone with violence and bloodshed. Let us recommit to building a more peaceful and united Papua New Guinea,” he said. “Violence will not build our country. Unity, respect for the law, and a commitment to peace will.” The Prime Minister concluded by reminding citizens that life is precious and sacred, and every effort must be made to protect it. “We must reject violence in all its forms. Let us follow the teachings of our Christian faith and the laws of our country. Report crimes to the police, trust the process, and know that justice will come in time. Life is a gift from God—no one has the right to take it away,” he said.

In an effort to reduce the cost of goods sold on shop shelves throughout the country, the country’s consumer watchdog will embark on a pricing review of stevedoring and handling services this year. According to the Minister for Rural and Economic Development, Joseph Lelang, this price review exercise will be carried out by the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC) in early 2025. “This should lead to a significant reduction in the rates and charges imposed by the stevedoring and handling businesses at declared ports throughout the country,” said the minister. “This is important, and we expect that through this review, it should lead to a reduction in the high-cost structure in our country that often find their way into the final prices of goods sold in our shops, causing inflation.” Stevedoring and handling services involve the cargo operations, which is the loading and unloading of cargoes on ships. It also includes the other various dockside functions that carries its own costs, which are usually then passed on to the consumers in the mark up costs in shops. The good minister said the ICCC was allocated K3 million in the 2025 National Budget and will use this massive funding allocation to carry out this exercise plus other tasks that the ICCC will be undertaking this year.

Ok Tedi Mine Limited (OTML) for over 40 years continues to ensure Papua New Guinea’s next generation of mining engineers and administrators get the necessary training to further develop the country’s mining sector. Currently, nine (9) undergraduate students from the University of Technology and two (2) from the Pacific Adventist University (PAU) are undergoing their Industrial Training Program with Ok Tedi Mining Limited as part of the Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (USS). General Manager Strategic Business Development & Optimization, Alan Bong officially welcomed the undergraduates at the Dr. Weiss Training Centre in Tabubil on the 24th of November 2024. “We are committed to developing PNG’s human resource and have an excellent training program and while we are glad to be a part of your training, it will require your 100% input as well. If you contribute 100% of your efforts, commitment and discipline and ensure that you learn as much as you can, you will fulfil your purpose of being here,” Mr. Bong said. Of the 11 students, two (2) are from the disciplines of Mining Engineering, three (3) from Civil Engineering, 1 from Mineral Processing, 1 from Applied Physics & Electronics, 1 from Electrical & Communication, 1 from Surveying, 1 from Chemistry and 1 from Environmental Science. The students will spend 3 months of Industrial Training attached with various OTML departments for a unique opportunity to combine their academic studies with hands-on industry experience, ensuring they develop both the technical and leadership skills necessary to thrive in the global mining sector. The Undergraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is an initiative of OTML to help support high performing students attending tertiary institutions in PNG that offer disciplines relevant to OTML work areas. The Program aims to assist students with work exposures while ensuring OTML maintains an industry-institution relationship with respective universities that provide graduates into its training programs and career. The USS commenced in 2007 and reintroduced in 2023 following a hiatus after 2014, OTML has invested over K830, 000 in the USS program, sponsoring 60 undergraduate students so far. OTML is a 100% PNG owned mine and is committed to developing PNG’s human resource and further improving its industry-institution relations to ensure market-ready graduates are produced to enter the workforce across the country or globally.