PNG Air, one of the country’s longest serving airline operators marked its 35 years of service to the country recently, celebrating its achievements as it evolved over the years from an island air charter business to one of the major commercial airliners in Papua New Guinea. Speaking during the 35th Anniversary celebrations on Thursday night in Port Moresby, the airliner’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Stanley Stevens, said the company will continue to navigate through the challenges and will endeavor to make the right changes going into the future for its customers and the country. The airline company’s humble beginning started in the Milne Bay province when the Wild family from Australia started the Milne Bay Air, known back then as MBA, in 1987. The airline operated by transported personnel and equipment to the resource projects in Misima Gold Mine and other resource project areas in the country. It expended from there with new aircrafts and with it, expended its services to other parts of the country. In 2001, the airline expended to become Airlines PNG and later in 2015, an image change to the now PNG Air name and with it, saw the company brought in new generation aircrafts for its fleet to service its routes. “35 years of contributing to PNG’s economic growth, it means 35 years of connecting families, business, tourists, charter clients and VIP cargo across the whole country,” said the Acting CEO. However, even though the airline company saw its operations expend over the years, there were always challenges and hard times, which the company continues to face and work to overcome. The Acting CEO said the COVID-19 pandemic was tough on business but with good management strategies, they were able to pull through in a time where a lot of airline operators throughout the world closed business because of the pandemic. “We are excited for what the company has in store for the airline, as we continue to adapt and change with the times, while maintaining our position as the people’s airline and support the government’s plan to connect rural population as well as having the right type of aircrafts going forward into the future.” The Acting CEO later thanked the people and organizations that have supported PNG Air right throughout for without support and partnership, the airline company would not have come this far and now going forward into the future.

The government, through Treasury and Finance Department, must settle the outstanding rentals owed to Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) for the use of its buildings or face a closure of these builds by today (Tuesday 27th September 2022). According to the Superfund, the NSL management and the team from the government met on Monday in a formal meeting to try to resolve this matter quickly. The government owes NSL a total of K160 million of outstanding arrears owed for the use of the buildings for several years. “NSL is waiting for the state to pay the outstanding owed to the account by Monday or else the buildings will be close off Tuesday morning.” Meanwhile, a look around the city of Port Moresby on Monday saw these buildings were still open for business because the State has been given Monday to make the final payment; however, if nothing is paid in to NSL account before close of business Monday afternoon, it will be forced to close these buildings and with it, stopping vital government services. The NSL owned properties occupied by State tenants in Port Moresby city include the Revenue Haus where Internal Revenue Commission is in, and the Vulupindi Haus where the Department of Finance and Department of National Planning are located. It also owns the Eda Tano Haus where the Department of Lands and Physical Planning is in, and the AOPI Centre where the Department of Health and Department of Higher Education are located. In the city of Lae, its the NSL Haus where the Ombudsman Commission, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC), and Auditor General’s Office are located.

Badili and Town Police here in the nation’s capital are closely monitoring a very tense situation, after clashes between the villagers from Pari and Wanigela Koki this morning. Shift Supervisor, Senior Constable Pios Moses of the Badili Police station stated that units were dispatched to quell the tensions after 8 truckloads of men, presumably from Wanigela, attempted to attack Pari Village, armed with a variety of weapons. Snr. Constable Moses said that the fight was caused when a Wanigela man married to a woman from Pari was attacked by boys from the village and injured with a slingshot. “He was on his way home and a few drunk men from the village attacked him and hit him with a projectile from a slingshot, which tore the flesh from his head. The matter was reported to the station this morning and dispatched men to the Pari road just in the nick of time to dissuade the Wanigela contingent from attacking the village,” Moses said. As a direct result of the altercation, a member of the group that attacked the Wanigela man is now fighting for his life in the intensive care unit at the Port Moresby General Hospital. Police units from both Town and Badili are on site and monitoring the village to ensure the safety of the public and villagers. The Snr Constable also said that they have identified the instigators of the conflict and they are working closely with the Pari Village councilor to apprehend the suspects.

The much-anticipated Port Moresby Women’s Australian Football League (AFL) friendly match ended with a draw yesterday afternoon, marking a satisfying finish to the women’s 2022 season, especially when the women’s competition had to be cancelled before the finals due to issues of eligibility of players in the competition. The match was between the TSI Lamana Dockers and the Gordons Kokofas. The Dockers came from behind to level the scores in the final quarter of the match with 3- goals and 2- behinds to seal a 20 all tie with the Kokofas, who also secure 3- goals and 2- behinds. Dockers President Mr. Loi Bakani appreciated the Port Moresby AFL Association for allowing the friendly match to go ahead. “It gives us great joy for POM AFL to allow us to host this match so that we can appreciate finishing the season,” said the Dockers president. “There’s no winner in today’s game unfortunately and the scores also said that. A friendly tight game and then you end up in a draw.” The friendly match was played out at the Colts Oval and saw both teams received trophies sponsored by Nelson Saroa Lawyers because the match itself was an unsanctioned match; therefore, Moni Plus did not sponsor this particular match. Meanwhile, the women’s competition is expected to start early next year around the month of April.

The PNG LNG landowner company, Dirio Gas & Power, is expanding its services to cater for the demand for reliable and affordable electricity for parts of the country yet to fully receive this vital service. Speaking during the PNG Energy Summit & Exhibition 2022 this week in Port Moresby, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Limited Mr. John Tuaim, said apart from its 45megawatt Gas Fired Station next to the PNG LNG plant site outside Port Moresby, Dirio is in the process to set up a similar one in Hela province. “We’ve already signed a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) with PNG Power, so we are now working with NEA (National Energy Authority) to get the regulatory approvals to actually start that project.” He said that the project will give about 66megawatt power from Hela province that would feed the Ramu Power Grid to supply Southern Highlands province to Mt. Hagen and back. The landowner power company is also in the process of supplying gas fired power generation for 12 locations, especially on the coastal and islands centers as a long-term solution for PNG’s power demands. The power company plans on achieving this by putting mini power generation facilities on barges and move them around the islands to supply power to the centers that relay on diesel and mini- hydro generation, which the costs are quite high. “We’ve already started feasibility studies on this, we’ve already spoken to technology developers on this and that’s ready.” Tuaim added that the submission on this has already gone to the National Executive Council (NEC) to consider this proposed project to address power supply issues. “When its done, we will work with NEA and PNG Power to roll this out,” said the COO. However, these plans are for the domestic use of the LNG, but Mr. Tuaim said Dirio is planning to go big by looking at applying the same concept to the other pacific island countries. “So, in the longer term the island barge concept that we apply within PNG, we can take it to New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and the Solomon Islands, so that’s something we can all do it together to generate sustainable revenue for our landowners and Papua New Guineans.” Dirio is MRDC’s investment project in the power generation business. It is an investment which offers sustained income to the shareholders outside of the oil and gas royalties and provides project security to PNG LNG Project. “Our mission is to be the leading IPP (Independent Power Producer) not only in PNG but also in the pacific and in the process, we want to drive cleaner, affordable and reliable energy.”

Electricity generation and transmission in Papua New Guinea (PNG) should at least reach 70% coverage of the population by 2030 as per the goal of the National Government, but there is still more work to be done to achieve this. This was revealed during the PNG Energy Summit & Exhibition 2022 in Port Moresby this week during the presentations and panel discussions on the use of energy to generate clean and reliable power for the masses. One of the presenters at the Summit was the Chief Operating Officer for Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Limited Mr. John Tuaim, who was presenting the plans and achievements of the PNG LNG landowner company, Dirio Gas & Power. Mr. Tuaim said the reason for the existence of such Independent Power Producer (IPP) like Dirio, is to achieve that goal and the company is going out of its way with innovations to expend this vital service in the country. He said the power generation landscape in PNG consists of three major power supply sources, there is the Port Moresby power grid with 121megawatt, the Ramu Grid, and the diesel generation of power in smaller centers. Even though with this available, he said that electricity has not fully reached the remote parts in the country and added on top of that main towns and cities still experienced power outages. So, while there are issues in the main centers, most of the people have not received this vital service. “It’s a national priority, we need reliable and affordable power in this country as power improves the quality of life and is an enabler for industries to grow, so power is everything,” said the COO. However, going forward he said there is now a vast source of energy to produce power, the renewable energy and the non- renewable energy and the green energy sources that could be used in the country to cover the generation and transmission capacity of power to the people and the industries. This is where overseas investors can tap into this to drive the energy sector in PNG to produce reliable and affordable power to benefit the masses.

 Papua New Guinea (PNG) continues to have vast opportunities laid down in front of it especially in the Asian gas market, and with the focus of the world now shifting to greener energy, the potential to gain revenue from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is even greater. Minister for Petroleum and Energy Kerenga Kua, who spoke on behalf of the prime minister this morning at the official opening of the PNG Energy Summit & Exposition 2022, said major projects in the energy sector lined up for commencement should see the country tap more into this potential. He said the future of the country’s development of petroleum resources looks good with Total Energy announcing its Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Papua LNG project in July this year. “This will almost double PNG’s exports of LNG from the current 8.5million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 14 to 15MTPA,” said the minister. He added that Papua LNG is likely to reach final investment decision late 2023 and with a four-year construction phase, the first LNG export is expected around 2027 or early 2028. “This will be followed by FID and construction of P’nyang Gas project, planned for delivery of a further 2 to 3million tonnes per annum of LNG by 2032.” He said this is important because of what these LNG projects can bring into the country. “These LNG projects have direct and indirect benefits for the country by providing revenue to national, provincial, and local level governments. They provide employment during their construction and operations, which also generate spinoffs service contracts to local companies and SMEs. He added that these projects will allow developers to put a per centage of their gas for Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) to be used within the country for power generations and other purposes, such as fertilizers and industrial chemical productions. In addition to this, PNG’s LNG supplies to the world market is projected to further generate revenue with the demands increasing due to geopolitical circumstances. This was highlighted by the Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director for FGE, Mr. Shasha Fesharaki. Mr. Fesharaki echoed the minister by saying that the upcoming projects in PNG should see more generation of revenue due to the demand of gas increasing in the European market and the traditional Asian market. He added that the outlook is healthy projected from demands and productions of LNG around the world and with additional LNG supplies lined up for PNG, the prospects look good. “If you have new LNG supplies in the next couple of years, its like gold,” said Mr. Fesharaki. “PNG LNG is well positioned to extract in significant revenue in the near term with uncommitted volumes due to some expiring contracts, so if you have volume on hand, its like gold and PNG will benefit tremendously from the market situation by having these volumes around one and a half and two million tonnes over the next couple of years.” Meanwhile, the PNG Energy Summit & Exposition 2022 will continue for its second day today and the final day on Thursday 22nd September, the delegation will be given a full tour of the PNG LNG plant site, just outside Port Moresby city.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) diplomat in the spotlight of Taiwan’s media for the assault of his wife and a hotel staff in the capital Taipei, is being immediately called back by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko, this afternoon in a press conference before heading off to New York city in the United States for the UN General Assembly meet, confirmed that the diplomat and his family will return to PNG very soon and the diplomat will be dealt with here by the department. The minister also confirmed that this is not the first time this diplomat has committed an offence in Taiwan. “He was also found being intoxicated driving a vehicle and as well as assaulting his wife. Two separate incidents committed by the same person, which is just deplorable and inexcusable for a diplomat to do so,” said the minister. Minister Tkatchenko also added that the PNG government has already apologized to the Taiwanese authorities for the shameful behaviour of this PNG diplomat. Meanwhile, Minister Tkatchenko said the department is doing a complete review of all the PNG missions, High Commissions, Embassies and Consular Generals throughout the world to assess their performances. He said the review should see which ones are active in generating positive results for PNG going forward and which ones are not an should be shutdown. “So, we are doing a complete review and I hope to have that complete by the end of the month and ready for October to do some tough decisions moving forward.” He said the aim here is to cut cost and have the right Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consulates open for the benefit of the country.

The 2022 National General Elections may be over, and life has moved on, but election related violence continues to occur in parts of the Highlands region prompting the decision to deploy more security personnel and resources to stop this senseless violence. Police Commissioner David Manning, when giving the update on the incidents that occurred during the 47th Independence Celebrations throughout the country, said he received reports of continued clashes from the aftermath of the election results in the newly created Magarima electorate in the Hela province. Manning said sadly this situation is also occurring in the neighbouring provinces to Hela, the provinces in the Highlands Western End Command area. “We put up a joint task force both of police and military personnel to continue to progress our efforts up there to ensure that the provinces of Hela, Enga and Southern Highlands are returned to some sense of normalcy,” said Manning. The commissioner said recent violence has prompted police to closely monitor the situation and respond accordingly. “We’ll continue to monitor the situation up there, but in light of the recent violence up there that erupted over the last week and continuing through to the independence celebrations, we’ll continue to deploy more resources and police assets up there to address those issues.” Manning concluded by saying that the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) will continue to ensure that the best response to the situation in the highlands is constantly reviewed and if there needs to be changes in how things are being done, they will continue to do so.

Morobe province, where the epicenter of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake yesterday morning, has reported deaths and damages to infrastructure and properties. The Morobe Provincial Disaster Office Director Mr. Charlie Masange, confirmed that three men were killed after being buried by a landslide in Wau in the Wau Waria district. Masange further said that reports of homes destroyed and roads damaged were also received. The main highways in Markham and Bulolo had large cracks in them and a health center at Buang was badly damaged as well. Masange said he is still getting in reports and updates from his officers from around the province on the aftermath of the earthquake. “Monday we should have a good deal of information so I can have a full report to update the government on the damages and casualties, so we can start getting in some form of assistance to the people that have been affected by the earthquake.” Meanwhile, the Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory confirmed on Sunday morning that the massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake recorded on the Richter scale, occurred at around 9:46am in Mutzing in the Markham Valley region, 65km West- North- West of Lae city and at a depth of 81km. There was no tsunami warning as the earthquake occurred inland, but there were risks of landslides occurring; therefore, the public were warned to keep away from mountain and hillsides. The Observatory has also confirmed that it has received reports of damages at Kainantu in Eastern Highlands province. Similar reports of damages to properties caused by the earthquake were also reported in parts of Madang province.

The Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory has confirmed a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake recorded on the Richter scale this morning at around 9:50am in the Morobe province. According to the Observatory’s principal solution, the earthquake epicentre is at Mutzing in the Markham Valley region, 65km West- North- West of Lae city and its depth is at 81km. There is no tsunami warning as the earthquake occurred inland, but there will be risks of landslides occurring; therefore, the public has been urged to be on the lookout and keep away from mountain and hillsides. The Observatory has also confirmed that it has received reports of damages at Kainantu in Eastern Highlands province as reports start coming in.

More wage earners can expect less personal income tax paid to the government now that the tax-free threshold has been increased from K17, 500 to K20, 000. This was revealed by the Treasurer, Ian Link Stuckey, when handing down the 2022 Supplementary Budget in parliament on Friday 02nd September. This initiative comes under the Household Assistance Package to support people during these hard times. The Minister says an extra K60 million was provided in the supplementary budget for this change. Fuel consumers can enjoy an extension of the initiative of the government to removal all taxes on retail fuel products for an additional two months on top of the current six months period. Treasurer, Ian Ling Stuckey says initially K250 million was put under the Household Assistance Package so to reduce fuel tax for the six months period, which also saw the GST on retail fuel products completely removed. The Treasurer says this further support by the government comes in the 2022 Supplementary Budget that was handed down in parliament on Friday 02nd September, to support families during these tough economic times.