Prime Minister James Marape, MP, has extended an invitation to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to form a partnership with districts facing armed conflict hotspots. The objective is to mitigate armed conflicts and transform the approach to addressing and resolving issues within affected communities. During a briefing with His Excellency Georgia Georgantas, Head of Mission for the ICRC in Papua New Guinea on Monday, June 20, 2023, Prime Minister Marape extended the invitation. The Prime Minister gained insight into the ICRC's international mandate, which focuses on assisting individuals impacted by armed conflict. Mr. Georgantas informed Prime Minister Marape that their specific focus within the country is supporting those affected by tribal conflicts. They have identified conflict hotspots, particularly in the Highlands region. In the event of a conflict, they assess the damages and casualties before providing suitable assistance. With offices located in Port Moresby, Mt. Hagen, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the ICRC operates on multiple fronts. The Mt. Hagen office assists vulnerable individuals affected by tribal conflicts, while the team in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville aids in the recovery of missing persons from the Special Region. Mr Georgantas also mentioned that the recognition and ratification of the organisation by Parliament are crucial for expanding their work and acquiring additional assistance. Prime Minister James Marape expressed gratitude for the ICRC's work in the country and extended an invitation to collaborate with districts and churches. Emphasizing the importance of working with churches, he stressed the need to eliminate political interference to ensure effective assistance to those impacted by armed conflict. The Prime Minister further urged the ICRC to establish offices within his electorate. Given that his Tari-Pori electorate serves as the sole service center in Hela Province, it attracts individuals affected by tribal conflicts from neighboring provinces seeking services such as policing and healthcare. Furthermore, Prime Minister Marape proposed leveraging the Hope Institute, which supports women and children affected by violence, as a platform for collaboration with churches and the ICRC in Hela. Addressing the long-lasting trauma experienced by individuals affected by tribal conflicts, the Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of providing support and resources for essential counseling services. These services would focus on surviving armed conflicts and facilitating the reintegration of affected individuals into society. In addition, Prime Minister Marape offered to send church workers to receive conflict resolution training from the ICRC office in Mt. Hagen. Equipped with this training, these individuals can help resolve disputes amicably and peacefully, avoiding resorting to violence. Reiterating his previous statements, Prime Minister Marape condemned armed fighting as an ineffective means of addressing grievances. "There is no excuse for violence, and we do not condone it.” “Our traditions and cultures should not be used as a basis for propagating violence within society.” “We strive to eradicate violence from our communities." Prime Minister Marape concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude to the ICRC for their work in the country. He assured Mr Georgantas that he would personally present their letter to Parliament for ratification during the August 2023 session.

Without any road access, the farmers in Mt Bosavi region have been struggling to sell their produce to the outside market. Mr Andrew Awabi, Chairman for Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative (SADI) told PNG HAUSBUNG that Mt Bosavi SADI has being carrying out Community Livelihood projects on sustainable Agriculture and development projects to the communities. As a result of much training and awareness, people of Bosavi have being doing large scale farming, both for commercial and sustainable purpose. “Sustainable farming has helped our people here but sadly the commercial crops are very hard to get out of the region to markets.” “People of Bosavi are doing large scale farming; there are big quantities of quality produce that needs to find its way to the market.” Awabi said that the farmers have being doing large scale farming with potatoes, Vanilla, turmeric, curry, vegetables, and they have even tapped into fish and crocodile farming but sadly with no road access all this produce will go to waste. “We need help to get all these produce to markets, therefore we are calling on the Fresh Produce Development Agency, Dept of Agriculture and Livestock as well as the Provincial Government to come to our aid and create a way for us to export our produce out of Bosavi to any nearest market or help find us a market where we can become their point of supply.” Awabi added that the Bosavi LLG must give assistance to the Framers of Bosavi too. Mt Bosavi SADI is looking at Making Mt Bosavi area the next major fresh produce zone and supplier to markets in the country and to export and we can only achieve this with help from the Provincial and National government and partners.

The Prime Minister’s 2023 Corporate Golf Challenge (PMCGC) will be staged in Lae, on the 7th of July and in Port Moresby on the 22nd of September respectively. With the Golf challenge coming up soon registration is now open to field teams for the Prime Minister’s 2023 Corporate Golf Challenge (PMCGC). The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee is now calling on organisations from both the public and private sector to register team (s) to support the annual Team PNG fundraising event. Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee Secretary General Auvita Rapilla is encouraging the business community in Lae and Port Moresby, and also around the country to come on board and support Team PNG by registering teams to participate in this worthwhile event. “All funds raised will go towards Team PNG’s participation at the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November 2023”. The Corporate Golf Challenge patronised by the Prime Minister, is a major fundraiser by the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee to support the country’s elite athletes selected for international representative sporting duties under the Team PNG banner to the Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. Rapilla added that their motto is to believe; excel and inspire generations’ to be involved in, as well as excel in sports. “With registrations now open, we welcome all organisations to take part and support our national team, Team PNG as we aim to inspire young Papua New Guineans who will be following the journey of our elite athletes at these upcoming games.” Chairman of Fundraising Committee Michael Henao again acknowledged the continued patronage of the event’s major sponsor The National and supporting sponsors Ela Motors, Theodist, Brian Bell Group, Trophy Haus, SP Brewery, Coca-Cola Euro Pacific and Media Partners. “As partners of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, you are important stakeholders that provide significant support to achieve the goals and objectives of Team PNG”

Air Niugini is saddened by the untimely passing of their Chairman, Sir Kostas Constantinou, OBE. Sir Kostas who was 66 years old died on Saturday afternoon, leaving behind an indelible legacy at Air Niugini. Sir Kostas served as Chairman of Air Niugini for the last five years, until his death and during those times, Sir Kostas presided over numerous initiatives that positioned Air Niugini as a symbol of excellence and reliability in Papua New Guinea and beyond. His strategic vision, coupled with a profound understanding of ‘doing business in PNG’, steered the airlin through challenging times. Times such especially the covid pandemic in 2020 through 2021 – which decimated the airline industry, and the 2018 aircraft incident at Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Air Niugini is acutely aware of the abundant time and energy Sir Kostas expended across multiple industries – from banking to oil and gas. His influence and vision have been of benefit to Air Niugini, and we now continue to progress our turnaround, building a more sustainable, reliable, and accessible airline for the advancement of the citizens of Papua New Guinea. Beyond his professional achievements, Sir Kostas was known for his kindness, humility, and deep commitment to the people of Papua New Guinea. He was a philanthropist at heart, supporting numerous charitable causes and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of those less fortunate. On behalf of the management and staff of Air Niugini, our deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Sir Kostas, including his children Constantia, Andrea, George and Theo. During this difficult time, we request that the privacy of Sir Kostas' family be respected. Air Niugini will provide support and assistance to his family in their time of grief, and we will ensure that his memory is honoured in a befitting manner. The loss of Sir Kostas is felt deeply by everyone at Air Niugini, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and colleagues particularly those in his personal businesses within the Constantinou Group, who have lost a remarkable individual. Sir Kostas' exceptional legacy and his passion for aviation will continue to inspire and guide us as we navigate the future of Air Niugini. Air Niugini remains fully committed to maintaining its operations and striving to deliver outstanding service to our valued customers. The Board of Directors, together with the executive team, is dedicated to continuing Sir Kostas’ vision and ensuring a seamless transition in leadership. Sir Kostas will forever remain an integral part of Air Niugini's history, and his remarkable legacy will endure. We are grateful for his profound contributions and the immense impact he had on our airline and the wider aviation industry. The entire Air Niugini family mourns his loss, and we will honour his memory by upholding the principles he held dear. Minister for State Enterprises William Duma LLB LLM CMG MP stated that Sir Kostas was a capable, experienced, intuitive Chairman and brought substantial gravitas to the Board of Directors of Air Niugini. “I know his presence will be sadly missed. Air Niugini is in a period of restructuring and fleet replacement; with Sir Kostas’ death, I will ensure that appropriate support is provided to the company.” Meanwhile, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gary Seddon said, “The Chairman was well known amongst the staff of Air Niugini, across our network. To many of them, this news will be difficult to reconcile. To help us all through this time of grief, we must celebrate the achievements and remember the legacy of the life of the man that was lived.”

Following the release of the International Atomic Energy Agency (iAEA) report and the independent analysis that it presents, Prime Minister, James Marape has extended Papua New Guinea’s consent for the controlled release of treated water from the power station that was destroyed by the tsunami that followed the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resources, Jelta Wong has confirmed that the National Fisheries Authority has also reviewed the international Atomic Energy Agency (iAEA) Review of Safety Related Aspects of Handling ALPS Treated Water at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan. “Prime Minister and I have raised concerns with Japan’s Prime Minister, and other agencies, that the release of the water could harm regional fisheries so we sought independent analysis of scientific data,” Minister Wong said. “Any discussion on nuclear material will always spark heated debate, so it is important that we approach the issue with caution and have full view of the facts.” Minister Wong said the Government of Japan has taken our concerns seriously and promised Pacific island Nations that we will have the full technical information for our consideration. “Papua New Guinea has taken a very cautious approach and initially opposed the release of the water without independent analysis of scientific data by third party laboratories.” “The iAEA review has now provided the technical data that the Prime Minister and I have been waiting to receive.” Wong added that from the information contained in the iAEA report, we have confidence that this treated water meets globally accepted standards and will not harm regional fisheries. “As stated by the Prime Minister, PNG is satisfied with the technical information that has been released by the iAEA and the Government of Japan.” “We agree that the controlled release can proceed so long as there is ongoing testing and independent analysis, and if there is any increase in risk, that further water release will be stopped immediately.” Wong highlighted that the there will be a long an ongoing monitoring which will include additional analysis report on base line on environmental samples taken water around where the treated waters being release is being treated . In the development of the report, the IAES oversaw the collection of the treated water samples taken from the Advanced Liquid Processing System treated water expected to be released and comparisons of the data from the samples taken of the treated water were undertaken by third –party laboratories that are members of the Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environment Radioactivity (ALMERA). “Testing of the treated water samples was done in laboratories in Switzerland, France, and United States of America as well as a laboratory in the Republic of Korea.” Minister Wong confirmed that Papua New Guinea will continue to consult with partners, including other Pacific Island Nations and Japan as well as the IAEA on what is now a serious matter in the Pacific region. “We are all custodians of the resources of our oceans and seas that are not only the source of our livelihoods but rather our home today and for our generations to come.”

The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) has kick started its school climate change awareness at the beginning of this month as a lead up activity towards the Second National Climate Summit which will be in September. The program targets secondary schools in the National Capital District (NCD) and Central Province and is aimed at driving awareness of climate change in schools. CCDA’s National Communication Acting Manager Erick Sarut said 22 secondary-level schools will be visited in June and July to carry out awareness about climate change. “The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but is also a race we can win through education and awareness”, said Mr. Sarut. “The secondary awareness program is to educate our young, future leaders on what actions we should take to address the climate emergency because we are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.” He added that by raising awareness about climate change, students can develop a deep understanding of the challenges they will face and the importance of taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Schools that have being visited by CCDA so far are Gerehu Secondary School, St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School, Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, and Don Bosco Technical Secondary School. There are other 18 schools both in NCD and Central Province to be visited to deliver similar awareness this month. The school awareness program is also a key step in raising public awareness about the upcoming Second National Climate Change Summit. This is an important calendar event for CCDA to be hosted from the 12-13 September 2023 in Port Moresby. During the school visits, students and staff were informed of how they can participate in the Summit. “One is through an Inter-School Debate Competition, the Competition which will be held on the 11th of September 2023, for Secondary Schools in NCD and two schools in Central Province to register to participate.” “The Inter-School Debate will be cantered around the theme; “Promoting Climate Justice and Social Inclusion.” “So far from the school visits, the feedbacks from the students and staff have been positive.” Mr Sarut further stated that the positive feedback and interest from the students is an indication of how important the awareness on climate change means to them and how programs like the school debate competition are crucial to their learning. “On behalf of the Management of CCDA, I thank officers from CCDA, who are also the members of the Summit Organizing Committee for leading this awareness and I also thank the school administrations for accepting our invitation and giving us time to visit their School to deliver the awareness.”

The Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association is now preparing to carry out poultry and farming awareness and training in the Lower Asaro , in Daulo, Eastern Highlands Province. The training will kick off today. President for Highlands Framers and Settlers Association in PNG, Mr Wilson Thompson said the association has identified 40 farmers in wards 5, 6 and 7 from lower Asaro who will be participating in this trainings. Mr Thomson stated that these trainings and awareness will be based on the practical side of farming. “These trainings will be more practical, we will have a day or half the day on awareness and basic introductions and guidance to poultry, bee, vanilla, coffee and spices farming and arts and crafts and the rest will be practical, on the field training.” Mr Thompson further stated that the farmers who have started their own projects will be given support and technical skills step by step. “These trainings will see technical support from Department of Agriculture and Livestock, NAQIA, DPAI and Highlands Framers and Settlers Associations.” “Often time farmers see or hear others do something and they try it out themselves without proper knowledge on how to really take care of their farming project, and this is where we come in now.” Thompson added they have done this kind of projects since 2020 and have helped farmers in the Central Province, Ramu, Jiwaka, Chimbu and now Eastern Highlands Province, here in Daulo. “We are basically just doing community empowerment and engagement programs to encourage, inform and guide farmers to achieve market goals.” “We will be teaching farmers how to grow their produce or poultry, when and how to feed, identify pest or disease and all basic facts on how to do farming correctly.” This is for the start in Daulo and we are look to expand to all parts of Goroka after we finish here in Daulo. “We are running such same training at Karuvu High school for the people of Okapa, and will visit Henganofi, Lufa, Kainantu and further down to Yonki also.” Thompson also highlighted that all poultry farmers who are interested and have been asking to be part of such training, you chance will come next month. “July 15th, the Poultry Association in Goroka will be hosting one of its biggest training and awareness program in Goroka and interested Farmers who want to be part of it can state your interest through the WhatsApp group go see Mr Jonah Buka at the Goroka DAL office to register.”

Prime Minister James Marape has on Monday reaffirmed the capacity of Japan in upholding international standards while it rehabilitates radioactive wastewater from its destroyed Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. PM Marape said he had faith in former prime minister Yoshihide Suga and current Prime Minister Hon. Fumio Kishida as both leaders have given their assurance that Japan was doing everything in its power to maximise the safety of the wastewater and would not allow its release until safety has been confirmed based on scientific evidence. “Japan has been working on the handling of ALPS-treated water with its safety as the top priority.” “I have been advised by both leaders that the release of the water is being conducted in accordance with all standards – both domestic and international – to comply with the highest safety regulations for human health and the health of the environment.” “Both leaders have assured me that Japan would never allow the discharge of the water until and unless safety has been confirmed by scientific evidence.” “Japan’s work to treat the wastewater has been continuing over the last 10-or-so years since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in March 2011.” “It is best that the treated water is released in a controlled manner than if the radioactive wastewater is left to accidental leakage or other such unplanned exercise.” “I am also pleased to note that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been working with the Government of Japan to rigorously review the safety of the wastewater for release.” “For us in the Pacific, our position is the same as it always has been – a Free Nuclear-Waste Pacific.” “Papua New Guinea is of the view that Japan – with its high compliance to international standards and regulations – is meeting the requirements in managing nuclear waste, and is at the point where, if it is confident, it can safely release the treated water back into the natural environment, it should be allowed to do so,” said Prime Minister Marape.

The STEAM Fair 2023 was held recently by Kopkop students at their school here in NCD. STEAM education is a teaching approach which combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, and is designed to encourage discussion and problem solving amongst students. Under the theme “Enhancing Innovative Learning through STEAM Education”, students were able to showcase a variety of projects ranging from soap-making, tie-dying, building, designing, electrification and painting. Students were put into groups and had to work together as a class to create, design and build a project relating to all that they had learned in their lessons. During the recent STEAM Fair, Department of Higher Education Research and Technology Minister Don Polye who was a guest there, spent time listening, observing, and discussing with the students on the different projects they had on display. Minister Polye said that Kopkop College reflects a vibrant school environment that nurtures young minds and helps them develop practical life skills at an early age. "I'm proud of Kopkop College, looking around I can see the methods that your teachers are teaching.” “I can see confidence, I can see art, I can see innovation here, I can see the country here and I support STEAM. Let us all raise our young people to become better Papua New Guineans.” “I commend Ms. Kopkop and her teachers for all they are doing to support STEAM education in PNG,” said Minister Polye. Meanwhile, Primary School Principal, Mr. Satchell Ben, said that the passion shown by the students for a wide array of topics shows that Kopkop College has some of the most talented and intelligent students in class. “This should challenge the students that we are fortunate to have embraced the STEAM program in a time when the world needs science to solve most of life’s problems.” STEAM or science, technology, engineering, and math were initiated by the National Government in 2019. This was followed by the implementation of a home-grown STEM curriculum taught in the six schools of excellence, which prepares selected students to become leaders in their respective fields internationally. Its recent successor, STEAM, now incorporates art that allows students a wider opportunity. Kopkop College Secondary School Principal, Mrs. Roddy Abad added, “Here at Kopkop College we do our best to bring out creative thinking in our students through innovative learning so that they can relate to real-life situations and are able to see and ask the right questions.”

A peaceful protest for Taxi Drivers Safety was held on Wednesday this week in Lae Morobe province by taxi drivers after a fellow elderly taxi driver was stabbed three times and once to his neck on Monday early hours along the Cassowary Road. The taxi driver is currently in Angau Hospital fighting for his life. Mr Steven Pup, a cab driver with Irap Taxi services in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG that he and other taxi drivers held a peaceful protest down at the Ignatius Kilage stadium where they were met by the police and presented grievance to police about safety concerns on the roads of Lae City. Mr Pup said they asked Lae Traffic Police to identify dangerous location and allocate designated areas for taxis to stop or turn when taking a passenger on that route. Pup said expect a response from police come 25th June. “Places we taxi drivers have identified as hot spot areas are Bumbu, Papuan Compound, 4mile, Malahang and Hanta Malahang.” “These areas we will not enter we will drop passengers at locations that are safe and easier for us to turn and go back because many time most taxi drivers have become victims of holdup and violence at these locations.” Mr Pup added that most times taxi drivers in Lae have become victims of hold ups because criminals think that they make a lot of money, but in fact they hardly make K200 a day. He added that taxi drivers agree that because they have become targets for holdups, they now plan to carry on board bush knives as protection. “This is not to scare our clients off; however this is for our own protection because often time criminals tend to pose also as customers and attack us while we are driving them to whatever direction they give.” “If police see bush knife inside our taxis during road checks please understand that we are only one person on the road risking our lives to serve the people of Lae city transport needs and our safety counts especially with high crime rate towards taxi drivers.”

Teachers Savings and Loan Society (TISA) after announcing a massive 9% interest bonus for its 63,000 plus members this week, said they’re well on track to becoming a commercial bank in six-seven months time. TISA Chief Executive Officer Mr Michael Koisen saaid TISA is a significant financial institution in Papua New Guinea and in the South Pacific, with ambitions to become a bank soon. “The Bank of PNG has granted TISA a Provisional License to become a bank and the Society is now working towards achieving some of the operational requirements before we open up as a bank.” Koisen elaborated that the drive for TISA’s intension and strategy to become a bank is because the country needs a bank that focused on serving the needs of the ordinary Papua New Guineans. “Right now, there are cues, where our people have to line up and wait to be served.” “The retail sector is underserved, and it needs a bank that cares about the people, to step in and provide them relief and it’s important that all stake holders, business communities and the government give that support.” “PNG needs another Bank.” Mr Koisen further said that 80% of our population in the rural areas are unbanked, and someone needs to take the risk, pay the cost to reach put to the people because everyone needs to participate in banking. “70% of the bulk of population both in the urban and rural have access to mobile phone services; however, it is a very sad scenario when a alrger majority of our people do not have access to any banking services.” “Banking has been in PNG for over 100 years and yet 80% of our people do not have access to banking and don’t have bank accounts.” “Hence TISA will take the challenge to provide banking solution to the unbanked in this country.” “Therefore, TISA wants to step in and give the privilege of accessing the banking service to the ones who do not have access to banking.” Mr Koisen highlighted that with the current issues face by commercial banking systems, TISA will be cautious in preparations. “Preparations and planning is so important to implementation and migration of banking system and right now we are in full steam in ensuring that the systematic ration testing is done properly and completely, user acceptance is done adequately and that all employees are trained well so they can assist customers to use the systems properly.” “With that, TISA is looking at becoming a bank on the 6 – 7 months which we believe is possible.” “When we become a bank, automatically our 18 branches nationwide automatically switch to bank status also and we are looking at adding 3 more branches in Hela Province, Jiwaka and Kerema respectively.”

Teachers Savings and Loans Society (TISA) has just announced an additional 2% one-off special bonus interest totaling K6.71 million to be paid to its 63, 000 plus members Yumi Accounts today. This was made known at a press conference at the TISA Haus in Port Moresby today. Chairman for TISA Mr Gabriel Tai said this additional bonus interest is to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of TISA’s operation in the country. TISA announced a 7% interest on the 25th May this year for the financial year 2022 for its members, and today Tisa further announced an additional 2% bonus interest, bringing the total interest paid to TISA Members for the financial year 2022 to a record of 9% interest. “This is a record, this is the biggest additional interest TISA has ever paid,” he said. Mr Tai added that TISA performed well in 2022 and made a profit after tax of K76.49 million and K6.71 million is now paid as bonus to its loyal members. “On behalf of the Board of Management, I want to thank all our loyal TISA members for your continued support because you are the cornerstone of the growth of our organisation over the last 50 years.” Mr Tai further stated that TISA remains committed to providing affordable financial products, quality customers’ services and paying better returns to all their valued members.