People with disability will be given priority at the polling booths during the 2022 National General Elections, says PNG Electoral Commission. Training Manager for PNG Electoral Commission, Mr Bale Kavanamur clearly stated that during the time of polling, people with disabilities will not have to stand in line to vote, however they will go straight to the polling booth to cast their votes. There will also be designated polling booths to best suit PWDs during polling. “People with disability do not need to stand in long lines like every other voter, however when they come to the polling area, they will be given the priority to go and cast their votes,” said Mr Kavanamur. PWD's will not only be given priority during polling but they will be given the same opportunity as everyone else throughout the whole process of the election period. “The Electoral Commission also allows for recruitment of the PWD's to be part of the whole election process,” said Mr Kavanamur. “They can take part as election officials, polling officials and counting officials as well,” he said. Mr Kavanamur said the Electoral Commission is trying to make 2022 national general election an inclusive as any election before where everyone takes part and they will do their best to deliver a free, fair, safe and inclusive election for every Papua New Guinean.

PNG Electoral Commission is expected to print the preliminary Electoral Roll by the end of the month and the rest of the rolls done and ready for nominations to commence in April. Enrollment for eligible voters to update the Electoral Rolls started in January 2022 and is currently underway until the end of this month. Electoral Commission Simon Sinai stated that enrollment has being updated and the data is in the process of progressing and entering the data. “We are expecting to print the first preliminary roll at the end of this month and hopefully within April we should have all the rolls done and ready for the nominations”, said Mr Sinai. Mr Sinai also stated that addressing the youth gap is a top priority and integrity measure that PNG Electoral Commission has put in place to include all the youth in this election, because right now young people between the age of 18- 34 are yet to be enrolled on the common roll. He said 15% of the enrollment form 11 has being sent to all the provinces already. Mr Sinai said the Form 11 is the new enrollment form that everyone will be using to enrol. "When enrollment is done we should be expecting a 15% increase from the last general election in 2017." “There should be an increase in the number of voters from the last election 2017 of 4.7million to about 6million eligible voters expected this election”, said Mr Sinai. "6 million estimated voters for this election multiply by two papers, one for district and one for the provincial seat, in total about 12million ballot papers will be distributed throughout the country for voting this election," he said. He also highlighted that the nomination of the Returning Officers will be done this month, so come next month April the Electoral Commission will be getting ready to issue the writs and gearing up for the nominations. The Issuing of the writs will be on Thursday 28th April at exactly 4pm and that is when nomination is also open. He further stated that Nominations will close Thursday 5th May at exactly 4pm in the afternoon. Polling will then commence on the Saturday 5th June and will close on Friday 8th July. Return of writs on the Friday 29th July will officially close the 2022 election process.

With some 80,000 hectares of rainforest, Mt Bosavi region is setting out to become the next major carbon credit project in the Country and the Pacific. Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative Inc (SADI) has gone into partnership with WE-ACT, a leading Carbon Project Developer in Australia who takes lead in International Trade Consultancy to make Mt Bosavi forest a Carbon Credit Project area. Mt Bosavi (SADI) Chairman Mr. Andrew Awabi said with the MOA signed recently in partnership with WE- ACT, Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative Inc. is now working on to get all its ILG certificates so to mark proper land boundaries to make it easier for royalty payments. Right now there are five (5) proposed regions in Mt Bosavi for the Carbon Credit Projects to take place, Kaluli, Walulu, Wisesi, Sunia and Eibala, and all these are part of the Mt Bosavi SADI Forest Management area. “We are currently carrying out trainings and running awareness programs on the ground to educate the people of Mt Bosavi region the importance of the carbon credit project and the benefits they will acquire from it once it rolls out,” says Mr Awabi. “Educating them on the carbon credit project is important because they need to understand the so-called "cap-and-trade" program so they can really understand what Carbon credit is.” Mr Awabi also highlighted that the carbon credit project will bring in more benefits, and it terms of percentage the people of Mt Bosavi will be getting a big share from it. “We will be getting 52% royalty while WE- ACT Australia who will be playing the middle man role to link us with Viva Carbon Market USA will be getting 48% from the carbon credit project.” Mt Bosavi region is so isolated that there is no road link into the nearby 4 provinces, Western Province, Gulf, Southern Highlands and Hela. It is only accessible by MAF and chopper, and government services are mostly out and many are still living a more traditional kind of lifestyle. Mr Awabi says anything to bring services and change the lifestyle of the people of Mt Bosavi region is welcomed, and Carbon Credit Project is one big project that Mt Bosavi is hoping it will change and improve their lives. “We are cut off from the entire country but we are hoping this carbon credit project can connect us not only with the country but the outside world too,” said Mr Awabi.

Moresby North East member Mr John Kaupa has shed light on a major problem being faced by residents of his electorate who are living in the settlements and that is poverty.  Despite PNG being one of the richest country in terms of natural resources, the majority populace are still living in poverty and the least any mandated leader can do is give their people the financial freedom. “The least I can do for my people in my time in parliament is give them the chance and the tools to fight poverty and the better way is through SME,” said Mr Kaupa. Mr Kaupa made these statements at a small gathering at ATS when speaking to the 22 SME groups that had gathered. Kaupa said he is grateful that he tried his best to give financial freedom by introducing SME to the bulk population of mothers and youths in Moresby North East. “The vast majority of Moresby North East residents are living in the settlements and that is poverty, and I want to improve their living standard by giving them the opportunity to have access to financial freedom.” “It took 18 months for North East officers to do SME awareness and recruitments of interested mothers in SME, and they assisted further in attaining IRC and IPA papers and registered many SME groups for youths and mothers.” Not only did the officers help establish SME associations but the office was also giving SME book keeping and financial literacy trainings to every youths and mothers in Moresby North East. Thus with the financial literacy certificates and SME business certificates, mothers, young women and youths were able to excess the SME funds. He urged all the mothers who have received SME grants to do well and grow their SME and strive to live better lives. “I am happy to see many unfortunate youths and illiterate mothers becoming small business owners, with bank accounts and bank cards,” said Mr Kaupa. “Many have never had a bank account; many have never held any bank card but SME has given these youths and mothers in Moresby North East this privilege.” Mr Kaupa also highlighted that out of the 209 SME groups in Moresby North East 95% have received their SME grants and only 5 % left will receive their grant in the last batch of payment. Kaupa said the highest amount paid was around K200, 000 and the lowest paid was K15, 000. “To those who have not yet received your SME funds, please do not be down hearted you will still receive your share,” Mr Kaupa said. He encourages everyone to do well and prosper in their small business ventures and enjoy the privilege of financial freedom.

Police in West New Britain Province have already started their preparations for the upcoming National General Elections and WNB PPC Chief Inspector Januarius Vosivai stated that the pre election operations will kick off in a weeks' time under the supervision of the incoming WNB PPC, Senior Inspector John Yara. Inspector Vosivai said much of the planning and pre election operation will be done under the leadership of the new PPC Snr Inspector John Yara stating that the first pre-election operation will be focused on community engagement whereby police will be carrying out election awareness to all communities. However Inspector Vosivai also highlighted that manpower is the only major issue currently faced by police in West New Britain Province. “We have enough vehicles to move around and funding will not be a problem but we cannot fully deliver and be everywhere at the same time because of the less number of police personnel we have on the ground and that is a worry,” said Inspector Vosivai. Inspector Vosivai said with the National General Elections coming up, the police force will need more men on the ground to carry out operations both on the mainland and the islands. “Currently we have only 129 regular police personals and 36mobile squadron on the ground and that is not enough,” he said. He mentioned that a request for additional manpower has been sent out already and they are expecting extra police personnel to arrive in Kimbe before the pre election operations kick start. “We need around 350 national security personals to come in and boost our team and if we can get this number then it will definitely help with our security operations during elections throughout the province,” said Inspector Vosivai.

Four women were endorsed by the People's Party Inc. this week to contest all four seats in the National Capital District under the party banner in the upcoming 2022 National General Elections. People's Party Inc. leader and Enga Province Governor Peter Ipatas commended the four (4) women candidates for their bold decision in choosing to stand with the party for the coming elections in such a challenging and expensive location like NCD at the same time adding that it is a historic move by the party. “To endorse four women candidates is the biggest number of women ever endorsed by any single party and this is history,” said Party Leader Governor Ipatas. Governor Ipatas further called on the city populace to vote for the right leaders who would represent them well in parliament and said the timing was right to give the womenfolk an opportunity to represent them in decision making. “Women who will bear children, women who have the heart for the people must be given an opportunity to represent us and the National Capital District as the capital city of this country is the right place to start,” Ipatas said. Governor Ipatas said he believes that People's Party Inc. is giving a women’s team to the National Capital city so that people can vote for these women with integrity and in turn they can make a difference for the city's population but most importantly for the country. Ipatas acknowledged Tania Bale, Anna Kavana Bais, Michelle Hau’ofa and Sylvia Pascoe for having the trust in People's Party Inc. and for making the decision to run under People's Party Inc. “We are a very small party and may not be fully secured financially as many other parties but these women have joined this party because of our integrity,” Ipatas said. The People's Party Inc. is trying to put a team of leaders into parliament who will make a difference for this country in 2022 and going forward into the future. In his keynote address, Governor Ipatas also made an appeal to the United Nations and everyone who has been advocating for women to participate in parliament to support the womenfolk who are putting their hands up to go into elections. “I want to call on my fellow politicians who have been advocating for women to be represented, to join in and support my four women candidates in the city to represent the womenfolk and the entire nation as a whole,” Mr Ipatas said. “I have four women who are capable of representing women in parliament and they deserve our support." "This is an opportune time for politicians, the UN and everybody who has been advocating for women to be in parliament to walk the talk and support these women,” Mr Ipatas added. The Peoples Party Inc. has been silent but they are actioning what everyone has been talking about and that is putting women into the parliament. “I think that they will do well despite having some experienced politicians in the city. The women team can be a relief for the country and for NCD too,” said Governor Ipatas. Mr Ipatas further challenged the citizens to join the party and be part of their journey.

After almost a decade, the Port Moresby Rugby League Club is now looking at bringing back their women’s team into the Port Moresby Rugby leagues competition. Snr Head Coach Mr Wesley Laveliu said Defence Rugby League club has been the only club without a women’s team for some years now and the club is looking at reviving the women’s team. “We are looking for interested females who want to play rugby, unskilled or skilled as long as you have the heart and interest in rugby then you are most welcome to come and join the club”, said Coach Laveliu. Coach Laveliu also stated that they are also looking for raw talents and talented boys to come join the Under 19 male team and the Snr Men’s team. Training days are every weekdays from Monday to Friday at the Murray Barracks field.

"You can now trade you traditional tabus for cash or you can trade cash for tabus and all this can be done at Palna Tabu Limited," said owner Mr Henry Kubiak. Mr Henry Kubiak from East New Britain has recently set up a new SME MICRO traditional trade centre for Tabu at the 6 mile Business Centre. Mr Kubiak said, traditional money has died out over the decades with the modern currency we are using however when it comes to traditional obligations, traditional money plays a vital part in traditional ceremonies. “If you have some traditional obligations to do at home but you do not have the tabus to do so, then you can come to Palna Tabu Ltd at 6mile business centre and see us for help,” said Mr Kubiak. “Good thing about us is we are not only focused on the ENB tabus, but we welcome exchange of any traditional money from all over the country for cash and we can give any traditional money to you in exchange of cash.” He said each traditional money is valued on its' size, and different sizes come with different prices. Mr Kubiak said Palna Tabu Ltd is also looking at creating a credit scheme were customers with a formal income can come and get tabus on credit bases and pay off every fortnight. Traditional money has died out and many have used this traditional money as part of their traditional attire and this has become nothing more than just another traditional “bilas’, however we want to revive the real value of our traditional money, he stated. “If we can try to preserve culture through tradition through, singsing, bilas and bride price then we must also still try to preserve our traditional money.” Mr Kabiak said it is sad to see that most Tabus are now gone but Palna Tabu is buying Tabus from Solomon Islands to revive the traditional money. Mr Kabiak said if you have no good use for dogs’ teeth, pigs’ tasks, shell money and tabus and you throw them around to waste, to bring them down to Palna Tabus Ltd and sell them so they can buy and sell to those that need this traditional money for traditional obligations. “If you have a marriage ceremony, haus cry, compensation or any duties to perform that may involve traditional money, please come down to Palna Tabus Ltd, your one stop traditional bank,” Mr Kabiak said. Disclaimer: We not own the rights to the image used in this story.

Moreguina Health Centre in Abau District, Central Province has shut down its outpatient services temporarily on Friday 14th January after the health centre recorded 3 positive covid 19 cases amongst the inpatients in their two inpatient wards. Moreguina OICE Ravu Kapa said every other outpatient services are put on halt until further notice from them, as for now they will only attend to emergency cases. The 3 confirmed cases were admitted in the wards for Malaria but had shown very high fever, and when PCR covid test was carried on these 3 and sent to Kwikilia Health Centre lab last week, results came back positive on Wednesday 12th January 2022. After the results came back. a rapid test followed by 32 PCR test was done with all those that came into close contact with the 3 cases. “4 health workers and their families including the trainee nurses from Asia Pacific and Tuna Bay Nursing Schools were all tested but luckily all test results came back negative,’’ said Mr Kapa.  “However 2 other results came back positive and these 2 new cases are relatives of the 3 confirmed cases,” he said. A total of 5 confirmed cases altogether were recorded at Moreguina last week and there is a chance of covid 19 community transmission in Moreguina and the entire Abau District because these 5 confirmed cases have been amongst their families and have been exposed to other community members before falling sick and whilst being sick and later brought to the health centre," said Mr Kapa. Therefore the best thing to do now is for everyone to come forward for swabbing because the health centre is still carrying out swab tests. Mr Kapa is urging the immediate families of the 5 confirmed cases as well as those that have come into contact with these cases in the last 14 days to come in for testing as soon as possible. “Right now, I want to contain the spread of the virus that is why I have decided to shut down the health centre and monitor all those in the ward including the 5 cases that are in isolation right now.” Mr Kapa said the decision to shut down Moreguina Health Centre is done upon directives from the Central Provincial Health Authority , Acting Director for Public Health Mr Marshall Buru as well and the Central Provincial Covid 19 Snr Responds Officer. “All are asked to go to Kupiano health centre to access health services there because Kupiano health centre is ready and willing to help patients from Moreguina, but we can only attend to emergency cases only at this time,” said Mr Kapa

A passenger boat carrying 8 passengers that has gone missing in the waters of New Ireland Province for the last 4 days has been located around midday today. After 4 days of searching the waters of New Ireland Province the boat and all the passengers have been found safe and sound on Tench Island. Mr Chris Paul a Mussau Islander who was involved in the search and rescue mission of the missing 8 said, the passenger boat on Friday 24th December left Tsoi Island around 6am in the morning to travel to Mussau Island but never reached its’ destination. A search and rescue team was sent out to search for the missing passenger boat and villages along the coastline including islanders were also on the lookout for the boat. Around midday today the search and rescue team were informed that the passenger boat with the 8 passengers have been found safe and are at Tench Island. Mr Paul said boats have been sent to Tench Island to bring these passengers back to Mussau Island. “It’s a great relief to know that these loved ones are not dead; the important thing is that they are all safe and the boats have gone to bring them back home to Mussau,” said Mr Paul. More details on what actually caused the boat to go off cause and missing for the last 4 days, how the survivors are doing now and what they encountered during these 4 days will be made available as soon as this newsroom speaks to any of the survivors. Image Source: Femili Studio

The rainy season of the year is also the best time when pineapples grow in abundance and when this season happens around this time of the year, all the snakes start to come out as well especially Papuan Blacks and that is when the snake bites are frequent in the Central Province. Moreguina Health Centre in Abau District, Central Province has been receiving snake bite victims since November. OIC Ravu Kapa said snake bites have been happening frequently because of the wet season and in a week, about 2-3 snake bite victims have been brought into the health Centre however to date, no one has died of snake bite yet. Mr Kapa says the health centre is expecting more cases of snake bites and he is asking the people in Moreguina to be very careful when out and about and is encouraging them to cut overgrown bushes along the paths and beside their houses to keep snakes away. “Those who are going to their gardens to harvest pineapples during this rainy season must be very careful because pineapple gardens attract snakes and it is one of the places where anyone can get bitten easily,” said Mr Kapa. He further urged parents to be very mindful of their little kids and to stop the kids from playing in the grass near their homes. “Everyone must wear shoes when walking through bush tracks especially little children,” he added. Mr Kapa said the health centre’s only ambulance is no longer in operation and it will be very hard to transfer snake victims to Port Moresby General Hospital or any nearby health centres on time. The OIC added that with the bad road conditions and the increase in bus fare to travel to Port Moresby, a snake bite can be very fatal as time taken to reach the nearest health centre may take longer than expected. “This snake season is not only rampant in Moreguina and Abau District, but almost most parts of the Central Province who are experiencing snake bites and so taking the necessary precautions and safety practices is very important,” Mr Kapa said. Image Source: Charles Campbell Toxinology Center

Modilon General Hospital can now continue its Covid Testings after receiving 74 boxes of COVID -19 Rapid Diagnostic Test kits from New Britain Palm Oil Foundation on Friday 26th November. For the last two weeks, Modilon Hospital was unable to carry out any Covid -19 testings because it ran out of testing kits says Director of Public Health, Dr. Martin Damien upon receiving the kits. Dr. Damien said the hospital has recorded 1245 positive covid19 cases out of the 6000 accumulative tests done so far and he thanked New Britain Palm Oil Foundation for the timely donations to the provincial hospital. The 74 boxes of COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Tests contains 1850 RDTs altogether and this means it will assist the Provincial Hospital for at list 3-6 months says Dr. Damien. Also at the presentation of the COVID 19 RDTs to Modilon Hospital, Director of Curative health, Dr. Sammy Thomas, explains that as health care workers it is vital that all patients are tested to know their covid19 status. Dr. Thomas also mentioned that Madang provincial hospital is a major training hospital for nursing and clinician students and it is paramount that the health of its officers is also protected. Country Manager PNG for New Britain Palm Oil Limited (Group) Mr Robert Nilkare, says the New Britain Palm Oil Foundation as part of its good corporate citizenship and responsibility has been supporting a number of Provincial Health Authorities around the country including Madang and Morobe and he hopes the COVID -19 Rapid Diagnostic Test kits can assist Madang PHA’s case management and Covid case production. This is the 2nd time the New Britain Palm oil Limited has donated RDTs to assist Madang PHA.