It has been over a week now and the people of Manam Island in Madang Province are still waiting for disaster relief supplies to reach them. Close to 3000 Manam islanders are in desperate need of medical support, food, and clean water supply after their food gardens and water sources were destroyed by ash falls when the Manam volcano erupted on Wednesday 20th October, 2021. Around 7am last Wednesday morning the Manam volcano erupted, spewing ash with scoria of about 1-2 km above the volcano. Villages from Mandauri to Baliau were affected by the eruption in which houses, gardens and food crops were all destroyed and water sources contaminated by the volcano ashes however no casualties or deaths were reported. A team from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory accompanied by Iabu LLG President Kenny Boli is currently on Manam Island to carry out an assessment on the extent of the damages caused by the eruption. The reports once completed and compiled will be presented to the local MP Robert Naguri and the Provincial Administrator for relief action. The islanders' immediate need at this time is access to clean water, food, medical support, and temporary shelter for families whose houses were destroyed. According to one such misplaced islander, it has been over a week now and no health officials, education officers, law and order, disaster or other relevant government body has gone to the island to carry out specific assessments of the current situation. The recent eruption has brought to light the plight of approximately 9000 Manam islanders living in the care centres for over 17 years following the major eruptions in late 2004 to early 2005. These displaced islanders are still waiting on the government to resettle them to the hinterlands of Bogia on the mainland. While the displaced settlers await resettlement, another 3000 islanders that are still on the Manam island find themselves displaced as well and are now in desperate need of help. Not having access to proper shelter, food and water for over a week now has forced the people of Manam Island to sound an immediate cry for help and intervention to the Madang Provincial Government and the member for Bogia, Mr Robert Naguri.

About 12000 people from the 12 ward councils in the basin of Mt Bosavi have taken much interest in Agriculture. Many in the area are subsistence farmers, farming for their daily survival but all this has changed in recent times when the Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Corporation came into place to help these people take their subsistence farming to the next level. Early last year the Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Corporations started to introduce the idea of food security and the idea of commercial farming to the local farmers. These people are now introduced to vanilla, cocoa and even betelnut farming for commercial purposes. Chairman for Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Corporation Mr Andrew Awabi said they are carrying out trainings with the local farmers on how to use pumps and fertilizers and trainings also on how they can do proper commercial farming. “Mt Bosavi has one of the richest soils in the country and everything can grow perfectly all year round and the bearings are often very big and we want to extend and expand to commercial farming so that these local farmers can also benefit from the commercial side of it,” said Mr Awabi. “We want to make Mt Bosavi the next supplier of fresh produce to the country and if possible, the next supplier of commercial cash crops to the export market.” “This is the dream of Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Corporation, to change the lives of the forgotten people of Mt Bosavi,” Mr Awabi added. Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Corporation is also introducing, turtle farming, cow farming, piggery, and crocodile farming to the people of Mt Bosavi. Mr Awabi says they are introducing this to the people to help them get into agriculture and livestock businesses, and this is phase one where these locals get the trainings they need to raise live stocks. Despite having such a high number of interested locals taking part in these programs the only problem now is road access. “The sad fact is that much of this produce will go to waste because there is no road access to bring the produce to big markets.” “Can the government remember us and create road access for us because we have been living in isolation for generations and with the current agriculture and livestock developments happening on the ground, we want to bring all these produces to markets and change our lives,” says Mr Awabi. Mr Awabai however, thanks the Southern Highlands Provincial Government for the recent funding of K1M to the people of Mt Bosavi as this funding will help fund the agriculture and livestock trainings as well as help the farmers in buying tools, seedlings and also, it will assist to sustain their rural markets. “The people of Mt Bosavi are taking their chances with hopes that one day they will have road access to sell all their produce and they commit 100% to all the trainings that are being carried out by Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Corporation,” says Mr Awabi. Mr Awabi also mentioned that for now the people of Bosavi can only harvest and give their produce to boarding schools as food security within the Bosavi area and others sell in small markets to get a little income because there is no road access at all and their only wish now is to see a road link via Southern Highlands Province. “Mt Bosavi can become the next agricultural hub in the country if only we have road access and we are hoping that this will happen sooner.” Mr Awabi said.

Mr Paul Siwi, founder and former President and Team Manager of Unitech Greyhounds Rugby Union team and current Chairman and President for NCD Greyhounds team has been nominated today by PNG Rugby Union as the President for PNG Rugby Union. The Rugby Union Interim Board hosted its’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) today via zoom at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby where Mr Siwi was announced as the successful candidate for the PNGRU President position. Also, during the AGM, NCD RU nominated about 9 candidates to take up various posts in the PNG Rugby Board and out of the 9 nominees, 7 were successfully voted in to the PNG Rugby Board. This is the first time ever for PNG Rugby Board to have 7 Papua New Guineans on the board. This has come about as a result of the backing of the Provincial Unions who have the shared goal to bring rugby back to its former glory. Out of the 17 provincial unions, 11 provincial unions voted for changes in the board which included the voting of the new President for PNG Rugby Union, Mr Paul Siwi. Newly elected President for PNG Rugby Union Mr Siwi said he is thankful for every one that believed in him and voted him as the president. “I thank the 10 provincial unions who travelled in from other provinces to be part of the AGM today.” “Their votes and collective desires will establish rugby again and this team will work together to put plans and strategies together into organising rugby going forward for the balance of this year and next year as well as the remaining term,” Mr Siwi stated. At the same time, Mr Nou Asigau President for NCD Rugby Union announced the nomination of the new PNG Rugby Union Patron - NCD Governor Hon. Pawes Parkop. Mr Asigau said with the appointment of Mr Paul Siwi and Governor Pawes Parkop, PNGRU is looking forward to restoring Rugby to its’ former glory. “Rugby has a history in PNG but it has slowly withered because of administration issues and also the global trends played a part on how we manage the games in the country,” said NCDRU President Mr Asigau. “We are trying to build stability in the game again so that the game can self-sustain itself in the country and with the nominations of the new president, patron and the 7 other adjectives we are looking at restoring rugby,” Mr Asigau said.

1500 homeless and underprivileged children that are often referred to as street kids have the opportunity to go to school this year thanks to Street Kids Ministry. Over 13 years now the Street Kids Ministry which is run by The Salvation Army has been at the forefront to provide education to street kids in Lae, Morobe Province. Street Kids Ministry Coordinator Mr Stanley Timai says these kids come from poor families that cannot afford to send them to a normal public primary school in Lae while others are homeless and some come from broken homes and are left on the streets to fend and survive on their own. ‘’For the past 13 years the Street Kids Ministry has been giving these kids a second chance to a better life through education.” “Some may never have had the chance go to school but thanks to this ministry, these kids get the opportunity to sit in a classroom and get educated,” Mr Timai said. The Salvation Army Street Kids Ministry offers free education and this year alone they have enrolled 1500 kids. These kids are divided into 3 groups; 500 kids are in grades Prep- Grade 2, another 500 are in Grades 3-5 and the other 500 are in Grades 6-8. Mr Timai also clarified that they are put into these grade categories so that the teachers can help them according to their age and level of intelligence. “Once these kids catch up on the lessons then we try to find space in the public schools and enroll them there.” He further explained that for those that have parents who are able to at least assist with fees, then it’s a relief for them but for others, they usually look for sponsors to fund their school fees. At this time the Street Kids Ministry’s greatest need is classrooms because there is no proper classroom at present and these kids often take their lessons under a shade when the weather is fine otherwise all their classes take place inside the Salvation Army Transit Hall. Street Kids Ministry Coordinator Mr Stanley Timai says with the present situation on Covid19, sharing the Transit Hall with hundreds of other people is very risky. “At night people travelling to the highlands transit in the hall and during the day we have to sanitize the whole place before the kids come in for lessons and this is not 100% safe at all,” he said. “We do not know who these travelers come in contact with and if one of the travelers who passes through the Transit Hall has Covid19 then all these kids are doomed, so we really need classrooms to also space these kids during lesson times,” said Mr Timai. “I want to make an appeal to all the business houses in Lae, charity organizations and the Morobe Provincial Government as well as Lae MP John Rosso to please assist the Street Kids Ministry in cash or kind so we can build some classrooms for these kids.” Street Kids Ministry has been operating for over 13 years now and during this time many street kids who have come through this system have become successful in their education and also in their lives. “There are so many success stories and we want to make Lae City and Morobe Province a better place in the future, to make it a province that will have more elites than thugs.” “Within these 13 years, the Salvation Army Street Kids Ministry has given over 5750 street kids a second chance to better education and we will continue to try our best to provide education to every street kid in the years to come because we believe in creating better lives for every kid despite whatever backgrounds they come from,” Mr Timai said.

The Malaysian Association PNG has been giving donations in cash and kind to needy Papua New Guineans for over 19 years now; this was revealed by the Malaysian Association PNG Chairman for Charity Fundraising Committee Mr Ivan Lu. Mr Lu said Malaysian Association PNG has the heart to help children and other Papua New Guineans who are in need of financial support or other forms of support and for the last 19 years they have been at the forefront donating cash and kind and giving help and support where needed and where it is possible for them to come in and help. “The Malaysian Association PNG is made up of all Malaysian families who work and live here in this country and we feel that we should also give back to this country through charity,” said Mr Lu. “In these 19 years of charity donations through cash and kind to the needy Papua New Guineans, we have distributed more than K10million in cash and kind donations,” he stated. Last year through to this year, it has been a very challenging time because of Covid 19 and the pandemic has very much put a strain on every individual and business house financially, however that will not stop the Malaysian families to still give to those who need help greatly in this drastic time,” says Mr Lu. As such, this year alone, the Malaysian Association PNG members have contributed and raised a fund of about K80, 000 to give as donations and Mr Lu says he is hopeful that by the end of this month or the next they should raise enough to give to those in this country who are badly affected by the pandemic and are in need. Mr Lu said, “The Malaysian Association PNG members and our family, we have the heart for the people of Papua New Guinea and we will continue to do good to all those in need.”

Malaysian Association PNG came on board today as a donor partner to Life PNG Care with a donation of K30, 000 paid to RH Hyper Market in Port Moresby to supply Life PNG Care with food supplies. The funding paid to RH will see Life PNG Care get monthly supplies of food rations from the Hyper Mart until the the K30, 000 is fully used. Life PNG Care Director Mr. Collin Pake Takio said he was grateful for the donation which was timely especially with the pandemic and will surely sustain children who are seeking refuge at Life PNG Care. “One day our natural resources of gas and oil will finish and the only thing we will have left that will build this nation is our human resource,”said Life PNG Care Director Mr Collin Pake Takio. “Our future is our children here!” Mr Pake said this year is the 6th year that the Malaysian Association of PNG has partnered with Life PNG Care to continue their support in cash with their annual charity funds and with food rations which have benefited the 75 residential kids at the Life PNG Care Centre as well as the non residential kids who often come to the centre to get help. “If there is anything that a country wants to do and wish for, it is to invest in these little lives, these future, like the Malaysian Association and other Associations and organisations that often commit to social community obligations.” Mr Pake also highlighted that feeding the 75 residential kids and other non residential kids on a daily bases is definitely not an easy and cheap task, because in just 2 days a 10kg rice bag finishes, half is cooked today and the other half the next day. He said on the weekends more street kids come in to the Life PNG Care yard and they cannot be chased out, and to have Malaysian Association come on board to support with food rations is very much appreciated especially at this time of the pandemic when everyone is struggling financially. Malaysian Association PNG Chairman for the Charity Fundraising Committee Mr Ivan Lu said the Malaysian Association PNG has the heart to help the vulnerable kids in PNG and they support the good work Mr Pake is doing. Mr Lu said the Malaysian families here are happy to support the needy people here in the country and they have being doing this charity work for 19 years now giving back to the needy Papua New Guineans through their Charity Fundraising. [caption id="attachment_14361" align="aligncenter" width="621"] Some residential children of Life PNG Care posing with their food rations in Port Moresby. Picture by Kerebi DAVID.[/caption]

Despite numerous and countless awareness, campaigns and talks on Gender Based Violence in the country, Gender Based Violence is still the number one crime says Mama Emma. Mama Emma, a Human Rights Defender from the Mama Emma Crisis Centre in Pagwe Station, Gawi District in East Sepik Province also mentioned that sexual abuse is endured by many victims of Gender Based Violence. At most instances when Mama Emma is counselling victims of Gender Based Violence (GVB) she often discovers that most of these GBV victims and survivors are also victims of sexual violence and 80% of these women suffer in the hands of their own husbands. “One root cause of GBV is marital problems, and marital problems often end up with violence thus most women often fall victim to acts of violence and come to the centre for assistance on police referrals, mediation and in some worst cases, medical referrals.” "It is sad to see in most sexual abuse cases that victims are silent about this form of abuse because it happens inside their marriage and often times many never realise that they are being sexually abused until the moment they start sharing their fatal experiences during counselling." Mama Emma is making a stern call urging all married women who often endure GBV and who are often forced into sexual intercourse with their partners out of fear to come out and report their partners because this is sexual abuse. She further stressed that putting offenders and perpetrators behind bars is the right way to deal with the issue and not to charge them to pay compensation or ‘bel kol’ money as mostly referred to. Paying ‘bel kol’ money is not the best solution to end violence and to change their violent ways and mindset especially in rural places were policing is not effective. “Some perpetrators when out on bail turn out to be more violent towards their wives and whoever that helped in the process of putting them behind bars,” said Mama Emma. She also mentioned that when bel kol money (compensation) is paid, the perpetrator thinks he can still commit violence and get away with it by paying bel kol money again. Mama Emma highlighted that the main tool to help change any violent person is proper counselling. “When proper counselling is given to a perpetrator over a period of time it actually becomes effective because it changes the violent person psychologically.” Mama Emma is urging all women facing GBV and sexual violence to go to any nearby safe house, Family Sexual Violence Unit and police station and get help as soon as possible. She is also asking all men who often inflict violence and abuse on their wives to seek help and get counselling at nearby counselling centres before it is too late, before they commit a regrettable act and put themselves away in prison for a very long time.

Seven year old Angelyn in Western Highlands Province is currently being treated for multiple injuries after being tortured by her step mother who accused her of being a “Sanguma.” Little Angelyn was dropped off at Bukapena Health Centre by a relative of the guardians then quickly transported to Mt. Hagen General Hospital. It was there that they discovered Angelyn had multiple fractures to both hands and feet and other parts of her body including her collarbone and her left femur, one of the most difficult bones in the body to break. She also had open knife wounds all over her body and severe burns on her lips and genitals. It became clear through scans and further investigation that this child had been tortured for a long period of time. Hospital staff believing the case was related to Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) decided to call PNG Tribal Foundation (Tribal) to come in and investigate. Upon further investigation by Tribal’s Special Projects Manager, Ruth Kissam, it was discovered that the little girl had been accused of sorcery and was often tortured in front of other children. Tribal began to work with the local police in Mt. Hagen to find and arrest the perpetrator, who after much negotiation, was brought in to the police by family members on July 16th and will appear in court this week. Tribal is currently working with the Police and the Department of Justice, and the Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV and SARV to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable for her ruthless actions. Angelyn continues to receive treatment for her injuries and will be moved to a safe place with a family member once her health is stable. Tribal will look after her needs until she no longer requires Tribal’s care. She is the second child Tribal has worked with who made national headlines because of being tortured over false sorcery accusations.

The shortage of medical drugs in Abau District, Central Province, has greatly affected the operations of the health centers in the District. Among these, one of the worst affected is the Moreguina Health Centre. Moreguina Health Centre Officer-In-Charge Ravu Kapa tells this newsroom there is a no stock on all basic drugs and this includes the basic medicine for children. Mr Kapa also said the Health Centre does not have any stock for infant immunization jabs. He further stated that the Health Centre does not have funding or resources to do field work of from one village to another to deliver immunization to infants, and other medical services to those who are in the remotest parts of the district. “This is a very bad situation because all the basic drugs are finished and there is no pharmacy nearby where the patients can get their drugs from.” “With continuous rainfall the road condition has gone from bad to worse." "The health center was waiting for funding and resources including medical supplies to come through since January and is now mid-July." Meanwhile, the Moreguina Ambulance is also down and there are no funds to fix it yet. Mr Kapa is calling on the Area Medical Stores to fast track the process for medical supply and distribution to Abau District and has extended an appeal to the Central Provincial Health Authority to also assist in this area. Image supplied by Ravu Kapa

“You will be here in your country forever , don’t think about renting someone else’s house forever”, Prime Minister James Marape made this statement when he announced recently that the government will make land available for every working Papua New Guineans to own and build their own homes. Prime Minister has urged all employed citizens who have a formal income to keep a look out for land that the government plans to unlock in due time. Working class both in the private sector and the public sector who want to own a land, the Minister for Lands is currently trying to unbundle all land that has not being developed as yet and will make these land spaces available for working Papua New Guineans to own and build their homes. “For those who did not fulfill their contract to develop land and all those land that has not being given out yet, we are trying to mobilize all of land to unbundle under the first time home ownership scheme for Papua New Guineans who are working right throughout the country ,”said Prime Minister. He Every Papua New Guinean should be ready to get into this first time home ownership program because, no one has to go through long lines and long processes at the lands office to get land but they only have to save up and get into the loan program that the government had already establish as a partnership program with BSP. “You might as well pay off for your own house through our lending program with BSP.” Prime Minister said the government is thankful for the partnership with BSP for the 4% BSP first time housing loan scheme that has a 40 years repayment period. He said; "such low rate and long repayment period can never be found anywhere else in many other countries and all working class Papua New Guineans should be saving up their collateral and be on the lookout for available land." Prime Minister further highlighted that many Papua New Guineans will be asking where they can get the collateral to go to BSP to apply for housing loan when tax is high and living expenditures are also very high. PM said the simple answer to these questions is to stop all bad habits and stop all unnecessary spending in order to save money as your collateral. “Do not cry or look around for more money or don’t imagine a fake million kina is coming to your account from somewhere to help you get that housing loan!” “From what you earn today, reprioritize spending and cut the crap about so much money to haus krais.” He said Instead of spending a K300 at a haus krai, spend K50, instead of the unnecessary spending on cigarettes, buai and smoke you waste your money on and go into a healthier lifestyle. “You will be surprised that in 2-3 years time you will have the K20, 000 or K30, 000 you need so you can enter into the first Home ownership program,” said Marape. It is the people’s tax that keeps this country running, and the government wants to give back to the people through the housing program he said. The 40 years repayment will be transferred to your child when you are gone so they carry on the repayment, so you and your family can continue to live and enjoy your lives on your own land in your own homes.

Puma Energy PNG set a record safety landmark of 14 million working hours without any injury reported that could require time off at their 28 operational sites around the country. All the staff and contractors celebrated this achievement at the Puma Energy Refinery, Napa Napa Camp just outside of Port Moresby and what better way to celebrate this milestone achievement with Prime Minister James Marape as the Guest of Honour. Puma Energy since taking over from Inter Oil in 2014 has counted 14 million man hours which adds up to seven years of safe working by about 1000 Puma staff and contractor staff who are keeping the country supplied with refined products and services. Speaking at the event, Puma Country General Manager Hulala Tokome stated that this milestone defines Puma Energy as who they are as a company, where the most important aspect is everybody goes home safely at the end of each day. “For the first time in history of this organisation in PNG, we are celebrating a company wide collective safe achievement covering the refinery and the downstream organisation.” Mr Tokome further highlighted that Puma Energy is not just a leading energy supplier but also an industry leader in HSSE performance in PNG and across the world. “Our record is among the best achieved anywhere within the Puma Business Globally,” said Mr Tokome. The 14 million working hours without injury that Puma sets covers all operations within the boundaries of the company’s refinery, 12 terminals, 12 aviation sites, head office and two commercial centres through the country as well as the 1.6 million kilometres clocked up annually by the company’s owned fleet of 100 light vehicles and 15 trucks, and all these means that no staff or contractor staff has ever taken any time off from work because of injuries sustained from an unsafe incident at work for that period of time. Prime Minister James Marape who was a guest at the celebrations congratulated Puma energy for such a milestone achievement. “Puma and those of you in the energy space you energise our country, you keep our country running, you oil our country and you energize our country.” “And to have achieve 14 million hrs of work place safety especially in the last few years when we were really stressed out and for you to continue to supply energy to our country, I just thought on behalf of the country, I put my face behind the microphone and to give you the commendation as the Prime Minster of this country, “says Prime Minister. Prime Minister 'James Marape highlighted the importance of energy providers having a robust competitive environment which is good for the customers. “One day you want to retire to a country where the fuel is cheaper than what you are paying today!” Prime Minister invites Puma Energy to consider partnering with the government in providing lower cost for fuel, gas and power in the country, and with 10 million plus people in the country who need fuel going into the future, this is a good market space for Puma.

“If the Government is serious about taking back PNG then the government should start by taking back the people and the land and not letting the citizens of this country become refugees in their own land.” The displaced settlers of ATS first block, land portion 695 outside of Port Moresby are now voicing their concern for a relocation plan as soon as possible. Long time settler Mrs Mary Moru from Manus Island said they were given a 120 day eviction notice until March 27 which was the deadline - the eviction took place two days after on the March 29. Mrs Moru said a long 10 year court battle came to an end on 29th of March when Police SSD Units escorted a Bulldozer that came in and demolished houses and properties. Fences and power poles were bulldozed, trees and plants uprooted and even water and electricity cut off. Pit Toilets and makeshifts were also bulldozed down. Mrs Moru described the scenario of the eviction exercise as a heart breaking moment for over 5000 settlers, whereby most people have spent their life savings to make permanent high post and double storey houses but stood in dismay as they watch in despair everything they spent so much on destroyed. The eviction left all of them displaced and hopeless, with nowhere to go and no idea as to how they can pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. Mrs Moru said the eviction has also affected the education of all their kids, because all their kids do not have a place to sleep, no water to wash their clothes and uniforms, no electricity to do study and no more hope left to go to school when there is no home to come back to. “Mipla nogat hap long go so nait mipla silip long graun, said long remeinin blong ol haus blong mipla.” “During the day, it’s really hot and there is not water to wash or drink and there is no shade too, na mi kisim taim tu long side blong Toilet,” said Mrs Moru. “We have nowhere to go so we are just lost here!” “Gavman plis luk sawe long mipla na risetelim mipla.” Mrs Moru raised concerns that since the eviction took place there was no single visitation from the NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Member for Moresby North East John Kaupa or any representative from the government to the people of ATS 1st Block Potion 695 or even a rep from the foreign development to assure them if there will be any relocation for the displaced. All these people here pay tax, all these people here voted for the leaders to be in the House of Representatives and why a silence treatment when they are in dire need of relocation, said Mrs Moru. “If the Government is serious about taking back PNG then the government should start by taking back the people and the land and not letting the citizens of this country become refugees in their own land.” Evictions are happening every where , and foreigner developers are winning every piece of land available and it seems like we can never be economically independent and this country will not move forward when every time citizens are becoming refugees and migrants in their own country and looking for a place to settle down. “If the government can address housing and land issues that is a very big issue in this country then settled citizens can be in better positions to contribute effectively to the growth of this nation.” Mrs Moru further highlighted that many employees of the government and private sectors are living on rentals and what will happen to them when they retire or lose their job? They will either end up in the settlements or back in the village, but every time citizens try to build their home they get evicted and displaced with no place to go and no money to rebuild. “Mipla come long painim gutpla sindaun, gutpla edication na wok money tasol long arere em gavman still feilim mipla ol pipol.” “Please we appeal to our good governor Powes Parkop, Member for Moresby North East John Kaupa and our Prime Minister James Marape to hear our cries and allocate a piece of land for all of us who are now displaced to stay on”, said Mrs Moru.