Samuel RAITANO

The Mompou Tribesmen have been crowned the 2026 Kui Wamp Nga Rugby League senior men’s champions after defeating the City Peps in a dramatic 19-18 golden-point thriller.The grand finale, played on Saturday 10th October 2026, at the Kui Wamp Nga Secondary School field, saw both sides locked at 18-all after a bruising, high-intensity 80 minutes. Ice-cool playmaker Felix Mbeki sealed the historic victory, slotting a decisive field goal in extra time to break the deadlock on an El Niño-impacted, dusty pitch.Despite recent community tensions and a previous incident at the school, the tournament concluded peacefully and on a high note. Competition sponsor Emmanuel Hambi presented medals, trophies, shields, and cups to the finalists, individual standout players, and match officials.Kui Wamp Nga Rugby League President Emmanuel Koim praised the exemplary behavior of the crowd and participants. The peaceful atmosphere allowed all three divisions—Under-15, Under-20, and Senior Men—to successfully complete their grand final matches.Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) representative James Kundi commended the overall discipline of the players and fans. He highlighted that the Yamka people's commitment to ensuring a safe finale gives organizers immense confidence ahead of the 2027 season."Unlike other league finals that require a heavy police presence, this weekend's matches were entirely owned by the teams and their supporters," Kundi said.A strict tournament rule dictating that teams would be heavily fined for any spectator misconduct successfully drove this community accountability. This accountability led clubs and fans to police their own behavior throughout the entire season.Looking ahead, Kundi emphasized that the Kui Wamp League is rich with young talent. He reaffirmed that the competition’s core purpose remains developing grassroots players and forging clear development pathways to major competitions, including the National Rugby League (NRL).

Mothers and informal sector operators across the Western Highlands Province and the wider Highlands region are being urged to utilize financial savings and micro-loans to expand their businesses.Speaking at the recent opening of the new Women’s Micro Bank (Mama Bank) branch in Mt Hagen City, Mama Bank Chairlady Dr. Elizabeth Kopel highlighted the institution's commitment to supporting grassroots entrepreneurs.Dr. Kopel clarified that informal businesses do not require formal documentation—such as the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) or Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) registration—to access credit. Instead, the bank aims to help small-scale businesses grow to a sustainable level before transitioning into the formal economy."To support our grassroots people, the account opening process has been simplified," Dr. Kopel explained. "Applicants only need an identification letter from their ward councilor or pastor, alongside their basic personal and informal business details, to get started."Furthermore, Dr. Kopel revealed that several District Development Authorities (DDAs) and Provincial Governments have actively partnered with Mama Bank since the COVID-19 pandemic to subsidize loans and financial services for rural communities.Dr. Kopel also extended her gratitude to Commerce and Industry Minister Wake Goi for allocating K10 million in SME funds to the Mama Bank branch network to boost economic development in the Western Highlands Province.Mama Bank continues to pioneer financial inclusion across Papua New Guinea, providing a secure banking platform designed specifically to empower women and informal sector workers.

Women’s Micro Bank (Mama Bank) officially expanded its financial inclusion network into the Western Highlands Province on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, with the grand opening of its new Mt Hagen City branch. The milestone launch marks Mama Bank’s second full-service branch in the Highlands region—following its branch in Tari, Hela Province—bringing the bank’s total footprint across Papua New Guinea to 22 full-service branches and access points.Strategically located upstairs in Wamp Nga Haus, the new facility is positioned to provide accessible financial services to local mothers, grassroots farmers, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and informal sector entrepreneurs who historically face barriers accessing traditional commercial banking.The launch was further strengthened by an immediate K1 million funding injection from the Dei District Development Authority (DDA). Under a newly signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) executed at the opening, the DDA's K1 million capital backing will unlock up to K3 million in specialized SME credit facilities specifically for the people of Dei District.The high-profile opening ceremony at Queens Park was attended by senior government and financial leaders, including Commerce and Industry Minister Hon. Wake Goi, Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa, Dei MP Desmond Kipa, Mama Bank Chairlady Dr. Elizabeth Kopel, Mama Bank CEO Gunanidhi Das, Registrar of Cooperative Societies Wale Budda Molumi, and senior executives from the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG)."The launching of this facility is a seed being planted for our people," stated Dei MP Desmond Kipa, noting that his district already boasts 80 registered cooperative societies alongside thousands of informal vendors."Politicians do not carry free cash around to dish out. I strongly encourage our people to work the land, market your produce, save with Mama Bank, and utilize this credit facility to grow your long-term wealth."Mama Bank Chairlady Dr. Elizabeth Kopel and CEO Gunanidhi Das emphasized that the heavy presence of state and provincial leadership underscores the critical national importance of grassroots banking.The bank reiterated its commitment to offering a welcoming, alternative financial platform designed to transition informal businesses into the formal economy, driving economic empowerment across the Western Highlands and neighboring provinces.

Jiwaka Province has successfully handed over 1,023 items—including high-powered factory-made firearms, homemade guns, and explosives—to police under the national firearms amnesty program. The surrendered arsenal is valued at an estimated K1.29 million.The milestone was revealed by Senior Inspector Maureen Undaba, the Guns Amnesty Coordinator for the Highlands Eastern End. She provided the regional update during the Annual General Meeting of Western Highlands Ward Councillors.Senior Inspector Undaba singled out the North Waghi District as the region's standout performer, accounting for 90% of the surrendered illegal weapons.However, progress across the rest of the region remains varied:Simbu Province: Despite extensive awareness campaigns, residents have refused to surrender weapons. Instead, communities are demanding upfront cash payments under the government's proposed gun buyback scheme.Western Highlands Province:Operational efforts have been hampered by a severe lack of logistical support. Additionally, while some tribes have expressed a willingness to disarm, they are demanding that their rivals and enemies surrender weapons simultaneously.Addressing the financial expectations of the public, Ms. Undaba clarified that local police do not hold cash to pay individuals on the spot. Instead, officers will officially evaluate the monetary value of all surrendered items and forward comprehensive reports to Police Headquarters in Port Moresby to facilitate the government-announced buyback.The national firearms amnesty period has been officially extended to December 25. Consequently, police are preparing for an intense, renewed awareness campaign across the Western Highlands.In response to the update, Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa commended the initiative and announced that his provincial government will allocate K200,000 to fund police logistics, ensuring the awareness and surrender programs can successfully reach all corners of the province.

The Mount Hagen City Authority has stepped in to boost the operations of the Public Solicitor’s Office in Western Highlands Province with the donation of a brand-new vehicle.The Toyota LandCruiser 10-seater was officially presented on Tuesday by the local MP for Mt Hagen Open, Minister for State Enterprises, and Chairman of the Mt Hagen City Authority, Hon. William Duma.Receiving the vehicle on behalf of his team, the Solicitor-in-Charge of the Mt Hagen Public Solicitor’s Office, Samson Minara, expressed deep gratitude to Minister Duma. He noted that the vehicle would also support colleague lawyers covering Jiwaka and Southern Highlands provinces."This vehicle bridges a critical gap in delivering legal services to ordinary people, many of whom are currently in prison without legal representation," Mr. Minara said, praising Minister Duma’s foresight and leadership.The presentation was witnessed by Senior Western Highlands Province Magistrate Ms. Betty Jacobs, Acting Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander and Mt Hagen Police Station Commander Senior Inspector Steven Philipo, and 13 ward councillors from the Mt Hagen Rural Local Level Government (LLG). The councillors commended the initiative, highlighting that ordinary citizens have a fundamental right to defense counsel and that it takes wise leadership to recognize and address the specific needs of law and justice agencies.Speaking on behalf of the Supreme, National, District, and Land Mediation courts, Senior Magistrate Jacobs emphasized that the vehicle addresses a long-standing "missing link" in the criminal justice system, making legal assistance far more accessible to the public.In his remarks, Minister Duma reminded the officers of their vital role as public defenders and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the office whenever necessary

Three council wards in the Kagua Local Level Government (LLG) of Kagua-Erave District, Southern Highlands Province, took a historic step on Saturday by voluntarily surrendering illegal firearms to local police.The participating wards—Mabuanda 1, Mabuanda 2, and Tumbalere—which are primarily comprised of the Kulumbu tribe, took the initiative to set a peaceful example for the rest of the district by handing over six high-powered firearms.The disarmament initiative was organized under the leadership of Kita Yambi, Principal of Ialibu Secondary School (representing the Mabuanda wards), and Michael Paita, the Ward Councillor for Tumbalere.Community leaders emphasized that their people are demanding schools, healthcare, and vital government services rather than the destruction brought by gun violence.This community-led surrender aligns directly with the extension of the National Guns Amnesty period, which is set to expire at the end of this month.Following the successful handover, leaders are urging the rest of the Kagua-Erave District—particularly those residing in volatile, tribal-war-torn areas—to follow the Kulumbu tribe’s example. Individuals who still hold illegal weapons are highly encouraged to safely hand them in at the Kagua Police Station before the amnesty deadline closes.

Five private tertiary institutions operating in the Western Highlands Province have received a major boost, with the Western Highlands Provincial Government (WHPG) delivering a timely financial package of K50,000 each, totaling K250,000.00 .The funding recipients include:Kumul Training InstitutePNG Education CollegeMount Hagen School of NursingKeluwa Teachers CollegeMapex Training InstituteWestern Highlands Governor Wai Rapa presented the bank deposit receipts directly to senior representatives of the five institutions during a formal gathering at Sir Mara Haus.Governor Rapa explained that the financial support acknowledges the long-standing, registered service these institutions provide to Grade 10 and Grade 12 school leavers. He praised their vital contribution to expanding higher education access within the province.In response, institutional representatives expressed deep gratitude to the WHPG for providing official recognition and funding for the first time. They noted that despite implementing critical state education policies, private colleges typically do not receive government subsidies.The administrators revealed that the K50,000 grants will heavily assist with their operational wind-down costs and upcoming graduation programs for the current academic year.

Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa has issued a strong directive to the PNG Teaching Services Commission (TSC), calling for the immediate termination and discipline of teachers with poor administrative or behavioral records.Governor Rapa made the call following a recent student protest in Mount Hagen City by Kui Wamp Nga Secondary School students. The demonstration, directed at the school's principal, escalated into a serious commotion that tragically resulted in two deaths.Governor Rapa emphasized that the TSC must act decisively on recommendations from the Provincial Education Board (PEB) to penalize or remove compromised staff.He expressed deep concern that educators with documented bad records are reportedly being protected by the TSC, allowing them to remain in the provincial school system. This systemic failure, Rapa noted, directly fuels the frustrations of parents and students, occasionally triggering public unrest.

Local contractor Kaia Works Limited has delivered a comprehensive progress update to the Dei District Development Authority (DDA) and local media, confirming that 80% of the contracted road networks and bridges in the district are now complete.Godfrey Umba, the owner and Managing Director of Kaia Works, personally led a project site tour for Dei DDA Chief Executive Officer Raphael Koldop and members of the DDA board, which included the three local-level government (LLG) presidents. Umba stated that the joint inspection allowed all stakeholders to witness the infrastructure progress firsthand.Project Scope and Rapid TimelineAccording to Patrick Namba, the Superintendent of Dei Projects and Senior Roads Engineer for the Department of Works and Highways, the overall infrastructure package is nearing its final stages.The scope of works includes:Upgrading and sealing the Balg Kuk road, Ambra Muglamp road, and Mogla Kerakori road.Constructing the new Namaliu and Moga bridges.Engineers on-site revealed that the final road sealing phase is on track to be fully completed within the next three weeks.In response to the inspection, CEO Koldop and the DDA board members praised Kaia Works for its impressive performance and for hitting near-completion targets well ahead of the official deadline.Koldop expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Dei District and assured the contractor that the DDA board would meet to finalize outstanding funding arrangements, ensuring Kaia Works is fully paid for the delivered infrastructure.

Fresh produce farmers in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands province, have warned that current market harvests may be their last.William Pupti, a vegetable farmer from Kelam village in Hagen Rural Local Level Government (LLG), outside Mt Hagen City, stated that they were unable to plant new crops due to ground that had dried up with no water to tend new crops.Mt Hagen City market is set to run low on vegetables and fresh produce in the coming days, affecting supply chains to other parts of the country including Lae, Madang, and Port Moresby.This, on the other hand, will also affect roadside vendors who depend on black market sales as well as commercial sectors such as hotels, restaurants, public institutions, and others who depend on fresh produce from the highlands region.Mr. Pupti expressed concerns that he solely depends on his farm to earn income for his family and built his livelihood and home entirely on commercial farming.Meanwhile, a community representative of the Jika Komapi community at Kelam, Andrew Kunjil, has called upon all relevant authorities especially Mt Hagen Open District Development Authority (DDA), Western Highlands Provincial Government, and National Disaster Office to assist with the restoration of the village’s water supply.He noted that children currently lack clean water to wash before attending school and warned that groundwater supplies will dry up entirely within weeks.Moreover, the local water supply that serves approximately 800 residents, has also dried up as they currently rely on remaining groundwater sources, which are rapidly depleting and visibly contaminated, yet they have no alternative options.Community leaders report that no assessment teams from the Provincial Disaster Office or related agencies have visited the affected areas to evaluate the El Niño impact.Prompt institutional relief focused on restoring village water supplies remains urgently needed to prevent further economic damage and public health hazards.

Rivers are running dry and water is being contaminated with algae in many parts of Southern Highlands Province, due to El Nino. Water scarcity is now becoming a real problem for most villages and government stations as water tanks, creeks and groundwater sources run dry. Meanwhile, towns like Mendi, Walum,Pangia, Ialibu and Kagua along with other stations in the province do not have water supply systems and the prolonged dry season is set to adversely affect public servants, public institutions and the ordinary citizens as well. Southern Highlands Provincial Administrator David Kelma is understood to have instructed all District Administrations to do assessment and submit reports immediately to be delivered to the National Disaster Centre and relevant authorities. In Sugu Valley of Kagua Erave District, Sugu River that used to run fresh has also been reduced in size and now contaminated with algae, according to sources on ground. And in Ialibu Pangia District, renowned Polu River that flows from Mt Ialibu has been reduced to a creek, according to local, Wendeka Aipu from Maia village, East Pangia.Other big rivers in the province have also reduced in size to levels people say they have never seen in past dry seasons. Food gardens are also getting dry, indicating a looming threat of hunger in many areas prone to frost.

Dei District in the Western Highlands Provinces has around 1276 tertiary students who are currently attending tertiary institutions in the country this year, and this number is embarrassing, says local MP Desmond Kipa.Kipa who was speaking to his 51 ward councillors recently in Mt Hagen City during a cheque presentation to contractors engaged in district development programs as well as its three Local Level Government, highlighted that human resource is vital and he wants more students from his district to attend tertiary institutions in the country.“Only 1276 tertiary students from Dei district is an embarrassment; all children must be encouraged to go to school and continue through to tertiary institutions”, said Kipa.“I want to see more young people attend tertiary institution”.Kipa added that when more young people are educated, then the district will have more educated elites, better services, development, projects including cash flow and positive changes in their communities.He further added that despite financial needs to cater for many other areas, Dei DDA had allocated K1, 000 each as subsidy for tertiary students from the district, and with additional K2, 000 subsidy component from Western Highlands Provincial Government, each student from Dei is relieved with K3, 000 school fee assistance.He encourages more grade 12 students to take education seriously and do well in their examinations this year so that more students make it to tertiary institutions.Kipa says Dei DDA under his leadership would continue to subsidize tertiary students’ fees.