With the total liquor ban within Western Highlands during the festive season, the number of drunkards in public was drastically reduced. This is according to PPC John Sagom, who said neighboring Jiwaka and Chimbu provinces have also enforced liquor restrictions. This has seen a  reduction in noisy and violent celebrations associated with alcohol. Peace loving residents of Mt Hagen city are happy with the quiet Christmas celebrations so far. PPC Sagom said all liquor outlets have stopped selling alcohol since Saturday. "Police urge the general public to maintain the peaceful spirit throughout the festive week and beyond." PPC Sagom added that a minor incident saw a handful of drunks caught along the roads locked up in the Mt Hagen police cells.

Prime Minister James Marape has officially launched the National Coffee Structure and Policy Framework at Banz, Jiwaka Province on Friday. One of the key aims of the new Coffee Ministry under pioneer Minister Joe Kuli is to see 2,500 coffee trees per family in the coffee growing areas around the country. The event was attended by PM James Marape, Finance and Planning Minister Rainbo Paita, Agriculture Minister Aiye Tambua and his vice Minister, Oil Palm Minister Francis Maneke, including governors for Western Highlands and Jiwaka, along with local Jiwaka MPs. Two representatives from the investor companies from the United States also attended the launching. Prime Minister James in his keynote speech called on the people to start going back home to work their lands. He said the government was working towards improving the lives of the rural communities, and commended the new Coffee Minister for taking the first step in setting the road map for coffee industry. The Prime Minister also challenged youths and school leavers not to give up hope and resort to drugs, alcohol and crime. Meanwhile, all the leaders expressed the need for people to work together to have the policy working. The Prime Minister also announced that K2 million each has been delivered to selected coffee producing Districts in the region and the funding program will phase out to other districts. He also announced K5 million each for Jiwaka and Western Highlands Provincial governments to focus on Coffee rehabilitation programs and taking stock of farmers.

Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG) is not only keen in training leaders in the public service but also in business. Last Friday, a small but significant graduation ceremony took place at Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen where the two weeks course was delivered to twenty one (21) participants. The event was officiated by PILAG CEO Michael Barobe, as well as representatives from Western Highlands Provincial Provincial Administration, National Development Bank and other stakeholders. Mr Barobe, while congratulating the participants, encouraged them to be committed and dedicated in their little businesses so that they grow. The participants are now equipped with knowledge and skills in starting up SMEs, doing project proposals, registration with Investment Promotions Authority (IPA) and Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), book keeping and other necessary skills. The trainings are delivered by qualified trainers with Masters degree , with up to twenty (20) years of job experiences. Meanwhile, participants also expressed gratitude for the training and thanked PILAG for delivering the two weeks training. The fee for the training was K500 per head. According to PILAG Highlands Regional Training Centre Manager Johnson Hebe, similar programs will run next year. National Development Bank Mt Hagen Branch Manager Pati Kingal also expressed his concern for SME owners especially in terms of loans. He suggested for the Western Highlands Provincial government to set up a financial assistance scheme for the people of the province. This would also empower SME owners to overcome one of the major constraints in obtaining loan, which is, security or collateral. Western Highlands Provincial representatives have advises that this would be relayed to governor Wai Rapa for the Provincial Administration to deliberate on.

University of Goroka (UOG) Mt Hagen Campus' Institute Of Distance and Flexible Learning and Early Childhood Education held its first graduation last Friday. Chancellor of the University of Goroka Joe Wemin declared the first graduation ceremony for the campus, which had a total of hundred eleven (111) graduates. The event  was hosted in a tent at Queen's Park, Mt Hagen, due to the unpredictable weather. It was a double graduation for both degree and diploma holders. Eight graduated with Bachelor of Education (Primary In-service) School Management, and one person graduated with Bachelor of Education (In-service TVET) School Management. A hundred and two (102) graduated with Diploma in Early Childhood Education. The venue was packed  with friends and families. Meanwhile, senior representatives from the University of Goroka including Chancellor Joe Wemin, Vice Chancellor Teng Waninga attended the event. Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa also commended UOG for setting up campus in Mt Hagen . His message to Western Highlanders is to invest their time and resources in education, agriculture and other worthwhile activities.

Mt Hagen city, capital of Western Highlands Province will soon see all it's roads upgraded and sealed. The official opening and ground breaking was done today (10/10/22) by Governor for Western Highlands Province Wai Rapa and local MP and Minister for State Owned Enterprises William Duma. Hagen Open MP William Duma says K5 million has already been allocated to kick-start the first phase which starts from the traffic lights, to the hospital and around the main market. The forty kilometre road upgrade project tender has been awarded to EMK construction. Both Rapa and Duma gave assurance that they would work together to deliver. The Marape-Rosso government has also been thanked for the supporting the project under the connect PNG program.

A senior public servant from Kagua Erave electorate in Southern Highlands Province is calling on the District Development Authority to address law and order issues quickly. Kagua Erave District Education Advisor, Leonard Yano says Kagua station has been hit with continuous vandalism of state properties. Yano raises concerns that solar street lights ,water tanks, computers for the district treasury,chairs and files have been damaged in the recent past. The District Education Advisor also revealed that Kagua Secondary School teachers, and students were being threatened, while the school's Administration building had its doors broken. Yano said now with the Sugu Valley fight erupting again, they were living in fear. He says the National EXAMs were around the corner and there were students attending more than 5 high Schools in the Electorate, whose education could be affected. Yano is requesting Kagua Erave DDA to engage Foreign troops to be based at the Station. He also challenged local leaders that it was time to stand together to educate tribesmen and discouraging arms build up in the electorate.

Peoples National Congress Party leader and sitting Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O'Neill is being challenged by eight candidates in the 2022 National Elections. Most of these candidates come from remote parts of the electorate. Unlike the past two elections where most Local Level Governments (LLGs) fielded no candidates, this year there are candidates contesting from the silent areas. At least four candidates are clustered in South Wiru LLG which is the sitting MPs base, while other LLGs have at least one or two each. In South Wiru LLG, Pangu candidate and 2017 second runner-up Stanley Liria is another favourite, though Peter O'Neill beat him on first count then. Former National Lands Board Chairman Sam Wange is also a new face contesting from the same LLG.. It is understood that East Pangia and South Wiru LLGs were O'Neill's base in 2017 General Elections. Another two candidates from East Pangia LLG are Leonard Pangepea and Wai Omala. Meanwhile, from remote Kuare LLG, the first candidate to rise is Diri Micah Kapolo, an agriculturalist and teacher. From Kewabi LLG, Ricky Pale and Dr. Sam Kari have raised their hands as contenders for the Ialibu Pangia seat. According to Returning Officer Ronald Rambu, campaigns have been peaceful so far, despite an isolated incident at a remote village in South Wiru LLG last week. Rambu said people seem to be more educated enough now than in past elections.

Another fight broke out in Mt Hagen city today (Saturday) at around 1pm, leaving up to three men with bushknife wounds and a number of vehicles damaged. This time, it said to be between two factions within Western Highlands Province. The notorious Animal Market is said to be the hub of crimes and one of the groups is calling for that area to be closed to street vending. Police and the Army have been on alert since series of fights and unrest broke out over the week in the third largest city. Meanwhile, local police have called on the general public to do their businesses early and leave to their places of residence during daylight period.

Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai is being called on to change the persons listed as Returning Officers for Western Highlands Province. This call is from the Yamka and Moge tribes who are threatening to shut down Kagamuga International Airport for indefinite period if Electoral Commissioner does not respond. The Airport was closed yesterday after locals learned that the person responsible for biased counting for Mt Hagen Open in 2017 elections was appointed returning officer again for this years election. Specifically, these frustrations are based on information from the leaked gazette notice on appointment of provincial and electorate returning officers. A protest is expected today, as school administrations in the city have turned students home.

Staff and students of Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen are mourning the death of a female student who was killed by thugs on Independence Eve. According to the colleges Principal Michael Miamel, the deceased was a first year student, 20 year old female, from Anglimp South Waghi. She was stabbed with knives by some thugs who wanted to get her mobile phone. The deceased was killed at Banz bus stop in Jiwaka province at a public toilet area where she went to relieve herself. She was rushed to Kudjip Hospital but died due to loss of blood from wounds to her head and neck. Mr Miamel said the school board was shocked with the news following the incident that happened last Wednesday. He expressed his condolences on behalf of the school community and said they would hold a funeral at the campus as well. The principal has described the killing of the late student by robbers as animalistic. Mr Miamel said such criminals did not need to live on this earth as they were senseless like animals. He called on Jiwaka Police to ensure the suspects are caught and brought to justice. Meanwhile, police are doing their investigations and calling on witnesses and informers to come forward. Eastern End Assistant Police Commander Anton Billy said such criminals will cause more deaths if law abiding citizens kept their mouths shut and did nothing to assist the police capture them.

A major landslip at Asisa in the Imbongu electorate of Southern Highlands has completely blocked off the Highlands Highway leading to Mendi town. This follows continuous rains this week, which has also seen another major road washed off by a creek at Yebi as well. Commuters and travelling public are being charged money as they walk across with cargo and personal belongings. Highway Patrol 17 Police at Kaupena confirmed that the section of the highway impassable by vehicles and those driving to Mendi or further to Hela and Enga Provinces via Mendi-Hagen route are advised to take the Tambul - Mendi road which goes around Mt Giluwe. Meanwhile Works Secretary David Wereh has been informed by this newsroom and he is expected to make a response soon. Travelling public, especially PMVs and private vehicle owners are urged not to take that route because there is no way and it is impossible to construct by passes as a hill has slipped onto the road. Picture: Supplied (a section of the Mendi Kandep Highway)

Last week's decision by Mt District Court Magistrate Leonard Mesmin in setting free the alleged murderer and his two accomplices for the murder of late Imelda Tupi Tiamanda due to lack of evidence, which included the absence of the doctors signature on the Post Mortem report will be looked at by they Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority. Acting CEO of Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority Jane Holden told this newsroom, Mt. Hagen General Hospital does not have a pathologist, however she will get more information and make a statement on the matter. Last week, Magistrate Mesmin set free the main suspect and husband of late Imelda, Dr. Simon Temo and his accomplices Ken Paul and Nombre Kasu due to insufficient evidence to commit them to trial at the National Court. The controversial murder case went viral on social media after Police at Kaugel check point at the border of Southern and Western Highlands Provinces caught the three suspects with the body of the woman wrapped in a canvas in the suspects vehicle at around midnight on May 10 this year. At that time the suspects were also caught with a firearm and ammunition and police reports had stated that Mr. Temo had allegedly offered K100, 000 to bribe the policemen. Certain lawyers have argued that the matter was a straightforward one if Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander and his colleagues PPC of Western Highlands had their policemen diligently compile the case brief report. Though there appeared to be overwhelming circumstantial evidence in which the deceased body was confirmed and proven to be wrapped in a canvas when found by the police in the car of the suspected husband murderer, who even panicked and offered bribes to have the body disposed secretly, Magistrate Mesmin chose to throw out the case on technical grounds. The lawyers have put to task the Justice Minister Bryan Kramer and Police Commissioner David Manning to question the conduct of the magistrate, while Commissioner to intervene in the purportedly bribery infested police work.