Governor for Madang province Ramsey Pariwa, has publicly declared this week, that the sporting pride of Madang namely the Madang Football Club will be back on the field in 2026 to proudly fly the flag of the province in the sport of soccer. “As the patron of Madang FC, I declare that I am prepared to put money and get funding in place to have Madang FC return to the National Soccer League next year.” He said that he would task the Madang Provincial Events Committee to sit down with the Madang Provincial Sports Coordinator plus the Madang Soccer Association to design a plan to move forward to have Madang FC take part in the National Soccer League next year. Governor Pariwa gave his major sports undertaking during the presentation of trophies and cash prizes to the winning teams who participated in the Madang Urban LLG leg of the Governor's Cup tournament. The tournament saw both men and women participate in soccer and volleyball games in a week-long competition with the grand final held on Tuesday the 4th of November 2025. During the occasion, he announced that Madang will also field a rugby league team and stated that he is totally against the name Madang Kandes which is not an indigenous Madang identity tag. He said Madang has other suitable names to associate to that has cultural significance. Meantime, the main aim of the Governor’s Cup tournament is to unite all sports men and women to participate and at the same time avoid law and order problems in the community. He believes one of the reasons lawlessness in the country is rising is because the government is not creating the opportunity for the talented or gifted sport men and women in the community to keep them occupied. He said that there are some gifted men and women in the community who when not having anything better to keep them occupied resort to illegal activities thus creating problem in the community. “The Governor’s Cup is an opportunity created by the Madang Provincial Government for sport men and women particularly youths to play together and unite for the common good.” “I encourage those players who have taken the field in the Governor’s Cup should be happy that they have a chance to represent the province under the wings of Madang FC.” He further thanked everyone including games technical officials, teams’ players and club managers for hosting a successful one-week tournament. On the other hand, he particularly mentioned and commended Madang Urban Local Level Government (LLG) Coordinator, Belshman Tupa, for taking on the initiative to organize the event with the assistance of James Manup and Provincial Sports Coordinator, Panchito Amepou. He has also given an undertaking to improve the sporting facilities in Madang so the people can go and enjoy the games. “My job now is to look around for funds to assist improve the facilities at Laiwaden oval and other sporting venues in town.” Meanwhile, he also acknowledged the SME mothers who have utilized the Governor’s Cup tournament to go sell their food and drinks to sustain living expenses.

Madang Police have been working with limited resources to keep the Local Level Government (LLG) elections safe. Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Robert Baim said officers are doing their best with what they have. “We are using whatever limited resources we have. All election matters are the Electoral Commission’s responsibility.” “Police only assist to provide security depending on funds available.” Superintendent Baim thanked his officers for staying committed despite the challenges. “We are here to serve with or without resources.” His comments came after a presiding officer was arrested in Madang for being in possession of unused ballot papers and polling materials. Police said the officer had been under watch for several days before his arrest. Baim said the incident is a warning to all election officials. “Do your job with trust. Every eye is on you. The laws are here to govern all of us.”

Police in Madang have arrested a presiding officer after he was found with unused ballot papers and other election materials during the Madang Urban Local Level Government (MULLG) election. The officer, who was part of Team 63 at the Tusbab Secondary School counting centre, was caught with ballot butts, ballot papers, and polling journals. Police and scrutineers had been watching him closely for several days after noticing suspicious behaviour. The search was carried out by the Madang National Criminal Intelligence and Transnational Crime Unit, leading to his arrest at the Marape Hall counting centre. Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Robert Baim confirmed the arrest, saying the officer is now held at Jomba Police Station and will be charged under the Election-Related Offences Act. PPC Baim warned all polling officials to act honestly while carrying out their duties. “Let me warn the polling officials, do your job with trust.” “Every eye is on you, so your conduct, movements, and actions are being scrutinized by everyone.” He reminded the public that “the laws are here to govern all of us.”

As a token of appreciation, the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA), on behalf of the Secretary Philip Leo and the Minister Soroi Marepo Eoe, food rations were presented to the landowners of Kaup Village in East Sepik Province. The presentation, made to the village elders, recognized their ongoing cooperation and support in allocating land for the resettlement of the displaced Kadovar Island people. Kaup has been identified as the proposed permanent resettlement site for the Kadovar community, who were evacuated to the Dandan Care Centre under the Turubu Local Level Government (LLG) area following the volcanic eruption on Kadovar Island in January 2018. Since 2020, DPLGA has been providing regular food assistance to the displaced Kadovar people, who remain largely dependent on these rations due to limited access to sustainable food sources. Earlier this week, officials from DPLGA and the East Sepik Provincial Administration held discussions with the Kaup landowners to reach a mutual understanding on the way forward for the proposed resettlement project. Through continued collaboration and successful negotiations between the East Sepik Provincial Government, the Wewak District Development Authority (DDA) and DPLGA, the proposed Kaup site represents a significant step toward achieving a lasting resettlement solution for the Kadovar people currently living at Dandan Care Centre. Furthermore, the Department of Lands and Physical Planning and the East Sepik Provincial Administration, will visit the proposed Kaup site to conduct a joint inspection and hold consultations with local leaders and landowners as part of the ongoing resettlement planning process.

Following the devastating volcanic eruption on January 5, 2018, on Kadovar Island (one of Papua New Guinea's six Schouten Islands), the displaced Kadovar people, who have been living at the Dandan Care Centre in the Turubu Local Level Government (LLG) of Wewak, East Sepik Province, will soon have a permanent place to call home. A government delegation, including officers from the Department of Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs (DPLGA), the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, the East Sepik Provincial Administration, and the Wewak District Administration, has been on the ground identifying and negotiating land for permanent resettlement. The delegation is working to acquire 97.6 hectares of land from the proposed Kaup landowners. This acquisition will provide a long-term and secure settlement site for the Kadovar people, offering safer and more sustainable living conditions than their current location. Consultations and the land acquisition process are currently progressing, with permanent relocation expected by mid-next year. Since their forced evacuation, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) were relocated to the Dandan Care Centre, which has presented significant challenges including location, whereas the centre occupies a small 3.5-hectare low-lying coastal area bordered by steep hills on one side and the sea on the other. Flooding risk was also a challenge where the site remains highly prone to flooding, especially during heavy rains, as two creeks run through the settlement and flow into the sea. In addition, food insecurity also saw limited land space and unresolved ownership issues having to restrict agricultural activities, as well as prevent self-reliant food production and worsening nutrition and living conditions. The IDPs have relied heavily on food assistance since 2018. Furthermore, DPLGA has been leading efforts toward a sustainable and permanent resettlement program, including continuous support for the community. The DPLGA has been providing food rations since 2019 which saw during their recent visit this week, the DPLGA-led delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Dandan Care Centre and donated food rations to the settlers. The displaced community has commended the Marape-Rosso Government and DPLGA for their continued commitment and support. Despite enduring hardship and years of uncertainty for nearly a decade, the Kadovar settlers have expressed hope that the National Government will soon finalize the ongoing negotiations with the Kaup landowners and deliver on its promise of permanent relocation.

Jacob Maragau has been officially declared the member-elect for Ward 5 in the Lae Urban Local Level Government (LLG) elections. The declaration was made this week at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium indoor complex, where counting is still in progress. Morobe Election Manager Simon Soheke, who is also the Returning Officer for the LLG elections, confirmed that all legal and election procedures were completed before the official announcement. Using the powers under Section 50 of the Constitution and Section 175 (1)(a)(b) of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections, Mr. Soheke declared Mr. Maragau as the duly elected member at 10:36 a.m on Wednesday 5th of November 2025. Maragau won with a total of 4, 966 votes, surpassing the absolute majority of 4,386 after all ballot boxes for Ward 5 were counted, reconciled, and verified. Meanwhile, counting for Wards 1, 3, and 6 in the Lae Urban LLG is continuing at the same venue. Election officials have assured the public that the counting process is moving smoothly and that accuracy and transparency remain their top priorities. More updates and declarations are expected in the coming days as counting continues for the remaining wards.

Prime Minister James Marape has issued a direct challenge to the Opposition, led by member for Ialibu-Pangia Peter O’Neill, demanding they demonstrate their numerical strength on the floor of Parliament instead of attempting to create public tension through social media and the press. He asserted that the Opposition has had ample opportunity to prove their numbers, noting their failure to block any government business during the recent Parliament sitting. “Every meeting of Parliament gives the Opposition an opportunity to prove they have the numbers.” He cited the smooth passage of major bills, including the Coffee Act and the Higher Education Act, as clear evidence that the government maintains a firm majority of over 96 Members of Parliament (MPs). “If they truly had the numbers, they could have blocked government business last week, but they did not.” The Prime Minister dismissed Opposition Leader O’Neil’s actions as a desperate attempt to gain relevance ahead of the 2027 National Elections, labelling his group as “busy bodies without numbers.” He recalled that O’Neill has been the main proponent of votes of no confidence since 2019 but has never successfully commanded a majority. The Prime Minister stressed that “Parliament is ruled by the majority, not social media.” He also strongly criticized O’Neill’s moral standing, pointing to past scandals like the UBS and Motukea Port transactions, stating that he has no moral standing to lecture anyone about leadership. In addition, Prime Minister Marape, emphasized that governing is “serious business” based on proven numbers, not political noise. He set the upcoming budget session as the definitive test of strength. “If Mr. O’Neill believes he can form government, he must show his 59 MPs when Parliament resumes on November 18. If the Opposition can block the budget, then that is the real test.” He urged citizens to remain calm and not be misled, asking them to allow Parliament to function normally. Furthermore, the Prime Minister appealed to all Papua New Guineans to prioritize capable, visionary leaders in the 2027 National Elections, urging them to vote based on merit and stability, not tribalism or personal gain. “Let the numbers in Parliament, not the noise outside to determine leadership.” He also affirmed that PNG’s democracy remains stable and the government is focused on governing.

A severe shortage of medical drugs and supplies at Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae, is crippling patient care across Morobe Province, with doctors warning that lives are at risk. From the Accident and Emergency department Doctor Alex Peawi, he said that the hospital is running dangerously low on essential medicines such as antibiotics, painkillers, and intravenous fluids. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to treat patients with serious injuries or illnesses when we do not have basic supplies.” The shortage has forced patients to buy their own medicines from private pharmacies before receiving treatment. “It is heartbreaking for us as frontline doctors. We are here to save lives, but without medicines, our hands are tied.” Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kipas Binga confirmed the hospital’s stock remains critically low despite assurances that new shipments would arrive by the end of October. “We are doing everything possible to sustain operations with the little we have.” He further stated that the hospital had relied on provincial government support and District Development Authorities (DDAs) to purchase emergency drugs, but funds from a K1.7 million provincial grant earlier this year have run out. He urged continued support to ensure patients receive timely care.

A proposed Yaganon hydro power supply project in Saidor Local Level Government (LLG) in Rai Coast District is a huge impact project which all local landowners in the impact communities must agree to work together as a team to realize their dream come to fruition. This was a direction issued by the Governor of Madang Ramsey Pariwa, when addressing over ten thousand people from the Yaganon census division in Rai Coast District last week at Dein Primary School. The governor’s first official visit to that part of Rai Coast received a rousing welcome with a procession comprising traditional dancers which took him from the heli-pad about a kilometer away to a grand stand at Dein Primary School to address the excited crowds of people who converged on to the venue from both the hinterlands and the coastal villages and hamlets in the Yaganon census division. The governor allowed his First Secretary, Francis Tavatuna, to be carried on a makeshift chair by the people to the venue where he delivered his address. Governor Pariwa admitted that since after taking office in 2022 he has been approached by a number of groups claiming to be the so-called landowners of the Yaganon hydro power project and he was confused who were the genuine landowners to work with. “I am confused as to whom to assist as I am for you all, and one group should not force me to accept its position and overlook the others. That is not right.” “You are all my people, and I don’t want to create divisions amongst you.” “I am your leader, and I am for you all, so I want you to regroup and agree to work together for a better way forward.” He said the people can be excited with the project and continue to talk about it every now and then, however, the actual magnitude of the hydro power project is huge and the amount of work to be carried out is enormous. It is on that note that all parties must sit down and agree and not form their own groupings with vested interest just to gain from the project. Many local leaders including the LLG Presidents from Saidor and Astrolabe Bay who spoke during the occasion expressed their desires in seeing the project get off the ground because it has taken them over twenty years since the idea was hatched to have a hydro power built at the Yaganon River which sits adjacent to the Basamuk Refinery Plant of the Ramu Nickel Project in Rai Coast District. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Yaganon Landowners Association, Wilas Weta, who was instrumental in organizing the gathering at Dein Primary School admitted that he had been to Port Moresby to seek assistance to the project. However, he was advised to go back home and organize his people, and all must come to an agreement in order to see the project get off the ground. In addition, Governor Pariwa in his address assured the people of Yaganon census division that the Madang Provincial Government stands ready to support the project and has already earmarked K5 million for the feasibility study for the project. He explained that now that the landowners have expressed their intentions to work together then they must follow the policy and direction of the Madang Provincial government. He assured the crowd that he stands ready to support the hydro power project going forward due to legacy issues of electricity supply outages currently faced by the province and the country with the exciting grids. Furthermore, Governor Pariwa officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony for the first phase of feasibility study to commence in November with the support of his government going forward.

The Madang Provincial SME Credit Program witnessed its first batch of ten (10) recipients being presented their loans this week in the presence of the Governor for Madang Ramsey Pariwa. These first ten recipients are the success story of the Madang Provincial SME Credit Program after it was officially launched in April this year. Governor Pariwa commended the first ten recipients, stating that they should start small with the SME loan assistance provided by the Madang Provincial Government in order to grow their capital to become successful in life. Mr. Pariwa said Madang is the only province that has invested K5 million to support SME. Other provinces only have districts investing in SME; however, the funding is usually to the tune of only K1 million. He encouraged that he likes to see that one day in the future one of these recipients of the SME Credit Program he has initiated to become successful and operate a big shop in Madang Town. Mr. Pariwa also challenged the Madang people to do away with the ‘laid back’ attitude of sitting down with folded arms and spectating and commenting on the success of others. Instead, Madang people must wake up from their doldrums and focus more on tilling the land, working hard and sweating in order to see progress and prosperity. He further challenged the people to apply the Godly principle of working hard and to sweat in order to become successful in life. In the last fifty years the people of Madang have been expecting too much from the government to provide or give them everything freely. “No wonder the province and the country had not significantly progressed in the last fifty years.” He said in the next fifty years starting this year, the province would have to work hard and sweat in order to achieve positive results, progress and prosperity. “My government is providing the K5 million SME Credit facility to assist the little people to get into small businesses and grow their capital and one day become millionaires.” “We the government are providing an opportunity for all aspiring entrepreneurs of Madang to start a business now going forward.” Meanwhile, the presentation of the first batch of loan to the recipients was facilitated by the Madang Provincial Government, the Division of Commerce and the National Development Bank (NDB). The ten recipients are from rural districts of Madang Province, particularly Usino-Bundi, Middle Ramu, Rai Coast, Madang and Bogia. They all thanked the Governor for the Provincial SME Credit Program which was their first time to be given that opportunity. The Governor said if a little farmer from Kumbruf in Simbai Local Level Government (LLG) of Middle Ramu District could successfully get his loan credit from the bank today, then it should not be an excuse for some of us closer to the town to complain about requirements and wait for miracles to happen. On the other hand, NDB Madang Branch Manager, John Mundi, thanked Governor Pariwa for having confidence in parking the K5 million funding for the SME Credit Program with NDB. Mr. Mundi said the presentation of the loans to the first ten recipients should pave way for more to acquire loans through the Madang Provincial SME Credit Program. He added that the work is already in progress for the second batch of over twenty recipients to take place soon with the third batch soon to be announced before the end of this year. “The SME loan presentation is also an eye-opener for the critics and those people who had doubts and had commented negatively against the SME Credit Program as another money scheme.”

The Office of the Speaker of the National Parliament, and the office of the Open Member for Manus, unequivocally dismiss and condemn the false rumors circulating on social media regarding the health of Speaker Job Pomat CMG, MP.The First Secretary to the Speaker Mr. David Sovo Aussell, said that these malicious reports, claiming that the Speaker of Parliament of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Member for Manus is on ‘life support at the emergency theatre,’ are totally untrue and constitute fake news. “Speaker Job Pomat, CMG, MP, is well and in good health.” He continues to discharge his official duties as the Speaker of the National Parliament and remains fully engaged in his responsibilities to the people of Manus Open Electorate. “We urge the public and social media users to refrain from sharing this baseless misinformation and to rely only on official statements from the Office of the Speaker, the National Parliament, or reputable news outlets.” He strongly stated that spreading such falsehoods is irresponsible and causes unnecessary distress to the member’s family, colleagues, and the people of Manus.

Prime Minister James Marape has strongly defended his government’s six-year tenure, asserting its focus has been on restoring Integrity, Accountability, and Self-Reliance across Papua New Guinea’s systems of governance, economy, and public service.This response was aimed at criticisms from member for Ialibu-Pangia and former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. Prime Minister Marape stated that the Pangu-led Government remains focused on nation-building and good governance, despite the ‘noise and negativity’ from those who he claims, ‘failed our people.’ “I inherited a nation on the brink of financial collapse, buried in unsustainable debt and plagued by corruption.” “We have spent the last six years cleaning up the mess, reforming our systems, and restoring the foundation for sustainable growth and national pride.” The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to the Constitution and Parliamentary democracy, emphasizing that Parliament belongs to the people, not political elites. • Parliamentary Process: Marape insisted that decisions regarding Motions of No Confidence by the Speaker and the Private Business Committee are lawful and consistent with Parliament's Standing Orders and the amended Section 145, which protects political stability for service delivery. • Institutional Independence: He stressed that his administration has restored independence to public institutions that were allegedly weakened by political influence during the previous O’Neill Administration. The Ombudsman Commission, ICAC, and Police now operate free from Political direction. • Anti-Corruption Milestone: The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has been fully established and is operational under his government, which he called a milestone in the fight against corruption. He said those who fear ICAC are those who have things to hide. Prime Minister Marape rejected claims of economic decline, noting that PNG’s economy has grown steadily since 2019 despite global shocks. • Debt Management: He stated that debt levels are transparent, sustainable, and responsibly managed under the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy, with every Kina borrowed invested in productive areas like roads, education, health, and agriculture- ‘not corruption or vanity projects.’ • ‘Take Back PNG’ Vision & Diversification: Under this vision, the economy is being diversified: o Non-Resource Sector growth has averaged 3-4% annually. o The Kina value has stabilized, with a gradual recovery in export sectors. o Focus is on empowering citizens through Agriculture, SME, and local industry to build resilience. The Prime Minister defended his government’s approach to major resource projects, arguing that renegotiations were essential to secure greater national equity and long-term benefits. • Improved Fiscal Terms: “We did not delay Projects; we renegotiated them to ensure Papua New Guineans get a fairer share of their resources.” • Key Project Achievements: o Papua LNG Project is set for Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2025 under improved terms. o Wafi-Golpu and Porgera renegotiations have increased State equity, royalties, and landowner benefits. o Ok Tedi Mining Ltd and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited are now profitable, debt-free, and contributing record dividends. Prime Minister Marape acknowledged ongoing service challenges but highlighted major investments across key sectors: • Education: The Free Education Policy has been revived with K800 million annual funding. • Health: Hospitals are being upgraded under the National Health Plan (2021–2030), and specialised facilities like Heart, Kidney, and Cancer operations are being established at Port Moresby General Hospital. • Infrastructure: Over K10 billion in investments have been rolled out under the Connect PNG Program to link rural communities and markets. • Law and Order: Record funding is allocated for Police, Defence, and Judiciary, including K1 billion allocated annually to Police and Internal Security. Reforms are underway to double Police numbers to 10,000 by 2030. He concluded by affirming that his administration’s record of open budgeting and fiscal reform is a model of accountability. He dismissed attempts to undermine the government as politically motivated distractions. He reaffirmed that PNG is on the path of stability, economic sovereignty, and institutional integrity. “Our focus remains clear, after celebrating our country’s 50th Independence Anniversary this year, we aim to continue to grow our economy and that we become a developed nation by 2045.”