Chief Executive Officer of National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) Ian Tarutia has been hailed as a hero on the Superannuation industry, whose services will long be remembered. At a farewell dinner hosted by the Fund, past and present Board Chairmen, Directors, staff, colleagues, and family members thanked Mr. Tarutia for his services to the organization, the industry, and the country. Nasfund Board Chairwoman Tamzin Wardley paid tribute to Mr. Tarutia, highlighting his exceptional leadership of the Fund over his 35 years of service “Ian has led and mentored this incredible team at Nasfund – that is really quite small in number, over his 30 years. Ian has been not just part of Nasfund but part of the superannuation industry. This industry which had hit rock bottom in the year 2000 is now – in 2023 – one of the leading examples of how business should be carried out in PNG and the Pacific. Ian is currently, our outgoing CEO, the PNG Association of Superfunds Chair and the Chair of the Pacific Superfunds Investment Forum. PNG is recognised across the pacific as the shining example in the industry. These are incredible legacies to be leaving behind.” Incoming CEO Rajeev Sharma shared similar sentiments. “I have had the privilege of learning from the best in the industry. Whilst superannuation can be complex, Ian had the ability to make the complicated sound simple, and in doing so, has ensured that our dynamic team at Nasfund continued to deliver positive results for our members throughout Papua New Guinea. We will look to build on this, so that our members continue to benefit today, and be ready for tomorrow.” After serving the Fund for 35 years, Mr. Tarutia will retire as CEO on the 31st of March, with Rajeev Sharma to assume the role of CEO from April 1st 2023.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape and his counterpart Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka have just announced in a joint presser in Suva some minutes ago that both Fiji and PNG will be given land to build their respective high commissions. Fiji had closed it's High Commission here in Port Moresby in 2020. More on the LEGEND FM News, Yumi FM News and NAU FM News  at midday. Source: Fijivillage 

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape thanked Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica for the warm welcome into this part of Melanesia and the great Pacific. Marape says he looks forward to the next 24 hours as we relate as one people of the Pacific. The Papua New Guinea delegation was this morning accorded a traditional welcome at the Grand Pacific Hotel. Also present were members of Parliament, foreign dignitaries and invited guests. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka hosted Marape to a welcome dinner at Suva's Grand Pacific Hotel last night. Source: Fijivillage

Health Centres in the Central Province will be affected by the current fuel crisis here in Port Moresby. Most of the health centres use gensets to supply power and there are about 5 ambulances that service the province. Central Health Provincial Authority CEO, Dr James Amini said that they do not have enough fuel for their health centres and their ambulances and this is affecting their day to day activities. Right now, the ambulances are only attending to urgent cases only. Dr Amini added that the fuel crisis will affect their immunization programs to the rural areas in the province. They usually go out to communities that are not near health centres to give out immunizations for children. "We will be putting their awareness programs on hold for now and he hopes that the government can resolve this crisis soon so they can continue their daily operations for the people."

The Royal Papua New Guinea (RPNGC) is responding to confirmed reports of people being detained by armed criminals in the vicinity of Fogoma’iu Village, Southern Highlands province. Police Commissioner David Manning said he has been updated by Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Police Operations, Dr Philip Mitna, on negotiations to secure the release of the people that have been taken captive, with police authorised to use all necessary force to free those being held. Commissioner Manning said, “I have been briefed on the situation in which one foreign national and three PNG university students are being held by criminals in the border region of Southern Highlands, Hela and Western Provinces. “This is a delicate situation and police, in coordination with other security elements, are engaged in an operation to enable the safe release of the people involved. This is a remote area and air support has been approved.” Commissioner Manning said police are authorised to use the full force of the law to secure the people being held, and to immobilise and apprehend the criminals. “Security personnel are operating within their set rules of engagement in dealing with these criminals, with the safety of the innocent being their top priority. “Our specialised security force personnel will use whatever means necessary against the criminals, up to and including the use of lethal force, in order to provide for the safety and security of the people being held,” Mr Manning said. Commissioner Manning said it is understood the criminals sighted the men being held by chance and took them into the bush. “These are opportunists that have obviously not thought this situation through before they acted, and have been asking for cash to be paid. “However, we are offering the abductors a way out. They can release their captives and they will be treated fairly through the criminal justice system, but failure to comply and resisting arrest could cost these criminals their lives. “Further information will be released by the RPNGC as and when further details can be made available by Deputy Commissioner Mitna as the Chief of Police Operations. “DC Mitna has also confirmed that contact is being maintained with the relevant diplomatic representatives as this matter is resolved,” Mr Manning said.

Rescue workers in Turkey have pulled at least three people from the rubble, over 11 days after they were trapped when an earthquake hit the country. Hakan Yasinoglu had been stuck under a flattened building in the hard-hit Hatay province for 278 hours when workers reached him on Friday. Teenager Osman Halebiye and Mustafa Avci, 34, were also saved in Antakya. "I had completely lost all hope. This is a true miracle," Mr Avci's father told Reuters news agency. "I thought nobody could be saved alive from there," he added. Mr Avci's daughter was just a few hours old when the quake struck, and as he was loaded onto a stretcher by paramedics he was connected with his child via video call. His wife, Bilge Avci, managed to avoid the earthquake's devastation and escaped with their child - but Mr Avci got trapped under the rubble, according to local media. Mr and Mrs Avci - and baby Almile - were reunited late on Friday at a hospital in the southern city of Mersin. The latest rescues come as the death toll caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria passed 41,000 - a figure which is expected to rise dramatically. As time passes, officials are less optimistic that they can continue to rescue people trapped beneath the rubble. This is partly due to limits on how long the human body can survive without water, and experts say most rescues occur within the first 24 hours of a disaster. The reality was reflected as Mr Yasinoglu, in his 40s, was taken from the ruins of a building to a waiting ambulance. Unlike previous rescues which saw search teams celebrating, the mood on the ground was subdued and sombre, AFP news agency reported. Meanwhile, around the world, Muslims have performed absentee funeral prayers for the many who were unable to receive full burial rites. The UN has launched an appeal for over $1bn (£830m) to fund the Turkish relief operation, and another $400m (£332m) for Syrians. Aid groups say survivors will need months of help to rebuild their lives. The Turkish government has also faced criticism over its handling of the disaster, and some have questioned the state's preparation for such a tragedy. But while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conceded that the emergency response to the disaster was slow in places, he has urged Turks not to listen to those whom he accuses of politicising a tragedy. Neighboring Syria's death toll has not changed for several days. Most of the casualties have been reported in the opposition-held north-west, where aid has been slow to arrive. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday that President Bashar al-Assad's forces had shelled the western town of Atareb and other quake-ravaged areas held by rebels, in the first fighting since the earthquake struck. The BBC has not verified these reports.     Source: BBC

Wests Tigers have comprehensively beaten the Canberra Raiders 36-4 in the final Pre-season Challenge hit-out before Round 1 at Belmore Sportsground on Sunday. Tries to Asu Kepaoa and Charlie Staines extended a 10-4 half-time lead early in the second half before another three tries followed against a Raiders outfit that conceded seven unanswered and struggled to get going in the heat in Sydney. After losing Xavier Savage to a broken jaw last week, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart tinkered with his fullback option with Seb Kris starting in the role in a move that shifted Jordan Rapana to the wing and Harley Smith-Shields to the centres. Rapana was placed on report and sin-binned during the match for two separate head high shots in incidents that could place him in doubt for Round 1 if cited.

The Storm scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat the Warriors 24-6 in an at times error-ridden Pre-season Challenge clash in Christchurch on Sunday afternoon. With a total of 30 errors made between the two sides, it was a performance unlikely to have pleased either coach too much, with the start of the season proper less than a fortnight away. But there were plenty of positives as well, led by likely Round 1 debutant Will Warbrick impressing on the wing for the Storm and off-season recruit Jackson Ford looking good for the Warriors in the back row for the second-straight week. After a first half in which there were three times as many errors as points, the Warriors took a 6-0 lead into the sheds thanks to a 60-metre solo effort from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. But Craig Bellamy's side showed marked improvement in the second half, running in four converted tries to record a comfortable victory in the end. Representative winger Xavier Coates made a try-scoring return from injury on the wing, while veteran prop Christian Welch emerged unscathed from his second match back from last year's season-ending injury.

Almost 700 city residents clad in courageous red t-shirts gathered today at 5.30am for the Walk & Yoga For Life 2023 Launching. NCDC Active City Development launches Walk & Yoga for Life 2023 to open the 2023 activities for the year and to start the year’s programs with the first event, Walk for Love, from 5:30am to 8:30am from Ela Beach to Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. [caption id="attachment_36506" align="aligncenter" width="1068"] Photo Courtesy: Active City Development Program[/caption] The Walk for Life is a simple way for people of all ages to get involved by actively demonstrating support for the value of human life – and a desire to make a difference in the lives of women, men, youth and children in the community. By walking, each person is helping the NCDC and its program ACDP advance its mission to cultivate a community that values a healthy, happy and safe life. “I am happy to acknowledge on this 9th year of Walk & Yoga for Life; I see both old and new faces joining our walk today. Special mention to our Governor of NCD Powes Parkop for believing in us and always supporting our work, Communities & Community Leaders, Sporting Codes; Weightlifting, Boxing, and Rugby 9s Reps and Dr Sevil Huseynova, WHO Country Representative for Papua New Guinea who has joined us today.” shared Founder & Director of ACDP, Ms Fazilah Bazari. [caption id="attachment_36507" align="aligncenter" width="1068"] Photo Courtesy: Active City Development Program[/caption] Returning to work after medical leave, the Governor of NCD, Powes Parkop, shared how grateful he is to be alive and reminded everyone of his three key learning from his recent experience, “(1) Health is very important, Health is Wealth, (2) Respect doctors and medical advice and watch your diet, (3) Stay fit, healthy and well all the time because it will come useful when you least expect it or need it, and lastly I am ready to contribute back to my nation!” Morning walkers were also entertained by Southside Crew, Poly Crew and Sing Sing Group’s energetic performances. [caption id="attachment_36510" align="aligncenter" width="1190"] Photo Courtesy: Active City Development Program[/caption] ACDP also takes this opportunity to launch its 2023 Active City Events Calendar – Major Local and International Events. City residents are encouraged to start the year right with the Active City Events Calendar, packed with activities to help POM residents live healthy and happy lives. Be sure to check out the calendar and block your dates in your phone or diary of all the major activities planned for this year. All activities are open to all at no cost or minimal cost.

The Kepo brothers dominated the field yesterday when Hekari United FC played against Lae City FC in the 2nd Leg of the National Play-off’s for the OFC Champions League. 25yr old Freddie Kepo, 27yr old Ati Kepo and their older brother Kolu Kepo have been playing soccer for as long as they can remember. The trio play the striker positions; however, Kolu also plays defense when he is needed. The Kepo brothers were part of their village’s soccer team that took part in the Hekari Central Cup when they were scouted to join the club. They live in the village and come into the city for training camps and when they play. When asked what they did during their free time, the boys conduct coaching lessons for youths in the village. The eldest of the Kepo brothers, Kolu, said that they are lucky to have a family who show up at their games to show their support. Hekari United Team Owner and Manageress, Mrs. Vonnie Kapi Nato had nothing but praises for the trio. “The Kepo brothers have been with the club for about 5 to 6 years and they are a great blessing to our club.” “They have amazing heart for the club and the team and the passion they have for soccer is just amazing.” “I know the Kalo people are very proud of their 3 sons on our team and I am also proud of them.” Meanwhile, Kolu had this advise to give for the youths, not only the boys but the girls as well back in the village, to always listen to their parents and set goals and work towards them. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. He added that they look forward to the OFC Champions League in May.

“Being a tradeswoman is not an easy job. I am a woman performing tasks that were done by men for a long time. So instead of trying to beat men, I work alongside them so we collectively achieve our team targets.” These were 33-year-old Patricia Olen’s words, who currently works as a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) Electrician with Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML). Patricia joined OTML through the Company’s Apprenticeship Training Program in 2011 after completing her Diploma in Electrical Technology at the Don Bosco Technological Institute in Port Moresby. In 2015 after completing her training program, Patricia found herself back at home after OTML operations were impacted by the El Nino-induced drought and some staff including trainees had to be sent home. However, in 2016, having had a stint with OTML previously through her training, Patricia re-joined OTML after applying for her current job at OTML’s Power Service Department. Patricia’s role includes maintaining the hydropower service’s equipment where she conducts preventative maintenance inspections, service and repairs on the equipment, attends to breakdowns, and ensures equipment availability at all times. Her team also does the inspection and servicing of standby generators around the site. “I didn’t know electrical technology involved more than just my fascination for lights.  I was drawn to lights and how they came in a myriad of colors,” Patricia said. Tabubil has always had a tradition of decorating houses in the town during Christmas and it was a grand time for Patricia as she loved viewing the sight of so many mesmerizing colored lights that literally transported her to many-a-fantasy worlds. Patricia was born and raised in Tabubil as her parents were employed with the Company. Her mum worked as a purchasing officer at the Supply Department and later on with the ICT Department.  Her dad worked at the Finance and Marketing Department and later on joined the Ok Tedi Savings and Loans Society, currently the Mining and Petroleum Savings and Loans Society Limited. Along with her three siblings, Patricia started her primary education at the Tabubil International School completing Grades 1 to 6.  She then moved to the Coronation College in Lae to complete her Grades 7 and 8 and finally completed her upper secondary education at Cameron Secondary in Milne Bay Province where she is originally from. Patricia said, “I am indebted to Ok Tedi as the Company more or less supported my parents to educate me and my siblings to an exceptional level, ensuring we secured jobs after completing our schooling.” “I am also blessed and privileged to have completed my apprenticeship training and transition into a working environment here with Ok Tedi because I honestly don’t know how I would have fared had I joined another company,” she added. Patricia accorded her successful learning journey and growth to OTML’s training programs, great systems, policies and the team support and camaraderie she shares with her teammates apart from the support she gets from her family. According to OTML’s Vision 2025, the Company aims to have 20% of female representation in the workforce by 2025 as well as to have 25% representation of women leaders throughout the business. The Company’s People Strategy includes gender diversity as one of its focus areas and has initiatives, programs and facilities in place to achieve these targets. Since 2021 OTML has invested K127.9 Million on the education and training of graduates, apprentices, trade trainees, schools and university scholarships of which women candidates are a part of. Patricia has come a long way from being an apprentice, having learned a lot, and experienced many wins and challenges but is immensely thankful for doing what she loves doing in her role.  She is also humbled knowing that she still has room for improvement and further growth in her career going forward. “I have learnt so much from everyone at OTML including my trainers, and supervisors that supported me during my apprenticeship program, and my current colleagues and team. I appreciate all their input in my personal and professional development. “There are days when it takes longer to fix equipment or complete tasks but every accomplishment evokes tears of joy for me.  I tell people all the time that I want to be great, not just good, but great; and in time I know I will be,” she said. “I am not telling my story to inspire you to follow my career path.  I am simply telling you to follow your own dreams, do what inspires you whether it is in Science or the Arts, but do it to the best of your ability.  Every day may not be smooth sailing, but you have an opportunity to do better than what you did yesterday and that is all that should matter to you! “Look at me, I did not have an idol, I simply adored lights and their magical connotations! And I made sure I found out what made those lights magical!” Source: OKtedi.com

Hekari United FC will now be representing Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the OFC Champions League in Vanuatu in May after defeating Lae City FC in the final leg of the OFC National Play- offs  with two goals to nil yesterday in Port Moresby. The boys played hard in first half and both teams remained at nil all. During the second half, Hekari United player number 26, Yagi Yasasa scored the first goal in the 83rd minute to give Hekari the lead. Then Hekari number 7 Joseph Joe, kicked a goal in the 88th minute to give Hekari a further lead, 2-0. The boys from Lae tried to fight back; however, they missed a few goals due to the kicks being too high or the Hekari goal keeper stopping their attempts. Hekari United FC owner and Manageress, Mrs. Vonnie Kapi Nato said that she couldn’t be any more prouder of the boys. “For them to win today, they deserve it as they work so hard.” “It was a big transition that I took, I told my senior boys to stay out and help the younger ones.” “Most of my players are my Hekari children from the Hekari Football Academy.” Mrs. Kapi Nato thanked their sponsors for always supporting them and the teams win is also their win. She also thanked Lae City FC for putting up a good challenge for the boys. Hekari United FC is now one of the first teams to qualify for the OFC Champions League. The team will now start preparing themselves for May.