After a full year of tireless effort to derive their new corporate plan after the expiry of the recent one, the National Judiciary Staff Services (NJSS) has announced that they will be launching the NJSS & Civil Registry Cooperate Plan 2023-2027 along with the Anti-Corruption Strategy. National Judiciary Staff Services Secretary, Mr. Jack Kariko stated that the last NJSS & Civil Registry Cooperate Plan had expired at the end of 2022, and they have been working on setting up the next five year plan since last year. “Back in the first quarter of last year, we started working on the new one. We had our different business units from the Judiciary, Registry and Corporate services to get together and start working on how we see the next one would look like.” Mr. Kariko stated that it’s been a team effort between all business and divisional units within the Judiciary and having that final document now realized, it gives them a sense of pride in having a framework set up for what they will be looking to achieve in the next five years. With the Anti-Corruption Strategy, Mr. Kariko stated that this has been going on for the last 18 months or so in collaboration with the Transparency International PNG. “They have assisted us a lot. I think they do periodic reporting on institutions within the Government and how transparent they are.” He stated that they have assisted them with their anti-corruption strategy and have been working closely to come up with the strategy. It was ready a few months back, but it was thought to be a good idea to launch it in unison with the corporate plan.

The Marape-Rosso Government has been urged to consider a credit guarantee facility to enhance bankable customary land leases in Papua New Guinea (PNG), as per the PNG National Research Institute (PNGNRI) Spotlight. The NRI Spotlight Volume16, Issue 10 titled “A credit guarantee facility to enhance bankable customary land leases in Papua New Guinea” by Research Fellow Logea Nao, highlighted that currently, banks are hesitant to accept customary land leases as security to access credit facility for development as a result of perceived risks associated with loan default. To address this, the paper proposes a credit guarantee facility for customary land. A credit guarantee facility or initiative is an intervention by a third party, in the form of funding to clientele interest groups such as Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), farmers and women groups. The proposed credit guarantee facility for customary land could be similar to the current Government-funded SME credit guarantee facility. The customary land credit guarantee facility would allow for leases on customary land to be accepted as collateral by banks by guaranteeing loans in the event of a default. Potential benefits of a credit guarantee facility include: • Improve the livelihoods of customary landowners; • Encourage the mobilization of customary land for development; • Serve as an incentive for investment; • Encourage banks to lend; and, • Increase revenue for Government. The paper also proposed that the Government should consider the following factors that could impact on the success of the guarantee initiative: • Addressing the issue of moral hazard; • Ensuring that the competing objectives of the guarantor, lender and borrower are geared towards making customary land bankable; • Establishing guidelines for such things as guarantee claims and debt recovery; • Identifying the most appropriate host of the facility; and, • Ensuring that the find is self-sustaining. Caption: ENDS//

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Silva Sika is calling on all motorists and commuters in the capital to take extra precaution and to remain vigilant of opportunists when moving around in the city. The Met. Supt. stated that due to the recent rainy weather, opportunists might get ideas to harass commuters. “Today’s weather is unpredictable, it’s been like this for some time now. People by now should know some of the areas or places where opportunists may take the advantage to rob them.” He said that people by now should know where these hotspots are and try to avoid them as much as possible and for their own safety, wait until there is a change in the Weather. The Capital over the Weekend has received much precipitation in the recent days, with rain falling non-stop since last night. “There are a lot of places like Erima, Gordons, Food World, e.t.c. When there is a heavy down pour and the water level rises, this allows for opportunists to come out and stand beside the roads.” Police have reported that during the short span of the wet period, they have been receiving reports of opportunist trying to take advantage of commuters and due to this, Police in the Capital will be increasing their presence in and around certain parts of the City to ensure public safety. The Met. Supt. mentioned an incident in relation to this happened this morning around the Koki area, when opportunists took the advantage to try to rob a few commuters this morning when they were deterred by police. “Like Koki this morning, the water went up and people were just robbing others there. We got the call and moved in to address the situation. Policemen within the vicinity were there and moved in.” Sika mentioned that they are mindful of this sort of incidents and are looking to increase presence around the area. The Superintendent said sometimes people who get robbed or attacked tend to not report incidents to the police and due to this is now urging the General Public to head to the nearest police station should they feel threatened or in danger.  

An undermanned Brisbane Broncos built their effort on defence and came away with an upset 26-22 defeat of the Warriors in front of a sellout 16,195 crowd at McLean Park in Napier. Missing five State Of Origin representatives, the Broncos went into the game as rank outsiders but three incredible try-saving defensive efforts in the opening half showed they were up for the fight on foreign soil. Props Keenan Palasia and Corey Jensen were huge as they stepped up into the starting side, while hooker Billy Walters and backrowers Kurt Capewell and Jordan Riki were also inspirational. Skipper Adam Reynolds was at his scheming best while centre Kotoni Staggs, winger Deine Mariner – with two tries playing his first NRL game of the season – and fullback Tristan Sailor making his Broncos debut were also standouts. Sailor made his mark on the game early with a brilliant try-saving tackle on Rocco Berry in the 11th minute, somehow getting his hand under the ball to deny the opening points in the right corner. Brisbane were forced to produce more tryline heroics in the 18th minutes when three Broncos managed to hold up Dallin Watene-Zelezniak when he appeared certain to score. And after weathering the Warrior storm, it was more strong Broncos defence that created the visitor’s opening try in the 23rd minute when Mariner swooped on a loose pass and turned on the jets to go 90 metres for his first NRL try of the season. Captain Adam Reynolds converted from out wide on the right to give his side a 6-0 lead. Martin Taupau was the next man up to make a try saver when got his body underneath hooker Freddy Lussick as he appeared certain score from close range in the 27th minute. It took until just before halftime for the Broncos defensive line to crack when they invited the Warriors into their red zone through repeat penalties and some nice hands saw Watene-Zelezniak dive over in the right corner in the 36th minute for a converted try to level the scores. But the Warriors handed the visitors one last shot when they knocked on from the kick-off – and Broncos backrower Riki obliged by surging onto a lovely face ball from Walters to score on the right edge. Reynolds converted and it was 12-6 to Brisbane at the break. The opening passage of the second half was an arm wrestle with the Broncos eventually getting the better of the contest when Reynolds dummied his way through the line and found halves partner Ezra Mam on the inside to score under the posts. Reynolds converted for an 18-6 lead after 53 minutes. Reynolds pushed the lead out to 14 points with a penalty goal in the 58th minute but a mistake from the kickoff saw the Warriors stay in touch with another try to Watene-Zelezniak to bring it back to 20-10 in the 61st minute. The Broncos put the game back in their keeping with nine minutes to go when Sailor threaded a perfect grubber through the line for Mariner to score his second try of the night for a 24-10 lead. But tries to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Marcelo Montoya got the home team back to 26-22 with two minutes remaining, and then a holding-back penalty against the Warriors denied them what would have been the winning try. BRONCOS 26 (Tries: Mariner 2, Riki, Mam. Goals: Reynolds 5) defeated Warrirors 22 (Tries: Watene-Zelezniak 2, Nicoll-Klokstad, Montoya. Goals: Johnson 3) at McLean Park, Napier. Halftime: Broncos 12-6. Crowd: 16,195 Source: brisbanebronncos.com.au

Westpac NSW Blues star centre Latrell Mitchell has this morning been ruled out of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series-opener in Adelaide on Wednesday with a calf injury. Mitchell sustained the injury at training and scans later revealed a strain which would prevent him playing. Mitchell will be replaced by 18th man Stephen Crichton and did not travel with the team to Adelaide today. Bulldogs centre Matt Burton will join the team in Adelaide later today as 18th man. Source: nswrl.com.au

The smile on Morobe Hammerheads Rugby Union Club President, Lionel Kamiak’s face was enough to tell how much pride, honour and excitement he felt as he walked up to receive the Brands Pacific sponsored Award for the National Performance of Year Category at the 31st SP Sports Awards at the Crown Hotel. The Morobe Hammerheads 7’s Rugby Union Team, despite losing to the Kimbe Rebels and the AROB Black Orchid in the lead up matches of the Kumul Petroleum Holding Limited Super Series, put up a stunning performance against the CRU Boromas to become the champions of the series in the Finals. Speaking after receiving the award, Kamiak thanked all those that made it possible for them to receive recognition for their efforts. He said was honoured to receive the prize on behalf of the team, stating that for quite some time now, their team's name has been synonymous with winning in the sport of rugby, but have not been recognized for their efforts and therefore, he was grateful to be recognized by SP.  “Thank you very much for recognizing the Morobe Hammerheads team and all the sponsors and everyone who made this event successful.” Kamiak mentioned to PNG HAUSBUNG that this award is a huge boost, not only to the Hammerheads Club, but for Rugby union as a whole in Morobe Province because now all the followers of rugby up north will be proud that Morobe has stamped it’s marked in rugby at the national stage with great hopes for next season. “Rugby followers in Lae and Morobe will be proud of this achievement, and we are looking forward to bigger and better seasons of rugby in the future.” In terms of further development of the code in Morobe, he said there are plans in place that have been set by PNG Rugby, to which there are following at the moment. He also expressed thanks to the Capital Rugby Union, who have taken ownership as the leading Rugby Competition in the country in bringing in outside expertise for the enhancement of the code and imposing the experience in local competitions.

Hard-work, dedication and a willingness to take on challenges have always been a few keys to major success stories, much can be said for 24- year- old Patricia Keamo who took out the Trukai Sponsored Sports Media of the Year Award at the 30th SP Sports Awards on Saturday night in Port Moresby. Her down to earth personality and her admirable persistence in her reporting and coverage of sporting events in 2022 made her produce a variety of sports news items reaching audiences at both national and international levels. During her speech, she thanked all stakeholders involved for her development as a sports reporter, giving thanks to those who supported her back at The National Newspaper and especially to the various sporting federations. “I would like to thank all the National Federations. Without your responses and invitations to the various sporting events, we wouldn’t be able to tell the stories of the athletes and teams, both domestic and international.” An excited Patricia stated that she is very young in the media industry and to accomplish so much in the time that she’s worked is amazing, and when asked how she felt to be awarded for her contributions to the growth of sport in the country she replied, “A lot of emotions actually, I didn’t expect this. I can’t describe how it feels but I’m excited. I’m very grateful to be recognized and I hope people can see the power of sports and what media can do to push the agenda.” She also mentioned that a lot of people contributed to getting her to where she is at right now and is grateful to be recognized. Ms. Keamo also said it’s a challenge being a female journalist in the country where journalism has for a long time been a male dominated field, and with this award, she hopes to encourage other aspiring young women to take up the mantle and challenge themselves in the field. “Take a leap of faith, that’s what I did. I had zero experience in sports reporting, I started off with hard news. You might not be comfortable stepping out of your comfort zone, but you never know when you take that leap, what you explore out there and what you learn is a mystery.” Keamo also gave a huge shout out to the editor in Chief for the National Newspaper for taking a chance with her when she left school after completing her second year, and helped to mold and shape her into who she is as now as a vibrant young reporter.

An attempted robbery of a vehicle along the highway from Bialla to Kimbe in the West New Britain (WNB) province has led to the untimely demise of a Grade 10 student. The incident happened on Thursday 25th May around the Lavege village in Nakanai, when 12 armed men descended upon the vehicle, presumably transporting students from Bialla to Kimbe. According to Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Barkie, the youths armed with homemade weapons and machetes made an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver, seeing the immediate danger, did not stop. This prompted the criminals to open fire, damaging the vehicle and shooting the student in the head. “The Driver, seeing the injured student, rushed to the nearest health centre, at Malilimi Oil Palm Plantation when Police were notified, but the student passed during that time.” Upon receiving the report, the police quickly responded by going after the suspects who fled into the nearby forest. Police later engaged the criminals and during the shootng, one of the suspects was shot dead. 3 more suspects were taken into custody and are currently detained at Buvusi Police Station, pending investigations. The PPC has pledged that this injustice will not go unnoticed, and they will do all they can to bring the suspects to Justice.

Four youths in the Kandrian area of West New Britain (WNB) province were recently apprehended following a robbery attempt of a local shopping centre. Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Peter Barkie reported that around 11:30pm on the 25th of this month, six suspects were attempting to rob the Cosco Trading Shop when they were intercepted by police. “On Wednesday night, 6 suspects broke into Cosco trading and held up two Asians and stole valuable store Items.” Upon receiving word of the attempted hold, police were swift to intervene, during the pursuit of the suspects who were armed to the teeth, four were shot by police and apprehended and are now receiving treatment at Kimbe. All four arrested are aged between 20-25 years of age. Superintendent Barkie has added that they have already identified the remaining two suspects and that it is only a matter of time for police to catch up to them.

Police in West New Britain (WNB) Province have arrested and charged a senior provincial official following allegations of Abuse of office and Misappropriation by the West New Britain Provincial Administration. The Accused, Phillip Taubuso of Lolobau Island in the Nakanai District of WNB was Deputy Administrator Cooperate Services when the offences were committed between the 20th of June, 2020 and 30th of January this year. According to reports by Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Barkie stated that he used his position to swindle funds purposely for purchasing gifts for the outgoing Provincial Administrator, Williamson Hosea but diverted for his own personal use. “The payments were made payable to KBSA Hardware Kimbe and BNBM Kimbe, K70, 000 belonging to the WNB Government. The Accused is now being arrested and charged for 2x counts of Abuse of Office under section 92 (2) of the Criminal Code Act and 1x count Misappropriation.” The Report stated that the Accused is a senior Public Servant for 38 years, but failed to adhere to the Public Finance Management Act and other Laws Governing the usage of Public Funds.

Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako marked his 100th NRL game with a personal haul of 18 points to help his side beat the Dragons 26-12 on Thursday night in Redcliffe. The former Kiwi international continued his excellent 2023 form by scoring his 11th and 12th tries of the season, in addition to kicking five from five off the tee, as Wayne Bennett's side solidified their standing in the top eight with their seventh victory of the year. Most of the damage was done in a six-minute period midway through the first half, during which time the Dolphins scored 18 unanswered points to set up a 18-12 half-time lead which they never looked back from. Earlier the Dragons kicked a penalty goal and crossed through Jack Bird to take the initial lead, but from that point on Toby Couchman's try right before the break was all they had to cheer for. A determined effort from Isaako to grab a high ball and fight his way over was followed by an untouched try for Mark Nicholls and an individual effort from Anthony Milford. Isaako grabbed his second early in the second half after the hosts stripped the Dragons for numbers on the right, and that try took the wind out of St George Illawarra. Isaako put the result beyond doubt with a penalty goal three minutes from time. Source: NRL.Com

Mr. Samuel Penias has been appointed as the new Acting Secretary for the Department of Finance to oversee all matters pertaining to the country’s financial matters. His appointment was announced following a gazette that was released on Tuesday from the office of the Governor General in accordance with section 31B of the Public Services Management Act of 1995 and upon advice from the National Executive Council. After receiving the recommendation from the Public Services Commission, Penias will serve as Acting Secretary for the Department of Finance for a probationary period of 3 months. Mr. Penias holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and a Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting Major) from the Divine Word University. Mr. Penias spent eight years, from 1994 – 2002, with the Internal Revenue Commission in a variety of roles including VAT Manager Wewak (VAT), Tax Auditor (Tax Audit Branch) and Company Assessor (Company Assessing Branch). Previously he was Provincial Treasurer, Central Province from 2002-2005 responsible for financial administration. Prior to his current role, from 2005 to 2011 Mr. Penias was First Assistant Secretary and Assistant Secretary in the Provincial and District Management Division, where he was responsible for providing financial services to the 22 Provinces and 89 Districts. Mr. Penias is responsible for the Non-Tax Revenue Division (NTRD), the Internal Audit and Compliance Division (IACD), Corporate Services Division (CSD) and Provincial and District Financial Management Division (PDFMD).