Suspended Labour and Immigrations Minister and Madang MP Bryan Kramer's leadership tribunal will convene again this Saturday 25th March at the National Court in Port Moresby, following an adjourment sought by his lawyer Miglshi Giruaonda today. The state through prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin was ready to proceed with their submissions on penalties but Kramer’s lawyer sought an adjournment informing the tribunal that he was not ready. Giruakonda said his preparations have being disrupted by interlocutory applications by parties at an election petition matter, hence more time was needed to prepare submissions on penalties for his client. The decision was granted for Submission on Penalties to reconvene on 25th of March, by the three-men bench Leadership Tribunal comprising Chairman Judge Lawrence Kangwia and Senior Magistrates Josephine Nidue and Edward Komia. Kramer was found guilty of 7 out of 14 charges against him by the state due to allegations of Misconduct in Public Office. Of the original 14 charges, 2 were dropped during the course of the trial after an investigation was launched. Other allegations also included misappropriation of DSIP Funds from Madang District & the creation of another structure to operate within the Madang District Development Authority, which were struck out.  Of the 7 cases of misconduct in office. 3 of them were relating to social media publications that were scandalous to the judiciary. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatckenko has given his assurance that talks with the Japanese Government and Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum are still ongoing with regard to Japan's plans to release 1 million tonnes of nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean. The Minister responded by stating that last year, during the APEC summit in Thailand, he had met with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan, Yoshimasa Hayasi, in which he raised the question of the disposal of the Nuclear waste. According to Minister Tkackenko, Minister Hayashi guaranteed that the water was treated and would not be harmful to the environment and is consumable. “He said that he would ensure that there was no radioactivity in the water,” Tkatchenko stated This was his response to questions tabled by the Member for Kundiawa-Gembogl, Mugawa Dilu who raised concerns about the potential environment impact that could potentially cause huge damage to the marine ecosystems that are present in the western pacific. Dilu stated that this would be a direct violation of the London Convention of 1972 which was formed to control all sources of marine pollution and prevent pollution of the sea through regulation of dumping into the sea of waste materials. “My question to the Foreign Affairs minister is that is he progressing any bilateral talks with the authorities in Japan, so that they can stop this irresponsible behavior that they propose to undertake?” Dilu futher added that this a violation of the international convention in 1972 and that the London convention for international actors not to dispose Nuclear waste into the ocean. Dilu went to say the Pacific Ocean, especially the Western Pacific is host to about one third of the Worlds Tuna stock and the country plays host to a lot of marine biodiversity that has a lot of value when it comes to blue-ocean and blue carbon trade. He mentioned that the fisheries industry contributes more than a billion kina into government coffers. He quizzed the Foreign affairs Minister about initiating bilateral talks to address the issue. According to the BBC’s report on the topic Japan says it will release more than a million tonnes of water into the sea from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant this year. After treatment the levels of most radioactive particles meet the national standard.

Provincial Police Commander for New Ireland, Superintendent Albert Beli is concerned about the increase in the migration of people into the province noting that the increase can lead to an increase in crime. Beli, said the crime rate in New Ireland is manageable compared to other provinces he served in as Provincial police head, as locals take ownership of law and order issues in the province. He said that community leaders and the people take responsibility for law and order as it is part of their daily livelihood, thus they partake in actively reporting and conducting citizens arrests, encouraging policing in the province. “My concern is with the increasing number of migrants coming in from East and West New Britain and settling into communities. People have been crossing over from Kokopo into Namatanai and travel up the highway to settle in New Ireland. “This is likely to have a negative impact as most of them turn to informal sectors for survival which is bound to create social issues as well.” Beli added that one of his policing strategies to address the influx of people coming in from other provinces is to work hand in hand with community leaders to locate, identify and keep track of these people. He said community leaders know their people better so it will be their responsibility to take stock of their people and the migrants who are living with them.

Thanks to a new inked deal with the National Superannuation Fund (NasFund) and Nabawan Super Limited (NSL), Telikom Limited is now the Silver Sponsor and the official communications partner of the 2023 Pacific Islands Investment Forum that will be held here in the nation’s capital from 27th to 31st of this month. Telikom Interim Head of Sales and Marketing / Bemobile Solomon Islands CEO Mr. Devan Kula shared that the agreement the three entities ensures sponsorship from Telikom in kind, worth a total of K25,960 which includes IDD calls, FREE sim cards, data and also FREE Wi-Fi for delegates and participants at the events. Kula expressed pride during the signing of the agreement that Telikom Limited will be partnering with the two major super funds in hosting the PIIF. “We aim to provide effective communications for the delegates and all the participants as they participate in the event. PIIF is a great platform to build relationships, share ideas and also promote sustainable development within the region. Through this partnership and sponsorship, we aim to create better dialogue and also create deeper conversations where all participants can collaborate during this event,” Kula said. Nasfund CEO Mr. Rajeev Sharma said the last time the PIIF Conference was hosted in Port Moresby was in 2011, over a decade ago and preparations were coming along very well for the event later in March. He further added that he was pleased to have Telikom on board as the first signed sponsor for the event. “The number of participants confirming attendance is climbing with 40 confirmed so far including Pacific Islands super fund CEOs and multilateral development agency delegates,” said Sharma. He mentioned that the last PIIF indicated that we were getting closer to joint investments within the Pacific and he hopes the forum this year provides the platform to come together, meet and learn best practices from each other NSL CEO Mr. Paul Sayer acknowledged Telikom stating, “As hosts, we welcome the first organisation to come on board as a sponsor and we are very proud that it is a 100% PNG-owned telecommunications." As co-hosts of PIIF 2023, Nasfund and NSL look forward to welcoming delegates to Port Moresby later this month.

Exxon Mobil PNG Managing Director, Peter Larden has voiced great excitement in partnering with Digicel PNG & the PNG National Rugby League as the co-sponsors of the country’s semi-professional rugby league competition, stating that they are incredible excited to be the new co-naming sponsor for the competition. With the inclusion of EMPNG as co-naming sponsor, what was formerly known as the Digicel cup will now be called the Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup. Larden said that EMPNG knows how important rugby league is to PNG, it instils pride and certainly ensures that it helps to develop the youth in a positive way. “For a decade as many of you know we’ve sponsored the PNG LNG Kumuls and of course the hunters as well and we’ve seen incredible benefits in those programs as well. And that’s why we’ve been looking for an opportunity to expand our presence and the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup was the logical expansion.” Thanks to EMPNG, the country can look forward to the expansion of training facilities and grassroots programs focusing on the Premier League and also all the way down to the youth. Larden reiterated that since EMPNG is a high performing team, they want to support high performance teams locally. Larden said they are also looking forward to working with the players, recounting great experiences with stars such as Justin Olam. He also stressed that talent is not the only thing needed to succeed, it's hard work as well. He said talent and hard work are key components to success. “He (Justin Olam) will tell you that talent gets you so far but hard work is what makes the difference.” He further added that hard work is a value that they hold dear at EMPNG and they looking forward to strengthening and promoting the competition.

Northern Governor, Garry Juffa has called out certain media outlets on the floor of parliament on their conduct for the dissemination of false news and called on the media fraternity to make a conscious and concerted effort to be factual in reporting. According to the Governor, this was very highly sensationalized. The story reported that four (4) girls attending the Popondetta Secondary School were abducted at the St. Franciscan Anglican Brothers Retreat in Northern. And this was according to the “police”. This information most probably based on hearsay can be an indicator for lazy journalism. The Governor said that as part of the global community, all information published on print, radio and television are carried far and wide across the world. On the 10th of this month, a certain media outlet ran a front page news item about school students in the home province of the governor, reading “School Girls Abducted.” “That’s what it states. The fact of the matter is, after investigations by my office and the administration and the police, we found that no such incident had occurred! NO GIRLS WERE ABDUCTED!! There was a very minor incident were students that were at the retreat were accosted by one man.” He mentioned that the media and those in the media fraternity are in a very serious position of power, where the media manages influence and influences public perception not just in the country but the region and worldwide. “Whilst we all appreciate the media and the very important work they do, the hard work that some of our good journalist perform they have a responsibility to report the truth, report facts.” "He (perpetrator) was chased away," said the governor. While venting his frustration reiterated that even though they had not secured factual evidence, commenced to publish the item. “Yet a foreign owned newspaper, just like our other daily, decided to run this report without carrying out it’s due diligence. And for us in Oro Province, it is quite disturbing.” The governor is now calling on the foreign daily to correct appropriately. He went further to state that this is not the first article that the newspaper has published. The Governor again called on the media to report the facts and don’t mislead the people and create negative perceptions based on lies, innuendo, rhetoric without facts. Picture courtesy: Parliament Media 

Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr blamed recent incidents of lawlessness occurring in the Highlands Region on the culmination of neglect the country's security force had over long periods of time. He said that they are doing everything possible to address the lawlessness that is at the forefront of the country in responding to concerns raised by Mul-Baiyer MP Jacob Maki on the rise in lawlessness in the region. He added that with the limited amount of manpower that the country has, they are now taking steps to improving the standard of policing. “We are stretched as a force. We have only 5,000 men managing and enforcing our law and order issues. We are making every effort and we’ve started with our recruitment.” He mentioned that the Ministry and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary are working closely with leaders on the ground and called for leadership within these areas plagued with crimes being committed on a daily basis. “We have a special policing zone on the western front and again we are working closely with the leadership on the ground and are making every effort for us to manage this scenario that is happening in the western front or up in Hela and it’s across the country.” The Minister added that they have also started to identify areas that need special attention and are working to address these issues.

Member for Chuave Open and Vice Minister assisting the Prime Minister, James Nomane raised concerns regarding the high unemployment rate in the country and the adverse effects that follow with the issue. Citing incidents that were widely reported since the beginning of the year, stating that there are many unemployed youths in the country and the government should pay attention to. Nomane made reference to a few instances such as the crowd that gathered at the Stanley Hotel for the walk in interview and the report of 700 university graduates applying for teaching positions at the University of Goroka. “We’ve got a huge youth bulge in the country that the house must take note off. There’s too many young people without any prospects or employment in the country,” Nomane said. Nomane then quizzed Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey about the issue, asking if the government had solutions to address these issues. “My questions to the Treasurer; what is the Government’s plan for employment? How do we address this issue of unemployment? What do we do to increase the number of people that are gainfully employed so this can directly address the rising crime rate that we are seeing in the country now?” he stated. In response to the issues raised by the Nomane, Treasurer Ling-Stuckey mentioned that there are a number of initiatives at a very high level that the government has taken to create jobs, adding that this is one of the key areas that they are working to address an must continue to address. The Treasurer believes this can be achieved at the budget level. He added that they continue to restructure the budget and ensure that they pump more money into these economic activities to create Jobs. “I’m referring to our capital budget, which 3 years ago when we took office was sitting at around K4.6 Billion. This year as the Member knows we’ve increased that to K9.7 billion,” Stuckey explained. As Stuckey went on, he reiterated that of that particular budget, the Public investment Project component has also been increased to a little bit from K2billion to around about K6.6 billion. Referencing his response to a previous question along the same lines from 3 years ago, he said that jobs growth by any government will be delivered by pro job and pro-growth policies.  

An increase in armed robbery cases in West New Britain in recent times is not only alarming but very concerning for the general public, businesses and the authiorities. Provincial Police Commander for West New Britain, Superintendent Peter Barkie mentioned that due to the rise of un-employment and other issues, young people turn to these criminal activities, thus police have been on their feet tending to situations. Barkie said armed robbers involved in the recent attempted robbery on a shop in Kimbe town over the weekend were foiled by police and only one till of cash was taken. PPC Barkie said the suspects have been identified and arrests will soon be made. “Unfortunately we have not yet apprehended any of them but at this stage it appears that we know who they are and soon will be in police custody.” Investigations are ongoing and police are expecting to pick up some of the suspects later on this week. Meanwhile they are also working to identify suspects involved in another incident that occurred just outside Kimbe at Morokea where armed robbers also attempted to rob a shop but that was disrupted by Police. He said hopefully through their partnership with the community, they will be able to apprehend those involved in these incidents. “With the support and partnership we have with the community, we should be able to reduce these incidents.” He said he and his men still have a lot of work to do and are relying on the support from the public.

Self-worth & self-esteem are important for personal development and organizational success. The sentiment echoed by Managing Director of the PNG Institute of Directors, Christine Sumbuk whilst addressing female members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary at the RPNGC Headquarters, Port Moresby. This was in commemoration of International Womens Day. Sumbuk mentioned that this was the day that the world celebrated the existence of the other half of humanity but also to recognize that all in all we are all human beings and should treat everyone equally. “It is a time to celebrate women but also be reminded to see each other firstly as human beings then as women.” She shared that improving and strengthening systems and processes in the working environment can bring positive outcomes and see people change their views on how they see themselves and how they contribute in the workplace. “If you look at these two identifications, they are about people. It’s the people that make the difference in the organization. Those organizations that I know that are thriving and pushing boundaries are those that take care of its people.” Sumbuk reiterated that over time, both the private and public sector organizations have noticed that if you take care of staff, they in turn will look after you. This is not in terms of financial gain but that of self-development and growth. “Self-worth and self-esteem play a big part. These have a direct effect on people who then have a direct effect on systems and processes which then has a direct impact on the organization on its output and productivity. If you cannot change what’s out there, change you, because it’s easier to change you then to change somebody else.” She said those who do not see themselves as worthy of themselves and for themselves have difficulties progressing in life. She said such people view life negatively, they speak negativity, and they have a lot of excuses in life. They basically have a low self-worth and they do not see themselves worthy of something good. “If you do not have self-worth, what are you going to do to improve somebody else? What are you going to do to empower somebody else? Because you don’t even have the power yourself to call yourself valuable in the first place,” she challenged. Ms Sumbuk said a person with a higher self-worth is believed to have a more stable and positive form of self-esteem. It provides protection against stress and emotional problems whilst also making a person healthier, happier and more successful in life. Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Joanne Clarkson thanked all women in the RPNGC for their tireless effort and contributions to what can be seen as a male dominated working environment.  

The National Fraud Squad and Anti-Corruption Directorate will resort to take steps to see to it that the Secretary of the Department of Petroleum & Energy, David Manau is compliant to the court orders filed late last year. It was reported last month that he had provided evidence for the investigators to go through but according to lead investigator, Inspector Leonard Wai, this was not the case. Inspector Wai admitted that the brief that the Secretary provided did not contain anything with regard to the investigation and it only provided a tabular list of names that had no significance. Wai stated that everything that was in the brief he provided were only source documents that he already had and is fuming over the actions of Manau. “It’s just the document that my complainants provided for investigation and a media report. Everything else that was in that brief are things that I have in my files. He just got the files from what my complainant provided.” This has infuriated the lead investigator and he says he will be looking to resort to other means of acquiring the information. Wai says he has requested to see internal memo’s or documents that circulated within the office of the Department to find out how the money was moved around and who authorized the release of funds.

An unfortunate attack on Kila Kila Secondary School's administration building in Port Moresby, early hours of this morning that led to the burining, was the second of two attempts to destroy the administration block. Deputy Principal for Student Services at Kila Kila Secondary, Ms Pala Balun, in her recount of the events mentioned that two weeks prior to the events that occurred in the early hours of this morning, there had been an attempt made by a few persons to sabotage or burn the building but they plans were thwarted by the school secutiry guards. Ms. Balun who also lives on campus with her family said in the early hours of today, around 3:10am, she awoke to the sound of dogs barking and metals grinding and walked out in the dark to inspect what caused the commotion. “This is not the first time people have tried to burn down the administration block. Just a few weeks ago there was an attempt to burn the building down, but we were lucky to have stopped that from occurring.” She said as she stepped out of her home, she was approached by one of the school security guards who informed her of the situation. “So I woke my husband up and went tried to see what best we could do.” She said out of fear and panic, it wasn’t until around 3:52am that she finally called the Town Fire Service which arrived around 4:10am in the morning by that time the fire had already engulfed the whole building with almost three quarters completely destroyed. Within the Administration building, according to Ms. Balun, included teaching materials, school records dating back to the founding of the school and also a few of her personal documents as well. This is not the first time the school has experienced the burning down of buildings. The first occurred in 2018 when a classroom block was set ablaze by a disgruntled student. The second incident saw the Agriculture and Practical Skills building partially burnt down and now the complete destruction of the administration building. As per the advice from principle Herman Panai, the school will resume normal classes tomorrow. 4 PERSONS OF INTEREST TAKEN IN FOR QUESTIONING  3 security guards and a man living in the area surrounding the Kila Kila Secondary school have been taken in for questioning by Police following the burning of the School Administration Building this morning. Badili Police Station Commander, Inspector Jerry Obert this morning detained the 4 men and advised that preliminary investigations will commence.   Police believe that the burning of the building may be the work of an arsonist.   “We will not be drawing any conclusions as yet as we are still investigating the matter. These guys are not suspects but persons of interest.”  School records and other documents including student certificates that were not collected went up in flames. The fire is believed to have been started around 3:10am early in the morning and as per eyewitnesses living on the school premises who say that they heard suspicious sounds around the building, prior to noticing the flames.  Principle of Kila Kila Secondary, Mr. Herman Panai has confirmed that despite the destruction of the administration building and loss of school records and student assessment records, classes are set to resume tomorrow.