After the announcement of the sit in protest by the allied health workforce, President of the National Doctors Association, Dr. James Naipao is calling on all employing agencies in the health sector to at all costs, avoid disruption to health services in the country. “The allied workforce has gone into a sit-in protest for non-implementation of a tripartite signed award document. The document is legal. It is the Government's employing health institutions and health facilities that should implement what is contained in the award,” said Dr. Naipao. Dr. Naipao, who understands the plight faced by the health workers all over the country, believes that rather than suspending health services, the employing agencies should look for money or speak to the government for assistance. He added that the Industrial Registrar and Tribunal Lead team should get together with the Department of Health and the Union health Group to discuss and resolve this issue. “This sit-in protest should be addressed amicably and quickly before health services are disrupted and detrimental to the sick.” He is now calling on all health workers to not conduct the Sit-in Protest and at all costs avoid disruption to services to the people. He said it is their moral and ethical denoting, clinical, public health and administrative duty to up hold service delivery without disruption and that employing agencies should prevent this from happening. The Doctor further added that for any award signing the last part of the contractual agreement stipulates the disputes resolution Claus, to which all agencies and employees should refer to.

It’s great to see that Police in the capital are embracing change in order to function effectively in the capital city, Port Moresby. The Badili Police Station this year is one of the precincts that is taking on the challenge to restore public faith in the police. Police Station Commander, Inspector Jerry Obert said that the parade held today was the start of many good things to come. A small parade was held by the police station this morning is the sign of many to come. “I believe this is the beginning of many good things to come and so we are preparing for anytime next week when the Met Supt. calls in for his parade.” Obert said this is a preparation for the NCD Metropolitan Superintendent’s parade which will be held sometime next week. The NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, as part of his plans for effective policing in the city, will be visiting all stations to analyze the current physical and working conditions of all officers and stations. Obert said the station is now in preparation to welcome the Met Supt. and will be ready to receive him any time next week. The PSC also said during the visit, the NCD police boss will address the officers of the precinct and lay down their plans for the year. While preparations are underway, the PSC called on all officers to embrace discipline as they move forward into the New Year. Obert in his address stated that the habits of the old must be let go and start to be accountable for their actions. He said there are many things that affect their performance at work, but they must remember their mandate to serve the people. He also reiterated on minor things playing a big impact on performance of his officers, such as taking care of their uniforms.

With the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration corporate plan to be completed soon, the administration have upped the ante to get the ball rolling with a 5 year development plan that they hope to achieve in the coming years. Acting Provincial Administrator, Ipa’e Maniha said this is where they are at right now and their main intention is to mainly focus on growing the provincial economy. “I want to ensure that there is a safe and secure environment which will empower the people of EHP to live sustainable lives.” Maniha said in order for them to be spot on with their development plan, they have to get the basics right, at the same time ensuring the public servants are motivated enough to carry out work. He believes that for the past 5-7 years, public servants have lost focus of what they are meant to do. “We still have to get our house in order. When we get these things in order we hope bigger things will fall into place.” As the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration looks to grow economy, Maniha has also outlined a few of his administrations development priorities. Naming a few, Maniha stated that they plan to prioritize will be in the areas of transport infrastructure, law & order which encompasses community development initiatives, education and health, even though the Provincial Health Authority has now taken over those responsibilities, and finally natural resource development. He added that basically all would add up to the growth of the economy while at the same time provide sustainable development through education for the people.

The Private Companies Netball Competition (PCNC) resume with its round two of matches this year after a two months break period. PCNC President Julie Mai said with only two more games to be concluded, there is much anticipation as to who will come out champions this season. The competition itself started with over a hundred teams and 6 divisions. “We have two more games to go today, that will close of the 2nd round and then we can commence to the finals.” With the two teams omitted from the last round, 100 teams will be battling for a space in the finals. As it stands, Mrs. Mai believes that from the teams taking part in this year’s tournament, it would be hard to accurately identify which team is the team to look out for, as there are 6 divisions. “I think each division has its fair share of strong teams. But if I were to focus on the premier division, Moore Printing looks to be the team to beat.” At this stage in the competition, Moore Printing remains undefeated in both rounds.

In order to enhance policing services in the East Sepik Province, Provincial Police Commander, Chris Tamari has made his intentions known that he will be working closely with various stakeholders in the province to tackle cross-cutting issues pertaining to the effectiveness of the police. This is part of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary’s goals, in which the 6th goal is partnership. “I want to partner with the District administration, business houses, Churches, NGO’s not only in the provincial capital but also the other districts as well.” Tamari spoke about improving the standard of the policing services to effectively combat crime in the province and also to expand their coverage as well, saying that he does not want it to be limited only to Wewak. Going forward in terms of welfare for his officers, he said huge emphasis will be placed on infrastructure. He said one of his main focuses this year will be to look at the deteriorating infrastructure of the police stations and housing in the province and with his Police Station Commanders, look at avenues in which to maintain and refurbish their buildings. Also, given the fact that police had stopped recruiting for quite some time, he hopes that through the recruitment this year, they will be able to bolster their forces with much needed manpower to ensure better servicing to the people.

East Sepik Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Christopher Tamari, following the visit of Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese, said he is happy and satisfied with his men and women for their tremendous effort put in to welcome the Australian delegation and the provision of security during the visit. An exhausted but satisfied PPC upon recapping the events of the visit, said all went well and he is proud of the security profile set up by his officers. “I am pretty much, to be honest, pleased with the general outcome of the visit and we were an hour ahead of schedule.” Now that the main event for the Province has been completed, Tamari plans to visit Rural Police Stations in the province and hopes to speak with the Police Station Commanders to chart the way forward for this year. “I have already sent my plans to HQ. These will be to address certain issues in the province and hopefully we get it endorsed and will work on it this year.” He already worked out a plan to be approved by the higher ups in Port Moresby and as they wait for the endorsement, he hopes to discuss many mitigating issues.

A rising star in the making, 14 year old Jerred Giaut is no stranger around the Madang Golf Country Club and at the same time, the Giaut is no pushover come time to tee off on the Golf Course. Jerred is the last of 5 siblings born into a family of golfers, meaning his whole life growing up was all about golf. He joined the Club in Madang around 2017 but it wasn’t until later on when he really put himself into the sport. “I joined in 2017 and then left and started playing around 2020.” [caption id="attachment_34382" align="aligncenter" width="442"] (From left to right) PM James Marape, Jerred Giaut and his father, Mathew Giaut.[/caption] The young man said he initially started going to the club to spend time there with his family to pass time and during his visits, he along with brother Marshall developed a love for the sport. “I love the game because it challenges you to pay full attention to every shot you want to make. It’s a game that takes patience and concentration.” Sometimes in sport, it is a beautiful thing to see siblings pit themselves against each other in a competition, and when asked if he sometimes went up against his brother, the response from the young man was not a surprise there. Sometimes in sport, it is a beautiful thing to see siblings pit themselves against each other in a competition, and when asked if he sometimes went up against his brother, the response from the young man was not a surprise there. “Usually siblings like competing against each other so, he plays very well. Sometimes he wins, sometimes I win.” Currently, he is the champion of the 12-14 year division at the club, a feat in which indicates the depth of talent in the young lad. With Madang Golf Country Club to host a Tournament next month, Jerred is unsure if he will be taking part in it because this month has been reserved for the members to renew membership and he is pursuing studies here in Port Moresby, but one things for sure, the young man is blessed with talent.

The plans for policing in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been finalized and after a meeting between the senior members of the Bougainville Police Service (BPS) and those of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), they will be endorsed. Deputy Commander of the BPS, Chief Superintendent Naua Vanuawaru said that they will be put under review and they are in the process of cementing their plans. “So, we have our plans on how policing in the Autonomous Region, we will be having a meeting on Monday to discuss on it and then have it endorsed.” He added that right now he cannot divulge more information, but what he did mentioned was that they will go hand in hand with that of the RPNGC and he is looking forward to presenting it to the Police Commissioner. He also added that with more funding support from the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the RPNGC, it would really help in the implementation of the plans.

The people should give themselves a pat on the back after a very quiet and peaceful festive season last month. Reporting back to the Commissioner of Police on the outcome of the festive period operations, Deputy Commissioner Joanne Clarkson stated that all throughout the country, this was one of the quietest in many years. “As reported on the Media we had one of the quietest Christmas and New Years for quite a while and so I think that was an indication of our people owning and making a decision and a choice on celebrating the Christmas and New Year period on celebrating what the season was all about.” She reiterated that this was mainly in part what the people intended to do in celebrating Christmas and arrival of the New Year and she thanked them for portraying the true spirit of the season. The DCP thanked all the Divisional Commanders and their Provincial Police Commanders for the proactive work they had done throughout the festive operations. There was a lot of awareness as well done in each of the commands, including the nation’s capital during the festive season and this has resulted in this outcome.

After a much needed break over the festive period, Commissioner of Police David Manning has retaken the helm of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and is ready to steer the force into a brighter future. The Commissioner outlined 3 key areas the RPNGC’s plans moving forward into the year, adding that 2023 will be a very busy year for the force. These include; Growing and improving the RPNGC, Building a safer Papua New Guinea and Strengthening Partnership in Governance and Accountability. He said these areas have been an ongoing challenges for the force and they are very much Legacy challenges and he along with his executive have been working tirelessly to tackle since their appointment. In his first order of business back, Manning says they will be looking to grow the number of Probationary constables of the force including 30 constables for the Bougainville Police Service and increase the number of Commissioned officers by 60. “We have placed the Reservist Recruitment under new governance and be looking to evolve the accommodation policy to encourage good performance.” Manning also stated that they will be looking to expand on the use of force options available to police, this will see the RPNGC look to acquire equipment such as Handcuffs, Batons, Ammunition and less lethal Rounds. The outcome for the second focus area in which the RPNGC will be looking to implement will see police commands around the country include and operate Emergency Response Help Line and a General Enquiries Line, where they hope to see emergency response to any situation being significantly reduced. Manning says better practices and training across frontline policing with enhancing evidence gathering and investigations to support prosecutions will be key things they will need to improve on. “We are aware of their current performance rate in terms of securing convictions in this area, this is only half the job and look to improve.”

With help from the Mt. Hagen City Commission, who donated a set of 6 tents to the Mt. Hagen Police last year for the Festive operations, these tents will be put to continued use to run the Mobile Police Station Initiative that was put into effect during last month. Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent John Sagom thanked the city commission for their support, saying this enables them to enhance their coverage of the city and its populace. “Everyday its going to be a daily thing where we will set up all the mobile police stations. We have already started with one at Rainbow and another at the Pope John Paul Oval which has been very effective as we have now minimized street vending and pick-pocketing in the area.” Sagom said police will be setting up Mobile stations at main bus stops in the heart of the city and this will be for the public to approach at any-time should they need police assistance or when in need. He said that due to the Mobile Police Stations being put in place, this has helped minimize offences in the city. With plans set for enhancing the working conditions of the WHP police, PPC Sagom said housing for officers is another issue that they will be looking into this year. He stated that most of the houses in the Barracks that are located around the province are colonial houses and many are in need of refurbishment. “Housing is also a priority that we have included in our strategic plan for this year.” WHP hosts 5 police barracks, these which in turn, should they be refurbished, will cater for all police officers in the province and would be a huge win. He mentioned that this is also captured in the Hagen Open District Development Plan, to which they are delighted to partner with in this undertaking.

Political Parties executives from around the country were all ecstatic as the annual Political Party Fund presentation saw 20 of the country’s major Political parties receive their funds that will go toward funding their programs for this year. Acting Registrar of Political Parties, Emmanuel Pok said that this would not have occurred, had they not pushed for it and thanked the executives of all parties for their patience on the matter. So far the amount budgeted for the parties was K283, 000. Pok stated that even though the budget for Office was cut significantly, they were able to pay out funds for all parties that have active members of parliament. “With this payment of funds, we are expecting these political parties now to go out and do more work with their members with the limited funding granted and get prepared for the 2027 National General Elections.” Aside from presenting the Political Party Funds for 2023, Pok commended the political parties for their performances in the recent National General Elections, stating that their level of participation compared to previous elections had been very exemplary. Pok believes that the level of improvement was shown to be much better than both the 2017 and the 2007 elections and it’s all thanks to training & development programs. During the Presentation, Mr. Pok also payed tribute to the contributions of former Registrar, Dr. Alphonse Gelu. Mr. Pok expressed great sadness, saying that Dr. Gelu was not only a registrar but more than that. “Dr. Gelu was a person of great experience and knowledge and will be known for his contribution into policy making in the country.” His greatest belief was that political parties are pillars of democracy and that they form government, and through that belief, these parties would be the vehicle that would drive the development agendas of the country.