Thanks to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Hela Provincial Education Division, 80 students enrolled at the Dauli Teachers College are currently undergoing their third week of teachers training to achieve their Bachelor in Education. Dauli Teachers College Deputy Principle, Wicks Luvii stated that these 80 young men and women enrolled are made up of those that are school leavers and those that have been teaching in the province for quite some time but are without certification. “We are also upgrading teachers and putting them through training, those with certificates and being identified by the PED.” Currently on campus, Mr. Luvii said those enrolled range from Early Childhood Learning educators to Primary and Secondary School educators. He added that the program started late last year with classes extending into the festive period and will continue on towards the end of the year. With Hela Provincial Education Division being the first to form a partnership with the Dauli Teachers College for teacher training, so far, the School has advised that other PED’s have also shown great interest to follow suit. Luvii said they have received much praise from other PED’s around the country, but for the meantime they are focusing on the current batch of students. They will be looking to expand next year. Other PED’s that have shown interest are from the West Sepik, Milne Bay and Madang provinces.

After the success of the festive period operations in the Milne Bay Province, Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Peter Barkie is now planning to further strengthen the police operational capability in the province. Barkie hopes to develop this through increased community engagement through community leadership. Barkie says that this is basically to work extensively with communities. The PPC believes police alone cannot be able to solve law and order problems in the province and the country, stating exclusively that working in partnership with stakeholders is the way forward in minimizing crime, as everyone has a part to play in the community. “We will be working stringently in partnership with the community because we all have a part to play in the community and to look after the people. I will have to do my part but the leaders of the community will also need to do their part.” Barkie, when speaking of continuing awareness in the province says this year they will be upping the ante with more awareness in the province to promote leadership and other positive behavior. Barkie believes this heavy engagement of awareness is for the people to understand the importance of the role they play in the community. This is part of a three pronged approach that the PPC will be launching to maintain peace and stability. “As I have mentioned earlier, we are looking to develop our operational capability, secondly, increase our awareness programs and promote leadership at the community level and third, we will be looking to restructure our police force to cater for the whole of the province.” This year, Barkie said he intends to increase the number of the police force in Milne Bay, by restructuring police in the province to create more positions to strengthen the force. This will be done to cater for the large population, not only on the mainland but also on the islands in the outer areas of the province. Being the largest maritime province in the country, Barkie said it was always a challenge to police the whole province due to lack of numbers and logistics, but he hopes this proposed restructure would relieve the province and the people with much needed manpower for law and order.

Although resources and funding may be an issue heading into the year, the Highlands Eastern Command plans to improve policing in the region. ACP Highlands Eastern Command Rigga Neggi made these remarks stating that they have plans set in place, but a major obstacle now is the limited funding they have received in enacting their plans. Besides that fact, Neggi ensured that the Highlands Eastern Command will continue to maintain its mandate to serve the people regardless of their shortfalls. These would include proper maintenance of police facilities, heightened security along the highways and remote areas, along with continued awareness programs to ensure the expectations of safety and security for the people of the three provinces in the command remains their top priority. “I plan to work closely with all stakeholders within this juncture to make sure our plans to police the 3 provinces and maintain peace are set and that we want to ensure that it is business as usual for all inhabitant of the command.” A man with an extraordinary plan, ACP Neggi has pledged to work closely with the Provincial Administrations of the highlands three provinces within the command to better enhance the security within them. Neggi is set on outlining his plans with all administration heads to see how they can all work together to maintain peace and a continual flow of business and within the command. He remains optimistic and has assured that all plans made would be for the benefit of the people.

Police in Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) this year will be full on into their awareness programs as they look forward to the future of policing in the province. Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Michael Welly said they are looking forward to enacting their plans for a more proper and safer EHP. Welly stated that Law & Order awareness is a key agenda for EHP police, who will be moving around the province to raise awareness on drugs and the New Road traffic act that he believes a lot of emphasis needs to be put into making people be aware off. “We need to do a lot of awareness on drugs, the new Road Traffic Act, even sorcery related killings that have seen an increase in the highlands region.” Meanwhile, thanks to the District Development Authorities (DDA) of both Goroka and Kainantu, both districts will see new and improved Mobile barracks this year. Welly announced that funding has been put aside for the development of the Mobile Barracks. “We will see two new mobile barracks set up in Goroka and Kainantu. We will just check in with Waigani for the finance and we should be good to go.” The constructions for both barracks will commence once they are given the green light from the higher-ups in the capital. Eastern Highlands Police will also be looking to crackdown on ill-discipline of officers in the province. This is because over the years discipline has been lacking in the force and according to Welly, this will be something that they will be looking to address this year.

The East Sepik Police are in full swing preparation to meet up with their Australian counter-parts to plan out the security operation for the visit of the Australian Prime Minister (PM), Anthony Albanese, to Wewak next week. Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Chris Tamari said that preparations are now underway to ensure that effective security is well established before the official visit. Just yesterday a contingent from the Department of Foreign Affairs and a group from the Australian PM’s entourage were welcomed into the province. They will be meeting to discuss and organize the program and security. They have also beefed up their manpower with an additional Mobile Squad Unit of 12 men from Port Moresby. Meanwhile, while details of the security operation are being organized, a police unit was dispatched to the west coast of East Sepik Province to apprehend a man implicated in the murder of another over the festive period. Tamari said this was a retaliation killing after another man was reported to have been murdered by the victim. “We have identified the suspect and now all we have to do is apprehend him and all formalities will commence from there.” At this point in the investigation the PPC said he will not divulge any more information. He has already instructed the Criminal Investigation Division to look into the case and to make sure that these killings stop. Tamari said so far, since New Year’s Eve up until now, they have not received word on any other major incidents in the Province.

The Morobe Provincial Education Board [PEB] have advised that this year, parents of students in the province will be asked to pay school fees as part of the PEB’s 5 year Education Plan. Morobe Provincial Education Program Advisor, Mr. Keith Tangui said parents will now have to take ownership for their children’s education and pay a portion of the school fees. Its understood that the Morobe Governor has also pledged to assist with the school fees for this. Tangui added that the schools will be going through reforms under the 3-6-6 and 1-6-6 structure, which will see the need for funding to build enough infrastructure to cater for these changes. “Many of our schools are going through the reform, so what we have decided was that parents must also take ownership." "There is a lot of infrastructure that will be constructed in schools such as libraries whilst many of our schools have been earmarked for junior high school status and we will also need to construct early childhood learning schools as well.” "With Grades 12 & 10 selections for tertiary and secondary schools in Morobe done and dusted, selections for Grade 8 have commenced and should be completed before the end of the week." Mr. Tangui further stated that they should be done by the end of today or tomorrow, following that the listing for student selections will be endorsed and put up in schools around the province. “We have completed selections for tertiary and secondary schools, we are now doing the grade 8 selections and as soon as we’re done we hope to put it up by Friday when the PEB endorses it.” Upon the completion of the 5 year plan, the PEB will be set to meet with the Morobe Governor to hold talks regarding how the Provincial Administration can assist in the PEB’s implementation plan. He added that the governor, at an undisclosed date will be meeting with the board before the resumption of school next month, to seek ways in which they can meaningfully assist in the implementation process.  “As soon as the governor has given his input then we will give a copy to every stakeholder and we will launch it.” "As it stands the Morobe PEB have completed the education implementation plan, which will see many positive changes to the outlook of many schools in the province with regard to infrastructure and learning."

In some welcome news to start of the New Year,  Porgera Secondary School in Enga Province, will restart classes this year. Deputy Principal Amos Amail said this but not before maintenance on destroyed properties is done. “After 3 consecutive meetings that were held in the provincial capital, yes we have been advised to start again this year.” Mr. Amail has stated that although they have been asked to restart school this year, the school administration is urging the Local Level Government to have patience while they look for ways to rebuild structures lost during the attacks last year. “We can’t restart school next month because really we need to carry out major maintenance on the school before we can move on to normal classes.” Mr.Amail says that maintenance and renovation is a major need before school starts. While the school is waiting for confirmation on whether classes will be restarting next month or at a later date, they are also waiting on the Provincial Education Board to approve a teachers posting list to confirm for the academic year. Many teachers and students were left in shock as they watched their school burn in the tribal fight that had occurred due to an ongoing land dispute, one that has been raging for years. Amail says there are 37 ancillary staff positions that have already been taken, they are now waiting for the posting list from the PED. Mr. Amail is optimistic that the posting will be sent out this week. Many teachers fled the school due to the tribal fights that occurred during the National General Elections, losing homes and belongings in the process.

Sometimes New Year’s Eve can be a hassle for the officers in blue in Milne Bay, but that was not the case this year. Police in the province have commended the people for being on their best behavior this festive period. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Barkie said even though there were no restrictions imposed on liquor, the people showed exemplary behavior, whilst further resorting to conflict solving at the community level. “There is a big improvement in the behavior of the people of Alotau and Milne bay. We did not put additional liquor restrictions, we did not enforce a curfew but the people were well behaved.” Compared to recent years, Barkie added that this year’s festivities were memorable and also very civil. Looking back at years gone by, PPC Barkie said he is very much proud of what the people portrayed and is grateful that the people have realized that change was needed in each community to ensure that peace and prosperity would be the primary objective of the festivities. “New year in Milne Bay has been very quiet, unlike in recent years. We had two live performances at two different locations, in the end we are okay. Many communities initiated their own forms neighborhood watch to maintain law and order and I take my hats off to them.” Barkie further reiterated that police are now working very closely with the police through outreach activities such as the many awareness activities conducted prior to elections and this in turn has boosted the relationship between the public and the police. Nothing of major concern was reported by the residents, apart from the drunken and disorderly that were picked up around Alotau Town. For the province as a whole, celebrations went quite well.

A man from Enga Province was arrested and locked up at Badili Police Station in the Nation's Capital after chopping off his mother in-law's leg. The incident occurred around 9:30pm on New Year's Eve. Badili Police station Commander, Inspector Jerry Obert  who confirmed this report stated that the Engan man was believed to be under the influence of alcohol and in a heated argument with his wife at the time of the incident. “The man swung a bush knife at his wife with the intention to chop the wife, however upon seeing the bush knife heading in her direction, she jumped out of the way without realizing her mother was standing behind her", said PSC Inspector Jerry Obert. The mother in-law who was standing behind her daughter had her leg chopped off when her daughter jumped out of the way of the flying bush knife. "The mother in-law of the man is currently at Port Moresby General Hospital receiving treatment for her wounds while the man is now locked up at the Badili Police Station". Obert stated that it is unclear as to what had instigated the argument  but one things for sure, the man will face the full brunt of the law.

Lae Metropolitan Superintendent, Chris Kunyanban had nothing but praise for the city residents of Lae after successfully carrying out their New Year’s Eve operations without any major hiccups in the city. Kunyanban says he was impressed by the civility portrayed by the city residents, stating that he was wrong about what he had said about the people earlier on this week. “This time I guess people were more civilized, and I’m happy to say people are more matured now.” The police boss extended his heartfelt appreciation to the city, stating that he is happy that people in Lae are more civil and he is grateful to them for respecting the rule of law. Meanwhile, alcohol related infringements are still causing major problems for police in Lae, after police recorded more than 20 arrests last night for alcohol related offences. Lae Police Boss, Chris Kunyanban advised that his men encountered a few drunk civilians who were trying to burn tyres on the road when police intervened leading to an exchange of words and rocks. Luckily, no one was hurt and in the exchange and police were able to settle the situation. Kunyanban said throughout the whole festive period, Lae police have made more alcohol related arrests than any other crime in the city. He added that the country is almost 50 years and people have to more mature in how they celebrate their festive and New Year celebrations.

City resident took to the streets to express their happiness and the turning of a new year, while police had to deal with drunk and disorderly residents all throughout the night. That was the scene in Port Moresby city in the early hours of this morning right after the clock struck 12midnight, brining in the New Year. Waigani Police this morning reported no major incidents; however, Police Station Commander (PSC) Bill Werake said they will have to wait and see today if police may have missed anything yesterday. PSC Werake said they did not attend to any major incidents except the stoning of police vehicles around the Morata area. “It’s New Year and many like to celebrate with alcohol and so we let them express themselves, but we had to move in when things started to get rowdy.” Werake said that two police vehicles were attacked by drunk pedestrians whilst his men were conducted general patrols within the suburb of Morata. “Two of our vehicles were stoned at Morata 2, so more units were dispatched there,” he added. Luckily no one was injured, but police had to step up manpower in the area to deter any further incidents from occurring. Meanwhile, many police units in the city on patrols in the early hours were called up to disperse crowds and minor fights, thus resulting in many roads in the city riddled with broken bottles and debris

East Sepik Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Christopher Tamari will not be pulling any punches this New Year’s Eve as they gear up for operations. Supt. Tamari said police will be out in full force and ready for any situation should anything turn sideways, but he is expecting the general public to be respectful on the eve of 2023. “We expect everybody to celebrate peacefully and within the confines of the law. We’re setting up roadblocks and patrolling the coastal highways.” After getting tipoffs that these areas are highly likely to have armed holdups, Tamari stated that police will be looking to secure the coastline roads for safe passage of commuters and so far, there have been no reports of that sort as yet. “Initially there were a few holdups but since we’ve stepped up our presence on the coastline, nothing of that sort has occurred.” Patrols along the interior highways will also be stepped up, with road blocks to be set up at main transit locations. The PPC added that it will be a tough challenge for his men as it is widely known that during this period of time many celebrations will not be without liquor. “Given the New Year, people, youths especially tend to consume alcohol so we are looking to address those areas.” Tamari and his men will be looking to crackdown on alcohol related incidents and other petty crimes, and should anyone be found infringing road traffic rules, they will be dealt with accordingly and to the full extent of the Law. Meanwhile, after thorough investigations into the matter of the 3 bodies that were found off the coast between Wewak and Madang earlier this week, PPC Tamari said that police have ruled out sea piracy because these deaths were caused when the boat they were travelling in capsized due to bad weather.