Telikom PNG Limited on Friday 23rd 2022 launched a new website, now live for all customers around the country. Telikom PNG Lmited CEO, Amos Tepi accompanied by senior members of staff for the company in a press conference today stated that after months of hard work, the new website is now online and will serve customers. “Not only will it serve as an information portal for the company, it’s products and services, but also as a convenient way for customers to top up online using the Self-Care Portal,” Tepi said. He said the website is more than just a resource for the customer resource but it stands for part of the journey the company has encountered as a merged entity as it is the company’s first online presence since then. “Since Telikom Limited is a merged company and this has become possible due to the merger of both Telikom PNG and and Bemobile Limited,” the CEO said. Mr. Tepi added that the company since it’s merger has seen and managed a successful merge of both mobile networks and services, workforce with staff from both entities working in sync alongside each other. Now with the new website online, customers can get an accurate glimpse of the of the merged entity. He emphasized that Telikom PNG Limited is 100% PNG owned and operated.

Gordons Secondary School yesterday ended a two month long list of festivities by celebrating their 50th anniversary in style. Cultural groups turned up in full swing for the occasion, fully kitted in their traditional attire to show off their cultural heritage and to pay homage to those that had come before them. Along with the list of items that were presented during the day included traditional dances, a live band and a parade done by the current students and of those from the yester years. Pride glistened in the eyes of all students as they watched seniors and their pioneer students come out to mark the special event as they wound the clock back in time to reminisce on the days of old. Few of the pioneers deeply moved by the warm reception received from the current students as they paraded through the mini arena set up for them, recalled what it was like attending the school when it first opened. A senior was even moved to tears. “You know, walking through the field brought back fond memories of my time here, many years have gone but I can still see myself walking down the classrooms,” he remarked tearfully. As the day moved on, more traditional dances captivated the crowd, while the seniors resigned to a more quiet reception within the school library. All were received by School Principle George Kenega, who remarked that this was a momentous occasion, as it not only signified the longevity of the school but the quality of students it has produced over the years. “The school has produced some of the greatest minds in this country in all aspects of our country’s workforce. From politics to sports, and that is something that we are proud of,” Mr. Kenega said. Accompanied by former and current teachers, the principle stated that he hopes that they will continue to deliver the same high caliber students that will contribute constructively to the enhancement of the nation.

Jacks of PNG in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League [PNGRFL] this week launched a new line of PNG Kumuls supporter’s merchandise. Present for the launching was both CEO of the CPL Group Limited, Mr. Navin Raju and CEO of the PNGRFL, Mr. Stanley Hondina. Speaking first, Mr. Hondina thanked Jacks of PNG for the partnership that has developed between both parties over the years. “We have been partners with Jacks for the last 10 years or so in the space of merchandising and it has been fruitful for us and for that I would like to say thank you for that and for extending out with our hunters brand.” He shared that through their partnership, they have been able to maintain a steady organic revenue and was grateful for their support. “Jacks will be launching the Kumuls brand." "Our PNG Kumuls, our national team, they will be selling our merchandise in their shops and outlets." "That’s an extension of an agreement that we have with the hunters merchandise." Hondina added after this, they will be looking to extend into setting an agreement to get the Digicel Cup franchise teams and also the Orchids to have their own supporters kits as well.

It has been confirmed this afternoon by Police in Eastern Highlands Province that the Managing Director of PNG Ports Corporation, Mr. Fego Kiniafa was killed in an altercation that occurred early hours of this morning. EHP Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Welly stated that between the hours from 12-1am this morning, when he got involved in an altercation at Nagamiyufa near Goroka. “It is reported that Mr. Kiniafa had allegedly shot and wounded an aggressor in the neck over a certain number of alcoholic beverages, then in retaliation members of the community attacked and killed Kiniafa,” Welly said. It is believed that there were 4 involved in the brutal murder of the MD. The former was taken to the Goroka General Hospital where it is reported that he is currently in stable condition while the relatives of the deceased have also laid demands for the arrest of the suspects involved in the altercation. “They have demanded that the suspects surrender in 72 hours, that’s the first demand. At the moment the Police Station Commander in Goroka has taken control of the situation and we have men on the ground to keep an eye out for any future incidents,” said PPC Welly. The PPC has appealed to both the relatives of the deceased to not take up arms or retaliate as at the moment the Goroka Show is underway, and many of those that are now in the Province are tourists and this any violence at this time would paint a bad picture of the Province. “We have international tourists in town and I would like to appeal to the people to let the police deal with the situation,” he said. Being in a very close relationship with the deceased, Superintendent Welly urged the tribesman to not take justice into their own hands, but to let the law take it’s course. Investigations are underway to determine the actual accounts of the incident. It is understood that the body of the deceased is now resting in the Morgue at the Goroka General Hospital

The Wewak District Administration is currently in progress as the District hosts their "Hauskrai" for the late Wewak Member, Kevin Isifu. Wewak District Administrator, Mr. Martin Waingu stated that at the moment they are waiting on the state to release an official program so the East Sepik Provincial Administration can organize their own. “We are just waiting on the state to release a program so will see how we can be able to work towards the organization of our own,” Mr. Maingu said. He added that they are now in the process of acquiring funds to assist with the hauskrai, as the recent National General Elections was one of the reasons as to why the DA is short on funds. “Our problem right now is for funds to keep the hauskrai as most of our funds went to the support of the NGE,” Maingu stated. Mr. Maingu has spoken with a few representatives of the state and has sought assistance from the Treasury department to help assist. For now the final resting place for the Late MP is yet to be disclosed as most of the member’s family members are still in the capital and have yet to return to Wewak to discuss. “At this point in time, I cannot disclose any information of the late MP’s final resting place as the extended family are waiting on most of his immediate family in the capital to return,” said the DA. The DA added that he and the staff of the District Administration have been in close contact with the Late Kevin Isifu’s family, providing their support in anyway they can.

The University of Papua New Guinea Western Highlands Students Union will be hosting a live concert fundraiser facilitated by the Western Highlands Development Forum on the Independence Day. According to the WHDF Chairman, Mr. Samson Komati confirmed that many well-known local artists will be performing to raise funds, with all proceeds going to the UPNG WHP Students Union. Venue is confirmed at ATS area next to Hagen Kona and at the back road of Glory Estate (8 mile) accessible easily by the sealed road. The Artist confirmed to perform on Independence Day are as follows: Gedix Atege, Mal Meninga Kuri, Tasik Yard, Masalai Crew & Paul Doa Aundi, Esther Kave Pacifica, Eskimo, and few others and will be the biggest independence concert on the day. Other classic acts include comics such as Elton Kili and others have been engaged to as part of the entertainment. Mr. Komati stated that 2000 UPNG WHP students from the union will be on ground to provide support and assistance for all attending the event, with gate prices of K10 for adults, K5 for students and K2 for Kids and the elderly. He stated that they have also engaged the Hagen Police Mobile Squad 07 to provide security for the day, and encouraged people from all walks of life to come and enjoy the day while adding that everyone is encouraged to come along in their PNG colors. “We need all WHP community to dress up in PNG colors and come support the UPNG WHP Students Union for this fundraiser. This is NOT the WHP Day; it’s PNG Independence Day!” Komati said. So far, Member for Tambul-Nebiliyer and Minister for Defence, Mr. Bakri Daki has pledged his assistance by helping out in cash but they have yet to hear from him. WHDF hopes to raise K40, 000 from this event to support our UPNG WHP Students Union at UPNG.

It was a great day for the people of the Kairuku District as the Central Provincial Health Authority, Member for Kairuku, Mr. Peter Isoaimo and Minister for Health, Dr. Lino Tom all arrived at the Agevairu Station to launch the construction of the Kairuku District Hospital. CPHA Ceo, Dr. James Amini advised that it was a highly anticipated event, as the construction of the hospital has been part of the health authority’s plans for better health care in the district since 2019. “The plans for the hospital were in place for 2019 but due to certain factors such as the availability of land and others, it was pushed forward to this year but due to the National General Elections we had to move the dates again,” Dr. Amini said. According to Dr. Amini, the construction of the hospital costs over K24 million with most of the proceeds coming from donor agencies such as the Asian Development Bank [ADB] and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [DFAT]. He added that apart from the health facility, they will also be 16 staff houses. “I is a double package and it’s all thanks to the ADB and DFAT,” he said. He thanked both Donors and for their support in funding the much needed hospital. It is estimated that it would take at least a year and a half to complete the construction of the hospital.

The residents of Wewak and the district administration are in mourning upon receiving the sad news of the untimely passing of the Wewak Member of Parliament, late Kevin Isifu. District Administrator, Mr. Martin Maingu this afternoon stated that the people of Wewak are in a state of shock after getting word of the MP’s sudden passing, stating that at the moment words cannot express the sorrow they are experiencing. “The people of Wewak and those of us working in the district administration are all in sorrow. We are shocked and at the moment grieving the death of our MP,” the DA said. He reiterated that both the people and the DA were looking forward to working with the Late MP to implement the 5 year plan they had set for the District, but that sadly this will not be the case. “The people were happy, I was happy when he retained his seat because we knew that we were going to work alongside each other to deliver our 5 year plan,” said the Maingu. It is understood that the late member had passed today due to underlying health issues. According to Mr. Maingu, he will be speaking with Provincial Administration and the family of Late Kevin Isifu tomorrow and at that time will determine what there next course of action will be before addressing the media.

Following the recent 7.6 magnitude earthquake, schools in Morobe province have taken the brunt of the natural disaster. The Provincial Education Board, Morobe Division Director, Mr. Keith Tangui has advised that they have been receiving reports from all over the province. This includes a number of classrooms collapsing, especially those in the rural areas and those made of traditional thatched material. “Several Buildings collapsed, those of which were old and have fallen down in some the schools, we are still waiting for the report from the district managers and inspectors to report,” Tangui said. For the case of Wawin National High School, 2 buildings have been to have confirmed to have collapsed after the 7.6 magnitude quake that shook the school. “We are sending the students to check up on the buildings at the school,” the Director said. Schools in Lae seem to have been the least to be damaged. For most schools in the city, many of their materials were destroyed but no major damage was done. “The shaking of the buildings caused the books to fall off onto the computers and many other learning materials were damaged during the quake,” said Tangui.

A tribal fight between neighbouring clans at the Simbu/Jiwaka border has reignited the intense emotions in both factions that have remained dormant for the last 2 weeks. The fight is a renewed conflict from the one that occurred two weeks ago due to election related issues. Acting Provincial Police Commander, Michael Kapal stated that the fighting occurred in the early hours of this morning, leading to one youth being kidnapped, one death and 3 seriously wounded. “The Fighting occurred at the border Kumbal Market in Kerowagi district. It’s due to election related issues and the fight stems from after the declaration of the Kerowagi MP,” Kapal said. At the moment, police from both provinces are monitoring the situation, with personnel being posted to watch over the area. Due to the severity of the conflict, A/PPC Kapal has sought for assistance from the Assistant Commissioner of Police Highlands Eastern Commander, Rigga Neggi asking for the mobile squad in Mt. Hagen City to assist. Meanwhile, although not being directly affected by the 7.6 magnitude of the earthquake that happened yesterday. The Jiwaka Provincial Court has deferred all cases for an indefinite period after a filing cabinet fell onto the three computers containing data for all court files. “Currently all cases are put on hold. I don’t know for how long but will find out from the Chief Magistrate to determine how long the courts will be closed,” Kapal said. A/PPC Kapal stated that all three computers were completely damaged during the incident.

Joel Komun could not believe his luck this afternoon when he was called up stage to receive his prize of K30,000 and a recording contract from SP Brewery Limited. Komun was 1 out of the five finalist that made I through to last leg of the song competition. Speechless and in awe, Komun made his way to the front, accompanied by his co-composer, Thomas both were present for the competition finale. “To be honest, we did not know that we were gonna win. To hear them call my name, I was just awestruck,” Komun said. He said that he was shocked because the song was composed on short notice, after they had found out that were running out of time before the submissions closed. “We came up we the lyrics on the fly, because we knew we were short on time, we came up with the final mix in probably 4 hours,” he said. He added that he was delighted with the result and said that he was very fortunate to have worked alongside Dj Manzin, expressing that it was a proud milestone in his life. The Duo scored 161 reactions on the SP Lager Facebook page, with 12 reactions on the SP Lager Internal Platform Workplace and 1,892 votes by text message to claim the first prize. Coming in second after Komun was popular PNG singer/songwriter, Gaigo Mao also known as Gaix Mahn from the infamous Stagajah band, scoring 523 reactions on the SP Lager Facebook page, 4 reactions on the SP Lager Internal Workplace and 494 votes by text message.

The person of interest that was apprehended at the Makamaka Local Level Government in the Alotau District by the people of the area is now being detained at the Giligili Correctional Institution awaiting charges to be laid against him. Milne Bay Police Boss, Superintendent Peter Barkie has advised that the suspect that was apprehended is none other than one of the accomplices of the notorious Gang leader that plagued the province, Tommy Baker. “Gilchrist Waruwaru is being charged with the use of illegal firearms,” Barkie said. He added that the firearm that Waruwaru was in possession of was a military issued M-16, stating that the firearm was not a police issued weapon. He further stated that they had forwarded the information of the firearm to the PNGDF and to this date have yet to confirm how Waruwaru was able to come into possession of such weapon. Meanwhile, Superintendent Barkie has called on the Officer in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division, who at the moment is over-seeing the investigation into the Giligili escape to ramp up the investigations. PPC Barkie said that he urged the OIC CID to fast track the investigations so they can pass on the information to the court. “Because people died and there will be a coroner inquest into the incident. We have yet to complete the paper work because everybody who was supposed to submit their statements have yet to hand them in,” said the PPC. He said that he was now in the process to seek help from the Assistant Commissioner of Crimes to have a neutral CID officer from Port Moresby to assist the local CID. With regards to the apprehension of the 5 remand detainees on the run, Superintendent Barkie said they have sound knowledge of their whereabouts and it’s only a matter of time before police can catch up on them.