University of Papua New Guinea will be conducting the election of new SRC executives in the coming week for the year 2024. Returning Officer Desmond Timiyaso facilitated the drawing of candidate’s box number today at the forum square, Waigani main campus. A total of six candidates will be contesting for the Presidential seat whilst two females for the female vice president seat. Mr. Timiyaso announced to the student, there is only one candidate for the Male Vice president which he confirmed to be unopposed, and a formal declaration will be made later next week. He advised all candidates to carry on with awareness and campaign as of today after the drawing of candidate’s box number and should conclude on Monday. “Polling will commence on Tuesday 5th of September and by Wednesday 6th of September, we will do declarations.” He further stated, there will be a team from the National Electoral commission present to oversee the election and facilitate the polling procedures. “There will be five polling booths set up for the five schools including the Medical Faculty and I wish you well as you do your awareness in the coming the days.” “All candidates will give a special address to the students on Monday 4th of September when the student body come together for the combine campaigning at the forum square.”

Rabaul District is going through a facelift of sorts, with a number of infrastructural developments. The development is worth K15 million commenced recently and will focus on key areas of health, education, roads and law and order. Acting Rabaul District Administrator Freddy Lemeki gave a rundown of the 9 projects that were formalized recently by the ENB Provincial Procurement Committee. “Another seven road projects have been tendered and will focus on roads in the resettlement areas and the district as a whole.” He said rehabilitation work on the Atharm Wharf is timely as it is an important asset, and such infrastructural maintenance is paramount to address the build-up of sediment over the years. “The works on the Namanula and Matupit roads will create accessibility for the vast majority living in the rural areas while planned work on Blanche Street is expected to lift the image of the once-famous Rabaul town.” He stressed that infrastructure is one of the priorities of the Rabaul District Administration and commended the district technical officers for their tireless efforts and showing teamwork in the project formulation. The nine projects are: · Rabaul Town road major pavement awarded to Nivani Limited, · Namanula Road upgrade awarded to Lazy Axle Transport, · Queen Elizabeth Park rehabilitation awarded to SPS Limited, · Rabaul Urban clinic level 3 site awarded to ET Construction, · Construction of 1 x Rabaul Police barracks staff house awarded to Aim Rights Building and Construction Works, · Atharm Wharf rehabilitation phase one for drainage and silt trap improvements and concrete works awarded to Daveline Engineers, · Atharm wharf rehabilitation phase two for mechanical dredging and training awarded to Marbil Enterprise Limited, · Sir Ronald Hall refurbishment awarded to Newland Real Estate, · Construction of Asing Bridge culvert awarded to SIGNET. Work on the Blanche Street/Wharf Road has also been identified and negotiations are still underway with shortlisted contractors. Kokopo Plant Hire was also engaged recently in the Matupit road upgrade, which is 80 percent complete.

The Managing Director of the National Fishing Authority (NFA) Mr. Gisa Komangin was very pleased to acknowledge the U.S Coast Guard Cutter MYRTLE HAZARD, which is currently in country in accordance with the Rider Program between the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government and United States (US). Mr. Gisa extended his overwhelming gratitude to the US Coast Guard vessel and its Commanding Officer (CO), Lieutenant Halley Merritt and her crew for sailing to PNG in current windy conditions. “Papua New Guinea law enforcement sea operations faced slow results due to lack of facilities and equipment to spend more time out at sea,” said Mr. Gisa. But, with the modern capabilities of the U.S Coast Guard Vessel, Gisa said things will be much easier going forward. “This is good for PNG. Many issues will be under surveillance and controlled monitoring to overcome, which will be assessed and carried out at an official operation level. We still have a lot of work to do with the U.S Embassy to negotiate and prioritize our common and long-term goals.”

Anyone who tries to falsify a police document is a criminal offence and carries a penalty of up to K100, 000 and 25 years imprisonment. This is the warning from the Commissioner of Police, David Manning. He said altering any electronic document with criminal intent is an offence under the Cybercrime Code Act 2016 and if the fraud has intent to undermine law enforcement and public safety, full penalties will be sought in court. Recently, there was a circulation online of a fake document with RPNGC & INTERPOL crest and fake signatures. Manning called on the public to be vigilant and refrain from circulating such fake documents. “In the modern age we must all be alert and vigilant so as to not be misled by forgers.” “The fake document attempts to mislead a recipient into believing they are under investigation for serious and horrible crimes, and that they will be arrested and exposed in the media. This forgery could be misused to frighten or extort a recipient.” He said while electronic forgeries may be simple to make on a computer, they leave digital signatures that can be traced to the person who created the fake document. “RPNGC is conducting investigations utilizing the skills of digital forensic experts to trace the origin of the forgery and take appropriate action on those involved.” Manning said anyone with any information on this forgery or have been victimized by this scam, must contact the RPNGC Cybercrime Unit, through their local police station. “RPNGC investigators are highly trained professionals and conduct investigations with due regard to individual rights and privacy.”

A health centre in a rural part of Morobe Province is facing the challenges of power outage and shortage of medical drugs. A community health worker at the Situm Health Center in the Nawaeb District, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that there was no power at the health center and the workers use other light sources to attend to pregnant mothers and the sick patients at night. “Power is a big issue as there is some problem with the power connections to the health center, so we use solar lights and battery torches to help us.” “When there is continuous down pour, our solar lights are insufficiently powered because of the lack of sunlight, and we use battery torches to attend to pregnant mothers giving birth and emergency cases that come.” The Health center is also facing a shortage of vital medical drugs with patients given prescriptions and advised to make the 20km trip to Lae city to purchase medicine. “We’ve run out of major drugs like Amoxicillin and Panadol that most of our patients need so we write prescriptions and send them to the pharmacies to purchase medicines.” A majority of these cases according to the health worker are cold and flu cases, leading them to believe that there could be an outbreak because of the cold and rainy weather conditions. “We have this viral infection that is happening and most of the cases we have been receiving are showing symptoms of cold and flu such as running nose, watery eyes, fever and sneezing because of the climate.” Malaria cases are also common and because of poor sanitation and hygiene, diarrhea cases are on the rise as well. Meanwhile, community health workers at the Situm Health Center receive up to 70 -80 patients per day and among these cases, pregnancy and childbirth are serious cases as the health center does not have the sufficient amounts of fluids that are used to help treat the mothers after childbirth. Serious cases at the health center are referred to the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae city.

The United States (US) Coastal Guard’s Vessel entering into Papua New Guinea (PNG) waters marks an exciting collaboration between the two countries, focusing on mutual interest of minimizing exploitation in PNG waters. The U.S Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) MYRTLE HAZARDS with advanced navigation, communication systems allow smooth coordination between both enforcement agencies of both Nations. The U.S Coast Guard vessel will now be in action closely monitoring illegal and unregulated activities along the PNG’s maritime borders, and development of countering other allusive transnational maritime activities. Charge d’ Affairs of the U.S Embassy to PNG Mr. Mathew Bunt stated that the U.S Coast Guard provides the vessel, crew, and other resources to work together with PNG counterparts, using various systems to identify any incursions into PNG waters. “The rider program’s objectives are to assist patrol in PNG waters, protect marine time borders, to defend PNG’s sovereign territory and to promote sustainable practices,” said Mr. Bunt. “This is an exciting moment for our partnership, not just between our militaries, but for our government, our country and our people.” The Ship Rider program was planned by PNG Government Official experts with the support of the U.S Coast Guard. The U.S Coast Guard will work closely with the PNG law enforcement experts.

Lae Tennis Club (LTC) Juniors played extremely well during the past weekend’s Tennis & Squash Open 2023, at the Port Moresby Racquets Club in Port Moresby. LTC President Mr. Glenn Cabasug, said they did well despite playing on a different surface in Port Moresby, which was synthetic grass with sand, as opposed to the hard courts in Lae. “Our Juniors came away with 7 trophies. This is a great improvement from our previous performance last year in the POM Open, where our Juniors came away with just 3 trophies.” The 7 trophies and players included: 1. U14 Mixed Champion - John Louie Domalaon. 2. U18 Boys Runner Up - John Louie Domalaon. 3. Doubles Open Plate Champion - John Louie Domalaon (with junior partner Michael Kapolis from POM). 4. U18 Boys Plate Champion - Chris Jose. 5. U18 Girls Plate Champion - Wagivogo Walter. 6. Ladies Open Plate Champion - Stacy Thomas. 7. U12 Mixed Plate Champion - Cassandra Thomas. The President said this clearly shows that the LTC Junior Development Program is on track. “Our LTC juniors progressing well and developing their skills through training and exposure in tournaments, locally and outside of Lae.” Mr. Cabasug thanked the LTC Juniors sponsors who made it possible for the Team to travel to Port Moresby to partake in the POM Open 2023. Sponsors for the LTC Junior Team include: 1. PNG AIR 2. RD TUNA CANNERS 3. LAE BISCUIT COMPANY 4. SOLAR SOLUTIONS 5. CHEMCARE GROUP 6. NIUGINI WHOLESALE DRUGS 7. PANAMEX PACIFIC 8. RECA ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT 9. ORACLE PACIFIC 10. WELLNESS LODGE 11. GUARD DOG SERVICES 12. ACE CAFE 13. POMRC He also went onto thank the LTC Committee for sharing their time over the past weekend to be with the LTC Junior Team, as well as the parents who supported their children and allowed them to be part of the team. “This trip has allowed our young juniors to gain more experience, more friends, and most importantly learn more about sportsmanship and respect towards others.” “Congratulations to the POM Racquets Club and its organizing committee for hosting a successful event which saw a very big number of players for both sporting codes, squash and tennis, and participants from other centers outside of Port Moresby and outside of PNG." Mr. Cabasug also congratulated the adopted juniors from Goroka who stayed with the LTC Juniors Team and tagged along throughout the weekend. “We look forward to the continuing training of our juniors, primarily in preparation for the next PNG Junior Tennis Open targeted for February 2024, which will once again be used as part of the selection process for juniors to represent PNG to the West Pacific Regional Championships in Fiji in May 2024.” The President congratulated all the players and winners for making LTC proud, saying the team will now have a well-deserved rest before training resumes again this Sunday.

The University of Papua New Guinea East New Britain Student Association (UPNG ENBSA) is preparing towards their end of year projects which to happen in East New Britain Province during Christmas holiday. The end of year projects was launched during the weekend at the campus and will include two existing projects that is carried on from previous executives together with a newly introduced which is Classrooms furniture’s drive. President of UPNG ENBSA Allan Robert said, the team for this year is looking into donating classroom’s desks and tables to most rural schools in the province. “The project is expected to be carried out starting from October 23rd to November 10th, but that will depend if there are changes on the academic timetable at UPNG.” Mr. Robert is grateful for the support shown during the launching by students who are members of the association both from the medical faculty and Waigani Main campus as well as other stakeholders from DBTI and the East New Britain community in the city. “I’m also impressed for the three previous Presidents in the likes of Mr. Ryan Tade, Mr. Tiolam Wawaga and Mr. Joachim Lolok.” “In the last hour, when our guests were not able to make it, they stood behind the majority of students to see the launching happen.” With the support that he had, Mr. Robert is confident they will deliver the three projects successfully and he is appealing to interested stakeholders and government that are willing to support, to stand with the UPNG ENBSA and work together to bring changes and impacts to young children.

Poahom Bridge and then the Bualu Bridge that run over the Situm River in the Nawaeb District in the Morobe Province Situm River will undergo major repair works with recommendations done from site reports. This was the advice from the Local MP Theo Pelgen, after he visited the flooded Situm River and bridges leading into the area. The riverbanks had flooded during the last past days due to the heavy rainfall experienced all throughout Lae City and Morobe Province. He was accompanied by Nawaeb District technical team (Engineering Team from Allied Group Limited). Project Engineer Hamuel Gena explained that the two bridges will undergo major repair works with recommendations done from site reports. “The two bridges will be upgraded with steel reinforcements and other technical equipment to ensure they are up to standard and quality for usage.” The Engineer explained that the bridges will be reinforced, and this will help the bridge withstand the impact of high tides and flood levels. “By doing so, structural damages will be prevented where the bridge will be structurally stabled in order to make it accessible for use at all times.” The long-standing timber logs that have been used as decks for the Bualu Bride will be replaced with steel decks and steel rails will be installed to prevent accidents. “Gabion baskets will be built on each side of the bridge at the up-stream and also at each approach of the bridge in order to strengthen the abutments from being washed out or damaged during high tides.” Structural components on both brides that are deformed or damaged will be replaced with new ones and the bridges will also be painted over to give a new look to road users. MP Pelgen has seen firsthand the extent of the flooding and has assured the locals that construction of a new 300-meter bridge will begin commencing next month, to provide the safest avenue for travelling public and vehicles into Labuta LLG. “The river will be diverted back to its original path, so the diversions will relief the nearby villages and houses that have already been destroyed with the river running into the area when flooding happens.” “The act of river flowing when flooding is a natural disaster and therefore it is unfortunate for the people to lose their homes and gardens.” MP Pelgen further assured the locals that relief will soon come after the completion of these works.

In light of the recent prison break at the Buiebi Correctional Service (CS) facility in Southern Highlands Province, the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) is now appealing to the public to be cautious when out and about doing their daily chores. The Police have reasons to believe that the inmates are still within the province’s vicinity and are working tirelessly to investigate and perform road checkpoints searching for these escaped convicts. ” These inmates are now believed to be armed as well and also dangerous,” said the PPC. PPC Puri is appealing to the people to practice caution when moving around, especially where the escape occurred. He wants women and girls to move around in groups and people to report any suspicious person or people to police right away. The PPC also confirmed this morning that out of 47 inmates, 4 were shot dead in the attempt of escaping from Buiebi CS facility, leaving 43 still on the run. Most of these escapees are convicted criminals who have committed very serious offences and were locked up before they escaped on Sunday 27th August.

The Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Dr. Philip Mitna announced this afternoon in Port Moresby that there will be a new police special operations team to be created. He said this new team will be created by the Police Commissioner to deal with violent crimes and Domestic Terrorism in the country, especially in the Highlands Region. Dr. Mitna explained that this new team called, ‘Kumul Force 23’ will be established under the Mobile Squad Unit for specific duties. The new team will operate as a sub- division of the mobile squad itself. “This new Kumul Force 23 will only answer to the police commissioner, “said Dr. Mitna. The idea to establish the new team came about following the issues up in the highlands especially Porgera and the current situation at Laiagam in Enga Province and other parts of the Highlands region as well. “The details of the new team will be announced in the coming weeks.” Meanwhile, Dr. Mitna said that police and Papua New Guinea Defence Force Personnel will continue to monitor the situation on ground in Enga province to minimize any further clashes and destruction to public properties and danger to civilian population. Dr. Mitna said efforts are being made to ensure that the situation calms down in Enga, making way for the much-anticipated opening of the New Porgera Mine.

The Papua New Guinea Community Affairs and National Content Conference and Expo 2023 commenced today at Papua New Guinea University of Technology campus. The three-day event hosted by PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum is an initiative to engage landowners, business houses and government including the stakeholders to gather and share experiences and knowledge on how best to forge new relationship for investments that will promote national participation for sustainable communities. The event for the first time brought farmers as well to the venue offering direct service and engaged locals to share experiences on how best, they could participate in business activities. Prime Minister Hon. James Marape was a keynote speaker at the event. The PM emphasized compromising and maximizing local content where locals should see enough space to participate in providing services in the mining and petroleum sectors and the business trades in general. "Papua New Guinea has four big investors in the world operating here.” “We are privilege to have these top companies operating in the country hence there are no doubts for investments in our country," "Through this event the investors should learn on how locals could collaborate and participate in providing services," Marape said. Mining minister Hon. Kerenga Kua, Morobe governor Hon. Luther Wenge, Unitech Vice Chancellor Dr. Ora Renagi including other delegates attended the opening event. Dr. Renagi applauded PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum on choosing Unitech as the hosting venue. He said the institution has a vision to produce top technocrats in the world and choosing the area to host such first of its kind and important event in the country at the campus was highly commended. Meanwhile, landowner companies in the mining and petroleum industry, business houses and government agencies have their booths set up in the campus with information about their operations and visions.