Two infants were among 17 passengers who went missing along the Fly river in the middle Fly district, Western Province. The kids are one a month old and the other three weeks old. Both were with their parents with other passengers who boarded a 40-horsepower engine dinghy at Kiunga wharf last Saturday at 11 am and were traveling to Lake Murray. While on their way at around 6 pm they encountered engine failure. The 20-foot banana boat operator tried all means to repair the failed engine but were not able to. The boat with passengers drifted over the mighty fly river from Saturday night until Monday afternoon at around 3pm when they got rescued. Kasa Primary school head teacher Mr. Lupson Numaya who is also one of the survivors said they drifted for 38 hours until National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) reached and rescued them. Mr. Numaya and other four teachers were onboarded together with 11 passengers and were returning to Lake Murray when they encountered the unfortunate incident. "We were halfway to reach Lake Murray when the NMSA team reached out and rescued us. It will take another two days again to reach our destination." "I've served in Lake Murray for more than five years and I've encountered these similar incidents on countless occasions." "Other incidents I experienced were with adults and were bit OK but this recent one was the worse one as we were traveling with infants." "The kids battled the rain, cold, and mosquitoes in the open area until we got rescued. This will be my life story to tell my families and friends," Numaya said. Numaya from Lake Kopiago in Enga province has spent half his life serving in Western Province and is concerned about the way of using transport in the area. He is further urging the Western Province governor and Middle Fly MP to seriously consider setting better means of transportation for the people in the area to avoid such situations.

Pema, last of the villages situated upriver along the Waria river in Morobe Local Level Government area, Huon Gulf District in Morobe Province and bordering with Sohe district in Northern province is currently under siege by a group of local men. The group is alleged to have committed killings, sexual harassment against women, violent physical attacks against men, burning and looting of family houses, and destroying government properties worth thousands of kina. Nelson Zatura, a local from the area who resides in Lae just returned from a holiday from the village said situation has gone to worse since last Christmas causing locals to flee for their safeties in the upper river towards Northern province. Zatura laid formal complaints with Huon Gulf District Administration and Lae Metropolitan police for immediate intervention. He described the group's act as terrorist who have displaced traumatized locals to flee for their safeties. "The group led by an escapee of Buimo Correctional Centre destroyed 18 outrigger canoes which the locals use as means to cross the notorious Waria river and also attack passengers and dinghy operators shooting them with wire - catapults from the river banks which has forced the dinghy operators to halt the important service along the river." Zatura who went to the village recently with materials to build his late father's headstone was surprised to see the plight of his families and relatives and after managing to make it back downstream by canoe made sure to report to authorities responsible. "It's a big problem in my village of Pema. I am coming out to the media so everyone knows what is happening there. My village is burnt down, my people are afraid and are living in the forests, and we need the authorities to go down there and arrest the perpetrators, " He said. "These men have threatened against the movement of passengers up and down the Waria river and the people are afraid there's no access and freedom of movement and this actions shows that we have terrorists living with us and they must be locked up, we need the assistance of the police to go down there," "For transportation along the Waria, it is hard coming down the river and crossing over to Lae. If you are lucky and have access, you travel out, otherwise its hard to move around as they have blocked every access route, " "Waria river is the only access to the most people. Up to Tube down to Gobe and down to coastal areas we all travel on dinghies, " Reflecting on the past and notable differences, especially social behavior, he said lawlessness has increased to stage where there is increasing wilful murder cases being committed and accepted as a "new normal" but not reported because of the remoteness and the lack of the presence of police. Zatura stated that the current two biggest needs that would help to curb down the lawlessness are the need for communication towers for mobile phones and the permanent setup of police mobile squad at Morobe LLG station. "There is no sign of Bmobile and Digicel communication signals and it's very hard with basic government services and we think government really seriously need to address our plight." "We are at the border and we are suffering, we need government help," he said.

Teachers and students of the newly upgraded secondary school in Nawaeb District of Morobe have been challenged to demonstrate academic excellence in their end of the year results. Nawaeb Lutheran Secondary School Board of Governing Council Chairman Sir Reverend Giegere Wenge issued the challenge during the official welcome of first grade 11 students of Nawaeb Lutheran Secondary School for this year. Rev. Wenge said the plight of Nawaeb parents’ to have their own secondary school has been heard and achieved with the first grade 11 intake for this academic year so they want to see commitments by teachers to their teaching responsibilities and students to their studies. He said teachers must be punctual, attend classes and teach to the best of their ability as well as helping students to understand what they are teaching, especially slow learners. “As students, you must have a purpose while being here at Nawaeb Secondary and not to go their for a holiday. You must focus on your study, be academically competent and competitive bearing in mind that you are competing against students in Morobe as well as the whole country,” Rev Wenge said. Nawaeb Lutheran Secondary School Principal Bessi Simongi said it’s a milestone achievement for the school and he is happy to manage the school since its high school status and now secondary status so all teachers under his leadership must rise up and perform. Mr Simongi said they were able to beat one or two schools in Lae district scoring 42 percent minimum rating index in last years national examination result so the onus is now on teachers to maintain and increase the rating index to 50 percent. He said they must compete academically against top schools in Morobe in the likes of Busu Secondary and Lae Secondary as well as top notched school in the country. “I want to acknowledge Nawaeb DDA, former Nawaeb MP Kennedy Wenge, former governor Ginson Saonu, current Nawaeb DDA and MP Theo Pelgen and Morobe Governor Luther Wenge for the financial support given to Nawaeb Secondary. “We were able to meet the secondary school requirement because of the funding given which we utilized in building infrastructures and I salute you all for the vision you had to get this high school status upgraded,” Mr Simongi said.

The first Land Access Agreements (LAA) to allow for feasibility studies to be undertaken on the Labu Special Economic Zone project site, has been signed between the developers and the first of the three Labu communities, who are customary landowners. Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) Board Chairman, Dr. Benedict Yaru and AG Energy General Manager, Chris Bais, signed the LAA with the leaders of Labu-Tale village, represented by the Wampar 6 Councilor and Lunda clan chief Aron Aima, Ehaloulu clan chief Ronald Salasie and Spatele Hapa chief of Kakala clan, witnessed by the Labu people and visitors from the neighboring communities. A Pre-Feasibility Concept Plan was done by the developers, KPHL and AGE, and is the basis for the feasibility study to be carried on. The proposed project components are a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) berthing facility and onshore refinery to be developed by KPHL, a sea port and hydro power project to be developed by AGE and an industrial park. Dr. Yaru congratulated the Labu-Tale community for taking the lead in terms of preparation to embrace such economic impact project, which he said will contribute to the empowerment of the landowners, the Huon Gulf district, Morobe province and the national economy, with over 20, 000 jobs expected to be created from this project. Mr. Bais also pledged the long term support from AG Energy, which also has an existing hydro power project in the neighboring Buang LLG area in Bulolo district, saying energy is in high demand and the people have the opportunity now through such an important project. Mr. Aima and former Managing Director of National Fisheries Authority, John Kasu, speaking on behalf of the Labu-Tale people, say they are ready and willing to work with the two development partners, in getting the Labu SEZ project off the ground. Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, Huon Gulf MP and Minister for Community Development, Jason Peter and Bulolo MP, Sam Basil Junior, on Thursday night at the Charity dinner hosted by KPHL at Lae International Hotel, praised the two developers for initiating the Labu SEZ, and pledged to work closely to see the project through. The other villages of Labu-Miti and Labu-Butu will countersign their LAA with the two developers at a later date after completion of their awareness.

The Past Papuan Project carried out a one week experiment at University of Papua New Guinea on the history of Papua New Guinea and health of its people. It's started on Monday 6th of February with more than eight students that went through basic check up on blood pressure, sugar level, weight and height. Dr. Nicholas Brucato a specialist in Biology from France said the main goal of the experiment is to look at the interactions of the biology of people and the environment that is present around them. The research project is supported by the France Government in partnership with the University of Papua New Guinea and they focusing to support Science in Papua New Guinea. "Our main goal is to figure out how Papua and New Guinea island was first settled by the first ancestors". "That is why we are inviting a lot of students and people across the territory and get as much as many anthropological information to better understand and identify the first identity of the ancestors". He further stated that they are in the stage of finding out how people managed to settled and live in different places up in the Highlands to the coastal regions.

Touch Federation Papua New Guinea have started their preparation towards the 2023 National Touch Championship to be hosted in Popondetta, Northern Province. The event will come alive at the old Kurusako Stadium starting from the 7th to the 10th of April with a total of 15 associations bringing in teams for each of the divisions. According to Development and Referee officer Billy Karava explained, they successfully completed a training for all referees last week Sunday which was facilitated via zoom by the Federation of International Touch. The training includes, getting all the referees to familiarize themselves to common signals and rules and having them more equipped with knowledge about the sport. TFPNG Technical Director Mr. Gerry Kaiuk and Ms Vavine Yore traveled to Popondetta last week and are working in partnership with President Lincoln Kuri Horoma for Popondetta together with Ijivitari, and Sohe Touch Association to confirm venue and make sure they are well prepared ahead of hosting the tournament. "Preparing of the fields is already in progress, the team on ground are doing grass cutting and patching holes". "There will be four playing fields with toilets and bathing facilities. On that note, we also confirming the accommodation and transport logistics for the 15 associations that will be coming". The Popondetta Touch Association is grateful for their major sponsors the Oro Nickels, Oro provincial government and the district administration of Popondetta for standing behind them to see them carry out their plans and make the event a successful one.

Digicel PNG donated a set of merchandise to Capital Touch Association on Friday (03/02/23) in Port Moresby. The donation was made by the Digicel Sponsorship Manager Mr. Joe Kawage and was received by Vice President Mr. Buddy Mitau and Association Treasurer Mr. Steve Ilam. Merchandise set includes Gazebo tent, rugby balls, caps and sling bags. According to Development and Technical Officer Mr. Billy Karava said the association is privileged to receive such support and its great boost to them in tapping into the proper season competition. "On behalf of the Capital Association we would like to thank the Digicel PNG for the timely support to the technical team". Mr. Karava explained that there are 20 clubs confirmed for the season starting on the 5th of January at the Sir John Guise outdoor stadium. "If there are some more clubs to join the competition, we will advise on that". "It's a fun filled day for all families to come and participate in this, to keep themselves and their families fit and healthy" .

New intake students at University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) had a wonderful time on Thursday evening when attending the Barbaque dinner at the University Drill hall. The theme for the program was, "Bigger than what you think: information is power." In a special remarks from the Acting Director of Student services Ms. Dika Iru stated, the students are unique and they should value themselves. "I would like to encourage you all, to hold on to the source of your life. In every thing that we do, our creator God is all that we need to complete this study". Ms. Pauline Karahure a lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science also highlighted to the students the importance of mental health. She explained, without the brain the body would not react or do anything. "It gives us a sense of what to do, it gives us directions and where to go, so lets promote mental health in the university so that when we have the brain thinking, it's the most powerful organ." The function concluded with an open dialogue segment, where first year students were given opportunity to speak to the staffs as wells as others from different disciplines or programs. Mr. Victor Savingu, the moderator of the segment, ended program by saying that once students leave their homes to come for studies at the university, they are now considered as assets of the state. "Responsibility for the government is you now. It is important you are in a transition stage where you give the best while you here, get whatever you dream for and go out and contribute back to the the country," said Mr. Savingu.

While addressing the new intakes of University of Papua New Guinea yesterday, Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika encouraged the students to be responsible of themselves in terms of personal safety on the campus. As part of promoting better living and safety in the university perimeter and outside the campus, Mr. Sika said, all students must consider safety as important and be serious about it. "The City of Port Moresby is a home to many people and is a hub to many petty issues taking place". Mr. Sika explained that part of his role is to make sure the city is conducive, peaceful and investors and people do their business in a conducive environment without fear, threat and intimidation. "As you students are trying to settle down here through orientation and registration it is very important to know the city has its own problems in here." He added, students must abstain from going to night clubs and party places and concentrate more on their studies to fulfil their purpose. New intake students are urged to be focus and acquire the necessary skills and ability in each areas of their studies. With a lot of issues and problems arising in the city everyday, students need to set priorities right to meet their parents expectations and graduate after they complete the four years of studies. Mr. Sika further elaborated that once a student commits a crime, the student will be considered as an adult according to the nature of the crime. "As students of the Premier University, you must uphold the integrity and display good conducts of behaviour".

The Student Disciplinary Committee at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) is keen to carrying out its task on making sure students who breach the law and regulations of the University, must face the consequences. This committee is comprise of five members, two academic staff with one taken from the School of Natural and Physical Science and the other from the School of Medicine and Health Science, together with two representatives from the Students Representative Council (SRC). Chairman for Students Disciplinary Committee Mr. Nicholas Miroe, highlighted yesterday that the committee is now taking a new approach and would be very strict on any behaviors and attitude that is unacceptable. Mr. Miroe stated, student must respect their cohorts, their Lecturers and live a balance life as they progress in their studies. "Be mindful of one fact that you come in here as privileged citizens." "So, if you tend to be investigated or charged for very minor or to most serious offences then by all means, I will see you at my committee." Chairman Miroe stated, students must ensure to follow and abide to the residential bylaws that guides students living in the campus. "Discipline is also a very important thing for you to be mindful of." He emphasized to the students not to associate themselves with alcohol as they have observed alcohol as a key factor to a lot of issues arise in the campus and have caused accidents. "Students that are taking alcohol and coming in, you will have no place in this university. If you are caught by the committee, you will be dealt accordingly." Meanwhile, campus security, known as the Uniforce, will be working in partnership with the Disciplinary Committee to ensure students abide under the University laws and maintain proper order at the campus.

A dream come true for student intern Benson Wema meeting his two heroes while on his term of practical with the popular radio company PNGFM Ltd over the holidays. Benson Wema, who is a current student at the University of Papua New Guinea, studying Journalism and Public Relations was excited to meet Rolland Banaba, a senior reporter and Turner Arifeae, a.k.a Kasty, famous host and broadcaster with 93FM Yumi FM. They are two of the inspirations he always had when listening to radio. "Back at home in the village, I usually listen to radio and I always admire these two radio personalities. I had always wished that I could work for radio and be a radio Journalist just like them". Towards the end of 2022, Benson was among 3 of his student colleagues who were placed to do their training for a period of 10 weeks with PNGFM Broadcasting company. Benson had the opportunity to explore into his dream job. "I could not believe the fact that I got the chance to see and experience what it was like in the radio company". "And working along with people whom you always look up to like Rolland Banaba and Kasty is a kind of feeling which you would want to continue working without any day off. At least that was how I felt." Benson hopes to be a full time employee in broadcast media after completing his studies at the university. He encouraged other students and youths out there to keep to their future dreams and never quit. "The world rotates, and one day you will be at the desired places you wish to be and fulfil your dreams". "Always believe in yourself and you will see that you can do anything in life".

The orientation program for new students at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) began yesterday at the Main Lecture Theatre, Waigani Campus Port Moresby. The first session started at around 8am in the morning with a special address from diplomat Winnie Kiap followed by three different session facilitated by University Administration, Student services and Residence and Catering services. Ms. Winnie Kiap encouraged the new students, to have a broader perspective on their studies. "You must aim for leadership, teach leadership in the largest society where you will practice and live with it". "This is where you must try to influence thinking and actions for the good of our country and our people, but also for the good of the global community". She urged the student to think about ways that they can impact in helping to bring good developments to their society and the the country as a whole. Ms. Kiap strongly empathised to the students to live up to the mission statement of the University and deliver nation building. "Education is an old craft, we learn from our parents and elders and our parents themselves learn from their parents and elders". "But entering schools, we are brought into the Western education system". "All these are concepts and we must be part of it and be in it so that we can defend ourselves". Besides that, Orientation is scheduled to continue today up until Friday the 3rd February with other departments of the University to take on.