Morobe Governor Luther Wenge has called for peace among the settlers of Back Road in Lae after a string of fights between the Sepik's and Morobean's which started last month claimed lives, injuries and properties worth thousands of kina destroyed. He said he will was aware of the clash which started last month as a result of the elections. Wenge said fighting was not good as it created more pain and suffering and urged both warring parties to lay down their arms and let the law and leaders to solve the problem appropriately. "Fighting will bring unnecessary loss of lives and property and we will gain nothing from it," Wenge said. "Everyone is related to each other through marriage, families, and we must not see each other as enemies." "We have women, children, people living with disabilities and old people who cannot move during such fights and I want us all to think and let's make peace." "We have been living as a family in Lae and other centres and let's come back and maintain this." Wenge said this fight has affected children going to school, businesses and the working class people among others and it is not something good to continue. He said the fight has affected everyone living and working there. "I appeal to the people of Morobe and Sepik to stop this fight," "Continuous fights will affect us more and this is not good," "I am working with the provincial government and leaders from both Sepik and Morobe and I want both sides to lay down arms and let's solve this issue." "I have a team who is working on solving the issue and they will brief me on the progress and we can move forward," Wenge said.

Lae Morobe Governor Hon. Luther Akisawa Wenge is calling on the 10 MPs in the area to work with him to change the province. He said people needed services thus have voted the MPs to deliver. Wenge stated that to deliver services the MPs must work with him as the Head of the province. He said the MPs must not practice the previous style of fellow MPs who have been working in isolation and used to miss out on the Provincial House of Assembly sittings. He said the MPs must not bring in the habit of creating political differences too that would create negative working relationship in the province. He said any district MPs and provincial governor when voted by the people into Parliament have obligations to attend to Provincial House of Assembly and national Parliament sittings and they must visit their people too. Wenge made this statement when asked on how he prefer working with district MPs as the Head of the province in the five years. He also stated that whoever MP fails to attend to Provincial House of Assembly meeting fails his or her legal duty and could be dealt with by Provincial Administrator as the Head of Provincial Executive Council (PEC).

Buimo Correctional Services (CS) now has a tailoring shop inside its campus in Lae. The shop was funded by Correctional Services through its social services department. Northern Regional commander Felix Namane said the shop is one of the CS business arm and will become most useful Avenue to train inmates on running tailoring services in their communities whenever they are discharged to go out. The tailoring shop was officially opened yesterday. The shop cost CS K300, 000. 00 to building the shop in two years. Uniforms for Inmates, remands, CS officers and general clothing will be tailored inside the newly launched shop. Five female inmates will be working along with CS officers to operate the shop. One of the inmates who didn't want to be named said it was a great news for the prisoners as they will be taught on how to run such services in a small way in their respective areas when they are discharged. She said fashion has changed and latest generation have demonstrated the demand for tailoring stylish clothes thus this will be an avenue for her including others to learn tailoring and other services to go apply practically they learn inside the campus. She thanked CS for the support behind this initiative and urged government to utilise prison centres to change communities.

Morobe Provincial Government  is calling on all the school principles and board chairmen to make it their business to submit acquittal reports of K12 million funding being disbursed to implement building infrastructure projects. Deputy Provincial Administrator for social services Robin Bazenuc urged all the TVET, high and secondary school principles including the chairmen to submit reports of how they have used each of their funds being disbursed to them. He said they have to submit their reports before this month ends or else they will face fraud for investigations. Bazenuc stated that an M.O.U has been signed between the Provincial Government, former governor and the schools to deliver building infrastructure projects. He said total of 38 schools got their portion of funds, out of those schools, 28 schools made attempts to deliver the projects while 10 schools have failed to deliver and report on how they have used their share of funds. Bazenuc stated that first call has been issued to schools late last year and this would be final call now. He said if the principals and chairmen of 10 schools fail to submit their reports then the Provincial Government will intervene with its next cause of action to allow investigations take place. Kabwum Secondary, Saunu High school, Boana Lutheran High School and Bugandi Secondary school are part of the 10 schools who have failed to submit their acquittal reports.

The Government of  Papua New Guinea must do something now to address the current situation of basic goods and services sky rocketing, says Morobe governor Hon. Luther Akisawa Wenge. Wenge said government must do something now as leaders mandated by the people with expectations to address issues. He said the members of parliament have obligations to ensure their people's rights are defended. Wenge said government must not continue to fail its people by allowing the prices of goods and services to rise. He said devaluation of kina has brought value of our money down affecting local people thus government must now look at measures to address this issue. Wenge is calling on the Marape Government to subsidise costs of services.

The Commissioner of the Correctional Services, Mr. Steven Pokanis has welcomed the formation of the new cabinet and welcomed the idea of working closely with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary under the introduction of the new Ministry, which is the Internal Security, and will be headed by Peter Tsiamalili Jnr. Commissioner Pokanis stated that he sees a lot of good with this arrangement as traditionally, they have been working closely with the Police Force and taking this option to merger both security forces under one ministry, he noted that he sees a lot of opportunities in this venture. “I see a lot of good can come from this arrangement as we have worked with the police for over a number of times and traditionally the three distinct forces had their own ministries in the past and I see a lot of good can come from this arrangement,” said the commissioner. In terms of partnership between the two organizations, he said that there are legislations that governs both Police and the Correctional Services and that their roles are very distinct, but in terms coordination, in terms of knowing what other organizations bring to the table and working together and lastly in terms of sharing resources, both have been there to assist each other. “The CS is always there when there is a call out by the government, we come under the Police commissioner to assist. Having this one ministry I believe it will strengthen and improve the ongoing cohesion, coordination and relationship that we already have in place our disciplinary force and police force and also with the PNG Defence Force,” Mr. Pokanis added. The other sector that could be pivotal would be the law and justice sector. Mr. Pokanis stated that there are a number of agencies that fall under the sector and has advised that he can see the opportunity for all agencies to come together and look at cross cutting issues that may directly or indirectly that cuts accross one agency to another. “Having this mechanism in place and having one ministry now I think it will help us in terms of working together with our ministers like the Attorney General or the Minister for Justice with the Minister for internal Affairs,” said Mr. Pokanis. He also highlighted that in terms of national security where they conduct discussions on national security matters they will now be able to work in file and talk with the minister to deliberate on these issues. “It’s a good initiative and its early days but getting like-minded people to work with our minister, I see a lot of opportunities that can help both agencies and especially the Law and Justice sector,” he added. This could be the start of many great things to come. PC: CS FB Page

The hard working staff of the Western Provincial Health Authority are working hard to combat the spread of misinformation around Covid-19 and the vaccination. Director for Public Health WPHA, Mr. Mathias Bauri and the Manager for the Covid-19 response unit, Mr. Segela Kagole who is responsible for conducting surveillance activities with regards to covid testing & vaccinations. Advised that Community and engagement activities for awareness and education, advised that they are conducting awareness and education for counter-attacking the spread of Misinformation and the myths surrounding Covid vaccinations and Covid itself. “It is evident in Western Province that misinformation is a real challenge for the PHA, so for the past 4 months, we have been conducting training on covid-19 and the vaccination to counter attack the misinformation,” said Mr. Kagole. Due to the shortage of health workers in the province, they have recruited and trained non-health workers to assist with the implementation of the engagement with communities in the province. These non-workers have proven their worth. Myths have been circulating on social media and that has discouraged people from getting vaccinated and the WPHA has been working tirelessly to correct these misinformation.

A good number of students attending four secondary schools in Lae city missed out on sitting for their Written Expression National Examination on Monday after election related fights in the community prevented them from going to school. Morobe Provincial Education Program Advisor Mr. Keith Tangui said these schools are Bumayong Secondary, Lae Secondary, Bugandi Secondary and Malahang Technical Secondary schools. He said Bumayong Secondary School reported only 229 grade 12 students out of 300 plus sat for Written Expression Examinations, while Malahang Technical Secondary reported 200 students sat for the exam. At Lae Secondary school, only 425 students sat for their national examination and Bugandi Secondary school reported only 424 students set for the examination. The Education Program Advisor said communities should be blamed for disrupting school properties, causing fights and disturbing students from attending schools. “Fights and arson cases relating to National General Elections has really disturbed schools and students in Markham, Kabwum and Lae.”

Fighting has erupted in Mendi Town after it was alleged that ballot boxes for the Southern Highlands Regional seat were burnt at 3am yesterday morning. It is also alleged that the combatants are supporters of various regional candidates and those of sitting Governor William Powi. Due to the sporadic fighting in town, schools were closed down and students sent home. According to Mendi Secondary School Principle, Mr. Paias Mario advised that fighting erupted between both factions at 8am yesterday morning. “Roads were blocked and half of the number of students were present for classes, so I had to suspend classes so I was fortunate enough to send students home,” Mr. Mario said. He also stated that he was concerned for the safety of the teachers in the school premises and is standing by with his staff in the school grounds. The Mendi School is just a kilometer away from the fighting and staff of the school are hoping that they do not get pulled into the violence. He added that should the school be under attack he will seek assistance from the Provincial Police Commander to extract them from the school. He said that security personnel are on the ground but are keeping watch over government buildings and the airport. At the moment they are not sure how long the fighting will go on, but there a unconfirmed reports that there have been eight deaths and half a dozen houses have been burnt down. There has yet to be an official statement on these numbers.

Even though extra time has been allocated for counting to wrap up in areas where counting is still on going, NCD is making history as the most delayed and disrupted electorate in the country. Yesterday Quality Checks had to be halted before the resumption of count 19 due to the scrutineers demanding the serial numbers for both the ballot boxes and the papers, which according to the counting officials should not be the case. Benjamin Wapa, an Assistant Returning Officer from the North-West electorate, assisting the counting for the Regional seat, explained that as per the advice from the Election Manager, counting should proceed without any disruptions. He said that they are assisting due to the demands from the scrutineers. “They are demanding that they must have Serial Numbers. Serial Numbers are always given during the primary count, when we come to the QC, we don’t have to give serial numbers, the number of ballot papers used, unused, set aside and destroyed. That information is given in the primary count,” Wapa said. The scrutineers were demanded that the officials give them all that information before they proceed with the QC. Wapa said this should not be as with the QC, they are now trying to identify the total number of papers, check for formal and informal just to check and balance them out to see if they correlate. So far, 18 counts of the QC have been confirmed to have been gone through but by this time it may differ. Mr. Wapa then added that despite their calls for the serial numbers to be given, QC will continue.

BSP Group CEO, Robin Fleming upon confirming this said, BSP Sub Branches in Koroba, Kabwum, Mutzing, and just yesterday Chuave, have closed their doors due to security issues related to the 2022 National General Elections while, BSP Porgera branch was closed last month following tribal fighting in the Porgera valley. Fleming said, “We closed BSP Chuave Sub Branch yesterday after the office complex, which BSP operates from, was ransacked by supporters of losing candidates. We also had to close BSP Mendi branch earlier this week due to election related unrest. Mendi branch is now open for business, however, we are monitoring the security situation there closely.” “Though we regret having to close these branches, especially those in communities where no other banks operate, we cannot guarantee the safety of our customers, staff, and assets.” added Mr Fleming. BSP Chuave Sub Branch is closed indefinitely until the extent of damage is known, as well as the cost to make the sub branch operational, while BSP Mendi Branch has been re-opened for business. Where ever possible BSP has tried to remain open during election related violence and staff in those towns have adopted a restricted access approach during to reduce the number of people in the branch at any point in time for security reasons. Porgera branch remains closed and is subject to ongoing security assessments to determine when it will be safe for staff and customers to re-open the branch. Mr Fleming thanked all BSP staff in the violence-affected areas for their support of, and commitment to customers over this period. BSP apologises for this inconvenience and encourages its customers to use its digital banking platforms, like BSP USSD Mobile Banking, BSP Personal Internet Banking and BSP Online Business Banking, which are safer and more convenient.

"Nobody is above the law." This was the exact stance taken by Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Welly on the arrest of incumbent EHP Governor, Peter Numu yesterday. The Governor was arrested alongside 133 of his supporters and a close protection officer, after the supporters instigated an altercation with the security personnel whilst demanding the early declaration of the MP. “Well obviously nobody is above the law and basically we just have to process everyone of them, let them go to court and let the courts deal with them,” Supt. Welly said. Meanwhile, security in the province is being stepped up as they prepare for a repercussion of the incident. The superintendent also advised residents and the travelling public to take precaution when travelling or commuting, especially at night, and only if there is anything urgent to be done. The PPC added that they have received threats and are looking out for anything that may attempt to derail the process. “I want to make sure that those who are on night patrol, especially our hospital staff and others that need to move around do so but otherwise, keep indoors until we have a declaration and then we can move on,” PPC Welly advised. He further stated that the last fortnight has taken its toll on his men, with fatigue slowly creeping in and that they would not like supporters or scrutineers creating problems. “We simply want to ensure that we have a peaceful count and whoever that has been mandated by the people of EHP, that’s the governor,” Welly said. He further elaborated that the seating governor is in the lead and there should not be any discrepancies caused by his supporters.