The Governor’s Cup Tournament (GCT) launching yesterday at the National Capital District (NCD) City Hall in Port Moresby saw over 50 team representatives attend, marking the first time for a large number of teams to participate in this year's challenge. Having the reputation of below 50 teams to participate in the GCT, this year's event will for the first time ever see 70 teams in NCD participate. The teams 70 teams consist of 64 man’s teams and 6 women’s to participate during the event. The return of Governors Cup President Mr. Billy Aki had really excited teams to welcome him back with a rush of participation. Mr. Aki shared his gratitude to the warm welcome from the Official Guests and declared to carry out his duty to the fullest. “I am happy to be back and give back to the youths. During the event, I want everyone to walk away from this happy.” “This tournament drowns teams in time, money and pain and it is only fair to give back for the teams commitment and effort to the selected competitors.” “Teams must please respect my officials and each other during the games and the event will proceed smoothly. We will be fine," said GCT President Mr. Aki. The NCD Governor Powes Pakop was pleased to welcome back GCP Mr. Billy Aki to the Governor’s Cup committee and sponsored a sum of K300, 000 to carry out the governors cup. “Almost all our local professional franchises feed off this tournament, for that I am proud to sponsor and hope to encourage the players to respect and discipline themselves at a professional level.” “Thank you Mr. Aki for your commitment and we are happy to welcome you back,” said Governor Pakop. The GCT awards will range from the Cup, Bowl, Spoon and constellation prizes. For the prizes up for grabs, the Cup prize is K30, 000, runner up K20, 000. The Plate prize is K15, 000, the Runner up is K10, 000, while the Bowl prize is K8, 000 and the runner Up K6, 000.  

Rabaul District in the East New Britain Province is ready and set to roll out their Festive Season Operations. The operation will be conducted for 14 days from 22 Dec, 2023 to the 4th of Jan, 2024, in all of Rabaul’s four local level governments (LLGs) to ensure the safety and security of its residents and visitors during the holiday and maintaining law and order. Plans for the Festive Operations were laid out by Rabaul District Acting Administrator Freddy Lemeki. The key focus of the Festive Operations will include normal policing, awareness, mediations and monitoring the Peace Process Agreement between Malaguna 1, 2 and 3, Rapolo and Rabaul town, illegal gambling, unlawful break and entering, stealing, public nuisances, noise pollution, carrying of illegal weapons, drunk and disorderly in public places, traffic cases, surveillance of point of entry, extraction of TNT from Tunnel Hill and other Japanese Tunnel, street sales and shop front markets, monitoring of released juvenile suspects, illegal collection of money, road side cleaning of debris, outstanding escapees. Mr. Lemeki said that various stakeholders will collaborate to ensure the operation’s success, including the Royal PNG Constabulary, ward law and justice committees and village court officials. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders and urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement officers and adhere to health guidelines. “We want everyone to have a safe festive season. By working together and being responsible citizens, we can create an environment where everyone can enjoy the celebrations without worries.”

Since her crowning recently at the Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant, the newly crowned Miss Bird of Paradise PNG spent her first official visit attending a graduation ceremony for the Buk Bilong Pikini Library in Tatana, Central Province on the 7th of December, 2023. The City Pharmacy Limited Foundation was honored to have Tyla Singirok, Miss Bird of Paradise PNG and current Miss City Pharmacy, join them in celebrating the 9th graduation ceremony of the CPL-sponsored Buk Bilong Pikinini Library along with accompanying members of the MBOP Committee, including Chairperson Anna Bais, Treasurer Michelle Hauofa, and Deputy Chair Ruby Kerepa and representatives from City Pharmacy Limited. Miss Singirok addressed the graduating class of 2023 during her visit, emphasizing the profound impact of early education on young minds and highlighted the significance of initiatives like the Buk Bilong Pikinini library in addressing literacy challenges in the country. Singirok further stressed the importance of enhancing the design of educational facilities to improve accessibility for children with disabilities, drawing from her personal experiences. "I have a younger brother who is hearing impaired. He has not had the opportunity to experience a graduation ceremony due to his disability.” “However, his situation should not prevent us from creating similar opportunities for others like him.” “Improving the design of our educational facilities is a step in the right direction to increase accessibility, fostering inclusivity and acceptance for children with disabilities.” Christopher Lam, CPL Group Manager of Marketing and Communications, expressed gratitude to BbP and the Tatana Community for extending the invitation to attend their 9th graduation. "CPL is pleased with the impactful work of BbP in communities across PNG. We are particularly proud of this learning centre.” “We’re happy to continue supporting Buk Bilong Pikinini through the CPL Foundation and the work it does.” A representative from the Tatana Village also conveyed appreciation to the BbP learning centre and its sponsors for their continuous support in enhancing children's learning. Meanwhile Miss Bird of Paradise and members of the MBOP Committee had the privilege of presenting certificates and awards to the 38 students from the Tatana Buk Bilong Pikinini Learning Centre who graduated and had a tour of the Learning center following the conclusion of the ceremony. City Pharmacy Limited donated prizes for the most outstanding students with gift packs along with biscuits, juice, and Stop & Shop branded balls that were distributed as prizes.

Western Highlands Province (WHP) will be one of the first provinces in the country, to improve water at selected rural markets across the province made possible through the PNG-Australia Partnership. This Water Security Project will be piloted from 2023, starting off in WHP this year, followed by East Sepik & Morobe Provinces next year, 2024. Access to reliable and clean water sources is still a challenge in Papua New Guinea and is also a key development and climate change policy priority for Australia. What this project will do is provide support for the provincial government to strengthen their governance systems and institutional capacity to improve essential service delivery, in this case, it is that of the water service. The Water Security Project is a demonstration of how Australia is partnering with PNG Provincial Governments as well as local stakeholders to ensure that such projects and others like it are a success and sustained in the long run. Markets in the WHP will be the focus of the Water Security Project as these places are the lifeblood of the informal economy of Papua New Guinea, largely considered to be community hubs where people amass to trade and do business to improve their livelihoods and contribute to regional prosperity. The markets were prioritised and selected by a technical working group led by the Western Highlands Provincial Administration, comprising of representatives across various sectors, including civil society. The technical working group will also establish governance mechanisms that include leading a committee of local stakeholders who will provide project oversight, leadership, and decision-making. Governor of Western Highlands Wai Rapa, MP, presented a cheque of K1 million to Australia High Commission Minister Counsellor, Ms. Penny Morton, fulfilling the province’s co-contribution commitment to the Water Security Project. Rainwater tanks and collection facilities will be set up in markets, ensuring the people in the markets and the surrounding community, have access to safe and quality water supply. The Water Security Project will be implemented across the three provinces over 2023-2025, with Australia investing up to K15 million in total over this period.

Rural aid posts and health centres in the West New Britain Province have been suffering from an acute shortage of medicine and medical supplies to aid posts and health centres for a while now. Mrs. Veronica Tony, the Gasmata LLG women’s representative stated that the shortage of medicine had begun in 2022 and the WNB Provincial Health Authority still have not done anything about the issue. Mrs. Tony told PNG HAUSBUNG the WNB PHA indicated that they have contractors that were supposed to be moving medicine to respective districts but have not done so as yet. Tony added that the WNB PHA continues to blame the National Department for this delay of the medical supplies coming out to the district as well. Mrs. Tony further stated that the WNB PHA have also blamed the National Department for their unreliable contractors which they have contracted to carry this task and Mrs. Tony mentioned that most aid posts and health centres have resorted to purchasing their own medicine supplies from chemists and pharmacists in Kimbe and Rabaul which is quite expensive. She also added that health referrals from aid posts and health centres for sick patients has been quite expensive because of transport problems hindering them from coming to Kimbe or Bialla at this time.

Prime Minister James Marape has assured Australia that despite the challenges posed by the falling kina value against the US Dollar, his government has tailored the 2024 budget as responsibly as they could, to minimise the need for additional support. This is the assurance PM Marape gave when he met with the Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers in Canberra. During this meeting, PM Marape also conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the people and government of Australia, for their continued budget support to Papua New Guinea. Marape clarified to the Treasurer Chalmers that going forward, any requests for budget support or loans will be communicated through his PNG Counterpart, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey. He added the enduring relationship between PNG & Australia that predates PNG’s Independence, making note of the people-to-people relations exemplified by the return of the recent Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league match and the significant presence of over 5000 Australian companies in Papua New Guinea. Marape further said he was grateful to Australia for continuing to support and contributions to fostering good governance, economic resilience and law and order in PNG. He also praised the Australia’s initiatives with study opportunities and labour mobility programmes, as the key to promoting people-to-people relations and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

8 young Papua New Guinea women have graduated as ‘Officers of the Watch’ after they successfully completed the Women in Maritime Program; a partnership between Pacific Towing (PacTow), the Australian Government, Consort Express Lines & Swire Shipping. The women, who are all cadets of PacTow, represent the second and third intakes of the program who are pursuing a seafaring career. The women graduated in a ceremony that took place aboard Steamships’ pleasure cruiser ‘Moresby Chief’ on Fairfax Harbour, where the Australian High Commission’s Minister Counsellor, Penny Morton, Australia Awards PNG Program Director, Rebecca Gitsham, Swire Shipping General Manager – Pacific, Randy Selvaratnam, and Steamships Corporate Affairs General Manager, Vele Rupa, were all in attendance. In his congratulatory speech to the new Officers of the Watch, Mr. Rupa highlighted the significance and values of such Partnerships between Steamships, the Australia Awards PNG programme, and Swire Shipping. “Together we are not only fast tracking the careers of young female seafarers, but we are also strengthening PNG’s maritime sector which plays a crucial role in driving PNG’s development." "Investing in the Women in Maritime programme is an investment Steamships is delighted to have committed to.” The recent graduates include; Naomi Erowa Karen Kariha Carol Wallan Make Wania Melanie Yambun Katrina Komboi Eunice Tuwe Debbie Aina These young women are now qualified to form part of the leadership team of future vessels they work on, as such they will oversee lower ranking deck and engine crew, further professionalizing PNG’s shipping and marine services sector. The General Manager of PacTow, Mr. Neil Papenfus remarked that the Women in Maritime Program was pioneering initiative that is helping to train PNG’s next generation of seafarers. “The new Officers of the Watch will help alleviate the problem of workforce shortages in PNG’s maritime sector, and that their skills and knowledge will benefit PNG for decades to come.” The Women in Maritime Program is offered through a scholarship, where the students undergo both theory and practical training, an onshore component and an year of critical sea time onboard PacTow vessels and sister company Consort Express Lines’ vessels. Swire Shipping provides the cadets with extremely valuable international sea time on much larger, more sophisticated, and technologically advanced vessels, visiting ports in Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand on Swire Shipping vessels. 34 women have been awarded scholarships as either a Deck or Engine Cadet, with 6 more women to commence the program in 2024. PacTow delivers excellent, reliable, and safe marine services through PNG and the broader region. A well-maintained fleet, as well as a dedicated and exceptionally trained team underpin the company’s ongoing expansion and success. PacTow is part of a larger sea and land logistics group wholly owned by Steamships Limited.

The Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea Incorporation has come up with an initiative to combat Gender-Based Violence by educating the young and reforming the old through sports called the ‘Pink Nose Revolution’. Dr. Danny O’Brien from the Bond Business School at Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia, is visiting Port Moresby and Vanimo in West Sepik Province this week to talk to locals about this initiative conceived by the founder and President of the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea Inc (SAPNG), Andrew C. Abel, CSM, ML. Dr. O’Brien is an internationally respected researcher in the area of sport-for-development and sees this Papua New Guinean initiative as ground breaking. He intends to document the thoughts, actions, outcomes and impacts of those at its coalface and report the findings back in top-tier academic journal publications. “The initiative is called the Pink Nose Revolution and is an outcome-based policy that emanated from the PNG Surfing Documentary, ‘Splinters’ that has been implemented in the SAPNG’s 11 board-riders clubs throughout the country and is aimed at raising awareness about the scourge of gender-based violence.” The program has been well-received that in March 2023, it gained the attention of the US State Department’s Sports Envoy Program which saw three American “surf envoys” run surf clinics, visit schools, and host round table discussions with youth in Vanimo and Port Moresby to talk about domestic violence and other topics like alcohol abuse, and access to education and health care. “The three then shared their learnings at a US Embassy reception attended by State Department and PNG Government officials, as well as representatives from the British Government and European Union. “ Abel plans to address gender-based violence by taking the Pink Nose Revolution beyond the surfing community. “With Papua New Guinean’s love of sport, the plan is to implement equivalent messaging across the 40 other PNG national sport organisations.” “A body called Sports Revolution PNG Inc. has been established with an independent board made up of leading PNG sport administrators, to do just that.” Andy added that he plans to take the message global because domestic violence is not just a Papua New Guinean problem, but a global one. “Just as the world shares the scourge of domestic violence, so too do we share a love of sport, and therein lies the opportunity.” Meanwhile the hope is to share the key values, lessons and learnings that underpin this important work so as to highlight the community building potential of well-managed sport-based interventions, and to positively shape the next generation of international sport managers.

The Sepik Pride Rugby Franchise has had an unfortunate turn of events in 2023 Digicel Cup and now found to be not meeting requirements according to Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL). PNGRFL stated Sepik Pride lacked three requirements in Governance, Financial Capacity and Affiliate League Associations. Sepik Pride Franchise co-founding member and Operations Manager Mr. Bradley Simon told PNG HAUSBUNG this in an interview today. He further acknowledged the respect and love from the communities in Sepik Province. “Affiliate Leagues are rare to coordinate in a soccer dominant province, our club really reached youth potentials to express their rugby spirit and is currently growing.” “We currently have two league association in Sepik. I am the only person leading the involvement of youths in communities and it’s exciting to see the growing number of interests.” “And it is not easy especially for a job without a fortnight salary.” “What is the purpose of encouraging rugby if you cannot do it at the most famous platform like Digicel Cup?” “If you understand the requirement of affiliate leagues in general, you will know some don’t qualify as well.” Mr. Simon stressed that during his first year he stepped down from the position as a franchise board member to better serve his team and share his skills and knowledge where comfortable and needed. “Yes, we have faced some issues in governance and financial capacity during our first year, but we have been able to turn it around into a successful year.” “These hiccups have been acknowledged by the club and will force necessary adjustments to take its course within the franchise”. “Other than that, I don’t see a reason for a suspension.” Mr Simon also spoke highly and stated his gratitude to his East Sepik provincial ggovernment, sponsors and stakeholders for their continuous support and belief in the franchise during their first and upcoming years year. “I will see this suspension as a challenge, I will contribute to carry out the PNGRFL requirements.” “Sepik Pride will be back.”

“Papua New Guineans and businesses houses in the country need to brace themselves for tough times ahead.” This is the alarming warning from Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang, in an address to citizens on the floor of Parliament. He said he sees that the Government will not be easing off on hefty borrowing. Adding to this worrying situation is the increasing stock of public debt, no solutions to inflation and shortages of foreign exchanges. Lelang stated that the Government’s promise of securing the future of the country over the medium term through the capital investment budget, is farfetched. “The MTDP IV shows the pathway to achieve policy directions toward 2030, a rich black Christian nation; however, this pathway is not fully resourced and funded and this demonstrates lack of commitment.” The Volume 3A Public Investment Program of the 2024 on page 1 provides a summary of the Resource Envelope of the Capital Investment Budget and it shows that the 2024 Budget books instead have appropriated capital investments 6 billion Kina in 2025; K5.2 billion in 2026; K4.5 billion in 2027; and only K2.1 billion in 2028. “We now ask, if this Government is serious about achieving its targets and policy directions contained in the MTDP IV by 2027 on page 1 of the MTDP IV document?” He said the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy, the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy, and the 13 Year Fiscal Plan of this Government, which promises a surplus in 2027 and 2028 and all that narrative will collapse, given the added full requirements of the MTDP IV into the Medium-Term projection. “We did a quick calculation using Treasury’s numbers in the budget documents and if we restored the full requirements of MTDP IV over the medium term of K10 billion annually.” What we found is. · Total expenditure and net lending will not decrease from 22.3% as a percentage of GDP in 2024 budget to 19.7% in 2028 as shown in these budget books. Instead, expenditure will increase from 22.3% in 2024 budget to 24.5% in 2028. · This is because total expenditure will not rise steadily from K27,388.5 million in 2024 to K32,268.2 million in 2028 as shown in the budget documents, instead will blow- out to K40,101.4 million in 2028. He said their calculations using Treasury’s budget numbers showed that total deficit as a percent of GDP will remain consistently high over the medium term. “The budget surpluses projected for 2027 and 2028, as shown in the budget documents will never be accomplished.” Lelang said with the full resourcing of the MTDP IV over the medium term, the rise in budget deficits will translate into planned new borrowing that will rise to K27,234.3 million in 2028, instead of the planned K5,245.0 million that they have shown in the 2024 Budget. “In addition, the public debt charges (principal, interest and other borrowing related charges) shown in Budget Volume 2a will be blown out.” “What we can summarize here is that full funding for MTDP IV is missing over the medium term 2025 to 2027.” He said there is a disconnect between Treasury and Planning that renders any medium-term Economic & Development Strategies of this Government void. “Any talk of surplus budgets, creating jobs and securing our people’s future is under threat and failure.”

After close to three years of hard work, the Department of Education has finally achieved an important milestone by completing their project-a new-look website, which was launched by the Secretary for Education, Dr. Uke Kombra, PhD, OBE in a small but significant ceremony recently. The Department according to Dr. Kombra, has been using the old website which was developed by the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Division in 2005. “It took the Department nearly three years due to capacity and manpower challenges; however, it was a milestone achievement.” The project to upgrade the website was coordinated by the Media and Communication Unit of the Department in close consultation with the ICT Division. “I thank the leadership and staff of ICT and media and communication for completing this task even though it took longer than expected.” Dr. Kombra stated that the department now has a website which is more modern but simple and user-friendly for the main clients who are students and teachers in the National Education System. “Parents and guardians and our many partners, stakeholders and the general public who will now have access to information and data about important policies and programs and announcements, news and events about what is happening in the National Education System.” He added that the website also hosts a number of important Applications for teachers and public servants from the department to access and also has a mobile phone version which users can easily access using their mobile phones. Kombra challenged the staff in media and communication and ICT to continuously update the site with relevant and current information for users to access, as he also appealed to the senior management of the Department to also contribute information for the website. Apart from launching the website, the Education Secretary also launched the Meeting Logger Application to streamline the process of documenting meetings which is an application which will be used to capture key information, action items, decisions, and discussions that occur during meetings. “It also helps to track action items and responsibilities, ensuring that tasks are not forgotten or overlooked; it ensures transparency by allowing team members to access meeting information, even if they were unable to attend in person and over time, it serves as a historical reference, helping track progress, identify patterns, and make informed decisions.” Meanwhile Dr. Kombra said this application will complement and strengthen the decision that the Department made to introduce paperless meetings in August 2016. “Since then, the Department has saved a lot of cost and time on photocopying after the introduction of this initiative.”

Artisans from Goroka and Madang, are coming together in an ongoing exchange program, in Madang Town. The man behind this initiative is Mr. Robert Banasi; a renowned Madang artist and community leader. Mr. Banasi told PNG HAUSBUNG that during this year’s annual Goroka Show in Eastern Highlands Province, he was fortunate enough to send a couple of Madang artists to display and sell their art. This is where the idea for the exchange program was born. “These Artisans have a hard life with little opportunities. On a good day, they may make about K10 or K20 from the sale of their art and craft.” Mr. Banasi, an artist himself, knows too well the struggle of making ends meet. “We literally sleep under the trees and go hungry, just trying to sell our art & craft." He said this is why this program is very important for artisans, as it provides them with an access to a different market as well as the opportunity to learn and improve their art and craft. “Organizing such programs, is all done on a voluntary basis so we need to create a win-win situation for everyone involved; one that is fair so our artisans can earn an honest day’s wage to survive and look after their families.” Mr. Banasi added that he and other Madang artisans, are all part of the MAM Art Group, based in Madang, that is made up of artistic youth and interested art enthusiasts in and around Madang Town. Apart from the Artisan Exchange Program, the Art Group is also in talks, to paint murals as part of a beautification program for Madang Town.