Security firms have been retained by the East New Britain Provincial Government to assist maintain peace and good order in Rabaul Town. This, after a month of a spate of law-and-order issues that have affected businesses, schools and key institutions like health and banking services, including a number of families losing their homes and damage to properties. Black Fox Security Services and NKCL Security will cooperate and assist the police to man access road from Rapolo junction to Rabaul Town patrolled and free of loitering groups harassing travelers. Governor Michael Marum together with the Minister for Fisheries and Gazelle MP, Jelta Wong, Acting provincial administrator, Levi Mano, Acting Rabaul District Administrator, Freddy Lemeki and Acting Provincial Police Commander Januarius Vosivai met with the Rabaul Business community recently at Rabaul Hotel to discuss a way forward. Governor Marum provided a brief of his immediate plans to restore and maintain the rule of law in Rabaul Town and called for their support to make his plans work. He said a ‘Ranger’ type youth engagement program will see a total of 20 youths representing the affected wards, will be identified with the assistance of the ward development committees to assist the two security firms. Members of the business community raised concerns on the need for police reform, action and complete reorganization was also discussed strongly by many speakers. The leaders raised concern that law and order is a shared responsibility and not just the responsibility of police and courts.

The Port Moresby Suburban Rugby League (PSRL) Semi-Final games held at the Waigani Koni Tigers oval on Saturday 28th October, had to be cancelled due to on- field violence after players and team officials laid waste to the match officials. The very unfortunate incident took place during the first A-Grade match when a try was not awarded to the Kagua Woodman team due to a player stepping over the touch- line in an attempt to score a try. This led to players arguing about the decision and then decided to take matters into their own hands by brutally attacking the referee and the linesman. The possibility of an on-field violence was shown prior to this incident during the A- Grade match with verbal confrontations as well in the B- Grade matches when teams and coaching staff felt the urge to go against decisions made by the referee and linesman. This resulted in exchanges of verbal abuse that saw the games stopped as well. The PSRL Points Collector and Games Organizer, Mr. Judah John told PNGHAUSBUNG that a meeting will be held today at the Koni Tigers Oval to determine the action to take on the teams that there involved in the incidents on Saturday. “Teams need to learn to accept defeat, understand that there will be one winner and one loser.” “We feel that police patrol is necessary to minimize the risk of our officials and supporters during unexpected, heated events,” said Mr. John. “With all these incomplete games, we are uncertain on whether the teams should have a rematch or be forfeited. Our meeting today will determine the decisions.” He said the supporters went to watch some good rugby league matches, but instead witnessed violence between players and officials. He added that the PSRL officials have the authority to disqualify or suspend players who displace inappropriate behavior during matches; therefore, team officials and staff must be mindful of their words and actions towards PSRL officials at rugby league tournaments.

A taste of Morobe will now be available in the United States of America (USA), after Lae based Muruk Tropical Produce Limited exported their first container load of Morobe taros to the State of California. Owner and Managing Director of Muruk Tropical Produce, Mrs. Anna Wissinks, when speaking to PNGHAUSBUNG, said there is a big demand for traditional food in the USA. “There is a big island community in the USA and although they live far away from their island homes, they still like to eat traditional food, including taro.” She said that this is what prompted her to attempt to supply to meet the demand in America. Muruk Tropical Produce buys taro from the Lae, Markham, Nawaeb Districts and surrounding areas in the Morobe Province. “Once we buy the taros from the farmers, we have our workers who peel, fine peel, wash down the taro and chop the vegetable into sizeable pieces to be packaged and frozen.” Anna explained that the product is great, as its processing ensures it lasts longer and retains its freshness and taste. “It is a sustainable business, and it gives the local an incentive and opportunity to earn money for their produce and a market access that they would otherwise not have.” She explained that there are areas that need development, if rural taro farmers can earn an income for their surplus, and if such businesses as Muruk Tropical Produce are to do well. “There is a need for the Morobe Provincial Division of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) to educate our rural taro farmers, how to grow better crops.” Anna said this should be coupled with financial literacy trainings as well, so the farmers become business minded and get into a culture of savings. “I plan to speak to the Provincial Government through the Morobe DAL… we need their assistance; we need to be talking logistics and government subsidies for price control.” Anna was happy to reveal to PNGHAUSBUNG that she had received a favorable response from the Finschaffen MP, to assist the local farmers in his District to bring their produce to a more accessible location for buyers like Muruk Tropical Produce, to buy taros in bulk for export. “Muruk Tropical Produce is a bridge for rural taro farmers to an international market, but we need cooperation from the Government to continue to promote and supply to the overseas market.”

Police in West New Britain (WNB) province has cautioned the public to be vigilant at this time following some major crimes being reported in the month of October. At the start of the month saw an attempted robbery at the BNBM Hardware in Kimbe town, ended up in the capture and death of some criminals. The incident took place on the 09th of October where police responded to a call about a robbery, resulting in 12 suspects being captured by police. However, 4 suspects died after succumbing to their wounds at the hospital and 2 had their limbs amputated due to the seriousness of their gunshot wounds. Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Mr. Peter Barkie told PNG HAUSBUNG that police will carry out its duty to ensure the safety of the public and take necessary measures as well to protect its officers on duty. “We have already received confirmation to use firearms from the Commissioner to neutralize any crimes involving firearms.” “People in possession of firearms should be considered dangerous and criminals involved with firearms will be matched with firearms from police.” ‘ Meanwhile, in another major incident in the province this month saw three individuals in Talasia Local Level Government (LLG) reigniting an old tribal issue by taking the lives of two grade 8 students in Walupia Junior High School during their first Exam on Monday 23rd. Fortunately, police were able to intervene and minimize further casualties from retaliatory attacks. PPC Barkie then appealed to the local community leaders and the people to work together with police to have those involved in the killings of the two poor innocent school kids arrested and charged for the hideous crime they committed. Talasia LLG communities responded to the PPC’s call and apprehended the 3 suspects responsible for murders. PPC Barkie gave assurance that investigations will be carried out and the suspects will be thoroughly dealt with by the law.

Madang town was overrun by the relatives of the deceased officer from Chimbu province on Thursday this week, overpopulating the town seeking justice. However the situation changed drastically when opportunists among the population took advantage and began performing criminal acts in town, forcing the town vicinity to shut down immediately. Police units rushed to the scene but could barely control and enforce peace as the opportunists rage grew excitingly resulting in the destruction of properties within the town. A press conference was held yesterday to address the situation and how to minimize as soon as possible. The conference was joined by the Provincial Administrator and deputy administrator, Correctional Service Commander and the Provincial Police Commander. PPC David Seine was very direct in expressing the situation under the law and the absence of discipline at a family and community level. “If parents disciplined their children, crimes would be lessened at the community level and provincial level." "It is vital that the grade 8’s must sit for the last paper of their exams on Friday." “Units have already been deployed for the investigation to identify these murders as we speak." "With fewer resisting law and order, police are currently on patrol to maximize control.” “Opportunists took advantage of the mobilized group and so I appeal to all the people of and in Madang, this not an ethnic situation but a law and order situation. This is the bottom line.” Meantime, the Provincial Administrator Frank Lau stressed that Madang Provincial Police Department is truly and deeply in need of assistance in infrastructure and equipment. North and South Coast of Madang roads have been blocked off with rocks and burning tires to completely stop the movements. PPC stated that there will be reinforcements soon. "Two police mobile squad units are coming up from Lae to support the patrols and maintaining control among the people of Madang.” Madang town has been on lock down and is yet to determine the outcome. Investigations have been carried out and police expect to soon identify and apprehend the murder suspects to face justice.

A resounding challenge that many presenters talked about at the last day of the 14th World Indigenous Business Forum on Thursday 26th October, was the need to find suitable markets for indigenous products. These similar sentiments were also shared by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Cocoa Board, Mr. Jesse Anjen, who was part of a panel from the cocoa industry in the country that presented their topic at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby. Anjen said they hear a lot of stories of cocoa farmers, carrying their bags of produce and climbing mountains and crossing flooded rivers, just to reach a market. "This is where the PNG Cocoa Board needs to come in. We need to mobilize our Indigenous Cocoa Farmers and find a market where they can enjoy a better and higher price for their produce." He explained that there is a demand for cocoa worldwide that stands at 5 million tones; a demand that grows by 5% each year. "Almost all of the cocoa that goes out of the country, is produced by Indigenous farmers and the worldwide demand for cocoa is the exact opportunity that they need." “So, we have to co-operate with our Indigenous farmers to not just increase the volume, but also add value to our cocoa produce." Anjen topped off by saying that such forums as the WIBF, were the spaces where they can secure new markets and form new partnerships to better serve the indigenous cocoa farmers.

The Grade 8’s final exam in Madang town has been postponed to this morning. Four Primary Schools hosting Grade 8 Exams within the town vicinity were forced to postpone the exam to this Friday due to poor attendance of students and invigilators. The schools Jomba Primary School, Lutheran Primary School, Holy Spirit Primary School, and Kusbau Primary will be on high alert to prioritize the safe travel of their students to travel safely to school and back. The Madang Provincial Education Department authorities had postponed the exams after Madang town was infested with locals on Thursday. Deputy Principal for Kusbau Primary School Mrs Biel Towili stressed to PNG HAUSBUNG the importance of the exams and why it should not be postponed any further. “This is the last exam for grade 8’s and it must be completed no matter what”. “Our school had a poor attendance of teachers and students, what happened affected us all.” “Students and teachers were scared home or were unable to travel because of no public transport.” “I appeal to the Madang government to put Madang in the State of Emergency, because the good, sensible and innocent citizen are suffering the most, we need assistance.” The beautiful Madang town was forcefully shut down by the public and police after a young police officer from Chimbu Province was allegedly butchered by locals. South and North Coast of Madang public transport have stopped their normal routines to avoid any dangers, resulting in a deserted town. “We plan to work with police to provide security for our staff and students coming for the exam.” “Exams will take place tomorrow depending on the police operations to control the situation.”

PNG Power Limited has advised its Easipay Customers and the general public that there will be an Emergency Easipay System Outage this afternoon, Thursday October 26, 2023, starting from 3.00pm onwards. This was advised through a media release today. “This is to allow PNG Power and its contractors to install new circuit breakers to the main switchboard of the National Office building in Hohola, Port Moresby.” “Power supply to the main IT Server which hosts the Easipay Vending Services will be impacted during this period, which will mean the server will be shut down during this period.” Meanwhile PNG Power has thanked the public for their cooperation during this time and has urged Easipay customers to purchase Easipay tokens before the expected outage time to avoid inconveniences. “We expect to have power supply to the National Office restored by 10.00pm, October 26th,2023 which will also enable the restoration of the IT Servers for the Easipay system to resume vending services.

Blue Mountain Coffee is one of many Papua New Guinean owned companies that have set up booths to display their products at the 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) today, at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby. Speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG was Blue Mountain Coffee's consultant and ambassador of sorts, Mr. Michael Lachlam. He explained that Blue Mountain Coffee and its sister, Off the Beaten Track Coffee, are based out of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province. "We buy coffee from small farmers in the rural areas and transport it to Goroka for processing." Michael said they go as far as Wau and Menyamya in the Morobe Province to buy coffee. "The logistics to bring coffee from Morobe to Goroka is very expensive, but we still try to reach out to these rural farmers," Michael said, highlighting the hurdle that many rural farmers face in finding a market for their produce. Expensive logistics is not the only hurdle that Blue Mountain Coffee faces, they too struggle to find a suitable and profitable market for their finished products. "We have a gift shop in Goroka and also at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby and we hope to find more places outside of PNG, to sell our coffee too."

Young Daniel Kill Sakora has potential in soccer and dreams of becoming a goalkeeper for the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Football team, the Kapuls, in the future. 16-year-old Daniel, who is mixed parentage of Madang and Morobe, plays for PTC United Football Club at Lahi Football Association in Lae city, Morobe province. At the age of just nine years, he heard stories of his uncles, Richard and Billy Daniels who were strongholds of Sobou Football club. Sobou FC was the country's champion from 2004 to 2007 at that time. Richard was the lead mid fielder and Billy was his smart combination play mate who led the team during that time. Daniel never had the chance of watching his two uncles during those times but as he grew up, he had a chance of watching his elder siblings Nathasa Sakora and Emmanuel Airem. This gave him a deeper challenge of one day that he should take to the field to be like his uncles and siblings. At the age of 13 years old, he started playing for PTC United FC at Lahi Football Association and with the words of encouragement from the family, Daniel took seriously his training sessions and games. His games improved from time to time with every match. And it was through Wawens Soccer Tournament in 2022 where Daniel stood out and got the officials attention. He was identified and selected to play with Northern Teens FC. This year Daniel got his first ever experience of playing outside of the city where he was born and raised. Looking back at his childhood days where he used to imagine how he would take a soccer field in future like his siblings, this selection to play in the National Youth Soccer League is a steppingstone for him. "This is my first time to play at the national youths' level, but I have the confidence to take it on from there. I have faith in myself of one day to play and represent the country," Daniel said. Being a soccer goal keeping might look like an easy job; however, success as goalkeepers comes only to those who know what to do with the ball in different situations. The position of goalkeepers in football is both interesting and significant. As a goalkeeper, one acts as the last line of defense for the team; the leadership and organizational skills also determine success. Think that football is like playing a game of chess. Everyone on the ground has an important part to play. However, as a goalie, you are the only man standing on the 18-yard box who can use your hands without invoking a whistle from the referee. When your teammates look up to you, you need to have the cunning and proper decision-making abilities to beat your opponents both physically and mentally with the right technicalities. Young Daniel is also a grade 7 student at the Taraka Primary School, and he has balanced well his studies and the game. He played very well in the recent National Youth Soccer League. He saved most of the strikes to defend his team Northern Teens FC, who made it to the grand final and won. The Northern Teens FC has now qualified for the Under 19 Oceania Federation Cup (OFC).

It's a story of innovation; where local fish farmers in the Simbu Province are using garden food like sweet potato (Kaukau) and cassava, to make fish feed, or aquafeed. On the last day of the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby, PNGHAUSBUNG spoke to the Simbu Inland Fish Farmers Cooperative Society (SIFFCS) who are main characters behind this story. The SIFFCS are being assisted in the creation of this aquafeed, by the National Fisheries Authority. At the SIFFCS booth set up at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby, there were displays of the ground root vegetables that the SIFFCS have been producing and using as aquafeed Provincial Fisheries Officer, Francisca Imbo, who was manning the SIFFCS booth, explained that the product that was on display, was from 5 years of research and perfecting, to reach the aquafeed that they have today. "Aquafeed is very expensive and most of the rural fish farmers cannot afford it. That is why the National Fisheries Authority, have been working with these rural fish farmers, to come up with this alternative." Francisca added that the SIFFCS made aquafeed has become quite popular in the province and Highlands Region. "Even the Enga Provincial Government, have reached out to us in the past, to buy this aquafeed." She said they had an international visitor to their booth the other day, who was thoroughly impressed with how well-nourished their Salmon was, from feeding off their own aquafeed. She went on to explain that despite their aging equipment, the SIFFCS continue to produce this aquafeed; a story that she was proud to tell to the visitors to their stall, at the 14th WIBF.

The New Britain Highway is no longer safe with local armed criminals dominating the roads by vehicle hold-ups. New Britain highway is located in West New Britain linking over 30 local areas into the main town, Kimbe Town. Locals travel to access basic services and needs available in town. On 18th October a highway bus was held up at Galai 2 on the New Britain Highway by these unknown local criminals gaining control of the vehicle and maneuvered it off road. The passenger’s properties were stripped from them and they received multiple serious stab wounds. Furthermore, an elderly woman was instantly raped and killed by these criminals. The victims were admitted to Kimbe hospital for immediate medical attention. Passengers from communities traveling the highway are devastated by the recent acts and expressed mutual concerns over the issue. Community leader in Biala Town Mr. Joseph Nare shared his concern to PNG HAUSBUNG on the ongoing matter and stated people are on high alert. “Public transport hold ups are becoming more frequent from these criminals.” “Now we no longer can guarantee the safety of people travelling the New Britain highway.” Mr Nare stresses counter measures for PMV’S should be introduced to minimize these hold-ups. “We need more police manpower to be scattered along the highway at this time.” He added, “Police Road patrols have become less frequent and as a result this has accelerated the frequent hold-ups. “So we urge public transports to travel in a convoy of two or three vehicles.”