19- year- old Josephine Thomas, a first year student at the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) in East New Britain, was announced as the winner of the Papua New Guinea National Climate Change Essay competition. The essay was prepared with a criteria and 50 topics to be chosen, and out of over 50 schools in the Argumentative Essay competition participated, Josephine was 1 out 27 candidates who met the requirements. The Essay Competition was released in August for all tertiary Institutions to participate. The award was presented by the School Awards and Research Funding Program Officer Ms. Juliana Mohe at the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Climate Change Summit (NCCS) in Port Moresby yesterday. The winning essay topic was on “Reducing Pollution and Improving Waste Management in PNG.” “I am very proud of myself for this achievement and take this as motivation to take up more challenges in life,” said Josephine. The essay stressed about researched facts from the 2018 Journal, “Pollution and Waste Management in Papua New Guinea- Challenges and Solutions,” by Mr. Josek Johnson. This addressed threats from inadequate practices by industries, contributing to a more dangerous climate and how we organize strategic solutions to minimize the threats responsibly. The PNGNCCS Sponsors were proud to be joined by Ms. Thomas and her parents, covering all the travelling and accommodation fees and with a generous gesture of K3, 000 from Ela Motors to be spent in Theodist. “The competition should happen annually for students to discover their potential and stimulate their intellect on productive ways that can benefit our nation,” she said. Josephine also encouraged those participating in the Essay Competition in the future to promote the fight against climate change and encourage social inclusion. Young Josephine comes from both Milne Bay and Eastern Highlands Provinces and study’s Sustainable Tropical Agriculture at the UNRE.

“We must put public interest before individuals’ interest to see change.” That’s according to Finance and Planning Minister Hon. Rainbo Paita. "To see change, we must work with politicians by putting public interest first," "We, the actual same people who vote in the politicians are the ones who put in our personal interest first to benefit ourselves and when the politicians don't consider our personal agendas, we turn to attack politicians." "Have some patience and work with our politicians.” “Politicians are human beings, they need our support to implement basic public services," "It will take time for politicians to deliver tangible services. If we Christians can pray for God from the haven and wait patiently for him to answer our prayers then it should be the same," "If God from haven can answer our prayers in some years at his own time and plans then don't expect politicians to answer our requests at our time frame as expected," "We must put public interest first, work together as a team with politicians and have some patience to see changes to happen," Paita said. He made these statements this week at Boana station in Nawaeb District, Morobe during his speech delivery at the district's five years development plan launching and the groundbreaking ceremony of double story building development.

Potato production in Papua New Guinea is about to take a leap forward with the completion of a new tissue culture laboratory for the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) set to boost production in the country as stated in a media release by the Australian High Commission. The laboratory which was opened in Kainantu on the 12th of September 2023 will help to produce clean, disease-free potato and sweet potato seeds for planting materials that will be distributed to surrounding communities that will see the number of available seeds double and improve productivity across the country. This project was funded by the Australian Government’s Incentive Fund Program and is complemented by a new training center which will enable the FPDA to increase its scope of agricultural extension training programs by 10% to reach up to 8,551 farming households. The training will be accredited by the National Training Council and will contribute to improve food and nutrition security, quality of life, income and business opportunities for farming communities and others who depend on the horticulture sector for subsistence and livelihoods as stated in the media release. Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp spoke to the people when he visited the community as the project came to its final stages of completion. “This facility is an example of Australia and PNG working with local partners to increase livelihoods and empower farmers to create better outcomes for their families and communities.” Since the year 2016, the national potato scheme has faced challenges meeting supply demands with several periods where seeds and plantlets were not available for months at a time that caused an inconsiderable setback for farmers, agribusinesses, and cooperatives. According to FPDA CEO Mark Worinu, the new facility will provide excellent training resources as well as increase yields and driving productivity in the local community. ““There are ten self-contained units onsite in addition to the classrooms and e-Library, including access for persons with disability.” “Through our partnerships with local tertiary institutions, we are encouraging a wide range of training and education at the facility which will become a hub of knowledge.” As the new facility will help to ensure and support a steady supply of disease and pest free materials that will improve sustainability of the FPDA industry, the integrated development and training center will be fully fitted out with a library, office, classrooms, and a fully equipped laboratory. The laboratory will also double up as a seed bank for indigenous crops while the Irish Potato seeds and plantlets will yield and other commercial crops such as bulb onion and sweet potato will also be targeted for distribution. Meanwhile the Australian Government has invested more than K21 million into economic development to support agriculture and rural development across PNG through phase four (4) of the Incentive Fund Program. Applications are open for projects from all development sectors including health, education, agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene and economic development as Phase five(5) of the Incentive Fund commenced on the 1st of July 2023. Visit https://incentivefund.org/ to apply.

St Johns Ambulance (SJA) has served Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 1957, in the same time PNG was born as an independent state within the commonwealth. It was established by the New South Wales Branch of St John with a Global Order primarily to promote skills and knowledge to avoid and relieve illness, suffering and danger in emergency cases. It is statutory body and PNG’s primary public emergency ambulance service and teaching aid and emergency life support course in the southern region. Over the years SJA has responded to countless emergencies providing medical attention, saving lives, and hospitalizing victims from sickness, trauma, and natural cases. SJA 111 call-takers responding to emergency cases all over the southern region over 40-50 cases in 12 hours which is 80-100 cases in 1 day, SJA responds to 560-700 cases in 1 week. These cases range from natural causes and trauma accident cases. The most common emergencies are trauma, obstetrics, maternal cases, respiratory issues gastrointestinal problems and other general medical conditions. St Johns Ambulance Senior Public and Media Relations Officer Ms. Lulu Mark said, “The emergency line 111 call-takers experience a lot of false calls.” “Over 2000 false calls in 1 day claim to experience emergencies which are then untrue. Call 111 only when you really need help, thank you.” The SJA is confident and prepared that they are well capable to counter any emergency that come up during the celebration. The National Capital District, Central, Lae and Kokopo will be maintained, SJA health service and paramedics will be present throughout stationed areas in the city and event venues. Please Call our emergency number “111” when you or your family are in a medical emergency and cooperate with the medical call takers.

Chief Executive Officer of the PNG Rugby Football Union Sailosi Druma has assured the players of the teams that will be competing in the NGI and Southern Legs of the KPHL 7s that the tournament will still be held respectfully in Rabaul and Port Moresby. After a successful run of the first two legs of the KPHL 7s which started off in Hagen for the Highlands leg and in Lae for the Northern leg, Mr. Druma has stated that the last two legs of the KPHL Super 7s series should be completed by the end of the month of September. “Once we lock in the sponsorship grants that normally goes to these two tournaments, we will confirm the dates and hopefully everybody is still interested to play but otherwise, thank you for your patience.” With a total of 16 Men’s teams and 6 Women’s teams in the last two legs, they are looking forward to the last two legs as there will be 18 Men’s teams and 8 Women’s teams competing in the tournament in the NGI leg. Mr. Druma said it was a good indication that the outcome to grow the game in that area has been successful and the tournament will be a great opportunity for them to showcase their rugby skills. “Hopefully we find some good talents that can get into our high-performance programs.” Last year the KPHL 7s was only run in Port Moresby whereas for this year, Kumul Petroleum Holdings had requested for the tournament to be held all around the nation hence the four legs of the KPHL 7s in the four regions. “We wanted to grow the game not only in Port Moresby but all around the nation as well.” Meanwhile teams in NCD are already gearing up to compete in the Southern leg of the KPHL 7s. Teams from outside centers like Goroka, Mendi and Lae are ready to compete in the last leg also. Mr. Druma said that there are a lot of teams that have shown interest and registered already. “We will definitely see a lot of teams participating, especially in the Moresby Leg.”

Prime Minister James Marape, Works Minister Solan Mirisim and Finance Minister Rainbo Paita on Tuesday launched Nawaeb District's five year development plan and groundbreaking ceremony of district administration building redevelopment in Morobe. Other dignitaries like Morobe governor Hon. Luther Wenge, Wau Waria district MP Hon. Marsh Narawec and Middle Jimi MP Hon. Benjamin Mul also attended the event. The event was staged at Boana station at the district. During the launching and the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Marape said the five years development plan and the district’s development plan would be captured in the national developments plan. "I am glad to hear that the national planning and monitoring minister has pledged to back the connection of roads to link up Wain Erap Local Level Government area," "70 percent of the Gross Domestic Products in economic activities come out from Morobe and goes up to Madang, Sepik and the highlands region thus the national government is considering investing more in the area," Nawaeb District MP Hon. Theo Pelgen said the five years development plan would only work out when there is a good working relationship with the national government. "Today would not be possible with government's unity like Marape Rosso government through connect PNG program for prosperity which would support the economic growth." "Today we are not here to make judgements on the current and past government.” “The current government have acknowledged the situation that has been overlooked by the previous government to ensure that Papua New Guinea maintains it's course and to become a beginning of life to our brothers of the Pacific and also to the whole-time world today."

Climate change and forestry were at the top of the agenda of the bilateral talks meeting between PNG and France. PNG’s Prime Minister’s visit was upon invitation by the French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Port Moresby on July 28th, 2023, to have a bilateral meeting. This meet was as a follow-up of the visit of the French Leader in PNG. The two leaders reaffirmed the momentum and the strength of the bilateral ties between the two countries. PM Marape and President Macron agreed to make the implementation of the country package, a milestone of the upcoming COP28 in Dubai. Attending the Rugby Union World Cup in Paris was also one of the items on the agenda, when Pm Marape met with French President Macron in the French Capital recently. On the occasion, PM Marape was offered a jersey of the Rugby Union French Team, one of the favorites of the World Cup.

St Johns Ambulance (SJA) attended to two devastating collisions involving drunk drivers on Saturday and Sunday 6pm-6am hour shifts. Thankfully, no deaths were reported but victims of both crashes had been hospitalized. St Johns Ambulance Senior Public relations officer Ms. Lulu Mark appealed to the public with her concerns when drinking alcohol. “When consuming too much alcohol and you feel the need to get home or leave home, your arranged transport must be a sober driver to trust a safe ride home.” “Never drink and drive.” St John encourages the public must not hesitate to contact local police of drunk drivers as it may help save a friend. “These people must be referred to police to assist in minimizing the rate of driving under the influence of alcohol and accidents that lead to potential loss of life.” “Alcohol is very dangerous to anyone when consumed too much for the wrong reasons.” “We must do our best to control ourselves and drink responsibly.” St Johns Ambulance Paramedics arrived in time to stabilize the victims and rush them to Port Moresby General Hospital for further treatment. Apart from this isolated incident, there has been countless confirmed deaths and hospitalized injuries that have occurred due to drunk driving and yet drivers still commit the offence of driving under the influence of alcohol. “Alcohol has become an exciting treatment when relieving stress, pain or just for satisfying pleasure.” “However, it exhausts your body mentally and physically when consuming too much.” “Too much consumption can lead to the consumer being absent minded, slow reactions and poor decision making which can cause harmful situations especially on the road.” St Johns Ambulance paramedics have experienced and seen firsthand the excruciating dangers of drunk driving and plead to the public to be smarter when drinking and getting home safely.

‏Wilmar International Limited is looking to partner with the Government of Papua New Guinea to invest in rice, chicken, oil palm, sugar and feed production and processing in the country. Wilmar is one of the world’s biggest most profitable agriculture company already own and operate Goodman Fielder who have operations in Lae and Port Moresby. The agribusiness group discussed investment and other plans when Wilmar International Limited Group, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Kuok Khoon Hong, met with Papua New Guinea’s Minister for International Trade & Investment, Richard Maru in their Singapore World Head Office recently. During this meet, the Wilmar Group and the PNG Government agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to become long-term strategic investment partners in large scale agriculture projects that are expected to grow and transform the economy of PNG. Speaking during the meet, Minister Maru said their main objectives were to create more jobs, increase exports, reduce the cost of food in Papua New Guinea, and drive the downstream processing agenda of the Government. “The meeting and understanding reached between our Government and Wilmar International are a very significant breakthrough for our government.” Maru extended an invitation for the Group Chairman and CEO to visit PNG to meet Prime Minister James Marape. “They are also expected to visit various lands that we are proposing for our new Joint Venture chicken project and a new flour mill in Port Moresby.” “We will have the MOU signed during the trip planned for the end of October.” Wilmar International Limited was founded in 1991 and is Asia’s leading agribusiness group today with over 500 manufacturing plants and an extensive distribution network covering China, India, Indonesia and 50 other countries.

Early this year, little 3-year-old Tilesa Vagi was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN). She is currently undergoing Chemotherapy at POMGEN. Trukai Industries came to know of the plight of this little fighting and have come forward to offer their support by donating two bales of rice and 20 merchandise items to support young Tilesa. Upon receiving the donations, Tilesa’s father, Vagi Sarwom expressed a heartfelt thank you to Trukai, for lending support towards his daughters fight against cancer. “Tilesa is on her Maintenance phase in her chemotherapy treatment cycle and will need to seek further treatment abroad to fully cure her from the cancer cells. “Trukai’s support with rice and the merchandize items given will go towards helping to save our daughter’s life with the much-needed medical treatment.”

France is providing humanitarian aid to displace people on the island of Bougainville, following the eruption of Mount Bagana volcano and lasting consequences on the ground. This humanitarian assistance will be delivered to Bougainville with the support of a French Navy vessel, le Vendémiaire. The assistance includes essential supplies such as food, water, hygiene and kitchen kits and tents. The vessel made a stop in Port Moresby to load additional aid provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Under the coordination of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign affairs, it’s Embassy in Papua New Guinea and the French High Commission in New Caledonia. This operation brings together resources from the French Support and Crisis Center, the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC) and New Caledonia's local authorities, including the Government of New Caledonia and the Southern and Northern Provinces. This collaborative effort underscores our shared commitment to providing relief to those in need and demonstrates the unity and diversity of France's commitment to the Pacific region.

The University of Papua New Guinea Student Representative Council has cut back on the Independence Cultural Show, initially supposed to be held at the UPNG Campus on the 16th of September. This is according to a recent Press statement released by the UPNG SRC and the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. The Cultural show initially a part of the Amazing Port Moresby Festival celebrations was regrettably cancelled due to recent security concerns and issues affecting our city. A representative from the NCDC Amazing Port Moresby Festival team Mr. Wanpis Ako has said that this cancelation will not in any way affect the calendar of celebrations set for this year. “We respect the decision taken by the UPNG SRC to cancel its independence Celebrations due to security reasons.” “As stakeholders, NCDC welcomes their decision and wants to emphasize that it will by no means affect our preparations for Amazing Port Moresby Independence Festival.” Mr. Ako further stated that the disciplined forces are integral stakeholders in the Independence Committee and has assured the people that they have been working diligently to ensure the safety and security of all participants. “We have well-established security and safety protocols, and our track record of successfully hosting events year in and year out is a testament to our commitment to the well-being of our citizens and our work mates.” “They [disciplined forces] have assured us that overall safety and security during the celebrations is not worrisome.” As the days count down to the Independence Celebrations, the Amazing Port Moresby team is confident about the all the necessary preparations that they have done for the celebrations. “The spirit of Independence will shine through our diverse and exciting calendar of activities, promising an enjoyable and memorable celebration.” Meanwhile the UPNG SRC has sincerely apologized to the public and its students for the cancellation and has assured its students that the school will host a mini-independence celebration for its students on the 15th of September to mark the country’s 48th Independence Celebration.