The CPL-Hardware Haus Limited is excited to announce the appointment of Alvin Prasad as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1st, 2024. From his initial position and recruitment in 2018 as the Hardware Haus Business Development Manager, overseeing the Brand’s Operations across Papua New Guinea, Alvin than transitioned into the General Manager, Hardware Haus role in 2018 where he remained until the announcement to Chief Executive Officer – Hardware Haus in this announcement. With a proven track record of driving growth and innovation, Mr. Prasad is an ideal leader to steer Hardware Haus. Under his Leadership will navigate a future of expanded services and customer-centric solutions. “We are pleased to have Alvin continue to lead our Hardware Haus Division, now in his capacity as CEO HHL, and look forward to supporting him and his team in his new chapter”, said Stan Joyce CSM, CPL Board Chairman. Hardware Haus Papua New Guinea’s leading supplier of quality building, home and industrial products, continues to operate and serve in over 12 locations nationwide, offering quality building, home and industrial products at affordable prices.

The Gas Resource Central Dabaris take a strong win over the Asila Waghi Tumbe in round 12 of the 2024 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup at the National Football Stadium (NFS), Port Moresby. Central Dabaris remained too strong and fast for Waghi Tumbe, winning in a 6-points difference with 10-4. Despite Waghi Tumbe opening the score board in the first half, the Central Dabaris were relentless not to give in and retaliated with two tries followed by one 1 out of 2 successful conversions. Asila Waghi Tumbe were determined to win round 12 following their loss in round 11 last weekend against the East New Britain Agmark Gurias 20-14. Round 12 saw the Waghi Tumbe's Jonah Moti scored the first try in 9minutes of the first half but failed to sink his conversion. Following the first try, prompt an intense 14 minutes of hard runs from both team’s strong defense and forced penalties. In the efforts of the Central Dabaris to regain possession of the ball, Stanford John scored the first try opener for Central Dabaris in the 23rd minute, followed by a successful conversion by Nicky Hasu leading into half time, 6-4. The second half saw both teams awarded close to equal amounts of penalties but were misused through silly mistakes including drop balls, offside and high tackles. With only a 2point lead, the game grew intense and full of excitement as the two teams had an appetite to score the winning try. The intensity and momentum encouraged rushed plays encouraging frequent mistakes in playing the ball that gave away the advantage awarded. Finally, in the 63rd minute the Central Dabaris Lega Baita scored the final try of the game for his team in with an unsuccessful conversion. The Central Dabaris now claimed their fourth win following a draw in round 8 against the Lae Snax Tigers in Lae League Ground in Lae on Sunday 2nd June. Gas Resource Central Dabaris Coach Steven Guana expressed his gratitude to his team’s efforts to secure a win in the round 12 and aims to work with team closely to minimize on silly mistakes and penalties for round 13 against the East New Britain Agmark Gurias in the NFS, Port Moresby.

The Internationally known Rhodes Projects –Better Building was excited to announce their new product “KCC Paint” on Saturday 29th June 2024, at the Hasuples Expo at the Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex. The Rhodes Project has taken a step forward into the market with the new KCC Paint with already a hand full of deliveries during its initial launching. The KCC paint is used for interior and exterior, varying from the small to large quantity in various colours. Rhodes Projects specialized in supplying Comprehensive building designs and prefabricated Buildings with no regards for colour but durability and quality, Rhodes embraced its KCC Paint as it hits the market this year. Rhodes Sales and Marketing Coordinator Ms. Cindy Tibola was pleased to tell PNG HAUSBUNG in an interview that Rhodes project has been successful in its aim to provide strong and sustainable materials, components and homes including full scale-homes and classrooms. “We provided full scale dormitories, double and four-in-one classrooms, libraries, conference rooms, self-contained accommodation, design accommodation to customer recommendations.” With development arising everywhere in the nation especially in the Highlands Region, Rhodes formed a branch in Lae 2021 for the convenience of its loyal clients to reduce time of transporting supplies, creating convenience for itself and valued customers. “Our most frequent sales of full scale-homes are the G432 product, which is the 3bedroom high post home, over 60 self-contained buildings have been sold within this year and counting.” With the high demand in Lae, the KCC Paint will definitely compliment the material products and components that is set in store. Rhodes Project formed by two successful family businesses in Australia and Papua New Guinea 2011, initially engaging in designs, compliance and project management has grown and evolved to once again fulfil their duty to provide quality and genuine products to its valued customers and clients to this day.

The 2-days event of the 2024 Hausples Expo today saw nearly full house at the Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex. The Indoor Complex was fully occupied by small quality booths ranging from security, financial firms, real estate homes and much more, with business representative and high profile representatives present to provide full introduction of services, products and features. Hausples General Manager (GM) Tom Snelling was pleased to tell PNG HAUSBUNG the successful day 1 and ongoing day two of the 2024 Hausples Expo in the Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex. Mr. Snelling mentioned the initial development of Hausples Expo begun in 2018, despite 2years of absence due to Covid-19 Pandemic in 2019, the expo has grown and changed every year especially with new businesses bringing new features and services that relate to the real estate industry. “We have experience in organising such an event and we anticipate what is to be expect and prepare during organising.” “There is a seminar in place that informs listeners of the legal aspects of buying a property from our Hausples representatives, Department of Lands, Bank of South Pacific, and other business officials." "It’s a very informative interaction, with live questions and answers that is transmitted to the expo area for listeners.” said Mr. Snelling. “It’s not only about the exhibits, we want to have a family day involvement to show there is something for everybody." The Hausples 5th expo was engaged with informative business booths that relate to the real estate industry, providing new services and products followed with financial services and guidance from BSP and Kina Bank. According to Mr. Snelling concluded that there is always something to be learnt in the process and we will implement and utilize what has been done in this year for next year.

The newly established Kumul Genius (KG) in partnership with the CPL group of Companies once again introduces its Online Payment Platform for convenient school fee payments. The KG Online system is specifically created to assist students pay up their school fees. Once a student is registered into the Online system, students can pay cash or use their newly issued Kumul Card, “Tap & Go” to pay their school into the integrated system at any CPL outlet. Senior Sales and Marketing Representative Larsen Yaka mentioned the system eliminates students, parents and guardians with the burden of early mornings to stand inline for Bank deposits, the system will produce efficiency and convenience once students register to pay online anywhere or in any CPL group of Companies. Paying anywhere to reduce cost, security and energy of traveling. With already six months into its development stages, KG now has over 500 schools including students registered in their system. In its initial development, KG facilitated the East Sepik Province Scholarship Program before coming into public with its primary purpose. According to SSMR Mr. Yaka KG, majority of schools in National Capital District Commission have registered under their platform, including Tertiary Institutions, College, Universities and Vocational schools. SSMR Mr. Yaka stressed that KG's services range from paying school fees, purchasing school uniforms and stationary, accessing student report card, and soon to be more including purchasing online items from its very own online store. All schools in the National Capital District Commission including Tertiary, Institutions, colleges, and vocational schools are registered under our system, according to SSMR Mr. Yaka. ‘If a student is attending a school in Madang, they can visit a City Pharmacy shop to make their school fee payments, this makes it easy for parents and students as its minimum pay-out is K1," stated Mr. Yaka. KG now looks to operate outside NCD, fulfilling the desire for convenient pay-outs in the Autonomous Region Of Bougainvillea and Milne Bay. All registration is followed by a brief training to familiarize candidates of the features and functions of the platform for safe and precise navigation online.

PNG Power has established a contractual agreement with two Korean Companies Nuriflex and fluent Grid and is now ready to roll out its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Smart Metering (SM) Phase 1 across the Nation. Following with the contractor Nuriflex presenting a “Performance Security” to PNG Power representatives with the legal document declaring the contractor to fulfil its obligations with PNG Power for the project’s duration. This was witnessed by Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nehemiah Naris, Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Kingtston Albert and the Project Team at the PNG Power Head Office Monday June 24th, 2024. The National Government funded the AMI and SM Project Phase 1 through Kumul Consolidated Holdings under the K211million Grid Stabilization and Rehabilitation Program, underlining the total Project cost as US$6 million (21 million). PNG Power acknowledges and appreciates the assurance of its assets and systems are given the much-needed upgrade and facelift, especially the undivided support from Prime Minister James Marape and State-Owned-Enterprise Minister William Duma. The AMI Smart Metering Project will improve the meter management system, revenue billing collections, and energy loss monitoring and management, playing a significant step towards addressing electricity theft and system losses for the company. This is expected to significantly enhance the affordability, accessibility, reliability, and efficiency of electricity services throughout the country, directly benefiting our customers and the public. In the Project first phase, PNG Power expects to start installation work in February 2025, targeting around 10,000 industrial and commercial customers who collectively contribute over 81% of the current total energy consumption and sales. This following a lead time for site survey, design approval, manufacturing, and mobilization. PNG Power Acting CEO, Mr. Naris stated, "The implementation of this project will involve the application of Advanced AMI solutions, integrating multiple technologies to better manage our assets, revenue, energy losses, and greater visibility on energy consumption by individual customers." The second phase of the project will target all domestic prepaid customers with over 200,000 smart Meters nationwide as PNG Power transitions towards a smart grid.

The collaborative efforts of the resources sector, government agencies and multilateral partners in responding to PNG natural disasters will be showcased at the upcoming PNG Resources Week with a raft of outstanding speakers including Australian High Commissioner HE John Feakes. The Upcoming PNG Resource Week will showcase the collaborative efforts from the resource sectors alongside government agencies and multilateral partners in responding to Papua New Guinea natural Disaster, with a raft of outstanding speakers in including Australian High Commissioner John Feakes. PNG with its unique but challenging geography puzzles remote transport operations especially during times of disaster response, not only for the resources industry but also for the government agencies. The efforts from the resources sector in aid relief efforts for the recent tragic landslide in the Mulitaka LLG of Porgera-Paiela District Enga Province, provide some critical learnings for all stakeholders. The President of PNG Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) Anthony Smaré highlighted the important role all sectors played in times of disasters. “For any major resources project, disaster preparedness forms a large part of planning.” “And in most cases, whenever a disaster occurs (whether natural or man-made), the resources sector is always at the forefront of responding to these disasters.” “This is why we have included a specific session on Disasters in PNG.” The Session 5A: Disaster Response - Learning from Experience, will feature Santos PNG Ltd (Santos), Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), New Porgera Limited (NPL), and Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory (PMGO) presenting on their efforts in responding to disasters, both past, and current. “For this, we are also extremely pleased to announce that Australian High Commissioner to PNG, H.E John Feakes has accepted our invitation to be present at this important session and will inform us on the efforts that our major bilateral partner continues to play, especially in Enga province.” “Their assistance to local communities has been very much appreciated and reaffirms their commitment to PNG.” PNG CORE encourages all stakeholders within the resources industry to register your attendance today via www.pngresourcesweek.com or email events@pngcore.org to ensure that you don’t miss out on the learnings from PNG Resources week.

Project developers in the resource sector play a key role, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of communities in which they operate. Projects maximize their responsibility through community investment programs to ensuring that basic services are provided. These programs aimed to support and complement the work done by government agencies in many rural parts of the country. With new additional mineral and energy resource projects soon to be announced for the country, projects view community investment programs as a key foundation of success by providing basic services which complement the efforts of government, especially in the areas of health, education, law and order partnerships, and enterprise development. Hence, a specific session has been dedicated to Community Investment Programs, CANCONEX 2024, as part of PNG Resources Week. The Session 4B-Community Investment Program will feature Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), Santos PNG Ltd, Ok Tedi Mining Ltd, Newmont Corporation and K92 Mining Inc., as they present their work in community investment programs within their respective project areas. This will allow industries to provide a sneak peek of how community investment programs are viewed, proposals are assessed and ultimately implemented. This session is aimed at shining a spotlight on the efforts that industry continues to play in ensuring that communities benefit from the programs. With less than a week, PNG CORE assures all stakeholders within the resources industry to register your attendance today via www.pngresourcesweek.com or email events@pngcore.org to ensure their presence to learn from PNG Resources Week.

Billy Slater said it was "the hardest call to make" when he omitted Dane Gagai from the 2023 Origin squad, so to call him back into the fold for a potential series victory was a much sweeter conversation. Brought back into the Maroons camp as 18th Man following an injury to Selwyn Cobbo, the veteran outside back will strengthen the Queensland squad as they aim to lock away the series in Melbourne and hold on to the Origin shield. "It was a phone call that was really enjoyable," Slater said of Gagai's return to the side. “Sometimes it can go either way [with the 18th Man]. It's a position where you're in the team, but you're not quite in the team and for him to take it like a true Queenslander – like he's taken all the conversations – was great. "I've got no doubt that Dane Gagai will be wearing a maroon jersey in the future again so I look forward to that day.” Like the recalled Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Capewell, Gagai was named in the Maroons' pre-season camp for the start of the year, with the flicker of hope to wear a maroon jersey again a flame that never extinguished for the 33-year-old. With 22 Origin games to his name, Gagai has taken on the new role of 18th Man duties with vigour, knowing how close he might be to returning to the field after Queensland were forced to call on the position just seven minutes into Game One when Reece Walsh was ruled out. “That's the thing with 18th Man now. It's not like the old days when I was coming through where the 18th Man was where you just warm up, have a shower after they warm up and just sit on the sideline,” Gagai said. “Now you can be activated at any time if anything happens and someone has to go off and can't return, then you get activated straight away. “I'm definitely preparing as if I'm playing and I think by doing that, I'll help the boys get ready, whether or not I do get on the field. “The way I help them prepare is just by training well and doing everything I can to get myself ready. "The boys have shown in the last series they're more than capable so my way of helping the team is just training well and bringing a bit of energy and to let them do their thing. “Whatever happens, happens. I'm just enjoying being back in the squad and just taking in every moment.” Gagai – who became the first winger to claim the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series – has shown his versatility throughout his career and could play anywhere in the backline if called on. With Cobbo missing, Gagai's positional flexibility and strong club form proved key in him remaining front of mind for Slater after his omission from the team last year. “It was good to know Billy still had me in the picture," Gagai said. "It's what we've always spoken about – earning this jersey no matter how many games you've played. I was trying to earn a jersey for Queensland again and I've been privileged enough to be able to represent Queensland again as 18th Man. After playing 27 minutes in Game One following Reece Walsh's head knock, Kaufusi said Gagai wouldn't be found wanting if required in Melbourne. “When I got the call that I was 18th man the first thing Billy said was, ‘make sure you are ready’ because the way the NRL and footy games are going, you might find yourself on the field – that was my mentality,” Kaufusi said. “I was reminded about that at the start of the camp and in warm-up before the game. If I had any advice for Gags, it would be to prepare as if you are going to play, which is what we do anyway as professionals. “It was Billy saying to be prepared to play and make sure that I was in all the meetings, whether it was the middles or the edge. There was a reminder in the warm-up to ‘make sure you are ready’. You have to be. If you get on, you have to do your job. It is big stakes. You can’t afford to cruise. “I know it highly unlikely you get on as 18th man but look at what happened. You have to be ready to be play."

Papua New Guinea currently under the Labour Mobility Scheme has increased its number of overseas workers to 1769, increased over 1,000 percent since 2019. Minister for Treasury Ian Ling-Stuckey emphasized that the World Bank has estimated US$ 794billion brought back to the country from overseas Countries which is equivalent to K3 trillion, or K3 thousand billion, nearly 30 times the entire size of the PNG economy. These payments back home also known as ‘remittances’ have been evident to ease poverty, improve nutrition, and even increase school enrollment rates. “Currently PNG has 1769 overseas workers, whilst in 2019, PNG had a total of 154 overseas workers." "This is a pleasant increase of over 1,000 percent in just five years.” “We have announced our plans to raise the number of workers during the Annual PNG-Australia Ministerial forum on Wednesday, increase from the target of 8,000 to at least 15,000 workers in 5 years." "This would contribute to the 1000 percent increase of over the last five years, with a further 1000 percent increase over the next five years.” “A detailed Joint Plan Scale up Labour Mobility will support this continuing rapid expansion, involving integrations to strengthen and ensure a dependable supply of work-ready participants and to aid establish demand through targeted skills investments,” stated Minister Ling-Stuckey. Minister Ling-Stuckey further stated that, “this these announcements are according to a previous meeting with Division head in Australia’s Department for foreign Affairs Ms. Jan Hutton also managing the pathway program allowing PNG workers to travel to Australia, among other members of the Australian High Commission. "Australia was very positive about the growth in PNG’s participation in the scheme and outlined the increase in funding from Australian Government’s never-ending support provided to strengthen the program.” Furthermore, he added how good it was to hear the positive stories of how our workers have been contributing to communities, both at home and in Australia. The vast majority do a good job and enjoy their experiences. However, the occasional reports of our workers being charged with crimes in Australia is of great concern and damage our reputation. "We must work harder to ensure all of our workers will contribute positively and promote PNG’s reputation as a country that has good, genuine, hard-working people." Meanwhile, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong picked up on this important comment, highlighting the importance of the “social license” in being able to be welcomed to community’s overseas and emerging opportunities. “Currently, most of our workers are in the areas of farming, meat works and aged care." "The deliberations also discussed new and emerging areas which could be of interest to PNG." "There are new opportunities emerging in childcare, mining administration and hospitality.” “The new target of over 15,000 workers overseas at any one time is another step in our overall approach to creating more and better jobs for our young people,” stated the Minister.

The East New Britain (ENB) Rabaul Gurias defeated the Asila Waghi Tumbe 20-14 at the National Football Stadium on Sunday 23rd June 2024, in the Round 11 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup. Both teams went toe-to-toe in the first 10 minutes attempting line breaks and tries but led to their defeat in defense. The intensity led to pressure resulting in drop balls and penalties, neither team gave their opposition the opportunity to score until the silly mistakes were taken advantage of. The Tumbe’s fullback, Jessey Mathew found a window of opportunity in the 23rd minute scoring the opening try with Gurias on their tail scoring a try 6 minutes after by their fullback Junias Guan. The tries were followed by successful conversions by Gurias Ase Boas and Tumbe David Joseph leveling the score board 6-6. The Tumbes were awarded a penalty for a high tackle which they took 2 points, gaining the lead 8-6. 8-6 in the 30th minute of the first half saw dynamic efforts to ensure a strong lead, the Gurias tightened their defense with strong tackles and applying pressure that forced a lost ball during tackles to their favor in the Tumbe’s 25 meters. The penalty was granted within the remaining 2 minutes which got the Tumbes overwhelmed with pressure, further out gunned by the Gurias Second Rower Simon Johnson left footstep clearing his sight to the try line, too big and too strong for the fullback Jessey Matthew to stop him from his destination. Johnson scored the final try of the first half followed by a successful conversion from Boas leading the game 12-8. The second half saw a brutal 20minutes of power runs and dominant defense. However, there were frequent episodes of silly mistakes in high tackles, offside and especially drop balls for both teams. The Tumbe pursued their way to gain the lead in the 61st minute by their interchange Casey Dickson followed by a successful conversion leading the game 14-12. Despite trailing with two points the Gurias managed to look to defense and attack to gain any form of advantage in the remaining 18 minutes. The Waghi Tumbe applied pressure to the Gurias red zone forcing a spiral kick and chase to the Tumbe’s try line from the Gurias which transformed into a try, thanks to Gurias left center Dominic Anis' relentless efforts to chase in the 74th minute. This with a successful conversion the Gurias lead by 18-14. The Gurias were able to remain in possession after the kickoff in the remaining 3 minutes. However, the gradual gaining of yards to kick off the five last count, a late tackle was committed against Ase Boas resulting a penalty. Ase sealed the Gurias win with the winning penalty conversion of 2 points, winning the game 20-14. The ENB Rabual Gurias remained dominant once again following last week’s win against the West New Britain Kimbe Cutters 36-14 points.

A young 25-year-old man caught forging police clearance was caught by Police in the National Capital District (NCD) and now detained in a cell for further investigation. The police reservists and officers patrolling Vision City (VC) came across this suspect in the act of editing police clearance on Friday 21st June. NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika confirmed his arrest made by police reservists and officers. He emphasized according to the police report that the suspect was an employee of a Kiosk, an establishment inside VC. The suspect was focused on the computer while the activity caught the attention of an off-duty officer who had been observing long enough to identify the suspects intentions. The civilian officer quickly informed close police units near VC to proceed to the scene and arrest the suspect. Furthermore, during questioning the suspect admitted to the illegal action of editing the police clearance using the computer. The Company Manager was informed by Police and confirmed the 25year year-old suspects is employed by the establishment, also confronting the officer that this illegal activity is wrong, and the establishment does not support such actions. Metsupt Sika is urging individuals to follow the process should you need these documents, so officer’s issuing these documents can establish a proper check before issuing. He is now warning the public to stop using technology to alter and approve documents such as police clearance medical clearance and others. He said if the majority of the people can follow the process by sacrificing their time to get these documents everyone must do the same. He said forging other people`s signatures is a crime. Sika expressed gratitude to the off-duty police officers and other duty officers who were present at that time and successfully apprehended the suspect.