Governor of National Capital District (NCD) Powes Parkop has announced a major fundraising initiative to support Port Moresby's sister city, Port Vila following the devastating earthquake that struck Vanuatu’s Capital on Tuesday 17th December. According to Governor Parkop, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Port Vila, resulting in 14 deaths and numerous injuries. The quake triggered landslides, crushing cars and damaging multiple buildings. “Our sister city, Port Vila, has suffered a terrible tragedy. We stand in solidarity with the people of Vanuatu during this difficult time, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help them rebuild,” Parkop said. The fundraising drive, a charity music festival is planned towards the end of January in the New Year and is expected to be held at the Sir John Guise Stadium. Various local artists have put their hands up to participate in the event including Betty and John Toea, Makali Tau and Fijian female singer, Elina Onno with the aim to raise significant funds for earthquake relief and recovery efforts in Port Vila. Other Pacific Islanders living in the city have also pledged to support Governor Parkop’s charity initiative. “The music festival will be a vibrant celebration of community spirit, and we hope it will bring people together to support a worthy cause and show the people of Port Vila that they are not alone. “This is a tragedy that has occurred in the Christmas period hence, the right thing to do as Christians is to show our empathy and solidarity to help our Melanesian brothers and sisters by contributing whatever resources we have towards their recovery,” said Governor Parkop. He added that his office and the National Capital District Commission have pledged K100,000 to kick start the fundraising drive and appealed to everyone to contribute generously to this crucial initiative. All donations can be paid to: Earthquake Relief Initiative by Hon. Powes Parkop, NCD Governor. BSP Bank, account number: NCDC 1000962618; or contact Melissa Brabar on mobile #: 742 41055; or email: melissabrabar88@gmail.com. “Every kina donated will make a difference in the lives of those affected by the earthquake. Let's show our sister city the strength of our compassion and support their journey to recovery,” Governor Parkop added. Meanwhile, he mentioned that the national government has made a commitment of K20 million towards the same cause and thanked Prime Minister James Marape for his government’s support.

To ensure safety throughout the Christmas and New Year periods, the national security forces have pledged to work collaboratively to protect the residence of Central Province and the National Capital District for peaceful celebrations. The commander of National Capital District and Central Province acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Turi had approved for PNG Defense Force (DF) soldiers to help assist police officers in the festive season operation in Port Moresby and also Central province. “The soldiers will be patrolling the city to help assist the police when there is a confrontation or fight during the festive season, “Commander Turi said. He added that they will also be around their barracks area to make sure their families living in the barracks are safe. The soldiers based at Goldie, ATW, Taurama, and Murray Barracks had been selected by their commanders for this operation. “The Soldiers living at Goldie will be traveling out to the city to make sure parts of the highway are free from criminal-minded people,” ACP Turi said. The police officers had been advised to work closely with the soldiers and the public to make sure the festive season was celebrated peacefully.

A recent initiative by the Enga Inter-denominational Global Mission (EIGM) took place at Kundis, in the Ambum Valley of Enga Province, where a peace restoration program was organized between the Kor, Lama, and Awaip clans of the Porealin tribe. The week-long crusade was held from the 15th to the 20th of December at the Kundis Lutheran Mission Oval. The theme of the crusade was 'Complete Healing, Deliverance, and Restoration of Kundis'. This powerful event touched and transformed many lives, with all clans of the Porealin tribe humbly confessing their sins, reconciling with their rival clans, and pledging to live in peace. On the final day of the program, prominent figures such as the Enga Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Fred Yakasa, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Western End and Special Policing Zone Commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop, and Provincial Law and Order Director Nelson Leia attended the ceremony with other important delegates. These important delegates were invited also to witness the opening of the newly built Kundis Community Health Post. At the same time, as a symbolic act of reconciliation, the rival clans gathered together to burn their weapons, making a solemn vow to never engage in violence again. The EIGM is taking this initiative mainly to save souls lost from evil behaviors and bring peace into warring communities. They are not supported by any agencies, even though they are doing great things for the good of the province as well as the country.

Great news for the people of Okapa, Tarabo Lutheran Day High School, located in West Okapa Local Level Government (LLG) of Okapa District in the Eastern Highlands Province, will be able to enroll first grade 11 students and commence classes next year, 2025. Albert Wesley, Director of the Eastern Highlands Provincial Education Board (EHP-PEB), confirmed this information following the recent publication of the grade 11 continuation list for the new Tarabo Lutheran Secondary. He further noted that the initiative to elevate Tarabo High School to secondary status aligns with the provincial Education Board’s Goals, which aim to provide all children in the province with quality access to educational opportunities. Additionally, he mentioned that Obura-Wanenara Technical High School and Ungai Seventh-day Adventist High School are also set to gain their secondary status in 2025. Wesley highlighted that Okapa is the most populated District in the province, the PEB plans to establish Henagaru High School for the Keayagana and Gimi Constituency in 2026, alongside the development of Pindogori High School, while Auyana High School is also in the process of being developed. "There will be seven high and secondary institutions to enhance access for the growing population of Okapa." Mr Wesley said.

Governor for Gulf Province Sir Christopher Haiveta announced on Thursday (19.12.24) his decision to return to government with a renewed focus on ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to proper governance processes for the people of Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea (PNG). This decision follows the successful resolution of a court case that exposed serious flaws in how development funds were managed and disbursed, which prompted his departure from Government this year. The case centered on improper handling of K60 million in development funds that were initially sent to the Enga Provincial Government. Of this amount, K20 million rightfully belonged to the Gulf and Central Provincial Governments and was earmarked to support business development initiatives in the provinces. However, the Treasury’s warranting of these funds, both in their initial allocation to Enga and their subsequent transfer to the Gulf Provincial Government was done outside the provisions of the Public Finances (Management) Act, the Appropriation Act 2024, and the Constitution, rendering the entire process illegal. The proper procedure under the Public Finances (Management) Act would have required these funds to be returned to the Department of National Planning, where the Gulf and Central Provincial Governments would then submit the required paperwork and legal requests for their release. Instead, the funds were directly transferred to Gulf Province earlier this year. Although the funds have remained quarantined pending the court case, this unlawful process has caused unnecessary delays and uncertainty for the people of Gulf Province. After a lengthy legal battle, the court ruled in favor of the Gulf Provincial Government, confirming that the actions taken were outside the law. This ruling is a significant victory, not just for Gulf Province but for the principles of fairness, accountability, and adherence to proper governance processes. It also sets a critical precedent to ensure that such irregularities are not repeated, safeguarding the integrity of financial management in PNG. Sir Haiveta stressed that the decision to return to Government is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to address these issues from within and to ensure that similar breaches of the Public Finances (Management) Act do not occur in the future. “As a senior statesman and a stalwart of Pangu Pati, I remain steadfast in my loyalty to the party’s mission of serving the people. My priority now is to work collaboratively with my colleagues to establish clear, robust governance frameworks for the management of development funds.” “These reforms will ensure that all funds, whether provincial or tied to resource projects, are handled transparently, responsibly, and within the bounds of the law.” In addition to these governance reforms, Sir Haiveta noting his commitment to advancing critical national projects that hold transformative potential for our country.” He added that Gulf Province plays a pivotal role as the host of major initiatives such as the Papua LNG and Twinza Oil project, whose gas agreement was signed on Thursday (19.12.24). Sir Haiveta’s focus will be on ensuring these projects are implemented with integrity, oversight, and efficiency, delivering maximum benefits for the people of Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea as a whole. “I also reaffirm my support for Prime Minister James Marape and his leadership. Prime Minister Marape has outlined a vision for a stronger, more prosperous, and economically independent Papua New Guinea, and I am committed to working alongside him and my colleagues in Government to deliver on this vision. Together, we will implement the reforms necessary to strengthen governance, improve transparency, and drive meaningful progress.” “As we approach Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary in 2025, this moment offers an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and prepare for a brighter future. My goal is to ensure that Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea are positioned for sustainable development, underpinned by governance systems that inspire trust and deliver results. “To the people of Gulf Province, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your patience and resilience throughout this process. Your unwavering trust has been my greatest motivation, and I remain dedicated to ensuring that Gulf’s rightful share of resources is used responsibly and for your benefit. To the people of Papua New Guinea, I pledge to continue advocating for a government that is transparent, accountable, and focused on real progress for all.” he added.

The historic Enga Peace and Unity Games 2024 was officially opened on Wednesday in a grand ceremony led by the Governor of Enga Province, Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, alongside officials from the Enga Provincial Government. The event also saw the participation of the Kandep District Administrator and the Deputy Enga Provincial Administrator, marking a significant moment in the province’s history. In a show of unity and determination, athletes, team officials, and sports coordinators marched from the Ipatas Centre to the event venue at Mommers Oval. The participation of all districts, including Pilikambi LLG, Mulitaka LLG, and Upper Ambum, reflects the province's commitment to fostering harmony and inclusivity despite negative portrayals on social media. The Enga Peace and Unity Games were designed not just as a sporting event but as a strategic initiative to address law and order challenges in the province. Sports are being utilized as a unifying tool to promote peace and provide opportunities for showcasing the talents and potential of Enga’s people. The games commenced yesterday with much enthusiasm and are scheduled to continue throughout the week. The event has brought a renewed sense of optimism, offering a platform for Enga’s communities to come together in the spirit of collaboration and competition. This landmark event underscores Enga Province’s resilience and vision for a more united and prosperous future.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has presented K402 million as its contribution under the Non-Tax Administration (NTRA) Act to the National Government’s Treasury Department on Wednesday at APEC HAUS in Port Moresby. In attendance at this event were NFA Managing Director Justin IIakini, Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Hon. Jelta Wong, Minister for Treasury Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey, Prime Minister James Marape, and senior officials from the Fisheries Department. During the presentation, Mr. IIakini expressed gratitude to the Treasury Minister for their collaboration and for enabling the NFA to effectively manage and oversee PNG's marine resources. He stated, "This will be further reinforced by the new domestication policy set to be implemented early next year, which will significantly reduce leakages within our industry.” “I would also like to extend my appreciation to the board. They have made commendable decisions to ensure the sustainability of the industry, and all individuals involved in the fisheries sector," Mr. IIakini remarked. The Minister for Treasury conveyed his appreciation on behalf of his department and the National Government upon receiving this contribution. "On behalf of the Treasury and all relevant governmental sectors, including ministries and departments of finance and planning, I am pleased to stand here today to accept this remarkable Christmas gift." "This contribution is part of our non-tax revenue component within our budget. We are currently somewhat behind in non-tax revenue, as we clearly articulated in our statements before Federal Parliament." He emphasized that the NFA serves as a model for other government agencies operating under the NTRA sector in their ongoing support for government initiatives. He further noted that the Treasury Department will continue its collaboration with the NFA in support of its five-year plans. Prime Minister James Marape echoed the Finance Minister’s acknowledgment towards the NFA and commended Hon. Wong's leadership in addition to recognizing contributions from the NFA Board Chairman regarding substantial funding provided to government initiatives. “This underscores that fisheries play a significant role within the non-resource sector.” PM Marape said. Moreover, he highlighted that national budgeting is fundamentally aimed at benefiting citizens: financing education, health services, infrastructure development, and law enforcement. "I look forward to achieving even greater outcomes by 2025," PM Marape added.

The growing number of vehicles in the city has raised concerns regarding safety due to traffic jams and accidents affecting all commuters on public roads within the National Capital District. Thanks to the Waigani Police for their proactive measures in identifying and decommissioning defective Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) buses that are deemed unroadworthy. This initiative has been undertaken by Waigani Police within their operational jurisdiction over the past two weeks, aimed at ensuring that PMVs are properly registered and maintained in suitable condition to prioritize public safety while navigating through the city. Under the leadership of Waigani Police Station Commander Inspector Bill Werike, five defective PMV buses have thus far been identified in the Waigani area and subsequently impounded. These buses have been marked with a red sign indicating their defective status, signifying that they should not be operated within the city limit. Commander Werike emphasized that the confiscated buses are currently held by law enforcement while the drivers have been released on bail. He stated that vehicle owners may reclaim their vehicles upon providing officers with valid registration documentation. Furthermore, he indicated that this operation would expand to other routes throughout the city and encouraged residents to refrain from boarding these rundown PMV buses to ensure safety during travel within the city.

Papua New Guinea is the most recent country from the Pacific Islands Forum to be invited to accede to the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime, commonly referred to as the Budapest Convention. PNG's participation underscores its increasing dedication to tackling cybercrime and promoting international collaboration. A delegation led by Mr. Steven Matainaho, the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), attended the 31st Plenary Meeting of the Cybercrime Convention Committee, which was held in Strasbourg, France, from December 10th to 12th, 2024. This marked Papua New Guinea's (PNG) first participation as an observer on the committee. The delegation also included key representatives: Chief Censor Jim Abani; John Laule from the Department of Justice and Attorney General; Benjamin Howard from the PNG Immigration and Citizen Services Authority; and Oala Moi from the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA). On December 11th, Secretary Matainaho delivered a statement emphasizing Papua New Guinea's (PNG) progress toward accession and underscoring the significance of the Budapest Convention in combating cybercrime. He expressed PNG's gratitude to the Council of Europe for the opportunity to participate in global efforts to address cyber threats. Recapping the cyber issues faced by the country this year, Secretary Matainaho provided an overview of the incident. “On January 10th, 2024, Papua New Guinea experienced social unrest that was exacerbated by misinformation and disinformation spread through social media,” he said. The Papua New Guinea National Executive Council (NEC) promptly issued the following directive: immediate and necessary steps must be taken to ensure the ratification and signing of a cybercrime convention for domestic enforcement in Papua New Guinea. Mr. Matainaho highlighted Papua New Guinea's rapid progress toward accession. “On January 30th of this year, the State Solicitor of Papua New Guinea issued legal clearance for the country to accede to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime," he said. In June of this year, Papua New Guinea submitted a request to the Council of Europe, seeking an invitation to accede to the Budapest Convention. The invitation was announced on October 9, along with those extended to Malawi and Kenya.

Great news for the people of Southern Highlands Province (SHP), the provincial government office will soon relocate back to the provincial capital Mendi. This was announced by SHP Governor William Titpe Powi just recently on Sunday 15th December 2024. Governor Powi emphasized that due to certain factors, the provincial government office had been moved to the nation's capital, Port Moresby; however, it will return as soon as everything is ready after consultation with the Department of Finance and several important offices. The good Governor and acting Administrator David Kelma have assured the people of Southern Highlands that their office will return to the province. Mr. Kelma said, “Indeed, it is welcoming news for the people of SHP and all the stakeholders. As soon as the office is in use, plans and visions of reformation and restoration of our province will be easily executed. “For us to return, we have renovated our government houses and the new plaza as well, and so we are on track to fully return and settle." He also urged citizens and stakeholders to welcome the government’s decision with open arms and work collaboratively to deliver much-needed services to the people. Governor Powi stressed that his government is willing and committed to rebuilding and developing the province by steering the administration in the right direction from 2025 onwards. However, Governor Powi emphasized that for the province to achieve this, there has to be peace and unity among the people, and law and order must be maintained in the province. “Rule of law must be maintained before other development eventuates in the province, and so everyone must be responsible for their actions and maintain peace to achieve stability and progress. We cannot continue to move here and there; we want stability to achieve our goals and visions. “It is not too late; we can always start fresh and develop our province into a role model in the entire Upper Highlands, and to do that we only need to set aside political differences and work collaboratively. The Southern Highlands is not for a particular group or ethnicity; therefore, we must respect our leaders to do their mandated job, Governor Powi said.

Eastern Highlands Province Governor Simon Sia has recently funded a Mobile X-Ray Machine for Kainantu Hospital to benefit the people. Governor Sia emphasized that improving Health Facilities in the Province underscores his key development visions for the province. Sia, together with Chairman of Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Chris Kopyioto, presented a K550,000 Cheque to Brian Bell Group General Manager Todd Mackenzie to supply the Mobile X-ray machine from its Meddent Health Supplies shop in Port Moresby city. During the presentation, the Governor emphasized that he has a vision to improve the health facilities in the province. “Kainantu Hospital serves the bulk of the population from the eastern side of the province including people from close infringe of Kainantu District. Installing modern equipment will improve the service and achieve the quality outcome,” the good Governor said. While receiving the cheque, Mr. Mackenzie emphasized that Meddent has been in the business of supplying quality medical equipment for over forty years in PNG, although it was only a year old under the Brian Bell Group of companies. “We have always supplied medical equipment together with backup services. We recognize some of the major concerns affecting good health services at hospitals is the quality of equipment supplied and general lack of backup services, including limited technical know-how and capacity, in our experience as suppliers of medical equipment and accessories around the country.” “We thank the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government and the Leadership of Simon Sia for entrusting us to supply medical equipment to improve Health Service in the Province." Provincial Health Authority Chairman, Mr. Kopyioto also stressed that many times medical equipment is either not appropriate to remote rural settings or doesn’t provide the much-needed backup service or support. So, when the equipment breaks down there are either no funds to pay for the repairs or no qualified technician within the health facilities to attend to the issues, thus causing disruptions to the efficient delivery of health services. He further added that the need for private sector engagement to facilitate backup services will fill the missing link in the health sector. Governor Sia whilst acknowledging the good dialogue established said, “Coming from a business sector background, we are always about efficient delivery of goods and services." “Now in the public service, I am seeing things take time and I apologize for this delay in delivering the Cheque though the quotation was given. The Mobile X-ray machine is expected to arrive in the province early next year,” the Governor assured.

The grand opening of the Fabian Chow Training Center in Kainantu District today, December 13, 2024, marks a significant milestone for the farmers in Eastern Highland Province (EHP) and Papua New Guinea (PNG) as whole. Built with funding support from the Australian Government’s Incentive Fund, this state-of-the-art agricultural infrastructure marks a new chapter in the country’s commitment to advancing its agricultural sector. The Fabian Chow Training Center, under the management of the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA), includes a cutting-edge tissue culture laboratory and training facilities. This establishment is designed to equip local farmers with the skills and resources needed to improve the quality and disease resistance of crops like potatoes, addressing a growing demand for certified planting materials both locally and internationally. The facility reflects the shared vision of FPDA and its partners to drive sustainable development in agriculture. By providing farmers with high-quality seedlings and advanced training, the initiative aims to boost crop yields, enhance food security, and create new income opportunities for communities in the Eastern Highlands. FPDA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mark Worinu, expressed his gratitude to the Australian Government, the Incentive Fund, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for their generous investment of K17 million in this vital project. The funding aligns with the current government’s priority of supporting hardworking farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Mr. Worinu emphasized the importance of maintaining and maximizing the benefits of this investment to transform the lives of farmers across PNG.