Government Security Officials, just recently, visited the Porgera Mine in Enga province to assess the law-and-order situation there. On Friday, March 7th, 2025, high-level Government security officials visited the Porgera mine to assess the current law and order challenges, including recent incidents of lawlessness that caused significant damage to critical mining infrastructure. The delegation included Lt Colonel Joshua Dorpar, Acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Organization (NIO), Dr. Francis Hualapmomi, Director of the National Security Advisory Agency, and Henry Leia, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister. They were accompanied by New Porgera Limited’s (NPL's) Country Manager, Karo Maha-Lelai. During their visit, the officials met with NPL management for a detailed update on the security situation, toured key and critical areas of the mine, and engaged with mine employees from the underground and open pit areas to better understand their concerns and the impact of ongoing law and order challenges on operations. This visit is part of continued collaborative efforts to restore peace and maintain a secure and stable environment for all stakeholders involved, ensuring that the Porgera mine continues to contribute positively to the local economy and the broader community.

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) strongly denies the claim regarding the alleged arrest of Group Chief Risk Officer, Mike Hallinan. BSP Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Robinson said they completely deny the false and misleading reports currently circulating on social media regarding the alleged arrest of Mr. Mike Hallinan. “The claims suggesting that Mr. Hallinan has been arrested and charged by the Australian Federal Police are entirely untrue and without basis. "Mr. Hallinan has not been arrested, charged, or implicated in any of the alleged offenses mentioned in these false reports. The spread of such misinformation is highly irresponsible and has the potential to cause unwarranted harm,” Mr. Robinson said. Mr. Robinson further urged media outlets, the public, and stakeholders to verify information and ensure the source is credible before sharing any claims. "Any defamatory statements or misleading reports may be subject to appropriate legal action," he added.

Tubusereia Junior High School in the Hiri-Koiari District of Central province gets a new ICT resource centre. Member for Hiri-Koiari Keith Iduhu said that it was a great honour to witness the commissioning of a new ICT resource centre at the Tubusereia Junior High School. Mr. Iduhu said the new facility will see a modern learning space for the students and teachers, with 20 new computers, wifi and backup power. “I acknowledge the presence of Minister for ICT, Timothy Masiu, who through his department and NICTA, has spearheaded this project to modernize our learning environment in schools. Hiri-Koiari is also privileged and fortunate to have two other schools in our district (Boera Primary School and Papa Jr High) be recipients of this initiative. That means more potential for modern learning and ICT etiquette for our students. Hats off to NICTA,” he said. He also acknowledges the presence of acting Central Provincial Administrator Mr. Edward Kila, Chairman of Tubusereia Junior High School, Mr. Kora Nou, and the staff of the school for facilitating this event. “On behalf of the district, I presented a cheque of K100,000 toward classroom infrastructure for Tubusereia Primary School, and made a commitment of K150,000 for a 4x1 Junior High School teacher accommodation which will be presented in the coming weeks. My message is simple: let’s take care of these resources so they can contribute to a prosperous tomorrow. It is not everyday districts receive this kind of support from our own government organizations, so let’s take care of these resources for many years to come. Once again, tanikiu badaherea,” Mr. Iduhu added.

Prime Minister and Pangu Pati leader James Marape presided over the first Pangu Council meeting for 2025, acknowledging the leadership of the General Secretary, Morris Tovebae, and President, Erigere Singin, in steering the party forward as the ruling coalition in government. Speaking at the meeting, PM Marape highlighted Pangu Pati’s historic role in shaping Papua New Guinea’s political landscape, noting its legacy as the party that led the country to independence and continues to drive national development. “As the party that received the Section 63 invitation to form government after the 2022 General Elections, Pangu Pati remains committed to delivering on its promises for the people of Papua New Guinea. “This year, we celebrate 50 years as a nation and, on 13 June, we also mark Pangu Pati’s 58th anniversary—both significant milestones in our country’s history,” Mr. Marape said. Mr. Marape acknowledged key regional leaders, including Minister Soroi Eoe, Minister Joe Sungi, Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr, Minister Ian Ling-Stuckey, and all other Pangu MPs. Deputy Parliamentary Leader and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and Governor of Southern Highlands Province William Powi sent their apologies. Reflecting on Pangu Pati’s deep-rooted history, Mr. Marape paid tribute to foundational leaders such as Sir Paul Lapun, Sir Peter Lus, Paliau Moloat, and others who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s political foundations. He also recognized the generational continuity within the party, citing Minister Tsiamalili and President Singin as descendants of Pangu Pati’s early pioneers. PM Marape reiterated Pangu Pati’s ongoing mission to bring meaningful reforms and improvements to the country. “Since joining Pangu Pati in 2019, our focus has been on national reformation. Over the past six years, we have worked to achieve key aspirations, but much remains to be done,” he said. Acknowledging the challenges of governance, he emphasized the need for a performance-based review of the government’s progress. “We are undertaking a major review of our achievements and ongoing projects. After Parliament rises, there may be a reshuffle to enhance productivity at both ministerial and bureaucratic levels,” he stated.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is ready for the Japan Osaka Expo 2025 after its officially launching by Prime Minister James Marape on Thursday 6th March at the National Parliament’s State Function Room, Port Moresby city. Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru who is responsible for the exposition in Japan stated Papua New Guinea is ready and after 50 years of bilateral and diplomatic relationship between PNG and Japan, it is time for PNG to take part in this expo. Minister Maru said that PNG and Japan have a good two-way trade, and the balance of trade is in PNG’s favor big time and PNG has greatly benefiting from that trade. “Something we might recognize is we are benefiting more from our trade with Japan and when Japan calls, it's only right that we answer because in terms of trade and investment, PNG is benefiting big time from them for market access from Japan,” Minister Maru said. Prime Minister Marape has thrown his full support behind Papua New Guinea’s participation in the 2025 World Expo in Osaka as he officially commissioned the six-month project in Japan. The global event is a massive showcasing platform for countries’ products, produce, technology, services, and arts & culture both digitally and physically, and will be held in two venues in Japan. It is expected to attract up to 28 million visitors with over 160 countries already confirming their participation. Mr. Marape, during a dinner event labelled ‘Osaka Night’ held at the State Function Room and attended by relevant ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corp, reaffirmed Government’s undertaking to support PNG’s participation, including reopening direct flights from Port Moresby to Narita during the length of the event. He also confirmed his participation at the world event to support the PNG Pavilion and to discuss with Japanese leadership the formalization of an economic agreement between PNG and Japan to capture the 50-year partnership between the two countries. PM Marape also spoke strongly in support of PNG’s position in the region, especially in relation to the growing Asian market and PNG’s evolving status, even while it faces socio-economic challenges because of its diversity. He said, “Our diversity makes it quite challenging, and we might have a long road ahead of us, but our nation is prospering toward what has been foreseen by Somare and our founding fathers. “We will use this expo to tell the world that we remain a free-market economy with a robust democracy, where our government continues to honour business contracts with our investors.

Prime Minister James Marape has commended the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea for upholding the fundamental principles of the separation of powers and the independence of Parliament in its ruling on SCCA No. 1 of 2025. The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision delivered by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Justice Cannings, Justice Hartshorn, Justice Kariko, and Justice Dingake, refused an application filed by Opposition MP James Nomane seeking an interim order to prevent Parliament from deliberating on a proposed constitutional amendment relating to Votes of No Confidence (VONC) in the Prime Minister. Mr. Marape welcomed the decision, stating: “The Supreme Court has once again demonstrated its vital role as the guardian of our Constitution. The ruling reinforces the principle that Parliament must be allowed to function independently in its legislative role without undue interference from the courts, in line with Section 115 of the Constitution.” He said the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to restrain Parliament from debating and voting on the proposed Constitutional Amendment (Motion of No Confidence Law) 2024, which seeks to introduce an 18-month restriction on successive Votes of No Confidence. The ruling reaffirmed the freedom of speech, debate, and proceedings in Parliament, as enshrined in Section 115(2) of the Constitution. PM Marape further urged all Papua New Guineans, including leaders, to respect the decisions of the courts and allow the judicial process to resolve disputes rather than resorting to unlawful actions or political instability. “As leaders and citizens, we must allow our democratic institutions, including the courts and Parliament, to function as intended under the Constitution. Any legal matters, including Votes of No Confidence, should be resolved through proper legal channels. We must respect the courts and not take the law into our own hands,” the Prime Minister emphasized. He reassured the people that his government remains committed to governing with transparency, accountability, and constitutional integrity, ensuring that the democratic process is upheld. Mr. Marape reiterated that his government will continue to respect and uphold Parliament’s legislative independence, working within the framework of the Constitution to ensure stability, development and the rule of law in Papua New Guinea. “This ruling sends a clear message that the institutions of government must operate within their constitutional boundaries. We will continue to ensure that our democracy remains strong, our governance remains transparent, and our nation moves forward in unity and stability,” said Prime Minister Marape.

The National Airline Air Niugini has issued a notice to its customers that the airline has suspended its Brisbane services due to Tropical Storm Alfred. The Tropical Storm Alfred is currently impacting Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales, Australia. Air Niugini stated that all flights to and from Brisbane have been temporarily suspended until Friday morning, 7th March 2025, subject to further weather assessments. “The severe weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding, will likely adversely affect operations at Brisbane Airport, necessitating this precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our passengers, crew, and aircraft. Air Niugini is closely monitoring the situation and will resume services as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. Affected passengers will be provided with options to rebook their flights at no additional charge, once operations resume,” Air Niugini said. The airline encourages travelers to check the Air Niugini website (www.airniugini.com.pg) and follow its official social media channels for the latest updates. “We appreciate the understanding of our customers during this period and remain committed to their safety and well-being. For further inquiries, please contact: Air Niugini Customer Service: Website: www.airniugini.com.pg,” the airline added.

The Business Community of Rabaul Town has expressed deep concerns over the escalating law and order issues that have recently plagued both the town and the wider province. During a Rabaul Business Community meeting held on Tuesday at the Rabaul Hotel, Business owners together with provincial and district leaders were present to discuss effectively addressing the issues. Present at the meeting to receive the concerns and suggestions of the business houses was the East New Britain Provincial Member Micheal Marum, acting Rabaul District Administrator Freddy Lemeki and Town Mayor Changol Manuai. Also present was the ENB Senior Provincial Magistrate Samuel Lavutul. Rabaul Hotel Owner Susan McGrade, who hosted the meeting, said that the business houses in Rabaul employ around five thousand to six thousand employees. She further said that though they are assisting in terms of employment, their businesses and employees are also at risk. Chairman of the Chinese Community in Rabaul and Representative of the Hongland Group of Companies Tom Tong also voiced similar concerns. “As an employer, we are struggling to keep our staffs or have stable employees. Most of our workers leave out of fear. Though we provide good security, we are still at risk as we can only do so much,” Tong said. Acting Rabaul District Administrator Freddy Lemeki said that they are working together with the Provincial Administration, Provincial Government, Police, Magisterial Services, Correctional Services, Churches, and relevant stakeholders in addressing law and order issues. Lemeki said that a Police Reservist training is scheduled for the month of April and added that this would assist in beefing up the manpower which is a major challenge for the police in the province. He said that from this program, the reservists can be deployed to hotspots and do foot patrols. The District Administrator also announced that an eviction exercise is also planned for the coming months to evict illegal settlers in Rabaul Town.

Papua New Guinea’s mineral exploration and mining sectors are once again on display at the Prospectors & Developers’ Association of Canada (PDAC) 2025 convention, in Toronto Canada. The PDAC is the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention, that attracts about 30, 000 attendees from over 130 countries annually. A team from the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the Ministry of Mining, led by the Minister for Mining Wake Goi and the MRA’s Managing Director Jerry Garry, are currently attending the convention. The team is purposely attending the convention to promote PNG’s vast mineral exploration and mining industry, to potential investors on this global platform. PNG is showcasing advanced projects, projects that need financing and potential joint venture arrangements, current airborne geophysics and geochemical data sets. Specific sessions that are being attended include: 1. Driving responsible exploration, sustainability and climate leadership 2. Investor grade sustainability disclosures: Why, what and how? 3. Why we need to urgently simplify the responsible mining standards landscape: Update on Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative Between 2012-2018, most parts of the country were taken up by companies exploring for mineral resources. However, since 2019, PNG has seen a decline in mineral exploration interest due to lack of geoscience data amongst other issues. Another major concern for the government has been the depletion of mineral resources, and the fact that most of the major operating mines will have closed by 2060. This is a major concern for the government as over 60% of the country’s revenue is generated from the mining sector; no exploration means no mining hence less revenue for the country. It is therefore anticipated that PNG’s participation in the convention will be an opportunity to once again generate interest from global exploration and mining industry players.

Westpac is proud to reaffirm its position as a pioneer in financial services across the Pacific by continuing its long-standing partnership with Verifone, a global leader in payment technology. This partnership, established in 2016, underscores Westpac's commitment to delivering innovative and efficient payment solutions to businesses in Papua New Guinea. Westpac Acting Chief Executive Warren Bobin said that as the first to market with Verifone terminals, Westpac is already leading the way in the Pacific region. “We will further enhance our offerings by introducing an uplifted version of our Point of Sale (POS) solutions, ensuring that our customers continue to benefit from the latest technology and innovations by the end of 2025. This strategic move solidifies Westpac's leadership in the Pacific region, leveraging its extensive relationship with Verifone to deliver market-leading solutions. Westpac intends to uplift its financial offerings with these advanced technologies, ensuring businesses have access to the most sophisticated payment tools available. Westpac's investment in this partnership highlights its dedication to supporting local businesses by providing them with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market,” Mr. Bobin said. He added that the partnership with Verifone has enabled Westpac to offer a comprehensive suite of payment solutions that support multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards and contactless payments. “Verifone's mobile POS devices allow businesses to process payments on the go, making them ideal for retail spaces, restaurants, and other mobile environments. Westpac also offers multicurrency EFTPOS and settlement into foreign currency accounts, a market differentiator that supports PNG's diverse business needs. The Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) feature enhances the shopping experience for tourists and international clients,” he said. He said in addition to the existing functionalities; Westpac is set to introduce enhanced POS integration capabilities and an online reporting portal as part of the upcoming uplifted functionalities. This will provide businesses with a more streamlined and efficient way to manage their transactions, access detailed reports, and optimize their operations. The integration will enable seamless communication between POS systems and Westpac's payment solutions, while the online portal will offer real-time insights and analytics to help businesses make informed decisions. “Westpac's Verifone solutions bring increased efficiency, enhanced security, and significant time savings to businesses. The company has listened to the needs of businesses and responded with valuable solutions that meet their evolving requirements. Westpac is committed to continuously improving and expanding its payment solutions, ensuring that businesses in PNG remain competitive and thrive in the global market. "We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Verifone, which has enabled us to bring market leading technology to PNG," Mr. Bobin said. He added that their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction drives their efforts to continuously improve and expand their payment solutions, ensuring that businesses in PNG remain competitive and thrive in the global market. “By reinforcing its position as a trusted financial partner in the Pacific region, Westpac underscores its dedication to supporting the growth and success of local businesses through innovative payment solutions,” Mr. Bobin said.

The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) through its Reducing Emissions Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Division has successfully completed a series of regional consultation workshops. This was successfully done with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) as part of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) efforts to secure Green Climate Fund (GCF) Results-Based Payments (RBP). These workshops, held across the country’s four regions, provided an inclusive platform for sub-national stakeholders to contribute to PNG’s funding proposal under the GCF RBP Pilot Programme. Participants included representatives from national and sub-national government agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and development partners. The discussions focused on PNG’s REDD+ achievements, the GCF RBP funding proposal, and jurisdictional REDD+ opportunities, including ART/TREES and the LEAF Coalition. The workshops also addressed environmental and social safeguards, gender action plans, and grievance redress mechanisms. Stakeholders provided valuable feedback, which will be incorporated into the final funding proposal submission to the GCF Secretariat. CCDA’s Acting Managing Director, Ms. Debra Sungi, emphasized the significance of these consultations in ensuring a transparent and inclusive approach to climate finance. “The engagement and contributions from stakeholders at the regional level have been invaluable. These discussions have strengthened PNG’s position in securing funding that will drive sustainable forest management and support our national climate targets,” she stated. With the workshops now completed, CCDA and its partners will finalize the funding proposal, integrating stakeholder insights to strengthen PNG’s application will be submitted on the 30th of March 2025 and await approval by the GCF Board, which will sit for their bi-annual board meeting mid this year where PNG will host in June 2025 in Port Moresby. The CCDA remains committed to advancing climate action and securing financial resources to reinvest in sustainable development initiatives.

For many Papua New Guineans, owning a home has always been an unattainable dream. However, Roots Brand’s ‘Win Your Own Home’ promotion has given thousands of consumers the chance to turn that dream into reality. Bertha Apaso, a mother of three and a loyal Roots Rice consumer, was among those who embraced this life-changing opportunity. She expressed her excitement about the promotion, stating that owning a home had always seemed out of reach, but this promotion gave her, and many others hope. “I have always chosen Roots Rice, and the ‘Win Your Own Home’ promotion was an opportunity to change my life and that of my family,” she shared. The promotion, running from October 7, 2024, to February 28, 2025, gives four lucky winners the chance to own a three-bedroom Bumbu Range kit home from PNG Forest Products, each valued at over K132,000. These homes come fully equipped with electrical wiring, plumbing, kitchen joinery, vinyl flooring, furniture and an engineering certificate. Trukai Industries Marketing Manager, Peggy Maha, reflected on the overwhelming participation in the campaign, revealing that a record number of entries were received nationwide. “At Trukai, we are committed to giving back to our valued consumers, and the response to this promotion has been incredible. So many families have taken this opportunity, and we are excited to soon announce the winners,” said Maha. With the promotion period now closed, attention turns to the major draw on March 12, 2025, where four winners—one from each region—will be selected. The draw will take place in Port Moresby (Southern Region); Lae (Momase Region); Kokopo (New Guinea Islands Region) and Mt. Hagen (Highlands Region). To participate, customers purchased a 10kg bag of Roots Rice, filled in their names, contact details on an entry ticket, and dropped their entries into the designated bins at participating outlets. Now, thousands of participants are eagerly awaiting the final draw.