Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), Koney Samuel visited the Wutung Boarder Post as part of the 2025 Inter-departmental Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Program, led by his department. Prior to that Secretary Samuel and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the West Sepik Provincial Administration where they were received by Timothy Teklan, Deputy Provincial Administrator and his team. Secretary Samuel explained that the purpose of the M&E Exercise was to assess the impact of government funded investments including development partner grants and concessional loans. DNPM stated that the Secretary and M&E Technical Team saw first-hand the state of the Wutung Border Post and the Wutung Trade Centre. "They were shown around by the Border Coordinator for Wutung Border Post, Elliuda Amo, from Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA)." Mr. Samuel highlighted the need for a collective approach to development in key localities of investments such as the Wutung border area. Noting the state of the assets at the border and the potential for exports and economic boost of the greater Sepik Region and PNG, he recommended for a relook at the intergovernmental working committee on the Wutung Border Post to include the Connect PNG roads, the Wutung Trade Center and the power and water issues affecting the full operation and functionality of the asset. "We need to create impact from this border post; we must have a return on investment from it." “West Sepik Province is strategically located on the border of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia." "We are at a critical juncture in our history where we need to assess ourselves and see if the development on the ground matches the 50 years of our journey as a country." "What are the opportunities that we have failed to capitalize on? What are the challenges?” DNPM Deputy Secretary for Programming and Monitoring Wing, Roger Kara explained that the M&E Program team are on the ground doing site visits, assessment on the Capital Investment Programs focusing on the period 2022 – 2024 to see progress and compile a report that will be presented to Government before the Independence Anniversary Celebrations. He said the M&E process will contribute to the ongoing Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP IV) 2023–2027 and inform future investment strategies. The exercise is a joint collaboration between DNPM and key agencies—Treasury, Finance, Provincial and Local Government Affairs (DPLGA), and Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD).

The management team from a Filipino multi-billion-kina company, Century Peak Holdings Limited Corporation, visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) this week to assess major investment opportunities in the country. Their specific interest is to start a 10,000 hectares rice farm, invest in property within the Paga Hill Special Economic Zone, and they also want to invest in manufacturing and the mining sector as they own and operate a Nickel Mine in the Philippines. Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru said the Company has five subsidiaries namely, Century Peak Corporation, Century Peak Mineral Development Corporation, Century Peak Cement Manufacturing Corporation, Century Sidewide Smelting Incorporated, and Century Hua Guang Smelting Incorporated. Minister Maru said they plan to expand their operations to PNG. "They have established a country office in PNG and have registered their company and are now looking at establishing a major business operation in PNG." "They called me and also met with the Managing Director for the Mineral Resources Authority, Mr. Jerry Garry as they are keen to know the investment opportunities available in the mining industry." The company is about to secure 10,000 hectares at Brown River in the Central Province to start the first large-scale mechanized commercial rice farm in PNG. "They have been working with the landowners and the Department of Lands and Physical Planning over 12 months." He said they are ready to start but the biggest holdup has been the slowness of the Department of Lands and Physical Planning in assisting the landowners to get the State title over their land so they can arrange a long-term lease and enter into a mutually benefiting project agreement with the State, the Central Provincial Government and the landowners. "I have reached out to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso, to help us resolve the land issue so we can start the first large-scale commercial mechanized rice farm in PNG before September 16." "This project will be developed as the Central Rice Special Economic Zone."

The Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) has announced that PNG Ports Corporation Limited has joined the growing number of NSL Employers choosing to remit their fortnightly superannuation contributions through the Nambawan Employer Pay (NEP) portal. NSL stated that launched in 2024, the NEP Portal is transforming how super contributions are processed—offering a secure, user-friendly platform that replaces time-consuming manual processes with efficient automation. “This shift is helping HR and Payroll teams save valuable time, allowing them to focus on other important responsibilities. Through this innovative software and technology, the use of the NEP Portal means faster processing and updating of super contributions on Members records while also improving accuracy of Members’ biodata. We look forward to supporting more of our Employers transition to using the Nambawan Employer Pay Portal, to make the superannuation contribution process easier, more efficient, and more secure,” NSL said.

The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) announced that four newly appointed landowner directors of Gas Resources Gigira Limited (GRG) attended their inaugural board meeting, held on June 2nd in Port Moresby city. They are Mr. Libe Parindali, Mr. Thompson Mugubigo, Mr. Philip Iruka, and Mr. Thomas Dara Ola. The directors represent the Hiwa and Tuguba clans. MRDC stated that they join ex officio directors on the board of GRG which include Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Department of Petroleum Secretary Mr. David Manau, State Solicitor Mr. Daniel Rolpagarea, National Energy Authority Executive Director Mr. Ronald Meketa, and MRDC Managing Director Mr. Augustine Mano. “The inaugural board meeting for the four directors followed a two-day workshop MRDC conducted for the new directors. The directors were briefed on their roles and responsibilities, the governance structure of the company, and an overview of the company's finances, investment and community investment trust fund projects,” MRDC said. MRDC Managing Director Mr. Mano expressed delight that the biggest landowning group in the PNG LNG project was finally able to meet the requirements of the Oil & Gas Act in opening clan bank accounts and appointing their directors to their Trust Board. "I must commend MRDC and stakeholders including ExxonMobil, Santos, DPE, KPHL, and the security forces for the successful completion of phase 1 of the PDL1 Clan Bank Account Opening and Director Election exercise in 2024 which resulted in us convening this inaugural meeting of the GRG Board. "I'm pleased that the landowning clans have appointed experienced and highly respected leaders to be Directors on the board of their Trust. Their appointment gives me confidence about the long-term strategic interest of GRG,” Mr. Mano said. Hela Governor Philip Undialu stated that this demonstrates their collective commitment to sound governance, ensuring benefits from their natural resources are equitably realized for the prosperity of communities within the Hela Province. "As a Landowner Director, I am honored to serve on this Board and directly represent our communities' voices. This step ensures our people are active participants and direct beneficiaries. I commit to working collaboratively for sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity for our regions and the nation. PDL1 significantly contributes to Papua New Guinea's gas and condensate production, supporting four greenfield projects. It also holds one percent equity interest in the PNG LNG Project," stated Mr. Libe Parindali. MRDC added that the election of four additional landowner representatives is pending the determination of a National court sanctioned alternate dispute resolution that is currently ongoing. The four will represent JP Karai (1), Tugubu (1), and Hiwa (2) clans. “Consistent with an agreement reached during the UBSA in 2009, the Gigira Trust will be split into two, to best cater for the interest of all the beneficiaries of PDL1,” MRDC said.

The Global plastic pollution crisis demands urgent, collaborative action. In Papua New Guinea where the unique biodiversity and reliance on the pure state of natural environments are severely threatened and we need to foster strong partnerships across all sectors. This was the 2025 World Environment Day message from the Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change, Simon Kilepa. The minister said the theme for this year’s World Environment Day, Ending Plastic Pollution highlights the critical need for governments, industries, communities and individuals to unite in exploring sustainable alternatives and drastically reducing the production and excessive use of single use plastics. “The Government through the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), introduced a Ban on the importation of singled use plastic shopping bags (SUO Shopping Bags) in 2020. However, the unchecked proliferation of single-use plastic shopping bags continues to fuel environmental pollution and waste management challenges across the country. The scale of the problem is alarming, as initial baseline studies have estimated that approximately 161,400 tons of microplastic waste have polluted our environment in 2024, with single single-use plastic accounting for over 68% of ocean-bound plastic waste. The near absence of domestic plastic recycling with only about 455 tons exported intensifies this crisis. Without immediate and decisive intervention, it is projected that between 2024 and 2035, over 2.3 million tons of plastic waste will have been generated and mismanaged in PNG,” Minister Kilepa said. He said this highlights the critical need for an unprecedented level of collaboration. “We must work closely to foster and implement robust strategies to reduce the generation of singled-use plastic waste and enhance the waste management system in the country. As we prepare to celebrate our 50th Independence, I urge the government, NGOs, business houses, corporate entities and all institutions and citizens to recognize the 4th National Goals and Directive Principals of our Constitution which promotes the conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources for the collective benefit of us all, while also considering the needs of future generations,” Mr. Kilepa said.

The Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, said it has been three months since the launch of a transformative new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered analysis engine integrated into Papua New Guinea’s existing e-Visa platform, which has resulted in more efficiency in the system. Mr. Rosso said the home-grown AI-powered analysis engine was developed by a local PNG-based company working in partnership with the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA). The module is specifically designed for document analysis and compliance assessment of short-term, lower-risk visa applications, and has already processed over 40,000 documents, surpassing initial expectations of both ICSA and the Minister himself. Processing times have drastically reduced from over two weeks to less than two minutes for more than 95 percent of the applicants. "The performance of this technology has exceeded all expectations. The remarkable results in efficiency and accuracy prove this system is ready for broader deployment," Mr. Rosso, who is also responsible for the Ministry for Immigration and Border Security, said. He said this cutting-edge module employs sophisticated AI to rapidly analyze submitted documents against PNG’s immigration laws and policies, automatically identifying potential compliance issues and providing instant feedback to applicants. Mr. Rosso confirmed plans to expand this proven technology to process work permits and work visa applications, with implementation scheduled for late July. He also announced intentions to leverage similar AI-driven efficiencies in passport processing. He said ICSA is actively improving the border management systems and exploring enhancements to integrated border management capabilities. “These improvements will further strengthen ICSA’s ability to detect and track illegal and unwanted visitors, ensuring comprehensive oversight of visitor activities in the country.” “Globally, other countries use similar platforms, but ours has been uniquely trained and tailored specifically for Papua New Guinea's particular needs and business processes.” “As far as we know, this represents the first deployment of AI in a government production environment within the Pacific Island region—a milestone we are incredibly proud of." "We have achieved substantial efficiency dividends, significantly reducing friction for legitimate travellers and enhancing the attractiveness of Papua New Guinea as a destination for tourism and business." "At the same time, our border security and scrutiny capabilities have been strengthened dramatically, ensuring we welcome legitimate visitors while effectively deterring illegal entries.” Mr. Rosso said these advancements position Papua New Guinea as a regional leader in government digital transformation, making our immigration processes quicker, more transparent, and secure.

The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), through its Community Investment Trust Fund (CITF) program, has successfully completed several vital education infrastructure projects in the Kokori region of Gulf Province. MRDC Managing Director, Augustine Mano outlined the program focus that MRDC subsidiaries recognized that education is the most powerful and effective investment to drive positive changes in the project areas. “There is no better way to invest revenue from our resources than in the education of our children through the community investment projects.” The beneficiary schools are Kopi Primary School, Kitomave Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Primary School, Veiru Primary School, Babaguina Elementary School, and Tone Elementary School,” he said. Walter Robert, Head Teacher of Kitomave SDA Primary School, shared his appreciation and stated that he came to the school in 2021 as a young first-year teacher, and this is his fifth year. Mr. Robert explained that Kitomave, an Adventist school owned by the Southwest Mission under the Papua New Guinea Union Mission, serves approximately 208 students, including boarders from distant areas like Kaiam, Omati, Kikori station, and across to Baimuru. "The government steps in with teachers' salaries and student subsidies. We have six staff members and Parents support (boarders) with their rations, but we are trying to set up mess and farming projects to cater for their needs soon,” he said. Mr. Robert elaborated on the school's challenges, "Some of the challenges include classrooms. Most of our classrooms are not enclosed, they are open, and we cannot put up our displays.” "Staff houses, we live in very old houses. The school was established in the 90s, closed for almost 20 years, and reopened in 2015. So, from 2015 to 2021, we all struggled but have now seen some changes. We have big challenges in terms of classrooms, staff houses, and boarding facilities. As the headteacher, I want to thank MRDC for the initiative they have taken,” he further explained the dire need for housing. Max Lawrence, Headteacher of Veiru Primary School, said they always highlight to the community and board every time they have meetings regarding teachers' welfare and when teachers live and work in a conducive environment, teaching and learning will be improved. He said before MRDC stepped in, Veiru Primary School faced a harsh reality: just three staff houses meant teachers were forced to share accommodation, often in cramped and unsuitable conditions and that has now changed. “Thanks to MRDC, we now have two brand-new staff houses, bringing the total to five. Teacher housing has always been a challenge — and a limiting factor in attracting and retaining quality educators. These new homes directly address that issue, giving our teachers the dignity and space they deserve,” he said. He also applauded the new double classroom block, describing it as “a real game-changer — a learning space that’s both practical and inspiring for teachers and students alike. But perhaps the most transformative upgrade is the introduction of solar power. For students like Grade 8’s Etea Gemedi, the difference is already being felt. “Electricity used to be a major barrier for us, especially when we wanted to study at night. Now that we have solar power, we can finally have night classes and continue our studies without disruption. It’s given us a real chance to aim higher,” Etea said. From upgraded housing and modern classrooms to sustainable energy solutions, MRDC’s investment is not just building infrastructure — it’s building futures.

From 3 to 14 June, six nations will work alongside Papua New Guinea (PNG) in conducting a technical exploration operation in East New Britain (ENB) Province under Operation Render Safe. The contingent, led by the Australian Defense Force (ADF), will work together with the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) and other partners using specialist skills and equipment to locate, assess and record World War Two-Era explosive remnants of war for subsequent disposal at a later date. Australia High Commission said that the ADF has conducted explosive ordnance disposal operations under Render Safe throughout the Pacific for over 20 years. “This year, the ADF will contribute around 45 personnel supported by 18 from France, Japan, New Zealand, United States, and United Kingdom, as well as additional personnel from the PNGDF,” Australia High Commission stated. The Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones said Render Safe is a key ADF commitment in the Pacific region. “Papua New Guinea is one of our closest defense partners and we are pleased to work alongside their forces on their home soil,” he said. The Commander of the Contingent, Australian Army Major Joseph Gurung said he is proud to support the safety of local Papua New Guinean communities as part of the multinational effort, which includes the Papua New Guinean Defense Force and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), as well as personnel from the East New Britain Disaster and Emergency Services Office.  “Personnel from contributing forces will work together throughout Render Safe as combined teams to share ideas and techniques while strengthening our interoperability.  “We look forward to engaging with the community in East New Britain and continuing to build on our strong relationship,” Australian Army Major Joseph Gurung said. He said a separate disposal process will occur at a later date in order to safely remove identified explosive remnants of war.  The technical reconnaissance operation is focused on locating, assessing, and recording the location of explosive war remnants so that the later disposal activities can be conducted safely.

Following the success of the annual Employer Conference held in Port Moresby in April, Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) held the first two of four Regional Engagement and Awareness (E&A) sessions in May. NSL said that the first Regional E&A session was held in Goroka on Wednesday, 14th May 2025, at the Bird of Paradise Hotel. “Over 100 NSL Members from Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Enga, and Southern Highlands Provinces attended the event, representing over 79 Employer groups. The second Regional E&A session was hosted in Lae on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, at the Lae International Hotel with 100 Members in attendance representing 60 Employer groups. While the annual Employer Conference held in Port Moresby is NSL’s largest stakeholder event, attracting over 400 Employer Representatives from across the country, NSL understands that the majority of its 235,888 Members are located outside the Capital City. The “Regional Engagement & Awareness (E&A) Sessions” therefore, aim to allow Members and their Employer Representatives to ‘stay where they are’ while NSL comes to them. These events intend to create a platform for NSL to engage directly with Employer Representatives and Members, sharing vital information about the Fund’s performance, the progress of key initiatives, and the outlook for the current year. It also aims to provide an opportunity to hear directly from Members and Employer Representatives, their concerns and challenges, and answer any questions they may have, fostering deeper support and collaboration between the Fund and its Members throughout the Country,” NSL stated. NSL CEO, Mr. Paul Sayer, together with members of his Executive Management team, shared the positive results delivered in 2024. Mr. Sayer stated that key highlights included the strong growth of the Fund’s Net Asset Value now at K11.2 billion, making NSL the Country’s largest Fund in terms of Funds Under Management. “NSL’s 2024 record high Net Profit after Tax of K1.1 billion was also shared, including how this translated into a 10.5 percent interest rate which was credited to all 235,888 Members’ accounts on Monday, 24th March 2025. Members were made aware of other important financial results, such as the K961 million received in Members contributions, and more importantly, the K703 million in Benefit Payments to Members and or their Beneficiaries. Members were reassured that their superannuation savings remained safe, and would be made available to them, together with their Employer contributions received by NSL and the interest earned, when they are ready to retire. Attendees were told of several key initiatives delivered in 2024, aimed at improving operational performance and efficiency, investment capabilities and the quality of customer service and experience provided to Members,” he said.

Stop & Shop, one of Port Moresby’s largest and longest running Supermarket chains, is celebrating 20 Years of being part of the CPL Group of Companies. CPL Group General Manager Marketing & Advertising Mr. Christopher Lam said Stop & Shop’s foundations reach back into the rich history of the Steamships Trading Company, having opened their first Supermarket at Garden City, Boroko in 1987. Mr. Lam said the Supermarket opened alongside the first City Pharmacy in the same location, which also marked the beginnings of the CPL Group story. “After operating under Steamships with several stores across Port Moresby and the country, including Kiunga in the Western Province, CPL under the leadership of Sir. Mahesh Patel, CPL Group Founder, diversified City Pharmacy by acquiring the Stop & Shop Chain of Supermarkets in 2005. At the time of acquisition, CPL took over Stop & Shop Downtown, Boroko, North Waigani and the old Waigani Central, where Hardware Haus now sits. Over time, CPL opened Stop & Shop Koki, Badili, Harbour City and Airways Express, catering to the growing demands of the Port Moresby community. The new Waigani Central Complex was completed and opened in 2014, which now houses all CPL Group brands including Jacks of PNG and Prouds,” Mr. Lam said. He stated that unfortunately, during the events of January 10th, 2024, Stop & Shop lost their Rainbow, North Waigani, Harbour City and Badili Supermarkets to looting. “Through the quick action of Management, CPL was able to reopen Badili, and open new stores at 8 Mile and Rainbow in the same year, bringing the total number of stores at the time of the SNS20 Anniversary Launch to seven. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary Year, Stop & Shop is pleased to launch a special commemorative logo, and our ‘Share Your Shopping Memories, and Recreate and Win Promotions’, where customers can win real reward points and free Gift Cards by sharing their memories of the brand, and recreating the iconic SNS family logo in front of our Supermarkets. At the same time, Stop & Shop is pleased to launch our new ‘Hauslain Packs’ Promotion, specifically designed with everyday family essentials. These packs are offered at K20, K50 and K100 price points with different essentials included, and are available in limited quantities daily at all Stop & Shop Supermarkets. The contents of these packs are subject to change pending stock availability,” he said. Reflecting on Stop & Shop’s 20-year journey of service, growth and community impact, Mr. Lam said, “We are so excited to launch the SNS20 Campaign today, celebrating the rich history of Stop & Shop with our customers. Stop & Shop is more than a retail store; it is an important part of everyday life for Papua New Guineans especially the residents of Port Moresby. Our 20-year anniversary shows how much we value our loyal customers, our hardworking team, and our promise to keep serving our communities well. Port Moresby residents can now visit any of our seven Stop & Shop stores within the city to purchase for their hauslain the newly introduced ‘Hauslain Packs,” he added.

Air Niugini successfully hosted its second annual Safety Day on Friday, 30 May 2025, at its headquarters in Port Moresby city. The event saw full participation from staff and stakeholders, reinforcing the airline’s unwavering commitment to fostering a robust safety culture across all operations. Air Niugini stated that under the theme “Yumi Bung Wantaim: Lukautim Wok, Lukautim Balus, Lukautim Laip” (Together: Safeguard Work, Aircraft, and Life), the event focused on raising awareness and educating staff about the importance of safety in every facet of the airline’s operations. "It also served as a platform to recognize the dedicated safety heroes—staff members who go beyond their duties to ensure a safe working environment," Air Niugini said. The airliner's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Gary Seddon officially opened the event, emphasizing that safety is a shared responsibility that transcends across the business. " Let us use today to learn, to challenge ourselves to speak up, and to support one another. Whether you work at the ramp, the flight deck, the hangar, or the head office, your voice matters, and your actions matter even more. At Air Niugini, safety is not just what we do; it’s who we are. Twelve departments set up information booths, providing colleagues with insights into various safety processes, procedures, and equipment relevant to their roles. Recognition was also given to staff from Ground Operations and Flight Operations for their exemplary contributions to workplace safety. They were awarded with certificates," Mr. Seddon said. He said this year’s Safety Day also saw the involvement of key stakeholders, including Santos, Niu Sky, St John Ambulance, and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC). "The RPNGC’s K9 Dog Unit conducted drills for detecting illegal substances and demonstrated responses to bomb threats. St John Ambulance demonstrated on essential first aid procedures, emergency medical response tactics, and life-saving skills," he added. Additionally, the CEO of Amaru, a cyber security specialist from New Zealand, demonstrated real-time system hacking, phishing attacks, and credit card data breaches. The session was both highly informative and a stark reminder of the risks faced. The airline’s in-house clinic offered complimentary basic health checks, emphasizing the importance of health and safety in the workplace. The event was live-streamed, allowing staff in outports, both domestic and international, to participate and witness the activities. Head of the Safety, Quality, Risk, and Audit Department, Mr. Marco McConnell, in his closing remarks, acknowledged the collective effort of all participants. “Safety is not merely a checklist or a set of procedures—it’s a mindset, a culture, and a way of life. Your active participation today reaffirms your unwavering commitment to creating a safe environment for our passengers, air crew, ground staff, and all our stakeholders in aviation," he said. The Air Niugini Safety Day is organized annually by the airline’s Safety, Quality, Risk, and Audit Department, reflecting the airline’s dedication to continuous improvement in safety standards.

Remington Group has announced the appointment of Justin Kieseker as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. With 78 years of history behind it, Remington has built a reputation on reliability, resilience, and results. Remington Group stated that Mr. Kieseker has been with the Group for six years, working across multiple business units and playing a hands-on role in operations, strategy, and growth. “His leadership reflects a strong understanding of the local market, the challenges PNG businesses face, and the value of teamwork and consistency,” the Group said. Mr. Kieseker said that this business is built on good people doing good work and what has kept Remington strong all these years isn’t just the products, it’s the people, the customers, and its drive to keep showing up and delivering. “I’m proud to be leading a team that genuinely believes in what we do,” he added. Remington Group stated that in the months ahead, Mr. Kieseker will focus on three key priorities: Aligning operations across the Group, Building a stronger team culture, And investing in smart, sustainable growth, particularly in ICT and digital infrastructure. His plans include scaling up Remington Digital Solutions and making targeted investments in systems and services that support PNG’s digital future. The Board of Directors expressed confidence in Kieseker’s appointment, describing it as a “logical next step” for someone who knows the business from the ground up. Board Chairman John Beattie said that Justin has earned this, and he has proven himself repeatedly; he listens, he leads, and he follows through, that is what Remington Group want. “As PNG’s economy continues to evolve, Remington Group is focused on staying relevant, resilient, and ready. With Kieseker at the helm, the company will continue doing what it does best, backing its people, serving its customers, and helping drive the country’s digital transformation,” he added.