The Defence Organization was prompted to investigate following serious allegations of misconduct that lead to a physical confrontation just recently at the Murray Barracks Headquarters in Port Moresby city. The Minister for Defence Dr. Billy Joseph confirmed that eight (officers from the Defence Ministry are being investigated for allegations of paying themselves Annual Recreation Leave (ARL) and leaving other Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) members out. The Minister said the allegations were being investigated as well as the conduct of the soldiers last Friday 10th January at the Headquarters. “Again, the ugly head of ill-discipline in our force has shown up at Murray Barracks. We have set process in place to deal with issues in PNGDF,” the Minister said. In relation to the entitlements of the soldiers and allowances, the Minister explained that the warrants were released late to defence and PFMA shut down for the festive period just opened recently, so they are working on getting soldiers allowances and entitlements paid. The Minister was also not happy with the actions of the soldiers saying, PNGDF will not be a place for ill-disciplined and unprofessional people who resort to violence and mob behaviour. Minister Joseph also stressed the importance of Government releasing funding immediately after an emergency call out is issued. “Otherwise, we will have to seriously consider withdrawing all soldiers on call outs to prevent such incidents,” he said. Minister Joseph further reminded soldiers that in 1990, soldiers who were fighting in Bougainville received only K30 to K40 per day allowances. “This has significantly increased to K150-200/day and the risks are quite low. As long as base salaries are not affected; the allowances will still be paid so there is no need to express frustration by assaulting civilian staff or destroying properties. It will only get them into trouble,” the minister said. Meanwhile, one year on from Black Wednesday, and the fears of any uprising was on the minds of everyone after allegations of soldiers protesting at Murray Barracks went viral on social media platforms across Port Moresby last Friday January 10th. However, all the allegations were extinguished as the soldiers did not do anything but protest quietly at Murray Barracks. Their protest last Friday morning was over outstanding Annual Recreation Leave (ARL) entitlements for some of the soldiers. The aggrieved soldiers gathered at the Murray Barracks after they heard that some of their colleagues in Department of Defence got their ARL and they didn't. The soldiers dispersed after voicing their grievances.

Telikom Limited is all set for roll out a lot of new initiatives and promotions in 2025 as it continues to embark on its rebranding and transformation. This was made known yesterday at a small but significant reopening ceremony of Telikom’s rebranded shop at the Jackson International Terminal in Port Moresby city. Telikom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Amos Tepi who officiated at the ceremony, highlighted the significance of the company’s ongoing rebranding efforts, stating that the new look, featuring Telikom’s signature blue branding, aligns with the wave of transformation that is happening. “We are committed to providing accessible, reliable and customer- friendly services,” said the CEO. “This rebranding and reopening symbolize our dedication to staying connected with our customers and enhancing their journey, whether they are arriving, departing, or just passing through.” Telikom Board Chairman Mr. Cedric Rondoke made similar remarks and assured Telikom customers to expect more this year with the rebranding. “It gives me great pleasure to see this new image going forward in 2025,” he openly expressed before cutting the ribbon to the rebranded shop. Reflecting on Telikom’s journey over the years from the PTC days to present, he acknowledged that a lot has been done by so many people over the years and this reopening, marks a line of activities for Telikom this year going forward as the state-owned company continues to provide for its customers and the country as a whole.

The government will be hosting the 9th Public Service Dedication Service tomorrow, Friday 10th January, using the event to mobilize public servants nationwide to prepare for the country’s 50th independence anniversary and refocusing the future of the public service. Minister for Public Service, Joseph Sungi, in a press conference yesterday said it is important to start off the year with God and urged the 130, 000 plus public servants throughout the country to take time to observe the day and hear the message Prime Minister James Marape will be delivering tomorrow. He said the dedication service will also set the tone for all public servants to prepare for the country’s 50th anniversary. "This week is to target our public servants to reflect back on the 50 years and look at what we are going to do in the next 50 years, starting this year,” said the minister. He added that the public servants play significant role in service delivery and development, and all must appreciate that and continue to work towards the betterment of the country and the people. Meantime, this year’s dedication service theme is “Year of Restoration in the Public Sector” and will be held at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex in Port Moresby city, starting at 8am and wrapping up at 1pm. All public servants in the National Capital District (NCD) are encouraged to attend in person. All attendees are required to wear their respective corporate attire to showcase unity and professionalism. The Public Service Dedication Service 2025 is not just an event but a call to action for public servants to rededicate themselves to service excellence. It serves as an opportunity to inspire a shared vision of restoration, unity, and commitment, reaffirming the government’s dedication to uphold the highest standards in the public sector.

The main suspect in the killing of a police officer in Tari in the Hela Province late last year, has voluntarily surrendered to police. This was announcement by Hela Provincial Member Philip Undialu and Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Robin Bore. Meantime, Prime Minister James Marape has come out to commend the Hela community for their cooperation in assisting police to have the suspect involved in the tragic killing of the police officer, handing himself over to the police. He described the community’s efforts as a powerful example of how citizens and law enforcement can work together to uphold justice. “I commend the people of Hela for not harbouring a criminal and for assisting police in bringing the suspect to justice. This reflects the growing maturity of our communities, showing that we do not tolerate violence, especially against officers of the law,” Prime Minister Marape said. The Prime Minister acknowledged the suspect for surrendering to police, emphasizing that this act of accountability allows the legal process to take its course. “This is an example of justice working through collaboration between police, the community, and even the suspect himself. The people of Hela have shown that no criminal should be shielded, and justice must be served through lawful means.” Hela Provincial Member Philip Undialu said the suspected murderer voluntarily surrendered to police and community leaders within 24 hours of launching of the manhunt. Undialu also assures the grieving family and relatives of the late police officer, George Lapon, that justice would prevail. The suspect, Tasi Parobi had been the one admitting to the killing in a video recording that went viral on social media in the last few weeks. Prime Minister Marape also made a heartfelt appeal to families and communities in Hela, Poroma, and Nipa to remain calm and allow the justice system to work. “To the family of the late policeman, please know that Hela grieves with you. Not every person in Hela or Tari-Pori supported this tragic act. The community has done the right thing by helping police capture the perpetrator. Now, we must let the courts do their work,” he said. Marape reassured the family of the slain policeman that customary obligations will be honoured, and support will be provided for the family’s welfare. The Prime Minister concluded with a message of unity and accountability, calling on all communities to work with police and the government to strengthen law and order in the country. “If we all take responsibility for reporting crimes and supporting the police, there will be no place for criminals to hide in this country. This is the Hela way — working together to ensure justice is served while keeping peace and harmony in our communities,” he said. “I thank everyone who has contributed to this process, including community leaders, councillors, and public servants like Mr. John Tipa, who have shown strong leadership. Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer PNG.”

Production output at Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is expected to increase further with the recent installation of the new Ball Mill Units. OTML replaced two of its 40-year-old Ball Mill Units at a cost of USD$14.59 million with the new ones that will bolster the mine’s processing operations and production output and generate revenue for its shareholders. The project was led by the Processing Maintenance Department with the support of other OTML departments and local contractors. Manager, Processing Maintenance Department, Joe Aufo said over the years, repair and maintenance were conducted, including partial major component replacements but a complete replacement was never done. “This is a milestone achievement for the team as both Ball Mill 1B and 2A have never been completely replaced since they were first installed in the early days of the mine. And we did that in almost two months without any safety incidents and we also finished the installation of the Ball Mill 1B two weeks ahead of the scheduled completion date.” Mr. Aufo thanked the teams who completed this project and cited the opportunity for young members who took the lead in planning and executing such a historic project. He added that such projects also offered a learning opportunity for many of the team members to upskill themselves. General Manager Operations, Ben Burger commended the team for the successful project completion, stating that they can be proud of their contribution to these projects that ultimately support OTML’s vision and production targets. This project’s completion will see the ball mills production increased by USD$ 150,000 per day when both new ball mill units are functioning. OTML is projecting a K40 billion revenue to be generated over the next 27 years, thus the successful completion of strategic improvement projects like this will further support the realization of revenue for the impact communities, and the people of Papua New Guinea.

The New Year just started and already there are a lot of reports coming out about violent crimes being committed including killings, something which the prime minister has come out to strongly condemn. Prime Minister James Marape in a statement strongly condemns these recent reports of violence and killings, particularly the tragic incidents in the Goilala District of Central province. The Prime Minister is calling on all Papua New Guineans to reject violence and adhere to lawful and peaceful ways of resolving disputes, emphasizing that taking another person’s life is never a solution to grievances. “As a Christian nation, we are guided by Christian principles, and one of the fundamental teachings is that life is sacred. Taking another person’s life to resolve a grievance or dispute is not only illegal but also morally wrong,” Prime Minister Marape said. “We saw in the Book of Genesis, when Cain killed Abel, God did not strike him down. Instead, God imposed a punishment and warned that greater punishment would fall on anyone who tried to harm Cain. This teaches us that taking matters into your own hands through violence is never justified.” Prime Minister Marape says communities must refrain from resorting to violence, especially tribal conflicts that result in loss of lives. He stressed the importance of following legal processes and reporting grievances to the police rather than taking the law into one's own hands. “The recent images from Goilala are deeply concerning. We must not allow tribal conflicts and violent retaliation to become the norm. If you feel you’ve been wronged, take the matter to the nearest police station,” he said. “If the nearest police station lacks the capacity to respond, it must escalate the matter to a higher authority within the police hierarchy that can provide the necessary support.” The Prime Minister also acknowledges that police response times can sometimes be slow due to capacity issues, but he reassures citizens that all reported matters will eventually be addressed. "Even if it takes time, police will eventually get around to dealing with those who commit offences in our society. Do not lose faith in the system. Report your grievances to the police, and let the law take its course,” he said. Prime Minister Marape highlighted that taking the law into one’s own hands only leads to more violence and prolonged disputes, which further destabilize communities. As Papua New Guinea approaches its 50th Independence Anniversary, Prime Minister Marape calls on all citizens to reflect on the values of peace, respect, and unity that have held the nation together for five decades. “Our nation is preparing to celebrate 50 years of independence. Let us not taint this milestone with violence and bloodshed. Let us recommit to building a more peaceful and united Papua New Guinea,” he said. “Violence will not build our country. Unity, respect for the law, and a commitment to peace will.” The Prime Minister concluded by reminding citizens that life is precious and sacred, and every effort must be made to protect it. “We must reject violence in all its forms. Let us follow the teachings of our Christian faith and the laws of our country. Report crimes to the police, trust the process, and know that justice will come in time. Life is a gift from God—no one has the right to take it away,” he said.

In an effort to reduce the cost of goods sold on shop shelves throughout the country, the country’s consumer watchdog will embark on a pricing review of stevedoring and handling services this year. According to the Minister for Rural and Economic Development, Joseph Lelang, this price review exercise will be carried out by the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC) in early 2025. “This should lead to a significant reduction in the rates and charges imposed by the stevedoring and handling businesses at declared ports throughout the country,” said the minister. “This is important, and we expect that through this review, it should lead to a reduction in the high-cost structure in our country that often find their way into the final prices of goods sold in our shops, causing inflation.” Stevedoring and handling services involve the cargo operations, which is the loading and unloading of cargoes on ships. It also includes the other various dockside functions that carries its own costs, which are usually then passed on to the consumers in the mark up costs in shops. The good minister said the ICCC was allocated K3 million in the 2025 National Budget and will use this massive funding allocation to carry out this exercise plus other tasks that the ICCC will be undertaking this year.

Ok Tedi Mine Limited (OTML) for over 40 years continues to ensure Papua New Guinea’s next generation of mining engineers and administrators get the necessary training to further develop the country’s mining sector. Currently, nine (9) undergraduate students from the University of Technology and two (2) from the Pacific Adventist University (PAU) are undergoing their Industrial Training Program with Ok Tedi Mining Limited as part of the Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (USS). General Manager Strategic Business Development & Optimization, Alan Bong officially welcomed the undergraduates at the Dr. Weiss Training Centre in Tabubil on the 24th of November 2024. “We are committed to developing PNG’s human resource and have an excellent training program and while we are glad to be a part of your training, it will require your 100% input as well. If you contribute 100% of your efforts, commitment and discipline and ensure that you learn as much as you can, you will fulfil your purpose of being here,” Mr. Bong said. Of the 11 students, two (2) are from the disciplines of Mining Engineering, three (3) from Civil Engineering, 1 from Mineral Processing, 1 from Applied Physics & Electronics, 1 from Electrical & Communication, 1 from Surveying, 1 from Chemistry and 1 from Environmental Science. The students will spend 3 months of Industrial Training attached with various OTML departments for a unique opportunity to combine their academic studies with hands-on industry experience, ensuring they develop both the technical and leadership skills necessary to thrive in the global mining sector. The Undergraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is an initiative of OTML to help support high performing students attending tertiary institutions in PNG that offer disciplines relevant to OTML work areas. The Program aims to assist students with work exposures while ensuring OTML maintains an industry-institution relationship with respective universities that provide graduates into its training programs and career. The USS commenced in 2007 and reintroduced in 2023 following a hiatus after 2014, OTML has invested over K830, 000 in the USS program, sponsoring 60 undergraduate students so far. OTML is a 100% PNG owned mine and is committed to developing PNG’s human resource and further improving its industry-institution relations to ensure market-ready graduates are produced to enter the workforce across the country or globally.

The Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC) has several tasks to carryout in 2025 from monitoring to reviewing, and one of these reviews that it will be undertaking is that of public transport fares review. The Minister for Rural and Economic Development and Member for Kandrian Gloucester Open, Joseph Lelang, said this will be done in the first part of the New Year. “ICCC will proceed to undertake further review of PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) and taxi fares in the cities and around the country in 2025 due to overwhelming concerns raised by the general public about the fares charged,” said Minister Lelang. In addition to this, the ICCC will also undertake an actual review of the Motor Vehicle Insurance Compulsory Third Party Regulatory Contract, which is now up for review in 2025. “This review will relook at MVIL (Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited) Capital Expenditure Plans for the regulatory period to determine whether the premiums that MVIL charges is consistent with its price path that was determined in the review of 2023,” he said. The ICCC was allocated K3 million in the 2025 National Budget and Minister Lelang said this allocation will enable the Commission to carry out as well the price reviewing of stevedoring and handling services, a market study of the oil palm industry and the marketing sector, and price surveillance to name some of them.

Farmers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) stand to significantly benefit from China after its government recently granted access for them to its vast agricultural market, a significant milestone achievement for the country into the New Year. This milestone, facilitated through the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA), is set to unlock significant economic opportunities for PNG producers. Prime Minister James Marape praised the progress made in recent years, particularly the successful collaboration between NAQIA and China to meet the required phytosanitary and agricultural standards. “Our government has worked very hard over the last five years to secure this historic agreement, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Chinese government for facilitating this process. Their recognition of PNG’s agricultural potential is a testament to the strength of our bilateral relationship,” said Prime Minister Marape. With a population of 1.4 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class, China represents one of the largest and fastest-growing coffee markets in the world. Coffee consumption in China has been rising at a rate of approximately 15% annually, far outpacing global averages. While the market demand for coffee is substantial, PNG’s current production levels are insufficient to meet its potential export volumes. “China alone needs a substantial amount of coffee every month. The market is there, but unfortunately, we are not yet producing enough to supply this demand,” said the Prime Minister. “This untapped opportunity pains me because we could be earning significant foreign exchange revenue in U.S. dollars through exports to China. Our farmers and producers must seize this opportunity and scale up production to meet market demands.” Prime Minister Marape highlighted the government’s achievements in opening new markets for PNG’s agricultural produce. “In addition to China, we’ve worked tirelessly to secure access to India, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and our traditional partners in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the U.S. Asia, being our closest neighbour, offers immense opportunities for growth, and China, as the largest market, stands at the forefront,” he said. The Prime Minister called on PNG citizens to take advantage of these expanded market opportunities by increasing agricultural production. “While the government continues to open doors for our exports, the responsibility now lies with us as a nation. Our people need to work harder on the land to grow and produce more. Coffee is just one example—our agricultural potential spans far wider. Let us step up and take ownership of these opportunities,” he urged. To further enhance PNG’s ability to capitalize on these markets, the government is considering the establishment of a National Export Agency. This agency would coordinate the export of PNG’s agricultural and food produce, ensuring that farmers and producers have direct access to international markets. “This initiative will support producers by reducing barriers to export and streamlining processes to get our goods to market quickly and efficiently,” said the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Marape emphasized that these advancements in trade are part of a broader effort to strengthen PNG’s relationships with its neighbours. “The healthy bilateral relationships we have fostered with China and other nations are not just political achievements—they are economic lifelines. These partnerships will ensure PNG has access to global markets, boosting our economy and creating opportunities for our people,” he said. “I thank the Chinese government for opening its doors to our agricultural products, and I call on our people to rise to the challenge. Together, we can transform PNG into a leading exporter of coffee and other agricultural goods, creating wealth and opportunities for all.”

The residents of Port Moresby welcomed in the New Year 2025 with the festivities at their respective residential areas and entertainment spots around the capital city. At the usual spot at the Lamana Hotel, there was yet again another big welcome and a farewell to the old year, done in true Lamana fashion with the annual massive display of the fireworks. Party goers inside the venue were not the only ones counting down to the New Year, the people outside who were there to catch the fireworks show, joined in to count down the seconds to midnight and brining in 2025. Once the first lot of fireworks went up, nothing can keep the crowd from expressing their joy and excitement. From parents and their children loaded in vehicles to the young people, all joined in with cheers. For some, it was a mixed feeling welcoming in the New Year. 2024 was a good year for them, but 2025 is filled with unknowns and questions. Nevertheless, many said goodbye to the old and welcomed in the New Year. Meantime, the parking spaces outside the Lamana were filled with some vehicles having to just park along the roads because of no more spaces available. Some vehicles were also parked along the main Waigani Drive, with the people just wanting to see and join in the celebrations to welcome in 2025.

Prime Minister James Marape is urging the residents of Port Moresby to take ownership of their city and work alongside the city authority to ensure positive developments benefiting everyone going forward. Prime Minister Marape said this tonight at the 2024 New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Ela beach where many of the city’s resident flocked to witness. He said 2025 onwards would see many changes taking place, one being the PNG NRL team, which he said will be based in Port Moresby and is expected to bring in a lot of positive changes to the city. “It is bigger than just rugby league, we will use that opportunity to modernize our city, our nation’s capital into being a safe city, a better city, a developed city, a city that is truly modernized reflecting our diversity, yet our blend of unity as a country going forward,” said the Prime Minister. He said in 2025, the process to put in a PNG NRL team will be launched in Port Moresby city, leading up to 2028 when a PNG team will be inserted into the NRL. “The national rugby league team that we will have in the NRL, will be a catalyst for change in Port Moresby and also to change our country, not just in imaging, but in reality, our lifestyle in Port Moresby as well as in our country.” “We have just three years to truly modernize Port Moresby, a safer Port Moresby, are cleaner Port Moresby.” Marape also took the time to thank National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop for his 20-year term in office and for the wonderful work he has done to develop Port Moresby city into an iconic city. The 2024 New Year’s Eve Fireworks event was attended by Governor Parkop, City Manager Mr. Ravu Frank and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) management team with the prime minister as special guest. The event topped off with an extremely beautiful display of fireworks at the Ela Beach at 9pm enjoyed by all, parents, children and the youths.