The construction phase of any major project, including resource projects, is a time where jobs are created, training provided and even huge lump- sum of cash flow, something that will boosts the economy of the country. That is why the government and its State Negotiating Team (SNT) pushed to have the P’nyang gas project to run in line with the construction phase of the Papua LNG project, before the agreement was eventually signed this week with ExxonMobil, Santos and JX Nippon, the developers of the project. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape said the past construction phase of the PNG LNG project has shown that to be true. “When PNG LNG was signed in 2008 our economy was just over 30 billion Kina when we signed the project gas agreement. In 2014 before the first gas, our economy went past the 57 billion Kina space,” he said. “So, there is a direct correlation to the benefit to our local economy in as far as construction activity is concerned. Just a four-year construction period from 2010 to 2014, we saw our economy grew by sixty to seventy per cent.” “Our intention in this one to sequence Papua LNG and P’nyang side by side or back-to-back, is for us to have eight years of construction in our country that should run from 2024 to 2032. That in our view will have positive effect in our economy in a very big way as we go forward.” Marape said the earlier concept of P’nyang project was a stand- alone third train project, but today with the sequencing of P’nyang, it moves away from a new train project. Instead, it will feed P’nyang into the current PNG LNG infrastructure, meaning that it will be using the current LNG trains at the PNG LNG plant site. “It technically gives Papua New Guinea gas producing ability right from where we are today right up into 2050 or 2060,” added Marape. The P’nyang project would provide some four years of additional construction activity after Papua LNG, with this multi-billion Kina investment driving continued economic growth for the nation as well as provinces involved in the project.

The government has gone ahead to sign the agreement to lay the foundation for the development of the P’nyang Gas project in the Western Province with developer ExxonMobil, despite a restraining order taken out by the Member for North Fly James Donald, to stop the signing. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape said he and his team are not aware of a restraining order as there was none served to him or the team to stop the signing of the project agreement. “The process was set, everybody knew we’re signing it this Tuesday, so they had every moment up till this Tuesday to serve us any court orders. No one has served us any court orders, so we moved ahead with the signing,” said the Prime Minister. “Everyone’s got their right to go to court, so if they went to court then we respect that process and we will go to court to defend what we’ve done, if there is a case,” added Marape. Nevertheless, the signing of the agreement went ahead after two years and four months of negotiations between teams from the developer of the proposed P’nyang gas project and the government team. The signing on Tuesday 22nd February at the Government House in Port Moresby between the state and ExxonMobil, would enable the proposed P’nyang Project to deliver Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by constructing new upstream facilities in Western Province linked to existing infrastructure. The PM said the construction phase should generate a lot in revenue for the country because this agreement is being sequenced in consistent with Papua LNG construction phase. “If Papua LNG construction starts in 2024 then it ends around 2028, the agreement is constructed in a way where after the construction of Papua LNG, P’nyang LNG construction will carryon from there. So, the country will benefit from eight years of consistent construction economy.” “The P’nyang Project Gas Agreement supports the government’s vision to promote long term development in the country and for our people.” “On behalf of the country and our people, I am both pleased and proud to mark this milestone. ExxonMobil has demonstrated its continued commitment to PNG through the outstanding operatorship of the PNG LNG project, and we look forward to continuing our partnership well into the future with the P’nyang Project,” said Marape. The PM later thanked the State Negotiating Team (SNT) for their effort in securing the agreement leading to the signing of the project agreement and thanked the developer and its joint venture partners for agreeing with the various terms and condition put forth by the state for the interest of PNG.

The new Commander Defence Force (CDF) Major General Mark Goina is looking at making some drastic changes to the recruitment process of intakes so to bring back the credibility of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). The Major General said the recruiting office has been lifted to a Directorate by the Defence Council, which means it now has a director in charge and has been given the administrative and resourcing power it needs to do its work, something he said should improve the defence force drive in recruiting the best to serve in the force. “It is my intent to transform our recruiting process from its structure, systems, procedures, infrastructure and equipment, and staff selection and training. We will eradicate corruption and nepotism in all our recruiting processes and ensure that it is proficient and effective,” said the Major General. “Our recruitment will focus on force requirement rather than growth, while we build an infrastructure that will enable us to deliver a controlled and sustainable expansion.” Goina also said regional balance is a key part of the defence force as it plays an important part in the organisation’s role in unifying the country. “There must be regional balance with credible people across our rank and file, so that each region feels connected to the defence force and we retain the trust of our citizens.” Major General Goina concluded by saying that the defence force represents PNG as a whole and for that, balance must be maintained across the PNGDF.

The 13th Commander Defense Force (CDF) Major General Mark Goina was officially given the command of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) today in a formal hand-over and take-over parade at the Murray Barracks, Port Moresby today. Goina said in his reign as new commander, he intends to carry on from where the outgoing CDF Major General Gilbert Toropo did and left off, which is sovereignty protection- the primary role of the defense force. “To facilitate on this, we will implement a five-year development plan aim at improving morale discipline operational effectiveness, nation building capacity and the delivery of the infrastructure that will enable us to undertake sustainable growth,” said Goina. “The plan is geared towards five lines of effort, and these are people, organizational reform, operational efficiency, infrastructure and national building, with the first to be the most important line of effort is people.” “We will reset the force with the focus on our duty of care, by ensuring our personnel ae properly paid, clothed, equip, fed, accommodated, and trained.” “The five-year development plan will be articulated to the next PNG Defence Force white paper and we will assist the secretary for defence with producing this key stone document.” After outlining what he intends to carryout in his 10-year term as CDF, the Major General went on to thanking the outgoing CDF Major General Gilbert Toropo for his work and achievements in the defence force as his predecessor. “To the outgoing chief of defence force Major General Gilbert Toropo, thank you for your many years of service to the PNGDF. During the eight years of commander, you led us through a time of great change and accomplish all the task that was required of you.” Some of the things accomplished by the outgoing CDF included the renewed and strengthened relationship with PNG’s defence bilateral partners, a new ship replacement program with the Australian Defence Force, the PNGDF Medium Term Capability Development Plan 2018- 2022, the Force 2030 Strategic Plan, the starting of the construction of the Hela barracks in Tari, the Flights of Excellence program with e Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the commencement of the PNGDF home ownership scheme. “For these we are grateful, and on behalf of the PNGDF I wish you, your wife Mary and your family good speed in the years to come,” concluded the Major General. Meanwhile, the outgoing Commander Major General Gilbert Toropo, in his farewell speech had nothing but praises for the men and women in the defence force for their support in his term as CDF, and he also thanked the foreign military organisations for the support they have been giving especially Australia, of which is said is more than just a partner, but as family to PNG. Commander Toropo then encouraged the new CDF to carry on with the command and lead the defense force into the future and urged the troops continue to the good work with the new commander. Lastly, Commander Toropo thanked his family for the support they have given him during his years as CDF, especially his wife Mary, of which he said has given all her support at home and the good advises that enabled him to focus on his duties as commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

People in the villages of Central Province benefiting from the PNG LNG project, will continue to enjoy these benefits through the various Community Investment Programs initiated by the developer ExxonMobil PNG or its partners, such as NiuPower Limited. This week the people of Kido, one of the villages benefiting from the gas project, were told just that when the Independent Power Producer (IPP) company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Michael Oiari and his team were there to present six 9, 000 litre water tanks for the community to use. The CEO said services like water and sanitation, education, and health are important and will continue to be their priority. “For us, water security is important to you in the villages, education to your kids is very important and that’s what we support,” said the CEO. However, he said all these was made possible with support and the main support is from PNG Power Ltd, who purchase electricity that NiuPower produces and sells. “None of these will be possible without PNG Power support, so I think it’s very important we acknowledge PNG Power’s contribution to the program. Without them we couldn’t do all of what we wanted to do.” NiuPower’s Community Investment Program covers water and sanitation project, health and education, life skills training, church activities and sports. Meanwhile, the water tanks delivered to Kido village were from the 2021 batch, while the six more from the 2022 batch will be delivered once they are ready. “It’s really encouraging, and I encourage you to get your water tank foundations ready quickly so we can have the next six put in place.” Through NiuPower’s Community Investment Program, the villages continue to benefit from water tanks and just last week, the company delivered six water tanks as well to the Boera village community.

Independent Power Producer (IPP) NiuPower Limited, continues to assist the PNG LNG impacted villages of the Central province through its Community Investment Program. This week, villagers got the news they have been waiting for when the power company announced it will finally build new libraries for the schools in the three PNG LNG impacted villages this year. Speaking at a ceremony at the Kido village today, NiuPower’s External Affairs Manager Mr. Wellington Bellawa, announced that the company will be spending a little bit more on education this year. “So, for this year we’re building three libraries, one at Kido, one at Lealea and one at Papa village,” he said. “This is because we feel that investing in education is more sustainable, and we need your support from the LLG (Local Level Government) to support this education program.” It is not only that, Mr. Bellawa also said NiuPower has gone one step further to sponsor the Dux student for the year for each of the schools. “We will be discussing that with the headmasters as to how best we can do that,” said Mr. Bellawa. Meanwhile, the Kido Primary School will benefit a lot from a new state of the art library in terms of students learning, something which the Kido Ward 17 Councillor Mrs. Kaia Podi Aup, is really excited about. “We have an old library, it was built by Ward 17 Kido development program, but because NiuPower is coming good with a much better up to date library, we’ve decided to turn it into a science lab to help the school children with their science projects and all the other stuff they need to know in their science lessons.” The Ward Councillor proceeded to thank NiuPower for coming to them with a new library for the upper primary and the lower primary levels of the school.

It’s all a go for the Moni Plus Port Moresby Australian Football League (AFL) 2022 season, starting with the pre- season competition set to take place soon. According to the Port Moresby AFL Association President Mr. Douglas Lai, the pre-season will commence on the 23rd of April and should run for at least two weeks following the 12 aside format of competition. “Due to the time frame, we should run with this format of competition so to enable the games to be faster and at the same time have more teams on the field by having one club fielding two separate teams.” The president said the proper season will kick off with the men’s and women’s divisions, right after the end of the pre-season matches. He added that the proper season will be played with both the men’s and women’s division competitions running at the same time despite plans earlier this year to hold separate competitions for the two divisions with the women’s competition to go first. Mr. Lai said with the National Elections coming up in a few months’ time, the Association decided to just go with the normal format as the elections could disrupt the competition and with it delay the planned schedule for this season, leaving them with no time to complete everything before the year ends. Meanwhile, the president explained that they got the go ahead to run the competition after the new pandemic measures were issued by the office of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Controller this week, especially with the changes to the social measures. He further added that they will ensure that all COVID-19 measures will be enforced during the time of the competition.

Independent Power Producer (IPP) NiuPower Limited, through its Community Investment Program (CIP), has enabled the PNG LNG impacted villages in the Central province to benefit from health to education and water and sanitation services, initiated under their program. According to the power company’s External Affairs Manager Mr. Wellington Bellawa, the company has a community responsibility towards the community, especially when their power plant project is situated on their land. “Our benefit is that they enjoy looking after our project and the safety of the project is guaranteed, but that doesn’t mean to say that we do this because of that. It is our social responsibility to look after the project community,” he said. Mr. Bellawa added that under the CIP, they provide support in education, health, sports, church activities, women’s group activities and agriculture. Meanwhile, under the CIP the company just last week donated six 9, 000liters water tanks to Boera village and this Thursday 17th February, it will deliver six more of these water tanks to the community at Kido village. NiuPower is a local independent or private power company that uses the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the PNG LNG plant site outside Port Moresby city to generate electricity that it supplies to the city’s power grid.

"For an organisation to function well and to achieve its desired goals, its various parts or sections must operate together as one in unity." That was the message from the new Minister for Defence, Win Bakri Daki, when addressing members of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) in his opening speech as the new minister at the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby. Minister Bakri Daki said this unity has seen the defense organisation performing well so far in protecting the nation’s borders and interests, something which ensures the security of the country and its peoples. “The PNG defense force is a symbol of unity to our nation, of how working together makes us stronger; there is strength in unity,” said the minister. The minster further stressed that this symbol of unity should also be reflected in the defense force working in close partnership with other organisations to ensure the good progress of the nation. “It is PNG defense force’s example of working together that will inspire the agencies of the Ministry of Defense to work together to achieve prosperity through nation building.” He said the Defense Force, the Department of Defense, the PNG Fire Service, the National Youth Development Authority, and the National Disaster Centre have been brought together under the Ministry of Defense by Prime Minister James Marape to work together in nation building. “All these agencies are critical for the growth and prosperity of PNG. By combining security, economic growth, job opportunities for our youths and effective response to natural and manmade disasters, we will be better able to grow into a prosperous and vibrant nation.” “By combining these agencies, we can easily combine and use all of the personnel and equipment held by them to support our people and provide not only a secure environment to grow, but also one that also is able to respond quickly to events when needed.” He added that under the government’s plan of nation building, all agencies must know their duties and all work together to achieve the goals of nation building. “To the PNG defense force, it is your duty to defend our nation, represent our international obligations, and contribute to nation building and disaster responses.” In saying that, the minister wants the defense force to work in unity with these other government organisations to achieve the goals of nation building set forth by the government of Papua New Guinea.

The new Minister for Defence, Win Bakri Daki is prioritizing the welfare of defense force personnel as he takes office to take care of matters of defence and national security. In his opening speech as the new minister, he said the matter of soldiers pay will be looked at and if possible, review the pay structure. This is to ensure that defense force personnel and their families are taken care of, so that they concentrate on their duties to the nation and the people. “It is my priority to make sure that you are well paid, you have housing and equipment to do your jobs. I will work closely with the chief of defence force to achieve this for you," said the new minister. “For the department of defence, your duty is to provide strategic guidance and financial and administration support to the PNG defense force. Be open and honest in your support. He stressed this because with the 2022 National Election coming up in a few months time, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) must be ready to once again work with the other disciplinary organization achieve a successful election. You have a very important task ahead of you. The security of our national election is essential for our democracy to thrive, he said. Meanwhile, the new minister was officially received yesterday Friday 12th February, at a parade at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby. On hand to receive the new minister was the Commander of Defense Force (CDF) Major General Mark Goina, the Defense Secretary Mr. Hari John Akipe, the senior leadership of the PNGDF, heads of other disciplinary organisation and the International Defence Advisors Corp. The new minister later thanked Prime Minister James Marape and his government for having confidence in him and appointing him as the Minister for Defence. Picture 1- The new Defence Minister inspecting the guard during the welcoming parade at Murray Barracks Picture 2- Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki Picture 3- The welcoming parade at Murray Barracks

Local food and beverage manufacturer Vitis Industries Limited is saying that the state should be focusing more on dealing with the abuse of alcohol within the community rather than trying to fix the matter by dealing with the producers of alcohol. Vitis Industries Managing Director Mrs. Vikki Mossine, said the problem with alcohol abuse and violence should be seriously looked at and tougher measures should be taken to address it in the society. “I appeal to the authority and law enforcement agencies to penalize the alcohol abusers by imposing hefty fines or tougher laws if they cause violence in their homes or in their communities,” she appealed. “Also, to our licensed distributors and trade store owners, they must not allow the sale of our products to minors,” she strongly added. She said producers of alcohol beverages like Vitis Industries are only producing the products in accordance with the food and safety standards and should not be penalized for doing that. After all she said Vitis Industries has contributed a lot in terms of creating employment, paying tax to the state and providing community service and other services to the people. Meanwhile, Mrs. Mossine also pointed out that the number of alcohol producers have increased compared to five years ago and she also claimed that some of these new companies have similar product names and similar alcohol content to the products produced by Vitis Industries. “So, I think the authorities should look into this to see if they are also following the food and safety standards,” she said. “In addressing these issues, we are open for discussions because we’re Papua New Guineans and we are concerned for our future generation as well.”

The Koki market area in Port Moresby was in chaos this morning as two groups clashed, in yet again another ethnic clash in the capital city of Papua New Guinea. According to police, the clash was between a group from Goilala and a group from Wanigeli after a market vendor from Goilala was allegedly attacked by villagers from the Wanigela village. [caption id="attachment_18891" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Students stranded at Koki market this morning. Picture by Emmanuel MAIPE[/caption] The ethnic clash forced the shops within the vicinity of the market area to close and the bus stops emptied off morning commuters heading to school or work, leaving many stranded especially school students. So far, no casualties have been reported in the clash despite projectiles been thrown about between the two groups. Meanwhile, police units attending to the incident were not many and all that they could do is watch as the groups go at each other with whatever they could get their hands on and throw.