Author: Emmanuel MAIPE

The supply of electricity from the PNG LNG Project at Hides in Hela province to the New Porgera Mine in Enga province along with landowner matters, were the topics of a recent meeting convened by Prime Minister (PM) James Marape and leaders of Hela. The meeting highlighted the urgency of these issues, where PM Marape emphasized the need for immediate resolution for them before the anticipated reopening of the New Porgera Mine. Addressing the context of the discussions, the Hela stakeholders, acting through the Hela Provincial Government, submitted a comprehensive documentation in September 2021 regarding the New Porgera Mine, outlining…

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The National Capital District (NCD) Metropolitan Superintendent’s concerns over the increase in troubles during the recent school cultural shows, is adamant to work together with the schools in the city to minimize such incidences from occurring again during school organized events. NCD Met. Supt. Silva Sika said the fighting incident on Saturday 19th August at Gerehu following the Gerehu Secondary School cultural show and the issues that followed the Caritas Technical Secondary School cultural show last week Saturday, only shows that criminal elements are accessing these events to commit crime and stir up trouble. The city’s police boss said he…

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The Commander of Defence Force (CDF) Major General Mark Goina has been suspended for three months, all to allow the General Board of Inquiry (GBOI) established by the Defence Minister to continue the inquiry into the fatal shooting of two service men, the wounding of another soldier, and a civilian during a training exercise on 04 July in Kupiano, Central province. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape made the announcement, saying that the Cabinet finally received a brief from the Minister for Defence in relation to the unfortunate deaths of the two members of the force, the wounding of another, and…

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It has been one year since the 2022 National General Election (NGE) was held and like the previous elections before it, it was riddled with violence; however, the question now posed is that will the next National Election be better. Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas is one of the Members of Parliament who is adamant to see this change for the better and is enquiring what the government is doing now to get the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC) to work on improving the election process going forward. “To maintain democracy, it is important for government to make sure…

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The Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission’s (ICCC) recent online survey on the BSP Financial Group Limited’s (BSP) new banking system has concluded that despite the upgrade, more problems followed after affecting alot of its customers. The ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Paulus Ain said that the key finding of the survey, revealed that despite BSP’s claim that the new Core Banking System would deliver an enhanced customer experience for all customers by providing a greater range of digitally enabled services making it simple and efficient for customers; that was not the case as revealed in the survey.…

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The Member for Vanimo- Green, Belden Namah, has blamed the Treasurer for killing the logging industry by increasing the Log Export Tax over 50%, which was included in the 2023 National Budget passed last year. Mr. Namah argued that the increased logging tax has resulted in unemployment, revenue losses from the logging industry and landowners affected due to poor royalties being paid out to them. Namah said that the Treasurer, Ian Ling Stuckey, made a decision to increase the Log Export Tax, where parliament passed through the budget on the 2nd of December 2022. He questioned why the Treasurer had…

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The State has resumed its payment of arrears owed to Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) for the outstanding rentals for the use of the superfund’s buildings and properties by State Departments, with NSL confirming receiving payment of K60 million from the State. This payment is in line with the agreement reached between the State and NSL last year, where the State had committed to settling its total rental arrears through monthly instalments of K5 million for the previously accrued arrears and K5 million to pay its current rental invoices. The State’s total rental arrears owing to NSL are expected to be…

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The Momase Regional Youth Games are set for September in Madang, and it was made possible with the signing of the Host Contract Agreement between the Madang Provincial Administration and the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) of Papua New Guinea. The Regional Youth Games (RYG) is set to be hosted from September 25th to the 30th and is a new sporting concept targeting the rural youths who have less opportunity of participating in formally sanctioned sporting codes. “We have huge sporting potential and rural talents locked in the rural areas, they need some exposure in the mainstream sporting arena, hence…

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Vanuatu’s parliament is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to debate a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau’s government. A political stalemate persists, with both the government and the opposition having the support of 25 MPs each. The mover of the motion, opposition leader and a former prime minister, Bob Loughman, requires the backing of at least 27 members to unseat Kalsakau. However, Kalsakau also needs a majority in the house if he is to be able to pass legislation going forward. Last Thursday, the government side boycotted a special sitting of parliament to avoid the no confidence…

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The Momase Regional Youth Games is coming up and a total of 17 out of 26 districts in the Momase region have confirmed their participation in the inaugural event that will be staged in Madang province. Regional Youth Game (RYG) Coordinator John D’siguria said the games are set for 25th-30th September and Tournament Directors in 5 sports will draw up competition draws based on entries received. “Some 4,000 to 5,000 youths are expected to attend this Momase Regional Youth Games. There is overwhelming support and interest being shown by youths and sports administrators in all districts of the region as…

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