The return of the seven stranded Papua New Guineans in Tuvalu could be delayed by the current COVID-19 situation faced in Fiji. Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, where the capital Nadi is situated, is under threat following a surge in COVID-19 cases, which could lead to further flight restrictions. This would make transit flights difficult; therefore, the Tuvalu government has assured the group that once the situation in Fiji eases, the seven will be on the first flight out of Tuvalu back to Papua New Guinea. According to the group’s spokes person Mr. Isaac Ronnie, while they continue to…
Author: Emmanuel MAIPE
PNG’s leading alcohol producer, South Pacific Brewery is reducing the number of its workforce as COVID-19 continues to impact the company’s economy and operations. The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Ed Weggemans, said since January this year SP Brewery has begun a redundancy program which will see a reduction of their employees by 20%. “This will have a ripple effect on many families in the community. We also anticipate that many other manufacturers, suppliers and customers are also downsizing their organization to cut down on costs relative to productivity.” SP Brewery has 2,682 licensed customers throughout Papua New Guinea that sell…
At least some good news, the stranded seven Papua New Guineans in Tuvalu will return home soon. Apparently, the Tuvaluan Government has offered to help the men after being in the country for almost a year after their employer went bankrupt and a contract with a company on the tiny island nation, ceased. A very happy Mr. Isaac Ronnie, the group’s spokes person, said it has been a while since they weren’t left there by their former employer, Nawae Construction Ltd, and it’s time they head home. “The Tuvalu government will repatriate us back to PNG. They called us this…
The family of one of the seven men still stranded in Tuvalu, after their employer Nawae Construction Ltd went out of business last year, wants their father back home with them. Mrs. Pricilla Ronnie, the wife of Mr. Isaac Ronnie, said the family has moved out of their rental home and are currently living with relatives who are currently supporting them in a settlement in Lae city. “We were unable to pay for the rent so we were removed from the property by the landlord. We are now living with my relatives,” she said. The family has no money since…
The PNG Opposition is currently seeking legal advice from its lawyers on whether the recent adjournment of Parliament is constitutional. This action by the Opposition comes as it moves to push a motion of a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) against Prime Minister James Marape. This motion of a VONC was filed this week in Parliament during Wednesday’s sitting whereby the alternate PM candidate Peter O’Neill was submitted to the Speaker Job Pomat. However, the Opposition is aware that the Parliament adjourned date of August 10th 2021 will be within the 12-month period before the next general election and that…
The International Organization of Migration (IOM) office in Fiji may be reaching out to give some form of assist to the seven stranded Papua New Guineans who are still in Tuvalu after their employer went bankrupt last year. According to the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Isaac Ronnie, the IOM office in Suva contacted him last Thursday and asked if all their passports are valid and the contact of the company of which he sent the information to Fiji. “Thursday, I sent expired date for our passports to Fiji migration. All our passports are valid except for Mr. Yamandi Mathias’s passport. It…
The body of the member for Kerema Open, the late Richard Mendani, lies- in- state today in the Grand Hall of the National Parliament to mark the start of the state funeral program after almost a month following his passing as a result of Covid-19 in a Port Moresby hospital. According to the Gulf Provincial Administrator, Mr. Emmanuel Xavier, the state funeral in the province will take place tomorrow at the provincial capital Kerema town, and it will be done outdoors so to avoid any spread of the coronavirus. The body of the late member will be flown out of…
Australian Football League (AFL) fans in Port Moresby need not have to worry about disruptions to the 2021 season because the city’s AFL management is taking steps to ensure that there will still be a competition in case the covid-19 situation in the country force sporting activities to continue the suspension for an extended period. According to the Port Moresby AFL President, Mr. Douglas Lai, a plan has been put together already that would enable a short season to take place just like last year, if sporting activities are forced again to start late in the year. “We want to…
The suspension of sporting activities in the country, issued by the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF), is most likely to continue for more than the initial two weeks given. According to the Sport Foundation’s Committee Chairman, Dr. Kapua Kapua, the suspension will likely go on for four to eight weeks following the current trend in Covid- 19 transmission. “We are in a very precarious situation now in PNG and nothing is certain for the next few weeks. What is clear is that cases are increasing and deaths are rising.” “So we will hold off till we see a change…
The United Labour Party (ULP) has endorsed Joe Tonde as its candidate to contest the Moresby Northwest seat by election. Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil, said Mr. Tonde exhibits good quality of leadership in community work, especially in the church and health services. “He has been a very active community member of Moresby Northwest by providing services in health and of course small community projects in all the ward areas in Moresby Northwest. He is a very strong candidate that has support and we seen what his done, he is a hands-on man whose done some…