Papua New Guinea tour operators say the continuing and unreliable airlines services are affecting the tourism industry. Bougainville Experience Tours (BET), based out of Arawa in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), say the sky high airfares, sees less domestic tourists taking up their products. Owner and operator of BET, Mr. Zhon Bosco Miriona, said even though he would love to have more Papua New Guinean tourist, his visitors are mainly international tourists. “Return tickets to AROB are usually in the range of +K2000.” ” For an everyday Papua New Guinean, this is a lot and that is just for…
Author: Helen-Jennifer BUBUWAU
A black flight out of Bulolo in the Morobe Province, carrying methamphetamine, was intercepted by the Australian Federal Police after it landed in rural Queensland to re-fuel. A 41-year-old Brisbane woman has now been charged for her alleged involvement in facilitating this importation of drugs into Australia, after she appeared before the Brisbane Court Magistrate yesterday. Her arrest follows on from the arrest of six men in Australia and eight people in PNG last March who are alleged to be members of a transnational organised crime syndicate. The woman who is the owner and director of a logistics company in…
It was a historic moment for the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), as the Prime Minister announced the appointment of its First Woman Governor in Ms. Elizabeth Genia. Ms. Genia has been acting in the role of Governor of the BPNG since January 2023 and was officially appointed by the National Executive Council. In making this announcement, an elated PM James Marape conveyed the confidence that the government places in the women of Papua New Guinea, saying it was through her work over the last 40 years that progressed Ms. Genia up the rank, to be picked as a…
Public Servants who had their pays deducted last week, will be refunded in the next pay run, scheduled for next week. This according to the Prime Minister James Marape, who explained that collectively, the deductions amounted to K7.3 million and will see K60 reimbursed for each individual public servant. Prime Minister Marape made this announcement following a meeting with suspended Finance Secretary Sam Penias, suspended Treasury Secretary Andrew Oaeke, and suspended Personnel Management Secretary Taies Sansan. Also present at the meeting were Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu and Justice and Attorney-General Secretary, Dr. Eric Kwa, who are investigating the payroll issue…
The Rai Coast District Development Authority (RCDDA) in Madang will be voluntarily publishing Annual Reports. This was revealed by the Rai Coast MP, Kessy Sawang, in a post from social media recently. MP Sawang stated in her post that under her leadership, the RCDDA will make the comprehensive annual reports a public document providing financial reports of funding received, the Board approved Budge, the expenditures and progress of work in each sector. A draft report has already been drawn up and was provided to the MP. “We will separate 2022 from 2023, despite me not having oversight of much of…
A Cabinet restructure is imminent this week. This is being initiated by the Prime Minister James Marape, in response to the civil unrest that erupted in Port Moresby City on the 10th Wednesday. “The issues concerning the economy and the functionality of key state agencies, including Treasury, Finance, and Planning, have been heard loud and clear,” said Prime Minister Marape. “We will examine the central agencies of Government along with all supporting departments. At the same time, the PMJM will engage with members of the Port Moresby business community this week to address the aftermath of the riots, arson, and…
The combined disciplinary forces in Lae, Morobe Province, were commended and thanked by the Lae MP, for maintaining the peace in the city, amidst threats of looting, following on from the mass chaos and looting of major shopping centers in the National Capital District recently. This from the Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso via his social media. “I would like to take this time to say thank you to our disciplined forces in Lae. You are true examples of disciplined forces.” “HOLD YOUR HEADS HIGH.” “You have performed by the oath you swore and set an example for everyone in…
While providing updates of the rapid movement of additional police personnel into the National Capital District, Police Commissioner David Manning said he will never allow such a lapse in leadership at local command that enabled yesterday’s (10th January 2024) chaos to erupt. The Commissioner has now issued very strict orders following briefings with DCP Philip Mitna, ACP Anthony Wagambie and other senior personnel, to restore normalcy in the shortest possible time, following the restoring of effective Command and Control in NCD/Central Command. “I will not defend or make excuses for the actions of members of the RPNGC, under their local…
NCD/Central Command is being tasked with bringing the situation in Port Moresby under control, to stop looting and to move crowds off the streets, as an immediate priority. This were the directives from the Commissioner of Police David Manning, in the aftermath of the widespread chaos that went down in the Nation’s Capital, following demonstrations by the country’s disciplinary forces in the Nation’s Capital in regards to an alleged increase in their income tax. “Police have being working throughout Wednesday afternoon (10th January 2024), dispersing crowds that are moving around with pack mentality.” ” People who do not comply with…
Youths of Gerehu and Waigani SDA Church in Port Moresby, carried out a successful missionary trip to Milne Bay Province as part of their yearly program over the festive period. They returned from Milne Bay last week after visiting Iyana awada, Siros, Logea and Lekawa Sakasakali conducting early childhood learning for children and providing free medical assistance. District Director Pastor Matthew Jasper commended the Youths during the closing at Lekawa Sakasakali and he thanked the Youths for their time and support in visiting their communities. He further acknowledged the working committees and the leaders of the team for spearheading the…