Author: Martha LOUIS

More than 500 families in Morobe’s Markham District are picking up the pieces after flash floods destroyed homes, food gardens, cocoa fermentaries, and a local primary school. The flooding lasted three days and swept through villages near the Yati River, including Bicidi, Lusples, Nawatrai, Badarian, Yonki, Rope, Baniscow and Sakarak. Mr. Abraham Minzim from Ragiampun village said families were caught off guard. “It happened so fast. Everything was washed away — our gardens, cocoa trees, even the fermentary houses,” he said. The flood also damaged Ragiampun SDA Primary School, disrupting learning for over 500 students. So far, no relief has…

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Police in Lae city continue to hunt for the accomplices of a wanted criminal who was shot and killed by police following an attempted armed robbery at a gravel site near Nadzab recently. The man, Andrew Nelson from Koroba in Hela, had been jailed in 2020 for murder. He was supposed to serve 13 years but was let out early under strict rules to stay out of trouble, but he did not. Police say he did not learn from his lesson. After getting out, he was involved in several robberies in other provinces and even escaped from police in Popondetta…

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Lae police have issued a strong warning to vehicle owners following an armed robbery at the Coronation Service Station in Top Town, urging them to take greater responsibility for who uses their vehicles. The robbery took place on Friday 27th June at around 6:45am when four armed men stormed the service station and escaped with more than K20,000 in cash. The suspects fled in a vehicle, sparking an immediate police response. The vehicle was later found abandoned, and intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of five suspects at Ass Mambu back road. Two of them were injured and are receiving…

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Madang’s police boss has warned officers to stop setting up roadblocks and asking drivers for money. Provincial Police Commander Robert Baim said any officer caught doing this will face tough punishment. “Only authorized fines should be given. No one is allowed to take cash or hold a (driver) license without legal reason. That’s a crime,” he said. The warning follows public complaints that some officers were stopping vehicles and collecting money illegally. Commander Baim reminded all officers to follow the law and serve the public fairly. He also urged people to report bad behaviour. “If an officer demands money, report…

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Village court magistrates in parts of Papua New Guinea say they have worked without pay for over 11 years, even though they continue to serve their communities. One of them is James Imas from Ragaimpun village, Umi Local Level Government (LLG) in Markham District, Morobe Province. Imas has been a village court magistrate since 2007. He said that in the beginning, they were getting K50 every three months, but since 2013, payments stopped. “For the past 11 years, we haven’t received any allowances,” Imas said. “We keep giving our bank details and spend our own money to get bank statements.…

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Disagreements over landownership have once again delayed vital agreements linked to the Kainantu Gold Mine, halting the flow of royalties and development benefits to nearby communities. The delay stems from ongoing legal disputes between local landowner groups, which have yet to be resolved due to a vacancy in the Land Titles Commission (LTC). The appointment of a new chairperson is still pending, preventing the Commission from progressing with landowner identification. Mining Minister Rainbo Paita confirmed the setback, noting that while one court matter had been resolved, another was still being challenged. “The Commission can’t make any decisions without a chair.…

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Law enforcement in Madang has been strengthened with the addition of nine newly trained probationary constables. The fresh recruits were officially welcomed this week by Madang Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Robert Baim, who highlighted the importance of the new officers in tackling crime and maintaining order. “They arrive at a crucial time. Their contribution will enhance policing and help us better respond to community needs,” Baim said. He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of Police Commissioner David Manning and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) leadership in addressing police staff shortages across the country. The new constables will be stationed…

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One man is dead following a car accident outside Madang, with police suspecting alcohol may have played a role. The fatal crash has sparked fresh warnings for motorists to be cautious as election-related travel, picks- up. The accident occurred just after midday on Wednesday, June 12, near Alemo Junction on the Bruce Jeff Cott Highway, around 21 kilometres from Madang. The vehicle, a brown Toyota Landcruiser from Madang Office Suppliers, was returning from Walium with four people on board when it ran off the road. Police say the driver tried to overtake another vehicle but lost control while merging back,…

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A partnership between churches, communities and government in Morobe’s Markham District is bringing hope to rural education — and Waritzian Primary School is leading the charge. The school, located near Wateraise Junction, is being groomed to become the district’s first junior high school under Papua New Guinea’s evolving 1-6-6 education model. Markham MP Koni Iguan said the change is part of a long-term strategy to expand access to quality education. “We are not just building a school. We are building a quality school, with shared values and strong support,” he said. The Markham District is working with seven church groups…

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Kennedy Erinuka is the only health worker serving remote communities on the border of Markham and Yus in Morobe Province. Since 2011, Kennedy has treated hundreds from a small aid post he built himself in Kikiapa Village. He serves people who walk for hours—some a whole day—for basic medical help. He left the Lutheran Health Services in 2013 to work under public health. His aid post has no electricity, no staff, and limited supplies, yet he treats children, assists in births using a phone light, gives out medicine, and runs vaccine programs. When outbreaks occur, Kennedy hikes to remote villages…

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