The Internal Revenue Commission PNG (IRC) recently experienced a sophisticated ransomware attack, causing two weeks of disruption. IRC Commissioner General Sam Koim stated that despite significant cybersecurity upgrades, the attack occurred, highlighting the evolving nature of cyber threats. Mr. Koim said that for strategic reasons, IRC prioritized containment, recovery, and security enhancements before public disclosure. “The good news is: SIGTAS (core tax system) is secure and fully operational Email network restoration is progressing well Revenue transfers to WPA continued without disruption Our robust business continuity plan ensured minimal impact on tax administration. IRC remains committed to strengthening cybersecurity and protecting…
Author: Maxine KAMUS
Prime Minister James Marape has directed the Police and Department of Communications & Information Technology to immediately investigate the cyber-bullying on Miss Papua New Guinea May Hasola and have the offenders arrested, with a progress report to his office by next week. PM Marape also condemned the actions in the strong terms and called on Papua New Guinean users of social media to use these platforms responsibly or Government could be forced to take drastic measures. “Miss Hasola, who recently participated in the Miss Pacific Pageant held in Solomon Islands, has been attacked in a spate of Facebook highly inflammatory…
The Bougainville Women’s Federation has condemned the recent racism and discrimination against their own Bougainvillean, Miss PNG, May Hasola. The Federation stated that May Hasola is such a young vibrant, intelligent and bold young woman that deserve respect and support. She has represented Papua New Guinea in the Miss Pacific Islands quest in which she needed the support from her country. The Federation saluted her for having confidence and aspiration in which she presented herself very well and expressed how proud they were as a federation toward May. In addition, words of encouragment were also made towards Miss PNG to…
Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as a key pillar in the fight against corruption. PM Marape emphasised that ICAC will be fully empowered with the necessary resources, legal backing, and institutional support to fulfill its mandate effectively. “We have prioritised ICAC as the leading agency in the fight against corruption. My government is committed to ensuring that ICAC is fully empowered to investigate, prosecute, and deter corruption at all levels of government.” He announced that additional funding has been allocated to ICAC to expand its reach and…
Whilst there is potential for growth and opportunities within Papua New Guinea’s mineral petroleum and energy sectors, security challenges remain a cause for concern, particularly in certain regions of the country. This is according to the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE), when presenting at the recent Business Council of PNG 2025 Praivet Gavamani Konekt session on protecting PNG businesses. PNG CORE Manager Policy and Analysis, Gretel Orake, provided an overview of the industry, and its outlook on security as well as the efforts that the industry is making to deal with them. “As the peak…
After weeks of negotiations the Parties to the Central Cement & Limestone Project Community Development Agreement (CDA) have reached the initialization drafting of the project documents. The initializing drifting of the project documents basically means the process of creating and defining all the necessary documents related to the resources needed for the project. The Project is located in the Hiri-Koiari District and the parties include the Kido Landowners Association, Rearea Landowners Association, Hiri-Rural Local Level government, Central Government, the State and the developer Mayur Resources Limited. Benefits that were negotiated include Royalties, Special Support Grants, Tax Credit scheme, Business development…
The Central Provincial Government has committed K1 million to the Central Cement & Limestone project that reached its initialization on Thursday. During the initialization drafting of the project documents, Central Province Governor Rufina Peter stated that the provincial government will make a commitment to the landowner companies of Kido and Rearea in the Hiri-Koiari district that the Provincial government will commit K1 million to support the landowner companies. Governor Peter stated that from the K1 million the two landowner companies will receive K500,000 each to assist them in preparation of their parts in this journey. She added that the provincial…
The Central Cement & Limestone project initializing in the Hiri-Koiari district is an achievement not only for Hiri-Koiari or Central Province but this country, says Member for Hiri-Koiari Keith Iduhu. Mr. Iduhu thanked the Provincial government and the Hiri Local Level Government (LLG) for recognizing the dynamic shift change in policies and social contracts of the people and their demands of goods and services delivery in the district through the District Development Authority (DDA). “This agreement is unique to the extent that royalties are up to 80% in favor of the local landowners. This is very important to know, and…
Sogeri Health Staff receives new home in support of the Four-Square Gospel in PNG Inc, funded by the European Union and Co-funded by the Central Provincial Government. A significant milestone in healthcare infrastructure and staff welfare was achieved as the Sogeri Health Staff received a brand-new-three-bedroom home, marking a collaboration between the Church of the Four-Square Gospel in PNG Inc., the European Union (EU), and the Central Provincial Government. Central Province Governor Rufina Peter and European Union Chancellor-Head of Department, Corporation Dr. Hans Lambrecht on Tuesday officially open the house with a ribbon cutting ceremony, witnessed by the dignitaries from…
It is not just a road, it is our channel of development over the past, now and into the future, this is how the late Sir Julius Chan described the Boluminski Highway during its opening in 2019. As he made his last journey down the Highway he travelled back and forth throughout his life his people along the Highway stood in numbers of men, women, children all came to pay their last respects and bid him farewell. Late Sir Julius once described the Boluminski Highway as the backbone of New Ireland but as the Boluminski Highway he too was the…