Papua New Guinea has recorded 28 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 12 midday on Monday May 31, increasing the total number of cases to 15,938. The cases were reported in three provinces with Eastern Highlands Province reporting the highest of 14 cases, National Capital District 10 and New Ireland province with four cases. Of the 28 cases reported, 21 were males whilst seven were females. Their ages range from 14 to 39 years. A total of 14 cases showed symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing, three had existing medical conditions and one had to…
Author: PNG Haus Bung
Olympic hopeful Rellie Kaputin got her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine this week in Brisbane, along with Coach Phillip Newton. Thanks to the Australian Olympic Committee and PNGOC for facilitating the vaccines for Olympic Training Squad members. Rellie has her next competition this Saturday at the Gold Coast where she is hoping to better her seasons best of 6.25m in the long jump and hopefully pick up some valuable ranking points in what is an Oceania Athletics Area Permit Meet. Rellie will renew her rivalry with Annie McGuire of Australia with whom she has had some good competitions this…
Like social media giant, Facebook, the newly introduced TikTok app is doing its share of rounds for everyday Papua New Guinean’s and has gained momentum as it did widely around the world and is fast becoming one of the main entertainment options for teens and adults alike. This app is not foreign to Papua New Guineans who use it and have become familiar with it creating accounts to follow trends, edit photos, using filters and effects and following either educational, inspirational, food, humorous or other content pages that are available. But here’s the catch; weighing in on the pros and…
Kina Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Judith Ugava-Taunao as Chief of Staff reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. In this new senior leadership role, Judith will take a position on the Executive Committee, demonstrating Kina’s continued commitment to promoting PNG women into leadership roles. Judith joins Kina Bank with a distinguished career, having worked in international development, organisational transformation, and human resource development and leadership. For 18 years she has built a career that spans across international borders and sectors. Prior to joining Kina Bank, Judith was at Oil Search where she served as the Vice…
The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Board has reduced the registration fees by half for all 12 Franchises due to a shortened 2021 Digicel Cup season. PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow said the decision was reached at a Board meeting on Saturday ahead of the season kick off this weekend. “In view of the hardships faced by franchises during these difficult times amid the global pandemic, the National Rugby League Competition (NRLC) Board decided that the registration fees of K200,000 plus GST for 2021 will be subsidised by 50% to K100,000 plus GST,” Chow said. “The Board also…
The Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, MP will formally handover the Framework Agreement for the reopening of the Porgera Mine in Enga Province to the affected landowners. PM Marape announced this today following reports that the affected landowners in the province have apparently protested against a planned visit this week to be called off. “Since taking Office on May 30th 2019, I have advocated for greater share of the benefits from our resources to landowners and affected landowners and that stands. “That is why we have amended existing resource laws including the Mining Act 2020 and the Oil and Gas…
The recent announcement by the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) that it will be partnering with a private firm to build a casino in Port Moresby raises serious governance implications on the sector says Transparency International PNG (TIPNG). It has been reported by the media that the NGCB and the Paga Hill Development Corporation (PHDC) signed an MOU to build a casino which in its first phase of development will cost at least K150 million. “In signing this agreement, the State through the NGCB is seriously undermining its independence as the industry regulator. Regulators like the NGCB have the important…
Air Niugini has partnered with International SOS to deliver PCR testing at Jacksons Airport for all passengers departing on Air Niugini flights. With International SOS having operated in Papua New Guinea for over 28 years and employing more than 400 Papua New Guinean health workers, Air Niugini believes they are well placed to support the delivery of this testing program. PCR testing of all international passengers departing from Port Moresby commenced on the 17th May, following its upgrade from the prior Rapid Antigen testing. Now that we have two weeks of evidence of effective implementation Air Niugini advises this test…
Porgera Mine landowners and other stakeholders in the valley are looking forward to welcoming the State and Barrick Niugini Limited ( BNL ) teams this Thursday, June 3rd. Porgera based landowner leadership have been conducting community awareness following the signing of a Framework Agreement between the State and BNL in April which paves the way for the reopening of the mine. During these community awareness activities key aspects of the Framework Agreement that impact landowners have been shared. According to the milestone agreement, a joint venture between PNG ( 51% equity ) and BNL ( 49% equity ) will own…
With one-day polling for the Moresby Northwest by-election scheduled to commence 8:00am-6:00pm on Wednesday 2nd June 2021, Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) is calling on the PNG Electoral Commission to prioritise logistical coordination with partner agencies, to ensure that administrative issues do not deprive voters in the electorate from exercising their constitutional rights. “The PNG Electoral Commission is the mandated body to conduct elections in Papua New Guinea. The right of voters to have free, fair and safe elections must not be diminished either through individual malice or organisational ineptitude, the electoral roll being up to date and current…