Author: Samuel RAITANO

Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG) is not only keen in training leaders in the public service but also in business. Last Friday, a small but significant graduation ceremony took place at Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen where the two weeks course was delivered to twenty one (21) participants. The event was officiated by PILAG CEO Michael Barobe, as well as representatives from Western Highlands Provincial Provincial Administration, National Development Bank and other stakeholders. Mr Barobe, while congratulating the participants, encouraged them to be committed and dedicated in their little businesses so that they grow. The participants…

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University of Goroka (UOG) Mt Hagen Campus’ Institute Of Distance and Flexible Learning and Early Childhood Education held its first graduation last Friday. Chancellor of the University of Goroka Joe Wemin declared the first graduation ceremony for the campus, which had a total of hundred eleven (111) graduates. The event  was hosted in a tent at Queen’s Park, Mt Hagen, due to the unpredictable weather. It was a double graduation for both degree and diploma holders. Eight graduated with Bachelor of Education (Primary In-service) School Management, and one person graduated with Bachelor of Education (In-service TVET) School Management. A hundred…

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Mt Hagen city, capital of Western Highlands Province will soon see all it’s roads upgraded and sealed. The official opening and ground breaking was done today (10/10/22) by Governor for Western Highlands Province Wai Rapa and local MP and Minister for State Owned Enterprises William Duma. Hagen Open MP William Duma says K5 million has already been allocated to kick-start the first phase which starts from the traffic lights, to the hospital and around the main market. The forty kilometre road upgrade project tender has been awarded to EMK construction. Both Rapa and Duma gave assurance that they would work…

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A senior public servant from Kagua Erave electorate in Southern Highlands Province is calling on the District Development Authority to address law and order issues quickly. Kagua Erave District Education Advisor, Leonard Yano says Kagua station has been hit with continuous vandalism of state properties. Yano raises concerns that solar street lights ,water tanks, computers for the district treasury,chairs and files have been damaged in the recent past. The District Education Advisor also revealed that Kagua Secondary School teachers, and students were being threatened, while the school’s Administration building had its doors broken. Yano said now with the Sugu Valley…

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Peoples National Congress Party leader and sitting Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill is being challenged by eight candidates in the 2022 National Elections. Most of these candidates come from remote parts of the electorate. Unlike the past two elections where most Local Level Governments (LLGs) fielded no candidates, this year there are candidates contesting from the silent areas. At least four candidates are clustered in South Wiru LLG which is the sitting MPs base, while other LLGs have at least one or two each. In South Wiru LLG, Pangu candidate and 2017 second runner-up Stanley Liria is another favourite, though Peter…

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Another fight broke out in Mt Hagen city today (Saturday) at around 1pm, leaving up to three men with bushknife wounds and a number of vehicles damaged. This time, it said to be between two factions within Western Highlands Province. The notorious Animal Market is said to be the hub of crimes and one of the groups is calling for that area to be closed to street vending. Police and the Army have been on alert since series of fights and unrest broke out over the week in the third largest city. Meanwhile, local police have called on the general…

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Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai is being called on to change the persons listed as Returning Officers for Western Highlands Province. This call is from the Yamka and Moge tribes who are threatening to shut down Kagamuga International Airport for indefinite period if Electoral Commissioner does not respond. The Airport was closed yesterday after locals learned that the person responsible for biased counting for Mt Hagen Open in 2017 elections was appointed returning officer again for this years election. Specifically, these frustrations are based on information from the leaked gazette notice on appointment of provincial and electorate returning officers. A protest…

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Staff and students of Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen are mourning the death of a female student who was killed by thugs on Independence Eve. According to the colleges Principal Michael Miamel, the deceased was a first year student, 20 year old female, from Anglimp South Waghi. She was stabbed with knives by some thugs who wanted to get her mobile phone. The deceased was killed at Banz bus stop in Jiwaka province at a public toilet area where she went to relieve herself. She was rushed to Kudjip Hospital but died due to loss of blood from…

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A major landslip at Asisa in the Imbongu electorate of Southern Highlands has completely blocked off the Highlands Highway leading to Mendi town. This follows continuous rains this week, which has also seen another major road washed off by a creek at Yebi as well. Commuters and travelling public are being charged money as they walk across with cargo and personal belongings. Highway Patrol 17 Police at Kaupena confirmed that the section of the highway impassable by vehicles and those driving to Mendi or further to Hela and Enga Provinces via Mendi-Hagen route are advised to take the Tambul -…

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Last week’s decision by Mt District Court Magistrate Leonard Mesmin in setting free the alleged murderer and his two accomplices for the murder of late Imelda Tupi Tiamanda due to lack of evidence, which included the absence of the doctors signature on the Post Mortem report will be looked at by they Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority. Acting CEO of Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority Jane Holden told this newsroom, Mt. Hagen General Hospital does not have a pathologist, however she will get more information and make a statement on the matter. Last week, Magistrate Mesmin set free the main…

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