Manam Islanders in Madang Province will now save a K100 round trip to Madang Town to access banking services following the commissioning of its first BSP Cash Agent on the island. Last week, BSP Commissioned its first Agent in Baliau Village on Manam Island located off the coast of Madang. BSP Madang Branch Manager Mary Koi said accessing banking services involved traveling up to four hours to BSP Madang. “That will now be a thing of the past, with the commissioning of a BSP Agent on the island. BSP is proud to expand its network of Agents, bringing banking services closer to communities that were previously underserved,” said the BSP Madang Branch Manager. “The commissioning of the Manam Anua Enterprise Limited as a BSP Agent on Manam Island marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing accessible and convenient banking services to all Papua New Guineans.” Koi stated that the Madang Branch Team went a step further and conducted Financial Literacy Training to over 500 participants, not only from Baliau Village, but other neighboring villagers on Manam Island. She added that they also assisted new customers open a BSP Account, process card replacements and register for Mobile Banking. “We are proud to be the only bank servicing these remote communities. Our team processed over 500 applications by the time we wrapped up our offsite banking services. Our Agent on the island - Anua Enterprise Limited will continue to offer customers Cash Deposits, Withdrawals, Funds Transfers, and Loan Repayment services.” Manam Community Representative, Michael Rupunai, expressed his community’s gratitude to BSP and said the Agent will save customers an estimated K100 in travel expenses that they would otherwise incur when accessing banking services in Madang. Rupunai also acknowledged the collaborative partnership between Digicel PNG and The NID Office in assisting customers with the registration of their mobile SIM cards and Nation Identification Cards. “Their collaboration with BSP ensures a comprehensive and seamless experience for customers, further enhancing the accessibility and convenience of banking services in the region.” Meanwhile, BSP Banking Agency Manager, Stanley Seimoni, said BSP recognizes the importance of providing banking services to all individuals, regardless of their geographical location and the launch of the BSP Agent on Manam Island is part of BSP's commitment to financial inclusion and reaching underserved communities. With this new Agent, Manam Islanders can now enjoy the convenience of accessing banking services right in their own community. “To ensure a seamless experience when using the Agent service, customers are required to have their mobile phone numbers registered in order to receive One-Time Passwords (OTP) for transaction facilitation.” “Additionally, customers have the option to bring their Kundu card if they wish to withdraw cash from the EFTPoS Terminal. These measures are in place to enhance security and provide customers with convenient and secure access to banking services through the agent network.” In addition to the Manam Island Agent, BSP has eight (8) other operational Agents in Madang. These Agents including: 1. Barasi Cash Agent at Divine Word University, 2. Berakah Agri Trading at Malala High School (Bogia Station), 3. Biabi Cash Agent on Karkar Island, 4. Madang Energy Distributors in Madang Town, 5. Migima Trading Cash Agent at Torokina Estate in Madang Town, 6. Rait Kona Solutions Cash Agent in Potsdam Carecentre in Bogia Station, and 7. Sauto Trading Cash Agent at Raikos District. BSP Financial Group Limited through its Agency Banking Network, extends its banking services to remote areas through existing small businesses that offers Cash Deposits, Withdrawals, Funds Transfers, and Loan Repayments. BSP has a total of 266 active Cash Agents around the country.

Days are counting down for one of Papua New Guinea’s biggest fashion show, the annual NGCB Paradise Runway, which will take place on the 16th of September at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby. This will be the sixth year that PNG Fashion Week is preparing for after launching this year’s theme, “Voyager”. According to PNG Fashion Week Director and Founder, Philma Kelegai, they chose this theme to signify storytelling told through the textiles and fashions and just like every other year, new and different designers come on board to showcase their talents. “This year we are excited to announce that we will be having a total of sixteen designers who will be showcasing their designs and talents. We have designers flying in from Lae, Popondetta, Mount Hagen and even Brisbane, so we are expecting new faces and new talents.” Kelegai also shared with PNGHAUSBUNG the excitement of seeing new designers along with new and exciting ideas about how Papua New Guinea (PNG) can be expressed though fashion. “We are definitely excited to create new opportunities for others to shine and that is what we are looking forward to the most come the 16th of September.” With the modelling auditions that took place last month (June) at the Hilton Hotel, a total of 65 models were selected to take part in the runway. “We have been rehearsing with our models at our venue partner, Hilton Port Moresby every weekend until show time.” Meanwhile, in its third year, SP Export has taken the naming rights of the PNG Fashion Awards. Kelegai said that it is important that they recognize and celebrate fashion designers and artists who create incredible works of art, and the partnership with SP Export allows them to give these fashion designers and artists that freedom. The prizes that will be awarded during the event will include a K10, 000 cash prize to the SP Export Designers of the Year, a K5, 000 cash prize to the SP Export Rising Star and so much more. Furthermore, Kelegai stated that the runway will be held on Independence Day because they believe there are many ways PNG can express its culture and one is through fashion.

One little boy’s dream of becoming an aircraft engineer has only started. Alex Ontimo, a 15- year old, grade six student at Sevese Morea Primary school at Vabukori village in Port Moresby has always been passionate about airplanes, growing up. It was a dream come true when he visited Air Niugini’s Engineering hangar at 7mile, Jackson’s airport in Port Moresby recently where he had the opportunity to see what engineers do on a daily basis, saw upfront the aircraft engine, landing gears, tires and board an Air Niugini aircraft for the first time. Under the close guidance of Air Niugini’s General Manager, Engineering, Ferdinand Almeda, the young boy was taken on a tour of ANG’s Dash 8, Q400 and a Fokker 100 aircraft. The experience was made even more memorable by visiting the flight deck and sitting on the captain’s seat. “I am just too excited, I do not know what to say right now. I cannot believe I am in an actual aircraft right now.” He was accompanied by his 13- year old brother, Eric and their mother, Tai. There was an additional touch to the whole experience with Air Niugini’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gary Seddon, making time out of his busy schedule to accompany the youngster on his tour. Seddon said that every child has a dream that is unique to him or her and there is nothing more rewarding than supporting a child with passion and igniting that dream. Growing up, young Alex was always passionate about building things using his father’s carpentry tools, timber and anything around the house that he could lay his hands on. His mother also shared her son’s passion stating that it was further fueled a few years back when he saw a group of young men working on an engine at a learning institution somewhere at the Gordons Industrial Centre. “This ignited my son’s passion of becoming an aircraft engineer, he couldn’t stop talking about it. For now, he is doing well in school, getting good grades and I always encourage him to work harder to maintain his marks or do better if he is to reach his goal of becoming an aircraft engineer.” Young Alex is from a mixed parentage of New Ireland and Central Provinces, his father, Eric is from Nonopai village in New Ireland while the mother, Vabukori in Port Moresby South electorate. Mrs. Ontimo works at the National Parliament as a Stock Controller while the father is self-employed. Mrs. Ontimo acknowledged Air Niugini for the opportunity provided to her son to visit the hangar. She hopes the youngster continues to do well in school and takes advantage of the current training opportunities provided by Air Niugini. Prior to visiting the engineering hangar, young Alex had the opportunity to visit Air Niugini’s head office where he was presented with a Boeing 767 aircraft model and meet one of ANG’s Boeing fleet Captains who is also the current Acting General Manager, Flight Operations, Captain Samiu Taufa, a product of Air Niugini’s own Pilot Cadet scheme. Seddon stated that as the national airline, Air Niugini is always encouraged by young Papua New Guineans who are passionate of becoming aircraft engineers, pilots, accountants or any role they can play within the airline. “We have opportunities available, all they need to do is study hard, get good grades and apply.”

The Coca Cola National Mask Festival together with the Kumul Consolidated Holdings Warwagira Festival officially opened on the 12th of July 2023 at the Kalabond Sports Field by ENB Governor, Michael Marum. The festivals will take place on the 12th to the 16th of July 2023. The opening ceremony was witnessed by several parties including the Festival Organizing Committee, Chairman of the event, Isaac Ilom, Sales and Commercial Director of Coca Cola PNG, Tim Solly, Acting Provincial Administrator, Levi Mano, several Kokopo business houses and the public. Governor Marum welcomed everyone to the show and acknowledged the organizing committees and sponsors in making sure that this event started on a high note and urged the public to celebrate the event peacefully in the next few days as all the district will be coming in to perform their traditional dances. “On behalf of the members of Rabaul, Kokopo, Gazelle, we would like to extend our warm welcome and thank you as they will join in the next few days.” The governor further stated that though the event is held in a sports oval, they are looking at creating a separate venue for this event as the province must have its own show ground and that is the Provincial Government’s plan going forward. “My only appeal to the public is that law and order is currently a big challenge in the province and we need to look after ourselves and the people that are coming in to visit our province and most importantly, show respect to our tourists and our visitors.” The celebration started at dawn with the ‘Kinavai’ at the Omorong Beach front in Vunapope where people turned up in numbers to witness the event. Governor Marum thanked Coca Cola as the main sponsor of the event and other sponsors with the hope of continuing the working collaboration moving forward. In addition, Governor Marum also announced that next year the event will be celebrated in the Rabaul District which will go in line with the 30 years’ celebration of the twin volcanic eruption. Meanwhile, Acting Provincial Administrator, Levi Mano added that they were not able to stage the festival for the last two years due to Covid19 however, is optimistic that this year’s festivals will be celebrated successfully.

More than 30 people from the remote areas of Vunga and Avungi Wards in the Inland Baining LLG of Gazelle District in East New Britain Province, have now been equipped with Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) skills and knowledge. The participants had a one-week long training held at Vunga Ward facilitated by the East New Britain PNG Red Cross Branch Coordinator, Steven Kilalang and team. CBHFA is one training that Red Cross PNG is undertaking throughout the country in which there are two types of training; one for business houses Commercial First Aid (CFA) and the other type of first aid training are for the people in the community known as the Community Based Health and First Aid. Kilalang said the training is basically a component of the disaster risk reduction management which is applied to the risk affected areas in the communities. “The training conducted basically engages volunteers to be trained on the CBHFA so that they assist people in their communities when emergencies arises.” "The first aid program is based and focused on various injuries that includes basic life support, bleeding management, general medical condition, fracture management, poison snake bite, lack of oxygen, burns and scalds and emergency childbirth." He said the program also teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to manually activate the heart in any point of accident which is more paramount in any casualty and also community mapping. In addition, Kilalang further stated that the participants were so eager to take the training and from his observation all the participants had passed the eighty percent requirement and have been certified. Meanwhile, Vunga Ward member, Ulaias William, said that they were so thankful for the training as with their remote location, there is no proper road and transportation and with emergencies it is very difficult to help those in need. “This training will greatly help our people in the wards, if there is any accidents or emergencies we can be better equipped to save them.” He thanked the PNG Red Cross team in ENB stating that it is the initiative of the community and churches in the wards to have this training as this will help them greatly as many times they encounter accidents and emergencies. This is not the first time PNG Red Cross ENB team ran such training. They have been running such trainings as well such as climate change, water and sanitation, integrated vulnerability capacity assessment and disaster management.

The East New Britain Provincial Administration Education Division recently conducted a one-week Provincial In-service Training (PIST) for all the teachers in the province. The PIST week program is an annual exercise conducted during the term two holiday every year for teachers to undergo in-service training as part of continuous professional development and this year’s Theme for the PIST week was ‘Training for Quality Teaching and Learning’. Conduct of the PIST week program were organized in sectors; Basic Education (District clusters) and the Secondary Sector which was conducted in three groups which are, Science and Mathematics in Kokopo Secondary school, Humanities at the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Secondary school (OLSH) and Business and Technology at the Don Bosco Technical Secondary school. Meanwhile the vocational sector held theirs at the Woolnough Vocational centre whilst the Primary schools coordinated the in-service in respective venues, LLGs and districts where it was convenient for the teachers to travel to and fro during the one-week program. According to Kokopo Secondary School Senior Professional Assistant, Pius Reva, the exercise was critical this year given the introduction of Standard Base Curriculum (SBC) and the National Certificate Program (NC). Reva told the teachers that this in-service is important because of the SBC curriculum and before the full implementation of the program all the teachers must be familiarized with this curriculum. “Teachers already know the content but this program is to help teachers to know more about the skills so that it makes teaching easier and interesting for the learning of our students.” He encouraged the teachers to learn as much as possible from the sessions and to adapt to the changes that are coming in the education system. He further stated that to implement this curriculum successfully they must change the practices and the behaviours that they have conducted in themselves and in the students. Meanwhile, ENB Education Advisor, Alkan Mararang, stated that the program was an opportunity for the teachers to learn from each other to deliver teaching and learning in the classrooms. “The core responsibility of the heads is to deliver the PIST week in ENB province which include providing leadership, coordination and communication between the venue, coordinators or team leaders, inspectors and the office of the advisor."

The Roosters are ready to unleash a pumped up and trimmed down Brandon Smith on his old team Melbourne on Saturday as they look to mount their finals charge. Sidelined by a fractured thumb since Round 12, Smith made an impressive return for the Roosters’ NSW Cup side on Sunday and is champing at the bit to take on the Storm. With the disruptive Origin period and their three byes behind them, the perennial finalists know the time has come to string some wins together, starting with old foes Melbourne at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Roosters have lost three of five in Smith’s absence and five-eighth Luke Keary says the 27-year-old hooker’s return can’t some soon enough for Trent Robinson’s men. “Brandon has been working hard, he looks in really good condition,” Keary said. “He’s lost five kilos, he’s eating really well and training really well. “I think he just wanted to trim down a little bit. At Melbourne he was playing lock and hooker so he had the bigger frame but here he’s our No.9. “He’s worked really hard on his fitness the last couple of months so I gather he’d be wanting to play a few more minutes for us, especially at the back end of the season.” Another man looking to crank up his game time will be halfback Sam Walker, who played the first six matches of the season before he was dropped to NSW Cup and then suffered an ACL sprain. The 21-year-old is on the verge of a comeback after a minor setback last weekend prevented him from joining Smith in Sunday’s clash with Newcastle at Wentworth Park. “They’re being really cautious with him, being young and the way he moves on the footy field,” Keary said. “He’s a really good kid, he’s really quiet. He played a couple of games there in reserve grade and then got injured straight away so he’s basically been in rehab with Brandon and a few good boys around him. “He’s unflappable, he doesn’t get rattled often so you wouldn’t even notice if it was worrying him. “Ninety per cent of us halves get put back at some stage to the bench or reserve grade as a young kid, it just happens. “I think Johnathan Thurston said it happened to him, Cooper [Cronk], I went back, it hurts at the time but the confidence in him from myself and the club and the players has never wavered. “You see Thurston and blokes like that they all went through it but no one talks about it now because they came through it. “It would have stung them at the time but those great players they come out the other end.” Coming off a gutsy two-point loss to Manly where plenty of close calls went against them, the Roosters are out to avenge a 28-8 loss to the Storm in Round 6 before a Queensland swing that pits them against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium and the Broncos at The Gabba in consecutive weeks. Just a game outside the top eight but burdened by a poor points differential of -92, Keary knows they'll need a similar charge to last year's eight in a row to round out regular season. "We're not in the spot where we want to be, we haven’t played the way we want to play but there's still a long way to go for us," Keary said. "We understand that from last year - we just need to get going. "It's always a bit like this in Origin time with the byes and boys going in and out, but with Brandon back and hopefully Sammy’s back soon too, as well as Teddy [James Tedesco] and Lindsay [Collins] back full-time after this week, we can get some momentum." Source:NRL.Com

Young half Luke Metcalf enjoyed a breakout game on Saturday night as the Warriors ran riot in a 46-10 victory over the Eels in Sydney. While the talk all week was about whether or not Shaun Johnson would play, it was his halves partner who stole the show at CommBank Stadium, scoring a first-half double and playing key role in setting up both of Marcelo Montoya's four-pointers which were sandwiched in between. Led by Jackson Ford, Mitchell Barnett and Addin Fonua-Blake, who was playing his 150th game, the Warriors dominated the middle of the park and all up ran for over 400 metres more than Parramatta, who were without three key players due to selection in Origin III. After a sloppy opening quarter, which included completing just five of their first 12 sets with the ball, the Warriors finished with a hiss and a roar to lead 30-4 at the break. After putting Ford through for a line break, Metcalf backed up on the next tackle to score, before the Eels hit back through a spirited run from Bailey Simonsson directly off a scrum. That would end up being Parra's only joy of the opening half, with a quickfire double from Montoya, a second to Metcalf and a try for Dylan Walker in game 200 seeing the visitors race away on the scoreboard. Barnett barged over eight minutes into the second half, followed by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak grabbing his 11th try in seven games with a trademark finish in the right corner. An offside penalty on a Warriors dropout led to the Eels scoring their second try on 66 minutes, with Shaun Lane crashing over in his return from a hamstring injury. Barnett then carried fill-in fullback Sean Russell over from close range for his second try and the last of the game.

The Raiders have survived a second half scare against a gallant Dragons side to secure a 36-26 victory at WIN Stadium on Friday night. Four tries to the Raiders in the first half set up a 24-6 lead before Zac Lomax and Mikaele Ravalawa sparked three tries in six minutes for the home side to reduce the deficit to four with 15 minutes remaining. Ravalawa and Lomax caused headaches for veteran Jarrod Croker and Albert Hopoate on the edge with the pair combining for five tries between them in a 30-minute blitz to get the Dragons back in the game. The Raiders needed a big play to stop the momentum and got one with a strong tackle from Hudson Young on Jacob Liddle forcing the ball loose and enabling the visitors to get back to a 10-point lead in the following set. A short side play by Zac Woolford sent Sebastian Kris over in the 72nd minute to give Ricky Stuart's men some breathing space, where they were able to defend their way to an 11th win of the season. The Raiders crossed first in the ninth minute with Jordan Rapana finishing off a Matt Timoko linebreak on the right edge with a run from dummy half to the line. Canberra got their second eight minutes later through a rampaging run by Joseph Tapine, who skipped his way past four Dragons defenders to go over near the posts. Timoko, who suffered a knee scare before half-time, got the Raiders' third when Rapana and Elliott Whitehead combined to send the centre over the line for an 18-0 lead. The Dragons, denied a try to Ravalawa due to a Talatau Amone forward pass only moments earlier, got on the board in the 33rd minute when Ravalawa went over from close range after Amone fell inches short a play before. An error from Paul Turner under the high ball enabled the Raiders to push for their fourth and with eight seconds left on the clock Ricky Stuart's men crossed with a Jamal Fogarty kick hitting the posts before falling in the hands of Matt Frawley. Lomax crossed for his first when he picked up a Jarrod Croker error from a kick to narrow the Raiders' lead after half-time but a Timoko try shortly - his second of the evening - stretched the visitors' lead once more. Lomax was in the action again in the 57th minute when he sent Ravalawa over for his double after a late offload from Jack de Belin created an overlap out wide, before he outleaped Croker for the ball to plant down the side's fourth try. Ravalawa's third try had the Dragons believing late before Kris's try through clumsy Red V defence was enough to get them home.  

Congratulations to the nine exceptional winners of the 2021 and 2022 PNG Australia Alumni Awards, who have made outstanding contributions to PNG communities and excelled in their field of expertise. The prestigious awards were presented at the PNG Australia Alumni Association Annual Dinner held in Port Moresby recently on June 29. Winners for 2021: 1️⃣. Alumni of the Year – Andrew Tipi (Southern Highlands) 2️⃣. Women In Leadership Award – Tracy Masing (West New Britain) 3️⃣. Entrepreneurship Award – Ginia Sialis (NCD) 4️⃣. Community Service Award – Dr Lawrence Gerry (Simbu) Winners for 2022: 1️⃣. Alumni of the Year – Cherolyn Polomon (on award in Sydney) 2️⃣. Women In Leadership Award – Emma Minimbi (Jiwaka) 3️⃣. Entrepreneurship Award – Martha Raka (Morobe) 4️⃣. Community Service Award – Veronica Toksy (Morobe) 5️⃣. Frontline Service Delivery Award – Carolyne Fred (AROB) Congratulations to them all on their win in receiving this recognition.

Steamships have announced the Harbourside South Development Project, managed by Pacific Palms Property, has reached a significant milestone as the project recently obtained a Certificate of Permissive Occupancy. The certificate allows full operations of the retail and commercial (office) portion of the building. The completion of the retail and commercial floors of the building is a major achievement and marks another step forward in the development's progress. Pacific Palms Property focus is now on completing the fit out of the Marriott Executive Apartments. These 88 premier apartments have with unparalleled views or Fairfax Harbour and Ela Beach, spacious layouts, and top-of-the-line amenities, promising luxurious living experience for its residents. The Marriott Executive Apartments will open in November 2023 along with the club floor which boasts gyms, pools, yoga and dance studios, a spa, lounge, and restaurant. Managing Director for Steamships, Mr. Rupert Bray said, “The Harbourside South mixed-use development will add a new dynamic to the Harbourside precinct.” “Steamships, its co-developers, and Pacific Palms Property are pleased to bring such a renowned international name as Marriott to Port Moresby.” “Our commitment to developing high quality, environmentally responsible, developments that bring the best of international practice to Papua New Guineans.” The development is poised to become a landmark destination that will enrich Port Moresby and contribute to Papua New Guinea’s growth. The Harbourside precinct is set to transform the city’s skyline, bringing an inner urban lifestyle option to all residents and visitors to the city

“Prudent management practices has resulted in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary operating within budget for the last three years.” Police Commissioner David Manning said this is in comparison to the years prior where the Constabulary experienced huge budget blowouts, due largely to overspending or over commitments in personnel emoluments. Commissioner Manning said for 2022 and 2023, personnel emoluments (PE) for the RPNGC constitute a significant portion of its budget, which includes salaries, allowances, and other benefits for police officers and staff. He said the total expenditure for personnel emoluments in 2022 was estimated at K288,662,000 (K288.6 million), and 2023 at K269,161,200 (K269.1 million). The fortnightly focused payroll expenditure in 2022 was K10.5 million, and 2023 at K10.3 million. “With the experiences learned from the previous years we introduced a number of measures to control the costs of personnel emoluments, and these have proven successful.” “Over the last three years we have operated within our means.” “We have not blown our budget, not gone into red, or not gone to the extent of operating on life support.” “The RPNGC is committed to ensuring that personnel emoluments are managed in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.” “These cost control measures are essential to ensure that the Constabulary remains within budget while providing the highest level of service to the community.” “I want to take this opportunity to thank Deputy Commissioner Administration Joanne Clarkson and her team for their commitment and efforts to date, and further challenge them to maintain this good performance going forward,” Mr Manning said.