Trukai Industries has achieved a safety milestone of 1, 000 days or six million man- hours Loss Time Injury (LTI) free. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to the safety of its employees in ensuring a safe workplace is provided, safe systems and controls are in place, effective training for its people facilitated by qualified, and that certified trainers are ongoing to ensure work is conducted safely with a zero-harm compliance. This has seen the last LTI recorded back in 2020. Trukai Industries’ General Manager for Operations, Risk and Corporate Services, David Newton commended employees for this achievement, stating that a zero Loss Time Injury (LTI) measure for 1000 days is a huge achievement for the business. This, he says, demonstrates how important safety is at Trukai Industries as the company has a very high safety standard with a positive safety culture across the business. Through several proactive measures, the company not only maintains a safe working environment, but also ensures that safety systems and controls to identify hazards are working to minimize employee risks. “Some of the actions to implement controls that address identified hazards include the provision of suitable PPEs, employee attendance of comprehensive safety trainings, encouragement to achieve a safe working environment through employee recognition for staff members who identify and report potential risks or hazards.” “Other actions include conducting annual audits and inspections to identify new or persisting hazards and risks and securing ownership and compliance from senior management to assist in fostering a culture of Safety First and transparency within the company.” These he says are all proactive actions along with their leading and lagging indicators in which they are proud of in driving compliance throughout their business. Ina addition, Trukai Industries’ Chief Executive Officer, Alan Preston also encouraged employees to maintain the Trukai safety culture. “It is the responsibility of each individual employee to continue to maintain these high safety standards by ensuring we all work safely whilst complying with the controls that are in place. Our aim is to get our employees safe to their families every day.” The 1000 days LTI free safety achievement follows Trukai Industries’ recertification for meeting a global standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems under the ISO 45001:2018 standard in August 2022.

Health facilities in the Pomio District of East New Britain (ENB) Province were fortunate enough to receive new medical equipment from the Pomio District Administration recently. The medical assets include medical equipment such as mattress, wheel chairs, and information technologies satellite transmitters. This also included a vehicle, first aid kit, and mud strap, plant machineries, a Lucas Mill and a chain saw. East New Britain Provincial Health Authority (ENBPHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Ako Yap and Provincial Health Authority Director Curative Health, Dr. Patrick Kiromat, were present at the Pomio District Administration to officially handover the assets. Speaking during the handover ceremony Dr. Yap said that the ambulance and the assets are co-funded by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) through the ENBPHA. He said that Pomio District has a big land mass where many of the people live in the mountains and some in the coastal areas in which they are scattered and so the accessibility to services including health services, is a challenge. “We know there are many challenges in terms of having certain health facilities especially with infrastructure and staff houses plus other resources, but with this medical equipment, it’s just the beginning for more improvement to come.” He further stated that though Pomio is an isolated area, the attitude and behavior of the people are good with not many issues faced and has urged the people look after the facilities so that they will last long. In addition to this, Dr. Yap said that the PHA will be doing things online now where all the reports and data will be registered and entered into the system. A team currently working on that and with the satellite transmitters given, they will start putting them to good use. Meanwhile, Pomio District Acting Administrator, John Liskia, thanked donor funders and the PHA for the assets stating that the assistance was timely. Liskia said the service delivery in the district is challenging in terms of delivering basic health services, but they are doing everything they possibly can to help the people. The assets will be assign to the fourteen health facilities in the district by the District Health Manager and the District Administrator. The total cost funded for the assets was K479, 550.

A total of K50, 000 from the Kokopo District Service Improvement Program (DSIP) will be engaged to the St Mary’s Vunapope Hospital in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, for infrastructural renovations and other hospital resources and needs. Member of Kokopo, Hereman ToBaining Jnr revealed this during the recent commissioning and handing over of a digital X-ray machine in Kokopo. ToBaining stressed that health is a key priority area and the district administration will be handing this fund to the hospital so that the management will look into areas that needs improvement. He added that the hospital has been looking after the people in the province since the colonial times and is always open to everyone including neighboring provinces. The member also pledged K20, 000 towards the hospital from his family business of Malapau Beach Resort which will be handed over to the hospital as well. “As your government, we will work together with the Provincial Health Authority CEO to sign an MOU for the partnership for the hospital to become a District hospital.” He explained that the MOU will be between the Kokopo City Authority and the ENB PHA so that it can free up some of the responsibilities under the financial powers and Kokopo district can look after that under some other plans such as upgrading of all the facilities. Meanwhile, one of the district’s five-year plan for Butuwin town clinic is to be upgraded as well and this is one of the biggest plans in working in partner with the ENB PHA and Vunapope Hospital through the Catholic archdiocese and the Provincial Government.

St Mary’s Vunapope Hospital in Kokopo, East New Britain (ENB) province, recently received a donation of a new Digital X-ray machine funded by Caritas Australia through the National Catholic Church Health Services PNG. The recent Commissioning and Handover of the X-ray machine was witnessed by official representatives from Caritas Australia, National Catholic Church Health Service Office, Kokopo Open Member, Hereman ToBaining Jnr, the Provincial Administration and other guests. Speaking during the ceremony was Hospital Director Medical Services, Dr. Felix Diaku who thanked Caritas Australia for the big assistance, stating that this is a big achievement for the hospital and the province that should be recognized. He said on behalf of the hospital and all the Catholic and government health facilities and the people of the province, they are thankful for the service as this is a milestone for the health service delivery in the province. “The province has only two health centers that provide twenty- four- seven health service, which are Rabaul Provincial and St Mary’s Hospital. We are grateful and thankful to have this machine during this challenging times.” He added that the hospital is fortunate to be the number eight hospital in the country to have this machine installed in their hospital. “This machine is not only for St Mary’s, but for the people of the province and in the past the machine can cater for 30 to 40 patients in a day; however, with this new one can now cater 80 to 90 in a day, so there is a change there on how we do our diagnostic in terms of x-ray and imaging”. Furthermore, there is already a satellite disk installed at the health facility which was purchased by the Rabaul Archdiocese as part of the requirement to run the service. The hospital management also thanked those who helped in donating other machines such as Tropicana Limited. The X-ray machine is currently install in the hospital and will be used once it is complete. The total funding cost of the machine is K645, 000.

The Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) schools in East New Britain (ENB) province are in dire need for infrastructural renovations and other school resources to better their operations. New Guinea Islands Regional TVET Coordinator, Tasman Dau said this during the recent presentation of a school truck to Raval Vocational Center in the Gazelle District. Tasman acknowledged all those for the support including the ENB Governor, Michael Marum, Provincial Education Division and Provincial Executive Council (PEC) members for the new school truck presented to the school under the Governor’s support. He said Raval school is in need of a transport and this has released a big burden for the school. He stressed that TVET schools must be given such assistance as they are important education centers providing education and life skills for future generation. In addition to this, Tasman said with the TVET schools’ struggles, the European Union has come in to assist some of the schools with Raval being one of them. “I believe that TVET centers plays a big part in education and the Governor along with the Provincial Administration and Education Division will continue to work together to make sure our schools are also a priority” Meanwhile, Raval Vocational Center Manager, William Tovua was relieved for the school and assure the Governor and the people of the province that they will look after the truck and will serve its purpose. “Our school has been operating for more than four years without a vehicle since our old school vehicle broke down and so the students used to walk to school, especially when there is no PMV available.” This, he said has also been a risk for them as there have been reports of opportunists stealing student’s properties and other serious issues and with this support, the school is thankful for it.

The Kerevat Correctional Services (CS) facility, Kokopo police station and three schools in East New Britain (ENB) province now have trucks to assist them in their everyday business. The trucks were given to them by the Office of the Governor and presented to the five entities during the recent ENB Day celebrations at that was held in Kokopo. Ten boats were also presented to ten micro-business groups and to Nakukur Ward to assist them in their business operations in their respective areas. The schools that received the trucks were Kalamanagunan Primary, Palmalmal Secondary and Raval Vocational in the Gazelle district. According to the Governor’s office, the items funding was from the Governor discretional funding and the Provincial Service Improvement Program (PSIP) funding costing more than K2 million. ENB Governor, Michael Marum said trucks are here to assist the students and prisoners transportation because many times students come late to school and inmates transported in very old vehicles. Marum added that as for the police, this will be the tenth time vehicles are presented to them and has urged them to look after them properly. “These vehicles are purchased by the people of the province; it’s the people’s money and so it needs to be properly used and well-looked after.” “Apart from boats and vehicles, many other assistances have already gone out to the communities, youths, churches and women groups such as ovens, wheel barrows, sewing machines, grass cutters and coppers”. Meanwhile, Raval Vocational School Manager, William Tovue thanked the Governor, the Education Advisor and other leaders who made this possible and are thankful for the gesture. He said this is the first of its kind for a Governor to assist them as they have also been in dire need for a vehicle and this is timely.

FairPrice Furniture & Electrical is proud to be one of the sponsors for the City Mission PNG’s 30th Anniversary Charity Golf Challenge that took place recently at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club. This is aimed to raise funds to support the core activities of providing effective rehabilitation and training programs for youths at risk and safe havens as well as refuge centers for vulnerable women and children. As part of its sponsorship, FairPrice Furniture provided four stand fans as prizes for the charity Golf challenge. Human Resource Manager of City Mission PNG, Julie Bengesser, extended gratitude on behalf of City Mission PNG to FairPrice for their contribution towards the fundraising. “These prizes were awarded to one of the winning teams and all 22 teams who took part had something to take home. We appreciate your continuous support.” FairPrice Furniture has been a long-time supporter of City Mission PNG, offering employment opportunities to trainee graduates and providing on-the-job training to help individuals gain new skills and improve their prospects in life. According to FairPrice Furniture Director, Christopher Elphick, FairPrice Furniture is proud to work with City Mission as part of their commitment to promote local productivity and create local jobs. The partnership between FairPrice Furniture & City Mission PNG is an excellent example of how businesses and non-profit organizations can work together to make a positive impact on society, demonstrating that with a joint effort can help uplift the community and create a better future for all.  

Nominations for the Listeners Choice Song of the Year is still open this week but this time, it is for the Year 2022 for the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards 2023 that will take place on the 17th of June at the Lamana Gold Club Arena. The nominations opened as of this week Monday the 29th of May and will go on for a week. The YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards for this year will recognize and feature the work of local artists over the last two years 2021-2022. The nominations for the Listeners Choice Song of the Year is a two weeks period; the first week for the Year 2021 and the second week for the Year 2022. Last week, saw the nominations for the Listeners Choice Song of the Year for 2021 where listeners voted their favorite songs played in the year 2021. Content Director of YUMI FM, Tuluan Vitz, said listeners and fans can vote for their favorite song that was released during the year 2022 and the music artist with the most voted song, wins that particular award. The YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards consist of ten categories including the Listeners Choice Song of the Year and listeners have been encouraged to put their votes in before the week ends. “Nominations will close this Sunday at 11:59 PM, so make sure to put in your vote for your favorite song played in 2022.” Nominations can be made via the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards Facebook Page where listeners can put in their vote on the poster provided, or can call on 325 7512 or WhatsApp on 72939393. The Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards comes to you with support of Platinum Sponsor, Coca Cola and Gold Sponsor, Vodafone, NAU FM.

The Little Mermaid made moviegoers want to be under the sea on Memorial Day weekend. Disney’s live-action remake of its 1989 animated classic easily outswam the competition, bringing in $95.5 million on 4,320 screens in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday (May 28). And Disney estimates the film starring Halle Bailey as the titular mermaid Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as her sea witch nemesis Ursula will reach $117.5 million by the time the holiday is over. It ranks as the fifth biggest Memorial Day weekend opening ever. It displaces Fast X in the top spot. The 10th installment in the Fast and Furious franchise starring Vin Diesel has lagged behind more recent releases in the series, bringing in $23 million domestically for a two-week total of $108 million for Universal Pictures. In its fourth weekend, Disney and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 made an estimated $20 million in North America to take third place. It’s now made $299 million domestically. The performance of The Little Mermaid represents something of a bounce-back for Disney’s animated-to-live-action remakes, and makes it likely they will keep coming indefinitely. Poor reception and the pandemic had some recent reboots either performing poorly or skipping theatrical releases for Disney +, including Dumbo, Mulan and Pinocchio. “It works as long as the movies deliver,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore. “It’s great for Disney to be able to go to their archive by reviving these titles that started off as huge hits in the animated realm.” The opening puts it in the top tier of Disney’s remakes, with a similar performance to 2019′s Aladdin, though it was well short of 2017′s Beauty and the Beast, which opened to more than $170 million, and 2019′s The Lion King, which brought in more than $190 million in its first weekend. Audiences thought it delivered. The film had an A CinemaScore, and according to exit polling had more ticket buyers between ages 25 and 34 than children, suggesting nostalgic adults were essential. “The multi generational component of this cannot be overstated,” Dergarabedian said. Critics were more lukewarm. The movie is currently at 67% on Rotten Tomatoes. In her review, Lindsey Bahr of The Associated Press called it “a somewhat drab undertaking with sparks of bioluminescence” that like too many of the Disney remakes “prioritized nostalgia and familiarity over compelling visual storytelling.” She said Bailey, half of the sister R&B duo Chloe x Halle, still shone with a “lovely presence” and “superb voice.” Directed by Rob Marshall with a reported budget of $250 million before marketing, The Little Mermaid tells the story of a yearning, wayward daughter who cuts a devil’s deal to swap her fins for a pair of legs. It features the songs from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, including “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea,” that helped the original film spark a Disney animation renaissance in the 1990s. Fourth place went to Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which keeps reaching new levels in its eighth weekend. Now available to rent on VOD, it still earned $6.3 million in theaters. Its cumulative total of $559 million makes Mario and Luigi the year’s biggest earners so far. Comics couldn’t stand up to Ariel as the week’s other new releases sank. The Machine, an action comedy starring stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer, finished fifth with $4.9 million domestically. And About My Father, the broad comedy starring stand-up Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro, was sixth with $4.3 million. It’s not clear whether The Little Mermaid will have legs — or fins — going forward. Next week brings the release of animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts arriving the following week. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Source: billboard.com

A special, four-legged friend was among the thousands of graduates receiving a diploma at the commencement ceremony for New Jersey’s Seton Hall University. Justin, a 6-year-old service dog for graduating student Grace Mariani, wagged his tail as he walked across the stage at the Prudential Center in Newark on May 22, a video from the university’s Twitter page showed. The labrador-golden retriever mix wore a blue mortar board and matching Class of 2023 bandana as he sniffed the diploma Seton Hall president Joseph E. Nyre presented him, the video showed. The crowd of families and graduates loudly cheered as Justin grabbed the diploma with his mouth while accompanying Mariani, who crossed the stage in a motorized wheelchair. Nonprofit organization Canine Companions for Independence’s service dog was awarded a diploma for attending all of Mariani’s Seton Hall classes, the university said via Twitter. Justin is Mariani’s second service dog from Canine Companions, according to Jeanine Konopelski, the nonprofit’s vice president of marketing and advocacy. “When Grace was matched with Canine Companions service dog Justin, she said her dream was to go away to college and become a teacher,” Konopelski said in an email to CNN. “She shared that with Justin by her side, she has the best chance for a successful, independent life,” Konopelski said. Justin has learned over 45 tasks to help Mariani become more independent, according to Konopelski. Mariani graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education and plans to teach elementary and special education, CNN affiliate WCBS-TV reported. Source: CNN News

South Pacific (SP) Brewery Limited once again hosted another successful SP Sports Awards, its 31st one since it started in 1992, to recognize the achievements of Papua New Guinea's sports athletes, sports teams and sporting officials and delegates. This significant event, which was hosted at the Crowne Hotel in Port Moresby, recognizes elite talents and sporting achievements throughout the country for the year 2022. It has been three years since hosting the awards night as a public event due to Covid19 restrictions. For the past three years, the SP Sports Awards was hosted virtually. The night portrayed a total of thirteen categories including: 1. Sports Photo of the Year, 2. Sports Official of the Year, 3. Trukai Industries Sports Media Award, 4. Community Sports Initiative Award, 5. CPL Best Sports Person with a Disability, 6. Westpac Junior Male Athlete of the Year, 7. Westpac Junior Female Athlete of the Year, 8. People’s Choice Award, 9. Brands Pacific National Performance of the Year, 10. Stan Joyce Award, 11. Carbaine Club Team of the Year, 12. Female Athlete of the Year, and 13. Male Athlete of the year. Speaking on the night was Managing Director of SP Brewery, Ed Weggemans, who expressed that SP Brewery has always been a proud sponsor of the Sports Awards for thirty-one years. Weggemans highlighted that the theme of the night was “Make a Difference, Stop the Violence,” which pretty much talks about addressing violence as a whole. “We share a common enemy that stance to undermine our vision and that is violence. Violence has crossed the spectrum of just being a law and order issue to being deeply recognized as a development issue in Papua New Guinea.” “Family sexual violence, SARV, domestic violence, public violence all have severe consequences to a country that is aspiring to promote itself as an investment destination to the regional and global community.” Weggemans further commended the sports awards organizing committee for showing tremendous courage by using the iconic SP Sports Awards platform to advocate powerful message of making a difference to stop the violence. He further reiterated  that violence has no place in sports and in Papua New Guinea as a whole. He further concluded by thanking and congratulating all 36 finalists who were nominated for the Sports Awards. Speaking also during the awards night was Guest Speaker, Mark "Spudd" Carroll, who is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer that played as a prop in the 1980s and 1990s. In his address, Carroll outlined three key words to the aspiring young athletes, which were Enjoyment, Smile and Respect. This he stressed as something that must be practiced and adapted when out in the sporting fields and to not inflict any form of violence, but respect for others. “We need to promote a culture of respect, awareness program, campaigns over media and just spreading the word. This we must work together towards the future where violence and sports are distant memories, and where our sporting arenas become symbols of unity, inspiration and pride of Papua New Guinea.” “Violence is never the answer to any problem or conflict, it only breeds more violence and cause harm to individuals and the community as a whole. So, let us all strive to create a safe and positive environment, both on and off the field.” Meanwhile, SP Brewery thanked all its Sponsors for the making the event a success and memorable one including, Trukai Industries Limited, Carbine Club of Papua New Guinea, Brands Pacific, Air Niugini, Theodist Limited, Colourboys PNG, Next of Kin Productions, City Pharmacy Group of Companies, Westpac Banking Corporation, Deloitte PNG and the home of the Sports Award, Crowne Hotel.

The Fisheries Development in East New Britain Province has reached another milestone with the successful launching of small to medium business ventures in the province in support for the people. This follows the recent launching of the East New Britain Fisheries Micro Small Medium Enterprise that took place at the Provincial Fisheries Station in Rabaul town. The support comprises of outboard motors, dinghies, deep freezers as well as eskies worth K250, 000 that will go towards assisting the local people in making fishing a viable small business venture. According to ENB Provincial Fisheries Coordinator, Dickson Kondaul, this initiative by the Provincial Fisheries sector will be piloted in the province with counter-funding support from the National Fisheries Authority (NFA). He also commended the support by NFA under the partnership agreement to implement the MOA for fisheries development with other provinces. The NFA management recently has lauded the ENB Fisheries sector for having the drive to facilitate and create initiatives and to go one step further. Kondaul said this initiative will empower locals economically and further strengthen the Provincial Government’s Ward policy aimed at alleviating social and law and order problems and promote economic development. Meanwhile, Kondaul further urged those that will benefit from the equipment, to be appreciative and practice responsibility and ensure they are used for its intended purpose. The occasion also coincided with the graduation of the first batch of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Revalidation Training for seafarers in ENB by the National Fisheries College. The training, according to Kondaul, was also co-funded and delivered in the province under the MOA through Enhancing Capacity Building & Training. Furthermore, NFA Provincial Support Manager, Bolton Towok had also commended the Provincial Fisheries sector for partnering with NFA in delivering vital training to empower its human resources for the marine industry.