In setting the phase ahead, Chief of Defense Force Major General Mark Goina officially began the Commanders monthly walk on Friday 27th of January last month. The walk which began as early as 4.30 am had seen over hundred participants from all Port Moresby based units, Defence Department and the Defence bilateral partners. Major-General Mark Goina officially led the walk on an estimated 3.5 kilometers walk that began from Murray Barracks headquarters to Hohola tunnel, onto freeway to Waigani Central tunnel than to Boroko and ended at Murray Barracks. The units that took part came from Goldie River Training Depot, 1RPIR from Taurama Barracks, Basilisk Naval Base, Air Transport Wing, Force Support Battalion, PNGDF Headquarters and Department of Defence Staff. During the walk the team was also happy to see participants from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, US and other defence partners. The walk was also important as it coincided with the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the first establishment of Papua New Guinea Defence Force. During the walk, all the units participated very well and the walk ended successfully with a complimentary speech from Major-General Mark Goina. During his speech he assured the troops that despite uniform issues; the soldiers were very professional in their dressing and did a good turn out on 50th PNGDF anniversary parade the day before. Major General Goina thanked the Australian Defence Staff and the New Zealand Defence Staff for always supporting PNGDF and is looking forward in working together in revitalizing the force. He thanked the other defence partners from Indonesia, America, Japan, China, French India and other countries who are affiliating with PNGDF. Goina thank the Department of Defence Staff who also accepted his invitation and successfully walked with him. He urges the Department of Defence and PNGDF to work together as one team throughout this year. Commanders Walk is a monthly walk as part of Defence Force activity that happens every month. Today will be the second Commanders Walk of the year.

National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Chief Inspector Silva Sika has called for a meeting with all Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) operators at 1 pm on Sunday, February 19, at the Unagi Oval in the Gordons area in the nations’ capital. The meeting will be with PMV operators and people from the organisations who are responsible for the operation and administration of vehicles in the city, Police, Central Province Transport Authority, the Chief Executive Officer of the Road Transport Authority, Mr Nelson Terema, and the Chairman of the Public Motor Vehicles Association, Mr Jack Waso. Mr Sika said there is a growing concern about the manner in which public motor vehicles (buses and Taxis) are being driven on public streets by drivers without due care and consideration for other road users, and in violation of traffic rules. He further added that the PMV operators must make it their business to attend this gathering so they will disseminate the right information to their drivers. "We all must work together to make our city safe for everyone to move around. I want you all to come so we can meet and discuss this openly. You might have some good things to share with us so please feel free to come to this meeting," Mr Sika said. He said the meeting is also open to the public. Mr Sika said the Officer in Charge of Boroko Traffic Senior Inspector Joseph Salle can be contacted on telephone 3234201, Digicel 71361184 or 75518209 to confirm their attendance.

Restoration efforts in the Porgera valley are in progress as the township slowly slips back into normalcy with the recommencement of government and health services this month including the revival of the Porgera Rugby League competition. A Porgera youth initiative, Porgera League has registered a total of 36 teams to compete in this year’s competition, six of them female teams. Pre-season warm up matches began two weeks ago as most of the clubs and teams got themselves registered in preparation for the competition proper, which kick-starts this weekend at the Paiam sports field. The Restoring Justice Initiative (RJI) and PJV’s Community and Social Responsibilities (CSR) Manager Trevor Liversidge during the presentation of rugby balls, highly commended the Porgera youth, particularly through the efforts of the Porgera District Sports Council for initiating and reviving interest and participation to get over 36 teams registered for both the A and B grades. The 36 teams derive from 18 clubs in total from as far as Mulitaka to Paiela and within Porgera with each club registering with a fee of K300 covering both the A&B grades. During the final warm up matches played last Sunday, RJI Manager Pat Niuni together with Mr Liversidge and President of Porgera Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Nickson Pakea, visited participating teams at Lukal and Tipinini and delivered rugby balls to each team. Mr Niuni expressed to the youth at Lukal that the sporting program is a huge effort toward supporting the restoration of Porgera. “We all have to work together to restore Porgera while we wait for the mine to restart. Look after the community, look after the highway, and support the security efforts. Prove that you are able to achieve this on your own and give confidence back to the company and businesses and your own people. Play peacefully and do not incite or support violence. Let’s show the province and country that we can do this,” Mr Niuni said. Mr Pakea who has been vocal on peace and restoration efforts in the valley has supported the Tipinini team with their registration fee into the competition. Addressing the teams at Paiam on Sunday, he said Porgera has already opened its doors back to normalcy and appealed to everyone to do their part to fully restore Porgera.“ Porgera is slowly coming back to life and we have to fix the law and order before the mine can reopen. Get involved in meaningful activities and programs like sports and education and have purpose. Do not exist aimlessly. “Every individual has a role to play to take back Porgera, not just me or Barrick or the leaders or the security personnel. You all have a part to play by doing the right thing. Play your games peacefully and respectfully, “Mr Pakea emphasised. Porgera district rugby league has aligned the competition with the PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) sporting calendar for the year with the competition being played into the Easter Cup. The District Sports Council is also reviving other sporting codes in the district, which include basketball, soccer and touch rugby.

More than five murder cases have been reported in Madang between January and February according to Madang Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent David Seine Jr. PPC Seine said from February first to the seventh, four murder cases were reported in the Sumkar District of which three were in the Karkar Local Level Government (LLG) and one from Sumgilbar LLG. PPC Seine said according to police investigators, one of the three people who were murdered on Karkar Island on February 1, is the Dangsai Primary School head teacher.  He further added that the other two killed were suspects who were allegedly involved in the murder of the head teacher. He said according to police the teacher was traveling by boat from Kubugam to Karkar Island with the other passengers when he was murdered in the boat. “The head teacher, identified as Donald Kapom, reportedly had an argument on the boat with the other passengers and he was murdered before the boat reached shore. The killings at Karkar Island were believed to be in retaliation to the head teacher's murder. We are investigating both cases. “Karkar Police Station Commander Chief Sergeant Bolar Rimur is in charge of the investigation. The school was also closed and police officers on the Island are trying their best to make sure peace is restored. School must resume and the students must not be affected,” PPC Seine said. PPC Seine said the bodies of the three people killed were taken to Kubugam by boat and onto Modilon Hospital Morgue by Talidig police officers. He further added that a fourth man was beheaded at Karkum village along the North Coast Road on February 7. He said the man, yet to be identified, was beheaded whilst on his way to enrol his daughter in school.

Water Police officers in Port Moresby are now assisting the PNG National Maritime Safety Authority in the search for four Port Moresby-based fishermen that went missing last week Tuesday (February 7). Director Water Police Chief Inspector Chris Smith said Water Police officers helped initially when the report was lodged at the police station last week. He said the police officers are assisting the National Maritime Safety Authority officers. Mr Smith said the search was unsuccessful and no one has been found. He further added that the Water Police officers are doing their normal sea patrols around the waters of Port Moresby and are also keeping an eye out on those that went missing. As a result of this recent incident Mr Smith has again issued a strong appeal to people living along the sea and traveling by sea to always listen to warnings that are issued by the PNG Weather Service. He said before the men went out a warning was issued by the Weather Service and was published on all the media platforms to inform people traveling on the sea that the weather was not good. The missing four are identified as Gabi Lohia, 31, Lohia Michael Nou, 18, Frank Doura, 35, and Maku Dai 22 from Hanuabada in Port Moresby. They left Hanuabada at around 10 on Tuesday morning on a fishing trip.

Halfback Jamal Fogarty has backed ‘once in a lifetime player’ Jordan Rapana to slide into the No.1 jersey with a minimum of fuss in the absence of Xavier Savage. The 33-year-old Kiwi has played nine games at fullback across the past four seasons and finds himself there again this weekend after Savage suffered a broken jaw in Moruya in round one of the Pre-Season Challenge. With Savage set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, Fogarty is confident the 180-game veteran will ease seamlessly into the spine ahead of their first full-team hit out this weekend. “I think Raps (Rapana) can do the job there, we’ve seen it before last year when he’s gone back a couple of times to play fullback,” Fogarty told media during pre-season training. “Raps is once in a lifetime footballer. He’s so carefree - so many other players worry and stress about things where Rapa just goes out and plays football. “And to be honest he’s never holding the wing anyway, he’s always roaming around so it probably suits him very well.” Coach Ricky Stuart is spoilt for choice with utility backs capable of filling the No.1 jersey with the likes of Albert Hopoate and Harley Smith-Shields both experienced in the position. Fogarty has faith in the Raiders' depth but he admits it did sting losing Savage after the pair had just completed their first pre-season as part of Stuart's first-choice spine. “It’s not ideal, myself and Xav (Savage) have worked really hard over the pre-season to get that combination going to get a steady start to the season,” he said. “Losing him we're kind of back to square one with a new fullback but we’ve got players here and the right coaching staff to get ready for the early rounds.” The hard-running Rapana proved his worth at fullback for the Māori All Stars in 2022, topping the run metres (156) and breaking seven tackles in a 16-10 win, before returning to the wing for this year's game in Rotorua. Fellow outside back Matt Timoko is another Raider in no doubt that Rapana can acquit himself well at fullback against Wests Tigers with Nick Cotric and Smith-Shields filling the wing spots. “Raps is a very experienced player, you can chuck him anywhere and he will definitely do his job,” Timoko said. “I’m keen to go out there and play with him. It’s been a couple of months. “It is a big blow having Sav out because he was our number one fullback from the start of pre-season and he’s been training well there. "But at the same time, we’ve got to keep moving forward and not dwell on the setbacks.” Source: NRL.Com

Growing up, Susan Alape watched her father take daily medication. In high school, Susan resolved to become a nurse so she could provide support for her father and others like him. After graduating from Pacific Adventist University, Susan realized her goal of becoming a nurse. With 5 years’ experience, Susan joined UNFPA and Burnet Institute’s Faculty Development Programme. She completed the first module on evidence-based practice in 2022. “I was referred to the course by one of the Maternal and Child Health Coordinators for National Capital District Provincial Health Authority, who said I should try it out,” said Susan, after completing the course. “I didn't think I was going to be accepted as I'm a general nurse with less than ten years experience, but I have an interest in this area of maternal and child health. I was elated to have been accepted.” UNFPA’s Faculty Development Programme, hosted in partnership with the Burnet Institute, focuses on education - how to deliver the lessons learned - to other practitioners. The development and strengthening of those who teach is one important strategy to improve the quality of care provided by maternity health professionals and in turn, to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. “Evidence-based practice is relevant in all areas of the healthcare system,” said Susan. “ It ensures that what we teach and practice is of high standard and produces quality outcomes fornursing care and good patient satisfaction.” Delivering the best care means engaging in continued education about emerging technologies in the healthcare space. Susan shared that keeping up to date with the latest advancements is essential for those working in nursing. “As time goes by, technology advances and science evolves, bringing in new information and evidence that we may use in our practice and teaching,” said Susan. “We have to be up to date with new information and this course highlighted the importance of evidence-based practice, particularly the importance of examining how and from where you get your information and self-critiquing the research you do to support your practice.” Patient satisfaction is one of the most important outcomes for Susan. “I believe that the patient's smile reflects the quality of care given and I'm always glad when I see patients smile when they leave.” “I do hope to have a career in maternal and child health in the near future and be able to undertake further learning.” Whether or not Susan utilizes her new skills to advance her interests in maternal and child health, Susan is now letting evidence-based practice guide her work as a nurse. “Despite the challenges faced in our healthcare system in PNG, I enjoy serving people from all walks of life,” shared Susan. “I am able to care for my father as well as serve my countrymen and women through my nursing career.”

PNG Fashion Week Limited through its economic arm, Miss Papua New Guinea has launched its second shop, this time an international branch in Brisbane, Australia which is a first for the business and a very first for the nation in this industry. The shop which specializes in selling locally designed clothing and local arts and craft is looking forward to serving the demand for Papua New Guinean made items in Australia and the surrounding international community. According to PNG Fashion Week Director Ms Philma Kelegai, the Brisbane branch located at 28/198 Adelaide Street, Anzac Square, Brisbane CDB, will provide an avenue for local designers to tap into the international market to further push their local brands and in turn reach more international clients for their businesses. For over five years now, the Miss Papua New Guinea shop located at Vision City in Port Moresby has been carrying local brands by local Papua New Guineans and so far has created a mark in the fashion and textile industry as a brand that is here to stay. Ms Kelegai said that with the country facing a downturn in the economy as far as inflation and the turnout of success for SMEs is concerned, the focus for the business now is to look outside of the local market and explore promising opportunities at the international level. “With the country’s economy going through some tough challenging times, the focus for us now is to look further and find avenues for growth for our business and our clients whom we are connected to.” “With the opening of our newest shop in Brisbane, our clients (local designers) can now have direct access to the international market as whatever products we have in our branch in country will be the same for our international branch as well,” Ms Kelegai said. Miss Papua New Guinea is a business pathway for local designers and creatives who are part of the country’s premiere fashion platform, PNG Fashion Week. Ms Kelegai said, “With a platform as massive as PNG Fashion Week, the potential for pushing local brands on there is very promising and so that has been our focus, to push for and to encourage local designers through all our major activities, the most coveted one being the NGCB Paradise Runway.” Dubbed as “the future of culture”, the NGCB Paradise Runway is PNG Fashion Week’s largest and most popular high fashion runway which is dedicated to promoting Papua New Guinea’s diverse and unique cultures through culturally and traditionally inspired designs. With the opening of the Brisbane shop, Ms Kelegai is confident that the future is looking bright for PNG Fashion Week and more importantly for the Miss Papua New Guinea brand as they continue to venture into unexplored markets to establish themselves as a leading brand in the world of fashion. The official launching and opening of the shop was attended by representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office as well as officials from National Gaming Control Board Ltd who currently remain as the naming rights sponsors to the NGCB Paradise Runway. NGCB CEO Ms. Imelda Agon officially opened Miss Papua New Guinea - Brisbane on 14th February, 2023. Source: PNG Fashion Week

Coral Sea Hotels, which includes the Coral Sea Hotels nationwide, and the Grand Papua Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals; is the PNGAFF’s exclusive hospitality partner for 2023. According to Coral Sea Hotels General Manager, Peter Laigaard Jensen, Coral Sea Hotels has been a long-term supporter of the sporting ambitions of PNG, through the support of PNG AFFF. “We were there for the Pacific Games in 2015 as a major sponsor, and we have always welcomed sports officials and players at our establishments”, commented Mr. Jensen. “Sport is an important part of community living in PNG, and our representatives bring much prestige and honour to the local communities as well as the country” continued Mr. Jensen. “If we can contribute to their preparation through the provision of high-quality hospitality, then we are confident that they will be in the best position to do PNG proud”. In responding to Mr. Jensen, the President of PNG AFF, Timothy Dom Jim, thanked Coral Sea Hotels for support of sport in PNG. “We are grateful for the invaluable support from Coral Sea Hotels, and a partnership that will grow over the years”. About the Coral Seas Hotels Coral Sea Hotels are a hospitality pioneer in Papua New Guinea and offers a portfolio of premium, mid–market, and upscale quality hotels, residences & apartments in strategic well appointed locations throughout the country. Coral Sea Hotels - YOUR HOME IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Coral Sea Hotels is a business division of Steamships Limited. About the Papua New Guinea American Football Federation (PNG AFF) The PNG-AFF is a Non-Profit Organization aimed at developing American Football, tackle and Flag Football in Papua New Guinea. PNG American Football Federation is now an Allied Member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). By 2025, PNG American Football Federation will be a Full Member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).

An agreement has been signed to allow more Papua New Guineans in the informal sector to save for retirement through the National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund). Nasfund signed a partnership with MiBank, to develop a member onboarding software, which will be used by MiBank agents and Nasfund officers to register citizens through the Fund’s Eda Supa product. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for an initial 2 year period, was signed today by Nasfund Acting Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Sharma, and MiBank Chief Executive Officer Tony Westaway. According to Nasfund Acting CEO Rajeev Sharma, this is exciting for the Fund, as it leverages off MiBank’s proven technology and track record and to enable quality service delivery to Nasfund’s Eda Supa members. “This initiative is part of the strategic direction by the Board of Nasfund on the key focus area of member benefits and offerings. As we all know, technology is at the heart of the digital age, and our organization recognizes the importance of partnering with a leading-edge technology savy bank like MiBank to drive innovation, enhance our products and services, and ultimately deliver greater value to our members. The Fund is confident that through this software, member biodata and monetary transactions will be captured accurately, to ensure timely update of member details and superannuation accounts. This solution will improve our service delivery to our Eda Supa members and enable our Eda Supa members to consistently increase their contributions as they see their balances increase each time they make a deposit to Nasfund using this new platform. The Fund is excited at the impact this development will have on our members, especially in the informal sector who will use our Eda Supa product. Nasfund would like to thank Chief Executive Officer Tony Westaway, Chief Operating Officer Trudi Egi, the Board and the staff of MiBank for supporting Nasfund in this initiative. We look forward to partnering with MiBank in the coming weeks and months, as we welcome our new members.” MiBank CEO Tony Westaway echoed similar sentiments. “Mi-Bank is the leading banker of rural Papua New Guineans and those in the informal sector. With over 16 branches and 280 agents nationwide, we work with account holders in Agriculture, Forestry, Mining and Petroleum project sites, as well as with SMEs in the informal sector in towns and cities around the country. With the help of our digital platform, we have opened up to 467,000 accounts for customers nationwide. This partnership with Nasfund will build on this, to widen the net for financial inclusivity and allow more of our customers to save for retirement through Eda Supa. We are working together to ensure more Papua New Guineans are ready for tomorrow.”

U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security Program representatives conducted a capacity-building seminar on port security audits in Port Moresby from February 13-16, 2023.   The United States Embassy Port Moresby assisted the U.S. Coast Guard to organize a program for more than 40 Papua New Guinea port security officials.  “The U.S. Coast Guard has worked directly with the Department of Transport to tailor this seminar to the needs that were identified by Papua New Guinea. The knowledge gained from this seminar will be used by ports around the country to enhance their port security programs, thus enhancing the security of worldwide maritime transportation system.” said Lieutenant Commander Adam Mullins, Activities Far East, Japan.   The program was designed to enhance port security capabilities in compliance with the 2004 International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, following recommendations during a U.S. Coast Guard visit in 2019. Key features of the program include providing technical assistance in the following areas:  1) Port facility access control, in order to enhance the physical protection systems and security capabilities of each port facility.   2) Drills and exercises in order to enhance the effective coordination and implementation of the port facility security plans.  3) Physical security and threat risk assessment, in order to enhance the identification of threats, vulnerabilities, capabilities, preparedness, and existing security measures related to the port.   In an effort to establish a comprehensive approach to maritime security, the International Maritime Organization and its Member States developed the ISPS Code, the only internationally accepted blueprint for the implementation of maritime security measures. The Coast Guard's International Port Security Program was established in 2003 to reinforce implementation of the ISPS Code in order to better understand of maritime security measures worldwide.   Implementation of these international standards is a worldwide partnership between maritime nations.“The audit seminar has vastly cleared the minds of all PNG participants about what an ISPS audit is about, and now makes it clearer and easier for the PNG Ministry of Transport to put Audit recommendations to respective port facilities,” said Sylvester Adema – First Assistant Secretary – Maritime Security Division PNG Department of Transport. “We truly appreciate the efforts and rare support from the USCG IPS Program and its team members.”   The Coast Guard is the principal Federal agency responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and inland waterways, along more than 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline, throughout the 4.5 million square miles of U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, and on the high seas. As a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency, a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, and a first responder, the Coast Guard employs a unique mix of authorities, broad jurisdiction, flexible operational capabilities, and a network of partnerships. Coast Guard safeguards U.S. national security, border security, and economic prosperity in a complex and evolving maritime environment. 

Papua New Guinea’s latest corruption score is a damning indictment of the government’s failure to properly fund anti-corruption agencies and it confirms PNG as one of the most corrupt country in the world. The recently published Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) shows PNG’s ranking has dropped six places from 124th to 130th out of 180 countries . PNG’s CPI index score which is based on public sector corruption has dropped from 31 in 2021 to 30 in 2022. “Corruption is costing Papua New Guinea billions of Kina every year”, says Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago. “It is ruining our economy and impoverishing the nation.” ACT NOW! says if the government is serious about making PNG ‘the richest black nation on earth’ then it must start to properly fund institutions like the Auditor General’s Office, the newly formed Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Police Fraud Squad and the Department of Implementation and Rural Development. It also needs to introduce new measures to make the government more open and transparent. “We welcome the government’s commitment to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption”, says Tanago. “but a K10 million budget is pathetic when corruption is so entrenched and it looks measly when compared to the K20 million given to every District Development Authority. International accountancy firm Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) has used global economic data to estimate the cost of a one-point change in CPI scores. “The PwC analysis shows that the one point drop in PNG’s corruption score from 2021 to 2022 could be costing the economy as much as K10 billion” says Eddie Tanago. “That is equivalent to a 10% decrease in our Gross Domestic Product or K1,000 being taken from every man woman and child in the country”. Conversely, says ACT NOW, if PNG can improve its corruption score then, that will have the effect of boosting the economy. Improving PNG’s CPI score by just 3 points to match the next worse country in our region which is the Philippines, could boost the size of the economy by 30% or K30 billion. Tanago suggests that the “government boosts its spending on anti-corruption agencies, adding it will have a direct impact in boosting PNG’s national economy and putting money in the hands of ordinary Papua New Guineans”. “Rather than giving K20 million to each DDA, the government could give K19 million instead and use the K96 million saving to boost the AGO, ICAC, DIRD and the fraud office. These institutions should have been strengthened first before the SIP funding was increased” ACT NOW! says corruption puts all sorts of extra costs on to business and makes the economy very inefficient. Corruption suppresses competition, increases prices, makes workers unproductive and leads to very poor infrastructure and services. The easiest way for the government to grow the economy and improve people’s livelihoods is therefore to tackle corruption head-on by properly funding the anti-corruption agencies and ensuring its decision making is open and accountable.