National Airports Corporation (NAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Mr. Rex Kiponge, was re-arrested yesterday and brought in to the Boroko Police Station in Port Moresby for questioning. Police questioned Mr. Kiponge a little over 4 hours without laying any formal charges. He was later locked up in the holding cell with a charge for abuse of office and released last night on a K2,000 court bail. NAC staff in a show of unity and solidarity protested over the arrest of their Managing Director in front of the Police station while Mr. Kiponge was being questioned. They came with one strong message calling for an end to political interference in the operations and affairs of the NAC. General Manager Commercial Mr. Wali Eki, was succinct in his call to the Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Walter Schnaubelt. “Let us discuss in a round table meeting on the very issue at hand and stop using the police as if Mr. Kiponge was a common criminal to deserve the manner of his arrest.” He said this was the second arrest on the airport boss and the manner in which he was arrested seemed highly political. It is understood Mr. Kiponge was picked up by police from Loloata Island while at a business planning workshop with his Provincial Airport Managers and transported to the station after lunch. NAC lawyer Dan Kakaraya called on Minister Schnaubelt to man up and face call a meeting instead of hiding behind the police to solve his problems. “I call on the Minister, the Police Commissioner and CASA Director to explain to the nation why Mr. Kiponge is been unlawfully detained at Boroko.” Mr. Kakayraya claimed that those behind Kiponge’s arrest manufactured the charges just to intimidate and harass the NAC boss.

Telikom Limited launched its Christmas promotion for this festive season giving its customers nationwide many chances to win cash. The 'Krismas CASHpot' campaign officially starts today November 18th and will end on December 23rd. The Head of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Nathaniel Lepani when addressing the media during the launching stating that both mobile and fixed subscription customers are eligible to take part in this Christmas promotion. “There are two draws that customers can win in, a daily draw where 20 lucky winners will have a share in K50, 000 and the major CASHpot draw where 5 weekly winners can win up to K250, 000.” “Customers will get entries into the draw by recharging K10 or more . So, recharge amounts between K10-K19 gets you an entry, K20-K29 gets you two entries and so on.” Mr. Lepani said that if customers get the call, they must answer the call with “Merry Christmas Telikom” to win any of the cash prizes. The daily draws will be done for each region on different days of the week so that they have winners from each of the regions. Draws for each of the region is as follows: Monday – Highlands region, Tuesday – Islands Region, Wednesday – Momase Region and Thursday – Southern Region. Mr. Lepani added that during the first two weekends of the promotion, customers will receive double entries and the 3rd and 4th weekends, customers will receive triple entries. “For customers who are still using the old sims and haven’t upgraded their sims to 4G, there’s a special promotion for the first 100 entries.” Customers can check the number of entries they have by dialing *555#.

The FAO-led EU-STREIT PNG Programme continues to provide learning opportunities to improve cocoa farmers’ skills in hard-to-reach areas of the Sepik region for increased profitability and improved livelihoods of thousands of households who depend on this cash crop. In collaboration with the Division of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) in Angoram District of East Sepik Province and PNG Cocoa Board, a total of 1375 farmers, inclusive of women and youths from three villages, were upskilled in best block management practices, and cocoa propagation techniques – critical to producing pest tolerant seedlings.   Conducted in Asangumut, Murken and Jungit villages (in Yuwat and Marienberg Rural Local Level Governments), the training sessions had lasted for three weeks, brought together 1350 participants from the three villages plus an additional 25 farmers who enthusiastically trekked from surrounding villages to join. In terms of gender and youth participation, there were 665 women and youths representing 48% of total 1375 farmers who were very keen to attend the training and learn new skills. In Asangumut Village, residents in collaboration with Manbanda Cooperative Society, assisted the Programme to organise the training which was conducted under the theme ‘Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) and focused on application of appropriate pruning methods on matured cocoa trees following the crop calendar. Pruning is an important cocoa farming activity in block management that allows for shade control for sufficient sunlight and airflow to reduce risk of diseases such as black pod and to provide more nutrients that leads to abundant flowering and hence increased fruit yields. The cocoa budding training was the focus of training sessions organised in Murken and Jungit villages, in partnership with Jangama Apaukra Cooperative Society and Jungit Cooperative Society, which pulled together 943 farmers with a high interest from women and youths numbering 487 or 52% of the participants. “I learned many good things, like how to properly look after our cocoa trees to produce quality beans that will give us more money to pay school fees for our children, buy new clothes to wear and pots to cook. Only cocoa will move us, and I want to say thank you,” said a female farmer and mother Mrs Ruta Sore form Jungit Village. Sharing on behalf of the youth, Vincent Anduare and young cocoa farmers said: “The budding skills will help us to produce CPB pest tolerant cocoas that will provide a source of income to help get rural youths out of poverty.” Commenting on the challenges people in these remote communities face and how the Programme, in collaboration with local partners, is trying to improve cash flow and economic opportunities in these rural communities, the FAO National Cocoa Production Officer, Michael Lames, said: “These are very remote and hard-to-reach communities like Jungit which is located towards Madang Province, so it was a relief to come to their aid. When these cocoa trees come into production, the income will support improve their lives in the villages.” Lames added: “It was good to see many villagers opening their bank accounts with MiBank – a partner of EU-STREIT PNG Programme – instead of taking the risk to travel long distances along the Sepik River and then onto a Public Motor Vehicle to Wewak Town and it’s good we came to them.” As is the practice in all STREIT’s implementation sites, the Programme will follow up with the distribution of agricultural inputs and materials like polybags and shade cloths to help the trained farmers in these three locations to set up their nurseries for the production of CPB tolerant seedlings. These seedlings will then be procured by FAO and re-distributed to farmers in the same area. During the gender and youth mainstreaming sessions, aimed at promoting women and youths’ involvement in decision-making processes for an increased income from agrifood value chain activities, farmers were divided into groups according to their ages and sex in a view to discussing their 24-hour activities.  Men and women, both old and young, explored their roles and responsibilities, starting from household chores to farming, in order to identify where workloads could be shared to improve production and income as well as respect and togetherness at household levels. Through this activity, participants came to the self-realisation that valued labour inputs especially by women that were neither balanced and nor recognised within family farming setups. The Gender and Youth Inclusion team will conduct regular follow-ups to ensure women and youths are included in the cocoa cooperative management committees and also to ensure the official registration and lagalisation of youth groups in these remote villages. MiBank officers under the Programme’s mandate to create an enabling environment for improved access to finance and banking services also accompanied the FAO mission team and staged multiple sessions on financial literacy awareness and opened bank accounts for the farmers and villagers.

Currently, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented; however, evidence has shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by taking a few preventative measures, including: Weight management: Excess weight is the single most important cause of type 2 diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Being overweight increases, the chances of developing type 2 diabetes seven-fold while being obese makes you 20 to 40 times more likely to develop diabetes than someone in a healthy weight range. Losing weight can help if your weight is above the healthy-weight range. Knowing your BMI number (Body mass index) helps to determine whether you are in a healthy weight range for your height. Talk to your doctor. Exercise regularly: Inactivity promotes type 2 diabetes. Working your muscles often and making them work harder improves their ability to use insulin and absorb glucose, putting less stress on your insulin-making cells, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Walking briskly for half an hour every day reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30 percent. If you are new to exercise, talk to your doctor be and start slowly. Eat a healthy diet: Eat plenty of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, yoghurt, and high fibre foods. Try to reduce packaged foods where possible and reduce your salt, sugar, and fat intake, particularly trans and saturated fats. Quit smoking: Smokers are 30–40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers according to the CDC. If you are having trouble quitting smoking talk to your doctor. Manage blood pressure: Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and take any medications as advised by your doctor. Talk to your doctor: Take note of any changes in your health and schedule regular check-ups with your doctor. Source: Sir Brian Bell Foundation

It’s a big week for the Women’s Football division at OFC, as two new and one familiar face are joining the team. Stephanie Spielmann, Margaret Aka and Ashleigh Cox are welcome additions, all bringing a wealth of experience in an exciting time for the women’s game. Stephanie will be joining the team after five years as Tahiti’s Women’s Football Manager and Women’s National Team Coach. In her time at FTF, she not only managed the elite level but also played a big role in the growth in female participation. Her role will remain based in Tahiti and be focused on the OFC ALL IN strategy for women’s football participation and education pillars, supporting the development of girls and women’s football in OFC’s Member Associations. Margaret will be joining OFC, based in Papua New Guinea, after a decade working in football holding various development, coaching and education roles, most recently as the PNGFA Women’s Football Development Officer. Her achievements with PNGFA have concluded with perhaps the greatest achievement the national women’s team has seen – winning the 2022 OFC Women’s Nations Cup and qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Play Off Tournament next year. After a year off on maternity leave, Ashleigh will return to continue to support ALL IN’s education and visibility pillars, focusing on capacity building and leadership development. Her previous contract was during the Covid lockdown, so it will be a great occasion having her meeting and connecting with the OFC team in person at the Home Of Football in Auckland. Ashleigh was previously with New Zealand Football as the Marketing and Events Manager, before that the NZF Women’s Development Manager. OFC Women’s Football Manager Emma Evans is “thrilled” to have the three join the women’s football team at OFC. “Stephanie, Margaret and Ashleigh have vast experience in football across the Pacific, and they are all extremely passionate about football and making a difference in the region. While Ashleigh, Margaret and Stephanie all held the position of Women’s Football Manager in OFC member associations in their previous roles, they each bring different strengths to the team and I can’t wait to see the positive impact they will have on football in our region in the years to come” Source: Oceaniafootball.com

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Papua New Guinea (ASFPNG) supports a call by the Institute of National Affairs (INA) for the Government to clarify the functions of Papua New Guineas Sovereign Wealth Fund and the formula to be applied for its administration and for independent fund management to be in place upholding the Santiago principles. ASFPNG President Ian Tarutia said since the Organic Law on the Sovereign Wealth Fund 2015 was enacted, successive governments have not put in place the mechanism and operational requirements of the fund through a relevant Act of Parliament to compliment the Organic Law. In supporting the media statement by INA Director Paul Barker yesterday, Mr. Tarutia said it was encouraging to note that the Marape Government had allocated K5.6 million to the SWF, which was 7 per cent of the K80m consolidated revenue paid by the State-Owned Kumul Consolidated Holdings. “However, whilst ASFPNG welcomes the Government’s move to kick-start the SWF with an initial deposit of K5.6 million, we are somewhat concerned that there is no mechanism in place to administer and operate the fund. “It is vitally important that the Government establish the board, and secretariate structure that will administer and operate the SWF according to global best practices. This will also ensure the funds are fully secured from political interference and abuse. “We understand the Organic Law on the Sovereign Wealth Fund 2015 requires 50 per cent of mining and petroleum tax revenues and 75 per cent of dividends returned to Government to be deposited into the stabilisation fund. In each fiscal year, a portion of these funds can be used as revenue, based on a legislated formula. The savings fund also has its own requirements for deposit and one would have appreciated compliance with the law in calculating the deposits into either the stabilisation fund or the savings fund” The ASFPNG notes that the relevant Act of Parliament envisaged to make further provisions of the different aspects of the Organic Law on the Sovereign Wealth Fund remains to be enacted since 2015. Herein may lie the reason why so many questions arise concerning the implementation of the objectives of the Organic Law on Sovereign Wealth Fund in Papua New Guinea. The ASFPNG is also concerned that the appointment process of the Board as stipulated in the Organic Law of 2015 includes politicians including the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. This is a red flag and this provision should be removed to avoid political manipulation in the appointment process. NPF is a case in point for Papua New Guineans not to repeat its mistakes. In concluding, Mr. Tarutia added that it was timely to get the SWF off the ground coinciding with the windfall of K3.8 billion in oil and gas corporate taxes, including equity distributions to the state from the record revenue this year as a result of the current cycle of higher world energy prices. “Establishing the SWF now would ensure it is ready in time to capitalise on anticipated resource revenue rises this decade. Even if the 2022 windfall isn’t sustained, setting up the fund’s structures and starting to deposit and withdraw funds would still be worthwhile.”

The Law & Justice sector is among one of the targeted areas being captured in the 2023 National Budget but Papua New Guineans must seriously start thinking of returning home to work their land as the Government continues opening up the rural areas of PNG and connects these to overseas markets. Prime Minister James Marape said this today (161122) from Bangkok, Thailand, where he is attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders meeting this week. Prime Minister Marape said intervention to arrest the law & order situation is “specifically targeted” in the 2023 Budget where the Government will work at “strengthening and assisting the Police Force, the Judiciary and the Law & Justice Sector”. “While we work at securing a safer environment in Law & Order, the Government will continue to maintain our focus on Connect PNG roads and the Health Sector, as well as our focus on the Economic Sector interventions – unbundling our land for agriculture and proper development. “We want to maintain our focus on the downstream processing of our minerals, our oil and gas, agriculture produce, and our timber while utilizing the State marketing option in our Forestry Act so that our downstream timbers are processed in the country in the first instance. “All these things are specially focused and as I meet with world leaders at the APEC summit, my big conversation will be establishing markets for our finished products and selling these at good prices.” The Prime Minister encouraged Papua New Guineans to seriously consider returning to work their land and waters as he and his government worked at opening up the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors at the top level. “I want to encourage Papua New Guineans: all of us have land back where we come from. If you are an educated Papua New Guinean, mobilize your family, clan, and tribe, so that you can work your coffee, cacao, coconut, or vanilla. This is the easiest place to engage the mass of our people who are doing nothing. “Our government will still embark on Price Support so our growers get good prices. We will still continue subsidizing the freight so the cost of transportation from rural areas to markets is much easier. “We will continue to ensure that we run Connect PNG roads into where the agriculture, forestry and fisheries resources are. “Our Government is continuing to invest in ports in major centres including strategic jetties to open up the free-flow of cargo in and out of rural areas. “We are gearing to unbundle the rural economy so that your coffee, your fish, and your timber start making money for you. “Papua New Guineans really need to think about this one as a response to the restlessness and unemployment issue. “I want to encourage our young educated Papua New Guineans, those who have left Grade 10 and 12 who feel that there is no employment in the Formal Sector, you can always venture into business – in the agriculture space, forestry space and fisheries space. “We are willing to help the mass of our Papua New Guineans migrate into SMEs that are pegged against our agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism potentials. "Fixing issues before us will not take overnight, it will take some time, and the Government is showing the way. We now ask our people to respond. "Imagine if 1 million family produced K10,000.00 worth of agriculture, forestry or fisheries produces. This amounts to a K10 billion income generation. "The money is there and the Government is establishing the markets; we ask our people to now work your land," PM Marape said.

Credit Corporation PNG Limited announces its partnership with Project Yumi Inc, an Australian and Papua New Guinean (PNG) registered not for profit, as they launch Project Wok their youth empowerment and job readiness program which rolls out in 2023. The initiative comprises a four-module targeted job readiness education program that covers resume writing, job search strategies, interview skills training, and financial literacy Through Project Wok, Credit Corporation and Project Yumi Inc aim to equip over 400 Grade 12 students from secondary schools around Port Moresby with the key employability skills needed to help transition from school into the workforce. Speaking during the pilot program’s graduation ceremony, Credit Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Danny Robinson said, “Project Wok provides a holistic learning experience that enhances students’ employability.” Robinson congratulated the students who participated in the project’s pilot program and encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunities made available through the training, and fully commit to their own personal development. A total of 29 students from various secondary schools in Port Moresby participated in the project’s pilot program. Credit Corporation further announced that it is offering each of the pilot program’s graduates two weeks of structured work experience in the business. According to Robinson, the work experience will enable the participants to gain valuable on the job experience while also participating in further skills and knowledge training. Credit Corporation and Project Yumi Inc acknowledge that the delivery of Project Wok is only possible with the support key project partners - IEA College of Tafe, and the Young Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Credit Corporation and Project Yumi Inc are proud to collaborate with likeminded organisations who are deeply committed to empowering the youth of PNG and developing the workforce of the future.

This year's Christmas Island red crab migration is expected to see 65 million of the critters trek from tropical rainforests to the sandy coast, according to Parks Australia. The island's native species manager Derek Ball said this year's migration could be the biggest in years. Heavy rainfall last Saturday kicked off the species' parade throughout the island, where some roads have already been closed to give them safe passage. Wildlife photographer and Swell Lodge owner Chris Bray said when the island woke, it was "red with crabs". "The next morning there was millions of crabs that just came out of the burrows all across the island," he said. The entire migration process takes about three months and begins with the journey to the coast, where the males dig a burrow to breed in. The females stay under the sand for incubation, before releasing their eggs into the ocean when the tide is right. Mr Ball said tens of millions of crabs were already on the move. "It's only been a few days, but it certainly looks like this is going to be a huge migration," he said. "We do have a very large number of crabs coming down so we're keeping a very close eye on that over the next few weeks." Pest control behind surge "That's probably largely due to the fact that we've been able to suppress invasive species like crazy ants, which do kill the crabs unfortunately." Yellow crazy ants have killed millions of red crabs since accidentally being introduced to the island in the 1990s. The crazy ants spray acid into the crabs' eyes and leg joints to immobilise them, before eating them. What's it like to live on the island? Mr Bray said witnessing the migration was "spectacular" and a major force behind the island's tourism, but the novelty did wear off after a few weeks. "It does make life a lot harder around town to do the normal things like just drive down to the shop," he said. "There's traffic management or the national park rangers out there with lollipop signs … forming convoys of cars to limit the flow of traffic over the crab areas "There's so many contraptions on the island to try and give the crabs safe passage to do their thing." Crabs part of island's 'DNA' Will Parker has lived on Christmas Island with his family for the past year and has been mesmerized by the migration. "It's fascinating and intriguing, there's no way so many humans could move in such … [an] orderly way," he said. Mr Parker said the crabs meant "everything" to Christmas Island. "They are part of the island's fibre, it's DNA." Source: ABC News

Airways Hotel is pleased to announce that it has been selected as the winner of the World’s Leading Boutique Airport Hotel at the World Travel Awards World category 2022. This prestigious award gala ceremony took place on November 11, 2022 at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Muscat Oman. For 15 consecutive years now, this award acknowledges Airways Hotel for its world-class facilities, exceptional service and a passionate attention to detail. “It is truly an honour to once again be recognized by the industry experts and guests who have experienced our unique property. We would also like to dedicate this award to all our valued guests for their continuous support and our 600+ staff for their contribution to delivering the best of Papua New Guinea every day,” said Robert O'Brien, Group General Manager of Airways Hotel & Residences. Our dedicated team takes pride in delivering personalized service to enhance guests’ experience and showcase the best in Papua New Guinea. World Travel Awards is globally renowned as the most prestigious honours program that acknowledge, reward and represent the most acclaimed benchmark of excellence in the travel and hotel industries. Founded in 1986, Airways Hotel is an oasis of understated luxury that nestled in its own botanical garden. It is a 5-star property with 149 finely appointed rooms in an environment that is serene, secure, and spacious. While its surroundings are remarkable, the hotel’s international reputation has been built on equally unique interiors and elegant décor. It is a place where our guest’s convenience and comfort are our priority. Dining at Airways is an epicurean journey with a variety of dining options. Our professional chefs prepare cuisine of the very highest quality, combining the freshest local produce – including PNG's famous seafood – with the finest imported ingredients. Built around an ancient locally quarried monolith, Bliss Spa, is the hotel’s still point. Adorned with selected Thai artefacts, its candlelit spaces exude calm and comfort. Individually air-conditioned rooms deliver a precise, controlled environment in which to receive a level of care unparalleled in the Pacific. Airways Private Health Club is Port Moresby's most modern and exclusive recreation facility. From its Japanese-raked pebble surrounds to its unique infinity lap pool, it will take your breath away.

The world’s population reached 8 billion people on Tuesday, representing a “milestone in human development” before birth rates start to slow, according to a projection from the United Nations. In a statement, the UN said the figure meant 1 billion people had been added to the global population in just 12 years. “This unprecedented growth is due to the gradual increase in human lifespan owing to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine. It is also the result of high and persistent levels of fertility in some countries,” the UN statement read. Middle-income countries, mostly in Asia, accounted for most of the growth over the past decade, gaining some 700 million people since 2011. India added about 180 million people, and is set to surpass China as the world’s most populous nation next year. But even while the global population reaches new highs, demographers note the growth rate has fallen steadily to less than 1% per year. This should keep the world from reaching 9 billion people until 2037. The UN projects the global population will peak at around 10.4 billion people in the 2080s and remain at that level until 2100. Most of the 2.4 billion people to be added before the global population peaks will be born in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the UN, marking a shift away from China and India. Environmental impact Reaching an 8 billion global population “is an occasion to celebrate diversity and advancements while considering humanity’s shared responsibility for the planet,” UN Secretary General António Guterres said in the UN statement. Having more people on Earth puts more pressure on nature, as people compete with wildlife for water, food and space. Meanwhile, rapid population growth combined with climate change is also likely to cause mass migration and conflict in coming decades, experts say. And whether it’s food or water, batteries or gasoline, there will be less to go around as the global population grows. But how much they consume is equally important, suggesting policymakers can make a big difference by mandating a shift in consumption patterns. Carbon emissions of the richest 1%, or about 63 million people, were more than double the emissions of the poorest half of humanity between 1990 and 2015, according to a 2020 analysis by the Stockholm Environment Institute and non-profit Oxfam International. Resource pressure will be especially daunting in African nations, where populations are expected to boom, experts say. These are also among the countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, and most in need of climate finance. Source: CNN

Papua New Guinea’s long awaited Independent Commission Against Corruption must be allocated substantial funding in the 2023 Budget if the government is to make good on its anti-corruption promises. Community advocacy group ACT NOW! stressed this, as Parliament is scheduled to sit next week. “The Prime Minister has promised a fully functioning ICAC by 2023”, says ACT NOW! Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago. “But there are two crucial pieces of the jigsaw that are missing, “ Tanago said. “The first is a substantial budget allocation and the second is the appointment of the first Commissioner and their Deputies.” The Chair of the Interim ICAC Office Mr Thomas Eluh has said the organisation will need a staff of at least 82 people, a secure office premises, vehicles, computers and IT systems, yet in 2022 his office was allocated only K5 million in funding. Meanwhile, in February 2022, the positions of ICAC Commissioner and two Deputies were publicly advertised with a March deadline for applications. Eight months later, there has been no announcement of who has been appointed or when they will take up their new roles. ACT NOW! says the Prime Minister needs to avoid the fate of his predecessor, Peter O’Neill, who was ridiculed for his repeatedly broken promises to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption. “People have learnt that politicians should not be praised for their promises and can only be judged on their actions”, says Eddie Tanago. “If the Budget does not include many tens of millions in funding for the ICAC then the Prime Minister will have failed on his promise to the long-suffering people of PNG”.