On Wednesday afternoon PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA PNG) issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) closing both Lae/Nadzab airport and Kiunga Airport to all flights due to regulatory issues, effective midnight on Wednesday. Consequently Air Niugini has suspended all flights to both Lae/Nadzab airport and Kiunga Airport. CASA PNG is presently working with National Airports Corporation (NAC) to address these issues. Air Niugini will resume services as soon as the airports are reopened by CASA PNG, but is presently uncertain when this will be. We will advise as soon as we are aware of when we are allowed to resume flights. Customers are advised to revalidate their travel to the next available flight, once the reopening date is known. Air Niugini regrets the inconvenience caused, however the situation is beyond the airline’s control.

Prime Minister James Marape says “The story of our country is not bad” as many make it out to be. He said this yesterday (August 31 2022) when welcoming the 2022 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) presented by Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey which highlighted the fact that the Papua New Guinea economy was on the rebound. PM Marape predicted that by 2027, the Budget would be in surplus, and by the mid-2030s PNG would have paid off all its total sovereign debt on its way to becoming a K200 billion economy. Among the good news for PNG: • The latest MYEFO figures have the PNG economy growing by the largest Kina amount in history – from K82.6 billion in 2020 to K92.6 billion in 2021 and K110.3 billion in 2022. The K27.6 billion increase in the economy over the last two years is more than double the K12.4 billion increase in the economy during 2014 and 2015 as the PNG LNG Project started. • Treasury estimates that inflation will average 6.2 per cent in 2022 after incorporating the lower cost pressures by removing fuel taxes, assistance to lower the price of flour, rice, tinned fish and Ox & Palm; and lower education costs from the School Project Fee subsidy. The MYEFO forecasts that inflation rate will drop down to 5.6 per cent in 2023 and continue declining. • The MYEFO forecasts an increase in revenue from K13.67 billion in 2021 to K17.07 billion in 2022 - which is a 23.1 per cent increase on revenue outcomes in 2021. Not only was the ambitious revenue target of K16.19 billion surpassed, it was exceeded by K875.8 million; and • PNG’s debt to GDP ratio in 2022 will not fall from 53.3 per cent down to 49.1 per cent, which is even lower than the 51.6 per cent in 2021. “At the macro level, the story of our country is not bad,” PM Marape said. “Our country has been travelling on a positive road thus far. “In 1975 our economy was a K5 billion economy, in 2011 it was K44 billion, in 2018 it was K79.6 billion.” PM Marape commended Treasurer Ling-Stuckey for a sterling performance over the last three hard years. “Despite many criticisms, he (Ling-Stuckey) has ensured our short-term measures to keep MV PNG floating, in tough waters, are paying off. “Over the last three years, we have climbed from a K79.6 billion economy of 2018, to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast of K110 billion by the end of this year. “The thermometer, in as far as our economic expansion is concerned, is rising while similar countries as ours may have regressed.” PM Marape stressed that there was a lot more work in the short, medium and long terms to be done by everyone in the country. PM Marape said Porgera Mine, P’nyang LNG, Papua LNG, Pasca LNG and Wafi-Golpu Mine should be progressed as a matter of urgency. “Short term measures include bringing back Porgera at the earliest,” he said. “P’nyang LNG will run at the back of Papua LNG construction, so instead of just a four-year construction period like the PNG LNG from 2011-2013, P’nyang and Papua will be constructed over an eight-year period. “That will mean a windfall economy as a result of construction from 2023 right up to possibly 2031. “We will make a concerted effort to consult all landowners and all provincial governments in Gulf, Western and Enga provinces for these projects. “The smaller Pasca Project, the easiest, lowest-hanging fruit, will be reactivated and that will hopefully by concluded at the very earliest. “I am very keen to work with the Morobe Provincial Government, and Governor Hon. Luther Wenge, on the much talked about Wafi-Golpu Project. “These five projects will be progressed over the next 10 years and give us the window for a K200 billion economy as I have been targeting. PM Marape warned the country of the "lazy man expectations" that money from oil gas and mining would have a permanent solutions to our economy. "Far from it, and I liken that mindset to those on steroid drugs, needing boosts all time," he said. "The dependency on the boom-and-bust of the petroleum and mineral sector must stop and the country must shift to the sustainable renewable sector of our economy. " PM Marape said everyone should work hard over the short, medium and long term. “The hard work starts today,” he said. “Everyone must contribute to the growth of our country, and when you contribute, you receive services. “We must start mobilising our people to get into agriculture, forestry, fisheries and other small businesses. "Our people own land, and bringing markets to them will ensure all of them participate in the sustainable part of our economy."

GoFood (PNG) Mobile App is an online order and food delivery service that began operations in 2016, being the first to market to offer an “Uber-Eats” experience in Port Moresby, with Eftpos payment at point of delivery. Today the customer’s experience has been enhanced with the recent launch of GoFood (PNG) Mobile App, from organising pizza from Mr Mikes Pizza, pasta from Lamana, curry with basmati rice from The Cellar, Burgers from Dirty Kitchen and soup from Yummy Kitchen is now so easy and at your fingertips with the GoFood Mobile App. Customers can pay immediately via the app and enjoy their meal. The delivery service is affiliated with over 28 major restaurants and popular eateries in Port Moresby and has already impressed customers with a very prompt delivery service. Currently the business is providing the service only within Port Moresby and are looking at branching out to other major centers in the near future. The GoFood (PNG) Mobile App is available on the App Store and Play Store to download and you can start ordering straight away. Arranging meals for the family or for our self when you do not have the time or arranging delivery of lunch to your office or for your children at school is much more convenient with the app. Fee charges will vary based on the delivery location within Port Moresby. The app allows you to create your account, set up a profile, and invite your friends to utilize the service. The app offers a wallet to store money value using the BSP Payment Services, you can transfer funds to the wallet securely and conveniently with BSP Pay electronic funds transfer, as well as using your Visa or MasterCard. Mrs Anang Operations Manager for GoFood said, “BSP e-Commerce platform has added value to our business by providing us a convenient payment option for all our valued customers throughout Port Moresby city”. She further stated, “Technology is vital for any business whether you are an SME or large corporate. GoFood is one of the few SMEs that has launched services online in partnership with BSP, expanding the reach to customers anywhere, domestic and in other parts of PNG or overseas, to simply pay with Visa and MasterCard and we will deliver to a location within Port Moresby, for mealtime, a social event or corporate event.” BSP is enabling local business to access digital payments platforms making it convenient for customers to pay anytime anywhere with a convenient and secure online experience and enjoy doorstep delivery.

NCDC will ban open fire cooking and the selling of home bottled drinks in public places for health reasons. City Manager Ravu Frank made this known in a public notice which effectively gives notice of the ban after 30 days of awareness. “We are placing a ban on these activities in high consideration of the health of the city residents. “Some people may consider these activities for their convenience but the bottom line is they are doing more harm than good for their fellow residents and in the process violating the Public Health (Sanitation & General) Regulation, the Food Sanitation Regulation, the Informal Sector Development and Control Act and other relevant legislation which the NCDC is obliged to apply as the municipal authority and the designated local health authority,” Mr. Frank explained. The handling and processing of the goods involved in these activities has raised public concern on the unhygienic manner in which the items are prepared for human consumption and NCDC as a regulating body has taken on board the relevant concerns to ban these activities in public places. “We consider open fire cooking in public places and the selling of home bottled drinks as public health risks considering the questionable manner involved with the processing of food and drinks and the environment they proceed from. “So to avoid serious health issues, we considered banning these activities in public places as a viable solution to protect the health of the city residents and in the best interest of public health,” the City Manager said. The move to ban these activities is within the powers of NCDC as the designated health authority and in accordance with its enforcement powers of the legislation concerning public health and the food and sanitation regulation. A video that went viral on social media capturing a couple washing publicly disposed plastic containers in contaminated water purportedly to fetch water for sale has proved the unhygienic nature of these activities and has further prompted the need for the ban. Mr. Frank is seeking public co-operation and support in these circumstances and urges city residents to understand the importance of their health over other considerations. At the lapse of the 30 days awareness period NCDC enforcement officers or agents will not hesitate to physically remove offending persons within public places including bus stops and traffic intersections including the confiscation of their goods.

Effective action against corruption is essential for economic growth and it should be the number one priority for the new Marape government says community advocacy organisation ACT NOW! Recent findings published by the National Research Institute has reaffirmed the importance of good governance and the rule of law in attracting new investment, increasing employment opportunities and boosting government revenues. The findings reinforce earlier research published by ACT NOW that showed how just a one-point improvement in PNG’s corruption score could boost the economy by K10 billion a year or 14%. That would be equivalent to over K1,200 for every woman, man and child in PNG. The new NRI findings are contained in a paper titled “Comparative Analysis of Governance and Economic Growth in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuaty. It discusses good Governance based on the indicators of Political Stability, Rule of Law, Control of Corruption and Government Effectiveness for the three countries. The paper highlights that Governance plays an important role in providing a conducive environment for investment, human development, opportunities for employment and economic growth. Vanuatu was applauded for “best performances in political stability and rule of law” and Fiji for “best performances in the control of corruption and government effectiveness”. The country’s leading research organization recommended the following for Papua New Guinea, in order to achieve good Governance; • Provide adequate funding to all economic and political institutions and promote secure and safe communities. • Strengthen the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to conduct their duties without fear or favour. • Provide effective governance institutions and tougher penalties against people who engage in corruption practices. Improve effectiveness in service delivery and streamline responsibilities of the public sector and private sector. Along the same lines, ACT NOW! has also published its own Policy Proposals for Open and Accountable Government which contain a comprehensive plan to improve governance and public oversight. ACT NOW’s Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago said corruption is a huge problem in PNG and it has a huge economic cost. “In our region, PNG is ranked on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) as one of the most corrupt countries." "If these measures recommended by NRI and ACT NOW! are taken onboard this will greatly improve PNG’s CPI score." “Just a one-point improvement, could be worth over K1200 for every man, woman and child in PNG and that is K10 billion in total, which is equal to a whopping 14% boost to our annual economy’." Tanago said the new Marape Government should solemnly take on board the recommendations from NRI and ACT NOW!. Picture credit: RNZ

Dr Henry Ivarature from Papua New Guinea has been appointed Deputy Director of the Australia Pacific Security College at The Australian National University. He brings over 30 years of experience from working in the Pacific to the APSC and will lead our strategic engagement. He has extensive program management experience at country, regional, and international levels. He has been involved in large-scale socio-economic and infrastructure development programs with the Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program in PNG’s Western Province, good governance initiatives under the Pacific Plan with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Fiji, and a DFAT-funded program on public sector leadership and institutional strengthening with the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG). At PILAG, he also facilitated the training of over 600 public servants in project and financial management in eleven districts in PNG. Working with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance’s AsiaPacific Office in Canberra, Henry explored the nexus between democracy and development. Henry also served in the Office of the Chief Secretary to Government in the PNG Department of Prime Minister & NEC during the period of the reformist Prime Minister the late Sir Mekere Morauta. He helped establish a central agencies coordinating committee to strengthen cabinet decision-making. He later coordinated PNG’S representation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Dr Ivarature has also tutored at the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of the South Pacific Centre in Tonga, lectured at Tonga’s ‘Atenisi Institute and was a Senior Research Fellow at Papua New Guinea’s think-tank, the National Research Institute. He has a keen interest in politics and draws on his regional experience to discuss Pacific regionalism, security, and geopolitics in the Pacific which he also shares in blogs and at lectures for the ANU’s Department of Pacific Affairs, the Australian War College, and the National Security College. He studied Tongan’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices on reproductive health to graduate with a PhD in sociology in 1994 from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. His current research interests include political instability in Melanesia and Pacific regionalism. His latest publication is titled ‘The hidden dimension to political instability: Insights from ministerial durations in Papua New Guinea from 1972-2017”, which was published in Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies (2022). Dr Ivarature has been a Pacific Fellow at the APSC since March 2020.

The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority through its sustainable Marine Environment Division is currently conducting a 1- week Market survey, EAFM training and awareness program on Daru Island with provincial fisheries officers and representatives from the treaty villages in South Fly including Bula, Jarai, Mari, Tais, Buzi-Ber-Sigabaduru, Mabadauan-Mawatta-Tureture, Katatai-Kadawa, and Parama. This Creel and Market Survey is to collect data to assess the status of the marine resource being fished in the South Fly and estimate fishers´ catch and effort. It is also aimed to find out if endangered species are being traded and sold, and to inform management options for a South Fly Artisanal Fisheries Management Plan. The South Fly fishers will also be trained in applying the principles of EAFM (Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management), which are to find a balance between environmental conservation for fisheries, and fisheries management that focuses on providing income for people’s livelihoods by managing their fishing activity. The fishers in this area are from villages recognised as PNG Treaty Villages under the Torres Strait Treaty (1984). This area is rich in marine resources such as Barramundi, Mudcrab, Jewfish, Lobsters, Prawn, turtles and dugongs. The team will also be conducting awareness on threatened species to Daru High School Students later on during the week. This training and awareness is made possible under the Arafura Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase 2 Program (ATSEA-2) under the National Fisheries Authority and the local NGO Eco-Custodian Advocates. Photo credit: CEPA Marine Division

UNFPA kicks off a two-day youth dialogue in Alotau today, the latest in a series of engagements in Milne Bay in support of youth engagement in the province. The dialogue is being completed in partnership with Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority. UNFPA Young Ambassador, Bronwyn Kili, met with Milne Bay Provincial Administrator, Mr. Ashan Numa ahead of the two-day dialogue with youth networks and advocates. Mr Numa thanked UNFPA for the opportunity that this dialogue has given to youth voices in the province. “It is through such dialogues that our youths are given prominence and they have the opportunity to share the issues they face,” said Mr Numa. The team from UNFPA also met with Provincial Health Authority CEO Dr. Perista Mamadi, as well as presenters from FSVU, Milne Bay GBV Secretariat, juvenile justice and other stakeholders. The two-day event features break out sessions on gender-based violence survivor referral pathways and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The dialogue also invites attendees from selected youth networks and partners to present their ideas and experiences to inspire peers and partners to address issues affecting youth in the province. This series of dialogues was preceded by two evening dialogues held at the University of Papua New Guinea in partnership with the Schools of Journalism and Public Relations and Creative Arts.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA), recently hosted the African Swine Fever Stock Inspectors’ Practical field training in Port Moresby. Twenty-one Livestock officers from various provinces throughout Papua New Guinea attended this three-day practical training. The training was opened on Monday 22 August 2022, by the FAO Papua New Guinea Head of Office, Mr. Bir C Mandal, who stated that “This training will further capacitate the provincial officers with the practical knowledge on animal handling and sampling skills which is needed for reporting ASF disease incursions. FAO is committed to its partnership with NAQIA and stakeholders through its Country and Regional programs and support. The collaborative effort from all partners and stakeholders at the national and sub-national level is crucial in combating ASF, and other transboundary diseases”. The FAO Asia-Pacific regional ASF project funded by USAID, aims at building capacity in the provinces to respond effectively to ASF disease outbreaks. FAO in collaboration with NAQIA, in 2021 conducted ‘ASF Detection and Emergency Response training for Paravets and Stock Inspectors’ in SHP, EHP, ENB and NCD. 134 Provincial and District Livestock officers attended these trainings and will be gazetted as Stock Inspectors, thus strengthening the network and capacity for effective support to the disease response in the provinces. The need for more hands-on and practical experience was identified by the participants of the 2021 workshops. The ‘Stock inspectors’ practical field training’ held recently, follows on from the previous training held in 2021. This capacity-building activity was also identified in the NAQIA ASF response plan to upskill and capacitate provinces to respond to threats of ASF incursions. The three-day training consisted of theory sessions followed by a day of practical, hands-on sessions revolving around the Animal Health Emergency Response Plan and a case scenario simulation to give the Stock Inspectors a taste of disease investigation out in the field. The participants were taught proper biosecurity principles in disease investigations including putting on personal protective equipment used in an animal disease investigation, collecting history of a disease incident, proper restraining of pigs and chickens, and how to collect blood samples. This was followed by practicing how to handle and pack samples, and finally how to prepare the samples and test for ASF using the ASF rapid test kits. Participants were provided with Stock inspectors kits. These kits contained basic equipment a stock inspector would need when attending to disease investigations: gumboots, raincoat, notebook, clipboard, disposable aprons, gloves and masks, hand sanitiser, biohazard materials bags, FAO Farm Biosecurity manual, relevant units of the SPC Paraveterinary Manual, and a flash drive containing training and resource materials. The three-day training ended on 24 August 2022 with a small closing ceremony and presentation of certificates of participation. In his closing remarks, Mr. David Tenakanai, General Manager of Technical Services, NAQIA, acknowledged the 21 livestock officers from throughout PNG, stating the “the trained livestock officers are the eyes and ears of NAQIA on any animal disease outbreak in the country”. Mr Tenakanai praised the ongoing partnership between FAO and NAQIA who have been at the forefront of the fight against ASF since the preparedness stage and the first detection of the virus in PNG in March of 2020, and the response stage up to now. FAO’s ongoing support to NAQIA and ASF, under the USAID funded ASF project, includes the provision of 300 ASF antigen rapid test kits and copies of a newly developed set of FAO resource materials: Guidelines for African swine fever (ASF) prevention and control in smallholder pig farming. FAO Head of Programmes, Miss Mirriam Mondia presented the test kits and hard copies of the four different ASF Biosecurity guidelines to Mr Tenakanai on Friday 19 August 2022 at the NAQIA Headquarters.

Former Kiwis rugby league halfback Benji Marshall has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Governor-General of New Zealand, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro. Marshall was awarded with the honour due to his services to rugby league at a prestigious ceremony in Auckland on Tuesday, and said it was an extremely proud moment following a distinguished rugby league playing career. "Was a very proud moment today to receive my Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) from @govgeneralnz Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM, QSO," Marshall wrote on Instagram. "To have some of the whānau there to support and be a part of it was a very proud moment." Marshall is set to feature as an Assistant Coach to Tim Sheens at Wests Tigers in 2023 before taking over as Head Coach for the first time in his career in 2025. The 2010 Golden Boot Winner, Marshall played 346 first-grade games across an illustrious career — including 257 at Wests Tigers where he won the Premiership in 2005. Making his New Zealand Test debut that year as Kiwis player #717, Marshall went on to play 31 Tests for the Kiwis including success at the 2008 World Cup.    

'For my father' is the latest theater show by PNG Playwright Andrew Kuliniasi, he is the writer who brought you the "He is Victor" and "Meisoga" which were both successfully staged in 2021 and 2016/2019 respectively. Andrew is 22 years old and accomplished and published playwright, actor, producer and director who has been in the arts industry for 10 years. He had produced renowned play, as well as  produced alongside film director Spencer Peter Wangare on his latest film Black Python. He has acted multiple stage performances at the Moresby Arts Theatre, with Pascoe Promotions, Next of Kin, and most recently starred as the youngest supporting character on Screen Craft Australia's it Takes A Village. This show is an independent production tackling difficult societal issues we face in PNG today. It sheds light on how the effects of childhood trauma and abuse can affect us as adults and portrays a family that is struggling financially as they prepare to meet the cultural obligations that surround the death of their father. "It's as in depth and intimate look at the Haus Krai tradition and the cost the living pay for the dead. 'For My Father' premiers this week 1-4 September at the Moresby Arts Theatre.  It's a Papua New Guinean expectation to have a Haus Krai and what we do for our dead when they're gone. "The inspiration for 'For My Father' is really everywhere, its what every single Papua New Guinean has gone through or has had to go through", states Andrew. "The question we ask in the play are: What if you can't do a haus krai because of money or your financial situation? But also what is the purpose of the kaus krau when the person who was alive wasn't a good person to you? And so it is a show that is very , very rooted in those two questions", added Andrew. "And I am very excited to be doing theatre in a new and exciting way, theatre in the round which is the first time that I am experimenting with this style of theatre and I'm also very excited for the debut of my co-director Ziggy Yominao who is making  his debut as a director but also is an up and coming force in the director's chair. Ziggy has worked very hard on this show with doing the bulk of the directing and provided the creative advice as the writer and we work well together as  team," concludes Andrew.    

 Leading agricultural commodity export earner at K2.6 billion per annum, oil palm, will come under the close scrutiny of the Government under the separate ministry created for it. This is according to the Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP whose government is keen on elevating the industry to an entirely new level including achieving growth, production and establishment of more onshore processing facilities to replace direct raw exports. The Prime Minister said the oil palm industry was critical to economic and infrastructure development and growth of the country due to the nature of its requirements for quality roads and connectivity especially in the rural sector where no such services exist. Prime Minister Marape said about19,877 households (2011 National Population Census) are engaged in oil palm cultivation to generate income which supplements and sustains their subsistence livelihoods. He said until recently oil palm was only grown in the provinces of West New Britain, New Ireland, Northern and Milne Bay Provinces. However, the industry has now expanded to East New Britain and the mainland provinces of Morobe, Madang, East Sepik and West Sepik Provinces. The Prime Minister said current and initial statistics indicate that estate milling companies have a total planted area of 133,854 hectares, which is 67 per cent of the total oil palm hectares planted in Papua New Guinea. Mr Marape said this means that village oil palm blocks or smallholders cultivate the balance of the total planted area with 66,813 hectares, thus giving a total planted area of 200,667 hectares in the country. He said with new areas being planted over the last few years this has increased the hectarage to about 248,667 in total. Even then Prime Minister Marape said this was only four per cent (4%) of the total moderate-highly suitable areas for oil palm cultivation in Papua New Guinea. Prime Minister Marape said the Government’s new focus now was out of critical concern for oil palm that were over-aged beyond their economic life occupying an expanded area totaling about 14,000 hectares which is about 20 per cent of total crops grown in the initial five producing provinces. He said the new Minister for Oil Palm’s target is to now establish tangible development strategies to resuscitate and rehabilitate these once high yielding areas with highly productive species in order not only to retain, but to surpass their original productivity levels. Mr Marape said at the same time oil palm feeder and access roads that deteriorated in the provinces concerned, due to lack of repair and maintenance over the past 25 years, have to be urgently rehabilitated. Prime Minister Marape, however, emphasized that initial action had already been taken including the Government’s funding of the rehabilitation of 219 kilometres of roads since 2019-2022 costing a total of K28 million. He said this may have contributed to increases in FFB production from 688,189mt in 2019 to 768,128mt in 2021, an increase of 11.6 per cent. Prime Minister Marape said the elevation of the industry to a new status, and under a new Minister, will provide the formal consultative mechanism between industry and government to boost and enhance this important economic commodity. He said this will include revision of the existing legislation governing the industry which must pave the way forward in a fast-changing world of economics and technology. Mr Marape said it was against this backdrop necessitating the creation of new Oil Palm Ministry which will provide strategic focus to: • Strengthening the collaboration and partnership between Government, partners and the private sector by restructuring the current OPIC operations, incorporate regulation and R&D functions; • Increase planted areas and initiatives for expansion of smallholder sector; • Increase opportunities for downstream processing and value addition; • Increase smallholder productivity level from current 11.72mt to optimal level of 25-30mt per hectare; and • Increase rehabilitation of oil palm roads to improve market access, production and higher returns on investments. Mr Marape said the Government stands ready to ensure the country realized its full potential in the industry over the long term and beyond.