Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is committed to providing a safe and conducive working environment for its employees and business partners. Managing Director and CEO Musje Werror made these remarks during the opening of the new Camp Administration office and a cafeteria in Tabubil on the 25th of May. The new office will improve camp and mess services that OTML provides for its workforce and visitors while the cafeteria provides light snacks and beverages for workers who prefer a light meal outside the mess opening hours. The new facilities are located near the main mess facility. The total cost of the project was US$1.2 million and included an upgrade of the mess parking area. Mr Werror commended the company’s Infrastructure Support Services (ISS) Department including Starwest Ltd for successfully completing the project. “Our camp facilities are old and are in need for replacement or refurbishment and we have commenced a renewal program which will include the replacement of a number of our old dongas commencing this year,” Mr Werror said. The Camp Administration office was officially opened by OTML Board Director and Chairman of the Kumul Minerals Ok Tedi Ltd Bonny Ninai and witnessed by other members of the Board, OTML management and camp residents, and business partners.

Team PNG is into training schedules as the Opening Ceremony of the 11th Pacific Mini Games looms this Friday and would like to share this statement. We have brought over a very strong contingent made up of our elite athletes from back home in PNG, the United States & Australia. At the moment, we are the largest contingent on the ground at 119 athletes and officials combined. Since our arrival last Sunday, our teams have gone straight into training. Team PNG is adamant in getting the finer details right and have kept their fitness and focus. Our Tennis teams consisting of our Pacific champions, Abigail Tere-Apisah and her nieces Patricia and Violet are getting as much court time as they can with their focus on getting their doubles combinations right. The men’s team of Mark Gibbons, Eddie Mera and Mathew Stubbings are jelling together with the prospects of medaling positive. For Golf, the trio of Slater, Xavier and Gideon are keeping tabs on their challenges faced at the Coral Ocean Resort course. Nestled on the far northern end of Saipan at an altitude of 33 feet, weather conditions can be tricky but our men are keeping their mental game on as they focus on their strategies. At the newly built Oleai Sport Complex, Team PNG is gearing for a dominant performance led by some of our finest athletes. Under watchful eyes of former PNG track legends, Subul Babo and Peter Pulu, the team began their first training session on Tuesday and according to Team Manager Kylie Martins, the team is looking good! Our para-athletes who have shown a lot of promise in their recent international outings are also focused and building their rapport as top performers. In weightlifting, our powerhouse Dika Toua has shown how much of an influence she is among the pacific community here in Saipan. Her energy and stamina is motivation enough for her fellow athletes to push on through. Finally, our Va’a athletes have not been the same following the flag bearer announcement. Team Manager Diavabu Boge Morea is certain, that this is indeed a motivating factor for them to push hard for the Games. The opening ceremony is this Friday with our Tennis team kicking off proceedings tomorrow at the American Memorial courts. Weightlifting and Va’a start their competitions on Monday June 20 while Golf & Athletics begin the next day, Tuesday June 21. Follow our Team PNG page on Facebook and Instagram for more updates as the competition progresses. Go Team PNG!!!

It wasn’t that long ago that Internet connectivity faded the moment one left a populated area like a city or big town – “no service” was the take-away message back then. But thanks to 3G, 4G and now 5G mobile technology, coupled with widespread installation of cellular towers in rural areas region-wide, that little message shows up much less frequently. Most importantly, the rapid spread of internet connectivity and mobile telephony, reaching into the most remote rural communities, has resulted in countless opportunities to help address chronic problems such as poverty, malnutrition and inequality. From farmers to fishers to herders, digital technologies are increasingly relied upon to help transform and enhance livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people each day. From a smart phone in the hands of a woman or man checking optimal conditions to sow a field, or band together to rent a drone for aerial assessments, to a herder checking the weather, to fishers finding the best places to cast their nets, digital technologies are becoming increasingly accessible, useful and affordable for those in rural areas. This paradigm shift offers great hope to get this region – and the world – back on track to meet the 2030 SDG deadline. While this digital revolution sweeping rural areas of Asia and the Pacific holds great promise, not everyone is benefiting equally. Indeed, in some cases, digital technologies can even be disruptive, or lead to unintended consequences by widening, not reducing, the digital divide if their implementations result in a loss of decent work. This needs to be addressed, and it’s in everyone’s best interests to do so. Policy makers in countries across the region do understand the added value, and they see the economic benefits digitalization of rural areas bring to their nations and people. Hence, investing in an enabling environment to ensure equal access is key to ensuring the benefits of rural digitalization are enjoyed more broadly. Digitalization of rural areas needed now – more than ever before. Indeed, the move to accelerate implementation of digital technologies, equitably across the region’s rural areas couldn’t come at a more important time. The global pandemic hit rural communities disproportionately hard – particularly with respect to individual livelihoods. Now, as we try to recover from the devastation of COVID-19, we are facing the highest prices for many basic foods – the highest we’ve seen in decades. Higher food costs hit poorer and marginalized communities the hardest, particularly in rural areas, as they must spend a greater proportion of their disposable income to feed their families. These challenges are compounding an already existing and alarming situation. Last year, prior to the inflation of food commodities, FAO and partners pointed out that many people – at that time – already couldn’t afford a healthy diet in Asia and the Pacific. By leveraging the advancements offered by digital technologies we can find ways to counter some of these and other devastating negative effects that already existed such as severe weather related events, droughts and floods. And that is happening. Some countries in this region are well on the road to digitalization of even the smallest and most remote villages and towns. And they have good examples to share with their neighbors. At the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), we’ve been following closely these trends, policies and initiatives of our Member Nations in the Asia-Pacific region. We know the full scale of their desire and determination to embrace, and fully harness, the potential of digitalization. For our part, FAO has pledged to assist in bringing together these existing good practices of our Members, and to create a space for others to share their digital solutions as part of FAO’s 1,000 Digital Village Initiative. A key component of this initiative is the Digital Village Knowledge Sharing Platform for Asia-Pacific that can act as a one-stop village square, where those working in the food and agriculture sectors can share their innovations and technologies with us all. A digital village isn’t necessary a small place. It is a concept – one that is inclusive, operational, country-led and fit-for-purpose to deliver solid benefits to people. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to make things better for everyone. Working together, and sharing together, this region’s digital village innovations and technologies can help lead us all to a world of better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind!

Remington Technology in Papua New Guinea is the country’s premier print and document solutions provider, serving our country since 1948. Remington Technology is PNG’s only authorized Konica Minolta dealer, leading the way in creating strong partnerships with local businesses, by guiding them through their technology journey. Remington Technology understands the importance of proper training and so is committed to continuously training its people. RT Service Technicians, right across the nation are currently undergoing a Konica Minolta training workshop, which commenced last week, starting with Technicians from Madang, Lae and Goroka branches. This week Technicians from Mt Hagen, Kokopo, Lae, Kimbe and Wewak join training with Port Moresby Technicians. This training conducted in partnership with Konica Minolta will see Remington Technology's Service Technicians become more knowledgeable and better equipped to continue providing high-quality service and support to their valued customers. Visiting Port Moresby to conduct this training is Mr. Cornel Amarinei, Product Support Manager at Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Australia. Remington Group CEO, Peter Goodwin said; “We are 100% PNG owned, and our well-known shareholder strongly supports our stance around training Papua New Guineans. Remington Technology is proud to host our senior Konica Minolta Australia technical trainer over the next couple of weeks, as we deliver word-class training to our team of technicians, brought in from all around the country”. The training addresses topics on servicing Konica Minolta Machines like the Bizhub i-series, troubleshooting, firmware, virus scans, machine configuration, specifications and functions, user interface and more. This training will help improve product knowledge and equip the Service.

A delegation from the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) lead by the Board Chairman, Mr Ango Wangatau is visiting General Santos in Philippines to share and acquire fisheries knowledge and experiences in this particular region. General Santos is famously known as the "Tuna" city capital of Philippines and by visiting this region, it gives the delegates first-hand information and better ideas to best implement the Fisheries Strategic Plan 2021-2030 to achieve its goals. It boasts the modern fish port in Philippines and greatly supports the country’s revenue. The incorporation between the Government and Key Stakeholders were the driving force behind the successful growth of fisheries in General Santos, which was something that the NFA delegations experienced and would consider more when returning home. "Seeing is believing and we needed to come and see the sizeable scale and strength of this Fisheries industry in Philippines." "From here we want to incorporate the existing knowledge and experience of our Philippine counterparts to model and expand our own infrastructure in PNG," said the Chairman. The aim of the Fisheries Strategic Plan is to transform Papua New Guinea to be the "Tuna" capital of the Pacific. Therefore, visitation such as this is relevant to gain more experience from a country that has already been transformed into a Tuna capital. The delegates visited landing, grading and weighing and processing of Tuna, the fishing boats docking yard and had the opportunity to also see the biggest prawns and fish farm. These first-hand experiences gained from this visit will contribute towards PNG Fisheries preparation towards setting up of a downstream processing of all tuna caught in PNG and more job creation for the people. “We are here and have seen what is done with Fisheries in General Santos. “If it can be done here, we can also do it in PNG,” said Wang

With the end of round 8, there have been a few surprises that have taken the competition by storm. Sitting at the top of the ladder remains the Rabaul Agmark Gurias with 8 points after a surprising upset loss to second placed Kroton Hela Wigmen, going down to the mountain men, 18-6. The Central Dabaris fought hard to keep the Port Moresby Vipers at bay winning the game by a 4 point margin. The final score was 14-10. The Kimbe boys did well to put up a good competition to down the Gulf Isou by a final scoreline of 10-4. In the battle of the bulge, the Mt. Hagen Eagles swooped in to convincingly to snatch victory from the 10th placed Waghi Tumbe, who went down 22-14. The Eagles still sit at last place on the ladder with 2 points. Goroka Lahanis took down the defending champs the Lae Snax Tigers in a tight match up, seeing them off with a final scoreline of 14-12 on home soil. The Lahanis are now 8th placed on the ladder while the Tigers sit at 4th place, and finally the Mighty Mendi Muruks in a nail-biter dispatched the Enga Mioks at Wabag. The Muruks are sitting comfortably at 3rd place.

The Police Operations on the Tigak Group of Islands wouldn't have been successful, if it weren't for community partnership with peace-loving citizens from the island who stepped out of their comfort zone to take ownership of restoring peace in society. New Ireland PPC, Chief Inspector, Felix Nebanat commended the complainant and his family who fully funded the Police Operations without hesitation in the name of bringing Law and Order into his home. "This signifies true leadership character and the essence of having the heart for our women, children and the innocent citizens who are entitled to live peacefully in the safety of their home," Nebanat said. It is one thing to sit back and seek intervention but it takes courage for someone to take action especially against the odds. According to Police report the complainant has been providing his personal resource including boat, fuel, rations and accommodation on the island for the Police personal since the beginning of this operation. While the Niu Ailan Polis contributed with ration and fuel supplementary. Nebanat also thanked the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operation Mr. Anton Billie, the Divisional Commander NGI - ACP Perou N'Dranou, and Group Commander Islands Mobile Group, Cleopas Gayema for their prompt intervention in moving the re-enforcement team on time to beef up manpower for the local Police. For far too long this issue has been neglected, this incident should resonate a message to the neighboring island of New Hanover from which this lawlessness escalated from, to stop the ethnic clashes and let peace prevail before Police moves in. Other stakeholders were also commended for having trust and confidence in the PPC (Nebanat) by providing goods and services for the operations including Solwara Meri for transporting the re-enforcement team from Kokopo to Namatanai, Noah's Ark Transit for accommodation, Red Star Limited Kavieng for rations, KDDA and AME Hire Car Limited for transport plus other stakeholders and partners that have helped one way or the other. We are moving in the right direction in terms of SMART POLICING in partnering with the community and stakeholders," said PPC Nebanat.

A thirty-five-year-old man, Robert Richard is an inspiration to his community at one of the biggest suburbs of Port Moresby, in Gerehu. Topping the class of 155 Reservists at Bomana in Court filing, Richard passed out with flying colors at Bomana Police Training College to volunteer and provide community policing, and assisting the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary during the 2022 National General Elections. He was recruited under the new reservist recruitment drive by RPNGC, intake 1 of 2022. Richard comes from a mixed parentage of Southern Highlands Province and Chimbu and is married with three children. Richard is Public Servant who works at the Department of Personnel Management as the. Acting Manager Provincial Autonomy & Coordination Branch, under the Legislative and Administration Reforms Division. The branch was created in 2019 to look after legislative and administrative matters of three Provinces who have received greater autonomy; Enga, New Ireland and Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Richard sees the Reservist program as a stepping stone to be a role model in his community, and bring change and positivity. “I have lived at Gerehu Stage 4 almost my entire life, and I have grown up witnessing criminal activities, petty crimes, all sorts of violence, and I thought this would be the opportunity for me to be a good example in my community to help young ones live a good life,” said Richard. Robert and his colleagues have undergone six weeks of intensive training, sworn oaths, and have received police regiment numbers, powers bestowed to perform a regular police duty. “This is a lifetime achievement for me. I’m happy DPM has allowed me to be part of a reservists’ program. We have received basic training on election operations, parade marching drills, court filing and presentation in court, introduction to homicides, and conducting traffic roadblocks,” he said. Richard is posted at Gerehu Police Station, awaiting Police Call-Out, working his shift job at the station and full-time job at the same time. On his first post to Gerehu Police Station, Richard has seen a lot of arrest being made, with no court file entries. He said because of his high performance at Bomana Police Training College in Court Filing and topping the class, he used his skills to help police enter court files. “I thought the recruitment will be to beef up police man-power during the elections only, but I’m amazed at the kind of training offered. I learnt to be open minded, disciplined, upholding the spirit of team work, and is part of the bigger team to make 2022 NGE a safe, free and fair elections,” said Richard. He said while still at Gerehu Police Station, he would like to do more community policing, and also use his skills to impart knowledge to police personnel to file better police reports and court files so that crimes can be addressed. Public Servants who will be involved in the 2022 National General Elections will be assisting RPNGC over the period of May 12th to July 29th, as according to DPM Circular No.06 & 07 of 2022 on the release of public servants to assist the Electoral Commission and RPNG conduct the election.

Police Commissioner David Manning reinstated Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop as the Deputy Commander Highlands Eastern-end during his visit to Mt Hagen last week. Commissioner Manning was in Mt Hagen to assess the highlands region security preparations for the 2022 national general election. Mr Manning said the reinstatement of Mr Tondop is in the best interest of the Constabulary and the nation during this time that needs good leadership and stability. Commissioner Manning said, “As leaders we must not let our ego and emotions take precedent. We have a duty to serve the people and it needs a collective effort from all of us. Therefore, I want to officially announce that Mr Tondop is now reinstated as the Deputy Commander Highland Eastern-end. I have no ill-feelings or reservations against him. We are custodians of this institution and whatever administrative decisions and actions we make must be in the best interest of the Constabulary and its people. “The changes we made since taking up the Commissioner post are aimed to install vibrant leadership, and command and control within the Constabulary that has been lacking over the years. I am satisfied and confident that we will provide the expected security overlay for the 2022 national election with the commanders that we have across the country.    Mr Manning welcomed Mr Tonpdop and directed him to assist Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi and work with provincial police commanders to deliver a free, fair and safe 2022 general election in the highlands region.

Police Commissioner David Manning announced that the 2022 National General Election operation plans and preparations are on track for the launching and deployment of the joint security forces in the highlands region this week.  Commissioner Manning made these remarks during his official visit to Mt Hagen last week to inspect and ascertain the establishment of the joint security forces operation forward base at the Kimininga police barracks in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands. Mr Manning when receiving reports  from Divisional Commander Highlands Eastern-end Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi commended his police officers for initiating and commencing pre-election awareness and operations despite resource issues. “I want to commend you all for your efforts thus far. Like any other government departments, timely and adequate resources have always been a challenge but it is incumbent upon us as commanders to manage, command and control whatever resources that are available.   “I also want to put it on record that the national government has given us enough funding for this 2022 election security operations. Before we deploy for the polling, we should have all our necessary requirements fixed,” Commissioner Manning said.  He also added that the Quick Response Farce (QRS) comprises police, PNG Defense Force and Correctional Services members will arrive in Mt Hagen this week for the 2022 National General Election security operation grand opening in Mt Hagen over the weekend.

PNG Women’s Va’a skipper Ailima Kini was given the prestigious role of official PNG flag bearer at the team accommodation venue at Grandvrio Resort, in Saipan, Northern Marianas. Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee President Sir John Dawanicura said the flag bearer reveal is an important role and ceremony in the lead up to the opening ceremony. “Ailima’s outstanding leadership has been key to the Vaá women’s success. “Ailima was part of the women’s team to the 2013 Mini Pacific Games that won three silver medals, the 2015 Pacific Games V12 team that shocked champions Tahiti for the Gold and in 2019 added another silver and a bronze for their treasure trove. “Since being appointed as skipper in 2015, Kini continues to show outstanding leadership traits in and out of the water,” “Being the Team PNG flag bearer is an honour and unique responsibility that places you in an elite and distinguished class with those who elegantly carried the flag and its responsibilities before you”. Team PNG Chef de Mission to the Mini Pacific Games Mr. Kila Dick while congratulating Kini on her appointment said: “Being a flag bearer is a significant achievement and is a true reflection of Ailima’s character, which is worthy of this recognition”. The majority of the traveling Team PNG contingent flew directly to the Northern Marianas from Papua New Guinea, whilst several overaseas based athletes from the United States and Australia have touched down in Saipan today to join the rest of Team PNG. The full team is now in training mode whilst awaiting the opening ceremony.

Eight (8) hardcore criminals from the Tigak Group of Islands in New Ireland, who are part of a gang, that has reigned in anarchy for past three (3) years, has finally surrendered to the Police last week. After two (2) weeks of aggressive resilience from the gang, their surrender came about following the loss of their ring leader, (name withheld) who was shot dead in a raid conducted by joint local Police and Mobile Squad personnel on Thursday the 9th of June. After numerous calls from the Police, since their insertion into the area, on the 27th of May, a seven (7) day ULTIMATUM was given from the 31st of May to the 7th of June, for the identified criminals, to either surrender voluntarily or face the full brunt of the Law. There were warnings also given to recover all boats transporting the fugitives to and from the islands. However, these criminals continued to intimidate and terrorize lives of innocent people, despite police presence and the ultimatum given. A boat used to ferry the fugitives has been identified, confiscated and impounded at the Kavieng Police Station, as investigation continues. These criminals including the deceased, are responsible for lawless acts without any remorse causing anxiety and fear in the Tigak Islands including communities of Ungan, Nonovaul, Salampiu, Kavin and other neighboring islands. The gruesome crimes include three (3) barbaric killings, arsons, unlawful wounding, arm robberies, break and enter stealing, marijuana cultivation, trade and consumption, home brew sales and consumption, willful damage to properties, rapes, public nuisances and other crimes committed at will according to their convenience without any regard for the innocent. Towards the end of May, reports were received by the Police of a willful damage of properties incident, at Ungan Island following an SME distribution by an intending candidate for the 2022 National General Election. When local Police made the first insertion into the area, they were verbally threatened and attacked with cross bows, catapults and bows and arrows. That resulted in New Ireland PPC, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat, calling in re-enforcement of Mobile Squad personnel, from Tomaringa to boost manpower and mitigate the situation. Investigation into the matter traced back to a string of gruesome crimes including the willful murder committed by the deceased, who took his biological brother's life, following a minor argument while under the influence of alcohol. All suspects are part of a family gang made up of a landowner from Tigak (name withheld) his sons forming a "band of brothers" and his grandsons assisted by a minority of displaced Lovongai's who he accommodates on the large portion of customary land that he owns. According to Police report, the criminals committed an act of defiance with high level of arrogance, for the past two weeks despite countless attempts for negotiation conducted around the whole group of islands which was not complied with. Leaving the Police with no other option but to resort to applying the relevant amount of force, to move in and apprehend the suspects after all negotiations failed. The main suspects have surrendered while their accomplices and the displaced Lovongai's are still at large. Police operations continue as the eight (8) suspects, who surrendered recently, brings the progressive number of criminals apprehended to eleven (11) out of an initial total of fourteen (14) wanted criminals listed for the case. Meanwhile, the operation has also unraveled a trail of drug dealings where marijuana was confiscated and dealers arrested.