Prospects of Popondetta in Northern Province establishing a recognized football association is on track following a visit by the PNG Football Association heads to the province over the weekend. PNG Football Association President John Kapi Natto and his Member Association Manager Stanley Khanna deliberated on the matter in a meeting with representatives from Northern Provincial Sports Office, Sohe and Ijivitari Districts as well as representatives of various football associations in the province. Mr Kapi Natto told the representatives that PNGFA is fully aware of various associations running competitions in the province but wants them all to enjoy the benefits of being an associate member of the national football family. “PNGFA is fully aware that there are two separate associations; the Popondetta Urban Soccer Association and the Higaturu Oil Palm Soccer Association (HOPSA) but we want to see both combine and form one association to be more accessible than dealing with two or more associations in one province,” Mr Kapi Natto said. He stressed that the PNGFA Executive Committee want to see that the national body is accessible to deliver soccer and want to deal with football in urban areas who can provide as link to other smaller association. “When we establish Popondetta Soccer Association, then all other smaller associations in Higaturu, Tufi, Kokoda and others can affiliate and become association member by paying their membership to Popondetta Soccer Association. “For instance, if Higaturu or any smaller association pay their affiliation fee of K100.00, the K50 goes to Popondetta for affiliation while K50 goes to PNGFA. Whatever benefits in coaching or referee courses Popondetta gets, it must invite all associates member to take part as they are part of PNGFA through their associate membership.” Northern Province is now the fifth province PNGFA has visited to try bring them back to football family. Meanwhile others who have already joined as associate members are Alotau in Milne Bay and Vanimo West Sepik while Kerema in Gulf and Wewak, East Sepik are yet to hold their meetings. PNGFA has four more associations to visit which include Jiwaka, Hela, ENB and New Ireland.

A fatal accident along the road between Lorengau and Momote in Manus Province recently this month has resulted in the death of a pregnant woman and her husband critically injured. Manus Provincial Police Commander David Yapu said the pregnant woman was walking along the road with her husband heading back to their home while a vehicle swung off the road and hit them. “The vehicle hit them and threw them to the bushes at the side of the road upon impact,” Mr Yapu said. “The woman died upon arrival at Lorengau General Hospital while her husband was admitted with serious injuries.” Chief Inspector Yapu said the driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and grievous bodily harm. The driver was identified as Napoleon Simatab, aged 36 from East Sepik and is employed by Hornibrooks NGI as a civil engineer.

TWM Group, a local SME business in the waste and environmental services sector operating in PNG, was recently presented with a Level 3 Environment Permit (EPL-485) by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA). This is the first of its kind to be issued to a Waste Management company in PNG and of this scale. L3 environment permits are applied where the greatest level of environment and social protection are necessary – generally granted to the large corporates within the Oil, Gas and Mining industries. TWM’s environment permit has more than 127 conditions, reflective of the highest levels of scrutiny to be applied by CEPA, as the Regulator on Environment Protection. Established in 2011, TWM Group has been operating under a Level 2 (L2) Environment Permit administered by CEPA. The company has grown its core business in Waste Management and is now delivering other integrated technical services including Industrial Services, Environmental Advisory Services, Renewables and Skilled manpower services (Training and placements) all of which have contributed toward the development of TWM’s Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) in Central Province. With a greater range of services, TWM Group acknowledged the further responsibilities to both the environment and community, therefore a L3 Environment Permit was essential to meet these corporate obligations. The L3 Environment Permit defines a suite of control measures intended to ensure potential for environment harm is avoided and/or minimized. It prescribes many commitments that TWM must meet for monitoring and measurement of environment aspects (i.e., air, water, noise, dust) and it stipulates a stringent record-keeping reporting requirement to CEPA. “The L3 Environment Permit recently granted to our business will allow us to construct and safely operate our Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) to world-class standards. This is the first of its kind in PNG and for the Pacific island’s region”, said Kori Chan, Managing Director of the TWM Group. “This environment permit is reflective of the evolving legislation and increasing regulatory oversight and indicative of the increasing social expectation for companies to operate in a manner that is socially, environmentally and ethically responsible and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).” The Permit issuance is the culmination of a year’s worth of environment and social studies to develop the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment; significant financial investments in understanding the existing conditions, establishing facilities and controls to safeguard the environment beyond the projected 25+ years of operation; TWM Group’s activities passing the highest level of scrutiny by eminent social and environmental specialists from industry, government and educations sectors; and extensive public, government and community stakeholder engagements and consultation. “I see the issuance of the Level 3 Environment Permit to TWM as an enabler to other development partners in PNG; they now have an in-country waste services facility that has the necessary statutory approvals for challenging waste streams”, said Michael Wau, Director of CEPA (Non-Renewable Resource Division - Environment Protection Wing). “TWM Group has raised the bar as the first in the growing waste industry in PNG, and CEPA is equally proud in partnering in the journey”, Wau said. The L3 Environmental Permit will allow TWM Group to undertake construction of the IWMF at Roku (a first and only such facility in PNG and the Pacific islands region) and conduct industrial wastewater treatment, quarrying and rock extraction; operate a full engineered landfill, design world-class standards capable of receiving municipal, construction and demolition and hazardous wastes; waste incineration including industrial and biomedical wastes; bulk waste storage, reprocessing, fixation and treatment including hazardous solids and liquids and material recovery and recycling (including glass, oil, organics, metals, paper and cardboard, putrescible materials and plastics). The grant of the L3 Environment Permit places TWM Group among the Mining and Oil and Gas majors that hold such permits in PNG.

As part of its ongoing membership engagement, the National Superannuation Fund Limited (Nasfund) will be hosting its Annual Employer Conferences. The first conference is scheduled for Wednesday March 16, 2022 in Port Moresby. The Annual Employer Conference is a regular event and provides an opportunity for the Fund to report to its membership on the performance of the Fund and what the Fund is doing to safeguard, grow savings and add value to members. In announcing the 2022 Employer Conferences, Nasfund CEO Ian Tarutia said this year will see a slightly different approach, with the first conference in Port Moresby to be a hybrid event (online and physical), with selected employers to attend physically on a first come, first serve basis. “Due to COVID-19 imposed restrictions, in the last two years, the Fund hosted its conference online. This year, with a better understanding of handling Covid impacts we are reverting back to our physical engagements, in line with COVID-19 protocols – with our regional conferences in Lae, for the first time in Goroka and Kokopo to be held in the coming weeks. “Our Online Employer Conferences in September 2020, and in April 2021 were successful, with each event reaching a combined viewership of over 20,000 members throughout the country, and abroad. We will continue to utilize our online platforms to engage with our membership to ensure that they are aware of what the fund is doing in managing their retirement savings. Registration for the first event has commenced, on multiple platforms including Zoom, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. We are confident that our membership will use this opportunity to join in our discussions. Members will also be given the chance to ask questions on various aspects of the fund’s operations. We encourage all our contributing employers, and members to sign up for this event. Updates on the registration for the 2022 Nasfund Employer Conferences will be provided via the Fund’s website, and social media pages.”

PNG Kapuls lethal winger Stahl Gubag saved the day for the PNG men's side with a hat trick of goals to help NGCB PNG Kapuls win their second friendly match 5-3 against Al Matar FC in Doha, Qatar this morning. Other goals came from Godfrey Haro who scored his first international goal along with Ati Kepo. Team Manager Joseph Ealedona said Al Matar is a young side who currently lead the second tier competition in Doha. "Its two out of two which is a positive result for the team as it keep the boys mind in focus ahead of their first game on Friday against New Zealand in the FIFA Oceania World Cup qualifiers in Qatar," the excited manager said.

Prime Minister and Pangu Pati leader James Marape announced today that Pangu will be fielding a good team of candidates for the 2022 General Election which starts next month. He said Pangu would soon be announcing its team for the elections and is confident of winning a good number of seats and forming government. “Pangu will be fielding quality candidates, including women, for the elections,” PM Marape said. “Our Pangu team is going through the list of possible candidates now, with the Party Council taking carriage of this. “We will be announcing our candidates very soon after the final selection process is completed. “Only me as Pangu Leader, with blessing of the Party Council, will make the announcement of the candidates. “No-one else, right throughout the country, will have that authority. “The Parliamentary wing, with the blessing of the Party President and the Party Council, will make that announcement.” PM Marape said Pangu had produced a third Prime Minister in himself and would produce many more. “Pangu Pati will have a fourth, fifth, sixth and many more prime ministers going into the future,” he said. “We will take this country where it is supposed to go, as our Pangu visionaries led by Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, foresaw in 1975. “‘Pangu Save Long Rot’, our slogan in Tok Pisin, translates to ‘Pangu Knows the Way’. “We saw the way forward in 1975, along the way we were sidetracked by political instability, but are now back on track again. “We are taking Papua New Guinea back from the wrong road we have been travelling and putting it back on the right road, of not just political independence, but economic independence. “Pangu now has that goal of economic independence for PNG firmly in our sights.”

Twenty-four (24) new apprentices have begun their training with Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) after signing their Indenture Contracts on 23rd February. The trainees comprising of 12 males and 12 females, signed their contracts with OTML’s Training and Development Department and the National Apprenticeship and Trade Testing Board (NATTB). Acting Manager Learning and Development Morris Nandun highlighted to the apprentices the importance of safety, discipline, and professional conduct at OTML. “They were informed of the rules and standards of behaviour set out by the company including the Golden Rules, Safe Work Procedures, and OTML Values,” he said. Catherine Elemi, who spoke on behalf of the apprentices thanked OTML for the training opportunity “It is an honour to be part of a world-class organisation that delivers world-class training, promote safe work practices and advocates for gender diversity,” she said. The apprentices will undergo training in the fields of auto electrical, construction, electrical, plumbing, metal fabrication and welding, maintenance fitting and machining, refrigeration mechanic and heavy equipment fitting. OTML Managing Director and CEO, Musje Werror, said with mine life extended to 2032 and potentially beyond, the company will be developing more Papua New Guineans through our Graduate Development, Apprenticeship and Preferred Area Development programs. “We are looking for young Papua New Guineans with high potential not only in the academic space but also with the right attitude to contribute towards the success of Ok Tedi and the development of our country,” said Werror. Since the commencement of the OTML Apprenticeship Program in 1989, OTML has developed over 1,123 tradesmen and women, 560 graduates and 699 preferred area trainees

This World Consumer Rights Day, 15th March 2022, Independent Consumer & Competition Commission (‘ICCC’) and other consumer organisations around the world are joining together to call for fair digital finance. Each March 15 — World Consumer Rights Day — consumer rights groups come together to highlight a pressing issue facing consumers globally. This year, the membership organisation for consumer groups around the world, Consumers International, has selected the theme of Fair Digital Finance. The ICCC joins Consumers International and its 200-member organisations across the globe to raise awareness of fair digital finance for consumers everywhere. The global consumer movement will harness the opportunities of emerging digital financial products by highlighting what fair digital finance means for the everyday consumer. The ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Paulus Ain said: “The rapidly evolving nature of digital financial services is affecting how we spend and save. There is a real opportunity to create technologies that are safe, inclusive, data protected and private, and sustainable for consumers of digital financial services. To make this a reality for consumers, the global consumer movement will mobilise key decision-makers such as businesses and governments to ensure fair digital finance for all’’. “By 2024, digital banking consumers are expected to exceed 3.6 billion. In the developing world, the proportion of account owners using digital transactions has grown from 57% in 2014 to 70% in 2017.” “Consumer advocates recognise the vast potential for digital finance to create opportunities for all, however, digital financial services have created new risks along with exacerbating traditional risks that can lead to unfair outcomes for consumers.” Mr. Ain added that the rapidly evolving nature of digital financial services demonstrates the need for innovative regulatory approaches and digital finance services and products that centre consumer protection and empowerment. World Consumer Rights Day 2022 will call on businesses, governments and policymakers to ensure that digital finance is: · Inclusive: Extending access to digital finance for all · Safe: Mitigating harm in digital finance from scams, fraud, and phishing · Data protected and private: Safeguarding the data of every consumer of digital financial services · Sustainable: Ensuring green and socially responsible digital financial products To find out more about World Consumer Rights Day, learn more about sustainable consumption and find out about activities in Port Moresby, Lae, Mt. Hagen and Kokopo. Also visit Consumers International’s Sustainable Consumer webpage, or follow the #FairDigitalFinance hashtag on Twitter and Facebook.

MELBOURNE-based PNG Kapul striker Tommy Semmy will arrive early this morning (Wednesday Qatar time) to join the rest of the team in Qatar in time for their first match at the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against New Zealand. While the team is also waiting for David Browne clearance from the PNG Immigration Authority. Team Manager Joseph Ealedona says the team is training well and staying well and are all geared up for the first game against New Zealand on Friday. Ealedona said while there is no major injury, our medical team is managing muscle and fatigue concerns because of the 7 hour time difference between PNG and Qatar. This has been experienced by other teams from Oceania also so it was good we came earlier to acclimatize. The NGCB NG Kapuls are confident of being very competitive against NZ as they prepare for the first game this Friday. Meanwhile the Kapuls played their second practice game against Al Matar FC, a top Qatar second tier team in Doha at 2.30 am this morning PNG time (5pm Monday Qatar time)

Morobe Provincial Government urged high schools to complete their infrastructure project before the writs are issued for the 2022 National General Elections. Provincial Administrator for Social Sector Services Mr. Robin Bazzenu said schools who have received the infrastructure development grants are urged to make it their business by completing all their projects and submit reports before the national general election commences. He said total funding of K12 Million was disbursed to 45 schools in 2021. Bazzenu said the Provincial Government expected schools to complete 95 percent of the infrastructure developments. He said said the funding was allocated to 29 secondary and high schools, nine technical and vocational education centres, two FODE centres, one national high school and three privately run schools. Bazzenu said the funding was prioritized by governor Ginson Saonu to shift school building infrastructures and it was first of its kind the fund was disbursed to respective schools to manage.

Boera village today received its newly built multi-purpose community hall from Gas Resources PNGLNG Plant Limited (GRPNGLNGPL) and Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC). The two-story multi-purpose community hall was built by GRPNGLNGPL under its Community Infrastructure Trust Fund (CITF) at a cost of K2.8 million. It comprises of two large meeting rooms, four offices, a kitchen and restroom facilities. Speaking during the handing over ceremony, MRDC’s Managing Director and CEO, Augustine Mano commended the GRPNGLNGPL board for its efforts in continuing to deliver community impacted projects in their project area and encouraged the community to take ownership of the facility and look after it. “Since 2018, the GRPNGLNGPL board had delivered a lot of community projects through its CITF in the sectors of education, health, transport, and agriculture,” he said. “Over K17.2 million has been spent to date delivering classrooms, teachers’ houses, health centre, trucks, boats, community hall among others to improve the quality of life for the four benefitting villages of Boera, Papa, Rea-Rea and Porebada.” “Our vision has always been about improving the quality of life for our beneficiaries through prudent management of their wealth from the resources projects and under MRDC’s management; GRPNGLNGP is certainly realizing this vision.” Mr Mano commended Chairlady Ms Ulato Avei for strong leadership at the Board level, collaborating well with MRDC and community leaders, in delivering quality social development projects in the plant site villages. “Her leadership, and the quality of development projects being delivered here, is the benchmark for others to follow,” he said. Mr Mano also urged the Boera community to make use of the facility for education, church and other communal purposes. “Take care and look after this facility so the community can continue to benefit from it for a long time.” This new community hall replaces the old one, which was built 30 years ago. Present at the event were Member for Kairuku-Hiri Hon. Peter Isoaimo, the GRPNGLNG Board Directors, industry partners and the Boera community.

Fuel taxes will be slashed by 25 cents a litre for the next three months - and public transport fares halved - as the government acts to counter soaring petrol prices. One petrol company made changes to its fuel price immediately. Speaking after today's Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the invasion of Ukraine has unleashed a "global energy crisis", with all three fuel types rising for the highest amount on record. Prices have increased 13 percent in the past month. "We are in a wicked perfect storm and it's a storm that's impacting many people's lives," Ardern says. The impact of the invasion is expected to mean "continued volatility" for fuel prices. Cabinet agreed to reduce fuel excise duty and road user charges by 25 cents per litre, for 3 months, which Ardern says will mean "a potential saving of between $11.50 and $17.25 per tank of fuel". In addition, all public transport fares will be halved for the next three months. "We hope this ensures that where the option of shifting how we travel is available, this makes it more affordable to take that public transport option up." Labour has reduced cost pressures on New Zealand families since day one of taking office - what is happening now warrants a specific response, Ardern says. She says the government has been working on additional policy over the past week, but says current transport projects and legislative changes - expanding public transport, and making public transport cheaper, and supporting fuel-efficient, hybrid or electric vehicles - must continue. "This must continue and I'm signalling today that you will see in the Budget in May greater investment in this area through the climate emergency response fund." Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the fuel excise change will come into force from 11.59pm tonight, and it will be reviewed before the three months is up. "We cannot influence the global oil price and so therefore if we want to relieve some pain at the pump we need to look at the things we can control." Mobil announced it would make the changes immediately. Petrol prices are expected to continue to rise Robertson says, and the government will also outline over the coming days the means by which the change will be reversed, but it is likely to be gradual. It's possible changes to road user charges could include a change to legislation. The three-month period for road user charges would begin from whenever the order comes into effect, he says. Local authorities in practice set public transport fares, but Robertson says they will be reimbursed. He says the government is unable to set fare reductions but he is confident councils will "welcome this change and implement it speedily". Fuel excise goes directly into the National land transport fund, which pays for roads, public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure across New Zealand. Robertson says this work cannot afford to be delayed so the fund will be topped up for the expected loss of revenue. This is expected to be $350 million. "We will be meeting the cost of this through savings and reprioritisation from the Covid response and recovery fund, in particular the reduction in costs related to MIQ." The public transport fare subsidy is expected to cost between $25m and $40m, which will also be met from the Covid fund. Because it is a reprioritisation from the existing fund, it is already factored into the Budget forecast so can be met without increasing debt. Robertson says the situation highlights the shift to decarbonising and the importance of support for those most affected by cost-of-living increases, he says. Energy Minister Megan Woods says she has been speaking to fuel company chief executives and most are indicating they are ready to reduce the price of petrol from midnight tonight. She says the government wants clear evidence that the 25 cent a litre reduction in fuel excise duty is passed on to consumers and not absorbed into fuel company profits. She was outlining this expectation to all companies and is seeking daily information disclosure on their rolling seven-day average fuel margins to monitor industry profits. She intends this information to be publicly available and the companies have indicated they are willing to do this. Ardern says the New Zealand economy overall is well positioned to recover, and she's confident we will get through. She agrees the cost of living now "represents a crisis for many families, absolutely". Asked why it's taken so long to admit we have a cost of living crisis, Ardern says she has "always acknowledged that families have been experiencing pain as a result of the cost of living". She says after three months, the government will assess where prices are, "and then we'll ease off, so we will be careful to make sure that we don't have a jolt at the pump for families". Mobil cuts prices immediately The petrol company Mobil says it's cutting prices immediately following the government's announcement. The price cuts would be across all grades of petrol, Mobil lead country manager Andrew McNaught said in a statement. "Our product costs have risen significantly from the middle of December, and continue to rise. These costs on average have more than doubled since the beginning of December, and have increased more than 50 percent in the last two weeks," McNaught said. Changes apply to stations where Mobil sets the price of the petrol. SOURCE: RNZ NEWS