Up to six million citizens throughout the country are expected to vote in the upcoming 2022 National General Elections. The six million people are those of the voting age and those whose names are update on the common roll. PNG Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said that will be confirmed when the preliminary roll is produced from the current common roll update of new and existing enrollment at the end of this month. “A total of voters in the last election was 4.7 million so now we’re expecting 5 to 6 million based on the fact that about 15 percent of Enrollment Form 11, which is the new enrollment form were given out to provinces during the roll update,” Mr Sinai said. “Addressing the youth gap is a top priority the Electoral Commission is addressing in this current common roll update.” Mr Sinai further said that the preliminary roll be displayed once it is being updated for public consumption before the Issue of Writs on April, 28. Meanwhile the roll update is currently underway in all the wards throughout the country.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Wagambie Jr has assured the extended family and relatives of the young victim of police brutality and members of the public, that he has directed the matter to Internal Affairs Directorate to handle. ACP Wagambie said he had spoken with Metropolitan Superintendent NCD, Supt CID Boroko and Director of Internal Affairs Directorate, Superintendent Emil Alpha earlier this week and issued a written directive for IAD Investigation Team to take charge of the matter. “For this incident, whatever the circumstances were, the level of injury inflicted on the young man is not warranted at all. This is way beyond.” The investigation team has been tasked to establish what led to the matter and what actually happened. “I would also like to make it known that this does not reflect the majority of hard-working Police personnel.” He said the individual unit implicated had been identified and are now being dealt with by Internal Affairs Directorate Police. “Policemen and women have been constantly reminded about ethical conduct and performing duties within the rule of law.” “We are trying our best to rebuild public confidence in the Constabulary, and such actions by individuals only hinders the progress.” “I make assurance that this will not go unattended. Police Internal Affairs Directorate Officers in collaboration with CID Boroko, are already on it as this is being posted.”

Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) has denied agreeing to pay additional compensation to landowners for the use of water from Dablan Creek following a demand by a group of landowners as reported in last week’s Post Courier. There is no basis for OTML to entertain this demand. OTML has met all its obligations to pay compensation for the extraction of water from Dablan creek under the Ok Tedi Act, the Mining Act, the Ok Tedi Environment Management Act (OTEMA) (which has yet to be gazetted) and the current benefit agreements signed by OTML, the landowners and the State. This position is consistent with the advice given to the landowners by the Conservation & Environment Protection Authority and the Office of the State Solicitor. A Company spokesperson said, “OTML will not pay compensation outside the existing agreements since it will expose the company to other unjustifiable demands and would be unfair to the other landowners who honour these agreements.” “The landowners have not been denied any compensation. In fact, they have received over K54 million in compensation from OTML through the various benefit packages for the use of their land and extraction of water and they will continue to receive these benefits while the Mine continues to operate. This is in addition to other benefits such as dividends and contracts with OTML”, the spokesperson said. The landowners are claiming that OTML only applied for an Environment Permit after the matter was raised in court by the landowners. “This is not true. The landowners have been misled since it was the Government’s directive for OTML to have its own Environment Act and Permit that captures the current Ok Tedi Environment Regime of 2001. The OTEMA and Permit have no provisions for payment of compensation for the extraction of water and therefore there is no basis for additional compensation to be paid.” The landowners have challenged this matter in Court 5 times over the last 11 years without success but can still do so if they have new evidence to present. Meanwhile, and following recent actions by the group to divert water and disrupt operations, OTML has identified alternate reliable water sources that will significantly reduce reliance on the current extraction site.

Papua New Guinea’s national Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) have marked International Women’s Day with the launch of Pathways to Justice: Strongim Sindaun Bilong Femili. The production of this documentary – supported by the Australian Government – outlines the services available to family and sexual violence (FSV) survivors. Such services include the FSV referral pathway in PNG - a network of service providers who provide support and care to survivors. These comprise Family Support Centres located in health facilities, Family and Sexual Violence Units (FSVUs) in police stations and Village Courts, located across the country. The documentary, commissioned by the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) also outlines the help available to survivors, and the laws and processes in place to ensure survivors receive the protection and care they need. The CIMC-FSVAC National Coordinator, Marcia Kalinoe, said, “The documentary provides practical information for survivors about the support and services that are available and how they can access them, but it also seeks to advocate for increased services for survivors of FSV.” Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp, who attended the launch, said that although FSV remained a significant problem, progress was being made. “Whilst there is a lot more that still needs to be done to reduce family and sexual violence, today we recognise the achievements and continued efforts of our partners who do the hard work every day, driving change and improving outcomes for women and children.” Mr Philp said. The Australian Government’s long-standing commitment to improving FSV responses in the Law and Justice Sector include supporting the establishment of 27 FSVUs across the country, strengthening the FSV referral pathways to improve the coordination of services, providing FSV investigation and prosecution training to police, prosecutors and court officials, as well as assisting in the review and development of FSV laws.

We wish to reply to a comment made in the Post Courier 08 March 2022 in relation to a male victim of alleged police brutality. The report indicates that police took the victim to a St John Ambulance base by police. The person being interviewed is quoted as saying St John “refused services”. We send our sincerest condolences to the family affected by what is reported to be a brutal mistreatment by parties named in the article. Hospitals are where people with serious injuries need treatment. Often ambulance stations (bases) are unmanned because the ambulance personnel are in their ambulances attending to emergencies in the community. Bringing a patient to an ambulance station for treatment is not advised, especially when a hospital is just metres down the road. St John Ambulance is highly concerned by the nature of the complaint being made in relation to the alleged brutal handling of the casualty by persons referred to in the article. “St John firmly asserts that all persons in our society, regardless of what they are alleged to have or have not done, should be treated humanely and professionally by any person in society, especially uniformed people sworn to protect.” The burden of brutality in our society is costing estimated hundreds of millions of kina each year in hospital costs. Victims of brutality require highly expensive hospital treatment. Some never fully recover with limb amputations or traumatic brain injuries. These causalities need surgery, and are sometimes so severe they have to be prioritised in the operating theatre above other people needing surgery, meaning other people miss out on the surgery needed. We are disgusted with the brutality continually served out against our people. There has to be a better way to manage misconduct than through brutal means. “Whilst ambulance stations are happy to assist in emergency situations, we do not recommend you bring patients to an ambulance station because the ambulance crew are often out attending emergencies. Call 111 for emergency help so we can send an ambulance to you, or go straight to a hospital.” “St John does not refuse its services to the general public and in the patient’s state, it was advisable that the patient be brought straight to the general hospital for further assessment and treatment.” “St John ambulance stations are not hospitals. If a person needs help urgently, call 111 for an ambulance or seek urgent medical care at a hospital.”

The new look Momote Airport in Manus Province is set to be opened on April 8 this year by Prime Minister James Marape, according to the National Airports Corporation. Designed resembling a stingray, the new state of art facility includes departure, arrival and VIP lounges, check-in counters, Close Circuit Camera TV (CCTVs), baggage screening machines, toilet facilities among other modern terminal facilities. National Airport Corporation Managing Director Rex Kiponge said the upgraded facility also caters for VISA and immigration processing counters for the case of direct international flights. Along with the upgrade of the terminal building itself, the airport’s runway length was extended to accommodate the bigger Boeing 737 aircraft. The upgrade work was co-funded by the Asian Development Bank and PNG Government and implemented under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP). Meanwhile, similar terminal upgrade work is currently underway for Kavieng Airport in New Ireland Province where it is anticipated to be opened sometime next month.

The Women’s Micro Bank Limited branded as “Mama Bank “entered into a MoA with the Oro Provincial Government to provide accessible financial services to women, youth and the people of Oro province last Friday. Both parties realised that ordinary women, youths and the people of Oro Province at large should be equal partners in the provincial economic development plans through access to financial services and credit funds to boost their entrepreneurial activities. “They should have their own bank account with affordable and adequate access to funds to enable them to play a more active role in the economic development and contribution of the province,” said Mr Ricky Mitio, Chairman of Mama Bank. Mr Mitio said the main thing they want to do is to bring financial services to the lower mama’s who work and do market on the streets and who are in the informal sector which the government’s SME program doesn’t reach. ‘’We are striving to break through the cultural barrier of women not being the financial controllers at home and to take mamas in Oro Province to the next level.” The Women’s Micro Bank is 6th in the world with 9 branches in PNG with the most recent one opened in Oro province bringing the total to 10 Micro Bank branches in PNG. Mr Mitio acknowledged the Oro Governor Mr Garry Juffa and was happy to commit the bank to be in partnership with the Oro Provincial Government. Mr Juffa has announced that his government is happy to support its’ people to be productive rather that being dependent, therefore, is committed to deliver on its responsibilities captured in the MoA. The MoA includes establishment of Mama Bank in Popondetta, Credit Guarantee Scheme and Financial Literacy Training to be provided to women groups within the province. Mr Juffa stated that he is impressed with Mirco Banks evolution to where it is now providing financial services especially to all the mothers out there and the young women who are involved in the SME space. ‘’I believe that the SME sector is the backbone of any developing economy. And coming from a house-hold of a single mother who struggled and worked several jobs just to make sure there was food on the table and who was also very active in the SME space as well, I know how much that contributes to a family, community and a province,’’ Juffa said. Mr Juffa said that funding of K500, 000 has already been set aside since 2013 and is still available with an additional K500, 000 topping off to K1million for this project alone, while Mama Bank will contribute equal share as credit funds for MSME and SME activities in Oro. Mean while Mama Bank CEO Mr. Gunanidhi Das expressed that the Women’s Micro Bank is trying to implement the real microfinance concept in the province and the country. ‘’We are happy to come onboard this agreement to help and support OPG’s ambitions for its province to extend inclusive financial inclusion services in Oro’’. He challenged all men, women and youths of Oro to use this opportunity as a gateway to becoming economically independent and to do away with free hand out mentality. Also, Mama Bank believes that women are the gateway to economic empowerment of the country and adheres to the slogan “SUPPORTIM MERI KIRAPIM BUSINES KIRAPIM KANTRI’’

The Madang Provincial Health Authority CEO, Fidelis Waipma had served a court order on PHA Board Chairman Dr. Charles Kalana and the members of the board on the 25th of February 2022. Mr Waipma served the orders on Dr. Kalana as first Respondent and members of the board as second respondents. The court ordered that Dr. Charles Kalana including his servants, agents and assignees are restrained from tempering with the operational accounts of the Madang PHA in any form or manner. The court had also ordered Dr.Kalana including his servants, agents and assignees are restrained to change any signatories to all operational accounts of Madang PHA. Meanwhile Order C ordered that the servants and agents of the Bank of South Pacific uplift the halt placed on the operation account of Madang PHA to allow the hospital to continue normal operations. The file has been transferred from the Waigani Registry to Madang Registry on the first of March and will be heard before a judge in Madang on the 7th of March at 9:30am. CEO Fidelis Waipma obtained the Court order following the board’s decision to suspend Mr Waipma on allegations of financial management of Madang PHA. Board Chairman Dr. Charles Kalana says the decision to suspend the CEO is to allow investigations into these serious allegations levelled against Mr Waipma. Dr. Kalana however refused to disclosed in detail the allegations Mr Waipma was accused against, adding the matter is under investigations. Last Monday Board Chairman Dr. Charles Kalana, board member, Joe Agavi and a legal representative met with the staff of Madang PHA to informed them of the decision’s board to appoint Acting Provincial Administrator, Joseph Kunda Bonomane as CEO of PHA. This is to allow investigations into the allegations of financial management against Mr. Waipma to be conducted. But the board’s decision was not welcomed by the staff as Mr. Joseph Kunda Bonomane is also heavily implicated funding allegations in Madang province. The staff demanded that the appointment of the CEO must not be outside of the PHA structure and with no political interference.

The SP PNG Hunters had their first hit out of 2022 against the CQ Capras in a trial match over the weekend. The Hunters used a 21 man squad for Saturday night’s game as they look to confirm team selections and build on combinations ahead of the Hostplus Cup regular season. The Hunters were tested from the opening set when lock-forward and captain Ila Alu left the field with a shoulder injury and forced the Hunters into a reshuffle. They entered the sheds at halftime down 10-0 but there were positives to come with the Hunters matching their opponents in the second half to finish the game 20-10. Given the cancellation of the Melanesian Bowl trial against Fiji a week earlier, this was the Hunters’ first game since September last year and their first real test of 2022. SP PNG Hunters’ assistant coach Stanley Tepend said it was an important learning experience for the side. “This was probably a game we needed to have,” Tepend said. “The boys haven’t played for six months now and it showed in our completion rate and our discipline. Credit to the Capras who competed well and made us fight for everything, but we know we have plenty of improvement in us.” The Hunters have 13 returning players in their 26-man squad this year while another 13 new faces join the group. There’s a nice balance of youth and experience but there are always growing pains associated with this kind of roster turnover and Tepend is confident the combinations will come. “The most important part of Saturday’s trial was building combinations across the park. In both attack and defence it was clear the boys were learning to play alongside each other and that only comes from game-time and repetition. We’ll be better for the hit out,” Tepend said. In typical Papua New Guinea fashion, the Hunters played an aggressive and energetic style of footy on both sides of the ball. A grueling pre-season regime has the players in great physical condition for the season ahead but poor handling errors and decision making cruelled their chances of a second half comeback against the Capras. The Hunters didn’t hold the ball consistently enough in attack to earn themselves many genuine scoring opportunities. The spine in particular has a number of new faces in Wesa Tensa (hooker), Mark Tony (halves) and Kingstimer Paraia (utility) who will all be better for the run, while Digicel Cup premiership winning halfback Jamie Mavoko missed the game through injury. In defence, the Hunters’ first contact was characteristically strong but from a coaching perspective there were too many individual efforts without the ball. A focus on communication and working as a unit over the coming weeks should see the Hunters’ defensive systems improve markedly. Sylvester Namo, Samuel Yegip, Dilbert Isaac and Rodrick Tai were notable mentions in the Hunters’ first hit out of 2022. The SP PNG Hunters will return to the training paddock this week before taking on the West Brisbane Panthers in a final trial game this Saturday, 12th of March at 5:30pm.

Health services in Kerema, Gulf Province have drastically dropped at this time with services at the provincial hospital declining because the Provincial Health Authority (PHA) in the province is not running the health system effectively according to Health Advisor Mr Ben Bal. Mr Bal said all their specialised doctors have been sent to Port Moresby General Hospital to assist with Covid-19 operations while still on Gulf PHA payroll. He also mentioned that other clinical health workers are out of the province and no one is doing anything about staff absenteeism. “Patients have been sent home without proper medical checks and there is no one available to provide urgent medical attention,” Mr Bal said. “The provincial hospital was level 5 and now has been reduced to level 3 due to the absenteeism of health workers in the province,” Mr Bal added. Mean while Mr Bal stated that shortage on the supply of medical drugs is a nationwide problem but common drugs that are supposed to be available at the aid posts, health centres, the health sub-centres, the rural hospitals and the provincial hospital like Panadol and high-way fluids are not available. Mr Bal is calling on the Gulf Provincial Health Authority board to see to this matter and stop turning a blind eye because the people of Gulf province are paying the price with their lives.

National Superannuation Fund Limited (Nasfund) joins the World in commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022. With the Global theme “Break the Bias - Gender Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow“, Nasfund celebrates the contribution of our women in playing a leading role in promoting retirement savings through superannuation. Chief Executive Officer Ian Tarutia says celebrating IWD is important, as more women are now breaking the glass ceilings and entering into fields usually dominated by men, on their own merit. “At Nasfund we are proud of our female colleagues for their contribution towards the success of our organization at all levels, from the Board room, management and operations in the delivery of services to our members. We are proud that the gender mix of our workforce is 56% female, and 44% male. Our women colleagues have contributed significantly to the continued growth and success of the Fund. Current data from the superannuation industry indicates that approximately 10% of 8 million Papua New Guineans contribute towards superannuation retirement savings. For Nasfund, female contributors makes up 24% of our total membership. This includes women within the formal sector (22%) and voluntary contributors through our Eda Supa product (2%). What is even more pleasing is that we have close to 20 women who have accumulated retirement savings of close to a million kina each – these are women who have understood to the importance of saving, and are a shining example of what can be achieved. We celebrate their perseverance, and encourage more women to start savings more today, so that you can be ready for tomorrow.” In line with this year’s IWD theme, the Fund will engage with all-girls Secondary school to celebrate the barriers women within the Fund have overcome in society and businesses, as well as drive the message of financial inclusion and superannuation awareness.

Passengers travelling to Australia are required to complete a new “document” being the Australian Digital Passenger Declaration (or DPD). This replaces the earlier Passenger Travel Declaration (or ATD) that was required. The DPD is a mobile phone App and available for download at the Apple iPhone Store for iPhone, and Google Store for Android phones, by searching Australia DPD. An initial one off entry of set-up information takes about 15 minutes, and you need your passport and vaccination information to enter, so it is recommended this is downloaded and updated prior to coming to the airport. Manual paper forms will be available at check-in if required. Passengers flying into Australia, must complete a negative rapid test within 24 hours of scheduled departure. This can either be conducted at the airport, or the passenger can bring a compliant certificate with them issued by a doctor. A negative PCR test within 3 days of departure is also acceptable. Passengers arriving with their own compliant PCR or negative Rapid Test certificate conducted independently from the ISOS testing site can progress directly to the Departures Check in through the Main Terminal Entrance. Passengers are reminded that they cannot be checked in without a certificate of vaccination valid for travel. Vaccination Certificates valid for international travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination (ICCV) , the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries. The PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination is available from PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) upon production of a copy of your green vaccination card and passport either to email: intvaccinecertificate@gmail.com or by visiting the NDoH office- Level 3 Aopi Centre in Waigani. The Green Card PNG Vaccination Certificate is not valid for international travel, as it does not include either the persons Date of Birth or their Passport Number.