PM James Marape has confirmed the untimely passing of Minister for Commerce and Industry and Goilala MP William Samb. "I have, late last night, received confirmation of the passing of the Honorable William Samb, at a hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates." "The Honorable William Samb who is the Minister for Commerce and Industry was on official duty travel to Dubai when he met his fate." He was reportedly unwell and in hospital when he passed away. "I have received this news with deepest regret. Our prayers are with his family and the people of Goilala at this time."

The 132 passengers travelling on board Lutheran Shipping vessel, MV Ialibu when the vessel ran aground on Tuesday night at Kampalap Beach on Siassi Island are all safe on the ground and now in the process of being evacuated from the island. According to the National Maritime Safety Authority, a rescue vessel had departed Madang for Siassi Island and dinghies are being prepared to transfer the stranded passengers. The report also stated that passengers were supplied with sufficient amount of food and are being properly sheltered. National Maritime Safety Authority Chief Executive Officer Paul Unas said from initial reports, the vessel’s Starboard Engine became flooded where the captain dropped the stern anchor to keep the vessel from being washed ashore. However, the strong North West winds and high swells eventually dragged the vessel ashore at 10:30pm on Tuesday night. Lutheran Shipping have refused to give out any details about the incident at this time. The National Maritime Safety Authority is carrying out its investigations on the cause of the incident to take appropriate action.

Papua New Guinea must have a student focused Education Sector Plan to achieve the government’s vision 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, according to the National Civil Society Coalition Consultation Workshop that was held on 23rd February 2022. This was one of the strong recommendations made by the participants of the workshop while discussing on the draft Education Sector Development Plan (2022-2026). The one-day workshop facilitated jointly by Papua New Guinea Education Advocacy Network (PEAN) and the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) was for civil organizations to provide their views on the draft five-year Plan. More than 30 participants from civil organizations in different sectors including education, disability, academia, private citizens, human rights and researchers and volunteers attended the consultations. This is to ensure that the draft Education Sector Plan was inclusive and covers all areas for the delivery of quality education services in the next five years. Such is necessary for human resource development in the country, something which the Education Sector has to remain focused on to achieve the government’s vision 2050 and SDG goals and targets. Professor Kenneth Sumbuk who attended the consultations said that the core values in the draft five-year Education Sector Plan are skewed and has been written based on the Public Service Leadership Capability Framework. It therefore does not reflect specific core values of the foundation the education system in PNG is built on or its underpinnings including specific expected outcomes. He said to achieve quality, the education system should be student focused and should be transformative in terms of teaching and learning for better student experience and outcomes. Some of the participants expressed dissatisfaction over the limited time given to them especially non state actors claiming that the plan was massive and needed thorough public consultations with every key sectors involvement. They further raised concerns that half of education service delivery especially in the most remote parts of the country are executed by civil society groups, in particular churches and with the amount of time given for consultations, constructive feedback is also limited to inform the Plan. Some of the key recommendations put forward by the workshop participants included: • Education must be inclusive and accessible by all school aged children including slow learners and children with disabilities. Accessibility must be addressed at all levels from early child hood, primary, secondary to TVET. • Education Sector has to have a master plan for all infrastructure to meet standards in all levels of education in order to meet the needs of the children, in particular children with special needs; • Make sure specialists are available to train teachers to teach children with special needs at all levels of education system; • Promoting and supporting research and development to create PNG to be a modern and relevant learning sociality such policies and plans. • Pursue education excellence by practicing the best and highest standards of Transparency and Accountability: Promoting good governance through personal and institutional integrity, and moral, ethical and transparent and accountable practices. • FODE and TVET should act as an alternative pathway to cater for grade 8 students. So courses for grade 9 and 10 delivered in mainstream high schools should also be taught at TVET. • Disability sector to be recognized by the government, it’s not covered in the draft plan. • The education plan should accommodate strategies on how to cater for and address the increasing population growth.

The rural electrification program commitment made at the APEC Summit in 2018 by the governments of United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and PNG has not progressed as expected to date. State Owned Enterprise Minister William Duma revealed this in Parliament yesterday in response to Rigo MP Lekwa Gure’s question on the status of that commitment. “In the APEC meeting, there was a great announcement and a commitment made by the four countries to assist us have 70 percent of our country electrified by year 2030 which is only eight years away,” Mr Gure said. “So, what is the appropriate body that is coordinating this commitment?” “And how much of the country at this point in time has access to electricity?” “Is there a process or avenue where districts and provinces can make input to that body that is coordinating this commitment?” Minister Duma in response said the K1 billion commitment was a political statement made by the four governments with no properly documented process. “The understanding was that PNG as well as those countries, through the normal diplomatic channels have an agreement that would set out in detail how we will draw those funds,” Mr Duma said. “Unfortunately, since 2019, no such documents were signed by those governments and our government despite attempts by our Prime Minister and myself to follow up.” However, he said what has turned out was that those countries through their diplomatic mission have gone out and select small projects without having consultations with the government through PNG Power. “It is an ongoing process and we are still trying to negotiate but it looks like the new government will be able to continue that process and hopefully we can reach an agreement with definite work plans to reach our target.”

Concerns on the forced extraction of roadwork material without payment by a road contractor along the Trans Island Highway in Central Province will be looked into and addressed soon. Works Minister Michael Nali gave this undertaking during Question Time in Parliament today. The issue was brought up by Kairuku Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo who said the controversial contractor brought rogue police officers with high powered firearms and chased away the landowners of the gravel pit from Aipiana village in Mekeo without paying them. “Is this the kind of attitude we want to display to our Papua New Guineans?” Mr Isoaimo asked. “Every human being is unique and so when you provoke them, they will treat you in the same manner and fashion.” Minister Nali in response said no road contractor has the right to extract road-based materials from a customary land without making a payment to its landowners. He further said he will enquire into the matter and make a response on the issue in this term of Parliament Sitting. “There are provisions there to buy materials, so if any contractor is doing things the other way, then that is totally wrong.” “I guarantee the Member that I will enquire and find out who that contractor is and why it has not been paying the locals for the extraction of materials from their land,” said Nali.

On Monday 28 February 2022, the EU Delegation to PNG signed an agreement with St John Ambulance which renew the EU's engagement of St John as the primary domestic emergency medical evacuation and retrieval service for its delegates. St John will also assist EU delegates with home medical services to help them access health care when it’s urgent, but not an emergency. In an important step to promoting emergency preparedness, St John is helping the EU in upgrading all its existing first aid kits and installing defibrillators (AEDs) at all its worksites in Port Moresby. Partnerships like this provide delegates with the comfort that quality emergency medical care is only one call away. CEO Matt Cannon said, the St John Ambulance Service stands ready to support government departments, businesses, and other delegations with the same level of close partnership. Any spare toeas raised by St John through important partnerships, like this one, are reinvested to improve the free public ambulance services.

A grade 8 student, 15 years old, was hacked to death by his step father over the weekend at Kuriva in Central Province. Central Provincial Police Commander Superintendent John Midi told PNG Hausbung that the incident happened following an argument and the family are from Goilala. “It is very sad and unbecoming of our society these days when people resort to violence too quickly,” Mr Midi said. Following the incident, relatives took sides and were in the process of attacking each other when police intervened. The step father was apprehended and is now in custody while police work on processing his charge. Police investigations into the incident is ongoing. Picture courtesy: Hon. Robert Agarobe MP (FB page)

In a first since the COVID-19 pandemic, the heads of Papua New Guinea’s 22 Provincial Health Authorities (PHA’s), key health personnel and partners are gathered in Port Moresby to address the challenges of the national COVID-19 Vaccination rollout program. Led by the National Department of Health through the National COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, a 3-day workshop is currently underway to give a voice to each province’s challenges in the COVID-19 response. ”This is an opportunity for provincial health leaders and health workers to have their voices heard, share experiences and lessons learned, and discuss a way forward, together,” said Mr Api Kassman, Executive Director for the National Vaccine Taskforce. Secretary for health, Dr. Osbourne Liko, in opening the workshop thanked all the PHA’s for their hard work over the past two since PNG declared its first case of COVID-19. “I know this has entailed many long and stressful hours with depleted staff and plenty of hardship. I thank you and deeply appreciate your efforts”. Dr Liko acknowledged the importance of listening and learning from lessons learned. And he reiterated the importance of COVID-19 vaccination to prevent severe illness and death. “The facts tell us time and again. We do not know when the next wave will hit, but we do know those who have been vaccinated have withstood current outbreaks of COVID much better, much stronger,” said Dr Liko. The participants shared practical experiences for community engagement and stressed on the importance of health care workers to vaccinate themselves ahead of others. One participant highlighted a common challenge facing many provincial health authorities was the limited human resources. “We need human resources. One of our root causes is we’re down with manpower. This hinders us to go out and get the job done to ensure our people are vaccinated”. Key themes that were raised on Day #01 included strategic and community based advocacy, identifying vaccine champions, coordinated efforts and strengthening partnerships. The workshop is supported by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Papua New Guinea - Australia partnership and partners. Findings from the workshop will inform the National COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce on the course of action on future vaccine rollout efforts in the country.

PREPARATIONS are well underway for the hosting of the annual Kopen Take Pii Cultural Festival and Ecotourism Conservation exhibition which commence next Tuesday in Enga Province. The three days cultural festival and ecotourism products exhibition has been simultaneously postponed last year due to upsurge in the World Global pandemic Covid-19 delta variant that claimed many lives around the country. Chairman Luke Lucas Lale said preparations of both cultural festival and ecotourism products exhibition including construction of stalls as well as cultural groups dancers are all set to roll. The Cultural Festival and Ecotourism Products Exhibition will start from 8th – 10th with the official opening on Tuesday and closing on Thursday by the PNG National Cultural Commission Executive Director Steven Enomb Kilanda and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas respectively. Mr. Lale said PNG has got very diverse and unique cultures, music and art. He said the festival and ecotourism products exhibition has become a vehicle on which the communities will all stand together to promote domestically. “The Kopen Take Pii Cultural Festival will be different from any other festival hosted around the country in which we will interpret Enga proverbs, perform rituals, interpret myths, scared sites visitation like historic caves, legendary lakes, church tourism project sites, bird watching, trekking among others,” he said. He said hosting of such cultural festivals and tourism products development will enhance socio-economic activities and curb escalating law & order issues, address Gender Base Violence Inclusive Disabilities and other forms of Discrimination in the communities, whereby young men and women will actively participate to create enabling conducive environment. Mr. Lale reiterated that the Kopen Ecotourism Conservation project was started 20 years ago, however due to lack of funding it could not progress further. “Now we have opted to revive these significant projects which we have partnered with the PNG National Cultural Commission, PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and Enga Provincial Government through their Provincial Division of Commerce, Culture and Tourism to develop, safeguard and promote because we see that our cultural heritages and tourism products are beneficial. “Culture is the only standalone tourism product in the country and must be embraced at all times. Culture is our greatest economic asset freely at our disposal, and we must embrace it because once our non-renewal resources have fully depleted, we will still have our both tangible and intangible cultural resources to fall back,” he said. Project Director Samson Kendeman shared the same sentiment saying culture provides belonging and an arena in which residents can make a difference. “Culture contributes to exclusionary practices and has been seen as a drag on development efforts. “We want our village to be a Tourism Model Village within the Wabag Local Level Government,” Mr. Kendeman said. He said management have already implemented some of their tourism products which all started at Kopen as phase one. “Beginning this year and going forward we will further develop tourism projects like Punar Waterfall, construct bush treks, bird watching, scared sites and other cultural heritages up in the Walum rainforest that will definitely promote both domestic and international tourist that can enhance socio-economic activities and alleviate poverty concurrently,” he said. Mr. Kendeman said the concept will also enable the village to tap into economic benefits of tourism, agriculture and forestry to develop small businesses in communities to sustain and empower youth including marginalized women and girls’ population taking the lead. “We urge both national and sub-national governments to support us as well as development partners in such cultural and tourism development industry where our target is to involve youth population to contain the consumption of alcohol and poisonous homebrew that presently leading to law and order issues,” he said. The Management and Festival Committee would like to thank the major sponsors of PNG National Cultural Commission, PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Enga Provincial Government/Administration, Margaret Potane the Director of Provincial Division of Commerce, Culture & Tourism, Air Sanga Limited, National Airports Corporations, Lorma Construction Limited, Yani Hire Cars & Logistics, The National newspaper, Ribito Hotel & Restaurant, Joe Chen (Chen Trading), Ipali Limited, My Kids Inn, Porgera Sai Lodge, Kawai Lodge, Individual sponsors like Wabag Town Mayor Cr. Felix Poko, Milfred Wangatau and Kennedy Kiak.

The Kina Bank Board is pleased to announce an underlying NPAT (Net Profit After Tax) of PGK 96.2m, with a statutory NPAT of PGK 70.8m. This result is a solid increase of 27% on the previous financial year’s NPAT growth of 27%. Kina’s CEO and Managing Director Greg Pawson said “The results demonstrate our ability to grow organically, maintain costs and execute on strategic priorities”. Kina Securities Limited (ASX:KSL|PNGX:KSL) is pleased to provide the following update on its full year 2021 results. Kina Bank has announced an underlying NPAT of PGK 96.2m, an increase of 27%, with a statutory NPAT of PGK 70.8m. This result is a solid increase of 27% on the previous financial year’s NPAT growth of 27%. Notably, one-off costs associated with the Westpac acquisition termination impacted this growth. In good news for shareholders, The Board has declared an unfranked final dividend for the 2H21 of 0.7 cents (AUD) per share and 26.8toea (PGK) per share. The full year unfranked dividend is 10.0 cents (AUD) per share / 26.8 toea (PGK) per share. Kina’s CEO and Managing Director Greg Pawson said, “These results demonstrate our ability to grow organically, maintain costs and execute on strategic priorities.” He added “Throughout 2021, everyone on our team has been focused on delivering strong growth in all target segments, while maintaining disciplined cost management and ensuring our communities remain safe in a pandemic. The implementation of our Corporate Banking strategy and response in developing digital solutions for our customers, has helped build a sustainable growth profile.” Kina’s capital position remains well above the regulatory target of 12% with Total Capital adequacy of 23.3%. Performance snapshot: · Underlying NPAT increased by 27% to PGK 96.2m. · The Loan book delivered a 21% growth. · Foreign Exchange (FX) revenue grew by 19%. · Net Fees and Commissions increased by 17% to PGK 89.3m. · The performance in non-interest income from fees and commissions and foreign exchange income contributed 18% to Kina’s strong revenue growth. · Cost to income ratio (underlying) maintained at 58%. · Reduction in impairment cost to PGK 6.5m. · Kina’s Funds Administration business achieved NPAT of PGK 10.1m, which reflects a 22% improvement. Delivering on the Kina’s 2025 Strategic Plan All strategic initiatives have progressed well. In FY21 the focus was on simplifying the business, building digital capability, creating a competitive Corporate bank and having a compelling home loan product and offering. Kina delivered: · Digital capability across core banking which saw an uplift in Digital usage by 95%, year on year.· Competitive deposit products such as fee-free online banking helped deliver 8% Customer acquisition growth. · Effective management of loan levels well within industry benchmarks. · An expanded suite of products and services for SMEs including transaction accounts, concessional rate loans, online banking enhancements, digital payments gateways and with future partnerships such as Xero integration planned. · A refresh of the Brand and Marketing strategy including a new website that will underpin customer acquisition in FY22. · An improvement in executive diversity, with women in 60% of first line management and level one senior managers roles. · Financial inclusion through MiBank (microfinance partner) onboarding 66,829 new customers in 2021. Banking grows For the banking division, strong lending growth of 21% was achieved. Total loans and advances increased to PGK 1,950.5m. Kina improved market share in total loans and advances by 2% to 15%, ahead of Westpac and ANZ, positioning Kina as the second largest bank by loans and advances in PNG. The deposit base has increased by 19% with a 23% uplift in at call accounts. The improvement in On Call accounts is attributed to growth in net customers by 8%. NIM reflects a mix of increased lending to the corporate sector, strong deposit growth to maintain the loan to deposit ratio at less than 70%, and our strategy to grow FX revenues with the resources sector. While interest earning assets saw a 20% increase over the prior year, 69% of this growth was recorded in the second half. We expect NIM to normalise in the first half of 2022, well within the target range of 6-8%. The impact on NIM is offset by a strong performance in non-interest income which includes FX revenues and channel fees. Overall, fee income increased to PGK 57mn, a 24% increase. The largest contributor was Merchant facilities fees achieving strong growth from the increased distribution of Point of Sale terminals. Funds Under Administration Another positive year for Kina Funds Administration with NPAT of PGK 10.1m, a 22% improvement on the prior year. This is due to an increase in Funds under administration and growth in the membership base. Strategy and Outlook Kina’s purpose is to constantly improve the prosperity of the people, communities, and markets it serves. The bank achieves this by being the most dynamic, progressive, and accessible financial services organization in the Pan Pacific. To deliver on our purpose the bank developed a series of priorities. 2022 Priorities overview · Digital partnership platforms including e-KYC onboarding, payment system and digital wallets. · Deliver propositions to target segments, Prime home loans, Prime Plus (Employee referrals) and Private Bank · Developing ESG framework and renew commitment to micro finance partner MiBank. · Selectively build the brand into regional areas with the greatest growth opportunities. The BPNG’s outlook for economic growth is positive, with forecast GDP real growth of 5.4% driven by mining sector activity. Commodities such as coffee and palm oil are also forecast to grow, supporting Kina’s corporate proposition and target segments. COVID-19 continues to present a systemic risk for PNG with low vaccination rates. In order to support our customers, communities and staff, we will drive to deliver a more accessible and inclusive financial services business. This will include the implementation of key digital programs to ensure our customers can bank anywhere, anytime. Bank CEO and Managing Director Greg Pawson outlined Kina Bank’s growth plan, “Our customer growth, brand recognition and commitment to our communities has established the group as a leading diversified financial services company in PNG. 2021 was the start of our growth agenda. We have a strategic plan that sets out our opportunities to grow sustainable revenues and build on our digital capabilities and partnerships. Leveraging our assets and our people across financial services in the Pan-Pacific region, backs our vision to deliver value for all our stakeholders”.

Twelve Villages of Erap Ward 7 & 8 receive training and funding support to be models of the Intervention Program. Sunday 27th February 2022, Dinsu Village in Ward 7 of Erap LLG, Nawaeb District saw graduates of 12 villages presented funding support after completion of Healthy Village & Good Governance Concept of the Morobe Provincial Government. The Concept promotes proper Hygiene and preventative Healthcare for rural villages and Good Governance systems that steers proper planning of all Village systems to be models of Morobe Province. Present at the occasion was Morobe Governor Ginson Goheyuc Saonu, Morobe Province Deputy Governor Willie Simbisi, Wain/Erap LLG President Kunump Ameke, MPG Healthy Village & Good Governance Program Coordinator & Initiator Mr Justin Ruameng along with his Trainers and Ward Councilors of Wards 7 & 8 of Wain/Erap. The funding support presented will provide the capacity to rollout the program in the respective 12 villages in the area. Governor Saonu said this Intervention Program is to foster Good health practices for the people and is a preventative method in reducing burden & strain to the health facilities. He said the Good Governance training encourages Ward Committees to be strengthened as well and be more proactive in the areas that really affect the people. Similar Roll out of this program has touched, Bulolo, Nawaeb, Huon and Markham Districts capturing the other Districts of Morobe Province. MPG HV&GG Coordinator Mr Justin Ruameng commended the support of the Leadership of Governor Saonu so far. Mr Ruameng is focused that the Program will instill better coordinated practices of living at Village level up and contributes to better standards of living at Provincial Level. K1000 funding (K12,000) was given to respective 12 villages to kick start the program in their villages this year. The Program is being supported as well by Nawaeb DDA, Australia DFAT, Lutheran Church.

For thousands of years, bilum weaving has been handed down from mothers to daughters across Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is an integral part of PNG’s cultural heritage and an important source of income for artisan women, especially those facing significant social and economic disadvantage. Yet despite bilum’s omniscient presence in PNG, its commercial and artistic value has remained relatively hidden, until recently. The bilum story is an incredible example of the transformative power of the creative and cultural industry. It shows just what is possible when emerging entrepreneurs are given effective access to international markets, are supported to strengthen their supply chains and are empowered to share their creativity and culture with the world. Over the years Australia, through the PNG-Australia Partnership, has supported entrepreneurs like - Florence Jaukae Kamel and her vision for the Goroka Bilum Festival, and provided strategic capacity building along the bilum value chain. Pacific Trade Invest Australia helped Florence and key artisans to take bilum to the world stage and find international buyers. With a little help, the entrepreneurship and vision of these women can lead to great commercial success and inclusive economic growth. Many in the international market have become attracted to the unique beauty of the bilum and have contributed to the growth of international sales, through boutique fashion designers to several large international fashion retailers. Capacity building along the bilum value chain, has in turn supported the growth of the industry and enhanced its financial sustainability. There is now a network of over a thousand weavers across the country, exporting bilum to the world, while increasing their income and wellbeing through culture and community. “Our weavers are single mothers, women who people think have no value in the family. They are raising their children, paying their school fees, medical bills and building their own houses. And they are succeeding through bilum.” Florence Jakaue Kamel While much has changed in ten years, the bilum story continues to unfold, with its full potential yet to be realised. It has taken ten years of experimentation, persistence and forging of relationships to get the bilum industry to where it is today. But for it to grow as a significant export opportunity for PNG it needs another 5-10 more years of strategic support to strengthen the supply chain and grow the industry. And the demand is there, as Jessica from Bilum & Bilas shares, “The creative industry in Papua New Guinea is an untapped resource. There’s a real demand now in the marketplace for sustainable, ethical products with deep meaning and stories, that also give back to the makers.” Culture and art are a source of identity, and can inspire creativity, innovation, and community-based entrepreneurship. The right investment into the creative and cultural industries could see it become a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth - empowering women, creating jobs, and fostering a stronger, more connected community. “My hope is to see the Creative and Cultural Industries stand on their own, in their own right. Not [just] be rolled out when there’s a meeting or gathering but a real appreciation for the art and the intrinsic value that it adds to the national identity. It is the perfect vehicle for economic empowerment.” shares Ruth Choulai, Cultural Industry Advisor, Abt Associates. The Australian High Commission sponsored film ‘The Bilum Story’ tells this story and it has been released for special viewing from 24 Feb – 10 March 2022 on www.thebilumstory.com