Prima Smallgoods is continuing its support of Athletics PNG training programs around the country with fortnightly donations of their products being directed where they are needed. A small group of distance runners based at Utmei Secondary School in East New Britain received their third donation of the year last Saturday in Kokopo. The group includes 2019 Pacific Games representatives Monica Kalua, Mary Tenge and Siune Kagl and the three athletes were on hand to receive the product from Prima Sales staff. Athletics PNG President Tony Green thanked Prima for its ongoing support of training programs both at Utmei and in Kerowagi, Simbu Province. Green also acknowledged the support of K Central in transporting the products from Lae. Mary Tenge was one of the star performers at the PNG Air Athletics Grand Prix in Port Moresby in July, winning the 3000m and 5000m, with Kagl setting a huge personal best in the 1500m and contributing to some very good times in the mens 3000m and 5000m by setting a strong pace in both races. Kalua was the winner of the womens 1500m and the three athletes, along with their training partners and school mates Adolf Kauba, Sialis Passinghan and Israel Takap are looking forward to the second part of the series in Kimbe from November 26 to 29. This will be followed by the PNG Air National Championships (Dec 3 - 5).

There are 400,000 reasons to be excited this Independence season thanks to Roots Rice. Lucky customers nationwide will get a chance to walk away with a share of K400,000 in the BIKPELA CASH GIVEAWAY promotion which started off on August 9th. In total K5000 will be given out each fortnight till the end of promotion on October 1st. Brand Manager, Casey Kwasam says that this promotion is a way for the company to show their support to consumers on a personal level this Independence period. “We always aim to connect with our consumers with the promotion time frames so that the cash giveaway can have impact on them. “What better way to celebrate this Independence than with some free cash to help with spending for your family and traditional bungs. The prize pool will see K5,000 given out per draw. In terms of prize break up: 1st Prize is K2,500, 2nd Prize is K1,500 and 3rd Prize is K1,000. Consumers are guaranteed a good chance to win as the promo is spread across 20 locations nationwide. Consumers are encouraged to look for and buy any Roots Promo Pack, write their name and contact details on the back on the empty bag or packet and place at entry boxes at participating stores nearby.

The Government's policy on COVID19 vaccination still remains as voluntary and not to be forced on individuals. Prime Minister James Marape reaffirmed this in Parliament today in light of the recent incidences in Lae where employers of several business houses protested against their respective companies ‘policy on the termination of employees who refused to be vaccinated. Mr Marape says by far no industrial dispute was made to the Labour Department regarding this issue hence the government has not made any response to the complaints raised. However, he says with the issues in Lae, he has dispatched a team from the COVID19 National Control Centre led by the Controller David Manning to Lae today to investigate these issues and submit a report to the government. “The investigation is to find out if those companies have adhered to the government’s New Normal COVID 19 practises or not before resorting to the ‘No Jab, No Job’ policy as reported,” Mr Marape said. “The report will help us to find a balance between the safety of the workplace, the operation of the workplace and to ensure that the rights of the employees are protected.” He further acknowledged the protests by the employees as well as the University of Technology students in advocating on the plight of ordinary citizens at this time.

Twenty-four (24) participants successfully completed one-week MA Coaching Course in Mt Hagen recently. Mt Hagen Soccer Association president Samuel Kini said the MA Coaching Course was part of building and  upgrading coaching skills to move and popularize soccer in PNG’s third city, Mt Hagen. Kini said his soccer association is supporting the vision of the PNG Football Association president John Kapi Natto to upskill its technical department (coaches and referee) to take football forward. Mt Hagen president was pleased to see that business houses such as Airport Resort through its owner Nelson Tengi paid the participation fees while the Mt Hagen Urban Lord Mayor Jacob Michael recognized the importance of the course by attending the closing ceremony and presenting the certificate to the course participants Mr Tengi encouraged the participants to utilize their skills to help grow football in the highlands region. PNG Football Association General Secretary Pius Letenge gave the powerful statement via video conference urging all the participants and soccer followers to work together in moving football forward in Mt Hagen and the highlands region. “I am very humble by their contribution and presence which showed the trust in my leadership to lead football in the province,” Mr Kini said. Mr Kini said many course participants have expressed their sincere gratitude to PNGFA stating that it was an eye opener for them. This is the first time PNGFA has come down to member associations to conduct such coaching course. Mt Hagen soccer chief said there is bright future in football.”It is like getting the house in order before Hagen Soccer Association can move forward. The participants have pledged to work with Mr Kini’s newly elected executive moving forward. “The association is in re-construction phase in technical department. I am very blessed in completing referees course last month and now the coaching course. I now already have the manpower to move forward the association vision to develop some best players in Hagen,” he said. PNGFA Coach Mentor Harrison Kamake conducted the course with the assistance from Highlands region football development officer Robert Upaiga.

The Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) wishes to express its serious concern at the spate of newspaper reports recently that have highlighting the light sentences being delivered by PNG courts in relation to GBV. The Chair of the Committee, Charles Abel has made multiple statements decrying the lack of action by law enforcement bodies to address violence against women and children. In response to the multiple news reports of judges and magistrates letting alleged perpetrators found guilty of a crime off without proper punishment, Hon Abel stated today: “This is outrageous, unbelievable and unacceptable. It defies belief that our court system in this day and age can make such decisions in the light of such overwhelming circumstantial evidence." "It makes a mockery of the term justice and our justice system. How can we change mindsets and the culture of violence in general and violence against women if we allow such acts to go unpunished?” He went on to say: “Women being killed and maimed by their partners is a criminal act and it should be treated as such. Our recent Committee Report into GBV specifically called on law enforcement bodies to do their jobs better. We made more than 20 recommendations, calling for the police to investigate promptly and produce proper complaints files. They need to take proper witness statements and witnesses need to feel safe to testify about what they know”. In terms of court cases, Abel said: “We have called on the Office of the Public Prosecutor to promptly prosecute cases and to call for tough penalties. We also call on the courts system to deliver justice – promptly and fairly. The courts must do much better. What message does it send when men who have killed their partners are allowed to pay compensation and get off? This is simply not good enough.” Deputy Committee Chair, Governor Allan Bird was also very clear about his unhappiness with the outcomes from recent GBV cases. He has stated: “The public is outraged that our women and girls are unsafe in our country. Every member of our Committee is equally concerned about this terrible situation. We all want our women and girls to feel safe and to enjoy protection and freedom that they deserve." Governor Bird wanted to make sure though, that the public understands the role of the Committee, compared to the role of Government law enforcement bodies. He went on to say: “While I understand that the community might expect us to respond to individual incidents, we must respectfully ask the community to relay such requests to the relevant authorities. The job of the Parliament Committee on GBV is to hold to account all the different agencies of Government that ought to be responding to individual incidents of GBV, sexual violence and sorcery accusation related violence. When these responsible authorities fail to respond appropriately, that's when the Committee should be brought to bear on the non performing entities.” Governor Bird encouraged members of the public to continue to advocate for more action from the Government to address GBV issues around the country and reiterated that the Parliament GBV Committee will also play its part. He stated: “Our GBV Committee cannot not usurp the role of the Police or the Justice system. We play an oversight role to ensure these systems are working as they ought to and we will continue to do that. We will have a second round of public hearings in late 2021 and we will use these to again call these agencies to account and demand them to take proper action” The Parliamentary Committee on GBV was set up in 2020 and their Report on GBV which can be accessed on their webpage at https://www.unitedforequalitypng.com/gbv-parl-committee. The Committee is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has provided technical support to the Coalition and Committee as part of its gender programming and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. This support aims to address GBV and support longer-term efforts to promote women’s participation and leadership in the Parliament.

U.S Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Her Excellency Erin Mckee, on her recent trip to Kwiop in Jiwaka Province last week was ferried through Western Highlands Province by Heli Solutions. Being her first trip to the region, her excellency, was given an aerial tour of American funded projects in Jiwaka Province upon her return to Western Highlands Province. Her excellency was impressed with Heli Solution’s services and on her return to Mount Hagen, presented two American and Papua New Guinea crossed flag lapel pins to Heli Solutions pilots in recognition of their service. The pins symbolise the existing partnership between American and Papua New Guinean governments. Heli Solutions Grounds Manager, Linda Wii, who was on the tarmac at Kagamuga Airport to receive the US Ambassador thanked her for trusting a fully flagged national company to transport her excellency and her team. Heli Solutions Pilots, Captain David Takindu and Captain James Pima were presented the pins on behalf of the US ambassador by Grounds Manager, Linda Wii, and witnessed by staff of Heli Solutions at their Mount Hagen Hanger. Captain Takindu and Pima who are both former service men in the PNG Defence Force were familiar with the military protocols involving state representatives and transported the ambassador with ease. Captain Pima as Chief Pilot of Heli Solutions was surprised and pleased at the gesture shown by her excellency. Both Pilots extends their gratitude to her excellency and her team at the US Embassy and are humbled to be presented such an honour.

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) will this week be celebrating Literacy Week with the theme “Our Country Our Story” with cultural learning, financial literacy activities and events together with the organisation’s donor partners, volunteers and parents. Literacy, Numeracy, digital skills and cultural knowledge are all equally important aspects children need to prepare for their future careers and life in Papua New Guinea. As the country lags behind its neighbours in the Pacific with regards to literacy rates and access to education opportunities, BbP seeks to use Literacy Week to advocate for the importance of Early Childhood Education, Libraries and Inclusive Education to increase literacy rates. From Monday to Wednesday, the children enrolled in BbP’s ECE program will be studying the importance of the ocean, village, forest and animals in PNG culture through craft activities and story-telling by parents and officers from the National Museum of PNG. The children will then display their stories, which will be added to the BbP learning app so all children across the country can share their culture and customs. Thursday and Friday will be all about financial literacy and the children will be setting up shops and hold a ‘Market Day’ and learn through play to demonstrate their numeracy skills to parents, donor partners and invited guests. BbP has also created a financial literacy video in partnership with BSP which will be used as part of the ECE program to teach the children about PNG notes, coins and the importance of saving. The Literacy Week program has been generously sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG and includes learning materials, uniform t-shirts, mini cash registers and shopping trolleys, video production and logistics for all BbP’s Library Learning Centres across the country. BbP’s donor partners will be sending volunteers to engage with the children and lots of stationery, fruit, vegetables, drinks and baked goods the children will be “pretend selling” to each other during their Market Day celebration.

A total of 396 new COVID-19 cases detected throughout the country have been sent overseas for further testing on Delta Variant. Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom said these cases are inclusive of the previous 79 cases from Western province have all been isolated while they wait for the results that should be ready by today. Following the recent 30 Delta Variant cases, Dr Daoni believes there will be more Delta Variant cases from the 396 COVID-19 cases pending results. Meanwhile the National Control Center for COVID-19 is finalizing new Delta Variant Measures for all provinces given the presence of the virus already on PNG soil which may spread quickly depending on the movement of people. “The new measures are not only for Western Province and neighboring border provinces but the measures will also apply to other provinces that may have Delta Variant cases.” He said the National Control Center is working in partnership with Provincial Health Authorities to make sure the new measures are adhered to by the public. These new measures will be made known this week.

The “No Jab, No Job” move by the private sector has prompted the Ombudsman Commission to call on the private sector to act with caution when it comes to the constitutional rights of citizens regarding mandatory vaccination imposed by private sector. The Ombudsman Commission has noted with concern that more and more organisations, especially the private sector, have imposed No Jab, No Job policies in their workplaces which borders on the rights of citizens who have chosen not to be vaccinated. “Whilst the Commission is mindful of the private sector’s rights and obligation to protect their businesses,  we  urge  them  to  come  up  with  arrangements  that does not infringe on people’s right to choose. People must have a choice and that choice must not be taken away from them,” said the Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen. The Commission is urging the private sector to explore all possible avenues to protect the rights of employees who choose not to take the vaccine. The Ombudsman Commission does not have jurisdiction over the private sector, but as a supervisor of public administration, it is committed to the protection of constitutional rights of the citizens of the Country. And even though it (the Ombudsman Commission) does not have a specific mandate on human rights enforcement, it however has the mandate to inquire into matters of discrimination pursuant to Section 21 S (b) and Section 219 (I) (c) of the Constitution. This anti-discrimination and equal opportunity jurisdiction is an added source of the mandate that gives the Ombudsman Commission the responsibility to supervise the enforcement of these constitutional rights which falls squarely within its general jurisdiction. Hence, the Ombudsman Commission maintains that it is important to prevent discrimination happening to the citizens of Papua New Guinea in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Commission is also calling on relevant government authorities dealing with private companies and entities to ensure that they are aware of their actions when it comes to people’s right and freedoms. “The Ombudsman Commission is fully aware that PNG is a signatory to several core Human Rights Treaties and that it’s National Constitution is very unique that it almost contains all the rights and freedoms enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. As a signatory to these UN Human Rights Treaties and Conventions, we as a Country have an obligation to assist our citizens to ensure that their rights and freedoms are not taken away and that their choices are respected," said the Chief Ombudsman. The Ombudsman Commission urges all who have been affected by the vaccines mandates or have been treated unfairly at work to lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman Commission.

Life after rugby can be challenging as players try to shift their focus to self-sustaining activities after sports. For those with no form of employment, they must have savings set aside to support themselves and their family financially once their rugby days are done. That is why Mantas Rugby 7’s team in Port Moresby, decided to better prepare their players by choosing to save with ncsl. Through senior player Constantine Bais, 12 players now have savings accounts which they can utilize to support them financially when they run into unplanned injury, need new sporting gears, or save for future needs. Mantas has produced some of the best players in the likes of Emil Latumahina, Debe Keith Tore, Shallendra Birney and Junias Sabatha who went on to represent the National rugby 7’s team, Pukpuks and also the Capital Rugby Union. Bais who mentors and teaches them the importance of setting aside savings, said most players are in their early 20’s which was a good time to start saving. He continues to actively encourage players to consider life after rugby and saving money now will ensure a better transition back into their society knowing they are able to support themselves.

Air Niugini would like to advise customers that due to the current outbreak of COVID-19 in New South Wales, Australia, the Australian Government has placed further restrictions on the number of passengers on board all aircraft arriving into Sydney. For the period 8th September to 30th October 2021, the number of passengers the airline is permitted to carry into Sydney has been cut by 40%. Consequently, we expect that some passengers already holding tickets on PX001 to Sydney over this two month period will not be able to travel, and will be contacted and assisted to re-book their flights for later dates. Air Niugini regrets the inconvenience caused, and appreciates our customers’ patience and understanding, while we manage our way through the latest restrictions imposed.

National Capital District Commission’s environment health officers press on cleansing public health hazards and environment pollutions in the city. Following complaints by residents over flowing of raw sewerage from manholes located around the old Civil Aviation compound at Konedobu, they closed parts of Desh Besh Supermarket at Konedobu on Friday. Team leader Abraham Keple said fast food bar and the bakery would be closed for an indefinite period until the shop owner complies with the recommendations of improvement made under the Public Health regulations. The indefinite closure notice was served on the supermarkets management last Friday. Mr Keple said based on a joint inspection by NCDC and Water PNG officers, the supermarket had been in operation while breaching the public health regulations. “There have been blockages on the sewer lines, continuous over flow of raw sewerage at the nearby manhole, direct discharge of raw sewerage into the storm water drainage and other building and structural issues. “The supermarket will now have to demolish their staff sanitary facilities together with the other illegal structures that are currently in encroachment to the drainage reserves,” he said. He instructed them to comply with the recommendations to ensure their business resumes normal operation without delay. “Failure to comply will render tougher legal action against the operation of their business at Konedobu,” he said. He warns that further random checks will continue with other business premises throughout the city to ensure they are complying with public health and sanitation regulations.