Local Level Government (LLG) and Ward leaders in Rabaul District in East New Britain province, have successfully completed their respective Commitment and Performance Agreements signing last week after a week-long LLG leaders Induction Program conducted at Malaguna Secondary School Hall. These Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) signing aims to assist the leaders in better understanding their roles and aligning their work starting from the LLG presidents down to the ward members, ward recorders and their respective Ward Development Committees. The KPI agreement outlines tasks and activities for the year including the key indicators, progressive or completion status from the 1st to 4th quarter as well as remarks. Witnessing the LLG and Ward leaders KPI signing today was Deputy Provincial Administrator for District, LLG and Ward Affairs- Danley Puapena, who emphasised on the importance of having KPI’s as it is a guide for leaders in implementing their programs. “This is the first time we are doing KPI signing for our LLG and ward leaders.” “We normally do for our public servants at the beginning of the year and with the inclusion of our LLG political leaders, we can work together in serving our people.” He further said that it is required by law to sign a contract to serve our people. Mr. Puapena added saying that apart from their Declaration of Oaths for Office and Loyalty, they are also required to sign their work Commitment Agreements which will monitor their KPI’s. Meanwhile, Acting Human Resource Advisor Rose August, also went through with the participants the checklist for initial tasks for LLG leaders to kick off their duties for the year. She went on outlining the LLG president and mayor’s initial tasks checklist which includes: 1.    Establishing administrative buildings in a more central location, which for Rabaul District, LLG Administrative Offices is in place. 2.    Endorse/Approve Respective LLG Standing Orders 3.    Develop respective LLGs & Wards 5 Year Development Plans 4.    Establishing Ward Community Halls 5.    Developing and passing of LLG and Ward Laws and. 6.    Identify Internal Revenue Sources and encourage imposing of Head and Back Taxes in the respective Wards The Advisor said that ward members have some similar roles, however more focused at the ward level. She also said that they must understand their roles and responsibilities, review existing records, meet other ward officials and community leaders to be familiarized with the community and their people. The Rabaul District LLG Leaders one-week Induction program ended with the KPI’s signing and presentations from Finance and Parliamentary Services.

The Madang Provincial Government has officially passed its 2026 provincial budget totaling K474,474,322 during an assembly held today at the Madang Provincial Government House.The budget was presented by Madang Governor and Provincial Member Ramsey Pariwa before Local Level Government (LLG) Presidents, provincial department representatives, and members of the public who attended the meeting.While delivering the budget, Governor Pariwa described it as a practical and focused financial plan aimed at addressing the province’s most pressing needs.“I must say, this budget is realistic and fairly represents the priority areas in Madang Province,” Pariwa said.The Governor welcomed the presence of fellow leaders, MP for Usino-Bundi Gama district, Vincent Kumura and MP for Middle Ramu Kansol Harwaii Kamdaru, acknowledging their attendance and support.“This is your house, and I am happy to see you here,” he told the members.Governor Pariwa stressed that accountability and proper planning will be key in the implementation of the 2026 budget. He urged LLG Presidents and departmental heads to develop clear activity plans before seeking funding support.“The Madang Provincial Government will not fund any project that does not have an activity plan,” he stated.He further highlighted that the 2026 budget is focused on improving economic development, strengthening infrastructure, and supporting education across the province.Pariwa also issued a strong warning on the misuse of public funds, calling for discipline and good governance at all levels of administration.“There should be no misappropriation and misuse, as the law will deal with you,” he saidThe K474 million budget is expected to guide development priorities and service delivery throughout Madang Province in 2026.

Paradise High School and Jubilee Secondary School in Port Moresby city have respectably emerged as top winners in their category at the National Information and Communications Technology Authority’s (NICTA) PNG@50 Schools Technology Competition, an initiative designed to inspire innovation and digital creativity among young Papua New Guineans. The winners were officially announced and awarded their prizes on 27th January 2026 in Port Moresby, marking the culmination of a nationwide school’s competition held last year under the theme “Connecting Generations: 50 Years of Telecommunications in Papua New Guinea.” The competition brought together primary and secondary students from across the country, challenging them to imagine how technology can bridge distances, preserve culture and improve everyday life in schools and communities. NICTA organized the competition as part of PNG’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations, with the aim of promoting creativity, imagination, innovation and digital literacy among students. The Primary School Competition, titled “My Dream Device,” invited students to design original artwork and write short descriptions of futuristic communication devices that help people stay connected across generations. The Secondary School Competition, known as the App Design Concept Challenge, required students to identify real-world problems in their schools or communities and propose digital solutions aligned with the “Connecting Generations” theme. Primary School winners.In the Primary School category, Paradise High School dominated the top positions: • 1st Place: Caroline Aufa (Paradise High School) • 2nd Place: Dorothy Kome (Paradise High School) • 3rd Place: Zoey Andrea Reyes (SouthBridges International) Judges praised the entries for their originality and thoughtful approaches to future communication technologies. Secondary School winners.The Secondary School category highlighted practical, community-focused digital concepts. • First place was awarded to Jubilee Secondary School, represented by a team of three students: Garry Avira, Alfred Miro and Markson Betuels. Their winning concept, EduConnect, is a prototype learning assistant designed to improve student performance and strengthen communication between students, teachers and parents. • Second place went to Apryll Sarufa of Port Moresby International School (POMIS) for Tingim Pasin Tumbuna, a cultural learning app concept aimed at preserving and promoting Papua New Guinea’s traditions. The app includes sections on traditional dances, languages, customs, legends, recipes, interactive maps and multimedia tools. • Third place was awarded to Kerrianna Kare of Highlands Lutheran International School for SafeLearn Community, a safety and learning continuity app designed to support students during times of tribal conflict. The concept includes real-time security alerts, safe check-in and check-out features, parent updates, and virtual classrooms that function both online and offline. The app concept features NFC-based attendance with real-time notifications, an academic performance dashboard, and access to digital learning resources such as notes, quizzes, recorded lessons and discussion forums. The judging panel consisted of representatives from Digicel PNG Limited, Vodafone, and NICTA. Judges described the process as highly competitive, citing the strong quality of entries across both categories. NICTA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Polume Lume, congratulated all participants and acknowledged the broader support behind the competition. “NICTA would like to congratulate all winners and participants, and we acknowledge the support of teachers and parents in helping students participate and showcase their ideas,” Mr. Lume said. He also thanked the competition’s sponsoring partners for their contributions. “NICTA would also like to acknowledge the wonderful support of our sponsoring partners Digicel PNG Limited and Vodafone who contributed to the prizes being awarded here today,” he said. The competition highlights the growing potential of young Papua New Guineans to shape the country’s ICT future, particularly as PNG reflects on five decades of telecommunications development. With strong interest and innovative ideas on display, NICTA has indicated that similar initiatives may continue as part of its broader efforts to build digital skills and prepare the next generation for leadership in the ICT sector.

The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) has announced two fully funded Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarships for 2026, continuing its push to get more young women into technology, gaming, and STEM-related careers in Papua New Guinea. Since 2016, NICTA has supported over 40 women to study Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses at tertiary institutions across the country. Some of these graduates have already entered the workforce, contributing skills to PNG’s growing digital and technology sectors. The scholarship program is part of NICTA’s commitment to the global Girls in ICT campaign led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), focusing on closing the gender gap in technology participation. Over time, the initiative has been adapted locally to align with Papua New Guinea’s education and development priorities. The program supports key national policies, including the National Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy, the PNG Digital Transformation Policy, and the National ICT Roadmap. These frameworks highlight the importance of building digital skills, especially among women and girls, to meet future workforce demands. With technology now shaping how young people learn, game, create content, and build online careers, developing ICT skills early is critical. A skilled and inclusive workforce is needed to tackle challenges in connectivity, affordability, access, and digital capability nationwide. The Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarship is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, with success driven by the academic excellence of young women who have taken on the demanding fields of ICT and STEM. Currently, eight students are benefiting from the program, with seven studying at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology and one at Divine Word University. The addition of two new scholars in 2026 will bring the total number of active scholarships to 10. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, boarding and lodging, and stipends, removing major financial barriers for students who may otherwise miss out on tertiary education in technology-related fields. NICTA is now calling for applications from female students who completed Year 12 in 2025 and have secured a place at a recognized higher education institution in Papua New Guinea. Applicants must be enrolled in an ICT or STEM-related course and the applications for the 2026 Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarship close at the end of February 2026. Empowering young women with digital skills not only builds future-ready careers in gaming, software development, cybersecurity, engineering, and online entrepreneurship but also strengthens PNG’s path toward inclusive digital transformation.

The East New Britain Provincial Government has completed a major school fencing project at Clifton Primary School in the Clifton Resettlement area, improving safety and security for students, teachers and school property.The project was initiated following a formal request by the Chairman of the School Board, Mr. Steven Beno, and his executive, who raised ongoing concerns about security challenges affecting the school. Valued at K150,000, the fencing project was delivered through a strong partnership between government and the private sector. The Rabaul District Administration contributed K80,000 towards fencing materials, while NGI Agmark Group of Companies provided additional materials valued at K15,000. The Office of the Governor covered the remaining project costs.More than 900 metres of perimeter fencing were constructed using galvanized chain mesh. Beyond strengthening school security, the project also created short-term employment and nurtured community ownership. Over 40 youths from Gelagela Baai, Nordup, Matalau, Iavakaka and Clifton villages were engaged during the three-week construction period. Clifton Primary School Principal, Mr. Bunbun, welcomed the completion of the project, saying the new fence will greatly enhance security and create a safer learning environment for both students and teachers. Rabaul District Administrator Mr. Fred Lemeki also expressed appreciation on behalf of the district and the local Member of Parliament, Dr Allan Marat, acknowledging the effort that made the project possible. Governor Michael Marum commended all stakeholders involved, describing the initiative as a clear example of what can be achieved through partnership and shared responsibility. “This project demonstrates the importance of partnership and shared responsibility. When we work together, we can deliver practical outcomes that directly benefit our children and communities.”

The Department of Education has begun releasing more than K225.8 million in school operational grants and project fees to schools across Papua New Guinea for the first quarter of 2026. Education Secretary announced that the funds—totaling K225,845,619.86—are currently being processed and are expected to be deposited into school bank accounts within this week. The funding will support schools across all education sectors as they kick off the 2026 academic year. The disbursement includes: • K181.5 million for School Operational and Financial (SOF) Grants for all school sectors • K4.4 million for SOF Grants for FODE and IERC • K39.1 million in Project Fees for all school sectors • K809,750 in Project Fees for FODE and IERC The Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to the Free Education Policy, saying the funding is aimed at removing financial barriers and ensuring every child has access to quality education. “Our goal is simple — no child should be left behind,” the Secretary said, adding that early payments give schools the stability they need to focus on teaching and learning. School heads, administrators, and provincial education offices have been reminded to closely monitor their accounts and manage the funds responsibly, with a strong focus on improving classroom learning. The Department of Education will also publish a full list of payments for all schools, broken down by province, on its website for public viewing. Parents and guardians were encouraged to continue supporting their children’s education and well-being as the new school year begins. The Secretary concluded by wishing all teachers and students the very best for the 2026 academic year.

A portion of the 2- Mile Hill settlement in Port Moresby city saw great destruction in the last couple of days stemming from actions of criminals which resulted in the authority forcefully evicting the settlers.Caught up in the middle of this dilemma are the innocent ones, the children, women and girls and the elderly who have been residing in the settlement for so many years. For them the question now is what is going to happen to them, where will they go? The National Capital District (NCD) Governor, Powes Parkop, spoke out in a statement released on Monday 26th January stating that they (settlers) had it coming because for far too long calls have been made by the authorities to the community to address these crimes being committed by youths from the settlement, but nothing much had changed. Still the public were being robbed, stabbed and slashed along the 2- Mile Hill Road, in the public transport buses and at the bus stops. The last straw was drawn over the weekend when criminals from the settlement attacked the police of all people. Governor Parkop says the eviction at Rabiagini 2-Mile was forced on authorities after repeated failures by the community to renounce crime and violence. He said the community had been given many opportunities to change, including a full community meeting in 2022, but the problems continued. “We can’t continue to do the same thing expecting a different outcome. We have to do things differently. It was our plan to undertake an orderly relocation and resettlement, but this situation was forced on our hands” he said. Describing the situation as unfortunate and regrettable, Governor Parkop said many innocent people, especially women and children, were affected by the eviction and many more had been affected by the continuous violence and criminal activities over the years in the area. He acknowledged that some residents were third or fourth generation settlers who would face challenges resetting their lives but said the NCDC Administration was committed to resettling them and had catered for this in its 2025 and now 2026 Provincial budget. “We had a planned resettlement program which we factored into our budget last year and this year. Last year, the anniversary and other emergencies like the 2-Mile Road collapse and the crack at the Hanuabada By-pass affected our plans. We were also waiting for subdivision of our land at Ferea. We would have done a planned and smooth relocation and resettlement.” He said the current situation meant the eviction had to be carried out in this way, adding that the community must accept responsibility rather than passing blame. Governor Parkop said he has instructed the City Manager Ravu Frank and his NCDC team to work with the various communities at 2-Mile to help resettle and provide basic needs to the displaced communities. The governor added that authorities would also begin relocating other communities at 2-Mile, mainly Simbu, Eastern Highlands and some Southern Highlands groups, as part of an orderly and planned relocation and resettlement process as early this week.

PNGFM welcomes Ms. Hennah Joku as the News Director for its news portal PNG Haus Bung, bringing with her years of experience in the media industry and in various other roles. PNGFM Board Chairman Mr. Peter Aitsi says Ms. Joku's appointment announces a bold new era for PNGFM’s refreshed news platform, PNG Haus Bung. “We are very pleased to have Hennah Joku join us as our News Director.” Of Central and West Papuan heritage, Joku comes from a family deeply rooted in Papua New Guinea’s media landscape. Her late father, Franzalbert Joku, was a respected journalist of nearly two decades with The Times, Wantok Niuspepa, and South Pacific Post, before moving into political advisory roles. Her mother, Rosemary Joku, also served in administrative capacities with Wantok Niuspepa and The National. Ms. Joku's media career spans close to three decades, and brings a wealth of experience across television, radio, and broadcast journalism, having begun her journey in the mid-1990s. Her first foray was in television which began at just fifteen years old under the mentorship of John Eggins and Robin Brown at EMTV. While completing senior high school, she spent weekends and school holidays learning the ropes of television production. In 1997, she joined EMTV full-time as an administrative assistant and was promoted within weeks to trainee journalist. Joku later pursued tertiary studies in Anthropology at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, further broadening her regional and cultural perspective. Her distinguished career includes roles with the British High Commission, Media Consultant to the Office of the Opposition Leader, Special Projects Officer at the PNG Embassy in Jakarta, Producer/Presenter with NBC for Current Affairs Radio and the 2017 National Elections TV/Radio simulcast, Presenter/Producer with TVWan, and more recently Media and Communications Manager for PNG Tribal Foundation and Cricket PNG. No stranger to radio, Joku re-joins the PNGFM family after 26 years, returning with deeper insight, strong leadership, and a proven track record shaped by passion and dedication to the PNG media industry. Speaking on the appointment, Rosemarie Botong, General Manager, said: “Hennah’s return to PNGFM could not come at a better time as we reposition PNG Haus Bung as a strong, independent, credible, and people-centred news platform. She brings institutional memory, editorial strength, and a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with storytelling in Papua New Guinea. We are excited to welcome her home and confident she will play a key leadership role in shaping the future of PNG Haus Bung and our wider media group.” Beyond her professional credentials, Joku is also widely recognized as a strong advocate against violence towards women and girls, using her media platform to champion justice and social change in Papua New Guinea. “PNGFM is proud to welcome Hennah Joku to the team, where we know her leadership, voice, and experience will be an asset to PNG Haus Bung and the company.”

Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) recently joined with about 3,000 teachers at Lae Secondary School, during the Resumption of Duty Program organized by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), marking its first Member Engagement for 2026.NSL’s participation in the event reflects its commitment to utilizing opportunities to bring superannuation education and services directly to Members; in this case, Teachers, ensuring they are equipped to make informed decisions for their long-term financial security and retirement before resuming their busy schedule throughout the year. Teachers across the country manage day-to-day responsibilities in classrooms, with many posted to rural and remote communities. As a result, they often have limited time and access to attend to superannuation matters. During the event, NSL Chief Member Services Officer, Mr. George Panao, encouraged teachers to take an active role in managing their superannuation by updating Beneficiary details and Member information, utilizing Digital Services available including: NSL's Online Member Portal, Mobile App, SMS Balance Check and the FREE call service to the Call Centre on number 180 1599 or email to CallCentre@nambawansuper.com.pgThese services are designed to improve support for Members, enabling and equipping them to make informed decisions for a secure and comfortable retirement. Following the Resumption of Duty Program, NSL set up a general Member enquiry booth to assist the teachers with updating their member details and addressing superannuation-related queries before returning to their schools and respective postings. Although unable to attend the event, NSL Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lachlan Baird, acknowledged the vital role teachers play nationwide. “Teachers play a central role in shaping Papua New Guinea’s future human resources and often have limited time to focus on their own financial and retirement planning,” Mr. Baird said. “Through our partnership with the Teaching Service Commission, Nambawan Super can engage directly with Teachers at key events, ensuring they are informed and supported.” Mr. Baird also congratulated Mr. Maini Ugaia on his recent appointment as Acting Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, acknowledging his valuable contribution through the NSL Membership Committee in representing Teachers and Members nationwide. Building on the success of its 2025 Member Engagement activities, NSL will continue rolling out Member Engagements and Member Education through its Financial Literacy Program in 2026.

Through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, the "Light for Learning" project has installed solar systems for over 8,000 homes and early 300 community facilities across the Huon Gulf District in the Morobe province.With solar energy lighting up their homes, children in Laukanu Village, particularly those who attend Laukanu Primary School, can now study whenever they want, for as long as they want. Noelyn Kahata, a Grade 7 teacher at Laukanu Primary School, has already seen a renewed commitment to education, and not just from her students. “After I ring the bell at 7pm, I can hear the parents telling all the children to get back home and do their readings,” said Mrs. Kahata. And while students are working away under solar lights, so are their teachers, marking assignments and preparing lessons for the following day. Solar power is also keeping laptops and phones charged, and digital teaching resources are now available at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a screen. “We use our phones every day, Monday to Friday. We teach the new Standards-Based Curriculum and follow the online teachers’ guides, but we don't have hard copies. We use online apps instead,” said Mrs. Kahata. The Light for Learning project, implemented by Australia’s Pawarim Komuniti Partnerships Program and the Kokoda Track Foundation, has resulted in the installation of solar systems for 8,095 homes and 273 community facilities across the district. The project is already making an impact. Mrs. Kahata has seen a marked improvement in her students’ attendance and performance, and test scores are on the rise. But above all, it has brought opportunity for children to reach as far as their potential can take them.

Air Niugini has commenced a focused customer experience improvement program as part of its ongoing commitment to service transformation and strengthening service standards across the airline.The initial workshop, held last Friday (23rd January) in Port Moresby, brought together employees from across the business to align on how Air Niugini can deliver a more consistent and supportive experience for customers across the full journey — from booking and check-in to boarding, inflight service and baggage handling. The airline acknowledged that the recent festive period was one of the most challenging operational periods in recent years, with flight disruptions causing inconvenience for many customers. Air Niugini recognizes the impact this had on our passengers or guests and staff alike and accepts the need to strengthen how service is delivered, particularly during periods of disruption. These experiences have reinforced the importance of improving how the airline communicates with customers, supports frontline teams, and applies clearer systems and processes to manage disruption more effectively. The current customer experience improvement work is focused on ensuring our guests are treated with care, kept informed, and supported consistently across the network. As part of its service transformation journey, Air Niugini recently completed an independent international service quality audit in November last year by Skytrax, an internationally recognized organization that assesses airlines worldwide based on how customers experience their service across the full travel journey. The audit provided a clear and objective view of how customers experience Air Niugini and have given the airline clear guidance on where improvements are needed to strengthen service delivery. Air Niugini’s Officer in Charge, Captain Samiu Taufa, said this year represents an important opportunity to reset expectations and move the airline forward. “This year is about changing the narrative and moving Air Niugini forward. We are committed to service transformation and to empowering our people at all levels to serve with passion, discipline and empathy.” “Our customers deserve more than simply purchasing a ticket — they deserve to experience the warmth, care and respect that reflect who we are as Papua New Guineans and how we take care of people.”  “We know there are areas where we must improve, particularly in how customers experience our service from booking through to arrival, and we ask for the continued support of our valued passengers as we strengthen our systems, our people and the way we serve,” Captain Taufa said. The workshop was led by Air Niugini’s Manager Service Standards, Mr. Joeli Qereqeretabua, from the Commercial Division’s Customer Experience team, who is overseeing the airline’s service transformation program. In his role as Lead Project Officer, he guided teams through the service improvement framework and the priority improvement areas identified to strengthen how customers are served across the network. “Customer experience is shaped by many interactions across the journey. This workshop allowed teams to reflect on current practices and identify improvements that will help deliver a more consistent and supportive experience for our passengers or guests,” Mr. Qereqeretabua said. Participants were organized into cross-functional workstreams, recognizing that customer experience is a shared responsibility across the airline, including customer service, ground operations, cabin services, engineering, catering, marketing, information technology, human resources, training and others. While the introduction of new Airbus A220 aircraft will enhance comfort and reliability, Air Niugini recognizes that a high-quality customer experience is delivered through people, communication and consistency. As part of this program, the airline is strengthening service capability, empowering employees, and improving coordination across teams to deliver a more seamless passenger experience, particularly when customers require assistance. Customers can expect progressive improvements as these initiatives are implemented. As Papua New Guinea’s national airline, Air Niugini remains committed to representing the country with pride while delivering a safe, reliable and increasingly customer-focused travel experience.

Families travelling along the Madang–Ramu Highway are being forced to cross fast-flowing rivers on foot following the collapse of key bridges, raising serious safety concerns.Samantha Koruga, a mother of four working in Goroka, said she and her children had to wade through rivers with their luggage during their recent trip to Madang after heavy rain made bus crossings impossible. She said the situation is especially dangerous for children when rivers rise suddenly.The Omiya Bridge at Asas has completely collapsed, while the nearby Koroba Bridge is damaged, with only temporary gravel crossings in place. Travelers say conditions worsen during rain, transport fares have increased, and urgent permanent repairs are needed to prevent loss of life.