Emmanuel MAIPE

Fuel consumers will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets this month to pay for fuel. The fuel prices have increased as of today for the month of May after slightly dropping last month by just a few Toea per liter for all three petroleum products right across the country. This month’s fuel price increases will see a slightly bigger increase for petrol compared to the diesel and kerosene. For the city of Port Moresby, the residents will find at the fuel stations that petrol has gone up to K4.84 per liter, diesel increased to K4.45 per liter and kerosene increased to K4.06 per liter. In comparison, the retail fuel price for Port Moresby in April were K4. 66 per liter for petrol, K4. 39 per liter for diesel and K4.05 per liter for kerosene; therefore, that’s an 18 Toea per liter increase for petrol, 6 Toea per liter increase for diesel and 1 Toea per liter increase for kerosene for May. According to the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC), the increases are mainly attributed to the average increase in international crude oil and refined product prices in April 2024. The increase in prices was due to crude oil supply disruptions caused by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The domestic retail fuel prices for this month are inclusive of the Import Parity Prices (IPPs) or the imported costs for each petroleum products, domestic sea and road freight rates for the first quarter of 2024, the annual wholesale and retail margins for 2024, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), including the applicable excise duties, among other parameters. Meanwhile, all prices in all other designated centers in the country will change according to their quarterly approved domestic freight rates for the first quarter of 2024, and their respective annual retail margins for this year. For all other centers, the maximum retail prices for each regulated petroleum product will all increase on average consistent with the increases observed for Port Moresby. ICCC Investigation Officers will conduct inspections to all service stations to ensure prices of declared petroleum products comply with the allowable maximum prices.

Despite numerous awareness campaigns carried out on the roles and functions of the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC), there is still confusion about its functions, especially with matters of price control in light of increases in prices of goods and services in the country. It is for this reason that the ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Paulus Ain is once again urging the public to understand that the ICCC does not control the prices of all goods and services. “Many people think that ICCC controls prices of all food items and services including shoes, clothes, and others. This kind of perception needs to be corrected,” Mr. Ain said. The ICCC only regulates prices of certain declared goods and services only. He went on to explain that under the ICCC Act 2002, the Commission is basically powerless to control prices of all goods and services, instead under the Act the main function of the ICCC is to promote competition and do price monitoring. “The price control function (of the ICCC) was done away 20 years ago, and ICCC was given the price monitoring powers to monitor shelf prices and check factors affecting price increase.” However, with the current price surveillance exercise the ICCC is conducting, Mr. Ain explained that the ICCC had to sought government intervention to get extra powers to at least control prices of basic food items like rice, flour, and sugar. This enabled the ICCC to monitor shelf prices of the basic items to be set within a 10 percent range and not above that. "In the event where the shop owner wants to increase their prices, they have to seek prior approval from ICCC and only upon assessment of their genuinity then we allow them to increase their prices," Mr. Ain said. This exercise now is to check the current shelf price against the base price from last year to ensure prices are within the 10% range. The basic food items ICCC is monitoring its shelf prices for are rice, tinned fish, tinned meat, and flour, sugar, cooking oil, frozen chicken products, frozen meat products, soap (bar and liquid) and baby formula.

The Panthers have made it three wins on the trot with a 42-12 victory over an injury riddled Rabbitohs side. Losing his starting halfback and fullback in the first half and two forwards to the sin bin, it was a tough night out for South Sydney interim coach Ben Hornby in his first night in the hot seat. The Rabbitohs showed some early positive signs, leading 12-0 17 minutes into the match however the struggling South Sydney side face another tough week in the spotlight after allowing the premiers to run in four tries in the second half. It wasn't the start the Panthers were hoping for with centre Izack Tago sin binned six minutes in for a hip drop tackle on Jye Gray and the Rabbitohs opened the scoring in the next set through Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson. The Rabbitohs capitalised on the advantage again four minutes later when Cody Walker bent a crafty kick inside for Dean Hawkins to pounce on between the uprights and the Bunnies had a 12-0 lead. Just seconds after Tago returned to play, Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow traded spots in the sheds after being sent to the bin for a ball strip. The Panthers were quick to give the 12-man Rabbitohs a taste of their own medicine with Sunia Turuva darting over on the right edge before Brad Schneider cruised over untouched four minutes later to level the scoreboard 12-12. Eight minutes before the break Penrith had a third with a Jarome Luai short ball opening the door for Luke Garner to extend the lead 18-12 at the break. The Rabbitohs continued to hang tough in the second half denying the Panthers several opportunities early into the second term but the Premiers kicked on in the 59th minute with Lindsay Smith benefiting off a Brad Schneider kick. The Rabbitohs defence started to show gaps late in the match and a quick tap from Dylan Edwards put the Panthers on the front foot and Taylan May took the ball downfield to extend the lead 30-12. Heads down and hands on hips, South Sydney's defence broke down in the final ten minutes and Garner made it a double thanks to a crafty Turuva flick pass before Tago laid the final try of the match. Source: NRL.com

Jeremiah Manele has been elected prime minister of Solomon Islands polling 31 votes to 18 over rival candidate and former opposition leader Mathew Wale with no abstentions. The final result of the election by secret ballot was annouced by the Governor General Sir David Vunagi on the steps of Parliament a short time ago in Honiara. Going into the vote, Manele's camp had claimed the support of 28 MPs while Wale's camp said they had 20. Manele's victory signals a return of the incumbent government formerly headed by Manasseh Sogavare. Manele's administration, which calls itself the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), is made up of three parties; his own Our Party is the largest followed by Manasseh Maelanga's People's First Party and Jamie Vokia's Kandere Party. Collectively, the parties came out of the election with 19 MPs but have added nine more to their ranks. We will know which MPs have joined what parties once the registrar of political parties updates its political party membership lists. In the lead up to the election, Manele and his coalition partners were working on merging their policy priorities into a 100 day plan which they are expected to announce to the public in the coming days. Once Manele has sorted the compostion of his Cabinet, he will notify the Governor General to set a date for the first sitting of Parliament during which all 50 members of parliament will be sworn in and Sir David Vunagi will deliver the speech from the throne, the traditional opening address to parliament. Who is Jeremiah Manele Jeremiah Manele who turns 56 this year is the member of parliament for Hograno Kia Havulei in Isabel Province. He is the country's first ever prime minister from Isabel where his home village is Samasodu. Manele served as minister of foreign affairs in the last government and ran in this election under the Our Party Banner however he has previously been affiliated with the Democratic Alliance Party. He was first elected to parliament in 2014 and was the leader of the opposition in the country's 10th Parliament. He has also previously served as the minister for development planning and aid coordination in the 11th Parliament. Prior to entering Parliament, Manele was a longserving public servant and diplomate representing the country as Charge de Affairs of the Solomon Islands Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Papua New Guinea and a Certificate in Foreign Service and International Relations from Oxford University.

Three representatives from the Yangoru- Saussia District of East Sepik province have joined others currently attending a Market Analysis Workshop in Alotau in preparation for the opening of the Womayen Market initiative in the district. The workshop, hosted by UN Women, will provide the opportunity for the participants to learn from each other's experiences in supporting local markets and women entrepreneurs, allowing them to identify opportunities for growth and development within their districts, Whilst there in the Milne Bay province, the participants will also visit the Alotau Market to allow them to gain firsthand insights into successful market practices and women-led businesses. The Minister for International Trade and Investment and Member (MP) for Yangoru-Saussia, Richard Maru thanked the UN Women for starting this important training. “We realize that a lot of training is needed, not only for the building of the market and its management when completed, but also financial literacy training and other trainings like cooking, sewing, and other skills that will be required for all our mothers and our people to be ready for the first 24-hour market of Papua New Guinea at Womayen along the Sepik Highway,” said the MP. “We are so grateful that we chose to partner the UN Women who have wasted no time in sending the first three representatives from our district to attend the workshop in Alotau. This is the start of training of our people in the Yangoru-Saussia district to prepare them for the Womayen Market.”

The recent natural disasters that occurred left a lot of people displaced and with little food and water to go by, but with assistance from resources companies like Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML), the people can continue to progress towards getting back on their feet. Just recently, OTML donated K1 million to two provinces heavily affected by last month’s natural disasters, namely East Sepik and Chimbu Provinces with K500, 000 each to assist with relief and recovery efforts which are currently ongoing. In East Sepik, persistent heavy rainfall led to flooding and widespread destruction in communities along the Sepik River, and was compounded by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the province. In Chimbu, heavy rains and the earthquake triggered floods and landslides, destroyed communities’ food and cash crops and homes. These disasters in both provinces have resulted in deaths, with many others unaccounted for, rendered thousands homeless, deprived them of food sources, safe drinking water, shelter, and severed access routes, making it challenging to reach affected communities. On Thursday 24th April OTML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kedi Ilimbit, travelled to Wewak to present the funding to Acting Provincial Administrator, Alphonse Kami, in the presence of the Provincial Disaster Manager Mr. Derek Warakai and others. On Friday 25th April, OTML General Manager Social Performance and Sustainability, Jesse Pile, presented to the Chimbu Provincial Government the Company’s assistance to the provinces relief and recovery efforts. Present to receive the funding were Governor, Noah Kool, Deputy Governor, Anton Kua, Provincial Administrator, John Punde, District Administrators, and impacted communities’ representatives from the six districts of the province. “As a 100% PNG owned mine, we believe we have a corporate social responsibility to provide support towards relief and recovery of our people and communities from East Sepik and Chimbu provinces,” Mr Ilimbit said. “When disaster strikes, be it natural or manmade, lives are shattered, homes destroyed, and communities left reeling in the wake of devastation.” The need for immediate aid is paramount and it is during these critical moments that our compassion and generosity provide hope to those in despair. “Through this gesture we would like to see relief and aid delivered swiftly and effectively to those in need and for communities severely affected to be rebuilt,” he added.

The first phase of the State assistance for business houses affected by the Black Wednesday riots in Port Moresby city is underway with the relief package comprising of cash assistance, concessional loans, and administrative and policy support. The Chief Secretary to the Government, Mr. Ivan Pomaleu said the focus is on expediting relief efforts and facilitating the recovery process with three (3) companies already receiving their employee retention packages, marking the onset of the first phase, with additional claims being processed by the Inter-agency Task Force. The Government’s support initiatives are structured into immediate-to-medium-long-term assistance, categorized as Cash Assistance and Soft Loan Assistance. The phased program is outlined as follows: 1. Immediate Support (3 April – 3 May, 2024): Employee Wages Support. 2. Medium-term Support (6 – 7 May, 2024): Removal of Debris/Cleaning. 3. Long-term Support (May – December, 2024): Restoration, Restocking & Reconstruction. To facilitate seamless support flow and speed up business restoration, the government has agreed to write-off procedural costs associated with relief arrangements. Key Relief Measures: · Red-Tape Reduction: A dedicated Inter-Agency Task Force has been established to streamline regulatory processes. · Cash Support: Affected companies are receiving six (6) months of salary support, including superannuation, with additional assistance for debris removal and reconstruction. · Concessional Loan Support: Funding allocated to the National Development Bank, with government guarantees, will facilitate concessional loans for rebuilding efforts. · Administrative Support: NCDC and municipal authorities are implementing the Express Lane process to expedite building approvals. · IRC Support: Various forms of assistance, including tax re-estimations and expedited GST refunds, are being offered by the Internal Revenue Commission. · Customs and Insurance Support: Waivers on customs duties and efforts to enhance insurance industry regulation aim to alleviate financial burdens on businesses. Emphasizing accountability, the government has mandated rigorous monitoring, evaluation and auditing mechanisms to ensure transparent resource utilization under the Relief Package. Mr. Pomaleu, who is also Chairman of the Task Force, expressed confidence about the transformative impact of the Relief Package, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the business community during the challenging times. As the first phase nears its conclusion, affected businesses are encouraged to promptly avail themselves of the support provided under the Relief Package. Through collaboration efforts, the government and the business community aim to overcome adversity and pave the way for sustainable development.

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) and Air Niugini have joined forces in a move to further promote the country as one of the best tourism destinations in the world. The two organizations signed a Collaborative Agreement yesterday in Port Moresby with the aim to raise awareness and interests in PNG’s unique culture and natural beauty, and stimulate the growth of tourism in the country. PNGTPA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Eric Mossman Uvovo described this partnership as a necessary tool to promote the country as a tourist destination. "Today (Tuesday 23rd April) marks a significant milestone in our efforts to elevate Papua New Guinea as a premier destination,” said the PNGTPA CEO. “Through this collaboration, we aim to improve the quality and diversity of our tourism products and services, as well as our infrastructure and connectivity to realize the country's full potential.” Both Air Niugini and PNGTPA recognizes the importance of sustainable tourism in PNG, which creates positive impacts for local communities, the environment, and the country's rich heritage; therefore, this initiative strengthens the potential of tourism development in driving the country’s economy and social progress, generating income and employment. The collaborative efforts will be in the form of attractive brochures, flyers, videos, and other materials showcasing PNG’s diverse destinations and experiences. Air Niugini’s Acting CEO, Gary Seddon reiterated the importance of the partnership between PNGTPA and Air Niugini. "At Air Niugini, we recognize our pivotal role as one of the largest players in tourism, and we are fully committed to leveraging this position,” said Mr. Seddon. “Through this partnership, we aim to address the core challenges and drive significant development gains in the tourism sector.” Mr. Seddon also stated that Air Niugini plans to bring in more aircrafts to drive tourism throughout the country. Meanwhile, to address concerns regarding law and order, the collaboration will support campaigns promoting a positive image of PNG, building confidence and trust among potential visitors.

The economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is expecting some favourable growth this year and next year due to positive outlook driven by improvements in the mining sector. Published in the recent edition of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) flagship economic publication- the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, the report stated that despite economic growth slowing down to 2.0% in 2023 due to decreased production in the resource sector, the country’s economy is set to grow by 3.3% in 2024 due to resumption of production at the Porgera gold mine in Enga province. Meantime, the medium-term outlook for PNG’s economy remains positive, with growth in 2025 forecast to further expand to 4.6%. However, ADB Country Director for PNG, Said Zaidansyah, stated that there are looming challenges nonetheless. “Foreign exchange restrictions and frequent power disruptions continue to dampen activity in the rest of the economy and the fallout from civil unrest in January also clouds the outlook.” The ADB report stated that the reforms to improve the power sector's financial sustainability and generation infrastructure, including increased use of renewable energy and private sector investment, are needed to help address power supply constraints on growth. ADB’s financing plan will include support to address this. The report also stated that inflation is expected to rise from 2.3% in 2023 to 4.5% in 2024 to then pick up even further to 4.8% in 2025, largely because of continued exchange rate depreciation and impact of the recent civil unrest, which saw the increase in the costs for many consumer goods. However, the ADB is hopeful that this won’t further damper things, because the foreign exchange restrictions and the business constraint for PNG, could ease under a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) led program, which is to be established this year. Also, the reopening of the Porgera gold mine should also create additional operation-related spending on goods and services and employment, as well as provide foreign exchange inflows. Nevertheless, the ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members with 49 from the region, and the ADB is one of PNG’s largest sources of official development assistance, with a portfolio of about $1.38 billion.

The magnitude of trade between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and China over the years following trade agreements signed has seen China fast becoming the country’s most important trading partner. That was the statement from the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru following his two-hour meeting with the Chinese Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Tang Wenhong in Port Moresby over the weekend. “We are determined to grow and deepen our relationship with China and anchor it through a Free Trade Agreement between PNG and China if our joint feasibility study, which will be completed by July this year, confirms that it is viable and in our national interest to enter into a Free Trade Agreement with China,” stated the minister. “Australia recently signed a Free Trade Agreement with China, but it took Australia over 10 years to negotiate and finalize and sign their Free Trade Agreement. “We have started the process with PNG advancing its K1 million last year to commence the joint study and we are happy that China will make their K1 million available so we can complete the study in July,” Maru said. Although Australia is the biggest investor in PNG with investment valued at over AU$24.8 billion, Minister Maru said Australia hardly buys from PNG, a big contrast to what China is currently doing. Meanwhile, for the past five years, trade between PNG and China has been in favor of PNG with PNG recording surplus balance of trade from 2017-2021. In 2020, PNG exported K6.7 billion, imported K2.6 billion and has a trade surplus of K4.1 billion. China has been ranked 3rd as top export destination for PNG’s merchandise and also ranked 2nd as top import source for PNG, indicating that trade with China is economical. “We have realized that our future in terms of exports lies with China. If both Australia and New Zealand have Free Trade Agreements with China and they are the biggest export markets for these two countries, we must also move in this direction,” Maru said. Minister Maru further stated that after PNG signed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018, PNG became China’s largest trading partner, investment destination and project market in the region. China’s aided projects such as roads, bridges, hydro-power stations have made important contribution to the economic development and people’s livelihood. “China’s growing economy coupled with soaring domestic demands stimulated by its 1.41 billion people, positions the country as an important source of global demand, hence we are keen to strengthen and deepen our relationship with China anchored on trade and investment,” he said. “I stressed to Minister Wenhong that we are looking for large Chinese investors in invest in our Special Economic Zones in order to fast track the growth of our economy. Our economy will not grow, jobs will not grow, and we will not move forward if we do not have investments.” Minister Maru also welcomed the three flights coming to PNG from China weekly as it will bring a lot of investors and tourists to come from China to PNG. “This is good news, but we must have the products like first-class hotels, and facilities like casino and others to attract the 100 million Chinese tourists to also consider PNG an attractive tourism destination. “China is also inviting us to attend their China Import and Export Fair so we can go and market our products in China. We will be working very closely with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to secure export markets for our coffee, cocoa, fish, and other products.”

The people of Kiniambu village in the Yangoru Sausia district of the East Sepik province have offered up their land to support the development of agriculture. Kiniambu village is located on the Sepik Plains and the people there have offered to the government 10, 000 Hectares of grass land for oil palm development, which the Minister for International Trade and Investment and local Member, Richard Maru was witnessed to recently in his electorate. “All they (the Kiniambu people) need now is for the Marape-Rosso Government to come good and support them to have the land surveyed, ILGs registered, and a 99-year State Lease title given to their landowner company,” Minister Maru stated. “This will allow them to negotiate with the State and other investor partners to develop a 10, 000-hectare oil palm estate and be able to provide enough land to allow the company to build an oil palm mill in Kiniambu.” Kiniambu Councilor, Mr. Daniel Sinigawi said, “We do not want the Government nor any investor to buy our land. We want the title to be given to the landowner company so we can convert it to equity and be owners of the project on our land.” In response, Minister Maru offered to assist them in their endeavor by seeking funding to have the land surveyed and the ILGs registered, and work with the Department of Lands and Physical Planning to have the title of the land given to the landowner groups or clans under the National Government’s Land Mobilization Project. “It will cost between K500, 000 to K600, 000 to survey and complete all the landowner identification work before a State title can be issued to the Kiniambu people,” said Minister Maru. “Kiniambu village is in the middle of the vast Sepik Plains and will be in the heart of the Sepik Plains Special Economic Zone (SEZ). “Such a project will create over 3, 000 new jobs in Kiniambu and they will see improved Government services including sealed roads, and tax credit funding for their major community projects and needs.” The Minister then assured the villagers that he will talk to the prime minister to secure land mobilization funds to have the survey completed and State title issued to the landowner company so other villages can also join this land mobilization scheme for large-scale economic projects. Meanwhile, the neighboring villages have also pledged to mobilize their land for oil palm development if the Kiniambu project kicks off.

Unfortunately, there will be no AFL National Championships as planned for this year, instead the Papua New Guinea (PNG) AFL Commission has opted to hosting only the Regional Selection Trails to select new up and coming talents to form the senior men's and women's national teams. AFL PNG Senior Football Operations Manager, Mr. Rex Leka, told PNG HAUSBUNG that the decision had to be made to switch to the region selections because of the cost factor surrounding the event. “This is because for the regionals, it will be much easier for athletes to get to the centers to participate, and it will not be too costly.” Mr. Leka said the Regional Selections will be conducted in three regions, starting with the Southern region in early May in Port Moresby, followed by Northern and Highlands Regions combined as one at the end of May, and the New Guinea Islands region in June. The selections will go towards forming the train on squads for the Mosquitoes and the Flames in preparation for the Pacific Cup coming up in November in Gold Coast, Australia. The Pacific Cup will be played this year instead of the International Cup 2024 (IC24). Once again this is due to the cost factor of having overseas teams fly in for the event in Australia. Mr. Leka said the final PNG Mosquitoes and Flames National Teams will be announced either in August or September.