Emmanuel MAIPE

Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) has partnered with Digicel PNG to provide Members with free internet access to the Nambawan Super website. That’s according to the NSL’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Paul Sayer. In a statement, he said, “Members using Digicel sim cards can now navigate the Nambawan Super website to access important information about our products and services; register for Financial Literacy Trainings; calculate their potential savings with voluntary contributions and access retirement planning tools without worrying about data charges.” Mr Sayer added, “Members who have registered for NSL’s online services can also download copies of their annual statement, check their balances, see their transaction history, and update some of their basic Member details.” “By removing the cost barrier, Nambawan Super aims to ensure more Members are able to access important information about their superannuation and make informed decisions regarding their retirement plans.” The free internet to NSL’s website is one of several initiatives that the Fund has embarked on to provide innovative solutions through digital platforms that enable the Fund to better serve its 220,000 Members Nationwide. Mr Sayer further stated that NSL remains focused on improving the efficiency of its systems as well as strengthening its cyber security measures using innovative technology. “The Fund has undertaken several projects, utilising new technology, to promote financial inclusion, improve Member data collection and security; utilization of value-added Digital Services; further enhancing the IT security of our back-end systems; and improving the contributions process for our employers.”

Matters of security and trade along with defence cooperation, were the topic of discussion between the United States Secretary of Defence and Prime Minister (PM) James Marape during the bilateral meeting between the two parties this week in Port Moresby. At the bilateral meeting, PM Marape and the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III continued to discuss the details and the benefits of the agreements, and United States’ commitment to securing PNG’s sovereignty, as well as its commitment to securing a free and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Marape said he appreciated the US’s “3D approach of Diplomacy and Defence followed by Development”, that is being seen in the recent engagements, and the upcoming visit of the head of USAID to Port Moresby to formally signal this office to report directly to Washington DC instead of through the Manila, Philippines office. “I take special note of the purpose of Secretary Austin’s visit, which is to show commitment in defense and security following the singing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement and the Shiprider Agreement during Secretary Blinken’s visit in PNG in May this year,” PM Marape said. “The DCA heralds a new chapter in PNG and USA relations, as these agreements form the basis for strengthening and consolidating closer cooperation between our two countries." Marape said one of the key objectives of the PNG government is for the country to pursue and enhance closer trade and economic ties with key bilateral and multilateral partners, including with the United States under Biden’s leadership. “In that connection, PNG views the US as a key partner to enhance and diversify trade and economic relations, either through a bilateral or a regional trade arrangement." “Consistent with President Biden’s call and challenge to American corporations to develop cleaner technology, the Pacific Island region offers great investment opportunities for US companies through public-private partnerships,” said the Prime Minister. PM Marape continued by promoting Papua New Guinea’s expanding potential in agriculture and the supply of fresh organic foods to the world, including the United States, while he encouraged the American business community to take more interest in PNG. In Climate Change mitigation, also a security issue, Marape reminded the US government through Secretary Austin about the Pacific region’s continued vulnerability to rising sea levels and climate-induced natural calamities, and that all nations with interest in the Pacific must take collective action to follow through on general conversations that have been held repeatedly over time. “While we invite the US to pursue its interests in the region from a geopolitical and geostrategic context, I urge the United States to adjust its lens so that it can truly understand the real needs of the region,” said PM Marape. PM Marape also highlighted PNG’s impending 50th Independence Anniversary in 2025 and invited US partnership leading up to and its presence at this major national event. The visit by Secretary Austin to Port Moresby and his meeting with PM Marape is a follow-up to the signing of two significant agreements – the Defense Cooperation Agreement and the Ship Rider Agreement – between the two countries in May this year, undertaken by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and PNG Defense Minster Win Daki in Port Moresby.

The Mt. Bagana volcano affected people of South Bougainville are finally getting some assistance from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). The PNGDF has commenced work to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief response (HADR) for the people following Mt Bagana’s recent eruption. The move follows separate requests from the Office of the President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ishmael Toroama, to the Prime Minister James Marape and the Chief Secretary for ABG, Shadrach Himata through the Chief Secretary to the Government, Mr. Ivan Pomaleu. There have been significant damages done to houses, food gardens and contamination of all water sources within the proximity of Mt Bagana. PNGDF sympathizes with the affected communities of South Bougainville and the general populace of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). “Bougainvilleans are smart and resilient people who have come a long way and PNGDF is happy to facilitate these requests in this time of need,” Chief of Defence Force Major General Mark Goina said. A Liaison Officer who has taken part in various HADR Operations and training, including Cyclone Guba in Oro in 2008, has been appointed to lead, as part of the whole of government approach. PNGDF’s assistance will include mobility platforms and niche capabilities in the area of health and engineering.

There is still no end in sight for the country’s fuel issue because Puma Energy’s access to banking services remains constrained at this time, leaving no choice but to continue on with fuel rationing. Puma Energy Managing Director and Chairman, Mr. Hulala Tokome, in a statement today said that the parties involved are yet to comply with the directives issued by the National Security Council (NSC) and the National Executive Council (NEC). It is important that all parties promptly engage on any issues preventing full compliance with government directives. He added that the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) continues to work towards resolving current outstanding matters, while the BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) is urged to provide a clear pathway forward towards full compliance with the NSC and NEC’s directives. Without the necessary access to sufficient foreign currency and financial services, Puma Energy remains unable to import product from the international market and must actively manage remaining fuel stocks to extend security of supply for emergency services, hospitals and critical infrastructure. “Our hands are tied, and we are growing more concerned with every day that passes. While we have temporarily reinstated supplies as a gesture of good faith, necessary actions have not been taken by other parties. BPNG has continued to positively engage, and we understand are taking steps to make additional FX available to address the more than two thirds of outstanding FX orders,” said Mr. Tokome. “More urgently our access to financial services is still in limbo. We have had no explanation of the issues restricting our access to financial services and we urge BSP to come forward with a way to remedy any outstanding matters. There is no reason why we can’t reach a resolution in the interest of PNG and its security. BSP is leading us down a path that is jeopardizing the entire community.” Mr. Tokome said they have brought this issue to the attention of the government and have requested their continued support in reinforcing the urgency to the relevant entities to act. “We are reaching a point of no return. It will be crucial that we once again ration the remaining fuel stocks to extend availability of supplies for emergency services, hospitals and key critical infrastructure.” “Puma Energy hopes to return to normal fuel supply activities as soon as these issues are resolved. We once again apologize for the inconvenience and sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this critical and difficult time,” he said.

Air Niugini has just announced that it will cancel all its domestic flight services until further notice, as of midnight tonight. This unfortunate decision has been necessitated by the recent imposition of jet fuel restrictions by Puma Energy. Air Niugini sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience this disruption may cause to passengers, travel partners, and stakeholders, stating that the situation imposed by Puma Energy is beyond the control of Air Niugini. The airline’s primary concern remains the safety and well-being of its customers and crew, and the decision to cancel flights has been taken to ensure that safety standards are upheld considering the fuel supply constraints. The airline is actively engaging in discussions with Puma Energy and other relevant stakeholders to urgently address the fuel supply issues and find a swift resolution. Air Niugini advises customers who have already purchased tickets to contact their nearest Air Niugini ticket office, Air Niugini Customer Call Centre, or local travel agent, for further information on travel. Customers should also ensure that their contact information is made available at the time of booking to ensure Air Niugini bulletins are received. Information can also be obtained from the company’s Facebook page and website www.airniugini.com.pg. However, Air Niugini advises that international services will not be affected. Air Niugini extends its sincere appreciation for the continued support of its passengers and partners, and remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, air transport services across Papua New Guinea and beyond.

The Nasfund Contributors Savings and Loan Society (NCSL) continues its support for the Cheshire disAbility Services Papua New Guinea with a cash donation to support its work in providing for persons with disabilities in the country. NCSL Acting CEO, Keith Raimo said as a corporate organization that cares for its community, NCSL will continue to support Cheshire disAbility Services’ Annual Red Feather Fundraiser this year to raise funds to maintain, support and develop Cheshire’s programs and activities for persons with special needs. Mr. Raimo presented a cheque of K5, 000 to Cheshire disAbility Services General Manager, Mr. Benson Hahambu at NCSL Head office, Port Moresby recently. Mr. Raimo said NCSL was pleased to continue its support towards the worthy cause for the vulnerable persons with disabilities. “We supported last year and are excited to continue this partnership to assist with community-based programs for our people with specials needs,” he said. In receiving the cheque, Cheshire disAbility Services General Manager, Mr. Hahambu acknowledged NCSL’s support towards their biggest event of the year. “Such backing shows we’re not alone in making lives better for our people with special needs. The funds will be utilized to manage operations and maintenance of the compound among other activities, and we thank NCSL for its continued support,” he said.

Over 40 youths from the Morobe province were recently taken through a writers' workshop with the aim to empower them to become good writers. The Young Writers Workshop was successfully delivered from the 18th-21st July in the city of Lae, where a total of 43 participants attended. The training centered on basic tips of essay writing, story writing, poem, journal writing and outlining of different writing skills. Excursions were also held to show the young writers the feel of how news stories are produced behind the scenes. The young writers toured Lae News outlets such as The National newsroom, Post Courier, NBC radio and EMTV. In his keynote address, the NYDA Director General, Joe Itaki, encouraged the young writers to do more reading to improve their reasoning and writing skills. The training was made possible with the support of National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) partners, Expose Youth Magazine and Tati’s Journal, to empower young writers.

The Papua New Guinea (Hong Kong, China) Chamber of Commerce (PNGHKCCC) will be official recognized a day before the inaugural PNG- Asia Investment Conference in Hong Kong in October, after its creation four years ago. PNGHKCCC was established in 2019 with the objectives of becoming an information bank and promoter of PNG in Hong Kong, to help build business-to-business and people-to-people relationship between Hong Kong and PNG, and to set the foundation for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development in PNG through bilateral technological skills transfer schemes. The PNGHKCCC will be officially recognized by the PNG Government on October 15th, during a welcome dinner that will be hosted by the chamber for the PNG delegates who will be attending the upcoming PNG-Asia Investment Conference in Hong Kong from October 16th to 17th. This arrangement was agreed on by the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru and the Chairman of the PNGHKCCC, Mr. Anthony Lai in Hong Kong, where Minister Maru and delegation met with the executives and the members of the chamber. "During the welcome dinner on October 15, Prime Minister James Marape will be invited to formally give the PNG (Hong Kong, China) Chamber of Commerce an official Certificate of Recognition by the Government of Papua New Guinea. This will mean the chamber is officially recognized by our Government and the country as the official body that will represent Papua New Guinea in Hong Kong,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru asked the executives and the members of the PNGHKCCC to get behind the PNG Government and the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum to host the inaugural PNG-Asia Investment Conference. “This will be the first time for us to host such conference out of Australia and it will be the start of a new journey between Papua New Guinea and China. China exports about K1.5 billion worth of goods to Papua New Guinea annually and we export up to K5 billion worth of goods to China every year. These figures indicate that China is becoming the most important trading partner of Papua New Guinea,” said Minister Maru. "If this inaugural conference is successful, then it will become an annual event which will build the bridge and relationship between Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong, China, and the greater Asia Region," added Minister Maru. Meanwhile, the inaugural PNG- Asia Investment Conference will be held at the Regent Hotel, Hong Kong.

The President of France, H.E Emmanuel Macron will be in the country towards the end of this week on his first official visit to the Pacific, after visiting Vanuatu tomorrow. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape expressed profound enthusiasm for the upcoming visit of President Macron to Papua New Guinea (PNG), considering it a significant milestone in the nation's global engagement. Scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby on Thursday, July 27th, President Macron's visit marks the first time a French president has visited an independent country in the Pacific, showcasing Papua New Guinea's growing connectivity with the world. "This historic visit by President Macron exemplifies the profound connectivity that Papua New Guinea, under my leadership, is forging with the international community," Prime Minister Marape stated. "In today's interconnected virtual realm of commerce, real-time trade and foreign relations, the visit by the esteemed French president bodes exceedingly well for PNG. We eagerly anticipate strengthening our ties with this influential G7 economy." This meeting follows a previous encounter between President Macron and Prime Minister Marape earlier this year in Gabon, Central Africa, during the 'One-Forest' Summit. The forthcoming visit further cements the amicable relations between the two leaders and enhances bilateral cooperation. In recent months, PM Marape has had fruitful discussions with several world leaders, demonstrating Papua New Guinea's growing prominence on the global stage. Notably, the one-day State visit of Indonesia's President, H.E. Joko Widodo, resulted in tangible benefits, including the establishment of direct flights between Port Moresby and Bali. Similarly, discussions with the President of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Yoon Suk Yeol, during the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit, fostered constructive engagements and cooperation between the nations. PNG also hosted esteemed leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Secretary of State H.E. Antony Blinken, and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, further strengthening ties and fostering positive developments. Reflecting on these milestones, Marape expressed his commitment to advancing bilateral relations and addressing critical issues of mutual concern with visiting dignitaries. “In anticipation of President Macron's visit, Papua New Guinea stands ready to engage in productive dialogues and explore new avenues of cooperation with France. The visit bears the potential to further elevate Papua New Guinea's global presence and unlock new opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity,” Marape said. “As President Macron's historic visit to Papua New Guinea approaches, the nation eagerly anticipates the strengthening of ties and the forging of enduring partnerships with France and the international community.”

Things are progressing as quickly as possible to the opening of the new Porgera Mine in the Enga province with recent announcements by the Mining Minister, setting the final steps to the actual opening of mining project. Mining Minister Sir Ano Pala on Thursday, July 20th, announced the important statutory activities that must be undertaken by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) that would lead to the re-opening of the Porgera Mine. The statutory activities are: · Mining Warden’s Hearing, which will be held on July 31st at Paiam Oval, Porgera, and on August 01st in Tari. · Technical Assessment on the Proposal for Development. The Mining Development Forum will be held in parallel with the statutory activities and is scheduled to be held on August 07th in Wabag Town. Signing of the Special Mining Lease (SML 13) for the Porgera Mining Project is anticipated by the end of August. Sir Pala’s announcements were witnessed by the Prime Minister (PM) James Marape, other Ministers, the Heads of Government Departments and more importantly, by Porgera mine landowners, project stakeholders and New Porgera Limited representatives. The announcements were made during the security forum event held at the Paiam Oval in Porgera. During the occasion, Minister Pala acknowledged PM Marape for successfully securing the 51% stake in the project. However, he said that this 51% needs to be mined out of the land and translated into benefits. The minister added that in order to realize the benefits of that stake in the project, all stakeholders had to address law & order issues and restore peace in the Porgera valley. “Without peace, we cannot have access to our gold in the ground,” said Sir Pala. The Minister’s announcement of the date and the venue of the forum is consistent with the Mining Act, which requires a Mining Minister to make such an announcement to trigger the benefits sharing negotiation process that will lead to the Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs).

Fuel consumers and the travelling public throughout the country should see refined fuel back in stock at all Puma service stations this week onwards, after the government intervened with a temporary directive to enable Puma Energy to access foreign currency and financial services to purchase new supplies. Puma Energy Managing Director and Chairman, Mr. Hulala Tokome, gave the assurance as well when speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG today in Port Moresby city. Mr. Tokome, who was doing site visits to all the Puma service stations this morning to see how things were going, said it's actually good to see more people coming in with their vehicles to refuel without having to face fuel rationing at Puma service stations. “We’ve got our cartage carriers basically working around the clock to actually replenish. We’ve got the refinery open today, which is supplying as much as we can to the market, not only here (Port Moresby), but also throughout the country,” said Mr. Tokome. Mr. Tokome also stressed that Puma Energy doesn’t want to go through this situation again, where fuel supply becomes short because they are put in the same situation again where they are unable to purchase crude oil and access financial services. “We’re thankful for PM, DPM and the Treasurer in terms of intervening, but then, at the same time we don’t want to be keep on going through this every time,” he added. “So, at the end of the day, for us is resolving this particular issue and its more merely to do with documentation issues and all that. Fine, let’s resolve them, let’s move on.” The Managing Director said what’s important here is for Puma Energy is to maintain the undisrupted supply of fuel to keep the country’s economy running. “At the end of the day we’re here to do our business and maintain supply security in the country,” he said. “Obviously, fuel is an important element in the economy and that’s the whole reason why we continue to maintain that.”

The announcement by fuel distributor Puma Energy that normal fuel supply would resume comes as great news for the aviation industry and the airlines that operate in it. The national flag carrier Air Niugini, is one of the airlines that welcomed the news and has also announced that it has recommences its normal flight schedule as of Remembrance Day, Sunday 23rd July after Puma Energy, agreed to restore all daily fuel requirements. Earlier, Air Niugini had no choice but to reduce its schedule when Puma Energy announced aviation fuel supply rationing. Air Niugini Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Gary Seddon said, “The decision to reduce our schedule was not taken lightly. We were extremely disappointed given the impact it would have on our valued passengers over the long weekend. However, we had no choice given the restrictions to the supply of fuel.” “We sincerely regret the travel disruption caused, but we hope that our customers understand, the situation was beyond our control. We sincerely hope this issue can now be resolved permanently, for the benefit of all concerned.” He said Safety is always of paramount importance in Air Niugini’s operations and it will not be compromised. Mr. Seddon also took time to thank the dedicated employees of Air Niugini, saying that the situation was very challenging, but the team worked diligently and professionally. “We are delighted with the resumption of services. We very much look forward to welcoming you aboard our Bird of Paradise service.”