The Minister for Finance and Planning has assured the East Sepik Governor that he will check to find out why there is still a delay in rehabilitation of the portion of the Sepik Highway from Maprik to Nuku in West Sepik province despite funds already made available. Minister Rainbo Paita said that things were sorted with funding three years ago. However, he did say he has not seen the full report, but has assured that he will make it his business to check again. "I don't know why the delay. I have not seen the details of the of the work itself, but I will check again and ensure to get the tender out of the way and have work start." Governor Alen Bird said it has been three years since the paperwork went through for the road work but a contract has not been awarded to a contractor to rehabilitate that part of the highway in his province. He said the highway is important for the movement of people and cargo between the two Sepik provinces and it's rehabilitation is vital.

The cost factor for the repair work at the Aropa Airport in Kieta in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) continues to delay the maintenance and improvement work at the airport. This has deprived the people of Central Bougainville to airline services, especially by Air Niugini to the region. The Minister for Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt, when responding to the Member for Central Bougainville Simon Dumarinu during question time in parliament, said that the Aropa Airport has cracks on the runway which needed fixing. These cracks were caused tremors and places a safety risk for airplanes and their passengers to use the airport, thus, resulting in the airport not operational. The minister said that the airport is the responsibility of the National Airports Corporation (NAC) and he will have them look into this and how best they can work towards fixing the runway at this time because the main funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), so to engaged contractors for airport developments in the country, is still pending. Minister Schnaubelt said Aropa Airport is one of five airports in the country earmarked for development, but that funding could be delayed for work to begin, which could mean sourcing funds elsewhere to fund the repair work. “We need to look whether the cost to fix it is going to be more, or do we wait until the tender process to complete and put full cost towards the major construction on the airport and the runway, said the minister. If the tender process is going to take a bit longer and there is a need for the airport to operate sooner, then we will look at the cost factor. I will discuss that with the government on ground and see how NAC can work with them to fund the repair work, just to get the airport operational again. Member Dumarinu said the airport is vital to Central Bougainville in terms of service delivery and therefore, the return to full operation is something he is looking forward to, so he very much needs that assistance from the Papua New Guinea National Government.

The Member for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko will address the Parliament today where he is expected make an apology about his derogatory remarks and explain why he had done it. Prime Minister James Marape, when responding to questions from the Morobe Governor during question time in parliament on Tuesday afternoon, said the member is highly remorseful about the whole matter. "The member apologized to the government caucus and would ask leave of Parliament today to make his address," said the prime minister. When asked about what he will do as prime minister to deal with the member, Marape simply said that there are government institutions responsible for dealing with leaders conducts and things are already in progress. Marape added that the country should reserve his rights to make his statement to parliament and the nation today.

The number of Pangu Pati members of Parliament has increased further with the recent inclusion of the Member for Pomio Elias Kapavore and now, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge. The governor has shown great interest to work with the Pangu Pati for it progress in many areas of economic development and service delivery, including delivering major economic projects like the Wafi Golpu gold mine in his province. Wenge believes that with the support of Pangu Pati, a lot can be done for his province including plans to establish a railroad system from Morobe linking the coastal provinces of Madang all the way to the Sepik region, which he mentioned. "As the governor, I have to deliver somethings under the Pangu Pati, in a short time I have to deliver to my people of Morobe," said the governor. Wenge is the only People's Labour Party Parliamentary Leader and now he takes the step to work with Pangu Pati. Prime Minister James Marape said the signing of documents this afternoon now brings the total number of Pangu Pati members to 53. Meanwhile, Elias Kapavore moved two weeks ago from the People's National Congress (PNC) Party to join Pangu Pati.

The 2023 Provincial Governors Conference wrapped up on Monday with the concession that there is a need to review the Organic Law on Provincial Law on Provincial and Local Governments to better deliver to the people. The Minister for Provincial Government and Local Level Government (LLG) Affairs, Soroi Eoe said that in the course of the last two days conference, the governors have discussed and deliberated extensively on a number of important issues related to the theme of the conference, “Continuing Dialogue to Empower Provinces for Improved Service Delivery, Economic Growth and Self-Reliance.” “I am confident that we have had a productive exchange of views, raised legislative and policy issues impeding service delivery and reached common understanding that we need to review certain sections of the Organic Law on Provincial Law on Provincial and Local Governments that continue to impede improving the livelihoods of our people,” said the minister in his closing speech. The minister said there were seven key messages that came out of this conference that are of importance to the strengthening and reforming of provincial governments. Firstly, he said in the next six months going forward into the future they’ll coordinate with relevant state agencies and implement all the 20 Resolutions including the one that they concluded at the end of this conference. Any policies and legislations that impede service delivery will be removed. Secondly, he said the Prime Minister’s directive is very clear that all powers and functions embedded in the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government must all be transferred. “We will assess each power and functions and establish whether or not it has been transferred in full or powers are still kept by state agencies in Waigani.” “Thirdly, as directed by the Prime Minister, we will establish the bipartisan committee. This committee will look at legislative and 4 policy issues that impede transfer of powers and functions directed by the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government and other legislations. “We will formalize it in the next few weeks and have this Committee operational as soon as possible with clear Terms of Reference linking to the issues you have raised in this conference.” Fourthly, the minister said they will all be looking at the solutions tailored towards your special needs and peculiar circumstances of each province. Fifthly, is on tax revenue of which they discussed extensively on the internal revenue collection through taxes, of which the Organic Law empowers governors to collect taxes and engage in business activities. “Going forward into the future, the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs will lead the state agencies in ensuring that you receive those powers and functions and where there are need for capacity building staff to institutionalize these activities, we will support,” said Minister Eoe. The sixth key message is on the Provincial Health Authorities (PHA). “We heard you clearly. Health service according to the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments is a decentralized function and now being 5 centralized by the National Government. This impedes the spirit of decentralization.” He said his department and the Department of Prime Minister (PM) and NEC will start the process of decentralizing the PHA to the Provincial Governments. “Finally, you have identified another problematic issue; schools facing shortage of funds to provide all curriculum requirements. This directly relates to TFF policy in which commodity and school infrastructure components are being held by the Department of Education.” He said they will work with the Education Department to review the TFF policy in the next few weeks and ensure schools in the provinces receive 100% school fees that belong to the children. “I look forward to presenting the resolutions that will enable us to work together and solve issues that are impeding our country’s development aspirations. He concluded by saying that in the next six months they will communicate with governors as they progress to implement all the resolutions that come out from this conference.

Indonesian President H.E. Joko Widodo will be making a State Visit to Papua New Guinea next month, Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. James Marape has announced. Confirmation of the one-day visit on July 6, 2023, was made during a meeting between PM Marape and Indonesian Ambassador to PNG, H.E. Andriana Supandi, in Port Moresby on Friday, June 2, 2023. President Widodo’s State Visit to PNG follows PM Marape’s State Visit to Indonesia in March 2022. Also present at the meeting were Indonesian Embassy officials and PNG Foreign Affairs Secretary Elias Wohengu. “Papua New Guinea will be honored to host Indonesian President Widodo next month. He has graciously accepted my invitation to him to visit PNG, when I made a State visit to Indonesia in March 2022,” PM Marape said. “President Widodo’s visit to PNG follows that of world leaders including Indian Prime Minister Hon. Narendra Modi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New Zealand Prime Minister Hon. Chris Hipkins and all Pacific leaders last month. We will go out of our way to welcome the leader of our closest neighbour, Indonesia, a growing economic powerhouse in the world.” “Papua New Guinea sees Indonesia as a huge market right at our doorsteps - which we must tap into.” “Relations between our two countries must now move from talks on border issues to more on trade and economic relations, business-to-business relations, and people-to-people relations.” “We have always had a good relationship since 1976 when Indonesia and PNG established formal relationships.” “Indonesia stood us with in many fronts, including being responsible for our admission to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).” “They have always been there for us in some difficult times, including the recent COVID-19 crisis.” ‘’I look forward to meeting President Widodo in Port Moresby next month.”

Decentralization of powers and the strengthening of the provincial government systems to better deliver to the people in terms of service delivery and development, will be the topics of discussions at the 2023 Provincial Governors Conference in Port Moresby. The Host Governor of this Governors Conference, National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop, when opening the two- day conference today , said in order for the provincial government system to be strengthened, there has to be more power given the the various provincial government through the process of decentralization. Giving a picture of his situation in NCD, he said the sub- national level needs to have more control over transport, education and even health services, which he said is mostly managed at the national level. By doing so, the provincial can do a lot more to address the issues is these areas. Parkop hopes that a good outcome in the form of a resolution, will come out of this conference and wants all governors to participate fully in this. "Work together to find a solution, a win- win for our people and for our nation," said the governor. Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape said his government stands ready to support any reform proposed for the system of government to further strengthen the sub- national level, as long as they are viable and will lead to fully helping the people in the country. He said Papua New Guinea will soon mark its 50 years of nationhood and its about time that new positive changes are made to the country's system of government, to strengthen provinces and the country as a whole going 2025 and beyond. Meanwhile, the 2023 Provincial Governors Conference will end tomorrow with the endorsement of the resolutions as outcomes of the conference. All 20 provincial governors along with NCD and delegates from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) are attending this conference at the Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby.  

There has to be a formal arrangement in place to facility trade and investment between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and South Korea. This formal arrangement was the topic of discussion between the Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru and his counterpart, the Korean Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy, Chan-Yang Lee during the Inaugural Pacific Island Countries and Korea Leaders meeting held in Seoul on May 29th. Minister Maru expressed that PNG since establishing formal diplomatic relations with Korea never had a formal arrangement in place to facilitate trade and investment of its products, including fish, coffee, cocoa and chocolate products, timber products and LNG and many others; and to also allow for Korean investors to invest in PNG. He stressed for Korean investors to invest in manufacturing sector where they can downstream process and value add PNG's vast natural resources in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy and opportunities in the ICT sectors. Since Korea already has markets for its products and positive reputation as a quality manufacturer and supplier of products to the world, for them to invest and produce in PNG, the overseas markets for these products are already secured. Minister Maru informed his Korean counterpart of the Special Economic Zones he is championing and invited Korean companies to invest in these zones where Government will accord them special incentives. Minister Lee responded positively for more Korean investors to consider investing in PNG while acknowledging PNG’s available resources unlike Korea. Minister Lee further informed that Korea now prefers Economic Cooperation Framework arrangement rather than the traditional Free Trade Agreement and so far has signed such arrangements with several countries. Such arrangements can appropriately facilitate trade and investment between trading partners, hence welcomed Minister Maru’s proposal for a broad framework arrangement to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries. Minister Lee also informed Minister Maru of the Korean Trade and Investment Authority (KOTRA), which is Korea’s national Trade and Investment promotion organisation established in 1962 whose mandate include promoting Korea’s trade and investment and encouraged PNG to also work with KOTRA to realise increased trade and investment with Korea. Minister Maru and Minister Yang Lee concluded their meeting on a high note agreeing for PNG to share its draft for the Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement with Korea for their views going forward.  

Local Business houses and overseas based one had the opportunity to learn more about the Papua LNG and the newly launched online portals at the Works and Infrastructure Project Information Session hosted by the Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Total Energies EP PNG (TEP PNG) today. The event saw the introduction of the Supplier Management Portal (SMP) and WAN PNG portal respectively. SMP will be targeted at local SMEs, potential Papua LNG local suppliers and other business organizations. It will be used by Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractors and their subcontractors to identify suppliers to foster business development. The WAN PNG portal on the other hand is aimed at all Papua New Guineans, from school leavers to young adults; to help them find the relevant skills training, job openings and skills mapping. It also supports equal opportunities to disadvantaged and minority groups, in addition to supporting local landowners during the clan documenting and location information period. The Papua LNG project is committed to the development of the national workforce, enabling Papua New Guineans to gain experience in their trade and also identify upskilling requirements, which the platform will allow for.

There is still a lot more work to be done to permanently address the issue of floods and potholes in the city of Port Moresby. This was revealed by the City Manager Mr. Ravu Frank  following the recent road and drainage maintenance work that was carried out by the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) to help reduce floods during the rainy weather. Measures taken include clearing encroachments, scaling up cleaning and unblocking drainages, and engaging hydrology engineers for lasting solutions. 26 locations were established for a demolition exercise, making the smooth flow of drain waters. Demolition has already started in some of these areas where residents have encroached on reserves. The City Manager urged the public to be caution while driving in wet conditions, and he also urged residents to refrain from dumping rubbish into drains during this wet season. He emphasized that some flooding incidents are caused by rubbish blocking drainage systems. NCDC is also taking continuous action by installing trash bins at the Central Business Districts and other public places to encourage proper waste disposal

The AFL National Championships will go ahead as planned despite the cost of sending teams from the regions to play is expected to be high this year. According to the Senior Football Manager for AFL PNG Mr. Rex Leka, they are adamant to hold the National Championships because of the International Cup 2024 (IC24) that’s coming up in Australia. The Championships will be where selections will be made for the national teams to participate in the IC24. “The cost of sending, say three teams to one location for the championships, can cost over K100, 000, which is high,” he said. Mr. Leka added that a team from one center will have two divisions, both men and women’s teams and that would cost a lot just to send them to the National Championships and back. Nevertheless, AFL PNG wants to see the championships take place since it has been a while since the last one was held following the COVID- 19 pandemic. The centers expected to put in teams for the National Championships are Lae, Hagen, Port Moresby, and East New Britain and West New Britain provinces. Meanwhile, the finalized schedule for the National Championships is expected to be put together by next week following the second AFL PNG Board Meeting.

It’s that time of year again, State of Origin time that’s what it is and this evening will be the first match of the representative football event when the New South Wales (NSW) Blues and the Queensland (QLD) Maroons meet on the field of play, and Papua New Guineans fans hold on to their seats. For the fans here in the country, it’s a time to put on the outfits, paint faces and fly those flags high, either on vehicles, homes and even on top of the trees. No matter where they are placed, they show your colour; Blues or Maroons. A look around the city of Port Moresby today saw vendors as well making use of this time of the year to make some bucks with the sale of flags, caps, T- shirts with some even setting up little booths or stalls or just finding a nice spot on the pavement to provide face painting service to the loyal fans. But perhaps the biggest winner to make money today would be the betting houses. PNG HAUBUNG also chatted with some fans going about their business today to hear out what they have to say about who they think is going to win the first match this evening. There were mixed responses. Therefore, the only way to find out how the match tonight will go and that is to watch the game or listen in on the radio for those who cannot find a television set to watch. The Ampol State of Origin Game 1 will kick off at 8:05pm at the Adelaide Oval.