Member for Wapenamanda Mickey Kaeok has plans to build a fly-over bridge across a dangerous section of the road in his electorate. Mr. Kaeok, who is the Vice Minister for Works and Highways, said his District Plan included the district’s vision to build a fly-over bridge, over the existing road from Pausa to Wapenamanda over the fast-flowing Lai river. The plan was revealed during the launching of the District five-year development plan officiated by Prime Minister James Marape this week at Wapenamanda. Marape congratulated Kaeok for a simple but visionary plan. The electorate was also privileged to received K15 million out of a total of K28 million presented for various projects in Enga province. Meanwhile, Marape took the opportunity at the launching of the five- year plan to also encouraged the people of Wapenamanda to get into agriculture and SMEs. Marape told the people that the work on the Lumusa Wapenamanda road would see more opportunities for local farmers because fresh garden produce and livestock production can be increased.

Bus crews for Highlands Highway PMVs will soon have  regulations when at Mt Hagen City bus stops. Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander John Sagom said that he would be advising his men regarding security of travelers and passengers at the bus stops in the city. The announcement follows complaints about the so called "K5 Boskru," a term used for street youths who temporarily engage themselves with PMV drivers and crews to collect passengers in order to receive tips. It is a daily happening that timid passengers and travelers were  forced into buses by the "K5 bus crews" without even giving them opportunities to decide for themselves. The new regulations will see genuine Bus Crews with permits, and to have only bus crews themselves do their jobs. This is also to get petty criminals away from bus stops. More information  on this regulation will be announced in the coming days.

Police in Kagua, Southern Highlands Province have arrested and locked up four men who were under influence of home brew known as Paiawara. The four suspects from Porane village, outside Kagua station were apprehended at Kagua Police station and taken to Ialibu Police cells on Wednesday evening. Local Police Officer Gene Mathew said it is a warning to all citizens of Kagua Erave that Police will not tolerate marijuana and home brew in the district. The arrest comes a week after Kagua police issued a strong warning to people in the area to refrain from consumption, production and selling of marijuana and home brew after police uprooted huge gardens of marijuana at the Yaguri and Mapata wards . The four suspects were charged at Ialibu Police station. Kagua Police warned that anymore fire wara/homebrew suspects will be transported out of Kagua as soon as they are taken in by police. This means there is no escape through bribes and enticements to police.

Police in Kagua, Southern Highlands Province have warned the people not to cultivate, consume or sell Marijuana or face the full force of the law. Last week, Kagua Police led by the Highway 21 Officer In Charge Gene Mathew and Francis Puri entered parts of Aiya LLG upon requests from local leaders. The unit entered identified marijuana gardens in Yaguri and Mapata Wards and uprooted the plants. Police said the wards around Wabi Lutheran Mission in the Aiya LLG are known to have people there having big areas growing with marijuana plants as well. The police and district law and justice leaders from those council wards are expected work together to reduce the crime of marijuana and home brew consumption giving rise to social problems. It is understood that marijuana bags are also used in exchange for firearms with illegal traders along the borders of Western and Gulf Provinces. Southern Highlands Eastern End Police Commander Philip Kumo has been commended for the efforts in the fight against the illicit drug. Meanwhile few of the suspects involved in cultivating marijuana in Kagua were taken to Ialibu Police cells yesterday while police continue to crackdown on the use of the illicit substance.

Air Niugini flights out of Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen to Port Moresby had to be cancelled this morning. This is due to the fuel supplier Puma Energy being unable to access US dollars to purchase Jet A1 fuel to supply Air Niugini and other airlines around  the country. This newsroom checked at Kagamuga Airport this morning and flights PX  181, PX 183 and PX 185  for this morning had been cancelled. A notice at the airport gate has advised customers to rebook their flights at the Air Niugini office in Mt Hagen city. It is not certain if there are going to be any flights in the evening and the next day.

New Year celebration in Mt Hagen city, Western Highlands was pretty peaceful. Unlike past Christmas and New Year periods, the current liquor ban and show of police presence instilled control of sorts. It began with a convoy of police vehicles that drove around Mt Hagen city in a show of force and followed by routine patrols around the city. There were minor alcohol and traffic related offences attended to in the night but police maintain that most streets in the city were empty by nightfall. It was further observed that the liquor ban also resulted in many residents remaining sober this festive season and keeping the disturbance to a minimum.

Southern Highlands Police have enforced a liquor ban for the Christmas and New Year operations. Provincial Police Commander Joseph Puri told this newsroom that his men were also doing Christmas and New Year operations under the code name, Silent Night for Southern Highlands Province. PPC Puri said there has not been any support from the provincial government for enforcement of liquor ban though it is in place. The PPC says he had planned for a bigger awareness on peace and good order but due to lack of support, has to proceed with normal policing during the festive season. PPC Puri further urged all Southern Highlanders to celebrate the festive season peacefully and safely into the New Year.

Western Highlands Police will have a toll free (hotline) number in the New Year, to assist the people effectively in terms of Law and Order. The plan according to the Provincial Government is already underway, with the toll free number 2222 (twenty two, twenty two) already secured. Executive Officer to the Provincial Government John Bak made the announcement to Mt Hagen Police recently, while presenting a cheque for the Christmas and New Year operations. Mr Bak said the toll free number will be printed on the three new vehicles to be presented to Western Highlands Police soon. He added that with K70,000 raised for the toll free number operations, the provincial government would also renovate and improve facilities at the police station. Meanwhile, on behalf of the Provincial Government, Bak commended Mt Hagen Police for improvement in attending to ethnic clashes within the city and cooling tensions within reasonable time.

With the total liquor ban within Western Highlands during the festive season, the number of drunkards in public was drastically reduced. This is according to PPC John Sagom, who said neighboring Jiwaka and Chimbu provinces have also enforced liquor restrictions. This has seen a  reduction in noisy and violent celebrations associated with alcohol. Peace loving residents of Mt Hagen city are happy with the quiet Christmas celebrations so far. PPC Sagom said all liquor outlets have stopped selling alcohol since Saturday. "Police urge the general public to maintain the peaceful spirit throughout the festive week and beyond." PPC Sagom added that a minor incident saw a handful of drunks caught along the roads locked up in the Mt Hagen police cells.

Prime Minister James Marape has officially launched the National Coffee Structure and Policy Framework at Banz, Jiwaka Province on Friday. One of the key aims of the new Coffee Ministry under pioneer Minister Joe Kuli is to see 2,500 coffee trees per family in the coffee growing areas around the country. The event was attended by PM James Marape, Finance and Planning Minister Rainbo Paita, Agriculture Minister Aiye Tambua and his vice Minister, Oil Palm Minister Francis Maneke, including governors for Western Highlands and Jiwaka, along with local Jiwaka MPs. Two representatives from the investor companies from the United States also attended the launching. Prime Minister James in his keynote speech called on the people to start going back home to work their lands. He said the government was working towards improving the lives of the rural communities, and commended the new Coffee Minister for taking the first step in setting the road map for coffee industry. The Prime Minister also challenged youths and school leavers not to give up hope and resort to drugs, alcohol and crime. Meanwhile, all the leaders expressed the need for people to work together to have the policy working. The Prime Minister also announced that K2 million each has been delivered to selected coffee producing Districts in the region and the funding program will phase out to other districts. He also announced K5 million each for Jiwaka and Western Highlands Provincial governments to focus on Coffee rehabilitation programs and taking stock of farmers.

Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG) is not only keen in training leaders in the public service but also in business. Last Friday, a small but significant graduation ceremony took place at Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen where the two weeks course was delivered to twenty one (21) participants. The event was officiated by PILAG CEO Michael Barobe, as well as representatives from Western Highlands Provincial Provincial Administration, National Development Bank and other stakeholders. Mr Barobe, while congratulating the participants, encouraged them to be committed and dedicated in their little businesses so that they grow. The participants are now equipped with knowledge and skills in starting up SMEs, doing project proposals, registration with Investment Promotions Authority (IPA) and Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), book keeping and other necessary skills. The trainings are delivered by qualified trainers with Masters degree , with up to twenty (20) years of job experiences. Meanwhile, participants also expressed gratitude for the training and thanked PILAG for delivering the two weeks training. The fee for the training was K500 per head. According to PILAG Highlands Regional Training Centre Manager Johnson Hebe, similar programs will run next year. National Development Bank Mt Hagen Branch Manager Pati Kingal also expressed his concern for SME owners especially in terms of loans. He suggested for the Western Highlands Provincial government to set up a financial assistance scheme for the people of the province. This would also empower SME owners to overcome one of the major constraints in obtaining loan, which is, security or collateral. Western Highlands Provincial representatives have advises that this would be relayed to governor Wai Rapa for the Provincial Administration to deliberate on.

University of Goroka (UOG) Mt Hagen Campus' Institute Of Distance and Flexible Learning and Early Childhood Education held its first graduation last Friday. Chancellor of the University of Goroka Joe Wemin declared the first graduation ceremony for the campus, which had a total of hundred eleven (111) graduates. The event  was hosted in a tent at Queen's Park, Mt Hagen, due to the unpredictable weather. It was a double graduation for both degree and diploma holders. Eight graduated with Bachelor of Education (Primary In-service) School Management, and one person graduated with Bachelor of Education (In-service TVET) School Management. A hundred and two (102) graduated with Diploma in Early Childhood Education. The venue was packed  with friends and families. Meanwhile, senior representatives from the University of Goroka including Chancellor Joe Wemin, Vice Chancellor Teng Waninga attended the event. Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa also commended UOG for setting up campus in Mt Hagen . His message to Western Highlanders is to invest their time and resources in education, agriculture and other worthwhile activities.