The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) has called on the Special Parliamentary Committee on Communications to continue to be transparent in its regional enquiries into the media, and to fulfil its commitment to enquire further into recent instances of media workers being targeted simply for doing their jobs. The Council said the Committee had announced that the recent suspension then termination of radio talkback show host Culligan Tanda, would be included in their committee inquiries. The Special Parliamentary Committee is currently conducting hearings in major regional centres, and has just completed its Momase enquiries in Madang. Media Council of PNG President Mr. Neville Choi, said these hearings are important to the future of media in the country, and the Council will be present at all remaining ones to ensure mainstream media is represented in its vital role as an important agent of democracy, and to maintain its independence as the fourth estate. “The Council will be following the remaining Committee hearings closely with a view to making a representation for the Committee to review the actions of state-owned enterprises managing media organizations to determine whether company Human Resource policies have been weaponized to target and intimidate media personnel and hold these organizations to account.” “In the case of Culligan Tanda, it was clear that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kalang Advertising Limited had advised Culligan that his suspension directive had come ‘from the top’ indicating that there was someone who had directed for him to be suspended and then terminated.” “This one state-owned enterprise has a track record of targeting and terminating media workers based on the fear of the media emanating from the very senior echelons of management in the SOE space.” “How long will the media continue to be suppressed at the whim of someone who clearly has very low self-esteem and a primal fear of the media?” He further stated that if anyone fears the media that much, then the only logical conclusion to draw is that this person has something to hide. “The media, at least those unafraid to hold truth to power, will continue to do what it does best, expose rots and mismanagement of positions of authority.” “The Council has been completely transparent with its engagement with the Parliamentary Committee and will be holding it to its commitment to enquire into Culligan Tanda’s termination.” Mr. Choi also added that while the terms of reference for the Committee’s inquiries has been updated, it is concerning that leaders continue to place mainstream media in the same pool as social media, which continues to remain unregulated.

Australia is currently supporting Papua New Guinean women to advance their research skills and connections with Australian research institutions. Through this initiative, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) is providing an intensive training program and workshops in Port Moresby, Lae in Morobe province and Goroka in Eastern Highlands province, covering essential topics such as research fundamentals, data analysis and management, report writing, leadership, collaborative research, data-based decision-making, and policy impact. A highlight will be the opportunity for up to twelve top-performing participants from each location to undertake a four-week advanced training placement at an Australian research institution later this year. These placements will be carefully aligned with PNG research priorities, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange. Among the more than forty women researchers taking part in a workshop in Port Moresby this week, is University of Papua New Guinea lecturer Patricia Angopa who is excited about the opportunity. “I have been engaged in collaborative research with other colleagues and have presented during the PNG Updates.” “The basic research skills have helped me to be more critical in terms of time management, reading other write-ups or journals and has given me the confidence to become a better researcher.” “I am certain that the workshop will be an opportunity to elevate me further.” Ms. Angopa aims to integrate what she learns through the program into her teaching and hopes to be among those chosen for a placement at an Australian research institution later this year. In addition, the first five-day workshop in Port Moresby is currently underway until the 24th of June. Meanwhile, calls for interest from potential participants for workshops in Lae and Goroka will be issued soon. Women researchers from academia, government, and the private sector are encouraged to apply.

The Papua New Guinea Agriculture and Commercialization Diversification (PACD) project has again successfully completed a one-week long Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Teacher-of-Trainer training in Kokopo, East New Britain. The training saw a total of thirteen professionals presented at the training last week from the 09th to the 13th of June 2025. The participants were representatives of eleven productive partnerships of the PACD Cocoa Project Management Unit (PMU). The representatives are from East New Britain, West New Britain, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and New Ireland. Partnerships from the Momase region will be held next week in Madang province. According to the PACD GESI Specialist, Kerry Pagau, the GESI program continues the important work started under the Productive Partnership in Agriculture Project (PPAP) embedding gender equality into agriculture development effort. He said the program aims to empower farming families to manage and save income generated from increase cocoa or other production. “The GESI training covers three modules, module one savings, module two is budgeting and module three is gender." "Gender covers a lot of topics which includes leaderships, decision making and participation.” “This is about empowering farming families." "The target that we will be training is the farming families, farming households who are registered as well as unregistered in PACD cocoa project.” He further added that these sessions build their capacity to translate ideas into lessons that resonate within their communities. Financial literacy training has also been integrated with farming practices, ensuring that families understand how to manage increased income. “At the end of our training sessions, we plan to invite banks like MiBank or BSP to help farmers open accounts on-site.” “This ensures that rural populations which is 70% of PNG’s people, can participate in the formal economy.” During the sessions the trainers actively participated asking thoughtful questions and engaged in meaningful discussions. The response has been good the trainers have been very cooperative, and they are excited to go back and run these trainings with the farmers. In addition, day four of the training saw the participants received tablets and session on how they are going to use those tablets for baseline survey in the communities they run trainings in. The trainer explained that all the trainers should be fully aware and fully equip and know how to use the kobo tool loaded in the tablet in their training that is very important. Those data will be submitted online, and it will be captured in PACD Management Information System (MIS). Meanwhile, a participant representing the Growers Association, Pele Melepia shared that that it’s her first time to attend such training and is an eye opener. She said the main drive here is empowering farming families and training will help them to drive something positive to those farming families, to help them make change in their homes and to sustain themselves. “Right now, we are doing farming, but we do not know how to save and how to budget which is not right." "This training will help us and help others also to drive the change into the families and into the community as well.” Celestine Tommy, a participant with the Pemana partnership, stated that this training is a pivotal moment for farmers. “By addressing gender inequality, we are unlocking untapped potential in our agricultural systems.” “Farmers, especially those in rural and remote areas, often face gendered barriers that affect how they access resources, land, and markets.” “Through this program, we’re giving them the knowledge and strategies they need to navigate and challenge these barriers.”

Prime Minister James Marape has announced that, for the first time in Papua New Guinea’s history, people can now drive from Alotau in Milne Bay Province to Port Moresby, opening up one of the most remote parts of the country through the government’s ambitious road connectivity program. “This is a historic achievement. Just as I drove from Kikori to Mt Hagen during Christmas in 2022 witnessing firsthand Gulf people now selling coconuts, crabs, lobsters, and sago." "Highland markets, today, we celebrate a similar transformation as people drive from Alotau into Central Province and on to Port Moresby.” He highlighted how road connectivity is already changing lives. “Instead of travelling by sea, young people from Gulf were able to drive from Kikori to Hagen and then on to Lae to take part in the national basketball championships.” “That’s the real impact of opening up our country through roads.” Prime Minister Marape described the new Alotau-Port Moresby route as an ‘iconic tourism highway’ in the making, stretching from Milne Bay’s white and black sandy beaches through Central Province’s rich culture and scenic beauty. “This is more than a road; it’s a pathway to tourism, agriculture, fisheries, hospitality, forestry, and other rural industries.” While the highway is still in its early development phase and not fully sealed, it represents a major breakthrough in national infrastructure. “This is the first-cut stage. Over time, we will build it into a world-class sealed highway." "For now, it is already operational, and people are using it.” To safeguard this progress, Prime Minister Marape confirmed that new law enforcement infrastructure is part of the broader development vision. “We intend to include police stations along strategic sections of our highways.” “These roads must be safe and secure for our people." "They are meant for business, tourism, and community development, not for criminal activity.” He also revealed a new land policy initiative being developed with the Department of Lands and the Department of Commerce and Industry to ensure landowners along the highways can register their land and use it as bankable collateral to start businesses. “We want our people to go into commercial agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and hospitality." "That’s how we convert road infrastructure into economic opportunity.” “We are already seeing successful ventures like the export of mud crabs from Central direct to Singapore, and we want to see more of that.” In addition, he assured the nation that construction is continuing on remaining links, with less than 30 kilometres left to complete the Alotau-Port Moresby connection. “It is my intention to personally drive the full stretch of the highway from Port Moresby to Alotau in August this year.” He also dismissed recent allegations by the Opposition regarding project mismanagement. “An independent audit is currently underway into the conduct of Works, but that will not stop our determination.” “Our vision is clear: to connect the country and empower our people through infrastructure.” “This is our blueprint. From the Highlands to the coast, from West Sepik to Milne Bay, roads are going in." "Let us use them to lift our people out of poverty and into prosperity.”

In a moment of NRL history and personal triumph, Jed Stuart, son of Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, scored a try on his debut as the Raiders secured a hard-fought 16-12 victory over the Wests Tigers in Friday night’s game. The emotional win capped a significant week for the Stuart family, adding their names to an exclusive list of father-son duos to feature on the same team. The Raiders burst out of the gates, establishing a commanding 16-0 lead by halftime. However, they faced a stern challenge in the second half as the Tigers launched a spirited comeback, forcing Canberra to defend valiantly in the dying stages of the match. Jed Stuart, playing on the wing, crossed for the Raiders' second try of the game, showcasing an impressive assist from center Sebastian Kris, who delivered a magnificent offload while falling. The debut and subsequent win were the culmination of an emotionally charged week for the Stuart family. Jed shared a poignant moment with his mother before the game. “Before I left to come to Sydney, mum gave me a cuddle and said, ‘You’ve wanted to play NRL since you were three, and now you’re finally doing it.’ That made me cry a fair bit,” he revealed. For Coach Ricky Stuart, it was "the hardest week I've had" as a coach. He admitted to significant pre-game anxiety. “From a father's point of view, I don't want him to come out and be man of the match, I just want him to hold his own." "That's all I wanted, and he did that.” “The number of times I’ve been waking up at 3 am with some real bad thoughts, but didn’t get any of those so it was good.” Interestingly, the decision to bring Jed into the squad was not solely Ricky Stuart's. The coach disclosed that captain Joe Tapine and the Raiders' leadership group recommended Jed replace the injured Savelio Tamale. Tapine even made the significant phone call to inform Jed of his impending debut. “I sat in the car for about ten minutes before trying to figure out what I’m going to say to him,” Tapine recounted. Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers extended their losing streak to five matches with the defeat. This loss marks their third consecutive game with a narrow four-point margin, adding to the growing frustration within the team. West Tigers captain Api Koroisau expressed that it was a bit frustrating in how the match turned out. “There’s only so many times you can be so close and be happy with it.” Furthermore, the Tigers will be looking to break their unfortunate streak in their next outing, while the Raiders will be buoyed by a significant win and a memorable family milestone.

In the village of Kugark in South-Waghi district of Jiwaka province, a beacon of hope shines for those battling drug addiction, orphaned children, and widows. Bridging Gap Association, a unique rehabilitation centre and community initiative which officially opened in November last year, has been built from the unwavering faith and tireless efforts of a local couple, Peter and Freda Kaman, to help those battling drug addictions. The establishment of this rehab centre also comes from the support and dedication of a New Zealander, (who himself was a former drug addict), and his family. Sam Liddle, who was born and raised in New Zealand, struggled with a drug addiction until the age of twenty, where he was sent to rehab in Australia. It was from there he met his wife, where they both serve as missionaries now in Jiwaka along with their four children. Mr. Liddle now follows in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps who were also missionaries in Papua New Guinea. He said that both Peter and Freda, after years of mission work with the Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC), returned to their village in 2012 and were heartbroken by the widespread drug abuse. Their realization deepened when a group of young men, desperate to escape drug use, voluntarily handed over their drug items to the police, seeking help that never came. Neither the police nor the government, or even the churches, were willing or able to assist these ‘rascals’ who wanted a change. He said that Peter and Frida felt compelled to act despite the limited resources. With that, they began with a day program, and their dedication eventually caught the attention of Team Challenge, a global organization. Recognizing the existing groundwork, Team Challenge partnered with Peter and Frida, offering support and facilitating donations, including funds for a Lucas mill to generate income through timber milling. “The journey has been one of faith and perseverance.” “Despite humble beginnings, the initiative grew organically, a testament to their belief that God would just provide exactly what they needed, when they needed it.” To this day, the Bridging Gap Association Rehabilitation centre claims a full-time living facility with eight bedrooms upstairs, two classrooms' downstairs, a large kitchen house, and a staff house. The centre itself was built with funding from America through EBC missions, with Mr. Liddle assisting in the construction of the kitchen and staff houses, as well as a large round meeting house. “We also built a literacy classroom, an elementary school for children whose parents, battling addiction, cannot afford to send them to traditional schools.” Mr. Liddle now lives within the village, serving as a volunteer and actively contributing to the rehab centre’s development and programs. This unique facility stands as the first recognized full-living drug rehabilitation centre in Papua New Guinea, addressing a critical need for structured support for addicts. Meanwhile, while the program has seen remarkable successes, it faces significant challenges, particularly in securing consistent funding. Despite these setbacks, the Team Challenge organization relies on spontaneous donations from their email list and is actively developing sustainable projects. “We initiated a chicken project with 100 broilers, aiming to cover food costs for the residents, and are planning to raise pigs to fund staff salaries as well as a total of 63 beehives, producing honey that contributes to the centre’s financial needs supporting Peter and Freda.” In addition, the rehab centre’s overall approach extends beyond rehabilitation. Recognizing the dire need for positive outlets, a rugby team was also established called 'The Pioneers' in the community. This initiative, which saw the boys raise their own funds for participation and even receive donated jerseys from New Zealand, promotes discipline and provides an alternative to drug use. Mr. Liddle shared that if the boys want to play, must abide by the rules and that is, no drugs or alcohol during the week and on game days. This has been instrumental in fostering positive change among the youths. Moreover, he passionately spoke on the societal issues that contribute to drug addiction, particularly fatherlessness and the breakdown of family structures. He believes that restoring hope involves guiding these young men to understand their identity as sons of God, then equipping them to be good husbands and fathers. “The Bridging Gap Association is not just a rehabilitation centre; it is a testament to the power of faith, community, and the belief that even in the darkest corners, hope can be restored.” “We can ignite a profound transformation in the community, offering a new beginning for those who have lost their way.”

Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has expressed heartfelt gratitude to outgoing St John Ambulance Chief Executive Officer Mr. Matt Canon, who is stepping down after more than ten years of exceptional service to the people of Papua New Guinea. Mr. Canon, who is a trained paramedic, has played a pivotal role in transforming emergency medical services in the country since assuming leadership of St John Ambulance in 2013. His departure marks the end of an era characterized by dedication, innovation, and the expansion of life-saving services across rural and urban communities. “On behalf of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea, I extend my deepest appreciation to Mr. Matt Canon for his tireless commitment and compassionate leadership." “Through his stewardship, St John Ambulance has evolved into a model of professional emergency response, one that has saved countless lives, built national capacity, and uplifted health service delivery in times of need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Under Mr. Canon’s leadership, St John expanded ambulance operations beyond Port Moresby to other centers including Lae, Kokopo, and Kundiawa. He also oversaw critical investments in equipment, personnel training, medical outreach, and health awareness campaigns, often bridging the gap between health services and hard-to-reach communities. In addition, Prime Minister Marape acknowledged Mr. Canon’s unwavering commitment even in the face of great personal risk and logistical challenges, noting his central role during the height of the pandemic, natural disasters, and major public health emergencies. “Matt Canon did not just lead an organization; he answered the call of humanity. His legacy will be felt in every community where a life was saved, in every young paramedic trained, and in every family that found hope in moments of despair.” He also commended the entire St John Ambulance team for their continued service and pledged the Government’s ongoing support for strengthening emergency medical systems in partnership with institutions like St John. “As we thank Mr. Canon and wish him the very best in his future pursuits, we also reaffirm our commitment to supporting St John Ambulance in its noble mission of saving lives and building resilient communities.” Mr. Canon’s successor is expected to be announced shortly.

Electing good and capable leaders in the upcoming Local Level Government (LLG) Elections, is crucial for strengthening ward governance and achieving tangible results in key results areas. Kombiu LLG Manager, Mr. Nerius Gogor, highlighted this during an election awareness and candidates’ forum at Rabuana Original this week. His statement comes as voters prepare to head to the polls to elect new leaders for their wards and LLGs. He encouraged voters in the Kombiu LLG to vote for good leaders who will be able to work closely with his LLG Administration to effectively address the 9 Strategic Result Areas including, Health, Education, Department of Primary Industry (DPI), Economic, Social, Infrastructure, Lands and Village Courts and Disaster Management. “Vote for a capable leader who will come into office and put in place effective ward development committees to drive development in the wards, where majority of the population lives.” Mr. Gogor urged voters to carefully consider their choices and elect leaders who will prioritize the needs of their communities. By doing so, wards can benefit from effective governance, improved services and sustainable development. He also cautioned voters against selling their votes and stressed on the importance of making informed decisions when voting. “When you resist the temptation to sell your vote, you are helping to ensure that your ward is represented by capable and dedicated leaders who will drive development and improved services.” In addition, the Kombiu LLG along with the three other LLGs in Rabaul District including Balanataman, Watom and Rabaul Urban, have rolled out a series of awareness activities to empower voters on the Limited Preferential Voting System so that they are able to participate in the electoral process, evaluate candidates effectively, and need to reduce informal votes.

A local citizen from Eratubu village on the west coast of Namatanai, stated that there is a need for careful consideration and consultation regarding deep sea mining in New Ireland Province. Mr. Tony Namur said the provincial government must prioritize the interests of its people and the environment and ensure that any development project benefits the province and its citizens. According to Mr. Namur, the province already has two world-class mines, therefore, has questioned as to why they need to venture into deep sea mining. He questioned the necessity of deep-sea mining, emphasizing that the province should focus on maximizing benefits from existing mining projects. “Why don't these foreigners explore in their own oceans rather than coming to New Ireland in the name of exploration?” Mr. Namur also highlighted the regional implications of deep-sea mining, stating the bodies of water are shared by the whole of the New Guinea Islands (NGI) region, so New Ireland is not the only authority to say yes to deep sea mining, but must also consider other relevant authorities in the province as well. He further expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency and consultation in previous mining ventures, citing the Nautilus Mining project. “The people of New Ireland were not informed of the costs and benefits of the previous venture by Nautilus Minerals Niugini Limited.” He further called on all leaders in the province to engage in proper consultation with stakeholders, especially non-government organizations (NGOs), regarding deep seabed mining. “We need to have a thorough discussion about the potential impacts of deep-sea mining on our environment and communities.” “Our Prime Minister James Marape has expressed concerns about deep sea mining, but the acting Governor of New Ireland Province is fully supporting it. This is contradictory and confusing.” “We should focus on developing our agriculture sector, which can provide food security and economic benefits for our people.” Furthermore, Mr. Namur called on the leaders to utilize the tax credit scheme to financially empower citizens of NIP. “We need to ensure that our people benefit from the tax credit scheme and have access to financial resources to develop their businesses and communities.” He also raised concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of deep-sea mining, including accidents and spills, lack of offshore mining policy in Papua New Guinea, and the lack of robust evidence demonstrating the safety of seabed mining. “Why do we want more when we cannot manage what we already have on land?”

The spirit of generosity and national pride soared in Lae as organizations rallied to raise funds for team PNG at the 2025 Trukai Fun Run Auctions. Held at the Lae International Hotel recently, this annual fundraising witnessed a thrilling bidding battle, securing a monumental K150, 000 for Team PNG. The auction gained momentum with the presence of PNG’s very own Headhunter, Stanley Nandex, the renowned local and international kickboxing champion. This incredible outpouring of support will directly fuel Team PNG's journey to the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, set to ignite from June 29 to July 9. The funds raised are crucial for covering vital expenses, including travel, uniforms, accommodation, and logistics, ensuring our athletes are fully equipped to shine on the international stage. The bidding was intense, as business houses vied for T-shirts to support 20 schools in Lae. The top five bidders were, Coca-Cola Europacific Pacific Partners, leading the charge, followed by Papindo Trading Company Ltd, Raumai 18 Limited, and NKW Catering, demonstrating their resolute commitment to national sporting excellence. The Trukai Fun Run stands as Papua New Guinea's largest and most iconic fundraising and mass participation event. Every T-shirt sale is a direct investment in the dreams of Team PNG athletes, providing the essential resources they need to proudly represent our nation. For the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, Papua New Guinea's talented athletes will compete across nine of the twelve sports including, Athletics, Basketball 3x3, Swimming, Va'a (Outrigger Canoeing), Table Tennis, Indoor Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Softball, and Weightlifting. Head of Trukai Industries Limited, Mr. Andrew Grace applauded the steadfast commitment of the Lae business community and reaffirmed Trukai’s long term partnership with PNG Olympic Committee. “Our 25-year partnership with the PNG Olympic Committee reflects our shared commitment to promoting health, fitness, and national pride through sport.” “The Trukai Fun Run Auctions are an important part of that, and we are proud to help take Team PNG to Palau.” Echoing this sentiment, Senior Vice President of the PNG Olympic Committee Mr. Tony Green expressed profound gratitude for Trukai's enduring support. “We thank Trukai Industries for standing by Team PNG and the PNGOC for 25 years." "Their unwavering support has enabled our athletes to proudly represent the nation, and it continues to make a real impact as we head into the Pacific Mini Games in Palau.” The auction marks one of two major fundraising triumphs hosted by Trukai Industries in 2025, following the successful auction event held in Port Moresby on May 23. The PNG Olympic Committee and Trukai Industries have extended their heartfelt appreciation to the invaluable Trukai Fun Run sponsors including Air Niugini, Theodist, IBS University, Trophy Haus, and CPL Group. Their generous contributions are vital to the success of the entire 2025 Fun Run campaign. These dedicated partners will also play a crucial role in the highly anticipated nationwide Trukai Fun Run event on Sunday, June 22. This event will unite communities simultaneously across 10 locations including Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Kokopo, Kimbe, Popondetta, Alotau, and Vanimo. Adding a touch of fun and promoting healthy living, the Fun Run t-shirt design also features Trukai Industries’ beloved superheroes of nutrition, Tru and Kai. Furthermore, these vibrant characters are also the stars of two engaging publications produced by Trukai Industries in partnership with Buk bilong Pikinini. These superheroes champion the vital message of healthy eating and active lifestyles, inspiring young Papua New Guineans to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

The Divine Word University Student Representative Council (DWU SRC) strongly urges the Minister for Higher Education and the Minister for Finance to immediately fast-track the release of the TESAS and HELP funds for the 2025 first semester, which has now ended. The DWU SRC advised of this in a media release today that it has been informed that the University Administration has reached the limit of its ability to cover for the government component of fees expected for the 2025 first semester and is considering requiring students who are currently under the TESAS scholarship and HELP loan scheme to cover their own unpaid fees. This follows the continued delay in the release of sponsorship funds from the government. The Divine Word University Administration is actively working with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) to secure the TESAS and HELP funds. However, due to the delay by the Department of Finance in approving release of these grants, the University is now deliberating that students’ primary sponsors (parents) will be required to cover these unpaid government-sponsored fees for students to continue into the second semester. This development poses a serious threat to the academic future of the significant majority of students at Divine Word University. Out of the total student population at Madang Campus of 1, 943, at least 50% are currently expected to be supported by the TESAS scholarship, and 37% have applied for the HELP Loan scheme. It is deeply concerning and unacceptable that these students now will face the possibility of being excluded from classes due to funding delays that are beyond their control. Timely release of these funds is crucial to ensure that affected students are able to register and attend classes for the second semester, commencing at the end of June. Meanwhile, this newsroom received confirmation from the Divine Word University President Professor Father Phillip Gibbs that the information released by the SRC is in fact true. Father Gibbs told PNG HAUSBUNG that after four months of covering student expenses, we are reluctantly having to inform the students that the time for credit is over, and someone has to cover the fees and pay the bills. Moreover, DWU SRC has reiterated that education is a fundamental right and an investment in the future of Papua New Guinea. While the government has supported students in past years, it must now take urgent action to the government component of fees and ensure students continue to have uninterrupted access to higher education this year.

The Rabaul District Administration in East New Britain province, successfully completed a three-day refresher training that took place on the 10th to the 12th of June 2025 at the Rabaul Hotel for contractors and interested partners with the aim of upholding government compliance and procedures when dealing with projects. The training is being facilitated by the Rabaul District Project Implementation Unit and supported by the Provincial Technical Services and other relevant stakeholders including the Internal Revenue Commission. Attending the training were local contractors from Rabaul district as well as interested partners and other contractors from Kokopo and Gazelle District. When officially opening the training, the Deputy District Administrator Mr. John Matava said that this is an important training as is it essential for contractors to remain knowledgeable, compliant and for them to carry out work efficiently. He added that as contractors, overtime they become accustomed to the same nature of work that they do that they tend to forget about what binds them in the contract agreement, and do not deliver accordingly. “This refresher training can help us understand implementing projects efficiently and avoid risks including financial penalties, legal issues and reputational damage for both the contractor and employer.” Meantime, the Acting District Engineer, Jude Gigiala, said that this training is timely as the district is currently rolling out major civil and building projects. He further said that the refresher training is like a guide that will help contractors be informed on the government tender and procurement processes.