PNG Air is pleased to announce the renewal and extension of our Naming Rights Sponsorship to Athletics PNG for a further three years. AS the official airline of Athletics PNG, the airline provides flights and logistical support for athletes and official local track and field competitions. Athletics as sport in PNG in recent years has seen much more activity and interest particularly from youth, especially in more regional towns around Papua New Guinea, Through Athletics PNG's regularly scheduled competitions and meets, many new and promising talents have been identified and pushed further into elite training and representation, following in the likes of Pacific Sprint Queen Toea Wisil and others. With out support to the organization having commenced in 2019, PNG Air recognizes that sport plays a key role in development, and we're proud to support Athletics PNG in furthering the reach that athletics provide to more people across PNG. A Memorandum of understanding was signed today by officials from both organizations at the start of the three-day PNG Air National Athletics Championships In Port Moresby, where hundreds of athletes are scheduled to compete. PNG Air Chief Commercial Officer, Simon. C Pitt said, " Our primary role as an airline is to connect people around PNG, and to be enablers for all the events that Athletics PNG hosts is something we're proud of, and so we're happy to continue our support, and look forward to working together to raise the profile of the sport in PNG". "Despite the difficult times all businesses are facing and especially the travel industry, we'd like to say thank you to PNG Air for renewing their sponsorship", said Tony Green. Athletics PNG President. : The Sponsorship has been very important for us in the last three years, as it enables us to do a lot more than we would be able to, especially for our athletes in competition and training". The 61st PNG Air National Athletics Championship takes place from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th december at the Sir John Guise Stadium In Port Mresby. The event will feature both track and field events, and is open to the general public, with gate fees of K5 for adults and K2 for students.

As the 20 Days of Human Rights Activism campaign comes to its conclusion today, with the commemoration of Human Rights Day, the Members of the new Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) commend the Government for awarding 13 NGOs financial grants that will enable them to do more work to address gender-based violence (GBV) across the country. Governor Parkop, Chair of the GEWE Committee stated: “I am very pleased to see the Government making good on its promises to take more action to address GBV and sorcery accusation related violence as an immediate priority. Our previous GBV Parliamentary Committee used our reports to Parliament to call for more Government funding for NGO prevention and crisis-response services. I am very pleased to see our recommendations have been acted upon”. Governor Parkop went on to say: “The 2023 National Budget has now been tabled in Parliament and I am very pleased that it again includes funding to address GBV and SARV through Government grants. I now want to the Department for Community Development and Religion immediately progress the establishment of the National GBV Secretariat – something which is more than five years overdue! We need to recruit highly qualified GBV experts into the Secretariat who will be able to effectively drive efforts across the country to work with provincial governments and NGOs to tackle the scourge of violence that is damaging our country and our people.” On Friday 9 December, the Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a ceremony with the 13 NGO grantees to officially award them their funding. DFCDR and UNDP are jointly funding the grants, with the DFCDR drawing on a portion of the PGK 7.93 million allocated by the Government to address GBV in 2022. The NGOs were selected for grants following an open call for expressions of interest, which sought NGO proposals related to prevention of GBV and SARV and the provision of crisis response and recovery services to GBV and SARV survivors. It is anticipated that another round of grants will be made in 2023, subject to funding being released by Treasury. The new Parliamentary Committee on GEWE intends to keep a close watch over DFCDR’s administration of the GBV funding provided from the Government Budget. Committee Members are united in wanting to ensure that funds are used effectively and sustainably to ensure that people across the country can live lives free form violence – but also, that where such violence occurs, they can receive proper care and access to justice. The new Committee has six members, in addition to the Chair: Governor Allan Bird (East Sepik), Deputy Chairperson; Governor Rufina Peter (Central Province); Hon. Marsh Narewec, (Wau Waria); Hon. Ricky Morris (Alotau); Hon. William Bando (Koroba Lake Kopiago); and Hon. Lohia Boe Samuel (Port Moresby North West). The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be providing technical support to the new Parliamentary Committee on GEWE as part of its gender programming and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. This support aims to address GEWE and gender-based violence and to support longer-term efforts to promote women’s participation and leadership in the Parliament.

Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) is pleased to have been a part of the recent Internal Revenue Commission’s (IRC) General Tax Awareness Workshop, held in Mt Hagen. The awareness focused on educating registered taxpayers about how to complete and submit tax returns and documents to the IRC, keep proper business records, calculate their taxes and what taxes need to be paid. It also covered practical aspects of Company Income Tax, Goods and Services Tax, Salary and Wages Tax and the IRC’s Tax Services. The NSL Team set up an information booth and had the opportunity to talk to participants about the importance of superannuation for individuals and business owners. NSL’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul Sayer said “We are thankful to the IRC for giving us the opportunity to meet with the participants and talk to them about superannuation and compliance, as well as, the products and services offered by NSL”. “We aim to continue working with the IRC and other stakeholders to educate our Members of the benefits of good financial practices for use in both their personal and business lives”, he added. NSL also provides free awareness sessions, counseling and training to help Members take advantage of products like Voluntary Contributions, Retirement Savings Accounts and Choice Super to ensure they are maximizing their savings potential for a better future. Nambawan Super is prioritising the education of its 214,000 Members by offering FREE Financial Literacy Training which aims to help Members develop good financial practices. The fully certified NSL Financial Literacy Training offers Members five modules that cover the following topics: Module 1 – Taking Charge of Personal Finances Module 2 – NSL Superannuation Products and Services  Module 3 – Planning for Retirement  Module 4 – Buying Your Own Home  Module 5 – Financial Literacy Skills for MSMEs The Fund encourages all Members to enquire about the Financial Literacy Training and other services through the NSL Call Centre or at their local Branch.

Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee delivered its Seventh (7th) Edition of the Papua New Guinea Sports Hall of Fame with the induction of three (3) outstanding sport legends, on the evening of Thursday, 08th of November, 2022. The PNG Sports Hall of Fame was initiated in 2011 to honour and preserve the legacy of the individuals who excelled in the past, giving due recognition to sporting accomplishments, bringing pride and distinction to our country, and who have contributed to the development of sport in PNG. The three individuals inducted were the late Joseph Abraham Turia from sport of FootballSoccer, Veitu Apana Diro, from the sport of Netball and Basketball and Tau John Tokwepota from the sport of Athletics. The first inductee was Olympian and King of the Road – Tauvau John Tokwepota, from the sport of Athletics. Tau John is arguably Papua New Guinea’s best-known long-distance runner, and has etched his name into PNG’s sporting history with his unbroken 46-year record in the 10,000m and Marathon events, in the sport of Athletics  He holds six of the ten fastest 10,000m races in PNG in a remarkable career, of which he still holds the National Records for the 10,000m (31:21.4 in 1976), and the Marathon (2:28:13 in 1980) and won 18 medals from competing at both the (South) Pacific Games and the Pacific Mini Games. He also represented Team PNG in 2 Commonwealth Games and the first Olympics that Papua New Guinea competed in 1976, in Montreal, Canada. Second inductee Joseph Abraham Turia (1960 - 2021) is the first inductee from the Sport of Football (Soccer) to be inducted into the PNG Sports Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport. During his prime, Turia, predominantly a fullback, was widely regarded for his versatility, dribbling skills and sweeping capabilities that saw him Captain the PNG Men’s National Team in the early 1980s. He enjoyed a long and acclaimed career representing his country as Captain and then National Coach for the Youth Team and eventual Administrator, and was also passionately involved in coaching clubs within the town competitions and national football clubs to man successes. Turia represented PNG in the following Pacific Games: the 1983 South Pacific Games in Western Samoa, the 1987 South Pacific Games in Noumea where the team won Bronze and in the Second South Pacific Games held in PNG in 1991. A household name synonymous with the Sport of Netball and Basketball, the third inductee was Veitu Diro who commenced her road to the Hall of Fame in the 1950s whilst a student at the Rabaul High School in the East New Britain Province. She remains classed as one of Papua New Guinea’s finest Netball players, as well as an established and formidable reputation as Captain and Coach in the sport. Diro would go on to represent PNG again in 1975 at the World Netball Series as Captain and Coach, again in 1979 at the 6th South Pacific Games in Fiji as Captain and Coach, the 1981 Pacific Mini Games as Netball Coach, Coach PNG Netball to Silver Medal Wins at the 1999 South Pacific Games in Guam, and the 2001 Pacific Mini Games in the Norfolk Islands. In recognition of her contributions towards sport, Diro received the Queen’s Award in 1983 as a Member of the British Empire (MBE) and the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013, a recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal from the Papua New Guinea Government, awarded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women in Sport Trophy for Oceania in 2007; and is a Life Member of the PNG Netball Federation and the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee. In congratulating the three (3) inductees for 2022, Sir John Dawanincura President of the PNGOC thanked them for their distinguished and outstanding feats in their chosen sports and for their collective contributions to each of the three (3) sporting codes and sports in PNG. Sir John said the PNGOC’s vision was to inspire and unite Papua New Guinea through sporting excellence and success, we were fortunate to have this annual fixture that provides an opportunity to tell the stories, honour their contributions, and above all, to inspire the next generation of Papua New Guinean athletes. He also acknowledged the wonderful interest and enthusiasm of the PNGOC’s Corporate Family of Sponsors who have supported Team PNG this year, and throughout the years, as we continue to make history, and in particular Trophy Haus and Media Partners who are the key sponsors of this event tonight, after a one-year hiatus.

The Sir Brian Bell Foundation loves its partnership with the Buk Bilong Pikinini Library Learning Centres to ensuring learning opportunities for the most vulnerable children of Papua New Guinea. We had the privilege once again to attend the graduation ceremonies for students who completed the school year and recognize their achievements and see them move on into the next phase of their education. Sir Brian Bell Foundation Support Squad team members (Brian Bell Group) Hipak Pokichong, Brenda Noruka, Philomena Nawara, Tusy Paulisbo, Bridget Ume & Salote Rokobuli and Getta Sioni attended the graduation of 5 Library Learning Centre locations across the country including UPNG, EPS, ATS, Hagara and Lae Showgrounds this week. Students, teachers, and some parents also attended the special graduations to congratulate the children on their achievements for the year and wish them all the best for the next school year. The children were thrilled to receive these certificates to complete their school year and recognize they have now learned the fundamental basics to move to the next level of their education. The team at Buk Bilong Pikinini thanked the Sir Brian Bell Foundation for their continued support for the Buk Bilong Library Learning Centres and the students. Teachers from UPNG Miriam Numa (Head Librarian) and Ruth Owadeba (Assistant Librarian) also thanked SBBF for their continuous and unfailing support of the Buk Bilong Pikinini program and look forward to another year together to educate the next group of students. They also wished the children well with their next stage in their education and recognized the parents who assisted the class over the academic year. The Sir Brian Bell Foundation looks forward to continuing the partnership with Buk Bilong Pikinini Library Learning Centers in 2023. “We love supporting the BbP Libraries and watching these students graduate each year. Well done to all the kids, their teachers and their parents for a successful year and we are wishing you all a wonderful break and Merry Christmas. Congratulations to all the students” commented Sir Brian Bell Foundation CEO Bronwyn Wright. Source: Sir Brian Bell Foundation

The Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in PNG is showing encouraging signs in New Ireland where the prevalence rate has been reduced from 30 per cent to one per cent. This was revealed at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of PNG and Japan for the program, funded by JICA, to be continued. The notes on the Phase 2 LF project Record of Discussion were signed by National Department of Health Deputy Secretary (Public Health) Ken Wai and JICA Chief Representative to PNG Mr Masato Koinuma. The phase 2 of the program will be extended to cover other provinces where the disease is endemic. The Pacific Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in PNG has been implemented by the National Department of Health since 2004 in close consultation with WHO and other partners, however, not much has been achieved since then in terms of treatment coverages and reduction in the disease burden. JICA, one of the international partners in the program, saw the need and decided to increase its assistance. In 2018, it signed a MOU with the government of PNG to fund additional interventions for the LF program for four years. In the following year, JICA solely funded the fourth round of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in New Ireland Province when NDOH did not have the capacity to support. The achievements include: • NDOH has successfully delivered four rounds of Mass Drug Administration in New Ireland • Successfully conducted first Transmission Assessment Survey which has shown low levels of 1% transmission of microfilariasis (mf) thus reducing prevalence of LF transmission of the province • Successfully delivered an MDA program which has achieved WHO target of interrupting transmission of LF which has stopped further MDA intervention • ENBP successfully completed 2 rounds of MDA and is now planning to do first TAS in 2023 • Study of the four (4) drug combination for an integrated MDA for multiple NTDs was successfully conducted with no major adverse reactions in Namatanai in NIP • Integrated MDA is now the way forward for treatment and control of LF and multiple NTDs in PNG which will be implemented in WNBP in 2023 for the first time. Lymphatic Filariasis is a mosquito-borne disease and is one of the leading causes of permanent and long-term disability worldwide. Despite it being endemic in some communities in the country with prevalence rates as high as 80 per cent to 100 per cent, the disease has received very little to no Government support as compared to support given to other diseases. Mr Wai thanked the Japanese Government for its support in the program, saying Japan has been a traditional partner of PNG in not just health but in other areas of its development since Independence. He also said it was about time ‘we eliminated some diseases’ such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS so that focus will be made on growing lifestyle diseases. JICA Chief Representative to PNG Masato Koinuma said he was pleased that JICA would be expanding its cooperation to include other provinces where Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) are endemic. The target provinces for the phase 2 of the progam includes West New Britain, East New Britain, New Ireland, East and West Sepik, Manus and Bougainville. “Phase 2 will not only look at MDA (Mass Drug Administration) and TAS (Transmission Assessment Survey) but also Mobility Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) for people already suffering from Lymphatic Filariasis,’’ he said. “We hope that this project will improve the livelihood and well-being of PNG Citizens in those target provinces and expand its outputs to the whole country through the NDoH. “JICA will continue to work in partnership with NDoH and all stakeholders to ensure we achieve the project outputs within the timeframe thus contribute to achieve PNG’s Health goals for a healthy PNG’’.

Not only is it the biggest rugby league 9's challenge in Papua New Guinea to date but it is also the biggest when it comes to looking after participating teams. Apart from their own off-field preparations, the Lae Biscuit Company and support sponsors have come in big to supplicate all 40 teams with rations for the four days challenge that kicked of yesterday in Lae. And one of the support sponsors of the 2022 Snax 9's and supplier of the household Flame brand in Papua New Guinea, the Goodman Fielders International has beefed up rations for the Lae Snax 9's tournament in partnership with the Lae Biscuit Company. GFI Momase Regional Sales Manager Augustine Kasi presented 40 bales/cartons each of flame rice, flame oil and twisties to the 40 teams participating in the 4 days Lae Biscuit Company sponsored ahead of the tournament in Lae. The donation by GFI adds to 400 cartons of Snax Biscuit, 400 cartons of Snax noodle and 40 cartons of Prima 10kg saveloys supplied by the Lae Biscuit Company and Prima Smallgoods Company. On hand to receive the goodies was Tournament Director Stephen Malum who expressed great appreciation to GFI and all other support sponsors for the overwhelming support like never before. Mr. Malum stressed that apart from the core objective of the tournament to identify new talents heading into the pre-season of the Lae Snax Tigers franchise, being well looked after off the field during the Snax 9s challenge is important as well. The Snax 9s tournament started yesterday will run for the next three days until Sunday (11th Dec 2022). Other minor sponsors of the Snax 9s tournament are Amalpack Limited, Seeto Kui, Hawkeye Security, Raumai 18, Lae City Authority, Inter Oil and member for Finschaffen, Rainbo Paita.

Minister for International Trade and Investment and Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru visited inland Hawain in Wewak, East Sepik yesterday to discuss with the leaders and the members of the communities in Arang village on the new Yangoru-Hawain road which will be constructed next year. Minister Maru's visit to Hawain was to hear from the people and the leaders there if they were willing to give their land for the road to be built through. "I am very grateful that this road has been included in the 2023 National Budget, but I just want to be given assurance that the people will cooperate and give their land without demanding for compensation for the road to go through." "I was very happy with the outcome of my visit; the people are in support for the road to be built so as soon as the funds are released, we will start the construction of this new road by next year." This new 34km road will connect Yangoru to Hawain inland, linking the two districts from Yangoru Station to Wanjo in the inland Hawain region of Wewak. Minister Maru said that this road is aimed at opening up more land for cocoa farming and two new crops that Yangoru-Saussia District want to introduce in a big way, and they are coconut and kava and even carbon trade given the vast primary untouched forest in this untouched area. "Papua New Guinea needs to produce more and export more. A big land for Yangoru-Saussia that needs to be worked and developed is sitting there untouched; it is an important stretch of land that we are not utilizing. I want to get this road constructed so the people can go settle there and work the land. This road will become an important economic road for the province and the country." 

TIPS FOR KIDS “Tailored Individual Programs Supporting children in Need” is a newly established home-based Private Consultancy providing Educational Services to working parents at safe locations and family homes in Port Moresby. TIPS FOR KIDS operates by providing in-home services which will be provided to your home. This may be a new culture shock for many Port Moresby residents. “We operate to provide educational services to parents who may have a desire to support their children’s individual progress at School; and academically at home” says founder Dianne Meli. In an interview with the founder she spoke briefly about TIPS FOR KIDS and its services in the community: “During the Covid19 school suspension when schools in Port Moresby switched to modes of distance education such as stay at home learning packs; we recognized the need for student individual support programs through the emergent gaps students where showing in school progress reports. It became more apparent that in order for children to succeed in learning Progress; they needed more individual support from the teacher. And we understand that in a collective environment such as a school students may be unable to receive that individual support. This can also be a direct result of overcrowding and exceeded teacher-student ratios. We also recognize that children in primary school age and grade levels have been affected by the unexpected election-related riots in Port Moresby that disrupted their education this year.” By bridging those gaps in education and meeting a need for parents in the community, we are providing Homeschool Services that will operate throughout the school calendar, school quarterly terms, and throughout the academic year.” We are open for enrollment, and would like to encourage more and more parents to come forward and try something new! Miss Meli says she also provides tutoring services for very young children in early childhood ages and grades. “Our tutoring services are for children ages 3-8 currently attending early learning centers in Port Moresby, or in grade school preschool, kindergarten, prep, grades 1-2.” I decided to use my Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to provide tutoring for very young children in the community because there is a need for early childhood tutoring to support our children at an early age and build a strong foundation for School.

Minister for International Trade and Investment and Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru visited his former primary school- Passam Primary School yesterday as a Guest Speaker to speak to the pioneer grade 8 and 10 students after the school obtained a junior high school status. Minister Maru thanked the school for finally inviting him to one of their graduations. "It's a very emotional day for me to be here as I come back to my old school. I was one-year old when my parents brought me here and I grew up here in Passam. I started my education journey here up to grade 6, went on to Brandi High School, came to Passam National High School, went on to Papua New University of Technology then went into the corporate world, worked in Australia, worked in London, went and did my Master's Degree in England became Managing Director of the National Development Bank and onto where I am now. It all started with my humble beginnings right here in Passam, this is where my roots are and I am extremely privileged and delighted to be here." Minister Maru reminded the grade 8 and 10 graduands that the only way that they could succeed in their education and get to the top of the country was to have a vision and a dream, and by partnering God. "I went to school here just like you, but I had a dream and a vision to get up to the top in Papua New Guinea. While here in Passam Primary School I have already decided in my mind that I would go to Papua New Guinea University of Technology and I did; I had a vision and a dream, and I partnered God. I didn't just come to Passam Primary School, I wanted to get to the top of the country. Only those who have a dream for the future will have a future. You must plan to be somebody and work hard to get there, and never forget to partner God. If I made it to where I am now from Passam Primary School then you can do it too." "We had a lot of opportunities in my days but today there are no opportunities and no jobs. Only the smartest, the brightest and the most hardworking are going to make their way through in this country. About 30, 000 students graduate at grade 12 every year and only 7, 000 are given the opportunity to attend universities and colleges while 23, 000 go back home. You have to compete to be the best," he said. Minister Maru also appealed to the headmaster and the teachers at Passam Junior High School to not just focus on taking in students into the school but to focus on academic excellence to give the students a future. "Don't just put the students in school for the sake of them to be in school because the students will join the queue of unemployment and end up going back to the villages," he said. Minister Maru made a commitment to Passam Junior High School that he would find half a million kina and help the school to compete its eight classrooms that were incomplete. He appealed to the Board of the school to dedicate some of the classrooms as a FODE Centre so grade 8 and 10 students who do not have the grades to go on to grade 9 and 11 can continue their studies through FODE. "The students must not stop their education at grades 8 and 10; they must go beyond that and one way to help them continue their education is to offer FODE. This is something that the Marape-Rosso Government is encouraging right throughout the country." Minister Maru also added that he will do his best to help the school to build some new staff houses. "That is the only way that I can say thank you to my old school and my community." "Passam has a name in the country. Some of the students that Passam National High School produced are at the top of the country and they are Hon. Don Polye, Hon. John Pundari, Hon. Gabriel Kapris, Hon. John Rosso, former Chief Secretary Issac Lupari, current Works Secretary David Wereh, and the current Secretary for the Department of Planning and Monitoring Koney Samuel to name a few. Passam community has been a blessing to this country, and it is only fair that the government helps them so I will do my part by completing their classrooms and help in any way that I can to recognize Passam community for its contribution to nation building and also for my own personal experience"

Police have commenced investigations into the deaths and burning down of Trans Wonderland (TWL) properties at Nogoli and Komo in the Hela province. Hela Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop has directed the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigation Division (OIC-CID) in Tari to commence investigations immediately upon taking office as the new PPC for Hela. “I was settling in as incoming PPC on Thursday November 29 and took formal command on Friday December 2 when I learnt of the criminal acts. I visited the scene of crime at Nogoli straight after the handover/take over parade that same day to see for myself. I was shocked at the devastation and destruction of properties. It brought home to me the seriousness of the breakdown of law and order in the communities and the many weaknesses in our internal security systems. There is no excuse,” Mr Tondop said. He has since directed the OIC/CID-Tari to visit the crime scene and commence immediate investigations by documentation of the crime scene and securing of witness statements. “I have also reported this matter to my Regional Commander requesting for support with independent police investigators from outside of Hela Province. “In the interim I have taken steps to establish dialogue with parties involved to ease the tension pending the commencement of proper criminal investigations. I also tasked officers of my provincial headquarter team to visit the conflicting parties separately and talk to them. “I have heard a rumour that “war” has been declared between the two parties. I appeal to all parties to remain calm, refrain from violence and allow the law to take its course. Further violence, death and destruction will help no-one but will only cause more suffering for the people. “I assure all parties that police will be thorough and swift in our investigations,” Mr Tondop said.

Police Commissioner David Manning has commended the Water Police for intercepting and confiscating 20 kilograms of marijuana bound for Kimbe, West New Britain, via Lae, on Wednesday in Port Moresby. A total of six plastic packs of marijuana was on board MV Momase ready to be shipped to Kimbe when members of the Water Police Directorate, acted on a tip-off, and intercepted the drugs. Water Police Director Chief Inspector Chris Smith said initially a female student from Goroka School of Nursing was framed in the ordeal and the three main suspects escaped. He said the three suspects saw police and escaped. However, they were later tracked down after five hours and arrested. “They are currently behind bars and appropriate charges will be laid,” Mr Smith said. Commissioner Manning said, “A specialist police unit has been formed to deal with drug syndicates and illicit substances and so far, the team has made great progress in a number of operations. “I’m warning those who are involved in distributing and consuming such illicit substances, once you are caught you will be severely dealt with under the new laws of the country.”