The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) is grateful for the return of international rugby league after a two-year absence. PNGRFL Board Chairman Mr Sandis Tsaka said: "We acknowledge the support of the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) for supporting the mid-year international matches for the Pacific nations this year." With the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) scheduled for later this year, the PNG LNG Kumuls are looking forward to the mid-year test as an opportunity to build our national team’s preparations towards the World Cup. The PNG LNG Kumuls and the Fiji Batis have had a great Melanesian rivalry over the last few years and this year’s international meet will be another exciting chapter in this story. The resignation of long-time PNG LNG Kumuls Coach Michael Marum as well as the retirement of key players over the last two years, will provide a great opportunity for new players to continue to build on the great success that the national men’s rugby league team has had over the last 8 years. The PNGRFL is completing the process for the appointment of the new Kumuls’ Head Coach with the announcement to be made later next week. The extended PNG LNG Kumuls’ squad for the mid-year test will be finalized by the new Head Coach and the PNG national selectors. "With the wide pool of talented PNG players playing in the NRL, the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) and the New South Wales Rugby League Competition (NSWRLC), the PNGRFL is confident that the Kumuls will assemble a strong team for the mid-year test in preparation towards the buildup to the 2021 RLWC in England," Mr Tsaka said.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said his team “lacked any quality or execution” after they gave away another lead allowing the Warriors to steal victory in the second half. The team from the nation’s capital led 20-12 after the first half, but went down 21-20 after veteran playmaker Shaun Johnson slotted a field goal. The Raiders have now lost five games in a row and have lost seven out of eight second halves, being outscored 107-38 in the final 40 minutes of games. When asked how he saw the clash in the post-match press conference, Stuart slammed his team, taking a subtle dig at the Warriors. “Yeah that whole second half was undisciplined, lacked any quality or execution, it was just very disappointing,” Stuart said. “I am glad they were as bad as us.” The Raiders coach also took the time to apologise to fans of the Canberra side, who have a reputations of having a loyal supporter base. “Publicly I am lost for comment in regard of the quality of that performance in the second half and for any loyal fan and any real fan we have got left it, I feel really embarrassed and sorry for them,” Stuart said. Making matters worse for Stuart, he now faces at least two weeks without five-eighth Jack Wighton after he was charged with a Grade 2 dangerous throw on Reece Walsh. Wighton will be sidelined for three games if he fights the charge and is found guilty at the panel. When asked if there is something he can single out as the issue for the Raiders, Stuart kept his cards close to his chest. “Mate I can put my finger on it, but as I said from a public point of view it is not something that I need to discuss here at a press conference,” Stuart said. Raiders captain Jack Wighton said his side giving away a second-half lead is becoming “too common”. ‘We shot ourselves in the foot massively again,” he said. “It’s become too common. We’ve got to find a way to become winners again. At the moment we keep letting it slip. I’m a little bit lost for words and it’s something we have to look at tomorrow and we have to move on fast. “It’s no secret we have to stick together and go again. It’ll be too hard if we start looking at each other now, so that’s something we’re looking forward to doing this week.” As it stands, the Raiders are sitting 15th on the competition ladder after eight rounds, sitting above only the Bulldogs who have recorded a single win in 2022. SOURCE: FOX SPORTS

Besides offering several courses and conducting research in various aspects of renewable energy, The University of the South Pacific has been resolute in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 which is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022 highly ranked USP on its contribution toward SDGs achievements. USP submitted data for the following SDGs in November 2021 for the 2022 rankings: SDG17: Partnership for the Goals; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The results revealed USP’s overall score of 70 out of 100 and an Overall Rank of 401-600 out of 1406 institutions. Regarding SDG 7, the University was among the first to establish a grid-connected PV system in Fiji and has assisted remote communities in improving their livelihoods by using renewable energy. USP, in a joint project with the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), produced a 45-kilowatt grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) system, a full-fledged contributor to the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) grid. It is located at the University's Marine Campus in Suva and the project is the largest in Fiji. The PV electricity generated from the system is first supplied to the Marine Campus and any excess power is exported to the FEA grid. In addition, the University has developed training programmes for regional grid-connected PV installers and designers to help sustain the renewable energy sector in the region. It also contributed through community outreach for energy efficiency in local communities. It assisted start-ups that foster and support low-carbon technology and other innovative measures implemented to encourage an energy-efficient university. “Our community projects include solar water pumping for remote schools and solar-powered refrigeration for fishing communities," says USP's Associate Professor of Engineering and Physics, Dr Atul Raturi. “Our staff have been actively involved in supporting national and regional policy development in the area of renewable energy. Some examples include Fiji’s Low Carbon Development Strategy report, National Communications to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Framework for Energy Security and Resilience in the Pacific. National and regional capacity development has also been one of our main activities. USP staff have represented the Pacific region in various regional and international forums dealing with SDG 7,” he added. For the University, Professor Raturi attested that sustainable development of the Pacific region was “the thread that runs through all the things we do and research”. “As Pacific Island countries plan to fulfil their Nationally Determined Commitments, renewable energy development will be critical and USP is well poised to provide support and advice to member countries while building regional human capacity,” Dr Raturi said. Dr Raturi went on to say that USP was proud to have carried out several community projects where solar energy was used to provide clean water and refrigeration services. "USP, as a Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific agency and regional higher education provider, has the mandate and responsibility to conduct relevant research and produce innovative ideas to help build an energy secure and resilient Pacific region,” he said. "The Impact Rankings proves that the University has been doing that and beyond," Dr Raturi added.

THE Active City Development Program (ACDP) has shared important information and strategies with a Parliamentary delegation from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on how to mobilise and make their women folks and youths be health conscious and take personal responsibility for their behavioural choices in life. Women rights advocate and NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop hosted a lunch meeting in Parliament on Friday 22nd, April 2022 with the visiting delegation led by ABG’s Deputy Speaker and Women’s Representative for South Bougainville, Therese Kaeravara and her North Bougainville counterpart, Amanda Mason. The meeting was also attended by ACDP Director, Fazilah Bazari, PNG Women Council’s Dorothy Tekwie, Ms Immaculate Javia, First Secretary to Governor Parkop’s Office and Ms Beatrice Taleu of United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The ABG Parliamentarians were in town with their President Ishmael Toroama for a Joint Supervisory Body Meeting with Prime Minister, James Marape and his Cabinet members. Committing his Social Democratic Party’s support to the Peace Agreement and their right to self-determination, Governor Parkop said he used sports-both competitive and non-competitive-as a vehicle to transform the mind-set of the people including having the right infrastructures for sporting tournaments in the City. He partly credited infrastructure developments in the city to the hosting of the 2015 Pacific Games, FIFA under 20, the Rugby League World Cup and many more. However, he said not everyone can be champion sportsmen and women and that the Active City program supports other more holistic exercises that are inclusive to everyone. Drawing from the success of ACDP in the city, Governor Parkop urged the women leaders not only to use sports but also initiate other activities and programs that are non-competitive, accessible and inclusive. Thanking Governor Parkop for his continuous advocacy in the space of female rights, Deputy Speaker Kaeravara said she was well pleased with the outcome of the meeting. In an interview, she said the purpose of her meeting was to draw lessons from initiatives Governor Parkop champions in mobilising youth and female population in the city and at villages. She said they would initiate and enrich existing programs back home with relevant information gained during the meeting.

The Pacific Community (SPC) this week took another stride toward combating the emergence of pests, diseases, and health risks such as African Swine Fever (ASF) through the organisation of a regional training focused on strengthening and improving laboratory services to mitigate these threats. The training addresses the timely transport of biological samples, in addition to providing and renewing sample transport certification for participants. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) - Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air virtual training began on 26 April and is being delivered by the Civil Aviation Academy of Australia. The training is taking place as part of the ‘Safe Agriculture trade Facilitation through Economic integration in the Pacific’ (SAFE Pacific) project funded by the European Union in conjunction with the Animal Health Preparedness (African Swine Fever) project and supported by the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA Plus). Karen Mapusua, Director of SPC’s Land Resources Division, said efficiently managing the packing and transport of samples for laboratory assessment was critical to ensure an accurate and timely diagnosis for early detection and prevention of pests and diseases in the Pacific. “With the Coronavirus pandemic still threatening the global community and bringing with it more biosecurity risks, SPC has stayed committed to strengthening partnerships and coordinating e-resources and online platforms to ensure we are able to step up in the face of these burgeoning threats,” said Ms Mapusua. Over 30 biosecurity, animal health and plant health officers from Ministries of Agriculture and relevant departments across the region will be trained. Participants are provided course materials to be read and understood before the assessment. Participants have three months to complete the full course. Participants were nominated from across 14 countries implementing the SAFE Pacific project, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The nominated officers will receive a two-year certification to ensure proper packaging and transportation of biological sample materials to accredited veterinary laboratories.

Air Niugini is pleased to advise that passengers traveling to Singapore now will no longer require pre-departure tests. Singapore also doesn’t require pre-departure testing for passengers transiting through Singapore onto flights to other international destinations. However, should your final destination require a pre-departure test, evidence of this will need to be shown at check-in. We recommend checking for latest information at https://www.airniugini.com.pg/international-travel-restrictions-and-requirements/ , and bringing with you a screen shot of your final destination’s requirements during check-in. Countries that do not require pre-departure tests include, the UK, EU, Scandinavia, Canada, Australia, Brazil and South Africa. Countries that require pre-departure rapid tests include USA, New Zealand and Indonesia. The countries that require PCR tests include Malaysia, Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea. This information is rapidly changing and passengers must check on the latest requirements. Passengers departing internationally from PNG are reminded that they cannot check-in without a certificate of vaccination valid for travel. Vaccination Certificates valid for international travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of COVID Vaccination (ICCV), the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries.

The National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (PNGICSA) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat illegal activities in the country. Under the Agreement, both organisations will collaborate on information sharing and effectively establish a framework to combat illegal activities and apprehend offenders who violate the country’s laws. NGCB Chief Executive Officer Imelda Agon said the MOU will allow both organisations to conduct joint programmes and awareness to ensure businesses follow proper processes, and regulate and monitor existing business entities owned by foreign nationals or foreign nationals partnering with PNG nationals. Agon said the Gaming Industry is being diversified and soon new games will be introduced in the country thus there is a need for prudent monitoring and regulation of businesses who are keen to venture or tap into gaming businesses. “It is important that we strategically forge good working relationship with other government agencies and our partnership with PNGICSA is pivotal to combat illegal foreigners coming into our country and engaging in illegal gaming business and not paying their taxes to the PNG Government”, Agon said. The Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau said ICA wants to work with all agencies to improve compliance and same time help each other to enforce their respective laws and generate revenue for the government. “At ICA we are stepping up our efforts to close off all loopholes in our efforts to create a joint agency collaboration where information and intelligence can be managed through conveniently for the sake of strengthening our domestic laws to ensure foreign nationals who do business in our country are compliant,” Mr Hulahau said. “And this MOU is based on this principal of information sharing and collaboration in areas of mutual interests.” The MOU now enables NGCB to request ICA to impose travel restrictions or alerts on persons of interest trying to travel out of the country, provide information on persons of interest, and conduct physical spot check operations and removal if necessary.

The Immigration and Citizenship Authority and Investment Promotion Authority this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the ongoing cooperation between Immigration and IPA. The MOU will solidify the relationship between the two State Agencies to share information, improve compliance in the area of doing business in Papua New Guinea and cooperation on operational matters of mutual interests for the country. Chief Migration Officer Mr. Stanis Hulahau said IPA plays a significant role to attract foreign businesses to do business in the country by issuing the businesses the appropriate registration certificates that enables them to obtain other permits and licences that should allow the businesses to operate in the country. “On the other hand, ICA gives foreign business owners the entry permit to live and work in the country,” Mr Hulahu said. “In any case, both the IPA and ICA operations must be independent but both their operations must be seen to be working together in areas where we need each other’s support so this MOU binds that relationship.” IPA Managing Director Mr. Clarence Hoot said they recognize the importance of the relationship and wish to strengthen the relationship further through the provision of timely, effective, and efficient exchange of information arrangements. The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) is a statutory body mandated to promote and facilitate investment in Papua New Guinea by national, citizen and foreign enterprises and ensure of compliance of the laws that IPA administers through the certification and registration of such enterprises.

The country has welcomed the first two tourists from Dubai after the visitors were convinced by the beauty of Papua New Guinea displayed at the world expo in Dubai. Ruslan Tarpan and Ramil Shaidullin from Ukraine and Russia respectively visited the PNG pavilion at the expo2020 and were blown away by the images and videos about the country. They were also introduced to locally made products such as coffee, honey, artefacts and jewelry, which they purchased. The duo arrived in the country earlier in the week on a 10-day tour to several places in the country including Ambua Lodge in Tari, Karawari in East Sepik, Mt Hagen and Kokopo in East New Britain. “The people are very friendly, the nature is so beautiful and the food is great,” said an excited Ramil from the mountains of Ambua. Ramil who has now called himself Mangi Tari seems to love everything he comes across such as the decorations and masks in the lodges, artefacts and is interested to take them back to Dubai. “Everything is good but the internet is not good,” he told IPA Officer Mrs. Beverly Piawu. “But the main thing is that we are having a great experience in the green outbacks of PNG.” The duo chartered a plane to take them around their visits. During the Dubai world expo’s thematic week on Travel and Connectivity in January, the PNG Expo Team hosted an investment forum to promote the ICT and tourism sectors. The key message delivered during the forum was that digital technology in this century and access to broadband internet for our citizens and visitors would add value to the natural environment and cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea and therefore, PNG needed an integrated tourism and visitor connectivity infrastructure system. The team highlighted the call out for investors and experts that would help plan and deliver the connectivity system in a sustainable way. Expo Commissioner General and PNG Ambassador to Brussels and the European Union His Excellency Joshua Kalinoe said he was happy to see the results of expo starting to come into fruition. He said this was a result of the efforts put in by the team during the six-month long expo. He also stressed that PNG was an exotic country but it needs visitors to experience a mixture of both the modern and traditional means of PNG lifestyles so that even if they spend time on the remote mountains or islands they can still have access to internet and electricity.

Thirty-five students (35) from Central Province attending Kokopo Business College in East New Britain Province will be repatriated back to the province today with the help of the Central Provincial Administration. The students sought assistance from the Central Governor Robert Agarobe following the attack on the school early this week by locals where several causalities were reported. Provincial Administrator Mr Francis Koaba said the parents of the students have made contact with his office and arrangements are underway to repatriate the students. “A charter is arranged now with Air Niugini to repatriate the students as soon as possible for the students to return home safely to their parents and guardians,” Mr Koaba said. “We have received reports that Central province students have fled the school area and are currently at Rabaul.” He said the students are in contact with his office and students from Central province, MotuKoita and NCD will be catered for in the repatriation exercise. Koaba said the charter is scheduled to arrive in Tokua airport today to get the students and return to Port Moresby. So far provinces that have gone include Manus, New Ireland, Oro, West New Britain, Hela, Western, Morobe while Central will be this afternoon on a 5pm charter.

Prime Minister James Marape said his Government has increased investments in key infrastructure nationwide, unlike the former government regime where only a few places were developed at the expense of the rest of Papua New Guinea. He said this in Lorengau, Manus, on Monday when opening the K101.9 million Momote International Airport and launching the Manus Special Economic Zone (SEZ). PM Marape also: • Announced K10 million allocation for building of SEZ headquarters; • Announced K10 million for agriculture, fisheries and tourism SMEs through Bank South Pacific and National Development Bank; and • Opened a cold storage facility built by National Fisheries Authority (NFA) for export of fisheries products. “In three hard and tough economic years, we have pushed our investments to key infrastructure in all provinces of our country, unlike the recent past government where only one or two places were getting lop-sided development at the expense of rest of Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape said. “We have embarked on new sea ports like N’Drauke, Vanimo and Manus, to name a few, and rehabilitation of existing economic ports like Kavieng, Lorengau, Oro, Kimbe, Rabaul, Madang, Lae and Port Moresby. “We have embarked on K20 billion worth of road infrastructure over the next 20 years to connect PNG by reliable roads overlaid with electricity and Internet. “Highways like Momote to West Coast Manus, Alotau to Port Moresby, Port Moresby to Kerema /Ihu, Lae to Port Moresby, Kimbe to Kokopo, Buka to Buin, Wewak to Vanimo, Madang to Wewak, Wabag to Sepik, Southern Highlands/Hela to Kikori Gulf, Lae to Finschafen/Kabwum, Kundiawa to Karamui, Tabubil to Telefomin, Hagen to Madang and Kundiawa -Bundi/Madang are being constructed. “We also have over 100 small district and provincial roads we are funding for first-stage construction like Tari to Kopiago, Komo to Bosavi, Banz to Jimi, Namatanai to South New Ireland and Kokopo to Pomio. “These are examples of connecting the forgotten people of our country into one nation, one people, one country. “One country united by economy, by enabling infrastructure, and by Papua New Guinea united – Pangu for short - where no one part of the country like Manus is left behind.” PM Marape said he was in Manus not only to open the new airport but point Manus in a better direction – for a wealthy and united PNG built on Christian and Melanesian values - going forward. “Now that we have taken PNG back from hands and minds of corruption, misuse of people’s resources and uneven distribution of wealth, we all must now work to construct a better Manus and PNG for our children to live in,” he said. “For Manus, this airport terminal must not be a waste but an asset for the country; this investment must not only repay the K101.9 million the country invested in it but generate more commerce and economic activity going forward. “Manus is a strategic province - you are connected to Asia and the Pacific by air and sea.” PM Marape announced that Parliament, under the leadership of Governor Hon. Charlie Benjamin and Open MP Hon. Job Pomat, had passed the Manus SEZ. “Manus will be a special region where there will be no tax for companies operating here,” he said. “We want agriculture, fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, banking, education and health businesses to grow here. “Lorengau International Airport will also receive international flights - a catalyst which will ensure that this special province grows into the place it rightfully deserves to be."

92 Public Servants were paid out last week their retirement benefits as the first batch of retirees for 2022. The 92 officers from 15 government agencies were paid out a cost of K5.7 million on Pay 8. The retirees are from West New Britain Provincial Health Authority, Central Provincial Health Authority, Port Moresby General Hospital, Enga Provincial Health Authority, Eastern Highlands Provincial Health authority, National Health Department, Gulf Provincial Administration, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Constitution & Law Reform Commission, Public Solicitor’s Office, National Museum and Art Gallery, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Foreign Affairs AND Trade, Central Provincial Administration and Southern Highlands Provincial Administration. Department of Personnel Management Secretary Ms Sansan Taies said, the officers were identified by their respective agencies and their names submitted to DPM for validation and verification to be paid out. Secretary Ms. Sansan said, the retirement exercise has been on going since 2019 of which over 2,596 public servants have so far been paid out at a cost of K114 million. “We are continuing the retirement exercise this year. The government had allocated K200 million in the 2022 annual budget to retire aging public servants and my department will continue to coordinate with all line agencies to ensure this process is executed well this year”. Ms. Sansan said, the savings anticipated to be made out of retiring these 92 officers would be K3.1 million. DPM has coordinated the public sector retirement program following an NEC decision in 2017, which has seen the development of a ‘Whole of Government approach undertaken to ensure all public servants who have reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 or those that are required to retire on medical grounds are paid out and put off the pay roll. “The vacancies created will also mean the workforce is better positioned to implement reforms, including the engagement of a new breed of Papua New Guinean public servants out of universities and colleges.” Secretary Ms. Sansan has thanked the government for the continued support to ensure that public servants who have reached compulsory retirement age are paid out.