Local NGO and program delivery partner to National Department of Health, Hope Worldwide PNG donated 500 reading books for the children in the Surgical and Oncology Pediatric wards at the Port Moresby General Hospital this week. PMGH Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Beena Dagam thanked Hope Worldwide PNG for their kind donation saying, “We have a little library section downstairs for the kids and now it would be nice to add these books to our small collection on the shelves so that children can learn and be entertained, while receiving medical treatment here”. Hope Worldwide PNG Country Director Priscilla Sine Mal presented the books and said, “This is yet another donation from HOPE worldwide PNG to PMGH through Friends of POMGEN. Many children who are admitted here do not have anything to pass the time or for learning so with this donation, we hope it will put a smile on the children’s faces”. PMGH Pediatric Oncologist Dr. Gwenda Anga also present to receive on behalf of the Children’s Cancer Ward thanked Hope Worldwide PNG, Dr. Dagam and Friends of POMGEN for facilitating this donation. “Some children spend a long time in the hospital, so these books provide support beyond their medical needs”, said Doctor. Anga.

The non-resident Ambassador-designate of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Mr Merzak Belhimeur, recently visited The University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus to discuss ways for effective collaboration. Ambassador Belhimeur said he wanted to take partnership with USP and its member countries to an entirely new level and is ready to facilitate efforts to formalise this endeavour. He added that Algeria is interested in widening its collaboration within the Pacific region in higher education and research. Algeria has 15 universities ranked in the overall Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Ambassador Belhimeur also mentioned the South-South and Triangular Cooperation and Algeria’s commitment to making a positive impact. USP’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Regional Campuses and Global Engagement) Dr Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Pāunga, welcomed Ambassador Belhimeur on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia and relayed his good wishes. Dr Pāunga briefed the Ambassador on the University’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 and the University’s commitment to improving student experience, research collaboration and student exchange. He added that the University welcomes collaboration with the Algerian government and hopes to see the partnership leading to the culmination of initiatives to strengthen USP’s ability to provide quality education in the region. “USP, as the premier institution of higher learning for the Pacific, is very much interested in Algeria’s research experience that our students can learn from and share to benefit the region,” he said. The two parties have agreed to find ways to strengthen collaboration in the areas of students exchange, scholarships and projects.

The Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) continues to support its employees in gaining new skills and knowledge to serve customers better. Trainings are part of the Company’s ongoing commitment in improving customer service. Seven MVIL officers received certificates from the International Training Institute (ITI) after completing customer and telephone skills training recently. “One of the important things we learnt is our role in educating customers. Hence, we are ready to educate customers about the Company and the products and services we offer,” certificate recipient and MVIL Administration Officer Dulcie John said. “The information we provide allows customers to easily access the services they opt to acquire. The same applies to our staff internally. This allows business to be done on time without disappointments or delays considering the specific processes to follow and requirements to meet.” Ms John said the training involved self-assessment and evaluation which has helped her see what needs to be improved to better serve others, externally and internally. xShe encouraged all frontline officers to attend such training to motivate them as it did to her and her colleagues.

Police in the Milne Bay Province are ready for the issue of the 2022 National General Election set to be issued within a few weeks-time, says the Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Peter Barkie. Commander Barkie confirmed that the election momentum in the provincial capital of Alotau has pick-up with increasing movement of people and intending candidates into the province and within the town area. “We have already commenced the pre-election awareness in partnership with other key stakeholders in the province. A combined team of officials from the PNG Electoral Commission, Police and the Provincial Disaster Office have been visiting schools and hot-spots areas in the province educating people of the election offences and the ‘do’s and don’ts’,” Mr Barkie said. The PPC said Milne Bay is a challenging province to police given its geography and scattered atolls islands. “We are also pleading with the people for their willingness and cooperation for a successful and peaceful outcome for the 2022 elections,” Mr Barkie concluded.

On Wednesday 30 March, the New Zealand High Commissioner, Phillip Taula, and PNG Power Management accompanied by the Member for Rigo, Hon. Lekwa Gure and representatives from the PNG Electrification Partnership, visited Hula to commission the recently completed Hula section of the New Zealand-funded Rural On-Grid Extension Project in Central Province. The project was implemented by PNG Power under the PNG Electrification Partnership. Beginning in 2016, the K40 million Rural On-Grid Extension Project extends the Port Moresby Grid into Central Province, delivering new electricity connections across four project sites covering Bisiatabu to Owers Corner, Sabusa to Brown River Station and Tubuseria to Kwikila, and in 2018 the project scope was extended to include Hula. “Electricity service is non-existent in most rural parts of PNG and the rural population must therefore resort to locally available fuel for their energy needs." "Access to affordable and reliable electricity can significantly improve their lives and enable economic growth." "Given the challenging geography of rural PNG and the high cost of service delivery, PNG Power welcomes assistance from the PEP to extend the national grid into rural areas,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer, Obed Batia. The project’s goal is to provide economic and social benefits to the rural populace through the provision of electricity supply and the target was to construct approximately 86km of new medium voltage distribution lines and connect around 5,600 rural households, as well as schools, health centres and SME activities, with Minimum Supply Kits (including Easipay meters). “I’m very pleased to see the project nearing completion and to see it appears likely to exceed the original connections target” said New Zealand High Commissioner Phillip Taula. “The PEP is focused on delivering high impact investments while ensuring improved coordination and governance within the energy sector to bring about transformative change." "The Rural On-Grid Extension Project’s focus on supporting transparent and fair procurement processes, and utilising local contractors and suppliers, is well aligned with this and I commend PPL for continuing to progress the project in spite of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic." The High Commissioner and PNG Power conveyed their appreciation to the Member for Rigo and the Member for Kairuku – Hiri Hon. Peter Isoaimo for their ongoing collaboration on this important project. The PNG Electrification Partnership is delivering projects that provide sustainable and transformative change. The Governments of Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the United States are working together through the PEP to assist PNG meet its electrification target of 70% electrification by 2030. Projects are aimed at: expanding and improving the electricity grid; building institutional capacity, and strengthening policy and regulatory settings; and providing clean energy to rural and remote communities.

To fulfill its commitment to diversity and inclusion, St Barbara, operator of Simberi gold mine in New Ireland has announced a generous parental leave package for its employees. Women staff can now take four months fully paid maternity leave to recover from pregnancy and childbirth while bonding with their babies while the men are entitled to 15 days paid paternity leave. Employees are required to complete their six month-probation to be entitled to the parental leave. It is believed, the four-month fully paid maternity leave incentive is the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea and both men and women employees are grateful to St Barbara for introducing the ground-breaking policy. Some employees who have successfully completed their probation are already benefiting from the scheme while others like accounts clerk Sainian Wurlima looks forward to making the most of the opportunity when her turn comes. Sainian, who has been working at the Simberi operation since 2009, is five months away from having her third baby and is overwhelmed by the good news. “I am very grateful for this incentive. On behalf of my family, I say a big thank you to St Barbara for giving recognition to us, women employees, and understanding the challenges we go through in juggling motherhood and career,” said a very happy Sainian who flies to the mine to work from Kokopo in East New Britain. “It is a great incentive for mothers and babies, especially those with complications. I believe it is a first in PNG and I say how lucky my women colleagues are for being employed by St Barbara,” said accountant and local Tabar islander Paskalis Maradangoi. Payroll officer Margaret Kupo described the parental leave as a unique advantage for mothers and dads and reminded her colleagues to give back to the company in return. “Our company has given us women a unique blessing. I call on fellow women staffers to enjoy it, but not abuse it,” said Margaret. “Once you return to work after four months of resting and bonding with your babies, do your part by remaining committed to your work and giving your best.” St Barbara, an ASX 200 company, is the only Australian mining company to be recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). The company has received this citation for seven consecutive years running and is an initial signatory to the WGEA Pay Equity Pledge. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Craig Jetson says the latest citation confirms the Company’s commitment to addressing pay equity and ensuring gender equality in recruitment, promotions, and reward and recognition. “I feel privileged to have joined a company that is leading the mining industry when it comes to gender equality. As the only mining company to receive the citation again this year, I strongly encourage more resource companies to participate in the WGEA Employer of Choice program to discover the benefits diversity brings to innovation, engagement and performance.”

Blackouts at the Cheshire DisAbility Services in Port Moresby are now a thing of the past – thanks to Newcrest Mining Limited. Cheshire DisAbility Services provides crucial services to people with disabilities, both within Port Moresby and surrounding communities. It is a non-government organisation that relies solely on donations for its operations. Newcrest Mining Limited recently donated a new generator, which will ease their electricity woes during black outs in Port Moresby. Cheshire DisAbility Services General Manager Bernard Ayieko expressed their sincere thanks and gratitude for the donation, as it was crucial to have for Cheshire Homes to have a reliable source of electricity. “Cheshire is an organisation that operates like a hospital. The facility does not close down – we have carers who work on shift, day and night, meaning that at all times, day and night the power has to be on.” Mr Ayieko thanked Newcrest Mining for the timely donation. “This is the first time that Cheshire has received a brand new genset. It’s like you heard our cries because we used to have a lot of problems with PNG Power, going off and on. “We have had some serious problems, including some of our electronics getting spoilt because of the constant black outs. “When the new generator first came on, I didn’t know whether it was working because we are used to have everything shaking when the old genset was on. With this new one, you cannot tell because it is nice and quiet. Mr Ayieko also conveyed the thanks and appreciation of Governor General Sir Bob Dadae, Patron of the Cheshire Disability Services, to Newcrest Mining Limited for the timely donation. Newcrest Mining representative Mr Borone Isana officiated on the occasion, reiterating the Newcrest value of caring about people and working together. He commended Cheshire DisAbility Services for continuing to provide such critical care to the residents and operating with limited resources “Newcrest is happy to support the Cheshire Disability Services with the donation of this generator, thank you again and congratulations to you and your team for the work you do here” Mr Isana said.

The Sumkar district in Madang has submitted its 2020 District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) acquittal reports of K5.3 million to the Department of Implementation & Rural Development (DIRD) yesterday. The report basically specifies how the district integrate their development priorities in line with the national development requirement particularly to implement every project at the district level as per the Medium- Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2018-2022. The K3.74 million was carried forward from the 2019 unspent funds which the reports were submitted together with the K5.0 million received in 2020. While presenting the fiscal reports, local MP Chris Yerr Nangoi stressed that delivering of basic government services to geographically isolated maritime district like Sumkar in Madang province, is arduous as there were delays in transportation of building materials to implement some of their projects on the outer islands. “Much of the DSIP funds were utilized on arranging freight costs including addressing social issues, however the funds were spent on its intended purposes, and that we have implemented many community development projects in which we let the communities take ownership to implement themselves so they become custodians and implementers, at the same time we’re empowering them,” Mr. Nangoi said. He said most of the projects were selected through impact programs categorized in their priority areas of education, health, law & justice, agriculture & economic and infrastructure programs based on their District Development Authority budgets and meeting minutes resolutions. The district has implemented 16 projects under education, 9 projects under health, two projects under law & justice, one under agriculture and economics and 8 projects under infrastructure. MP Nangoi also highlighted some impact projects that would sustain the livelihood of the people are; - Funding for Kinim District Headquarter Building - Rural electrification/power extension program (Mirap- Tokain) - Commodity Price Support Program on Copra - Kapa Masin Factory building project installed with electricity - SME grant assistance to support informal sector - Rural Water Supply Project - Lucas Mills for School Support Programs - Tertiary Students School fee subsidies - Rehabilitation and construction of double classrooms, health centres, ambulances for health centres, police station maintenance and supporting church projects and activities in the district. Acting District Administrator Kuwak Kuagili thanked the departments of Treasury, Finance, Planning & Monitoring and DIRD for the timely release of these development grants to the district for swift implementation of these impact projects. “DSIP is a unique program initiated by the national government, which has been gazetted to be implemented at the district through DDAs as the legitimate body, who has the power and authority to select and approve all project submission and proposals,” he said. Mr. Kuagili said the aim of such program is to sustain and improve the poor infrastructure conditions as well as other needed programs at the district both the institutional level and at the village or community base. “We are happy to work with DIRD as the department is always on forefront to provide technical advise when we face implementation constrains and DIRD is always there to guide and supervise which 90% of our projects were successfully completed,” he added. The district is yet to submit its 2021 DSIP acquittal reports.

Equipping children with the basics on financial management paves the way for better management of funds and other resources which contributes to a positive impact on livelihoods. This year, the 142,000 member-based Society is set to roll out its Kids Savings Account drive at selected schools within NCD and Lae which is the second-largest city. In preparation for the roll-out, ncsl informed Gordon International School Principal, Mrs. Jennie Kaupa about introducing savings culture to children at an early age, and its benefits as a member registered to ncsl’s Kids Savings Account and the rewards as a loyal member. The opportunity was warmly accepted by Mrs. Kaupa who didn’t hesitate in informing the visiting Team about her membership with ncsl and her appreciation of the services provided to make personal financial commitments possible. Ncsl’s Marketing & Client Relations - Team Leader, Ms. Evelove Farapo said having a savings account at a young age is a great way to begin the savings culture as they learn to manage their own funds early in life. KSA savings are interest-bearing accounts, and these savings also earn monthly and annual interest paid by the Society. Regular deposits to KSA accounts are encouraged and contributions can be made via salary deduction, EFTPOS at all ncsl branches, mobile, and internet banking or directly depositing monies at commercial banks. ncsl in support of instilling a savings culture amongst young minds as introduced by Bank of Papua New Guinea in 2014, has registered over 12,000 KSA savings accounts belonging to children from infants up to 18 years of age. Why not make a wise choice in opening your children’s KSA account today.

POLICE in the Simbu province have commenced their pre-election operations to ensure a free, fair and safe 2022 National General Election is delivered, says Simbu Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent David Warap. Mr Warap said police personnel in Simbu are now into the third week of pre-election operations. They have completed their awareness in the Kerowagi district and are organising with the respective District Development Authorities (DDA) to conduct awareness in the other districts as well. Mr Warap said whilst conducting awareness they told people not to ask and receive bribes and avoid double voting during the polling periods. The people were also informed of election related offences and penalties for these offences. “The public were informed of their rights to vote without fear or favour, and to vote the best people into office,” Mr Warap said. The people were strongly warned that the use of firearms would not be tolerated during the elections. He said people in the highlands use firearms especially during the elections to show strength between tribes to gain favour and political support but this will not be tolerated or entertained. Mr Warap said the province is very quiet at the moment with no major election related incidents reported.

A team of security personnel for the upcoming 2022 National General Elections in Milne Bay have arrived in the province last weekend and are currently undergoing orientation exercises to get familiar with the locality. Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Peter Barkie said the team is also part of the police reinforcement replacement for the team that was in the province for almost a year in the operation to curb the rising law and order issues that arose in the province in recent years. Superintendent Barkie said the Port Moresby based police mobile squad is part of the advance members of the security forces being deployed into selective provinces and districts to provide security for the 2022 National General Election. “This mobile squad from Port Moresby will be based in the province and will assist our local police in the pre-election operation targeting hotspot areas to secure the province and make it ready for the polling,” Mr Barkie said. “I expect our counterpart personnel for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the Correctional Service to arrive in the province by the end of this month to assist in the polling and the counting periods.” The PPC also said that he will be utilising Police Reservists in the province to beef up its manpower for deployment.

One building rises above the others on Port Moresby's skyline. But the Noble Centre, built by a Chinese state-owned enterprise to be the tallest building in the country, sits empty. The 23-storey tower has been deemed uninhabitable after the discovery of more than 70 defects, which regulators say are a threat to the building and to people's safety. Documents obtained by the ABC outline dozens of serious issues including mechanical, electrical and fire safety concerns. The faults are at various times described as "highly illegal", "non-compliant", "poorly installed" and "dangerous". PNG is at the centre of a geopolitical contest of influence currently raging in the Pacific between nations including China, the US and Australia. While Australia remains PNG's biggest aid donor, China has been delivering infrastructure projects, road upgrades, loans, and medical assistance for years now. But the uninhabitable skyscraper has sparked concerns about the quality and benefit of some of the aid and investment being delivered. A symbol of 'friendship' between China and PNG The Noble Centre was built by the China Railway Construction Engineering Group (PNG) Real Estate Co at a time when China's growing presence in the country was attracting significant attention. In 2017, the tower was touted as a symbol of "friendship between the two nations". "We are assuring the Papua New Guinea people that as a state-owned enterprise and guided by the Belt and Road policy, our company is confident with Papua New Guinea's economy and will continuously support the nation's economic development," the general manager of the development, Shengwei Li, told local media in 2017. He said it was the "single largest project by foreign investors in the real estate sector of Papua New Guinea" and would be the "tallest landmark" in Port Moresby. [caption id="attachment_20392" align="aligncenter" width="865"] The dream of a glittering tower over Port Moresby's skyline appears to have turned into a nightmare.(Facebook: The Noble Centre )[/caption] In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping flew into Port Moresby for a state visit, arriving a few days ahead of other world leaders who were attending the APEC Summit. The company said it had invested $95 million in the project, which was developed as an equity partnership with PNG Ports Corporation, a local state-owned entity. PNG Ports had previously said China Railway Construction Engineering Group (PNG) Real Estate Co would build the tower on its land, and it would own the top two floors and contribute "a minor cost" to the joint venture. In court documents seen by the ABC, the company said PNG Ports was to pay a "certain amount on instalment until an estimated [$15 million] was paid to fully acquire the two levels" under an agreement signed in 2015. But the dream of a glittering tower over Port Moresby's skyline quickly appears to have turned into a nightmare. The 'gorgeous and glistening' building with 75 reported defects Posts on the Noble Centre's Facebook page in 2020 advertised office spaces, describing the building as "gorgeous and glistening" and promising prospective tenants it could "accelerate your business" and "enhance your life". But in September last year, the National Capital District Building Board wrote to advise that the occupancy certificate for the building had been rescinded. The letter, obtained by the ABC, said the board had no other option "in the interest of public and immediate tenants' safety". The decision was made after the PNG Ports Corporation ordered a technical report be done on the building, given growing concerns about its quality. Among the dozens of building defects listed were switchboards that were "not to code and standards", internal power points installed outside, "poorly installed" electrical systems and exposed conduits in fire zones, which were described as "highly illegal". There were calls for a "full review" of lighting and power as they found joins in the wiring "everywhere". [caption id="attachment_20393" align="aligncenter" width="900"] A technical report of the building showed 75 defects that saw the occupancy certificate for the tower rescinded.(ABC News: Natalie Whiting )[/caption] The list of faults has also prompted concerns about the structural integrity of the building. Issues were noted including rusting steel columns, external blockwork that was "out of alignment and unevenly placed", unfilled blockwork cores and angle brackets that were rusting and "incorrectly installed". "One of the building board engineers did a report and he reckons structurally it's OK, but I'm not sure," the chairman of the city's building board, Sir Luciano Cragnolini, told the ABC. "There should be a second opinion. For safety, I would like a second opinion." There are also concerns about non-compliant fire stairs, non-automatic generators, sprinklers that are not up to standard, non-automatic fire pumps and a leaking diesel fuel tank. "There are a lot of wrong things. That's why [we took the occupancy certificate]. It just wasn't safe," Sir Luciano said. In the letter, the building board called for further independent investigations to be carried out and for another report  to be tabled, but Sir Luciano said that had not happened yet. But despite whispers spreading around Port Moresby, local media was oddly silent about the building. Court order stifles reporting on defects The China Railway Construction Engineering Group (PNG) Real Estate Co went to court in Port Moresby in early October to prevent news coverage of any leaked documents about the building defects. The interim district court order taken out on October 4 prevented all local media from reporting on the Noble Centre, including The Post Courier, which the court heard had obtained two reports from contractors. In documents tendered to the court at the time, the company said it "refuted" the reports and stood by the building, saying it was "very much concerned about this report and the authorities not giving us our right of refusal". [caption id="attachment_20394" align="aligncenter" width="828"] While the Noble Centre has been deemed uninhabitable and stands vacant, it is still lit up every night. (ABC News: Natalie Whiting )[/caption] The claim said any news stories could do "irreparable damage" to the company's reputation and business for the Noble Centre building. "The complainant has spent hundreds of millions ... to build the Noble Centre building," another document read. "Minor identifiable issues such as fire safety are easily fixable, and those issues are being addressed." The case was later struck out after neither the newspaper nor the company appeared at multiple court dates. The China Railway Construction Engineering Group (PNG) Real Estate Co declined to respond to detailed questions from the ABC, saying the issues covered "ongoing business negotiations with our business partner PNG Ports Corporation". "We are yet to reach some understanding on how to proceed with the project works and how to continue our co-operations both technically and financially," a spokesperson said in an email. The company said it did not think "media exposure at this stage" would be good for the ongoing discussions and that as a "responsible business partner and out of business ethics" it would abide by the confidentiality terms in its agreement with PNG Ports. "The issue between PNG Ports Corporation and our company remains purely an issue of business co-operation at company level and will not impact on any higher level on broad terms." PNG should have been on 'high alert' With multiple countries seeking influence in PNG, some experts say there needs to be more oversight over the kind of investment and aid that the country chooses to accept. "PNG needs to be careful and selective, and not just go for whoever puts their hands up first and says, 'We'll fund you for this,'" Paul Barker from PNG's Institute of National Affairs said. That discretion is especially important when it comes to building infrastructure projects, according to Mr Barker. [caption id="attachment_20395" align="aligncenter" width="845"] A convention centre donated by China for APEC in 2018 had problems with partition walls and welding on handrails. It was never given an occupancy certificate. (ABC News: Natalie Whiting )[/caption] "The systems are not functional and the checks that are meant to occur all the way through the process from the planning stages right through to completion clearly are not being applied," he said. Peter Aitsi, chairman of Transparency International PNG, said the involvement of politics in commercial operations also created a "murky area". Australia has also been increasing its involvement in PNG, seemingly to counter rising interest from China. It has backed Telstra to purchase local telco Digicel and given loans to the PNG government for direct budget support for the first time in almost two decades. "The donors also have to be more scrupulous," Mr Barker said. "They're responding so as to be able to be seen to have that level of influence and to be able to out-compete with each other, to some extent. At the end of last year, a notice appeared in local newspapers advising the Noble Centre had gone into receivership. The building's future is uncertain. It is also unclear, what, if any, remedial work has been completed since the building faults were identified. But each night, the vacant tower still lights up despite the concerns raised about electrical issues and fire safety standards. SOURCE: ABC NEWS