A total of 115 grade 12 FODE students from remote Middle Fly villages in Western Province recently graduated from the Balimo College FODE Centre after successfully completing their grade 12 studies under the FODE program. Now in its third year of operation, Balimo College offers a second chance at education for those who (for various reasons) have slipped out of the school system. The College provides a pathway for those wishing to upgrade their exam results in order to pursue tertiary studies. This PNG Sustainable Development Program (SDP) education initiative is managed by the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF). The successful partnership has enrolled 300 students from the Balimo catchment area in grades 9 to 12 each year. The College also operates two sub-centres in Morehead and Kiunga. The Balimo College FODE program is registered under the PNG National Department of Education. During the recent graduation ceremony, successful Grade 12 students proudly received their matriculation certificates from an official delegation including Mr Daniel Imowa, Middle Fly District Education Coordinator; Mr Kawe Biyama, Balimo Mayor; Mrs Juddy Aoae, SDP Program Manager; Dr Genevieve Nelson, KTF CEO; the FODE program’s inaugural Principal, Mr Nauli Duwaba and current Principal, Mr Brian Wafia. SDP representative, Mrs Juddy Aoae, remarked: “Our vision is to see that all our programs have a lasting benefit for the people of Western Province. We work with our partners to empower the community to take ownership and do what they are capable of doing to improve their lives." "Today, the students have committed themselves to work hard to achieve recognised certificates that qualify them entry into higher education institutions in the country, including the Balimo College Teacher Training program." "Given this second chance of entry into secondary education, students and parents are encouraged to take this program seriously and work towards achieving their dreams. Many people from Western Province, especially in the Middle and South Fly districts have never heard of the FODE pathway, so it was a challenging time for our students who worked so hard to achieve what we are witnessing today.” During the graduation ceremony, the students performed a celebratory dance before the 2021 College Awards were bestowed, including: · Principal’s Award – Ms Helen Mowagi and Mr Abilo Dibo · College Dux – Mr Abilo Dibo, Ms Shebby Kutika, Ms Helen Mowagi and Ms Jessica Siwaeya · Most Improved Results (for upgraders) – Ms Gloria Melesa and Mr Kabase Paiwa · Community Peer Support Award – Ms Mudato Somono and Mr David Didiga Community Peer Support Award recipient Mudato Somono is one of two grandmothers who graduated yesterday. She said that graduating Grade 12 is “the best achievement of my life”. She also encouraged others “don't let your age hold you back”. As well as her academic performance, Mudato inspired staff and fellow students alike with her commitment to the College community, and volunteering to help maintain College facilities over the past two years. Balimo College graduates now have the opportunity to progress to tertiary studies in teaching and other professions, explains KTF Head of Education, Martha Bentley. “In an incredibly exciting development, those graduating from the Balimo College FODE program are now able to undertake tertiary studies right here at Balimo College. Thanks to SDP’s commitment to creating education opportunities in Western Province, the partnership worked closely with DHERST throughout 2021 so that Balimo College can now offer the PNG Diploma of Primary Teaching to students, the first institution in Western Province to offer this course. Our inaugural intake of 40 tertiary students, includes graduates from our FODE program. They have now embarked on a three-year study program in pursuit of their dream to become teachers in Western Province…. Balimo College is providing opportunities for people from Western Province to serve their communities as properly trained teachers.”

When people from the Carteret Islands began to relocate to the Bougainville mainland it meant more than just leaving their homes and communities, they also needed to find new livelihoods. Life on Bougainville presented different challenges and opportunities compared to their native atoll, which has become less habitable due to rising sea levels and reduced access to fresh water. Gardening was one activity that required new skills – both for subsistence farming and agricultural cash crops like cocoa. Undeterred, a group of women from the Carteret came together to form a cocoa farmers cooperative called Bougainville CocoNet. In 2017, Bougainville CocoNet was among 25 farmers groups awarded a grant through the first phase of the Bougainville Partnership Commodity Support Facility (CSF), supported by the Australian and New Zealand Governments. “We are women from the Atolls,” said CocoNet member Rose Samsi, “we did not know how to manage or how to work in cocoa blocks.” “The project has really helped us as individual mothers to be able to fend for our families.” “We are able to make extra money to pay school fees for our children and our families’ diets have changed because we have extra money to buy food.” The CSF grant provided much needed training in cocoa farm management and financial literacy. It also brought new equipment and seedlings to help the farmers apply their new knowledge. CocoNet chairperson Ursula Rokova said the CSF grant encouraged the executives and farmers to work collectively. “I'm a woman and am happy that the community is working with me, especially men,” Ms Rokova said. “We have the support of other women, men and youths and the people within our community are working together.” Maria Kamin, also a CocoNet member, said women who received training on cocoa block management are more independent and are sharing their knowledge with other women, men and youths. “This project has brought many good things in our families,” she said. “There is great respect from both men and women for the executives that are leading the cooperative and among men and women members.” While the first phase of CSF grants concluded in 2021, a second round of grants totalling K10 million commenced this year which prioritises the creation of economic opportunities for women. Through the project, families are supported to increase their incomes which can be invested in businesses, property and children’s education. This, in turn, can help improve livelihoods for individuals, and build stronger communities and broader based economic development in Bougainville.

Minister for Information and Communications Technology Timothy Masiu has welcomed news of the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) decision to give formal written consent on the transfer of license rights to Telstra as a result of the proposed acquisition of Digicel Pacific, and particularly on Digicel Pacific’s associated companies namely, Digicel PNG Limited and Hitron Limited. “The procedure to arrive at the decision by NICTA is governed by the enabling legislation and is done without ministerial influence or input. I am pleased to note that the procedure has now been exhausted and that a decision has been made and that the government and our people and Digicel and Telstra for that matter can now move forward with the business of delivering telecommunications goods and services to all corners of the country.” Minister Masiu took note of Telstra’s commitment to continue to maintain all existing services and networks, and to continue to maintain all existing services and networks, and to continue the charitable work in early education delivered through the Digicel PNG Foundation. “It would be ideal to anticipate a change of ownership without disturbing the standard and level of service required and I would like to think that our people and the businesses that rely on Digicel’s goods and services will not even notice anything.” “I understand that with the NICTA announcement, the due diligence process leading to full acquisition and transfer of ownership to Telstra is now well advanced and nearing completion. Until then, Digicel will remain until the acquisition is completed.”

The Department of Education has congratulated Jiwaka Province for achieving 100% retention rate in both Grade 9 and 11 this year. The current National Education (NEP) Plan target is that by 2029 all children should complete 13 years of uninterrupted education or training and that major identified barriers are gradually removed. According to the NEP 2020-2029, there is now no institutional barrier, such as a public examination, in place to stop any child who has entered the preparatory grade from completing grade 8. “The national examinations will be phased out over time however, a standards monitoring test will be given to help monitor the progress of students, or lack thereof, so teachers can also improve or adjust their teaching,” Dr. Kombra explained. Secretary for Education, Dr. Uke Kombra said Jiwaka Province has expanded its secondary school sector which has resulted in this achievement. “On behalf of the Minister for Education, Hon. Jimmy Uguro, MP, I congratulate Jiwaka Province for this important milestone. I also call on other provinces to do likewise so that we can improve the quality of education attained by our people,” the Secretary said. He also congratulated Western Highlands, Enga, Hela, Simbu, Eastern Highlands, Central, and East New Britain for close to achieving 100% retention rates in Grades 8 to 9 and 10 to 11. Meanwhile, Dr. Kombra also congratulated all the other provinces for close to achieving 100% retention rate in basic education but challenged them to do more for secondary education. “I appeal to all our political leaders and other development partners and stakeholders to assist provinces to build more infrastructures to accommodate the increased number of students in the next 10 years. The more infrastructure developed will also reduce class sizes and improve teaching and learning standards,” Dr. Kombra said.

Up to six million citizens throughout the country are expected to vote in the upcoming 2022 National General Elections. The six million people are those of the voting age and those whose names are update on the common roll. PNG Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said that will be confirmed when the preliminary roll is produced from the current common roll update of new and existing enrollment at the end of this month. “A total of voters in the last election was 4.7 million so now we’re expecting 5 to 6 million based on the fact that about 15 percent of Enrollment Form 11, which is the new enrollment form were given out to provinces during the roll update,” Mr Sinai said. “Addressing the youth gap is a top priority the Electoral Commission is addressing in this current common roll update.” Mr Sinai further said that the preliminary roll be displayed once it is being updated for public consumption before the Issue of Writs on April, 28. Meanwhile the roll update is currently underway in all the wards throughout the country.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Wagambie Jr has assured the extended family and relatives of the young victim of police brutality and members of the public, that he has directed the matter to Internal Affairs Directorate to handle. ACP Wagambie said he had spoken with Metropolitan Superintendent NCD, Supt CID Boroko and Director of Internal Affairs Directorate, Superintendent Emil Alpha earlier this week and issued a written directive for IAD Investigation Team to take charge of the matter. “For this incident, whatever the circumstances were, the level of injury inflicted on the young man is not warranted at all. This is way beyond.” The investigation team has been tasked to establish what led to the matter and what actually happened. “I would also like to make it known that this does not reflect the majority of hard-working Police personnel.” He said the individual unit implicated had been identified and are now being dealt with by Internal Affairs Directorate Police. “Policemen and women have been constantly reminded about ethical conduct and performing duties within the rule of law.” “We are trying our best to rebuild public confidence in the Constabulary, and such actions by individuals only hinders the progress.” “I make assurance that this will not go unattended. Police Internal Affairs Directorate Officers in collaboration with CID Boroko, are already on it as this is being posted.”

Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) has denied agreeing to pay additional compensation to landowners for the use of water from Dablan Creek following a demand by a group of landowners as reported in last week’s Post Courier. There is no basis for OTML to entertain this demand. OTML has met all its obligations to pay compensation for the extraction of water from Dablan creek under the Ok Tedi Act, the Mining Act, the Ok Tedi Environment Management Act (OTEMA) (which has yet to be gazetted) and the current benefit agreements signed by OTML, the landowners and the State. This position is consistent with the advice given to the landowners by the Conservation & Environment Protection Authority and the Office of the State Solicitor. A Company spokesperson said, “OTML will not pay compensation outside the existing agreements since it will expose the company to other unjustifiable demands and would be unfair to the other landowners who honour these agreements.” “The landowners have not been denied any compensation. In fact, they have received over K54 million in compensation from OTML through the various benefit packages for the use of their land and extraction of water and they will continue to receive these benefits while the Mine continues to operate. This is in addition to other benefits such as dividends and contracts with OTML”, the spokesperson said. The landowners are claiming that OTML only applied for an Environment Permit after the matter was raised in court by the landowners. “This is not true. The landowners have been misled since it was the Government’s directive for OTML to have its own Environment Act and Permit that captures the current Ok Tedi Environment Regime of 2001. The OTEMA and Permit have no provisions for payment of compensation for the extraction of water and therefore there is no basis for additional compensation to be paid.” The landowners have challenged this matter in Court 5 times over the last 11 years without success but can still do so if they have new evidence to present. Meanwhile, and following recent actions by the group to divert water and disrupt operations, OTML has identified alternate reliable water sources that will significantly reduce reliance on the current extraction site.

Papua New Guinea’s national Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) have marked International Women’s Day with the launch of Pathways to Justice: Strongim Sindaun Bilong Femili. The production of this documentary – supported by the Australian Government – outlines the services available to family and sexual violence (FSV) survivors. Such services include the FSV referral pathway in PNG - a network of service providers who provide support and care to survivors. These comprise Family Support Centres located in health facilities, Family and Sexual Violence Units (FSVUs) in police stations and Village Courts, located across the country. The documentary, commissioned by the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) also outlines the help available to survivors, and the laws and processes in place to ensure survivors receive the protection and care they need. The CIMC-FSVAC National Coordinator, Marcia Kalinoe, said, “The documentary provides practical information for survivors about the support and services that are available and how they can access them, but it also seeks to advocate for increased services for survivors of FSV.” Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp, who attended the launch, said that although FSV remained a significant problem, progress was being made. “Whilst there is a lot more that still needs to be done to reduce family and sexual violence, today we recognise the achievements and continued efforts of our partners who do the hard work every day, driving change and improving outcomes for women and children.” Mr Philp said. The Australian Government’s long-standing commitment to improving FSV responses in the Law and Justice Sector include supporting the establishment of 27 FSVUs across the country, strengthening the FSV referral pathways to improve the coordination of services, providing FSV investigation and prosecution training to police, prosecutors and court officials, as well as assisting in the review and development of FSV laws.

We wish to reply to a comment made in the Post Courier 08 March 2022 in relation to a male victim of alleged police brutality. The report indicates that police took the victim to a St John Ambulance base by police. The person being interviewed is quoted as saying St John “refused services”. We send our sincerest condolences to the family affected by what is reported to be a brutal mistreatment by parties named in the article. Hospitals are where people with serious injuries need treatment. Often ambulance stations (bases) are unmanned because the ambulance personnel are in their ambulances attending to emergencies in the community. Bringing a patient to an ambulance station for treatment is not advised, especially when a hospital is just metres down the road. St John Ambulance is highly concerned by the nature of the complaint being made in relation to the alleged brutal handling of the casualty by persons referred to in the article. “St John firmly asserts that all persons in our society, regardless of what they are alleged to have or have not done, should be treated humanely and professionally by any person in society, especially uniformed people sworn to protect.” The burden of brutality in our society is costing estimated hundreds of millions of kina each year in hospital costs. Victims of brutality require highly expensive hospital treatment. Some never fully recover with limb amputations or traumatic brain injuries. These causalities need surgery, and are sometimes so severe they have to be prioritised in the operating theatre above other people needing surgery, meaning other people miss out on the surgery needed. We are disgusted with the brutality continually served out against our people. There has to be a better way to manage misconduct than through brutal means. “Whilst ambulance stations are happy to assist in emergency situations, we do not recommend you bring patients to an ambulance station because the ambulance crew are often out attending emergencies. Call 111 for emergency help so we can send an ambulance to you, or go straight to a hospital.” “St John does not refuse its services to the general public and in the patient’s state, it was advisable that the patient be brought straight to the general hospital for further assessment and treatment.” “St John ambulance stations are not hospitals. If a person needs help urgently, call 111 for an ambulance or seek urgent medical care at a hospital.”

The new look Momote Airport in Manus Province is set to be opened on April 8 this year by Prime Minister James Marape, according to the National Airports Corporation. Designed resembling a stingray, the new state of art facility includes departure, arrival and VIP lounges, check-in counters, Close Circuit Camera TV (CCTVs), baggage screening machines, toilet facilities among other modern terminal facilities. National Airport Corporation Managing Director Rex Kiponge said the upgraded facility also caters for VISA and immigration processing counters for the case of direct international flights. Along with the upgrade of the terminal building itself, the airport’s runway length was extended to accommodate the bigger Boeing 737 aircraft. The upgrade work was co-funded by the Asian Development Bank and PNG Government and implemented under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Program (CADIP). Meanwhile, similar terminal upgrade work is currently underway for Kavieng Airport in New Ireland Province where it is anticipated to be opened sometime next month.

The Women’s Micro Bank Limited branded as “Mama Bank “entered into a MoA with the Oro Provincial Government to provide accessible financial services to women, youth and the people of Oro province last Friday. Both parties realised that ordinary women, youths and the people of Oro Province at large should be equal partners in the provincial economic development plans through access to financial services and credit funds to boost their entrepreneurial activities. “They should have their own bank account with affordable and adequate access to funds to enable them to play a more active role in the economic development and contribution of the province,” said Mr Ricky Mitio, Chairman of Mama Bank. Mr Mitio said the main thing they want to do is to bring financial services to the lower mama’s who work and do market on the streets and who are in the informal sector which the government’s SME program doesn’t reach. ‘’We are striving to break through the cultural barrier of women not being the financial controllers at home and to take mamas in Oro Province to the next level.” The Women’s Micro Bank is 6th in the world with 9 branches in PNG with the most recent one opened in Oro province bringing the total to 10 Micro Bank branches in PNG. Mr Mitio acknowledged the Oro Governor Mr Garry Juffa and was happy to commit the bank to be in partnership with the Oro Provincial Government. Mr Juffa has announced that his government is happy to support its’ people to be productive rather that being dependent, therefore, is committed to deliver on its responsibilities captured in the MoA. The MoA includes establishment of Mama Bank in Popondetta, Credit Guarantee Scheme and Financial Literacy Training to be provided to women groups within the province. Mr Juffa stated that he is impressed with Mirco Banks evolution to where it is now providing financial services especially to all the mothers out there and the young women who are involved in the SME space. ‘’I believe that the SME sector is the backbone of any developing economy. And coming from a house-hold of a single mother who struggled and worked several jobs just to make sure there was food on the table and who was also very active in the SME space as well, I know how much that contributes to a family, community and a province,’’ Juffa said. Mr Juffa said that funding of K500, 000 has already been set aside since 2013 and is still available with an additional K500, 000 topping off to K1million for this project alone, while Mama Bank will contribute equal share as credit funds for MSME and SME activities in Oro. Mean while Mama Bank CEO Mr. Gunanidhi Das expressed that the Women’s Micro Bank is trying to implement the real microfinance concept in the province and the country. ‘’We are happy to come onboard this agreement to help and support OPG’s ambitions for its province to extend inclusive financial inclusion services in Oro’’. He challenged all men, women and youths of Oro to use this opportunity as a gateway to becoming economically independent and to do away with free hand out mentality. Also, Mama Bank believes that women are the gateway to economic empowerment of the country and adheres to the slogan “SUPPORTIM MERI KIRAPIM BUSINES KIRAPIM KANTRI’’

The Madang Provincial Health Authority CEO, Fidelis Waipma had served a court order on PHA Board Chairman Dr. Charles Kalana and the members of the board on the 25th of February 2022. Mr Waipma served the orders on Dr. Kalana as first Respondent and members of the board as second respondents. The court ordered that Dr. Charles Kalana including his servants, agents and assignees are restrained from tempering with the operational accounts of the Madang PHA in any form or manner. The court had also ordered Dr.Kalana including his servants, agents and assignees are restrained to change any signatories to all operational accounts of Madang PHA. Meanwhile Order C ordered that the servants and agents of the Bank of South Pacific uplift the halt placed on the operation account of Madang PHA to allow the hospital to continue normal operations. The file has been transferred from the Waigani Registry to Madang Registry on the first of March and will be heard before a judge in Madang on the 7th of March at 9:30am. CEO Fidelis Waipma obtained the Court order following the board’s decision to suspend Mr Waipma on allegations of financial management of Madang PHA. Board Chairman Dr. Charles Kalana says the decision to suspend the CEO is to allow investigations into these serious allegations levelled against Mr Waipma. Dr. Kalana however refused to disclosed in detail the allegations Mr Waipma was accused against, adding the matter is under investigations. Last Monday Board Chairman Dr. Charles Kalana, board member, Joe Agavi and a legal representative met with the staff of Madang PHA to informed them of the decision’s board to appoint Acting Provincial Administrator, Joseph Kunda Bonomane as CEO of PHA. This is to allow investigations into the allegations of financial management against Mr. Waipma to be conducted. But the board’s decision was not welcomed by the staff as Mr. Joseph Kunda Bonomane is also heavily implicated funding allegations in Madang province. The staff demanded that the appointment of the CEO must not be outside of the PHA structure and with no political interference.