One of Papua New Guinea’s commercial banks has come to the aid of the National Control Centre for COVID-19 by donating laptops. In response to a request from NCC, the Kina Bank agreed to donate 10 laptops, two of which were presented to NCC this morning by the bank’s Chief Financial Officer Chetan Chopra and Executive General Banking Lesilie Taviri. The two senior officers said the remaining eight laptops will be given next week. Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom thanked the bank for the donation and said NCC needs such donations to be able to do  its work. “We work very hard.  We work long hours, 24/7, at weekends as well so we need all the help we can get,’’ said Dr Daoni. Dr Daoni also reminded the two bank senior officers that the bank staff were essential workers and hoped that they were vaccinated to protect themselves against COVID-19. In response, Mr Chopra thanked Dr Daoni and staff for the work they are doing. “You work is very important. It gives us confidence that we are safe,’’ said Mr Chopra. There are seven clusters within NCC health operations and the 10 donated laptops will go a long way in supporting and maintaining data.  

Around 100,000 rainbow trout fingerlings were distributed throughout the Enga Province by Wabag MP and Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resource, Dr Lino Tom, and his Fisheries team this week. The distribution of these fingerlings is part of a pilot project that began in July this year and it is aimed to provide an alternate source of protein and improve food security in remote areas. The Fingerlings which are bred at Kalopa Hatchery on the Northern foothills of Mt Giluwe, the second highest mountain in PNG, in the Southern Highlands Province was transported into Enga Province and distributed with the assistance of Heli Solutions. Chief Pilot of Heli Solutions, Captain James Pima, who flew the team for the last two days (Tuesday and Wednesday (today)) during the exercise says apart from being a source of protein for the people in the near future, the trouts could also be an international Tourist attraction for those avid trout fishermen. The fingerlings were transported in coolers and gently released to12 different locations in Maramuni, Kompiam- Ambum, Kandep, Laigam, Wabag and Wapendamanda areas.

Despite border closures and reduced air and sea travel because of COVID-19, Customs administrations in the region say threats in the Pacific remain high from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing fleets – as well as threats from illegal movements of people, drugs and weapons, which are often facilitated by trusted insiders. The issue was discussed at the Oceania Heads of Customs annual meeting last Thursday (August 26), held virtually with 21 of the 23 Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) members attending. Members agreed there is a critical link between national security and traditional customs functions and that the region is more secure if all parties work together through engagements with organisations such as the OCO and the Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS). “We all know that not all of us have ample resources to effectively carry out roles but if we share our resources and we work together, we will become more effective,” OCO outgoing Chair and head of Customs of the Federated States of Micronesia, Salvador Jacob said. “A good example of regional collaboration is the Australian-developed Pacific Small Craft Application, which was launched last year to increase information sharing and enhance border security practices. This mobile app used by Customs administrations in the region will support secure movements in the Pacific in the future as it also includes a COVID-19 quarantine tracking feature.” OCO members also discussed the impact of COVID-19 on their respective countries and their national responses, including border measures to protect their citizens. Members also noted the priorities placed on ensuring the facilitation of essential goods by Customs administrations were consistent with the health protocols in place. To support vaccine supply chain in the Pacific, members also welcomed the Australian and New Zealand-drafted World Customs Organization Operational Guidelines for the Facilitation of Situationally Critical Medicines and Vaccines that would greatly support Customs administrations. Meanwhile, as Pacific Island nations respond to the impacts of COVID-19, Customs administrations also acknowledged OCO’s capacity building efforts focus on COVID-19 recovery, and the implementation of PACER Plus last year provided a useful tool to support economic recovery through greater trade. Fiji based OCO carried out capacity building activities in the Pacific, which included training in valuation, tariffs, vessel searches, border security assessments, small craft targeting, cargo search, e-commerce, disrupting criminal business activities, risk assessment, document examination, investigations and intelligence to bolster Pacific border security. “There is a silver lining to COVID-19, because of the border closures we have had to hold most of our training virtually,” OCO Head of Secretariat, Richard Brennan said. “While it has been challenging, the positive is that we have been able to include more participants from the region. We need to continue building the capacity of our members so that we can be effective in our roles as we face and address the impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing threats to our borders.” The meeting welcomed the incoming Chair Mr. Xavier Mitchell Head of Customs, Cook Islands. Dependent on the re-opening of borders, Cook Islands will host the 2022 annual conference and the Federated States of Micronesia in 2023. Both countries were unable to host the respective events in the last two years with travel restrictions in place.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) recently conducted an inception workshop on Bipi Island, Manus Province. The workshop is part of a project being implemented by the agencies on mainstreaming community based fisheries management (CBFM) in West Coast Manus, particularly, Bipi Island. The aim of the project is to; (1) Provide technical advice and support to mobilize, strengthen and develop knowledge and capacity to engage in CBFM sustainable fisheries; (2) Contribute to strengthened local food systems founded on traditional institutions which are formally recognized and; (3) To prepare relevant communities to trial and implement CBFM as well as to extract lessons learnt and best practices to contribute to the province and nation-wide policies, strategies and plans  for mainstreaming and implementing CBFM. The inception workshop was conducted under the leadership of Mr. Blaise Kuemlangan, Chief, Development Law Service, FAO Head Quarters, Rome-Italy. Mr Kuemlangan provided background information on the project, its aims, objectives and outcomes. In attendance were women, men and youth representatives from the islands of Suwawech, Papi Pus, Paindreh, Papi Sanan, Pai, Patiles, Kaheu, Kopasu, Pehelan, Nyatau, Sapasamu and Pasu. During the course of the inception workshop, participants were informed on Community Based Fisheries Management, the need for Fisheries Management, Controlled Fishing and the impacts of overfishing and dynamite fishing. NFA Fisheries Management officers’, Mr. Haeremai Solomon and Mr. Robinson Liu emphasized on Fisheries Management approaches in the three main areas of, Data Collection, Stock Assessment and Management. Mr. Haeremai stressed on effective monitoring and enforcement of fishing management controls, legal framework to be setup and the need for more collaboration from the government as well as non- government organizations including community support and participation. “Equal participation by both men and women and ownership by the local community in this CBFM pilot project is key to achieving success, as lessons learned will contribute to other foundational work on CBFM in PNG, and further open doors to future support by FAO, NFA, and more importantly, attract support from other relevant International Development Partners and Donors to enhance the support to protect the marine resources of our country”, the FAO Head of Programme, Ms. Mirriam Mondia, emphasized during the Inception Workshop and Launching of the project. This was also an opportune time for the FAO team to meet with the Manus Local Level Government stakeholders, Lorengau Urban LLG President, Mr. Joseph Kimat and the Lorengau Market Manager Mr. Henry Konduo on potential collaboration on FAO’s COVID-19 Emergency Support Project in Manus Province. The objective of the project is to reduce the further spread of COVID-19 along the agricultural value chain and to support agricultural livelihoods recovery and income generation activities through restoring food production, improving nutritional status, strengthening the resilience of affected population in the country. As part of promoting awareness on the COVID 19 “Niupla Pasin”, Ms. Mondia presented a number of COVID PPE items to the provincial stakeholders.

To commemorate International Literacy day, Digicel Foundation donated more than ten boxes of reading books to its’ partner school, Tubusereia Primary School in the Central Province. International Literacy Day has been celebrated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1967 to raise awareness on the importance of literacy in building a more literate and sustainable society. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted the learning of children and young adults, UNESCO has themed this year’s International Literacy Day with “Literacy for human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide” which falls in line with Digicel PNG Foundation’s goal of building a connected, educated and healthy Papua New Guinea. Digicel PNG Foundation CEO, Serena Sasingian, said that libraries are an essential part of a students’ educational journey. Libraries create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape the new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society. “To date Digicel Foundation has built 33 libraries all over the country as part of its School infrastructure program. Tubusereia Primary School is a partner school of the Foundation and one that has done an excellent job at maintaining a library with a collection of books for their students to read. We are happy to support them with this new collection of books to read,” said Serena Sasingian. The donation of the reading books is an addition to the current building of an eight in one classroom for the Tubuserea Primary School. The building of the classroom is to introduce Digicel PNG Foundation’s latest program, the Sustainable Whole School Development program that began late last year. Head Master for Tubusereia Primary, Mr. Kwara Kwara, said it was a great privilege for the school to be supported by Digicel Foundation not only for donating the books for the humble library but also building the new 8 in 1 classroom. “English is not our mother tongue or language so our library set up is one of the way to increase reading in the school. Tthis book donation is timely and I am proud of the team, Digicel Foundation for supporting with the new books and one of our goals is to have a stand-alone library for the school,” said Kwara Kwara. Since the launch of Digicel PNG Foundation in October of 2008, Digicel Foundation have invested a total on K139.8million in education and health projects in all 89 districts in the country. To date Digicel Foundation has built 33 libraries all over the country as part of its School infrastructure program.

Prime Minister James Marape has commended Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey for his comprehensive Ministerial Statement to Parliament today on the ‘2020 Final Budget Outcomes (FBO) and 2021 Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Outlook (MYEFO) and the Way Forward’. He said Treasurer Ling-Stuckey’s presentation updated Papua New Guinea on the state of the economy during the ongoing war against COVID-19. PM Marape also commended the Budget Management Committee (BMC) spearheaded by Treasury and Finance for keeping “MV PNG afloat in rough seas”. “If they (BMC) hadn’t done this, we stood every possibility of sinking, but the Treasurer and his team stood strong,” he said. “There were so many lies and deceit spun by the Opposition that we relied on overseas advisors. “At the end of the day, Treasurer, Government and Cabinet made the call on key policy instruments.” PM Marape said there could be no more-important policy instruments than his Government’s Budgets of 2019, 2020 and 2021. “I, as Prime Minister and his colleague in Cabinet, commend the Treasurer as well as the Finance Minister (Hon. Sir John Pundari) and National Planning Minister (Hon. Rainbo Paita) for how we have run the country,” he said.

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the National Football Stadium is giving away free tickets to the Digicel Cup Match this Sunday (12 September) to anyone who receives their first COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic today. Martin Aihi, 38, from the Central province was excited to receive his free ticket to the finals game after receiving his COVID-19 vaccine at the ISOS Clinic, Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. Martin, who works as the facilities lead with Peuna in Port Moresby, said that COVID-19 is real and is in existence across the world, including in Papua New Guinea. He elaborated that the vaccine will protect himself and importantly his family from serious illness due to the virus. “I feel obliged to take the vaccine as my work involves a lot of interactions with people; both national and international communities who work to combat the virus at the National Control Centre and vaccine roll out facilities.” “I believe by protecting myself, I protect my family too.” Martin encouraged other Papua New Guineans to get vaccinated today. If you would like to receive a free ticket to the game this Sunday, head to the National Football Stadium Clinic for your vaccination (entry via gate 2). Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9am-12pm and 1pm – 4pm Sat: 9am – 12pm

WESTERN Province has seen 14 deaths in the past two weeks due to COVID-19, including one being reported this morning. Deputy Controller for the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom, while addressing a virtual media conference this afternoon, said it is believed these are due to delta variant because of the behavior of delta variant. He said there is also a big surge going on in Western and West Sepik provinces. Positive COVID-19 samples from both provinces have been sent down to Australia for genome sequencing to determine whether these are delta variant cases. Also, of the 30 delta variant cases confirmed in the country so far, 22 have been reported from Western Province. Dr Daoni said tests have shown that the 22 delta variant cases confirmed last month in WP, seven (imported) in National Capital District and one locally-acquired case in Madang are linked to the type of delta variant cases being seen in Indonesia. He said this is a result of people not listening and crossing the border. Dr Daoni said compliance is a big issue in this country and urged that people listen and follow advice being given to protect them from COVID-19. These includes following Niupela Pasin. He said gatherings must be limited and says if the Provincial Health Authorities and provincial administrations do not advise against gatherings, including cultural shows in provinces they will be held accountable for the high surges of delta variant that is already spreading in the country. Apart from WSP and Western, there are also three other provinces experiencing high surges which are NCD, Eastern Highlands and Manus. Dr Daoni said experience in other countries have shown that delta variant is perculiar because it spreads fast and affects both old and young which is already being seen in the country. “If people don’t listen, we will have old and young people dying from COVID-19,’’ he said. "We can do so much, but compliance is a big issue in this country.'' Yesterday's virtual media conference, addressed by both Dr Daoni and Incident Manager for National Control Centre Dr Melinda Susapu also covered high hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccines and other related issues. #COVAX facility gave PNG's surplus vaccines to Vietnam #PNGIMR to begin doing genome sequencing starting next month #NCC to take over the national program on rollout of COVID-19 vaccines from National Department of Health #Awareness on benefits of vaccines to be taken to rural population #NCC assures business community that it will work with them to protect PNG's economy.

The Digicel Cup Awards last night saw sponsors, players, team officials, supporters and invited guests gather at the Oil Search National Football Stadium to witness the awards presentation. Mr Tsandis Saka, Chairman of the PNGRFL thanked everyone who had been a part of the process in making the Digicel Cup to be what it is today and paid homage to leaders past and present who have contributed to the development of the game in one way or another. Mr Saka also thanked the major sponsors Digicel Group who have been supporting the game for 11 years now and said that PNGRFL is blessed to have such a reputable organization leading the way in growing and developing the game here in PNG. “Rugby league has grown from strength to strength over the years and to date it has become such a great platform to develop our young men and so it is only right that sponsors do get on board and support not just rugby but other sports as well around the country,” Saka said. He also thanked each of the Digicel Cup franchises with their players and management teams alike for staying true and committed towards staging a successful 2021 season. Highlight of the night was the awards presentation where a bulk of the awards went to players from the PRK Mendi Muruks as well as the Grand Final contenders the JPG Waghi Tumbe. Rookie coach Baundo Abba who took out the Coach of the Year Award said that he is thankful for the experience this year as it has taught him to step outside of his comfort zone to lead the boys this far. “As a young coach with no proper training on coaching skills, it’s been a great learning experience for me and at the same time a very humbling one for me as well, given that we are also a young province and to be here now in the finals is so overwhelming,” said Coach Abba. Four of his boys in the likes of Joe Frank (Centre of the Year), Tiger Emere (Prop of the Year), David Joseph (Half-back of the Year) and Supa Kokote (Lock of The Year) also took out awards. The other awards were taken by Joe Stanley of MoniPlus NCDC Vipers (Fullback of the Year), Junior Igila (Tryscorer of the Year) and Allan Simbiri (Goal Scorer of the Year) both from the Kroton Hela Wigmen team, Joshua Lau of Lae Snax Tigers who took out the Payer of the Year Award and Leon Undupia (Winger of the Year), Wesa Tenza (Hooker of the Year) and Nelson Yei (Second Rower of the Year) from the Mendi Muruks. All three boys from Mendi Muruks were unable to make it to the Awards Night due to delays in flight schedules. The Club of the Year Award went to the CPG Dabaris while Ms Lorna McPherson was given the “Full Time Reserve Award” in recognition of her tireless dedication and efforts in promoting the code of rugby league throughout the past 11 years.

It’s been over two months since we released news on our first, captive breeding of the Raggiana Bird of Paradise chick here at Port Moresby Nature Park. Born on the 27th June this year, our chick is a healthy bird, being fed lots of spiders, grasshoppers and other insects as well as fruit on a daily basis. We still don’t know the sex of the bird and it could take about 5 years for us to find out. This is when a male reaches maturity and starts to grow its beautiful plume feathers, highly valued traditionally in Papua New Guinea. Until then ‘Bosh’ as the bird is known, will be covered in brown feathers. Traditional ‘Bilas’ (costumes) have been part of PNG culture for generations. Specifically, bird feathers are the key components in the making of spectacular head dresses worn by performers from various provinces around the country. Apart from the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, there are other Bird of Paradise species that are hunted for their feathers such as the Lesser Bird of Paradise and the Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia. Some most sought after bird feathers come from the Pesquet’s Parrot and Papuan Lorikeet for their bright vibrant colours. More than one bird is required for one head-dress, creating a trend of overhunting birds in remote Papua New Guinea and prompting advocacy groups to promote sustainable traditional practices to preserve some of our gradually declining bird species. The ‘Lukautim Bilas Bilong Yu’ Campaign is a collaborative campaign carried out by the Port Moresby Nature Park and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Goroko. The campaign emphasises on the importance of preserving traditional costumes with the aim of decreasing the numbers of overhunting bird species in Papua New Guinea. With independence just around the corner, there will be a demand for traditional costumes around the country. It is advisable that as proud Papua New Guineans, traditional costumes are more significant when passed on from one generation to the next as ones tribal/clan heritage. For this reason, safekeeping of your traditional costumes, especially prized headdresses are very important. You can achieve this by following three simple practices:  Wrap your head-dress up in newspaper, making sure they have been aired out and dry after a performance;  Place your head-dress and other traditional costumes in a box with moth balls to keep unwanted pests away;  Keep your box of traditional costumes away from children’s reach and places that are moist. The ‘Lukautim Bilas Bilong Yu’ campaign is one of the many campaigns promoted at Port Moresby Nature Park as a way of educating the community in preserving PNG’s endemic wildlife for future generations. With current trends in the harvesting of birds of paradise for the use of feathers in head dresses, the population in the wild are not sustainable and we could lose some of the species that are heavily targeted for their spectacular plumage. Through bird breeding programs and such campaigns like “Lukautim Bilas Bilong Yu”, led by the park’s qualified and dedicated wildlife and education teams, the hope is to ensure their survival and protection for future generations. The Port Moresby Nature Park is an international welfare accredited zoo through the Zoo & Aquarium Association of Australasia and is heavily committed to conservation and education, research and most importantly, dedicated to protecting PNG’s wildlife.  

Kupun Wisil, brother of Pacific Sprint Queen Toea Wisil says that his decision to join the JPG Whagi Tumbe coaching staff this season has truly paid off and he is excited at the prospects of a 2021 premiership win for his home team this coming Sunday. The athletics turned rugby league trainer has been working behind the scenes with coaching staff from a few other Digicel Cup franchises since 2013 with the most prevalent club being the Lae Snax Tigers rugby league club where he spent a total of seven years playing supporting roles to the coaching staff there. Wisil decided to take a break from his already budding athletics career in 2013 and switch codes to rugby league by becoming a member of the Lae Snax Tigers coaching team and has not looked back since. “In 2013, I decided to take a break from athletics and divert my focus to the game that every Papua New Guinean is so passionate about and has come to love and that is rugby.” “Before that, I had been representing the country in athletics since I first entered into sports at the Grassroots Games (now known as the Pacific Games) in 2003,” Wisil said. From 2016 onwards, Wisil has fully committed to the rugby league code and has been instrumental in assisting the Tigers win 3 premierships (2016, 2017 & 2019) and the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis win 1 premiership in 2018. Last year, Wisil took to the finals yet again with the Lae Snax Tigers however, they were unlucky for another premiership win as they went down to the reigning premieres the Kroton Hela Wigmen. This year, Wisil said that his coaching team currently being led by rookie coach Baundo Abba and Head Trainer Ezekiel Ben, has had a lot of work to do in terms of grooming the boys most of whom are unknown players making their debuts in the Digicel Cup. “Most of the boys on the team in the likes of Michael Tom who forms part of our forward packs and Bobby Joel who has been creating a lot of impacts off the bench, are only new and have had little experience as far as Digicel Cup is concerned and so we have have tried our best to train and discipline them into getting this far.” Wisil said having a young and inexperienced team this year, they were only looking to make it as far as the knockout finals however, having made it to the 2021 Grand Final is indeed a dream come true for the team. “When we started out this year, we challenged ourselves that we will make it as far as the finals only and then next year is when we will win the Digicel Cup because our team is still a fairly young team.” “However, things have turned out to be different for us and we now find ourselves having a chance at the Cup in such a short time,” Wisil stated. Wisil said he has full confidence in Joe Frank who has been with the JPG Whagi Tumbe since debuting in the Digicel Cup in 2015 that he will lead the boys to their first ever Grand Final victory and is looking forward to another great performance from the boys. The man who has been working behind the scenes of premiership winning clubs said that there is no secret to winning and that every win is a direct result of hard work in the form of training, commitment and discipline. Wisil further added that this Grand Final game is dedicated to the whole of Jiwaka Province and that they will get out there and make the people proud. “Jiwaka is only a few years old and it has taken us up to 10 years for us to have our own province.” “Just like we are a young province, we are going into the Grand Final as a young team to take on a more experienced team and so we are not taking things lightly,” Wisil said. “It is however our wish that our supporters and fans get behind us in the true spirit of the game and support as unified Papua New Guineans,” Wisil added. The JPG Whagi Tumbe will be led by rookie coach Baundo Abba and Captain Joe ‘6 cylinder’ Frank as they take on the crowd favourites Lae Snax Tigers in the Grand Final clash on Sunday. Photo credits: RJTotsia Photography&Media

Fostering a strategic partnership with the local communities’ results in meaningful development that benefits the whole community. The recent handover of a building for use by the Papa community as a resource center highlights what can be achieved by such partnership. “Collaboration between EMPNG and the Gas Resources Company, Veadi Koita Association , past and present ward councilors from Papa village, Laba Holdings and the local workers from Papa who Scott Sandlin. “ExxonMobil PNG is proud to do its part to support the people of Papa. The community now have a building that can be used for meetings, to carry out capacity building training and host other formal and social events.” He also added that since 201 5, ExxonMobil PNG has spent PGK 3 million on various community initiatives in Papa village. These community investments are focused on creating sustainable benefits in education, health, agriculture, the environment and opportunities for women. EMPNG has fostered strategic partnerships with local Papa schools to support the delivery of various training activities including a School Board of Management and governance training. In addition, EMPNG has constructed a staff house for the elementary school head teacher, conducted renovations to classrooms, built a new classroom for the Papa Community Pre-School, improved the Papa sub-health facility, and supported sewing training for the Papa Koita Magia (women's) group. "Our efforts in the community comes from a long legacy of commitment to supporting communities where we operate. We are happy to know that this common facility will benefit the wider population of Papa village and we trust that the Veadi Kiota Association will manage the facility Well," Mr. Sandline said in closing. The new building includes a pantry, office space, meeting rooms, and restrooms facilities, making it a very modern facility that can cater for various community events.