PNG Haus Bung

The Vunapaka Health Centre, located in the Reimber LLG of the Gazelle District in East New Britain and serving a population of more than 22, 000, is now far more visible thanks to a newly launched signboard. While a sign might not seem like a major architectural milestone to celebrate, for the local community it proudly highlights the presence of a vital health facility and its services that have been running since the 1960s.Tucked slightly behind a small hilltop, the health centre serves 15 wards, reaching as far as the Rabaul District. Officer In Charge (OIC) Dorah Edwards Mapoa shared that a dedicated team of eight staff members serves daily to provide all the essential care expected at a health centre level.“There are nurses and community health workers stationed in the outpatient, general ward, post-natal and the labour ward.”“It is quite challenging with the strength of manpower we have to further provide for the family planning services, antenatal, baby clinics and disease control.”As a Level 3 facility, Vunapaka Health Centre delivers a full range of medical services to meet the community’s needs. Despite its comprehensive care, clear signage directing patients to the area’s most critical health services was missing- until four midwife students from Divine Word University (DWU) Rabaul Campus stepped in during their seven-week training placement to make it a reality.The newly constructed signboard prominently showcases the facility’s vital services, spanning maternal and child healthcare to general medical treatment. Rosah Andrew, one of the midwife trainees, noted that the health centre serves as a beacon of hope for the region.“This is a place of healing that we realized that having a clear, professional sign is essential for visibility, community awareness, and easy identification, so that no mother or patient must struggle to find the critical service they need.”With the new sign now standing as a guiding light, the surrounding communities share a collective responsibility to take ownership of the health centre, protecting its facilities, resources, and dedicated staff.

Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) across Papua New Guinea have been undergoing Rapid Response Team (RRT) training to strengthen the nation’s capacity to address future health emergencies. Delivered by the National Department of Health (NDoH) in partnership with the Field Epidemiology Training Program PNG (FETPNG), the World Health Organization (WHO), The University of Newcastle (Australia), and the Australian Government, the initiative focuses on getting the basics right and enhancing existing public health systems.A recent training session held in Kokopo empowered multidisciplinary participants from the PHAs of East New Britain, West New Britain, and New Ireland provinces.Highlighting the necessity of a swift local response, Manager for Health Securities and Surveillance, Mr. Barry Ropa, emphasized that local health authorities must be equipped to act immediately when health threats arise.“The RRT training being conducted is to build sub national capacity and ensure local health authorities can quickly detect, investigate, and contain acute public health threats.”Mr. Ropa noted that since the inception of the RRT program in 2018, there has been a growing frequency of public health incidents requiring proper risk assessment and management.“In such emergency cases, strategic thinking is required where it must meet our local context but at the same time in line with the health international standards.”“It is important we show desired results with implementation of work to convince partners to intervene where the government cannot fully support.”The RRT program consists of five phases, three of which have already been completed. While trainings are being delivered across the country, the responsibility now falls on individual PHAs to ensure financial resources are available in a timely manner during emergencies.East New Britain PHA Director of Public Health, Dr. Mathew Mongolop, stressed the need for dedicated funding streams for surveillance activities to prevent delays during critical moments.“I also want to call on the Provincial Government and the District Development Authorities (DDA) to honour the 20% funds designated for health service improvements.”To date, fifteen PHAs across the country have received RRT training under the current rollout, with eight remaining PHAs set to complete the program in upcoming phases.

Harmony Hidden Valley Mine has commenced with the National Emergency Response Challenge (NERC) with the first day yesterday in Lae city. The NERC brought together emergency response teams from the mining, oil and gas sectors to test their skills in realistic emergency scenarios.This highly anticipated event is hosted by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and returned this year after a seven-year hiatus. The challenge reinforces the industry's commitment to emergency preparedness, safety excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.Harmony Hidden Valley Mine's Emergency Response Team (ERT) will compete alongside teams from Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Newmont Lihir, Barrick New Porgera, K92 Mining, St Barbara Simberi, Santos and Ramu NiCo.Participants will take part in a diverse range of emergency response scenarios commonly encountered across the resource sector, including rescue operations, firefighting, medical response and incident management exercises. These simulations are designed to test technical capability, leadership, decision-making and teamwork under pressure.Harmony Hidden Valley Mines Safety, Health, Security & Risk Manager, Mike Merena, said the event provides an invaluable opportunity for emergency responders to benchmark their skills against industry peers while sharing knowledge and best practices."The National Emergency Response Challenge provides an excellent platform for our Emergency Response Team to showcase their skills, learn from other industry professionals and strengthen their ability to respond effectively to real-life emergencies.""Our team works tirelessly to ensure the safety of our people, communities and operations. Participation in NERC reflects Harmony's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of emergency preparedness and operational excellence,’’ Merena stated.Beyond the competition, NERC provides a valuable forum for industry collaboration, fostering stronger professional networks and encouraging the exchange of knowledge and best practices among emergency response professionals.The challenge continues today and awards presentations will be on Friday 23rd of October.

State employees seeking to run in the upcoming 2027 National General Elections have only eight days left to formally step down; the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) warned yesterday.In a national media directive, DPM Secretary Taies Sansan reminded all public servants that their formal resignations must take effect no later than Thursday, 29 October 2026.The strict cut-off date is mandated under Section 55 of the Public Services (Management) Act (PSMA), which dictates that public sector workers intending to stand for public office must completely separate from the civil service at least six months prior to the issuance of election writs. The official writs for the 2027 National General Election are scheduled to be handed down on April 29, 2027."Public servants intending to contest the 2027 National General Election must ensure that they comply with the law and complete the required resignation process by 29 October 2026," Secretary Sansan stated. "This is a legal requirement, and officers intending to nominate should take the necessary action before the deadline."To streamline compliance and clarify technical guidelines, the DPM has circulated Circular Instructions No. 15, No. 18, and No. 24 of 2026 across all government departments, statutory authorities, and provincial administrations.In a move to prevent public resources from being utilized for early political campaigns, the DPM has established a dedicated Election Technical Working Group. This task force will directly collaborate with the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission to thoroughly vet official candidate nomination lists against the state payroll database.Any public official found to have accepted nominations without a legally binding, pre-dated resignation on file will face immediate administrative actions and potential prosecution under public service regulations."DPM respects the right of public servants to seek elected office," Ms. Sansan noted. "At the same time, we have a responsibility to safeguard the integrity, neutrality, and professionalism of the Public Service, and to ensure that the transition from public service to political participation is undertaken lawfully and transparently."According to the directive, departing personnel must clearly state in their formal letters that the resignation is being submitted specifically for the purpose of contesting the 2027 national elections.A physical copy of the notice must be registered with individual agency heads, while an institutional copy must be furnished directly to the Department of Personnel Management for official record-keeping and payroll removal.Prospective candidates are advised that digital submissions can be securely transmitted directly to the central registry at secretarysoffice@dpm.gov.pg.

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) has officially presented an interim dividend of K400 million to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. This latest payment brings the national petroleum company’s total direct financial contributions to the State and the people of Papua New Guinea past the K1 billion milestone for the fiscal year 2026.The K400 million payment follows an advance dividend of K150 million remitted in December 2025, bringing KPHL’s total 2026 dividend distribution to K550 million. Combined with more than K480 million in Advance Payments Tax (APT) already remitted this year, KPHL’s total direct contribution for 2026 stands at over K1 billion, solidifying its position as the nation's premier driver of revenue and economic development.The dividend was presented by KPHL Chairman Amb. Isaac Lupari, CBE, GCL, during an official ceremony attended by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP; Petroleum Minister Hon. Jimmy Maladina, MP; Minister for State Enterprises Hon. William Duma, LLM, MP; KPHL Acting Managing Director Luke Liria; and the company's senior management team.Speaking at the presentation, Amb. Isaac Lupari stated that the dividend reflects KPHL's robust financial performance, disciplined stewardship, and unwavering commitment to long-term national wealth creation."As the national petroleum company, our core responsibility is to ensure that the country’s petroleum resources generate tangible and sustainable benefits for current and future generations of Papua New Guineans," Amb. Lupari said.The Board indicated that, subject to operational performance, debt obligations, and upcoming investment commitments, further dividend distributions will be considered before the end of the year. This continues a strong track record; between 2014 and 2025, KPHL has delivered:K1.827 billion in national taxes.K3.431 billion in state dividends.K3.463 billion in strategic petroleum investments (including PNG LNG equity acquisitions and establishing Niu Power Ltd with Santos).K416 million toward vital healthcare infrastructure (ANGAU Memorial and Port Moresby General Hospitals) and rural electrification.K740 million in critical infrastructure via the Government’s Tax Credit Scheme.In a landmark development for state project financing, KPHL has successfully secured a US$1.1 billion domestic and internal funding package to fully cover the State’s 22.5% equity participation in the Papua LNG project.The funding package is structured as follows:US$300 million secured through domestic lenders via BSP.US$800 million funded directly from KPHL’s PNG LNG (15.1% interest) cash flows stretching from 2026 to 2032.US$180 million has already been cleared for 2026 to meet the first cash call following the project's upcoming Final Investment Decision (FID).Chairman Lupari highlighted that this marks the first time in Papua New Guinea's political history that a capital raise of this magnitude has been orchestrated domestically and backed by national asset cash flows, bypassing external international debt. He commended Prime Minister James Marape and the Government for supporting this historic milestone.To prepare for its expanding role in Papua LNG, KPHL is actively undergoing a sweeping organizational transformation program aimed at optimizing commercial performance, elevating transparency, and tightening procurement and expenditure controls.As part of this institutional strengthening, the Board has launched a comprehensive forensic review into historical non-core investments and expenditures valued at approximately K1.2 billion.While the forensic audit is underway, all affected non-core projects have been placed under care and maintenance. Sub-commercial or legacy assets under active review include:Kumul TowerThe Jet A-1 Fuel FacilityThe Fabrication and Technical Training FacilityThe Port Moresby General Hospital Surgical Ward ConstructionThe procurement of a luxury yacht from IndiaThe review will stringently assess governance compliance, value-for-money considerations, and procurement irregularities to restore absolute corporate accountability.Moving forward, KPHL is running a strategic review of its entire asset portfolio to refocus exclusively on core oil and gas operations. Where commercially viable, non-core assets will be divested, leased to competent operators, or jointly developed."Every dividend we pay, every investment we make, and every decision we take must contribute directly toward the prosperity of our nation," Amb. Lupari concluded. "Strong financial performance must be matched by equally strong governance, accountability, and absolute transparency."

Westpac PNG has appointed two new executive leads, Mollie Sheekiot, as Head of People and Tanya Drost as Head of Risk to strengthen its executive leadership team and organizational growth.Mollie brings with her almost two decades of human resources and people leadership experience across financial services, mining, fast moving consumer goods, logistics and manufacturing.Prior to joining Westpac PNG, she held several senior leadership roles with Nambawan Super, Newcrest Mining and other organisations. With this appointment, Mollie will work with other leaders across Westpac to support talent development, employee engagement, and help promote a strong workplace culture aligned to the bank’s focus on customers, communities and long-term growth in PNG. Molly reaffirmed her commitment to the bank.“Westpac has a strong reputation for supporting its people and communities. I am excited to work with teams across the business to build on that foundation, strengthen our culture, support employee development and help deliver on the Bank’s strategic priorities.” Sheekiot said.Meanwhile, Tanya Drost, a long serving member of Westpac with more than 35 years and over 25 years of experience in credit risk roles has transitioned from the head of credit to head of risk at Westpac PNG. In her new role, Tanya will lead Westpac’s risk function, supporting the Bank’s approach to strong risk management while working closely with teams across the business.Ms. Drost said she remained focused on supporting Westpac PNG’s customers and business in her role.“Having worked closely with our customers and teams throughout my career at Westpac, I remain committed to drawing on that experience as Head of Risk. Strong risk management is fundamental to how we support our customers, make good decisions and build a sustainable business for the future,” Ms. Drost saidWestpac PNG Chief Executive, Andrew Cairns, said Mollie’s appointment and Tanya’s continued leadership brings significant experience to the Bank’s executive leadership team.“We are delighted to welcome Mollie to Westpac PNG. Her deep expertise in people leadership, organisational development and culture will be invaluable as we continue building a workplace where our people feel supported to do their best work and deliver positive outcomes for our customers and communities,” Mr. Cairns said.With decades of experience in credit risk roles and as a valued member of the Westpac PNG team, Tanya’s deep knowledge of our business and the PNG banking environment continues to strengthen our leadership team and support our focus on disciplined risk management as we grow our business and support customers across Papua New Guinea Mr. Cairns added.

Ten vehicles (10) worth about K2.4 million under the Provincial Services Improvement Program (PSIP) arrived in Madang on Tuesday from Lae for the Madang Provincial Police Command.Madang Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Robert Baim said the vehicles were paid for by the provincial government two years ago, and their arrival was a relief for the command.“The vehicles were paid for by the provincial government two years ago. Finally, they have been delivered, and this is a relief for us. I would like to thank the provincial government for the much-needed support,” Baim said.Baim said the vehicles would be distributed fairly across the districts to strengthen police operations and improve officers’ ability to respond to incidents.He also called on district MPs to provide at least one vehicle each to support police operations in their respective districts.

The Mineral Resources Development Company Ltd (MRDC) has purchased ExxonMobil’s Mobil Oil New Guinea Ltd (Mobil) retail service station in the National Capital District (NCD), Lae and Madang.The acquisition yesterday will be undertaken by Star Mountain Service Station Limited (SMSSL), a subsidiary company of MRDC. This agreement will allow them to obtain six Mobil service stations in Port Moresby: Mobil Boroko Drive, Mobil Islander, Mobil Gerehu, Mobil Tokarara, Mobil Ela Beach and Mobil Lahara. In addition, SMSSL will construct and operate Mobil-branded service stations in Lae, on Markham Road, and in Madang, on Modilon Road.MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano said the acquisition forms part of MRDC’s strategy to strengthen and diversify its investment portfolio in the downstream energy sector.“This investment reflects our continued focus on building commercially sustainable businesses that generate long-term value for our shareholders and beneficiaries,” Mr. Mano said.“The retail fuel sector is a critical component of the national economy, and this transaction presents an opportunity to acquire an established business with proven assets, established operations and a strong customer base.” Mano stated.During the meeting, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil PNG, Dinesh Sivasamboo, said the company remained committed to Papua New Guinea’s fuel market through its ongoing partnership with the retail network and business will continue as usual. Both companies will work together to facilitate a smooth transition for customers, employees and business partners.“This transaction combines local ownership with the continued support of an internationally recognised fuel brand,” he said.“Following completion, customers will continue to be served through the Mobil-branded network under our ongoing fuel supply arrangements. They can also continue to expect the quality products, service standards and trusted brand experience associated with Mobil.” Mr. Sivasamboo said.

Papua New Guinea's two major telecommunications operators have activated their first co-located tower site, marking a historic milestone for connectivity in the country.Digicel PNG announced that it has successfully activated its network services on a Vodafone PNG tower in Minj, Anglimp-South Wahgi District in Jiwaka Province. The site is the first to go live under the recent tower and infrastructure sharing agreement signed between the two operators.The activation allows Digicel PNG customers in the Minj area to access services through existing Vodafone PNG infrastructure, eliminating the need to build a duplicate tower.A second co-located site is expected to be finalised shortly in Baiyer River LLG, Western Highlands Province, where Vodafone PNG will host its services on a Digicel PNG-owned tower.In a statement, Digicel PNG said the initiative represents a significant step towards accelerating network expansion nationwide. The company said the shared use of existing infrastructure will improve service availability, and deliver greater connectivity and choice to communities, particularly in rural areas.The tower-sharing model is seen as a cost-effective way to expand coverage to underserved areas and is expected to support participation in education, business, social and community development.This marks the first time the two competing telecommunication operators have shared active tower infrastructure under the new deal, signalling a shift towards collaboration to advance PNG's digital development.

Seventy-five Grade 8 students from Wateraise Primary School began their National Examination on Monday, October 19, as they prepare to complete primary school and transition to the next stage of their education.The four-day examination period runs until tomorrow Thursday, October 22, covering English Language Paper 1, Mathematics, Combined Subjects, and English Language Paper 2. To ensure a smooth examination process, the school arranged the examination room, set up desks and chairs, verified candidate names, and adhered strictly to the official examination timetable. The administration of the tests is overseen by an examination supervisor alongside a Grade 8 teacher, with Mr. Umir Francis serving as the school’s internal invigilator.Candidates have been instructed to arrive on time, wear clean school uniforms, and follow all examination regulations. Students must work independently, with strict rules prohibiting cheating, copying answers, or bringing unauthorized materials into the examination room, though students are permitted to bring a clear bottle of water.Meanwhile, Grade 1 to Grade 7 students across the Markham District have been granted leave to remain at home during the examination week. They are expected to return to school next week following instructions from the relevant education authorities.Wateraise Primary School expressed hope that at least 60 of its 75 Grade 8 candidates will secure places at Markham Valley Secondary School and Ragiampun SDA High School to continue their Grade 9 education next year. Marking a vital milestone in the students' educational journeys, the final examination results will be officially announced through the relevant education authorities.

Yonki Dam’s water storage has dropped to 35.46 per cent of its full capacity as of October 20, 2026, raising serious concerns over electricity generation as prolonged dry weather continues to affect the Ramu power grid.PNG Power Limited reported that reduced water inflows into the Eastern Highlands Province reservoir have significantly reduced hydroelectricity generation, directly contributing to widespread power shortages across Lae, Madang, and several Highlands centres.PNG Power chief executive officer Paul Bayly said the utility was carefully managing water releases to preserve the remaining supply and prevent the dam from falling below its minimum safe operating level of 10 per cent.The dam supplies water for electricity generation at both the Yonki Toe and Ramu hydro power stations, which together form a major component of the Ramu grid’s power supply. While the overall grid requires approximately 90 megawatts during peak demand, Yonki hydro generation is currently producing only about 50MW on a normal day, creating a substantial grid-wide shortfall of approximately 40MW. PNG Power clarified that this shortage is strictly caused by reduced generation capabilities rather than equipment failure or transmission network damage.The impact is heavily felt in Lae, where peak electricity demand stands at about 40MW. The city is currently receiving around 25MW from available hydro and thermal generation, leaving an estimated 15MW shortfall during peak hours. To manage the limited supply and mitigate the risk of a major blackout affecting multiple centres across the grid, the utility is relying on planned load shedding.PNG Power stated it could not confirm when normal electricity supply would return, as recovery depends largely on rainfall in the Yonki Dam catchment area. Based on National Weather Service forecasts, load shedding is expected to continue for the remainder of 2026 and into the next wet season, which is predicted to begin in the second quarter of 2027.To support the electricity supply during this extended dry period, the company is assessing temporary generation options. Longer-term infrastructure plans include additional solar and hydro projects, gas-fired turbines, and the proposed Munum Power Station.PNG Power has apologised to customers affected by the interruptions and urged them to follow its published load-shedding schedules, emphasizing that maintaining water levels at Yonki Dam remains critical to sustaining baseline electricity generation while the region awaits improved rainfall.

Despite Wau Waria district's wait for the National Banking Corporation (NBC) banking processes to access its allocated K2.5million El Nino drought relief funds, the district, under the leadership of the local MP, Marsh Narewec has pushed forward with important preparations to be able to assist communities as soon as the funds are formally released by the bank."To our people doing it tough in this dry spell, we hear you and we are working hard to get help to those who need it most," Narewec said.Instead of waiting for the funds to be physically available, the MP, in his capacity as the District Development Authority's (DDA) Chairman, has tasked his CEO, Mr. John Orebut to establish a dedicated District El Nino Response Committee, putting in place the necessary structures to ensure relief assistance is delivered promptly, fairly and transparently once funding is accessed.The delay comes as the K2.5million El Nino relief funds have for the first time, been channeled through the NBC for districts to access, introducing a new financial process that district finance officers must first understand and comply with before accessing the allocations."Like other districts in Morobe Province, Wau Waria is working through these new requirements, with a workshop scheduled for this week to guide our finance officers through the necessary banking procedures, financial processes and requirements to help speed up the process of accessing the funds.""In the meantime, the district administration has moved ahead with its response preparations.From October 13th to the 15th, the District Management Team (DMT), led by the DDA CEO, Mr. Orebut, convened meetings to review drought damage reports, identify priority needs and develop a proposed response work plan and budget," Narewec said.Central to these preparations is the establishment of the District El Nino Response Committee, a separate oversight body comprising of LLG Managers, Programme Managers, government officers, business houses, churches and community representatives.The committee reflects Narewec's strong emphasis on transparency and accountability, ensuring that decisions on disaster relief are not left solely to the district administration, but are subjected to broader consultation, scrutiny and endorsement.The committee will be accountable to the DDA and the people of Wau Waria, providing oversight of how limited relief resources are prioritised and eventually distributed."The Committee met again today, (Tuesday) October 20th to finalize the plan, budget, and how help will be delivered," the MP said.Following the committee's endorsement, three teams are expected to be deployed today, Wednesday, October 21st, across the district's three LLGs, Wau Urban, Wau Rural and Waria to conduct awareness and collect firsthand information on the extent of drought-related hardships affecting individual communities.Recognising that the allocated disaster relief funds may not be sufficient to meet every community's needs, the DDA is deliberately avoiding a blanket approach to relief distribution.Instead, the district is adopting a needs-based response, where assistance will be tailored to the actual level of hardship and specific conditions experienced by communities on the ground.To achieve this, the DDA will deploy KoboToolBox, a digital data collection platform, to systematically gather drought impact information from individual wards. The data will enable the committee to assess the severity of the drought in each affected area, identify the most urgent needs and determine which interventions should be implemented immediately.This evidence-based approach is particularly important for Wau Waria, where communities are spread across difficult and often inaccessible terrain, making accurate information and effective resource allocation critical to disaster response efforts.Once the ward assessments are completed, the committee will review the findings and determine appropriate relief measures based on verified needs rather than assumptions.