PNG Haus Bung

PUBLIC SERVICE MINISTER MEETS COMISSIONERS & PSC STAFF

The Minister for Public Service Hon. Joe Sungi wants the Human Resource recruitment process of public servants to be digitalized. The Minister said this when he met with the Public Service Commission Commissioners and Secretariat Staff. Minister Sungi, his vice Minister Hon. Salio Waipo accompanied by Department of Personnel Management Secretary Ms. Taies Sansan held a meeting with Public Service Commission Commissioners and Staff on Friday (14th May). The meeting was purposely for the Minister to meet the Commissioners and staff of PSC as an agency that comes directly under the Public Service Ministry. Since taking office Minister Sungi conducted similar engagements with the Department of Personnel Management and the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance but due to the recent covid -19 restrictions was unable to meet with PSC until the meeting he had with the PSC Commissioners and staff on Friday. Minister Sungi, vice Minister Waipo and Secretary Sansan were welcomed by the Chairman for Public Service Commission Apeo Fuata Sione. In welcoming them Commissioner Sione said, his commissioners and the staff of the Secretariat were delighted to meet with the Minister for Public Service and to hear his plans for PSC. The Public Service Minister in addressing the Commissioners and the staff told them that the Public Service Commission is a very important organization and the most important thing is to see where the issues are that the organization face and work towards addressing them. Minister Sungi spoke about a number of areas that he would want to see improve and notable among them is the need to improve the Human Resource recruitment process and have it digitalized. Minister Sungi said, the process of recruitment for entry and exit into the public service must be digitalized as it will ease a lot of burden on the review process by PSC when aggrieved public servants lodge their documents for review when a disciplinary action is taken against them. The Minister made these remarks in light of the huge number of reviews that public servants lodge with PSC. He said, the need to find a more efficient process to deal with such matters would require digitization of this HR process. The Public Service Minister further stated that there is an urgent need for those in supervisory roles in line government agencies to ensure the process of appraising staff is done diligently to avoid the gaps in the system that eventually contribute to the rise in matters ending up at PSC. ‘For every Public Servant that enters the public service – their record must be there. We should now forget about paper work. In future we must go online to conduct recruitment’. He emphasized that if supervisors perform their role to ensure the appraisal form is filled accordingly to show poor performance ratings of staff scoring below 3 overall for 3 consecutive appraisals, then that is enough to dismiss public servants from the workforce. The Minister stressed that the appraisal form is enough to dismiss public servants who are under performing and whose work attendance and attitude to work is unacceptable. Minister Sungi called for the need for efficiency to improve these HR processes. He said, there is a need to strengthen the current systems and said digitization of these processes is the way forward. Minister Sungi also informed the staff of his vision to ensure that Public Servants receive housing as a condition of employment. He said, he is pursuing this and will ensure clear policies on this will be put in place.

Published on May 17, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/air-niuginis-first-national-retiring-pilot-captain-paul-kodor-leaves-behind-legacy/

Published on May 17, 2021

AIR NIUGINI’S FIRST NATIONAL RETIRING PILOT CAPTAIN PAUL KODOR LEAVES BEHIND LEGACY

Papua New Guinean pilot Captain Paul Kodor had retired in February this year after flying with Air Niugini for 34 years, leaving behind a great legacy including training a large number of pilots including many of the PNG nationals who are now flying the airline’s Boeing aircraft. He is Air Niugini’s first national pilot to have retired upon reaching the age of 65, following his final flight, PX004 on the Boeing 767 from Brisbane to Port Moresby on February 2, the day he turned 65 years old. 65 years is the maximum age approved by ICAO for pilots on international flights. His greatest achievement was becoming a Check and Training pilot on the Boeing aircraft following Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) PNG’s approval in 2004. Over the years, Captain Kodor conducted at least seven type rating courses which involved 14 pilots, mostly First Officers (FOs) trained under his wings, many of whom are currently flying Air Niugini’s Boeing aircraft. He said “I leave Air Niugini on a high note, proud to have given my time in training to about half of the Boeing pilots in the fleet. Basically, I have been training all my flying career and it gives me great satisfaction to see younger pilots moving up in their career.” Apart from training pilots, Captain Kodor also designed an in-house B767-300 Type Rating course, which he described as challenging. Kodor commenced his career with Air Niugini in September 1986, joining from PNG Defence Force Air Transport Wing where he flew for 10 years. He said, “I walked into Air Niugini without going through any job interview, and commenced my Dash 7 engineering course around September 1986. On completion, I was again advised to remain in the Training Centre to commence on Fokker 28 engineering course and just before Christmas, I completed my Fokker course. I believe ANG was using me as a guinea pig, which I found out later that the company at that time had never sent any direct entry pilots to Fokker aircraft.” “I was fortunate to have had a very smart and experienced trainer, Captain Granger Narara who had a time of his training career to convert my mind set from flying at 100 -120kts ground speed on Dash 8, increased to about 300 – 400kts on Fokker 28, meaning you have to think faster.” Captain Kodor started his Fokker command training in 1994 and by 1997 to1998, he started training young and upcoming FOs to the Fokker fleet. After training and checking four FOs to line, he was then promoted to Airbus A310 in 1999 and by January 2002, he got his command on the Airbus A310. “By then, I finally reached my ultimate goals of becoming an International Airline Transport pilot, Check and Training pilot, and achieving Instrument of Authorization (IOA) from CASA PNG. “ “When Air Niugini sold the Airbus A310 in 2002, I was sent with the rest of the pilots who operate wide body aircraft to New Zealand to train as captain on the Boeing 767-300 aircraft to operate on Air Niugini international routes.” A role model to many young pilots and those aspiring to become a pilot one day. Captain Kodor’s interest for flying began at the age of four when he came across a toy plane whilst growing up in the 1960s in Awar village, Bogia District of Madang Province. “There was a family in the village whose father was a cook on a ship. One day he brought home a toy plane causing curiosity among my age group. I was so interested to know as to how this thing works and who works on it. That increased my level of interest to know how the real thing works,” he said. Looking back at his childhood growing up in Madang, Captain Kodor started his early primary education at Bogia in the late 1960s. He went on to do forms 1 to 4, equivalent to grades 7 to 10 as a pioneer, at the then SVD High school, now Divine Word University from 1970 to 1973. He then completed grades 11 and 12 at Sogeri National High School from 1974 to 1975. Captain Kodor was then offered a Government flying scholarship to Cesnock in New South Wales however due to lack of funding, he was among six students who were sent back out of the twelve. He was later accepted to do pilot training with the PNG Defence Force and sent to Australia’s military flying school, the RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria where he got his wings upon graduating in 1977. He then flew with PNG Defence Force Air Wing for 10 years before joining Air Niugini, this totals up to 44 years active flying. “The top lessons I have learned from my experience working with the national airline is to treat everyone the same, work as a team to meet the company’s goal, and maintaining the company’s highest safety standard. Over the decades, Air Niugini’s safety standard is one of the best and on par with the other major carriers around the world. “Keep the safety standards, never compromise. I will surely miss flying my favourite Boeing 767 aircraft and colleagues who I have interacted with on a daily basis. They all made my journey a memorable one,” he added. Captain Kodor encouraged those still with Air Niugini to always have a vision and work hard towards it. Captain Kodor is married with seven children and nine grandchildren. “Thank-you Air Niugini for giving me the privilege to serve this wonderful organization which I leave with fond memories. To those still flying the Bird of Paradise, be a proud patriot and happy landings,” he concluded.

Published on May 17, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/enb-fresh-produce-reached-port-moresby-markets/

Published on May 17, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/bsp-supports-cheshire-fundraiser/

Published on May 17, 2021

BSP SUPPORTS CHESHIRE FUNDRAISER

BSP PNG | BSP Financial Limited once again has picked up on a pledge to continue its support to the Cheshire DisAbility Services PNG with K10,000 as Silver sponsors of the annual Red Feather Fundraiser program. Cheshire DisAbilty Services Red Further fundraiser is an annual event staged to mobilise funds and resources to run programs and support services that the Centre has. General Manager of the Cheshire DisAbility service PNG Benard Ayeko said, “It is through our partners that we are able to run this organisation, and BSP has been one of our fundamental supporter for a long time.” [caption id="attachment_8851" align="aligncenter" width="742"] General Manager of the Cheshire DisAbility service PNG Benard Ayeko (Left) receving the cheque from (Right) BSP Payments Manager Gila Ebenosi[/caption] “If you go around the premises, you would see BSP logo and color on most of our buildings including vehicles that has been donated to the organisation by this bank, and we are thankful for BSP for its continued support towards our people and communities,” added Mr Ayeko. BSP Payments Manager Gila Ebenosi on behalf of the bank reaffirmed the banks support saying, despite the name change from Bank South Pacific to now BSP Financial Group Limited, the bank remains committed and confident in supporting the people and communities. “People and community are a part of our organsiation and we are pleased to support the Cheshire DisAbility Services that serves people with DisAbilities in living a normal life and perform everyday activities like all people,” said Mr Ebenosi. BSP has been a contributing partner to many charity programs in maintaining the community livelihood, not only people with DisAbilities but also Orphans, Youth Life Skills programs, hospitals, clinics, and Meri safe Houses across the country. Our annual community projects also goes a long way in assisting such charity organisations. Since 2009, the bank has invested over K11 million and taken part in over 400 community projects through health, educations and sports in provinces and other Pacific countries that we operate in.

Published on May 17, 2021

ENB FRESH PRODUCE REACHED PORT MORESBY MARKETS

PORT MOREBSY: Fresh produce from East New Britain has reached Port Moresby to be sold to the retailers and customers in the nation’s capital. Forty bags of fresh produce from East New Britain province arrived on Saturday morning (May 15) at Gordons market and was sold in bulks to the market retailers and customers in the city. This was made possible through the partnership between the East New Britain Market Authority and NCDC Markets Division. NCDC Market Manager, Charlie Pengi said fresh produces are critical for the Commission to achieve healthy outcomes for the city. “Fresh produces vitamins, minerals, fibre and other nutrients that are important for healthy diet. It helps to reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases. It is part of the Commission’s vision for a healthy city,” said Mr Pengi. ENB Business Development Manager, Nano Keake was overwhelmed to see all the forty bags of their fresh produce sold out in less than an hour. “All forty bags sold out like this tells me that there is high demand of fresh produce here in the city,” said Keake. He said that is an achievement for the ENB Market Authority through this partnership with NCDC Markets Division. ENB Market Authority is an initiative of ENB Provincial government with the main vision to create a conducive environment and link into markets around the country. Keake said with this formal arrangement and with the fact that the demand of fresh produce in the city is high, they will continue to supply more fresh produce for their province into the city. “Our supplies will be consistent and will be bigger and better as we go along. We will make it easier where there will be control measures in place so that we help our local farmers sell their produce,” “As markets officers under the market run by our provincial authority, we have the responsibility to help our people find their market not only in our town but in other province like here in NCD and even overseas,” said Keake. Keake calls on the Government to chip in to assist with the transportation part of things from the garden to the markets. “The fees for transportation are high that most of the farmers can’t afford and that’s one of the factors that stops them from reaching out the big markets,” said Keake. He thanked the NCDC Markets for the partnership and is looking forward to working closely with the NCDC Markets officers to bring more fresh produce from ENB into the city for retailers and the city residents.

Published on May 17, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/new-model-toilet-wash-program-and-new-ward-office-launched/

Published on May 17, 2021

NEW MODEL TOILET (WASH PROGRAM) AND NEW WARD OFFICE LAUNCHED

The new Healthy Island Village Program of the Morobe Provincial Government was officially launched at Mambup Village in the Ward 3 area of Buang Local Level Government. Morobe Governor Hon Ginson Saonu, MP was present to officiate the occasion which saw the opening of a new Model Toilet (Water & Sanitation Health Program) & Sanitation Facility and the Ground Breaking Ceremony for a New Ward Office to house the roll-out of the program in the area. Governor Saonu was accompanied by Buang LLG President Hon Yang Napo, Healthy Island Village Provincial Program Provincial Coordinator Dr Justin Ruaming along with representatives of the Morobe Provincial Government. According to Governor Saonu, where the lack of bureaucracy in the village level, the program is designed to capture the areas neglected and therefore directly now interacting with the people on the ground. “It is my vision to see villages in the rural areas of Morobe Province are kept healthy and hygienic so that health issues are kept at a minimal rate.” “Like they say prevention is better than cure and therefore a healthy village will produce a healthy child that will produce a healthy society and at the same time reduce the burden from our struggling healthcare system.” Governor Saonu was pleased with the launch of the new Model Toilet System that not only accommodates a proper septic toilet system but is packaged with a Wash Basin and is ideal for all rural villages. He said the program under the Guidance of Dr Ruamin and team will be rolled out in all 33 Local Level Governments of Morobe Province and is designed to capture the 600 plus villages of the province as well. Buang LLG President Hon Yang Napo praised the Leadership of Governor Saonu stating clearly that this year, he has adequate funding (K700,000) to support such programs in his LLG. He further praised the support given by Governor Saonu to the Buang High School Mess and Building redevelopment.

Published on May 17, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/vaccines-will-ensure-business-continuity/

Published on May 17, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/png-records-181-new-covid-19-cases-last-week-total-cases-at-13423/

Published on May 17, 2021

PNG RECORDS 181 NEW COVID-19 CASES AS OF WEDNESDAY MAY 12 – TOTAL CASES AT 13,423

Papua New Guinea has recorded 181 new COVID-19 cases last week, increasing the total number of cases to 13,423. The cases were reported in 10 provinces with the National Capital District reporting the highest of 56 cases. New Ireland reported 28 cases, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville 26, Morobe 23, East New Britain 14, Western Highlands 13, Eastern Highlands eight, Central seven, West New Britain five and Gulf a single case. Of the 181 cases recorded, 105 were males and 76 females. Their ages range between one to 98 years. At the time of testing, 99 cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19. The country’s COVID-19 cases now stands at 13,423 with 133 known deaths. So far, a total of 11,034 recoveries have been recorded. All 22 provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 160,319,983 including 710,122 new cases reported in last weeks. The death toll is at 3,330,879 including 13,444 new deaths last week. [pdf-embedder url="https://pnghausbung.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PNG-COVID-19-Statistics-Wednesday-12May2021.pdf" title="PNG COVID-19 Statistics-Wednesday-12May2021"]

Published on May 17, 2021