The Chairman of the National Security Advisory Council and Chief Secretary to Government, Mr. Ivan Pomaleu has come out to thank the Police Commissioner, David Manning, for his directive to Puma Energy and the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) to ensure that fuel can continue to be supplied to fuel users throughout the country.  Puma Energy commenced rationing fuel supplies in all its service stations and its supply of Jet A1 fuel to airline operators last week. This has seen a scale back of flights operating in the country, including Air Niugini. This has since seen a lot of cancelled flights and stranded passengers throughout the country. “The story on fuel supplies is such that not only will flights be affected, but other important services such as ambulance, electricity, and security services will be affected.” “Major economic activities will also be affected. That is why this intervention is necessary as the country goes through the long weekend.” The Chief Secretary also commended Air Niugini for maintaining some level of services to the main sectors of its operating routes, even though the fuel rationing went as low as 50% at least by Friday and Saturday. Mr. Pomaleu also confirmed that the National Security Council have met recently and made some resolutions. The resolutions are being finalized by the government team and will be announced shortly. “The Government continues to acknowledge and manage the independence of the Bank of Papua New Guinea.” “At the same time, it seeks to ensure that the interests of its citizens, businesses and services are, as much as possible, sustained in an environment where Puma is the sole supplier of certain categories of fuel.”

People travelling on PNG Air can expect no more disruptions of flights after the airline announced the full resumption of its normal flight schedules from this week onwards. This was after PNG AIR advised customers and the travelling public that the airline has received advice from the jet aviation fuel supplier, Puma Energy that they have resumed normal service across the country, lifting the threat of possible flight cancellations. Passengers with reservations can travel with confidence, and book tickets to travel online at www.pngair.com.pg or at the nearest PNG Air, Post PNG Sales Office and Travel Agent. PNG Air also thanked its customers for their understanding and looks forward to welcoming them on board soon. For more information, customers can contact PNG Air Call Centre on 16111 (Digicel toll-free) or 7411 2644 (Bmobile and Telikom).

Police Commissioner, David Manning has issued a directive to the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) to immediately facilitate foreign currency exchange to Puma Energy for them to purchases of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Mr. Manning issued the directive under the Commissioner’s function as the Controller, under the National Pandemic Act, which is still in force as the PNG economy continues the long recovery from this period. “As Police Commissioner and Controller, I have a responsibility, on behalf of the government and our people, to intervene so as to prevent harm being pushed upon our people because two major organizations are unable to resolve their differences.” “The economic damage caused by the global pandemic still lingers and in my capacity, I will not let this disagreement between BPNG and Puma set back our recovery. “These are big organizations that should both have systems in place to prevent their disputes escalating to the point of costing livelihoods and lives. “When fuel supplies are reduced or cut, medicines cannot be transported, ambulance operations are hindered, businesses have to send workers home and food does not get to market.” The Commissioner said energy security is central to economic stability and public safety, so the government has taken action to overcome an unacceptable situation created between high level executives of the two organizations involved. “In consultation with the Prime Minister and the Minister for Internal Security, I have issued this direction to BPNG, and their compliance is mandated by law, while Puma must now do the right thing and end rationing. “Puma must immediately put an end to fuel rationing, restore fuel supplies from current stocks that are in the country and make urgent delivery of additional supplies. “With their global reach, Puma can have urgent re-supply so there can be no excuses on their part for not immediately ending the rationing. Mr. Manning said it is imperative that BPNG and Puma put in place processes, so that the current fuel rationing situation cannot happen again. Manning added that this isn’t the first-time people have been held to ransom over this foreign exchange matter between BPNG and Puma.

A recent survey conducted by UNFPA in partnership with the National Department of Health (NDoH) has found that 57% of health facilities had the minimum required number of maternal health medicines in stock. The Health Facilities Survey 2022 had surveyed 149 facilities that provide maternal health and delivery services in Papua New Guinea (PNG). From that survey, enumerators recorded the availability of 17 medicines. The World Health Organisation’s (WHOs) minimum global standard requires facilities offering maternal health and delivery services to have at least 7 of these medicines including two mandatory medicines, oxytocin and magnesium sulfate. Oxytocin assists in ensuring a safe delivery and magnesium sulfate reduces the risk of seizure in women with pre-eclampsia. These two medicines are critical for ending preventable maternal death. According to the survey, 75% of facilities reported oxytocin and 65% reported availability of magnesium sulfate. Women in rural areas are most at risk from the lack of medicines with 51% of rural health facilities reporting availability of the minimum of seven maternal health medicines. The results of this study will assist the UNFPA and the NDoH in understanding and responding to the instances of stock-outs in health facilities. The most common reasons for stock-outs were delays in ordering and receiving these essential medicines. Meanwhile, the NDoH with support from UNFPA, has been conducting logistics and supply chain management trainings for health workers in each province of PNG to address this matter. The trainings include health facility pharmacists, medical officers, nurses, and warehouse personnel to improve efficiency and reduce stock outs and wastage across the health system. UNFPA is working with the NDoH to address the unmet need for family planning and reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. UNFPA’s partnership with NDoH focuses on strengthening local expertise in delivering improved health services PNG through supporting midwifery in-service training and equipment, procurement and distribution of contraceptives and reproductive health commodities, support to the Certification in Basic Pharmaceutical Management course for Pharmacy Assistants, and sexual and reproductive health advocacy. With support from the Australian Government, UNFPA has completed a national Assessment for Reproductive Health Commodities and Services to assess the availability and quality of essential reproductive health commodities and quality of family planning and maternal health services in primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities across the country. In addition, UNFPA procured $730, 000 USD of reproductive health commodities in 2022 with $260, 000 USD for strengthening the supply chain and health system in PNG.

The New Ireland Education Chief Executive Officer, Mr Apelis Benson has said that funding of education services has been a real challenge in the education sector in the province. “I am having difficulties securing allocated funds to subsidise activities such as training, inspections, examinations, refurbishment of schools, rations support for secondary school and even consistency in disbursement of Government Tuition Fee Subsidy.” “I therefore, ask all leaders to manage funds well and only fund activities that are relevant.” “Thank you to those leaders who are always supporting the Government deliver their responsibilities." Apelis said that funding for Provincial In-service training week for teachers are still pending and they have had to postpone the PIST to a later date. He said that there will be a formal circular sent out by week 3 to confirm dates as well as possible change of assessment and term dates. He thanked all teachers for their patience and reminded them that teaching and learning must be the core business of every teacher saying attendance and punctuality is important. He asked that all heads of schools for Grades 8, 10 and 12 must submit their budgets for the national examination as soon as possible and that includes the marking of the written expression exams as well. He added that Monday 24th July 2023 is a public holiday and schools will observe this public holiday and resume the next day.

The Prime Minister has expressed appreciation to the Department of Works and Highways for their outstanding efforts in nearing the completion of the Trans-National Highway Corridor Missing Link between Aseki in Morobe and Epo in Gulf. Prime Minister James Marape commended the dedicated teams of the Department of Works and Highways for their relentless work under challenging conditions, including continuous rain and rugged terrain, to establish this crucial road. He said that this accomplishment demonstrates the success of the Marape Government's flagship 'Connect PNG' programme. During his visit to remote Menyamya in Morobe Province earlier this year, Marape followed the route of the Trans-National Highway by helicopter. This experience further reinforced his admiration for the project and the teams involved. "I extend my commendation to Minister Solan Mirisim, Secretary David Wereh and the entire team of civil engineers at the Department of Works and Highways." "My government is fully committed to addressing key missing links like this, in order to facilitate the development and integration of all regions within our country." Prime Minister Marape hopes that people will be able to travel from Port Moresby to Lae and vice versa through the corridor when the country celebrates its 50 years of independence on September 16, 2025. The 'Missing Link' of the Trans-National Highway, spanning 159.8km, lies between Oiwa in Aseki, Morobe, and Epo in Gulf. With the Department of Works and Highways establishing two teams, Team Morobe and Team Gulf, significant progress has been achieved. Marape highlighted that during the 21 months, 64km has been completed. To finalise the Trans-National Highway Corridor Missing Link, a remaining distance of 95.8km is yet to be completed. Team Morobe is responsible for 49.2km, while Team Gulf will handle 46.6km. The Prime Minister expects this remaining work to be finished by December 2024.

The Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment will hold a special Parliamentary Hearing today to interview candidates shortlisted by the Department of Personnel Management for the position of Director of the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Secretariat. The position of Director is a crucial role that will guide the establishment of the first ever National GBV Secretariat. The Secretariat will be responsible for driving the implementation of the National GBV Strategy (2016-2025) and coordinating implementation across national government agencies as well as the provinces. The National GBV Secretariat was supposed to be established in 2017 but approval and recruitment of key positions has been delayed for many years. The Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV drew attention to this deficiency in its two public hearings and two Reports to Parliament. Recommendation 6 of the Special Parliamentary Committee’s 2022 Report stated that “The Government must urgently; (1) Ensure the SRC approves the NGBVS CEO position at an appropriate level to ensure a qualified leader an be recruited; (2) Task DPM with recruiting the remaining 10 NGBVS staff, who must have sufficient GBV qualifications to ensure they can effectively drive the implementation of the National GBV Strategy with government and non-government partners”. Applications for the position of Director and all other positions in the National GBV Secretariat were advertised from 1 May to 12 May 2023. The new Permanent Parliamentary Committee on GEWE held their first public hearings from 24-26 May 2023. They were told by the Department for Community Development and Religion that the recruitments had still not been completed by that time. The Committee strongly urged DFCDR to make the recruitments their top priority. The GEWE Committee Chair, Governor Powes Parkop, and Deputy Chair, Governor Allan Bird, have since been liaising closely with DPM and DFCDR to encourage them to prioritise the recruitment of the National GBV Secretariat Director. Recognising the important oversight role that the GEWE Committee plays, DPM has now invited the shortlisted candidates to appear before the Committee, as part of the vetting process. The vetting process will be undertaken by the Committee from 10am on 18 July 2023, at Parliament Haus. Shortlisted candidates have been invited to appear and they will be asked to present their vision for the Secretariat to the Committee, to indicate how they plan to implement the mandate of the Secretariat and work with stakeholders. The Committee hearings will be live streamed on the Committee facebook page, as usual. This will allow the public to hear from each candidate and to witness a more transparent and accountable recruitment process for this critical role. In addition to Chairman Parkop and Deputy Chair Allan Bird, the Committee has 5 other members, namely; Central Province Governor Rufina Peter; Wau Waria MP, Marsh Narewe; Alotau MP, Ricky Morris; Koroba Lake Kopiago MP William Bando; and POM NW MP Lohia Boe Samuel. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been providing technical support to the new Parliamentary Committee on GEWE as part of its Parliamentary Strengthening Project, which is funded by the Australian Government. This support aims to support the National Parliament, its members and its Committee to engage in more effective law-making, oversight and representation in the discharge of their constitutional mandates.

Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds produced a playmaking masterclass at Belmore on Saturday afternoon to guide his team to a 44-24 victory. Playing as well as ever in his 12th season in the NRL, Reynolds scored the game's opening try, laid one on for Kurt Capewell and put in pinpoint chip kicks to help set up tries for Ezra Mam and Brendan Piakura in a five-star display. On an emotional afternoon which saw club legend Josh Reynolds play his last ever game in NSW Cup, the Bulldogs brought the huge crowd into the game early when Jacob Preston stretched out to score in the third minute and Matt Burton converted for a 6-0 lead. Come the 14th minute and Reynolds stamped his class on the game when he put Piakura into a hole and accepted the return pass to score under the posts. A mistake by Kotoni Staggs from the kick-off gave the Bulldogs a chance to hit straight back but an intercept by Billy Walters on the goal line defused the danger. Broncos back-rower Kurt Capewell celebrated his return from a quad injury in the 19th minute when he powered over from close range courtesy of a sweetly timed Reynolds pass. The Bulldogs hit back in the 25th minute when Jake Averillo finished off a superb team try that featured offloads from Corey Waddell, Tevita Pangai Junior and Jacob Kiraz before the fullback finished it off and scores were locked 12-12. It took the Broncos just two minutes to take the lead back when Walters dived over from dummy half and Reynolds' conversion made it 18-12 to the visitors. Averillo made it a double in the 29th minute after some great lead-up work by Pangai Junior and Toby Sexton before the Broncos crossed for their fourth of the day through Deine Mariner. The Broncos lost winger Selwyn Cobbo to the sin bin in the 39th minute for running with a raised elbow into Sexton's neck as he hit the defensive line. Even down a man the Broncos were able to strike first after the break when Xavier Willison strolled over for a soft try to make it 28-18 to Brisbane. A clever grubber by Burton looked to have set up the Bulldogs' fourth try but Preston was unable to complete the putdown as he lunged at the ball. The Broncos then came up with a spectacular last-tackle play to put the result beyond doubt when Reynolds chipped over the top, Mariner toed the ball ahead and Mam scooped it up to score. Reynolds converted to make it 34-18. Putting the finishing touches on a great afternoon, Reynolds kicked over the top for Cobbo to regather and find Piakura in support in the 69th minute as the Broncos hit 40. A late try to Waddell added some respectability for the Bulldogs but they allowed the Broncos to have the final say when Herbie Farnworth scored from a Tristan Sailor grubber and the score finished at 46-24. Source: NRL.Com  

Newcastle have secured back-to-back wins for the first time in 2023 with a 34-18 victory over the Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night. Knights star Kalyn Ponga brushed aside a rough night on the goal-kicking front to set up three of the side's seven tries and continue his purple patch of form since switching back to fullback. Wests Tigers didn't go away throughout the evening until a try to Tyson Gamble with seven minutes remaining put the Knights ahead by 14 to seal victory. The Knights survived a horror opening set when the Wests Tigers appeared to have scored from a Will Smith kick before the NRL Bunker ruled Jahream Bula had knocked the ball forward for Tommy Talau to go over. Newcastle ran in three tries in 12 minutes following the call to set up a 12-0 lead with Ponga setting up Greg Marzhew and Bradman Best on the left before Dom Young crossed on the right with the visitors' edge defence non-existent. Ponga's off night with conversions early was keeping the Wests Tigers in it until Daniel Saifiti - who spilled two balls earlier - crossed from close range in front of the posts. The visitors needed a spark to avoid being in for a long night with the youngest player on the park - Bula - the provider when he crossed on the right edge with a show-and-go play. Newcastle's 12-point lead narrowed further two minutes before the break when Api Koroisau pounced on a grubber kick that couldn't be cleaned up by Ponga and Gamble close to the line. Knights firebrand Jack Hetherington was sent to the sin-bin shortly after half-time for striking out at Will Smith with a slap after a high shot from the Wests Tigers five-eighth. Despite being a man down in the defensive line it meant nothing when Ponga crossed on the left edge with his side-stepping ways getting past three defenders to the line. Goal-kicking continued to prove difficult, however, and the joint venture made the home side pay some more when Isaiah Papali'i ran over Gamble to send Bula over for his second of the evening. For all the points Ponga wasn't making with the boot, he was returning serve with the try assists, coming up with his third of the evening to gift Young a second try out wide. The English winger was denied a third try in the 67th minute with Bula pulling off a try-saver to jolt the ball free as the Knights looked to stretch their lead further. Bula, who along with skipper Koroisau were among the visitors' best for the evening, couldn't deny Gamble the match-winner after Young broke away on the right edge before finding his five-eighth in support to finish the game. Source: NRL.Com

Stepping in to fill the void left by one of the game’s biggest stars, Tristan Sailor could be forgiven for being all at sea as fullback for the Broncos. The 25-year-old is just seven games into his career, the last two of those filling in for Reece Walsh in wins over the Warriors in Round 13 and Dolphins in Round 18. Given that Sailor hadn't played an NRL game since midway through 2020, there has been plenty to like about his composure at the back. "He had a hand in a couple of tries and was very safe at the back," skipper Adam Reynolds said after his side's latest win. "Defensively he organized our numbers and I thought he was fantastic. He has played two games for us and has done his job both times. "He doesn’t look out of place in first grade." Unsurprisingly, Sailor's strong form has seen him recently commit to the Broncos for another two seasons with the Western Suburbs Red Devils junior enjoying his time at the club where his father Wendell enjoyed a stories career. “I think the Broncos is such a prestigious club in its own right and then to have that sort of legacy behind is so awesome,” Sailor said. “You see Billy (Walters) walking around too, we used to hang out as kids, and he's got Hugo running around now, which is just unbelievable. It sort of shows that the Broncos has that legacy and it's filtering down through generations.” As for the best advice he had been given by his dad so far, Sailor said it was more of a mindset than anything skills based. “I guess he worked on fundamentals with me, but I reckon the best thing he ever gave me was confidence, because he's the most confident person in the world,” Sailor said. “I think I have got a sort of toned-down version of that, but I'm definitely confident with trying stuff.” Before making his club debut as the Broncos defeated the Warriors in Napier, Sailor had been starring in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup under the coaching of another former star Bronco. Sailor has been named a fullback again for Brisbane's match this Saturday's match against the Bulldogs, and also played at fullback for the South Logan Magpies over the weekend, scoring a try as his side defeated the Sunshine Coast Falcons. “I think that's laid a good foundation for me personally here, but Karmichael (Hunt), he's just taken all the boys on board,” Sailor told NRL.com of his Cup coach. “We have such a team mentality that we've only had two losses during the year and Karmichael's in that mindset where he just wants to build us in towards finals.” The Broncos are also looking to make their mark on the finals and will be keen to keep their winning momentum going coming off their bye when they take on the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground. Source:NRL.Com

PNG’s Legal Training Institute (LTI), in collaboration with Australia’s Victorian Bar recently, completed its most recent course on Civil and Criminal Advocacy. The workshop was supported by the Australian Government through the PNG-Australia Partnership and provided LTI students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to be effective courtroom advocates in civil and criminal law matters. This year saw the highest number of students involved with over 150 participating, 50 percent of those being women. Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibba Salika opened the workshop and told the students “Listen and learn, the sessions will be intense so be prepared and learn as much as you can.” “You will take part in mock court room cross examinations, getting your facts right is important so know your facts well to present to the court, and actively participate in discussions.” The five-day training was facilitated by members of the Victorian Bar (Australia), the LTI team and the Papua New Guinea Law Society. The 14-member Victorian Bar team that travelled to Port Moresby for the workshop included retired President of the Supreme Court of Appeal of Victoria, Honourable Chris Maxwell AC KC, and retired Victoria Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Peter Riordan and 11 experienced barristers. During the week, students engaged in a range of activities, including interactive sessions and practical courtroom scenarios with accomplished trainers and legal practitioners. The experience provided participants with invaluable insights into case analysis, evidence presentation, effective communication, and persuasive techniques. Vavine Sere was one such student, identifying the practical court sessions as her main highlight. “I learnt so much during the practical court sessions.” “They gave us problems and we had to work out how we would present in court to argue our client’s case.” “Some days we acted as the prosecutor and some days as the defence, and we got good feedback from the presenters so that really helped me learn.” “It’s a lifelong skill that we must perfect, and this week has been a very good start for me.” The increased participation of women continues to strengthen the legal profession in PNG with a greater diversity in legal decision-making and representation. The week also highlighted the continuing strong relationship between LTI and the Victorian Bar with workshops being held annually since 1990 thanks to support from the Australian Government through the PNG- Australia Partnership.

The National Department of Health (NDOH) Secretary, Dr. Osbourne Liko is making a call to the public to report health workers involved in harmful practices such as penile (penis) injection with oil to increase its size. The NDOH through the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Nursing Council and Medical Board of PNG has said no health worker should be involved in such practices. This call came about after revelations were made by doctors at a recent panel discussion on penile fibroma or ‘cobra head’ hosted by UNFPA in Port Moresby, which revealed that the number of men suffering from penile fibroma are rising rapidly and putting pressure on the health system in the country. It was revealed that some health workers are charging between K200 to K300 to perform the penis injections with all sorts of oil on men. He said that the PNG Nursing Council and Medical Board of PNG are the two regulatory bodies of the health sector in the country that have both condemned this illegal practice and have appealed to those who have information to report to the regulating bodies. “The regulatory authorities have said that some health care workers are being paid to inject all types of oil into the penis of young men and boys in PNG.” “Such practices are dangerous and harmful to their bodies.” “The public must report any health care workers, such as nurses or community health workers who are performing the procedure to the PNG Nursing Council and Medical Board, so those who are responsible in causing harm to the males can be deregistered immediately according to the Medical Registration Act 1980.” Those who have information can report to the PNG Nursing Council on email: nursing_council@health.gov.pg or call the landline 3013799; and the PNG medical Board on email florie_kaupueina@health.gov.pg or call its landline 3013813.