The commander of NCD/Central provinces, acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi urges vehicle drives obey to traffic rules while driving, following an increasing rate of road accidents. ACP Turi visited these accident scenes and highlighted that these accidents due to drivers not adhering to speed limits. According to police reports, more than 50 accidents were reported in both NCD and Central provinces within this year, which some are more serious while others are minor, according to the command's police boss. ACP Turi visited some of the accident sites along Maggi Highway yesterday, confirmed that most of the accident scenes are at corners where vehicles MUST slow down and drive according to traffic rules. He said that most of the vehicles involved in accidents are due to speeding. Meanwhile, Turi emphasized on deaths and serious injuries from serious reports along Maggi Highway between the stretch of road from Gaire to Bautama this year. He mentioned that the accidents could’ve been avoided if drivers were not speeding. In addition, ACP Turi emphasized on an old but popular Road-Safety advertisement presenting, “Speeding Kills,” noting that while public awareness campaigns have long warned about its dangers, many still ignore them until tragedy strikes. “We regret when properties are damaged, and lives are lost; then we think of that advertisement. As the number of vehicles increases on the command roads, they will be very busy, so when you are on the road, you must also think of the other vehicles that will be on the road.” “Please drive slowly. Some of the accidents, like the one involving the police vehicle a few weeks back and the recent one, should not happen if the drivers were not speeding.” Furthermore, ACP Turi said that so far, within the period of five months, more than ten people have died in traffic accidents in the command. He mentioned that some of those who died are passengers, while others are drivers, and the rest are hit-and-run victims, all of which lead to one cause: speeding. Commander Turi stated that as the independence celebration is just weeks away, people who are driving around the city are asked to respect one another. The roads are made for everyone to use, not just for you, the speeding driver. He urged everyone to respect each other, including those they carry in their vehicles.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (Ok Tedi) recently celebrated the 40-years relationship with Japan at a formal reception at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on Japan to embrace and acknowledge the long-standing Japan-PNG collaboration. The intimate event last week was attended by significant individuals including long-term customers, smelter partners and industry players from the Japanese mineral sector. Ok Tedi Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kedi Ilimbit, expressed pride and appreciation in commemorating the company's longstanding mineral supply partnership with Japan, embracing the value of both enduring collaborators and emerging relationships. “Ok Tedi began with a partnership with Japan which has now developed into an enduring friendship of over 40 years strong. If you want to do business in PNG, Ok Tedi is the natural partner of choice, we look forward to many years of future progress and partnership,” he said. Also speaking at the event evening was the Managing Executive Officer and President of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC), Nobuhiro Takayanagi, who shared kind words about the successful past and fruitful future between the two companies. “We are proud to be providing MMC and our other smelter partners with a quality, consistent supply, utilizing the vast resources available in PNG,” said Mr. Ilimbit. “We are very thankful for the ongoing support from our pacific neighbors and are glad to help strengthen their mineral security.” Moreover, Ok Tedi General Manager Project Financing, Catherine Costello stated, “PNG and Ok Tedi have much to offer Japan, and Japan is capable of supporting PNG achieve its own development goals.” “This is the first event of this kind Ok Tedi has hosted, and we hope to see this celebration of international collaboration become an annual event,” she said. The celebration is a milestone to Ok Tedi’s progressive relationship with the Mineral Sector of Japan, to promote Papua New Guinea’s mining industry and the opportunities it presents for both national growth and sustainable investment.

Central Province Police and Mobile Squad have arrested seven suspects involved in a long-overdue Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) case which resulted in a death and several homes torched to ash two years ago. Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commander of Central/NCD Benjamin Turi confirmed the suspects, six men and one woman are currently in police custody in Port Moresby and will be charged accordingly. Despite an extremely muddy terrain between Ganai Village and the main Highway, Police officers were able to maneuver their vehicles through the mud and rocks even though it took 18-hours to reach Ganai Village and return. Meanwhile, Turi confirmed the SARV report from two years ago and mentioned receiving a copy of the initial report following the man accused recently died. The initial report was submitted among several other reports to the local Police Station at Moreguina. Commander Turi pointed out that he sought support from the Mobile Squad and the Central Provincial Police Commander, who planned the operation and successfully carried it out, leading to the apprehension of seven suspects. He also said that Police will only take action when reliable and detailed information is provided, as conducting operations is costly and difficult when reports are vague and involved parties refuse to cooperate. "The suspects are those who were involved in harboring the main suspects of the SARV case and those who were involved in seriously assaulting a man who died last month at Port Moresby General Hospital. The other suspect was also arrested for burning the SARV suspect's house.” “We are here to help the people of our command, and we will try our best to help solve their issues. We were also told that they were happy to see police in the village to deal with the case that had separated families for some years," Turi said. In addition, Commander Turi emphasized his delight toward a behaved group of suspects helping police officers recover from a being bogged when travelling back at 11pm in Ganai Village. The suspects cooperated with the police, who got into the police vehicle and travelled another nine hours back to Port Moresby. He said the suspects were informative in sharing the stress of minimum service delivery due to the poor road condition. "I am pleased with the police units who executed the operation successfully. It is now a message to others that the police will still come for you if you commit an offense. All we need is detailed information from victims so the police can plan and execute without doubt. This one was a good operation, and I want to thank the people who lodged the complaint," Turi said. ACP Turi stressed the successful apprehension and confirmed He said the suspects are now detained at Sogeri Police Station, and a CID officer from Central is now taking charge of the case. Commander Turi, while acknowledging the good work done by his officers, also challenged leaders in his command to work with the police so they can serve the people who need police services.

The National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) has announced the launch of its newly restored website following its launch during the Employee Engagement Conference in July. General Manager of IT & Innovations, Arua Taravatu, led the internal rollout of the website, while Chief Finance Officer Debbie Oli introduced the new calculators to support member retirement planning. Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Sharma said the website reflects Nasfund’s commitment to improving service delivery through innovation, backed by strong governance and a focus on building trust. “As a fund, we are focused on being transparent, reliable, and easy to engage with. This upgraded platform helps us meet those standards for our members and employers,” said Sharma. The upgraded platform includes several new features aimed at improving the online experience: Smart AI chatbot for real-time assistance Interactive superannuation calculators Educational videos- supportive to superannuation literacy and awareness Refreshed layout for easier navigation across devices. Members of the Nasfund are encouraged to connect as the website is now live and available to the public.

Central Province Police and Mobile Squad arrested seven suspects involved in a long-overdue Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) case, that resulted in a death and several homes torched to ash two years ago. Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commander of Central/NCD Benjamin Turi confirmed the suspects, six men and one woman are currently in police custody in Port Moresby and will be charged accordingly. While an extreme muddy terrain was between Ganai Village and the main Highway, Police officer were able to manoeuvre their vehicles through a rich soil of unstable mud and rocks even though it took 18-hours to reach Ganai Village and return. Meanwhile, Turi confirmed the SARV report from two years ago and mentioned receiving a copy of the initial report following the man accused recently died. The initial report was submitted among several other reports to the local Police Station at Moreguina. Commander Turi pointed out that he sought support from the Mobile Squad and the Central Provincial Police Commander, who planned the operation and successfully carried it out, leading to the apprehension of seven suspects. He also said that Police will only take action when reliable and detailed information is provided, as conducting operations is costly and difficult when reports are vague and involved parties refuse to cooperate. "The suspects are those who were involved in harbouring the main suspects of the SARV case and those who were involved in seriously assaulting a man who died last month at Port Moresby General Hospital. The other suspect was also arrested for burning the SARV suspect's house.” “We are here to help the people of our command, and we will try our best to help solve their issues. We were also told that they were happy to see police in the village to deal with the case that had separated families for some years," Turi said. In addition, Commander Turi emphasized his delight toward a behaved group of suspects helping police officers recover from a being bogged when travelling back at 11pm in Ganai Village. The suspects cooperated with the police, who got into the police vehicle and travelled another nine hours back to Port Moresby. He said the suspects were informative in sharing the stress of minimum service delivery due to the poor road condition. "I am pleased with the police units who executed the operation successfully. It is now a message to others that the police will still come for you if you commit an offense. All we need is detailed information from victims so the police can plan and execute without doubt. This one was a good operation, and I want to thank the people who lodged the complaint," Turi said. ACP Turi stressed the successful apprehension and confirmed He said the suspects are now detained at Sogeri Police Station, and a CID officer from Central is now taking charge of the case. Commander Turi, while acknowledging the good work done by his officers, also challenged leaders in his command to work with the police so they can serve the people who need police services.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Highlands Western and Operation Commander of the Porgera Paiela by-election Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop, has expressed gratitude to local businesses for the collective support in successful Porgera Paiela By-Election. ACP Tondop highlighted this in a recent statement on Thursday 24th July 2025, pointing out the willing support from local business groups despite the history of dangerous situations in Porgera Paiela in Enga Province. Tondop proudly emphasized that duties and commitment to a free, fair and safe election came first, although the Porgera Paiela community face unresolved social and law issues since 2024, including the use of high-powered weapons posing a serious threat to safe polling. “I acknowledge the strong support of the local business community who rallied behind and provided us with much needed fuel, rations and petty cash to execute this operation.” “You had confidence in my leadership, and you responded to my call. Many would not have volunteered to come willingly into a high security risk environment, but you did.  I thank you all,” ACP Tondop said. Furthermore, Tondop said they have demonstrated a high level of discipline and professionalism in a high intensity, tense and stressful situation. Their exemplary performance is a testament to what they can achieve when they work together with clarity, focus and commitment.

The Amako Arts Gallery in June Valley in Port Moresby city is a place where art is being used to develop good personal qualities and reshaping the hearts and minds of the young people. Amako Arts Gallery’s founding father and experienced freelance artist, Mr. Warren Peter, proudly shared that although there is no formal support from organizations, the silent success of the Amako Arts Gallery is a testament to their strong focus and commitment in nurturing the next generation through hands-on mentorship and creative exposure. The Amako Arts Gallery recently showcased some of the art works during their mini stall exhibition at the Amazing Port Moresby PNG Story- Highlands Day Celebration on July 20th July 2025. With over 500 paintings, 3,500 pencil sketches and from more than 200 artists residing across Port Moresby, Amako operates as a community learning centre, where many underprivileged children and youth are introduced to basic drawing, colour use, and canvas work. According to Mr. Warren, new artists are issued personal sketchbooks to begin and record developing ideas, eventually transforming them into framed, exhibition-ready art. Amako also runs activities like “Paint Experience” for kids and “Sip & Paint” for adults, designed to make art interactive, therapeutic, and inclusive. Although Warren had a lonely journey and struggled as a beginner artist without a mentor, he emphasized that he wants to be there for his apprentices to help in finding their full potential. “For me, I never had a chance to have an art mentor when I grew up in the settlement. I struggled to become an artist. I don’t want my younger generation to feel the same,” said Warren. Furthermore, Warren pointed out that Amako exercises on a primary principle to be Self Resilient/Independent in their collective effort to showcase their art without expecting handouts. Although many creative groups rely on various formal support, Amako Arts Gallery has thrived for more than 10 years on the principle of self-reliance and resourcefulness. “We’ve trained our artists to be self-sustaining. You don’t wait, you start from scratch,” said Warren. Amako has operated consistently without government or corporate support. Instead, they recycle materials, sell art directly at the Range-View Plaza, and rely on local demand and participation. Their latest achievement is a 67-meter wall painting completed in 16 days, at the Port Moresby National School of Excellence, demonstrating what grassroots organization and discipline can accomplish. Amako has only recently formalized its registration with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) and is now preparing to engage official bodies. “Art is about bringing colour into people’s lives. It’s not always about money,” said Warren. From a settlement-born initiative, Amako proves that art doesn’t need to wait for permission, it just needs vision, community, courage and consistency.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNC) Special Service Division (SSD) displayed tactical response drills during the Opening Parade and Public Capability Display at Ela Beach, Port Moresby over the weekend. On Sunday 20th July, the members of the SSD Police showcased a resilient and efficient exercise for both attacking and defensive capability, including recovery following the initial Parade March and traditional singing group at the Ela Beach. The Members of the SSD Police unit proudly presented drills that counter specific practical scenarios including. • Protest Control, • Police Patrol, • Search and recover, and • Neutralizing Armed Threats Although officers used dummy (bullets) rounds to perform tactical drills in all potential scenarios of dangerous encounters, their drills showcased their training, discipline and duty to serve and uphold the law, whatever the situation is. Meanwhile, police families, friends, colleagues and members of the public were captivated to witness first-hand a glimpse of the SSD Police unit in full-strength. The public at Ela Beach welcomed and embraced the SSD police personnel for showcasing their specialized tactical response operations.

The National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop embraced Highlands Region Day in the Amazing Port Moresby PNG Story celebration on Saturday July 19th at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Governor Parkop in welcoming the public to the celebration, acknowledged the cultural depth of Papua New Guinea's Highlands region heritage as part of the PNG 50th Independence Jubilee. “Our people up in the highlands, dynamic people, great history and tradition, have been living on this land of New Guinea thousands of years, 10,000 plus.” He emphasized the region's early advancements, noting, “We have been settling and doing agriculture long before perhaps Europe, Asia, maybe even Africa.” Parkop praised the highland’s continuing contribution: “In the contemporary PNG too, we continue to be dynamic people, dynamic communities, proud of our culture and tradition, and contributing immensely to the 50 years that we mark this year.” Meanwhile, Governor Parkop praised the support from the University of Papua New Guinea students for embracing the program put together, creating momentum and a vibe, and importantly the narrative to get to 16th of September 2025.” Highlighting the value of heritage, Parkop stated, “We are going to be proud of our culture and our tradition and our song and dance. That is our heritage. It defines who we are.” “We must maintain those heritages that have for a long time sustained our people. Sustained our ancestors. It is worth it. We must keep them and use it as a solid foundation for the next 50 years.” As the Highlands version of the PNG story unfolded, Parkop encouraged celebration. “Let's have a great celebration in the Highlands version of the Papua New Guinea story.”

Tamzin Wardley LM MBE secures Chairwoman of the Board, alongside the appointment of Presley Semi and Michelle Hau’ofa as Non-Executive Directors, effective immediately. Westpac PNG made the announcement on Thursday 17th July at a strategic moment for the bank, while welcoming New Westpac PNG Chief Executive, Andrew Cairns. The strengthened Board, comprising both continuing and new directors, will work closely with the leadership executive team to drive sustainable growth, deepen community impact, and ensure sound governance in alignment with the national development agenda. “I am delighted to welcome Tamzin as Chairwoman and Michelle and Presley to the Board. Their combined experience and leadership will be instrumental in driving the bank’s strategic priorities. Together with the Board, we are committed to building a bank that is fit for the future – agile, inclusive and aligned with evolving needs of our customers, communities and the broader financial landscape,” said Cairns. With more than 15 years of experience in commercial, development, and sports sector, newly appointed board Chairwoman, Tamzin Wardley shared the collective commitment to strengthening the Board’s ability to guide and support the executive team to work towards their purpose to provide best financial services to customers nationwide. “For over 115 years Westpac has played a significant role in communities across PNG, and we are proud to continue that legacy as we work together to shape a strong inclusive future,” said Tazmin. Tamzin, a member of the Order of the British Empire and former PNG Institute of Directors’ Female Director of the Year, has served on the Westpac PNG Board since 2018. Her appointment reflects Westpac PNG’s commitment to values-driven governance and long-term nation-building. Meanwhile, after a prior term (2018–2022) and returning to the Board, Michelle Hau’ofa said, “We bring strong compliance knowledge and governance acumen that will serve us well. Westpac PNG is well positioned to make a difference by supporting every banking need and helping communities grow.” Michelle brings more than 20 years of experience in the private sector and 15 years of leadership across public health, education and governance-focused NGOs. Newly appointed Non-Executive Director, Presley Semi shared his commitment to helping guide Westpac’s long-term investment plans, rooted in strong governance and accountability. “I look forward to supporting Westpac’s long-term investment strategy, built on sound governance and accountability. Our role is to challenge and support the bank to remain resilient and relevant in a rapidly changing market.” Presley is the current CEO of Nimamar Capital Limited and has led several successful technology-led business transformation programs within PNG’s financial services sector. This announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for Westpac PNG, with a refreshed leadership structure focused on accelerating strategic transformation, fostering inclusion and delivering long-term value in an evolving PNG economy.

More than 40 vibrant and active stalls including traditional dishes bring to life the Highlands Region Celebration in the Amazing Port Moresby PNG Story at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. These stalls represent the heart of Highlands Day - a cultural celebration taking place today Saturday, 19th July, as part of the nationwide Golden Jubilee for Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary. With participation from families, students, and cultural associations, the stalls form a united showcase of the Highlands’ spirit and identity. The stalls offer a unique combination of traditional dishes, refreshing drinks, local snacks, and even generational home remedies, bringing to life the true essence of Highlands cuisine. From the smoky flavours of mumu pork, roasted root vegetables, and herbal-infused delights, the food is not just nourishment but a cultural experience on a plate. The stalls don’t just serve food—they serve history, stories, and pride from each province: Simbu, Eastern Highlands, Enga, Hela, Jiwaka, Southern Highlands, and Western Highlands. Blending cultural pride with corporate presence, major entities such as Telikom PNG, Vodafone, and the NCDC Tourism Bureau also have stalls actively engaging with the public. Adding energy to the atmosphere are the striking traditional attires, elaborate face paint, and sitting-bands of contemporary and tribal dances. This fusion of taste, color, and sound elevates the celebration into a powerful visual and culinary journey across the Hubert Murray Stadium. With free entry and a casual dress code, the public is invited to explore, taste, and celebrate the legacy of the Highlands region as PNG marks 50 proud years of independence.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government remains focused on agriculture sector as predictions presume an accumulation of K30 billion to the economy by 2030. Agriculture research and development remains crucial as National Government envisions the agriculture sector to contribute. The National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP) serves as a blueprint showing how Papua New Guinea can grow its farming industry, aiding local farmers transform from growing food for survival to running commercial farming to achieve this ambitious vision. The Comprehensive Research and Development is listed as an Agriculture Priority Area (APA) under the plan. The National Government has tasked the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) to facilitate the creation of a National Agriculture Research Systems Policy Framework, Operationalizing the NASP. Director General of NARI, Dr. Nelson Simbiken said the major loophole in the agriculture research space is a policy that clearly defines sectoral participation and investment in research for development. “Research is key for development as it provides vital data that is needed by the government and investors, either small-scale or large commercial entities to maximize production.” “Major investments in research and development in the 70s and 80s saw the creation of the current large-scale Oil Palm production, the famous Ramu Sugar and coconut among others.” “We need to restore the attention for agricultural research,” Simbiken stressed. NARI has brought together experts from the commodity boards and provincial agriculture representatives for a two-day (16/07/25-17/07/25) workshop on the NARS Policy Framework as an institution that is mandated to find solutions. Joining the team at the Allan Quartermain Seminar Room at NARI’s Momase Regional Centre were representatives from the World Bank and the PNG Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification Project (PACD). Meanwhile, Dr. Miok Komolong led the first Technical Working Group workshop last month. Workable solutions will be formulated by technical working groups to address challenges in policy research and advocacy, agriculture commodities and markets, and agriculture extension and information systems.