Martha LOUIS

A fire incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the Divine Word University in Madang. Madang Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, has confirmed that the incident is currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) personnel in Madang. Baim stated that arrests will be made as soon as suspects are identified. He issued a stern warning to all students attending institutions in Madang, emphasizing the importance of focusing on their studies and avoiding illegal activities. “Parents spend their entire savings to send you to learn something so that you can contribute back to your families and help build our nation." "Refrain from illegal activities and concentrate on your studies." "Beer and other distractions will always be here.” “You will be here and gone tomorrow." "Give your best time to your studies with diligent respect to your parents and sponsors, for they will be the losers should anything happen to you during your period of studies.” He further reminded students that they are subject to the same laws as any other citizens of the nation. “Students are no different from any citizens of this nation." "All of us are subject to the law, including my police officers and myself." "So, let's do what is right by abiding by the rules and regulations stipulated under our constitution.” “Students should know better about law and order than villagers, and there will be no excuse for them breaking the laws." "Police will deal with them seriously,” Baim added. The investigation is ongoing at this time, and authorities are working diligently to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, John Rosso, has confirmed that the construction of the new four-lane Kamkumung Bridge along Milford Haven Road in Lae city is set to commence this year following the completion of Conceptual Design Proposals by the contractor in mid-June. The project, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion from Eriku to Unitech, has been in the works for four years, securing necessary funding and finalizing design plans. Site surveys commenced last month, with the design team now focusing on a temporary access bridge before full construction. "The upgrade of Kamkumung Bridge is crucial to easing traffic in this part of the city," stated Rosso. "Upon completion, we plan to extend the four-lane upgrade to the Unitech to Eriku road as well." Pending approval of the temporary bridge design expected early this month, construction will mobilize promptly. Rosso also noted successful negotiations with Lae Polytechnic Institute for construction camp site near Bumbu riverbank, progressing toward formal lease agreements. He also said the local sourcing of materials from Port Moresby and Lae underscores the project's commitment to local economies. The Department of Works will supervise construction in collaboration with Lae City Authority and Lae District Office. "After four years of effort, securing funding this year marks a significant milestone," Rosso emphasized. "We anticipate the new Kamkumung Bridge to be operational by 2025."

Tragedy struck off the coast between Pik Island and Karaget Island on Sunday, June 31, 2024, when an outboard motorboat capsized, resulting in two confirmed deaths and one individual reported missing. Madang Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, reported that the incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. in rough seas and police were alerted to the incident around 10:00 p.m. after a survivor reached Karenget Island and notified their families. The survivor's family then contacted authorities, prompting a swift response from the Madang Water Police, ZULU 200, and the Transnational Crime Unit-National Criminal Intelligence Units (TCU-NCIU). They embarked on a search and rescue mission using another civilian boat. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the white 23-foot dinghy, powered by a 40hp Yamaha engine, capsized due to being overloaded and encountering rough seas. The high tide overwhelmed the boat, forcing the occupants to swim for safety. Several survivors managed to reach Karenget Island and Sair Village. Tragically, two children, aged six and three, were found deceased on Biliah Island. Their mother was rescued by the search team on Karaget Island, but their father remains missing. The search and rescue operation, which began at 10:30 p.m. and concluded at 2:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, recovered the bodies of the two children. They were transported to Modilon General Hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths. Other survivors received medical treatment. The boat's occupants were taken to the town police station for interrogation, where they confirmed that overloading and rough seas caused the capsizing. The boat's skipper, Wilbert Buri, 22, of Karenget Island, was taken into custody for his safety and is cooperating with authorities. Buri, who is married with one child, is related to the boat's owner, Mr. Lavi, and has no prior convictions. Meanwhile, search efforts for the missing individual, identified as Laurences Koi of Yenchen Wasara Gawi in East Sepik Province, residing at Govt Store Ward 05 of Madang Urban Local Level Government, are ongoing. Concerned agencies have been notified to remain vigilant for any signs of Koi. Acting Superintendent Robert Baim emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations. "It's about time people in all walks of life must seriously consider the importance of life. Life comes once and it's so precious, there's no spare part like artificial machines where we can replace. The simplest thing to do is follow rules imposed by authorities in order to safeguard ourselves. Such tragic situation is total negligence in adhering to simple rules and regulations for safety purpose."

A violent clash between two families has led to the destruction of over 50 homes and the wounding of at least nine people in the Tapo Ward 14 area of Astrolabe Bay Local Level Government in the Raicoast District. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 29, 2024, resulting in significant property damage and community displacement. The injured have been hospitalized at Modilon General Hospital. According to Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, Madang's Provincial Police Commander, the altercation began when a dispute between the Koru and Sauyu families escalated. The Sauyu family, who reside further inland, attacked the Koru family living along the South Coast Road, leading to the burning of numerous makeshift and semi-permanent homes. Police units received reports of the violence through the Madang Watchup Forum, also known as FoxEyes. A police team dispatched to the scene confirmed that 30 homes were destroyed, and a canteen with store goods and K1, 500 in takings was taken by the attackers. "Our teams have been working diligently to contain the situation and bring the perpetrators to justice," said Acting Superintendent Baim. The roots of the conflict trace back to longstanding land disputes and unresolved issues dating back to the early 2000s, with both families having experienced losses due to violent confrontations. The recent violence was reportedly sparked by a village court decision that did not favour the Sauyu family. In the wake of the attacks, police presence in the area has been heightened. However, the community remains on edge, with many residents having fled their homes and gone into hiding. "I also would like to thank all business houses in Madang for assisting the police with fuel to attend to this situation," added Acting Superintendent Baim. "We ran dry with fuel, but with assistance from several business houses, we have contained the situation and got both parties to come for mediation. We have been hard hit with the fuel problem, but policing must be maintained at all costs." "The situation remains tense, but we are committed to restoring peace and ensuring the safety of the community," Acting Superintendent Baim continued. "We are continuing our investigations and urge anyone with information to come forward." The matter has been referred to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) for further investigation.

Mr. Sona Anegi, Acting Director and Engineer for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) at the Appropriate Technology for Community Development Institute (ATCDI) at PNG University of Technology, has announced the launch of the transformative Food and Downstream Processing Program. This program aims to revolutionize the use of locally grown produce through advanced food processing and preservation techniques. It is designed to support small-scale agro and food industries by providing technical advice, training, and promoting appropriate technologies. The program focuses on disseminating food technologies through workshops, promotions, publications, and training. It assists in feasibility studies and establishing viable micro-enterprises, while also promoting food safety and nutrition. By enhancing food security through the processing and preservation of local produce, the program supports local products to reduce import dependence. The program features training modules covering over 20 food products, such as peanut butter, fruit juices, jams, crispy chips, and soap making, including medicinal products. Past projects include juice pasteurizers, solar driers, and hurdle technology treatment for fruits and vegetables. Scientific Officer Sarah Wap highlighted the socio-economic benefits of the program, which include job creation, income generation, improved food nutrition and security, poverty alleviation, and reduced import dependence. The Food and Downstream Processing Program is committed to empowering communities, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable socio-economic growth in Papua New Guinea.

Acting Director and Engineer for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH), Mr. Sona Anegi at the Appropriate Technology for Community Development Institute (ATCDI) at PNG University of Technology, says the WaSH Program is dedicated to providing clean, safe water to communities in need. By conducting feasibility studies and installing water supply systems, the program aims to improve health and well-being in water-deprived regions. "This initiative not only builds infrastructure but also offers technical assistance and training to create self-sustaining, locally managed solutions," Anegi said. The program focuses on water supply and sanitation, striving to make a lasting impact through research and the development of technologies tailored to Papua New Guinea's unique conditions. The program designs and constructs ferrocement water tanks, water wells, hand pumps, hydraulic ram pumps, and gravity-feed systems. It also conducts feasibility studies, constructs sanitary facilities like Ventilated Pit Latrines, and addresses specific challenges such as high groundwater levels. A notable project is the recent water supply system in Kapari Village, Abau District, Central Province. This project, funded by ATCDI and the Kapari Development Association, included drilling a 34m-deep bore and installing a 9500L tank with a solar pump. The system ensures gravity-fed water supply to ground-level taps, significantly improving access to clean water for the community. Unitech's ATCDI recently signed a K420, 000 contract with the Huon Gulf District Development Authority (HGDDA) for water bore projects. UNITECH Vice Chancellor Dr. Ora Renagi emphasized the university's mission to transfer technology to improve living standards and praised ATCDI for its ongoing projects in water supply, electricity, and agriculture across the country. Meanwhile the Kapari Village project, celebrated by the local community, highlights the transformative impact of these initiatives and underscores the need for further investment to extend water access to more areas.

SP PNG Hunters' star Joshua Lau has taken a break from his 2024 mid-season schedule to visit his home province of Enga, where he donated almost K100, 000 worth of aid the victims of the recent Mulitaka landslide. Lau, who is in his second season with the Hunters after rising from the Lae Snax Tigers franchise, emphasized the importance of being present with his community during their time of need. During his visit, Lau, supported by the Lae Biscuit Company and local leader and relative Betani Keo, contributed significantly to the relief efforts. The donation included K15, 000 in cash, 1, 000 cartons of Cabin Biscuits, and 500 cartons of Pawa Energy drinks, totaling nearly K70, 000. Additionally, Keo contributed 15 cartons of Coke. Lau expressed his gratitude to the Chow family and Mr. Keo for their unwavering support. He highlighted the importance of local involvement in the recovery process, stressing that while external aid is crucial, the comfort and support from fellow community members are indispensable for long-term recovery. In a heartfelt message to his community, Lau acknowledged the profound impact of the landslide and emphasized the importance of unity and self-help in moving forward. "As a local, I believe that moving forward means we must help ourselves." He also thanked the Mapai Company for their continuous support in transporting relief supplies to the affected areas. Lau's visit and contributions have been a significant morale boost for the Mulitaka community, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to his roots. "Such natural disasters are unforeseen, but they remind us of the need to be united in both good and bad times," Lau said, reinforcing his message of solidarity and resilience. Lau later returned to the Hunters' camp to resume training with his team for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Sixty-six (66) students from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) in the city of Lae were recently engaged in a rigorous five-day boot camp training at the Papua New Guinea Defence Force's (PNGDF) Joint Forces Academy (JFA) at Igam Barracks. The comprehensive program encompasses leadership and character development lessons, team-building activities, problem-solving tasks, and physical training. This initiative, spearheaded by the PNGUoT's Student Support and Facilities Center in collaboration with the PNGDF's JFA, aims to cultivate discipline among participants. Capt. Moses Afuti, Acting Senior Instructor at the Officer Cadet Training Wing, underscores discipline as a learned skill acquired through individual development phases. He advocates for the integration of similar training modules into tertiary education across the country to nurture discipline among future leaders. In response, Dr. Garry Sali, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of PNGUoT, highlights the university's commitment to producing world-class technocrats. He emphasizes how this boot camp aligns with the institution's vision by instilling discipline in its students. The five-day training initiative ended on Friday 7th June with a symbolic morning walk from PNGDF Igam Barracks to the university campus.

Ramu NiCo Mine in Madang has once again provided medical supplies to the Ileg Health Center, which services over 20, 000 residents in the Astrolabe Bay Local Level Government (LLG) of the Raicoast district. The mining company's Community Affairs department delivered the second quarter supply of medical drugs on Monday, as part of Ramu NiCo's annual commitment to support health centers located near its operations. Gabriel Puap, the nursing officer and midwife at Ileg Health Center, received the supplies and expressed gratitude to Ramu NiCo for their consistent assistance, noting that the medical supplies would benefit the broader community, including local schools. "Ileg Health Center serves a population of 20, 326 – I thank Ramu NiCo for consistently rescuing us with these medical supplies”. He highlighted the geographical and developmental challenges faced by the health center and emphasized the importance of timely medical support from Ramu NiCo. David Kurame, Ramu NiCo's Community and Government Liaisons Officer stated that the company has an annual budget allocated for providing medical supplies to Ileg, Usino, Ganglau, and Enekwai health centers on a quarterly basis. Additionally, Puap, who also works as a midwife, extended his thanks on behalf of the mothers in the area, acknowledging the timely and adequate medical supplies that help care for mothers and babies before and after birth.

The National Government, in collaboration with Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK), has initiated comprehensive measures to support the coconut industry through structured Price Support and Freight Subsidy policies. KIK, under the leadership of Managing Director Alan Aku, has been instrumental in implementing these policies. Aku emphasized the organization's commitment to supporting white copra producers by providing essential resources such as dryer sets and processing start-up kits. This initiative ensures high-quality processed products reach markets efficiently, bolstering the economic prospects of coconut growers. KIK's efforts extend to establishing and enhancing downstream processing facilities, particularly benefiting SMEs and MSMEs in coconut-growing regions. The support encompasses new machinery, upgrades to existing equipment, extension of factory spaces, and covering freight costs for processing facilities. This has resulted in the establishment of eight medium VCO processing facilities and 53 small processing facilities since 2023, significantly contributing to the production of high-value coconut products like virgin coconut oil, body care items, and coconut shell charcoal. Aku also highlighted KIK's focus on environmental sustainability, addressing issues like smoke pollution by promoting white copra production and integrating sustainable farming practices through the Coconut Based Farming Systems approach. This method ensures the efficient use of land by combining coconut cultivation with other crops or livestock, considering factors like soil erosion and nutrient management. The collaborative efforts with international partners for research and capacity building further reinforce KIK's commitment to enhancing the coconut industry while minimizing environmental impact.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea has presented a speedboat to the Lutheran community in Manus Province. This gift, promised 14 years ago, includes an outboard motor and dinghy worth K35,700. Reverend Hans Giegere and John Yawing, Chairman of the July 12th Committee, handed over the boat to Pastor Otto Zidam and other church leaders at Nyada on the West Coast of Manus. The boat, initially promised in 2010, was delayed due to other commitments but was finally delivered this year. It will assist the Manus congregation in pastoral duties and evangelism, especially as members live in island communities. The boat can also be used for church gatherings and programs. A committee has been set up to manage its operation with strict guidelines. Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Nancy Zing, thanked contributors to the July 12th offering for making this possible. She highlighted the boat's importance in providing reliable transport for church activities.

The Headmaster of Good Shepherd Primary School in Madang Province confirmed that the building housing the Junior and Senior Science Laboratories for the school was destroyed by fire on the morning of Friday 17th May. Mr. Ben Tamilong stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown. The incident has been reported to the relevant authorities, including the Police Criminal Investigation Division (CDI) at the Provincial Police Command (PPC). A team from the CID visited the site last Friday and will continue their investigations. The building included both the Junior and Senior Science Laboratories, serving students in grades 9 and 10, and grades 11 and 12, respectively. The fire has impacted 800 students who used these facilities but despite this setback, Tamilong assured that classes will continue as scheduled and learning will not be disrupted. The destroyed building, constructed between 1994 and 1995, contained laboratory equipment, textbooks, old exam papers, and other materials, with an estimated value close to one million Kina. Tamilong mentioned that approximately one million Kina would be needed to rebuild and restock both laboratories. Good Shepherd Lutheran Secondary School, a level four school located a 15-minute drive from Madang town along the north coast road, receives operational funds from the education department. The school will now seek additional support and assistance from stakeholders to construct a new building and replace the lost materials.