Stacey GAUNEDE

PNG Power Limited has apologised to customers nationwide at a press conference yesterday in Port Moresby for severe power load shedding, warning the crisis will worsen as El Nino strengthens.The immediate pressure on water supply has been driven by reduced hydroelectric generation, transmission constraints, and insufficient reserve capacity during high demand.Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for PNG Power, Mr. Paul Bayly said more than half of Port Moresby's power normally comes from hydro, and Sirinumu Dam is now at just 53% capacity."If the dam falls to 20%, PNG Power will no longer be able to generate electricity... as that water will be reserved for town water supply," Mr. Bayly said.He said reduced water releases have cut output from Rouna hydro stations from 40MW to 24MW, a 40% reduction while Edevu Hydro on the Brown River has dropped from 56MW to 14MW, a 75% reduction."Together, these sharp reductions demonstrate the severe impact that El Nino is having on hydroelectric generation and the reliability of the Port Moresby grid," he said.To stabilise the grid,But at least some good news in stabilising the grid. The CEO said Rouna 3 and Rouna 1 are back to operation after maintenance. Together they are generating 7MW today but would produce 19MW with normal water supply.Other measures include a $12 million transmission upgrade to bring an extra 15MW from Dirio to Port Moresby by January 2027. Dirio has 45MW capacity, but only 30MW can currently be delivered due to transmission limits while NiuPower has 56MW of capacity.The CEO confirmed that engineers are due to arrive next week to restore control systems for two thermal generators at Kanudi Power Station, which was decommissioned in 2015. It is expected to provide about 18MW within a month. An 8MW diesel unit at Moitaka is also targeted for return in early 2027, with additional diesel from April 2027 when dam levels are expected to be under greatest pressure."Even with these measures, available supply will remain tight and will not provide sufficient reserve for unplanned maintenance or outages. Load shedding will therefore remain a necessity to protect the grid from wider system outage. PNG Power will continue to issue load-shedding schedules and operational updates as condition change," he said.The CEO extended his apologies to paying consumers affected by this power load- shedding. He said that the PNG Power teams are working to restore generation, strengthen transmission capability, and manage limited supply as fairly possible.Mr. Bayly also advised consumers to conserve electricity where they can and to follow official PNG Power notices for load shedding schedules and restoration updates. He said load shedding schedules are available on PNG Power website and social media.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Papua New Guinea has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Caritas Technical Secondary School to provide practical training and career pathways for young Papua New Guineans in the hospitality industry.The signing ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn in Port Moresby city, witnessed by representatives from both organizations and members of the media.IHG PNG's portfolio includes the Crowne Plaza Residences Port Moresby, Holiday Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Express.The MoU was signed by IHG PNG Portfolio General Manager Anne Busfield, Crowne Plaza Residences Port Moresby General Manager David Shayestehfar, and Director of Caritas Schools PNG, Sister Mazzarello Choi.Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Busfield said the partnership is more than just an agreement; it is about creating opportunities and a bright future for young Papua New Guineans."Today we are here to celebrate an important milestone for IHG PNG and also for Caritas as we sign off our Memorandum of Understanding," Ms. Busfield said."It's more than just signing off a Memorandum of Understanding today, it's about forming a partnership and creating opportunities for a bright future for young Papua New Guineans within IHG PNG and the hospitality industry in Papua New Guinea."Ms. Busfield said IHG believes hospitality is all about people and is committed to developing local talent and supporting communities where it operates."Through this partnership we have an opportunity to provide students who are studying at Caritas the opportunity to experience life and work across all of our hotels," she said."It will give the students access to learning, development and practical opportunities across all of our departments throughout the hotel which are very wide ranging and then of course it will help them build their confidence, their knowledge and their future careers."She thanked Caritas for its trust and acknowledged the IHG team, particularly Mr. Shayestehfar, for creating the opportunity.Also, speaking at the event Sister Mazzarello Choi said the partnership will allow Caritas students to apply classroom learning in a real workplace environment."Thank you, so much General Manager Ms. Anne and Mr. David for giving our school this kind of wonderful opportunity for our students so that they can apply what they learn in the classroom and then they can learn hands-on skills in the workplace so that they can uplift their ability to adapt wherever they are working," Sr. Choi said."We are very thankful; we are very blessed for giving this kind of chance from your generosity and from your partnership and then I hope we can have this kind of chances to expand toward our secondary school and to our flexible learning centre students."Ms. Busfield said the signing marks the beginning of what they hope will be a long and meaningful partnership between Caritas and IHG PNG.“We look forward to seeing the positive impact that this collaboration will have on Caritas students, not just now, but in the future and for many years to come," she said.The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the MoU and a group photo with representatives from IHG PNG, Caritas and students.

The Papua New Guinea Civil and Identity Registry (PNGCIR), United Nations International Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Australian Government this week launched a joint campaign of birth registration awareness and access to birth registration services at the 3-mile Susu Mama clinic, Port Moresby city.The joint launch was a campaign to encourage more parents and caregivers across Papua New Guinea to use birth registration services with the aim to increase public understanding of the rights and benefits associated with birth registration and make services easier for families to access.Speaking at the launch was Mr. Vikas Singh, Deputy representative of UNICEF who emphasized the importance of birth registry and birth registration, being a fundamental right of every child.“We in UNICEF believe that birth registration is a fundamental right of each child and all other rights to children flow from birth registration because that gives the identity to each child. A birth certificate provides official proof of a child’s identity and age. It helps children access health care, education, protection and other essential services.” Mr. Singh said.The birth registry team also received materials from the Australian Government with a hand-over take-over by Ms Elizabeth Le Bas, Minister Counsellor for DFAT to Mr. Vikas Singh, Deputy representative of UNICEF and Mr. Leslie Simon, Acting Registrar General for PNGCIR. The materials received will be used by the birth- registry officials at the respective registry booths.Minister Counsellor, Ms. Le Bas, who spoke at the launch, acknowledged PNGCIR for taking the lead in the work of integrating birth registrations as it helps governments to identify their citizens and understand where critical services are needed to plan investments accordingly.“Ultimately, when every child is recognized from birth, we do more than provide a certificate. We give that child a place in the country’s future.” Ms. Le Bas said.Followed by the speeches was the explanation and demonstration of equipment and materials by a registry official who explained the uses and meaning of signage, posters, vests and cards used for registration. Later, the event was followed by a tour to the birth registry office.The launch was witnessed by delegates from UNICEF, DFAT, PNGCIR together with the staff of the Susu Mama clinic, mothers and their children.Parents and care givers were advised to register their children at the 3-mile Susu Mama clinic, or at the PNGCIR headquarters at Waigani. The birth registration campaign will also be available in suburb areas with their mobile team making sure every child in and around Port Moresby and the country is registered.

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination has been introduced into Papua New Guinea’s Immunization Programme and launched at the New Erima Primary School in Port Moresby city yesterday.  This official launch is a major step taken by the Government of Papua New Guinea towards the protection of future generation of women and young girls between the ages of 9-14 years against cervical cancer. The vaccination campaign of Phase 1 will be implemented in schools as well as health facilities and community outreach in National Capital District and Central Province before gradually expending to other provinces, so that every girl and women in and around the country are reached and vaccinated.  With cervical cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths amongst women in Papua New Guinea, vaccinating girls before exposure to the virus can protect them against HPV is vital says Governor Parkop, who spoke on behalf of the Minister for Health, Dr Billy Joseph at the event. “The reason girls get the vaccine now is because we want to prevent HPV or prevent you before you get cancer later in your life. And today, we are starting. We will not wait for you to become sick, we are preventing disease before it starts, especially cervical cancer,” said Governor Parkop. During his speech, Governor Parkop also made mention of the power of information, especially misinformation on social media towards the HPV vaccine, that it may raise questions and impart fear in individuals and communities. He strongly encouraged citizens to ask their questions to the rightful authorities, be clear on the answers and get the vaccination. In closing his speech, Pakop strongly encouraged parents and teachers to encourage and educate young men and women on the importance of the HPV vaccination and why every young woman eligible of the HPV vaccine should be vaccinated. “Parents and teachers, I ask for your support, encourage our young people enabling them to be confident and comfortable to take the vaccination…. I can’t overstate the importance of today’s launch. It’s for Papua New Guinea girls, for women, and for the future of Papua New Guinea.” He said the young people should remember the three important things: their health matters, their education matters and their future matters. Meanwhile, there to witness the launch of the HPV vaccine is Secretary for Health Mr. Pascoe Kase, Deputy Secretary for Education, Ms. Sabati Mero, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, the Australian Government’s Minister-Counsellor Ms. Madeleine Moss, Gavi Chief Executive Officer Dr Sania Nishtar, WHO Representative Dr Rajendra-Prasad Yadav, and UNICEF Representative Dr Veera Mendonca.Also there, were the students, teachers, health workers, community leaders, and partners. 

The Sir Theo Foundation has announced K2,076,982.75 in new infrastructure commitments to Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) for the refurbishment of the Children’s Emergency Department (CED) at a press event held recently at Airways Hotel in Port Moresby.The announcement was made during a press event in Port Moresby, highlighting a commitment built on the Foundation’s longstanding relationship with the hospital since its establishment.Speaking at the event, Chairman George Constantinou emphasized that supporting infrastructure and capacity remains a core focus of the organization.“The Sir Theo Foundation has a long-standing partnership with Port Moresby General Hospital by helping fund important infrastructure, capacity building initiatives and programs that improve patient well-being.”The refurbishment is structured into four development phases to enable the Department to continue providing clinical services while construction is underway.The infrastructure work will include upgrades of sanitary facilities, flooring, ceilings, walls, roofing, plumbing, and special services both internal and external.The Foundation proposed to begin Phase 1 of the construction works with the ablution blocks.Phases 2 and 3 will cover the front areas of the Children’s Emergency Department building, followed by the final phase which is the back area of the Children’s Emergency Department building.The focus of this development breakdown is to ensure that the CED remains open and operational throughout the construction.Mr. Constantinou also explained that the goal is to provide a safer, more functional, and comfortable environment for children requiring emergency care, their families, and the dedicated health care professionals who care for them daily.He concluded by thanking the Port Moresby General Hospital executive team and hospital staff for the partnership and dedication.He acknowledged the development and generous support of delivery for the project and the Foundation’s commitment to delivering practical improvements where it is needed.