PNG Haus Bung

Residents of Kokopau Urban are the proud recipients of 50 newly installed solar street and beachfront lights, delivered through the support of the Office of the Member for North Bougainville, Hon. Francesca Semoso.The official handover marks an important milestone in improving public lighting, community safety, and the overall development of Kokopau, one of Bougainville’s growing townships.Speaking during the handover ceremony, Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Member for Selau Constituency, Hon. Paul Cheung, highlighted the significance of the project and urged residents to take ownership and responsibility for maintaining the new infrastructure.The 50 solar lights have been installed along the main streets and beachfront areas, including the Kokopau main boat stop.Hon. Cheung noted that the project reflects ongoing development across Kokopau and Selau, as government and municipal services continue to expand in the township.“Government and municipal services are being provided in this small township, and we are growing. But with development comes responsibility,” he said. “We must be honest, as law and order is a major issue here, with liquor bars operating outside their normal trading hours and an increase in the buying and selling of illicit substances and homebrew within the township.”He called on local leaders to strengthen good governance and tackle law and order concerns across Kokopau and Selau.Meanwhile, Hon. Semoso echoed calls for residents to take ownership of the new lights and ensure they are properly looked after. She explained that the lighting project forms part of a broader plan to upgrade Kokopau township, with further improvements scheduled for the beachfront.“Kokopau beachfront will also undergo landscape transformation to improve the beachfront and carpark area by January 2027,” she said, adding that other ongoing initiatives, including the distribution of water tanks, will continue.Hon. Cheung thanked Hon. Semoso for her leadership, vision, and commitment to delivering the project for the people of Kokopau. He also acknowledged the North Bougainville District Development Authority (DDA) members, Kokopau Urban Community Government Chairman Hon. Michael Katoa, ward members from Kokopau, Selau, and Suir, and other stakeholders who attended the ceremony.In addition, Hon. Cheung announced that as part of its independence preparedness priorities, Selau Constituency has allocated an estimated K200,000 towards the full renovation of one of its oldest district office complexes, originally established in 2000.He said the upgraded facility—expected to be completed early next year—will bring the Kokopau Urban Community Government offices, the Selau Constituency office, the North Bougainville Regional Women’s Office for North Mainland, and a police post under one roof to strengthen coordination and service delivery.Hon. Cheung added that boosting police presence and addressing law and order remain key priorities, with plans to establish a police station at Bonus as the next major initiative.

President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, H.E. Hon. Ishmael Toroama, has reaffirmed Bougainville’s commitment to the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and the constitutional process governing the 2019 Referendum results, as the National Parliament considers Bougainville’s political future.President Toroama made this statement in Parliament this week. He said the 2019 Referendum, in which 97.7 percent of voters chose independence, represented the collective will and aspirations of the people of Bougainville.He noted that the referendum was conducted under the framework of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Constitution of Papua New Guinea, which provide for a democratic process to determine Bougainville’s political future.President Toroama highlighted Section 342 of the National Constitution, which outlines the consultation process between the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) on the referendum results, including presenting those results to the National Parliament for consideration.He said the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework were important outcomes of the work undertaken by both governments to advance the constitutional process.“The ball is now in the hands of the National Parliament to exercise its constitutional responsibilities and consider the political future of Bougainville,” President Toroama said.He called on the National Parliament to approach its deliberations with the seriousness, wisdom, and historical responsibility the matter deserves, noting that Bougainville has fulfilled its obligations through the referendum, consultations, and technical work.President Toroama emphasised that Bougainville has never deviated from the commitments made under the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement. He made this statement as a reminder to National Government leaders following his observation of the recent debate in the National Parliament regarding the tabling of the referendum results.“The referendum was conducted peacefully. Our people participated in good faith. The consultations were undertaken. The Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework have been developed to support the next stage of the process. Bougainville has honoured its commitments,” he said.President Toroama stated that the ABG expects the same commitment, good faith, and respect for agreed processes from the National Government and the National Parliament. He also clarified that Bougainville’s political aspirations should not be interpreted as hostility towards Papua New Guinea.“Let me also make it clear that Bougainville’s political aspirations must not be interpreted as hostility towards Papua New Guinea or its people. Our relationship has been shaped by history, sacrifice, and the desire for lasting peace. Our responsibility is to ensure that the next chapter of this relationship is founded on mutual respect, dignity, and an agreed political settlement,” he said.President Toroama reaffirmed the ABG’s commitment to preparing Bougainville for the next phase of its political journey, with 1 September 2027 set as the target date for declaring self-government.He said these preparations require political leadership, institutional readiness, administrative capacity, economic preparedness, and legislative reform.The President stressed that Bougainville must continue strengthening its governing institutions and preparing its people regardless of the outcome of the ongoing parliamentary process.“Whatever the outcome of the ongoing parliamentary process, Bougainville must continue to strengthen its capacity to govern, administer its affairs, generate revenue, and provide services to its people,” he said.President Toroama concluded that preparations for Bougainville’s future must be undertaken with discipline, unity, and determination as the Government continues to build the institutional, administrative, and economic foundations required for the next stage of its political development.

Microsoft has said it is "deeply sorry" for the service outage to its products, including Outlook and Teams, which has caused disruption around the world.Services were broadly recovering on Friday afternoon, nearly 24 hours after issues began. Microsoft said it was making "encouraging progress", but added it does not know when services will fully recover.The outage hit more than 70 countries, disrupting everything from business operations to government services and personal users. More than 430 million people use the affected products worldwide.Microsoft said it was a technical issue introduced during a "network capacity upgrade" and not related to cyber or artificial intelligence agents.Experts said the event was a "stark reminder" of how heavily businesses and vital services rely on a small group of big tech providers.Users began reporting they were having trouble accessing Microsoft 365 products on Thursday.By Friday, the far-reaching issue was affecting institutions from the Japanese government and the Philippines Supreme Court to the Australian spy agency, and trains, hospitals and courts in North America.In the UK, some parts of the NHS, including GPs and hospitals, were affected, as were some schools and police forces.UK cyber minister Liz Lloyd said the incident had "limited" impact on critical frontline services such as 999 calls, and there had been no disruption to the transport network.In Canada, however, the national rail network said passengers may not be able to receive email updates about their trips, and hospitals across the country also had issues with emails.In the US, staff members from the House of Representatives told Politico it had set back an entire day of legislative work as everything was on Microsoft's Outlook.Singapore's government acknowledged some of its systems had been impacted, and in India, the outage disrupted work for many on Friday.In Turkey, advisers and officials attending the COP31 climate summit in Antalya were left frustrated by being unable to access Outlook.The issues also affected smaller businesses and individuals.Source: BBC News

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all departing flights nationwide on Friday (local time) after a communications failure hit air traffic control centres, in only the second such shutdown since the 11 September 2001 attacks.Nearly 7000 flights were delayed or cancelled, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Planes already in the air were allowed to land, but those on the ground could not take off.Air New Zealand says it is closely monitoring the situation."For Air New Zealand flights departing the USA to New Zealand, at this stage we've proactively delayed these services by two hours as a precaution while we assess the situation," a spokesperson told RNZ.The disruption is the latest and most dramatic sign of strain on a US air traffic control system beset by equipment and communications failures, controller shortages and ageing infrastructure."The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop for all US airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on X.Airline officials said the FAA had not indicated when the ground stop might be lifted, but there were preliminary indications the communications issues were improving in some places.The world's busiest airspace has experienced setbacks in recent years that have disrupted flights and risked safety. In January 2025, a midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport killed 67 people. The White House and Department of Transportation urged Congress on Friday to approve a further US$30.1 billion to upgrade the United States' ageing airports and air traffic control system.Aviation security concernsThe FAA announced the nationwide ground stop at 3.54pm ET (2054 GMT, 9.54am NZ time). Shortly before the announcement, the FAA halted traffic in Chicago due to air traffic control communications issues."If the ground stop continues through the evening, it likely will take the weekend to resolve the disruptions to airlines' networks," said Robert Mann, an aviation analyst and principal of R.W. Mann & Co.The only other nationwide ground stop since the 11 September attacks came in January 2023, when the FAA halted domestic departures for less than two hours.The outage comes amid heightened concern about aviation security worldwide after a wave of hoax bomb threats this month disrupted dozens of passenger flights across Europe, forcing unscheduled landings and prompting fighter jets to escort or intercept aircraft.There was no immediate indication the US communications failure was related to those incidents or caused by a cyberattack.The US National Weather Service also said on Friday it was experiencing nationwide internet and communications issues. There was no immediate indication the two incidents were connected.Air New Zealand delays flightsAir New Zealand is delaying its services to the US, with all flights across the country grounded.A nationwide ground stop was issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a communications failure hit air traffic control centres.An Air New Zealand spokesperson said it had delayed all four Air New Zealand-operated flights to the US on Saturday by two hours."Air New Zealand is closely monitoring the situation in the United States of America following the nationwide ground stop issued by the FAA."For Air New Zealand flights departing the USA to New Zealand, at this stage we've proactively delayed these services by two hours as a precaution while we assess the situation."We don't have any flights scheduled to depart New Zealand for the USA until this evening, and there is currently no impact to these services.The spokesperson said it would contact affected customers directly and share updates on the travel alert section of the Air New Zealand website and the Air NZ app.- Reuters / RNZ

The prolonged suspension of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) by Oceania Rugby must now be viewed as a total failure of compliance, according to New Ireland Rugby Union (NIRU) President Charlie Melachon.President Charlie Melachon has called on active provincial unions and clubs across Papua New Guinea to unite and chart a new path forward for the code, labeling the prolonged suspension of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) a "total failure of compliance."Recently, Mr. Melachon stated that PNGRU’s failure to address outstanding issues—including governance failures, financial mismanagement, unfulfilled tournament obligations, and audit requirements—is irresponsible and is holding the code's development to ransom."The call now goes to existing rugby unions in the country who have stood out to carry the code forward for the love of the sport and the playing community to make a stance and start afresh, given the unresponsive track record so far," Melachon said.Melachon highlighted that PNG clubs have continued to shine on the international stage despite the administrative vacuum. He pointed to the recent Cairns 7s in Australia, won by the Black Orchids 7s team from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), who competed alongside Port Moresby-based Valley Hunters and East New Britain’s Matupit Diggers.Following their 2026 Cairns 7s triumph, the Black Orchids have earned an invitation to make their debut at the 15th edition of the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s from 14–16 January 2027 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, Fiji. Melachon noted that the win has sparked huge excitement in Bougainville, leading into a series of upcoming rugby festivals during the 2026 festive season.He also praised other international campaigns, including the Port Moresby Harlequins winning bronze at the 2026 Malaysia Cobra 10s—the world’s premier rugby 10s tournament—and the Valley Hunters’ current Tokyo international tour (11–25 November), which will be followed by their campaign at the Emirates Dubai Open Men’s Sevens from 27–29 November."As 2026 comes to an end, we look back in awe at the biggest and most prestigious 7s tournament in Papua New Guinea, the 2026 Sportstok 7s in Port Moresby," Melachon said. He commended tournament organizer Benson Upas and his team for delivering the 9th NiuPower KMHL Sportstok 7s—which saw Fiji’s Devo Babas claim back-to-back titles—and noted that the tournament looks ahead to its milestone 10th anniversary next year as PNG's premier Pukpuks selection event.Melachon also acknowledged the lucrative Rosso Transhighway 7s, which offered nearly K150,000 in prize money across the open men’s, open women’s, and under-20 divisions, drawing massive participation from across the country.At the provincial level, unions continue to drive the game forward, with New Ireland preparing to host the 4th Autonomy 7s next month alongside upcoming festive tournaments across New Britain and mainland PNG.However, Melachon said that while local unions and supporters are keeping the sport alive, the absence of the national governing body over the past two years is glaring.He stressed that two years of silence has denied the sport and its athletes vital progress, urging rugby leaders across the nation to take decisive action."The gap is far too noticeable today as we try to place the mother body of rugby union in Papua New Guinea into the equation. The question lays bare: Where is Papua New Guinea Rugby Union?" Melachon asked.Noting that two years have passed since Oceania Rugby suspended PNGRU in 2024 over governance, accountability, and transparency failures, Melachon said the prolonged silence is denying the sport its rightful progress."A collective stance must now be taken by active unions who have more than proven themselves to shoulder the code and bring back its vibrancy," Melachon urged. "We can no longer be dictated to by a suspended PNGRU that is unable to fulfill its mandated role. I urge administrators and leaders of active unions in PNG to unite for the greater cause of reclaiming rugby union in Papua New Guinea."

The Commander of National Capital District and Central Provinces, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Turi, has confirmed that the police officer who allegedly shot and wounded a man at Rainbow on 3 November has been apprehended in Alotau, Milne Bay Province.Commander Turi commended Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Ben Kua, and his officers for a successful arrest. He noted that the apprehension was the result of a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation involving multiple police units both within and outside the NCD/Central Command.The suspect will be transported back to Port Moresby to be formally processed and charged for the alleged offences.Commander Turi extended his gratitude to everyone who assisted in the operation, as well as the relatives of the wounded man for remaining patient, respecting the legal process, and allowing police to carry out their duties.“We all know that no one is above the law, even if you are a police officer. If you know that you have committed an offence, you must surrender and let the law deal with you. It is not right to flee and force the police to spend unnecessary time and resources tracking you down,” Commander Turi stated.Addressing the aftermath of the incident, Commander Turi assured the public that the situation at Rainbow is now under control. He issued a stern warning that anyone threatening members of the public trying to access services in the area must be reported to police immediately so they can be arrested and charged.He reaffirmed that city police remain committed and are working tirelessly to ensure Port Moresby is safe and secure for all residents.

The Minister for Petroleum, Hon. Jimmy Maladina, MP, has welcomed the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Board’s decision to commission an independent audit into funds allocated and expended for the Papua LNG Development Forum."I fully support the independent audit. It must proceed without interference to establish the facts and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds," Minister Maladina said.The Minister reaffirmed that the Government remains firmly committed to meeting its financial obligations and progressing the Papua LNG Development Forum to completion."Recently, the National Executive Council (NEC) acknowledged the successful completion of Tier 1 negotiations between the Gulf and Central Provincial Governments and their relevant Districts and Local Level Governments (LLGs), with the agreement now fully executed," Minister Maladina explained."Importantly, NEC has further approved funding for the prompt commencement of Tiers 2 to 5 negotiations, including provision for outstanding Government obligations arising from the Development Forum."Minister Maladina also acknowledged growing concerns raised by hotels and other service providers regarding unpaid bills from the forum."These concerns are legitimate and must be addressed urgently. I have requested the NPA Board and Management to provide a full financial reconciliation within 48 hours—detailing funds received, expenditure incurred, and outstanding liabilities—to facilitate the prompt settlement of verified claims," he stated.The Minister urged the Leader of the Opposition and social media commentators to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public commentary while the review is underway."Papua LNG is a project of national significance, not an opportunity for political point-scoring. I encourage everyone to await the outcome of the independent audit rather than speculate or make premature allegations," Minister Maladina said."The Government remains focused on honouring its financial obligations, completing the remaining Development Forum negotiations, and progressing this important national project," he concluded.

Tapini Local Level Government (LLG) President Buni Morua has welcomed the acquisition of a new patrol grader by the Central Provincial Government, describing it as a vital investment in opening up remote communities and improving road connectivity across all three LLGs in Goilala District.Speaking during a press conference marking the arrival of the machinery, Mr. Morua said the grader will address longstanding road access challenges faced by rural residents—particularly those living along the Tapini–Kerau feeder road and other neglected district networks.He noted that the initiative reflects a shared commitment between the Central Provincial Government, Goilala Open MP Hon. Casmiro Aia, and the Tapini LLG leadership to deliver tangible development to isolated villages rather than concentrating infrastructure solely around main government stations.Mr. Morua also acknowledged ongoing patrol grading and roadworks along the 96-kilometre Mona Highway (Aropokina–Tapini), which is funded by the Central Provincial Government and implemented by the Tapini LLG under a Plant and Transport Branch (PTB) arrangement. He described the partnership as a cost-effective step toward improving connectivity and creating economic opportunities for Goilala communities."Development must reach our people in the rural communities. These are the same people who voted for us and entrusted us with the responsibility to represent them. We must make sure they also benefit from government services and development," Mr. Morua said.Purchased by the Central Provincial Government, the new patrol grader will undertake maintenance and improvement works along the Tapini–Kerau feeder road while also supporting upgrades on two other major feeder roads serving Guari and Woitape LLGs.Central Governor Hon. Rufina Peter reinforced Mr. Morua’s remarks, confirming that the provincial government and the Goilala Open Member are working closely together to open up feeder roads across all three LLGs."That is the key point. The Member and I are working together to open up all the feeder roads in all three LLGs, and I want to thank him for doing so," Governor Peter said.She explained that the road improvement program forms part of the provincial government’s broader development agenda—2023 to 2027: Empowering Human Capital to Drive Change—which seeks to connect rural communities to markets, healthcare, education, and law and order services.Governor Peter highlighted the urgency of restoring state presence in Guari LLG, where communities have gone without direct government services for approximately three decades."By the time we open that road at Guari Station, it will be the first time in 30 years the people of Guari LLG will see government presence in the LLG," she stated.To support this restoration, a new police post and a two-bedroom police residence are currently under construction at Guari Station, with plans to establish an on-site agricultural buying point immediately afterward to bring markets directly to rural farmers.In a special appeal, Governor Peter called on displaced residents originally from Guari LLG—particularly members of the Rabia Gini community currently residing in Port Moresby—to consider returning to their traditional lands to participate in the district's ongoing development.She encouraged communities to take advantage of emerging opportunities in agriculture, especially coffee production, as transport, communication, and market infrastructure improve across Goilala. Enabling residents to earn sustainable livelihoods at home, she added, is key to reducing the hardships of urban settlement life driven by rural-urban migration.Ward 6 community leader Alan Kaurupu also welcomed the arrival of the patrol grader, thanking Governor Peter, President Morua, the Goilala District Development Authority (DDA), and technical officers for recognizing the transport struggles endured by communities around Aivara and Kerau.Meanwhile, Governor Peter urged all ward councillors and community leaders to work closely with their respective LLG presidents to mobilize local support when the machinery and work teams arrive in their wards."Our appeal now is that ward members work with the president. They need to get back to their respective wards in the district and start communicating with their people so that as the machines arrive at their villages and wards, the community contributes by assisting in whatever way they can," Governor Peter concluded.

The Papua New Guinea Lewas suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Scotland in their opening match of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 at the Seven Districts Ground in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, 12 November.After winning the toss and electing to bat first, PNG were bowled out for 93 runs in 20 overs. Scotland chased down the target comfortably, reaching 95 for three in just 13.1 overs to secure victory.PNG experienced an early setback, losing openers Naoani Vare (4) and captain and wicketkeeper Brenda Tau (2) inside the opening five overs. Hollan Doriga contributed nine runs before being dismissed, while Sibona Jimmy added eight as Scotland maintained tight pressure through disciplined bowling.Pauke Siaka top-scored for PNG with 24 runs off 28 deliveries, hitting two boundaries, while Tanya Ruma provided vital support with 22 runs from 31 balls, including four boundaries. The experienced pair stabilised the innings with a crucial 44-run partnership, lifting PNG to 73 before Ruma was dismissed in the 17th over.However, Scotland continued to strike at regular intervals, wrapping up the PNG tail to restrict the Lewas to 93 all out. Scotland’s Katherine Fraser was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for just 10 runs from her four overs, while Kirstie Gordon picked up two wickets for 15 runs.In reply, Scotland made light work of the chase, reaching 95 for three with 41 balls to spare. Fraser backed up her bowling heroics with the bat, scoring a brisk 45 runs off 29 deliveries—including seven boundaries—to anchor the victory. Kathryn Bryce remained unbeaten on 21, while Ailsa Lister contributed 13 not out.For PNG, Brenda Tau, Pauke Siaka, and Vicky Buruka claimed one wicket each. Katherine Fraser was named Player of the Match for her dominant all-round performance of 45 runs and three wickets.The Lewas will now regroup and look to bounce back as they continue their campaign in the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026. PNG will take on Sri Lanka in their next fixture on Sunday, 15 November 2026.

Senior teachers, lecturers, and guidance officers from higher education institutions across the country were formally introduced to the Senisim PNG Program during a pre-in-service training workshop held at Dixie Bungalow outside Port Moresby last Friday.Facilitated by the PNG Tribal Foundation in partnership with the National Department of Education, the session formed part of a week-long pre-in-service training on the Smarter and Safer School Program in the National Capital District (NCD).Senisim PNG Education National Coordinator Manasseh Davey explained that the Tribal Foundation was invited to introduce its core "Transformation Tables" and "Value of the Month" frameworks to educators and guidance officers. The initiative aligns directly with the national education plan, which seeks to positively shape student attitudes, behaviours, mindsets, and cultural values.Education Department First Secretary of the Guidance and Counselling Division, Allan Jim, stated that the pre-in-service workshop was specifically designed to equip educators with a newly developed course titled Guidance and Counselling on Behaviour Management.“We want to promote positive behaviour and minimise anti-social conduct among students in our classrooms,” Mr. Jim said. “We have trained these educators on the new course so they can return to their respective institutions and train fellow teachers to implement it effectively.”University of Goroka Executive Dean Dr. Kainaro Kravia highlighted the critical role of values-based education in keeping tertiary students focused on their academic goals. He urged all guidance officers to take ownership of delivering values-based training in alignment with PNG Vision 2050.“What can we do to help students, and what values can we help them understand?” Dr. Kravia asked. “These values help students understand why they are in school. Values-based training is an essential part of the education process—from primary and secondary schools right through to tertiary institutions.”Jubilee Institute of Higher Education representative John Ugumbaia echoed these sentiments, noting that integrating moral values alongside the standard academic curriculum can contribute to broader national security and crime reduction.“It is important to teach students good values alongside the education curriculum,” Mr. Ugumbaia said. “It helps them develop positive behaviours, attitudes, and mindsets, which can ultimately help reduce crime rates within our communities and across the nation.”Oro Province Guidance Officer Amelia Asimba shared firsthand success stories from her province, noting that the program has already transformed student conduct and community engagement.“The monthly values have changed many students in our province, and we have seen tremendous benefits from this program by the PNG Tribal Foundation,” Ms. Asimba said. “Many students have grasped the importance of values-based training, and it has positively impacted their local communities.”University lecturers have pledged to work closely with PNG Tribal Foundation next year to introduce the program into universities.Selected institutions includes Gaulim Techers College, Sonoma Adventist College, Kabaleo Teachers College, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Balob Teachers College, Maru Teachers College, Kaindi Teacher College, Holy Trinity Teachers College, University of Goroka, Pacific Adventist University, Don Bosco Technical Institute, Jubilee Institute of Higher Education and Secret Heart Teachers College took part in the weeklong pre in service.Following the workshop, participating university and college lecturers pledged to work closely with the PNG Tribal Foundation next year to formally introduce the Senisim PNG Program across their campuses.

A total of 147 community members attended an evening screening of the domestic violence awareness documentary Senisim Pasin at June Valley in Port Moresby on Monday night.Hosted by the PNG Tribal Foundation in partnership with AFL PNG through the Pilai Lon Senis (PLS) Program, the full-day initiative combined daytime youth sports and training with the evening film screening to spark community-led social change.The 45-minute documentary focuses on shifting cultural mindsets and transforming how men value and treat women and girls within their communities.Senisim Pasin National Coordinator Marjorie Finkeo noted that June Valley faces significant law and order challenges—including petty crime, rising unemployment, school dropouts, limited access to basic services for women, and the normalization of violence.“We brought the film into the community to educate people that the social issues they see around them are not something they should accept or ignore, but rather help change their communities themselves,” Ms. Finkeo said.“A lot of women were afraid to speak out. However, their reactions after watching the film showed that they understood the issues of domestic violence, drug abuse, and accusations of sorcery, but they did not know how to get help,” she added.Following the screening, 37 participants stepped forward to sign personal pledges and collected free communication tools designed to guide them as agents of change within their own households and the wider community.Earlier in the day, the Pilai Lon Senis team engaged 178 children and youths in Australian Rules football activities, delivering hands-on coaching and umpiring clinics. Lead Program Officer Jill Ravusiro said the sports component served as a positive platform to bring young people together ahead of the evening awareness session.For 17-year-old participant Rosemary Raka from Central Province, the documentary underscored the urgent need to empower young women. She shared that the film highlighted how women are often undervalued in society and emphasized that education remains a vital pathway to escaping abuse at home.The screening also prompted candid dialogue among attendees regarding gender dynamics and legal protections, reflecting the complex perspectives surrounding domestic disputes in the community. While some male participants voiced concerns about how existing laws are applied during household conflicts, the session provided an open forum to discuss accountability, mutual respect, and peaceful conflict resolution.June Valley community leader Degi Benny thanked the PNG Tribal Foundation and the Pilai Lon Senis team for bringing the initiative to their neighbourhood, noting it was the first program of its kind hosted in the area. He confirmed that community leaders have formally requested a follow-up screening to reach even more residents.

The Nipa Kutubu District Development Authority (NKDDA) has commenced the distribution of K2.5 million in El Niño relief supplies to 125 Council Wards across the district’s seven Local Level Governments (LLGs), launching a major humanitarian effort to support communities affected by prolonged dry weather conditions.Facilitated by NKDDA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Camilus Ombalo, the rollout officially began in Poroma LLG on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. The NKDDA team will progressively move into the remaining LLGs to ensure essential supplies reach communities throughout the district.Mr. Ombalo stated that the NKDDA is committed to ensuring all 125 Wards receive their full allocation—valued at K20,000 per ward—consisting of bags of rice, cartons of tinned fish and noodles, and other essential items, despite significant logistical challenges.He identified the district's vast landmass and rugged terrain as major obstacles confronting the distribution team, particularly when accessing isolated communities such as those in Mt. Bosavi LLG."Terrain and accessibility remain our biggest challenges. Some parts of the district are extremely difficult to reach, particularly Mt. Bosavi. While road infrastructure connecting the LLG is still under construction, we are exploring alternative means of transportation to ensure no community is left behind," Mr. Ombalo said.He noted that given the absence of accessible road links, the only practical means of delivering relief supplies to Mt. Bosavi at this stage is via air freight from Mt. Hagen.The initial distribution in Poroma LLG began on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, covering Kum Ward 2, Undu Mespen, Kopa Kesu, Kua 1 and 2, Det 1 and 2, KKR 1 and 2, and Poroma Central.Thursday, 12 November the team covered Mato 1 and 2, Poroma 1 and 2, Poroma Station, Toiyawaro 1 and 2, Neja Kunjulu, and Lower Poroma.The team will cover the remaining wards in Poroma LLG according to the following schedule:• Saturday, 14 November: Utopia, Kar, Tindom 1 and 2, and Kongu, alongside five Council Wards in Upper Poroma (bringing total coverage in Poroma LLG to 23 Council Wards).• Monday, 16 November: The NKDDA distribution team will proceed to the remaining road-accessible LLGs—Plateau, Nipa Basin, Nipa Urban, Upper Nipa, and Lake Kutubu.The K2.5 million relief allocation underscores the District Administration's commitment to addressing food security challenges and ensuring assistance reaches even the most geographically isolated communities. Mr. Ombalo emphasized that geographical barriers will not prevent the NKDDA from fulfilling its responsibility to the people of Nipa Kutubu.The NKDDA will continue working closely with LLG leaders, Ward Councillors, and community representatives to facilitate the orderly distribution of supplies and ensure intended beneficiaries receive their assistance.