PNG Haus Bung

The PNG Chiefs are pleased to confirm the signing of Papua New Guinea international Nixon Putt on a full-time NRL contract for the 2028 season.The Mount Hagen-born forward—who has earned 17 Test caps for the PNG Kumuls since making his international debut in 2017—will return home to play with the SP PNG Hunters in 2027 before officially joining the PNG Chiefs for the club’s inaugural NRL campaign.As part of his NRL development contract, Putt will train full-time with the Chiefs and will be eligible for NRL selection from Round 1 in 2028, joining the club’s previously signed development players Finley Glare, Gairo Voro, and Morea Morea. He becomes the sixth Kumuls international signed to the club ahead of 2028.Capable of playing second row or lock, Putt brings immense experience to the PNG Chiefs extended NRL squad, having played over 150 professional matches across the Queensland Cup, English Super League, and RFL Championship competitions.PNG Chiefs General Manager of Football, Michael Chammas, welcomed the signing, highlighting Putt’s potential to mentor emerging local talent.“We’re pleased to be able to bring Nixon into our football program, and we believe his experience and talent will be of great benefit for the team,” Chammas said. “Nixon can help become a leader for the next generation of Papua New Guinean rugby league players, and we're looking forward to seeing him return home—first with the PNG Hunters in 2027 and then with the PNG Chiefs in 2028.”PNG Chiefs NRL Head Coach Willie Peters praised Putt’s work ethic and professionalism.“Nixon has shown that he is capable of performing at the highest level, and I’m looking forward to working with him in 2028,” Peters added. “He competes strongly, works hard for his teammates, and has the experience to know what is required in a professional environment. I’m excited to welcome him and his family officially to our club in 2028.”PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker also expressed his gratitude to the Chiefs for facilitating Putt's early return to Port Moresby for the upcoming Hostplus Cup season.“On behalf of the PNG Hunters, I’d like to thank the PNG Chiefs for their cooperation in helping to bring Nixon back home a year early,” Barker said. “His experience will be invaluable for the PNG Hunters’ young squad moving forward, and we are looking forward to seeing him run out for us next year.”

Acting New Ireland Provincial Administrator Dennis Kosam has welcomed a joint national and international assessment team to New Ireland Province to conduct an independent evaluation of ongoing El Niño weather impacts across the region.Upon arrival in Kavieng, the joint team met with provincial officials and was formally welcomed by Mr. Kosam on behalf of New Ireland Governor, Hon. Byron Chan.During the briefing, Mr. Kosam affirmed the New Ireland Provincial Administration’s full support and commitment to working closely with the visiting delegation. He emphasized that this collaborative effort is vital to gathering accurate, ground-level data to guide effective resource planning."Our administration is fully committed to working alongside this assessment team to ensure we compile accurate data," Mr. Kosam stated. "Reliable information is critical for proper budgeting and sound decision-making, ensuring that national resource allocations to each affected province are fair and proportionate to the actual needs on the ground."The independent evaluation will assess agricultural impacts, water security, and community vulnerabilities caused by the prolonged dry conditions in New Ireland. These findings will form the basis for targeted relief and recovery interventions.Operating as the New Guinea Islands (NGI) Assessment Team, the delegation is led by the National Disaster Centre (NDC) alongside representatives from key national and international partner agencies:• Michaeline Rave – Team Leader, National Disaster Centre (NDC) NGI Assessment Team• Simon Kafu – United Nations Advisory Team• John Polie – Department of Agriculture and Livestock• Edmond Bannick – Department of National Planning and MonitoringMr. Kosam has urged local communities across New Ireland Province to welcome the assessment team and cooperate fully as they carry out their fieldwork.

Microsoft is investigating a widespread disruption affecting its cloud-based services, leaving users experiencing difficulties accessing some Microsoft 365 applications.The disruption has raised concerns among businesses and organisations that depend on Microsoft's digital infrastructure for communication, file storage and daily operations.Affected services reportedly include Outlook, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint, with users experiencing connectivity and service availability problems.Microsoft's service updates indicated that the disruption involved server infrastructure issues, with some servers becoming unavailable following failures in automated health checks.The reduced server capacity placed additional pressure on the remaining infrastructure, contributing to service interruptions.Microsoft has been working to restore affected services and investigate the underlying technical cause.The company has not confirmed that the incident was caused by a cyberattack, and the precise root cause remains subject to investigation.The incident highlights the global dependence on cloud-based technology and how technical failures within major technology providers can affect businesses, institutions and users across different countries.Users are encouraged to follow Microsoft's official service updates for the latest information.**Source:** Microsoft 365 Status – https://status.cloud.microsoft/

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) girls opened their ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 campaign against Scotland only to go done to the Scots only by a few wickets.The PNG Lewas suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Scotland girls in their first 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 batting first, PNG were bowled out for 93 runs in 20 overs, with Scotland reaching 95 for three in just 13.1 overs to secure victory.PNG experienced an early setback, losing 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 pressure through disciplined bowling.Tanya Ruma top-scored for PNG with 22 runs from 31 deliveries, including four boundaries, while Pauke Siaka provided valuable resistance with 24 runs from 28 balls, hitting two boundaries. The pair helped stabilise the innings with a 44-run partnership, taking PNG to 73 before Ruma was dismissed in the 17th over.However, Scotland continued to take wickets at regular intervals, restricting PNG to 93 all out.Scotland's Katherine Fraser was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for just 10 runs from her four overs. Kirstie Gordon also picked up two wickets for 15 runs.In response, Scotland made light work of the chase, reaching the target at 95 for three in 13.1 overs. Fraser also delivered with the bat, scoring 45 runs from 29 deliveries, including seven boundaries, to guide Scotland towards 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.Fraser was named Player of the Match for her all-round performance of 45 runs and three wickets.The Lewas will now look to regroup and build on the experience as they continue their campaign in the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026.PNG will play against Sri Lanka on Sunday 15 November, 2026.

Prime Minister James Marape has announced a ministerial reshuffle ahead of the 2027 National Budget and General Election, appointing Joseph Lelang as Treasurer and moving Ian Ling-Stuckey to the Ministry for Rural Development.PM Marape paid tribute to Ling-Stuckey for his service since 2019, noting that Papua New Guinea’s economy nearly doubled during his tenure.“Ian Ling-Stuckey has served very well as Treasurer over the past seven years. He has carried an enormous responsibility on behalf of the entire Government, often at considerable personal cost to his health, family and electorate.” “When he took over, our economy was valued at approximately K79 billion. Today, under his watch, it is approaching K160 billion.”To relieve Ling-Stuckey of Treasury’s intense pressures while retaining his expertise in Cabinet, his new portfolio will focus on economic modelling, price controls, the National Economic and Fiscal Commission, labour mobility, and rural development strategies.“This is a lighter but equally important responsibility. He will continue contributing to our economic progress while having greater opportunity to attend to his health, family and the people of Kavieng.”Incoming Treasurer Joseph Lelang, a former National Planning departmental head, steps in to finalise the 2027 Budget and uphold the Government’s commitment to a balanced budget next year. PM Marape said Lelang’s immediate mandate is to strengthen Treasury’s role as the Government’s principal economic policy adviser and shift focus away from loans.“I have given Minister Lelang clear instructions. Firstly, we must cease reliance on new borrowing and review our debt profile.” “The next few years must be about growing our economy through investment and productivity, rather than continuing to depend on loans.” “Secondly, we must aggressively attract foreign direct investment, particularly in mining, petroleum, agriculture, forestry and fisheries.”“Thirdly, we must develop a taxation system that increases government revenue while reducing the financial burden on our people and businesses during these difficult economic times.”Under these directives, Treasury will work to accelerate major resource projects including Papua LNG, P’nyang LNG, Wafi-Golpu, Frieda River, and Yandera- alongside incentives for domestic downstream processing in forestry, fisheries, and agriculture. Lelang will also review GST, stamp duties, and personal and corporate taxes, while cracking down on black-market activities like illicit tobacco trading to expand the formal economy.“Pangu Pati believes in lowering taxes, fees and charges while encouraging greater participation in the formal economy.”“When our economy reaches K200 billion, our policy intention is to reduce the tax burden on our people and businesses.”“Our approach is to collect more revenue from a larger, stronger and more diversified economy rather than continuously increasing taxes on the same businesses and taxpayers.”The Prime Minister concluded by thanking both ministers for their cooperation and commitment to serving Papua New Guinea.

Supporting the Government’s commitment to leave no child behind, Papua New Guinea’s national petroleum and energy company, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), will host its annual Charity Golf Challenge this Friday to raise funds for five licensed out-of-home care centres across the country.Through the annual tournament, Kumul Petroleum has already contributed more than K500,000 to assist five centres licensed by the National Office of Child and Family Services.The five centres are the Born Free Foundation and 3-Mile New Hope Centre in the National Capital District, St. Mary’s Home for Vulnerable Children and Bible Faith Outreach in the Western Highlands Province, and the St Francis Care Centre in Mendi, Southern Highlands Province.During the 2025 Charity Golf Challenge, over K150,000 was raised through team registrations, corporate partner sponsorships, and live event auctions, with all proceeds recently presented to the five beneficiary centres.Kumul Petroleum Managing Director, Mr. Luke Liria, noted that since 2022, cumulative funding has distributed K140,000 each to Bible Faith Outreach and St. Francis Care Centre, K115,000 to the Born Free Foundation, K90,000 to St. Mary’s Home for Vulnerable Children, and K45,000 to the 3-Mile New Hope Centre.“This is all thanks to the golfers and sponsors who participate in our Charity Golf Challenge. We would not have been able to make such donations without their support,” Mr. Liria said.“This year’s Charity Golf Challenge will be held this Friday at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club, and almost 30 teams have already registered. We are appealing to the wider business community to support this worthy cause by registering a team.”

Pacific Towing (PacTow) has welcomed its newest and most powerful tug, PACIFIC RESPONDER, into Port Moresby following a 27-day delivery voyage from Zhenjiang, China. The arrival marks a major milestone in Steamships’ ongoing investment in Papua New Guinea’s maritime infrastructure.The new-build Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug arrived on Friday, 6 November 2026, after covering approximately 4,400 nautical miles across the region. Following customs clearance, PACIFIC RESPONDER proceeded to PacTow’s dedicated tug base and headquarters at Motukea, escorted by sister tugs KEERA and TAVURVUR.The delivery voyage commenced on 11 October from Zhenjiang to Zhoushan in China, before heading south to the Philippines to take on essential supplies, fuel, and equipment, as well as complete a scheduled crew change. From the Philippines, PACIFIC RESPONDER navigated the waters north of Australia and transited the Torres Strait before arriving safely in Port Moresby.Despite encountering challenging sea conditions—including heavy swells and strong winds during the passage from China to the Philippines—the vessel completed the journey safely. PACIFIC RESPONDER is scheduled to begin harbour towage duties in Port Moresby once final regulatory permits, compliance clearances, and comprehensive crew training are completed.PACIFIC RESPONDER is the first of two new-build tugs commissioned by PacTow as part of a PGK70 million fleet expansion. Her sister tug, PACIFIC RESOLUTE, is currently en route to Papua New Guinea. With bollard pulls of 70 and 67 tonnes respectively, the two vessels become the most powerful tugs in PacTow’s fleet.Steamships Marine Logistics General Manager, Alistair Skingley, said the investment underscores the company’s long-term commitment to elevating marine services and supporting the evolving demands of Papua New Guinea’s shipping sector.“An investment of PGK70 million in these two harbour towage tugs is a significant commitment by Steamships to Pacific Towing, our customers, and the future of Papua New Guinea’s maritime industry,” Mr. Skingley said.“PACIFIC RESPONDER and PACIFIC RESOLUTE will give PacTow greater capacity to support shipping companies operating in PNG, including those bringing larger vessels into our ports. They will also strengthen the reliability, safety, and range of towage services we can provide to our customers.“The introduction of these vessels will also provide opportunities for ongoing training and capability development for our PNG maritime workforce. This investment ensures PacTow remains well positioned to support PNG’s ports and shipping industry as trade volumes and vessel sizes continue to grow.”

The National Capital District Commission (NCDC), under the leadership of NCD Governor Powes Parkop, today presented four new buses valued at K496,000 to the NCD Council of Women. The handover fulfills part of the K1.5 million commitment made during the Council’s revitalisation in July this year.The four vehicles will support the Council’s grassroots operations across Port Moresby’s three electorates and Motu Koita villages.The official presentation took place at NCD City Hall and was witnessed by Governor Parkop, City Manager Ravu Frank, Deputy Governor and Motu Koita Assembly Chairman Russel Wavik, NCD Council of Women President Lucy Pomu, Vice President Sana Dokopa, and women leaders representing Moresby South, Moresby North-East, Moresby North-West, and Motu Koita.Governor Parkop said the handover marks an important step toward rebuilding the NCD Council of Women following years of limited support and operational capacity.“By giving these four buses, this can be the start of getting the NCD Council of Women fully back on board, fully energised, fully supported, and fully active,” Governor Parkop said.He noted that NCDC allocated K1.5 million in its 2026 budget to drive the Council’s revitalisation. Alongside the K496,000 fleet, the funding will help establish a dedicated office, strengthen operational resources, and fund community activity plans.Governor Parkop also urged the Council to roll out practical programmes that tackle violence and harassment against women and girls, particularly while commuting to bus stops, markets, and schools.NCD Council of Women President Lucy Pomu described the presentation as a historic milestone, noting it is the first time in more than a decade that the organisation has received support of this scale.She thanked Governor Parkop, the City Manager, and the NCDC Board and management for their backing, adding that the buses will allow the Council to reach underserved communities, mobilise women, and strengthen advocacy on gender equality and gender-based violence.“These vehicles will help us reach places we could not easily access before. We stand for the voiceless, and we speak for women and girls,” President Pomu said.She reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with NCDC and partner organisations to empower and protect women and girls across the capital.

Fifty-six students graduated with certificates during the 25th Graduation Ceremony of Don Bosco Technical Secondary School’s Employment-Oriented Skills Development Training (EOSDT), held in Port Moresby on November 5, 2026.The ceremony celebrated short-term trainees who completed an intensive 16-week program across several disciplines, including House Wiring and Installation, Basic Computing, Graphic Design and Multimedia, Motor Vehicle Trade, Metal Fabrication, and Welding and Plumbing.Guided by the school year’s theme, “Do whatever He tells you; Believers, free to serve,” the students demonstrated exceptional dedication throughout their training and graduated with flying colors.The event featured inspiring speeches that encouraged the graduates to apply their newly acquired skills in service to their communities.School Rector Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, officially welcomed the parents, guests, and graduates, congratulating the students on their achievements.Following his address, Principal Mr. Martin Dai extended his gratitude to everyone who made the program possible, particularly the parents and guardians.He reminded the graduates that “the best gratitude is to continue being good in your community and to make little changes.”“It may not be big, but Don Bosco has given you many tools to make a difference, no matter how small.”He also urged them to use their God-given talents and skills with honesty and hard work in the spirit of Don Bosco.Representing the graduating class, Motor Vehicle Trade graduate Hayara Angoea delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to parents and guardians for their sacrifices, dedication, and unwavering support.He also recognized the school and its Salesian educators for guiding, nurturing, and equipping the students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become responsible individuals, thanking them for instilling joy, optimism, and confidence in the cohort.Fr. Charles Casper, SDB, former Principal and Spiritual Moderator, and current Vice Provincial of the Vice-Province of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, reflected further on the significance of the year’s theme.He reminded the graduates that while they are free to make choices and pursue their dreams, they must first ask themselves an important question: “What do I want?” Challenging them to become believers who are free to serve by choosing the right path and making responsible decisions, he encouraged them to remain guided by the words, “Do whatever He tells you,” as they navigate life’s opportunities and challenges.Special appreciation was extended to the event's sponsors and invited guests for their support and for funding prizes for top-performing trainees and special award recipients.Among those recognized were Ms. Deanne Evans of Save the Children, Mrs. Mary Kris Villacastin, owner of Lumino Supply and Technology, and Mr. Pedi Flor Burlat, owner of Meridian System.Delivering the keynote address, guest speaker Ms. Deanne Evans, Operations Director of Save the Children Papua New Guinea, highlighted the value of practical life skills in empowering youth.She noted that “your knowledge and skills can never be taken away from you,” adding that “what you have learned will always take you forward in life.”The ceremony concluded with the graduating class performing their graduation song, “A Million Dreams,” followed by the school’s Alma Mater, marking a memorable close to their journey at Don Bosco Technical Secondary School.As they step forward into new opportunities, the graduates are encouraged to carry with them the knowledge, skills, and values gained during their training, remaining committed to a spirit of service, faith, joy, and optimism. 

Hilton Port Moresby Hotel & Residences is delighted to announce that its 8th Annual Christmas Under the Stars for Charity will take place on Sunday, 13 December 2026, supporting the Callan Services National Unit, Papua New Guinea (CSNU PNG) as this year’s Charity of Choice. The much-loved community event brings families and partners together for an evening of festive cheer, live entertainment, and generosity for a vital local cause.CSNU PNG operates on the belief that everyone deserves to live with dignity, receive quality care, and be treated with kindness and respect. Through its nationwide disability services, the organisation supports vulnerable individuals, families, and communities across Papua New Guinea. From early screening and treatment to safeguarding, advocacy, and community partnerships, CSNU PNG works to break down barriers and build an inclusive society where people living with a disability can participate and thrive independently.Over the past seven years, Christmas Under the Stars has served as a cornerstone of Hilton Port Moresby’s charitable giving, backing local organisations that create lasting impact. Previous beneficiaries include Cheshire Disability Services, WeCare Foundation, and Well Women’s Clinic.“Our Christmas Under the Stars celebration is more than just a festive event; it is a tradition of bringing people together and giving back to the communities in which we live and work,” said David Wain, Cluster General Manager of Hilton Port Moresby Hotel & Residences. “Over the years, we have been privileged to support several incredible organisations through this initiative and our wider community programmes. This year, we are proud to stand alongside CSNU PNG and support their important work in championing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of people with disabilities. We hope this partnership will help raise awareness, encourage greater community support, and contribute towards a more inclusive future for Papua New Guinea.”The celebration is open to the public and will feature live musical performances, choirs, dance, and a special visit from Santa Claus, offering a joyful Christmas experience for families and supporters.The event will take place from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Banquet Halls of Hilton Port Moresby Hotel & Residences and is open to the public. Entry is by donation in kind or by purchasing K5 raffle tickets, with proceeds supporting CSNU PNG and its important work in the community. Aligned with Hilton’s global Travel with Purpose strategy, Christmas Under the Stars reflects the hotel’s ongoing commitment to driving positive social impact in the communities where its team members live and work.Hilton Port Moresby Hotel & Residences warmly invites families, local businesses, corporate partners, and individuals to come together this festive season in celebration of kindness, inclusion, and the spirit of giving.

Papua New Guinea has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) following high-level participation by the Minister for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Wake Goi MP, at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Global Quality Forum 2026 in Vienna, Austria, from 4–6 November 2026.Minister Goi was accompanied by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT), Mr. Joe Panga.The three-day forum convened government ministers, policymakers, heads of national quality institutions, development partners, and private sector experts to examine how robust quality systems drive sustainable economic growth, industrial development, and international trade.Minister Goi’s participation reaffirmed the Marape-Rosso Government’s commitment to building a competitive, diversified economy under its TAKE BACK PNG agenda. Under the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (2023–2027), the National Government aims to grow Papua New Guinea’s economy to K200 billion by 2030, create one million additional jobs, increase domestic revenue, and expand export earnings.Achieving these targets requires more than physical infrastructure and production capacity. It demands strong national institutions, internationally recognised standards, reliable testing and measurement systems, accreditation, and certification mechanisms.A functional NQI enables domestic businesses to meet global standards, protects consumers, boosts productivity, and reduces technical barriers to trade—accelerating downstream processing across agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).A central highlight of the mission was a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Director General of UNIDO, where Minister Goi and Mr. Panga outlined five core priorities for technical assistance and long-term cooperation:• Finalising the PNG National Quality Policy: The Minister emphasised the urgent need for UNIDO’s technical support to complete the National Quality Policy, which will establish a coordinated framework for standards, metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment. The Ministry aims to present the policy for formal endorsement and launch in the first quarter of 2027.• 10-Year NQI Modernisation Programme: The delegation proposed a 10-year modernisation pathway to upgrade NISIT and strengthen PNG’s laboratory, regulatory, technical, and human resource capacities to meet international trade obligations.• Boosting MSME Competitiveness: Recognising MSMEs as vital drivers of employment and local wealth creation, the Minister sought expanded UNIDO cooperation to give local entrepreneurs better access to quality management systems, product testing, certification, and market intelligence.• Advancing the Blue Economy: The delegation explored UNIDO support for PNG’s fisheries and marine sectors, focusing on food safety, processing, and export compliance. This aligns with the Government's shift away from exporting raw resources toward domestic value addition.• Enhancing Technical Representation: Minister Goi proposed embedding a Papua New Guinean technical expert within UNIDO to strengthen ongoing coordination between UNIDO, the Government of PNG, and NISIT.Minister Goi and Mr. Panga also presented a strategic proposal to establish NISIT as a Regional Quality Infrastructure Hub for the Pacific.Given Papua New Guinea’s economic scale, resource base, and geographic position, the country is uniquely placed to serve as a regional center for laboratory services, specialised expertise, and technical training. Such a hub would support neighboring Pacific Island nations that lack the market size or resources to maintain standalone quality infrastructure, while expanding NISIT’s regional standing. The proposal will now undergo technical assessment and consultation with UNIDO and Pacific partners.Alongside leadership meetings, the PNG delegation held technical consultations with UNIDO’s Blue Economy and Pacific Quality Infrastructure teams to identify immediate avenues for regional cooperation.The delegation also met with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) to advance Papua New Guinea’s pathway toward full membership. Attaining full OIML membership will align PNG’s legal metrology systems with international standards, ensuring accurate trade measurements and boosting global confidence in Papua New Guinean exports.

The Hela Police Command has convened the province’s first-ever Prosecution Review Committee. The initiative aims to review monthly court files, lift conviction rates, and hold officers accountable for cases lost in court.The committee will meet monthly to review all files presented before the courts, including cases involving murder, tribal fights, sorcery-accusation-related violence (SARV), rape, and armed robbery reported in the province.The committee comprises the Police Station Commander (PSC) Tari, PSC Komo, PSC Koroba, PSC Magarima, Officer in Charge (OIC) of Criminal Investigations, OIC Traffic, Highway Patrol Commander, Commander for Mobile Squad Nine (9), and the Tari Shift Coordinator. This structure ensures every unit that arrests and charges suspects in the province sits at the same table as the prosecutors who carry the files into court.Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Inspector Arau Mairi, said the aim is simple: stop losing strong cases due to poorly prepared files.“For far too long, suspects have walked free not because they are innocent, but because our files are weak. That ends now," PPC Mairi said. “Every file that is lost in court will be reviewed. If an officer failed to collect evidence, failed to get a proper statement, or failed to attend court, he or she will be held accountable.”The committee will sit monthly to fulfill the following objectives:Monitor and analyze the province’s monthly prosecution statistics—including arrests, charges laid, cases listed, convictions, acquittals, and pending files—so the Command and Police Headquarters can track Hela’s true conviction rate.Review every case dismissed, withdrawn, or struck out in the National and District Courts in the preceding month, as well as every case where no evidence was offered or no prosecution followed an arrest, to determine how investigations or prosecutions can be improved.Investigate missing appearances, specifically looking into cases where a civilian or police witness failed to attend court, an investigating officer failed to comply with a Case Status Notice, or a court made adverse comments regarding the conduct of a police officer or prosecutor.Identify common defects in court files submitted by local stations, return defective files to their station of origin for completion within a set timeframe, and arrange short workshops to correct recurring faults.Verify documentation precision, ensuring that bail certificates, antecedent reports, and charge sheets are correctly completed, and that arrest warrants and case files are securely stored.Recommend disciplinary action to the Commander—and through him to the Assistant Commissioner—where a file has been neglected, a witness has not been arranged, or a court appearance was missed, while reporting findings monthly to the Director of Prosecutions.PPC Mairi noted that during its inaugural sitting, the Committee received the Prosecutions monthly report for the period spanning September 23 to October 23, 2026, and began reviewing cases that were dismissed, withdrawn, or not proceeded with during that timeframe.The PPC also highlighted that some arresting officers in the province were still charging drug offenses under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. This Act was repealed on March 31, 2022, and replaced by the Controlled Substance Act 2021. All stations have now been directed to issue charges under the current Act with immediate effect.“The Committee is not a court-martial, but its first job is to find out why we lose cases and fix it,” PPC Mairi said. He added that the committee’s monthly reports will be forwarded to the Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Highlands Western End and to the Director of Prosecutions at Police Headquarters after every sitting.