On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Management of National Airports Corporation Limited, Managing Director & CEO Rex Kiponge wish to apologise to the travelling passengers, stakeholders, business communities and the general public for the NO FLIGHTS INTO NADZAB AND KIUNGA AIRPORTS yesterday 3rd September 2022. NAC embraces and values the safety and security of the traveling public, the business community and the stakeholders of the civil aviation industry as it's a paramount consideration for the efficient and sustainable operation of NAC. As the regulator of the civil aviation industry CASA PNG without according NAC, the right to a fair hearing abruptly issued cessation of operations for the Nadzab and Kiunga Airports on the 31st of August, 2022 which is causing a crisis. On the 1st of September, 2022, aggrieved by CASA PNGs decision, NAC instructed its lawyers to obtain urgent orders to stay the Decision of CASA PNG to purportedly revoke the NAC‘s Aerodrome Operating Certificates and issuance of the NOTAM for Nadzab and Kiunga Airports, respectively. NAC Technical Team and Mr Kiponge met with Air Niugini Technical Team on Friday morning,  02nd September 2022 at NAC Board Room and went through 21-findings for Nadzab and 7-findings for Kiunga. Air Niugini went away and did their independent risk assessments on the 21-findings for Nadzab and 7-findings for Kiunga Airports. Based on their independent assessment, they released the Media Statement to resume flights into Nadzab and Kiunga yesterday 3rd September 2022. However, at 9.04pm on Sunday night, CASA Director wrote to Air Niugini and STOPPED them from resuming normal flights into Nadzab and Kiunga Airports. The issue is now shifted to Air Niugini by CASA PNG. CASA PNG must explain to the traveling public, the business community and all stakeholders, including NAC as to why it has issued the sudden direction at 9.04pm to cancel all resumed flights to Nadzab and Kiunga Airports again which is a breach of the Court Orders of the 1st of September, 2022 by the National Court. In the interest of the affected traveling public, stakeholders, business communities and the public at large, NAC has done its part in getting Nadzab and Kiunga Airports opened for normal flights operation. NAC considers the importance of the air services for the movement of people and cargo, and the overall economic and social development of the country, hence is taking every step to work closely with CASA PNG to address the findings administratively to resume flight operations back into Nadzab and Kiunga airports. NAC is sending their technical team to Nadzab through Goroka today Sunday 4th September 2022 to rectify some findings at the Nadzab Airport which relate to the Safety Management System and Quality Management System as part of the ongoing training. Also, today Sunday 4th September 2022, eight ( of Senior Persons will sit for their Fit and Proper Person test with CASA PNG to rectify the score value that carries 10 points that disqualified Certification. NAC expresses deep concern about the impact that is having on our business and the Regular Public Transport (RTP) caused by the cessation and cancellation of flights into Nadzab and Kiunga Airports. NAC is appealing to the Minister for Civil Aviation and Transport, Hon. Walter Schnaubelt to be neutral and hear NAC’s side of the story by giving the NAC Board and Management the opportunity to be heard with a view to finding a solution instead of defending CASA PNG alone which is the fair thing to do. "Under the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministerial Determination, NAC falls under our Ministry. Therefore, the Board and Management are very concerned as to why our Minister Hon. Walter Schaubelt is singling out NAC to fend for itself while focusing only on CASA PNG in this crisis affecting the general public,"said Managing Director & CEO Kiponge. NAC maintains that there are no safety risks for flights to resume into Nadzab and Kiunga Airports and states that this was evident from the independent risk assessment carried out by Air Niugini on Friday the 2nd of September 2022. Meanwhile, both Nadzab and Kiunga airports are open with no RPT.

If you can read, you can learn anything! Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) will be celebrating Literacy Week from the 5-9th of September to promote the importance of literacy in PNG. The program will include cultural learning, pre-STEM eco exploration, financial literacy activities at events celebrated with the organisation’s donor partners, volunteers, and parents. Literacy, Numeracy, STEM, and digital skills alongside cultural knowledge are all equally important aspects children need, to prepare for their future careers and life in Papua New Guinea. As the country lags behind its neighbours in the Pacific with regards to literacy rates and access to education opportunities, BbP seeks to use Literacy Week to advocate for the importance of Early Childhood Education, the establishment of school libraries and Inclusive Education to increase literacy rates. Monday and Tuesday will be dedicated to cultural learning. The children enrolled in BbP’s ECE program will be studying the importance of the ocean, village, forest and animals in PNG culture through craft activities and story-telling by parents and officers from the National Museum of PNG. The children will then display their stories, which will be added to the BbP learning app so all children across the country can share their culture and customs. A visit to the National Museum and Gallary will take place Tuesday morning for an immersive cultural learning experience for the children and the announcement Wednesday will be all about eco exploration. The children will engage in 3 types of observation to stimulate and develop basic scientific skills. They will be learning to observe things closely with magnifying glasses and to compare. Activities will include fingerprinting, eco-exploration in nature settings as well as fun literacy and numeracy games. A group of 250 children will be exploring at the Port Moresby Nature Park. Thursday and Friday will be all about financial literacy and the children will be setting up shops and hold a ‘Market Day’ and learn through play to demonstrate their numeracy skills to parents, donor partners and invited guests. BbP has also created a financial literacy video in partnership with BSP which will be used as part of the ECE program to teach the children about PNG notes and coins both from a financial and cultural knowledge perspective. The Literacy Week program has been generously sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG and includes learning materials, uniform t-shirts, mini cash registers and shopping, magnifying glasses, trolleys for all BbP’s Library Learning Centres across the country. BbP’s donor partners will be sending volunteers to engage with the children and lots of stationery, fruit, vegetables, drinks and baked goods the children will be “pretend selling” to each other during their Market Day celebration.

The decision by the PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, to declare the Southern Highlands Provincial seat appears to contradict the democratic principles enshrined within the National Constitution, says Transparency International PNG (TIPNG). As a constitutional office, the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) is tasked with upholding the integrity of the electoral process and this decision appears to go against one of the fundamental principles of the democratic election system, that is universal suffrage. The loss of the right of eligible voters to have their vote counted is at direct odds with this principle and further weakens public trust in the PNGEC to fulfil its mandate in the public interest. “TIPNG identified in our preliminary assessment of the 2022 National General Election, that there is a perceived weakening of the democratic mandate of MP’s due to the many problems encountered in the conduct of the 2022 elections. The decision by the Electoral Commissioner, to declare a candidate under special circumstances, adds further suspicion and doubt in the minds of many citizens.,” said Peter Aitsi, TIPNG Board Chair. “On 9th August during the extended counting period, the Commissioner announced in a statement that despite the destruction of ballot papers, the seats of Kabwum and Markham in Morobe Province would be declared so asto deter those who might seek to disrupt the election. However, this rationale is not supported by logic, as the counter-argument is that it will embolden the assault on PNG’s democratic norms, as further candidates who are leading will use disruptive tactics to have themselves declared. A very dangerous and worrying precedent has been set, and one which all thinking Papua New Guinean’s must not let pass without challenge. It is the view of TIPNG there should be an investigation of the matter by the Ombudsman Commission to ensure citizens’ constitutional rights were not inadvertently or intentionally violated,” said Mr. Aitsi. Under s.175(1A)(b) in the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, where the Electoral Commission has directed the Returning Officer not to declare a result, “in special circumstances, the Electoral Commission may declare the result based on information concerning scrutiny and other information provided by the Returning Officer or an Assistant Returning Officer.” The application of these powers are relatively broad and so an independent investigation by the Ombudsman Commission would test the basis of the information provided to the EC and the fully understand the rationale for the decision by the PNG Electoral Commission. TIPNG’s Summary Paper on the 2022 National General Election described the accumulated failures in the preparation, conduct, delivery and conclusion of the Elections as being a severely flawed process. In the Summary Paper TIPNG provided detailed recommendations for consideration in improving the electoral process, focusing on a 5-yearstructured intervention to restore public trust and demonstrate greater levels of competency. TIPNG stands ready to work with other stakeholders and Government agencies to develop a fully informed reform program that can result in significant improvements in the delivery of our 2027 national elections

The University of Papua New Guinea has appointed Ms. Patricia Angopa as the new head of the Banking and Finance Division in the School of Business and Public Policy. Ms. Angopa has been a lecturer in the School’s Banking and Finance Division for the past eleven years, during which time she has completed her Masters in Business Administration and a Postgraduate Teaching Certificate in the UPNG/JCU Twinning Project. She is also a member of the Certified Practicing Accounting of Papua New Guinea (CPAPNG). Ms. Angopa has been responsible for teaching five of the core courses that are offered in the Banking and Finance Division, and currently is responsible for teaching several postgraduate courses for the Division. Her contributions to the School and the Division in developing young banking and finance students have validated her appointment as the new head of that Division, which is another step in her professional career. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Frank Griffin, and the Executive Dean, School of Business and Public Policy, Professor Lekshimi Pillai expressed their satisfaction with Ms. Angopa’s appointment. PC: UPNG Website

The Papua New Guinea Pacific Games Association (PNGPGA) has announced the appointment of Faye-Zina Lalo as Team PNG’s Chef de Mission to the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands where Team PNG is expected to send a large contingent of over 400 athletes and officials. A lawyer by profession with strong leadership and management experience, including membership various on corporate boards, Lalo presently serves as the legal advisor to the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee board after being elected to that role in 2018. Lalo also sits on the board of AFL Development PNG Ltd that promotes the code of AFL targeting the juniors and creating talent pathway for them to compete professionally. In making the announcement, the President of the PNGPGA Sir John Dawanincura said, “The Pacific Games is always a big games for us. This will be Faye’s first games as Chef de Mission. We have every confidence in her leadership and ability to replicate the existing structures and culture that has enabled Team PNG to excel over the years.” The appointment of Lalo continues the PNGPGAs work in gender equality and women empowerment in sport and leadership roles in PNG with Lalo succeeding another female Chef de Mission in Emma Waiwai who successfully lead Team PNG to the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa where PNG finshed in second place on the medal tally. “Faye is an exceptional talent and individual who has varied backgrounds in management and executive board roles with several prominent organisations in PNG in both the public and private sector. It is through such experience and association that we are confident in her ability to lead such a large contingent of athletes and officials” said Sir John. Lalo’s appoinment comes 15 months out from the 2023 Pacific Games. Her focus will now turn to reviewing the performances of the games sports, setting the games targets, working with the games sports, building her management team and attending a scheduled games update meeting in November in Honiara. “I am delighted to accept the appointment as Chef de Mission for Team PNG to the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. Team PNG has a strong reputation at the Pacific Games, and my team and I will be working hard to ensure our athletes and officials have everything they need to realise their potential over the next few months” said Lalo. “The nucleus of our Team PNG contingent have had a successful year winning the games at the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games in July this year, and with the added benefit of the 2022 Commonwealth Games experience we are building firmly for Solomons” she added. The 2023 Pacific Games is scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November 2022 with 24 sports on the games program.

The University of Papua New Guinea recently took delivery of a large donation of technical publications from the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum. The publications covered areas such as geology, environmental studies, exploration, petroleum and gas, and many reports that covered a range of private company and government discussions and activities concerning the extractive industries. The donation was facilitated by the former University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Mellam, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum and James Robins, Director of Public Relations at the University. “I am familiar with the areas of study in the School of Natural and Physical Sciences and acknowledge their need for a wide range of references for both students and staff,” said Professor Mellam. “These publications will be put to good use in the School’s reference library and will assist in providing sound background information on the many extractive industries and projects in Papua New Guinea,” he said. Some publications had multiple copies which will be distributed amongst the School’s staff and students, the Science Library, and the Michael Somare Library.

The Broncos have made two late changes to their team for Saturday's Round 25 clash with the Dragons in Sydney. Backrower Jordan Riki has been ruled out with an eye issue and replaced in the starting team by Zac Hosking, with emerging edge forward Brendan Piakura coming into the 17 onto the interchange in jersey No.23. Prop Corey Jensen has tested positive for Covid and has also been ruled out, replaced on the interchange by Rhys Kennedy in jersey No.22. Earlier in the week, lock Pat Carrigan – winner of the Wally Lewis Medal for Player of The Origin Series – was named to return after serving out his four-game suspension while winger Selwyn Cobbo also returns after missing last week’s loss to the Eels due to fatigue. Delouise Hoeter starts in the centres for Brenko Lee who injured his hamstring in a tackle during the second half of the Eels clash, while Tyson Gamble – a winner in all eight NRL games he has played in 2022 – replaces Ezra Mam at five-eighth. Kobe Hetherington will also sit out the game after failing to pass concussion protocols courtesy of a heavy head knock just after halftime against Parramatta.   Source: NRL.com

The University of Papua New Guinea recently received a substantial, generous donation of Covid medical masks from engineering room, Sun Engineering, to cater for the needs of the University’s many students and staff. “Sun Eng has a vested interest in Papua New Guinea and acknowledges the University’s role in developing the academic and technical work force and manpower for the nation. The company selected the University in recognition of this important contribution to the people of Papua New Guinea,” said Mr. Mark Mac Monagle, the Chief Executive Officer of Sun Eng. “The company also acknowledges the need for funding for institutions such as UPNG to ensure that the many students and staff stay protected from the Covid pandemic,” said Mr. Mac Monagle. The University has to cater for some 850 staff and 4 600 students in its five Schools and the University’s Open College. The donation will go a long way to ensuring that staff and students can follow all Covid protocols during all of its ongoing activities, and enable the University to redirect its planned PPE expenditure towards materials that will focus on its core roles of teaching learning, and research. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences expressed their appreciation of the donations as it will now facilitate the continuous supply of medical masks for all students in the School and ensure that all students who carry out their practicals in the Port Moresby General Hospital are fully protected at all times. PC: UPNG Website

The insurance business arm of BSP has been operating in the country since 2018, offering various Life Insurance products since its inception. BSP Life Mt Hagen Sales Office expansion will be its third sales office opened in the country since launch of the Port Moresby sales office in January 2020. BSP Life PNG Country Manager Nilson Singh thanked the BSP Life PNG Board for supporting the setup in Mt Hagen, and said this new office located on Level 1 of Hagen Plaza will give access to both Corporate and Individual Customers in Mt Hagen to access its products and services. “We have chosen Mt Hagen as it is the third largest city in the country and a central location for the Highlands Region, hence it was always part of our expansion strategy. This new office will be manned by two full time staff, which includes our Business Relationship Manager, Mr. Friville Dango, Business Relationship Consultant Mr. Steven Siminji and 20 independent insurance agents who will be assisting our prospective customers in signing up for our Insurance Products,” added Mr. Singh. He added: “We did a soft launch on 15 August 2022 and I am happy to share that we have already issued 3 policies and a number of prospective customers are in the process of being signed up.” “If you must know, in Papua New Guinea, less than 3 percent have some form of life insurance while others know little about the benefits of being insured. The biggest challenge in PNG is that Insurance penetration has been generally very low due to lack of market awareness and understanding the benefits of being insured. By opening our doors in Hagen today, we are committed to ensure that we also invest in awareness and educational programs on life insurance, which supports Bank of PNG’s financial inclusion programs,” he said.   BSP Life is the only life insurer in PNG that offers a Life Insurance product where you can save for the future and at the same time have life insurance protection. “Many of our working Papua New Guineans do not have a savings culture and our Wantok Delite insurance product enables customers to have some disciplined approach to savings, which is beneficial for the long term,” added Mr. Singh. BSP Financial Group’s CEO Robin Fleming began his speech by giving an account of BSP Financial Group (BSP)’s growth over 20 years since being privatized from PNGBC to BSP whilst emphasing on the fact that it is fully Papua New Guinea owned and profit that is generated goes back to shareholders . He said a lot has changed over the years for the iconic brand from just being a bank and extending into asset finance that’s BSP Finance, advisory firm - BSP Capital, and BSP Life. Mr. Fleming said, BSP Life is the largest Life Insurance business in Fiji, the second largest funds management business and own assets and returns on those assets go to our policyholders and shareholders. “We rather expand using the knowledge and experience from Fiji, in PNG, because firstly we understand the importance of Financial Inclusion in PNG, Life Insurance is a key component of financial inclusion and equally it is a long term investment that will provide a lot of future capacity to the economy of PNG. Adding, with the savings of our Policyholders, which get reinvested in profitable and economic opportunities. A long term investment which in 10 -15 years’ time will see real profits.” explained Mr. Fleming. Mr Fleming concluded by encouraging the agents to use the skills and knowledge gained from the trainings conducted to reach as many customers as they can. BSP Life offers the Group Term Life insurance product to the corporate market mainly targeting employer based groups and associations. In January 2020, BSP Life launched its Wantok Delite insurance product for individuals which is a long term savings and protection insurance product where one can choose a policy term of 15, 18, 21 or 24 years. BSP Life offers regular cash payouts every 3 years called ‘Survival Benefit’ and bonuses on maturity. The bonuses are declared every year based on investments performance and added to the sum insured on a compounding basis. In the instance, the policyholder passes away before the policy maturity, and then the full sum insured is paid out to the beneficiary

The Parramatta Eels outmuscled the Storm 22-14 at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night to climb into the top four and set up a mouth-watering qualifying final clash with premiers Penrith. Coming into the game equal with the Storm on 32 competition points but well down on for-and-against, Brad Arthur's produced their most important victory of the season to earn themselves a double chance in the finals. The blue and golds will now get the chance to avenge a controversial 8-6 loss to the Panthers that ended their season in week two of last year's play-offs. After a tense opening 12 minutes on Thursday night a forward pass by Jesse Bromwich gifted the Eels field position and five-eighth Dylan Brown capitalised with a sweet-stepping try from close range. Cameron Munster then put the kick-off out on the full and the Eels marched downfield again and looked to have grabbed their second only for Marata Niukore to be held up over the line. Come the 23rd minute and the Storm created a chance for Xavier Coates on their right edge but the winger was bundled into touch by Maika Sivo in cover. The Eels extended their lead to 8-0 in the 31st minute when a short dropout by Munster failed to go 10 metres and Moses converted the easy penatly goal from right in front. Four minutes into the second half the home side went up 14-0 when Will Penisini finished off a slick right side raid and Moses added the extras to send the raucous CommBank Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The Storm went down a man when Kenny Bromwich failed a HIA and try as they might they were unable to crack the resolute Eels defence. Eels skipper Clint Gutherson put his stamp on the match in the 61st minute when he put tryscoring machine Sivo away down the left wing with a brilliant long pass. Moses' sideline conversion made it 20-0. With 13 minutes to play the Storm opened their account when Harry Grant exploded out of dummy half and planted the ball down for his seventh try of the season. Another mistake by Munster on a short dropout gave Moses another easy penalty shot and the party was in full swing at 22-4. Munster exploded through a hole with three minutes to play to put Nick Meaney over for a try before David Nofoaluma grabbed another one but Munster missed a simple conversion to leave the final score at 22-14. Among of host of stars for the Eels, big men Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo ran for 401 metres between them from 41 powerful carries. "When they start really well and they play physical and they play tough, the team plays that way, and that's the responsibilty they carry," Arthur said post-match of his two bookends. "I think they're world class front-rowers and I love them as a pairing and we're so glad they're here at our club." Source: NRL.com

Leading PNG Pharmacy, City Pharmacy, has sponsored K25,000 to support the upcoming 56th Annual Medical Symposium. " City Pharmacy's various healthcare partners including the Medical Society of PNG share the same vision for a healthier and better PNG. We will keep on supporting those initiatives across the Healthcare sector that focus on education, prevention and community welfare," said Mr Pradeep Panda- Director of Pharmacy. The annual conference, hosted by the Medical Society of PNG, brings together health-care professionals such as medical officers, dentists, researchers, pharmacists and allied workers. " We are grateful of this support from City Pharmacy. We stand to provide advice on issues in the Healthcare sectors and bring to light and discuss the advancements for better Healthcare delivery and research in PNG, " said Professor Nakapi Tefuarani- President of the Medical Society of PNG. City  has been at the forefront of delivering complimentary support to its Healthcare service with programs such as its Pharmacy Scholarships at UPNG, health and hygiene awareness through communities and schools and its implementation partnerships with the PNG Cancer Foundation and Queen pads reusable sanitary pads.

Hawaiian Airlines operated their very first flight with a mother and daughter pilot earlier this week. Mother, Captain Kamelia Zarka and her daughter, First Officer Maria Zarka took flight over the Pacific. According to Hawaiian Airlines, the daughter was hired as a Boeing 717 first officer earlier this year and the mother, a Boeing 717 captain, was the first Tongan woman to captain a commercial airline. First Officer Maria Zarka says it was a dream come true. She says she has been so lucky on her aviation career so far but being able to fly right seat with her mum was an unbelievable lifetime experience. Maria says everybody always comes up to her and tells her how amazing her mum is to fly with and she got to experience that firsthand. The mother and daughter pilot duo is encouraging other young girls to follow their dreams.   Source: Fijivillage