Since the horrific acts of violence that we witnessed on Sunday afternoon, I have ensured the following has been undertaken to ensure peace and security to take back our city so we can return to normalcy within the shortest times. 1. Police have removed all supporters' tents from all the counting centres for all NCD Seats. 2. All the leading Candidates for Moresby North East have met at my invitation as the (incumbent) Governor and they have all pledged to restrain their supporters to not engage in any such acts of violence again. They have also made the call to their supporters and welcome police action to arrest the perpetrators and investigate involvement of any candidates in planning or inciting these acts of violence 3. Police have arrested 18 people suspected of being involved in the violence acts and for their part in planning such acts of violence. 4. National Government has also called out the Military to come and support the police to provide security to the counting centres and to the city as a whole. 5. Police are now deployed in strategic parts of the city to ensure no acts of violence take place including clamping down on opportunist who might take advantage to incite fear, panic and violence. Since Monday, 25th of July, the city has been influenced more by fear and anxiety caused by fake news than any real instance of violence or chaos. An image of something, was made into a greater bigger scene than what it actually was. As incumbent Governor, I am driving around the length and breath of the city and all I am witnessing for my myself about 98 percent of normalcy have returned. Today the Commissioner for Police requested that we take time to ensure police and security personal can assure us of safety and security of the city. I did visit most of our communities in the city this morning and afternoon and can confirm the relative safety of our entire city. I can understand the shock and the trauma at the aftermath of such gruesome video, and for this, I offer my heartfelt apologies and I am truly heartbroken to the children growing in the city that they may continue to have this shock in their formative years. Not only children but all of us. I pray that this incident will never occur again and as I said, I will make Law and Order a priority once the new Government is formed. I ask everyone to be more vigilant and take care but please continue life as usual. Investigate everything you read on Social Media and don’t share or peddle negative fake news to create fear. We can’t allow our city to be taken hostage and fueled with fear. Together, we are greater. I am happy that some communities took measures to protect themselves like Kirakira village, Gerehu stage 5 and some at Dikakari Street in Tokarara. City Hall and the office of our Municipal Government that manages, administer and leads the development of our city was open whole day today. Some staff and facilities like markets could not open due to inability of some staff to come to work due to the absence of majority of public transport in the city. Today all of NCDC capacity and services will be back to normal and I call on our people to resume normal schedules and activities. SOURCE: NCD GOVERNOR HON POWES PARKOP FB PAGE

PNG National Women Soccer Team has been challenged to go out there today and play their best in the OFC Women Nations Cup semi-finals against Samoa at HCF Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji. PNGFA president said sports is a Bridge of Pride, Glory and Victory of a Nation “As we are facing crisis at home, several sporting groups have been competing around the region to show case their talents and bring back victory but they are also affected by this crisis to ease the pain of those families who suffered from the national election related problem around the country especially National Capital District. PNG Women Team in their morning devotion also pray for peace for those affected by those election elated issues. Mr Kapi Natto said as President of PNGFA & Vice President OFC, he would like to convey his condolences & heart felt sympathy to the many different families who have lost their loved ones over the recent National Election related issue. “Our Pray is that God forgive our Nation and bring back Peace and Normalcy into our beautiful Country, PNG that is made up of a 1000 Tribes, 800 different Languages but ONE PEOPLE. May we humble ourselves and look to God for Wisdom and knowledge that will direct our newly elected Leaders to serve the People and the Country as a whole,” he said. He thanked the National Gaming Control Board through their Community Benefit Trust Fund to support our WNT and extended his sincere thank the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd as they both supported our WNT in Suva FIJI. Whilst we are facing crisis at home, out several Sporting Groups have been competing around the region to show case their Talents and bring back victory, but they are also affected by this crisis, but Sports is a Bridge of Pride, Glory & Victory of a Nation. He said PNG Women’s National Team has reached the semi-finals before the grand final on the 30th July 2022. “I challenge our WNT to believe in themselves as they represent their country that is hurting right now but to go all out with strong determination to win the semi finals and to the finals. Go out and play to your best and let’s ease the pain of those families that are suffering. “The tide has change and every country has come prepared to play for honor of their countries. My last few words are that please; "Play with a Strong Heart, Mind and Spirit to win the First Semis to the grand finale." He conveyed his congratulations to Management, Coaching Staff & the Players to reach the Semi Finals and may our God Heavenly Father grant to us the Victory. He concluded by quoting Prime Minister, Hon James Marape. "Play well for your Country PNG with Pride...If you win or Lose you have given your best." Source: PNG Football Association

Mr Wickremesinghe faces the task of leading the country out of its economic collapse and restoring order after months of mass protests. He roundly defeated his main rival for the job, Dullus Alahapperuma, with 134 votes to 82 in a parliamentary vote. Sri Lanka's ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country last week. He bolted to the Maldives and then Singapore after thousands of protesters stormed his presidential residences and other government buildings, calling for his resignation. They had also called for the resignation of Mr Wickremesinghe, a close ally of the Rajapaksa political family who was appointed prime minister in May. Protesters last week burnt down his private home and also stormed his prime ministerial office in Colombo in demonstrations against his leadership. On Wednesday, many expressed despair and disappointment over his win. "I am absolutely disgusted at the result… I cannot believe that 134 people - MPs that are supposed to represent the people- have completely disregarded the wants of the people," one activist Jeana De Zoysa told the BBC. Political operator who's managed to cling on in parliament despite his party being wiped out in the 2020 election. It failed to win a single constituency, and its only seat - for which Mr Wickremesinghe nominated himself - was awarded under the party list system reflecting overall votes polled. A former six-time prime minister, he failed in his previous two runs for the presidency. His victory on Wednesday means he will serve out the rest of the presidential term until November 2024. But on Wednesday, after sweeping the vote with the backing of the Rajapaksa's ruling party, he called for unity and bipartisanship moving forward. He told parliament the nation was "in a very difficult situation" and there were "big challenges ahead". Sri Lanka has been wracked with protests for months because the country is effectively bankrupt and facing acute shortages of food, fuel and other basic supplies. Mr Wickremesinghe is aiming to restore political stability so the country can resume negotiations with the International Monetary fund for a bailout package. He was involved in these talks last month, and the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramnua (SLPP) party said most of their members had backed him because of his economic credentials. "We feel that Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only person with the experience, the know-how and the capacity to provide solutions to the economic crisis," General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam told the Reuters news agency. However, it remains unclear whether he will be accepted by protesters - many of whom say he's part of the political elite behind the country's economic mismanagement. On Wednesday, ahead of the results, barricades were set up around the parliament and soldiers lined the perimeter anticipating crowds. But protesters remained fairly subdued. After the result, some gathered at the Galle Face Green protest site chanted "Ranil Go Home". There are fears among some that Mr Wickremesinghe will now crack down on the movement, which has brought hundreds of thousands of ordinary people onto the streets demanding change. When he assumed the job of acting president last week, he ordered the military to do whatever was necessary to restore public order, following protesters storming and occupying government buildings. He also extended a national state of emergency order this week to stamp out any flare-ups. However, his immediate challenges include sourcing fuel supplies and managing the public discontent - which will mean working on removing the bitterness, anger and disappointment within society. His main challenger in Wednesday's vote was Mr Alahapperuma, a dissident MP in the ruling party who gained the backing of the main opposition. He had pledged to bring a cross-party government to Sri Lanka that would "put an end to the deceitful political culture" but failed to muster enough support. SOURCE: BBC WORLD NEWS

H.E. Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, GCL, GCMG, KStJ, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, is appealing to Papua New Guineans throughout the country to refrain from inciting violence, fighting and destruction to lives and properties as the national general elections draws to a close. Grand Chief Sir Bob has expressed concerns about the recent spate of violence in Port Moresby, Enga and Markham and Kabwum in Morobe province. Grand Chief Sir Bob has appealed to everyone involved in the elections from candidates to their supporters, scrutineers and election officials to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner so that the national general elections may be completed successfully. “Now that elections are in the counting period, I am appealing to everyone from the candidates, their supporters, scrutineers and elections officials to refrain from violence and allow the process to complete in an orderly and peaceful manner. Intending candidates, this is the time to show leadership and example by not allowing your supports to incite violence and destruction to lives and properties. Don’t wait till you are in Parliament to show leadership. Hindering and abetting violence and mayhem is not a sign of leadership and those involved in such should not consider themselves leaders, at all. We are a democratic country and every citizen has a right to express their freedom without fear and intimidation in choosing their leaders to represent them in Parliament. The power to determine political leaders in this country rests with the people who exercise that during elections. Candidates who have issues with the election process have an avenue to raise their complaints through the court of disputed return and should not disturb or interfere with the election process that is underway,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said. Meantime the Governor General has also called on the media to refrain from sensationalizing issues when reporting on election related violence. Grand Chief Sir Bob said, it was unfortunate that a handful of people have taken it upon themselves to instigate violence and cause mayhem while majority of Papua New Guineans throughout the country have had peaceful elections. “Referring to PNG as a war zone is a misrepresentation as it does not represent the whole country and the majority of peace loving Papua New Guineans who have conducted themselves well in the elections. Media must be mindful when reporting on election related violence as it could paint a bad picture of our country and our people to the international community. Refrain from sensational reporting which can cause unnecessary distress to our people and negative publicity of our country,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said. The Governor General has today met with Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai, the latter briefing the Governor General on the progress of elections so far. According to the Electoral Commissioner, eighteen of the 118 electorates have had declarations so far with a 100 more to go as counting progresses. Mr. Sinai said, the election officials are now working on a 24-hour shift to speed up counting with more results expected in the coming days. Mr. Sinai has informed the Governor General that this year’s national general elections was delayed from the beginning due to financial constraints, the untimely death of deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil which delayed the elections by a week, logistics and election officials not turning up on time at their designated areas which he says, has slowed the process. The Electoral Commissioner has recommended to the Governor General an extension of the Return of Writs from 29th July, 2022 to 12th August, 2022. According to Mr. Sinai, the extension of 14 days will allow for counting to be concluded and for results to be declared in all provincial and open electorates. Mr. Sinai has cited special circumstances that warrant the extension of the Return of Writs and has assured that the extension is within “the fifth anniversary of the day fixed for the return of writs for the previous general election…The extension of time is intended to provide time to allow all the writs to be returned accordingly.” The Governor General has accepted the extension of the Return of Writs to 12th August, 2022 at 4:00pm. The Governor General said, he accepts that it would be impossible to have all the Writs returned on July 29th, 2022, the proposed date of the Return of Writs, which is on Friday this week. “It would be impossible to complete all counting by Friday so I accept the extension by 14 days to 12th of August, 2022 at 4pm. The extension will save time and resources which will be costly if we were to start all over again. We can learn from this year’s national general elections to conduct better national general elections in 2027. The election process should start as early as 2023 next year. The Electoral Commission must get its finances and manpower resources organized and introduce a new system of voting that cuts down on time and resources. Introduce the biometric system or other such similar technology so once a vote is cast it is automatically tallied and stored and declarations can be made precisely and immediately. This way we avoid all the problems we have witnessed in this election – hijacking of boxes, disputes and delays in counting and violence. A number of people have lost their lives from election related violence. It is very unfortunate and should not have happened at all. Let’s prepare now to deliver a better Free and Fair elections in 2027,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said.  ”

James Segeyaro will play his first NRL game in over three years after Manly were forced to call up three debutants for Thursday’s game against the Sydney Roosters at Brookvale Oval. The Sea Eagles have only been able to name a 20-man squad when NRL guidelines state they usually must name a 22-player list on Tuesday. The match between the ninth-placed Sea Eagles and the eighth-placed Roosters was pitted as a battle for finals football. But the game has been overshadowed by seven Manly players withdrawing because of their stance on the club’s rainbow-detailed jersey. Papua New Guinea international Segeyaro, who was banned for two years for testing positive to a banned substance in 2019 while at Brisbane, is one of three beneficiaries. Segeyaro will come off the bench, with Alfred Smalley and Fiji international Pio Seci also drafted up from feeder club Blacktown to play on the wing. SOURCE: THEQLDR.COM.AU

This news just in! The PNG Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has recommended to the Governor General an extension of the return of writs from 29th July to August 12th 2022. Mr Sinai says this extension will allow for counting to be concluded and results to be declared. The Governor General has accepted this extension to the return of writs to 12th August 2022 at 4pm. Keep listening to the news on NAU FM, Yumi FM & Legend FM & follow our news website pnghausbung.com for more on this story.

National flag carrier, Air Niugini has performed exceptionally well in delivering its schedule, outperforming many airlines in Australia and the Pacific.  In June Air Niugini operated 2,260 flights with 2,104 of those serving the domestic market.  When compared with key airlines in Australia for the month of June, Air Niugini’s on time departure performance (flights leaving within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure time) sat at 82% as compared with Qantas at 58.7% and Virgin Australia with 59.8%   The cancellation rate for Air Niugini for June was 3.8% while Qantas cancelled 7.5% of all their services and Virgin Australia cancelling 5.8% of their flights.  Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bruce Alabaster said “It’s not easy ensuring schedule integrity and with the difficult conditions under which we operate here in PNG that places further pressure on our schedule. “  “I commend all our staff, those at the check-in counter, traffic officers to operating crew, engineers, catering, flight planning and all those involved for their great teamwork, producing excellent results often under testing circumstances. Our on time performance is something we take very seriously and are always working to improve on, and to be performing at a level higher than our peer airlines in the region is a wonderful result. I encourage the team to continue to maintain the good work”  

Team PNG was officially welcomed to the Games Village on Monday (25/07/2022) by Commonwealth Games Village Mayor David Moorcroft at the University of Birmingham. In receiving the welcoming gift from Mayor Moorcroft , General Management and Team Operations and Administration, Chris Aimini, thanked the Games Organizing Committee for the warm welcome. "Team PNG has settled in well since arrival on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday respectively ", said Amini. Weightlifters into 3rd Training Session Meanwhile, Weightlifting Team Manager Kila Mala has confirmed that weightlifting sensations Dika Toua amd Morea Baru are well into their 3rd training session with four more sessions to go before their competitions start on July 30, 2022. "So far all is going well the two weightlifters in their training and recovery and we are thankful for all the support, particularly head Physiotherapist  Matthew Natusch for all the post recovery work," said Mala.

H.E Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, GCL, GCMG, KStJ, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, has expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family, friends, and relatives of one of Papua New Guinea's esteemed and renewed businessmen Chief Jacob Luke following his passing last week. Grand Chief Bob said Mr. Luke was a unique individual who beat all odds from humble beginnings and started and built his business into a successful business. " Mr. Luke is proof that Papua New Guineans can start a business, manage it and build it into an empire and be successful. Despite the odds and negativities that would deter many from expanding a business venture., Mr. Luke persevered and succeeded. His business now employs hundreds of, if not thousands of people, and has enabled many people to venture into business and private entrepreneurship. He was a businessman who also gave much to others and was well respected in the business community both here and abroad and a pillar to his people and community. He did not rely on handouts or others to build his business. And in the end, he was able to enjoy his success, be his own boss and give back to the community without seeking favors and public office to do so. It doesn't matter who and where we come from, we can be successful in our pursuits by doing so with perseverance, honesty, and hard work. Our youths and young ones can learn from this so that they can make a success of themselves to be useful and productive citizens of our country. Lady Dadae joins me in conveying to the immediate family of the late Mr. Luke our heartfelt sympathies and condolences during this time of difficult time. May God's peace comfort you in your time of mourning," Grand Chief Sir Bob said.

Sitting Member and Pangu Pati Candidate, Timothy Masiu has retained his South Bougainville Open Seat polling 14, 404 votes exceeding the absolute majority of 11, 760.

Kina Bank has issued this advice to customers. Some branches will remain closed until further notice in Port Moresby, these branches are Vision City, Boroko, and Jacksons Airport. As of 10.00 AM, this morning branches to be opened are the Waigani Drive, Port Moresby, and Harbourside branches. Kina Bank will continue to monitor the situation and then advise when they plan to re-open the branches that are currently closed. Kina Bank is advising to please continue to stay safe at this time and keep indoors. The Bank further says customers can utilize digital banking services through Kina Konnect and the Mobile App. Alternatively, you can also contact Kina Bank on toll-free number 180 1525 or Contact Centre on +675 308 3800.

Member-elect for Wabag Open Electorate, Dr. Lino Tom was declared yesterday afternoon after collecting 35,782 votes in the primary counts, surpassing the absolute majority mark of 28,000+1.