As the incumbent Governor and Member for NCD, I want to once again express my absolute disappointment and disgust at the deferral of polling in the Capital City. The excuse made for the initial deferral from the 4th to the 6th of July and now from 6th to maybe 8th of July is completely unacceptable. I am furious and completely disgusted. I am sure our people are equally disgusted. Securing counting venues and preparing polling officials, ballot boxes and ballot papers are basic outcomes Chief Electoral Commissioner and his staff should have sorted out well before the 4th or 6th of July. These are basic issues they ought to have templates and be experts in these areas by now. This basic failure shows highest level of incompetency and someone should be brought to account for this level of  incompetency which is bordering on stupidity. This basic failures shows poor level of leadership, poor planning and total incompetency on the part of Chief Electoral Commissioner and his Officers. They ought to hang their heads in shame! For our Capital City to be continuously be subjected to such basic of problems is totally unacceptable! It reflects badly for the Electoral Commission, our Capital City and our country. These are basic planning matters that should have been resolved well before polling. They had four (4) years and then a number of weeks due to deferral of the Issue of Writs and then two more days and they still can't solve these very basic issues. As a veteran of four (4) past General Election and one By Election this is like deja vu. History repeating itself. Same problems in 2012 and 2017 and now 2022! As a Party leader too, I am concerned that the delay will affect our Party politically. Delay in polling means delay in counting delay in declarations. The delay is also costly for candidates and political Parties as we have to continue to meet cost incurred unnecessarily because of plain incompetence and stupidity. At the end of the day too our country and our people pay a high price in not just paying more financially for this delay but equally in the poor images and impressions which such completely avoidable problems create. Our people continue to lose confidence in the electoral process, international community including investors lose confidence in our systems and our leadership as a result of such blunder and incompetence! I want to also call on all Candidates too not to interfere too much with the process and management of the process. Let the Electoral Commission and its staff do their job and deliver the elections. We should respect the process by leaving the scrutiny of the process to our Scrutineers. It’s not necessary for candidates to go to the election Centers to intervene as the law allows them to be represented by their Scrutineers. Elections in PNG sadly have never been perfect but it allows for highest levels of scrutiny and we should respect that process.

Athletics PNG have announced a team of eighteen athletes for the Commonwealth Games which will get underway in Birmingham later this month, with the Athletics competition running from 2 to 7 August. The team includes ten male and eight female athletes , seventeen of whom who were nominated last year to the PNG Olympic Committee and endorsed by the Justification Committee. However Athletics PNG held off making any formal announcement of the team to ensure that only those athletes who were fit and ready to compete at the Games would be included in the final team. President Tony Green said that the US based athletes who were selected were informally advised earlier this year for obvious reasons as this had implications for their movements after the Mini Games in Saipan. It was agreed that the team be announced after the Pacific Mini Games and APNG is now doing that after clarifying the situation with some athletes who were carrying injuries, and after consultations with the PNG Olympic Committee. In announcing the team President Tony Green said that some of the US based athletes have had a long season and we have to be realistic in our expectations of their performance. However the experience of attending a higher level competition will stand them in good stead for the important competitions next year and beyond, especially for the relays. The womens 4*100m relay and mens 4*400m relay will be the main focus for the sprinters, but they will each take one individual event,possibly two in some cases. The team is : Male : Leroy Kamau , Emmanuel Wanga, Shadrick Tansi , Jonathan Dende, Daniel Baul Ephraim Lerkin, Peniel Richard , Lakona Gerega , De’bono Paraka and Karo Iga In form throwers De’Bono Paraka and Lakona Gerega will be looking to improve on the National Records that they set recently at the Oceania Championships and Pacific Mini Games respectively. Paraka, who wasn’t originally considered for the Games because he has had a low key last couple of years has proven his doubters wrong by getting himself into the best shape of his life and throwing consistently very well. He is now at the Gold Coast undertaking his final preparations with Coach Brett Green. 400m Hurdlers Daniel Baul and Ephraim Lerkin will be aiming to improve the times they clocked at the Mini Games and aiming to secure a place in the final four for the relay. Karo Iga, whose 2019 Gold medal winning performance of 6643 points is also his personal best will be aiming to accumulate close to 7000 points which would then put him in striking distance of Albert Momberger’s 30 year old National record of 7178 which he set during his lead up to the 1992 olympic Games in barcelona The womens team is Flag bearer Rellie Kaputin (Long Jump) , Annie Topal (Triple Jump) , Toea Wisil (100m) Leonie Beu and Isila Apkup (200m) , Adrine Monagi (100m Hurdles) ; Edna Boafob (Heptathlon) and Sharon Toako (Javelin). Monagi is another in form athlete who will be aiming for a top showing at the Games. Her hopes of making a significant improvement in her personal best time in the 100m hurdles in Saipan recently were thwarted by strong headwinds. Head Coach and Field events coach will be Brett Green assisted by Allan Akia , with Subul Babo and Allan Akia the sprint coaches. Team Manageress will be Nola Peni. The male sprint squad as well as isila Apkup and Leonie Beu are now at NSI after a short break at home and will leave for the Games on 21 July with the main PNG contingent. Only Leroy Kamau and Ephraim Lerkin opted to base themselves in Port Moresby for their final preparations. A total of ten athletes who require specialist coaching in the jumps, hurdles and throws are undertaking their final preparations on the Gold coast. Green thanked the National Sports Institute through Director Janet Gimots for the part they have played in supporting athlete training programmes and the HP Unit for the support provided to port Moresby and Lae based athletes. Sponsors PNG Air, Prima Small goods and Kumul Consolidated Holdings through the PNG Olympic Committee have also played an important part in team preparations, he added.

Polling kicked off in Morobe Province on Monday and at the University of Technology, polling ran smoothly. The University Vice Chancellor, Dr Ora Renagi said that ever since he was eligible to vote, he has been voting during the National General Elections. “By casting my vote, it is my way of expressing the kind of leader that I want to be in Parliament.” [caption id="attachment_23462" align="alignnone" width="768"] The University Vice Chancellor, Dr Ora Renagi[/caption] “Voting is the democratic right of every individual and no one should stop them from voting.” He said that the Electoral Commission must make available every opportunity for everyone to vote. Dr Renagi added that during the last National General elections in 2017, there were disruptions during the polling day as there were not enough ballot papers and some people didn’t have their names on the common roll. “I learnt from the last election so as soon as the polling site was set up on campus, I was there to monitor and see that polling went smoothly.” “If your name is not on the list, check with the Electoral commission and sort it out.” “If there are not enough ballot papers, talk to the Electoral Commission and solve the problem in an intellectual manner but not to come and disrupt the polling process.” [caption id="attachment_23468" align="alignnone" width="906"] Final year Mathematics and Science Student, Jemimah Job[/caption] Meanwhile, final year Mathematics and Science Student, Jemimah Job said that as a first time voter she was happy to cast her vote. She said that the leaders in parliament make decisions for the country and she hopes that her vote gets in the correct leader to bring in change in the country as most places don’t have access to basic services.

The Ulamagi Nazarine Clinic sees over 100 patients daily, serving not only the Gereka Community but 6 mile’s Dogura Community, back up the hilltops of the Koiari Mountains and even down the coastline villages of Barakau and Gaire along the Magi Highway in Central Province. Operating since 2013, the health facility has not received any maintenance assistance until this year. As part of its 2022 Community Project initiative, BSP Boroko Branch reached out to the Ulamagi Nazarine Clinic, giving the facility a facelift, replacing its fly-wire, installing new tables and shelves for proper medicine storage and installing a handwash basin for the community use. BSP Boroko Branch Manager Madeleine Leka and her team handed back the completed project to the Ulamagi Nazarine Clinic staff on Friday 1st July, 2022, thanking them for allowing BSP to come into their community to deliver the project. “It is pleasing to be handing over another Community Project back to the community. All branches, departments and units in BSP carry this out across PNG and the Pacific as well. I hope that through our contribution today, it will make a meaningful and lasting change in the community. We are also donating 10 First Aid Kits as well to assist with the generous work you are providing in the community, here in Gereka and along the Magi Highway,” Ms Leka added. Officer in charge of Ulamagi Nazarine Clinic - Nickson Kondi described the event as significant, noting it is the first time a corporate organisation has come to its assistance in 11 years. “Our clinic never had shelves in the past to safely store medicine or supplies, with this project, we now have new shelves, tables and we can store drugs away safely. I thank you for the vision you have in giving to the communities,” Mr Kondi added. Director of Nazarine Rural Health PNG, Gabriel Mahisu, also extended his appreciation to BSP for the assistance, in maintaining the clinic facility . “We had challenges with our operational budget. Despite having only 4 staff, we were unable to carry maintenance at this place. It was an unspoken need and we really thank you for your heart,” Mr Mahisu said. “This is a busy clinic, your investment is worth it and we appreciate the partnership in working with the church. Last year we saw 21,000 patients and everyday over 100 patients. The community thanks you, “he added

The people of Derim in Deyamos rural LLG, Kabwum District of Morobe Province travel two hours on a PMV to the nearest BSP Sub-Branch at Kabwum station to access basic banking services. BSP Lae Top Town Branch recently commissioned Modu Trading as a BSP Cash Agent in Derim village, a service that will save the people a K100 roundtrip to Kabwum station for banking transactions. Owner of J Mondu Trading, Mr George Honeta said; “As an Agent for BSP, I wanted to assist the communities by providing banking services here to minimize their cost of travel to nearest BSP Sub-Branch at Kabwum. Normally it takes two hours’ travel by PMV and costs K100 both ways trip from Derim to Kabwum for banking transactions. The people of Derim have had such a hard time traveling to Kabwum BSP sub Branch and Lae Branches to do withdrawals and deposits. Now that we have a Cash Agent in Derim Station, it will make it more convenient for the people of Derim Station to do deposits and withdrawals. No more traveling to the branches to access these services,” added Mr Honeta. Lae Top Town Branch Manager Bevilon Homuo said the services would now help make it easier for local businesses and people to do deposits and withdrawals on site. “Our branch team will do regular visits to open new accounts and register customers on mobile and internet banking. There is no need for you to spend K50 on PMV to travel to Kabwum or K300 by plane to Lae to do your personal banking transactions. You can do it here at Derim”. She said. BSP Lae Top Town Branch now has 11 active Cash Agents operating in parts of Morobe Province. The Agents are issued wireless EFTPoS terminals or devices by BSP. This enables the Cash Agents to facilitate basic card based transactions like real-time cash deposits, withdrawals and funds transfer. SP is the first to use technology to deliver innovative banking services to the most remote rural areas in PNG. Through an expanded network of Sub Branches, Agents and Payment Processors, and in collaboration with local communities, BSP is delivering the very best banking services for a range of diverse customers – at their doorsteps. BSP has 193 Agents operating across 22 provinces in PNG providing unlimited access to financial services, especially for the unbanked population. This banking system operates with the help of agents who conduct basic financial transactions on behalf of the bank.

At the National Football Stadium today in Port Moresby, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) announced its agreement with the PNG Rugby Football League for platinum level sponsorship of the national team, the PNGLNG Kumuls. Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited Managing Director Wapu Sonk explained, “We are more than happy to support the development of the national rugby league side in its future endeavors to progress the code in the region and internationally.” “Kumul Petroleum will be supporting the PNGLNG Kumuls to the tune of K1 million a year  from 2022 to 2024, a total of just over K3 million. I hope that our contribution will serve as  an example to other corporate entities to also step up to support our national team.” The platinum level sponsorship includes the placement of the KPHL logo on players’ shirts, team signage, merchandise and other promotional materials. “Rugby league at all levels has a tremendous following throughout Papua New Guinea and this platinum sponsorship of the PNGLNG Kumuls is in some ways a natural continuation of Kumul Petroleum’s ongoing support of a number of sporting codes in the country, including of course the Kroton Hela Wigmen rugby league team,” Mr Sonk added. Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stanley Hondina, said  that on behalf of the PNGRFL Board Chairman Sandis Tsaka, and the entire board, they are  delighted by the support KPHL has shown to the game and embrace the support especially on an important Rugby League World Cup year. “KPHL are a whole of the game partner to PNGRFL and has invested a lot in the growth and development of the game both domestically and internationally.” “The recent PNGLNG Kumuls’ victory over Fiji Batis is an indication of such investments by partners who help us to deliver such results.” “We welcome KPHL onboard again, and we are looking forward to delivering results that will be appreciated by all stakeholders in our game, especially during the World Cup at the end of the year. We also extend our appreciation to KPHL’s Managing Director Wapu Sonk, and his Board, for the confidence they have in our national team and the support provided, that will greatly assist us to prepare and attend the tournament.” “Also, I would like to use this opportunity to thank our other valued partners in PNGLNG as the Naming Rights Sponsor, Digicel PNG Limited and National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) as two other existing platinum partners. Without your support, the game wouldn’t be at the stage where it is and our favorite team PNGLNG Kumuls would not be in the 5th place at the world rankings.”  

Members of the National Capital District Dog unit combed through a settlement beneath the Kookaburra Flyover at Erima today and recovered three high powered rifle magazines loaded with bullets, a military webbing and a large quantity of cannabis. Several suspects at this location fled when they saw the policemen arriving. The drugs, military webbing and magazines will be handed over to the criminal investigation unit for further investigations. Members of the NCD K9 unit staged this covert police operation today as part of the Constabulary's preparation for tomorrow's one day polling in NCD. Police investigations are continuing.  

Several candidates vying for the Moresby North-East Electorate and the NCD Regional seat yesterday signed and served a petition for the Electoral Commission demanding something to be done for the illegal ballot boxes. The gathering took place in the evening with many candidates expressing distaste to the commission’s decision to not inform the candidates of the movement of the sensitive material until moments before their confinement at the Sir John Guise Stadium. “None of the candidates for Moresby-North East were informed of when the boxes of ballot papers will be released,” said Moresby North-East Candidate, Ms. Tania Bale. She added that it was really disappointing that this has happened had the processes been followed in the first place. There had been conflicting information on when the ballot papers would be released but the most consistent was that they were released on the Friday 01st of July. Ms. Bale was among many others including Regional Candidate, Ms. Sylvia Pascoe and fellow North-East Candidate, Diane Unagi Koiam. A discontented Sylvia Pascoe said that the information that they received from the election manager was that the serial numbers matched the number of papers that were there. She stated that they were not disputing that information, they were worried about the extra boxes that are unlike the rest. “They are not sealed like the rest, they are not wrapped up like the rest, the writing on them is different, and these are obviously different so it appears that they have been tampered with,” Ms. Pascoe said. Ms. Pascoe reiterated that it was a worrying sign and is questioning the status of the papers. “I am worried, have they been pre-marked and put in these boxes or have they been photocopied, has someone taken a copy of these papers and photocopied them,” she said. Speaking of the petition, she said it highlighted a few facts: 1. None of the candidates were informed of the movement of the ballot papers 2. They did not witness the material being transported to its holding facility when it arrived in the country 3. They did not see the material being transported to the counting facility 4. The Transport logistics for the material was organized but the material was transported in a different vehicle Ms. Pascoe added that they just wanted answers to the irregularities that they had encountered.

Nasfund Contributors Savings & Loan Society (NCSL) has come on board as a new sponsor to support Cheshire disAbility Services’ Annual Red Feather Fundraiser with a sponsorship of K5,000.00. NCSL CEO, Vari Lahui presented the dummy cheque to Program Support and Operations Support Officer, Tom Sarwon at NCSL Head Office in Port Moresby on Thursday 24 June, 2022. CEO Vari Lahui said NCSL is pleased to support a worthy cause that will aid community-based programs for people with disability and special needs. “We are pleased the donation will support community-based primary health care services, which Includes Education, Early Childhood Care, Residential Care and Protection, Youth Development, and opportunities for livelihood access by parents and caregivers of children with disabilities,” he said. The sponsorship is the start of many collaborations for NCSL and Cheshire in the future and we are pleased to have this partnership going forward,” the CEO concluded. Program Support and Operations Officer, Tom Sarwon while thanking NCSL said he hopes more entities can also follow NCSL to support Cheshire and its work. The Annual Cheshire Red Feather Fundraiser is Cheshire’s main fundraiser to raise funds to maintain, support, and develop Cheshire’s programs and activities for persons with special needs. The patron of Cheshire is our Governor-General, Sir Bob Dadae, GCL, GCMG KStJ.

As the country goes into its second day of polling for the 2022 National General Election, Police Commissioner David Manning has once again appealed to the people of Papua New Guinea for their cooperation in making this election free, fair, safe and corruption free. “It is the mission of the members of the security forces to ensure we have a free, fair, safe and corruption free National General Elections 2022. But this responsibility is not solely ours alone but for every citizen of Papua New Guinea,” Mr Manning said. Mr Manning made this comment when he launched the 2022 National General Election Joint Security Task Force parade at the Sir John Guise stadium in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby, on Friday 24 June. Speaking from Tari, where he witnessed the one-day polling for the Hela Province yesterday (Monday 4 July), Mr Manning said the commitment of the security forces for a free, fair and safe election is evident from the initial ground work done so far in securing the various communities for the polling. Mr Manning said the three disciplined forces have a long, proud and shared history that predates the country’s Independence. “We have stood shoulder to shoulder in our nation’s darkest and most trying times, from elections, to internal conflicts to natural disasters. It is these responsibilities that have been in existence since our forefathers that attained our country’s independence on 16th of September 1975,” he said. He added the challenges back then are no different to those faced now for the 2022 National General Election and the three forces are united in their resolve to deliver a free, fair, safe and corruption free election. “We have a duty to protect our constitution, defend our democratic way of life, serve our country and our people,” Mr Manning said and once again appealed to the security forces around the country to remain focused and maintain their operational integrity. “We must not allow ourselves to be coerced, bribed, forced or threatened to act in the manner that brings the whole security operations into disrepute,” he urged. Mr Manning said the election remains the largest single internal security effort in the country’s political cycle that requires everyone’s undivided attention, loyalty, commitment and professionalism. He said it will test the respective forces' capacities and capabilities. Mr Manning stressed again to the members of the security forces that the success of the election security operations lies in the ability to work with the people, understand their concerns and expectations and willingness to find solutions. “We must ensure that every single person, our women, our elderly, those living with disabilities, those living in the cities,  in the villages and to the remotest communities in all regions of our country, who can legally vote, must be given the equal opportunity to freely and fairly do so,” Mr Manning said. The Police Commissioner once again appealed to the general public not to engage in any criminal act against any members of the security forces, polling officials, and supporters of opposing candidates.

A platoon plus (42) of PNG Defence Force Personnel arrived in Kavieng, for the Election Operations in New Ireland. This brings the total manpower of New Ireland NATEL 2022 Joint Security Force, up to 400 comprising of 300 plus Local Police, plus 20 Personnel (2 sections) from Tomaringa Mobile Squad. New Ireland PPC, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat said the arrival of the military brings to fruition what has been reiterating for the last couple of weeks about New Ireland having an equipped force for the 2022 National General Election. “It gives me peace of mind and great reassurance that the joint security force under my command, is more than capable of running a safe, free, fair and transparent election,’ he said. He assured New Irelanders that their safety and freedom of choice to practice their basic democratic right to choose their leader is guaranteed. PPC Nebanat also revealed that both the Kavieng and the Namatanai Contingents have competed their respective elections operations brief with their men and are now ready to go into polling. He emphasized that the additional Quick Response Force (QRF) comprising of the Local CS, PNGDF and the Tomaringa based Mobile Squad are here to boost manpower and encouraged his local police to embrace working with the other sister forces and units in securing New Ireland this election. “In spite of setbacks and delayed logistic arrangements that are beyond our control, I am overwhelmed by the aggressive push by my local police who are going the extra mile to take ownership of spearheading security for this election, especially my Community Auxiliary Police Officers (CAPS) from outer islands who have been camping in Kavieng without complaints even though they are yet to be paid their allowances,” PPC Nebanat said. “Their drive and commitment gives me the motivation as their PPC to do more. Sometimes I wish I was in control of funding or that I had enough to adequately pay them for their sacrifices in leaving their families back at home to attend to their call of duty in BRIDGING their communities with police,” he stressed. He further highlighted that they play a very crucial role in being the middle people equipped with a wealth of local knowledge, especially during this time of election as they selflessly commit their time, effort and energy in the name of securing election in their respective communities where the pulse of existence is. I commend my regular police personal especially Senior NCOs at this time when we are short of commissioned officers to take up leadership roles in executing my instructions identified in my Ops order in alignment with the Commissioner’s overall intent for the NATEL 2022. 

Polling for Kavieng Open Electorate pushes through after claims of ballot papers discrepancies were denied by New Ireland Returning Officer, Mr. Benjamin Kliawi. Despite aired grievances by candidates due to word of having inconsistency in ballot paper numbers claimed to have been found during quality check over the weekend. New Ireland Provincial Returning Officer Mr. Benjamin Kliawi has denied this claim and allowed for polling to continue after confirming with the candidate scrutineers that the physical number of ballot papers counted in the quality check, corresponds with the numbers on the dispatched listing. He said any claims of discrepancies on the ballot paper numbers must have its evidence provided to the electoral commission to show proof. Otherwise, it is an administrative matter that will be dealt with according to the electoral commission's protocol to erase doubts that has caused confusion that resulted in the delayed polls. Polling for Kavieng Urban started hours later than schedule while Tikana, Murat and Lovongai LLG polling teams will insert into their respective polling venues today. Kavieng Open candidates and scrutineers fronted up at the Police station early hours this Monday (4h July) morning following a written petition addressed to New Ireland PPC, Chief Inspector, Felix Nebanat. The petition signed by nine (9) candidates requested the Electoral Commissioner to formally verify the reason for the ballot papers not adding up and to stop the deployment of polling teams until all satisfactory clarification is received. PPC Nebanat made clarification on his role as chief of security for the province that his responsibility is to protect the integrity of the election process by maintaining neutralism to ensure there is a free fair and safe election for New Ireland and that the electoral commission is responsible for the clarification. The situation has been controlled with the presence of all members of the joint security force holding the ground. Meanwhile polling for Namatanai proceeds without delay with polling teams making insertion into polling venues yesterday, Sunday 03rd July.