PNG LNG Kumuls camp has been a reunion of sorts for McKenzie Yei. The man from Mount Hagen played for Mount Hagen Eagles and Hela Wigmen before joining SP PNG HUNTERS in 2018 and their Hostplus Cup rivals, Rockhampton-based Rockhampton Leagues Club Capras for the 2020 season. So, this week’s Pacific Test in Campbelltown has been a chance to reconnect with many of his former teammates. “This has been the best week of my life,” he told PNG Kumuls Media. “Being back with everyone this week is like catching up with long-lost friends. I’m so happy to see them again, especially the boys who I knew from back then. Getting selected for the Kumuls is really a dream come true and it’s hard to express in words – I’m still emotional.” The 25-year-old says he has also enjoyed spending time with the Kumuls’ NRL-based stars. “Guys like David (Mead) and Alex (Johnston) have told me some of the things about how they prepare for a game – it’s good to learn from them. “I’d heard stories about being part of the Kumuls before but to see it with my own eyes and experience it myself is just amazing.”

EU Funded UN Joint STREIT PNG Programme, as part of its mission to support efforts towards reducing rural poverty, is engaging local communities with a focus on struggling single parents as a support workforce for maintenance of 18 selected farm-to-market roads in the Sepik region. Led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the creation of these employment opportunities in remote communities where there are limited income-generating activities because of lack of accessible roads to markets is a relief to many disadvantaged households. This month the ILO team visited some of these beneficiaries who are employed in the Road Maintenance Groups (RMGs) working on a 17.7km-long Walkasa Mai-Wanwan road and an 8km-long Yiminum-Wilbowe road in the Nuku District of Sandaun Province. For the beneficiaries, this is a lifetime opportunity for a regular and steady income to support their and their families' everyday needs, and one important concern for the struggling families is paying for their siblings' and kids' school fees and associate costs. Among the struggling families are some widows like Marathia, aged 59, from Yiminum Village, who works on the Yiminum-Wilbowe road. "My husband died, and we were really struggling because our families have their own problems to take care of. Now, I'm very happy with this job which I joined last year. It helps with school fees for my children," said Marathia. Marathia was left with five children to support, including one who is attending final year studies at a vocational training nearby. With the income as an RMG, she was able to pay PGK 500 school fee last year and early this year she paid PGK 250. She said the community is also happy to see her contribution in a job they usually see as for men only. For youths like Jena Suwa this employment opens a new window to their life. She was not able to complete her studies after year 10 in 2018. "I'm very happy today because I was doing nothing in the house. I will now save some money to prepare to go back to school to become a nurse," said Jena. Sony Apo is another youth who completed Grade 8 in 2015 and is looking forward to some money to upgrade. He dreams of becoming a carpenter to continue the legacy of his late 'big daddy'. "Big daddy was the only skilled man we had in the family, and now I'm ready to become a carpenter as well," he said. The main works that encompass the road routine maintenance aspect to be undertaken by the RMGs include pothole patching, vegetation clearing, drainage and general cleaning along the road in preparation for engagement of a contractor to perform specific maintenance on these farm-to-market access and feeder roads. Safety gears and road maintenance tools like boots, gloves, vests, safety helmets, spades, hoes, wheelbarrows were also among the tools and equipment provided and distributed by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme among the RMGs' members. During the visits, the Programme's Community Facilitator, Rachel Bowie also shared with the RMGs to demonstrate commitment in their work to take ownership in the routine maintenance of these roads because it will serve them, their families and their fellow community members. The mission also conducted a drone survey of a 14km-long Nanaha-Tau LLG access road in the Ambunti-Drekikier District, East Sepik Province. In consultation with Ward Members, locals, including youths and women, were also recruited to form RMGs to conduct routine maintenance for this road that will also service Drekikier Secondary. Under the Programme selection criteria, one RMG comprises six members that must have at least two females. The group must also have representation from youths, single parents whose partners have died or have deserted them and traditional owners of land the road passes through. The Programme, in partnership with MiBank, a local financial institution, is implementing cashless transactions and banking for rural farmers by opening bank accounts for these RMGs, and their payment is deposited directly at the end of every month. This arrangement encourages rural farmers to save and grow their earnings, which can be used to access small loan benefits. Under this rural agriculture development programme, 18 rural roads in the Sepik region totalling close to 300 km in length are being maintained or upgraded with the help of RMGs to support the market access initiative implemented by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme for rural and farming communities to boost agriculture production and agribusiness activities pertaining to three targeted cocoa, vanilla and fisheries agri-food value chains for an improved income and cash flow for the rural communities. The roads will also support other agricultural, business, social and community activities and facilities like schools, aid posts and health centres that are in dire need of better accessible roads. The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, being implemented as a UN Joint Programme (FAO as the leading agency, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region. The Programme aims to help improve the lives of the people from East Sepik and Sandaun provinces, by focusing on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through improved economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains while strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers, including the business environment, and supporting sustainable, climate-proof transport and energy infrastructure development.

Over the period 14 to 18 June 2022, the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Major General Mark B.G. Goina, DMS, CBE, undertook a visit to PNGDF operational locations in the Highlands as part of the PNGDF preparations to support the 2022 National Elections NATEL 22) The CDF was accompanied by members of his senior staff, members of the Department of Defence and the resident Defence Representatives from Australia, the United State and Indonesia. The international Defence Advisors and Attachés were invited to allow them to fully understand the commitment of the PNGDF to supporting the delivery of NATEL 22 and to be able to appreciate the testing operational conditions faced by the deployed PNGDF personnel. CDF also thanked our defence partners for their support in preparing the PNGDF personnel involved in NATE22. The CDF and his guests visited the Task Force Headquarters at Mt Hagen, the Forward Operating base at Tari and the Forward Operating Position at Pogera. At each location they met with members of the local administration and RPNGC and were briefed on the security issues faced by the PNGDF troops operating there. When talking to the local administration and deployed personnel the CDF stressed that the role of the PNGDF was clear in that they were deploying to the Highlands Region in support of the Electoral Commission and the RPNGC. He also reiterated that any groups or individuals that look to disrupt or illegally influence the polling process will be dealt with quickly and efficiently, and that along with the RPNGC and Corrections Service (CS) the 1000 deployed PNGDF personnel were focused on delivering a safe and secure environment for free, fair and transparent elections to occur. He also reminded our partners and local administrators that throughout the NATEL 22 process, the PNGDF will continue to undertake its business-as-usual tasks along the border and at sea protecting our sovereignty, our prosperity and most importantly our people from harm. The CDF and party, along with the Secretary for Defence were also present at the official launching of the Highlands National Election 2022 Operations in which nearly 300 members of the RPNGC, PNGDF and CS were on parade.

Epel Kapinias hails from East New Britain province and began his career with the Agmark Gurias in PNG’s Digicel Cup Digicel Cup competition before joining the SP PNG HUNTERS in 2019. After three seasons at the Hunters, the 24-year-old prop joined Hostplus Cup rivals Wynnum Manly Seagulls this year and is enjoying life at the Brisbane-based club. “When I came here to Australia, I knew opportunities would come my way if I keep my consistency and play well week in, week out,” he said. “It’s great to be part of the Kumuls team this week and I’m looking forward to learning a lot from the senior boys here such as David Mead, Justin Olam, Alex Johnston and Wartovo Puara. I can’t wait to run out onto the field this Saturday and hopefully I’ll get called up for the World Cup too.” PNG LNG Kumuls captain David Mead, who has played alongside Epel at Wynnum Manly added: “Epel is an exciting young talent. He is always keen to learn, and my first impressions of him were that he is always seeking feedback from the coach. It will be exciting to see him pull on the Kumuls jersey this week.”

Emmanuel Waine speaks with genuine emotion about his upcoming PNG LNG Kumuls debut against Fiji in the Pacific Test on Saturday. Of mixed parentage from Jiwaka and Simbu, the 25-year-old is following in the footsteps of his trailblazing uncle to represent the Kumuls – something he never thought he would achieve. “My uncle, Goie Waine, was Kumul #128 and made his debut in 1990 against New Zealand in Goroka,” Emmanuel explains. “When we were growing up, he used to say to me and my seven brothers, ‘I was once a Kumul, but I don’t know if you guys will make it or not’. Hearing that from him always made me think about being a Kumul. There are not many rugby league players from where we come from in Jiwaka, and I’m the first one since him to play for the Kumuls. “After I got the news I called my uncle in Jiwaka and he was crying, he was so happy. Yesterday he video called me while I was here in Kumuls camp. He was with my parents, who had just gone to buy a new TV and generator to make sure they can watch the game on Saturday. I was with Justin Olam so he talked to them too, and we were all excited.” While Goie Waine made just two appearances for the Kumuls, nephew Emmanuel hopes to surpass that. “For as long as I play rugby league, my dream is to play as often for the Kumuls as David Mead did,” reveals Emmanuel. “I don’t want to be a one-time Kumul. “When I run out for PNG on Saturday I’ll be thinking of my family, the legacy of my uncle, my Mum who worked so hard to raise us nine kids, and everyone in my province who has always supported me with positivity in my rugby league career.”

Jacob Alick will be playing in memory of his grandmother when he pulls on the PNG LNG Kumuls jersey for the first time on Saturday in the Pacific Test against Fiji. “It will be a very proud moment for myself and my family, just to represent my grandmother,” the 22-year-old told PNG Kumuls media. “She was born in Daru but she passed away maybe 10 years ago now, so I didn’t really get to grow up too much with my PNG culture. “So, for me, this week is about learning a lot about the culture. I’m looking forward to learning a bit of the language (TokPisin). I hear the boys talking over lunch, so it would be cool to pick up more words. I’d also like to learn a bit more about where I’m from. A couple of the boys here know about where I’m from, so I’ll just be asking questions and trying to get to know a bit more about PNG overall.” Alick, who is contracted to the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2023, has not yet set foot in PNG but is hoping to do so later this year. He said: “I’ve seen a lot of videos of how crazy they go when the footy is on, so it’ll be cool to get over there. “It’s a massive opportunity being selected for the Kumuls in a World Cup year. I’m looking to put my best foot forward for the end of the year for the Rugby League World Cup. To be there would be the pinnacle for me.”

The Tumbawinlam Haus or Nimamar Council Chamber was officially opened by New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan amidst much needed showers of blessing after months of a dry spell on Lihir Island. The event marks an end to a milestone achievement for the people of New Ireland and personally for Governor Sir Julius Chan who fulfilled his mission of establishing 10 Council Chambers across 10 LLG’s in a space of 1 year and 3 months. The bright orange coloured Council Chamber is perched magnificently up on the Potzlaka Government station hill, making its striking presence known to all who travel into the Lihir Township bay. Unlike the other Council Chambers the Tumbawinlam Haus was built in partnership with the Nimamar Council who chipped in with counterpart funding of K1.2 million for the K2.4 million building. With their contribution through their business arm Nimamar capital, the Lihirians used their economic power to add their own extensions and designs to the Tumbawinlam Haus. This includes an extra conference room, more offices and a culturally significant figure of the Kabai beside the building. “ Lihir you can be the last, but you are the best,” said Nimamar’s Chairman for Infrastructure and former Deputy Governor Ambrose Silul when expressing his people’s Triumph. The name Tumbawinlam represents the six main clans on the Island. There are a further 21 sub clans. Customary offerings of huge pigs, sizes not seen in other parts of New Ireland and garden food were delivered in true New Ireland fashion by the six main clans on the first day of cultural festivities. The first Council sitting was chaired by President of Nimamar LLG Stanely Tunut with all 15 ward members present. Sir J was invited to deliver his official address to the LLG Council. “Today we witness a new birth and new dawn of Nimamar Council Chamber. The begining of a modern establishment of your local Government by the People, of the People and for the People. This chamber is not for show. It is a legacy project. It will remain beyond our time,” said Sir J. Sir J also urged Lihir mine developer Newcrest to give more back to the communities they are taking from. He reminded the executives that were present of the need for a ring road to be built around Lihir. With a mine life of 15 years left Sir J also called for a mine closure plan and a plan for Lihir after the mine is closed. “You must have a mine closure plan for after the mine operations ceases. What legacy are you going to leave behind for Lihir? Don’t just dig up this Island and leave. To you landowner company directors you must throw your money back into New Ireland, don’t throw it out in Australia or elsewhere. The next project I want to open when I return to Lihir is the ring road,” said Sir J. The Lihir mine project was signed by Sir Julius Chan in March 1995 when he was Prime Minister. 27 impact projects including the Kavieng International Wharf, Boluminski Highway, Namatanai Hospital, Bopire Township and the Kavieng International Airport which is set to be officially opened next month. “I’m not happy because the company is not a small company and it’s a big company. Every year I push for the same thing. If I get back into Government we will review the MOA and push for the ring road to be completed once and for all. If Newcrest can’t do it, who else will. Newcrest is one of the largest Gold mines in the world, it can do better,” said Sir J.  

Liam Horne, 24, who plays for Norths Devils, will live out a childhood dream when he runs out for the PNG LNG Kumuls against Fiji in Saturday’s Pacific Test. Born in PNG and raised in Australia, Horne re-visited PNG as an adult for the first time just before the COVID pandemic began. “My Mum’s from Hula and Gaire (Central Province),” he told PNG Kumuls Media. “I went there in October 2019 for the first time and back again for Christmas that year. It was one of the best times of my life, to be honest. I took my girlfriend back to my village, we stayed there, went fishing and met a lot of my family for the first time since they last saw me as a baby.” On his Kumuls selection, the 2021 Intrust Super Cup premiership winner says: “I was quite surprised when I got the news but felt really privileged and honoured to be selected. It means a lot to me and my family. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I visioned it, and it has now come true, so I can’t wait to pull on that jersey on Saturday.” Although Horne has played alongside several Kumuls in the Queensland competition, including Nene Macdonald last year, he says this week is a whole new experience. “Just being with your countrymen, learning about all the different cultures and traditions is amazing. Playing for your country brings the best out of people, and I think it’s going to be a special day on Saturday.”

It is with great sadness that Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League received news of the death of Kumul #120 Philip Boge at the age of 55, he passed on at home in Hanuabada village. Born Philip Dou Boge on August 19th 1966 at the Port Moresby General Hospital, he was the younger brother of the late pioneer Kumul #20 Dikana “Ten Gun” Boge. Late Philip “Boogey” Boge idolized his elder brother Dikana and made the cut to don the Kumuls’ jersey playing at fullback and centre, and he went on to captain the side in 1994. Boge debuted for the Kumuls in 1990 and has represented the country in 13 matches. Late Philip Boge was from Poreporena Hanuabada Village, the 14th born out of 15 children to Boge Nao and Hane Igo. He completed his grades 1 to 6 at Hagara Community School then went on to Poreporena Ahutuna High School. He played for the Hanuabada Hawks Rugby League Club in the Junior League and followed through playing for the club in the Premier League in the Port Moresby Rugby League Competition. Tributes are being shared all across the country by his former teammates and fans, upon hearing the news on Tuesday, former Kumuls Head Coach Michael Marum was shocked and sympathetic. “It’s a sad day for PNG Rugby League…he was my brother playing together for the Vipers and the Kumuls…I’m sorry…,” Marum said. Former Kumul teammate Dr James Naipao in his tribute on social media said, “My captain Boge, we have been teammates at Vipers, Southern Zone, President XIII to the Kumuls and brothers ever since. I still remember few triads of you as a player and teammate -talented, no doubt, made fullback and center too easy and gifted for you, last to complete strapping, last to finish a meal, great last line defender. And, full of humor and shares a few jokes too. I still remember the three finger joke.” PNGRFL Board Chairman Sandis Tsaka expressed sincere condolences on behalf of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League to late Boge’s family as he was one of the greatest players ever produced by the country, as well as a former PNGRFL staff where he worked as a Game Development Officer and an administrator, giving back to his beloved sport. Chairman Sandis said that the PNGRFL will pay respect to the late Kumul legend, as well as the PNG LNG Kumuls during the Pacific Test this Saturday. All Digicel Cup matches around the country this Saturday and Sunday will observe a minute’s silence in memory of the late Kumul. Late Philip Boge is survived by his three sons Boge Philip Boge, Dikana Boge and Philip Boge Junior, and his daughter Gaudi Boge.

Santos is helping to equip Papua New Guinea’s next generation of oil and gas technicians with international qualifications. Ten females are among 25 novices who have joined the Santos 2022 Apprenticeship Program following a rigorous selection process which will see them train at the Institut Teknologi Petroleum Petronas (INSTEP) in Malaysia – 900 applications were received for the 2022 Program. Upon completion of the technician training at INSTEP, the apprentices will earn a Pearson Business Education Technology Council Level 2 and Level 3 UK qualification. Santos Country Chair for PNG, Leon Buskens when welcoming the apprentices, said: “You have joined at an exciting time following the merger between Oil Search and Santos. As the inaugural batch under the merged entity, there are greater opportunities for you to advance in all aspects of your career both in PNG and abroad. I encourage you to do your best and importantly, maintain a positive attitude and uphold your values - this is what will take you far on this journey. “This is the beginning, but you should be proud of yourselves as we are of you for making it this far. Congratulations and welcome to Santos.” Joining Mr Buskens to address the new cohort were pioneering trainees Cornelius Soagai, Senior Government Affairs Manager and Lydia Warubi, Deputy Occupational Health & Safety Manager. Mr Soagai went on to become the first national Production Manager in the Operations and Maintenance Department while Ms Warubi made waves as the first national female process technician to work at the Central Processing Facility. Both leaders encouraged the apprentices to maximize on the career development opportunities available to them at Santos. Among the cohort was Judy Sasa who completed the Company’s pre-apprentice program at the Kumul Petroleum Academy (KPA) in 2020. Judy finished at the top of her class and attained an honourable achievement award. A grateful Judy thanked Santos for a further opportunity to broaden her knowledge in oil and gas production. “My dream is coming true as I have always wanted to work in this industry,” Ms Sasa said. The 25 apprentices along with the Santos training team departed PNG for Malaysia last weekend. Two permanent employees were also part of the travelling party to INSTEP where they will train to become dual Electrical & Instrumentation tradesmen.

Public Servants and employees of Public Authorities are released to cast their votes in the 2022 National General Elections during the polling period from 2nd July to 22nd July 2022 according to the Election Schedule released by the Electoral Commission. Department of Personnel Management has released Circular Instruction No.8 (https://dpm.gov.pg/index.php/documents/circular-instruction-8-release-of-public-servants-and-employees-to-cast-their-votes-in-the-2022-national-general-elections/) dated 4th May 2022 to all National Departmental Heads, Provincial Administrators, Heads of other Public Authorities and all Public Servants advising them on the release of Public Servants and Employees to be given the opportunity to cast their votes. Secretary Ms. Taies Sansan said, this will require that permission is granted for public servants and employees to leave work early for this purpose to visit their nearest polling booth. “This instruction is particularly important in Highlands Provinces and most urban centres where the Electoral Commission has arranged for two weeks for voting, and each person to make their voting arrangements”. “As far as possible, each person should arrange to vote in their own time, for example, before and after normal Public Service commencement times”. Ms Sansan said, where it has not been possible for them to vote in their own time due to waiting, queuing or travel time, Agency Heads shall allow a reasonable period of absence with pay during the said period where requested to enable each public servant and employee to cast their votes.

The Lae City Authority (LCA) through the office of the Chairman, Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso will introduce the school bus service program in the city. The program aims to provide safe and reliable transportation to all students from elementary up to secondary school for both private and public schools in the city. Pick up in the morning and drop off in the afternoon at designated spots. So that parents and guardians can have some breathing space to save money. Students are not late for teaching and learning. They will be at school on time so academic performance can increase. The program will be serviced by 4 APEC buses which were brought into the city by LCA through Lae MP Hon. John Rosso who is also the Lands Minister in the current Pangu-led Government. And because of the execution of strong prudent management practices on taxpayers money over the last 4 years and with increased internal revenue under new look LCA management team led by the Chairman and Lae MP, it has enable LCA to meet all transportation costs including employment of drivers, security and servicing. There is no more stealing of public funds. No more hire cars. No more hotel bills. No more ghost contractors. No more ghost employees. All public funds are well taken care of and will be given back to the people through service delivery. The bus service program will be formally launched as soon as current road works are completed and roads are opened for public to use. OUR CHILDREN. OUR FUTURE. Source: Lae Open Electorate FB Page