The Northern Pride have proven too strong at home for the SP PNG Hunters on Sunday, coming away with a 30-6 win in Round 12 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. With a strong wind at their backs to begin the game, the Pride wasted no time going on the attack thanks to an early penalty conceded by the Hunters in the kick-off set. Suddenly camped on their own goal line, the Hunters looked like they’d defended the set until Pride fullback Julian Christian took possession on the last, feigned a kick to the left and turned back in towards the ruck to link with Matthew Egan in support. The Hunters’ cover defense couldn’t close the space in time as the Pride halfback opened the scoring with a clever four pointer. The Hunters would respond in kind, targeting the ruck area in yardage to collapse the middle and advance quickly upfield into position for a left-side shift on the last. Wartovo Puara Jr and Mark Tony did well to hold up the defense before passing to get Brandon Nima into space, only for the Hunters’ centre to be held up over the line with a superb defensive effort from the home side. Some bruising defense from the Hunters’ Junior Rop and Pride’s Nick Lui-Toso tried to swing the momentum, but both teams absorbed the pressure well as the game looked like settling in the grind. That was until Christian injected himself on the last again, this time scooting from dummy-half down a short side and grubbering back inside for Will Partridge to score in the 13th minute. After watching his fullback produce two big plays for Pride’s first two tries, prop Lui-Toso took it upon himself to be next to score for the home side. Taking possession 20 meters out, Lui-Toso put on a big left foot step to straighten on his run before powering through the defense to score beside the posts. Next it was Gideon Gela-Mosby’s turn, coming off the back fence to take advantage of a fatiguing Hunters’ defense with a solo try in the 37nd minute, giving his side a 20-0 lead at half time. The Hunters’ inability to get through their sets – and a strong head wind effecting their kicking game – saw them play most of the first 40 minutes inside their own half. A notable change in attitude as they returned for the second stanza however saw the PNG side dominate possession and field position. After completing consecutive sets to begin the second half, the Hunters quickly found themselves on Pride’s try line. Some power running and a few late offloads had the home side scrambling but again they somehow managed to hold the ball up when Emmanuel Waine crashed over the line only to be denied. That passage summed up the second half – the Hunters were dominant in yardage and looked likely every time they held the ball, but were repeatedly denied by a desperate Pride defense. Late tries to Will Partridge and Ewan Moore arguably came against the run of play and are a testament to Pride’s resilience playing at home on Sunday.

Highland’s Eastern-end Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi has issued instructions to all the Provincial Police Commanders under his command to deal with unauthorized police officers and impound suspicious vehicles within the provinces during the 2022 nation general election period. Commander Neggi said from past experiences police officers have been accused of conducting illegal activities during the election period. “We are taking this corrective measure to address such allegations in the future. During the election period many illegal elements take cover under the pretext of police and military uniforms and go around conducting all sorts of illegal activities.   “I have instructed all the PPCs to start mounting check-points to check all vehicles moving around the provinces. I have made it very clear that any police units traveling from province to province must inform the Commander’s office and or the provincial command centre before engaging in their duties. This is to ensure command and control and to instill trust and confidence in the security operations during the 2022 election in the Highlands region,” Commander Neggi said. Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander Superintendent John Sagom said the quick response force together with the regular members have already mounted regular check points in parts of the access roads into and out of Western Highlands Province since last week and will continue until after the election.

THE Healthy Islands Concept, a holistic approach to health promotion and education, needs to be embraced by Papua New Guinea to see healthier communities. Executive Manager of the National Department of Health Public Health Division Dr Sibauk Bieb said this when opening a three-day refresher training on Healthy Island Concept outside Port Moresby last week. “If you need to see how this concept works, you look at smaller island countries. You will see how the Healthy Island Concept is working. The communities are beautiful, they are very well set up. People in PNG need to wake up and embrace it.’’ [caption id="attachment_22523" align="aligncenter" width="673"] Executive Manager of the National Department of Health Public Health Division Dr Sibauk Bieb[/caption] The Healthy Islands Concept was accepted by the Pacific Health Ministers’ conference on Yanuca Island, Fiji, in 1994. Since then, the other Pacific Island countries have run with it while PNG had implemented it only in two to three villages and there has been no follow-ups over the past 20 years to ensure these have been extended to other settings and the rest of the country. The goal in the Healthy Islands Concept is to transform all settings to healthy settings. One of the first examples of this concept was Domil village in Western Highlands Province. [caption id="attachment_22524" align="aligncenter" width="785"] Rose Kavanamur, Acting Manager – Environmental Health.[/caption] The Healthy Island Concept encompasses a holistic approach to health promotion and education in the different settings where people live, work, play and die. The approach includes community engagement and participation in all aspects of the health program, including the planning and monitoring of it. This enables the recipients to take ownership of the activities being implemented so there is sustainability in the long term. Dr Bieb has also highlighted that so many changes have occurred since the concept was introduced, including emerging issues that must be taken into consideration. These includes the Climate Change and Gender Base Violence programs as the Healthy Islands Concept attempts to address all aspects of health in a setting such as a village. [caption id="attachment_22525" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Mary Daniel, Technical Officer – STI/HIV/AIDS[/caption] “Tribal fights, for instance, displaces people. Tribal fights result in homes and properties being burned,’’ he said. He said unless mindsets of people are changed it will be difficult to change communities and applauded the organisers of the training which will be rolled out to the provinces. The three-day refresher training was organised by the National Department of Health’s Health Promotion and Education Branch. Participants came from Environmental Health, HIV/AIDS and Family Health. Nickson Samplap, Coordinator of the Health Promotion with the Christian Health Services, also attended and gave an update on a similar program to the Health Island Concept that CHS is implementing in different parts of the country. [caption id="attachment_22526" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Nickson Samplap, Coordinator for Health Promotion - Christian Health Services[/caption] Retired staff of NDoH Health Promotion and Education Branch Jubal Agale facilitated the workshop. The Government, through the National Health Plan 2020 – 2030, is giving Healthy Island Concept a priority. Of the five Key Result Areas of the plan, this concept is in KRA One. Judah Iparam, Acting Manager, NDoH Health Promotion and Education Branch, said the health promotion and education officers will be working with the Provincial Health Authorities to ensure the concept is taken down to the districts and Local Level Governments in each province.

North Queensland scored three tries in three minutes to snatch a stunning 28-26 defeat of Manly at 4 Pines Park on Friday night. Trailing 26-12 just seven minutes from fulltime, the Cowboys mounted a remarkable comeback as Reece Robson, Murray Taulagi and Valentine Holmes crossed in succession to shock the Sea Eagles. The Cowboys did so after losing Queensland forward Reuben Cotter in the warm-up with a hamstring injury that has him in doubt for next weekend's Origin in Perth and they never really looked like winning until the dying stages. Until the late onslaught, it appeared that Manly hooker Lachlan Croker had spearheaded the home team to an impressive win after laying on a try and scoring two in the second half but the Sea Eagles fell agonizingly short. Source: NRL.com  

Since opening its first shop in Port Moresby at Waigani Central and then the Vision City Mega Mall in 2015, the business has branched out to the city and provinces providing clothing and apparels for men, women and children. It has now made available online shopping for its customers around the country and overseas. Jack’s of PNG’s Digital Marketing Assistant, Anusheel Pratap said, “The online payment gateway would be a major boost to our e-commerce platform as this would permit faster, safer and convenient payment method.” “The newly launched shopping website will allow customers to purchase Jack’s of PNG products anywhere and anytime. It also allows overseas customers pay for the Jacks products wherever they are and have it delivered at their preferred location,” said Mr Pratap. “Any customer visiting our website would able to purchase lifestyle and active wear for men’s women’s and kids clothing, fashionable accessories, perfumes, watches, shoes, bags and toys.”, said Mr Pratap. Conveniently, customers can also shop online using their mobile phone and pay instantly and securely via the BSP Internet Payment Gateway service using their BSP VISA Card or MasterCard. Customers can visit the Jack’s PNG website: jackspng.com, view the range of merchandise, select items and pay, provide address for delivery, and have packages delivered to the preferred location via DHL and Post PNG. In providing enhanced payment solutions to businesses and customers, BSP continues improve customer experience with innovative banking and payment solutions while expanding digital inclusion in all our markets. Businesses interested in registering for eCommerce payment solutions can contact BSP through email servicebsp@bsp.com.pg or call BSP 3201212 or 70301212.

To better serve its members, NCSL has reviewed its loan automation approval process for personal loans offered under the 1:1 loan ratio to a maximum threshold of K50,000 per transaction. Personal loans under the 1:1 ratio are fully secured by savings where a member can only borrow up to the current savings balance that he/she has saved. According to NCSL’s Manager Credit, Mr. Kini Vali, any amount exceeding the threshold limit of K50,000.00 will need to go through a due diligence process. “Members who are not aware of this will see that their loan application for the amount over the maximum threshold will not be auto-approved,” he said. “We introduced the threshold as part of good credit risk management practice to minimize the risk of default by assessing the member’s character and capacity to repay the loan even though the loan is fully secured,” he continued. Members wishing to obtain a 1:1 loan exceeding the threshold amount and need more information can get in touch with the NCSL Lending team on 313 2010/313 2016 or email loansgroup@ncsl.com.pg Apart from 1:1 lending ratio, NCSL offers higher ratio loans, SME and Motor Vehicle loans and terms and conditions apply. For more information on this article, please contact Ms. Louise Mary Kodor – Media & Communications Officer on 313 2055 or email lkodor@ncsl.com.pg

The SP PNG Hunters travel to Cairns to face the Northern Pride this Sunday, 19th June at 2:10pm in Round 12 of the QRL Host plus Cup. Sunday’s clash is an important game for both sides, who currently sit equal on the ladder with three wins apiece so far this season. With the pointy end of the year approaching, the two points on offer in Round 12 are invaluable as the Hunters and Pride both chase a coveted finals berth. For the Hunters, Sunday’s clash is a chance to go back-to-back for the first time in 2022. The PNG side held on for a brave 26-22 win over Souths Logan Magpies last weekend, taking the lead with 20 minutes remaining thanks to Dilbert Issac and then desperately defending for the final quarter of the match. That victory rounded out a promising month of football for the Hunters who, aside from a disappointing performance against Redcliffe in Round 9, have won two games and come within two points of last year’s finalists Tweed Seagulls in their last four matches. The Hunters can take plenty of confidence out of their narrow Round 11 win over the Magpies, and with a similar performance this week they will be every chance against a Pride outfit who has also shown signs of improvement over the last month. They mightn’t have got the result in Round 11, but Pride’s 22-26 loss to the defending premiers Norths Devils last weekend was encouraging for the Northern faithful. Fullback Julian Christian was in inspired form in that game, running for 285 meters and scoring a try to almost drag his side to victory. The last time these sides met was in Round 14, 2021 with the Hunters coming out on top 34-22 in a high scoring affair. Hunters’ winger Solo Wane scored a hattrick in that game and will like his chances to cross again on Sunday given how smoothly PNG shifted the ball in attack last week.

Police Commissioner David Manning will launch the 2022 National General Election security operations for the highlands region today, Friday June 17. Commissioner Manning will be accompanied by the Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Major-General Mark Goina and Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis as well as senior officers and rank and file of the three disciplinary forces. The launch will take place at the Pope John Paul oval in Mt Hagen, Western Highland Province. Commissioner Manning will be addressing members of the joint security forces who will be attending and participating and the public. The launch is a show of strength and is intended to demonstrate to the PNG public the security force’s capability and readiness to provide the environment for a free, fair and safe national general election. Western Highland Provincial Police Commander Superintendent John Sagom said preparations are underway and invited the public to witness the launch and support the security forces. The launch will begin  with the parade forming up at the St Paul’s Catholic Church in Mt Hagen. The security forces, led by the Police Band, will march to the Pope John Oval where Commissioner Manning will deliver his address and officially launch the 2022 National General Election Security Operations.

Police Commissioner David Manning said that 3,000 vests, helmets and body armour donated by the Australian Government would help the security forces deliver a free, fair and safe 2022 national general election. Mr Manning made this remark at the signing of the gifting agreement between the Australian Government and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to supply body armour, vests and helmets. The signing was held at the Police Operations Centre (POC) in Konedobu in the National Capital District. Mr Manning said the vests and helmets would ensure the security forces are able to maintain their operations effectively throughout the election period. He said the appropriate vests or protection gears added an increased level of confidence to the members of the security forces. “I always say the security personnel’s role is to ensure that they conduct elections in a safe, free and fair manner. I have reminded our citizens that elections are about expressing the individuals’ rights to vote but there is an expectation of what we (security forces) do to conduct peaceful elections,” Mr Manning said. Mr Manning said the vests and helmets will be issued to the security personnel as soon as they arrive in the country. The Australian High Commissioner to PNG His Excellency Jon Philps said Australia knows how important it is for the conduct of elections in PNG and the vests and helmets would help the security forces deliver a peaceful election.

Andrew McCullough's second season at the Dragons after 260 games at Brisbane and eight in Newcastle, the 32-year-old got through a team-high 37 tackles and made 38 running meters in his milestone match. The win was the Dragons' seventh of the season and carries them into the top eight for the time being at least. The signs were bad for the Rabbitohs early when Lachlan Ilias spilled the kick-off and they continued to make errors through the opening 15 minutes as the Dragons took control. First to cross was skipper Ben Hunt, who chipped over the top for Zac Lomax to regather before taking the return pass from his center to score in the fifth minute. Seven minutes later the home side were in again when winger Mikaele Ravalawa celebrated his return from a hamstring injury by finishing off superb lead-up work by young playmaker Talatau Amone and the score was 12-0. Come the 15th minute and Jack de Belin had the WIN Stadium faithful in raptures when he powered through a Tom Burgess tackle to cross for his third try of the season and the Dragons were keeping pace with the clock. Ravalawa had a double by the 19th minute when he took a flick pass from Lomax and turned Alex Johnston inside out to make it 20-0. With Hunt's kicking game on song the Dragons dominated field position and the No.7 had a second try assist in the 24th minute when he launched a bomb and Moses Suli produced a fingertip catch to plunge over for his team's fifth try.  Cody Ramsey got in on the action three minutes later when he ran onto a Jack Bird pass and shrugged off Jaxson Paulo to grab his fifth try in six games at WIN Stadium. Ilias was taken from the field by Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou after an unhappy 29 minutes, forcing a reshuffle which saw Kodi Nikorima shift to the halves and Blake Taaffe go to fullback. The Dragons went down a man in the 38th minute when Amone was sent to the sin bin for holding Cody Walker back as he tried to support a Mark Nicholls break. A spilled bomb by Ramsey in the 58th minute opened the door for Souths to finally get on the board when Damien Cook snuck over from dummy half to make it 32-6. Bunnies skipper Cameron Murray exposed some sloppy defence to cross under the sticks in the 62nd minute to cut the margin to 20 but an intercept by Hunt in the next set steadied the ship for the Dragons. Although the home side were unable to find another try the damage had been well and truly done in the first half as five tries in 22 minutes put their arch-rivals to the sword.

The PNG Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says the polling schedule for 2022 National General Elections has been finalized and is ready when polling starts July 4. He said nearly 6000 polling teams will be deployed throughout the country to conduct polling. In releasing the final polling schedule report today, Mr. Sinai said polling will commence on the 4th of July 2022 and will be conducted in 6,396 wards covering 346 Local Level Government council areas across the country. The Commissioner said around 47,704 temporary election workers (TEWs) will be engaged to work with 5,963 polling teams to conduct polling throughout the country. He said the polling teams have been further broken up in single and multiday polling with 4,119 teams deployed for one day polling and the other 1,844 teams to conduct normal days polling. The Commissioner said the number of polling teams have been increased to ensure polling is conducted in all scheduled polling places and results delivered within the required within the required time. According to the schedule report and going by regions, Highlands has the highest with 3,343 polling teams, followed by Southern with 1,144 poll teams and Momase with 966 and New Guinea Islands making up the rear with 510 teams. He said one day polling will be mainly conducted in the Highlands and in the National Capital District, while there will be one day polling in parts of West Sepik, Madang, Morobe, New Ireland, West New Britain, Bougainville, Western, Central and Milne Bay. All election materials have been shipped to the provinces since last week to prepare for polling. “Voting will commence on 4 July 2022 and round 11,022 polling booths will open starting 8am in 9,625 different polling locations around the country. And for the first time, we will have gender split in the polling booths where we will have two separate voting lines for male and female, so everyone gets a chance to cast their votes. We have also made arrangement for those with disabilities to cast their votes.” "I appeal to all voters; this is your election. Take ownership and make your vote count. Turn up at your respective polling booths and cast your votes.”

Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council and Chairman of the Inter-Departmental Election Committee (IDEC), Ivan Pomaleu says the 2022 National General Election is an important event in the country and it needs full support from all citizens. Speaking during the a radio show this week he said it is everyone’s effort to ensure the NGE 2022 is violence- free. “Election is not just conducted by the Electoral Commissioner and security forces, rather it is conducted by candidates and their supporters and all eligible voters in the country, we are all stakeholders in this process,” Mr Pomaleu said. “What we do and how we engage ourselves in this process determines the full outcome of the election. “It is an important election because it will deliver a government and parliament who will take the country past the 50 years of Independence for this country and that election is significant,” he added. He said Prime Minister Honorable James Marape has made a call on peace and calm during this election period, violence free election, and that every Papua New Guinean to do what is right within the law and conduct “ourselves” properly in the election process. Mr Pomaleu further urged the people to report and disseminate factual information regarding election processes during this period of election campaign till polling and counting. “We have created a media center that will be run by multi-agencies effort and it is an attempt by the IDEC to support the Electoral Commissioner and his team in terms of information dissemination to ensure correct, legal and appropriate information is released to our stakeholders,” he stated. Mr Pomaleu urged citizens, especially the media to advocate for the due process to be followed for factual and proper information to be disseminated correctly.