SNS Tech has been quality approved by Business Link Pacific (BLP), and it is now part of its regional network of business advisors. As a BLP partner, SNS Tech can offer subsidies to eligible SME clients on professional technology services. Being quality approved speaks about the high level of competence of the services provided by SNS Tech. Local SMEs will easily access up-to-date technology services from SNS Tech and can apply for up to 50% subsidy support for their businesses. Technology services can improve customer experience, innovation, and business development. “While we help SMEs join the digital ecosystem and transform their business processes by developing, designing and implementing world-class technology solutions for everyday problems, we are also optimistic that there will be positive causal sequences as their businesses grow.” Based on its research in the Pacific, BLP has learnt that small and medium sized business owners and managers often struggle to find quality local business advice that is also affordable. The right business advice can be a game changer for a growing business. “The BLP Subsidy Scheme is designed to make services more affordable, minimize risks and introduce businesses to reliable and quality services.” To date at least eleven local SMEs have benefitted from this partnership through access to both subsidies and business services. SNS Tech and BLP anticipate more SMEs engaging in and drawing on the benefits of this partnership.

Angelyn Famudi has been appointed as Marie Stopes Papua New Guinea's (MSPNG) new Country Director. Angelyn will be the first Papua New Guinean appointed to lead the organization since MSPNGs establishment in PNG in 2006. Angelyn is a seasoned manager and marketing professional with 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and media. She serves on several boards and is an engaged community member and leader in Port Moresby. Angelyn is a proud mother of four who put herself through school while caring for her family and managed to find success in some very challenging and high-pressure professional environments. “I feel very humbled to be given the opportunity as the first Papua New Guinean Country Director for Marie Stopes PNG,” Angelyn said. “It is a privilege to be involved in Service Delivery to our people across all sectors of our community which works to improve the health and quality of life of women, men and their families providing quality family planning and sexual and reproductive health services.” Marie Stopes International Executive Officer and Regional Director Chris Turner said Angelyn has commenced in the role on May 23, 2022, taking over from Heidi Brown who was MSPNGs Interim Country Director for the last 3 months. “She is passionate about our mission, and I can’t wait for her to bring that passion to MSPNG. I know she is very excited to do so,” Turner said. “This is a significant milestone for MSPNG and one we should all feel very good about.”

Billy Slater’s decision to blood four rookies on the same night he launched his own Origin coaching career paid off in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night as his new boys channelled the Queensland of old to help carry their state to a 16-10 win. From Selwyn Cobbo’s composure to Jeremiah Nanai’s courage, from Patrick Carrigan’s impact to Reuben Cotter’s aggression … Billy’s kids covered themselves in glory as Queensland tasted victory in Sydney for the first time since 2017. Just as they had in 2020, when eight debutants helped the Maroons to an 18-14 win in Game One in Adelaide, the newcomers did all that was expected of them and more in the pivotal opening encounter. After running for 134 metres and making 51 tackles in a barnstorming 80-minute display, Cotter earned plenty rave reviews from his coach and team-mates alike, with Slater declaring ‘he is Queensland!’ Entering the Origin cauldron on the back of 10 no-nonsense performances for the Cowboys this season, Cotter arrived in Maroons camp confident he could do a job but cautious not to get ahead of himself. Charging onto Accor Stadium in front of 80,000 fans was a buzz, sending the vast majority of them home unhappy was another moment to savour. “There was a bond straight away when we got into camp. I feel like we’re all pretty close now especially with that win under our belt,” Cotter said. “Running out to that crowd was surreal and to win down here in front of a packed stadium means so much more. “It was everything I expected and more. The feeling amongst the group has been great all week and to get the win is pretty special. “I felt better as the game went on but they kept coming at us and the last 10 minutes was another level so I had to dig deep, I had no choice.” One man who had no doubt Cotter would answer the call was Rockhampton product Harry Grant, who played alongside the Cowboys tearaway in their junior days. “I played a lot of footy growing up [for Capricornia School Sport] with Reuben so I knew what he was capable of,” Grant said. “He doesn’t let you down as a team-mate, he’s a player you want to play alongside because you know he is just going to turn up and do all the crappy stuff. “He put in a lot of effort tonight and he gets rewarded and that’s good to see. “It’s awesome to see him getting a lot of back-to-back games this year and he earned that Origin debut and he certainly put his heart on his sleeve out there and didn’t let anyone down.” It’s a theme that resonated throughout Slater’s 17-minute media conference on Wednesday night as the Maroons legend saluted the rookies who’d repaid his faith in spades. Bronco Pat Carrigan’s first foray into Origin footy yielded 183 running metres and 34 tackles while Cobbo laid on a try with a deft grubber and Nanai showed great courage to return to the field after rolling his ankle early in the second half. “Pat Carrigan, he’s a real player. We didn’t have to put his name up on the screen when he came on, everyone knew he was there,” Slater said. “His first carry was a real momentum shift for us. One of our best sets in the first half came off Patty’s carry and then he made a real statement with his defence. “There’s some good forwards at the Broncos but Patty’s a leader amongst them and that was a great debut. “Same with Selwyn Cobbo. You could imagine the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg right now, one of their own has just played for Queensland in a wonderful performance. “And Jeremiah Nanai, what a tough performance from a 19-year-old, to come back and say ‘I’m ready to go, put me back out there’. “He’s in that dressing room now eating a pizza with ice on his ankle… there’s some proud boys in that dressing room and they deserve to be. “I’m so proud to be a Queenslander and really proud to be the coach of that group of players.” Match: Blues v Maroons  

Trukai Industries Limited (TIL) has once again come to the aid of Team PNG with the donation of 200 kilograms of Trukai Medium Grain Rice. In presenting the rice donation, TIL Chief Executive Officer Alan Preston said that Trukai has been a great partner of Team PNG and the PNG Olympic Committee for the past 23 years and was happy to support Team PNG in both the Pacific Mini Games this month and the Commonwealth Games in July. Accepting the donation, Chef de Mission to the Pacific Mini Games, Kila Dick conveyed the team’s gratitude to Trukai for its continued support to Team PNG. "The Trukai name has been the rice ‘choice’ trusted by generations when growing up. So thank you Trukai for this wonderful support to Team PNG. Your support will go a long way in ensuring our athletes are well-nourished whilst at the Games and perform to their best in the various sports they will be participating in". TIL is also a sponsor of our elite weightlifters’ duo and Olympians Dika Toua and Morea Baru who have just returned to PNG after undergoing high-performance training in Melbourne for travel to Saipan on the Team PNG Charter. Secretary-General, Auvita Rapilla expressed her gratitude to TIL for this timely donation which will go towards assisting PNGOC with food rations for Team PNG at both Games. “PNGOC is grateful for such donations because it eases a lot of burden as a non-government (NGO) and not-for-profit organization who is doing it tough at the moment having to fundraise to send Team PNG to two (2) Games this year". The first Team PNG contingents will leave for the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Marianas on Sunday, June 12th and the team to the Commonwealth Games will leave on July 19th, 2022.

The all out tribal war that has been gripping fear into the hearts of all citizens in Porgera, Enga Province, has suddenly come to a halt. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent George Kakas advised that even though fighting has subsided, there is still an intense feeling of fear lingering in the air. “Due to the sensitivity of the matter, civilians are afraid to move around,” Supt. Kakas said. He further added that the Police Station Commander at Porgera has taken control of the situation and is working towards bringing both tribal leaders to a round table discussion and hopefully come to make peace. Kakas said that he will be travelling to Porgera in the coming days to facilitate the peace talks in person with the tribal leaders. He said that there is a handful of Defense Personnel and a unit from the Mobile Squad are assisting the local police to keep an eye out for the public and Government property. He also said that the death toll at the moment is unconfirmed as yet due to civilians not reporting them to police stations out of fear. “The death toll right now might be around thirty but that is unconfirmed so it could be higher,” Kakas advised. Picture sourced: PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.     

Papua New Guinea is amongst other countries in the world currently participating in the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn at its 56th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB56). The conference kicked-off this week to lay the groundwork of success for the next Climate Change Conference, (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Governments are meeting for the first time since the conclusion of the UN Climate 26th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last November. PNG is represented by a team of technical negotiators from the Climate Change & Development Authority (CCDA), PNG Forest Authority, National Energy Authority and the Department of Works & Highways. “The conference focuses on work in the key areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, support to developing countries, particularly in finance and loss and damages but also looks at other key issues such as the future of carbon markets, energy security and just transition” said PNG’s Climate Change Special Envoy Mr. Ruel Yamuna. Mr. Yamuna elaborated that PNG’s priority and focus is on the implementation of the Paris Agreement with the Rule Book passed in the last climate change conference, COP 26 while taking stock of some of the country’s issues and challenges relating to implementation including means of implementation. “Enabling framework is now set with PNG’s amended Climate Change Management Act (CCMA) recently gazetted. The outstanding elements of the rule book such as that of Article 6.2 and Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement will enable regulations development in order to manage all carbon related projects in the country,” said Mr. Yamuna. In the Energy Space, PNG’s participation at the Session will look at challenges faced domestically on energy security and transition issues affecting movement towards renewable energy including the need for a just transition in all the fossil fuel consumption industries. Apart from just transition issues are the need to have consistent methodologies. Forestry sector as far as the implementation of the commitments that are set out in the PNG’s Nationally Determined Contribution 2020 is concerned, this session will negotiate methodologies and guidance on implementing Article 6.4 under the Paris Agreement. Such decisions reached will affect the forest sector at the domestic level and practical approaches by the sector defines how the decisions are made. Furthermore, funding, resources and technology capacity is highlighted as a major setback to implementing climate resilient projects in the country. However, developing countries have been embarking on climate resilient innovations to scale up climate change financing from developed countries to achieve their climate adaptation targets. With the launching of the PNG’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) planned for August this year, PNG is also pushing for support for resources to implement the NAP. The implementation of the NAP for PNG will benefit the key priority development sectors in Transport, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Health to build their resilience against the impact of climate change. “The process of negotiations itself continue to present complexities and challenges for every delegation across the board, and PNG is not isolated from this challenge. The small state team in Bonn, have been consistent participants to the process, and are currently putting up with many challenges including the need to protect PNG’s key priorities in every negotiation group”, said Mr. Yamuna. “Climate change is progressing exponentially. With the world currently on track to more than double the 1.5oC goal of the Paris Agreement by the end of the century, ambition must urgently be raised to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and immediate action and progress in Bonn are needed.”

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) presented a cheque of K75, 000 to St John Ambulance PNG to support the redevelopment of its new National Ambulance Control Centre and help them continue with their work in aeromedical retrieval services in the country. Of the K75,000 donation, K50, 000 will support the redevelopment of the new St John National Ambulance Call Centre and K25 000 to go towards the aeromedical evacuation Trust Fund account. The aeromedical evacuation trust fund account is managed by St John to provide free maternal medevacs for mothers in remote areas of Western, Gulf, Central, Oro and Milne Bay. BSP Head of Marketing and Public Relations Gorethy Semi presented the cheque to the St John Ambulance, saying BSP acknowledged the great work that St John Ambulance Services is providing for the communities. "This is not the first time for BSP to support St John Ambulance. In 2018, we donated a K225,000 customized Emergency Response Vehicle that covered maintenance and insurance support over Five (5) years, effective from 2018 to 2022," she said. "We are here today to present our donation of K75,000 to continue supporting this organization's operations that serve and save lives of our people in respective communities," added Semi. St John CEO Matt Cannon said, "The support from BSP, the money will be used to upgrade the uninterruptable power supply for the ambulance control center so that emergency coordination center can continue to operate without interruption during power outages.” The remaining K25, 000 will be put into the trust fund to help us retrieve mothers and babies suffering life threatening emergencies in rural areas. "the donation shows BSP values St John as a significant service provider in the country. This is a good step forward and we hope to see more of it happen with PNG business houses in future.

OceanVacciTour (OVT) launches AIDOCEAN’s project on World Oceans Day. Supported by the French Development Agency and the Planète Bleue Foundation. AIDOCEAN is a humanitarian vaccination program in the isolated regions of the Pacific. The main goal is to prevent the resurgence of epidemics such as measles, rubella, etc. « In 2019, measles killed 207,500 people worldwide. With the concentration on COVID19 in recent years, WHO estimates that this figure could reach or even exceed one million in 2022, » says the OVT’s chairwoman and nurse Marine Bayer. « “Reported cases of measles have exploded by nearly 80% worldwide in the first two months of 2022, WHO and UNICEF announced last Wednesday.(sources https://bit.ly/3Q6H9S2) ”. The first humanitarian mission will be in Papua New Guinea on the island of New Ireland in September and October of this year. The 8 person team will offer basic medical care and vaccines to isolated tribes to help prevent a possible outbreak of the diseases. « At the end of the day, it is about saving lives » said Marine, a former helicopter pilot in the Navy. The Vaka Motu (offshore canoe) AIDOCEAN will be skippered by Sébastien Destremau for her maiden voyage to PNG. « "I tested a Vaka Motu, a traditional boat from the Pacific Islands last week in the Med and she is the ideal boat for the project!" » said the former Vendee Globe Skipper who retired from ocean racing early this year. Progress can be followed on www.aidocean.org as well as on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at the name of @aidoceanorg.

Department of Personnel Management Secretary Ms. Taies Sansan has confirmed that the Madang Provincial Administrator is Mr Frank Tonges Lau. Secretary Sansan said, the National Executive Council revoked the Acting Provincial Administrator Mr Clement Tare’s appointment and appointed Mr Lau on the 10th of May 2022 in NEC decision number 229 of 2022. Mr. Lau’s appointment was gazetted on the 30th of May in gazettal notice G426 and it is for a 4-year term. Secretary Ms. Taies Sansan said, the issue of appointment of the Provincial Administrator for Madang is a decision made by the National Executive Council based on a resolution and recommendation by the Provincial Executive Council. Ms. Sansan clarified that the appointing authority is the NEC and it made the decision based on the merit-based process of which the short list of applicants who applied for the position went through the appointments process which also involved the Public Service Commission and the Provincial Executive Council. “I must make it clear that the Department of Personnel Managements mandate is only to facilitate the appointments process. The appointing authority is the National Executive Council who appoints a Provincial Administrator based on recommendations from the Provincial Executive Council”. Secretary Sansan has confirmed that letters have been sent to both Messrs Tare and Lau on the 6th of June to inform them of the revocation and the appointment respectively. A copy of the letter was sent to the Governor’s Office and the Madang Provincial Administration HR. Ms. Sansan said, public servants must remain neutral and refrain from indulging in such standoffs as executive appointments are the prerogative of the NEC. “I appeal to all the public servants in Madang to respect the NEC decision on the appointment of Mr Lau and return to work immediately”.

The National Superannuation Fund, Nasfund, is encouraging its members to utilize all Fund touch points, for all their superannuation queries. These touch points are 17 branch offices around the country, an online member portal and a dedicated call center on phone 1588 that allows convenient access of their choosing. Especially during this busy election period, the Fund notes that there may be disruptions to its operations, especially in areas where there are security issues. Nasfund General Manager Member & Employer Services Anne Wilson is encouraging all members to access these services at their convenience-without the need to fly to Port Moresby. “In 2022, collectively our branch network has served a total of 125,000 members. The majority of these members have been served at our Boroko service centre in NCD, and our Lae Service Centre in Morobe Province. Of these 125,000 members served, just under 30% are members who are requesting for a Nasfund balance statement. 19% are members who are after general enquiries, and 15% are members following-up on their withdrawal applications. Much of the information requested by members can be sourced via our electronic channels. Our electronic channels have been established to make it easier for members to access our services without the need to spend time and money travelling to visit a Nasfund branch office. To assist members access our services without physically visiting a Nasfund branch, the following channels should be utilized; The Fund’s Call Centre on Phone 1588, email help@nasfund.com.pg The Member Online Portal (MOL) on the Fund’s website www.nasfund.com.pg . The Fund’s electronic withdrawal application service e-withdrawals@nasfund.com.pg  The Fund’s social media pages; - Facebook: www.facebook.cp,/nasfundPNG - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nasfund - Twitter: @nasfund_png - Instagram: @nasfund_png As the country’s largest superannuation provider by membership size, we are providing the platforms for our contributing employers to access superannuation services easily. Our Call Centre and helpdesk operates 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 12midday Saturday to attend to member queries. The MOL is our way of ensuring that members take ownership of ensuring that their personal details, and beneficiary listings are updated regularly. Members can also view their housing advance eligibility, and keep track of their contributions via the MOL. Our e-withdrawal option, introduced in 2020, allows members to send their withdrawal application via email, without having to physically lodge their application at a Nasfund branch. Our social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram) also provide an added avenue for members to interact with our staff on a daily basis. Members can interact with our staff via their social media accounts. We are committed to these options, so that our members can access our services from the safety and comfort from wherever they are. We are here to assist you while you work, so that you are ready for retirement.”

Blackout and power outage will no longer disrupt classes or printing of materials for classes at Lealea Primary School, thanks to BSP’s 2022 Community Project. BSP Haus Branch lit up the school’s four double story classrooms with a Solar Generator set and installed solar powered streetlights around the school’s campus BSP Haus Branch Manager Rawalo Rawalo and his team handed over the project to the school’s 500 plus students and its 16 teaching staff on Tuesday 7th June, 2022, appealing to the community and the school to look after the facilities. “I hope that through our contribution today, it will make a meaningful and lasting change in the lives of people in our communities,” Mr Rawalo said. Lealea Primary School Head Mistress Ranu Lari in thanking BSP for choosing their school said the solar streetlights have lit up their school, giving it an urban look at night. She explained that while the school has electricity connected, it could not power the entire school. “Words cannot express how thankful we are with this gift from BSP because someone from out there who does not know where the school is located, and does not know how many students attend the school cannot just come and said ‘I’m giving you this.’ “This is a blessing. Thank you very much BSP for your assistance, for your gift. Even though we will experience blackouts or heavy rains, we are still going to operate because of the generator you have given, so thank you,” Mrs Lari added. Meanwhile students of Sangan Primary School in Markham District in Morobe Province now enjoy a newly built e-Library facility that would not only assist students gather information from such a remote school, but also give students the basic knowledge of interaction with a computer. BSP Lae TopTown Branch has setup the e-Library for the students of Sangan Primary School that would see improved quality of learning for students. The donation included Solar Power Supply, three computers with Encyclopaedia and Moodle Learning Management System installed which is available both online and offline, making information available to students at their fingertips. School Head Teacher Yawising Yatap and Board chairperson Jesse Paul both expressed their gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the school and surrounding community for the project stressing that it has been more than 10 years since they last received any sort of assistance.  The project handover took place on 28th May 2022.

The Parliamentary Service netball team taking part in the Private Companies Netball Competition now has a new set of uniforms, courtesy of a sponsorship by the Service through the Office of the Clerk of Parliamentary. The team is gearing up for the upcoming 2022-2023 season which will commence in October after a long spell, as restrictions on COVID-19 start to ease on the sporting front. Players and officials received the uniforms at a presentation ceremony held at the Parliament House Poolside recently. Speaking on behalf of the Clerk of Parliament, First Clerk Assistant, Yape Moses encouraged the team to be good ambassadors of the Service during the competition.  “These uniforms represent the National Parliament as an institution,” she said. “Therefore players wearing these uniforms are representatives of this institution when they are on and off the court.” Ms Moses added that she was pleased that staff members and their dependents were taking part in representative events such as sports, as it was good for networking as well as promoting healthy lifestyles. She wished the team all the best in their preparations and participation for the season, encouraging them also to make the most of their time, bonding as a team and having fun. The supplier of the uniforms is Pacific Uniforms Ltd, featuring its Tura Sports brand.