The residents of Kulel, Ward 8, Astrolabe Bay Local Level Government (LLG), in Rai Coast District of Madang province, now have improved access to healthcare with the successful construction of a new Community Health Post (CHP).The project was realized with a K75, 000 grant from the Rai Coast District Development Authority (RDDA). The CHP will serve the large, inland community of Ward 8, which is currently located far from the coast and other health services. The funding was approved last year when Minister Sawang and the RDDA team visited Kulel and held a DDA meeting. Recognizing the critical need for local health services, DDA members allocated the necessary funds based on a proposal submitted by community leaders. The construction was a success thanks to significant community input and volunteer efforts. Residents demonstrated remarkable dedication by volunteering to carry the majority of building materials from the coast up to the construction site. Minister Sawang was thanked by Kulel leaders for allocating the funds to assist with the new CHP. Meanwhile, Andrew Tekma, the newly elected Councilor for Ward 8, also expressed his gratitude to the Minister for supporting his ward with the vital funding. This project is part of a broader effort by the RDDA to address the deterioration of health infrastructure across the district. Moreover, Minister Sawang affirmed that Health remains a key priority for the DDA, stating that more CHPs in rural locations will be constructed as funding becomes available. Due to the ward’s current lack of road access, quickly transporting patients for further assistance remains a major difficulty. The new CHP will, however, ensure immediate health intervention for the community members who are currently far removed from coastal facilities.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Regular Recruitment Training is now open for interested applicants residing only in National Capital District (NCD), Central and Gulf Provinces.RPNGC wishes to advise the general public that applications are open, and applicants shortlisted from this drive will form part of Batch 02/2025 who will undergo Regular Recruit Training in April 2026. Moreover, a separate call out Advertisement for the 2026 Regular Recruit Training covering all provinces across PNG will be released early next year. This recruitment drive forms part of the National Government’s strategic commitment to increase the national police strength to 10,000 personnel by the year 2030, in line with the ongoing law and justice sector reforms. To support this directive, the Constabulary aims to recruit approximately 700 new recruits per intake from 2026 onwards. To enhance recruitment process, the RPNGC through its Human Resource Directorate has introduced the Online Recruitment Portal System. All applications for the 2025–2026 intake will be processed strictly through this digital platform, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and equal accessibility for all applicants nationwide. Following challenges of internet access and low digital Literacy for young confident candidates in rural areas especially grade 12 school leavers, the RPNGC Recruitment Team from Police Headquarters will conduct a scheduled provincial awareness and walk in application support tour to assist applicants across the country starting with Central and Gulf Province. During these visits, the RPNGC Team will: Conduct public awareness sessions on how to navigate and use the Online Recruitment Portal,Provide hands-on assistance in completing and submitting online applications,Offer guidance and clarification on eligibility criteria, required documents, and the overall recruitment process, andSupport applicants experiencing connectivity issues or lacking basic ICT resources. An information brochure outlining details about the RPNGC, entry requirements, and step-by-step application instructions will also be distributed for public consumption. Additionally, an animation video demonstrating how to apply via the online portal will also be published on the RPNGC website as a guide for interested applicants. The Constabulary is committed to ensuring that all eligible Papua New Guineans regardless of location, are given a fair and equal opportunity to apply. All interested applicants are encouraged from NCD, Central, and Gulf to take advantage of the Open call-out and begin submitting applications via the Online Recruitment Portal.

The Australian Government, through its Team Up program, is making a positive impact in Papua New Guinea by partnering with local sporting organizations to use sport as a platform for promoting social change.As part of the global 20 Days of Activism campaign, Team Up partners recently conducted a series of activities aimed at promoting gender equality, respect, and empowerment. These initiatives highlighted how sport can unite communities, foster inclusivity, and drive progress. One of the standout events took place on Women Human Rights Defenders Day, when AFL PNG’s Pilai Long Senis program led a collaborative visit to Bomana Correctional Services. The visit was joined by other Team Up partners and focused on engaging women inmates in discussions about human rights, wellbeing, and empowerment. Through the use of sport, the visit aimed to promote physical and mental health, resilience, and the importance of community support. Participants were introduced to a variety of sports, each with a focus on teamwork and skill-building: Australian Football League (AFL) drills, led by AFL PNG. Basketball fundamentals through Basketball PNG’s Basketball4Good program. Teamwork and collaboration exercises from Hockey PNG’s Hook In4 Health initiative. Rugby League skills through NRL PNG’s League Bilong Laif program. The day culminated in interactive games and mini matches, reinforcing the values of respect, inclusion, and teamwork. Bomana Prison Chief Inspector, Mrs. Iuki Gerason, praised the initiative, noting that the activities offered inmates a valuable opportunity to engage in positive, uplifting experiences. "Their participation in these activities makes a significant difference. It provides relief from sadness and depression and contributes to improving health.”

Three suspects were apprehended and an M4 rifle was confiscated by the members of the Special Operations on Wednesday 3rd December, who monitoring the on-going tribal conflict at Wapenamanda in Enga province.Members of the Special Operations swiftly neutralized the situation between 8pm and 9pm at the vicinity of the Wapenamanda airport, following executing warning shots into the air. Under the command of Commander Anthony Wagambi (Jnr), the three suspects were immediately transported to Mt. Hagen city in Western Highlands to be detained and processed by the Investigative Task Force attached to the Special Operations. Moreover, Wapenamanda station is home to the Yakuman tribe who are in a tribal conflict with neighboring Yangukim and Itoken tribes. The Yakuman tribe, which is a signatory to the Wapenamanda Peace Agreement sign in Port Moresby quite recently, has since stopped fighting in honor of the provisions of the Peace Agreement to lay down arms and surrender suspects. Eighteen (18) of their tribesmen were apprehended last Friday by members of the Special Operations for failing to comply with terms of the Peace Agreement. Meanwhile, earlier that afternoon the Yakuman tribe handed over two of their suspects to the Mediation Team led by ACP Western End Joseph Tondop. According to Mr. Tondop, the two suspects were not the main suspects involved in the initial killings, but his mediation team accepted them only for formal clearance. Yakuman tribe has also failed to handover the firearm confiscated from police in Wapenamanda earlier in the conflict to ACP Tondop. They instead informed the Mediation Team that the police issued firearm was taken by their opposing Yangukim tribe during one of their confrontations. Mr. Tondop did not accept their reason for not returning the firearm and gave them an ultimatum till tomorrow to surrender the main suspects and return the police issued firearm.

School students living in communities along the Kikori River in the Gulf province can expect to learn in new and improved learning facilities next year when they start the new school year.Thanks to the Minera Resources Development Company (MRDC) working in collaboration with Gas Resources PNGLNG Pipeline Ltd, vital educational facilities in schools in Kikori were improved and commissioned recently. Known as waterway projects, the facilities were built in schools situated along the Kikori River system which includes Kopi Primary School, Kitomave Primary School, Veiru Primary School, and Babaguina Elementary School.The facilities commissioned include classrooms and teachers’ houses, critical to improving the education experience in the community.MRDC Managing Director Augustine Mano was pleased that children in such remote part of Gulf province would have access to quality learning facilities.The classrooms and teachers ‘houses were delivered under the MRDC managed Community Investment Trust Fund (CITF) program.The CITF program is aimed at providing critical services in Health, Education, Social and Economic sectors to improve the quality of life of project beneficiaries.“Education is a powerful tool to empower our children from our resource project communities, and this investment reaffirms MRDC and its subsidiaries focus in this area,” Mr. Mano said.“Isolated by the river system, sometimes the geography and change in weather conditions impact the teachers and students’ movement, learning, teaching and living conditions using the old facilities. These new buildings will provide a more comfortable and conducive education environment for the teachers and the students.”Through the CITF program, over K80 million has been spent since 2017 in providing critical infrastructures in project impacted communities.These communities in Kikori are PNG LNG Pipeline landowners who get royalty and equity payments from the PNG LNG project because the gas pipeline runs through their land.Approximately 30% of their royalty and equity benefits are spent on the CITF program managed by MRDC. 

Kina Bank has launched its commemorative cards to mark and celebrate the financial institution’s 40th Anniversary.Kina Bank this week in marking 40 years of empowering Papua New Guineans alongside the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary, introduced its 40th Anniversary Commemorative Card – a symbol of shared heritage, progress, and commitment to the future. The commemorative card has an exclusive design inspired by PNG’s rich culture and Kina Banks’ legacy and is available for a limited time only. Executive General Manager – Payments and Digital Banking, Shirly Prasad, said, "There are no changes to processes or fees – the card application process remains the same, only the design has changed.” “This commemorative card is more than just a card – it represents a celebration of resilience, growth, and partnership. “Thank you to all our customers for being part of this incredible journey. Together, we continue to build a stronger, brighter future for our country,” she said. The cards are now available at all Kina Bank branches as of the 1st of December 2025 and customers can choose between the existing card design or the new commemorative card. Kina Bank remains committed to driving digital transformation, expanding financial inclusion, and delivering customer-focused innovations that shape the future of banking in Papua New Guinea.

The Provincial Member and Governor for Madang Province, Ramsey Pariwa, has expressed disgust at a manner in which a logging company operating in the hinterland of Sumgilbar LLG of Sumkar District is going about cutting down trees yet miserably neglecting its corporate social responsibility towards its immediate impact community.Governor Pariwa on Monday, December 1st, travelled quietly by road from Madang along the North Coast road to Bunabun then followed a road up to the hinterland in the Adelbert mountain range where he physically noticed the logging activity being carried out there and then travelled further on to Sewan Primary School. The trip along the road from Erenduk to Sewan Primary School is not properly maintained yet the bulldozers owned by the logging company are moving into the forests and harvesting hard wood trees.Governor Pariwa, while waiting for the church program which he was officially invited to, decide to take a brief tour of Sewan Primary School and was shocked upon noticing the sad state of the classrooms some of which are made of bush materials and thatched roofing yet the timber company presently in the area is still cutting down trees and shipping the round logs overseas.An angry Governor Pariwa did not hesitate to tell the gathering that he is prepared to close down the logging operation if the company fails to carry out its social responsibility to assisting the local community.The Madang Governor explained that he is already working on a document whereby corporate companies that do businesses in Madang must also honor their corporate social responsibility.He said it is very unfortunate that there is a timber company cutting hard wood timber on land in the area yet the primary school that is nearby does not have many permanent classrooms. Moreover, there are classrooms that have dirt floors. Governor Pariwa at the occasion tasked the newly elected Ward Two Member, Moyang Okira, to immediately mobilize those so-called landowner company executives to meet with him in the next two weeks' time to explain to him how the timber permit agreement came about and why the developer or the company harvesting timbers in their locality is neglecting its corporate social responsibility by assisting the people in services such as health, education and infrastructure. Governor Pariwa announced then an allocation of K50,000 to build a new double classroom at Sewan Primary School to assist in students learning. 

321 Group proudly announces the opening of its latest state-of-the-art gaming venue at Central Waigani in Port Moresby city this week, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued expansion across the nation.The new flagship store officially opened its doors on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, significantly expanding access to all 321 products and an entertainment experience for the Port Moresby community. The new flagship store is a major investment that reinforces 321 Group’s vision of growth, accessibility, and local employment.The Central Waigani location is designed to be more than just a retail point; it is a full-service entertainment hub, offering players the complete range of 321 products, including tickets for the popular Wantok Jackpot and Paradise Jackpot, as well as instant scratch cards and digital game top-ups. The store is located at a secure environment and center location for public access and will also serve as a dedicated, swift cash out point for winners, making the entire process seamless and enjoyable.This expansion is fundamentally linked to local economic development. The launch of the Central Waigani flagship is expected to generate a significant number of new employment opportunities in customer service, operations, and promotional roles. This commitment to creating local jobs underpins 321 Group’s mandate to empower the communities it serves.321 Group’s General Manager, Ben George, emphasized the store’s role in balancing entertainment with player safety. "This flagship store is a clear testament to our long-term commitment to the community. While we are focused on making our games as convenient and accessible as possible, our priority remains the well-being of our customers. At the Central Waigani flagship, we will proactively advertise and implement our responsible gaming features, ensuring a secure and positive environment for everyone. We believe in excitement, opportunity, and, above all, safe play."The new store reinforces 321s robust retail footprint in PNG, complementing existing services offered through established partnerships with the other valued partners ensuring customers across NCD and beyond have multiple, secure avenues for playing. The company remains dedicated to operating responsibly under the license and regulation of the National Gaming and Control Board (NGCB).  

Madang province on Monday the 1st of December, joined other provinces across Papua New Guinea in commemorating World AIDS Day with hundreds gathering at Bates Oval in Madang town for the event.Health officers from the Madang Provincial Health Authority (MPHA), community groups, and members of the public assembled to observe the global event, held every year on December 1st.This year’s theme, “Rethink, Rebuild, and Rise,” highlights the collective effort needed to address the ongoing challenges of HIV and AIDS.Alifa Sagem, the Nursing Officer in-charge of the HIV/STI Clinic at MPHA, said HIV and AIDS remain present in communities but can be controlled through increased awareness and testing.“HIV and AIDS are here to stay, but we can prevent it from spreading if we get tested,” Sagem said.She also stressed that treatment is free and encouraged the public to know their status.Alice Bro, Data Registry Clerk at the HIV/STI Clinic, raised concern about the rising number of HIV cases in Madang, revealing that the province is now ranked fifth in the country for HIV prevalence.“Looking at the statistics, it’s a red flag, it’s alarming for Madang,” Bro said.She highlighted that testing coverage is still very low due to geographical challenges and the high number of people living in remote areas.Bro, who noted that only about 2% of Madang’s total population has been tested, urged leaders, families, and communities to support testing efforts.Both health officers emphasized that increased awareness, testing, and community involvement are crucial to preventing further spread of HIV in the province.

Lae City Authority (LCA) has stepped in to help tackle the severe shortage of medical drugs in Lae, purchasing K130,000 worth of essential medicines for the ten urban clinics struggling to meet patient needs. The Authority will also supply K200,000 in drugs to Angau Memorial Hospital, the province’s largest referral hospital, with deliveries expected next week.LCA Chief Executive Officer Robin Calistus said the initiative is a direct response to the critical shortage of medicines affecting urban clinics and provincial hospitals not only in Morobe but across Papua New Guinea.“We recognize the urgent need for essential medical supplies in our clinics and at Angau Hospital,” Mr. Calistus said. “This initiative will ensure patients continue to receive care while longer-term solutions are implemented.”The move comes after a two-day inquiry by the Special Parliamentary Committee on Health Matters into the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MoPHA), which revealed alarming gaps in hospital management, supply chains, and access to medicines. Committee Chairman Robert Naguri described some of the findings as “disturbing” and stressed the need for immediate action to protect patient care at Angau.The support from LCA is being seen as a crucial stopgap measure, enabling frontline health facilities to continue operations while government agencies work on systemic solutions. Urban clinics, which serve thousands of patients daily, have faced shortages of antibiotics, painkillers, and essential consumables, placing additional pressure on Angau Hospital.“This is about saving lives and keeping our urban clinics and provincial hospital functioning,” Mr. Calistus said, emphasizing the importance of local authorities stepping in to support public health.

Kiunga Secondary School in the North Fly District of Western Province will resume its boarding program in 2026 after nearly nine years of operating solely as a day school.Boarding was suspended in 2017 due to the deteriorating state of the school’s dormitories, forcing students—many from remote communities—to travel daily for classes. However, two newly constructed dormitories will now accommodate students from rural areas when the 2026 academic year begins. Students, parents, staff, and Kiunga residents gathered on November 25, 2025, to witness the official opening of the new facilities. The event featured a vibrant singsing performance by Awin Tribe students. The new dormitories, one for male and one for female students, each consist of 24 rooms—12 on the ground floor and 12 upstairs, including single rooms. Each room will house two students and is equipped with study tables, chairs, wardrobes, lights, fans, and power outlets. The buildings also include ablution blocks and laundry rooms, and will accommodate a total of about 106 students. School Principal Jebol Iowa thanked all partners involved in the construction and renovation works, including the mess hall upgrade. “Two dormitories are now ready. PNGSDP, through arrangements with NFDDA and FRPG, have worked together to build these facilities. Students can now have more study time in a conducive learning environment.” The Sustainable Development Program (SDP) funded the dormitory project, covering all building material costs, while the Fly River Provincial Government contributed K1 million to support student accommodation needs. Western Provincial Administrator Robert Alphones Kaiyun acknowledged the collaborative effort, noting the long-term value of investing in education. “Thank you all for your support. Let’s continue to work together to produce more human capital for our province. Only education will bring change, and our investment in these resources will not be wasted.” Parents and students have been urged to take good care of the new facilities to ensure that future generations can also benefit from improved boarding services at Kiunga Secondary School.

The Minister for Works and Highways Solan Mirisim has passed away this morning at Pacific International Hospital (PIH) in Port Moresby city.It is a truly surprising and sad moment for his family and the people of Telefomin District of West Sepik province. Late Mirisim served the nation with unwavering dedication for over a decade until his passing this morning. During his time in politics, he held several key ministerial portfolios, including Minister for Forests and most recently Minister for Works and Highways under the Marape- Rosso Government. Throughout his career, late Mirisim championed infrastructure development and connectivity projects that transformed rural communities. Under his leadership, the Connect PNG Program advanced major national highways and missing link roads, improving access for millions of Papua New Guineans. His passing is a profound loss to Papua New Guinea. Mirisim will be remembered for his vision, leadership, and tireless efforts to improve the lives of his people. The passing of the late Member is the second this year of a sitting Member of Parliament. Just over two months ago, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge also passed away at the Port Moresby General Hospital on the 13th of September 2025.