Prime Minister James Marape has assured the nation that Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey will deliver the nation’s 2022 Budget today amidst delays and many political speculations. “I want to assure Papua New Guinea that your Government is at work, despite many challenges and obstacles, and we will deliver our third Budget today,” he said. “The handing down of the Budget is the single most-important parliamentary occasion of any government. “With hangovers and effects of slowed economy due to COVID-19, your Government has used the last three years of National Budget to ensure our domestic economy was functional and alive, and our crucial services were maintained.” “I want to assure our people and all stakeholders in our economy that we are responsible and prudent to ensure expected outcomes of our budget are achieved.” PM Marape said Treasurer Ling-Stuckey would today “point that our path to economic recovery is correct, and with critical analysis by all multilateral Budget partners like ADB, IMF and World Bank, our positive trajectories show an increase in Gross Domestic Product for next year and beyond as well as a declining budget deficit trend”. “Over the last two-and-a-half years, we have invoked the use of our money plan to ensure schools, hospitals, COVID-19 programmes, road construction, SME funds, retiring old debts and contractual obligations, paying outstanding industrial awards, etc, were our deliberate interventions to keep our economy functioning despite tough times,” he said. “Our 2022 money plan will not have much surprises, except some key Government policy-based interventions that will be evident in both revenue and expenditure allocations, as Treasurer hands down the Budget tomorrow. “We are trying our best to ensure our Budget embraces our national outcomes including opening up all parts of our country, intervening in sustainable economy, starting up Porgera, Papua LNG, Wafi-Golpu for our economy, paying for our children’s education in 2022 and beyond, building new hospitals, ramping up support to Bougainville, clearing up projects like new Supreme Court Building and ensuring the 2022 General Election is fully funded without disturbance. “All the above we are doing whilst maintaining strict discipline in sticking to our money plan, with our development partners observing our discipline to reforms. “Key is our reforms is to borrow low-cost US dollar denominated borrowings like the Australian $400-million dollar zero per cent interest lending, or the Japanese Government US$280million 0.01 per cent five-year grace period lending, which all came directly into our economy by way of Budget support. “I just want to assure our people and our economic stake holders that we are going through tough times, but we will use the Budget policies wisely to share the load of burden and also ensure key infrastructure like the 1900 kilometres of road we built the last two years all over rural PNG is continued. “And today, for the first time also, our Treasurer will put out a plan to bring our nation to surplus Budget by 2027 and reduce our national debt completely by mid 2030s. “I am very optimistic because these tough times have taught us to be prudent and economically strong as we work forward into 2022 and beyond. “Don’t believe the naysayers, be optimistic where ever you all are, be like the 360 small SMEs who borrowed cheaply from Bank South Pacific that Government has partnered with for SME lending and help your country.”

What was supposed to be a peaceful protest is turning violent, with protestors attempting to storm Parliament, and reports of thick smoke coming from the Parliament compound. Protestors gathered at the foothill of Parliament earlier today demanding they be let in, when they were refused entry, they became agitated. Police tried to control the crowd, but the crowd grew when others arrived mid-morning from Malaita. The crowd pushed their way in, police and security officers manning the gates were outnumbered. Unconfirmed reports say tear gas was fired, in an attempt to disburse the crowd. Parliament is currently in session, and reports say riot squads are keeping protestors at bay. Two groups of protestors took to Parliament, one from the town council area up Vavaya ridge road, the other group from the foothills of Parliament from Point Cruz. Members of Parliament from Malaita in government have been urging Malaitans to refrain from illegal protest. They have also blamed the Opposition group of inciting violence, although this has been refuted by the Opposition office. SOURCE: SOLOMON TIMES

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the Government has no “sinister motives” in holding back K66 million allocated by the Australian Government for maintenance of the rundown Bulolo Highway in Morobe. He said this in Parliament today when asked by Morobe Governor and Deputy Pangu Pati leader, Hon. Ginson Saonu, as to why work was being delayed. The Prime Minister assured Governor Saonu and the people of Morobe that the K66 million given by the Australian Government was intact. PM Marape said he had already explained, in reply to critics, that the Bulolo Highway was so badly damaged and would cost more than the K66 million, hence, his Government would add another K50 million to bring the total up to K116 million. The K50 million is from the K100 million allocated for Wafi-Golpu Infrastructure Development Grants (IDG), K10 million of which had already been given to Morobe Provincial Government and K3 million each to affected districts. PM Marape said he had already travelled the Bulolo Highway three times, the last being in September when he attended a Wafi-Golpu landowners’ meeting, and had seen for himself the extent of damage. “It will take more than K66 million to fix the damage,” he said. “The contract has already been awarded, however, I have written to the Australian High Commissioner and have also talked with the Works Minister about variations to the contract. “This is so that instead of just doing maintenance work, which will be washed away by the rain, we can do a permanent intervention for the better. The Prime Minister said K66 million may sound like a lot of money, however, it would only be used for maintenance work. He said it was his Government that pointed the Australian Government in the direction of Wau-Bulolo for project funding, which critics must know. “We pointed out areas for them (Australian Government) to invest in, one of which was Wau-Bulolo,” he said. “When I drove from Mumeng to Lae, I realised the massive extent of damage along this section of the road. “It’s a very-important economic road so Works Department, Works Ministry and Australian Government have been in discussions over the last few months to see if there can be a variation to the contract. “It will also assist us (Government) in investing substantially on this road, especially the section from Mumeng to the Markham River.”

Josefa Uluinaceva, or Jo, as he is fondly known, has contributed to the evolution of children's literature in the Pacific for many years, in addition to his day job as a Graphic Artist at The University of the South Pacific's Division of Marketing and Communications. Many of us who attended primary school in the Pacific in the 1990s recall reading books with Jo’s illustrations. Some of the books he illustrated include “Priya and Kaman’s Holiday” by Sendar Pillay; “Our New Car” by Taniela Qoroya; “Qalo” by Bessie Kingdon; “Going to the Beach” by Bessie Kingdon; “Two stories from Tuvalu” by Maseiga Ionatana; “Fish again! by Meere Tion Tebeia; “A new broom for Tima” by Keleni Bola; “Weaving” by Rejieli Racule; “Mere and the caterpillar” by Sereima Lumelume and Neil Taylor and “An Island” by Eadinur Deiye.   He has also worked with authors like Cliff Benson, Vika Maloni, Merieisi Sekinabou Tabualevu, Sereima Raimua, Joseph Veramu, Teweiariki Teaero and many others from across the Pacific whose works were published by USP’s Institute of Pacific Studies. Ms Barbara Moore sparked Jo’s interest in illustration. When Jo was just starting out as a graphic illustrator, she worked at the USP's Institute of Education Office on Clark Street, Domain in Suva. Ms Moore was dedicated to children's education and received the New Zealand Literacy Association (NZRA) Citation of Merit in 1996 for her contributions to reading and to New Zealand. “That time, I had just left school and started my first job and Ms Moore asked me if I was interested in illustrating children’s books part-time. I took up this opportunity and since then, I have gone on to meet many Pacific authors whom we have collaborated with for their publication,” he said.   Jo's popularity as an illustrator rose during the period when primary and secondary school teachers were involved in the creation of children's books as part of a USP Institute of Education initiative. He continuously developed his art for illustrations through workshops to develop in the area of children’s book illustrations.   “I was excited to embark on this new journey whereby I could utilise my limited drawing skills for a good cause,” he added.   “Every work I did was a natural progression of my black pen ink illustrations technique and trying different styles including pencil drawing. I was only limited to black and white drawings due to book production cost.”   The feeling of seeing his illustrations published and knowing that he was contributing to educating the young minds of the Pacific inspired Jo to continue his journey as an illustrator.   “There’s a feeling of joy when seeing my work published and knowing that children in the Pacific countries have read the books.   “If it has helped them in their reading and advanced them further, whether in their vernacular or knowledge of the English language, then I can say it is worthwhile.  “Some of these children have grown up and are now working. I am happy to have been part of their development.”   His advice to aspiring illustrators is to always seek new opportunities and to be versatile in their work. “It is hard to earn a living from doing illustrations alone in the Pacific but try and do other creative work like graphic designing, video production, animation and other similar fields where you can still utilise your creative skills,” Jo said. The various books Jo illustrated can be found in the Pacific collection section of The University of the South Pacific Library.  

“Please don’t take COVID-19 to your village!” This is a plea from the Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom to those planning to go to their home villages for Christmas holidays. Dr Daoni said COVID-19 is now affecting all provinces, but it is still mostly seen in urban areas and those villages and communities accessible to these places so everyone has the responsibility to ensure it is not spread to the rural areas where the majority of the health facilities are not equipped to care for people sick with COVID-19. “We now have evidence that vaccination does reduce one’s chance of contracting the virus, and if by a small chance that you do get it, the symptoms are more like the common cold and are not deadly. “Therefore I urge you to get vaccinated. If you care for your loved ones, you will do this for their benefit as well as your own. People who are fully vaccinated also have a reduced chance of spreading COVID-19 to their loved ones and friends. “I cannot say it any other way. The facts are there. Vaccines save lives so I am encouraging all holiday makers to ensure they get vaccinated,’’ Dr Daoni said. He said it takes two weeks for the body to build an immune system after a person has received the second dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after getting a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine so those planning to go home for holidays must go and get vaccinated now and not wait until they are a few days from travelling. The Deputy Controller has also said that the two years of experience in the pandemic has shown that the virus transmits faster during big gatherings and urges everyone this Christmas holiday season to take care. Dr Daoni said, “We had a spike in cases in March and April 2020, February to May 2021 and then another one in September to November 2021 following the celebration of Independence. We now have evidence that big gatherings do contribute to the spread of COVID-19 so take care during the festive season.” He also highlighted the need for people to ensure they are wearing masks when they are in an aeroplane, Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs), or other public transports this Christmas. “The congested PMVs are the norm in many parts of the country especially during the holiday season so I am urging everyone to be responsible and ensure they are following the Niupela Pasin. Physical distance by standing 1.5 to 2 metres away from the next person when you are in big crowds, sanitize your hands if you cannot wash them with soap, cover your coughs or cough into your elbow and not into your hands (in case you have to shake hands with another person before you wash your hands) and if you have symptoms of COVID-19 go for a test if you are near a health facility that does tests for COVID-19 so you can get help quickly,” Dr Daoni said. Finally, Dr Daoni said those going home to their villages or communities for Christmas have a responsibility to tell their people about COVID-19 so that they too will protect themselves from this virus that currently does not have a cure. “Let’s all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our country. Health workers cannot do it alone. Many of them have contracted the virus while attending to patients and have died,” Dr Daoni concluded.

Five soldiers involved in yesterday's altercation between the Police and Defence have been apprehended by the Military Police and they are currently detained at the Military Police cell at Murray Barracks. This was revealed today by PNG Defence Force commander Major General Gilbert Toropo in a joint press conference with the Police Commissioner David Manning. A very disappointed commander Toropo condemned the actions of the soldiers, while ordering an investigation into the incidents that started from the weekend and boiled over yesterday. "This action by few members of the PNG Defence Force to go out to the main road and public areas to create and cause fear among our community and people is totally unacceptable." "People need to have the trust and confidence in the military force so they can rely on our security and protection," Toropo said. Police Commissioner David Manning also revealed that police officers who were involved in assaulting a soldier in uniform during the whole ordeal yesterday have been suspended awaiting internal investigations to be completed. Manning said this is the initial response whenever an investigation is being carried out on professional misconduct, however if there is an official complaint from the victim, a criminal investigation will be conducted. "We are not here to defend the actions of our members." "We are first to admit that we will provide that leadership to ensure that there is full transparency and accountability in how we deal with the investigation." Manning said. Both Manning and Toropo have agreed to conduct internal investigations and take disciplinary actions on officers that were directly involved. Meanwhile it is understood that the incident started over the weekend when the Police Fox Unit conducted a house search within the Boroko area. A member of the Fox Unit allegedly assaulted a female in that house who happens to be the wife of a soldier from the Taurama Barracks. Following the incident on the weekend, the soldier went to Boroko Police Station yesterday to lay a complaint and while he was inside, the confrontation between his men and a group of policemen started outside the station. This then led to the soldiers disarming the police officers and drove off with the police vehicle to Taurama. One of the soldiers who fell off the speeding vehicle was apprehended by police and assaulted. A video footage going viral right now on social media shows police officers kicking the soldier and dragging him onto a vehicle.

DEPUTY Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom says rapid test kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) being brought into the country must be validated by the National Control Centre. “I have a concern that too many organisations and (private) companies are bringing rapid test kits. It’s becoming a concern because these are not validated by NCC. These have the potential to mess up our national testing protocols,’’ said Dr Daoni. “There are certain requirements that organisations must meet before NCC gives approval for the test kits to be used in the country.’’ The three steps that need to be done before approvals are given are: Firstly, the kits must be locally field validated to see the performance of these kits on our Melanesian population. Secondly, from the field validation our technical team will determine the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity on the performance of this test on this rapid test on the field. Thirdly, these rapid kits must be prequalified by the World Health Organisation. “I strongly encourage any organization or companies willing to bring in any new rapid test kits to get in touch with our laboratory team at NCC to advise on what to do in order to get these kits approved for use in the country,’’ said Dr Daoni.

PRIME Minister James Marape has condemned in no uncertain terms "the use of force and breaking of the law" by members of the country's disciplinary forces in yesterday's PNGDF|RPNGC physical confrontation in Port Moresby. He has also summoned the Police Commissioner and Defence Commander to appear before him today to provide an explanation, after returning from East New Britain and hearing of the incident. He said: "I am appalled at the news that members of our two disciplinary forces have resorted to the use of force and breaking of law to resolve a law and order issue. "Police and soldiers are supposed to be the most disciplined of people, yet it is very disappointing to see such breakdowns happening and continuing. "Not just as the Prime Minister but as the Defence Minister, I am directing all soldiers involved in this altercation to immediately withdraw to your barracks, and for the Commander and commanding officers to immediately restore order at Taurama Barracks. "Most of you soldiers are hardworking; you put your body on the line. Do not allow the ill-discipline of a few and the ill response of police to allow a resolvable situation to get out of hand. "I have called for joint police and military investigation into this matter. "My Government has never tolerated this behavior and going forward, we will not entertain it in any way. Matters of genuine concern have to be handled lawfully. This is the only way. "Disciplinary actions such as these involving alcohol and acts of public disorder warrants discharges from both the police and the military. It will be most unfortunate for hardworking Defence and police officers to be discharged. “Hence, I call on all soldiers and police personnel to exercise restraint at all times and may incidents of such nature be handled maturely and lawfully," said PM Marape.

PNG Trade and Directories Limited (PNGDL) customers can now pay for services instantly online without using their VISA Debit cards to make advertisement payments for both Print and Online Directories. PNGDL is a subsidiary of Telikom Holdings and an official publisher of directory books for PNG and Solomon Islands. PNGDL commonly trading as yellow pages has been in operation since the inception of Telikom PNG and is an authorised publisher of directory books in the country. As part of the business modernisation and transformation strategy, management has invested in mobile and internet technologies to improve their customer experience and further boost service standards for directory services in the country. The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer for PNGDL, Mr Jessy Pendene said business transformation and modernisation is the way forward to allow businesses remain competitive especially in today’s market setting. “With the growing use of mobile and internet technologies in the country, the Board and Management have to think outside of the normal to venture into the online business. It is a credit business where businesses subscribe in the current year and revenue is collected in the following year. The operations cost for revenue collection is high due to countrywide collections. Now with the timely intervention by BSP using the BSP Pay platform, customers can conveniently pay online to list their business for both print and online directories without constant follow ups”, said Mr Pendene. PNGDL Board Chairman, Mr Cedric Rondoke thanked the Board and management of BSP for providing such a magnificent platform that goes a long way to support small subsidiaries like PNGDL. “PNGDL’s modernisation and transformation strategy is in line with the national government plan to drive business transformation in most of the SOE’s and he commend the efforts of the new CEO and his team for living that vision” Mr Rondoke added. The third phase of the transformation will include an online shop concept whereby every Papua New Guineans will be provided a reliable opportunity to shop online. Mr Pendene further stated “his management is currently in talks with mother company Telikom Holdings and other sister SOE companies like Post PNG for a possible partnership for the online shop concept using their retail distribution network in the country. He said onboarding of BSP Pay is a key achievement to support the company’s ongoing online plans. BSP Pay is a payment solution that allows a BSP account holder to carry out online payments on registered merchants instantly and securely without the use of card details. The only information required is their CIF (BSP ID) and registered mobile number to receive security codes. BSP encourages other businesses to consider moving online to enjoy the benefits. Businesses interested in setting up a payments page on their website can contact BSP through email servicebsp@bsp.com.pg and call BSP 3201212 or 70301212.

The Papua New Guinea expo team is privileged to have a Papua New Guinea Defence Force officer as a team member. Major Richard Elizah Selan is in charge of the movement of expo cargoes from Papua New Guinea to the United Arab Emirates and also from the expo warehouse to the PNG pavilion. The secondment of Major Selan as the Expo Team's Logistics Officer saw the involvement of the PNG Defence Force soldiers in assembling all PNG products at the PNG Defence Force's Air Transport Wing at the Jacksons International Airport before being shipped to Dubai in July. Apart from his title as the Logistics Lead, Major Elizah is a pavilion staff and everyday he is at the pavilion talking to visitors and telling them about PNG. PNGDF is an expo partner apart from other Government Agencies who are working on the ground at expo. The Expo2020 in Dubai is the first time in which the event was organised in a whole of Government approach where by different Agencies were involved to present the different potentials of PNG to the world. The team on the ground is being led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and consists of officers from the Investment Promotion Authority, Tourism Promotion Authority, National Trade Office, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, Department of Finance, PNG Defence Force and Department of Information and Communication Technology.

Papua New Guinea received the first state minister from the United Arab Emirates this week at its pavilion in the world expo in Dubai. His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) graced the PNG pavilion with his presence as part of his expo pavilion visit. The Minister was received by the PNG Pavilion Assistant Manager and Acting Marketing Director of Tourism Promotion Authority Ms. Alice Kuaningi and PNG Protocol, Accreditation and Media Liaison Officer Ms. Nerolyn Kuamugl. In a tour of the pavilion, Ms. Kuaningi took the Minister through each section of the pavilion and explained to the Minister the storyboard outlined through the pictures of the natural beauty of Papua New Guinea. [caption id="attachment_16988" align="aligncenter" width="935"] PNG Protocol, Accreditation and Media Liaison Officer Ms. Nerolyn Kuamugl presenting a Sepik bilum containing PNG products including coffee, tea, chocolate and Pure water to the UAE Minister of State His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh[/caption] His Excellency Ahmed was amazed about the beauty of PNG, especially the culture and traditions, natural resources and the environment. The Minister thanked the country of PNG for participating in the expo and making its presence known in the UAE saying that there were potential areas for further collaboration between the two countries. He pointed out the key issues of visa and travel which he said needed to be sorted out soon. Visa issues and travel connectivity are some of the issues being worked on while the PNG expo team is in the Middle East for the world expo. As part of Papua New Guinea’s tradition, Ms. Kuamugl presented a Sepik bilum (bag) packed with PNG Products including coffee, tea, chocolate and pure water and thanked His Excellency for taking time out and for choosing to visit the Papua New Guinea pavilion.

All shops and business houses within the Boroko vicinity have closed up for the day following an altercation between the Police and the members of the PNG Defence Force this morning.  The Situation has subsided, however Police are patrolling the Boroko area to make sure opportunists do not take advantage of the situation. A meeting was held between the Military Police and ACP NCD/Central Anthony Wagambie Junior at the Boroko Police station to address the incident. ACP Wagambie refused to speak to the media outside the police station however has said a statement will be released by the Police Commissioner later today on the incident. There have also been unconfirmed reports of a member of the security force being shot at and that report will also be verified by the Police Commissioner. Meanwhile Deputy Chief of PNG Defence Force, Commodore Philip Polewara said the issue has been resolved and further details of the incident and investigations will come from the Police.