“Oro! Oro! Oro! thank you Marie Stopes for visiting this part of the province,” Lianne chanted in her local vernacular. The mother from Aba village in Oro’s Tamata LLG was ecstatic to access family planning services after having 13 children with her husband Ben. Lianne’s story represents that of so many rural women, men, youths, and adolescents who are faced with limited or no access to contraceptives resulting in unplanned pregnancies and the high maternal mortality rates in the country. “I was using herbs to assist my husband and I control and space our children, but that did not work,” she says. The nearest health facility is Manau Health Centre, however there are no family planning or reproductive health service providers on-site, so women in the area often have many children close together. This is a worry for women like Lianne because of the physical demands of birthing all the children and the difficult realities of providing for them. “My husband and I are subsistence farmers and we do not have any other means of income to support all our children with their basic needs,” Lianne says. When Lianne and Ben heard that Marie Stopes outreach team in Lae would be visiting their village, they knew they had the opportunity to seek help to not have any more children. Marie Stopes rural multi-day outreach programs are supported through the PNG-Australia Partnership to provide family planning services to remote areas. From January to June this year, Marie Stopes have reached over twenty-thousand people, offering a wide range of short-term, long-term and permanent methods of contraception to help prevent or space pregnancies. They have also reached over 350,000 people through the distribution of information education and communication materials. The outreach team were stationed at the elementary school in Aba village and used an open-air classroom to deliver family planning services to the villagers. “We walked for one and a half hours to this village for me to get this implant,” says Lianne. “We were very happy that the Marie Stopes PNG team visited our village to provide family planning service in our area.” The implant is one of the family planning methods that helps to prevent pregnancy for 3-5 years and can be removed at any time. The contraceptive takes about five minutes to implant in the upper arm and is nearly 100 per cent effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies. It is one of the family planning methods Marie Stopes offers that empowers women and families to make informed decisions about when and how many children they want to have.

Opposition leader Belden Namah has urged Prime Minister James Marape and the Covid-19 Pandemic team to immediately stop the campaign of terror and confusion they have unleashed upon the country and the people. He said the government must give clear, practical and affordable advice and guidance to the people and must establish evidence and science-based response to the pandemic. The opposition leader is adamant vaccination is not the cure against Covid-19 and that most people will not get vaccinated given the country’s resources, capacity and terrain so PNG cannot achieve herd immunity within a short timeframe. In a media release, he said the government must not lead the people down an impossible herd immunity dream that cannot be realised. Mr Namah pointed out that vaccinated people are still getting infected and are infecting others and still dying from Covid-19. “The most irrational part of the vaccine drive is that 99.8% of those who catch the virus will not surrender to it, this was the situation until the latest variants like Delta came on the scene,” Mr Namah said. “The pathogen being vaccinated is mutating so fast that before the kind of numbers to ensure herd immunity is reached, the vaccine might already be useless to the freshest variant.” Mr Namah recommended the only real, most practical and affordable measures are the strict observance of Niupela Pasin protocols and application of home remedies. The Opposition Leader strongly maintained that Vaccination must be voluntary and not compulsory adding peoples’ rights and freedom must be respected at all costs. He added that now with the Government House which represents the Head of State and the Judicial Services representing the Judiciary as the third arm of government have announced NO JAB, NO JOB policy officially, it appears the last supports of the National Constitution are gone. “Universal human rights as proclaimed in this sacred document now stand suspended.” Namah further stated, if the government wants a NO JAB, NO JOB policy then he will call upon all government and private sector workplaces to shut down for a month to ensure that the policy is carried out properly.

The Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport’s (MCST) Project Cerulean at the University of the South Pacific's Marshall Islands Campus - RMI USP – has been shortlisted for the International Windship Association's (IWSA) 2021 "Wind Propulsion Innovation Awards." The awards recognise cutting-edge projects, technological innovation, and the advancement of wind propulsion as technically and commercially viable solutions in the shipping industry. These awards are intended to highlight positive decarbonization projects that are currently underway in the shipping industry. The MCST’s Project Cerulean is shortlisted for the “Small Vessel Sector Award”. The Project demonstrates that viable sea transport options exists to provide more equitable, efficient, and comprehensive transport services to connect the remote populations widely across the Oceania. Marshall Islands Campus Director, Dr Brad Carte said “this is a fantastic accomplishment for MCST and USP” and expressed his gratitude to the entire Project Cerulean Team. Voting for the awards is now open to the public and will continue until Sunday, 7 November 2021. The virtual awards ceremony will be held during the the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow on Thursday, 11 November 2021 at 0900-1030 (UK time). Staff and students are encouraged to vote for RMI-USP's Project Cerulean in the "Small Vessel Sector Award" category. The Small Vessel Award is sponsored by MARIN. The shortlist includes projects spanning the globe from Costa Rica, to the South Pacific, Australia and Europe and they are; Advanced Wing Systems, Blue Schooner Co, Ecoclipper, Grain de Sail, Project Cerulean and SAIL CARGO Inc.

PNG Football Association president John Kapi Natto paid tribute to the outgoing president of Manus Soccer Association Jack Nawi Changau for his loyalty and undivided support for the past 20 years. Nawi’s reign was ended after Manus Soccer Association Congress elected new Philip Kulwaum as new president last Friday. Kapi Natto said Manus was part and parcel of new PNGFA executive going forward and thanked him for his undivided support. Despite losing his seat, Mr Changau will continue as an PNGFA Executive Member until his term is experience PNGFA president also took the opportunity to congratulate new president Kulwaum. “It truly demonstratic the democracy of election by clubs without fear or favour and PNG is ready to work with you and should time allow. “I will meet up with you and your new executive Once again congratulation from me to you on behalf of PNGFA Executive Members,” he said. Kulwaum expressed the same paying tribute to his predecessor Jack Nawi Changau for taking charge of football in trying times for the last 20-years. Mr Kulwaum while assuming the new position said he will not change much but would ride on the vision and platform created by the outgoing president. He gave assurance that he would follow Mr Changau’s dream and vision which include throwing his support behind John Kapi Natto as president of PNG Football Association. He said he was well prepared in advance before putting his hands up to contest the president seat. East Lorengau FC president Mark Lowap and Peter Punau, president of Pombrut Football Club in Manus Soccer Association also shared the same sentiment as their president Kulwaum. Lowap thanked Mr Changau for taking the soccer this far but committing his personal time, resources and energy to see soccer in Manus is floating about the trouble waters. Punau, a lawyer by profession thank Changau for his services and welcome the new president Kulwaua as Manus soccer starts a new journey. Lorengau Town Mayor Joseph Kimas also thanked Mr Changau for his tireless effort in keeping and taking soccer this far. As representative covering Ward One to Ward Seven in Lorengau Urban LLG, Mr Kimas said he has been supporting soccer under former president and will continue to do so under the newly elected president Kulwaum. “We have a lot of competitions. Manus will go through a lot of competition with under PNGFA so we must prepare for it,” he said. He called on the new executives of Manus Soccer Association not to forget the referee. The outgoing president Mr Changau in his parting words thank everyone for staying behind him in good and bad time of soccer in Manus. “I leave soccer president position with heavy heart and in great sadness but I will remain as member of football family. “I am still around if you need me,” he said. He thanked his immediate family, his wife and children for standing behind him and pushing him to bring soccer Manus to where it is now.

Close to 3000 Manam islanders are in need of medical support, food, and clean water after their food gardens and water sources were destroyed by ash fall when Manam volcano erupted last Wednesday. A team from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory accompanied by Iabu LLG President Kenny Boli carried out an assessment on the extent of damages caused. The report once compiled will be given to the local member and the provincial administrator. Around 7 am last Wednesday Manam erupted spewing ash with scoria of about 1-2 km above the volcano. This is the aftermath. Although there were no casualties reported, houses, food crops, and food gardens were destroyed and water sources contaminated. The islanders' immediate need now is clean water, food, medical support, and temporary shelter for families whose houses were destroyed. The villages most affected by the light-moderate ash fall that was accompanied by scoria are from Madauri to Baliau. It’s been five days since the team from RVO went to the island to assess the extent of damages caused. But another team comprising health, education, law and order, disaster, and other relevant government bodies need to go in and assess the situation. The recent eruption has brought to light the plight of Manam islanders living in the care centers for over 17 years following the major eruptions of late 2004 to early 2005. These displaced islanders are still waiting for the government to resettle them to the hinterlands of Bogia on the mainland. Picture courtesy: John Seach

SP PNG Hunters are pleased to announce the re-appointment Scott Barker as CEO for the 2022 season. Barker has completed his first Intrust Super Cup season as General Manager, guiding the Hunters through a challenging year which saw them move operations to Queensland because of Covid restrictions. PNG Hunters chairman Mr Stan Joyce CSM was pleased Barker would remain at the helm noting that his work during the 2021 season positioned the Hunters well for a strong 2022 return. “We are delighted to reappoint Scott Barker after working closely with him through this 2021 season. I congratulate him on the appointment,” Mr Joyce said. “It wasn’t an easy year due to the challenges of Covid but Scott and his team ensured that the Hunters took a positive step forward, leaving us well placed to continue that journey in 2022. “With coach Matt Church already reappointed along with Scott, we now very much look forward to the next season.” Hunters board member and Asia Pacific Rugby League Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Edwards also welcomed the re-appointment. “I was fortunate to work closely with Scott throughout 2021 and saw his professionalism and dedication towards the Hunters,” Mr Edwards said. “Scott has a very strong rugby league background. We are fortunate that he brings that expertise to the Hunters. “It’s been great to watch the development of the Hunters through this year and we look forward to that continuing in the next season." Barker has spent just over two decades working in professional rugby league at all levels of the game. This has included time with the Broncos, Dragons, Knights, Queensland Maroons, France, Kangaroos and England. Before Barker joined the Hunters, he consulted to the National Rugby League, analysing emerging trends in the game. “I am genuinely honoured and excited to be reappointed to this role and to continue the work we started this year. I thoroughly enjoyed working closely with Chairman Stan Joyce, PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina and also day-to-day with Jeremy Edwards,” Barker said. “This has been a very challenging year for many reasons but also a very enjoyable and rewarding year for me personally. I can’t speak highly enough of the commitment shown by the Hunters players and staff to be away from home for eight months. “I’d also like to sincerely thank our sponsors and fans back home who made a tough year a lot more enjoyable through their continuous and passionate support. “We’re very much looking forward to a bigger and better 2022 season.”

The White House on Monday said it will require airlines to check U.S.-bound air travelers’ proof of Covid-19 vaccination and provide contact information to federal officials as part of new rules that take effect when the U.S. lifts curbs on international visitors next month. The Biden administration earlier this month said it plans to lift pandemic restrictions that barred most visitors from more than 30 countries, including the U.K. and Brazil, on Nov. 8, allowing in vaccinated travelers. The rules were put in place first by the Trump administration in early 2020 and then extended by the Biden administration this year. The new rules, issued by President Joe Biden on Monday, will be applied to foreign visitors, including those coming to the U.S. from countries that were not on the prohibited list. Exemptions to the visitors’ vaccine requirements include travelers under the age of 18 or those who have medical reasons prohibiting them from getting a vaccine, senior Biden administration officials said. Foreign visitors between age 2 and 17 must still take a Covid test three days before departure if they are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult. Other exemptions include those traveling on non-tourist visas from countries with low vaccine availability. A senior administration official said there are about 50 countries that would fit that bill, but that individuals who receive the exemption for low vaccine availability have to provide a U.S.-government issued letter stating the urgent need for travel. Officials consider fully vaccinated two weeks since the last dose of a Covid-19 vaccine or a single-dose vaccine like Johnson & Johnson’s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month said it would accept a combination of two doses from vaccines that have Food and Drug Administration authorization or are on the World Health Organization’s list for emergency use. Digital and paper copies of vaccine certificates will be accepted. The CDC will require airlines to collect and track contact information from travelers and potentially share that with federal officials. Airlines, hotels and other travel companies have urged the U.S. government for more than a year to reopen borders. The U.S. established those restrictions in early 2020 at the start of the Covid pandemic. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines executives this month said that that bookings for trans-Atlantic travel have surged since the Biden administration announced it planned to replace the country-specific travel bans with the vaccination requirements. “Clearly, there’s significant pent-up demand for travel to and from the U.S. and many customers are eager to return to travel when it’s permitted,” American’s president, Robert Isom, said on a quarterly call on Thursday. European countries began opening up to U.S. travelers in the spring with testing and vaccine requirements, but the move was not reciprocated  by Washington. SOURCE: CNBC NEWS

The current Covid-19 Delta wave is among issues contributing to the revised GDP growth of 1 percent for 2021, well below the earlier forecast of 2.5 percent despite soft commodities benefiting from favourable price shifts. This is according to BSP Financial Group Limited’s (BSP) Q3 2021 Pacific Economic and Market Insights. The report also stated that while the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases continue to pose a threat to PNG’s economy, businesses and the economy cannot afford nationwide lockdowns. BSP Group General Manager for Corporate Banking, Peter Beswick said focus must remain on appropriate containment measures and safeguards of masks, social distancing, restrictions on gatherings, and most critically with high levels of vaccination coverage to slow the pandemic, which will in turn reduce the loss of life and stress on health systems and drive our medium term economic recovery. “Major projects will provide PNG businesses certainty and growth prospects in the economy will remain challenged until resource projects like the Papua LNG finalise fiscal terms and conditions for the project and detailing the framework to complete upcoming negotiations. “Barrick Gold CEO remains committed to restarting the Porgera Mine in 2022, while Total has announced the remobilisation of the project teams with the objective to launch in early works in late 2022. This positive development follows the Government’s reconfirmation of the Papua LNG Gas Agreement 2019, the signature of the Fiscal Stability Agreement and the License extension,” Mr Beswick said. Newcrest also recently announced Lihir would be carrying out a Pre-Feasibility Study to accelerate the mine to be a 1 million ounce plus per annum producer from 2024. Mr Beswick said this is another important progression for the economy as “the USD180 million project delivers increased ore reserves, brings forward gold production and improves operational flexibility by establishing an additional independent ore source.” In the South Pacific region, the economy is projected to contract by 0.6% in 2021, a reflection of severe constraints of the Covid-19 containment measures, particularly border restrictions; continue to have on business activity and tourism in, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Cook Islands. Fiji is already seeing the positive impact of reopening of its borders to tourists next month following its aggressive vaccination program. Despite the severe economic impact of Covid over the past 2 years, the sub-region's economy is expected to rebound by 4.8% in 2022 as countries reopen borders.

Brian Bell Foundation officially handed over K12,000 worth of white goods to the PNG Bible Translation Association (PNGBTA) on Friday 22nd October 2021. The goods were handed over by Brian Bell’s Business Development Manager Corporate Services, Bill Doa Neill. PNGBTA Executive Director Tony Kotauga received the donation on behalf of the organization. The white goods will be used in PNGBTA’s Townsend Hall at its headquarters at Makora Road North Waigani. The donation by Brian Bell will go towards equipping the hall for it to be used by the ministry and also help the ministry raise funds by putting the venue out for hire. Funds raised will go towards funding language projects in the communities. Mr Bill Doa Neill said the foundation was set up about four or five years ago and has been contributing towards improving lives of people in communities. “What you’re doing here at the PNGBTA is in line with the education side of things,” Doa Neill said. “You’re going out there into the rural communities and preaching the good news of education through the Bible and the literature you have.” Mr. Doa Neill said they were happy to support that work and were looking forward to continue the partnership. Mr. Tony Kotauga said PNGBTA works with 66 languages and that was about 66 communities and cultures. He said PNGBTA has published 21 New Testament translations so far. [caption id="attachment_16281" align="alignnone" width="1056"] Brian Bell Business Development Manager Corporate Services, Bill Doa Neill (left) receiving a certificate of appreciation from PNGBTA Executive Director Tony Kotauga during the donation ceremony[/caption] “We have a literacy program that goes with the translation work. We do not only translate the Bible; we help them to read it as well. So, literacy comes with it,” Kotauga said. “But before translation takes place, we have to develop the language. Development of language helps us to restore our cultures and languages. And we are probably the only national organization that is going out to develop languages and save the languages of the country with partners such as SIL.” Mr. Kotauga said developing languages was a huge task and one organization cannot do it alone so it values the partnership it is developing with the foundation because the support will contribute to work in the field. He said the donation will be used in equipping the hall which will be used to raise funds to support the work of PNGBTA and its language programs. PNGBTA is an indigenous Bible translation organization in PNG. It recruits, trains and supports locals to translate the word of God from English to their native tongue. PNGBTA works alongside the church to form the translation communities and equip mother tongue speakers to use the scriptures. Its’ field centers are established in Port Moresby, Alotau, Madang, Ukarumpa and Manus. PNGBTA serves with partner organizations such as Summer Institute of Linguistics, Bible Society, Pioneer Bible Translators, New Tribes Mission and Wycliffe Bible Translation.

Six Air Niugini staff walked away with K10,000 last Friday from a lottery by the company to reward employees who have volunteered to receive vaccine against Covid-19. The first prize winner won K5,000 followed by K1,000 each for the rest of the five winners. Staff participated by sending in copies of their green cards to Air Niugini to show that they have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine or were fully vaccinated. Air Niugini has provided the venue each week for medical staff from NCD Provincial Health Authority to be on site to provide the vaccine, however the decision to receive vaccine was made voluntarily by individual staff. The airline in partnership with stakeholders has also been conducting awareness amongst staff on Covid-19. The vaccine significantly reduces the risks of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 or possibly dying and also reduces the risks of catching and spreading the virus to colleagues, families and the community.  Over half of Air Niugini staff have been fully vaccinated so far. The NCD PHA staff will be back each week for staff who want a first dose or need their second does of the vaccine. Being fully vaccinated is already a requirement for anyone travelling to Australia, the USA or European Union, including airline crew travelling for recurrent simulator. Additionally, Hong Kong and Singapore are expected to require all passengers as well as operating crew flying to these destinations to be fully vaccinated before the end of this year. Air Niugini will be conducting a second lottery draw on 10th November with another K10,000 to again reward staff who have volunteered to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

125 Grade 8 students from Goilanai Primary School in Milne Bay Province join the rest of the country in sitting for their first English paper today and the rest of their National Exams this week. School Head Teacher, Mr Eugene Awilo said that students and staff will be practicing social distancing and mandatory mask wearing during the exam week. “We have suspended classes for Prep to Grade 7 for this whole week while our grade 8 students sit for their exams,” Mr Awilo said. He believes that the students will do well as they have been prepared well by their teachers throughout the academic year. “We convey our best wishes to all our Grade 8s as they sit for the Exams.” Mr Awilo added that the rest of the students (prep to Grade 7) will resume classes next week, however they will be having shift classes so they can continue to practice safe hygiene measures in the school. “For this week, their teachers have prepared work for them to take home and do at home until they resume next week,” Mr Awilo said. Meanwhile, Secretary of Education Dr Uke Kombra said that a total of 137, 769 are expected to sit for their national exams. This number includes those students with special needs. Dr Kombra said that he is confident that students have prepared well, as there were minimal disruptions to teaching and learning this year compared to last year. “I wish every Grade 8 all the best in the National Exams and also in their future endeavors,” Dr Kombra Said.

Telstra and the Australian government have finalised a deal to buy and operate the largest telecommunications company in the Pacific, in a move largely seen as an effort to counter China's influence in the region. The $2.1 billion deal to acquire and run Digicel Pacific is being funded largely by the government, which will provide $1.9 billion toward the acquisition. Telstra said it would contribute $360 million and own 100 per cent of the company's ordinary equity. The deal, which is expected to be completed within the next six months, is "consistent with Australia's longstanding commitment to growing quality investment in regional infrastructure," the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement. Digicel, founded by Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien, is the largest mobile phone carrier in the Pacific with operations in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tahiti. The company makes more than $300 million a year in profit. The deal comes after several months of discussions between Telstra and the government over the strategic asset. The talks followed reports that China Mobile, the biggest telecoms operator in China, had shown interest in buying the Pacific arm of telecommunications giant. Telstra said it was initially approached by the Australian government to provide technical advice in relation to Digicel Pacific and subsequently considered acquiring the business with its financial and strategic risk management support. Stopping Digicel Pacific from ending up in the hands of a Chinese company has been seen almost as strategically important as stopping Huawei from getting a hold in Australia's 5G network. That's especially since Digicel Pacific uses a 4,700km undersea cable from Sydney that was largely funded by the Australian government in 2018 in an effort to prevent PNG and the Solomon Islands from contracting Huawei for the project. SOURCE: ABC NEWS