Papua New Guinea has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and just like other countries in the world, PNG has also recorded a huge drop in the tourism industry, employment and revenue in 2020. The Chief Executive officer for the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo revealed this at the 1st UPNG Professional Studies Tourism Seminar that took place today. Mr Mossman said the impact of COVID-19 has been severe, affecting the number of tourists the country receives every year. " PNG recorded a huge drop of 80% or 170, 000 less arrivals compared to the 210, 980 international arrivals received in 2019." " Holiday arrivals to the country fell by 87%  in 2020 while business and employment related arrivals also dropped by a big margin during the same year." "Tourism revenue also declined by 80% or over K500 million loss in 2020 compared to an estimated revenue of K715 million generated in 2019." Mr Mossman further added the poor performance in tourist arrivals to the country was a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrival numbers are expected to pick up slowly in 2022. Given the current situation with the pandemic, the Tourism Promotion Authority is focusing more on domestic tourism with a vision to improve the revenue numbers in the industry in 2022.

Digicel Foundation will be launching a new educational television channel called Be Lit on September 27, 2021. The Be Lit channel will focus on airing educational content for students in formal schools and will work with flexible open distance Education to produce mathematics and science series. This is all part of Digicel PNG Foundation’s education pathways strategy. Be Lit will air on TVWan on a three-hour block daily and will become a fully-fledged 24-hour education TV channel early 2022. Digicel PNG Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Serena Sasingian, said that this is the first major shared value project between Digicel PNG Ltd and Digicel PNG Foundation. “Digicel recognizes the growing problem of the youth bulge. The Challenge is on us all to see how we can create opportunities for the next generation to learn skills and create employment for the youth to better their lives. Through the Be Lit education TV channel, we have collaborated with the Department of Education and The Voice Inc. and SAVE PNG to broadcast 3 hours of TV Content to schools around the country. This would not be possible without the support of Digicel PNG”, Serena Sasingian. The Secretary of the Department of Education, Dr Uke Kombra, who was present for launching said that the Department of Education are progressing the partnership with Digicel Foundation after signing the MoU in June 2021. He said that they would be providing support to ensure that the country can be educated not just the children but adults as well. “Where there is a school, there is a teacher but in the case where there is no teacher present, the next best option is the Education channel and this channel can play a role in ensuring there is some contact with students. We thank Digicel Foundation for an initiative that means a lot to every child and every family, when you touch education you touch every heart of Papua New Guinea”, Department of Education Secretary, Dr. Uke Kombra. This is a major milestone for the Foundation as it formally recognizes its work in the field of Education over the last 13 years.

Slap on your hat and slip into your adventure shoes because Kids for Conservation began yesterday! We can’t wait to meet our next generation of conservationists at the Port Moresby Nature Park! If you haven’t yet registered your kids for this fantastic holiday program, registration is still open for the next session which will be held on Thursday 23rd September, 2021.

Judith Puee is an educator who, perhaps better than most, understands the importance of supporting students with special needs. She has four children and the youngest two – Bertha and Giana – were born with disabilities. In 2005, Judith started her teaching career with a passion to bring about change in Panguna, Central Bougainville. She and her husband are now working at Metonai Elementary School in Panguna District. Judith teaches a composite prep and grade one class, and her husband is a teaching assistant. “Many students I’ve taught have already graduated from university,” Judith said, beaming with pride. “Two have become high school teachers and a few are now primary school teachers.” In addition to running Metonai Elementary, Judith is dedicated to her daughters with special needs, nine-year-old Bertha and three-year-old Giana. Such is Judith’s commitment to her students and daughters, that she would take Bertha and Giana with her to school in a wheelbarrow when there was no one available to look after them. In 2019, Judith and her husband first attended professional development workshops to improve their teaching skills as part of the Rapidly Increasing Standards of Education (RISE) program. RISE is supported by the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership and provides training on literacy, numeracy and cross-cutting themes including gender equality and inclusive education. The program is delivered by Save the Children in collaboration with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, church education agencies, Callan Services National Unit and the Summer Institute of Linguistics PNG. Judith said the program equipped them with the necessary skills to improve children’s learning, including tools and strategies to support students with special needs. “RISE helped me improve how I teach my students to read,” she said. “It provided me with guides to simplify my teaching and help my students.” Last year, Judith attended RISE training and contributed many valuable insights on the challenges faced by children with disabilities. “I share the lessons I plan for my students with Bertha and Giana – reading is Bertha’s favourite subject!” Judith said. “My kids are learning at the same level as my students in the class and Bertha can read three-letter words.” The RISE project also supported the delivery of wheelchairs for Bertha and Giana to improve their independence, mobility in the community and access to education. All children deserve the chance to learn and Judith will continue her mission to provide opportunities for all students in Panguna to fulfil their potential.

COVID 19 cases are expected to increase in the next two weeks, the National Control Centre has warned. Prime Minister James Marape conveyed this message today before leaving for the United States this morning. “From indications I’m getting from the National Control Centre, the next two weeks will possibly see a spike in COVID 19 cases right across the country,” Mr Marape said. “The traditional hotspots as well as the areas where it wasn’t too dominant before have evidence of increased presence of COVID 19.” The Prime Minister said the anticipated spike is also attributed to the recent public gatherings held around the country. “The medical advisory and scientific community will convene with the National Control Centre to look at the statistics from the feeds we’re getting from the Provincial Health Authorities and hospitals around the country before we issue certain instructions.” Mr Marape called on all citizens to have respect for others by observing the new normal protocols to prevent the disease from spreading.

PRIME Minister Hon. James Marape has reassured the people of Southern Highlands that he would complete capital investment projects begun under his predecessor and Member for Ialibu-Pangia Peter O'Neill. PM Marape explained that over the last two years since taking office, his government had retired over K700m worth of outstanding contracts initiated under O’Neill "as an example of how we continue some of these work so long as they are people-empowering and country-focused". The Prime Minister was speaking to people from Imbonggu and right throughout SHP and neighbouring provinces Western Highlands, Enga and Hela who had travelled in to Walume to participate in the Imbonggu Cultural Show. The show was held from 15 - 17 September to coincide with the celebration of the country's 46th Independence anniversary. PM Marape was invited to Walume to officiate over the Opening of the Imbonggu District Community Development Centre. "I am here to assure you that the work we have begun with my brother O'Neill, we will carry them on," he said in Tok Pisin. "Wanem wok mipla wokim wantaim brata blong mi Peter O'Neill long 7 o 8-pla yia mipla wok wantaim, mipla bai karim igo yet." The Prime Minister gave examples of local projects, Western Pacific University and roads in SHP, that his Government is continuing to support. On Western Pacific University he said: "Last year, we allocated K10m, this year another K10m, next year 2022 will be another K10m, and the other years after that too for the university. "Your university is still going ahead so all our children here can get an education; so that children from the coast and even from throughout the Pacific can come here and get an education, because you are a peace-loving people. "We are not going to stop it. It's not Peter O'Neill's personal property to carry in his pocket or mine to own. It belongs to you, for your children and children of our country." Giving the example of road development from Tambul to Tona Piambil, the Prime Minister said, civil works have started with a K5m allocation last year and the same this year, and would continue into the future. Other roads in Wiru and east Pangia were also being funded in the Ialibu-Pangia electorate. While this was happening, major efforts to connect SHP to Gulf Province through the Kagua-Erave-Semberiki-Kikori Road was going ahead, PM Marape added. "This is so that you can have an alternate port in Gulf five years from now where you can access in 2 or 3 hours instead of driving all the way to Lae. "So before Christmas this year, we will make the ground-breaking to begin the work linking Southern Highlands to Kikori." The Prime Minister encouraged southern highlanders not to get engaged in personalised politics but to pick up SME business and education, and look after law & order. He also asked for the people of SHP and Hela to respect the rest of the people of Papua New Guinea because "they are continuing to bestow upon us the national leadership title for 10 years running with O’Neill’s tenure of eight years and mine for two years". After he finished the program at Walume, the Prime Minister went to preside over another program, a peace ceremony in his adopted village of Yombi in the Ialubu Basin, at which he has a residential place there.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister and Kikori MP Soroi Eoe has been appointed as the Acting Prime Minister in the absence of Prime Minister James Marape who left the country today for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. PM Marape made the announcement this morning before leaving with his entourage for the airport. He said Mr Eoe is not new to the public service and was decided by the cabinet to take the role after Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil was suspended following his Leadership Tribunal. “The cabinet has given blessing for the appointment of Hon. Soroi Eoe as the acting Prime Minister in the nine days that I will be absent from the country,” Mr Marape said. “The Hon. Eoe is not new to leadership, he’s been a public service leader for 30 years before he became a politician and is now one of our senior ministers in the cabinet.” PM Marape further urged the public service members and citizens to show support to Mr Eoe during this time. Marape and his entourage depart for New York today via the Philippines.

In spite of September 16th, 2021 starting with a heavy downpour and showers that followed throughout the day, the teacher and nursing students of Divine Word University’s St Benedict’s campus in Wewak, East Sepik Province showcased yet another lively multicolored cultural show, joining the country to celebrate its 46th Independence. As usual before any event on campus, the day started with a mass by Bishop of the Wewak Diocese, Bishop Jozef Roszynski blessing the day and reminding everyone to appreciate this beautiful country of pristine rainforests, rivers and seas and to remember how Independence was sought by the founding father, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. Late Sir Michael was honored in the mass with a moment of silence, as well as before the Cultural Show in the Eastern Square arena, followed by the National Anthem and the National Pledge. Despite the gloomy weather feeling, the crowd roared with excitement in a standing ovation as onlookers shouted words of acknowledgment and respect, when the St Benedict’s Campus (SBC) Vice President, Dr Fr Lawrence Arockiaraj of Indian origin made his entrance with his face painted in the bright red, black, white and gold colors of the Tambul Nebilyer district of Western Highlands Province. “It is my great pleasure to celebrate with you all again this year, the third Cultural Show for SBC, also bearing in mind that this is the first without the country’s founding father, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. I wish you all a happy celebration with a Christian atmosphere within the campus,” the Vice President said when officially opening the show. Although the nursing and teacher students had only just returned from their nursing and field teaching practices with limited time to find traditional costumes and rehearse, the students sort themselves out into regions instead of provinces and creatively performed each of their provincial dances, as a collaboration which came out spectacular.

The National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is unhappy and disappointed over the decision to cancel the coveted Goroka Show 2021 on the eleventh hour. NGCB acting Chief Executive Officer Imelda Agon said the decision to cancel the infamous biggest and oldest show in Papua New Guinea was an irrational decision as it badly affects us the sponsors. “We have put in more time, money and effort to ensure the show is successfully delivered. The decision in the very last minute to cancel the Show has left not only us but other sponsors in an awkward situation." “Coming on board as sponsors during this health and economic crisis is not an easy decision to make, considering the ramifications and negative impacts of the global health pandemic." “As responsible sponsors, we ensured the Show Committee work collaboratively with the Public Health Authority and effectively lay out their plans with the strong emphasis on the implementation of the Niupla Pasin." “We are in disbelief to note that the show was canceled due to the current surge in Covid-19 in the province, while other distinguished shows like the 46th Independence celebration which was held at the University of Goroka, Rugby League tournament, bilum festival and public market at Goroka Town remain uninterrupted." “The people of Eastern Highlands from all seven districts have travelled to Goroka to keenly participate in the Show to make it a success." Mrs. Agon said as corporate sponsors, they would like to support economic impact programs and projects in the country to encourage economic recovery during this time. “Unfortunately, the cancelation of the Goroka Show will have great economic loss for the province and denies the people of Eastern Highlands the opportunity to participate economically in this iconic cultural show." “I believe not only the NGCB but other sponsors and the locals as well are not happy with the decision to cancel the show." “Undoubtedly, Covid -19 is here to stay and we need to be rational in making decisions for our people while maintaining economic activities,” Mrs. Agon said. Agon said the Goroka Show is a great platform to boost local tourism, support local SMEs, and economically empower women and youths which are the priority agendas of the Marape Government. The National Government, through the NGCB has given K200, 000 to support the Goroka Show 2021 because it is a great tourism and economic flagship program.

The 2021 Kumul Petroleum National Schools Rugby League (NSRL) championships scheduled to kick off today Monday September 20, 2021 at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby has been deferred by two days to Wednesday September 22, 2021. PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina said this was due to airline travel issues into Port Moresby. “We are flying in students from around the country and airlines have been fully booked since last week,” Hondina said. “And many people pre booked flights for the Independence weekend to travel home hence we could not get all the students to travel into Port Moresby at one time.” He said all the Under 14 to Under 18 Boys and Girls travelling in from Highlands, Northern and New Guinea Islands Confederates are now booked to travel into Port Moresby and their return flights secured. “The draws remain with the Under 14 Boys Kumul Petroleum National Championships set to kick off on Wednesday September 22, 2021,” Hondina said. “On Thursday the Under 16 Boys take the field, Friday will see the Under 18 Boys and on Saturday the Under 18 Open Girls.” He said the deferral was “beyond our control” however all is set for Wednesday kick off at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. “The PA systems, the big screen showing time and scores will be set up,” Hondina added. “The Juniors will experience playing at a world class stadium with dressing rooms facilities and all.” The CEO encouraged students, parents and friends in Port Moresby to come along to NFS to watch and support some exciting young talents from around the country on show. Gate fees are K5.00 per adult and K2.00 for students with ID. Children under 4 years old free. Tickets can be purchased at Gate 2 at NFS in Boroko on Game Days. Hondina thanked Kumul Petroleum for their support towards the National Schools Rugby League Championships.

As vaccine demand continues to outstrip supply and distribution remains uneven across the WHO Western Pacific Region, in a show of solidarity, the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has donated 30,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Viet Nam. Viet Nam is currently battling a complicated COVID-19 outbreak, in particular in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces, with aggressive vaccination targets a critical part of the Vietnamese Government’s strategy to contain the outbreak and relieve pressure on local health systems. Through ongoing sharing of information by governments across the WHO Western Pacific Region, the Vietnamese Government was made aware of the doses in PNG due to expire at the end of September, and made the request to the PNG Government. PNG Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Hon. Jelta Wong said PNG was very happy to agree to the request and that the National Department of Health responded quickly, working with partners to facilitate sending the vaccines to Viet Nam. “We know we are all in this together, as this virus is affecting every country and every community. Countries acting in solidarity and supporting each other in times of need is the best thing we can do and also the right thing to do.” The vaccines are have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and has been administered as quickly as possible, as part of expedited vaccine deployment in the southern provinces of Viet Nam. Acting WHO Representative in PNG, Anna Maalsen, said the sharing highlighted the importance of regional solidarity and in ensuring that no vaccine was wasted. “Situations in all countries are very different, including the scale of vaccine roll-outs, and we simply cannot afford to waste doses anywhere. This sharing by the PNG Government is a great example of how countries can and should help each other, especially in order to protect priority groups in high-risk settings”. The vaccine sharing has been made possible thanks to assistance from the New Zealand Government, who originally donated the vaccines to PNG through the COVAX Facility, along with support from the COVAX Facility and other partners. In Papua New Guinea, the COVID-19 vaccination rollout continues, with an increase in mobile vaccination clinics targeting remote communities, and strong support from government partners, including Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The issue of the government’s disbursement of the District Services Improvement Fund (DSIP) to Members of Parliament (MPs) has been one of a highlight topic of argument in recent times. The issue stems from claims by the opposition MPs in recent Parliament terms that recent Prime Ministers withhold these DSIP funds unless the respective MPs join the government side for them to receive. However, a recent research report undertaken by the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific finds no real connection with the issuing of DSIP that guarantees the return of a sitting MP as well the ruling government to remain in power. Author Michael Kabuni, a Political Science lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Science at University of Papua New Guinea said the report however identifies the lack of accountability on the use of this fund as well as the politicising of this development fund. “DSIP's are given to the 89 district MP's in a system that is common in developing countries where the centralized government responsible for service delivery is believed to be ineffective,” Mr Kabuni said. “On that basis MPs believe that DSIP is a more effective way of delivering local infrastructure projects.” The DSIP guidelines were set by the Department of National Planning and Monitoring in 2013, much of it intended for infrastructure, health and education. These guidelines were relaxed in 2016 where half of spending is under MPs discretion and the other half is determined by the District Development Authority. “Nevertheless, the MP still has large control over the DDA and have found to make selective payments in an effort to increase voter base.” Maholopa Laveil, another author and an Economics lecturer as the School of Business Public Policy at UPNG said on the accountability aspect, the Department of Implementation and Rural Development who is responsible had only visited 16 of the 89 districts in its last site visit in 2016. “Their report along with the Auditor General’s report have complained of funding inconsistencies, lack of capacities and projects being of substandard quality and incomplete,” Mr Laveil said. “The report suggests that if any DSIP reform is undertaken, this must be done on development rather than political grounds.”