A new water tank factory has opened in Lae to help families across PNG get better access to clean water. Rotomould Group boss Prakash Chand opened the factory on Saturday, saying the idea came from seeing people struggle to get water after disasters. “Water is life. When people have it, everything improves—health, farming, business,” he said. The Lae factory will make strong plastic water tanks in seven sizes. Chand said Rotomould tanks give more water than advertised—for example, a 6,000-litre tank holds 6,400 litres. Rotomould has factories in Fiji, Tonga, and other Pacific countries. The Lae factory will make up to 15,000 tanks a year and help cut freight costs by producing them locally. “This factory is for the people. We didn’t give up, even when others tried to stop us,” Chand said.

Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso says the new Rotomould factory in Lae will help Papua New Guinea grow by creating jobs and supplying clean water. At the opening ceremony on Saturday, Rosso said the factory will directly employ around 15 to 20 people, with more jobs created in transport, security, and other support services. “Every worker supports ten others. These businesses help families, pay taxes, and support schools and hospitals,” he said. Lae is now home to nearly half a million people. Rosso said the city’s rapid growth has stretched roads, water, and power services. He promised that road upgrades in the area are already planned. “This factory is just the start. The roads are next. That’s how we move forward,” he said. Rosso said he knows what it’s like to live without clean water and thanked Rotomould for helping families get affordable tanks. “I grew up using bore water. I want better for today’s families,” he said.

Residents of Rai Coast District in Madang are warning that sea piracy is becoming just as deadly as the natural dangers already faced at sea. Communities have long endured tragic incidents involving small boats during bad weather. But now, another fear is growing — sea pirates who attack travellers between Madang and Rem-Bonga in Morobe. “People are being robbed, boats are being stolen, and some travellers have even lost their lives,” said Bangan Siwo, Deputy Principal of Rai Coast Secondary School. “It’s frightening for everyone, especially our students and teachers.” Mr Siwo said locals often avoid using the main inland road, built in the 1970s, which is now almost impassable due to rivers and deteriorated conditions. “People risk the sea because the road is broken and unsafe,” he said. “But the sea is no longer safe either.” He’s calling for immediate government action. “In the short term, regular patrols by police or maritime officers are needed to prevent piracy and respond to emergencies,” Mr Siwo said. “Long term, we need bridges and better roads, so people don’t have to rely on the sea.” Communities are now urging all levels of government to act before more lives are lost to criminals or the elements.

A high-stakes police operation in the Gusap area of Markham District in Morobe province has left two people dead and a stolen vehicle recovered, following weeks of investigation. The vehicle — a white Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to JV Construction Ltd — was reported stolen in May from the company’s Walium Station site in Madang Province. On the night of June 30, police acting on a local tip-off intercepted the vehicle near Yang Creek. According to Acting Madang Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Robert Baim, officers from the Ramu Police Station attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over. “In an effort to halt the vehicle, police discharged their firearms at the tyres. The vehicle then veered off the road and crashed into construction rubble,” Baim said. A female passenger, identified as Priscilla Sam of Ragizaria village in Markham, was thrown from the vehicle. She sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Gusap Government Clinic. Four male suspects who were in the vehicle fled the scene, engaging in a shootout with police. The following day, the body of one suspect, Simon Ging — also from Ragizaria — was discovered by locals near Yang Creek. He had sustained a gunshot wound. Police said the stolen Land Cruiser had been disguised with fake registration plates, changed from LCA-60 to ICB-772, and was believed to be in the process of being sold before the interception. Superintendent Baim confirmed that the identities of the remaining suspects are known and that efforts are underway to locate and apprehend them with the help of the local community. A coronial inquest has begun, and the investigation is continuing.

Preparations for the local-level government (LLG) elections are underway in Madang Province, but a delay in the arrival of ballot papers is causing concern among election officials. Madang Election Manager Sponsa Navi confirmed that while training for Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) is scheduled to begin this week, election materials are still yet to be delivered. “We’ll be training our AROs over the next three days,” Navi said. “Thanks to recent funding, we’ve been able to begin our logistical preparations.” Despite these efforts, the absence of ballot papers remains a major issue with polling expected to start soon. “The ballot papers haven’t reached us yet,” Navi stated. “We’re hopeful they will arrive by next week before polling commences.” The delay adds pressure on election teams working in a province already facing typical logistical challenges, including difficult terrain and limited infrastructure. Still, Navi says his team is making the most of the time available by pushing ahead with tasks that can be completed ahead of the ballot paper arrival. With polling dates yet to be confirmed, electoral authorities continue to emphasize the importance of timely delivery of materials to ensure Madang’s voting process proceeds smoothly.

A woman charged with murder has been recaptured after escaping from the Kundiawa police cells in Chimbu Province. Martha Mane was found on 28th June in Mogiage, Salt Nomane, after a tip-off from the public. She had escaped on 17th June with 12 other male prisoners. Police also arrested her husband, an Auxiliary Police Constable Mr. Peter Bullie, who is accused of helping them escape by giving them a spare key. He had taken Mane to his village after the breakout. “Mane has been charged for escaping. Her husband now faces 13 charges for helping the escape,” said Chimbu police boss Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang. Police are still looking for the 12 other men and warn they are dangerous. The public is asked to report any information of their whereabouts.

More than 500 families in Morobe’s Markham District are picking up the pieces after flash floods destroyed homes, food gardens, cocoa fermentaries, and a local primary school. The flooding lasted three days and swept through villages near the Yati River, including Bicidi, Lusples, Nawatrai, Badarian, Yonki, Rope, Baniscow and Sakarak. Mr. Abraham Minzim from Ragiampun village said families were caught off guard. “It happened so fast. Everything was washed away — our gardens, cocoa trees, even the fermentary houses,” he said. The flood also damaged Ragiampun SDA Primary School, disrupting learning for over 500 students. So far, no relief has reached the area. Community leaders have appealed for help from the Provincial Disaster Office. “We’re in need of food, clean drinking water, and shelter,” Minzim said. “People are struggling.” Locals say they urgently need support to recover and rebuild.

Police in Lae city continue to hunt for the accomplices of a wanted criminal who was shot and killed by police following an attempted armed robbery at a gravel site near Nadzab recently. The man, Andrew Nelson from Koroba in Hela, had been jailed in 2020 for murder. He was supposed to serve 13 years but was let out early under strict rules to stay out of trouble, but he did not. Police say he did not learn from his lesson. After getting out, he was involved in several robberies in other provinces and even escaped from police in Popondetta in Northern province. Lae’s top police officer, Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban, said Nelson was part of a group that tried to rob a Chinese-owned gravel business early in the morning on June 13th. “We got a tip-off and moved in fast. Nelson was armed and during the standoff, he was shot and died at the scene,” said Kunyanban. He said it was disappointing that Nelson wasted the chance to turn from his bad ways and have a better life. “The court gave him a break, but he chose to go back to crime. It’s dangerous for him and everyone else,” Kunyanban added. He also warned others on parole or suspended sentences not to break the rules. “We’re keeping an eye on you. If you do wrong again, we’ll find you,” he said. Police are now working to find the other people who were with Nelson during the attempted robbery.

Lae police have issued a strong warning to vehicle owners following an armed robbery at the Coronation Service Station in Top Town, urging them to take greater responsibility for who uses their vehicles. The robbery took place on Friday 27th June at around 6:45am when four armed men stormed the service station and escaped with more than K20,000 in cash. The suspects fled in a vehicle, sparking an immediate police response. The vehicle was later found abandoned, and intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of five suspects at Ass Mambu back road. Two of them were injured and are receiving medical treatment. Police reported that the suspects were caught drinking with the stolen money. Lae Metropolitan Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban, said the arrests were made within seven hours of the robbery and served as a reminder to the public—especially vehicle owners. “Vehicle owners take heed: if your car is used in a crime, police will assume you are involved or aiding the criminals,” Kunyanban warned. “You must ensure the person driving or hiring your vehicle is trustworthy to avoid being dragged into criminal investigations.” This incident follows a recent spike in armed robberies across the city, prompting Lae police to increase surveillance and crack down on known hotspots. Kunyanban said police operations will continue as efforts intensify to dismantle criminal networks and hold offenders accountable.

Madang’s police boss has warned officers to stop setting up roadblocks and asking drivers for money. Provincial Police Commander Robert Baim said any officer caught doing this will face tough punishment. "Only authorized fines should be given. No one is allowed to take cash or hold a (driver) license without legal reason. That’s a crime," he said. The warning follows public complaints that some officers were stopping vehicles and collecting money illegally. Commander Baim reminded all officers to follow the law and serve the public fairly. He also urged people to report bad behaviour. “If an officer demands money, report it. Take photos or videos if you can. We will act,” he said. He said police and the community must work together to fight corruption and keep Madang safe.

Village court magistrates in parts of Papua New Guinea say they have worked without pay for over 11 years, even though they continue to serve their communities. One of them is James Imas from Ragaimpun village, Umi Local Level Government (LLG) in Markham District, Morobe Province. Imas has been a village court magistrate since 2007. He said that in the beginning, they were getting K50 every three months, but since 2013, payments stopped. “For the past 11 years, we haven’t received any allowances,” Imas said. “We keep giving our bank details and spend our own money to get bank statements. But still, nothing — just empty promises.” Village magistrates help solve community problems, run local court hearings, and keep peace in the village. They also support police in serious cases, even though they are no longer getting paid. “We are still doing our job, helping the police and our communities. But it feels like we are being used without pay,” Imas said. While some magistrates in other places are getting paid now, many in Markham are still waiting. “We are tired. We only want what is owed to us,” Imas said. Village courts play a big role in PNG, especially in remote areas where there are not many police officers. Without proper support, many magistrates are now questioning how long they can keep doing this important work. Imas is calling on the government to fix the issue. “We deserve to be paid for all the work we’ve done over the years,” he said.

Disagreements over landownership have once again delayed vital agreements linked to the Kainantu Gold Mine, halting the flow of royalties and development benefits to nearby communities. The delay stems from ongoing legal disputes between local landowner groups, which have yet to be resolved due to a vacancy in the Land Titles Commission (LTC). The appointment of a new chairperson is still pending, preventing the Commission from progressing with landowner identification. Mining Minister Rainbo Paita confirmed the setback, noting that while one court matter had been resolved, another was still being challenged. “The Commission can’t make any decisions without a chair. We’re waiting for the Department of Justice to make that appointment,” he said. The absence of a legally recognized landowner group means agreements such as the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and other arrangements under the Mineral Development Policy cannot move forward. This has left significant mining revenues tied up, with no clear distribution plan. In the meantime, government officials are attempting to mediate talks between rival factions. “We’ve been speaking with leaders from both sides,” the Minister said. “If they can agree on a way to work together, we might find a temporary solution while the formal process continues.” He stressed that any progress must still be anchored in law, but the government is open to practical solutions that ensure impacted communities are not left behind. “This delay is affecting people on the ground,” he said. “We want to get benefits flowing, but we also need to ensure the right people receive them.” The situation reflects a broader issue across Papua New Guinea’s mining sector — the difficulty of resolving traditional land claims in the absence of fast and effective legal mechanisms.