Following an announcement by the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council to name a new government building after the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, the Somare family have raised some concerns regarding the proposal. Prime Minister James Marape has issued a formal apology to the immediate family of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare for any insensitivities regarding the proposal to name a new government building that will house the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PM & NEC) after Sir Michael. “To my sister Dulciana Somare, the Somare family, the people of Murik, and the East Sepik Province, I extend my sincere apologies for any insensitivities this may have caused,” Prime Minister Marape said. He clarified that the proposal was preliminary and assured the public that appropriate consultations will take place, particularly as the government prepares for the nation's 50th Independence anniversary celebrations come 2025. “This was a proposal, and I assure you that due consultations will take place as part of our government’s preparations for next year’s 50th anniversary celebrations,” he stated. Marape also highlighted his recent discussions on this matter highlighting that on Independence Day, after the flag-raising ceremony, he had had a brief meeting with Arthur Somare and proposed a follow-up meeting next week to discuss this further, as well as the proposed Somare Museum. He added that National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, and Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Pilai Niningi, were also part of the discussion with Mr. Somare. “Once again, I apologies on behalf of the Department of PM & NEC, our intention was to honor the late Sir Michael Somare by naming the office, situated next to our Parliament and Judiciary headquarters after him,” the Prime Minister emphasized. Prime Minister Marape further noted that dialogue will take place with appropriate people and family so that during the fourth anniversary of Sir Michael’s passing in February next year, consensus can be reached to make the name change. “We will engage in discussions with the family and the people of East Sepik, including the Murik villagers, to ensure that on the next anniversary of his passing, the name change can occur, "he said. Additionally, the Prime Minister clarified the ownership structure of the proposed Somare Building. “It is a building that the State is procuring through the Build Operate Lease Transfer (BOLT) arrangement,” he explained. “Under the BOLT arrangement, the State will pay for the building through a lease-to-own agreement over 10 to 15 years.” Marape added that savings from other office spaces will help fund this arrangement. “We have lease arrangements where money saved by moving other offices to rent-free Sir Manasupe and Morauta Offices will see us pay off the new Prime Minister and NEC Office,” Marape said.

For the people of Munum Eka it was not only an Independence Celebration marking the country’s 49th anniversary on the 16th of September, it was also a moment to celebrate access to proper facility of safe drinking water and sanitation. This was made possible through a Digicel Foundation funded WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) project to bring clean, safe drinking water and improved sanitation to over 3, 000 people across four communities and two schools in the Anglimp-South Waghi District of Jiwaka Province. The celebration was a testament to the strength of a united community, one that has risen above challenges and embraced the power of partnership. Established in 2014 informally, Munum Eka Community Development Association (MECDA) began as an interdenominational fellowship group bringing together churches such as the Catholic Church, SDA, and the Four Square Church among many, but their mission went far beyond fellowship—it was about uplifting the community through development and livelihood projects that promote social and economic well-being. “That was my dream, to gather all the churches together and neighboring communities to come together to build unity to stay together, to avoid problems when we have fellowships, you know when we stay together, we will not fight and do all these kinds of things," shared Markus Malt, the Association's Vice Chairman. Through the years, MECDA has spearheaded projects that have greatly improved the quality of life in Munum Eka—building feeder roads, bridges, and rural electrification, while encouraging self-reliance through piggery, fishery, and vegetable farming. Yet, despite these advancements, one critical issue remained—safe drinking water. With polluted creeks and a lack of proper sanitation facilities, waterborne diseases were common, particularly affecting school children. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, MECDA formally registered as a legal entity, applied for a K50, 000 funding grant from Digicel Foundation's Community Grants Program – a program that gives communities throughout PNG a chance to fund meaningful initiatives in the field of education, health and leadership. "The main vision for us wanting to do the project is because of the lack of access to clean and safe drinking water," said MECDA’s Acting Chairperson, Elijah John. “We have a lot of fresh creeks within the village but most of the creeks have been polluted by landslides, there’s been a lot of gardening activities upstream and we’ve seen a lot of kids having skin diseases and some viral diseases within the communities,” he further explained. "This WASH project will change that, it will ensure access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation, directly addressing the health issues that have plagued these communities." “It represents hope, progress, and the potential for a healthier and safer future." At the launch event, which coincided with Independence Day, Digicel PNG Foundation CEO Serena Sasingian spoke about the power of community driven development. "It is fitting that we launch this important project on Independence Day, as it represents the power of communities to take control of their own development.” Chairman John highlighted that the Munum Eka Community Development Association embodies the spirit of independence—self-reliance, unity, and the belief that they can shape their own destiny. The Munum Eka WASH Project is part of Digicel Foundation’s continued commitment to improving education, health, and sustainable development in Papua New Guinea. Since 2008, the Foundation has invested over K176 million into health and education projects across all 96 districts of PNG, including K2.5 million in Jiwaka Province alone. As the people of Munum Eka move forward with their WASH project, they do so with the pride of knowing they are creating a brighter, healthier future for their children and community. They have proven that when people come together with a shared vision, they can overcome any obstacle—and that is something they truly celebrated on the 16th of September 2024.

Digicel PNG has announced a major milestone in its mission to enhance connectivity across Papua New Guinea by bringing its coverage to almost a million people. Since April 2022, Digicel PNG has significantly expanded its network, reaching all 21 provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, enabling more Papua New Guineans to get connected. Over the past two years, Digicel PNG has built 115 new mobile towers and upgraded 96 mobile towers to 4G LTE, achieving a 20% increase in its 4G LTE coverage, thereby solidifying its position as the largest 4G network in the country. This expansion has resulted in the network covering over 80% of the population of Papua New Guinea, including both rural areas and major urban centers such as Port Moresby, Lae, Mt Hagen, Wewak, and Kokopo. "This expansion underscores Digicel PNG’s dedication to bridging the digital divide and fostering economic and social development across Papua New Guinea," said Tarik Boudiaf, CEO of Digicel PNG. "By extending our mobile network to all 21 provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, we are making significant strides towards enabling every Papua New Guinean to get access to reliable and high-speed internet.” Digicel has the largest network coverage in the country, thus the deployment of new towers has been strategically balanced across the Highlands region, in Momase, in NGI, and in the Southern region, bringing the new coverage to almost a million people. "We recognize the critical role that connectivity plays in today’s digital age,"Boudiaf added. "Our new builds and upgrades, especially targeting rural areas, help to ensure that remote communities are not left behind.” Boudiaf highlighted that in fact, the majority of their mobile network upgrades have been concentrated in the Momase and Southern regions, with the New Guinea Islands and Highlands regions also benefiting significantly. "By investing in our network infrastructure, we are not just improving connectivity; we are contributing to the overall development of Papua New Guinea." "Whether it’s through facilitating better communication, supporting remote education, or enabling digital commerce, our network plays a vital role in the nation’s progress." Digicel’s expansion is part of Telstra’s commitment to Papua New Guinea, following its acquisition of Digicel Pacific in July 2022, thus this acquisition reflects Telstra’s dedication to supporting sustainable economic growth in the Pacific region.

The Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) through its Popondetta Project Office recently hosted a handover ceremony of two refurbished police quarters at the Sorovi Police Station in Popondetta, Oro Province. The recent ceremony was attended by official members of OPIC including the General Secretary Mr. Kepson Pupita, milling company representatives, police personnel of Sorovi Police Station and the community of Sorovi Village, which is mostly made up of oil palm growers. OPIC General Secretary Mr Pupita when handing over the two refurbished houses to the Sorovi Police Station stated that it has been the goal of OPIC to contribute positively towards the communities they operate in, and working on the police quarters was paramount to bringing peace and harmony back into the community. Pupita also mentioned that with the increase of law-and-order issues in the Sorovi community, it was a timely gesture for OPIC to complete renovation work on the two houses to allow for effective police presence back in Sorovi. The refurbishment of the two police quarters will now ensure that police personnel are back in the community and ready to perform their duties and maintain peace within Sorovi. Mr. Pupita also put forward a challenge to the community to work together with the police to ensure there is peace and safety because this in turn will have a positive impact on oil palm development within the province. "Oil Palm development was designed with the aim of alleviating poverty within the country; therefore, we must look after our oil palm projects so that our people can continue to earn an honest living through the oil palm industry." He also took the time to remind milling companies within the province to take ownership of small holder projects and provide effective assistance and guidance to oil palm growers where necessary. Project Manager of OPIC Popondetta Project said the refurbishment of the police quarters came at a cost of twelve to thirteen thousand kina and thanked the General Secretary for prioritizing funding to make this happen. The total cost of building the two houses was estimated to be over K12,000.00, and OPIC has pledged to continue work with the communities and create positive impacts within the six divisions. Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Ewai Segi upon receiving the keys to the two houses expressed gratitude to OPIC for the assistance given at such a time when law and order issues were prevalent in the community. PPC Segi highlighted that the police force has been experiencing setbacks in infrastructure as well as manpower and this assistance from OPIC will boost the morale of police men working in the province. "I take this time to thank business houses such as OPIC for coming on board to help the community through such initiatives." "These refurbished houses will be utilized by two of our police officers and so we are expecting constant police presence here to attend to law-and-order issues promptly," PPC Segi said. With the official handover of the two refurbished houses, OPIC Popondetta Project looks forward to a better and safer working relationship with local oil palm growers.

National Rugby League (NRL) fans here in Papua New Guinea, great news for you, this coming Independence weekend will see two former top Australian rugby league players grace us with their presence at the independence professional boxing showdown here in Port Moresby city. Sam Thaiday aka Slamming Sam, who is a former Bronco and Queensland Marrons who played as a second rower, prop and also as a Hooker, will be joined by another former NRL star too, John Hopoate, who played for clubs like Manly Sea Eagles and West Tigers and also appeared for NSW Blues in 1995 and was also a former boxer. These two greats will be involved in an exhibition bout at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex on Saturday 14th September. Oceania Fight Promotions Managing Director Maryanne Millie said the two will be arriving on Thursday with their respective teams and accompanied by a former Australia world title holder Barry Michael. Michael, who won the IBF (International Boxing Federation) super middleweight title in 1985, is now a leading Australian pro boxing promoter. “Those passionate about boxing in PNG are grateful for his commitment to work closely with OFP to help grow the sport in the country.” The boxing sport has great potential to provide various benefits to the country like promoting sports tourism among other benefits and anyone assisting in any capacity has been commended for their support. Millie mentioned Air Niugini as one such supporter who is assisting with the airline tickets. “The Thaiday-Hopoate challenge is part of the Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) Fight Night on Sunday night, which has PNG’s leading pro boxer Junior Kauko Raka taking on Indonesia’s Ricky Manufoe in the 60kg 6x3 match-up as the main bout.” “An additional bout to look forward to would be two-time Olympian John Ume who will be making his professional debut.” Mr. Millie added also that other amateur boxers who have already made their professional debuts include Jamie Chang, who won gold at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Female medalists Liranda Kidu and Goli Bali will also feature on the night against other PNG opponents in a program that is promising to be an exciting exhibition of local talent. Tom Boga, who captained the 2015 Pacific Games team and won gold, is also on the fight card for the event which is scheduled to start at 5pm, Millie said. “The day is expected to start earlier with top PNG amateur boxers up against each other as they showcase their talents.”

The Censorship Office in Papua New Guineas is now on track to regulate the local Music Industry and the Film Industry. This was stated by the Chief Censor Mr. Jim Abani at the Papa Buka Film Dinner night at the Crown Hotel recently. Mr. Abani mentioned that the Censorship office is about classifying films and publications, they are to classify the contents to make sure it is suitable for Papua New Guinean viewers to view. With the introduction of the new Papua New Guinea movie called Papa Buka, a film by the Native Arts and Fashion Academy in PNG and the Nali and Silikon Media from India Film Industry. Mr Abani was excited to censor and give authorization to the 10 new contemporary songs that will be used has background music to the film. “We encourage you Indians to come and shoot more films in our country, going forward censorship will still regulate, so it is a win-win situation for the industry and the people involved as well as the resource.” Abani further stated that most current songs in the country sang by all male artists in the country is about women. “Almost all the names of every woman in the country have been used in all songs.” “We the Censorship office are not here to stop young talents and their music; artist must try to sing descent song and promote our culture.” Mr Abani also stated that Censorship will continue to work with the Natural Cultural Heritage in partnership to promote our country, culture and identity. With the Government Vision 2050, the Censorship office now is in line to regulate the music and the film industry, and benefit from songs and films production.

Papua New Guinea must get ready to be featured on the global culinary stage with the popular YouTube show making its first trip to the land of a million different journeys, promising an exciting culinary adventure through both modern and traditional foods. The Best Ever Food Review Show arrived in Papua New Guinea to explore PNG’s rich and diverse cuisine on Friday 30 August, Port Moresby. Hosted by celebrity Sonny Side, also known as Will Sonbuchner, the show has over 10 million subscribers and is renowned for its vibrant and immersive food explorations around the world. For its Papua New Guinea special, the show will kick off in the capital city, Port Moresby, for the Southern Lag, straight after Port Moresby the film crew will be in the Highlands Region, specifically Tari, in the Hela Province. There the crew will experience the unique flavors and cooking methods of the Highlands, likely sampling traditional dishes prepared in earth ovens known as “mumu”. The journey will then take them to the Momase Region, where they will explore the remote village of Palambei in East Sepik Province, along the Sepik River. This area is known for its vibrant cultural practices and its staple food, sago. The final leg of their culinary adventure will be in the New Guinea Islands Region, with a visit to Rabaul in East New Britain Province. The opportunity to feature PNG on such a prominent platform was first presented to TPA by PNG Experience, a leading tour company known for its expertly curated tours across the country. TPA’s role ensured that Sonny and his team received strong support from the local tourism industry, through special discounts making it feasible for the BEFRS crew to film in various parts of the country. TPA has acknowledged the vital contributions of key industry players, including Air Niugini, Hilton Hotel - Port Moresby, and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC), these partners provided essential support in the form of discounted flights, accommodations, and local resources, making it possible for the show to capture the essence of PNG’s hospitality and culture. Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority’s Senior Marketing Officer, Simon Pih, expressed his excitement at Sonny’s arrival in the country. "We are thrilled to welcome Sonny Side and his team to Papua New Guinea, their decision to explore our country’s diverse cuisine shows our rich culinary heritage.” “We believe that through their platform, the world will get a glimpse of the unique flavors and cultural experiences that make Papua New Guinea truly special and also ultimately promoting tourism to the world," said Pih.

Brand new vehicles owned by PNG motors and Niu Ford were damaged by a catastrophic fire over the weekend Sunday, September 1st, 2024, around midday. The blaze, which started in an adjacent vacant allotment around noon, quickly engulfed the facility, causing extensive destruction and significant financial loss. The fire was said to have started around mid-day and spread rapidly across the storage yard owned by Express Freight Management (EFM) on the Papa Lea Lea Highway. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the site, and firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the flames and prevent further damage, however despite their efforts, the fire destroyed a substantial portion of the vehicle inventory. “We are deeply saddened by the events of Sunday,” said Steve Lane, Acting General Manager of PNG Motors & Niu Ford. “Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of EFM employees, and we are happy to report there were no injuries or casualties.” Mr Lane stated that they are working closely with EFM and relevant authorities to determine the cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage. The vehicle storage yard is temporarily closed and no customers of PNG Motors/Niu Ford have been affected. “We want to assure our customers that we are committed to continuing carrying on with business as usual during this difficult time,” Mr. Lane added. “We will be working closely with EFM and the authorities to discuss next steps.” The fire also prompted a response from the local community, with many businesses and residents expressing their support. PNG Motors and Niu Ford management team want to express their praise to EFM and local authorities for the swift response of their teams in addressing this emergency.

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Southern part of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville this morning around 6:13am. As per report from the Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory (PMGO) of the Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management, the earthquake occurred as a result of the interaction between the Solomon Sea Plate and the Pacific Plate just 155.46 degrees E, 6.88 degrees S , and 62km South of Panguna. It is of tectonic origin thus it was felt strongly in southern part of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Mr Felix Taranu Principal Seismologis from the Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory (PMGO) of the Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management highlighted that the earthquake occurred near the coast, however, the potential for tsunami generation is very low. There were reports of strong shaking within the localities of Aitara and Tokuaka, which is less than 10 km away from the earthquake epicentre. Also, according to Earthquakes Live the moderate shaking probably occurred in Panguna (pop. 2,900) located 55 km from the epicenter, Arawa (pop. 40,300) 65 km away, and Kieta (pop. 3,600) 68 km away also. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface. The exact magnitude, epicentre, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations however there is no other addition new information at this time yet regarding the earthquake.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces a daunting challenge with a 101% increase in new HIV infections since 2010, which demands a bold and comprehensive response, one that is both innovative and inclusive. These were the remarks made by Ms. Manoela Manova, Country Director, UNAIDS PNG at the launching of the National HIV and STI Strategy 2024-2028 on Friday 30th August at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Port Moresby city. “As we stand on the cusp of launching the National HIV and STI Strategy 2024-2028, it is imperative to reflect on the journey that has brought us here and the path that lies ahead.” Ms. Manova highlighted that this is a wakeup call because of the alarming rise in HIV infections in the country. “It is a wake-up call for all of us, it underscores the urgent need for a renewed commitment to tackling this epidemic head-on.” “While global progress has been made in reducing HIV transmission, our country has lagged, and the consequences are dire.” She stated that since 2010, new infections have doubled, and sadly on a single day in 2023, an estimated 18 new infections, and 2 children born with HIV, therefore the National HIV and STI Strategy 2024-2028 is our roadmap to reversing this trend and achieving the 95-95-95 global HIV targets by 2025. One of the most significant aspects of the new strategy is its emphasis on community involvement. The fight against HIV cannot be won in isolation because it requires the collective effort of government, healthcare providers, civil society, and, most importantly, the communities most affected by the epidemic. “By engaging local communities in the design and implementation of HIV prevention and treatment programs, we can ensure that our interventions are culturally sensitive, relevant, and effective.” “Innovation is at the heart of the National HIV and STI Strategy 2024-2028, thus we must leverage new technologies and methodologies to enhance the effectiveness of our interventions.” Manova highlighted that this includes scaling up education and awareness campaigns, improving access to antiretroviral therapy, and eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. She added that by embracing innovation, they can overcome the barriers that have hindered progress and move closer to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. “The launch of this strategy is not just a policy announcement; it is a call to action, it is a call for every sector of society to join in the fight against HIV.” She said it is a call for sustained effort, unwavering commitment, and collective action, therefore everyone must play their part in ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV. “As we embark on this new chapter, we do so with a sense of hope and determination, the National HIV and STI Strategy 2024-2028 represents a bold step forward in our fight against HIV.” “It is a testament to our resilience, our commitment, and our unwavering belief that we can and will overcome this epidemic.” She stressed that the journey ahead will not be easy, but it is a journey worth taking and all must move forward with courage, with conviction, and with the knowledge that together, everyone can make a difference.

Five businesses who were affected by the Black Wednesday riots on the 10th of January this year have received support from the government this week. The National Government continues to honor its commitment to promoting and supporting businesses when it presented substantial financial support at the value of over K7, 691, 000.00. Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu, on Wednesday 28th August, presented over K7, 691, 000.00 to five businesses whose stock and inventory, including buildings, were destroyed, and affected during the riot. Mr. Pomaleu when presenting the grant support to the businesses highlighted that such incidents ought not to be repeated in the future as everyone, including those businesses affected, rely on a safe and secure environment for their businesses to operate, grow, create employment, and offer services to the people. “I have been saying to a few people now that as part of our restoration efforts, we represent the intention of the National Government in helping those businesses and the need for them to restock inventory they have lost, the need to rebuild premises destroyed and burnt during the unfortunate incident of 10th January 2024.” Pomaleu stated that the cheque presentation honors the government’s commitment to businesses affected so that they can restock, restart, and pay wages and salaries to their workers who were also affected badly in the aftermath of the incident. “The incident is what we were all not expecting. It came about as a result of a collapse in policing through a very public withdrawal of services by police officers over pay discrepancies,” said Chief Secretary Pomaleu. He said the National Government will continue to offer its support where it can and encourage all citizens to support the businesses as they provide employment, goods, and essential services to families throughout the country and pay tax revenue for the government to provide other services like health, education, and infrastructure programs. “So, we must continue to support and help build and rebuild business.” “We must also help build a society that can exist in peace and harmony without needing the presence and visibility of such government authority as police to hold us together.” The businesses who were presented with individual cheque payments were; SYZ Investment Limited with the highest of K6, 552, 802. 52, TC Company Limited for K399, 299.63, JYVX Limited K300, 000.00, Pacific Pest Solution K271,120.00, and Food Pro PNG Limited Trading as Buffalo Burgers K168, 000.00 all for the restocking the loss of inventory. The final phase of this support is for the reconstruction of the properties and buildings that were lost in the fires.

Mt Hagen Eagles Womens team is looking for a comeback when they face the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers in Port Moresby today in the Santos Cup. So far, the team has 1 win to their name and 3 consecutive losses in Papua New Guinea’s national women’s rugby league competition. Coach Bobby Koke said the team is currently sitting on the 4th place on the Santos ladder and Vipers are on the 5th place, and they are looking at a major comeback in the competition. “Saturday's game will determine who seats on the 4th place, either Eagles or Vipers as we conclude the normal rounds for the Santos Cup and move into the next 2 weeks of final play offs.” “Wishing my girls best of luck and hope they put every training to work on the field," said Koke. With the hopes to secure the 4th placing on the ladder, Mt Hagen Eagles Women's club will be on the field to battle it all out because if they lose, then it will be the end of their journey in the Santos Cup.