A study responding to Tourism Promotion Authority’s need to determine baseline understanding of the scope for domestic tourism development has been recently conducted. Domestic tourism data collection study is an important tool for Papua New Guinea’s tourism sector, which has received recommendation from the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). The publication of this study in April this year follows a series of stakeholder engagements from 1 to 2 June last year, including a workshop conducted in Port Moresby which was facilitated by PSDI with the support of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA). It highlights the promise in PNG’s domestic tourism data before the pandemic and emphasizes the need for reliable data collection methodologies to inform policymaking and measuring performance in the tourism sector. TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo, said that the launch of the study signifies a significant step for PNGTPA. “As we embark on a journey to strengthen our focus on the domestic market, especially encouraging our people to explore their own backyard, establishing baseline data through one of the recommended approaches suggested in this study offers a start to quantifying the scope and nature of domestic tourism potential." Mr Uvovo highlighted further that the publication of this study marks the dawn of a new era for PNG's tourism industry. “It provides us with a clear roadmap to strengthen our vast potential for domestic tourism, laying the foundation for a resilient tourism landscape that benefits both our citizens and our economy.”

With Alternate Government trying to challenge Prime Minister James Marape and the government of the day in a Vote of No-Confidence, with members of the parliament running to and from the Opposition Camp to the Government Camp, the anti-Corruption watch dog of Papua New Guinea warns against the use of any public funds to fund their camps. Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) is calling on the Government to not use public funds to pay for political camps, such costs should be paid for by each member of the coalition and doing otherwise would be an abuse of official powers. In a statement, TIPNG also calls on the Ombudsman Commission to issue a notice to all Government Departments during this time of political horse trading to remain neutral. Of particular importance will be the role of state lawyers to maintain the integrity of their office and to not take sides but provide impartial advice to the institutions of state and our parliamentarians. "Rather than informing us of their political numbers, leaders of political camps should issue clear statements on their development priorities and also communicate how they plan to tackle corruption" said Mr Peter Aitsi, TIPNG Board Chairman. “MPs have a duty under the Leadership Code not to diminish respect for and confidence in the integrity of the State in Papua New Guinea, and this includes respect for laws on votes of no confidence, parliamentary processes and party registration procedures which should be independently administered in the public interest respectively by the Parliamentary Offices of the Speaker, the Clerk and the Registry of Political Parties.” Mr Aitsi further highlighted that citizens’ rights and media freedoms should not be undermined for political gain. The Cybercrime Code Act must not be used selectively to silence political opponents nor to suppress public debate as well. “The focus for the national integrity and law enforcement agencies during this time should be to protect and safeguard public funds, such as DSIP which belongs to the constituents of an electorate and not the MP, public funds must not be misused to garner political favor or loyalty.” Section 5 of the Organic Law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), defines corrupt conduct by a public official as including abusing official functions and exercising official functions in a way that is not impartial. He further added the Section on 45 of the Organic Law on the ICAC establishes a legal duty on those subject to the Leadership Code, including Political Party Leaders, MPs and heads of public bodies and state agencies, to report corrupt conduct to the ICAC. “These provisions of the ICAC support the existing constitutional powers of the Ombudsman Commission, under the Leadership Code, to investigate alleged or suspected misconduct in office.”

New Porgera Limited (NPL) made an announcement today that they will assist the Papua New Guinea Defence Force with the clearance of the main road leading to the Porgera gold mine and the Porgera valley, located in Enga Province approximately 30 kilometers from the devastating mountainside collapse. In a statement, NPL said it is mobilizing heavy earth-moving equipment on both the Porgera and Wabag sides of the slip to assist in the clearance of the road. A geotechnical engineer provided by the New Zealand government with expertise on landslides is also expected to arrive soon to advise on recovery activities. The mine’s community relations team continues to engage with medical and other relief teams on the ground offering assistance, which to date has included food, first aid materials and other essential supplies to the location. NPL is also coordinating with other resource companies in PNG to provide longer-term assistance by the industry to the victims of the landslide. NPL further said that there were no employees with residences in the path of the landslip site and a handful of employees living in the impacted area reported no damage to their homes. Despite the landslides, the Porgera mine is currently operating without restriction. Meanwhile, Barrick CEO and President Mark Bristow extended his condolences and sympathies to the affected villagers as they and the PNG government respond to this tragic event. Mr Bristow stated that at this time of need, Porgera stands ready to provide additional relief and assistance to support impacted families and communities.

More than 2000 lives are feared to have been buried under tonnes of debris and boulders in the recent landslide in Mulitaka LLG in Enga Province. Following this tragic disaster, the United States of America through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide the equivalent of approximately K2million (US D$500,000) for emergency humanitarian assistance. The USAID’s relief efforts will include logistics support, protection, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance. This USAID will leverage existing partnerships with the PNG’s National Disaster Centre and the Provincial Disaster Centre to ensure that relief meets the needs of the affected communities. In a recent statement from the United States President Joe Biden, he pledged United States support to the people and the government of Papua New Guinea and also shares his personal condolences to those whose families have been buried under the land slide. “Jill and I are heartbroken by the loss of life and devastation caused by the landslide in Papua New Guinea,” said President Biden. Also highlighting US commitment to providing support and relief assistant, Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock emphasized the U.S commitment stating that the United States is working with their partners here in PNG as they lead rescue and recovery efforts. “This assistance will help meet the immediate needs of the people of Enga Province as they begin rebuilding their lives.” Currently the USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance disaster response experts are working with the government, humanitarian partners, and donors to ensure that relief efforts are coordinated and tailored to the needs of the communities affected by the landslide.

Nothing beats the sound of Tolai Rock and Sepik Disco, these where the tunes Papua New Guineans grooved to back in the early days of the PNG Music Industry back in the 80s and early 90s. The best from the Pacific Gold Studio (PGS) and CHM studio will put together an act this Friday night 24th May at the Cosmopolitan, Tolai Rock Legends with likes of Leonard Kania, George Telek Mamua MBE, Kanai Pineri and Uralom Kania from the Jnr Kopex Band; they will feature the best from Sepik Disco, Willie Sebas from the Sagothorns Band. In an exclusive interview with PNG HAUSBUNG, Leonard Kania highlighted that this will be the first time after almost 30 years these artists will come together to host a concert at the Cosmopolitan in Port Moresby city. “I did not have support or proper funding, but I felt we needed to sing together for the good old-time sake, so I flew Telek and Pineri from East New Britain down, to join Uralom and I and we invited Sepik Disco favourite Willie Sebas to join us, and I flew him down from Wewak,” said Leonard Kania. Kania stated that they want to play all their original songs that made PNG Music Industry grow in the earlier years of music in the country. “This one night only, is the night we will play all the original music that most of you grew up listening to or most of Papua New Guineans had so much sweet memories attached to.” Telek also highlighted that it was sad when comparing music from the past to the trend of how music is created by young artist today because the original style, tune and taste is lost, computer software have taken over the true definition of becoming a music artist. “We want new artist and the young generation to come on Friday and experience the real taste of PNG music,” said Telek. “We want to refresh your memories and bring back the sweet memories and revive the feeling you felt back in the day when you were listening to Tolai Rock and Sepik Disco.” Tickets for the concert are going for K50 presold and K60 at the gate. These five legends invite fans who grew up to their songs and promise to give them a night to remember. Kanai Pineri also shared a piece, stating that even though they are old, they sure will give all those who turn up for the night the very best of Tolai Rock and Sepik Disco. “Mipla no kam long pilai Boom box (We are not here to play from a boom box) but we will deliver the best of live band this Friday Night, 24th May at the Cosmopolitan.” All 5-legend artist will each play 6 of their best hit songs and the main act of the night and closing artist will be Leornard Kania.

With the National Census just five weeks away from commencing, the Gulf Provincial Government has come onboard with an official signing of memorandum recently with the National Statistical Office (NSO) to ensure the Census is also conducted in the Gulf Province. With few provinces remaining to sign MOA’s with the NSO, preparation is well underway for the National Census that will be conducted in the country from June 17th to 30th, 2024. Gulf Provincial Administrator, Mr. Gabriel Opa gave assurance that his administration and the province will work together when signing the agreement with the National Statistician John Igitoi. “National Census is an important National Government agenda and as Provincial Government, we will give the necessary support to ensure the event is successfully implemented in Gulf Province.” "Census is important for the country and our Provincial Government to use the exact statistics and Population data provided by the NSO for us to use in our development plan," Mr. Opa added.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the National Statistical Office and the Simbu Provincial Government was signed recently to mark Simbu Provincial Government’s commitment to participate in the upcoming National Population Census. The Simbu Provincial Government vowed its commitment through the provincial Administrator John Punde who signed the MOA during the weeklong Highland regional workshop conducted in Jiwaka province last week. Simbu Administrator Mr. Punde at the signing of the memorandum highlighted that Census is critical for national development planning and that data is important for the government to do its planning by knowing its demographic, social indicators and economic activity happening in the country. “Simbu province has a total population of 376,473 in the 2011 census; however, the figures might be dramatically increased in the last 13 years.” “Therefore, it is important that the provincial planners must know the exact number of people living in the province.” Mr Punde stated that most programs for this year have fixed budget set for them already and with the signing of the MOA for the National Census an adjustment will be made to facilitate this important program. “At the moment we cannot commit anything yet because at the administrative level we managed a program-based budget.” “Everything we do is a program based, we do a costing and attached a budget put the indicators, the KPIs which is already fixed for the financial year.” Mr. Punde raised this issue as a challenge for the Simbu provincial government which his finance manager has been task to pave a way forward to accommodate Census in Simbu province this year. He added that due to the significance of the national event, SPG has pledge support to the National Statistical Office to work in partnership for the conduct of Census in the six districts of Simbu Province. Meanwhile, National Statistician John Igitoi present at the signing thanked the Simbu provincial administrator for their support to the success of Census in Simbu Province. “I would like to thank Simbu Provincial Administrator John Punde and Governor Noah Kool for their commitment and support to the National Population Census in Simbu,” said Mr Igitoi. “The Memorandum of Agreement solidifies the partnership with all our provincial government and the National Statistical Office through a shared partnership and responsibility in ensuring this national event as sanctioned by the Marape-Rosso Government is conducted successfully in all our provinces.”

The Kickboxing 8 men elimination show is set to go down in the month of July, this year, with fighters to fight in the 65kg and 70kg divisions respectively. Head Hunter Mr Stanley Nandex, President of the PNG Kick boxing Federation told PNG HAUSBUNG that the fight will be an important one and is set to go down in the 7th of July, 2024 as a one day event. “65kg and 70kg divisions will be battling for the last man standing while our international representatives will be taking on themselves as part of their lead up match and preparations for September Showdown at the Hilton Hotel.” Mr Nandex also mentioned that the with big fight coming up tickets are all ready and all fighters, fans and officials of the PNG Kickboxing Federation and its affiliated members in the vicinity of the Nation’s capital are urged to pick up the tickets from him and do tickets sales starting, 1st May 2024. “Our target is to raise enough money to send our fighters to Spain for the World Kickboxing Championships.” “Our aim is to fill up the Sir John Guise Indoor complex including corporate bookings.” “The show that is to go down on July 7th is important because the money raised for this local event will help the PNG Kick boxing Federation host our next big fight in September and also help send our International Fighters to Spain, therefore all are urged to show support through selling and purchasing of our tickets for the July 7th Kickboxing 8 men elimination show down.”

A K1.2 million funding was approved recently by the World Bank and this money will benefit the Cocoa farmers of the Tabar Group of Islands Cocoa Cooperative Society Limited. The Tabar Group of Islands Cocoa Rehabilitation and Development partnership project proposal was developed by Simberi Gold Company Limited (SGCL) recently and this funding was done through the Papua New Guinea Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification Project (PACD), to facilitate the development of a competitive and diversified cocoa value chains. The signing of the partnership agreement occurred recently at Kavieng between PACD, SGCL and the Tabar Group of Islands Cocoa Cooperative Society Limited. SGCL Community Relations Manager, Mr Andrew Taram stated that the creation of a cocoa industry as a sustainability project, that St. Babara Simberi Operations is supporting, is not a foreign concept, it is a practise that fits the current business model of creating post closure sustainable businesses that is through the cooperative approach. With the current business model of creating post closure sustainable businesses by St Babara Simberi, the creation of the cocoa industry as a sustainability project is not a foreign concept, this was revealed by SCL Community Relations Manager Mr Andrew Taram. Mr Taram further highlighted that SGCL as the lead partner in this project has work collaboratively with the Tabra Island Cocoa farmers and helped in finalizing their registrations last year, thus this has now paved the way for the much needed PACD Funding that supplements SGCL’s funding to enable and accelerate a truly functional cooperative entity to be managed and owned by the Tabar farmers themselves, with the ongoing support from the company and stakeholders. “We have a vision that aligns with and supports the cooperative model but one that will vigorously promote good governance, transparency, accountability, and sustainability for all partners to this cocoa project.” “Our focus on planning for eventual mine closure is on ensuring that sustainability is not only lip-service but practically executed in such Page 2 of 3 sustainable livelihood projects to do what we say and deliver to the promise.” The New Ireland Provincial Administration Economic Sector Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Edward Lasisi stated the mine should capture sustainable development projects in the province because one day the mining resource development projects in the province will end. Mr Lasist believes that the PACD cocoa partnership project will be successful for the people of Tabar in the long run. PACD Cocoa Project Manager Mr. Roland Kerina stated that, this was an unprecedented event, for a resource developer like Simberi Gold Mine Limited to be granted external funding from PACD, through a stringent selection process. “The company met all the necessary funding requirements out of more than seventy proposals.” “The scope of the project proposal met the funding objectives, and it was for the struggling cocoa farmers and to encourage more participation to meet global market demands.” Also speaking on behalf of the cocoa farmers was Tabar Group of Islands Cooperative Society Chairman, Tony Meka further who highlighted that this is a model project for the entire province, to learn from and adopt in other Local Level Government constituencies. The Tabar Group of Islands Cocoa Rehabilitation and Development partnership project is aimed at integrating small holder producers in Simberi, Tatau, Mapua and Big Tabar Island, in new business models, technical capacity building, aggregated field production and post-harvest management and improving competitive markets for the cocoa produce in Tabar. Mr Meka reminded the stakeholders that TGI Cooperative Society will not work in isolation and needs the support of all stakeholders, for it to meet expectations and build donor confidence.

The 2Mile Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the city of Port Moresby has joined thousands of other Adventist believers across the country in running awareness programs for the PNG for Christ Program that will commence on Friday 26th of April and ending on 12th May. The awareness program was led by their Youths, Pathfinders and Adventurers who held a march rally across the Moresby South area from Murray Barracks down to 2mile, Talai, Gorobe, Badili area, Koki and Kaugere area for the last 3 Saturday afternoons. The awareness program was also an invitation call made to all residents of Moresby South to come join in the biggest Crusade to be ever held in the country for 3 weeks, which will be preached in all 22 provinces in the country. With more than 2, 000 live down links sites for people who will not be able to be physically present to watch, this crusade will also be watch live on Facebook. In a recent circular released from the Central Papuan Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pr. Nathan Kaipu, Director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministry, confirmed that the General Conference President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Pr. Ted Wilson and his team from the General Conference will arrived on Thursday 25th April at around 5: 15am at the Jacksons International Airport and all church members are invited to come and welcome the World President. An evening fellowship will be held at the Sir John Guise stadium in the evening before Pr. Wilson leaves for Banz in Jiwaka to kick of The Revelation of Hope Crusade. The PNG for Christ Crusade will also provide free health specialist services to everyone on the country who needs specialist help. A powerful Adventist International Medical Specialist team with the assistants for the National medical support team are already now in Togoba, Western Highlands Province offering free specialist services. The medical team and their services will be there for the duration of the PNG for Christ Program and invitation is open to anyone in the country who needs specialist care and service to go to Togoba and get free medical service. Every Papua New Guinean is invited to attend the PNG for Christ Crusade at all Seventh Day Adventist Churches, crusade sites and even online to hear about the great Revelation of Hope message.

After a relatively well organised and peaceful day of voting in Solomon Islands, the electoral commission is working with donor partners to safely transport ballot boxes from polling stations all over the country to centrally located counting venues. It is a massive exercise with over 200 New Zealand Defence Force personnel providing logistical support across the 29,000 square kilometre sprawling island chain to ensure that those who want to vote have an opportunity to do so. Chief electoral officer Jasper Anisi said there were some preliminary processes to be completed once all ballot boxes were accounted for but he expected counting to begin on Thursday. "Mostly it will be verification of ballot boxes and ballot papers from the polling stations. But once verification is done then counting will automatically start," Anisi said. The big issues So what were the big election issues for Solomon Islanders at the polls on Wednesday? A lack of government services, poor infrastructure development and the establishment of diplomatic ties with China are some of the things voters in the capital Honiara told RNZ Pacific they cared about on Wednesday. Timothy Vai said he was unhappy with the former government's decision to cut ties with Taiwan in 2019 so it could establish ties with China. "I want to see a change. My aim in voting now is for a new government. Because we are a democratic country but we shifted [diplomatic ties] to a communist country," Vai said. Another voter, Minnie Kasi, wanted leaders to do more for herself and her community. "My voting experience was good. I came to vote for the right person. "Over the past four years I did not see anything delivered by the person I voted for last time which is why I am voting for the person I voted for today," Kasi said. While Ethel Manera felt there was a lack of development and basic government services in her constitutency. "Some infrastructure and sanitation [projects] they have not developed and they are still yet to develop and that is what I see should be developed in our country," Manera said. This is the first time the country has conducted simultaneous voting for national and provincial election candidates. Anisi has said they would start by tallying the provincial results. "The provincial results we count in wards," he said. "So wards have smaller numbers compared to the constituencies so you need to count all the wards in order to get the constituency number." Some visiting political experts and local commentators in Honiara think delaying the announcement of the national election results might pose a security risk if it takes too long and voters grow impatient. But others say it is a good strategy because historically supporters of national candidates who win hold noisy public celebrations and if this is done first it could disrupt the counting of provincial results. Source: RNZ. Com

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the southern coast of East New Britain (ENB) province this morning at around 6:57am. 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 interaction between the Solomon Sea and South Bismarck micro plates, in the vicinity of Pomio District, approximately 200 km southwest of Kokopo, East New Britain Province and about 588 kilometres northeast of Port Moresby city. Acting Assistant Director for PMGO, Mr Matthew Moihoi told PNG HAUSBUNG that the depth of the earth quake is 81 kilometre and its location on the scale is 5.88 degrees S, 151.02 degrees, at the deeper part of the subducting Solomon Sea Plate at an area of known seismic zone. “The people of Pomio felt the most effect and at the same time the earthquake may have been felt in Kimbe and other parts on New Britain Island,” he said. “At the meantime, there has not been any report of any damages from this earthquake received by PMGO in the affected areas.” Mr. Moihoi further clarified that the earthquake occurred in land and therefore, no tsunami warning has been issued.