Japan's release of over one million tonnes of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific is officially underway. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings has confirmed that the disposal started at 1pm local time on Thursday. "This is a big step and punctuating moment in the process of decommissioning," TEPCO spokesperson Junichi Matsumoto told media on Thursday. "We will have 30 years or so [to release the water], we will ensure safety and quality. "We will accomplish this discharge, we have to buckle down ourselves and we have to do it with an intense attitude," he said. TEPCO said it was an important step towards decommissioning the destroyed Fukushima power plant after it was hit by a tsunami 12 years ago. "Per day 460 tonnes is the amount of discharge. So if there are no troubles in about 17 days, 7800 cubic metres of water will be successfully discharged," Matsumoto said. Assurances were given in TEPCO's latest media briefing that if unsafe levels of Tritium were detected, the operation would stop until the water has been re-treated through its ALPS processing system and was safe. Daily monitoring has begun and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is also independently monitoring the process on site. "So, after a sea water pump is operated regarding the vertical shaft, the monitoring will become in service," Junichi Matsumoto said. The treated water is being discharged "continuously", he added. [caption id="attachment_44247" align="aligncenter" width="1081"] Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone[/caption] Holding Japan 'fully accountable' Pacific leaders are committed to holding Japan accountable should anything go wrong, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna said. "We've done our best to get Japan not to commence the discharge, until there is full agreement that it's verifiably safe to do so. But Japan has taken a sovereign decision. "And you know, that point is now past. What we need to focus on now is to hold Japan to account," he said. He said Japan has made a guarantee that it will comply with international standards and the Pacific will be watching keenly to make sure it stays that way. "Since the announcement of the discharge in April 2021, our leaders have been busy engaging with Japan. "The statements are very clear. Their collective statements expressing our concerns given our nuclear legacy issues and that position has never changed," Puna said. Pacific leaders are to discuss the issue face-to-face in Rarotonga in November at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting. Source: RNZ.Com

Kundiawa Gembogl member  Muguwa Dilu is now calling on the National Disaster and Emergency Service (NDES) to quickly move into provinces and assess the drought situation that is currently hitting the country. Mr Dilu said the National Weather Service has informed that the El Nino induced drought hitting the country will develop but it is unclear whether the National Disaster and Emergency Service (NDES) and relevant state agencies are moving to assess the situation on the ground and recommending mitigation measures needed. “By now we should know how bad the drought is affecting our people in the provinces.” “I am getting reports that fresh water sources are drying up and food gardens are being destroyed, and yet there is no official report to confirm or deny these reports.” “We are heading for a major disaster here but where is the NDES?” “It should be out there, assessing the situation on the ground and reporting to Government as well as the provincial authorities.” “I just hope our people are doing well out there despite heat during the day and the cold during the night that is becoming so unbearable, and I will not be surprised if people are starting to get sick, go hungry and have no water.” Mr Dilu further stated while everyone is sweltering in the heat and catching cold in the night, there is no official word from the NDES or from the provincial headquarters on the weather that is developing. Dilu added that in recent years, the weather has become unpredictable due to global warming and its impact on the climate around the world. “We have wet season and dry season and in the past, our people knew exactly when both weather patterns started and ended, and they planned their gardens and other traditional activities around them but today it has become difficult, and this has affected food production around the country.” He further added that back in the 70s and 80s, state agencies like the National Disaster and Emergency Services, the disciplinary forces, the provincial affairs department, and the provincial departments would have moved already and attend to places affected by drought and El-Nino. “The authorities would be in the villages assessing the situation and reporting to the government on what was happening on the ground and getting help from the communities.” “In those days, the official response in times of natural disasters was spontaneous but it seems, but today state agencies tasked to watch over such natural threats seem to play the wait and see game.” He is further calling on National Disaster and Emergency Service to go into province Chimbu, Hela, Southern Highlands and others who are under the drought watch and start making assessment as soon as possible.

The U.S. Embassy Port Moresby announces the departure of the Chargé d'Affaires Joe Zadrozny who served as Chief of Mission since April 14, 2022. Mr. Zadrozny first arrived in Papua New Guinea in August 2021 to assume the role of Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy. Prior to his departure, Zadrozny met with Prime Minister Marape to highlight our ongoing commitment to development and prosperity in Papua New Guinea and during the meeting, he relayed the message that the United States is committed to working with Papua New Guinea to reach its goals, including becoming economically independent. Chargé d'Affaires Joe Zadrozny stated that US President Biden launched the Pacific Island Summit last year which began a new era of cooperation between the United States and the Pacific. “Together, we vowed to promote mutual respect with the United States and the people of the Pacific Islands joining forces to realize a common vision for the region that's all about being free, open, connected, prosperous, and secure and since my arrival here in Port Moresby, first as Deputy Chief of Mission and then as Chargé d’Affaires, I’ve seen all our countries deliver on the promises made in Washington.” He highlighted that one year ago, US embassy worked with top American companies to launch the American Chamber of Commerce Coral Sea which will support trade and investment in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. “We then made our historic move to an upgraded and environmentally friendly embassy in Port Moresby, an enduring symbol of our commitment to our relationship and shortly after, we reopened our embassy in Solomon Islands, ensuring a long-lasting dialogue with the people there.” He further stated that in another historic highlight, Congress brought four members of Parliament from Papua New Guinea to the United States on the Open World program, the first time this program has operated in the Pacific. And finally, in the past four months we’ve seen the visit of the highest representatives from Diplomacy, Defense, and Development. “On May 22 of this year, Secretary Blinken met with high-level representatives from every Pacific nation at a historic forum at APEC Haus. On July 27, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Prime Minister Marape here in Port Moresby to emphasize our joint commitment to modernize Papua New Guinea’s defense force and work together on investing in upgraded defence facilities.” “And on August 13, USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited Papua New Guinea and announced the opening of the USAID Country Representative Office which will expand USAID's significant investments to provide life-saving assistance in response to humanitarian crises, facilitate greater access to clean energy for thousands of Papua New Guineans, help build capacity to prepare for future natural disasters – especially as the effects of the climate crisis intensify, and strengthen the country’s health sector that was strained by the COVID-19 pandemic.” He added that from his time here in Papua New Guinea, there were tangible results from President Biden’s 2022 promise at the historic U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit to increase US presence throughout the region and work together to advance the economic, security, and social development goals of our partners and more milestones lay ahead for US and the Pacific. “We are partnering with Johns Hopkins University to send the first cohort of leaders from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and other Pacific nations to the U.S. Pacific Institute for Rising Leaders program this fall.” He further added that the open World program will expand to include another cohort of Parliamentarians from Papua New Guinea as well as from Vanuatu so by the end of this year, the US Government hopes to open an embassy in Vanuatu and expand their presence there. “As I depart my post as Chargé d'Affaires, I want to reiterate our commitment to sovereignty and autonomy as we strengthen our mutually beneficial partnerships in the Pacific.” “My successor is looking forward to working with the people here to find ways to do even more together and to build a peaceful and prosperous future for generations to come.” The U.S. Embassy welcomed the new Deputy Chief of Mission Matthew Bunt on August 20, who will assume the role of Chargé d'Affaires, the highest-ranking position at the U.S. Embassy.

Pacific leaders are still on the fence about proposed plans to release treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific - with Japan set to announce its final sign-off and start date. The past, present and future Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) chairs - known as Troika - have not decided if they are for or against the imminent discharge. The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has been urged at its meeting in Port Vila this week urging Japan not to go through with the release. Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Matai Seremaiah said Japan's plans to release the treated wastewater from the destroyed Fukushima power plant site needed robust actions. "[We are] urging polluters not to discharge the treated water in the Pacific Ocean until and unless the treated water is incontrovertibly proven to be safe to do so, and [to] seriously consider other options," he said. This is contrary to former PIF chair and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who said he is satisfied Japan's plan is safe after reading the UN nuclear agency's report. Rabuka apologised to his Troika counterparts for going out on his own and backing the plans prior to the Troika meeting. The concerns have gone back and forth for months, but the International Atomic Energy Agency said the discharge plan meets relevant international standards. The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to make a final decision on Tuesday, after recently visiting the site. Japan's state broadcaster, NHK, reports the government is aiming to start discharging the water as early as Thursday. Kishida said he saw some progress in the understanding of the plan by Japan's fishing industry. He made the comment after meeting with Sakamoto Masanobu, the head of the National Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Associations, and other representatives on Monday. But Masanobu said he remains opposed to the release of treated water, as the plan has not won public approval. Source: rnz.com

PNG Power’s much needed technical equipment to complete installation works for its new Edevu Hydro Power Station and the Moitaka Sub Station have finally arrived in Port Moresby, directly from Shenzhen, China last night (Sunday 20th August 2023). A Boeing 767 cargo freighter loaded with close to 100 tons of PNG Power cargoes, mostly Switching Gears and Control Panels, landed safely on a four (4) hour direct flight, it is said to be the first of its kind. State Enterprise Minister William Duma, China’s Ambassador to PNG Mr Zeng Fanhua, KCH Board and Management team, Air Niugini and NAC as well as members from Allan Guo Investments, PNG Power’s CEO and PNG Power Chairman Mr McRonald Nale were there to receive the freighter airplane. Mr Nale acknowledged the State Enterprise Minister William Duma, the current government under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr James Marape, as well as Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited, for there continuous support to ensure PNG Power can improve in the delivery of cheap, affordable, reliable, and clean power supply to its customers. Mr Nale also made acknowledgements to PNG Power’s Development Partner, Allan Guo Investments, for its ongoing support and investment foresight within the power industry. “I would like to acknowledge Allan Guo for bringing solutions for PNG Power. This Edevu hydro will bring into the Port Moresby Grid, 54 megawatts of power, which will lead into more least cost generation, something Allan has gone out of his way without any PNG Power or State guarantee, to resolve within PNG Power and its Port Moresby Grid as well as the Ramu Grid.” Mr Nale further thanked Mr Allan Guo for his urgency in organizing this Chartered flight directly from China, to bring all the necessary equipment to complete the construction of Edevu Hydro and the Moitaka Sub Station. “Work would have been delayed by two months, If AG Investments and PNG Power decided to ship in all the materials and equipment.” Futhermore Mr Nale gave assurance to the Government, its shareholder KCH and partners who were present for the occasion, that PNG Power has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, however there are changes taking place to ensure PNG Power solves all its power generation and transmission issues. “Tonight (Sunday 20th August 2023) is a testimony that PNG Power is actually changing for the right reasons, and we look forward to commission Edevu Hydro in October to improve power reliability as well as cheaper power, within the Port Moresby Grid.”

Chimbu, Hela and Southern Highlands Province continue to remain under Drought Watch and these provinces will be on a three months’ timescale watch. The National Weather Service reveals that Southern Highlands is at Drought Watch with severe vulnerability and exposure levels. At this stage, El Nino Alert also continues, and the Climate Models suggest that a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event is likely to develop by early September and the impacts tend to be more extreme when El Nino events are compounded with a positive IOD event. Right now, the National Weather Office has pointed out that drought critical areas have emerged in parts of Western Province and the drought watch conditions persist for Chimbu, Hela and Southern Highlands province at a 3 months’ time scale. At the 12-month rainfall timescale, deficiencies linger for Bougainville, East New Britain, New Ireland and Manus as well as some areas in the Highlands and Momase Provinces. The long-term deficiencies will have different impacts to short term rain fall deficiencies thus this will result in low ground water, brackish wells and reduced stream flow may be some impacts observed at this time scale. So Chimbu, Hela and Southern Highlands Province all have a majority drought watch status with severe exposure and vulnerability levels. National Weather Service stated in the summary of the relevant climate drivers affecting PNG over the coming months that their ACCESS-S- outlook for September to November forecasts are average to slightly above average rainfall which will be experienced in Northern Province (Oro), Madang and East Sepik, and the rest of the country is forecasted to receive from average to below average rainfall. At this stage, El Nino Alert Status is still current according to Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently neutral, whereby the Climate models suggest that a positive IOD event is likely to develop by early September. During El Nino events, rain is usually reduced in most of PNG and the Highlands region sees a greater risk of frost due to colder nights caused by less clouds cover.

Ocean clean-up crews have fished out the most trash ever taken from one of the largest garbage patches in the world. The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit environmental engineering organization, saw its largest extraction earlier this month by removing about 25,000 pounds of trash from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Alex Tobin, head of public relations and media for the organisation, told ABC News. The vessels are currently on the way back to port in Victoria, British Columbia, after having collected about 50 tons of garbage in four weeks, Tobin said. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an enormous pile of floating trash carried by ocean currents and winds to the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is the largest of the world's five ocean garbage patches. It is difficult to determine an exact size, as the trash is constantly moving, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Ocean Cleanup has estimated the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to have grown to twice the size of the state of Texas, Tobin said. The patch in the Pacific has grown so much that a new coastal ecosystem is thriving on it, a study published by Nature Ecology & Evolution in April found. Garbage patches pose dangers to the local ecosystem by entangling marine life in fishing nets, animals eating plastic and other debris and by transporting non-native species from foreign habitats, according to NOAA. It is unclear how garbage patches affect human health, but humans may be exposed to microplastics from a number of sources from the ocean, such as seafood and sea salt, according to NOAA. It may not be possible to entirely rid the ocean's garbage patches of trash, especially since some of the material will take a long time to break down in the environment, according to NOAA. Plastics may never fully break down. The Ocean Cleanup's aim is to remove 90 percent of floating plastic from the oceans by 2040, which they believe is achievable, Tobin said. [caption id="attachment_43992" align="aligncenter" width="1058"] The Ocean Cleanup's "System 03" will be nearly three times as long as the previous system, enabling much more trash pickup. Photo: The Ocean Cleanup[/caption] The nonprofit has a two-pronged approach of removing "legacy plastics" and debris before the UV rays break the material down into microplastics, which are nearly impossible to collect. One of the most remarkable items they have pulled is a Vietnam War-era canteen. Other common materials are rigid plastics that float into the ocean and fishing nets, Tobin said. The system involves two vessels that have a device that skims the water to collect all of the debris. The environmental group is also working to clear the rivers that feed into the oceans of trash as well to ensure they are able to clean as much as possible. "Our goal is to kind of put ourselves out of business," Tobin said. "We don't want to be doing this forever and ever." By the end of the month, The Ocean Cleanup will launch System 03, a larger version of its current system of floating barriers. Its predecessor, System 02, which was utilized in the most recent mission, is about 875 yards long. The new replacement measures at about 2,400 yards long, which will lead to much bigger and more successful catches, Tobin said. System 03 is capable of clearing the size of a football field every five seconds, about twice the speed of the current system, Tobin said. The nonprofit has also been using artificial intelligence computational modeling to locate where the most plastic is in the ocean -- a method they named "plastic hotspot modeling." "It's sad that there's so much out there, but we're very happy that we now have developed a system that is tackling this more and more effectively," Tobin said. During the week-long journey from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch back to port, the trash gets sorted on the ship, and the nonprofit recycles as much material as possible. The nonprofit then works with partners worldwide to ensure that the products made with the recycled plastic are not ones that will end up back in oceans or rivers, Tobin said, adding that one of those partnerships is with a Korean car manufacturer that uses the plastics in the construction of electric vehicles. "We just want to make sure it doesn't end up back where we found it," Tobin said. Source: rnz.com

PNG Power Limited is advising its valued customers and the public in Port Moresby that they will be undertaking an important maintenance work under the Rouna 1 Rehabilitation Project this weekend. This project is part of the Port Moresby Grid Development Project and work will begin from 12.00 am (midnight) Saturday, August 19, 2023, to 12.00 am (midnight), Monday, August 21, 2023, and will affect the water supply in NCD. However, PPL anticipates that it will not affect the power supply in NCD. This critical work will involve cutting and blanking off the current shared pipeline between PNG Power Ltd and Water PNG after the Rouna 1 and 3 head-ponds. Once the pipeline is cut and separated, Water PNG will have a dedicated pipeline to supply water to its water treatment facility at Mt. Eriama uninterrupted. PPL wants to assure its valued customers that in the future therefore any planned maintenance works by PPL at Rouna 1 and 3 will not affect the water supply to Water PNG and Port Moresby city residents. PPL is now working closely with Water PNG to ensure this planned work is undertaken and completed on time. PPL also advises city residents to store enough water for use during the work as Water PNG will have a limited supply from their intakes at Rouna 4 and Bomana. PPL want to sincerely apologise to the Port Moresby city residents for any inconvenience that they may cause because of this upgrade works, they will undertake at Rouna 1.

Nawaeb District is one of the first districts in the country to present its acquittal reports for District Support Grants 2022 to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DRID). Nawaeb MP Hon Theo Pelgen and CEO Mr Buds Botikie made the presentation in Port Moresby recently after the Parliament Session to DRID Secretary Mr Ahi Vaki and officers of DRID. The report was compiled by the Nawaeb District Administration team under the careful guidance of CEO Botikie. MP Pelgen said although the DSG 2022 funds were utilized by the former MP, through his leadership he believes in transparency and accountability of all government allocations to the district. “This process of reporting back to the government, I believe provides the relevant authorities to see where the actual money is being utilized on projects and programs back in the district.” MP Pelgen added K500, 000 was channelled to Nawaeb District back in 2022 and the report of the usage of these monies was to be expected. “DSIP acquittal report for 2021-2022 is being compiled by the District Officers and will soon be presented as well to the same office.” The funding acquittal is a process that needs to be undertaken for the transparency and accountability of funds and sets the course for new funding approval from the National Government to our district. “As long as our reports are done accurately, we will not face much difficulty in accessing new funds to continue projects in the district for the benefit of our people.” MP Pelgen said Nawaeb District now is ready to receive its grants for 2023 financial year to support Nawaeb District programmed activities for service delivery for the people.

PNG Power is undertaking major maintenance work to improve power generation, transmission, distribution, and reliability within the Port Moresby Grid. PPL’s Port Moresby Power Grid Development Project is to maintain power reliability, quantity, and affordable electricity supply to its customers in Port Moresby and parts of Central province. Maintaining quality and reliable power supply security is one of the core focus areas of PNG Power and Port Moresby’s Central Business District is one of the main target areas. Two new 11kilo Vaults Express Feeder lines will be constructed, which will take power from the new Kilakila substation, relieving the current supply from the Konedobu substation and work will be completed by the end of 2023. Four additional feeders from the Kilakila substation will connect to the existing grid to relieve loads from the Konedobu and Boroko substations. There will also be a dedicated feeder to supply Port Moresby General Hospital from the new Kilakila substation. The construction work has already started on the 1st of August, and poles have been constructed from Butuka to the Sabama junction and will continue into the CBD via Ela Beach. The Town area is a major load centre in Port Moresby, with increasing energy demand from building developments in the CBD, Paga Hill and Pom Port Redevelopment so this grid reinforcement and upgrade work is expected to significantly reduce outage time and improve power reliability in the central business hub. The Port Moresby Power Grid Development Project includes five other grid improvement projects.

PNG Power staff and police in Popondetta in a combined operation recently have made an arrest on an unlicensed electrician. The suspect Gabriel Afuma, 42 from Mabututu village in the Sohe District of Oro Province, is in police custody and has been charged under the PNG Electricity Industry Act, for tampering with electricity lines, preventing a meter from properly registering the quantity of electricity supplied. This offence has a fine not exceeding K1000, or an imprisonment term of not more than 3 years and the suspect has appeared before the Popondetta District Court on Wednesday, 16th August, 2023. PNG Power thanks all its customers along the Kokoda Road and Popondetta Township, after they raised numerous complaints regarding Gabriel Afuma, who was bypassing Easipay meters for customers and making power connections to houses without the knowledge of PNG Power inspectors in Popondetta. A PPL spokesman mentioned that this is deemed an unlawful act and poses great risk and threat to the safety and lives of PPL customers, who have been receiving assistance from this Mr Afuma, an unlicensed supposed electrician. “Mr Afuma’s actions are very dangerous in nature, and it is a threat to all power consumers in Popondetta because he is not licensed and not recognised by PNG Power to practise as an electrician.” During interrogations done by police, Mr Afuma admitted having by-passed numerous Easipay meters, and made direct connections to various new houses along the Kokoda road. “Under Section 49 of the Electricity Act anyone who illegally removes, tampers with or destroys State property will be charged accordingly under the appropriate criminal laws.”

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) commends the Enga Show Committee for successfully staging last weekend’s cultural show which was held from the 11th -12th of August. CCEP Commercial and Sales Director Tim Solly echoed the sentiments as a Diamond sponsor of the cultural show. Despite Major Law and Order issues and major tribal fights in the province over the previous months, the Enga Show attracted more than 10 thousand people into Wabag town, a turnout that was not expected. “We have received nothing but praise from the positive impact the show has had over the two days, and this of course is due to the unwavering commitment from the Show Committee under the leadership of Chairlady Margaret Potane, her hardworking committee and the Enga Provincial Government.” Mr Solly said, despite many challenges faced by the province, Coca-Cola understands that since 1994, this cultural event continues to take place to remind, showcase and pass down cultural practices amongst the Engan people. “The resilience of the people of Enga, who have worked tirelessly over the years to establish the Enga Cultural Show to what it is today, is outstanding and we are proud to associate our brand with this event.” Coca-Cola and its Bottler CCEP PNG, anticipates the Enga Show to continue to be a drawcard for many international and local visitors and looks forward to partnering with the organisers into the future.