A peaceful protest for Taxi Drivers Safety was held on Wednesday this week in Lae Morobe province by taxi drivers after a fellow elderly taxi driver was stabbed three times and once to his neck on Monday early hours along the Cassowary Road. The taxi driver is currently in Angau Hospital fighting for his life. Mr Steven Pup, a cab driver with Irap Taxi services in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG that he and other taxi drivers held a peaceful protest down at the Ignatius Kilage stadium where they were met by the police and presented grievance to police about safety concerns on the roads of Lae City. Mr Pup said they asked Lae Traffic Police to identify dangerous location and allocate designated areas for taxis to stop or turn when taking a passenger on that route. Pup said expect a response from police come 25th June. “Places we taxi drivers have identified as hot spot areas are Bumbu, Papuan Compound, 4mile, Malahang and Hanta Malahang.” “These areas we will not enter we will drop passengers at locations that are safe and easier for us to turn and go back because many time most taxi drivers have become victims of holdup and violence at these locations.” Mr Pup added that most times taxi drivers in Lae have become victims of hold ups because criminals think that they make a lot of money, but in fact they hardly make K200 a day. He added that taxi drivers agree that because they have become targets for holdups, they now plan to carry on board bush knives as protection. “This is not to scare our clients off; however this is for our own protection because often time criminals tend to pose also as customers and attack us while we are driving them to whatever direction they give.” “If police see bush knife inside our taxis during road checks please understand that we are only one person on the road risking our lives to serve the people of Lae city transport needs and our safety counts especially with high crime rate towards taxi drivers.”

Teachers Savings and Loan Society (TISA) after announcing a massive 9% interest bonus for its 63,000 plus members this week, said they’re well on track to becoming a commercial bank in six-seven months time. TISA Chief Executive Officer Mr Michael Koisen saaid TISA is a significant financial institution in Papua New Guinea and in the South Pacific, with ambitions to become a bank soon. “The Bank of PNG has granted TISA a Provisional License to become a bank and the Society is now working towards achieving some of the operational requirements before we open up as a bank.” Koisen elaborated that the drive for TISA’s intension and strategy to become a bank is because the country needs a bank that focused on serving the needs of the ordinary Papua New Guineans. “Right now, there are cues, where our people have to line up and wait to be served.” “The retail sector is underserved, and it needs a bank that cares about the people, to step in and provide them relief and it’s important that all stake holders, business communities and the government give that support.” “PNG needs another Bank.” Mr Koisen further said that 80% of our population in the rural areas are unbanked, and someone needs to take the risk, pay the cost to reach put to the people because everyone needs to participate in banking. “70% of the bulk of population both in the urban and rural have access to mobile phone services; however, it is a very sad scenario when a alrger majority of our people do not have access to any banking services.” “Banking has been in PNG for over 100 years and yet 80% of our people do not have access to banking and don’t have bank accounts.” “Hence TISA will take the challenge to provide banking solution to the unbanked in this country.” “Therefore, TISA wants to step in and give the privilege of accessing the banking service to the ones who do not have access to banking.” Mr Koisen highlighted that with the current issues face by commercial banking systems, TISA will be cautious in preparations. “Preparations and planning is so important to implementation and migration of banking system and right now we are in full steam in ensuring that the systematic ration testing is done properly and completely, user acceptance is done adequately and that all employees are trained well so they can assist customers to use the systems properly.” “With that, TISA is looking at becoming a bank on the 6 – 7 months which we believe is possible.” “When we become a bank, automatically our 18 branches nationwide automatically switch to bank status also and we are looking at adding 3 more branches in Hela Province, Jiwaka and Kerema respectively.”

Teachers Savings and Loans Society (TISA) has just announced an additional 2% one-off special bonus interest totaling K6.71 million to be paid to its 63, 000 plus members Yumi Accounts today. This was made known at a press conference at the TISA Haus in Port Moresby today. Chairman for TISA Mr Gabriel Tai said this additional bonus interest is to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of TISA’s operation in the country. TISA announced a 7% interest on the 25th May this year for the financial year 2022 for its members, and today Tisa further announced an additional 2% bonus interest, bringing the total interest paid to TISA Members for the financial year 2022 to a record of 9% interest. “This is a record, this is the biggest additional interest TISA has ever paid,” he said. Mr Tai added that TISA performed well in 2022 and made a profit after tax of K76.49 million and K6.71 million is now paid as bonus to its loyal members. “On behalf of the Board of Management, I want to thank all our loyal TISA members for your continued support because you are the cornerstone of the growth of our organisation over the last 50 years.” Mr Tai further stated that TISA remains committed to providing affordable financial products, quality customers’ services and paying better returns to all their valued members.

With about 2,000,000 acres of virgin rainforest and height of 2,507 metres (8,225ft) above sea level, Mt Bosavi Region is setting out to become the next major carbon credit project in the country and the Pacific Region. Historically Mount Bosavi has been mostly untouched and undisturbed by the outside world for thousands of years because of the steepness of the crater walls and the terrain leading to the mountain. The collapsed cone of the extinct volcano is home to several endemic species of birds, insects, animals and plants. In recent years, the NGO group the Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative Inc (SADI) has being in the fore front to sustain and preserve the Mt Bosavi Forest. Mt Bosavi SADI Chairman Mr Andrew Awabi, highlighted that Mt Bosavi SADI has also been the only NGO group who has being helping the people of Bosavi change from gardening to sustainable farming and conservation of the environment. About 2- 3 years ago Mt Bosavi SADI went into partnership with WE-ACT, a leading Carbon Project Developer in Australia who takes lead in International Trade Consultancy to make Mt Bosavi forest a Carbon Credit Project area. An MOA was also signed whereby the people of Bosavi will be getting 52% royalty while WE- ACT Australia who will be playing the middleman role to link them with Viva Carbon Market USA will be getting 48% from the carbon credit project. However, all this is at the development phase and Mr Awabi is hoping that Mt Bosavi SADI can work in partnership with Climate Change Development Authorities (CCDA) so that CCDA can understand and recognize the work Mt Bosavi SADI is currently doing on the ground. “I am calling out to CCDA and the government to recognize what Mt Bosavi SADI is doing to preserve and sustain the nature of the forest as well as helping the people of Bosavi region sustain their livelihood.” “Our environment is an untouched virgin environment so as much as possible Mt Bosvi SADI is running awareness and training with the locals in the four LLGs to do sustainable and conservative methods of farming to conserve the forest.” “We teach the locals sustainable projects as well as the importance of tree planting after one is cut down.” Awabi also added that with the carbon credit project, it is still in its early development stages, and SADI wants to work with CCDA on this one. “Right now, we are forming our Incorporated Landowner Groups (ILGs) and also carrying out clan mapping before we roll out Carbon Credit Project so we know exactly how many people will benefit from which area.” Awabi added that they are getting help from the Southern Highlands Provincial Government, Nipa Kutubu District Development Authority, FAO, UNDP and other development partners but not CCDA. “With the acres of rain forest and the talks on Climate change and Carbon trade, Mt Bosavi is the golden ticket.” “I am calling on CCDA to recognize what Mt Bosavi SADI is doing for the people and the Forest, CCDA and the government must work with us so that we can archive Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Implementation plans as well as the Carbon Trade and Management Act.”

About 28,000 people in Aroma Coast LLG in the Abau District in Central Province have been cut off by flood due to continues heavy down pours. Flood has damaged bridges and culverts, isolating villages between Paramana and Kelerakewa on the Aroma Coast. It is also affecting the roads towards Rigo District along Kore, Mamalo, Mole, Ganimarupu, Kiapara, Alykuni and Karawa villages too. A PMV Operator Mr Uali Makara highlighted that this has badly affected the PMV operations along the Abau and Rigo Districts too. Flood has also blocked off road going towards Rigo District from Laubakalana, the turn from Aroma Coast has become impossible for vehicles to access too. As a result of the heavy rain many gardens are under water causing food shortage, this has also caused problems for trade store operators who are unable to travel into the city to buy new supplies for their stores. Flooding has also affected health and education system in the area, many kids are missing school and many sick patients are not able to make it to health centres for medical help. PMVs are unable to cross from either side of the road because of the washed away bridges and culverts on the Aroma Coast. He is now calling on the authorities to step in as soon as possible to address this issue. “Member for Abau District, Sir Puka Temu, Member for Rigo, Sir Ano Pala and Governor for Central Province Rufina Peter as well as the National Government need to intervene and address these issues, as it is drastically affecting 28,000 plus people in the Abau District as well as the Rigo District.” “An immediate solution for proper drainage system is needed, wash away culverts need to be fixed and bridges must be restored to allow services to flow along the Central Province Road.” Mr Makarai also stated that operating PMV has a high operational and maintenance cost, and PMV operators are concerned about the terrible road conditions which is a major contributing factor to the high cost of maintenance. PMV operators along the Cloudy Bay and Amazon Bay also urged these leaders to fix what is vital, the road. “Without proper roads and transportation services, people will suffer hardship accessing basic services.”

Mt Bosavi Region has not had any established mission or government run high school in their area and for so long students often go to Nipa Kutubu District in the Southern Highlands Province to continue high school education. That’s from Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Inc. Chairman Mr Andrew Awabi. He told PNG HAUSBUNG that the people of Bosavi have urged the government of the day to establish a High School in Bosavi so that children can get an education close to home. “It is the cry of all the parents that their children go to school closer to home then walk hundreds of kilometres by foot every term holiday through the jungles to get to SHP for education.” Awabi added that because of continuous rainfall in the Bosavi region in the few months most kids were not able to return to school. “The tracks through the Bosavi Jungle are flooding so as the Bosavi River and there is no way our kids could go back to school.” Because of no road access into Bosavi, children often spend a night along the Jungle track before reaching Southern Highlands Province thus too much rain is making travel hard. “If only we have an established High school in Bosavi, then school children from the four LLGs here can have access to high school education close to home instead of walking the jungle.” “Having no road link into Bosavi is worse but it is even worse when our kids have to travel hundreds of thousands of kilometres by foot in this modern time to get basic education!”

Sea Eagles and NSW star Tom Trbojevic has been cleared to play in Friday night's clash against the Dolphins at 4 Pines Park. The Sea Eagles released a statement on Tuesday morning indicating they had undertaken a lengthy process, both internally and externally, into Trbojevic's health after he was taken from the field late in Origin I at Adelaide Oval. "Our Chief Club Medical Officer, Dr Paul Bloomfield, agreed that Tom had to be removed from the field but at no point was he diagnosed with concussion," Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov said in a statement. "Furthermore, Tom does not have a history of concussion issues. Throughout this process, Tom has not been diagnosed with concussion from either NSW Dr Nathan Gibbs, Dr Bloomfield, or independent doctor, Dr Chris Levi. "Tom will line up for the Sea Eagles on Friday night." A huge blow for the Dolphins with forward Tom Gilbert to miss the rest of the season after dislocating his shoulder in Origin I. Source:NRL.Com

Carbon trading, once fully operational, will be the next source of income for the Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA) as well as for the country given its potential to generate income. CCDA Managing Director, William Lakain said Carbon Trade is going to be the next biggest commodity for Papua New Guinea (PNG). Currently, there are about 1 or 2 Carbon Project operating in the country and that number is expected to grow in the coming years. Mr. Lakain stated that CCDA will make a submission to the National Executive Council (NEC) to review the Climate Change Management Act and to also review the Carbon Management Act. Once approved, it will go to parliament to be tabled and once it is ratified, it will become the law to guide all activities under Climate Change and Carbon Trade. Lakain stated that this will then create the permit system and whoever wants to operate carbon projects will apply for the permit. “We will give them the permit, and they operate by the law so everything comes back to the focus of the government, so that government can generate its revenue through the permit system.” Mr. Lakain also highlighted that funding from the government each year from the budget is not enough to carry out Climate Change projects and programs each year; therefore, there must be another avenue to get in the much-needed funds. Mr. Lakain said funding is not always enough and gave an example of the funds allocated to CCDA in 2022 from the National Budget. “In 2022 CCDA was allocated K8million, K5.6million was for personal emoluments and the reminder K2million plus was allocated for operations, so take that K2million and divide by 12 months. Funding has been one of the biggest issues that we face,” he said. “That is why most projects that we roll out are funded by partners and stakeholders, and that is where most fund for individual projects come in.” Lakain added that climate change is a very important issue right now and if government is very serious about tackling the climate change issue, then they should start with allocating more funds to support Climate Change projects to improve and sustain all the communities. “However, one of the possible ways CCDA can start to make money for itself is through generating revenues from carbon taxes in carbon trading, so hopefully NEC and the Parliament will consider the review on Climate Change Management Act and Carbon Management Act sooner.”

A workshop on phase three of the national rollout of the Department of Implementation & Rural Development’s (DIRD) integrated Digital Reporting Platform was held recently.  The two days consultative workshop was facilitated by the Catalpa International, an international Information Technology expert contracted by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT). DFAT is responsible for the design and development of the Service Improvement Program (SIP) Management System (MS) and District Information Management Systems (DIMS) platform project. The SIP – MS and DIMS program platform is basically being developed to the DIRD’s specifications (users name) as required by Administrative Guidelines and Financial Instructions of 2019 and the Government of Papua New Guinea’s new Digital Transformation Policy 2021. The main goal of this integrated SIP-DIMS program is to develop a “fit –for-purpose’ program and data management system (the SIP-DIMS Platform) to improve on monitoring, reporting and assessing the impact of the SIP funds to provinces and districts in PNG in service delivery. This ensures the platform (Program and Data Management System) is available to all districts and provinces and provides substantial administration efficiency and cost-effective benefits. This is to also look at the availability of reliable data for districts, provinces and the national government for development planning purposes Speaking during the closing of the workshop, Secretary Aihi Vaki highlighted that the platform will highly support individual districts and provinces to manage, implement and monitor their own five-year development plans and SIP projects. Vaki said the program will ensure the SIP management system is coordinated and integrated with the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS)/Provincial Government Accounting System (PGAS) at national and sub-national administrations. “I challenge each and every one of you to take ownership of this vital program that will provide up-to-date realistic data and analysis for districts and provinces to make informed investment decisions to improve for better development impact and outcomes.” Mr. Vaki said this SIP-DIMS platform database will be part of DIRD’s structure under the recurrent activities, which will also elevate the department’s mandate and core functions to the next level. DIRD is responsible for the oversight and effective coordination of the Government of PNG’s policies and priority programs to support equitable rural development. This includes overseeing management and reporting of the SIPs which amounts to around K1.165 billion funding annually DFAT representative Counsellor Christine Charity commended DIRD and Catalpa International for their effort towards the development of the SIP- DIMS platform. Christine stressed that data is about delivering for citizens.  “SIP-DIMS platform is a public good, and it's meant to improve the interaction between government and non-government actors, between government and citizens, especially related to service delivery at the sub national level. And it's about providing the evidence base for decision making.” “We at the Australian High Commission appreciate the challenges for the PNG government in maintaining the system and in rolling it out to the sub national administrations. And I think the phase one and phase two of the program have elevated some of the challenges and some of the lessons and some of the potential way forward in a broader rollout of the system”. “So, we definitely commend DIRD and CATALPA for holding this workshop to ensure that there is a clear road map, a clear way forward for how DIRD will maintain and sustain the platform going forward, because ultimately, this is something for the PNG government and for PNG citizens,” Ms. Charity stressed. Vaki also added that SIP-DIMS data base system with the assistance from Australian Government through DFAT will enhance department’s competence to measure the performance of all 118 electorates, so that at the end of the day there is an effective system of reporting to the National Government and Parliament, also importantly a source of reliable development planning data for all levels of government.

The Solomon Islands has lifted all its COVID-19 related requirements and travelers to the destination will no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or COVID-19 test. This new measure is effective immediately. However, passengers will still be required to complete a health declaration card which will be made available on-board arriving aircraft or at point of entry into Solomon Islands. Mr Dagnal Dereveke, Tourism Solomons CEO (acting) stated that the announcement by the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) would significantly enhance the appeal of the Solomon Islands to those travelers who might have been deterred by previous restrictions. “The decision to drop COVID-related entry requirements showcases the Solomon Islands as a welcoming and traveller-friendly destination”. Dereveka added that this goes to demonstrate their commitment to facilitating tourism and also highlight their confidence in having managed the COVID-19 situation effectively; however, they will not be letting their guard down. “During the pandemic, the Solomon Islands closed its borders for more than 800 days, however the Tourism Solomons worked closely with the Ministry of Culture & Tourism (MCT) to proactively promote safety and service excellence across the tourism sector.” “This involved introducing health and safety guidelines promoting hygiene facilities, maintaining cleanliness, monitoring activities, and educating our people. " Dereveke highlighted that their main aim now is to continue to train their local tourism industry workforce to ensure they deliver a safe, healthy environment and experiences for all visitors. ‘’The timing for the MHMS announcement was even more relevant given in just a few months’ time the Solomon Islands will be hosting thousands of athletes, support staff and spectators attending the 2023 Pacific Games taking place in November.”

The meeting between Acting Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Gary Seddon and his executives with the Palau President, Surangel Whipps Jr in Port Moresby, explored more ways in which the airline company can expand its services to Palau and the pacific. The first Air Niugini PNG/Palau flights commenced in February this year, which saw weekly flights operating every Tuesday from Brisbane via Port Moresby and Koror (Palau) and has continued since. Both parties expressed that there are further opportunities to explore, to promote the sector, build interest and steadily grow passenger volumes. They further added that by connecting Pacific Islands to drive trade and tourism, it provides an opportunity for Air Niugini to strengthen its position as a regional airline, supporting the sixth freedom traffic, which is the right or privilege of operating scheduled international air services via the home state of the carrier to move traffic between the two states. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Air Niugini to participate in an invaluable initiative connecting people across the Pacific. We are honoured to have had the chance to share Air Niugini’s future plans with the President and his delegation,” Mr Seddon said. “This will further be underpinned by Air Niugini’s fleet replacement program.” The sector between PNG and Palau is supported by the Australian Government through an initiative to promote regional connectivity.

The spouses of the Pacific Islands leaders who are attending the 3rd Forum of the India- Pacific Islands Cooperation meeting had a tour of the metropolitan city of Port Moresby on Monday. Prime Minister James Marape’s wife Racheal Marape, Fiji Prime Minister’s Wife Sulutei Rabuka, Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s wife Emmy Songovare and Vanuatu Prime Minister’s wife Ellene Kalsakau started their tour with the first visit the National Museum. After the visit to the National Museum, they then proceeded to the Unity Shopping Mall where they were give tour on the different SME stalls in the Mall. The leaders’ spouses’ tour concluded with a beautiful boat cruise around the Port Moresby harbor.