Kerebi DAVID

The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) has kick started its school climate change awareness at the beginning of this month as a lead up activity towards the Second National Climate Summit which will be in September. The program targets secondary schools in the National Capital District (NCD) and Central Province and is aimed at driving awareness of climate change in schools. CCDA’s National Communication Acting Manager Erick Sarut said 22 secondary-level schools will be visited in June and July to carry out awareness about climate change. “The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but is also a race we can win through education and awareness”, said Mr. Sarut. “The secondary awareness program is to educate our young, future leaders on what actions we should take to address the climate emergency because we are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.” He added that by raising awareness about climate change, students can develop a deep understanding of the challenges they will face and the importance of taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Schools that have being visited by CCDA so far are Gerehu Secondary School, St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School, Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, and Don Bosco Technical Secondary School. There are other 18 schools both in NCD and Central Province to be visited to deliver similar awareness this month. The school awareness program is also a key step in raising public awareness about the upcoming Second National Climate Change Summit. This is an important calendar event for CCDA to be hosted from the 12-13 September 2023 in Port Moresby. During the school visits, students and staff were informed of how they can participate in the Summit. “One is through an Inter-School Debate Competition, the Competition which will be held on the 11th of September 2023, for Secondary Schools in NCD and two schools in Central Province to register to participate.” “The Inter-School Debate will be cantered around the theme; “Promoting Climate Justice and Social Inclusion.” “So far from the school visits, the feedbacks from the students and staff have been positive.” Mr Sarut further stated that the positive feedback and interest from the students is an indication of how important the awareness on climate change means to them and how programs like the school debate competition are crucial to their learning. “On behalf of the Management of CCDA, I thank officers from CCDA, who are also the members of the Summit Organizing Committee for leading this awareness and I also thank the school administrations for accepting our invitation and giving us time to visit their School to deliver the awareness.”

The Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association is now preparing to carry out poultry and farming awareness and training in the Lower Asaro , in Daulo, Eastern Highlands Province. The training will kick off today. President for Highlands Framers and Settlers Association in PNG, Mr Wilson Thompson said the association has identified 40 farmers in wards 5, 6 and 7 from lower Asaro who will be participating in this trainings. Mr Thomson stated that these trainings and awareness will be based on the practical side of farming. “These trainings will be more practical, we will have a day or half the day on awareness and basic introductions and guidance to poultry, bee, vanilla, coffee and spices farming and arts and crafts and the rest will be practical, on the field training.” Mr Thompson further stated that the farmers who have started their own projects will be given support and technical skills step by step. “These trainings will see technical support from Department of Agriculture and Livestock, NAQIA, DPAI and Highlands Framers and Settlers Associations.” “Often time farmers see or hear others do something and they try it out themselves without proper knowledge on how to really take care of their farming project, and this is where we come in now.” Thompson added they have done this kind of projects since 2020 and have helped farmers in the Central Province, Ramu, Jiwaka, Chimbu and now Eastern Highlands Province, here in Daulo. “We are basically just doing community empowerment and engagement programs to encourage, inform and guide farmers to achieve market goals.” “We will be teaching farmers how to grow their produce or poultry, when and how to feed, identify pest or disease and all basic facts on how to do farming correctly.” This is for the start in Daulo and we are look to expand to all parts of Goroka after we finish here in Daulo. “We are running such same training at Karuvu High school for the people of Okapa, and will visit Henganofi, Lufa, Kainantu and further down to Yonki also.” Thompson also highlighted that all poultry farmers who are interested and have been asking to be part of such training, you chance will come next month. “July 15th, the Poultry Association in Goroka will be hosting one of its biggest training and awareness program in Goroka and interested Farmers who want to be part of it can state your interest through the WhatsApp group go see Mr Jonah Buka at the Goroka DAL office to register.”

Prime Minister James Marape has on Monday reaffirmed the capacity of Japan in upholding international standards while it rehabilitates radioactive wastewater from its destroyed Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. PM Marape said he had faith in former prime minister Yoshihide Suga and current Prime Minister Hon. Fumio Kishida as both leaders have given their assurance that Japan was doing everything in its power to maximise the safety of the wastewater and would not allow its release until safety has been confirmed based on scientific evidence. “Japan has been working on the handling of ALPS-treated water with its safety as the top priority.” “I have been advised by both leaders that the release of the water is being conducted in accordance with all standards – both domestic and international – to comply with the highest safety regulations for human health and the health of the environment.” “Both leaders have assured me that Japan would never allow the discharge of the water until and unless safety has been confirmed by scientific evidence.” “Japan’s work to treat the wastewater has been continuing over the last 10-or-so years since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in March 2011.” “It is best that the treated water is released in a controlled manner than if the radioactive wastewater is left to accidental leakage or other such unplanned exercise.” “I am also pleased to note that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been working with the Government of Japan to rigorously review the safety of the wastewater for release.” “For us in the Pacific, our position is the same as it always has been – a Free Nuclear-Waste Pacific.” “Papua New Guinea is of the view that Japan – with its high compliance to international standards and regulations – is meeting the requirements in managing nuclear waste, and is at the point where, if it is confident, it can safely release the treated water back into the natural environment, it should be allowed to do so,” said Prime Minister Marape.

The STEAM Fair 2023 was held recently by Kopkop students at their school here in NCD. STEAM education is a teaching approach which combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, and is designed to encourage discussion and problem solving amongst students. Under the theme “Enhancing Innovative Learning through STEAM Education”, students were able to showcase a variety of projects ranging from soap-making, tie-dying, building, designing, electrification and painting. Students were put into groups and had to work together as a class to create, design and build a project relating to all that they had learned in their lessons. During the recent STEAM Fair, Department of Higher Education Research and Technology Minister Don Polye who was a guest there, spent time listening, observing, and discussing with the students on the different projects they had on display. Minister Polye said that Kopkop College reflects a vibrant school environment that nurtures young minds and helps them develop practical life skills at an early age. "I'm proud of Kopkop College, looking around I can see the methods that your teachers are teaching.” “I can see confidence, I can see art, I can see innovation here, I can see the country here and I support STEAM. Let us all raise our young people to become better Papua New Guineans.” “I commend Ms. Kopkop and her teachers for all they are doing to support STEAM education in PNG,” said Minister Polye. Meanwhile, Primary School Principal, Mr. Satchell Ben, said that the passion shown by the students for a wide array of topics shows that Kopkop College has some of the most talented and intelligent students in class. “This should challenge the students that we are fortunate to have embraced the STEAM program in a time when the world needs science to solve most of life’s problems.” STEAM or science, technology, engineering, and math were initiated by the National Government in 2019. This was followed by the implementation of a home-grown STEM curriculum taught in the six schools of excellence, which prepares selected students to become leaders in their respective fields internationally. Its recent successor, STEAM, now incorporates art that allows students a wider opportunity. Kopkop College Secondary School Principal, Mrs. Roddy Abad added, “Here at Kopkop College we do our best to bring out creative thinking in our students through innovative learning so that they can relate to real-life situations and are able to see and ask the right questions.”

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.”