With the Digicel Cup 2022 Competition kick starting this weekend, the Central Dabaris team has named its 18 men line up for the round 1 game. Dabaris Coach Steve Gunua announced his 13 men line up and 5 reserves for their first games this Sunday 24th April, against the Lae Snax Tigers at the Lae Rugby Field. Coach Gunua said the Dabaris boys are ready to face the 2021 premiers on their home ground and give the Tigers a good game this coming Sunday. “My boys have been training so hard, showing great improvement in their ball works, handling and tackling skills and we are ready for this first game,” said Coach Gunua. “Makara Hura (C) will be captaining the team this Sunday and assisting him is Whallen Tau- Loi (VC)." "I have great confidence in my boys and I wish them the best this coming Sunday as they face the Tigers on their homeground,” Gunua said.

A two weeks patrol immunisation routine for Butuwin Health Centre in Kokopo District; East New Britain Province has started on Monday 28th March this week and will run until April 10th. Sister in- Charge, Sharon Turavai says during this patrol immunisation, they will be targeting areas where most babies have not been brought in for immunisation. “Due to the distance and weather, many mothers have not brought in their babies for immunisation. That is why we are targeting these areas during this patrol immunisation,” said Sister Turavai. This week the team of health workers from Butuwin will be visiting 5 villages in the Raluana LLG and next week they will be carrying out the immunisation program in another 5 villages in Kokopo Vunamona LLG. Sister Sharon stated that the patrol immunisation was supposed to be carried out early this year but due to the unavailability of a vaccine fridge, they had to postpone till now. Despite carrying out the patrol immunisation program, the health centre will still be running its usual daily immunisation routine at the health centre and Sister Sharon is calling on all mothers within the Kokopo area to ensure that they bring their babies in for immunisation. “With many kinds of diseases popping up in our communities, our babies need the best protection that they can get and that is through immunisation,” said Sister Sharon. Image Source: Butuwin Health Centre FB Page

The Digicel Cup 2022 Competition is 5 weeks away and whilst all other Digicel Cup teams are getting ready and cutting down numbers for their final team, Central Dabaris Rugby League Club has announced its' 30 men squad and their 5 shadow men for the Digicel Cup 2022 Season. Dabaris Coach Mr Steve Gunua said out of the 42 men he had, he trimmed the team down to the 30 men and the 5 shadow players who are currently all training together. Coach Gunua says with 5 weeks remaining the boys will be monitored very closely in terms of their attendance to training, their performance during training and most importantly their respect towards the club. “My main focus for this year is respect; all players need to learn how to respect each player, their superiors and everyone around them both on and off the field.” “If there is no respect then we cannot have a team with players all on the same page,” says Coach Gunua. Coach Gunua said respect is vital this year if they want to see the club progress in the Digicel Cup 2022 challenge because Central Dabaris for the first time in Digicel Cup Competition has made a name and history for itself when they took on board 2 female to be part of their technical team. “The players need to respect our female staff, Head Trainer Ms Dela Audama former PNG Orchids and Head Trainer and Ms Britney Murray, our Strength and Conditioning Coach. "Despite their gender they still play an important role in the club and the same respect duly given to the male technical staff must be given to these two women as well,” he said. “We are happy to be the first Digicel Cup team to be breaking barriers and giving women the opportunity and platform to facilitate their skills and knowledge in rugby league,” said Coach. Coach Gunua highlighted that so far it is good to see the boys cooperating very well with the two women staff and we are looking forward for a better 2022 season with this two women on board. Gunua further stated that with only 5 weeks remaining before the start of the season he is urging all the 30 men squad and the 5 shadow players to maintain fitness, show discipline on and off the field and all must conduct themselves like professionals because one mistake can be very costly. “I will not hesitate to make changes if it is for the good of the club, if you do not comply with club rules, I can just give your spot to one of the shadow players, "says Coach Gunua. He is also urging all the players who are on the squad to refrain from any off season league that is currently happening around the city because any injuries sustained during those off season leagues will be their own personal problem. The club will focus on the remaining players and continue its preparations for 2022 Digicel Cup Competition.

People with disability will be given priority at the polling booths during the 2022 National General Elections, says PNG Electoral Commission. Training Manager for PNG Electoral Commission, Mr Bale Kavanamur clearly stated that during the time of polling, people with disabilities will not have to stand in line to vote, however they will go straight to the polling booth to cast their votes. There will also be designated polling booths to best suit PWDs during polling. “People with disability do not need to stand in long lines like every other voter, however when they come to the polling area, they will be given the priority to go and cast their votes,” said Mr Kavanamur. PWD's will not only be given priority during polling but they will be given the same opportunity as everyone else throughout the whole process of the election period. “The Electoral Commission also allows for recruitment of the PWD's to be part of the whole election process,” said Mr Kavanamur. “They can take part as election officials, polling officials and counting officials as well,” he said. Mr Kavanamur said the Electoral Commission is trying to make 2022 national general election an inclusive as any election before where everyone takes part and they will do their best to deliver a free, fair, safe and inclusive election for every Papua New Guinean.

PNG Electoral Commission is expected to print the preliminary Electoral Roll by the end of the month and the rest of the rolls done and ready for nominations to commence in April. Enrollment for eligible voters to update the Electoral Rolls started in January 2022 and is currently underway until the end of this month. Electoral Commission Simon Sinai stated that enrollment has being updated and the data is in the process of progressing and entering the data. “We are expecting to print the first preliminary roll at the end of this month and hopefully within April we should have all the rolls done and ready for the nominations”, said Mr Sinai. Mr Sinai also stated that addressing the youth gap is a top priority and integrity measure that PNG Electoral Commission has put in place to include all the youth in this election, because right now young people between the age of 18- 34 are yet to be enrolled on the common roll. He said 15% of the enrollment form 11 has being sent to all the provinces already. Mr Sinai said the Form 11 is the new enrollment form that everyone will be using to enrol. "When enrollment is done we should be expecting a 15% increase from the last general election in 2017." “There should be an increase in the number of voters from the last election 2017 of 4.7million to about 6million eligible voters expected this election”, said Mr Sinai. "6 million estimated voters for this election multiply by two papers, one for district and one for the provincial seat, in total about 12million ballot papers will be distributed throughout the country for voting this election," he said. He also highlighted that the nomination of the Returning Officers will be done this month, so come next month April the Electoral Commission will be getting ready to issue the writs and gearing up for the nominations. The Issuing of the writs will be on Thursday 28th April at exactly 4pm and that is when nomination is also open. He further stated that Nominations will close Thursday 5th May at exactly 4pm in the afternoon. Polling will then commence on the Saturday 5th June and will close on Friday 8th July. Return of writs on the Friday 29th July will officially close the 2022 election process.

With some 80,000 hectares of rainforest, Mt Bosavi region is setting out to become the next major carbon credit project in the Country and the Pacific. Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative Inc (SADI) has gone 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. Mt Bosavi (SADI) Chairman Mr. Andrew Awabi said with the MOA signed recently in partnership with WE- ACT, Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative Inc. is now working on to get all its ILG certificates so to mark proper land boundaries to make it easier for royalty payments. Right now there are five (5) proposed regions in Mt Bosavi for the Carbon Credit Projects to take place, Kaluli, Walulu, Wisesi, Sunia and Eibala, and all these are part of the Mt Bosavi SADI Forest Management area. “We are currently carrying out trainings and running awareness programs on the ground to educate the people of Mt Bosavi region the importance of the carbon credit project and the benefits they will acquire from it once it rolls out,” says Mr Awabi. “Educating them on the carbon credit project is important because they need to understand the so-called "cap-and-trade" program so they can really understand what Carbon credit is.” Mr Awabi also highlighted that the carbon credit project will bring in more benefits, and it terms of percentage the people of Mt Bosavi will be getting a big share from it. “We will be getting 52% royalty while WE- ACT Australia who will be playing the middle man role to link us with Viva Carbon Market USA will be getting 48% from the carbon credit project.” Mt Bosavi region is so isolated that there is no road link into the nearby 4 provinces, Western Province, Gulf, Southern Highlands and Hela. It is only accessible by MAF and chopper, and government services are mostly out and many are still living a more traditional kind of lifestyle. Mr Awabi says anything to bring services and change the lifestyle of the people of Mt Bosavi region is welcomed, and Carbon Credit Project is one big project that Mt Bosavi is hoping it will change and improve their lives. “We are cut off from the entire country but we are hoping this carbon credit project can connect us not only with the country but the outside world too,” said Mr Awabi.

Moresby North East member Mr John Kaupa has shed light on a major problem being faced by residents of his electorate who are living in the settlements and that is poverty.  Despite PNG being one of the richest country in terms of natural resources, the majority populace are still living in poverty and the least any mandated leader can do is give their people the financial freedom. “The least I can do for my people in my time in parliament is give them the chance and the tools to fight poverty and the better way is through SME,” said Mr Kaupa. Mr Kaupa made these statements at a small gathering at ATS when speaking to the 22 SME groups that had gathered. Kaupa said he is grateful that he tried his best to give financial freedom by introducing SME to the bulk population of mothers and youths in Moresby North East. “The vast majority of Moresby North East residents are living in the settlements and that is poverty, and I want to improve their living standard by giving them the opportunity to have access to financial freedom.” “It took 18 months for North East officers to do SME awareness and recruitments of interested mothers in SME, and they assisted further in attaining IRC and IPA papers and registered many SME groups for youths and mothers.” Not only did the officers help establish SME associations but the office was also giving SME book keeping and financial literacy trainings to every youths and mothers in Moresby North East. Thus with the financial literacy certificates and SME business certificates, mothers, young women and youths were able to excess the SME funds. He urged all the mothers who have received SME grants to do well and grow their SME and strive to live better lives. “I am happy to see many unfortunate youths and illiterate mothers becoming small business owners, with bank accounts and bank cards,” said Mr Kaupa. “Many have never had a bank account; many have never held any bank card but SME has given these youths and mothers in Moresby North East this privilege.” Mr Kaupa also highlighted that out of the 209 SME groups in Moresby North East 95% have received their SME grants and only 5 % left will receive their grant in the last batch of payment. Kaupa said the highest amount paid was around K200, 000 and the lowest paid was K15, 000. “To those who have not yet received your SME funds, please do not be down hearted you will still receive your share,” Mr Kaupa said. He encourages everyone to do well and prosper in their small business ventures and enjoy the privilege of financial freedom.

Police in West New Britain Province have already started their preparations for the upcoming National General Elections and WNB PPC Chief Inspector Januarius Vosivai stated that the pre election operations will kick off in a weeks' time under the supervision of the incoming WNB PPC, Senior Inspector John Yara. Inspector Vosivai said much of the planning and pre election operation will be done under the leadership of the new PPC Snr Inspector John Yara stating that the first pre-election operation will be focused on community engagement whereby police will be carrying out election awareness to all communities. However Inspector Vosivai also highlighted that manpower is the only major issue currently faced by police in West New Britain Province. “We have enough vehicles to move around and funding will not be a problem but we cannot fully deliver and be everywhere at the same time because of the less number of police personnel we have on the ground and that is a worry,” said Inspector Vosivai. Inspector Vosivai said with the National General Elections coming up, the police force will need more men on the ground to carry out operations both on the mainland and the islands. “Currently we have only 129 regular police personals and 36mobile squadron on the ground and that is not enough,” he said. He mentioned that a request for additional manpower has been sent out already and they are expecting extra police personnel to arrive in Kimbe before the pre election operations kick start. “We need around 350 national security personals to come in and boost our team and if we can get this number then it will definitely help with our security operations during elections throughout the province,” said Inspector Vosivai.

Four women were endorsed by the People's Party Inc. this week to contest all four seats in the National Capital District under the party banner in the upcoming 2022 National General Elections. People's Party Inc. leader and Enga Province Governor Peter Ipatas commended the four (4) women candidates for their bold decision in choosing to stand with the party for the coming elections in such a challenging and expensive location like NCD at the same time adding that it is a historic move by the party. “To endorse four women candidates is the biggest number of women ever endorsed by any single party and this is history,” said Party Leader Governor Ipatas. Governor Ipatas further called on the city populace to vote for the right leaders who would represent them well in parliament and said the timing was right to give the womenfolk an opportunity to represent them in decision making. “Women who will bear children, women who have the heart for the people must be given an opportunity to represent us and the National Capital District as the capital city of this country is the right place to start,” Ipatas said. Governor Ipatas said he believes that People's Party Inc. is giving a women’s team to the National Capital city so that people can vote for these women with integrity and in turn they can make a difference for the city's population but most importantly for the country. Ipatas acknowledged Tania Bale, Anna Kavana Bais, Michelle Hau’ofa and Sylvia Pascoe for having the trust in People's Party Inc. and for making the decision to run under People's Party Inc. “We are a very small party and may not be fully secured financially as many other parties but these women have joined this party because of our integrity,” Ipatas said. The People's Party Inc. is trying to put a team of leaders into parliament who will make a difference for this country in 2022 and going forward into the future. In his keynote address, Governor Ipatas also made an appeal to the United Nations and everyone who has been advocating for women to participate in parliament to support the womenfolk who are putting their hands up to go into elections. “I want to call on my fellow politicians who have been advocating for women to be represented, to join in and support my four women candidates in the city to represent the womenfolk and the entire nation as a whole,” Mr Ipatas said. “I have four women who are capable of representing women in parliament and they deserve our support." "This is an opportune time for politicians, the UN and everybody who has been advocating for women to be in parliament to walk the talk and support these women,” Mr Ipatas added. The Peoples Party Inc. has been silent but they are actioning what everyone has been talking about and that is putting women into the parliament. “I think that they will do well despite having some experienced politicians in the city. The women team can be a relief for the country and for NCD too,” said Governor Ipatas. Mr Ipatas further challenged the citizens to join the party and be part of their journey.

After almost a decade, the Port Moresby Rugby League Club is now looking at bringing back their women’s team into the Port Moresby Rugby leagues competition. Snr Head Coach Mr Wesley Laveliu said Defence Rugby League club has been the only club without a women’s team for some years now and the club is looking at reviving the women’s team. “We are looking for interested females who want to play rugby, unskilled or skilled as long as you have the heart and interest in rugby then you are most welcome to come and join the club”, said Coach Laveliu. Coach Laveliu also stated that they are also looking for raw talents and talented boys to come join the Under 19 male team and the Snr Men’s team. Training days are every weekdays from Monday to Friday at the Murray Barracks field.

"You can now trade you traditional tabus for cash or you can trade cash for tabus and all this can be done at Palna Tabu Limited," said owner Mr Henry Kubiak. Mr Henry Kubiak from East New Britain has recently set up a new SME MICRO traditional trade centre for Tabu at the 6 mile Business Centre. Mr Kubiak said, traditional money has died out over the decades with the modern currency we are using however when it comes to traditional obligations, traditional money plays a vital part in traditional ceremonies. “If you have some traditional obligations to do at home but you do not have the tabus to do so, then you can come to Palna Tabu Ltd at 6mile business centre and see us for help,” said Mr Kubiak. “Good thing about us is we are not only focused on the ENB tabus, but we welcome exchange of any traditional money from all over the country for cash and we can give any traditional money to you in exchange of cash.” He said each traditional money is valued on its' size, and different sizes come with different prices. Mr Kubiak said Palna Tabu Ltd is also looking at creating a credit scheme were customers with a formal income can come and get tabus on credit bases and pay off every fortnight. Traditional money has died out and many have used this traditional money as part of their traditional attire and this has become nothing more than just another traditional “bilas’, however we want to revive the real value of our traditional money, he stated. “If we can try to preserve culture through tradition through, singsing, bilas and bride price then we must also still try to preserve our traditional money.” Mr Kabiak said it is sad to see that most Tabus are now gone but Palna Tabu is buying Tabus from Solomon Islands to revive the traditional money. Mr Kabiak said if you have no good use for dogs’ teeth, pigs’ tasks, shell money and tabus and you throw them around to waste, to bring them down to Palna Tabus Ltd and sell them so they can buy and sell to those that need this traditional money for traditional obligations. “If you have a marriage ceremony, haus cry, compensation or any duties to perform that may involve traditional money, please come down to Palna Tabus Ltd, your one stop traditional bank,” Mr Kabiak said. Disclaimer: We not own the rights to the image used in this story.

Moreguina Health Centre in Abau District, Central Province has shut down its outpatient services temporarily on Friday 14th January after the health centre recorded 3 positive covid 19 cases amongst the inpatients in their two inpatient wards. Moreguina OICE Ravu Kapa said every other outpatient services are put on halt until further notice from them, as for now they will only attend to emergency cases. The 3 confirmed cases were admitted in the wards for Malaria but had shown very high fever, and when PCR covid test was carried on these 3 and sent to Kwikilia Health Centre lab last week, results came back positive on Wednesday 12th January 2022. After the results came back. a rapid test followed by 32 PCR test was done with all those that came into close contact with the 3 cases. “4 health workers and their families including the trainee nurses from Asia Pacific and Tuna Bay Nursing Schools were all tested but luckily all test results came back negative,’’ said Mr Kapa.  “However 2 other results came back positive and these 2 new cases are relatives of the 3 confirmed cases,” he said. A total of 5 confirmed cases altogether were recorded at Moreguina last week and there is a chance of covid 19 community transmission in Moreguina and the entire Abau District because these 5 confirmed cases have been amongst their families and have been exposed to other community members before falling sick and whilst being sick and later brought to the health centre," said Mr Kapa. Therefore the best thing to do now is for everyone to come forward for swabbing because the health centre is still carrying out swab tests. Mr Kapa is urging the immediate families of the 5 confirmed cases as well as those that have come into contact with these cases in the last 14 days to come in for testing as soon as possible. “Right now, I want to contain the spread of the virus that is why I have decided to shut down the health centre and monitor all those in the ward including the 5 cases that are in isolation right now.” Mr Kapa said the decision to shut down Moreguina Health Centre is done upon directives from the Central Provincial Health Authority , Acting Director for Public Health Mr Marshall Buru as well and the Central Provincial Covid 19 Snr Responds Officer. “All are asked to go to Kupiano health centre to access health services there because Kupiano health centre is ready and willing to help patients from Moreguina, but we can only attend to emergency cases only at this time,” said Mr Kapa