Kerebi DAVID

44 candidates have so far nominated to contest the open seat of Salt-Nomane Karamui district in Simbu Province. Amongst the nominated candidates is the current MP Mr Geoffrey Kama, who nominated last week Thursday at the Egga Nomination Centre. Returning Officer Mr Andrew Awi has confirmed this figure and stated also that amongst these 44 candidates only one female is running this race, Ms. Bomai Gii Wei. Also running for this National General Election is one of the youngest contestants, 29 year old Mr Guma Kumulgau Kaire from Kamagaulin clan in Kilau village.

As the country heads into a slow start to nominations that opened at 8am this morning, Prime Minister and Pangu Pati Leader James Marape challenged all contesting candidates in the 2022 National General Elections to put the interest of the country and its people at heart. "To contest is not about a tribe against a tribe, or one big man against another nor is it a challenge against how much wealth you have to contest against another person." Marape said, “Leaders who are elected into office in the first instance and leaders appointed into public office in the second instance, have a greater task of harnessing a better future for our children and its a must to be upon every same thinking Papua New Guinean.” PM James Marape said this at the officially launching of a new political party ‘’Advanced PNG Party” recently. He said political parties are institutions and vehicles that must be used to ensure changes within the country are materialized through our public policies, legislative framework and change to the country in actual tangible framework. And launching of a new political party is always welcomed. “Parties are institutions of the state, they are institutions of our people, parties are meant to drive ideologies to achieve certain outcomes, and those certain outcomes must be for the betterment of our people,” said Marape. He also stated that whilst Pangu Pati is leading the “Connect PNG drive”, it is a policy that is owned by today’s generation of leaders who come from all over the country. “The journey to building our country for the better, reaching the unreached, connecting the unconnected, touching the untouched and remembering the forgotten, those who have being left on the byways and sideways, the tasks belongs to present day present day Papua New Guinean Leaders”. Marape is challenging all to not have bad motive or selfish motives when contesting, he reiterated that this country must be rich with alternate leadership with experience in our midst so that together we keep ourselves in check and balance so that accountability and public policy interest matures to the best for our people.

Member for Gumine District, Mr Nick Kuman launched his political party called Advance PNG Party recently at the Hilton Hotel. After 15 years in the parliament representing the people of Gumine District and holding ministerial portfolios, Founder and Party Leader , Mr Nick Kuman said he decided to become a back bencher for the first time in his political career 13 months ago, and that was when the project to create a political party started. “I was just a team leader, but there are people like the president of the Party, Mr Tom Sirae Mc Gregor and party Secretary Joe Degemba , Mr G. Jnr Wau and others who came together and worked together to create this political landscape in the country and that is how Advance PNG Party became an entity and was registered on the 14th April 2022,”said Founder and Party Leader Mr Kuman. Mr. Kuman stated that "this party is not to change the game we play in this country; however it is to ensure that we enhance how the politics are played in the country." Kuman also highlighted the Advance PNG Party Policy platform; 1. Broad – based Economy 2. Integral Infrastructure platform 3. Universal Education and Health 4. Improve Law and Order 5. Good Governance and Accountability Mr Kuman stressed that all Papua New Guineans must be patriotic about PNG, to ensure that Papua New Guineans play an active role to ensure that this country grows. “Papua New Guineans must become a partner in the development of this country and that is what Advance PNG Party believes in,” said Mr Kuman. He also announced a total of 35 candidates who have been endorsed by the party and will be running under the party. Out of the 35 intending candidates only one is a female candidate. Mr Kuman appeals to all the young people in the country to take an active part in politics, to speak up and to ensure that the government of the day does its job and Advance PNG Party believes that young people now can contribute to a better future.

Kwikila Health Centre in Rigo District, Central Province has been without medical supplies for the last four months. Sister In-charge Sister Anna Atop said there is no basic medicine like Amoxicillin or even Panadol at the health centre. As well as these, Sister Anna said there is no injection and medicine for children as well as for adults as supplies ran out 4 months ago. For the last 4 months, the health centre has been doing examination only and sending patients away with prescriptions to purchase medicines elsewhere. “It’s really sad when we have to send the patients away especially the children.” “We cannot continue like this because it is a very difficult time and not everyone in the village has the funds to spend at a pharmacy,” said Sister Anna. She is now calling on the Rigo District Health Authority and the Central Provincial Health Authority to look into this matter and fast track medical supplies for the health centre as soon as possible.

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.