Kerebi DAVID

"Having kickboxing as part of the Education Curriculum, from Primary to Secondary schools is a great medium by which kids can be able to learn the core values of discipline that can help change their mindsets and attitude towards all aspects of life," said the PNG Kickboxing Federation President Mr Stanley Nandex. Hela Provincial Government is now partnering with PNG Kickboxing Federation to roll out its kick boxing programs in the three districts of Hela Province. On Saturday 20th  February, the Hela Provincial administration and Hela Governor, Philip Undialu donated a van and K200, 000 to officially declare its partnership with PNG Kickboxing Federation and to kick start kickboxing in Hela Province as well as launching the School Kickboxing pilot project in Hela Province. The highlight of the program was the graduation of 41 Kickboxing instructors, among them 4 females with level one and level two certificates that qualify them to go out and conduct kickboxing training programs throughout the 38 kickboxing clubs in the three districts of Hela Province. This is the first for PNG to go through the instructor training program. “This partnership will pave way for a new pilot project under the theme “Building a safe and secure Hela Province” whereby kickboxing will be introduced into all the primary and secondary schools in Hela Province as part of the education curriculum as a medium by which kids can be able to learn the core values of discipline that can help change their mindsets and attitude towards all aspects of life,” said PNGKBF President Mr Nandex. Mr Nandex commended the Hela Governor Philip Undialu for taking this positive stand to work in partnership with PNG Kickboxing Federation to push for changes in the youths of Hela Province to build a safe and secure Province. Mr Nandex further stated that because of the core values and moral obligations of the National Federation for Kick Boxing he is happy to start this School Kickboxing pilot project in Hela Province to use sports as a catalyst for special development and integration as part of the pillars of the National Government 2050 vision. “This program will also benefit those who are not in school because of tribal fight,” said Nandex. “The youths and kids who are victims of Tribal fights can join the 38 clubs already established in the 3 districts whereby they can train to be more disciplined to become active sports person and can get better in their mental state to become leaders in their communities.” Mr. Stanley Nandex said working in partnership with the Hela Provincial government is a great deal as it is part of the federations moral and social obligation also to give something back to the communities, whereby the communities can use its values and discipline to help change the youths and enhance them to become sports leaders and better citizens also. “This is a pilot project and the PNG Kickboxing Federation welcomes any province who is interested to use these programs as part of their development strategies in terms of empowering and changing the mental status of the youths.”

NCD Governor Powes Parkop called on the Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti and Member for Hagen Open William Duma to partner in the development of Mt Hagen as the country's third city "I will still point out the Western Highlands Governor and Member for Hagen Open for failing in their part to develop the city of Mt Hagen," said NCD Governor Powes Parkop. "We need all the cities, Lae City, Mt Hagen City and Port Moresby Cities to shape up and stand out as the pillars of this country Papua New Guinea." Governor Parkop said he will still complain to see development in all the cities because lack of development is depriving the rights of our people to a better standard of living. Governor Parkop specifically pointed out Mt Hagen as the city that needs to be improved as another city of this country. He stated that their leaders need to open their minds and eyes and implement projects and laws to develop the city because it does not belong to the people of Western Highlands only but for the whole of Papua New Guinea. He mentioned that Lae City is changing and he is willing to support Lae MP, John Rosso in developing Lae city, however as for Mt Hagen City he is very angry about the lack of development in that city. Governor Parkop mentioned that all the members of the parliament including our Prime Minister know that Mt Hagen is failing as a city but nothing is said and done about it. “I have nothing to lose, but I am furious that Mt Hagen is failing Western Highlands Province and the whole of Papua New Guinea.” “Unless their leaders shape up and develop the city, remove all the rubbish, remove the crimes, remove the pigs roaming around the vicinity of the City and open up and expand the boundaries of the city, Governor Parkop will still talk about its lack of development,” said Governor Parkop. Mt Hagen City is not only for the people of Western Highlands Province, the city belongs to the whole country. People from all over Papua New Guinea pass through, work, live and spend money in Mt Hagen, the whole of Papua New Guinea has a part in building Mt Hagen to where it is now. “Member for Hagen Open and Western Highlands Governor can be mad at me for pointing them out but I do not care, mi no bisi!” “Mi bai still pointim pinga long ol!” "As the Governor for NCD, I am also responsible for the population of Western Highlands in Port Moresby, trying my best to make this place a better place for them and every one to live in," he said. “The onus goes back to the Western Highlands Governor and Member for Hagen Open to develop Mt Hagen because it’s not a small town but the 3rd city  of this country that holds people from all over the country.”

Tropical Cyclone Lucas had just passed through Papua New Guinea leaving behind severe effects in parts of Milne Bay and Central Province following gusty winds and heavy rains that penetrated the coastal region of PNG. National Weather Service said Cyclone Lucas is headed towards Vanuatu after the weekend, lessening the risks of further damages in the islands of Milne Bay and Central Province coastline. "PNG is no longer at risk of a major landfall, so are the coastal islands of Milne Bay and Central," said Acting Director of the National Weather Service Jimmy Gomoga. Mr Gomoga said Tropical Cyclone Lucas was first sighted forming at the tip of Queensland, Australia last week and eventually moved into the Coral Sea when National Weather Office gave out initial warnings and alerted communities of a possible Tropical Cyclone, with very strong winds coming through including West Monsoon stages expected across the country. By Friday the winds began to cut through, and the system started moving towards the East and on Sunday afternoon Lucas was identified and named. “When system forms within our region then we name it, but because it was outside of PNG within the Australian region and then developed into a tropical cyclone,” said Gomoga. Around 4pm Sunday afternoon Tropical Cyclone Lucas was at category one (1) and forming at the South and South East of the Milne Bay Islands and this morning it was upgraded to category two (2) having major effects on the Islands South of Milne Bay and the Coastal areas of Central Province. “However by 10 am this morning Tropical Cyclone Lucas has moved away from Papua New Guinea.” We do not know the extent of the impacts Tropical Cyclone Lucas had on the islands of Milne Bay Provinces including the coastal villages of Central Province yet. The disaster teams in Milne Bay and Central Province have being alerted and will carryout their assessment in both provinces. The islands South of Milne Bay would have most likely been the hit hard by the impacts of the cyclone and teams should be dispatched especially on Sidea Island, Misima, Tagula and Rossell Island, more so on the little island of Jinjo to assess the damages. The Weather office said wind strength is very high at this time for coastal areas, travelling at speeds up to 100km/hr and it can blow away trees and houses that do not have strong foundations including power lines. “The Gale wind warning still stands and everyone is advised not to go out to sea at this time until further instructions from the National Weather Office.” The Tropical Cyclone warning is now being lifted by the National Weather Office but the Gale Wind Warnings still stand for the next 24 hours. Currently the Weather Service is monitoring 3 systems, Cyclone Bina that is forming just East of Solomon Islands and North of Fiji while cyclone Anna that has hit Fiji and it is most likely Cyclone Bina will also hit Fiji very soon including Tropical Cyclone Lucas which had actually passed through PNG.

The old 6 mile Saraga Dump yard is now regenerated, revitalized and transformed into a new Suburb  that holds 164 blocks that will benefit the people of 2 Mile Hill, Paga and Konedobu Water Front who were displaced some 5-6 years ago because of the development of roads in the Nation’s Capital and Moresby South electorate. Moresby South MP and Minister for Housing Justin TKatchenko, Minister for Lands John Rosso and NCD Governor Powes Parkop jointly launched the first Settlement to Suburb Project at 6 Mile Saraga today. Minister TKatchenko said the sub division project was put together about 5-6 years ago when settlers at 2 Mile Hill, Paga Hill and Kone Water Front were displaced because of road projects.  He said it was NCD Governor’s visions that the Settlement to Suburb program was initiated and he felt it was the right thing to do for the people of Moresby South so he joined in. Minister TKatchenko in his official speech thanked NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Minister for Lands John Rosso for making this project become a reality. “NCDC gave K5million for the resettlement and to do the sub- division here, but with a short fall, the Lands Department came on board under the Ministry of John Rosso and gave an extra K1million for all the fencing, sub- division and the final survey plan.” Minister TKatchenko highlighted in his speech that this project is a joint effort from NCDC, the Lands Department working in collaboration with Moresby South Electorate. Minister TKatchenko further stated that the 164 blocks are 15 x 15 meters that will benefit 164 families, and these blocks will be given with land titles to each family. “Titles come with conditions, is not for people to get the land for free and then sell it and make money,” said Minister TKatchenko. “This is for those people who want to settle and find themselves a home for their family now and into the future.” He urged those who will be the owners to use the land title to get loans and build their houses, because with the land titles the land is secured and getting loan and building a good house is a better long term investment. Water has being connected already and power is ready to go when houses are built.  The new Suburb will also include some commercial blocks for shops, clinic, court house and many more services so that people can access services in front of them. “I want to take you to another level!” “We cannot continue to see people in match box houses with no proper services, those times are gone now,” said Minister TKatchenko. This is Stage 1, Stage 2 is Ragamuga Settlement, and the Settlement to suburb program for Ragamuga 6mile has already started with the NCD Governors Office, and more suburb projects will be happening in the City. This Development will set the new pace, new example and new template for what should be done when it comes to looking after the people of NCD, says Minister TKatchenko.

An elderly man from Amu Village in Abau District who works at the new Golden Birch Resources, a Platinum Prospecting Site on the Owen Stanley Range is alleged to have gone missing for over 6 weeks now. Mr Oabo Oabo Moses, in his 50s and a father of three (3) children had been missing for over 6 weeks now after attempting to return to his workplace by foot on November 12, 2020, but never arrived at his destination.   Reports have it that he was flown home on a company chopper on 8th November for a 4-day break at his Amau Village in the Cloudy Bay LLG, in Abau District, Central Province and after his break, decided to return to work by foot on 12th November.   Senior Constable Russel Penunu of Moreguina Police Station in Central Province said colleagues of Mr Moses who returned to their workplace after their two-week break confirmed that Mr Moses never returned to work and notified the Golden Birch Resources Platinum Prospecting Company and a missing person search was carried. They also notified the family and a combined search was carried out by relatives and his work colleagues for another four (4) weeks but to no avail. It wasn’t until last Friday that the family decided to file a missing person’s report with Moreguina Police Station but by then it was already the 6th week of him going missing. “Ol ples lain blong em ino bin tingting long come putim report long first place,” said Snr Constable Penunu. “If a missing person report was filed earlier, we would have notified the District Authorities, the Disaster and Emergency and the Search and Rescue team to carry out the search,” he stated. Snr Constable Penunu said right now even the Provincial Police Authorities are not aware of this report, but they still had hopes to find the missing person. The search for missing person, Mr Oabo Oabo Moses started this week, on 18th January 2021 and will end on the 18th of February 2021. Moreguina police have joined the family in the missing person’s search which started yesterday with all logistics support provided by the company he worked for, Golden Birch Resources Platinum Prospecting. “We do not know if the missing person is still alive but we will search until we find him.” Picture source:  Wikimedia Commons

18 selected primary schools in the four districts in the most rural parts of East New Britain Province will be lucky recipients of reading books under the University of Papua New Guinea East New Britain Students Association Book Drive. The University of Papua New Guinea's East New Britain Students Association is now ready to roll out the Book Drive in East New Britain. UPNG ENB Students Association Presidents Mr Tiolam Wawaga said the container of reading books which came in from South Pacific School Aid Australia and the PNG National Library and Archives as donations had already arrived in Rabaul and preparations are underway for distribution of books to schools in ENB. The distribution of the reading books under the Book Drive project will kick start on 25th January and finish on 5th February 2021. “The Book Drive will take exactly two weeks, because we will be distributing to 18 selected primary schools in the 4 districts of East New Britain Province,” said Mr Wawaga. “In this Book Drive we are targeting the schools in the rural are remotest parts of the districts,” he added. He further stated that out of the 4 local MP’s, the member for Kokopo, Emil Tammur was the only local MP who was very supportive and helped them all throughout and is the main man behind, pushing the project forward. Mr Wawaga also wants to thank the ENB Provincial Administrator Mr Wilson Matau for the tremendous logistic support and funding for sea transports as well as the land transports. “Above all I want thank all those who have supported our fundraising drives in Port Moresby”. 2020 was a very challenging year because of Covid-19, but thanks to all those who have showed support in big and small ways, because you cared to show support for the school children. "The East New Britain students in the rural areas will now have the chance to access reading materials," said Mr Wawaga.

A mystery disease carrying similar symptoms to Covid-19 has already claimed three lives and is affecting more people of Bona and Olabia in the Muluma District in Mt Bosavi area. Communities within Mt Bosavi have complained of experiencing flu-like symptoms, coupled with headaches, joint pains and shortness of breath but with the lack of health services in the area, a remedy to the unknown disease remains unlikely. A local community leader Andrew Awabi said a family in Bona village was experiencing flu-like symptoms and soon after, the disease had spread to everyone in the village. “The same is happening in Olabia village and has since spread to people in the whole of Muluma District in Mt Bosavi area causing everyone to become to ill.”   The lack of health services in the area means, that they may not be able to identify what the disease is, posing a greater risk to the communities at large. “The covid-like disease or virus is spreading, from kids to adults every day and until proper health checks and tests are done, we will not be able to know if coronavirus is actually here.”   “The scariest part is that we already have 3 deaths from this sickness, “said Mr Awabi. “We do not know what we are experiencing, if it is just flu and cough or actually the coronavirus.” Mr Awabi said a team from the Covid-19 Response Centre needs to be deployed to Muluma District as soon as possible to carry out testings and identify what the people are experiencing because there is hardly any health services, no Covid-19 awareness carried out in the area and no Covid-19 testing sites on ground.

No teachers want to come to Mt Bosavi and teach because it is so isolated and there are no basic services on the ground. The children at the heart of Mt Bosavi have being missing out on the much needed education service. Mt Bosavi region is the 3rd largest Rainforest area in the world and share borders with 4 different provinces, the Western Province, Gulf Province, Southern Highlands and Hela Province. Because of the vegetation and isolation, there are no basic services in the area; there is no road access thus no basic services and development have reached the people of Mt Bosavi. Mr Andrew Awabi who is the Chairman of the Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative said few schools were built back in the 60's and 70's when missionaries came to Mt Bosavi and these old run down classrooms still stand today. There are also few schools built out of traditional materials but at the moment most schools are closed because there are no teachers. Students are willing to learn but there are no teachers. Even villages closer to Hela and Southern Highlands are only accessible by third level airline, under MAF, Strickland Bosavi Foundation, and walking can take up to 3 days. These villages with schools have only few teachers but those villages further inland do not have the same luxury of having few teachers. “No qualified teachers are willing to come and teach here because there are no basic services on the ground and there is no road access too, “said Mr Awabi “Villagers who are at least literate are becoming volunteers so that they can teach the young ones basics.” “These volunteers from the villages spend their own time, out of good heart to teach the youngsters basic, inside those rundown buildings built in the 60s and 70s by the missionaries and the traditional makeshifts.” Sadly most of these kids cannot further their studies into proper primary and high school and it seems like the government, the education system and the four surrounding provincial governments have forgotten about the children of Mt Bosavi, he said. Mr Awabi is now making a bold call to the National Government to make road links into the Mt Bosavi area so that schools can be built and Education and other basic services can be accessible for the children of Mt Bosavi.

The Right Honourable Late Sir Mekere Morauta was laid to rest on Independence Hill on Friday afternoon 08th January 2021, following his state funeral at the Reverend Sioni Kami Memorial Church at Boroko. The Right Honourable Late Sir Mekere Morauta was born in 1946 in Kukipi, a coastal village east of Kerema in the Gulf Province and died at the age of 74 on December 19, 2020 in Brisbane Australia. Late Sir Mekere Morauta was a politician and an economist. He entered the national parliament in July 1997 as the member for Moresby North-West. From 1998 to 1999 he served as the Minister for Fisheries in the government of Bill Skate, at that time the country was having a depressed economy and an uncontrollable legislature, he then went on the journey to create fundamental reforms of the country's economy and political system. In July 1999 he was elected the 7th Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea in a vote of No Confidence and served from 1999 to 2002, he served 3 years as the country’s Prime Minister. Sir Mekere went on to serve a total of 15 years in politics before he retired from politics and decided not to stand again for elections in 2012 election. After 5 years off the grid, Sir Mekere contested the Moresby North West seat again in the 2017 national election and won the election, until his passing while while been the sitting member for Moresby North West. For many who knew his work and history in Politics, described the Late Sir Mekere as a reformist whose intelligence in the work has brought about many reformations in the country. During his funeral service on Friday, the current Prime Minister James Marape paid his last tribute saying Late Sir Mekere has given his life to give service for the country, and he served with higher distinction right from the formative years of the country in the 1970s right up to this time. He said Late Mekere served in the private sector, the public sector and in politics and reformed and strengthened key institutions of the state and at the same time fighting graft and corruption. “Fighting and removing corruption was again the reason he returned to politics in 2017”. “He died doing what he loved, serving his country”, said Prime Minister Marape. Prime Minister Marape further stated, “We PNG are forever grateful to his towering icon of good leadership in our country’s short 45 years.” Prime Minister Marape concluded his tribute int saying that despite Late Sir Mekere having served as a Prime Minister for only 3 years; his impact transcends time and is intergenerational, making him a true Reformist. To the family of Late Sir Mekere “I thank you for lending this great Lauri to the rest of us PNG!” He made a promise to Late Sir Mekere to do his best for the rest of the country and for the people of Kukipi and Huritai who have now conferred the name Lauri to him. “Your counsels and advices will forever ring in our minds to guide us to make our own contribution to develop PNG,” said Prime Minister. “Farewell and we hope to see you on that Golden Morning. Rest in Peace Sir Mek”.

The last leg of the 8-day State Funeral program is underway with the State Funeral Service at the Sioni Kami Memorial United Church at Gordons, Port Moresby. Thousands of city residents, dignitaries, families and friends of the late Statesman turned up to witness the Funeral Service at Rev. Sioni Kami Memorial Church. The casket arrived from funeral home and escorted into the Church by PNGDF. PM James Marape, Opposition Leader Belden Namah, Grand Chief Michael Somare, Governor General Sir Bob Dadae are some of the many other dignitaries present at the State Funeral. The casket leaves for Independence Hill after the Funeral Service for burial. Keep following this page as we send you updates on the final day of the State Funeral.

Friday 8th January has been set aside as a nation-wide public holiday for the country to pay respect to the late Sir Mekere Morauta as he will be laid to rest on that day. The announcement was made today by Housing Minister and Chairman of the Organizing Committee responsible for the State Funeral Justin Tkatchenko on behalf of the Marape/Basil government. Minister TKatchenko said this has been sanctioned by the PM James Marape and it is being gazetted so that the whole country can mourn and pay their last respect wherever they are for Late Sir Mekere Morauta. This is now setting a precedence and a template for future State Funerals going forward into the future.  “This is about setting the new protocols for us to go by for future events such as this,” said Minister Tkatchenko. A State Funeral Service will be held at the Late Reverend Sioni Kami Memorial United Church on Friday 8th January 2021 from 10am in the morning to 12pm. Late Sir Mekere Morauta was a United Church attendee, so his family wants to respect his wish and have his funeral service at a United Church. Straight after the funeral service, the casket including his family will be escorted by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force back to Independence Hill at the parliament house where his body will be laid to rest next to Late Sir William Skate. “The funeral service will be a closed casket”, said Minister Tkatchenko. “This is to respect the family’s wish to keep the casket closed.” At the funeral Prime Minister James Marape will pay tribute to Late Sir Mekere Morauta and Sir Rabbie Nameliu who is a very close friend to Late Morauta will be doing the eulogy at the State Funeral on Friday. However the full outline of the funeral and burial program will be out by tomorrow. He also mentioned that Late Morauta’s family are still in quarantine at this time but Thursday is when the family comes out of quarantine. “They will be cleared by the Pandemic Controller Commissioner David Manning on Thursday after their 7 days in quarantine,” he said. “That is why the funeral will be happening on Friday so that the whole family can also be part of it.” Minister Tkatchenko also clarified that the state funeral which will have invited guests, all members of the parliament, close associates, family and friends attending, is still open also to the general public who wish to be part of the funeral service to pay their last respect to Late Sir Mekere Morauta. Housing Minister and Chairman of the State Funeral Organizing Committee Justine Tkatchenko

For the first time since Independence the people of Cloudy Bay Area in Abau District, Central Province now have an operating health centre. The health centre which was built by the Cloudy Bay Timber Products Ltd more than a decade ago was never opened and used until just recently. Moreguina Health Centre OIC Ravu Kapa said he had being making trips by foot to and from Moreguina and Cloudy Bay serving the sick people during bad weather and on fine days people of Cloudy Bay walk miles to excess health service at Moreguina Health Centre, thus this had pushed him to have talks with the Cloudy Bay Timber Products Ltd for months to allow him to use the already built health facility. “This will be the third week, we opened just before Christmas and started giving health services to the people of Cloudy Bay”, said OIC Kapa. “After receiving the ok from Cloudy Bay Timbers, I did not waste time but kick started the health service.” Mr Kapa said he had done up a roster already whereby nursing officers from Moreguina are divided to work in Cloudy Bay when rostered. He said the people of Cloudy Bay were overwhelmed that they now have a health centre within their LLG and would not have to walk miles to excess basic health services. “This is a dream coming true and the people of Cloudy Bay must take ownership of this great service and also look after the health workers from Moreguina working there to serve them”, he further stated. OIC Kapa further stated “Just one week into operation and we have delivered 4 Christmas babies in Cloudy Bay Health Centre on Christmas Day with the heaviest being a baby boy weighing 4kg.” “We were hoping we would deliver some babies on New Year but unfortunately no babies were born on the New Year’s Day.” The health centre is fully functioning now with the help from the health workers from Moreguina Heath Centre and 28 students from Asia Pacific College who are currently doing their nursing training.