Churches join forces to combat sorcery accusation-related violence

Australian High Commission

Churches are joining forces to address sorcery accusation-related violence as part of a national effort to stamp out such attacks.

Church leaders discuss sorcery accusation-related violence in their province at the recent workshop.

Almost 50 leaders from 14 denominations in the Momase region have contributed to the development of a national church strategy to tackle sorcery accusation-related violence following a workshop in Lae by the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC).

CLRC Secretary Dr Eric Kwa has condemned sorcery accusation-related violence, saying it is usually directed against isolated and vulnerable people in the community, particularly women.

Dr Kwa said the three-day workshop was the first of a series of regional consultations to be held around the country to aid the development of a National Churches Strategic Plan on Sorcery Beliefs and Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence.

The National Churches Strategic Plan is a key component of the Sorcery National Action Plan, which aims to break the link between accusations of sorcery and violence.

Addressing the meeting, Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Andrew Egan said churches had a crucial role in reducing and eventually eliminating the incidence of sorcery accusation-related attacks.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Andrew speaking at the meeting on the important role of churches in “helping reduce and eliminate sorcery-accusation related violence”

“Because of their deep roots in the community and their strong connection with people in their everyday lives, churches are in a unique position to help address sorcery accusation related violence,” Mr Egan said.

“Churches speak with a strong voice, and the messages they convey will be heard, that is why they are an important partner in helping reduce and eliminate such violence.” 

The National Churches Strategic Plan is being developed to help ensure churches act and speak against sorcery accusation-related violence in a consistent and coordinated way.

The workshop was organised by the CLRC with support from the Department for Community Development and Religion, the PNG Council of Churches and the Australian Government through the Justice Services and Stability for Development Program.

Nine community grants issued in Bougainville

Australian High Commission

Nine community grants worth up to K100,000 each were signed on Friday July 6 in Arawa in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to support grass-roots development projects.

 

The nine community groups with their grant contracts

The grants will fund water and sanitation, road, child counselling and farming projects based in Central and South Bougainville including Bana, Buin, Kieta, Siwai, Panguna and Torokina.

Grant recipients include Pakana Clan Group, St Chris Sipii Primary School, Lenoke Council of Elders, Bogisago Womens Group, Pewana Village Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project, Konga Primary School-Bom, Baitoningka Road Project, John Roka Memorial School, Ukoto Womens Group.

 

Secretary for Community Development, Mana Kakarouts, presenting the community grant to Ukoto Women’s Group chair, Ursular Ririuvie.

The projects are supported through Bougainville Community Grants scheme, a partnership between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Australia. Grants of between K5,000 and K100,000 are available to groups and organisations across Bougainville to support community-driven development activities that promote peace, security and cohesion.

Community grants provide funds for projects of four to six months’ duration in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, income generation and livelihoods, gender equality and social inclusion and climate change adaptation.

 

 Baitoningka Road Project Chairman, Mark Marina’a, signs the grant agreement with Grants Officer, Andrew Bosna, as witness.

In November 2016, expressions of interest were invited and a total of 329 applications were received, with 60 projects selected so far by the scheme’s committee and 30 currently under implementation.

Grantees are selected by the Bougainville Community Grants Committee, which is chaired by the ABG’s Secretary of Community Development and includes members from seven ABG departments and community representatives.

Projects chosen for grants funding must demonstrate partnerships between government, citizens, landowners, community-based organisations or businesses who share the responsibility of addressing local development challenges.

Media training in Talasea District

Australian High Commission

Forty-five women and men from Talasea District in West New Britain Province participated in media training last month to understand the role of media and how it can be used as a platform for communicating their stories and discussing important national issues.

Emma Dimain, Pius Vapolo, Emmanuel Mockley, Marsall Sangsangio and Roselyn Akua during a group session on basic news writing skills in Talasea.

The two-day workshop was held in Kimbe by the Media Development Initiative (MDI), covering basic news writing, setting up and participating in news interviews, social media literacy and understanding the power of media to shape public debate. 

The training was aimed at teaching ordinary citizens how to use media as a means to communicate their stories and express their views to others, including the government, to influence positive change.

Women in Business representative, Cheryl Kisakiu was one of 45 participants who received media training in Talasea from the Australian-supported Media Development Initiative.

Equipped with basic skills to write a media release, Program Coordinator for West New Britain Human Development Institute, Vince Marinduo, said she can now share her program’s success stories – such as training more than 7,000 people in business viability programs in the province – to a wider audience.

“I believe positive change stories, promoted through local media, can promote financial literacy and encourage economic viability in the district and province,” said Ms Marinduo.

The MDI aims to support Papua New Guinea media organisations to facilitate the flow of information between citizens and government and educate civil society organisations about ways of using the media as a platform for communicating their stories and engaging with government.

MDI provides technical assistance and mentoring through three hubs – the District, Current Affairs and Creative hubs. The hubs aim to promote creativity, innovation and networking among members to build and strengthen relationships between the state and citizens through the media.

Hub members include subject experts such as script writers and film makers, community members, local community based organisations, local government and media organisations such as the PNG Media Council, NBC and others. 

Cheryl Kisakiu takes part in a group exercise during media training in Talasea.

MDI is trialling a district hub in Talasea to increase understanding of the role of media and how ordinary citizens can effectively shape and influence change in their communities.

Supported by Australia through the Decentralisation and Citizen Participation Partnership, MDI is managed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation International Development in partnership with Papua New Guinea National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and other media organisations to build capacity, develop quality content and facilitate  platforms for citizens and state to discuss issues of national interest.

Lae under flooding

By MIKES EARLEY in Lae

Lae is under flooding this morning after heavy rain.

The Esplanade.

Port Moresby is not a place where it rains heavily bit it has big storm drains.

Mobil Service Station 8th Street.

Lae is a place where it rains but it has only small drains.

Lae Central Police Station parking lot.

This morning I got up early thinking that Bumbu River had flooded.

Road in front of Indoor Stadium.

All the streets had turned into Bumbu River.

8th Street.

Bold bid for NSW Labor Party to back PNG's entry into the NRL

by Adrian Proszenko, smh.com.au
June 30, 2018

A motion tabled at the NSW Labor Party annual conference on Sunday could be the key to the introduction of a Papua New Guinean team entering the NRL in the future.

The motion, proposed by Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne and seconded by Member for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlethwaite, calls for a future Federal Labor Government to support PNG’s NRL bid as a foreign policy initiative.

Triumph: Justin Olam celebrates his try for the Kumuls against Fiji.Photo: AAP

PNG is the only country in the world that can claim rugby league as its national sport and recent results have proven the nation has considerable talent in its ranks. The Kumuls, fresh from their quarter-final appearance in last year’s World Cup, upset Fiji in last weekend’s Pacific Test.

The PNG Hunters are also the defending champions in Queensland’s Intrust Super Premiership competition after beating the Sunshine Coast Falcon’s in last year’s grand final. biggest obstacle in the way of NRL inclusion would be raising the funds required to bankroll the project. However, Sunday’s proposal could see an elected Labor Government support a PNG NRL bid to build economic, cultural and social ties between the nations.

"Papua New Guinea is our closest neighbour and the only nation on earth to have rugby league as their national sport. In fact, rugby league is like a religion for New Guineans," Byrne said.

"Establishing a PNG team in the NRL would transform the relationship between our two nations and create permanent cultural and social connections between our peoples.

PNG is the only country in the world to count rugby league as its national sport.

"PNG is a former Australian colony, with almost double the population of New Zealand, but sadly we haven't developed the same familial relationship with New Guineans that we have with our cousins across the ditch.

“Rugby league can be the tool we use to build those bonds of affection. There is a huge opportunity to use rugby league to build a much closer and meaningful relationship between the people of PNG and Australia.”

Byrne has liaised with the NRL about the motion, while ARLC chairman Peter Beattie is on record as saying the game “must expand or die”.

The motion reads, in part: “Collaborate with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Australian Rugby League Commission and Papua New Guinea Rugby League (PNGRL) to investigate the establishment a PNG team in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition. This should be undertaken as a foreign policy initiative as well as a sports initiative aimed at building cultural and economic links between the two nations.”

The Prime Minister's XIII team training in Port Moresby ahead of their annual clash with PNG.

The motion also calls for initiatives to continue to strengthen the financial sustainability of the PNGRL, as well as a continuation of programs that address social challenges such as domestic violence.

“With the PNG Hunters having won the premiership in the Queensland Cup last year, stepping up to first grade is a natural progression,” Byrne said. “In order to make this leap the PNG rugby League will need administrative and financial assistance and the Australian Government should help them to stand on their own two feet. No single measure would do more for Papua New Guinean national identity than bringing the Hunter's into the NRL.”

Arawa Hospital opened in Bougainville

Australian High Commission

The people of Bougainville now have access to improved health services with the official opening of the upgraded Arawa Hospital.

Senior medical officer Dr Joe Velosi and nurse Felicity Osioco attending to a patient at the upgraded Arawa Hospital.

From 2015 to 2018, the Australian Government provided K33.8 million for the upgrade of the then Arawa Health Centre to a district hospital.

Bird's eye view of the upgraded Arawa Hospital.

 Under the partnership arrangement, the Autonomous Bougainville Government purchased equipment for the hospital at a value of PGK4 million.

Senior medical officer Dr Joe Velosi with new equipment at the upgraded Arawa Hospital.

The hospital was opened on today by Prime Minister of Peter O’Neill, President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville John Momis, and Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Bruce Davis.

Community health worker Jean Kevan holds two-month old Cornellius in the Maternal and Child Health waiting room.

“Australia is proud to deliver these new and expanded health facilities in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government,” said Davis.

“It is great to see the upgraded Arawa Hospital already supporting the delivery of improved services to the people of Bougainville, from babies being delivered safely to life-saving surgeries being performed.”

New parents, Graham Joke and Lizdelmar Pa’ai visit the upgraded Arawa Hospital’s Maternal and Child Health ward to have their one month old baby, Benjamin, vaccinated

The hospital upgrade includes a range of improved facilities, including a labour ward, surgical facilities, general medical wing and multipurpose wing with 24 new ward beds, nurse stations, pharmacy dispensary and biomedical laboratory.

A key part of the project was the provision of an on-site Family Support Centre for survivors of family and sexual violence to access specialised health care. 

The centre includes counselling and consultation rooms, safe rooms, transit accommodation, and disability access.

Since the hospital opened to the public in early 2017, the delivery of health services to Bougainville people has doubled its daily operational attendance, admissions, antenatal care and deliveries. 

Women from remote communities around Arawa who previously have not had access to maternal care have been able to come to the facility to deliver their babies safely.

The project generated around 500,000 hours of construction-related employment to the local economy and strengthened local trade skills.

 It was delivered through the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Department of Health.

Project Runway fashion extravaganza on again

‘DRESS FOR PROGRESS’ 
THE PACIFIC BALANCED FUND PROJECT RUNWAY - MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

by EURALIA PAINE

The annual Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) PNG Project Runway sponsored by the Pacific Balanced Fund will be staged at The Stanley Hotel and Suites in Port Moresby on July 28 this year.

This outfit created by WANTOK Clothing was the winner of the Traditionally Inspired Dress category in last year’s Project Runway. The model – Sheilla Yama – is wearing this piece which was inspired by Milne Bay Province and the skills of the Milne Bay people in terms of weaving and carving. It incorporates themes, patterns and colours of the Milne Bay Canoe culture and is made from pandanus, copra sack, feathers, wood, pearls, pearl shell and abalone shell, all sourced locally. Wantok Clothing was assisted by skilled ladies and men from Divinai village in Milne Bay Province.

This is the fourth year for the Project Runway to be staged and my…has it come a long way!

Thanks to Facebook – this event has gained popularity through the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG FB Page which has over 13,000 followers.

The creativity and unique handiwork of our local designers on stage have been photographed and shared by fans and critiques many times over, on social media.

This has assisted with ticket sales for the event which provides a platform for local designers to showcase their talent.

Not only that, the main reason behind the Project Runway and the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) PNG is a noble cause that has resonated well with supporters.

Funds raised through these events go to a Scholarship Fund which assists young women to complete their education in colleges and universities in PNG every year.

This is an invaluable tool for empowerment of women that has been in place since 2011.

Under the patronage of Ms Lynda Babao-O’Neill and Chair of Mrs Molly O’Rourke, supported by a hard-working committee of volunteers, the MPIP PNG has grown from strength to strength as the stats below indicate.

In 2017 the Scholarship Fund assisted 42 young women with a budget of K84,973.00.

This year the fund  is assisting 54 young women with a budget of K160,308.00.

So far, since 2011,MPIP PNG has assisted a total number of 204 young women to the value of K840,000

For the first time this year, the annual Ruby Anne Laufa Award was awarded to a young woman - Samantha Mosoro - who is completing her studies at the Legal Training Institute (LTI).

Miss Pacific Islands, Matauaina Gwendolyn Toomalatai of American Samoa and Miss Papua New Guinea Niawali Anastacia Twain at the Albert Park in Nadi, Fiji during the regional pageant last December. One of the reasons why Traditionally Inspired Dress is an important category in the MPIP PNG Project Runway…it is also an important category at the Regional pageant.

 This Award is in memory of former Miss South Pacific PNG (2012-2013), Ruby Laufa who passed away in tragic circumstances in February 2017.

She was at the LTI when she passed on.

The MPIP PNG Scholarship is advertised on the Miss Pacific Islands PNG pageant FB Page at the beginning of each year.

The MPIP PNG Committee selects students mostly in third and final year.

This year was a challenge because of the increase in fees in many institutions around the country, and in the priority areas of Health, Education and Agriculture.

 There were over 300 applications which unfortunately could not all be catered for.

Whatever funds raised at the Project Runway will be a welcome addition to the Scholarship Fund.

 This year the Project Runway will be a little different.

 The evening event will be called “A Night of the Arts”.

Along with the main runway attraction, there will be pop-up stalls market, live entertainment and live painting.

 It will be a celebration of the creative industry to give guests something spectacular to enjoy.

There will be 20 stalls in the market which will open for customers at 5pm.


A total of 60 models are expected to strut their stuff on the runway beginning at 6.30pm.

Models at rhearsals for July 28 Project Runway

The Project Runway this year has been opened up as a wider platform for Small and Medium Entreprises - artists and artisans to display their ware and promote sales, in addition to showcasing outfits from 10 local designers; four from Port Moresby and six from out of town.

One of the six is a young man residing in Cairns, Australia.

The runway extravaganza will feature a good mix of established as well as emerging designers.

Outfits will be modelled in the following categories (1) Day /Evening Wear (2). Sarong (3) Traditionally Inspired Dress (TID).

The MPIP PNG Project Runway was introduced in July 2015 to feature local designers, many of whom are women who work from their homes.

There are cash prizes offered.


Moreover at the Project Runway, local designers also have the chance to show their work to sponsors of the Miss PNG pageant where they can then gain paid work to make outfits for a sponsored contestant and then go on to dress her in the regional platform should their contestant win.

 The winner of Miss Papua New Guinea pageant has the enviable opportunity to wear the PNG designed outfits at events locally and regionally.

“Dress for progress” is this year’ Project Runway theme and is taken from the International Women’s Day theme: “Press for progress”.

Ticket price to attend the Project Runway is K250 per person, inclusive of complimentary drinks and finger food.

 The main sponsors are Pacific Balanced Fund (which has the Naming Rights), National Gaming Control Board (Official Sponsor), National Broadcasting Corporation (Official Broadcaster and Gold Sponsor), Paddy’s Hotel, Trends International, Colgate Palmolive, Brain Bell Group, Citi Boutique Hotel, Stanley Hotel & Suites to name a few.

There will be raffle tickets on sale for K20 per ticket or K50 for three tickets.

Prizes include an exquisite PNG silver Kundu and pearl choker donated by House of Gemini, a sewing machine, and an overlocker donated by Brian Bell.

Kundu handcrafted from PNG Silver and Daru Pearl intertwine into an exquisite choker donated by House of Gemini jewelers. This is a raffle prize for the Project Runway. Tickets for this will be sold at K20 each or K50 for three tickets. All proceeds go to the MPIP PNG Scholarship Fund.

The regional pageant was developed by the Government of Samoa to promote the numerous cultures of the Pacific Islands.

The pageant offers young women from around the region an opportunity to act as “cultural ambassadors” for their countries.

The pageant also aims to gain exposure for host nations, and bring publicity to the region and its many tourist attractions.

The MPIP PNG Committee took on the pageant franchise eight years ago and manages it as a not-for-profit organisation.

There are four main pillars of the MPIP PNG:

• The pageant itself which prepares and mentors young women and selects a cultural ambassador to represent PNG.
• The MPIP PNG Scholarship Fund which raises funds to assist young women complete their tertiary education in colleges and universities in PNG.
• The Project Runway .
• The regional pageant where PNG is proudly showcased by Miss Papua New Guinea 

A Crowning Ball is held at the end of each year and the winner of this pageant represents PNG in the regional pageant held in a Pacific Island nation, this time in Tonga in December.

MPIP PNG Committee Chairperson, Mrs O’Rourke said, “We aim to select a girl who is the embodiment of the modern Papua New Guinean women, both educated and culturally aware.

"We also want to select a girl who represents the best that PNG has to offer, with the ability to share the spirit of PNG with others.

“We believe strongly in education as a means to empower young women in PNG.
With the Project Runway, we believe we are contributing to economic empowerment of our women.

“In the true spirit of empowering our women we would like to invite you to partner with us by attending our Project Runway.”

…PASSION…BEAUTY...STRENGTH...

A look at the new Goroka Airport

The Government, through the Asian Development Bank (ADB)- funded Civil Aviation Development Improvement Programme (CADIP)has invested over K111 million into Goroka Airport since 2009, according to National Airports Corporation board chairman Reuben Aila.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill opened the K95.7 million Goroka Airport upgrade project on Tuesday June 5.

This together with other works since 2009 add up to more than K111 million.

"Goroka Airport benefitted from the successful delivery of another two Cadip projects between 2010 and 2017, whose combined value was approximately K15.8 million," Aila said.

"These two projects included the delivery of a state-of-the-art airport rescue and firefighting (Arff) from the United States to Goroka Airport under Cadip Tranche 2.

"This also included a support vehicle, operational and maintenance training for the Arff and technical staff, and other ongoing support at a total cost of approximately K4.8 million.

"The other project was the high-strength steel palisade security fence around the entire petimeter of the airport at a cost of approximately K11 million.

"This investment has delivered world-class airport facilities that meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) PNG cenrtification requirements, and allow the unrestricted operations of F100 and other similar capacity aircraft at Goroka Airport."

Current works included:

• Main runway pavement strengthening;
•  Extension of the main runway by 250m from 1650m to 1900m;
• Runway strip widening to 150m;
• Taxiway and apron strengthening and improvements;
• Construction of the runway end safety area (Resa);
• Resealing of the secondary runway;
• General aviation apron and associated taxiway;
• Application of pavement line markings;
• Improvements to airside drainage systems; and
• Installation of airfield lighting and precision approach path indicator (Papi) systems.

"The landside works included the construction of the new Goroka Airport Terminal building, construction of a new aircraft rescue and firefighting (Arff) station, a new powerhouse including the supply and installation of 2400kva generator sets, a new tractor shed with a tractor, slasher and trailer, and associated airport maintenance equipment," Aila said.

"A new airport control tower will also be constructed as part of this project.

"Construction will commence in June 2018 after Nac staff move into the new terminal building.

"This will also enhance air navigational and management services, enhance communications navigation, and surveillance of air traffic management systems."

Aila said the benefits of the Goroka Airport upgrade project included provision of safe, secure and reliable airport facilities to Eastern Highlands, the Highlands region and PNG as a whole.

"The upgraded airport will facilitate social and economic development by enhancing agriculture, tourism and business connectivity," he said.

UNICEF resumes its commitment of support to Hela

PORT MORESBY, 22 JUNE 2018 - UNICEF is preparing to resume response and recovery support to earthquake affected communities in Hela after conflict and violence forced UNICEF, aid and relief workers, and other UN agencies to briefly relocate in April as a security precautionary measure.

Aid nurse with UNICEF, Martina screens two-year-old Shenilda’s arm for malnutrition at Tate village, Southern Highlands. UNICEF is supporting a child health program that has screened more than 8000 children for severe acute malnutrition. The programme is ongoing in two districts of Southern Highlands: Mendi-Munihu and Nipa-Kutubu, where 32 children have been identified and  are being treated.

Over 115,000 children under the age of 18 including some 32,000 under five years and close to 8,000 infants are expected to directly benefit from health, nutrition, education, child protection and water, sanitation and hygiene activities that UNICEF will support the Government to implement in Hela.

At a partnership review meeting held on June 8 with local partners - Catholic Diocese of Mendi, Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, Caritas, Provincial Child and Family Welfare Services and the Provincial Education Department - UNICEF reiterated its commitment to fulfill its humanitarian obligations to the children of Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.

UNICEF and partners pose for a photo following the review meeting held at the Catholic Diocese of Mendi on Friday, June 8, 2018.

“We are happy to be able to go back to Hela where we will continue to work with the Government and our partners to provide much needed assistance to the children who desperately need help.

"We have been working together since the earthquakes devastated communities and destroyed livelihoods and we intend to continue our support,” UNICEF Representative, David Mcloughlin said after the review meeting.

Mcloughlin added that a two-month integrated child health campaign planned to kick off in mid-July will provide immunisation and nutrition services for.children while the establishment of Child Friendly Spaces will offer psychosocial support to children who have been traumatised by the earthquakes.

“Children from badly damaged schools will be able to continue their education through Temporary Learning Spaces that we will support our partners to set up.

"We will also provide water tanks and
construct Ventilated Improved Pits (VIP) latrines in these schools to promote good hygiene and sanitation practices,” Mcloughlin said.

Aye Win (UNICEF WASH Specialist), Sam ­Walne (Catholic Diocese of Mendi programme manager) discussing pit latrine construction issues with John Wanpis, the teacher in charge at Kundaka Elementary School, during the inspection of the new latrines under construction. Kundaka is one of 10 schools in the province to have recently benefited from the partnership between UNICEF and the Catholic Diocese of Mendi.

To date, UNICEF’s on-going response and recovery support in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces has seen more than 2000 children continue their education in 20 Temporary Learning Spaces with education supplies that UNICEF provided for teachers and students.

Over 8000 children have been screened for Severe Acute Malnutrition, and more than 9000 children vaccinated while 12,000 children received deworming tablets.

More than 3000 children now have access to safe water and proper toilets after UNICEF distributed water tanks to 10 schools and constructed VIP latrines for students.

Many more children and women received psychosocial support and referral services under a Learning and Empowerment project that the UN in partnership with the Australian Government supports.

UNICEF has been providing ongoing response and recovery support in Southern Highlands since March following February’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake and numerous aftershocks that hit four provinces and caused major devastation in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces killing more than 100 people and injuring many more.

The history-making first Air Niugini jet flight into Goroka

History was made  in Goroka on Monday,June 4, 2018, as the first Air Niugini jet aircraft landed in Goroka after many years.

At just after 12.30pm, Air Niugini Flight P2-ANR, with Captain Francis Pohonhelan in the cockpit of the F70, flew down from the Bena mountains into the Goroka Valley to land on the brand-new runway.

It was just a test flight, with no passengers on board, as hundreds of excited people lined the perimeter fencing of the airport to welcome back jet flights.

Jet flights into Goroka stopped in 2005 due to the deteriorating condition of the runway.

Since then, Goroka has only been taking in smaller Air Niugini and PNG Air aircraft, especially the Dash-8.

A jubilant Pohonhelan, who used to fly F-28 jets into the town before,  said after the history-making flight that resumption of jet flights augured well for the economy of Goroka and Eastern Highlands.

National Airports Corporation programme-director for the Asian Development Bank-funded Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme (CADIP), Manua Kametan, was beaming as well.

National Airports Corporation chairman Reuben Aila was an elated man as he watched the jet land.

He said：

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill flew in the next day on an F70 jet and opened the Goroka Airport.

Congratulating Captain Francis Pohonhelan on his  history-making first jet flight to Goroka after many years.

Asian Development Bank address at Goroka Airport opening

Asian Development Bank Deputy Country Director Maria Theresa Villareal speaking at Goroka Airport opening on Tuesday, June 5, 2018：

Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing speaking at Goroka Airport opening

Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing  speaking at Goroka Airport opening on Tuesday, June 5, 2018：

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill opens Goroka Airport

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's full speech when opening Goroka Airport on Tuesday, June 5, 2018：

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on the new Goroka Airport

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, who has a very strong and personal relationship with Goroka, tells me what the new Goroka Airport means to him after opening it on Tuesday, June 5, 2018:

Mal 'Kela' Smith on the new Goroka Airport

The legend Mal 'Kela' Smith, who has been flying in and out of Goroka since 1969, talks to me about what the new airport means to him.

He remembers his old mate, Dennis Buchanan of Talair fame, pioneer Sir Danny Leahy, and the old-timers who built Goroka.

New Goroka Airport to boost agriculture and tourism, says MP

Goroka MP Henry Ame says agriculture and tourism are set to boom in his town and Eastern Highlands following the opening of the new airport there.

The airport was opened on Tuesday, June 5, by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

UN returns to Mendi, resumes humanitarian operation

Port Moresby, June 21, 2018 – United Nations (UN) staff returned to Mendi in Southern Highlands province to resume humanitarian relief activities which have been ongoing since February’s M7.5 earthquake which took place in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

The staff were warmly greeted with chants of ‘welkam back’ by communities including children, religious and local leaders. The UN relocated its personnel from Mendi following the outbreak of violence there on 14 June.

“We stopped at Ilo Elementary School, Yebi Primary School and Kalape Elementary School in Imbonggu District to see the progress on latrine and water storage installations, . . . .the three schools organised a celebration, welcoming (back) UN. 

"Chants, songs, posters – big and small, speeches, all thanking and welcoming UN. 

"Community leaders were there and also welcomed the UN team . . . saying people in Imbongu are peace loving.

" I was personally touched when the MC announced ‘mangi Mendi em kambek’” said Ali Ramly, UNICEF Team Leader. 

“As we entered the town and approached the Diocese where we stay. . . . the reception was incredible – children ran up to us, nuns and priests and brothers were coming to approach us.”

UN Resident Coordinator, Gianluca Rampolla said： “UN is committed to serve the people of Papua New Guinea and support the communities affected by earthquake in addressing their immediate needs. 

"Our immediate return is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our staff who are ready to work in the most difficult and challenging situations. 

"The welcome that the communities have extended to our staff is a very clear indication of the value of our work. 

"It is a proud moment for all of us.” 

The UN Resident Coordinator accompanied by the UNICEF Representative and a World Bank delegation will be travelling to Mendi over the weekend.

Operating from its base in Mendi, the UN has been providing relief assistance to earthquake-impacted communities in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces. 

These include providing emergency shelters and households items while also supporting the rehabilitating of facilities in schools and health centres; establishing temporary learning space for children and empowerment spaces for women; undertaking province-wide immunization campaigns, malnutrition screening and treatment while providing access to psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health and family planning services. 

The UN has also provided food assistance to remote communities in Southern Highlands, Hela and Western provinces experiencing severe food insecurity.

The UN continues to support the PNG Government with humanitarian and logistics coordination for the earthquake response.

New Goroka Airport a boost to tourism: Tourism Promotion Authority

The new Goroka Airport will bring in an increased number of tourists to Goroka and Eastern Highlands, says Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer and National Airports Corporation deputy-chairman Jerry Agus.
He said this when commenting on the opening of the K110 million Goroka Airport upgrade project on Tuesday June 5 by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill (click to watch full interview).

Agus said apart from the terminal, there were other things that made tourism click, if it was to grow in Eastern Highlands.

Nadzab Airport redevelopment to begin in 2019

Work on the much-mooted Nadzab Airport development in Morobe will begin in 2019 and be completed by 2022, says National Airports Corporation chief executive officer Richard Yopo.

Funding agreements between Japan and Papua New Guinea were signed in 2015 but work has not yet begun on this project, which is planned to be developed as an alternative international airport to Jackson in Port Moresby at a cost of K692 million.

Work was to have begun in 2017 and finished in 2020, but nothing has happened as yet.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and PNG Ambassador to Japan Gabriel Dusava in 2015 signed agreements for a K578 million loan to PNG for the Nadzab upgrade.

The balance of K114 million will come from the PNG Government. 

Western provincial administrator puts education first

Education is high on the priority list of new Western administrator Aquila Sampson.

Sampson, in his first media interview on Tuesday June 19 as the administrator, said education remained a major obstacle to development in the country’s largest province.

Aged 53, from Parama Island at the mouth of the Fly River, he was appointed administrator by Cabinet last Thursday.

Sampson did his primary and high schooling in Lae before going to Sogeri National High School and University of PNG where he studied law.

He is currently the acting-Commissioner of the National Lands Commission, and before that, was a deputy state-solicitor.

Sampson, has also worked with national and supreme court judges and the Fly River (Western) provincial government.