ExxonMobil PNG assists with restoration of food gardens in Hela Province

Exxon Mobil

ExxonMobil PNG continues with its long-term recovery support for earthquake affected communities
Over 58,000 vegetative cuttings, 200 kgs seeds and 900 garden tools distributed 

ExxonMobil PNG Limited, operator of PNG LNG project is continuing to distribute planting materials and gardening tools to communities in its project areas as part of its long-term recovery plan to assist earthquake affected communities re-establish their food gardens.

Delivering planting materials in very bad weather

The distribution is being coordinated by ExxonMobil PNG’s Community Livelihood Improvement Program (CLIP) partner ANU Enterprise. 

“ExxonMobil PNG is here to stay and as a good neighbour we are committed to lend a helping a hand to the communities who are in need of assistance to recover from the impacts of the earthquake,” said Andrew Barry, ExxonMobil PNG managing director.

The distribution has reached more than 900 household of communities living along the Pipeline Right of Way (ROW) at Benaria areas including Yarale, Timu, Lau, Benaria, Mulako Tangi, Tamita and Pakale.

Other distribution sites around Hides include the well pads, 3 Ways, Nigiria, Perapu and Kulu communities.

Since the distribution started, CLIP has delivered more than 39,000 sweet potato vines, 19,400 cassava cuttings, over 20 kilograms of seeds and more than 900 spades.

Sweet potato veins and cassava cuttings ready for distribution

The planting materials consist of pathogen tested sweet potato vines, cassava cuttings, green beans, corn and pakchoi seeds.

The villages are very remote and surrounded by mountains.

 The communities are mostly subsistence farmers, producing crops such as banana, sweet potato, cassava, pumpkin, peanuts and corn which were destroyed by the earthquake.

EMPNG CA Officer Jonah Kupio and VLO Gibson Pipe assisting CLIP team at Lau village 

Seventh Day Adventist Church Pastor, Michael Mogolo of Mulako Tangi community in the Hulia LLG from the Komo Margarima electorate in Hela, said the communities thanked ExxonMobil PNG for the assistance and that it was the first company to set its foot on their land after the earthquake.

“Government officials and other companies find our place so remote and difficult to reach so we don’t get the assistance we need. A helicopter landing on our land to deliver the planting materials and garden tools is a story we will live to tell,” he said. 

Planting materials and gardening tools being delivered to Benaria Station community

ExxonMobil PNG is also continuing to provide support for the restoration of four key health care facilities and two primary schools in its project area in Hela Province as part of its long term recovery plan. 

Saving Lives, spreading smiles – 33,000 babies to benefit from improved newborn care

PORT MORESBY, 11 July, 2018 – More than 33,000 babies born over the next three years (July 2018 – June 2021) in Western Highlands Province will receive an improved comprehensive package
of new born care to ensure they survive and thrive.

Tony Stuart, Chief Executive Officer UNICEF Australia and David Mcloughlin, Country Representative UNICEF PNG during the signing of the LOE in Sydney Australia, yesterday. 

This follows the approval of a generous funding support of over K2 million (USD 642,600) by UNICEF Australia to support the roll out of an Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) programme with a focus on preventing and managing neonatal hypothermia (low body temperature) through the use of an innovative hypothermia alert device known locally as the Bebi Kol Kilok.
In Papua New Guinea, up to6,000.newborns or six out of every 10 infants die every year from preventable causes, a rate that has not improved in the last 20 years and is also the highest in the region.
 Correct hypothermia management can save almost half of these deaths.
“UNICEF PNG is very grateful for this donation that will support the Government of PNG to reduce neonatal deaths by promoting simple cost effective and life-saving practices that are crucial for newborns to survive during the first month of life,” said UNICEF Representative, David Mcloughlin, at the signing of the programme in Sydney, Australia yesterday.
These include addressing critical child survival issues such as warmth or thermal protection for newborns, proper breastfeeding support, basic care for infections and breathing difficulties during
the baby’s most vulnerable period in the first month of life.
The funding support will enable UNICEF PNG to work with the Government to strengthen local capacity in hospitals and health facilities deliver the package of newborn care, assess and remove bottlenecks in the delivery of newborn care services and empower communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to continue newborn care at home.
This programme, the first phase of which is currently being implemented in the National Capital District (NCD) and Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) show decreased rates of hypothermia from 51.6 percent to 40.2 percent (NCD) and 21.3 percent to 17.5 percent in EHP since it was introduced
in 2017.
UNICEF in collaboration with the Department of Health will work directly with Western Highlands Provincial Government, the district authorities, church health services and local non-government
organisations to promote the implementation of this programme.

Young female architect building a career in construction

Australian High Commission

Stephanie Korokoro is building her career as a young architect by working on major construction projects supported by the Australian Government in Papua New Guinea.

Stephanie Korokoro on the National Museum and Art Gallery refurbishment construction site in Port Moresby.

A recent architecture graduate, Stephanie is a key member of the Planpac construction management team engaged to undertake refurbishment of the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) in Port Moresby.

“The museum building is of great national significance to Papua New Guineans as it conserves and displays to the world our country’s rich and diverse culture and history,” said Stephanie.

“It has been a unique experience working on a major national identity project, alongside museum staff, designers and a range of specialists in artefact conservation and curation, to meet international museum standards.”

Originally from Bougainville and the eldest of eight children, Stephanie says her parents made sure both girls and boys in her family were given equal access to education, and were encouraged to pursue their passions. 

In 2013, Stephanie obtained a degree in architecture from the University of Technology in Lae following a childhood interest in building design.

“I’ve always enjoyed designing and constructing my own DIY projects,” recalls Stephanie.

“I was inspired to become an architect after attempting to design and build my first cubby house as a child.”

Stephanie scored her first big construction project in 2015 after being with Planpac less than a year. 

Appointed as part of the construction management team on the Arawa Hospital upgrade, she was responsible for overseeing 50 construction workers across the site – predominantly men.

Despite finding the project a challenge in the beginning, she learned how to gain the trust of the men reporting to her after seeking advice from her father.

“Taking my dad’s advice, I started volunteering on site to help the men out with bits and pieces, such as mixing cement for the floor slabs and helping to weld. 

"Eventually the men realised that I was not an outsider and not only there to give out orders, but rather a team player working with them to deliver the project.

“I am also very grateful that I am part of such a supportive team of architects and construction managers, and that Planpac and the Australian Government are big advocates of gender equality.”

As Stephanie gains experience on different construction projects, she is also looking to the future. 

In the next five years, she hopes to register as a licensed architect and pursue a degree in construction management, while helping other women aspiring to work in the same field.

The NMAG refurbishment and Arawa Hospital upgrade projects are supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea through the Decentralisation and Citizen Participation and the Bougainville Partnerships respectively.

Both Governments are committed to mainstreaming gender equity and social inclusion across all aspects of Papua New Guinea’s development as reflected in Vision 2050.

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.