Papua New Guinea Today

Hela is proud to have on board as the new Chief Executive Officer Dr Gunzee Gawin of Hela Provincial Health Authority.

Hela Provincial Health Authority Board Chairman Peter Botten said that staff and management are pleased to have secured the services of Dr Gawin and the board looked forward to working with him and the staff to improve Hela PHA.

“Dr Gawin is a man of honour, a man of class, and a man of substantial talent and passion,’’ Botten said when welcoming him and his family to Hela.

“He is the ideal person to come and help us turn Hela Provincial Health Authority to the best health service in the country.

It’s a great privilege to be able to recruit the people of Dr Gawin’s calibre and skills,’’ Botten said, adding the board went through a comprehensive process to recruit a new CEO.

Botten said the HPHA was also now recruiting other staff to fill in vacant positions and to bring its staff numbers to a full level 6 hospital.

Hela Provincial Administrator William Bando also welcomed Dr Gawin and his family to Hela, and Into the ‘bigger Hela family’.

THE newly appointed Lae based Australian Consul General Paul Murphy is looking forward to working with the Lae business community, in Papua New Guinea, the Post Courier reports. A statement from the office of Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop announced the plan to establish a Consulate General in Lae in March 2016.

“Lae is the commercial capital of PNG and is home to the largest transshipment facility in the country,” Mr Murphy said. He said because Lae is the gateway that connects the New Guinea Islands, the coastal and highlands regions, the office aims to strengthen the growing trade and investment relationship between PNG and Australia. “We at the consulate will also be working to reinforce Australia’s capacity to oversee all investments in the Morobe Province,” Mr Murphy said. “I am proud of the contributions of the Australian government in various sectors of the PNG economy including business, trade, agriculture and research.” In an interview with Post-Courier, Mr Murphy said the office would be an extension of some of the services provided by the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.

“We are like a shop front. All Australian citizens who are here in Lae or other regions nearby can now access whatever services that they require right here in Lae rather than having to travel to Port Moresby,” Mr Murphy said. He said the decision to open the consulate clearly reflects the prominence of Lae among the Australian government and its political leaders. The temporary office opened this Monday and is located at the Lae International Hotel. “We aim for the full office to be opened in mid-2017,” he said. The consulate in Lae is one of 102 Australian diplomatic missions around the globe. Post Courier/ PNG Today

PNG Telecommunication Workers Union and general Telikom PNG staff are being urged to talk things through instead of withdrawing services which might affect people.

Telecommunications workers and government are there to serve the people's interests and such actions taken by the Union should be the last resort.

Acting Minister for Public Enterprises and State Investments Charles Abel, said this in regards to the recent stop work action taken by the Telecommunication Workers Union.
“But of course we are sensitive to the needs of the workers and we want to work with them, in which we need that genuine spirit of cooperation, and that is what this government is all about and as a minister that is what I am all about, I am always open for a matter of talking things through.
Taking assertive strike action or withdrawing services is the last resort.
You do that when you have exhausted all means possible, including sitting down with the minister and talking things through.

That is what we do in the spirit of cooperation because at the end of the day we must be sensitive to the needs of the public.
We are here as a government, and government companies in the interest of Papua New Guineans, not to here to beat our chest and make it all about us.
If we stop services to our people, it harms our people and it harms the very companies we are supposed represent as well,” Mr Abel said.
NBC News/Photo

The round 1 of the 2017 Intrust Super Cup will see a new-look CQ Capras will host the PNG Hunters at Browne Park – the scene of one of their most remarkable wins last season. The home side stunned the highly fancied visitors 27-20 in their Round 11 match, with Reece Baker scoring a double.

Both sides have undergone a personnel revamp in the off-season with Capras coach Kim Williams looking to add experience to his line-up by signing names such as former NRL player Matt Groat (Dewsbury Rams) and well-regarded hooker Krys Freeman (returning from a stint with Newcastle).

The Hunters however are welcoming home a number of players who have previously performed well for them on the big stage – headlined by 2015 Intrust Super Cup Five-Eighth of the Year Israel Eliab from the London Broncos. He is joined in the squad by Wellington brothers Albert and Stanton and tough forward Willie Minoga who is back from the Blackhawks.

CQ Capras v PNG Hunters

Browne Park on Saturday, March 4 - 6.05pm

Referee: Nick Pelgrave

Head-to-Head: PNG 3 Central 1

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvPNG

Livestream: Watch QRL Livestream

The Teams are:

PNG Hunters :1. Bland Abavu 2. Butler Morris 3. Adex Wera 4. Willie Minoga 5. William Aquila 6. Israel Eliab 7. Ase Boas (c) 8. Henry Noki 9. Gahuna Silas 10. Esau Siune 11. Nixon Put 12. David Loko 13. Stanton Albert 14. Lawrence Tuú 15. Ishmael Balkawa 16. Enoch Maki 17. Moses Meninga 18. Radley Brawa 19. Karo Kauna 20. Noel Joel

Coach: Michael Marum

CQ Capras: 1. Tony Tumusa 2. Ken Tofilau 3. Justin Tavae 4. Samuel Smith 5. Junior Kirisome 6. Reece Baker 7. Jack Madden 8. Matthew Groat 9. Krys Freeman 10. Oliver Percy 11. Guy Williams (c) 12. Marco Delapena 13. Gavin Hiscox 14. Maipele Morseau 15. Victor Halfpenny 16. Jack Kavanagh 17. William Cullen

Coach: Kim Williams

Source: QRL/PNG Today

The Deputy Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika has urged Lawyers who do not have a Practicing Certificate NOT to accept clients, NBC new reports.

He said this while presiding over a misappropriation trial, between the state and Philip Kikala, the former Lagaip-Porgera MP, at the Wabag National Court in Enga Province this morning.

Judge Salika said, the State is wasting a lot of resources in facilitating court circuits, and there must be no delays.

"The case which is set for a week long trial starting this morning was adjourned to tomorrow because the lawyer for the accused George Apor did not represent the accused in court, because he did not have a practicing certificate.

.A frustrated justice Salika,asked “how long it will take lawyer George Apor to obtain a practicing certificate from the Papua New Guinea law society ?” because
he had given the same excuse in his court at the Waigani national court in early February.
The judge told the accused that “Judiciary time was set aside just for this case, and his lawyer's case was not good enough therefore the matter will proceed tomorrow with or without his legal representation", said justice Salika. NBC News/Photo

Rangers from Papua New Guinea and Queensland will now be working together to repair the Kokoda Track in the 75th Anniversary year of the Kokoda Campaign, following the signing in Brisbane of a memorandum of understanding between the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).

Environment Minister John Pundari said the work that the rangers will undertake, carried out in steep terrain and wet conditions, will not be easy but will be very rewarding.
“It’s a great initiative to have rangers from both countries sharing expertise and helping the Kokoda Track Authority to maintain a safe and well-managed track that honours its historical significance and protects and promotes its special values”, Minister Pundari said. He noted that the KTA was the PNG Government agency responsible for keeping the Track open and safe, and for managing the Track on a day-to-day basis.

Tourism Minister Tobias Kulang said Kokoda was a special place, as were its people.
“For QPWS to be able to assist KTA and local communities to maintain the Track, so it remains open and safe, is of great importance to Papua New Guinea. As well as its historical and cultural significance, the Kokoda Track is PNG’s main tourism drawcard, so it’s critical to ensure it is well-maintained and managed.”

Queensland National Parks Minister Steven Miles said Queensland would send nine rangers to Papua New Guinea to work alongside KTA rangers and the local community on track repairs along some key sections of the track.
“This is a very exciting project for all involved. The Kokoda Track is such a significant part of Papua New Guinea’s and Australia’s wartime history, and the work also provides an opportunity to learn skills from each other,” Dr Miles said.
“QPWS established a working relationship with the KTA when its staff assisted with track projects and training during a management trek prior to the 2015 ANZAC Day Centenary celebrations. I was honoured when the PNG Government invited QPWS to enter into a memorandum of understanding, with benefits to both parties.”

This agreement follows efforts by the Kokoda Track Authority to ensure a track maintenance program was underway in time for the start of the 2017 trekking season. The work by the PNG and Queensland rangers will be complemented by footbridge repairs and construction at river crossings along the track.
The Kokoda Initiative is a PNG-led joint development program designed to preserve the Kokoda Track region. It supports the management, sustainable development and protection of the region’s important.

A team comprising of specialists from Australia and New Zealand that conducted surgeries in Tonga was a success, says the coordinator of the Interplast team, Thomas Loporto.

A total of 100 patients were consulted by the interplast team and 35 procedures were carried out.

Loporto said the response from the local team was positive and the program allowed the ongoing development of relationships with the local surgical and nursing staff by team members on return visits.

Loporto also commended the hard work of the staff at Vaiola Hospital for a good coordination of the program and the initial identification of the patients for surgery.

“This trip overall was as good as the previous visits. This is testimony to all the hard work carried out by the local surgical team at Vaiola Hospital in ensuring that the local coordination of the program runs smoothly and the pre-selection of patients,” said Loporto.

The Australia and New Zealand Interplast team faced a slight setback which resulted in the clinic starting a day late.

“The team did face challenges as there was flight delay into Tonga due to poor weather on arrival in Tonga. The team's flight was unable to land and they were diverted to Samoa where they stayed a night. The team arrived a day late, and the clinic which was originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon, took place on the Friday morning. This meant the team had less time on the ground but did their best and worked hard to make up for the lost time”.

The Interplast team plans to visit Tonga in early 2018 as part of their annual visit.

Interplast medical teams are funded by the Australian Government and Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand.

They have been visiting Tonga since 1983 to provide free surgical intervention programs to people with a disability.

The teams have carried out a total of 2663 consultations and 1561 life-changing procedures to date in Tonga.

The Interplast team is based in Melbourne and works across Australia and New Zealand sending volunteers to the Pacific islands from both Australia and New Zealand.

LooTonga/Photo: Interplast team to Tonga

Vanuatu’s first privately owned and operated sandfish hatchery has opened in Havannah Harbour this week, providing a sustainable model for the commercialisation of the natural resource while also addressing the country’s depleting stock.

Sandfish, a type of sea cucumber, are found in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific region.

Aquaculture Solutions Vanuatu’s (ASV) hatchery will have the capacity to produce tens of thousands of juveniles for release on adjacent shore habitats around Havannah Harbour and Moso.

The hatchery was constructed in partnership with the Vanuatu Fisheries Department and the Pacific Community (SPC) with support from the Government of Australia.

“This hatchery took six weeks to complete and Vanuatu’s Department of Fisheries is working on a Memorandum of Understanding with ASV which enables the company to harvest sandfish while reserving a percentage of stock for natural breeding. Benefits from this arrangement will flow to coastal communities who will be engaged in the harvest of sea cucumbers after they are released,” SPC’s Mariculture and Aquatic Biosecurity Specialist, Dr Michel Bermudes, said.

Most sandfish, which are either captured or cultured, are harvested and processed into beche-de-mer and this dried form accounts for 95 percent of all sea cucumber species traded annually in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea and Japan.

Average retail prices in Hong Kong are USD300 per kilogram and can fetch up to USD1600 per kilogram depending on the quality of the product.

“This type of hatchery provides a sustainable low-tech and low-cost template, a tool for stock enhancement and for marine aquaculture capacity building in Vanuatu. In time, this model can be replicated in other places where sandfish stock enhancement is also needed,” Dr Bermudes said.

SPC has also recently undertaken an initiative in partnership with the World Bank to assess the sea cucumber value chain, production and harvest data in the Pacific’s Melanesia region, with the intention to explore the possibility of establishing a sub-regional beche-de-mer Trust to manage and monitor the exports of high value sea cucumber from the Pacific.

Photo: Sandfish
Source: SPC

Papua New Guinea has lost a radio legend on Saturday night, Loop PNG reports.

The famous radio legend Roger Hao 0’fa passed on at his village Lare in Kairuku, Central Province.

According to the late Hao O’fa official facebook page, the late Radio legend Roger passed into eternity at 11:42pm on Saturday 4th March.

“He went peacefully, surrounded by family at our home Iare. He was as strong as a lion until the very end and went out on his own terms with courage, dignity and grace.

“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Funeral arrangement will be confirmed soon.

The PNG SP Hunters opened the 2017 season by beating Central Queensland Capras 22-16 last night at the Browne Park, Australia.

The Hunters put the first score on the board through a penalty shot. The home side retaliated through Tofilau with a unconverted try to take the lead 4 - 2

In the final minute of the first quarter, captain Boas crossed over for the Hunters first try after a good lead up play and upload from 'freight train' Willie Minoga. Boas could not find the uprights and the Hunters led 6 - 4.

Boas crossed over for his second try after diving through the legs of two defending players. He converted his own try and extended the half-time lead to 12 - 4 .

In the second half, Hunters winger William Aquila scored the Hunters' third try after Boas's kick failed to land on the opposite winger hand which Acquila pounded on the loose ball in the goal area. The conversion was unsuccessful and the Hunters led 16 - 4.

The home side releasing defeat, regrouped and attacked the Hunters defence. Their efforts resulted in three quick tries through Tofilou and squared the score 16 all with 20 minutes remaining on the clock.

On the 70th minute, a penalty was awarded to the Hunters. Boas broke the deadlock with a two pointer.

Willie Minoga put the icing on the cake with a dummy and raised 20 meters to score the final try. Boas missed the conversion and the Hunters won 22 - 16 on full-time.

PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court that will enable Parliament to decide if election nomination and petitioning fees will be adjusted.

The Supreme Court has refused the application by the Ombudsman Commission for an injunction that would have prevented Parliament from debating, deliberating and voting on National Election Nomination Fees and Petition Filing Fees.

PM O’Neill said the proposed amendments will strengthen democratic process to enable true contenders to stand for elections, and will help prevent the malicious use of the court system after elections.
“The proposed changes are commonsense and the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court of Justice has made its ruling,” the Prime Minister said following the decision.
"It is now up to the Parliament to debate and then to vote on this issue, as is the democratic process of our country.
“Ours is a robust democracy, a democracy where the rule of law is respected and protected, and this has been reinforced by the Supreme Court decision.

“The proposed amendments to electoral laws will mark an important point in the ongoing evolution of the electoral process in our country.
“A natural evolution of any economy is that prices and costs will increase over time.
“Election nomination fees have not changed since 1992, while incomes have increased since 1992, consumer prices have increased since 1992 and it is only natural that other costs increase over a quarter of a century.

“Too often we have seen our electoral process manipulated and distorted by people who are not seeking election, but are playing a strategic game to manipulate the outcome for other candidates.
“We want serious contenders to stand for elections, men and women who are serious about representing their people and serving the collective interest of the nation.
“Then after elections are declared, too often in the past, we have seen malicious challenges to results, not based on real evidence and not based on true points of law.

“While these are typically thrown out of court, numerous baseless election challenges have tied up court time, interrupted Parliamentary process and cost taxpayer money.
“With the proposed reforms, when an aggrieved party has a sound case to contest, they will be able to do so and back this up with an appropriate surety.

“Ultimately, the country wants to see a Parliament elected this year that has a five-year term uninterrupted by the misuse of court processes.
“Further to this, the requirement for more appropriate candidate funding will help to offset the high cost of conducting elections in the country.”

The Supreme Court Decision on the proposed law to amend Section 103(2) of the Constitution and Sections 87 & 209 of the Organic Law on National and Provincial and Local-Level Government Elections, was handed down by the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court of Justice on Friday, 3rd March 2017.

This Wednesday and Thursday in Lae and Port Moresby, the PNG corporate sector, Government and community members have the chance to lend their financial support to Team PNG athletes and local schools, by attending the Trukai Fun Run auction events.

The Lae Auction Event is on Wednesday 8th March at Lae Yacht Club, starting at 5:30pm, while the Port Moresby Auction Event will take place on Thursday, 9th March at the Royal Papua Yacht Club, starting 5:30pm.

Trukai Industries has called on all corporate, private and Government organisations, as well as individuals, to attend the auctions and buy shirts for local schools.

Like any athlete seeking a personal best, Trukai’s major objective for the 2017 auctions is simple: Sell 100,000 T-Shirts.

Inclusive of the auction shirt sales, more than 81,000 shirts were sold nationwide last year.

The prized item under the hammer is the 2017 version of the now famous Trukai Fun Run T-Shirt.

For successful bidders seeking exposure for their organisation, the 2017 design will enable them to place their brand on the front-centre-most section of the T-Shirts, which is premium advertising real estate given the popular shirts are commonly worn over many years.

This year Trukai will also be auctioning Cowboys jerseys signed by the entire team, and Hunters Jerseys also signed by the full squad.

Last year the Port Moresby auction saw 20, 000 shirts sold, raising K200, 000 to help fund Team PNG’s Olympic campaign. An additional auction Item in the form of a framed Cowboys Jersey raised K5,555.00.

In Lae 17,000 shirts were sold at auction.

At last week’s Trukai Fun Run launch, legendary Team PNG swimmer Ryan Pini said Team PNG’s participation at the Rio 2016 Olympics was made possible through the support of Trukai Industries and people buying Fun Run T-shirts.

“I would really like to appeal once again to the corporate community to put their hands up and bid for T-shirts at the auction for Team PNG and for schools,” Pini said.

Funds raised will help Team PNG compete at three major international events in 2017 including the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas (19th-23rd July), the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (15th-24th September) and the Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu (2nd-14th December).

The auctions also give bidders from the public and private sectors the chance to lend financial support to local schools, who are able to earn additional income through the selling of donated T-Shirts to fund important school projects and buy vital equipment.

The top three bidders in the 2016 Trukai Fun Run Auctions were IBS, Global Construction and ITI in Port Moresby, and Traisa, Papindo and Eddies Saloon in Lae.

Trukai Industries has also called on local organisations across the country to partner with the PNGOC and Trukai to host the Fun Run event in their local towns.

Last year’s 16 participating centres include Port Moresby, Lae, Gusap, Milne Bay, Popondetta, Madang, Goroka, Mt. Hagen, Kokopo, Kimbe, Bialla, Kavieng, Lihir, Buka, Arawa and Buin.

Photo caption: The 2017 Trukai Fun Run T-Shirt has been designed specifically for organisations to display their brand logo prominently after bidding at auction.

KANDRIAN-Gloucester in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea will be a major player in manufacturing and distribution of fiber glass boats in the country and the Pacific region. This was made possible through the signing of a joint venture partnership between the district and Stoneworks Specialist International Corporation at the Parliament house on last Thursday.

Only in his first term local Member Joseph Lelang has continued to deliver much needed services to his people and the signing with this biggest fiber boat manufacturer and distribution company based in the Philippines is another big step for the Kandrian-Gloucester people and PNG as a whole. Two factories for fiber glass will be erected here in Port Moresby and the other in Kandrian-Gloucester. Work would begin next month.

“If it wasn’t for Joseph Lelang, we would not have considered this joint venture or come and invested here, but we saw that he has his heart for his people and the country’s economy and that convinced us as we were of the same vision in which he had,” chairman and CEO of Stoneworks Specialist International, Marilyn G. Ong said. In welcoming Ong, Mr Lelang said the event marked an important occasion where the district will be facilitating foreign direct investment into PNG through the joint venture. “I think we have not put our country’s physical frame work on the discussion table and they are fully aware of what our tax laws of our investment policy guidelines are,” Mr Lelang said. “They are willing to come and invest in this existing frame work, and I think that’s very important because this form of investment does not lead to deterioration in our tax base and our tax revenue base and I think that’s important,

“Many investments we see in the country are always puting out physical taxation frame works and we negotiate and we give them free tax holidays and all these kind of things, which is not good for PNG. “At the end of day the country’s tax base continues to deteriorate and what revenue do we have, that we are going to use to fund basic services in our country because we simply don’t have money. “This kind of investment with Stonework is a very good form of bringing foreign direct investment and also creating job opportunities in this kind of joint venture partnership,” Mr Lelang said. Post Courier/ PNG Today

PNG Opposition Leader Don Polye today (Sunday) joined the chorus of condolence on the passing of radio legend Roger Hau’ofa.

Mr Polye has expressed his sympathy to the families and relatives of late Hau’ofa who passed away last night at his wife’s Lare village in Kairuku.

He described his death as a huge loss to the nation’s media industry.

“He had a distinctive voice with his fluency in English. His used to critically analyse important issues affecting the country and created forums on the radio airwaves to prompt policies and legislations to address them,” he said.

Polye said late Roger had left a legacy with over 50 years of experience which young presenters would aspire to live by.

“He was a strong advocate for democracy, rule of law, good governance and systems of governance amongst others.

“His relatives and families should be proud of his contribution to the nation,” he said.

He said his prayers were with them at this time of sorrow.

Meanwhile, Polye said lifestyle diseases had been a silent killer, causing deaths to many productive citizens.

He calls on fellow citizens to take healthy food especially cereals, nuts fruits and vegetables.

He discourages them eating protein with ‘too much fat.’

Polye, a gym goer, has challenged them to do physical exercise as it is healthy for their hearts.

The PNG Communication Workers Union (PNGCWU) are still adamant in their stand and will be presenting another petition to the government tomorrow after the recent response from the the prime minister didn't go down well with the union.

Among their concerns that will be included in the petition is the merger of Telikom, Dataco and Bmobile, which the PNGCWU President Mr. Nug Mamtirin said will result in negative effects on the service to the people.
"We don't want the merging of three entities because it will allow for monopoly and killing the players coming into the market, that is why we are asking what is the motive behind this merging," he said.

Another concern that was raised regarding the merger is the job security for the Telikom PNG staff. Mr. Mamtirin said the merger will also result in reduction staff number and that means workers will loss their jobs.
Mr. Mamtirin added that there is no need for a merger to improve on service, but to appoint good qualified people to top management positions.
Picture: Telikom PNG workers protesting outside the Telikom Rumana building on Friday in Port Moresby. PNGFM

AS Magenta the first side to qualify for the OFC Champions League semi-finals and do so unbeaten with the full complement of points after beating Madang 5-0 in their final Group A match at Stade Numa Daly in Nouméa on Friday evening.

Madang FC who are flying high securing their first victory in this competition on Tuesday over desperate Lupe Ole Soaga failed to get past host AS Magenta.

It was a disappointing end to the competition for Madang, but coach Francis Moyap was still proud of his side for their efforts.

“It hasn’t been easy making the step up to this level of competition but we took the opportunity with both hands and I believe each of the players who came here will be better for it,” Moyap said.

AS Magenta coach Alain Moizan was a little concerned ahead of the match that his side may have been taking a slightly complacent approach to their final group game but his concerns soon evaporated as the match got underway.

“They were a little too at ease and a little bit too confident which annoyed me. If you don’t respect your opponent then there is always some kind of karmic justice,” he said.

“But they really got into the game, they were consistent and concentrated for the full 90 minutes.”

Magenta began as they intended to continue, pressing high from the outset and pushing Madang back as deep as possible.

A string of shots around the 21st minute were all well covered by Madang’s back line, until a lapse in judgement saw Nigel Malagian bring down Nicolas Marin in the box earning him a caution and Magenta a penalty.

Marin stepped up to convert and made no mistake in slotting past Glen Agat in what would be the lone goal in the half.

Moizan brought Ouvea-native Joseph Athale at the break who gave the home side something different in the middle going into the second half.

On the stroke of the hour Shene Jean Francois Welepane was the finisher of a play he started in the midfield, latching onto a well-timed pass from Marin out right and placing it in at the near post. A few minutes later Welepane had his brace when he completed a sterling solo run into the area.

Kevin Nemia slipped through the defensive line in the 73rd minute to score the fourth before half-time substitute Athale powered a shot in at goal, stunning Agat in the process.

Moizan had hoped to qualify for the semi-finals, but to do so unbeaten was better than he could have imagined.

“We absolutely wanted to exit from the group and we managed to do that uncontested, with all nine points after winning all three matches,” Moizan enthused.

“We managed to score five unanswered goals and it’s like an extra treat because it’s rare that we don’t concede at least one goal.” source: pngfootball.com.pg .Photo: PNGFA

The Opposition Leader is urging fellow citizens to mount pressure on their MPs in government to vote against the constitutional amendment increasing the nomination fees from K1000 to K10,000.

Don Polye issued the call following the Supreme Court’s verdict last Friday rejecting the Ombudsman Commission’s bid to stop the Parliament from further votes, debate and deliberation.

He said the amendment bill infringed on the citizens’ constitutional right to contend for any public office.

“The court’s rejection does not mean that the bill is constitutional. The decision only reflected a distinct separation of powers among the judiciary, executive and the legislative governments,” he said.

Polye challenged his fellow MPs in government to use their ‘moral conscience’ to oppose the bill in its second and third readings when Parliament session resumes on March 28.

The amendment to Section 103 of the Constitution was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill but he narrowly mustered 74-14 votes in favour.

The Opposition Leader has commended two government MPs who have broken ranks within the government to vote against it.

The MPs are Minister for Public Service and Abau Sir Puka Temu and Vice Minister for Mining and Chuave MP Wera Mori.

Polye described this law as draconian, saying he is confident that more MPs in the government will vote against the bill when it returns to Parliament for votes.

He assures the people that the Opposition caucus will discuss the decision with their lawyers on whether to make an application for its review.

Passengers and crew on the cruise ship Queen Victoria witnessed royal traditional rituals observed by Tongans during the mourning period for the late Queen Mother, Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho.

The cruise ship called into Nuku’alofa last Thursday, a day after the burial service was held.

The ritual observed included traditional presentations of feitu’ui and ha’amo, purple and black decorations of Nuku’alofa and people wearing black outfit and huge mats.

Radio Tonga reports there were 1800 passengers and 900 crew members on the ship.

Cruise ships visiting Tonga, help boost the country’ economy when tourists buy handicraft and other items and tour historical sites and scenic spots.

Meanwhile the Italian owned cruise ship, Costa Luminoza is scheduled to arrive in Tonga today.

The ship is carrying more than 1000 passengers.

Source: Radio Tonga

About Red Cross 35 volunteers are expected to receive training to help authorities address an outbreak of dengue in Vanuatu.

The first training on Safety Operations was conducted on February 7, 2017 in Malekula, Malampa Province.

The Health and WASH Coordinator of Vanuatu Red Cross Society Sandrine Benjimen says the training is still underway and it will be extended to Emae Island where the Dengue Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) will be implemented.

According to the Ministry of Health in Vanuatu, the outbreak of dengue serotype-2 is ongoing with 1,831 cases reported as of March 2, 2017. There were 45 hospitalisations since November 2016.

Benjimen says with the trainings they’ve had, the volunteers are passionate about reaching out to the communities with dengue awareness.

The Red Cross volunteers will carry out the awareness and mass clean up campaigns in the dengue affected communities.

Benjimen acknowledged the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for the financial and technical support in the Dengue DREF operation.

“We look forward to working with the communities in implementing the dengue DREF activities,” Benjimen added.

Key messages;

Dengue illness is suspected if you have symptoms of: High fever for at least 2 days; Severe headache; Nausea and vomiting; Muscle or joint pains; Pain behind the eyes; and Rash.

Anyone who suspects that they have symptoms of dengue should seek medical advice from their nearest healthcare facility.

Dengue can be a dangerous disease because in severe cases (symptoms may include intense stomach pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums) it may cause death.

Eliminate mosquito breeding places by burying all empty tins, bottles, containers like coconut shells or dispose them properly, cover all water containers with lids, change water from flower vases every week, and keep small fish in water tanks and water drums.

Prevent mosquito bites by using mosquito coils and electric vapour mats during the day time, use mosquito nets to protect babies, the elderly and others who takes naps during the day.

LoopVanuatu/Photo Facebook Vanuatu Red Cross

The roll-out of human rights training for police officers around the country was launched last week by Chief Training Instructor at Bomana Police Training College, Edwin Maritua, at the closing ceremony of a four-day training workshop on “Human Rights and Law Enforcement” on Friday, 3 March 2017 in Vanimo, West Sepik Province.

Twenty-two police officers, including the only two female police officers operating in Vanimo, West Sepik Province, were the first in 2017 to complete the 4-day training package.
The training modules are designed to strengthen understanding within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) on the obligation to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights while conducting their duties.

The training was held on 28 February to 3 March 2017 and was facilitated by the Bomana Police Training College in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), with support from the Ombudsman Commission.
Also speaking at the conclusion of the training, UN Human Rights Adviser, Mr. Kedar Poudyal, commended the twenty-two police officers for bringing “a lot of experiences to the table on practical issues from the field to try to apply human rights” and encouraged the participants to take this knowledge further by sharing with colleagues.

Mr. Maritua commented that “This was one of the first human rights training for Police ever conducted in Vanimo.” Police officers in other provinces in the country will also undergo the same training package, as it is rolled-out across the country this year. He also noted that this training was in line with the new approach to move away from the traditional point of view of only conducting training in Bomana, and the Government’s plans to upgrade the Bomana Police Training College to a National Centre of Excellence.

The training modules were jointly developed by the Bomana Police Training College and OHCHR in 2016, with funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as part of a project to strengthen rule of law and respect for human rights in PNG.

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