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NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
030823 ABG Minister for Community Government calls on National
PNG counterpart
New Dawn FM News
ABG Minister for Community Government Hon Theonila Matbob says as
the minister responsible for the people, I, seek the National
Governments assistance to ensure through the spirit of the
Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) that a scientific monitoring is
supported and established without further delay.
I also seek immediate construction of an access road from Torokina
to Togarau to connect both Torokina to Wakunai districts. Such an
initiative is needed, voiced by late Sir Sam Akoitai, a peace
warrior and I echo his vision, for that immediate intervention
during this state of emergency operations in the next three weeks,
she said.
The whole disaster and emergency operation will be
followed from preparedness, response, recovery and rebuilding
strategies.
The immediate intervention so far undertaken to set the basis for
Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to support are as
follows;
1. Establishment of main operations centre in Buka district
headquarters headed by Emergency Controller, Deputy Chief Secretary
Operations and Care-taker of the office of Chief Secretary Ms
Esther Usurup (manages whole government coordination through
Bougainville Regional Disaster Committee and chaired as by the
Chief Secretary
Ms Esther Usurup as care-taker Chief Secretary and Emergency
Controller has established the emergency disaster management team
and Wakunai district disaster management teams headed by Mathew
Kusa and Boniface Wadari respectively.
Through ministerial intervention by South MP Hon Timothy Masiu,
Minister for ICT, a Manolos Aviation Helicopter was deployed on
Tuesday 18th July, 2023 to carry out aerial survey and set
installation for Seismographer at Piva station to monitor seismic
and volcanic activity of Mt Bagana
Evacuation centres are now setup at Piva station, Wakunai district
and the areas that need immediate food, relief supplies, canvases,
water, and tents and basic necessities as requested by the District
Disaster Coordinators.
Although, the Rabaul Observatory has been downgraded the stage
level alert from 3 to 2 regular updates in severity and seismic and
Geo-hazards seismic activity must be continuously updated with
their presence at Piva station. ENDS///AK
NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
030823 Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) declared a state of
emergency within Wakunai and Torokina districts
New Dawn FM News
The Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) declared a state of
emergency within Wakunai and Torokina districts to ensure peace and
order in preparedness response recovery and support to our people
internally displaced through Mt Bagana volcanic eruption, on Sunday
13th July, 2023.
Minister for Community Government Hon Theonila Matbob says pursuant
to section 4 of the Bougainville Emergency Act 2006, Ms Esther
Usurup Harou has been fully appointed as the Emergency Controller
effective as of 1st August, 2023 through a gazette.
A Joint Emergency Operation task force has been established under
the leadership and she leads a team comprised of Education, Health,
Technical Services, Lands Environment and Conservation, Energy and
Geo-hazards and Bougainville Police Service (BPS).
The Bougainville Emergency Controller maintains National
counterpart collaboration with National Disaster Centre, hence the
deployment of Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to Mt Bagana
Volcanic Eruption Response Programme.
I embrace your open invitation and appeal by Prime Minister Hon
James Marape for the joined efforts by all development partners in
PNG to provide support and also I would like to acknowledge
Bougainvilleans who have been contributing especially Bougainville
Community in Port Moresby during this time of need in South
Bougainville, she added. ENDS///AK
A TIME BOMB TICKING IF BPA IS NOT RATIFIED. "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
During the recent Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) Meeting in Port Moresby, both leaders addressed the situation. Mr. Toroama questioned the Prime Minister's fears, asking if they relate to complete detachment from PNG, concerns about the rest of the country seeking to unify with PNG, or a lack of seriousness towards the referendum's outcome.
He emphasized the importance of embracing Melanesian customs and values, highlighting that Bougainville's path to independence was shaped by a long and arduous journey, marked by sacrifices of over 20,000 lives and extensive infrastructure damage. Bougainville's autonomy and the promised referendum, secured through the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, were instrumental in ending a decade-long conflict.
The President stressed that Bougainvilleans had democratically chosen independence with an overwhelming 97.7% vote. He appealed for the National Parliament's ratification, emphasizing the cultural significance of confirming, endorsing, and finalizing this outcome in alignment with Melanesian traditions.
NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
020823 Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) makes history by
entering shores of Autonomous Region of Bougainville after
twenty-three years
New Dawn FM News
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) makes history for the
first time by setting foot on the soil of the Autonomous Region of
Bougainville after twenty-three years.
HMSPNG Cape Glouster Navy vessel Commanding officer Captain Brian
Pohai and his team of PNGDF Navy engineers who arrived on
Bougainville bringing in relief supplies and to assist resettlement
of the local people affected in the area of Torokina in South
Bougainville.
Also present to witness the Sankamap Mt Bagana Humanitarian
Assistance Program is First Secretary AusAID, ABG Department Heads,
former Bougainville Revolutionary Army Commander General Sam
Kauona, President of Veterans Association Joe Pais and President of
Bougainville Womens Federation Barbara Tanei.
According to Minister for Bougainville Affairs Hon Manasseh Makiba
since the Bougainville crisis and the signing of the Bougainville
Peace Agreement (BPA) in 2001, the PNGDF has not set foot on
Bougainville until today.
He says today marks a very significant event in the history of PNG
and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), with request from
the ABG and approval by PNG Government based on Humanitarian
grounds to provide assistance in relief efforts to our people
ravaged by the volcanic eruption of Mt Bagana, in Torokina, South
Bougainville.
According to the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and the PNG
Constitution clearly stipulates the occasion today has followed the
due process of the law, stated Makiba.
Makiba added that the PNG Government through the office of the
Ministry of Bougainville Affairs, stands committed to assist the
ABG Government and the office of the Regional Member of Parliament
Hon Peter Tsiamalili Junior including South Bougainville MP Hon
Timothy Masiu and Central Bougainville MP Hon Simon Domarinu, in
which ever capacity is needed.
Makiba reiterated to the people of Bougainville, his office has
committed K1 million to assist to the Bougainville Disaster office,
Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) Managing Director Augustine Manu
pledged K200,000.00, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL)
Managing Director Wapu Sank made a pledge, National Gaming Control
Board (NGCB) in his capacity as chairman also made a pledge towards
the relief efforts.
The National Disaster office through the PNGDF will continue to
provide assistance to the areas affected by volcano in which ever
capacity required.
I would like to say thank you and pay my respects to the
Bougainville leadership and Bougainville community, by showing
through the leadership from the Office of the Veterans and former
Bougainville Revolutionary Army Commander General Sam Kauona by
accepting PNGDF personnel on the ground, embracing the efforts by
PNGDF at this event from this small ceremony but big significant
day. We must...
PNG Police focus to get tough and strike hard against domestic terrorists, says Manning "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, with the support of the Marape-Rosso Government, is repositioning police personnel and assets to take a harder stand against violent offenders and domestic terrorists.
Police Commissioner David Manning said an important component of this direction includes further empowering Provincial Police Commands to engage with Provincial Administrations to respond to local crime problems.
The RPNGC is moving from what had been an overarching emphasis on crime prevention over recent decades, to focus on responding to criminal activity and countering aggression head-on, the Commissioner said.
The soft glove approach as the frontline policy has not worked, and now the gloves are off and the frontline is the confrontation and neutralisation of criminal activity at its roots.
If a criminal uses a weapon to threaten a village or urban community, that is domestic terrorism, and there is no leniency from police.
Standing orders permit police to neutralise the criminal through reasonable means so they could be shot and potentially die from their injuries.
Police Officers are trained in the escalated use of force when confronting criminal activities, up to and including the use of lethal force, and they have sworn an oath to fulfil this duty.
This is a get tough and strike hard approach, and it is already delivering results including arrests in Bosavi and Kompiam in recent days.
Refocusing police personnel to the streets, with increased mobile capabilities for rapid deployment, who are properly resourced and armed, and supported by new technologies and modern communications systems, is making a difference.
Standing Orders for police officers to neutralise violent offenders through the escalated and reasonable use of force are being reinforced across units. While at the same time a crack-down on any undisciplined behaviour or unauthorised use of force will be the subject of disciplinary measures, and where appropriate, expulsion from the RPNGC.
Community policing remains important, and as regular RPNGC officers a...
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State of Emergency declared to maintain and stabilise Papua New Guineas fuel supply "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
The State of Emergency, PNGs first since the COVID-19 State of Emergency of 2020, was declared by Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua on 31 July, with powers granted under the National Energy Authority Act 2021 and Essential Services Act 2002.
This Declaration of Emergency is made as a direct result of the current disruption in the supply and distribution of fuel and petroleum products and foreign exchange, Kua said in a statement.
By declaring a State of Emergency, the government has proclaimed banking, financial services and provision of adequate foreign exchange as essential services. By so doing, it hopes to ensure the flow of fuel and petroleum products into PNG and ensure the countrys energy demand is permanently stabilised.
Without the governments intervention, this crisis will directly affect the countrys energy security, disrupt government services and businesses, and generally have a negative impact on the economy and welfare of our people, said Kua.
The move follows ongoing disruptions to the supply of fuel in PNG including, but not limited to, the provision of aviation fuel to national airline Air Niugini, which was forced to cancel all domestic flights one day last week due to the imposition of jet fuel restrictions by Puma Energy, the countrys largest fuel importer (international flights were not affected). The airline was forced into similar cancellations during December 2022 and January 2023.
Puma Energy announced last week that it was introducing fuel rationing due to a lack of access to sufficient FX and financial services. PNG has experienced ongoing FX shortages since 2015 and Puma Energy is its largest purchaser of foreign exchange.
Our hands are tied and we are growing more concerned with every day that passes, said Hulala Tokome, Chairman and Managing Director of Puma Energy Papua New Guinea, in a statement. While we have temporarily reinstated supplies as a gesture of good faith, necessary actions have not been taken by other parties.
Consider the Environment "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
John Maine | The National | Letters | 1.08.2023
Papua New Guinea is blessed with a beautiful landmass with a wide range of virgin rainforest covering thousands of square kilometers.
We are recognized as one of the top 10 largest rainforest countries in the world. But today, unlike some centuries back, the rainforest is slowly diminishing because of improper use. Our ancestors depended entirely on their rich and vast natural environment for survival.
The moral and ethical values of treating the natural environment and its habitant were the paramount concerns in the past. They treated mother earth and the forest as their parents, Everyone knew what to get or do when going into the sea, forest or river, The knowledge of how to treat their surroundings was passed down from one to another.
Our ancestors developed different ideologies and belief systems towards our environment just to protect it from becoming endangered and for sustainability purposes. This helped our people to survive through the ages.
However, today is not the same because our natural environment is slowly being degraded. We are witnessing an increase in population with the alarming impacts of climate change due to human activities,
The Western influences have taken all over our traditional survival knowledge and skills of our environment. The introduction of modern tools such as axes or fishing nets, our plants and animals of high value are taken down in large numbers without respecting and conserving them. Not only that but there is also an invasion of big logging and mining companies operating within the country without giving much attention to our beautiful rivers, forests, and animals that are interdepending on each other.
This act of carelessness has endangered a lot of our species to vanish without a trace.
Thus, the beautiful and natural environment that our ancestors have been surviving on for many years is quickly fading.
Regardless of the challenges, we can still save and preserve our environment. But it is only possible if we the people and the government are working together.
Here are some suggestions;
Gender, entrepreneurship and coping during COVID-19: Indonesias GoFood merchants "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
The COVID-19 pandemic affected businesses of all scales and types worldwide. However, little is known about the role and potential of online platforms in supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) during such crises, particularly in emerging markets.
We recently investigated the performance and strategies deployed by MSMEs in Indonesia which use the digital application GoFood, an on-demand cooked food delivery service on the GoJek platform. In this blog, we summarise three key findings: women-owned businesses performance suffered more than men-owned; women entrepreneurs relied more on self-sufficiency as a coping strategy; and competition escalated, providing both threats and opportunities for MSMEs.
We find that women-owned businesses contracted substantially more during the pandemic. Specifically, they experienced an average decline in revenue of over 50%, compared to around 40% for men-led firms. They also witnessed a more pronounced decline in employee numbers (Figure 1). This disparity could be explained by potential differences in gender roles, responsibilities and socio-cultural norms, leading to a disproportionate impact on women entrepreneurs. For instance, women entrepreneurs often face additional challenges due to their role as caregivers, which could affect their ability and willingness to work long hours or pivot business models during the pandemic.
Figure 1: Employment distribution of firm size by gender of business owner (%) 2021 (a), 2020 (b) and 2019 (c)
MSMEs that experienced a significant reduction in their business operations were likely to adopt self-sufficiency or self-insurance measures to cope with the crisis. Women entrepreneurs were more likely than men to cut personal expenses, and tended to use personal savings rather than formal financial sources (for example, bank loans) due to the limited access to finance. As Figure 2 shows, 64% of women who owned businesses spent less on food and personal items, compared to 54% of male merchants.
Figure 2: Crisis mitigation strategies among GoFood merchants (%)
We also found that competition intensified sharply among merchants usin...
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Work begins on Kumul Petroleums world-class fabrication facility in Papua New Guinea "IndyWatch Feed Niugini"
Both companies will work with the state-owned energy company on the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase of a steel, mechanical and piping module heavy fabrication engineering facility.
Kumul Petroleum is proactively establishing this fabrication facility to maximise national content in future petroleum, mining, renewable energy and general heavy industry projects
Valued at US$10 million (K35 million), the first of these contracts, with CSCEC, will result in the construction of access roads, foundations, and site work and services rights of way.
Phase one of early works is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the overall facility is expected to be operational by mid-2024.
As the national petroleum and energy company, Kumul Petroleum is proactively establishing this fabrication facility to maximise national content in future petroleum, mining, renewable energy and general heavy industry projects, through local manufacturing of products that until now have all been imported from overseas, says KPHLs Managing Director, Wapu Sonk.
Based on KPHLs preliminary financial modelling, the US$100 million (K358 million) fabrication business will be profitable and value-accretive after ramp-up to full capacity in its third year of operation, with an expected return on equity greater than 10 per cent.
KPHL has also appointed Dubai-based Fabtech International, the fabrication facility specialist, to play a leading rol...
Localising HIV education in West Papua, and insights for humanitarianism "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
Humanity today is broken was the declaration of a Papuan elder in rural West Papua province, when our local research team (Katmo, Wambrauw and Syufi) began to discuss HIV education. Speaking to local people tended to evoke reactions like this about the seriousness of social and health crises, even in areas far from the current military operations.
HIV/AIDS remains at epidemic levels in West Papua, and mostly affects Indigenous Papuans, yet has largely dropped off the radar of humanitarian activities and aid programs. Community-based prevention and local NGO-designed activities, which were once a relatively small and inexpensive but powerful part of the overarching response, are no longer operating. HIV/AIDS is part of a broader political, social and ecological disaster in West Papua that includes violence towards civilians, refugees fleeing conflict, overcrowding in cities, the destruction of rural livelihoods and coastal ecologies by extractive industries, and a lack of effective health care.
Building on discussions of the localisation of humanitarianism and its ongoing challenges, particularly in Indonesia, we reflect on what lessons can be used to support community-based humanitarianism and revitalise HIV responses.
Our approach to HIV prevention is to co-design education with local responders in a way that engages with existing activities and interests while prioritising cultural understandings and practices of health beyond a narrow biomedical framework. We consider community members, health workers, elders and leaders as local responders, who seek trust, autonomy and sufficient resourcing.
The team spoke to male and female elders, church leaders, teachers and young people about local understandings and practices of health. From the young people we heard that being healthy means having good relationships with parents, other relatives, and the environment; looking out for each other, especially younger siblings and children; and generally taking care of others. Finia meroh means woman of substance, and it emphasises the important role women play in producing life and sus...
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MONEY PULAP NA KAPSAIT, TNT FALSE PROPHET STILL WINNING "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
July 2023 aid news "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
Our monthly update of news and analysis on aid and international development, with a focus on Australian aid.
Australian aid
Australia has joined other countries in denouncing the unilateral decision by Russia to end the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The decision came as the UN reported that as many as 783 million people faced hunger in 2022 an increase of 122 million people since 2019. The US also condemned Russias decision, and announced US$250 million in additional aid for Ukraines agriculture sector.
At their leaders meeting, Prime Minister Albanese and President Widodo announced that Australia would provide $50 million to support clean energy investments in Indonesian small and medium enterprises. In addition, Export Finance Australia will work with Indonesias state-owned electricity provider to establish a US$200 million capital financing facility to support Indonesias energy transition.
In a joint op-ed with his Canadian and New Zealand counterparts, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has called for a global financial architecture that helps address the existential threat of climate change, while supporting countries development ambitions, responding to the millions slipping back into poverty and maintaining stability in the global financial system. The op-ed calls on multilateral institutions to do more, but says nothing about what donors and shareholders need to or are prepared to do in support of that goal.
Australia reportedly joined with nations such as China, Russia and Brazil at the International Maritime Organization to block a proposed US$100 per tonne levy on global shipping emissions. The proposal which would generate an estimated US$60-80 billion a year was supported by several Pacific countries and other small island nations, as well as South Korea, Denmark and France.
Aid to Solomon Islands has again become a flashpoint in the bilateral relationship, with Prime Minister Sogavare accusing Australia and New Zealand of...
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Halaman Budaya Sahewan Panarung | 30 Juli 2023 | MENGAPA KONGRES KEBUDAYAAN KALTENG MENDESAK DISELENGGARAKAN? "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
Pembangunan yang beraras pada kebudayaan menjadi inti pemikiran dalam kerangka kegiatan Pra dan Kongres agar kebudayaan menjadi pilar utama pembangunan.
Muslimin A.R. Effendy
Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan (BPK) adalah unit pelaksana teknis (UPT) dari Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi Republik Indonesia yang berada di daerah dengan tugas melaks...
Minister Sawang wants Papua New Guineans to get Jobs in Projects "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
Papua New Guinea Minister for Labour and Employment, Kessy Sawang, met last Tuesday with Managing Director Mr. Jean-Marc Noiray, Mr. Richard Kassman and Mr. John Tavaperry of TotalEnergies EP PNG.
She was pleased to receive an update on the Papua LNG Project.
The discussions ranged around the employment and skills development impacts the project would have.
and boost national productivity.
The draft National Content Plan for the Papua LNG Project was also discussed.
Minister looks forward to seeing the details of local employment creation once TotalEnergies finalises the plan with the Ministry and Department of Petroleum and Energy.
Minister Sawang wants to see a workforce nationalisation plan that prioritises nationals jobs
meant for Papua New Guineans must go to Papua New Guineans.
Minister Sawangs meeting with TotalEnergies is part of her engagement plan with different stakeholders for dialogue and cooperation to improve labour market outcomes and deliver on the targets set in the Medium Term Development Plan IV. For the petroleum and gas industry the MTDP IV projects the creation of at least 15,000 new jobs.
Minister Sawang wanted to understand how TotalEnergies would contribute to the challenge of increasing the number of Papua New Guineans engaged in the second gas project workforce and the opportunities with the EPC contractors for national companies to secure contracts during the construction phase.
In challenging the resource sector to support the Governments development agenda, Minister
Sawang stated I call on the resource industry to have clear commitments for education, training
and skills development of Papua New Guineans and for their certification. I will instruct my
department to re-examine and strengthen their monitoring framework so we can track progress
towards the Governments targets. I appreciate that the bulk of employment opportunities with oil and gas projects are with...
President of France Emmanuel Macron Visits PNG's tourist Attraction site Variarata National Park "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
The President of France Emmanuel Macron is the first international leader to ever set foot at one of Papua New Guinea's popular tourist attraction site - the Variarata National Park at Sogeri, in Central Province.
The French President visited the Park on Thursday and was greeted by traditional dancing groups from the Hiri-Koairi district.
The leaders then took a 30 minute walk up to the Look Out Point to see the vast natural environment.
This is part of their efforts to be champions of forest.
Photo by NBC News
NBC New / PNG Today
Next :
PNG Court sets free Port Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel over Murder Charge "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
Papua New Guinea's Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel has been found not guilty, and acquitted by the Waigani National Court.
Mr. Samuel and his co-accused Fabian Hera, were both charged with willful murder, and other charges relating to the shooting and killing of Robert Jerry, at a restaurant in Port Moresby, on March 2022.
The Court found that the State had failed to prove that the two accused did kill the deceased, on the 11th of March, 2022.
Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel |
Mr. Samuel when speaking outside the Court, acknowledge the contributions by Late Jerry, and described him as a close friend and family.
He also apologized to the people of Moresby North West for the long delay in service delivery to the electorate, due to the court case, and made an undertaking to start delivering the much needed services, after being cleared by the Court.
Mr. Samuel also thanked his Lawyer, Edward Sasingian, for successfully representing him in the entire criminal matter.
Next :
NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE "IndyWatch Feed Pacific"
290723 WOMENS NSL ROUND FOUR RESULTS
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
Games were held Saturday July 29th,2023 at Hutjena oval.
Game one was between KIARA FC and BUKA ATOLLS
Result was Kiara FC 4 - 2 Buka Atolls FC
Second game was between Central Bougainville FC
Game 2 was won by Central Bougainville FC 3- 0
The final Game between North Bougainville FC and Hamatana FC was
won by North Bougainville FC 3 and Hamatana FC 1.
Round 5 games will be played this coming Wednesday at Hutjena
oval.
This is because Bougainville games are one round behind and having
the games on Wednesday will make Bougainville competition catch up
with the rest of PNG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Womens NSL Games in Papua
New Guinea.
Ends
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