Robbery on the Sepik Highway-K20,000 cash and vanilla bean bags stolen

 

Mothers, young females, and men were stripped naked and all their belongings like mobile phones were taken by armed gang at Wara Pipe, an area between Yawatong and Nana-ah villages in the Ambunti Drekikir District, East Sepik.

First secretary to West Sepik Governor Adam Wangu reported yesterday on social media the victims were his relatives.

“The incident took place at 5pm Monday 10th August when 5 gunmen with guns and the rest with one metre bush knives held up passengers from Mansuku, Nuku Station, Yiliwombuk, Sibilanga of Nuku District, West Sepik Province,” he said.

The passengers were on their way to Maprik to sell their vanilla and do shopping in Maprik than return back to Nuku”.

“The armed gang fired bullets at the crew but luckily (by Gods Grace) missed the driver and the crew. Knives were also used during the attack causing wounds and bruises to the passengers.,” Wangu added.

 “They gang members were about to rape the woman folk but a vehicle intervened.”

 K20,000 in cash and 120 kilograms of vanilla beans were stolen.

 He said the matter was reported to Maprik Police and two of the gang members were now in the police cell block.

Wangu said the last message he received from his son in law at 1.26pm yesterday was: “We are going back to Nuku on the same PMV empty handed and hungry”.

 “I read this text and had tears in my eyes,” an emotional Wangu wrote.

 “I am so angry when such happen to my people from Nuku including Yangkok and Lumi. They had sweated their guts to make ends meet and yet get robbed off for what they had worked hard for by our so called brothers from East Sepik.”

 

“As the First Secretary to the Governor of West Sepik Province I have been pushing for West Sepik to take an active role in the Agriculture Master Plan for the Greater Sepik. “

 

“I am arranging for the presentation for what has been done in East Sepik to be presented before the Governor of West Sepik and Provincial Administration coming Friday 14th August.

 

“This to be followed by Scoping Study for West Sepik Province. How can we have a Greater Sepik when such things happen to my people from Nuku,” he expressed his concern.

 

“I am making a special appeal on behalf of my people from Nuku to you our brothers from East Sepik along the Sepik Highway,” Wangu a former national goal keeper and a geologist said.

 

 

 

 

Papua New Guinea Police Minister Bryan Kramer updates about investigation into drug bust in Port Moresby

BY BRYAN KRAMER Police Minister

After a debriefing with the Commissioner for Police David Manning the Prime Minister James Marape issued a press statement to respond to the many misleading and baseless allegations being posted on social media in relation to the PNG's largest drug bust on 26th July 2020.

In his press statement Prime Minister provided the following facts. There is an ongoing investigation into the suspected importation of border controlled, dugs, (suspected to be cocaine) from Papua New Guinea to North Queensland Australia, by a Melbourne based organized crime syndicate utilizing a light aircraft VH-TSI.

The group allegedly facilitated a flight on a light aircraft to PNG on the morning of 26 July 2020, where a member of the group (a pilot) attempted to collect the illicit cargo.

Intelligence reports indicated the consignment of drugs arrived by sea sometime back in March 2020 for shipment to Australia.

On Sunday 26th July 2020, between 1pm and 2:30pm the aircraft crashed while attempting to take-off from a remote airstrip at Papa Lea Lea, north of Port Moresby.

About 11:45am on 28 July 2020, the pilot an Australian National David Cutmore, 52 years of age presented himself to the Australian High Commission in PNG.

On the afternoon of 28 July 2020 Cutmore was arrested by RPNGC under Section 16(1)(a) of the Migration Act and remains in Immigration Custody, accommodated at the Bomana Immigration Detention Centre undertaking 14 days in quarantine.

On the afternoon of 30 July 2020, a search warrant was executed at Sunset Village Resort Papa Lea Lea Village, An item linked to the Melbourne based syndicate was located at the Sunset Village Resort. Following the search a PNG National Shane Dikana was arrested.

On 31st July 2020, the Pilot, Cutmore appeared before District Court on the charge illegal entry in PNG. He pleaded guilty and the Court issued a fine of K3,000.00.

On 4th August 2020 RPNGC arrested an Italian citizen, a captain of a yacht, MV Badu who arrived in PNG on 24 March 2020. It is alleged he shipped the drug consignment into PNG and been in contact with a member of the Melbourne Syndicate two years earlier.

RPNGC searched the yacht, discovering a small amount of cocaine which he claimed was for personal use.

On 6th August 2020 RPNGC executed search warrants for a premises linked to one of the arrested PNG Nationals - they uncovered three bags similar to the bags that were used to transport the cocaine. This discover indicated that may be upto 100 blocks/kilograms (20 per bag) of cocaine unaccounted for.

Today 10th August 2020 Police laid further charges against the pilot, Cutmore under Section 47(1)(a) of Pandemic Act - failing to comply with international travel order. He was also charged under Section 151(2)(a) of Customs Act - offences in relation Narcotic Drugs - where the penalty is K50,000 or upto 10 years imprisonment or both.

Police also laid smuggling charges against the captain and Italian citizen - an offence under Section 49 of Customs Act. An offence that also attracts a penalty is K50,000 or upto 10 years imprisonment or both.

Similar charges were also laid against the three PNG Nationals who were arrested for their part in aiding and abetting in illegal import and smuggling of drugs into PNG.

AFP have arrested five members of Melbourne based criminal syndicate - with alleged links to Italian organized crime for conspiring to import over 500kg of cocaine form PNG into Australia. If convicted all five men are facing life imprisonment.

The Queensland Joint Organized Crime Task Force, working closely with the Victoria Police and RPNGC will allege the group traveled from Melbourne and Sydney to Atherton between 19th & 25th July 2020 with the plan of carrying out the importation and collection of cocaine from PNG, estimated to be valued at more than $80 million.

This is an excellent example of co-operation between the RPNGC and AFP.

"Stop speculation and rumors as the investigations are on-going. All involved in the any form in the illicit drug trade will be investigated and arrested if found to be involved or have benefited in any way." Prime Minister said.

He went onto to say Marape Steven Government will vigorously defend our borders from transnational crimes, especially the illicit drug trades.

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Masks and sanitizers supplied to Papua New Guinea Defence Force

 

The Controller of the COVID-19 National Pandemic Response and Police Commissioner David Manning yesterday issued 4,000 boxes (consisting of 200,000 face masks) and hand sanitizers to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel today at the National Control Centre in Port Moresby.

 

Mr Manning said that it was very important that the members of the Joint Agency Task Force, especially the PNG Defence Force, Police and the Correctional Services who provide the security overlay for the National COVID-19 Pandemic Response are given all the protection required to keep themselves safe whilst they assist the health authorities fight the virus.

 

“Already we have seen an increase in the frontline health workers. We provide the next level of support in this fight and if we are not protected then we could also add to the COVID-19 statistics.

 

“So far I have arranged for masks and hand sanitisers for the National Control Centre, the National Police Headquarters, the Bomana Police College and the NCD police as well as for the PNG Correctional Services nationwide.

 

“I intend to secure the necessary PPEs for policemen and women throughout the country in the coming days,” Mr Manning said.

 

Deputy Director Special Services Division Chief Inspector Luvi Florian when presenting the supplies on behalf of Controller David Manning to Major Jack Aria said it is important to protect the frontline officers who are protecting the borders and assisting the frontline health workers in fighting COVID-19.

 

Chief Inspector Florian said, “The PNG Defence Force provides vital assistance in the effort to contain COVID-19 and continue to be in the frontline manning the borders. Thus, the Controller has seen it necessary to equip all officers including those in the PNG Defence Force, the Police Force and the Correctional Services to be self-protected before assisting the health workers in this pandemic operation.”

 

Major Jack Aria thanked the Controller on behalf of the PNG Defence Force for the timely assistance.

“On behalf of the PNGDF Commander, I acknowledge this assistance that will surely boost the troops in our operations. We are committed and will continue to stand united as we face this enemy. Together we will win this battle,” Major Aria said.

 

A total of 4,000 mask and hand sanitizers were delivered to the PNGDF and will be distributed among its members.

Mine worker in Lihir tests positive to Covid-19 as Ok Tedi suspends operations following seven reported cases

 Newcrest Mining Limited today confirmed a 30-year-old male has tested positive to Covid-19. The case is a mine employee who had flown in from Port Moresby on 30 July.

Last week Ok Tedi Mine in Western Province reported seven cases and the management has since shut down operations.

The Lihir Mine employee reported positive during the routine screening process for all incoming workers where a mandatory screening and 14-day quarantine process is effected upon arrival on the mine site.

The patient is part of 26 confirmed cases reported today by the National Pandemic Control Centre in Port Moresby.

Included in the 26 reported cases is another confirmed case from Lae. The patient is a 53-year-old female employee of a government institution who had recently spent time in China.

The other 24 cases are from the National Capital District, 11 of which have been identified through increased testing at Wanigela settlement in Koki.

The 26 reported cases today bring the total to 214 confirmed COVID-19 cases in PNG.

“Thank you to all community members and leaders for a combined effort to contain this outbreak.

“We are encouraging residents from other suburbs in Port Moresby to report to the nearest clinic in your area if you have a cough, sore throat or flu like illness.

“Please protect your family, community and country by getting tested.

Papua New Guineans should have Moringa drink sessions rather than beer sessions

Have you ever heard about Moringa?

Well if you haven't this is your introduction to good health and long life.

Rest assured but I must remind you that this is not a professional health write up.

It is based on my experiences and reading.

I write this from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and in here Moringa trees grow almost everywhere I drive past.

It so however becomes apparent that few people are taking it.

And this is my concern. Why not?

Are people not aware of its magnificent benefits.

It is touted as the Tree of Life and it has increased amounts of food nutrients that makes our body function at optimum- increases or stables our immune system.

I have been taking Moringa since 2015 and I must say its made me feel healthy and improved my commitment to hours of work, stables my mind under pressure, improves my eyesight (no longer wearing glasses) and I have lost weight from a massive 110.

Last week I checked my BMI and I was at a healthy range.

Moringa helps to ensure our kidney, heart, lung, liver and mind is detoxed and our metabolism works well.

In doing so we lose fat and weight and feel healthy.

I found Moringa to be a very effective stress buster.

Get home from work feeling stressed over somethings not working well, get a few leaves put them in a cup and poor boiling water on it.

Let it brew for 5 minutes and then strain it to a cup and sip like a tea.

Your mind is just perfect in happy state. That's how powerful Moringa is.

It also eases anxiety, lowers blood pressure, cleans urinary tracts and blood vessels.

I take Morina in three ways

• The first is getting fresh green leaves from the garden and place them in a tea pot. Then poor boiled water on it and let it brew for five minutes. The water turns green or slightly colored. Have a strainer over a cup and pour into it. Enjoy like tea
• The other is getting dried pods ( I don't have a picture here) and open it. You'll see seeds in there. Open them like peanuts and eat the seeds. They are very sweet like lolly. 
• My final one is having the powder in a cup and pour cold water on it. Stir and drink it.

It several shops like the NZ Health Shop at Brian Bell's Gordons Plaza, Port Moresby, they sell this Moringa powder in capsules. A packet costs around K90.

I am very convinced about Moringa's benefits and so I recommend everyone to get it. Not just when you're sick but when your healthy and it keeps your immune system up, detoxes our body organs, we live long and healthy.

So instead of having beer sessions, let's have moments where we gather, and drink Moringa to detox ourselves for longer and healthy lives.

Papua New Guinea reports 25 new Covid-19 cases as its record nears 200

The National Pandemic Control Centre has confirmed 25 new cases last night bringing the total COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea to 188 to date.

This includes 24 cases from the National Capital District and one from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB). The results were announced tonight after testing 319 samples from NCD, AROB, Morobe and Simbu.

The ARoB patient is a 22-year-old student who travelled from Port Moresby to Buka recently. More details of the youth will be announced later following contact tracing.

A male foreigner was also reported positive at the Pacific International Hospital after he was sick with cold and flu symptoms and shortness of breath. The foreigner is a close contact of 12 other Filipinos who were confirmed positive on Wednesday 5 August. The foreigners work for a construction company and have no recent travel history out of the country.

The individual brings to total 15 foreigners who have been tested positive in Papua New Guinea. This includes the index case of 20 March, the Australian Defence personnel and the 13 Filipinos from this week. All the 13 Filipinos have been isolated at the Rita Flynn Isolation Centre.

Over the past 22 days Papua New Guinea has seen a 7.5 per cent increase in the number of cases, bringing the total number of positive cases to 188.

Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Paison Dakulala said, “This is an increase of 177 cases in 22 days and it is important that we start taking responsibility for our health and that of our family and community.

“Papua New Guinea in the past 22 days has confirmed 177 cases, out of which 167 are from NCD and 10 from the provinces.

“The youngest is a two year-old from Western Province. The infant was one of the seven cases from Tabubil that was recently announced.

“Isolation and contact tracing of the patients will start tonight as the surveillance team in NCD gather more details about the 25 cases.”

Meanwhile the Rita Flynn Isolation Centre has reopened testing after staff went on strike for non-payment of salaries.

“We understand the critical role the health staff at the Rita Flynn are playing therefore we have resolved the issue today (7 August).

“Effective contact tracing by the provinces have indicated that the transmission was from people who had recently been in Port Moresby. These include the confirmed cases of AROB, Western, West Sepik and Southern Highlands provinces who have been contacts of cases who have been in Port Moresby,” said Deputy Controller Dr Dakulala, adding that as of tonight, there will travel restrictions limiting persons travelling by aircraft from one province in PNG to another province.

“This is part of the government’s strategy to contain the spread of the transmission to other provinces.

“Other strategies include the setting up of testing areas in urban clinics in NCD, including the calling out the PNG Defense Force to assist the police in the COVID-19 emergency operations.

“We are calling on all Papua New Guineans to adhere and practice health measures by washing your hands, coughing into your elbows, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, avoid crowded areas and stay at home if you are sick,” Dr Dakulala said.

West Sepik provincial assembly members inducted on their roles and responsibilities

Local Level Government presidents and Commissioners in West Sepik last week were inducted about their roles and responsibilities at the sub national level.

A team of officials from the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, the Department of Implementation and Rural Development, Finance and Parliamentary Services were in Vanimo.

West Sepik has four districts of Vanimo Green River, Aitape-Lumi, Nuku and Telefomin.

It has 18 LLG’s and 236 wards.

Director of District Development Authority at DPLGA Frank Akrakri said the presidents should work closely with the district administrators and the public servants in the district to assist them plan for projects and development in their wards.

This is the first time such a workshop was conducted in West Sepik and many had applauded as an eye opener.

They were now ready to plan and run their local level governments in their respective districts.

They have realized that in the past few members and the chairman control assembly meetings and passed agenda on projects that are not viable and beneficial to everyone in the community.

The aim of the workshop was to help presidents know and understand their roles and responsibilities so that they can deliver services to people.