Indonesian products cheap near Batas, Wutung

 The last time I visited Indonesian Batas near Wutung in Sandaun was in 2012.

I was a reporter for the National Newspaper and was covering elections in Vanimo.

Since my last visit, I was told today the place has transformed so much that it's like "downtown Port Moresby."

I was gifted this beautiful victory collection "T" shirt. It costs an amazing K10.

The price wowed me.

In Port Moresby it would cost around K30.

Makes me think people who live in West Sepik are able to import this merchandise at reasonable amount paying fair import tax and retail. 

The selling price could be less than K30 in Port Moresby.

Let's do it Sandaun.

Flood inundated villages along Sepik River

 Governor  Allan  Bird issues statement about the provinces responses to Sepik River flood 

On Thursday, we did a tour of parts of the river basin to gauge the extent of the flooding affecting our people.

Continuous rain up in the highlands and along the Sepik basin has resulted in higher than normal flooding. Our river people build homes on high posts to account for annual flooding, unfortunately this current flooding is quite rare. If my memory is correct, we had similar floods in 1982 and 1996.

The district and LLG managers are making assessments of the worst hit areas. Meanwhile the LLG presidents, public servants, MP Wewak and I had a meeting to urgently agree on assistance to be delivered where most needed.

So far we have had two casualties as the result of a land slip in Balam, Dagua LLG, Wewak.

All LLGs are authorised to use K200,000 each to provide relief in those LLGs affected by flooding. DDAs and the ESPG will step in where needed. All assistance will be coordinated on the ground by the respective Ward Members.

Our most affected LLGs are Tunap Hunstein, Ambunti, Gawi, Karawari, Yuat, Keram, Angoram and Marienberg. All food gardens, water sources and many homes are now under water in the worst hit areas.

The immediate need is for canvas, clean drinking water and food (carbohydrates). The people still have plenty of fish and wild protein.

For clean water, we will be talking to our partners to quickly deploy filter buckets for every affected family or water containers that they can refill. We have a current program that distributes filter buckets from the USA. We intend to expand that programme rapidly.

For food, LLGs not affected by flood are urged to supply fresh sago, taro or other crops as necessary through a coordination mechanism set up by the provincial administration.

The PHA is ready to respond to the outbreak of water borne diseases as they arise and medicines and teams are on standby. Emergency medical response is also on standby to respond to any critical emergency requests.

We thank our partners, Samaritan Aviation, our business community, our Churches, our Chamber of Commerce and our people for their support and resilience.

We expect help to be delivered within the 10 days and we expect this crisis to continue for at least 6 weeks.

We urge the business community not to entertain any individual requests for help. If any donations are required from the business community, the Provincial Administrator, Mr Samson Torovi will be writing officially.

We hope this clarifies the situation and should anyone have any issues, please consult our Provincial Disaster Office managed by Mr Warakai.

This message has been disseminated by NBC Wewak as well.

NBC regional journalists trained to use mobile journalism

 Mobile Journalism or MOJO is now the cliche in producing news as technology advances and making production kits portable.

NBC Managing Director Kora Nou urging journalists to look after MOJO kits. Senior camera man Wari Ila videos using the MOJO kit

Regional journalists from across the country took part in a training facilitated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation International Development (ABCID) to use MOJO kits. 

They were presented with the kits to ply their trades in respective provinces.

NBC Board Chairman Ian Tarutia apprrciated the journalists and encouraged them to continue committing to their profession.

Mr Tarutia said the most important asset is any organisation is human capital and with him at the helm since July last year, their focus would be to ensure staff are looked after.

Despite dilapidated infrastructure like buildings that are as old a 50 years, the organisation will embark on revitalizing them and ensuring NBC remains relevant for its viewers and listeners. 

Mr Tarutia has suggested town hall meetings to engage with the provincial on a regular basis to outline what the board and executive management desires and to get updates from what is happening in provinces.

Hekari United women's team focused

 The Hekari United FC women’s football team are currently in Honiara Solomon Islands gearing up for their first game tomorrow in the second edition of the OFC Women’s Champions League.

Touching down in Honiara on Thursday this week, the Hekari United FC women’s football team are focused to do well in this year’s edition of the OFC Women’s Champion League in Honiara.

Hekari United FC Coach Erickson Komeng told the media in Solomon Islands that the girls are determined this time to win the top prize after finishing as runner ups last year in the inaugural edition of the tournament in Port Moresby.

Coach Komeng said they have prepared well and are looking forward to their first game tomorrow against Tafea FC of Vanuatu.

Their other pool matches later will be against Avatu FC of Cook Islands and Henderson Eels of Solomon Islands.

PNG Hunters open season with a win

The SP PNG Hunters kicked off their season on a high note with a 36-22 victory over the visiting Wynnum Manly Seagulls side at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.

After 12 minutes of game time, the visitors were first to put points on the scoreboard through centre Conner Broadhurst which the conversion was unsuccessful.  

The home side then fought back with Clement Lama scoring the equaliser.  

Hunters fullback Sonny Wabo earned himself a try assist, after displaying some outstanding footwork to send winger Brandon Nima over the try line, to put the SP-sponsored side in front for the first time in the game.

Despite trailing, the visitors did not give up and led by their skipper Bryce Donovan, the Seagulls bounced back to narrow the score line 12-10 as both sides headed to the sheds for their break.

Coming into the second half, the Hunters forward back displayed solidarity up front which resulted in Weiyah Koi crossing over for a four-pointer.

Interchange Jordon Pat of the Hunters was the next to score, extending the lead for the Paul Aiton coached side.    

Despite the home side leading, the Seagulls did not give up easily and fought back in the last minutes of the game to score two tries which narrowed the score line to 30-22 in favour of the Hunters.

By Solomon Sumb, NBC National Sports

Court refuses mining company's attempt to stop former employee discussing sexual harassment issues in the media

 Justice Derek Woods at the Waigani National Court on Tuesday afternoon refused Ok Tedi Mining Limiteds attempt to stop former employee  Susan Joseph from using the media to make  statements about her separation of employment with the company.

The company had gone to seeking the injunctive relief alleging Ms Jospeh's statements made in the mainstream and social media were defamatory and had tarnished its reputation.

Ok Tedi Mining Company through its lawyer told the court the allegations by Ms Joseph were made through news broadcast on NBC and published by the Sunday Bulletin weekly newspaper were false and defamatory.

Ms Joseph a former supervisor  with the assets protection department at Ok Tedi Mine had gone to the media saying she was sexually assaulted in 2022 and she continued reporting the matter internally and going as far as the Managing Director and CEO but received no attention.

She began with writing a letter to the HR Manager then seeking redress and she raised the issue four times within the company.

Ms Joseph appeared in court for the first time  representing herself.

"I had exhausted all means internally, " Ms Joseph told the court.

"I needed help and the media was there for  me."

She said she was issued a  letter to be made redundant by the same person who sexually  harassed her.

 Justice Woods has assured Ms Joseph she has the right to be heard.

The Ok Tedi Mining company has told the court Ms Joseph was made redundant because of company restructure and  not because of sexual  harassment issues she raised.

Ms Joseph was made redundant on January 15, 2024.

Justice Woods ruled that the balance of convenience does not favour Ok Tedi Mining Limited to stop Ms Joseph from using the media.

An important point Woods noted was the pleading for damages by the company's executive about the damage the company has suffered was not sealed.

He said he was not  satisfied.

The lawyer did admit it was an oversight.

However the company is at liberty to file for a new relief for damages.

Justice Woods has refused Ok Tedi Mining Company's injunctive  relief  but referred the matter for mediation through the alternate dispute resolution.

Meanwhile Ms  Joseph has been  instructed to find a  lawyer to represent her.

Justice  Woods has just cautioned her to slow down on using the social media which ultimately attracts various comments. 

PNG Air takes PUMA Energy to court over fuel supply issues

 PNG Air and PUMA Energy are in court over aviation  fuel supply issues.

The case did not proceed for further hearing as PUMA Energy has responded to providing fuel supply to the airline company.

However the case will return to court in a months time after both parties discuss way forward.

Justice Derek Woods who heard the case has accepted both parties request to adjourn for a month as there has been some notable efforts by PUMA Energy supplying aviation fuel to PNG Air.

PUMA Energy lawyer told the court there is already 12000 barrels of JetA1 fuel tested and are now available.

PUMA Energy and PNG Air have agreed there is no urgency for supply to resume.

PNG Air essentially wants a fair distribution of aviation fuel that is based on the existing fuel supply levels and location agreements.

Justice Woods has made orders that PUMA Energy should supply PNG Air aviation fuel based on the agreement on location, price and supply level.

All parties are to meet in a conference within 10 working days to resolve issues  and there should be adequate fuel supplied till May 15.

PUMA Energy must provide 21 days notice to PNG Air of its efforts to procure and supply fuel until May 15.

PNG Air can refile a notice of motion again in court if  fuel supply issues reoccur.

Justice Woods said the issue can be referred to mediation.