East New Britain Province

LLG President Boniface Gerep said the police operation began last Saturday and this whole week is a grace period where parents and guardians of the identified youths are encouraged to bring in the suspects to authorities.

“Some houses were torched last Saturday at the Nukumal Plantation within Laup Ward, after villagers were frustrated by the continuous criminal activities in the area, especially armed hold ups on traveling PMVs on the road. Last Friday alone, there were a total of 5 hold ups on PMVs,” he stated.

Governor Michael Marum when handing down the budget on Monday, 6^th February told the Provincial Executive Council that the K618, 107, 790 consists of national government grants,  K340, 933,300, provincial internal revenue K101,200,000,  District Development Authority budget of K140, 404, 090 and Local Level Government budget of K35, 570,400.

East New Britain Provincial internal revenue for 2023 is forecasted to be K101, 200,000 which comprises of K31,000,000 as recurrent and K34,000,000 as development including former years of K36, 200,000.

The training participants included the Deputy Public Solicitor for Civil and Crimes, Solicitors in Charge of branch offices, principal legal officers for each legal section in the headquarters, and managers for corporate sections. 

The training was delivered over five days, covering all five modules of the FLT program. Participants learned about the importance of saving, budgeting, planning for their retirement, how to buy or build their own home, and how to start a micro, small medium enterprise (MSME). 

They now join the five St John professional ambulance officers and SJA ambulance advanced life support nurse based at the Kokopo Ambulance Station.

Chief Executive Officer for PNG SJA Matt Cannon thanks Governor Marum, Digicel Foundation, PNG Fire Service, East New Britain Provincial Government, St Mary’s Vunapope and ENBPHA for supporting and participating in this program.

He added that a proper graduation ceremony will take place later this month on 24 January.

Cleopas Warpit, Ward Member for Vunadidir ward in Toma Vunadidir LLG in Gazelle District said this when commending and appreciating the efforts of officers involved in the Rabaul District festive operations.

The trio - Tazo Tinoa and Raymond Peter from Eastern Highlands Province, and Tony Walange from East Sepik, were charged on Tuesday December 27, 2022 after police confiscated 16 kilograms of marijuana they had carefully hidden in a bag of sweet potatoes from Lae, aboard the MV Kula.

This special operation from 22^nd of December 2022 to 4^th of January 2023, is coordinated by the Rabaul District Law and Justice Sector and will be conducted in the four LLGs of Balanataman, Kombiu, Rabaul Urban and Watom Island in the District.

This operation will be led by the Rabaul Police Station Command and will involve the combined efforts of the Ward Law & Justice Committees and Village Court officials.

The building located at the Rabaul District headquarters, Kurakakaul will provide pathways for students to further their education.

This project was approved last year and awarded to a local construction company, Bela Investment Limited at a contract value of K1, 483 049.15. Foundation works commenced in April 2022 with an implementation timeframe of five months.

District Education Coordinator, Markus Tipepe said that this is an important project for the district as it will provide second chance opportunities for students.

The former PNG Kumuls and Hunters coach raced home to victory with 33,285 votes to be declared governor-elect for the province at 4pm.

Marum in an official speech acknowledged the efforts of provincial electoral officials and the office for the past two weeks. He also lauded outgoing governor, Nakikus Konga.

“I thank outgoing Governor, Konga for his time and efforts over the past five years. Now that I have taken over, I look forward to working with him.

Wong, 44, is the third candidate in East New Britain to be declared Member of Parliament.

Returning Officer, John Wartovo declared Wong at 2.30 pm after the 31^st and final exclusion at midday. Wong’s final tally was 9,348 votes with National Alliance candidate and former Gazelle MP, Malakai Tabar coming in second with 6, 373 votes. The Absolute Majority was 7,861.

Kubak bowed out with 16,810 votes.

Exhausted ballot papers-25,610 and Absolute Majority is 37,476

The progressive tally is:

1. Michael Marum +3982              31,715
2. Cosmas Bauk +2456                24,053
3. Robert Lutulet +981                  19,182

Marum is 6,000 short of reaching the Absolute Majority.