East New Britain

This point was highlighted by Civil Aviation Minister Davis Steven and emphasised by National Airports Corporation (NAC) Managing Director, Joseph Tupiri, to statements by East New Britain Governor Ereman ToBaining that Tokua Airport needs an upgrade.

Governor ToBaining revealed this when welcoming Steven and those participating in the third Aviation Safety and Security Annual Conference in Kokopo.

He said the Tokua Airport last underwent an upgrade seven years ago on its runway, which is now in need of repair.

The church was packed as United Church followers congregated from three church circuits in the region.

George Brown was a Methodist missionary born in England but migrated to New Zealand in 1855. In 1874-75, he travelled in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and New Zealand, canvassing support. He then visited Fiji and Samoa for volunteer missionaries then later arrived in New Britain.

In 1878, New Britain locals allegedly murdered and ate a Fijian missionary and three teachers but this did not deter Brown from his mission.

Women make up majority of unbanked PNG population

http://www.looppng.com/content/women-make-majority-unbanked-png-population

It has been pointed out that the majority of PNG’s unbanked population is made up of women, especially in rural and urban settlement communities.

Tomscoll: PNG expecting downturn in rice imports

More than 500 people turned up to witness the occasion, which included the ground breaking ceremony of another library building project.

Unlike other government agency schools in the country, the story of the Vunadawai Primary School classroom and office launching is one of true sacrifice.

Talks about these two projects began late last year on November 23. The school board then met and appointed an architect.

“You read, educate yourself, then you develop, you create something,” said Vunapope International Primary School principal Bosco Uraliu in his closing remarks.

Like other schools in the country, the East New Britain institute took the time to observe the National Book Week, which annually falls on the first week of August.

Uraliu emphasised that by commemorating the National Book Week, the school appreciated that reading was an essential way of advancing and developing.

Police commander for the New Guinea Islands Region, Anton Billie, says PMVs are not stopping at designated bus stops and this has raised concerns on the security of the passengers when getting off the buses.

Drivers are not supposed to stop anywhere they please because they have to be careful of the risky locations where robberies can take place anytime, stated Billie.

There are some criminals who pose as passengers in the bus and will try stopping the bus at a risky place where they can easily attack and rob other passengers then run off into the bushes.

This was revealed at a three-day work shop training held in Kokopo, East New Britain, a week ago by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The training was aimed at all co-agencies in the province who advocate for and deal with gender-based violence. It was to equip them with the skills and knowledge to deal with these sort of violence.

Four projects are being conducted in four different provinces, including East New Britain.

ENB Tourism chief executive officer Gard Renson said in Kokopo the Pacific Aria would be the second cruise ship to visit the province this year.

The Sea Princess visited the province last month with more than 1000 tourists on board.

“The province is expected to receive 16 cruise ships this year,” he said. He also added that work was being carried out on the Kokopo-Rabaul road in preparation for the tourists.

Renson said there was a need to clear the road after recent bad weather.

He said said the province received 15 cruise ships last year.

This will be achieved through a memorandum of understanding to be entered into with the Kokopo Vunamami Urban Local level government.

This comes after Parliament passed a bill for an act that establishes this authority.

The municipal services are

-collection of rubbish

-management of a municipal dump

-the cleaning and lighting of roads, streets and paths

- Maintenance of public parks, and recreation areas

- The control of dogs, cats and other domesticated animals.

East New Britain police say the death occurred on August 1 this year at Bitakapuk village in Toma area  in the Vunadidir Local Level Government.

Police say Kelly Boniface had set fire to dried coconut leaves near the house when strong winds caused the fire to spread to their family house.

The child was trapped inside the house when it went up in flames.

Police have issued a strong warning to villagers to be mindful of making fires during windy periods.