Lae

It was the DPM’s first time to swing a golf club to officially open the range after the second day of the PNG Senior Open tournament.

After getting a few pointers from one of the Australian professionals, Rosso opened the driving range with a hit, followed by Lae Golf Club president, Phil Hommelhoff.

The opening paved the way for four of the pro golfers to compete for the K5,000 ‘longest straightest drive’.

Hommelhoff said the range has become a reality after being proposed three years ago.

The weeklong rain ended yesterday, giving some golfers the chance to complete round two – which was halted on Saturday due to the heavy downpour – and continue to round three.

West Australian, Brendan Chant, was leading the pack after round two, with Taylor holding on in third place with 1-under.

Taylor then matched Lucien Tinkler with a 4-under 67 to complete 54 holes in 5-under par.

Lae MP John Rosso raised this issue after seeing numerous comments regarding the flooding in the Top town area last week.

“If you are in Lae, we have experienced heavy rainfall day and night for the last few days and its excessive and above average,” he stated.

“The drainage is clogged up by people who have no regard and just throw rubbish on the streets.

“Road and drainage reserves have been occupied by unscrupulous people who have obtained land titles over these reserves, resulting in the Lae City Authority being unable to access them to work.

Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, emphasised on the importance of the emergency medical response service provided to Lae residents.

This is why since the signing of a three-way agreement between SJA, the Lae City Authority and Morobe Provincial Health Authority in December 2020, LCA has been supporting the ambulance service with K500,000 every year.

“Because of this partnership, the Lae City Authority, every year, supports St John with half-a-million-Kina to partner with St John to ensure that we provide this vital service to the citizens of Lae,” said Rosso.

The morning session involved interested students and their parents who checked out the opportunities on offer by eight participating institutions such as the Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology and the Australian Agribusiness Institute. 

Australian Trade and Investment Commission representative, Patrick Ani, said this is the first leg of the roadshow while the second one will take place in Port Moresby on Thursday at the Hilton Hotel.

Apart from being the Lae MP, Rosso is also PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Lands and Physical Planning and also the Minister for Labour and Immigration.

“Whilst in my capacity as Deputy Prime Minister – I do work for our government and country – you always have to fix your backyard and that’s your home,” he said. “That’s a place where we all grew up.

“Whether you grew up in a settlement or suburb or wherever in the communities around Lae – you’ve got to fix your home. And I think we’ve done well in the last six years with all your help and the business houses.”

Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, launched the bicycle event on Saturday, July 8th, at the Lae Yacht Club. 

Popularly known as the ‘Rosso Cup’, this is the biggest family event in Lae since its inception in 2020.

Over 600 riders registered in the 2020 inaugural Rosso Cup while 800 participated in 2022.

The Lae City Authority anticipates a bigger turnout this year.

“Lae was known as the bicycle city before. It wasn’t ‘Rainy Lae’,” said Rosso.

Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, John Byrne, said they have confirmed with Employers Federation (EFPNG) the legality of this.

“This is quite legal, and as long as any penalty rates are paid on the day chosen by the business as the official day recognising the public holiday, for staff working, and staff are not forced.

“This is not a directive.”

The decision follows the late change in public holiday from June 12^th to June 16^th by the National Executive Council to observe the official King’s Birthday.