Michael Marum

ENB looks at cruise tourism

Before COVID-19, cruise tourism employed 1.8 million people around the world and generated over $154 billion (K547 billion) to the global economy.

“I believe sustainable cruise tourism growth is an economic opportunity for our people and a moral obligation that our administration must fulfil,” Governor Marum said.

Marum pays tribute to Late Sir Rabbie

ENB's prominent leader and PNG's fourth Prime Minister passed away on 31st March 2023.

“A great statesman and leader, Sir Rabbie served our people of Kokopo District, the people of East New Britain and our country, with passion and integrity, that will be dearly missed,” said Marum.

“Sir Rabbie is a national treasure and his death is a massive loss of wealth and knowledge not just to the people of Kokopo, East New Britain, but Papua New Guinea as a whole.

ENB Governor meets with clan

Cultural tourism was discussed, including concerns over the performances outside their boundaries.

Many at the meeting voiced dissatisfaction over the fire dance performances being lured into the Kokopo and Rabaul town centres.

“As an elder, I am concerned that it is becoming normal for us to be called down to the town centres, lured by the power of the kina and cutting corners. What about our culture and spirits?

“They are up here in the bush,” said one clan elder.

“Just because the boats come or a big man comes to town doesn’t mean we should cut corners.”

Marum calls for collective approach

The Governor made this call when paying a courtesy visit to the Rabaul Urban LLG office recently.

ENB Acting Provincial Administrator, Levi Mano, and Deputy Provincial Administrator for Districts and LLGs Nicholas Larme accompanied Governor Marum.

The team also inspected roads in Rabaul, port services, and Queen’s Park.

He commended the tireless efforts of longtime residents and government officers that have committed themselves over the years to Rabaul, down the road to recovery and confronting challenges of hardships as they went.

Marum Is ENB Governor-elect

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.

Kumul selection in progress

National Kumul coach Michael Marum this week revealed so far they  have a pool of 60 players under the radar who are pushing for selection.

With only a couple of months away from the proposed mid-year test match against the Fiji Bati tentatively set for June/July culminating in the Rugby League World Cup in October,LNG Kumuls Coach Michael Marum and national selectors have already identified a pool of  over 60 players currently playing in the NRL,ISC and Super League.

Mone improves

Marum said Mone defended better, only missing two tackles throughout the match.

“Small guy defending big boys on the edge, and takes a lot of effort to put those big guys down. Again they (Pride) had a lot of sets, their halves and hooker had the game in their hands, we were on the back foot all throughout the game,” Marum said.  

“Hopefully he backs up from last weekend. I’ll probably give him a 5 out of 10 for last weekend game. If he can get that up to a 6 or 7 it would be good enough for us.”

32 to resume SP Hunters training

SP Hunters coach Michael Marum said the 32 players will return to camp on Sunday in Port Moresby. “In consultation with the coaching staff, we are now trimming the squad to those players who can fill the positions and sustain a long season,” Marum said.

To those players that have been released, Marum said: “We have given them programs to continue training and have advised them on areas they need to improve on.

“We hope that they share what they have experienced in the Hunters program with their respective clubs and continue to improve and better their standards.”

PNG PMs XIII side named

To be known as the NGCB PM's XIII team, the squad includes three debutants among experienced hands from this year’s Pacific test and the 2017 World Cup teams.

The team was announced in Port Moresby this afternoon.

The team includes three new faces in Daniel Russel, Edene Gabi, and Justin Laybutt.

Notable exclusions from the Pacific Test Team from this year are Adex Wera, Junior Rau, Kurt Baptist, Luke Page, Richard Pandi, Rod Griffin, Thompson Teteh.

2019 SP Hunters camp

Coach Michael Marum says the camp will go on for 6 weeks, where it is scheduled to end on December 23rd.

The SP Hunters camp has 60 players at the moment.

Coach Michael Marum is not only looking at the championships and local competitions, but he is also scouting out talent in other sporting codes.

“I’ve just been watching a few touch footy and rugby and AFL,” he said.

“We are still trying to maintain three-quarters of our team from last season.”