Morobe province

CPL Launches Lae Medical & Lab Supplies

The event was attended by medical professionals and industry partners at the Lae International Hotel, who expressed their enthusiasm and warm welcome to the new brand.

CPL Group acquired City Pharmacy Medical & Lab Supplies two years ago from EBOS Group, a leading Australasian medical, pet & health supplier.

With over three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical business, CPL Group has established itself as a provider of quality sales and after-sales service of medical and laboratory equipment to Papua New Guinea's healthcare system.

Directions issued to fake soap defendants

Senior Provincial Magistrate, Pious Tapil, gave the direction after 40-year-old Yan Xiao of Hubei Village in Wuhan, China, and 33-year-old Neng Xiao of Central China appeared before him at the Committal Court on Friday, March 24th.

Yan is the commercial manager of Golden Blocks Ltd while Neng is the manager of the warehouse where the counterfeit soaps were allegedly stored.

The two women have been charged with ‘counterfeiting trade marks’ under section 477, subsection 2(b) of the ‘Criminal Code Act 1974’.

Still suffering post-drought

More than 100 families of ward 20, in the Leron-Wantoat local level government, had no choice but to start searching for wild cassava that was growing in the bushes; a root vegetable that was normally fed to the pigs.

“Taim blo ren kam nau, mipla painim ol stik banana, painim ol samting lo planim lo nupla gaden,” said Pauline Wayaf. (When rain finally came, we looked for banana shoots and other food plants to plant in the new garden.)

Police deployed to Pindiu

In early February, locals in Quenzenzeng Village were attacked over the beheading of a member of their community. During that time, two men were burnt to death in a house, many were injured while 18 houses were razed to the ground.

In response, the Morobe PPHQ deployed a team on Saturday morning.

Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Jacob Singura, said the team is now making its way from Gagidu Station to Pindiu.

Include permitted schools in budget: Principal

Principal of Gen-Tamo Headstart School in Lae, Serah Nakau, outlined that their institution is a permitted school, where they are recognised but not included in government subsidy.

She asked if permitted schools like Gen-Tamo could be included in the provincial budget as they contribute to nation-building as well.

“Why not recognise the permitted schools also? We are not on the subsidy but we are providing what the government agency schools are providing.

Lae homes damaged

A community at Four-Mile, ward four, stage two, lost their properties during the February 17th torrent while over 40 homes were damaged when the storm water diverted from its original course and flowed through people’s homes, polluting drinking water, flooding toilets and displacing families.

Community leader, Pastor Joseph Nianfop, has lived at Four-Mile for 15 years now. He said this is the second time for such an occurrence.

K1.2mil road maintenance contract for Wau-Waria

Wau Waria District Administrator, John Orebut said the contract was awarded to the contractor following the screening and the approval of the contract by the district procurement committee members this month.

The road contract will be carried out in three phases. 
Phase one is from Warabung to Biaru, the second phase is from Biaru to Kasangare and the third phase runs from Kasangare to Sim in Waria local level government council area.

Limited fuel in Lae

This is a result of Puma Energy’s restrictions on fuel supply in the country due to ‘unresolved foreign currency constraints’.

At Top Town, the TotalEnergies service station put handwritten notices near its pumps, stating ‘No petrol’. Total gets its fuel from Puma Energy.

At Snackbar, Ryan Maiah of the Huon Gulf Service Station advised drivers at 11am today that petrol is no longer available.

“Puma Energy has fuel but they have an issue with the Government in terms of foreign exchange that is why they have not supplied fuel since last week,” he stated.

Menyamya needs roads, says Loifa

Farmers are forced to carry bags of coffee and walk for days to reach the nearest road and with coffee being a perishable product, the beans rot within a few days, resulting in wasted effort and time.

Local MP, Solen Loifa, urged the provincial government to hear their plea and build roads and bridges to connect Menyamya to Lae.

“Kofi blo mipla stil sting yet lo maunten na bus stap,” said Loifa. (Our coffee is rotting on the mountain and in bushes.)

Debts, preachers included in budget

Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge, said this when presenting the K645 million 2023 budget yesterday at Tutumang Haus.

“Subject to finding out whether it’s a true claim or false claim, this budget will provide K30 million to slowly, slowly, settle the debts,” he said, referring to claims of outstanding services by service providers and individuals.

“And then K5 million, we put aside to help the preachers,” he stated.

“The preachers of the gospel, they will preach the gospel in the temple, in the cathedral, in the church, on the streets. We have to support the preachers.