New Ireland Province

Gold production reached 17 thousand 257 ounces and gold sales of 18,016 ounces at an average realized gold price of A$3,178 per ounce.

Simberi produced the 17 257 ounces of gold at an average milled grade of 1.63 grams per tonne and gold recovery of 77 per cent.

New Ireland police reported that on Saturday, March 30^th, at about 2.12pm, seven armed suspects entered Garden Enterprise Ltd, pretending to be customers.

Whilst inside the shop, they took two grass knives and a bush knife from the shelf, while they were already armed with two homemade pop guns and a factory-made pistol.

Reverend Tami is the newly appointed Bishop of the United Church Niu Ailan Region.

The induction ceremony, held at the Kimadan United Church on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024, was presided over by United Church Moderator Elect Reverend Garo Kilagi. Reverend Tami, stepping into his role as the 4th Bishop, succeeds outgoing Bishop Reverend Stanley Lavoi, who diligently served from 2018 to 2023.

Bishop Ellison Tami, along with Marama Delilah Tami, will undertake their sacred duties within the Church from 2024 to 2029.

Representing the New Ireland Governor, Sir Julius Chan, Misbil Nelson the Chairlady for Community Development, Women, Youth, and Health, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new St. Paul Bungbeve church, located in the Lamasong Parish of Kavieng Diocese.

Members of the congregation, hailing from the Lamasong Parish, congregated in Bungbeve to partake in the joyous occasion of the church building's opening.

Fr. Mark Kombeng led the blessing of the church and presided over the devotion for the official unveiling.

Works Manager Collin Dickson addressed the assembly, highlighting the recent collapse of the Uiam Bridge in the Matalai LLG on January 14th, disrupting essential traffic for residents commuting to Namatanai town.

Expressing dismay, the PEC launched an immediate investigation into the incident and demanded accountability from Namatanai Building and Civil Limited (NBC) and contractor David Carrol under the Protection of Transport Infrastructure Act 2010.

Locals from the affected villages of Laraibina, Madina and Fissoa – along the Boluminsky Highway – and Lava and Tatau on Tatau Island, expressed frustration that they were not adequately advised about these changes in sea level. As a result, locals fled for their lives at around 2.30am on Monday, January 22^nd, when the waves surged through their homes, leaving destruction in its wake.

Locals expressed that prior communication would have prepared them to respond and mitigate the damages.

In a brief, Namatanai police said the passenger double-engine boat, loaded with 13 passengers, left Kokopo, East New Britain Province, at about 5.30pm.

The boat ran out of fuel when it neared Burau village, Namatanai.

The rough seas rushed into the boat, forcing passengers to jump out and try to make it to the reef.

“Darkness was just falling when people were struggling in the rough seas as there were no lifejackets or pads on board,” said the Namatanai acting police station commander, Nambulasa Silau.

Over 100 intoxicated young men, who were being nuisances in public areas, were rounded up and detained at the Kavieng Police Station cell from the evening of December 31^st, 2023, to January 01^st, 2024.

“Most of my areas in New Ireland Province, including Kavieng, Konos, Lakurumau, Namatanai, Lihir and New Hanover were all reported as quiet. It’s unusual but impressive. People celebrated but it was contained within their premises,” said provincial police commander, Superintendent Albert Beli.

The much-needed facility, valued at K700,000, was opened on Friday, December 22^nd, after the hosting of the after the province’s last quarter parade and launching of the Christmas/New Year operation.

“It can hold 200 to 300 detainees so this will definitely help us as we now no longer have to transport detainees back and forth from Lakurumau,” NIP’s Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Albert Beli, told this newsroom.

“We had been doing that since 2020, when the station was condemned. 

The New Ireland Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Albert Beli, said the opening will eventuate after the last quarter parade and launching of the Christmas/New Year operation.

PPC Beli has instructed police station commanders of Kavieng, Namatanai and Lihir, including the rural police station commanders of Taskul, Lakurumau and Konos, to be in Kavieng on Friday, December 22^nd, for the final parade of 2023.

“During the parade, I will inspect the vehicle fleet because mobility is important for our operation,” he said.