New Ireland Province

Deputy Governor Sammy Missen chaired the meeting in absence of Governor, Sir Julius Chan.

Works Manager Collin Dickson updated the PIC and PEC on current infrastructural projects undertaken and funded by the Chan-Missen government such as upgrade work on Malendok and Boeng roads on Tanga Island and progress on the commencement of the Lihir and Mussau ring roads.

Dickson also announced that the Governor has directed for a facelift of Kavieng town roads including feeder roads into villages such as Kulangit, Omo and Sivasat.

The trip, sponsored by Newcrest Mining, will be a first for the Hunters, presenting an opportunity to visit one of the world’s largest tier-one gold mining operations. The Hunters are on bye the following weekend.

Whilst at Lihir the team will tour the geothermally active mine site and processing plant, witness a blasting operation at the mine pit and meet the workforce.

The Hunters will also participate in safety and leadership sessions with the workforce and the Lihir Rugby Football League Association, and run on-field coaching sessions with local students.

Their livelihood included chopping firewood to sell along the Boluminsky Highway, and selling dry coconuts and excess garden produce.

Life changed when their foster son, who is from Finschhafen in Morobe Province, showed them a picture of a cane basket and suggested an alternate way of earning an income.

“Bai mi soim yupla lo wanpla basket mi kisim lo intanet,” retold Lagap. “Em nau, displa basket ya. Em soim mitupla go, go, go na mitupla taraim, taraim, taraim, taraim i go na mitupla winim.

Every Mondays, only a few buses and dinghies come to town, while the Kavieng Market is closed for business.

While applauding this initiative in New Ireland Province, provincial police commander, Superintendent Albert Beli, encouraged locals to go the extra mile by cleaning around the village and using their initiative.

Local business owners are tapping into the natural beauty of the maritime province, enticing local and international tourists to create unforgettable memories there.

Owner of the Venbert Cottage in Kavieng Town and the Putput Treehouse Resort, Steven Lavarabin, outlined that business has picked up after the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020.

Local businesses, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry, have formed networks to help each other out. However, the environment would be conducive if their Members of Parliament can support the industry as well.

New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Albert Beli, who took over from former PPC, Felix Nebanat, 18 weeks ago, outlined this as one of the main causes of social disorder in an otherwise peaceful province.

 “As a result, we are now anticipating and experiencing crime rate increase in the province,” he said. “Most of them are created by people in the informal sector; people that are unemployed, people that are lazing around doing nothing.

The office of the New Ireland Provincial Administration – Social Services confirmed that since the public holiday (Queen’s Birthday) was already included in their 2023 academic calendar, CEO Apelis Benson has given the approval for students to stay home today.

When the nation observes June 16^th as the official King’s Birthday, students in New Ireland will continue with their school activities.  

Public servants and the business community, on the other hand, will observe the public holiday on Friday.

Power usually goes off after 6am, and gets restored between 8pm and 9pm.

PNG Power Ltd Kavieng Powerhouse said it is under critical generation deficiency, and they have been undertaking load shedding to maintain electricity to essential services since June 1^st.

“Current situation is tense with only one generator (unit) online and is overriding all manual controls.

“As such, the reliability is subjected to the generation capacity.

“We have since then procured all required parts for the other units and are adamant to get one unit back online.

This unique event will be hosted at Kono Village, located on the picturesque West Coast of New Ireland.

The festival revolves around the age-old tradition of "shark calling," a practice deeply ingrained in the culture of Papua New Guinea. The skilled participants engage in the art of singing to sharks and subsequently capturing them by hand, showcasing their remarkable connection with these majestic creatures.

Minister for Fisheries, Jelta Wong, Minister for Public Service, Joe Sungi, East New Britain Governor, Michael Marum, and NIP PEC and Assembly Members also witnessed the occasion.

The five-star executive hotel contains sixteen rooms is built particularly for PEC and Assembly members and transiting executives, example, overseas consultants and Departmental Heads from Port Moresby.

In his address, Governor Sir Julius Chan said the project was another milestone for the province.