Port Moresby

Refugees in POM return to Manus

A team from the PNG Immigration, Police and Correctional Service flew with the refugees into Manus last Friday on a chartered Air Nauru flight.

Four of those who were supposed to be on the flight stayed back in Port Moresby.

Manus PPC, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said they were received by PNG Immigration officers and Police and escorted to their new accommodation site at Hillside and West Lorengau in Ward 1.

He said the refugees were voluntarily escorted from Port Moresby to Manus and later transported to their campsite without any use of force.

Quick-thinking NCD youth prevent disaster

The road is the main link to the LNG Napanapa site, through the Ranuguri settlement.

An existing culvert located between the PNG Power distribution site and the tunnel was an accident waiting to happen.

Following the last few days of continuous rain in Port Moresby, debris had collected at the mouth of the culvert, laid some six meters below the ground surface.

Local youth at the scene said this culvert was blocked off, forcing the flood to pave its own path under the sealed road.

Students sent home

Its effects were surely felt today  in the nation's capital and parts of Central Province when schools were forced to send their students back home due to the continuous downpour and cold weather.

However, what's more concerning is the project fee.

While the government has issued another warning to schools not to charge project fees, parents and teachers know too well that schools need it.

At one of the city’s biggest primary schools, Wardstrip Demonstration, concerns relating to project fees were the main query raised by parents.

Massive arrests at Gordon’s

Officer-in-charge, Charles Pokom, says the exercise saw 20 men taken in by the unit for various petty crime.

He says this is in an effort by his unit to ensure that the petty crime issue in his precinct is being addressed one case at a time.

Meantime, the unit has now taken to being more proactive in their approach and part of their efforts to change their approach towards the surrounding community areas.

The Gordon’s precinct is now gearing up for a new more active foot beat and awareness concept that the personnel want to carry out.

Indoor cricket heading into finals

In the men’s division, PIH Surgeons are the minor premiers for this season in the Avala pool, while to the Lahara pool, Puma Red Jaguars have taken out the honours.

“The mixed division also has Digicel Redbacks (Mirigini pool) to take out the minor premiers.

“With the completion of the remaining round matches this weekend, Digicel will be receiving the forfeit points for the match against World Bank, who withdrew earlier this month.

“Same goes for Tent Manufacturers in the Avurigo pool who will be taking home the minor premiers trophy.

Besta notch first win

Besta struck first in the 25th minute of the match with a goal from Barty Korebin.

The score was made level six minutes into the second half when Elton Banam sunk one for his side.

Besta dominated the remainder of the match and it paid off with goals to Emmanuel Simongi in the 85th and Jonathan Allan in the first minute of stoppage time.

"We came prepared to play today. But there was a lot we didn't do right. We still have a lot of work to do,” said Besta PNG United FC coach, Harrison Kamake.

Eda Ranu’s notice to Pom residents

Eda Ranu has advised that all of Town area, Paga Hill, Ela Beach Hotel, Crowne Plaza, Ela Makana, Grand Papua and Touaguba area will be affected from Saturday (Jan 20), 12pm – Sunday (Jan 21), 6am.

“This is necessary for Eda Ranu to carry out new water supply connection line, 450mm and 250mm, onto the reticulation system to APEC Haus and other associated works in preparation for APEC 2018,” says the firm.

“Eda Ranu apologises for any inconveniences caused and requests your cooperation and support.”

A week of blessing

For the first time in a long while, the church is housing three Mother Mary.

The most recent, Our Lady of Sacred Heart (OLSH), arrived on Sunday.

OLSH is from the Bereina Archdiocese in Central Province.

From Kerema, OLSH travelled through Mekeo areas and is currently in Port Moresby.

The Parish in Sabama received OLSH on Sunday where she will remain until next Sunday, January 21.

The parish has seven Liklik Kristen Kommuniti (LKK), and each will host OLSH in their communities for a night of prayer.

Morata off-season comps in progress

The competition was in the past strictly just for residents of Morata but has since opened up to other nearby suburbs, including Tokarara and Gerehu.

Volleyball coordinator Nikki Kara said both competitions are progressing well with the finals scheduled for the end of February.

“We started back in December of last year and are currently into game 11 of round one.

“We play every weekend on Saturday and Sunday as well. So far, everything is going good.”

Morata settlers’ appeal fixed for hearing

Filed in the Supreme Court by the Morata New Block Community and Welfare Association on 30 November 2016, the appeal was supposed to be heard in October last year.

The trial did not eventuate but has now been set for February 14, 2018.  

Chairman of the Morata New Block Community and Welfare Association, Romny Tengere, went before the Waigani National Court today with an urgent application.

He was trying to ask the court to vary the blanket stay order that was issued early last year against the eviction of other settlers, who are not parties to the case.