West New Britain Province

Minister Wong said this during the official opening of the 10^th Policewomen's Advisory Network conference in Kimbe, West New Britain Province, on Monday.

Minister Wong said at present, 16 women were appointed to various positions of authority and trust as CEOs and secretaries of government agencies, demonstrating the government's commitment towards empowering women in the society.

The Ivule Bridge has always been Mother Nature’s target during prolonged wet seasons, causing problems for commuters travelling to and from the New Britain Highway.

Wereh said currently there is an ongoing program to replace 14 bridges under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Asian Development Bank.

He said the Ivule Bridge is a critical bridge but has always been a problem.

“Our future plan is to talk to donors to extend the program where they can take these additional bridges in the existing program,” stated Wereh.

That was the clear message delivered by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill when opening a new classroom in Kimbe, West New Britain Province.

“Continuing to improve education is our government’s commitment to our future generations,” he reiterated.

“Better education provides the greatest hope for our children, particularly in remote and rural areas.

“In 2018 we have allocated K1.29 billion for the education sector, which is nearly 9 percent of National Budget. This is an increase of 13 percent from the 2017 Supplementary Budget.”

Meeting with the Police Commissioner, Gari Baki recently, the leaders said the purpose of the initiative was to bring back the good image of the Bakovi tribe to its original.

Baki said the Bakovi tribe has lost precedence and in its place has now brought shame and embarrassment to the people of Bakovi with the endless breakdown of law and order.

The meeting with the 157 clan leaders was also to iron out law and order issues that have been outstanding for the last six months.

With less than 20 days to go, Taubar Trading, located at Kapore, which is close to the Kapore mini stadium, is one of those SMEs.

Owner, Nenet Porchy, says his wife and family have been looking forward to the games and have been preparing for the last couple of months.

In an interview with TVWan News, Porchy says: “We are looking forward to the games and have stocked up to serve athletes coming from other centres.

“We are also serving our community in our oil palm blocks and confident to deliver to the people.”

Acting executive director for the National Office of Child and Family Services, Simon Yanis, says PNG has a mammoth task in changing the mindset of people in respect to children’s issues.

Yanis was speaking recently at the first-ever integrated child protection training conducted in Bialla, West New Britain Province, through the Public-Private and Donor Partnership between Hargy Oil Palm Limited and the National Office for Child and Family Services.

The tribe recently took part in a bride price ceremony at Gavuone village in the Abau district of Central Province, paying for Captain Steward Kadiko’s wife.

After months of planning and preparation, Captain Kadiko has decided to finally pay bride price for his wife as a sign of chieftaincy in his tribe.

Raised in a Nakanai culture, Capt Kadiko always kept his traditional values close to heart.

Last Thursday, he flew in 70 of his tribesmen from Hoskins in West New Britain to witness the occasion.

The 3-day advanced cardiac camp has been organised with the West New Britain Provincial Health Authority.

The camp commences today, July 5, and runs through to Friday, July 7, and will be stationed at the Kimbe General Hospital.

The camp will conduct ECG tests, echo-cardiogram & will have a senior consultant (cardiologist) – Dr Suresh Venkita – counselling patients, for free.

He will also talk to the aggregated medical fraternity (grand round) on the medical aspects of heart failure, in a talk titled “Heart Failure - Recent Advances” on Friday (8am – 9am).

Kelton said polling teams were dispatched since Wednesday, while the remaining will be sent out today and early tomorrow morning.

A total of 61 polling teams will travel throughout the length and breadth of the province.

22 teams have been spread throughout the five LLG’s of Kandrian-Gloucestor, while 39 teams will cover the seven LLG’s of Talasea.

Polling will be held for seven days.

Meanwhile, Kelton said the province is currently experiencing strong winds and showers and this could lengthen the polling process.

The Games will be held from March 18-April 1 and will bring together 23 provincial teams and 12,000 athletes and officials.

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed that 90 percent of the venues are complete, with preparations progressing well.

However, the only issue that is slowing the contractor down is the wet weather, Tkatchenko said, which plays a major role in the timing of the completion of the facilities.