West New Britain

WNB Ballot Box Rumours Brushed Aside

Scrutineers of various candidates have been camping in front of the Kimbe Police Station where the ballot boxes are stored that were taken to the counting venue at the white house yesterday, 13th July.

However, Provincial Election Steering Committee Chairman, Robert Dau dismissed the scrutineers’ claims as just rumours.

WNB Closes In On Polling

Talasea LLG polling will be completed tomorrow, 11th July.

At Nalobu Ward 1 of Talasea LLG it was a hive of activities. There were long queues from both women and men while supporters of various candidates were sitting at their respective tents with market vendors in other tents.

But all was peaceful and orderly despite few hiccups with voters wanting answers regarding no names on the roll. The last day of polling for Hoskins LLG ended on Friday 8th July leaving Talasea LLG polling to be completed on Monday 11th July.

WNB Polling Day 4

Returning Officer Roland Popunurea said polling has been progressing well with the most common complaints being that of unregistered voters in the electoral roll.

Polling in Central Nakanai LLG went smoothly despite those that disapproved of not having the opportunity to vote.

In an interview on Thursday, Assistant Returning Officer, Apolosa Kwabu confirmed that Nakanai LLG had two teams who completed polling in a day.

Polling Runs Smoothly In Nakanai

The people of West New Britain has panned out well so far showing a good number of young adults casting their votes for the first time, and though voters stood in long queues the heat did nothing to keep them away.

Polling took place at Gaongo Ward 4, Saraklok ward 8 and Nahavio ward 5 of Mosa LLG that were set up in a market area and a classroom as well

ARO for Mosa LLG Otto Kinakap in his remarks of the third day of polling said there are 72 teams for polling in the Mosa LLG area starting from Yama Pili and ends at Sarakolk.

WNB Police Nab Suspects With Firearms

Commander New Guinea Islands Assistant Police Commissioner, Perou N’Dranou said the arrest resulted from an operation initiated by the West New Britain Provincial Police Command conducted on Sunday, June 19.

He said the operation was timely, especially during the 2022 National General Election period where police are required to deliver a free, fair and safe election.

WNB SME Training Program

The initiative like the partnership between Small to Medium Enterprise Corporation (SMEC) and the Catholic Diocese of Kimbe, is a pilot program to see if it will pan out well and with its results, panel a decision to roll out to other provinces.

The two week SME training program was held with facilitators from SMEC.

SMEC led a two week SME training that included the building of a one stop shop incubation Centre that will assist local SME’s in the province

Forty-one priests and other clergy men from the Catholic Diocese in West New Britain attended the training.

Aircraft Accident Findings Released

The AIC made the announcement this week based on the report that the New Tribes Mission (PNG) Limited Kodiak 100 aircraft, sustained structural damage, while flying from Lele Airstrip to Hoskins Airport, West New Britain Province last month.

PNG AIC Acting Chief Commissioner, Captain Aria Bouraga, stated that it is the policy of the AIC to publicly release a preliminary investigation report for each accident or serious incident being investigated 30 days from the occurrence date.

WNB nominations continue well

Chairman of the WNB Provincial Election Steering Committee Robert Dau said that people should be civilized now to understand the laws for election. Mr Dau appealed to supporters and candidates to refrain from causing any issues that might disrupt the nomination period.

Returning Officer Emily Kelton announced the following nominated candidates for West New Britain: Kandrian Gloucester 15, Nakanai 11, Talasea 22, and WNB Provincial with 10 candidates.

Evaluation Over Oil Spill Underway

The officers are from the Authority’s Marine Environment Protection department and according to NMSA, a report of the findings will be furnished before the end of this week.

The oil spill incident occurred near the Kimbe main wharf at 3am on Monday, whereby a huge volume of palm oil had reportedly leaked from one of the storage tank and into the sea.

WNB partners with RTA

Road Traffic Authority (RTA) Chief Executive Officer Nelson Terema said the agreement will pave the way for other provinces to follow.