Port Moresby residents and businesses have been warned of significant water shortages over the next three weeks due to maintenance work at the Mt Eriama treatment plant. Water PNG has advised the public that water rationing will be implemented from January 6 to 26, affecting water supply across the city.
In a public notice released on Friday, Water PNG outlined the upcoming disruptions and urged the community to conserve water during this period. A water rationing schedule has been posted on the company's official Facebook page, and residents are encouraged to store water in tanks or containers for essential use. The company also recommended water users follow conservation tips to minimize inconvenience. Starlink has been granted a five-year operator license by the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), enabling the company to deploy and operate its satellite network across Papua New Guinea. This announcement was made by Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Timothy Masiu, during a press briefing held in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, on January 1, 2024.
Under the terms of the newly approved license, Starlink will be able to provide its satellite internet services in the country, with the stipulation that the company adheres to the regulatory requirements set by NICTA. The decision follows a thorough public consultation process in which NICTA evaluated the potential impact of Starlink’s operations on the nation’s telecommunications landscape. The iconic Kagua Erave Council Chamber, a significant symbol of the district’s history and administrative foundation, was destroyed in a fire on Thursday, January 2, 2025. The building, constructed in 1972 under the leadership of former MP Sir Yano Belo, was a crucial part of Kagua Erave’s pre-independence legacy.
Sir Yano Belo condemned the act, calling it a tragic and senseless attack on the district’s heritage. He expressed deep sorrow over the destruction, stating that it represented not only the loss of a physical structure but an attack on the collective history and identity of the Kagua Erave people. Prime Minister James Marape has acknowledged the Chinese government for granting Papua New Guinea access to its extensive agricultural market, marking a significant milestone for local farmers and producers. The arrangement, made possible through the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (Naqia), is set to create new economic avenues for the country.
“Our administration has spent five years negotiating this deal, and I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Chinese government for their cooperation,” Marape stated. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and an expanding middle class, China has become a rapidly growing hub for coffee consumption, with demand rising at an impressive 15% annually—well above the global pace. Papua New Guinean rugby league international Keven Appo has been released from his contract with English club Bradford Bulls following charges of sexual offences, including rape, by West Yorkshire Police. The termination was announced yesterday and is effective immediately.
The 25-year-old, who played as a second-row and lock for the Bulls, was implicated in an investigation conducted by the Calderdale District Adult Protection Team. The inquiry followed a complaint lodged in April 2024. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that Appo has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear at the Bradford Magistrates Court on Monday, 6th January 2025. Prime Minister James Marape has directed police in Tari, Hela Province, to capture and charge the main suspect involved in the killing of Constable George Lapon. Speaking during a press conference in Port Moresby on Tuesday, Marape emphasized that the arrest must be completed before his next visit to Tari.
The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the family of the slain officer and those affected by lawlessness in the region. He revealed that Hela Governor Philip Undialu, along with local leaders and peace mediation teams, are collaborating with the police to locate and apprehend the suspect. Marape declared, “The community is working with the police, and I will not return to Tari until the suspect is brought to justice.” An ambulance team from St. John Ambulance encountered a violent attack during the early hours of New Year's Day while responding to a labor emergency near Morobe Block, 9 Mile in Port Moresby. According to reports, the incident, which highlights growing concerns about escalating crime rates in the new year, caused injuries to a pregnant mother, damaged the ambulance, and delayed critical medical care.
St. John Ambulance confirmed that at around 1:30 a.m., their Alpha 021 team was transporting a pregnant woman in active labor to the 3 Mile Labor Ward. The ambulance encountered a roadblock at Morobe Block, where a mob of over 20 individuals attacked the vehicle with stones. A stone shattered the rear glass window, injuring the mother’s legs. Medical assessments later revealed that her womb and unborn child were unharmed despite the ordeal. Police in Port Moresby swiftly apprehended a man at Korobosea after he allegedly threatened his wife with a knife. The incident, reported late at night, saw police respond within 30 minutes after receiving an urgent call for assistance from the victim.
Hohola Police units, who were on night patrol, immediately informed the command center of their response and proceeded to the location. Upon their arrival, they met with the victim, but the suspect had fled the scene. Officers advised the victim to report back if the suspect returned. The Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA) has introduced a new passport printing service in Lae, alleviating the need for people from the Momase and Highlands regions to travel to Port Moresby. The facility was officially opened on Monday, December 23, 2024, marking a significant decentralization of passport services.
Deputy Prime Minister and Immigration Minister John Rosso inaugurated the new passport printing center, located within the ICSA Lae Regional Office at Nambawan Super House, Top Town. Minister Rosso highlighted Lae's strategic position as Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city with road connections to Momase provinces and the Highlands, making it an ideal hub for passport services. Papua New Guinea Customs has collected K3.928 billion as of December 17, surpassing the Waigani Public Account (WPA) target by K171.58 million, according to Chief Commissioner David Towe. This marks 99.12 percent of the revised Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) projection of K3.958 billion.
Towe explained that Customs exceeded the WPA target by 8 percent, though they remain slightly behind in meeting Import GST targets. He expressed optimism that the Import GST target would be achieved before year-end and projected an additional K300 million in WPA revenue. |
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