Kalang News

06/01/2025

LAE RESIDENTS URGED TO WORK WITH POLICE.

By MARTHA LOUIS.

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Lae MP John Rosso has called on residents in Lae to support police efforts to create a safer city for everyone.

With only 400 to 500 officers serving over 400,000 people, Rosso highlighted the challenges faced by police, including attacks on officers.
“Last year, two officers were shot, and others were injured. They need our support,” he said.

Rosso outlined initiatives to boost police resources, including 50 new vehicles funded by the Lae City Authority, additional vehicles from the national government, and plans to build new police stations and improve housing.

He also urged the community to take responsibility by reporting crimes, respecting landowners, and working together to address issues.

“We want a safe city, but it’s a shared effort. Let’s stand with police and take action to protect Lae,” Rosso said.

Rosso reminded settlers to live peacefully and warned against ethnic conflicts, adding that new laws give police more power to tackle violence. He encouraged everyone to unite for a safer Lae in 2024.

Picture Supplied.

06/01/2025

TWO DEAD; NINE SEVERELY INJURED IN FATAL CAR ACCIDENT IN MINJ

By SANDRA ULG

A fatal car accident involving a 25-seater coaster bus collided with a fifteen-seater Hiace bus in Kumbal Waghi Bruk, Jiwaka Province along the Okuk Higway has left two dead and nine others severely injured last Friday.

Jiwaka Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Laimo Asi in an interview with Kalang News said, the cause of the fatal accident was unnecessary overtaking and excessive speeding.

Chief Inspector Asi explained, the coaster bus tried to overtake the 15-seater bus, however the unfortunate incident occured at same instance the 15 seater bus also attempted to overtake, resulting in both vehicles colliding, heading into the Waghi river.

The acting PPC says the deceased and those that were injured were rushed to the Kudjip Nazerene Hospital in Kudjip.

Chief Inspector Asi says the two deceased, was the driver and owner of the 15-seater Hiace bus from Jiwaka and and a female passenger of the Coaster bus from Eastern Highlands.

The other 9 injured, seven were passengers from the Coaster bus, including 2 females and 5 Males and two other male passengers are from the fifteen-seater Hiace bus.

Acting PPC Asi strongly warned drivers commuting along the highway to be very cautious when driving along the highway as there is always a tendency of running on another oncoming vehicle or running over the pedestrian.

Asi who was recently appointed to take up the post as PPC says he has been in the province for almost a month and has witnessed a lot of vehicles overloading and passengers are likely to get serious injuries or die when they involve in accidents.

He says there is always a "do not care attitude" displayed by drivers involving unnecessary speeding, overtaking and stopping of vehicles right in the middle of the roads.

He adds that these serious injuries or fatalities can be avoided if the drivers are careful and are more responsible and respectful to other road users.

Picture Caption: Jiwaka Acting PPC, Chief Inspector Laimo Asi.

06/01/2025

06/01/2025

FIVE YEAR PROGRESS, REFLECTS COLLECTIVE EFFORTS IN NATION BUILDING: PM MARAPE.

PRIME Minister James Marape in recently highlighting the significant progress of the government in the last five years, affirmed that the progress is a reflection of the collective efforts and commitment in building a better PNG.

The Prime Minister when speech in Bougainville during his recent visit, highlighted that under his leadership, the national economy grew from K79.6 billion in 2019 to K122 billion in 2024, supported by resource projects like PNG LNG and reforms in agri-culture, fisheries, and SMEs.

In Infrastructure development, through the Connect PNG Programme, over 2,400 kilometres of highways and 93 bridges have been completed, linking rural communities to essential services and markets.

Whilst for the Education sector, the government has made significant strides in transforming he education system to ensure no child is left behind.

He says with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programmes and the establishment of Schools of Excellence, the youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a modern world.

He further highlighted the expansion of Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) has brought learning opportunities to students in remote areas, while the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) has made tertiary education accessible for thousands of young Papua New Guineans.

These initiatives reaffirm our commitment to leaving no child behind and empowering the next generation to build a prosperous Papua New Guinea.

06/01/2025

POLICING DUTIES COSTLY IN MILNE BAY PROVINCE.

By SANDRA ULG.

MILNE Bay Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Ben Kua says it is very costly to carryout policing duties in the province.

PPC Kua said this in an interview with FM100 News.

He pointed out that Milne Bay is one of the largest maritime provinces in the country with three of its districts are islands making it very difficult for police to carry out their duties.

PPC Kua says there are police dinghies available but at times they run out of zoom and have to wait for months for the funds to be released by the Police Headquarters for the dinghies to be refilled also it is costly to buy spare parts and this hinders officers to make arrests on suspects.

He says at most times when crimes are committed and reported it takes police sometime to attend to them due to the lack of resources at hand and this causes the public to lose their confidence in police.

Chief Inspector Kua emphasized that this is a bad precedence set where eventually it will become a norm when people become victims of crimes, they will not report it to police thus losing their confidence in the police.

He adds that this in turn will see a rise in law-and-order issues.

Picture Supplied.

06/01/2025

02/01/2025

CHIEF SEC TO ENSURE GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

THE CHIEF Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu in his recent Christmas Messages highlighted that the country will begin its acknowledgement and celebrations of the 50th Anniversary in the new year.

As the Chief Secretary, he is charged to ensure that there is governance, accountability and transparency in the Public Service, and also charged to ensure that
policy decisions are implemented.

He says, Public Service machinery is huge, but it must be effective, and it must be the interface between the government and the people.

Like any other developed and developing nations, Papua New Guinea has its shares of
challenges and these challenges cannot go unnoticed.

Papua New Guinea will be greater as a nation if the government and the people, start collaborating to ensure PNG does not submerge after 49 long years of navigating through the rough seas hence the government is duty bound to keep Papua New Guinea propelling forward to a new and greater height.

Chief Secretary says, year 2025 will be a milestone of sovereignty as a nation from when the nation attained Independence in 1975 to now, adding that a lot has happened in the last 49 years.

But a lot more remains incomplete and will require concerted and undivided effort on the part of our public service machinery to step up.

The Government will ensure to implement the government’s policies without fear or favor, and is also committed to ensure public servants living and working throughout the country serve the people well.

02/01/2025

OLD COUNCIL CHAMBER AT KAGUA BURNT AT NEW YEAR NIGHT

By SAMUEL RAITANO

THE old council chamber at Kagua station in Kagua Erave District of Southern Highlands Province was burnt by hooligans on New Year's night, making the first day of 2025 a sad day for the people there.

Kagua Police says the suspects were known and arrests would be done soon.

Law and Justice Sector Officer for the district Ludwig Orapawa says the act was uncalled for as the iconic building was built at around 1968, by founding father of Kagua Erave District and former MP Sir Yano Belo.

It is understood that just a few days ago, local MP Maina Pano made presentations of K22 million worth of cheques for various projects and services in the district, including Law and Order.

Meanwhile the general public has also made calls for the culprits to be arrested for committing arson.

02/01/2025

MADANG WELCOMES PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.

By MÀRTHA LOUIS

MADANG Province ushered in the New Year with peaceful celebrations, marked by a collective commitment to safety and order.

No major incidents were reported, reflecting the combined efforts of the community, local authorities, and law enforcement.

Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, the Madang Provincial Police Commander, commended the people of Madang for their cooperation and maturity.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of Madang for their support and participation, showcasing a positive shift in mindset and attitudes,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to embrace this new year with optimism, fostering change within families and communities.”

Superintendent Baim acknowledged the contributions of community leaders, law enforcement personnel, and church groups.

He praised the police and Correctional Services officers for their vigilance in maintaining order and the Community Policing Unit for its role in promoting safety at the grassroots level. He also highlighted the prayers and support of local churches, emphasizing their role in fostering peace.

The collaborative effort was a testament to the province's dedication to unity and harmony. Superintendent Baim urged the community to maintain this spirit of cooperation throughout 2025, building on the success of the peaceful New Year celebrations.