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Blessed week Ahead. Adonais got you🙏🏿💗

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Congratulations Vera Makara

WOMAN ENGINEER STAMPS HER MARK IN THE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY

Vera Lama Makara is one of the first national female electrical engineers at PNG Power Ltd to have gone on to be a General Manager.

In her new role as the General Manager Asset Management, Vera leads a group of female managers with the strong support of male colleagues as the new line of strong-willed Papua New Guineans willing and working hard behind the scenes to improve and change electricity industry in the country.

From the Aroma Coast of Central Province, Vera’s conviction to study electrical engineering in power came from the inspiration of Ms. Finkewe Zurecnuoc, the first female Papua New Guinean electrical power engineer.

Vera, the lone female in the power stream with nine male students in 1997 at the University of Technology in Lae, says that at that time, most of her female colleagues opted to streamline into undertaking telecommunications.

“The job demand for telecommunications was high during those days. Everyone streamlined to telecommunications as there was a guaranteed job waiting but I chose to stick with the power strand,” she recalled.

During her university years, Vera had developed more passion and energy for electrical training. The ‘Zurecnuoc’ effect on the Papuan lass and the commitment and determination to be the best in her stream resulted in her being the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award at the 2000 UNITECH Graduation.

“I am always determined to achieve what I set out to do and everytime I always ensure it’s done and set the bar high,” she said.

Vera has built a strong reputation of working alongside different professionals and management teams which has given her exposure and experience in making informed decisions as a leader.

One of her main aims in her career path is to train and mentor more women to move into management positions. Vera encourages all women and everyone in general to build and foster professional relations with people of all walks of life and ensure good professional practice within their field of work.

“Spend time to research. There is no limit to education. Equip yourself with knowledge as everything starts off from within you as an individual,” she said.

The 45-year old Power Engineer is always determined to set benchmarks. Recently, she was awarded the USAID Excellency Award, recognizing her work in the
energy sector.

Today, Vera is leading a team of four female engineers in PNG Power to develop the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). It is a software that will manage the maintenance activities of the company and will support the maintenance personnel by helping to develop a database relevant to maintenance activities.

The project, if completed, and successful will be one of those achievements for the female engineers.

In all of this, the leadership experiences, skills and competencies gained over the years has put Vera to where she is today.

Vera is encouraging more ladies in the electricity industry to keep focused, be determined and to work with passion and believe that you can make a difference in the industry.

Last day of Purim 2023/5783

To all you Queens out there keep going never give up..keep shining

Happy IWD

With the Principal and Deputy Principal of Enga Sopas Nursing College

Thank you Noelyn and Janet. Ol stongpla meri

Dame Carol Kidu. Well deserved

A DON POMB POLYE'S...MINISTER HERST 'S AND SPORT'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE!

Today the 11th February is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly to recognise the critical role women and girls play in the scientific fields. This year’s theme is Innovate, Design, Elevate, Advance and Sustain (IDEAS).
The Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) global workforce is still a largely male-dominated industry with only 28% of careers being held by women worldwide. In Papua New Guinea, the number of women in STEM careers is a real concern. We need more girls and young women studying in the STEM fields to empower females to progress on to becoming experts in their own right. Diversity means a broader range of knowledge from both male and female professionals, and in science this is vital to advancing our Nation.
I recognise and applaud our national, international, public and private educators, schools, higher education institutions, academics, NGOs, partners and organisations who educate, mentor, employ and empower PNG’s girls and women as equal citizens in STEM roles around the country.
I commend,to name but a few, Dr Pamela Toliman from the National Research Institute (NRI), Rachel Nurvue the founder of PNG Women in Construction, Georgina Kiele Executive Manager of Cybersecurity and Digital Government Standards, Michelle Silip Manager of the Civil Engineering Lab at the University of Technology in Lae, Dr Janet Rengau the President of Western Pacific University , Dr Martha and the female staff of the Herbal medicine test laboratory at the PNG medical and health Sciences Department UPNG and many other internationally renowned female professionals from PNG who are passionately committed to working in the science industry. You are all outstanding role models and inspiration for our upcoming generations of girls and young women!
As Minister for Higher Education Research Science and Technology (HERST), I believe in the promotion and facilitation of gender equality in Papua New Guinea in the science industry and I am happy to facilitate this where I can.

I am so proud of all our women scientists and leaders in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics and all other Science disciplines.

Keep up the good work, as I facilitate the environmnet for more growth of skills for women in Science!

Don Pomb Polye

Minister HERST and Sports.

🙏🏿🙏🏿

FILIPINO RICE INVESTORS CHOOSE GABADI FOR RICE NUCLEUS ESTATE MODEL FARM

Approved for Release - January 26, 2023

The team of rice investors from the Republic of the Philippines who arrived on Monday have chosen Gabadi in the Kairuku District of Central Province as the most ideal location for
large-scale rice investment in Papua New Guinea (PNG), under the nucleus estate concept. They want to establish a 800-hectare estate rice model farm and train and support local village out grower farmers under family owned or rice-cooperative farmers from Brown River to Vanapa and to Gabadi all the way to Bereina.

The Filipino investors’ plan for this Rice Nucleus Estate Model Farm is to set up rice demonstration blocks, a rice processing plant and farmer training facilities for out growers.

“We want to train the local farmers to be better rice farmers and we will buy all the rice that they produce. We will bring our science and technology and invest in mechanized large-scale commercial rice farming in PNG,” said former Philippines Department of Agriculture Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Pinol.

The land they are interested in to set up the 800-hectare model rice farm with all the processing facilities is the recently acquired Manumanu State land which was recently acquired by the Government through KCHL for K34 million.

The local people at Gabadi have vigorously opposed the establishment of the Military Barracks and welcomed the visit of the National Government and the Filipino Rice investors when they visited yesterday. They indicated full support for the rice industry development including the use of the Manumanu land for the rice model farm so they can also benefit from the cultivation of rice as their major cash crop in the Kairuku District.

“We need large-scale jobs and wealth creation opportunities,” said the Ukaukana village Councillor of the Kairuku LLG, Victor Maggio.

Minister Maru said the undeveloped land will not generate any return to the State for the K34 million it spent to buy the land.

“The development of over 100, 000 hectares of rice in Kairuku District will replace over K800 million in rice imports annually with the proposed Gabadi model farm being the catalyst. We will need only one year for the Government to recoup the K34 million it spent to acquire the Manumanu land purely on economic returns,” said Minister Maru.

“We must make use of thousands of hectares of unused State land all over the country to generate revenue and create employment and wealth for our citizens. The Manumanu land is one of such land,” Minister Maru said.

The Filipino delegation led by Dr. Pinol and consisting of scientists, engineers, economists, financiers, as well as an award-winning farmer were convinced that Gabadi is the ideal location for them to farm rice. After conducting some rapid field tests, Dr Pinol said that Gabadi and the surrounding areas have the right mixture of silty loam and clay in their soils, a lot of available water, abundance of flat land and good climate. They collected soil samples from Brown River, Vanapa and Gabadi and were so impressed will be agronomic conditions for rice growing in PNG.

“In the Philippines, on average, rice yield per hectare is only 4 tons whilst in Papua New Guinea, around Central Province you could easily have an average yield of up to 8 hectares of rice per ton making PNG one of the most ideal countries to grow rice anywhere in the world,” said Dr. Pinol.

“PNG can be a major rice exporter to the world in the future if it fully develops its rice potential,” he added.

From initial estimates from the trip yesterday, the Brown River area could mobilize 10,000 hectares for rice, Vanapa up to 40,000 hectares of logged out land flat land and Gabadi and outwards to Bereina and beyond another 100,000 hectares.

“Combined with Rigo District the Central Province could easily grow and feed the entire country with rice, if we use mechanized farming methods, drone irrigation and solar power to provide electricity. Papua New Guinea only needs 100,000 hectares of rice farms to produce the 400,000 tonnes of rice we consume annually,” said Minister Maru.

The Filipino delegation also met with Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape yesterday and briefed him on their trip to the Central Province and their bold decision to build a model rice farm in Gabadi this year.

“If agreement is reached between the National Government, who owns the Manumanu land at Gabadi, the Central Provincial Government, the Kairiku District Development Authority, the Hiri Koiari District Development Authority and the local impact communities, the project can begin this year,” said Minister Maru.

Minister Maru asked the Philippines delegation to formally communicate their interest to the Government so he can formally put to them the process we can jointly follow to bring the project into reality.

“It will certainly start with a full feasibility study with a 10-year rice development plan, fully costed with financial modelling to assess the scientific, technical, environmental and financial viability of the project. This includes ascertaining the capital investments that is required to be made,” Minister Maru said.

Minister Maru said the Marape-Rosso Government is keen to be a shareholder in the project together with the Central Provincial Government and the respective DDAs and LLGs.

“The National Government must also take a decision to free up the Manumanu land for this agriculture project to help our country finally after 47 years to start on such a project of national significance that has the potential to supply our country our entire country and help us replace the K800 million we spend annually on rice import,” said Minister Maru.

“It will only help us create thousands of new jobs for rice farmers and business opportunities for our families. The Philippines has a dual interest in investing in rice in Papua New Guinea.
It is an exciting investment opportunity for them while the investment is also needed to their own food security. They will export the surplus rice back to the Philippines. They do not have the land to grow enough rice to feed their own people, whose staple diet is rice,” Minister Maru said.

“The Gabadi Model Farm is such a high priority of the Marape-Rosso Government so I will request the investor to fast track the completion of the feasibility studies so we can put a detailed submission to the NEC to approve this project in the coming months in close consultation with the respective DDA’s, the Department of Agriculture, the Central Provincial Government and the Prime Minister and the National Government. The Central Province commercial rice industry will be developed as a Special Economic Zone project so the Government can provide the project all the support it needs both in fiscal incentives and infrastructure support including extending the power lines down to Gabadi, where the proposed model farm will be established,” said Minister Maru.

“This large-scale rice development opportunity with our Philippines investors presents the best opportunity our country has had since Independence to replace our rice imports of K800 million annually and propel PNG into being a net rice exporter to the world so grab this opportunity with both hands and run with it,” said Minister Maru.

Honored to be with 2 great women Madam Winnie Kiap and Dr Cecilia Nembou

Enormous contributors to the development of this nation.

Great stuff Alana

Everyday People: Alana Aisi | Loop PNG Alana Aisi from Kairuku and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is a Final Year Student at UPNG majoring in Journalism and Public Relations.

Blood needed🙏🏿

🙏🏿

📷 unknown

Yes... But ETERNITY is LONG, Prepare for it

Psalms 23 my anchor in 2023.

Adonai is my shepherd. HE is your Shepherd too. Let HIM lead. We follow🙏🏿🌷💗

Beautiful Amazon Bay

The Magic of Mailu It is boldly written in the sand.

Congratulations to our 2022 Miss PNG MPIP Ms Josie Nicholas. A well deserved win for a designer as well as a contestant.

To our runner up Ms Leilani Konjib and the other beautiful Queens you are all winners.

Chair lady Molly O'Rourke and team. You did it again. Well done👏👏

Congratulations Annette Seta Lavagirl. Keep extending your territories and bounderies. Good on you👏👏

LAVAGIRL MAKING INROADS INTO FIJI FASHION MARKET

November 24, 2022The NationalBusiness

LOCAL fashion brand Lavagirl is now making inroads into the Fiji market as owner and designer Annette Sete continues to expand in the Pacific market.

Lavagirl has established itself among the women seamstresses with her fabric and distinctive prints.

Sete recently returned from Suva where she held talks with fellow fashion designer Michael Mausio of the House of Mausio who will be distributing Lavagirl in Fiji. Lavagirl garments including PNG’s meri blouse or kolo is among some of the first products into the House of Mausio, plus fabric pieces.

Sete said the arrangement would also see her Maku Gifts Shops in Port Moresby carrying the Fijian brand, which will compliment her product range.

Her business has customers in Fiji and has become popular in Melanesian countries.
“Michael and I have a similar attitude towards business growth, especially finding new markets, and pushing sales. So an arrangement to ensure our products are available to customers in both countries had to be made.”

Both designers were represented during the Miss PNG Pacific Islands Designers Fashion Show in Port Moresby last month.

Mausio said the House of Mausio wanted to give its clients a variety of products and the Fiji market would appreciate Lavagirl prints, bright colours and garment styles.

He said PNG was a growing and sizable market for Mausio’s prints and garments.
“In terms of volume, PNG has a more attractive volume base for any business in terms of size compared to Fiji.”

Gerehu people

INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS DAY
20th NOVEMBER

THEME: INCLUSION, FOR EVERY CHILD

There is no country, called a country without children. Children are our most precious assets. They bring so much joy, laughter, love and meaning into a our lives. They are the very reason we strive to do our best everyday

One of my greatest fear as a parent, is to one day leave behind my children and grandchildren in a country with so much uncertainty. I fear for their security. Their education security, health security, job security and many more.

In my 8 years as secretary for the Department for Community Development, I lead the development of the First PNG National Child Protection Policy with the aim to PROTECT CHILDREN SECURE THE FUTURE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Yes, it's not gold, oil or gas. It's the children of this country that matters most. They are the most important resources of this country. It saddens me that this policy has never been given the priority it deserves. I call on the Government of PNG to make this policy a priority.

Many times as adults, we think that we can build the future for our children, build the future for our youths, OH NO NO! Wrong mentality. We as Parents, as Families, as Communities, as Governments must focus on building our children for the future. We must focus on building our youths for the future. This is paramount and can be done.

Today the 20th of November is International children day celebrated all over the world with the Theme : Inclusion, for Every Child

It is the right of every child to access Education. It's is the right of every child to have access to health, water, electricity, food, love and laughter etc etc

Let's make this become a reality for them, yes for our children, the most important resource this country could ever have.

The theme "inclusion for every child", brings tears to my heart, when I think of our most vulnerable children, our children with Disabilities.

I've seen Governments after Governments use the slogan "LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND", I ask, do you know the real meaning of this? I've asked time and time again. My voice just wasn't strong enough.

I lead the development of the PNG National Disability Policy which makes a strong call " TO REMOVE BARRIERS MAKE RIGHTS A REALITY" at all levels of Government and society.

Majority of our children with Disabilities are not mentally disable, they would love to access education, health and many more services. After all they are equal citizens of this country. Why should we leave them behind? I call on the Government to give their policy a priority and make their rights a reality. They cry for accessibility. Accessibility is not just wheel chair and access into buildings. It's way more than that. Many of our deaf (hearing impaired) populations celebrated when we made accessibility to News on NBCTV happened. Things we able bodies people take for granted. I thank Mr Kora Nou and his team at NBCTV for still maintaining this today.

To all parents, Let's love our children with all your might. Do what's best for them with all our heart. Many of us are focused on our own issues/problems and we forget that our children are growing up and need our advise on many aspects of life.

The most precious thing we can give our children freely today is to put a smile on their face. May the innocence of their smile and the purity of their hearts be imprinted in our heart forever as we continue our fight to make PNG a safe, secure and beautiful place for our children. We can do this.

Happy Childrens day to all our Children in Papua New Guinea

Anna Bais
Women Leader
Former Secretary
Department for Community Development & Religion

Five30 Camp

Best kept secret

Thank you Rario Business Consultancy for pix

When powerful women leaders get togather.
Sylvia Pascoe Official
Imbonggu Baskets

Pom City Market raunraun tonight

Thank you Ms Sylvia Pascoe Official for an awesome year of empowerment

Thank you Rario Business Consultancy for lovely pix

LETS BE THE LEADERS WE WISH WE HAD