Briefs

OTML helps medical school
THE Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has helped the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences with office equipment worth about K70,000. Senior lecturer for the surgical department Dr Arnold Waine said the equipment which included computers, printers and office stationery would help in tutorials. “OTML is the first corporate business to invest in our department, previously we got aid from the government only,” he said.

Parkop proposes funding
NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has proposed a K100,000 funding to Papua New Guinea Council of Churches to help in the fight against gender based violence and sorcery accusations related violence in the country. Parkop, a member of the special parliamentary committee on gender-based violence, said the funding could pave way for the council to support partner non-governmental organisations to address gender based violence.

Dept signs agreement with ENB
THE Department of Works and Highways following its decentralisation of road management responsibilities and powers has signed an agreement with East New Britain’s four members of parliament and their district administrators in Kokopo recently. Deputy secretary Gibson Holemba said provincial governments and district authorities would be responsible for the subnational roads. He said the urban roads management was the joint responsibility all stakeholders.

Women urged to be organised
Department for Community Development and Religion deputy secretary Warren Marape says the department will ensure policies are in place for women to play equal roles in the development of the country. He said this at a national council of women presidents’ conference in Port Moresby recently.
“It starts with you women, if you can put your house in order, development partners will continue to provide support,” he said.

Students to receive laptops
STUDENTS doing grade 10 and 11 in Western Highlands will each be receiving a laptop starting next month, according to the provincial education board chairman Lawrence Pena. Pena said they have purchased a total of 5,000 tablets and will start distributing them to all high and secondary schools in the province once they arrive.

Cyber bullying awareness
The Save the Children spoke to 800 students in four primary schools about online and cyber bullying in Port Moresby. Child protection coordinator Owen Suanga said, most of the information on online safety was not being viewed on Facebook by children between the ages of 12-18 due to high data cost.

Public servants set for training
The Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (Pilag) will be training about 167 public servants in Banz, Jiwaka this month. Provincial administrator Joseph Karap said that training, staff appointment and discipline were all essential component of public service workshop. The Jiwaka Government presented a cheque for K145,584 to Pilag to facilitate the training.