Seven New COVID-19 Deaths in Port Moresby
Seven new deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours since Sunday.
All 7 deaths have been reported in the National Capital District alone bringing the total number of deaths to 56.
A 36-year-old female is among the six males aged 42, 46, 60, 61, 67, and 71 who died from COVID-19.
Also in the last 24 hours, 271 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country, increasing the country’s cases to 5,620.
This information was given by the office of the Controller PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response late this afternoon.
Western Province alone reported 221 new cases, NCD reported 25, Morobe 15, Jiwaka province reported three new cases whilst Central province reported a single case.
University of Queensland Papua New Guinea Students Association (UQPNGSA) pay tribute to Sir Michael
‘Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare Tribute Walkathon’
On Sunday March 7, 2021, PNG students from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia organised a 7km Walkathon to commemorate the colourful life of the founding father of Papua New Guinea, Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
They were joined by other students from other universities in Brisbane and few families here in Brisbane. Towards the end of the walk there were reflections and tributary talks from students and family friends.
The tributes and memoirs are summarised in the following words:
No Chinese Military Base on Fiji Land
Fears of a Chinese military base at the Kiribati Government land near Savusavu on one of Fiji’s northern provinces have been laid to rest by the office of President Tenati Maamau.
“The [Kiribati] Government completely rules out the building of a military – land or sea base – on this land,” the President’s office said in response to email questions sent by Islands Business magazine.
“The focus of development in Natoavatu is for the agriculture sector only.”
The 5,460 acres of mainly hilly and jungle clad land on the west coastline of Savusavu harbor, on Fiji’s northern island of Vanua Levu was bought by the previous Kiribati government in 2014 for a report AUD$9.3 million (US$7.3 million) from the Anglican Church.
Xue said the Chinese government would donate 100,000 doses.
“I’ve been talking to the health department for the procedures to get approval for the PNG government,” he said.
“We hope the vaccine could be here as soon as possible, so that people can get injection to protect themselves.”
Xue said since the Covid-19 outbreak, both nations had been working together to fight the virus.
Last week, National Pandemic Controller David Manning told The National that they were working with Australia on what vaccine was best for PNG.
“The National Control Centre continues to provide that dialogue between PNG and Australian authorities as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO),” Manning said.
PNG PANGU Party in Morobe Strained by DSTP
The strain on the unity and relationship of Pangu Pati parliamentarians in Morobe province has become obvious, with Morobe Governor and Deputy Party leader, Ginson Saonu, attacking the government of Prime Minister and Pangu Pati leader, James Marape, and challenging his Morobe MPs.
Governor Saonu also announced his initiation of court proceedings against the government and the developer of Wafi Golpu Joint Venture, and taking a swipe at the nine MPS for not listening and adhering to the growing call from within the province not to accept Deep Sea Tailing Place, as part of the mine.