Zimad Post - PNG

12/02/2026

Future of PNG superannuation depends on informed decisions: Nasfund
THE future of superannuation in the country depends on informed decisions, disciplined savings habits, and a commitment to long-term financial wellbeing, according to Nasfund.

Chief executive officer Rajeev Sharma said during the Nasfund FM100 talkback show in Port Moresby this week that superannuation was not just a compulsory contribution but a lifelong financial asset capable of transforming retirement outcomes when managed well.

He said voluntary contribution was one of the most effective ways to boost account growth, as workers benefitted from compound interest which build steadily on top of the employer-employee contributions.

Sharma provided clarity on the governance of the superannuation system, assuring members that strict oversight and risk management measures are in place to protect their savings.

He said that Nasfund’s expanding digital service ecosystem including the Nasfund App, e-Branch, and enhanced social media presence was providing access to information and services easier and more transparent.

“Practical planning tools, such as the retirement calculator, allow members to model their future savings needs, while Nasfund’s new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot offers quick, reliable responses to member queries,” he said.

“With 22 branches complemented by these digital channels, Nasfund continues to improve nationwide service accessibility.”

Sharma urged Papua New Guineans to start saving early.

“Time is the strongest driver of compound growth. Avoid unnecessary withdrawals, protecting your balance today secures your future,” he said.

“Increase voluntary contributions – even small, regular top ups can lead to substantial long term gains.

“With transparency, education and digital innovation driving its strategy, Nasfund continues to deepen understanding of superannuation and foster a stronger culture of long-term saving across PNG.”

12/02/2026

Sports Club ultimate challenge returns bigger
THE 2026 South Pacific Motors Sports Club (SPMSC) Ultimate Team Challenge was officially launched on Tuesday at the Car Club in Port Moresby.

This year’s competition features 10 teams and will run for at least 26 weeks, making it one of the longest in-house sporting events at the club. Matches are scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.

“The format includes two full rounds, expected to take around 20 weeks,” tournament director Joe Chan explained. “The schedule allows breaks during the State of Origin period. After the round-robin matches, teams will be split into the top five and bottom five. The top five will compete for the Cup, while the bottom five will battle for the Plate during the finals, which will run for another two weeks.”

Chan said the Ultimate Team Challenge began four years ago as a relaxed, members-only competition. Membership remains a strict requirement for participation.

The inaugural winners were the Mustangs, then sponsored by APCS.

As the competition grew in popularity, more skilled darts, pool, and snooker players joined the club, boosting membership and raising the overall standard of play.

Now in its fourth year, the tournament has expanded to 10 teams, with matches played weekly across three nights.

For the past two years, Life Insurance Corporation Limited has supported the competition as naming rights sponsor.

Chan said their backing has helped increase prize money and improve the overall presentation of the event.

Last year’s champions, the Mustangs – sponsored by AST Security Services and Pacific Racing – claimed a K10,000 cash prize, along with trophies and an end-of-year presentation.

The 2026 Ultimate Team Challenge kicked off on Monday and promises months of competitive and entertaining action for SPMSC members.

12/02/2026

Woman accused in police husband’s death discharged
A MOTHER accused along with her son of killing her husband, a policeman in Kaugere, Port Moresby, three years ago has been freed by a court.

Emotional Anna Punai, from Bayung village in Morobe’s Bulolo, broke down in tears yesterday in the dock when National Court Judge Panuel Mogish discharged her from the murder charge against her husband, late Senior Sergeant Jim Punai.

Outside court, Punai was emotional, hugging family members, thankful that her three-year court battle appealing her charge had ended.

Mogish told Anna: ‘there is a declaration from the Office of Public Prosecution to the court to discharge you from the charges of murder.”

“You are discharged and free to go,” he said.

Lawyer Edward Sasingian represented Punai.

Outside court, Punai told The National that she was a victim of injustice following her husband’s death.

“I was blamed for nothing by his relatives and by his workmates from the police force because I was the deceased’s wife,” she said.

“Now after three years of the court battles, I have been given justice by the Public Prosecutor and state lawyers and the courts.

“I want to thank my boss and Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko and my family for believing me and supporting me throughout.” Sasingian confirmed that Anna Punai’s son, Adam, who has mental illness and accused of striking his father with an iron rod causing the death, is institutionalised at the Laloki Psychiatrist Hospital.

The court heard that the late Senior Sgt Punai was drunk and sleeping inside his vehicle in front of his house.

Adam Punai had been brought home by an aunt and allegedly told his mother Anna that he wanted to smoke (ma*****na).

Adam’s brother Emmanuel advised his mother to retrieve what the son had asked for and she went into the house to get it.

After that, Anna woke her husband and an argument ensued between Adam and his father.

Adam allegedly picked up a rock and attempted to hit his father with it, but missed.

Adam was then able to get an iron bar from his brother and struck his father twice on the head causing his death.

An uncle tried to stop Adam but he was also hit with the rod and chased out of the premises.

12/02/2026

12/02/2026

Past governments failed to address urban drift: Reverend
PAST governments failed to address the urban drift issue and squatter settlements in urban areas, according to Body of Christ chairman Rev Joseph Walters.

“Urban drift and (squatter) settlements will continue to be a problem,” he said.

“The sooner people in authority (take) remedial actions, the better it will be for our people.

“We must respect the fact that we are dealing with human lives – citizens who have rights.

“Let’s not take advantage of powers entrusted in us to deal with citizens in an inhumane way.”

He said there must be advanced planning for relocation in eviction cases – something National Capital District Governor and town mayors in provinces must consider.

Walters made the statement following evictions at the Two-Mile Hill and Works compound in Port Moresby recently.

“The issue of urban drift and settlements is not confined to Port Moresby but in all urban centres.

“Inconsiderate and heavy-handed tactics without due care and respect to citizen’s lives can amount to human rights violation.”

Body of Christ deputy chairman Michael Wilson said those evicted had become a burden to churches as well when evictions were carried out during the school term.

Meanwhile, Walters appealed to those looking for land in the city to return to their villages.

“All the things you look for in town and cities are in the land.

“Go back and use the land and trust the good Lord to help you do well in life.”

12/02/2026

Zimad Post > Private: Blog > Education > More pressing needs: UPNG students on A$600mil NRL team EducationPNG NewsSports More pressing needs: UPNG students on A$600mil NRL team Posted by aoe6e February 7, 2026 Share on READ NEXT PM Marape pushes PNG’s commitment to AI reforms CHIEFS is the officia...

12/02/2026

Schnaubelt or Chan. Legal grey area opens up on NIP governorship
TWO opposing advices exist presently on the position of governor of New Ireland, now that Byron Chan has been declared provincial member following the by-election.

Electoral commissioner Margaret Vagi has said the winner of the election (now Byron Chan) would become governor by automatic operation of Section 17(2) of the Organic Law on Provincial Government and Local Level Government (OLPGLLG).

The secretary of the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Philip Leo, has advised the provincial assembly that Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt remains governor as he has been elected following due process authorised by Section 21 of the OLPGLLG.

Legal opinion given by senior constitutional lawyer, Loani Heano, suggests that the Section 21 authority which provides for the minister to direct the provincial assembly to elect a governor following a vacancy occasioned by dismissal from office or appointment to some constitutional office such as minister or speaker, but not on the occasion of death of the incumbent office holder.

Henao holds that in the event of the death of a governor, the law provides for the deputy governor of a province to act in an acting capacity until a by-election installs a new provincial member who then automatically becomes governor.

This is the matter on which Leo is seeking legal clarity.

In the meantime, in a letter to provincial administrator Richard Andia dated Feb 9, 2026, Leo directed that no administrative steps be taken before the department gets legal clarification.

He said the department’s position remained that the provincial member (member of Parliament) was a separate office than that of the provincial governor elected by the provincial assembly.

“Parliamentary membership and by-elections are governed by the Constitution and the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections (OLNLLGE),” Leo said.

“The composition and executive leadership of provincial government are governed by the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-Level Governments (OLPGLLG).

“Section 21 of the OLPGLLG authorises the provincial assembly to elect a governor to fill a vacancy for the remainder of the term.

“Where the assembly has validly exercised that power, the Office of the Governor is lawfully occupied for the residue of the term.

“The OLPGLLG contains no express provision that a provincial member returned at a by-election automatically supersedes an assembly-elected Governor serving the remainder of the term.

“Accordingly, a provincial member returned at a by-election does not automatically displace a governor validly elected by the Provincial Assembly under Section 21.

“The by-election required by the Constitution and the OLNLLGE fills the parliamentary vacancy only; it does not, on its face, alter the provincial executive arrangements established by the OLPGLLG.”

Leo directed Andia to provide the assembly with a copy of this letter and request that it refrains from treating the by-election result as automatically creating a vacancy in the governorship.

He said the by-election result would not automatically displace the assembly-elected governor, including issuing instructions, effecting transfers, or making appointments premised on an automatic change of governor, until:

THE provincial assembly lawfully elects a new governor (vote of no confidence);THE incumbent governor vacates office (resignation or death); or,A COURT of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise.

12/02/2026

NCDC to resettle people at planned sites, says Parkop