LAE OPEN Electorate - JOHN ROSSO Dps MP

𝐃𝐏𝐌 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝟏𝟎𝟎-𝐁𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso today (yesterday) officially opened a new 100-bed female dormitory at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UOT) in Lae, a major infrastructure project funded through the PNG–Australia Partnership and supported by Australian taxpayers.

The project is aimed at improving student accommodation and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for female students pursuing higher education, particularly in engineering and technical fields.

Among those who attended the opening ceremony were Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita, Australian High Commissioner Ewen McDonald, a representative of the Minister for Education, university leadership, staff, students, contractors, and other stakeholders.

In his keynote address, Deputy PM Rosso highlighted the complexity of governing a diverse nation like Papua New Guinea, using a comparison to illustrate the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity.

“If you manage a nation like ours, it’s not an easy job. If you have a company, you’ll know it is driven by a board of directors. Imagine running a company with 800 people—some who cannot communicate in a common language, and all with different backgrounds, cultures, and customary practices. That is what Papua New Guinea is like. That is how you manage a country like ours,” Rosso said.

He emphasized that despite these challenges, the nation continues to progress through unity and shared development goals.

“We do have challenges, and challenges exist in every nation. These challenges affect our daily lives. But I am glad to say that today I am standing here and seeing our women following in the footsteps of leaders like Dame Jean Kekedo,” he said.

Deputy PM Rosso further acknowledged the growing contribution of women in leadership and technical sectors, including engineering, health, education, and public administration.

“I strongly believe in our women in this country—that they can lead us and unite us in all institutions, not only in politics, but also in administrative institutions, and in areas such as technology, health, and education,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed strong appreciation to Australia for its continued development support.

“I want to say a special thank you to the Australian Government for this year they have given us close to half a billion Australian dollars in bilateral aid to our nation Papua New Guinea. On behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, _𝑚𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑘 𝑡𝑜𝑘 𝑏𝑖𝑘𝑝𝑙𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑟𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝐺𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑛𝑎 𝑝𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑎. 𝑈𝑝𝑙𝑎 𝑜𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑚 𝑝𝑎𝑝𝑎 𝑛𝑎 𝑘𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑜 𝑚𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑎 𝑛𝑎 𝑢𝑝𝑙𝑎 𝑘𝑎𝑚 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑖𝑚 𝑚𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑎 𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑚. 𝑂𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝑆𝑜 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑟𝑢 𝑙𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑙𝑎,_" Rosso said.

The unveiling monument for the facility carried the inscription: “Grand Opening of the Dame Jean Kekedo Residential Hall.” It describes the facility as a 100-bed dormitory for the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, designed to enable more women to study, train, and lead in engineering and technical fields. The project is supported through Incentive Funds and the PNG–Australian Partnership.

The new dormitory was officially named in honour of Dame Jean Kekedo, a pioneering Papua New Guinean leader and public servant.

The facility is expected to significantly improve accommodation capacity for female students and strengthen efforts to create a safer and more supportive learning environment at the university.

𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗨 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

_LAE, MOROBE PROVINCE_ – Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso today led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new ANGAU Memorial Hospital Pharmacy Project in Lae, a major healthcare investment funded by the Australian Government and Australian taxpayers in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea.

Joining Deputy PM Rosso at the ceremony were Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita, Australian High Commissioner Ewen McDonald, Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, Morobe Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kipas Binga, and Morobe Provincial Administrator Max Bruten, who together participated in the official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the project.

The new pharmacy project marks another milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of ANGAU Memorial Hospital, one of Papua New Guinea’s largest and most important healthcare facilities. The project is expected to strengthen the hospital’s pharmaceutical services, improve medicine storage and distribution, and enhance healthcare delivery for thousands of patients who rely on the hospital each year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rosso thanked the Australian Government, Australian taxpayers, and the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ewen McDonald, for their continued investment in the country’s health sector.

“Before becoming a Member of Parliament, I was a businessman and I could afford medical treatment overseas. But I often asked myself, what about my mother, my cousins, my brothers and the ordinary people? Where would they go if they came to the hospital and could not receive the services necessary for their survival?” Rosso said.

“What happens to a person who cannot afford even fifty kina, or a mother about to give birth?

The redevelopment of ANGAU has been a huge incentive for improving the lives of ordinary people.”

Rosso said the partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia continues to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities, reflecting a strong relationship that dates back to before Papua New Guinea’s Independence.

“I want to thank the Australian Government and the Australian people for putting their money into an important facility like ANGAU to help my people. It demonstrates the strength of the partnership and relationship between our two nations since Independence and even before that,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the historical significance of ANGAU Memorial Hospital, noting that the hospital’s name originated from the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU), which was established during World War II and played a critical role during one of the most challenging periods in Papua New Guinea’s history.

Over the decades, the hospital has evolved from a provincial hospital into a major regional referral facility serving Morobe Province, the entire Momase Region, parts of the Highlands Region, and the rest of Papua New Guinea.

“For generations, ANGAU has been a place where lives have been saved, children have been born, families have found hope, and healthcare workers have dedicated themselves to serving our communities,” Rosso said.

“Thousands upon thousands of Papua New Guineans have passed through these grounds seeking care, treatment, and hope.”

Rosso said that after more than 50 years of service, the hospital’s ageing infrastructure required significant investment and modernisation to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and modern healthcare standards.

He noted that when ANGAU was originally built, Lae’s population was estimated at around 80,000 people. Today, the city is home to more than half a million residents, placing increasing pressure on health and other public services.

Recognising these challenges, the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia entered into a long-term partnership to redevelop the hospital, one of the largest health infrastructure projects undertaken in Papua New Guinea since Independence and one of Australia’s largest development investments in the country.

The redevelopment has already delivered modern facilities, including a new maternity and birthing unit, emergency and trauma services, intensive care units, operating theatres, medical imaging and pathology services, and other state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure.

Rosso also acknowledged Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita, Morobe Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Kipas Binga, Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, healthcare workers, development partners, and stakeholders for their contributions to improving health services in the province.

He paid special tribute to Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita for working closely with him in driving development initiatives across Lae City and Morobe Province.

The new pharmacy project is expected to further strengthen ANGAU Memorial Hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare services and ensure a reliable supply of essential medicines for patients across the region.

𝗗𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝟰𝟭𝟮 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗣𝗡𝗚𝗖

Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso has welcomed the arrival and official handover of two Bell 412 helicopters gifted by the people and Government of Australia to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, describing it as a transformative step in strengthening national policing and improving security operations across Papua New Guinea.

The helicopters were presented during a formal ceremony at the Manolos Aviation Yard in Lae, attended by senior government officials, police leadership, and representatives from the Government of Australia, including the Australian Federal Police. The gifting forms part of the long-standing PNG–Australia Policing Partnership and is a gift from the people and Government of Australia in support of policing capability in Papua New Guinea.

Deputy PM Rosso said the addition of the helicopters represents more than a symbolic upgrade, calling it a critical investment in national security, rapid response, and service delivery.

“Today is about strengthening security, improving service delivery, enhancing mobility for our police force, and building confidence in our ability as a nation to respond to the needs of our people, especially those living in remote and isolated parts of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

He highlighted the country’s difficult terrain and scattered geography, noting that many communities remain cut off from immediate police assistance due to mountains, rivers, islands, and vast distances. The helicopters, he said, will significantly help bridge that gap.

The new aircraft will enhance RPNGC operations through rapid deployment of personnel, aerial surveillance, emergency response, transport of essential supplies, and support during natural disasters and major security operations. Rosso also stressed their importance ahead of the 2027 National General Elections, where aviation support will play a key role in ensuring safe and efficient electoral logistics.

Under the operational arrangement, Manolos Aviation will manage the helicopters and support capacity building for Papua New Guinean pilots, engineers, and aviation personnel through structured training and mentoring programs aimed at developing long-term local expertise.

Deputy PM Rosso acknowledged the continued support of the Australian Government and the Australian Federal Police, describing the partnership as one built on trust, shared values, and regional cooperation.

He also praised Police Commissioner David Manning and the RPNGC Executive for their ongoing efforts to modernise policing systems and improve law and order services nationwide.

“The true value of these helicopters will not be measured by their size or technology, but by the lives protected, the communities assisted, the crimes prevented, and the confidence restored among our people,” Rosso said.

The handover marks a significant milestone in the Government’s broader efforts to modernise policing capability and strengthen national security operations across Papua New Guinea.

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Lae MP John Rosso has welcomed improved satellite internet connectivity in rural Papua New Guinea, saying that services such as Starlink will bridge communication gaps in remote communities.

Rosso said areas such as Kabwum, Teptep, Markham, and Menyamya were beginning to benefit from better connectivity, improving access to essential services including education, healthcare, and government communication.

Read More : https://www.thenational.com.pg/rosso-welcomes-starlink-introduction/

𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐟𝐚 𝐄𝐤𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

I extend my sincere congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel Sarufa Eka on his well-deserved promotion. His professionalism, discipline, and proven leadership within the PNGDF Engineering Battalion make him highly deserving of this appointment.

As he assumes command at Igam Barracks in Lae, I am confident his experience and capability will further strengthen the battalion’s role in delivering vital engineering support to our nation.

I also acknowledge and thank the outgoing Commanding Officer for his dedicated service and leadership. His contributions have laid a strong foundation for continued excellence.

On behalf of the people of Lae, I congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Eka and wish him every success in his new role.