Swire Shipping announced today that Westwood Shipping Lines (Westwood), a niche vessel operator specialising in the trade between the Pacific Northwest and Northeast Asia, will change its name to Swire Shipping effective 1 February 2024. Swire Shipping acquired Westwood in June 2022 as part of a growth strategy to expand its liner network in North America.

The rebranding builds on Westwood’s deep legacy in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast Asia, and enables a more seamless customer experience, leveraging synergies and capabilities in containers, networks, and projects across the global Swire Shipping network to better serve customers throughout North America, Japan, South Korea, and China.

“The integration of Westwood Shipping Lines reflects our continued investment and expansion in the North Pacific. With our shared values of safety, operational excellence, sustainability, and reliability, we are poised to elevate our services and provide an even stronger value proposition for our customers,” said Ben Pike, Chief Operating Officer, Swire Shipping.

Swire Shipping will continue to operate its Puyallup, WA, office as the regional hub for its North America operations. Seven vessels from the Swire Shipping owned fleet will operate on the Westwood service within the expanded global network, with four vessels retaining their existing Westwood name and green hulls in a nod to its 130-year legacy.

Harry Stones, newly appointed President of Swire Shipping North America, said, “With its reputation for reliability and quality, Westwood has built a loyal following among customers and service partners in North America and North Asia. This marks the start of an exciting new chapter, as we look to expand our capabilities and further establish ourselves within the region as a leading provider of innovative global shipping and logistics solutions. The Westwood service will complement Swire Shipping’s other services in North America with the Sun Chief Express Ocean Service and the US West Coast – Pacific Islands service.”

In recognition of the strong ties with Japanese customers and their supply chains, as well as to strengthen its transpacific reach, Swire Shipping also announced the establishment of a new office in Tokyo, Japan, bringing representation in-house and enabling more direct engagement with customers.

Chris Robertson, General Manager, Asia and Northern Hemisphere, Swire Shipping, added, “Swire Shipping has a long-standing presence in Japan and South Korea. The rebranding of Westwood Shipping Lines further strengthens our position in these important markets. Moreover, in a move that sets us apart in the Japanese market, we have transferred our representation in Tokyo to our own branch office, reflecting our commitment to customers and our confidence in the region’s growth potential.”

This move allows Swire Shipping to consolidate its agency representations in Japan by bringing agency representations previously held by Ben Line Agencies (Japan) Ltd and Senwa Maritime Agency Ltd in-house. To maintain strong customer relationships and ensure continuity, staff from Ben Line Agencies and Senwa Maritime will be transferred to the new Swire Shipping branch office.

PNG Air regrets to advise our customers and the travelling public as of midnight, due to the implementation of restrictions by our jet aviation fuel supplier across the country, PNG Air scheduled flights are subject to late boarding and slight delays.

The disruption of flights will be ongoing until the supply restrictions on jet aviation fuel are uplifted.

At this juncture, upon evaluation of available fuel reserves, PNG Air will still maintain its current flight schedule and will update this in due course if deemed necessary.

Our Call Centre team will make its best efforts to be in contact with customers who have purchased tickets for onward travel who could be affected by these delays.

PNG Air sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciates your understanding during this time as the situation is outside of the airline’s control.

For more information, please contact our Call Centre on 16111 (Digicel toll free) or 7411 2644 (Bmobile and Telikom)

Steamships Trading Company Limited, through its property division, Pacific Palms Property (PPP), confirms that three of its properties were tragically set on fire last Wednesday.

The buildings that house the Stop & Shop North Waigani store and Stop & Shop Rainbow Gerehu have been completely lost in the fires, while the Badili site sustained severe damage to its western end which housed 2FastMotors and M&H Bookmakers.  These tenants have lost everything, and we extend our deepest sympathy to them.  The eastern end, housing Badili Stop & Shop, remains intact, and our PPP team is working tirelessly to secure the sites and expedite the reopening of the Stop & Shop store. The Company’s primary concern is for the safety and continuity of operations.

The immediate losses to Steamships are currently estimated at PGK86 million, with consequential losses expected to bring the total to just under PGK100 million.

 “As we navigate the complexities of the insurance process, our commitment is to commence rebuilding efforts as swiftly as possible. We stand in solidarity with those affected and advocate for the expedited prosecution of those responsible for these criminal acts. Steamships categorically condemns any form of property destruction.” Said Steamships Managing Director, Rupert Bray.

“In our role as a property and logistics operator, Steamships has extended its support to those impacted. The Company have proactively offered free laydown area at our new Portside Business Park to major stores affected by this incident.”

The PNG Business Council and the peak bodies have estimated that the cost for restocking and rebuilding is approximately PGK1bn. This unfortunate event diverts resources from new projects that could have significantly contributed to economic growth and employment opportunities.

Steamships acknowledges the recent meetings between the business councils, the peak bodies, and government officials. In light of these discussions, we urge the government to consider:

• Immediate capital support for the affected businesses to facilitate rebuilding and safeguard employment. In particular, we recommend immediate wage support for the staff of those whose businesses have been so badly affected. Having failed to prevent last Wednesday’s unrest, the government now has a duty to protect employment during these tough economic times.
• Prompt availability of foreign exchange for affected businesses to enable restocking and rebuilding.
• Expedited building approval processes to allow for swift reconstruction of our capital city.

It is disheartening to witness how the actions of a few individuals can negatively escalate to create disorder and impact the livelihoods of many hardworking Papua New Guineans in Port Moresby and other centres who experienced similar fate.

This is not who we are as Papua New Guineans.

Restoring investor confidence is imperative. We must ensure such incidents do not recur, as they undermine stability and progress. Steamships, with over a century of investment in PNG, is committed to rebuilding and leading recovery efforts. However, this requires collaborative support from the government and the citizens of Port Moresby.

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited through its training entity, the Kumul Petroleum Academy (KPA) is expanding its training capacity by building a new training facility next door to its Fabrication Facility, now under construction near the PNG LNG Project Plant site at Caution Bay. As part of its expansion plans, KPHL today signed a ‘Manage and Operate’ agreement with Site WorkReady Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Site Group International Limited.

The scope of the Manage and Operate Agreement will see professionals with the experience to run the Academy provide industry oriented skills training in oil and gas,  mining, marine as well as in general infrastructure industry. This will all be done in a real-life training environment.  

Both organisations share the ultimate goal of implementing real-life training environments to create long-term sustainable employment and opportunities for Papua New Guineans. This is to ensure greater participation during construction and operations of our resource projects.  

Kumul Petroleum Holdings managing director, Wapu Sonk said, “We are passionate about investing in programs and projects that will upskill and develop our young Papua New Guineans so that they are ready for the projects that are coming online now. But more importantly, one day we can own, develop and operate our own resource development projects at lower operating costs than what we experience today, where capital and skills are imported at a huge cost to the country. 

“Once our training facility comes into operation, it will significantly increase the range and scale of our technical training activities. It will also see the launch of engineering work experience programs in the country,” Mr. Sonk said.

Site International Operation Managing Director, Vern Wills said, “The new development at Caution Bay will be operational in 2 years and the training offered there will include a number of Site’s unique `barrier to entry` training modules, including underground mine simulation, engineering and electrical services, shut down services, ‘Safe Live Process Environment’ based engineering and leadership programs.”

The new Kumul Petroleum Academy facility will have the capacity to train 350-400 trainees  while the current facility at Idubada can facilitate 80-100 trainees. Both training sites will be graduating 400-500 trainees per year, contributing to the upskilling of human capital for various industries in Papua New Guinea, as well as the export of skilled Papua New Guineans to positions outside the country. 

Ok Tedi Mining Limited’s (OTML) Safety Manager, Anna Ila was the proud recipient of the Leader of the Year Award at the ‘Women in Safety’ Awards in Sydney, Australia on November 27th.

Women in Safety is a network of women who are safety professionals in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. This network leads discussions on health and safety issues, challenges and improvements, with the aim to make a positive impact resulting in improved outcomes for its members and workplaces.

Scooping this award is a big deal as it is the first for OTML and goes a long way to highlight the importance of the Company’s safety initiatives at the workplace while also showcasing the Company’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations.

“The recognition that I gained from this award shows the incredible work women are doing in their roles to create change in the safety space to ensure workplaces are safer today than they were yesterday, particularly in mining where the nature of our business is such that our workforce is exposed to risks that can impact their safety and long-term wellbeing,” Ms Ila said.

Ms Ila’s award submission showcased key aspects from the OTML 2023 safety plan including building an inclusive working relationship with OTML’s Business Partners, having a targeted risk based and “strategic” approach in managing safety risk, and a focus on major hazards and behavioural safety.

“I would like to thank the OTML management for the recognition and support that ensures I perform my role and lead my team to make OTML a safe workplace for its employees and business partners,” she said.

“Congratulations Anna and we look forward to seeing more women at OTML excel in their respective roles, and especially so in the safety and occupational health arena. Ms Ila is well placed to lead the Team in the implementation of Ok Tedi’s plans to continue to improve our safety performance,” said OTML General Manager, People and Culture, Mark Stone.

The award event was staged to recognize aspiring women in the field of Safety. Out of almost 100 outstanding nominations, 24 finalists made it through the selection process.

Steamships Trading Company Limited’s Managing Director, Rupert Bray, and Isikeli Taureka, Chief Executive Officer of Laba Holdings Limited, executed a Memorandum of Understanding that will lead to the creation of a new joint-venture company, Hebamo Transport. Hebamo Transport will focus specifically on logistical support to the resource industry.

By combining Laba’s local presence at the PNG LNG gas site with EastWest Transport extensive experience in land logistics services, the joint venture establishes a Papua New Guinean majorityowned specialist in LNG logistical support. Hebamo Transport seeks to provide unparalleled logistics services tailored to the needs of the energy and mining sectors, specifically catering to the downstream requirements of the Papua LNG project.

"Today marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the signing of the MOU between Steamships and Laba Holdings creating our joint venture, Hebamo Transport. This collaboration reflects both companies deep commitment to not only foster economic growth but also to ensure that the benefits of resource extraction are rightfully filtered back to the landowners” said Steamships’ Managing Director, Rupert Bray.

“At Steamships, we are proud to be the partner of choice in this venture, standing as a testament to our ongoing efforts to create impactful and inclusive business models that positively impact communities and drive meaningful progress."

Both companies look forward to working closely together to finalise the incorporation of the joint venture and are excited about the positive impact this collaboration will have on the local Papa Lealea economy and the broader Papua New Guinean community.

Santos is helping improve food security, quality of life and income opportunities for local farmers in its project impact areas through sustainable farming.

In a partnership with Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) and PNG Mining & Petroleum Hospitality Services (PNGMPHS), Santos Sustainable Development and Community Affairs teams work with families, women, and youth, teaching them skills and knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices that aim to protect the soil and produce organic fresh vegetables while increasing and maintaining a profitable farm income that will improve their lives.

Once such community is Daga 2 in Pimaga. Over sixty youths have come together to form the Daga Youth Group which also comprises of their mothers and fathers.

FPDA worked with and trained the young farmers and their families to increase their capacity to produce high quality organic vegetables. The training included soil preparation, composting, natural pesticides and how to grow, transplant and main healthy crops.

After the training, the farmers started working on their farm transplanting some of their crops with the aim to harvest early next year.

Elsie Mongoru, Santos Senior Sustainable Development Manager applauded the community for participating in this project which will be of benefit to them and their families.

“It’s a community-driven project which involves our youths, mothers, and fathers. At Daga 2, we have this communal farm where it allows all the community members that are part of this farming group to come together, learn about the farming techniques and replicate these in their own family farms.

“The farmers provided labour to build the demonstration farm and water storage tanks base. They utilise the infrastructures for their training and other farming related meetings,” Ms Mongoru said.

During a recent visit to the farm by Santos and FPDA, the team witnessed the collaboration between the farmers and saw firsthand the work the farmers are putting into their nursery, comprising carrots, capsicum, watermelon, and a variety of other cabbages including Chinese cabbages which are being transplanted after four weeks from the nursery to the neatly prepared garden plots for harvest early in the new year.

Village Councillor Timothy Dosabo thanked Santos for driving this ongoing initiative in the community and in providing support where necessary to help the people earn a living from what they plant on their land.

The main diet for communities within this region is sago and so the training in sustainable farming will help with food security.“Our young people here are eager to learn the new farming techniques to plant our vegetables and manage our farms to produce quality foods that will meet the market demands. We learnt many new things from the training provided by Santos through FPDA. This is a breakthrough for us, especially learning to use compost, watering our vegetables, and digging the soil to make it porous and to improve the drainage system around our plots,” Mr Dosabu said.

“Our parents didn’t teach us any of these farming techniques as we were basically living off what the land and bush provided us with. But our children are now fortunate as we will be teaching them these farming methods and they too will teach their children. This will be pass on from generation to generation.”

Youth Group Leader Waseba Wassy Wayabo was filled with emotion as he expressed his gratitude to the community and Santos Sustainability team for supporting him to lead the program.

“I thank our Councillor and our members for believing in me and entrusting me to lead our young people. We have widows and orphans who are part of our group and I truly appreciate the Santos team for engaging us. We will all work together for a better future for our community,” Mr Wayabo said.

Similar farmer training has been set up in five other locations in the Kutubu area and will gradually move to the Hekari region so all communities can be able to learn and use these modern farming techniques.

FPDA will provide extension services until harvesting and PNGMPHS will train the farmers on how to clean and store the vegetables to be able to meet commercial standards.

A solar mini grid will soon be lighting up classrooms, dormitories, and teachers’ housing in Pimaga.

Access to the electricity provided through this mini grid will transform the educational experience of young people and teachers at the Pimaga Vocational Education and Training (VET) centre.

“For the first time we will have access to power, to support our learning needs, provide a better environment for those students and teachers that live on campus and create a safer environment for everyone particularly women and girls”, says Warubi Masahimu, Manager of the Pimaga VET.

The Santos Foundation and SLB (Schlumberger) have entered an exciting new partnership to support the Pimaga VET with a solar mini grid to power the centre. This PGK1.8 million investment is part of the Santos Foundation’s Youth Opportunities Program focussed on delivering greater outcomes for young people in Kutubu.

“Education, training and employment opportunities are core to this program, and we are excited about our partnership with both SLB and the VET centre”, said the Senior Projects Manager, Anthony Uechtritz.

The new investment will mean the students will now have the opportunity to use modern equipment as part of their trade training “to gain hands- on experience and training they would not be able to get otherwise. It means they will be job ready in a competitive market” adds Matt Loth of SLB.

Energy poverty is a critical development issue and finding a renewable energy solution for a remote setting is life changing. It will mean better opportunities previously impossible in this community.

The Asian Development Bank Energy Sector summary states that PNG has one of the lowest electrification rates in the Pacific, with only 13% of the population having access to electricity. Lack of access to affordable and reliable power, limits economic growth in urban areas, constrains growth in smaller urban centres and contributes to poverty in rural areas (Sector Assessment (Summary): Energy (adb.org)).

The Santos Foundation is proud to be partnering with SLB and the Pimaga VET centre on this project and believes the contribution will make a lasting impact on the local community that access the VET centre and look forward to seeing the benefits of this project in the years to come.

Sykes Group, a leading name in the realm of dewatering pump solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the Sykes / Primax XH250. Developed with the distinct requirements of the mining and quarry industries in mind, the XH250 is set to revolutionise dewatering operations in these sectors.

Mines and quarries are continually expanding, reaching greater depths and widths, demanding reliable dewatering solutions. The Sykes XH250 steps in to address this challenge by delivering higher heads and flow rates. This ensures consistent equipment access to all areas of mining and quarry sites.

The XH250 complements Sykes' existing range of Extra High Head pumps and boasts a remarkable head capability of 200 l/sec @ 220m or 250 l/sec @ 200m.

Key Features of the Sykes XH250:

1. Versatile Drive Options: The XH250 is available in both diesel and electric drive configurations, and it can be mounted on skids, trailers, or pontoons.
2. Impressive Performance: The XH250 is engineered to deliver 200 litres per second at 220 meters or 250 litres per second at 200 meters, ensuring reliable and efficient dewatering.
3. Innovative Pump Design: The pump's design incorporates several key features to enhance its longevity and performance, including extraordinary shaft stiffness ratios, multiple priming options, advanced bearing arrangements, and exceptional sealing solutions.
4. Front and Rear Wear Plates: Sykes Pumps' inclusion of wear plates offers the ability to make fine adjustments to the impeller-wear plate clearance, enabling customers to restore pump efficiency without the need for extensive overhauls.
5. Material Options: The Sykes XH250 is available with various material options to suit specific applications, including 316 SS Impeller, wear plates, and SG iron Volute, among others. Other options are Full 316 SS, CS340, CS500, CD4MCU, H7A SS, CD4MCU, SAF2205 and SAF2507.

The Sykes XH250 is a testament to our commitment to providing efficient and reliable dewatering solutions for the mining and quarry industries.

About Sykes Group: Sykes Group is a global leader in providing dewatering solutions, with a reputation for excellence in pump technology. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Sykes Group remains at the forefront of delivering reliable and efficient pumping solutions across diverse industries. Sykes Group became part of the Atlas Copco Group Power and Flow Division in December 2023.

Thirty-three (33) women employees from Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) graduated with a certificate of participation in the Company’s RISE Program on November 22nd and 29th respectively in Tabubil. Due to the work rosters, the program hosted two graduation ceremonies to cater for all the participants while onsite.

In April this year, OTML commenced the third cohort of the 7-month-long RISE Program that was first initiated in 2021 and aimed at empowering and developing female employees to be more effective in their current roles and to be best placed for future promotional opportunities.

To date, 90 women employees of OTML have undergone this program.

General Manager People and Culture, Mark Stone when speaking at the program’s graduation ceremony said, “Ok Tedi is an equal-opportunity employer and it is in our best interest to ensure all members of the workforce, irrespective of gender, are developed to perform to the best of their ability. Only in so doing will we have a diverse and inclusive workforce capable of world class performance.”

Mr Stone elaborated that the move to ensuring OTML has a better mix of genders in the workforce has evolved over time starting with the development of the Ok Tedi Women’s Network and complemented by the commitment and support of the Executive Leadership Team in various projects, programs and initiatives to ensure the Company build a stronger organisation with equal gender representation. The RISE Program is a prime example of such initiatives per this commitment.

“I am not a fan of off-the-shelf programs. I wanted a program that was specific for Ok Tedi, one that understood our culture, systems, processes, and challenges and is tailored specifically for our Ok Tedi women. I hope the participants feel the same about this program as the results are amazing so congratulations to all the participants, mentors and facilitators,” Mr Stone said.

RISE Program Director, Rosemary Howard said, “The program is about personal development, women supporting each other to be their best selves, and men and women working together to optimise outcomes for OTML, their communities and PNG as a whole.”

She said, “During the program the participants choose a project which can assist OTML achieve its vision. The projects were all outstanding and demonstrated the women’s capabilities and teamwork. The participants’ success this year was once again greatly assisted by support from their line managers and from prior RISE participants who acted as mentors. “

The program facilitator, Mining Leaders Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Brett Cunningham said, “There is overwhelmingly positive feedback from the cohort. Prior graduates from the RISE program now act as mentors for the subsequent participants which contributes to the success of the program. The program is focused on developing capabilities such as confidence, communication, self-leadership and having a growth mindset.”

He further added that participants’ learning and development has been strong, with feedback indicating that participants leave the program feeling confident, empowered and valued.

“We at Mining Leaders Group are very impressed with OTML’s focus on developing and retaining female talent. Participants in the first programs have also shown a very strong desire to learn and grow and support each other,” said Mr Cunningham.

The Women in Maritime program, a partnership between Pacific Towing (PacTow), the Australian Government, Consort Express Lines and Swire shipping is pleased to recognise 8 young PNG women who have recently graduated as ‘Officers of the Watch’ in their pursuit of a seafaring career. The women, who were all cadets at PacTow, represent the second and third intakes of the Women in Maritime program under Australia Awards PNG.

The graduation ceremony took place on Monday 4 December aboard Steamships’ pleasure cruiser ‘Moresby Chief’ on Fairfax Harbour.  In addition to the graduates, the ceremony was attended by several VIP guests including the Australian High Commission’s Minister Counsellor, Penny Morton, Australia Awards PNG Program Director, Rebecca Gitsham, Swire Shipping General Manager – Pacific, Randy Selvaratnam, and Steamships Corporate Affairs General Manager, Vele Rupa.

In congratulating the new Officers of the Watch, Mr. Rupa stressed the significance and value of the partnership between Steamships, the Australia Awards PNG programme, and Swire Shipping.  “Together we are not only fast tracking the careers of young female seafarers, but we are also strengthening PNG’s maritime sector which plays a crucial role in driving PNG’s development.  Investing in the Women in Maritime programme is an investment Steamships is delighted to have committed to.”

The recent graduates listed below are qualified to form part of the leadership team of future vessels they work on, and as such they will oversee lower ranking deck and engine crew.  Thus, the eight new Officers of the Watch are poised to make vital contributions to further professionalising PNG’s shipping and marine services sector.  

• Naomi Erowa
• Karen Kariha
• Carol Wallan
• Make Wania
• Melanie Yambun
• Katrina Komboi
• Eunice Tuwe
• Debbie Aina

In 2021, the Women in Maritime program saw its pioneering 10 female cadets graduate as ‘Officers of the Watch’. These women are all currently employed with PNG shipping companies. The eight latest graduates will see the program having successfully trained 18 female cadets as Officers of the Watch, encouraging more females to pursue a career within the maritime industry.

PacTow General Manager, Neil Papenfus describes the Women in Maritime program as “a pioneering initiative that is helping train PNG’s next generation of seafaring professionals.” He says that “the new Officers of the Watch will help alleviate the problem of workforce shortages in PNG’s maritime sector, and that their skills and knowledge will benefit PNG for decades to come.”

Scholarship holders in the Women in Maritime program receive both classroom and practical training.  The practical training comprises an onshore component, as well as a year of critical sea time.  The women’s PNG sea time is on PacTow vessels, but more importantly, also on sister company Consort Express Lines’ vessels. 

Significantly, Swire Shipping provides the cadets with extremely valuable international sea time on much larger, more sophisticated, and technologically advanced vessels.  During their cadetships, the recent graduates visited ports in Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand on Swire Shipping vessels. 

To date, 34 women have been awarded a scholarship as either a Deck or Engine cadet.  A further six women will commence the program in 2024. 

Steamships and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany are pleased to announce a partnership to fund the redevelopment of Vula’a Elementary School in Hula, Central Province, Papua New Guinea.

The joint effort will support the implementation of a community-based comprehensive redevelopment plan that includes the construction of a double classroom equipped with new classroom furniture by members of the community. The project funding encompasses the procurement of building materials, freight and cartage as well as any other project-related costs.

The collaborative initiative aims to enhance education infrastructure and community empowerment, fostering a conducive learning and participation environment for the young minds of the community.

Steamships Managing Director, Mr. Rupert Bray, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, "Steamships recognizes the importance of investing in education and infrastructure to empower communities. The investment at Hula, enables 60 more children to access education services and creating a lasting impact in the community. We are appreciative of the support with the German Embassy in Canberra for this school project, through partnership we can achieve more.”

The total project value amounts to K168,000 with the Financial Support for Micro-Projects valued at €25,000 (approximately, K100,000) and Steamships contribution of K68,000

"Ensuring equal access to quality education is pivotal in shaping a sustainable future for young minds and their communities," stated the Chargé d’affaires of the Federal Republic of Germany to Australia, Sigrid Sommer. "The German Embassy Canberra is proud to partner with Steamships and the Hula community in this important initiative, which aligns with our long-term commitment to supporting sustainable development in Papua New Guinea."

The redevelopment project holds the promise of not only providing essential infrastructure but also fostering a sense of pride and enthusiasm among the students, educators and members of the community that jointly constructed the building. The improved facilities are expected to encourage greater attendance and participation, thereby contributing to a more vibrant and engaging educational experience.

The German Embassy Canberra and Steamships are committed to the successful execution of this initiative and look forward to witnessing the transformational impact it will have on the Vula'a Rivilina Elementary School and its community.

Sago Network is a not for profit, PNG based organisation that partners directly with PNG businesses to deliver professional community development services for PNGs rural communities in need. The organisation's dual focus on community empowerment and business innovation exemplifies a forward-thinking model for transformative development.

Sago Network’s resolute mission is to strengthen lives by advancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) standards at the grassroots level. The organisation carves a unique niche in PNG’s business and development landscape, as it not only pioneers positive change but also sets a precedent for holistic and sustainable development practices in Papua New Guinea. Healthy local business partnerships enable the organisation to cater for specific community needs through sustainable, long-term commitments.  

Jade Worsley Sago Network CEO explains, “With a team of experienced community development and built environment professionals, Sago Network is able to provide high quality, tailored responses to specific community needs”. This multidisciplinary team includes architects, community development professionals, health experts, project managers, engineers, builders, and education professionals. The result is a professional, holistic service, delivered efficiently and effectively in response to community needs.

Sago Network has a rich history of collaboration with PNG businesses through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Through these partnerships, the organisation has seamlessly integrated businesses and communities nationwide. Offering a diverse range of services, businesses can align with Sago Network programmes that resonate with their priorities and those of the communities they engage with.

Measured under the WHO/UNICEF JMP Service Ladder, Sago Networks service offerings include the WASH Strategy Programme, the WASH Empowerment Programme, the WASH Infrastructure Delivery Programme and Architecture for Communities. A common thread runs through Sago Network's services—an unwavering commitment to placing local communities at the heart of their development processes. Empowering communities with decision-making abilities, Sago Network ensures that projects align with community priorities by fostering meaningful contributions from community members.

Sago Networks willingness to innovate and collaboratively partner with PNG businesses has led to the development and creation of the Sago Dry Toilet. CEO Jade Worsley explains, “This permanent, waterless, above-ground sanitation solution is designed to last 15-20 years when installed and maintained correctly. Initially it targeted the lack of safe sanitation facilities in rural and coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. The product's scope however has since expanded, finding applications in various settings, from business yards to personal residences, providing a specialised, long-term solution for areas affected by high water tables.” The Sago Dry Toilet is now available through hardware shops nationwide, reaching businesses and the general public in addition to the community development sector.

By placing local needs at the forefront and embracing innovative solutions such as the Sago Dry Toilet, Sago Network exemplifies a model of holistic development that leaves a lasting impact on both communities and businesses. For more information on Sago Network's initiatives, services, and innovations, visit www.sagonetwork.org