Health facilities barred from charging for covid vaccines; Niue to give parents a pleasant increase; power bill discount to continue in the Cooks.
Directive to make vaccines free
Papua New Guinea's National Pandemic Response controller, David Manning, has issued a directive to both private and public health facilities not to charge fees when giving vaccines for Covid-19.
Mr Manning, who is also the police commissioner, says only staff at the Provincial Health Authorities and the Port Moresby General Hospital and their attached clinics can give injections.
The Controller of the PNG National Pandemic Response, David Manning, receives a shot of the Covid-19 vaccine produced by Astrazeneca. Photo: PNG PM Media
He says any failure to abide by these rules could mean a fine of 50,000 kina or jail of up to five years.
Mr Manning also announced that in Bougainville, the Department of Health there will be able to enter into agreements with private, non-government and public organisations for the distribution and administration of vaccinations.
Mr Manning says foreign governments with diplomatic missions in PNG could provide vaccinations, subject to certain conditions.
Solomon Islands woman arrested after death of infant
Solomon Islands police have arrested a 22-year-old female following the discovery of a dead infant baby.
The body was found beside a small stream at Matariu area in Central Honiara on Tuesday.
The Provincial Police Commander for Honiara City, Superintendent John Matamaru, said the suspect had been charged with murder.
She is being held in remand at the Central Police Station awaiting a date to appear in court.
"The suspect in this sad incident is from Arosi in Makira-Ulawa Province," Matamaru said.
"I have given instruction to police officers to locate relatives and any other close associates who might assist Police with related information that subsequently triggers her to take such horrific action."
"I appeal to people in and around the Matariu area to assist police at the Central Police Station with any information that may relate to the death of this innocent child."
Former PNG PM Chan referred to Ombudsman
Former Papua New Guinea prime minister, Sir Julius Chan, has been referred to the Ombudsman Commission on allegations of gross abuse and official corruption.
He was referred by five local level government presidents and ward councilors from his province of New Ireland.
Sir Julius, who is the Governor of New Ireland, says the issues raised in the referral have already been dealt with.
He told EMTV the referral was an act of revenge by other MPs in the province, Walter Schnaubelt and Ian Ling-Stuckey.
Both MPs are members of the national government led by James Marape, whereas Sir Julius was involved in recent efforts to remove the prime minister.
Niue child allowance to rise for first time in 20 years
Niue's Fono has supported a motion for the government to increase the child allowance.
For the past twenty years, families have been paid 85 dollars per child every three months.
But the members argued the cost of living has risen considerably, and low-income families could not sustain the high cost of school uniforms.
The motion will now go to cabinet, which will decide whether or not to include an increase in the next budget.
Power bill discounts slightly reduced
The discount on power bills in the Cook Islands will continue this month, but at a reduced rate.
Domestic accounts will receive a 60 dollar discount - down from 80 dollars - and businesses that are eligible for a discount, will have their power bills reduced by 50 per cent, which is down from 60 percent.
The new charges will come into effect from the power readings on May 10th; the new rates will stay in effect until further notice.
Prime Minister Mark Brown says the discounts are estimated to total 11.5 million dollars.