NEWSROOM: 15 July - 21 July 2007

Fire and Rescue Service Authority holds Graduation
20 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

There were 11 Fire and Rescue Officers that received certificates during the graduation ceremony held at the Fire Services Authority Headquarters at Tauese this week. The certificates were from an Orientation Course on Basic Fire Fighting.

In and interview with Deputy Fire Chief Matau Esau he stated: “The course was taught over 4 weeks, from the 25th of June till graduation date this week. Of the 11 officers that took the course, the only woman taking it was Ms Eterei Pula, who topped the course and was a testament to her commitment on behalf of all women that wanted to join the Fire and Rescue Services. Ms Pula hails from the village of Vaiusu and has been a great addition to the force.

The course was taught in two sections namely the Practical and Theory. The practical component tested the fitness and physical readiness of the participants whilst the theory component taught the subject matter of the course and what fire and rescue is all about, including types of fire and rescue and material used for both service disciplines.

This was the first intake of recruits since the Fire and Rescue Authority became an independent Public Service Department after the official breakaway from the Police, Fire and Prisons Authority early this year.

Worship Centre annual world conference held in Samoa
20 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The annual conference of the Worship Centre Christian Church Worldwide was held at its headquarters in Apia this past week.

The 2007 Conference is a milestone, speaking of God's faithfulness and grace for the Church for it marks the tenth year since the Worship Centre Church was born on July 26, 1997.

Pastors, guest speakers and delegates for this Conference travelled from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Africa, Fiji and Tokelau to join members of the Mother Church in Samoa.

The Conference started with the Mission School graduation on July 14 at the Tooa Salamasina Hall.

The two week programme includes the following:

¨ Leadership Seminars
¨ Evangelism Seminars
¨ Discipleship Seminars
¨ Mission Seminars
¨ Youth Seminars
¨ Pastors and wives Seminars
¨ Intercessors Seminars
¨ Women Seminars
¨ Healing and Deliverance services in the evenings of the first week,
¨ As well as Council Meetings.

The Programme for the second week is devoted mostly to the Holy Spirit Conference and the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Church's birthday.

The essence of the Worship Centre Church focusses on bringing people to Jesus Christ as members of His family, developing them into Christ -like maturity, through the Word and the Work of the Holy Spirit, equipping them for their ministry in the Church and life mission in the world, in order to glorify God's Name.

The Conference will close with the ordination new pastors on Sunday, July 29 at its Centre in Sogi, Apia.

Apia hosts Workshop on Climate Change Reporting
19 July 2007 - Source: SPREP

Preparing the Pacific for the effects of climate change is what the workshop on the second national communications, vulnerability and adaptation for the Pacific Island countries will work towards.

The Samoan Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Faumuina Liuga, opened the one-week workshop hosted at the SPREP training room earlier this week. He acknowledged that the impact of climate change won't occur in the distant future as our countries are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change.

"Of special concern are the significant socio-economic impacts of climate change. Recent research demonstrates that climate change impacts have the potential to make some atoll islands uninhabitable through changes in precipitation, causing severe drought, shrinking water availability and affecting food security. There is not a single sector of our economy that would escape unharmed from climate change," said Liuga in his opening speech.

Each Pacific country has completed a report that provides information on climate change issues called the National Communications on Climate Change. These contain factual information, which includes the economics of each country to explanation of plans for adaptation to the effects of climate change. Every five years these reports should be updated and the UNDP National Communications Support Programme assists with the preparation of these, hence the one-week workshop this week.

During the week, participants will hear country reports from the different Pacific countries and there is also a two-day technical training on coastal zone V & A assessment, which is funded by the Swiss Government. This will be followed by a 'Project Development and Implementation Workshop' sponsored by the Australian Greenhouse Office which will last two days.

UNDP, UNEP, GEF, the Samoa Government and the Swiss Government have supported the workshop.

Government opens three major Bridges
18 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Samoan Government has opened three of the major transportation bridges in Apia this week. The three bridges are all situated on the main road to the Apia central business district within a five mile radius of Lepea, Vaimoso and Lalovaea villages.

The Lepea Bridge crosses the Fuluasou River, while the Vaimoso Bridge crosses the Vaimoso River.

The openings bring to an end, the commotion and traffic jams over the past months whilst the construction of the three bridges took place.

Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Afioga Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the Lepea Bridge. The Vaimoso Bridge was opened by the Speaker of the House, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua and the Lalovaea Bridge was opened by the senior Independent MP from Lefaga and Faleaseela, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, gave the keynote address for all three openings which happened consecutively and his message was that of not only thanks to the villages involved, but especially to the travelling public and motorists for their patience during the months whilst the bridges were under construction.

All three bridges average 16 meters in length, 16 meters wide and have an average height of 8 to 9 meters per bridge. The average cost was ST$2.5 million tala from design to finish. The bridges were built by Bluebird Construction and partners BL Alars, with a loan from the World Bank subsidising the costs.

"The construction of the road from Vailoa to Loto-o-Samasoni will not be done until after the South Pacific Games and that will hopefully start in January 2008," Tuilaepa says.

Start Your Fisheries Business Training
17 July 2007 - Source: Fisheries Division

The Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be conducting its first in-country training/workshop on ‘Start Your Fisheries Business’ (SYFB) from 16 – 27th July 2007. This training focuses on fisheries business awareness and developing fisheries business plans for participating local fishers and potential entrepreneurs.

This training workshop is a joint effort by the International Labor Organization and the Commonwealth Secretariat through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Samoa.

This programme will develop the fisheries area in providing other alternatives for local fishers in income generating opportunities. The purpose of this training is to assist fishers by training and upskilling those who have the potential to start their small fisheries businesses. This would be a good opportunity for our local fishers with their business ideas to develop their business plans.

A range of business interests and ideas from participants will be the focus of each one’s planning during the training for example fishing boats, fish or mudcrab farming (aquaculture), community-based fisheries development and many others.

Participants are selected from applicants that fulfilled the minimum criteria required.
Local trainers include two from the Fisheries Division and one from the Institute of Technology of the National University of Samoa following their training of trainers course earlier in April. Assistance will be provided by a Master trainer of the Start and Improve Your Business ILO programme in Papua New Guinea.

This training will not only be a benefit for the fishers to learn the basics of how to run a business, but also support sustainable management of fisheries resources and provide alternatives for food security as well as income generating opportunities.

Our opening ceremony will be at held at the Fisheries Division training room at 9:00am on Monday 16th July.

Business of the Week: Strickland Brothers
16 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Strickland Brothers have been serving the Samoan public since 2004, and continue to do so with pride.

Its core business is the supply of excellent quality Lumber and Hardware products and furniture lines.

They also offer improvements in their range of products and services. Likewise, they have recently introduced new designs and provision for kitchen and bathroom units, as well as a counter booth for its furniture lines.

Overseas and local timber is used to build its products and furniture. Overseas timber includes treated timber like H1 and H3. Local timber consists of a variety of timber species like Kava, Ifilele, Titi, Niu and Mahogany. These timber species are ideal not only for building but also for Strickland Brothers' furniture line.

Regarding its hardware line, Strickland Brothers also has a range of products for plumbing, electrical, tools, paint, tiles, adhesives, fencing material and chemicals for pest control.

Strickland Brothers invites you to come and visit them at their Pesega - Lepea
premises, or visit their webpage online on the Event Polynesia website -
www.eventpolynesia.com. Alternatively, they can be contacted at: PO Box 990 Apia,
Samoa, email: strickland@ipasifika.net, or telephone: 685 22452, 22833 and Fax: 685 24650/31216.

Person of the Week: Lene Leota
15 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Many know Lene Leota as the person behind the successful screen printing business Siva Afi Designs. But before he got into business he was known for many other talents - included fire dancing.

Lene was born in Siutu Salailua, Savaii. He was educated at various schools in Apia before taking up employment at Aggie Grey's Hotel in 1982. It was here that Lene first started performing as a fire dancer. He performed weekly fiafia shows in Aggie's until 1992 when he went to Australia to undertake studies at UTS in Sydney.

In 1996, he gained his screen printing qualifications while taking a course he completed part-time while working for one of Australia's premier screen printing companies, Gooses T-Shirts.

In 1993 on his return to Samoa, Lene started his own screen printing business, Siva Afi Designs. In 1998, he opened his first factory at Saleufi.

But Lene still held a keen interest in his first love of fire dancing. In 2002, Lene formed the Ailao Club; its purpose being to preserve and promote the Samoan art of Fire Knife Dancing.

In 2005, he started his latest project, the Laumei Faiaga Bar and Restaurant, where he has continued to develop Samoan performing arts producing two shows a week.

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