NEWSROOM: 20 January - 26 January 2007

Programme to revive coconut and cocoa industries
26 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat
 
Cabinet has approved the proposal to set up a Programme for the re-development of coconut and cocoa plantings in the country.

The Programme aims to revive the flagging local coconut and cocoa industries which have been two of the major income-earners for local farmers in the past years. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will instigate this Programme.
 

Fuimaono Falefa Lima reappointed DBS General Manager
25 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat
 
Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Fuimaono Falefa Lima as the General Manager for the Development Bank of Samoa for the next three years.

The position was advertised. Two individuals applied and they were all short-listed for interview. Following the Interview Panel’s examinations and review, the Panel unanimously selected Fuimaono Falefa Lima.

Fuimaono began his working career at the Development Bank of Samoa where he has worked for more than thirty years and has been the General Manager for almost eleven years now. He is also the current Chairman for the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific and an active member of various local organisations.

Additionally, Fuimaono began his schooling locally and furthered his studies at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Economics. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Banking from the Seattle University in the United States. Fuimaono, 57, hails from the village of Salani, Falealii.
 

Special accommodation and rental car deals announced for boxing fans
24 January 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com
 
Overseas interest in the upcoming Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event in Apia on Saturday 2nd February 2008 will see up to 200 boxing fans and supporters arriving in Samoa next week.

Many more are expected to book a ticket to Samoa with the announcement over the week end of special accommodation and rental car deals for boxing fans and supporters.

Hotel Kitano Samoa is offering an accommodation special $200 SAT per room per day for up to three people with ELAVA at Vaitele is offering $120 SAT per room per day up to two people with continental breakfast included.

Apia Rental is offering a 15% discount to all their vehicles with DAT Car Rentals is offering a special $165 per day for their Hyundai Tucson fleet.

This was confirmed by Mr. Teleiai Su’atapulolo’o Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia, “For the next two weeks, Hotel Kitano Samoa and ELAVA Resort will be the home of international boxing with Apia Rental and DAT Car Rentals as the preferred rental car service.”

The inaugural Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing is an initiative of Event Polynesia Boxing in association with SPBI and SABA to provide our Samoan boxers both amateur and professional a pathway to boxing world titles by setting up the needed top international competitions right here in Samoa.

Mr. Puni credits the support from media partners Samoa Observer, Le Samoa Post, SBC, TV3, Vaiala Beach TV and Radio Polynesia in promoting the upcoming fight.

Mr. Puni goes on to say, “Staging international title fights in Samoa is very good for tourism and local businesses and also allows for our people to see the action LIVE and up close.”

WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title contender and current IBF Australasian Cruiserweight champion Mr. Lawrence Tauasa arrived in Samoa on Sunday with his manager Mr. Lincoln Hudson to prepare for the upcoming fight.

For more information contact Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera on (+685) 751-9458 or email: saipele@eventpolynesia.com.
 

Tariff surcharge adjustment due to fuel price variations
23 January 2007 - Source: Electric Power Corporation Press Release

Since the last tariff surcharge adjustment on 1 February 2007, fuel prices have increased by 18%. During this time the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) has absorbed the continuing increase in the cost of fuel by overstretching its financial resources.

These rising costs, due to overseas factors beyond our control, have now made it absolutely necessary for the Corporation to adjust its electricity tariff rates to ensure that the supply of electricity to our customers is always made readily available.

The Electric Power Corporation wishes to inform the public and all of its consumers, that an increase of 7.3% will be added to the current 15% fuel surcharge, resulting in a total fuel surcharge of 22.3%, to be applied to all electricity meters read from 01 February 2008, as follows;
 

The above tariff rates will also be applied to all consumers using Prepayment meters from 01 February 2008.

For further details please see www.epc.ws or contact;

Vavaemuitiiti Samasoni-Fepuleai
Communications Officer, Electric Power Corporation
Email: fepuleait@epc.ws
Phone: 65-426
Mobile: 758-4640
 

Programme for the Eradication of Myna Birds
22 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet has approved the launching of the Programme for the Eradication of Myna Birds in Samoa, which will be instigated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The Programme is an attempt to help counter the impact Myna Birds have on the native bird population, people’s livelihoods and agriculture.

Activities that will be instigated under this Programme include media workshops and incentive schemes, as well as introduction of long-term methods to help control the growing population of Myna Birds in the country.
 

Samoa’s National Export Strategy
21 January 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet has approved the proposal for the establishment of the Steering Committee responsible for the formulation and implementation of Samoa’s National Export Strategy.

The Strategy is the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade which aims to boost Samoa’s export revenue. It is also a result of the realisation of a continuous decline on the performance of the local export sector over the recent years.

The National Export Strategy Steering Committee is comprised of seventeen members selected from Government ministries and corporations, business and education sectors as well as from the general public.
 

Call on Samoan government to retain Radio 2AP
20 January 2007 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

The Samoa government has been urged to abandon its plan to sell the public broadcaster’s radio division, known as Radio 2AP.

The call comes from independent MP, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, who says the station using the AM band should remain a government property.

He says this is to continue a service in times of natural disasters and other important public announcements.

Speaking in parliament, Lealailepule said only the SBC television and the FM radio station should be privatised.

But the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, says the sale of the broadcaster has been in the pipeline for years and there is nothing to worry about as government will pay to get media access.
 

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