NEWSROOM: 29 April - 05 May 2007

Local caterers angry at SP Games tender U-turn
05 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Local caterers are worried that the New Zealand military may end up winning the tender to cater for the South Pacific Games in August. The possibility of the NZ military catering for this major event came up during a recent meeting between the South Pacific Games Committee and the local caterers.

Spokesperson for the caterers, Member of Parliament Laauliolemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao, showed his concern over the SPG committee's decision to consider bypassing local caterers for overseas options.

Laauli said that since the games is being held in Samoa, the committee should consider local businesses. The possibility of bringing over the military "was a blow to our ego," said Laauliolemalietoa.

Concern was also directed to the committee's lack of trust and faith in local caterers. Rita Keil of the Le Tiara caterer said that if the Chairman succeeded in bringing in the military, then that would be a sure sign to other countries that Samoan caterers are not qualified and experienced enough to host such a huge event. Rita also questioned why the committee Chairman cancelled the tender for caterers to the games.

According to some caterers, they were asked to pick up copies of the tender from the South Pacific Games Authority office on 1 May, but when they arrived, they were told the tender had been cancelled. Rita also believed that "it was a waste of time calling a meeting with the caterers when they (committee) had already decided on the military."

The Chairman was taken aback by the onslaught from the caterers especially on the issue of the military. He clarified that the military was only a possibility, but no decision had been made. He then went on to explain why the military was a good choice.

"The military is not only highly disciplined, they are well equipped to deal with such events.

"I don't want Samoa's name to be tarnished by anything. Last December during the Oceania Athletics Championship, a couple of athletes complained of food poisoning and I don't want that to happen again," he added.

He also compared the upcoming games to the South Pacific Games in 2003 hosted by Fiji, where the Fiji military catered for the whole games, which gave him the idea of hiring the New Zealand military. He also highlighted several weddings he had attended which served
stale food.

South Pacific Games legal adviser Treena Atoa confirmed the cancellation of the tender to be substituted with proposals. Treea said the caterers are now asked to write in their proposals.
 

South Pacific Games awards souvenir programme, litter tenders
04 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Two local companies have won tenders to supply their services for the upcoming South Pacific Games. Talamua Publications has been awarded the rights to compile the games' official souvenir programme while Pacific Recycle has been given the tender for the collection of rubbish.

The announcements were made in a brief ceremony at the office of the Chairman of the South Pacific Games Faumuina Liuga.

Talamua will print 4000 copies of the Games souvenir programme with total value $SAT80,000. Publisher/Owner of Talamua, Apulu Lance Polu said that it is their contribution and support for the games.

Apulu played a major role in Samoa's bid to host the 2007 games six years ago in Norfolk Island. He helped put together the presentation (bid) which was shown to South Pacific Games Council delegates at the 2001 South Pacific Mini Games when the vote was made to decide the host country. Samoa won a close ballot over a rival bid from New Caledonia. The presentation bid featured one of Samoa's best athletes Talava Tavui, who at the time was an up and coming student athletics star. The story of her rise to glory from humble beginnings born on the big island of Savaii and her dream to represent her country and win in front of her own people inspired regional
delegates to back Samoa's bid ahead of New Caledonia's much more flashy and expensive bid.

Pacific Recycle's sponsorship is worth $100,000. They will be responsible for collecting all the garbage and rubbish from the 33 venues that will be set up for the games. This will include schools, villages and around the Apia town area.

Business owner Silafau John Sio said that he was happy to be part of the games and "this is our company's contribution."

Pacific recycle is a new company which collects rubbish, recycles it and sends it to Australia.

Faumuina and Games CEO, Fonoti Manogiamanu Etuale Ioane both congratulated the companies for wanting to be part of this main event.
 

JAWS: Press Freedom essential to Democracy
03 May 2007 - Source: JAWS

As the world celebrates the work of media professionals this International Press Freedom Day, the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa would like to reiterate the importance of Press Freedom in Democracy.

Press Freedom is essential to Democracy, it ensures a fair and just society through an open and Free Press.

Press Freedom ensures that the concepts of transparency, accountability and good governance are observed through a healthy flow of information to the public.

In the words of American Journalist Arthur Libbman: "A free press is not privilege but an organic necessity in a great society."

Unlike other countries, Samoa enjoys Press Freedom to a certain degree and Journalists, Editors, Camera operators and Photographers are able to move and work from day to day without danger.

This World Press Freedom Day, JAWS would like to pay tribute to Journalists around the world who face personal danger everyday in their efforts to exercise Freedom of the Press.

We acknowledge the support of the United Nations in ensuring Press Freedom around the world, including Samoa.

In the pursuit of Press Freedom we as Journalists have a personal responsibility to report fair and objectively without bias or judgement.

As in the words of Pakistani Journalist, Razia Bhatti who said: "Journalists must seek and speak the truth for we are the voice of the voiceless millions."

JAWS would also like to acknowledges the support of the Government of Samoa in ensuring Press Freedom.

The UN theme for WPFD: "Safety of Journalists and Impunity," has been re-adapted by JAWS to suit the local context.

The theme for this years JAWS WPFD activity is: "Confidentiality and Fair Treatment of Journalists."

To commemorate this event, JAWS will be hosting an Editors Forum, on Wednesday, 9th of May 2007 at the SamoaTel Conference Rooms in Maluafou. Hon. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi will be conducting the keynote address.

The JAWS WPFD activity will be based on the theme: "Confidentiality and Fair Treatment of Journalists."

JAWS would like to acknowledge the efforts of all media workers in Samoa to ensure Press Freedom despite threats and constraints.

We end, in the words of Irish Political Author, Junius who said: "Let it be impressed upon your minds, let it be instilled into your children, that the liberty of the press is the core of all the civil, political, and religious rights."
 

Development Bank of Samoa's new building opens
02 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

A new building to house the Development Bank was officially opened last week by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in a brief ceremony.

The building, which took almost a year to build, is being described as having one of the best modern foundations in Apia.

Tuilaepa said that the bank was one of the long term plans of the government. Before the Bank settled on its permanent location, it used to be housed at different locations in Tauese and Saleufi. These locations were temporary ones until the main building was built.

Poloa Construction had the honour of partnering with an overseas company to build the bank.

The building was funded by the government and the bank on a budget of more than SAT$43 million.

Already the building has taken on new tenants with the Ministry ofEnvironment renting one of the floors.

After the opening ceremony, members of the public were given the opportunity to inspect the building.
 

Samoa bags six gold medals at Oceania Boxing Champs
01 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Samoa secured six gold medals in last week's Oceania Boxing Champs.

The men's team secured three gold medals and so did the women. The men's medals were predicted by the Samoa Boxing Amateur Association who were very happy with the result. One of the coaches Seve Chang Chui said that "these winners are sure gold in the upcoming South Pacific Games in August."

Seve said the boys will go up against the same opponents in the upcoming games, and "from what we saw during the tournament, our boys are ready."

The gold medals were secured by Leti Emelio Leti, Samuelu Faialaga and Farani Tavui.

Leti beat his Australian opponent in the 64kg light welterweight, while Farani defeated his Tahitian opponent in the 81kg light heavyweight bout. Samuelu secured the first gold when he defeated his Australian opponent in the 57kg featherweight bout.

The women's gold medal winners were Maria Peteli, Leasuone Asini and Tiresa Penoa.

In the overall standings, Samoa won the most medals; 29, including gold, silver and bronze.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, believes that boxing will certainly secure gold for Samoa in the SPG, but he is urging them to continue training and better their skills.

"Don't let the gold medals stop you now," he challenged.
 

Business of the Week: PK Rentals
30 April 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Savaii island is known for its unspoilt surroundings and is well sought by overseas tourist. But getting around the island was a challenge in the past with tourists having to pay extra for the ferry to transport the rental cars across from Upolu, plus the many hours sitting at the wharf to load the rental car onto the ferry instead being on the road. The same dilemma goes for locals and families from overseas that travel over for fa'alavelave and in need of a rental car.

Established in 2003, PK Rentals on the big island of Savaii has taken all that worry out of your holiday plan and proving popular with Savaii residence when the need arises for a rental car.

The initials PK stands for the initials of P&K Rentals owner and operator, Ofa Brown's two daughters Penina and Krystal Brown. Taking advice from her brother Albert, Ofa started with five cars and set up a temporary base from her brother's resort located in Salelologa.

Today, Ofa runs a very successful rental business in the Salelologa township. The demand from tourists both overseas and locally means frequent trips to the United States to look for better cars, but also to visit her children.

Ofa takes the usual dilemma faced by rental car operators with a smile, "when a customer wrecks a car and takes months for me to collect the fees; I just concentrate on supplying more cars to satisfy my customers."

Ofa is contemplating expanding her rental business to doing "tours on island." She said it would be something similar to the BYU's tour where the host provides a package tour which includes meals, sight-seeing and entertainment. The tours will also include visiting historical sites.

Ofa is a professional beautician and has been working in American Samoa as a beautician for the past three years. Prior to that, she lived in New Zealand and the United States. After her education in Samoa she worked in the Pacific Commercial Bank before leaving for New Zealand in 1976.

She is currently building units for tourists on her newly reclaimed area at Salelologa. She hopes to let these units out when they are ready.
 

Persons of the week: Samoa Women's Boxing team
29 April 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

They won two gold, two silvers and two bronze medals at the Oceania Boxing Champs in Apia last week.

They were labelled as "inexperienced" by some of the other international coaches, but after witnessing their persistence and firm stand against their Pacific opponents, one can only admire "their strength and courage" to the end.

New Zealand's coach Alan Dickey spoke highly of the Samoa women's boxing team's efforts. Two of the local fighters went up against Dickey's top girls Maire Bentson and Dawn Chalmers. Both Maire and Dawn have been fighting internationally for the past five years. In comparison, the local fighters only took up fighting early this year.

Dickey believes that the girls have potential and he wished there was some kind of programme where the girls could be trained in New Zealand.

One aspect Dickey picked up was the "physique" of the girls. "Those girls are die hard girls and we witnessed that in the ring when they continued on fighting despite the beating they got."

What he admired most is the fact that of all his girls, five of them made it to the final.

Maire competed against the world champion in Denmark last year and won by 1 point and Dickey was surprised that one of the locals went toe to toe with Maire for three rounds.

Samoan coach Francis Wulf was also praiseworthy: "we are very proud of the girls. We know that they did not have enough time for training, but their performance and the number of medals they received is a sure sign that they will do better next time," he explained.

The two gold medals they receivex were fights against other local fighters. The silver medals were against New Zealand.

The girls only had four weeks of camp and up to the time of the tournament, the Samoa Amateur Boxing Association (SABA) were still trying to secure a trainer.

Vito Wulf, who won bronze, gave Maire a tough fight. According to Maire, "she was the toughest and most difficult opponent" compared to the Papua New Guinea opponent she fought against in the semi finals.

There is talk that the Commonwealth Games Committee might allow girls to fight in the 2010 as Commonwealth Games in India, and "that is something Samoa should look forward to," says Wulf.

Wulf believes that the girls have done well and should be given a chance to develop further, and what better motivation than to aim for goal at the next Commonwealth Games.
 

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