NEWSPAGE 05 May
2010

(Photos: eventpolynesia.com)

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Webster and Lucky awarded Contracts

Cabinet has approved construction of the Aufaga roads and renovation of the Salani Bridge by the Webster Works and Infrastructure and Lucky Construction Co. Ltd.

These two Constructions were advertised for bids. Seven(7) Companies submitted applications for the Aufaga Road while eight(8) applications were submitted for the Salani Bridge construction. These applications were assessed by a Sub- Committee.

The Construction of the Aufaga road was then given to the Lucky Construction Co. Ltd, while renovation for the Salani Bridge was awarded to Webster Works and Infrastructure. These two Companies submitted lowest bids and also met all requirement for constructions.


ADFIP in Asia and Pacific Annual meeting

Cabinet has approved participation by members of the Samoa Development Bank of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific [ADFIAP] annual meeting to be held in Vancouver, Canada from the 10th - 13th May 2010.

The theme for the meeting is Innovative Financing for a Greener Economy. Issues that will be looked at according to the theme include:
• Financing the Green Economy: Global Trends and Best Practices;
• Implications of a low carbon emission economy for DFIs: Risks and Opportunities;
• Clean Technologies: Role of Innovative Development financing in promoting cleaner Technologies;
• Innovative Financing for the Greening of Cities.

This meeting hopes to design a declaration for the ADFIAP that will be named Vancouver Declaration to reflect the importance of the environment in Economic Development Project by the Development Banks.


Ratification of the Cluster Munitions Convention

Cabinet has approved Samoa’s ratification of the Cluster Munitions Convention.

This Convention was made in Dublin, Ireland in May 2008. In December 2008 Samoa signed the Convention to show support of the International movement to minimize manufacturing of dangerous weapons that are affecting people’s lives, especially mothers and children.

These weapons (bombs) are scattered and plant around war zones and mostly explodes later on when touched or stepped on by civilians when they play around or pass by these areas.

Samoa’s ratification of this international Convention ensures Samoa’s support for the United Nations joint movement to promote global Security.


Stimulus Package programme for replanting of coconut, cocoa and coffee

Cabinet has approved setting in place a Stimulus Package for replanting of crops namely coconut, cocoa and coffee.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have set up a mixed-farming programme that will involve 1000 acres of land. The programme include the planting together of 50 cocoanut trees, 750 cocoa and 250 coffee trees in a selected area of land. An estimated 500 farmers are expected to register for the programme.

The programme will start during the financial year 2010/2011 and will run for four years at an estimated cost of $4.5 million.

The Government has initiated this programme to revive and develop the replanting of coconut, cocoa and coffee trees and to attract interest from farmers. A small reward will be offered. Registrations for interested farmers starts this month until May.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will monitor the progress of the programme with the aim that 500 farmers will harvest the fruits of their crops on the fourth year.


J Westerlund Woodview Construction Ltd awarded contract

Cabinet has approved the construction of Aleipata District Library by the J Westerlund Woodview Construction Ltd.

Invitation for bids was advertised for Expression of Interest. Six bids were submitted for the construction of the project. The applications were assessed by a Sub-Committee for the Tenders’ Board.

After assessment, the Construction of the Aleipata District Library was then awarded to the J Westerlund Woodview Construction Ltd who has satisfied the selected criteria set for the Bids.
 

(Photo: ‘Ailao MaNu)

AUSTRALIA: Catholic colleges ex pupils unite in prayer
Source: ‘Ailao MaNu Press Release

Samoan Catholic Colleges Ex Pupils associations in Brisbane merged Sunday 24th April in a special mass at Regina Caeli Cooparoo. The mass was officiated by Father Epati Tamati.
The three fold event was thanksgiving; a blessing ceremony for the individual groups’ office bearers and also to remember the women and men who perished in the ultimate sacrifice for the free world.

Mass coordinator William McFall president of C0SA [Chanel College] said: that the initiative came from SMOGA which was embraced whole heartedly by Paul VI C0SA & Marist. We met to confirm alliance and to finalise a date for the mass.

‘Yes it was a SM0GA initiative but it would have died a natural death if our sister and brother sorority had not supported it. We are very humbled by the passion and love expressed by the ex pupils for the inaugural mass’ added Agnes Felix SM0GA Qld’s president.

Emotions’ were affray when Father Epati touched on the College mottos; and how they complemented the members lives and why they came together to give back. “Agaga Kerisiano; Tu’utu’u I le loloto;Taofi mau le fa’atuatua ma Tausisi I mea aupito lelei.” The combination of the College mottos is an excellent guide to a fulfilling Christian life.

Great memories’ were amok. Sombre serious vintage faces wore constant smiles. Unbridled laughter was the order of the day. College colours were donned with pride; blue and white dominated with dashes of yellow. Anticipation excitement and pleasure were in the air. Bantering and rivalries were tossed around with glee. Delightful exclamations broke out when the MFM [Men from Moamoa] burst into chorus with their well-known ‘Sua ve’a song.’

Sala Kelemete [C0SA] emceed the gathering and invited family and friends for refreshments after the mass.

Paul VI Alumni president Sitika Lemana-Satui said ‘I am overwhelmed by the support exhibited by the members of the groups. Let us heed Father’s words and uphold this glorious alliance.”
 

FIJI: Oceania Weightlifting Championship underway in Suva
Source: Fiji Times

A record 18 nations are taking part in the 2010 Oceania Weightlifting Championship underway in Suva.

Host team Fiji has a strong 21-member team featuring in the respective youth, junior and open grade divisions.

The youth division championship is the qualifier for Singapore Youth Olympic Games in August.

To qualify, Fiji will need to finish in the top four of the men's and top three of the women's competition.

The likes of Manueli Tulo, Maria Liku and Joe Vueti carry Fiji's medal hopes in the open grades.

Tulo, 20, won three gold medals in the 2009 Pacific Mini Games and is number one in the Oceania senior and junior rankings. Vueti won two gold medals in the 2003 South Pacific Games and three in the 2005 Mini Games.

He is rated number three in the Oceania senior rankings and won two gold medals in the 2009 Pacific Mini Games as well.

Liku is ranked third in her 58kg Oceania rankings. She also won three gold medals in the Pacific Mini Games.

Weightlifting Fiji hopes one of its male and female athletes qualify for the Youth Olympics.

"In the boys youth division, the top four teams will qualify. The top three girls qualify from their category," said president Atma Maharaj.

"We hope one male and female can qualify. If all lifters get a good lift each then we should be able to achieve it. He said at the moment focus for the youths was on qualifying."

"We have time until June to prepare. The team will be finalised later.

"We will select the best performers. We will monitor their training for the next two weeks."

The championship is being held at the Yat Sen Secondary School Hall and ends on Friday.
 

(Photo: Central News Agency)

TUVALU: Tuvalu Prime Minister pessimistic on Mexico climate summit
Source: Central News Agency

Tuvalu Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia said Saturday that he is not optimistic about signing a deal at this year's United Nations climate change summit that would require countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"I cannot see a legally binding agreement being signed in Mexico at the end of this year. Things are moving a little bit too slow, " Ielemia told CNA in an interview on the sidelines of a regional climate change conference in Taipei.

Calls have emerged for such an agreement after talks in Copenhagen last year failed to produce a global climate treaty. The U.N. plans to hold this year's meeting in Cancun, Mexico in November.

"I would like the negotiators to... fast-track the negotiations that will lead up to an acceptable agreement toward stakeholders," he said, referring to industrialized countries.

Ielemia received attention at the Copenhagen summit when he warned that rising sea levels could submerge his homeland.

Ielemia also criticized the Copenhagen accord, saying it favored the United States over small island countries like Tuvalu. He said the accord reflected "what the United States wants." "By signing the Copenhagen accord, it's something almost like signing the death certificate for my people, " he said. "That is disaster. And I don't want to put my signature on that." His remarks came after a Washington Post report earlier this month suggested the U.S. had cut climate change assistance to Bolivia and Ecuador because they had boycotted the accord.

Ielemia blasted the U.S. for bullying small countries, especially those who will be most affected by climate change.

"We will maintain our position not to be part of the Copenhagen accord," the prime minister said.

On Friday, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou promised to help Tuvalu -- one of 23 countries that recognize Taiwan diplomatically -- grapple with the threat it faces from rising sea levels caused by global warming.

Ielemia told CNA Saturday that Taiwan is already helping Tuvalu mitigate the effect of climate change and that there are Taiwanese experts in Tuvalu who offer advice on environmental issues.

The prime minister also spoke of the need to put in place defensive measures, such as building sea walls around the coast to prevent the soil from being eroded.

Photo Caption: Tuvalu Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia.
 

WORLDWIDE: Greater global access for Pacific Islands businesses
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Forum Trade Ministers have launched a major initiative to boost the ability of businesses in Forum islands countries to compete in global markets.

The 2010 Forum Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, 29-30 April endorsed reforms to enhance the work being done by the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat’s network of Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commissions (PITICs) in opening up opportunities for Pacific islands enterprises to market their products and services internationally.

Under the reforms the PITICs, which to date have functioned as essentially stand-alone operations will be brought under a new umbrella - Pacific Islands Trade and Invest - and will establish a coordinated corporate strategy.

The initiative also sees the existing Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commissions, in Auckland, Beijing and Sydney taking on a new name, Pacific Islands Trade and Invest.

“To date, the PITICS have worked relatively independently and have different names in Beijing and Tokyo. They operate under different structures, have no coordinated branding or corporate strategy, and have faced challenges connecting with each other,” said Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

At the Meeting, Ministers agreed to implement a programme to improve the service provided to Members and increase the volume and value of Pacific island exports and investment.

“As part of the reforms, performance improvement measures have been introduced and the Forum Trade Ministers have endorsed the development, in consultation with Members, of a shared 10-year Strategy to be tabled for consideration by the Ministers at their meeting next year,” said Mr Slade.

In the past 12 months, work by Pacific Islands Trade and Invest in Auckland and Sydney helped drive a AU$4.9 million increase in exports from Pacific Island nations in Australia and New Zealand, helped secure more than AU$1 million of new investment into the region and provided advice and support to 340 firms. It also secured AU$690,000 of bookings for small tourism operators in the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia.