NEWSPAGE 15 December
2010

(Photos: Accelerating Aotearoa / Future West)

(Photo: Martin Seras Lima / International Rugby Board)

SAMOA: Ground-breaking work begins on Samoa High Performance Centre
Source: International Rugby Board Press Release

The construction of the Samoa Rugby Union’s (SRU) High Performance Facility started on Monday (December 13, 2010) at Faleata with a special ground-breaking ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Samoa and SRU Chairman, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature a High Performance gym, recovery and rehabilitation centre, four new training pitches, accommodation for up to 90 athletes and a dedicated administration centre for SRU staff. Construction is expected to be completed well ahead of Samoa’s Rugby World Cup preparation camp in August 2011.

The start of construction represents an important milestone for the SRU High Performance Programme, which is underwritten by International Rugby Board funding through strategic investments aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the global Game.

The IRB has contributed over GBP £1million to the project, which has been made possible through the donation of 36 hectares of land at the Faleata Sports Complex by the Samoan Government.

“The construction of the High Performance Facility in Samoa continues an impressive 12 months for Samoan Rugby,” said IRB Head of Development and Performance Mark Egan.

“Samoa’s high performance progress has been significant over the past year with IRB Sevens World Series and ANZ Pacific Nations Cup titles achieved and an impressive set of results during the recent November Tests.”

“In that regard, it is fitting that the facility will be ready for the Manu Samoa’s Rugby World Cup 2011 preparation camp next August and we are delighted to be partnering with the Samoa Rugby Union on this important project which we hope will elevate the SRU High Performance Programme to a new level.”

“Of course, this project would not have been possible without the significant support of the Samoan Government, and on behalf of the IRB I would like to extend our gratitude to the Prime Minister and his Government for the donation of land on which this impressive facility is being constructed,” added Egan.

Rugby is the national sport in Samoa and as excitement builds with the start of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series this month and Rugby World Cup 2011 less than nine months away, the SRU High Performance Facility is central to the Union’s Sevens and Rugby World Cup 2011 aspirations.

Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, the Hon. Tuilaepa is excited about the potential of the new facilities to enhance the capacity of Samoa’s rugby performance at the regional and international level.

“The contribution and support accorded by IRB towards the elite development of rugby in Samoa is acknowledged with deep gratitude,” said Tuilaepa ahead of the ceremony.

Photo Caption: The IRB Sevens World Series was one of two trophies Samoa collected in 2010.
 

AUSTRALIA: Australia helps to build on progress in Tonga transport sector
Source: The World Bank Press Release

On Monday (December 13, 2010), the World Bank board approved the expansion of the Tonga Transport Consolidation Project. The expansion will build on the project’s successes to date by helping address crucial maritime issues. The project will also assist Tonga by financing road maintenance. Not only will this help preserve important infrastructure, but it will also create employment. These new activities have been made possible by a US$9.3 million grant contributed by the Australian government.

The Tonga Transport Consolidation Project has been working to improve the safety, quality and reliability of domestic air and sea transport. In particular, the project has been supporting the Government of Tonga to establish a sustainable transport sector policy, planning and legislative framework as well as the development and preparation of sustainable investment plans for the maritime, aviation and road sectors.

To date there has been significant progress, particularly in developing the all-important regulatory framework for oversight of the aviation sector, a sector critical for Tongan tourism.

“As almost one-third of all Tongans live on outer islands it is imperative that the country has access to safe, quality and reliable domestic air and sea transport,” said Ferid Belhaj, World Bank Country Director for Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea & Pacific Islands. “We are very excited that Australia is helping the World Bank and Government of Tonga to bring substantial infrastructure benefits to Tongans and helping improve access to markets, education and health services, as well as facilitating tourism. The economic and social benefits from investing in road maintenance will be significant.”

With its remote location, small size, dispersed islands setting and other geographical factors, Tonga faces many challenges in developing and maintaining sustainable internal, regional and international transport and communication linkages, all of which are crucial to the economic development and social well-being of its population. The country is faced with limited capital resources and asset deterioration, combined with financial and administrative constraints typical of a small country, as well as increasingly strict international transport security requirements.
 

(Photo: The National)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Abal takes over as Acting Prime Minister
Source: The National

The country’s founding Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has voluntarily stepped aside.

This had allowed for Wabag MP Sam Abal, the man Sir Michael appointed last week as Deputy Prime Minister, to take charge as Acting Prime Minister while the prime minister goes to court to clear his name.

Sir Michael is challenging his referral by the Ombudsman Commission over allegedly not submitting annual returns to the commission between 1993 and 1998, which is the substantive matter before the courts.

The substantive application involved the prime minister seeking declarative orders claiming that the Ombudsman Commission did not follow prescribed compulsory procedures under the Organic Law when it chose to refer him to the public prosecutor.

Sir Michael, who had led the country through self-government and independence, is the longest serving member of parliament in the Commonwealth, clocking 43 years of continued service.
He said in a media statement last night that he would voluntarily step aside and allow Abal to assume full function and responsibility of the office of the Prime Minister while he attended to clearing his name.

The decision by the Prime Minister stemmed from a request by acting Public Prosecutor Jimmy Wala Tamate to the Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia, to set up a tribunal to hear allegations that Sir Michael did not lodge three annual returns.

“While the Supreme Court has yet to give the Prime Minister an opportunity to be heard on his reference, the public prosecutor has proceeded to make a referral,” the statement said.
“However, the Prime Minister respects the due processes and will continue to avail himself to the hearings.”

However, Sir Michael said he was not given the opportunity as a citizen and a Prime Minister to be heard since the filing of his substantive case in 2008 until today.

His move to step aside was not new as precedent had been set by a former Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan, in 1997 to allow for an inquiry into the Sandline crisis.

The Prime Minister’s decision, according to supporters, was the right move in light of the latest turn of events, including a Supreme Court decision nullifying the appointment of the governor-general in June.

Photo Caption: Newly appointed Acting Prime Minister, Wabag MP Sam Abal.
 

(Photo: Solomon Star)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Makira early childhood education teachers graduate 
Source: Solomon Star

A group of students from Makira became teachers last week.

More than 50 people the area received their certificate in early childhood education from the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE) on Friday.

While their graduation took place in Honiara, their course was done back home in Kira Kira.

The graduation was made possible by the hard work of the teachers and Makira Girl Child Rescue and Reading project (GCRRP), a joint project coordinated by World Vision Solomon Islands.

The project worked with SICHE and the Makira Provincial Government to deliver courses locally in Kira Kira, making completion of the certificate possible.

Before this project, the only way to receive the certificate was to go to the SICHE Honiara campus to attend full-time courses.

Florence Hagawale, a kindergarten teacher from Naharahau, said it was a great achievement for her to be part of the graduating team and she thanked the partner organisations for their support of the GCRRP.

“I have never dreamed of coming this far, because of my educational background,” she said.

“Previously, I only completed form three.

“But here I am now graduating and this has really encouraged me to go further more and hopefully in two years time get a diploma.”

Partners in the project included the Ministry of Education, Makira Provincial Government, World Vision Australia and SICHE.

Photo Caption: The teachers who graduated and received their Certificates in Early Childhood Education.
 

WORLDWIDE: FICs consider options for improving revenue collection
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

As Forum island countries continue to face the effects of the global economic crisis, a study on improving revenue collection and capacity in the region has recommended revenue reforms to ease the pressure on government budgets in the FICs.

The study, commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat at the request of the Forum Economic Ministers’ Meeting in 2009, was done by the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre (PFTAC). The study was presented to FEMM in Niue in October.

“The global economic crisis highlighted the significant fiscal challenges that face FICs in the coming years. The crisis placed pressure on government budgets in most FICs. With fiscal deficits rising, effective revenue collection became increasingly important,” says Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Mr Slade added: “Even with a global economic recovery, fiscal challenges are likely to intensify in FICs, particularly as they look to increase expenditure levels in areas key to growth and poverty reduction.”

“The onus is now on individual FIC governments to consider the implementation of whichever measures that is appropriate to their varying capacities.”

The study states that revenue reforms should create a system that is fair, transparent and easy to administer and consistent with the resource needs of the government.

The Forum Economic Ministers who attended the Niue FEMM noted that improving revenue performance through broadening the tax base and improving the effectiveness of collections is crucial for sustainable long term fiscal strategies in FICs. They said that this should take place in coordination with continued attention to improving the quality and focus of public expenditure, and making effective use of development partner financial support.

The Ministers noted the success of many FICs in adopting a modern tax regime centred on broad-based consumption and income taxes with minimal exemptions. These combined with collection systems based on risk management and voluntary compliance, provide a stable tax base consistent with the limited capacity in FIC revenue administrations.

Appropriate taxation of natural resources, including fisheries, minerals and forestry is also important for the development strategies of a number of FICs.

The Forum Economic Ministers said that tax reform is a difficult political and technical process that requires time, broad based consultation and sustained technical support for successful implementation. They agreed to continue to coordinate tax administration activities, including through the Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association.

The Forum Economic Ministers who met in Niue in October agreed that individual countries adopt the best reform agenda suitable to its own context.

The full report referred to above and other FEMM papers can be accessed through this link:
http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/economic-governance/forum-economic-ministers-meeting-femm/femm-2010.html