NEWSPAGE 17 December
2010

(Photos: KlickEx)

SAMOA: Civil Society Support Programme launched
Source: Ministry of Finance Press Release

Civil Society organisations play a critical role in the social and economic development of Samoa. The Civil Society Support Programme Steering Committee is pleased to announce the launching of a new initiative to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to the people of Samoa through strengthened civil society organisations.

The Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP) is a joint initiative by donor organisations including AusAID , European Union, and New Zealand Aid Programme, the Government of Samoa, the Samoa Umbrella of Non Governmental Organisations (SUNGO) and civil society representatives.

CSSP was established to harmonize donor funds for civil society projects and services and to improve access to resources by communities and their organisations with one set of guidelines and forms and a single point of contact. In addition, the new programme provides capacity building support to applicants (i.e. project management and proposal writing) in coordination with funding support. The Programme supports two funding categories: Category 1 is for proposals from SAT 5,000 to SAT 50,000. Category 2 is for proposals from SAT 50,000 to SAT 150,000.

A total of 1.5 million has been provided by AusAID for the Programme Start up and for projects in financial year 2010/2011. Funding commitments from AusAID and European Union will increased this amount to 4 million annually for the next four years (2011 - 2014).

The launch was held on Wednesday, 15 December to officially open the Programme and to announce a Call for Proposals. An application workshop for all community based organisations (village and district organisations, church affiliated groups, societies) will follow on Friday morning, 17 December Tu’utu’uileloloto Hall, Mulivai. An application workshop for all Non Government Organisations will be held in the afternoon on the same day at the Level 6 Conference Room, Central Bank Building.


Application workshops for community based organisations and NGOs

Community Based Organisations:

Interested organisations and groups from villages and districts including village councils, women’s groups, church groups, other groups and societies.
Date: Friday, 17th December 2010
Venue: Tu’utu’uileloloto Hall, Mulivai - Community Based Organisation (CBOs)
Time: 10am to 12pm - CBOs


Non Government Organisations and Umbrella NGOs:

Interested NGOs providing programs and services at a National and Island level (Upolu, Savaii).
Date: Friday, 17th December 2010
Venue: Central Bank of Samoa, Level 6 Conference Room - Non-Government Organisations
Time: 2pm to 4pm - NGOs

Due to limited seating all NGOs should contact the CSSP office at 34-316 to confirm their attendance. Office hours are 9am to 5pm. NGOs may also e-mail confirmation to [email protected]
 

(Photo: T. Gasu / Samoa News)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Inter Island Airways new plane a milestone for the territory
Source: Samoa News

Inter Island Airways’ larger 30-seat aircraft went into service on Tuesday (December 14, 2010) operating on the inter Samoa route for now, while the airline works on finalizing plans for service to the island Kingdom of Tonga, hopefully by later next month.

The Dornier 328, which arrived on island several months ago, was christened Monday afternoon by Rev. Faatui Laolagi in a ceremony at the new government hanger, which was also dedicated on Monday, with First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono given the honour of cutting the ribbon.

Also in attendance were Gov. Togiola Tulafono, cabinet members, representatives of the Fono and the private sector who came to witness a milestone in the development of the local airline industry.

Inter Island executive vice president Barney Sene Jr. says the larger aircraft officially launched commercial service yesterday to Faleolo International Airport in Samoa, and the company is working on plans to expand regional destinations towards the end of January for Tonga, Fiji and Niue.

“Thank you, everyone, for your support. This plane is actually for you,” Sene said in a brief interview with Samoa News at the airport, referring to members of the public who travel on Inter Island.

“What we want to do is get the regional routes in place first” with Tonga and Niue …and then use these routes as a feeder for the future, said Sene when asked about the possibility of Hawai’i service.

Sene says there has been alot of talk about the Hawai’i route, and even service to Las Vegas, but the airline wants to first focus attention on the regional service.

At Monday’s dedication program, Port Administration director Matagi R.M. McMoore said this is part of the Governor’s plan to help locally based airlines so that there is sufficient hangar space at the airport to house aircraft.

Funding for this project came from three difference sources: $138,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and $413,000 through the ASG loan with the Retirement Fund for the structure.

About $220,000 came from the Federal Aviation Administration to pave the front section of the hangar allowing the aircraft to taxi in and out, said Matagi, who noted that the contractor for the project is Paramount Builders.

He thanked all those involved in the funding of this hangar project, whose huge doors are opened electronically.

In his special address, Togiola said this is one of the projects that he would call a perfect partnership enabling it to be fully completed.

He said that following Cyclone Heta (which was in 2004), FEMA provided only $138,000, which was going to build a very small hangar, but thereafter Inter Island requested a larger hangar because of their plans to bring in a larger aircraft. This resulted in the change in plan to accommodate the Inter Island request.

Togiola thanked Inter Island for their push to improve air transportation by utilizing a bigger aircraft. He said these plans go back at the time when Samoa Air left the local market and he talked with airlines about the government’s request for larger aircraft instead of smaller ones, so the traveling public would not have to bend down when entering the plane or while making their way through the aircraft aisle.

And this is Inter Island’s response to that request, by providing a 30-seater aircraft for the traveling public, said Togiola, adding that he held a brief discussion with the company’s president Alex Sene Jr. for the development of air service. After this phase, he said, it’s time to discuss the Hawai’i route and this partnership — government and private sector — could develop for the betterment of the traveling public.

Togiola says he was a little concerned that it has been a while since the plane arrived on island and no new development had surfaced, but he is happy that this is finally becoming a reality after the airline addressed various issues with the FAA for certification.

Togiola thanked the Sene family, adding that if Inter Island later on looks at a larger aircraft for Hawai’i service to let him know and he will work on a larger hangar, to be built by the government while Inter Island provides the proper aircraft.

After the Governor’s address, First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono had the honor of cutting the ribbon for the hangar dedication.

Alex Sene Jr. spoke on behalf of the family owned airline, saying that “today marks the day that we’ve all been waiting for and I think a lot of people were expecting.”

“I am very pleased that the government is committed in infrastructure of this sort,” he said, and extended his appreciation to the governor’s comments as well as his thanks to the Port Administration director and his staff for their support.

“…it helps us build confidence in our selves that there is a need for additional airline services,” he said. “The process has been long and I am thankful we’ve been able to a come to the successful licensing of this aircraft.”

“I cannot thank the government as much as I would like to with their commitment towards infrastructure building… especially into the airlines, an industry [that] greatly needs commitment and infusion of ideas for growth and also job creation, at this time, when we are going into economic down time,” Sene Jr. said.

“With this, I hope that we’ve demonstrated some commitment and we’re hopeful that we can continue on with the expansion with new plans for expanding our regional partnership with other territories and other islands.”

“This partnership that we have with the government and private sector is essential if we are to move forward in these very challenging times,” he said.

“We’ll continue to have hard times, but we’ll continue to work with government and partnership of local companies to make all these things possible throughout the territory.”

Alex Sene Jr. says the FAA certification process was not easy and it was something they didn’t expect to take this long, but it was a learning process. He reiterated his thanks to everyone who helped in getting this aircraft off the ground including ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank for the financial assistance.

Police Commissioner Tuaolo M. Fruean also spoke at the ceremony, saying that this aircraft brings joys to all of American Samoa, and local residents are the customers who will be traveling on this plane. He thanked the governor for supporting the Inter Island family.

Photo Caption: Reverend Faatui Laolagi blessing the new Inter Island Airways 328 Dornier Aircraft, which had its opening ceremony on Monday, at their new hangar at the Pago Pago International Airport. Rev. Laolagi blessed the new aircraft in the traditional Samoan cultural way, with the “niu” or coconut juice.
 

(Photo: Atu Rasea / Fiji Times)

FIJI: Orphanages presented gifts from funds
Source: Fiji Times

Fiji's National Provident Fund yesterday (December 16, 2010) presented gifts to children at the St Christopher's Home in Nakasi and Dilkusha Homes at Davuilevu.

A $1000 Post Fiji voucher was given to the children at St Christophers Home while FNPF gave a washing machine to Dilkusha Home.

Fund chief executive officer Aisake Taito said the FNPF's gift would help in the development and general wellbeing of the children at both orphanages.

"We understand that these children receive gifts of food, toys and other consumable goods. This year, we felt the need to offer a gift that will not only help the staff in their work, but will benefit the children also," Mr Taito said.

"The washing machine should assist the home with an efficient and effective means to do their laundry, catering for all weather conditions. We understand that the last washing machine at Dilkusha Home was 10 years old and had been repaired multiple times," he said.

The voucher presented to the St Christopher's Home will help buy text and exercise books and stationery for the students of the home.

"We hope that this gift will assist with the educational needs of the children in the new year.

Caring for these children allows them an opportunity to access what other fortunate families take for granted," Mr Taito said.

"These children will one day become contributing citizens to our country's economy and it is in the best interest of this nation that we ensure they are cared for and nurtured in a loving and conducive environment," he said.

Photo Caption: Sister Litia Voli with the guitar leads the children of St Christopher's Home in singing during the visit from the FNPF staff.
 

(Photos: Josephine Latu / Tonga Chronicle)

TONGA: Talanoa continues in the search for a united government 
Source: Pacific Scoop

Tonga’s elected politicians are beginning to realise they will have to work together if any new government is to be functional, let alone sustainable.

As MPs vote for the new Prime Minister (official nominations will be announced today), “unity” has become a stronger and more necessary part of discussions, even as alliances continue to be bargained behind the scenes.

Last week the Democratic Party of the Friendly Isles led by ‘Akilisi Pohiva, called for a Cabinet of National Unity (CNU) comprising a “broad coalition cabinet” of party members, independents and nobles.

In an apparent shift from the strong partisan approach expected from the group, the CNU bid signals an understanding that Tonga may not be ready for a winner-takes-all system of Party politics.

“The members of our Party understand this is a transitional period and what is best for the country now is national unity. We’re in the process of talking things through with other elected MPs as well as the nobles, and will continue talanoa and keep talking until we eventually come to an agreement,” said newly elected Dr Sitiveni Halapua.

“We cannot develop a divided country. Right now it’s about getting the people together at least for the next four years, and then return to having a government and an opposition afterwards,” he continued.

On Friday, Justice Minister Samiu Vaipulu, spokesperson for the alliance recently formed amongst the nobles and some of the independent People’s Representatives, told media their original vision was also to have a mix of elected representatives in Parliament.

“We want to pick the best people to lead this government. And for Prime Minister we sought to pick the best out of the 26 in total,” said Vaipulu.

“It was us [as independent People’s Representatives] who put forth the choice for Prime Minister, rather than the nobles. We didn’t choose this person because of any buddy system or anything like that. We nominated someone who has all the good qualities you expect from a leader… someone who can take care of the 100,000 (population)”.

The “Independents - Nobles” alliance put forth their official nomination for Prime Minister last Tuesday. But days later a reported member, independent MP ‘Aisake Eke confirmed with Tonga Chronicle that he was still unaligned with any group.

“We have 15 standing together, although there are some who still aren’t sure what side their feet is on,” added Vaipulu at Friday’s press conference.

Three weeks ago, the Democratic Party of the Friendly Isles celebrated what seemed to be a landslide victory at the election polls. Twelve of their 17 members were elected into parliament, with striking upsets in some electorates.

But within days of the election results, the nobles - despite reservations amongst some of their group, including Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka - had quickly moved to consolidate their MPs and lobby those People’s Reps unaligned with Pohiva’s Party.

Two of these “independents” are current Cabinet Ministers. Labour and Commerce Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo and Justice Minister Samiu Vaipulu won majority votes in their respective electorates. Three others had been previously associated in some way with Pohiva’s Party, including former Clerk of the House Dr Viliami Latu, who was publicly named as a Party member until a domestic assault charge saw him dropped from the list (he denies he was in the Party to begin with); long-time ‘Eua People’s Rep Sunia Fili was also ruled out after he “stopped attending Party meetings”; and Fe’ao Vakata, a former communications engineer for the Ministry of Information, who left the group barely a week after election day for unclear reasons. ‘Aisake Eke, former Secretary of Finance, was reportedly approached by Pohiva to be part of the Party before elections, but chose to run independently.

If the nine Nobles’ Reps are able to stick together - and there are signs they are not solidly united - the six independents hold the ability to tip the balance between two likely choices: a government led by a traditionally influential noble (tipped as Lord Tu’ivakano), and one headed by an extreme political activist (most likely the Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva). This new Prime Minister will be given powers only recently carved out in constitutional amendments, including his choice of up to 11 cabinet ministers to oversee government operations. One of these seats - Minister of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources - has been legally reserved for the nobility.

Currently, both the Democratic Party and the Independents-Nobles alliance are confident of getting a majority vote for their PM nomination. While all those involved seem to support a model of “power sharing” in terms of Cabinet portfolios, the question of whom to lead them teeters either way.

Noble Fakanua summed up: “It all depends if we can keep to what we agreed with each other in terms of voting. Some may be saying they support an idea, but really they do not…. Fourteen days [between submission of the election writ and the announcement of PM nominations] is a long time for people to change their minds.”

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Democratic Party of the Friendly Isles leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva advocates a broad coalition government.

Photo 2 - Not giving up power that easily... some of Tonga’s nobility after the noble’s elections on Nov. 25, including King Tupou V’s younger brother Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka (front row, 4th from left), and Lord Tu’ivakano (front row, 2nd from right), widely speculated as a PM nominee.
 

(Photos: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

WORLDWIDE: China assists ICT, transport and trade in FICs
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The Government of the People’s Republic of China today handed over $US650,000 to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to assist with Information and Communications Technology (ICT), transport and trade development in the region.

The grant is a realization of commitments made by China through Post Forum Dialogue consultations since 2005 under the China Development Cooperation Fund.

At a handover ceremony held at the Forum Secretariat this morning, Acting Secretary General Feleti Teo thanked China for its ongoing support of Forum development initiatives under the Pacific Plan.

“The funds received today will greatly assist the implementation of Forum Leaders’ decisions to address issues of air and sea transport, and ICT access,” said Mr Teo. “The funding will also strengthen trade relations between China and Forum Island Countries (FICs) through financial support to the Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office in Beijing.”

Mr Teo also acknowledged China’s support to the region through the China-Pacific Islands Forum Regional Scholarships Programme, strengthening trade and economic cooperation and the World Expo held this year in Shanghai.

At the handover ceremony, Counsellor Huang He from the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Suva, said today’s occasion was a testimony of friendship, trust and cooperation based the common vision for a greater future for the Forum and its member countries.

Photo Captions: Counsellor Huang He from the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Suva (left) with the Forum Secretariat's Acting Secretary General, Feleti Teo, at the handover ceremony held at the Forum Secretariat this morning.