NEWSPAGE 21 February
2011

(Photo: New Zealand Press Association)

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand aids cyclone recovery in Vanuatu

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Recognized Seasonal Employment Scheme Unit

Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new Unit for handling the Recognized Seasonal Employment Scheme (RSE) for New Zealand under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

This Scheme was first administered under the Corporate Services Division of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet since 2006. It was headed by the late Fata Uili Kapeteni with the support of the Ministry’s officials. The Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is undergoing an Institutional Strengthening Program, which derived the need to take away the duties of the RSE Scheme from the Corporate Services and establish a Unit, solely responsible for the Scheme.

The newly established positions will include a Liaison/Marketing Officer that will be based in New Zealand, a Principal Officer and two Junior Officers to operate in Samoa. This Unit will be headed by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer.


General Manager for Samoa National Provident Fund appointed

Cabinet has approved the re-appointment of Faumuina Esther Poutoa as General Manager for the Samoa National Provident Fund.

This position was advertised until the 24th December 2010 and three applications were submitted. All three applicants were eligible for interview.

After the interviews and further assessments, the panel found Faumuina as the most suitable candidate for the position. This was based on the selection criteria and the ability of the candidates in managing the work wisely.

Faumuina holds a Masters degree in Business and Technology from the University of New South Wales in Australia. She worked for the Audit Office in 1992 - 2005. She then moved to the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) in 2005 until she became the General Manager in 2008 (3year term).


Appointment of the Chief Executive Officer for the Unit Trust of Samoa

Cabinet has approved the appointment of Sa’u Fiapaipai Justina Sa’u as Chief Executive Officer for the Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS) for the next three years.

The position was advertised for public interest. Five applications were received and were also short listed with two of them withdrawing before the interviews.

Following interviews of the three candidates by the UTOS Board members (panel), Sa’u was seen as the most favorable and suitable candidate for the position which resulted in her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer for the UTOS,

Sa’u has been working for the Ministry of Finance as the ACEO - SOE Monitoring Division since 2006. Prior to that, she was also the Principal Research Officer for the Ministry of Finance from 2003. She was also a Tutor at the University of Auckland in 2002.

Sa’u holds a Masters Degree in Commerce (First Class Honours-Economics) from the University of Auckland. She hails from the village of Apolima Uta and a mother of two.


Samoa to participate in the Energy Security Framework

Cabinet has approved the participation by the Ministry of Finance Energy Coordinator, Silia Ualesi at the Implementation plan workshop for the energy security framework and the baseline energy security indicator being held in Suva, Fiji this week.

The programme focuses on discussions to enhance the capability of participants in energy related issues.

Silia has adequate knowledge about energy and has been affiliated in similar workshops and consultations in the past.


Cardiac training programme in Auckland

Cabinet has approved the participation by Lemamea Dr Limbo Fiu at the cardiac training programme being held at the Auckland and Mercy hospitals from 14 February to 11 March 2011.

The programme covers all the basic principles of cardiology and should allow Dr Fiu to update his knowledge in all of these areas, and especially in minimizing the number of cardiac cases.


Appointment of new CEO for the Development Bank of Samoa

Cabinet has approved the appointment of Tuiasau Saumani Wongsin as Chief Executive Officer for the Development Bank of Samoa for the next three years.

The vacancy was advertised for public interest and all six interested applicants were short listed for interviews.

After conducting interviews by members of the Board of Directors (DBS), Tuiasau was nominated as the most suitable candidate for the position.

Tuiasau has served in the Bank for over 20 years in various management positions including Assistant General Manager, Manager Finance, Internal Auditor and as a Senior Accountant. He also held a Supervisory position in the Polynesian Airlines from 1978 - 1982 and had worked in a senior position at the Electric Power Corporation from 1976 - 1978.

Tuiasau is a Certified Public Accountant.


Samoan participants to attend Australian Public Service-Pacific Work Attachment

Cabinet has approved the participation by three public servants to attend an Australian Public Service-Pacific Work Attachment 2011 from 21 February - 4 March 2011 in Canberra.

The participants include Ministry of Finance ACEO, Soane Leota; Attorney General ACEO, Tusitala Sua and Public Service Commission Principal Officer, Jason Hisatake.

Projects in discussion at the programme include:

* Performance Management
* Competency Standards
* Classifications
* Working Conditions
* Strategic planning & Leadership
* Employee empowerment
* Talent Management
* Organisational Behaviour
* Job analysis, design & evaluation
 

(Photos: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: ASCC strongly enforces ASG smoking policy
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

To align with the current policy on smoking recently instituted by the American Samoa Government (ASG), the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has adopted its own smoking policy, now in its second week of implementation. Whereas the College previously permitted smoking in most non-enclosed areas outside of the main “Quad”, the new policy no longer permits smoking anywhere on the ASCC premises except for three designated areas, but by all indications the ASCC community has made the transition with no serious problems.

The first of these designated outdoor smoking areas is located adjacent to the stairway between the Student Support Service and Science buildings. A second exists in the open space between the Cafeteria and Samoan Studies building, and the third is just past the parking lot of the Community & Natural Resources/Land Grant complex. Each of these areas is clearly identifiable by the orange smoking urns provided by the College.

While Campus Security has reported issuing warnings to some individuals, thus far no one has been issued the $50 penalty that can now be assessed on those who do not adhere to the new rule. “The smokers now simply gravitate towards the designated areas,” said ASCC Legal Counsel Lawrence Wilson, who drafted the College’s own policy after careful review of the guidelines established by ASG. “We’ve seen smoking immediately vanish from areas where in the past you were almost certain to find it. We have a number of signs posted to inform the campus community of the new policy and direct smokers towards the designated areas, and it appears everyone understands it and has adapted to it right away.”

The College’s new Policy on Smoking reads in part, “Due to the grave health risks to the community, the American Samoa Government has passed new legislation restricting smoking in public places and places of employment. In the spirit of this law, ASCC shall strictly enforce the new legislation, and has implemented a new smoking policy for the college campus. ASCC has designate specific smoking areas, and smoking will ONLY be permitted in those areas.

“The public should be forewarned that the new legislation allows for individuals to be fined up to $50.00, and the ASCC policy allows employee violators of the policy to be disciplined under the Personnel Manual. Students who violate the ASCC smoking policy may be disciplined through the Student Services Department, and non-students / non-employees who violate the policy may be asked to leave the campus. ASCC has posted temporary signs to notify all people on ASCC campus of non-smoking areas, and designated smoking areas. ASCC security will enforce the ASCC policy. This new policy is meant to: (1) promote health in the community; (2) create a healthy environment on the college campus for all who enter; (3); protect those nonsmokers from the risks of secondhand smoke; and (4) prevent others from beginning the unhealthy habit of smoking.”

Wilson said that he hopes the campus community will see the new policy in a positive way, and that it will foster an understanding of the negative ramifications of smoking. “Change is never comfortable,” he reflected, “but our society is evolving from the old days when smoking wasn’t considered a big deal. As part of our country’s move to improve our overall health, we now recognize clearly how much damage smoking causes, and we need to discourage people from this habit for their own good.”

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - ASCC Legal Counsel Lawrence Wilson is seen here next to one of the oragne urns
that clearly designate the three areas on campus where smoking is still allowed.
ASCC has recently adopted its own policy to align with the ASG rules on smoking.

Photo 2 - An ASCC student enjoys his cigarette in one of the designated areas on campus
where smoking is still allowed.

(Photo: Fiji Football Association)

FIJI: IRB brokers agreement between FRU and Fiji Government
Source: International Rugby Board Press Release

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has brokered an agreement between the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and the Fiji Government which will see the Government’s commitment to significant investment in Fiji’s Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign go ahead as previously planned.

The agreement follows a highly productive visit by IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller and IRB Regional General Manager for Oceania William Glenwright to Suva earlier this month after concerns were raised by the Fiji Government over the administration and governance of the FRU following the findings of a Commerce Commission of Fiji report into a lottery run by the FRU last year. The concerns put at risk a FJ$3 million investment the Government was prepared to make towards Fiji’s Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign.

The IRB delegation met with the Minister for Sport, the Hon. Filipe Bole and the Board of the Fiji Rugby Union to discuss the Fiji Government’s concerns, its continued commitment to Fijian Rugby and issues surrounding the valid application of the FRU constitution.

“I am delighted that an agreement has been reached which will ensure that the Fiji Rugby Union can continue to drive forward the Game nationally, while also ensuring that the focus of the national team remains firmly on preparing for Rugby World Cup 2011,” said Miller.

“The spirit of the meetings was extremely positive and I would like to thank the Fiji Government for its dedication and contribution to the process and its full support of Rugby in Fiji.”

“All three parties want to ensure a framework for the Fiji National Team to perform to the best of its abilities in New Zealand and it is encouraging that we now have an agreement in place that underscores this objective. The Government’s financial support is both generous and unprecedented.”

“The Fiji Government has an obligation to ensure that any investment in Rugby is done so in a prudent manner, which the IRB supports. At the same time, as the Global Governing body, the IRB has an obligation to ensure that the sovereignty of our Member Unions is protected and the Fiji Government is fully supportive of our position. The agreement reached between the FRU and the Government protects the valid application of the FRU Constitution whilst also providing a level of comfort to the Fiji Government that its investment will be properly and transparently managed.”

The FRU and the Fiji Government have agreed five key actions:

1. Those involved in the lottery to stand down from the FRU Board pending the result of ongoing legal proceedings into the matter;
2. The Commerce Commission to release paperwork to allow the FRU to complete its lottery report, which will then be subject to scrutiny by the Commerce Commission and any other legal entity as required by law (this process has commenced);
3. Elections to the FRU Board to be held as planned at the Annual General Meeting in April. The FRU to run the elections, with the Fiji Olympic Committee (FASANOC) to oversee the elections if invited by the FRU Board to do so;
4. The FRU CEOs resignation to be accepted or otherwise by the newly elected FRU Board;
5. The Government grant of FJ$ 3 million to be paid to the FRU in accordance with the Fiji Government’s accounting and monitoring procedures.

Fiji’s Rugby World Cup 2011 preparations continue with participation in the new-look IRB Pacific Rugby Cup which gets underway in Australia this weekend with A teams from all three Pacific Island Unions facing Super Rugby development team opposition. The Fiji Warriors commence their PRC campaign against the Queensland Reds Academy today at 6.30pm at Ballymore.

Photo Caption: Fijian Minister for Sport, Filipe Bole.
 

(Photo: Tahitian Noni International)

TAHITI: New Defy System is designed to fight the effects of nature with nature
Source: PR Newswire

Tahitian Noni International (TNI) have announced the release of Defy - a revolutionary new biotopical age intervention system designed to combat the root causes of aging. The Defy system brings clinically tested innovation - used by dermatologists and health spa estheticians - directly to your home, along with proven bioactive nutrients to help reverse the signs of aging. Defy was designed to fight the effects of nature with nature.

Defy addresses some of the top concerns of aging including fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, dry skin, rough texture, age spots (hyperpigmentation), dull tone, and dark under-eye circles. All Defy ingredients have been naturally sourced, are paraben free, vegan friendly, hypoallergenic, have been created for all skin types, and are safety and dermatologist tested.

They include:

Face Lifting Night Cream works by stimulating new elastin and hyaluronic acid production. It helps skin appear lifted and firm, and locks moisture into the skin.

Age Erasing Serum reduces the appearance of wrinkles, inhibits the action of tyrosinase, reduces the appearance of age spots, and improves texture and tone of skin.

Renewing Eye Treatment stimulates new collagen, supports better skin hydration, activates the elimination of the pigment build-up responsible for dark circle color, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ultraderm Therapy Device is a daily biotopical intensifier that emits ultrasound waves to carry the products into the deeper layers of the skin. It also includes a deep cleaning mode to remove excess oil and debris from pores.

Microderm Treatment Device uses a patented deep exfoliation and suction technology for weekly skin renewal.

For more information about the new Defy Biotopical Age Intervention System, please go to www.tni.com/defy.

Photo Caption: Tahitian Noni International Defy biotopical age intervention system.
 

WORLDWIDE: Trade Ministers reconfirm commitment to PICTA
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Pacific ACP Trade Ministers have reconfirmed their commitment to the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA).

At their meeting held earlier this month in Apia, Samoa, Ministers committed to advancing a range of initiatives currently in place under the trade agreement.

PICTA seeks to strengthen, expand and diversify trade between the Forum Island Countries through the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade within the region.

Seven countries have already put in place necessary domestic arrangements to accord preferential import duties to goods originating from parties to PICTA. These parties are Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

“I am happy to note that other countries are continuing work at the national level to progress their readiness to trade under PICTA,” said the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

Ministers also confirmed the continuation of PICTA trade in services negotiations, inclusive of a temporary labour mobility arrangement among Parties to PICTA.

“Trade in services is an integral part of broader regional economic integration that is being sought under PICTA,” said Mr Slade.

Countries are seeking to conclude the PICTA trade in services negotiations by end 2011.

The fifth round of the PICTA trade in services negotiations will be held in Palau, from 16-18 March 2011.

Ministers also considered the inclusion of government procurement into PICTA and agreed on the need for improved transparency and efficiency of their government procurement systems.

“Improvements of national procurement systems are crucial prior to related inclusion in any regional trade agreement,” Mr Slade emphasised. “The Secretariat will be working with other regional and international agencies to assist Forum Island Countries improve their government procurement systems.”

“Trade officials will liaise with relevant agencies at the national level to determine the impact of the inclusion of government procurement into PICTA.”

Over the next months, Forum Island Countries will also be undertaking national consultations on the feasibility of the inclusion of alcohol and tobacco in the PICTA, for further consideration by the trade Officials and Ministers later in the year.

Given the broadening of PICTA to include trade in services and other elements of trade liberalisation among Forum Island Countries, the Ministers endorsed the drafting of a comprehensive PICTA that will cover both trade in goods and trade in services, and other flexibilities in support of increased trade and regional economic integration.