NEWSPAGE 11 July
2011

(Photo: Computer Clubhouse NZ)

NEW ZEALAND: Drive to develop connected Pacific communities in NZ

(Photo: Savali News)

SAMOA: Is nonu Samoa’s miracle tree?
Source: Savali News

The humble nonu fruit may well be the answer to Savai’i’s economic woes.

Already, families in the Big Island are fetching good coin - at $9 a bucket - as buyers snap up the fruits.

A market for nonu - as a health drink - has practically opened up overnight in China.

And yesterday, Pure Pacifica - an affiliate of New Zealand’s Reef Shipping company - in partnership with the Chinese Business Roundtable Council of New Zealand launched a 500-acre nonu plantation and nursery at Sasina, Savaii.

On a land lease from Sasina village, the farm itself opens up employment opportunity for up to 40 locals in its initial stage.

But the venture might just be scratching the surface on the potentially lucrative nonu market given that there are over a billion people in cashed-up China - and later, perhaps India - and there are virtually tens of thousands acres of idle land in Savaii ideal for growing nonu.

The nonu trees grow wild there.

According to Pure Pacifika chairman Philip McNicholl, nonu thrives in Savaii given its porous volcanic soil, plenty of sunshine and humid climate.

“These are conditions that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.”

Pure Pacifika has been conducting commercial and technical research on nonu the last two years.

Though the size of the Chinese market could not be verified, at this initial stage , estimates indicate it could well absorb up to a million tonnes of nonu a year.

And Pure Pacifika has been collecting all the nonu available in Savaii, having spent up to $70,000 on purchases the last three months.

The first shipment of some 50,000 litres of fermented nonu, said Mr Nicholl, will be sent to China in September.

Some of the partnership’s plans in the pipeline include building nonu processing factories in Savaii - to produce a range of nonu products - instead of just exporting nonu fruits overseas.

They are also exploring the possibility of branching out into other fruit crops such as cocoa and coffee.

In a ceremony at Sasina village before the farm visit, Mr McNicholl was bestowed the title Tupa’imanaia and Mr Chen, the title Tupa’ilelei.

Photo Caption: Perhaps the largest co-owned commercial plantation in recent years. - the Pure Pacifika Samoa Ltd’s 500-acre nonu plantation, a joint-venture between the Chinese Business Roundtable of New Zealand, Reef Shipping Ltd and the village of Sasina, Savaii.

AUSTRALIA: Solomon Islands ‘Boss Lift’ shows the benefits of employing Reservists
Source: Australian Department of Defence

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, announced today that 21 employers will visit soldiers from the Perth based 13 Brigade who are currently on a four month deployment to the Solomon Islands.

Reservist employers are travelling as part of Exercise Boss Lift, a Defence program which provides employers with an insight into the work performed by Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reservists.

While in Honiara and surrounds, the employers will have the opportunity to see their Reservists on Operation Anode, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

“Exercise Boss Lift will give these employers an opportunity to see how Reservists’ training builds confidence, problem-solving skills and leadership ability which are highly valuable in the workplace,” Senator Feeney said.

Senator Feeney said the employers will gain a valuable insight into the benefits their employees can bring back to the civilian workplace.

Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division (CRESD), which is responsible for employer support for ADF Reservists, has designed the four-day Boss Lift program to highlight the important role the Reserves play in the ADF.

The program will allow employers to experience first hand the essential roles played by their employees.

For more information about the support offered to Reservists and their employers visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves or call 1800 803 485.
 

(Photo: Malum Nalu)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Marape encourages students to fight life’s Goliaths
Source: The National

Be a David and look to God for his power to overcome Goliaths that face you in your lives, Education Minister James Marape told more than 1,000 students in Lae, Morobe, yesterday (July 07, 2011).

“The ‘Goliaths’ in your lives can be marijuana, alcohol, cult mentality, group fights and other immoral activities,” he said.

Marape was the guest of honour at the newly established Morobe Schools Fellowship, which was co-founded by principals and head teachers of schools in Lae to help the spiritual development of students to combat the immoral activities that Lae schools were known for.

The students, teachers, some Christians and parents braved the morning downpour to converge at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium from 8am.

“I want to speak to you as a parent and an ordinary citizen, and not as a government minister,” he said before asking the sing-a-long musicians to lead everyone in singing the song There Is No One Like You.

Momase regional director for Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship Tony Kotauga told the students: “There are famous people, rich people, professional people, influential people in this country but corruption, murder, immorality are still gripping this country and God is looking for ‘Davids’ and you people gathering here today may be the ones.”

Busu High Seconday School teacher Dauglas Kilipi said the fellowship would spread to other schools in the province.

The event featured a combined sing-a-long and special singing by Bugandi Grade 11 and Adventist students from Busu Secondary School, prayer, singing of the national anthem and reciting of the pledge.

Photo Caption: Papua New Guinea Education Minister James Marape.

(Photo: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Renewable energy in the Solomon Islands, making a difference
Source: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

A USD 5.23 million dollar renewable energy project for 11 Pacific island countries is currently executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Known as PIGGAREP (The Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project), this project aims at helping 11 Pacific islands overcome their barriers to using effective renewable energy technologies, including the Solomon Islands. All PIGGAREP activities require the support of co-financers.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility and is implemented by United Nations Development Programme.

In April this year, 50 solar home systems were installed in Santa Ana, bringing electricity to over 300 people; a solar water pump installed in 2008 in Calofornia, Guadalcanal helps to bring water to 200 people attending the rural training centre school nearby and; a biofuel and solar hybrid renewable energy system for the Aola Health Centre that brings power to the only health centre in the Guadalcanal.

“Our renewable energy targets for the Millennium Development Goals, is 50% of our electricity will be from renewable energy by the year 2015,” said Gabriel Aimaea the Principal Renewable Energy Officer from the Solomon Islands.

“We are now trying to address the issue or rural electrification to utilize renewable energy to bring power to the rural and isolated areas in the Solomon Islands.”

The Solomon Islands Government has also earmarked SBD 5 million to carry out renewable energy projects in partnership with PIGGAREP and other donor partners.

Still to come as part of PIGGAREP are four wind monitoring stations to be placed in the Provinces of Makira, Isabel, Rennel Bellona and Choiseul. This will help identify the potential for wind energy and establish a wind map atlas for the nation, feasibility studies are a vital part of a successful renewable energy activities.

“We are pleased to be part of the positive changes in the Solomon Islands,” said Silia Kilepoa Ualesi the Project Manager of PIGGAREP.

“We look forward to seeing more happening that will benefit our local communities in the Pacific region renewable energy is a positive solution that can impact greatly and bring about a better quality of life for our Pacific people.”

Photo Caption: Calofornia Village in Guadalcanal Plains Solar Water Pumping Project - SIG Funded.
 

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

WORLDWIDE: Loss of former president mourned
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

OFC has joined with the Fiji football family in mourning the loss of former Fiji FA president Hari Pal Singh, who passed away this month.

"Mr Singh was a dedicated husband, father and community worker," Fiji FA chief executive officer Bob Kumar says. "He gave many years of his valuable life and service for the youth of this country."

A life member of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC), Mr Singh became involved in football administration firstly as president of the Combines Brothers Club and then the Suva Soccer Association.

He eventually took the reins of the Fiji FA for a two-year spell as president from 1983.

Significantly, his stint in charge of the national association saw the introduction of changes to its administrative section, which led to the formation of a more structured and accountable administration to take care of football in Fiji.

By the end of his presidency, Fiji FA had secured a home base and his initiatives had resulted in the association moving in an exciting new direction.

CEO Kumar says the thoughts of everyone associated with Fiji FA are with Mr Singh's friends and family during this difficult period.

"We pray to the almighty to give courage and strength in this time of grief to Hari Pal Singh’s family," he says.


Hari Pal Singh’s service to Fiji sport

1979: Chef de Mission, Team Fiji, 1979 South Pacific Games, Fiji
1970s - 80s: FASANOC Executive Board Member and Vice-President
1983 - 1985: Fiji FA President
1985 - 1986: FASANOC President
In recognition of his contributions, Mr Singh was later made a life member of FASANOC.
His services to FASANOC were further acknowledged in 2009 when, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Mr Singh was one of 60 sporting personalities to be awarded a diploma for their significant contribution to FASANOC over the years.

Photo Caption: Hari Pal Singh (right) had his services to sport recognised by the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee.