NEWSROOM 18 May
2009

(Photos: Maori Television / New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage)

NEW ZEALAND: Review of Maori Television Service act

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Report from the Dialysis Unit

Cabinet has approved the report from the National Kidney Foundation at Motootua which states that 51 patients have been treated at the Dialysis Unit in the month of April.

Out of 51 patients, two (2) had passed away. Three (3) visiting patients from overseas were also treated at the Unit.

According to the report, there are 32 male patients and 19 females. The youngest patient turns eleven (11) at the end of this year.
 

April Report on Right Hand Drive Vehicles

Cabinet has approved the report from the Customs Department, which states that 2,131 Right Hand Drive Vehicles was imported into the country since February 2008 - April 2009.

According to the report, a slight decrease in the number of imported RHD vehicles has been noted when comparing the number of cars imported in April 185 to the 191 imported in March. A difference of 121 has also been noted when comparing the numbers of RHD vehicles imported in the country in the month of April 2009 to April last year.
 

Attorney General’s Office to Joint-Host the Pacific Prosecutors Conference

Cabinet has approved of the Office of the Samoa Attorney General to joint-host the Pacific Prosecutors Conference to be held in Brisbane, Australia from the 7 - 8 July 2009.

The Office of the Attorney General will host this conference in partnership with the AusAid, Commonwealth Secretariat and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai, will be the Chair of the Conference with the assistance of two Senior Prosecutors to discuss some of the issues that has been raised at the Pacific Island Law Officers Network held in Vanuatu in December last year.

The Conference in Brisbane is an initiative by the Samoa Attorney Generals office, raised at the Network in Vanuatu, to form an Association for Prosecutors in the Pacific.

The Pacific Prosecutors Conference is an opportunity for the Pacific Prosecutors to meet and share their experiences for better improvement of their service for the public. Some of the issues that will be discussed in this conference includes: independency, challenges faced and prosecution processes.
 

ACEO Travels to New Zealand

Cabinet has approved the visit to New Zealand by the ACEO of the Corporate Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the 16 - 23 May 2009.

The purpose of the visit is to check on the assets used by the Offices of the High Commissioner in Wellington and the Consul General in Auckland. The ACEO will also look into the standards of the Government owned houses currently occupied by the Government officials working for the Samoa High Commission in Wellington.

This visit will prepare and reconfirm information for the Ministry’s Budget for the next Financial Year (2009/2010)
 

Chief Executive Officer for Labour Appointed

Cabinet has endorsed the appointment of Auelua Taito Samuelu Enari as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour.

The position was advertised for expressions of interest for a period of one (1) month (fr: 20th February 2009 - 20th March 2009). Seven (7) applications were received by the Ministry where all of them were short listed.

The interviewees were assessed according to their:
* Applications
* Qualifications and Experience
* Curriculum Vitae
* References
* Strategic Thinking
* Leadership and;
* Management Skills

The Panelists recommended to Cabinet Mr. Auelua Enari as the most suitable candidate for the position after reviewing and putting together the interview results.

Mr. Enari who hails from the villages of Lepā and Vaiala, is currently the Assistant CEO for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Trade Division. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from the University of the South Pacific. He is married with one child.
 

(Photo: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

AUSTRALIA: Australian PM sends opinion piece to Fiji media
Source: Radio New Zealand International via Pacific Islands Report

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has sent an opinion editorial to Fiji's media outlets explaining why the country's military backed regime has been suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum.

In his opinion piece, Mr. Rudd says Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama's actions including the recent scrapping of the constitution has damaged Fiji's international standing and the reputation of its military.

Rudd also says that the damage is made worse by the affect on Fiji's economy, already highly vulnerable due to the global financial crisis.

The Australian Prime Minister's piece was provided to local media outlets on Wednesday.

Currently all Fiji's newsrooms are being monitored by censors who have been instructed to only allow positive coverage of the interim government.

Rudd's editorial has not appeared in any of Fiji's media outlets.

The Executive Director of Fijian Civil Society Group, the Citizen's Constitutional Forum, Reverend Aquila Yabaki says Rudd's statement should be available to everyone.

"It's a statement from the Australian Prime Minister. We need to hear it. We want to hear it," he said.

Photo Caption: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
 

(Photo: Andrew Alphonse, The National)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas project
Source: hydrocarbons-technology.com

The PNG LNG project (Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas) is a new gas project which is being championed by ExxonMobil to maximise the advantage from three large gas discoveries in the southern and western highlands of PNG.

The new gas discoveries are the Hides, Angore and Juha gas fields that are likely to have reserves approaching 3-4trn ft³. The three fields will supply gas for the Asian market via a pipeline to a two-train LNG facility, which will be constructed at Napa Napa near Port Moresby. The project will be underpinned by Interoil’s Elk/Antelope field infrastructure (not yet fully proven). The facility will be supplied using a 36in (910mm) natural gas pipeline.

It is believed that there could be a further 2trn cubic feet of gas or 400 million barrels of oil equivalent waiting to be discovered in PNG and this could require a phase two development of a third LNG train in the future. LNG cargoes are due to start in 2012-2013.

Finance and shareholdings

The project is likely to cost around $5bn to $7bn (19bn kina) in investment over the 30-year lifetime of the project (initially $4bn to $6bn to construct the pipelines and LNG trains). The financial close for the project is expected in 2010 and the sovereign funds have not been affected by the US subprime financial crisis. The initial phase of the project is requiring an investment of $100m.

The project's main shareholder is ExxonMobil (Esso Highlands will be the operator) at 41.6% and other shareholders include: Oil Search (Australian oil and gas producer) (34.1%), Santos (17.7%), AGL (3.6%), Nippon Oil (1.8%) and Mineral Resource Development Corporation / State (MRDC) (1.2%) - the land owners.

The PNG government have retained the right to take a 22.5% stake in the Hides, Angore and Juha gas fields, which could result in state participation in the LNG venture of around 19% (other shareholdings will be reduced to accommodate this). A joint operating agreement was signed between the project partners in March 2008 prior to the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) work of the project starting. Currently (September-October 2008) the PNG Parliament are investigating the due diligence of the project since opposition MPs have expressed doubts that PNG will benefit significantly from the project if it ties into protected price contracts. Liquid Niugini Gas have been working closely with the government on the project since March 2006 and expect to close the deal in late 2008 with construction work expected to start in 2009 (draft five of the project agreement is currently under discussion).

PNG LNG project

The project will be based around a two-train LNG liquefaction facility based near Port Moresby and capable of handling 6.3m tons of LNG a year. ACIL Tasman has been contracted to prepare reports on the environmental impact and also the economic impact of the project for PNG.

InterOil completed the pre-FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) preliminary engineering and evaluation design work for the project in April 2007. The dual train facility will be constructed adjacent to the InterOil refinery at Port Moresby in the Gulf of Papua to share infrastructure. The FEED work for the project was awarded to Bechtel in March 2008 with an option to continue the project into the EPC phase. The plant will use ConocoPhillips technology (used by over 50% of LNG plants world-wide). Their proprietary natural gas liquefaction technology which is based on the Optimized Cascade (SM) Process will be central to the two trains. FEED will begin in January 2009 (establishing environmental considerations to meet the equator principles, equipment required, cost estimates and preliminary long-lead time equipment enquiries.

The LNG facility will have a 2.3km trestle for loading tankers, two 125,000m³ LNG storage tank, LPG recovery systems and two 50,000-barrel condensate storage tanks.

The LNG facility will be supplied by a 716km gas pipeline, 417km of which will be subsea and 36in (Kopi on the coast is 450km from Port Moresby), while the onshore 265km section will be 32in.

The pipeline will link to the Hides gas conditioning plant (906 million cubic feet a day) and the Juha production facility (250 million cubic feet a day). Between the Juha and Hides facility there will be a 14in gas pipeline and an 8in liquids pipeline for condensate. The condensate will be handled at the existing Kutubu and Agogo processing plant and exported from the existing Kumul platform on the coast (the gas produced as a byproduct from these facilities will be returned to the LNG pipeline).

The LNG project will be led by Liquid Niugini Gas who are a group of experts assembled by project partners InterOil, Merrill Lynch Global Commodities (Europe) and Pacific LNG.

Photo Caption: About 3,000 Hides landowners gathered in Kobalu-Nogoli village in Tari, Southern Highlands province, last Friday and killed 25 pigs in a traditional Huli custom to signify their commitment to the PNG LNG project. They also officially launched the Hides Landowners Association (HLA) to chart a new course for their future. Members of the HLA are pictured displaying the pigs they slaughtered on the occasion.

(Photo: Forum Ministerial Standing Committee / Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Forum Ministerial Standing Committee meet on RAMSI
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The Forum Ministerial Standing Committee (FMSC) on Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) held its third meeting in Honiara on 15 May 2009 to discuss issues concerning the work of RAMSI in Solomon Islands.

The establishment of the FMSC was a principal recommendation of the Forum RAMSI Review Task Force’s Report that was endorsed by Leaders in Tonga in 2007. The FMSC which comprises the past, present and future Forum Chairs plus Solomon Islands and Australia provides oversight and governance to the RAMSI operation. The FMSC is supported by the Enhanced Consultative Mechanism (ECM) Meeting.

Niue’s Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Billy Talagi chaired the meeting, which was attended by the Solomon Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. William Haomae, Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Hon. Duncan Kerr, Brigadier Tau’aika ’Uta’atu, Commander of the Tongan Defence Services, and H.E Mr. Parai Tamei, High Commissioner for Papua New Guinea to Solomon Islands. The meeting was also attended by the RAMSI Special Coordinator, Mr. Graeme Wilson and the Pacific Islands Forum Representative to Solomon Islands, Mr. Sakiusa Rabuka.

In his opening remarks, Solomon Islands Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Fred Fono informed the meeting that a Solomon Islands Government (SIG)-RAMSI Partnership Framework had been completed and endorsed by Cabinet on 14 May 2009.

“Solomon Islands view this new Partnership Framework as a living document - a document that emphasizes prioritization while maintaining the original purposes of the mission. It is a document that aims to provide guidance to RAMSI in undertaking its future programmes and activities,” said Mr Fono.

“Let me also emphasise here that this new Framework is an organic document designed to improve our partnership and we can make changes as we go along. I must inform you all that my Government is confident that this Partnership Framework will take cooperation between Solomon Islands and RAMSI to new heights and will foster and consolidate our spirit of cooperation in future.”

Mr Fono added: “The spirit of cooperation and contribution by all stakeholders has been very significant. I wish to thank all participating countries for their dedication to RAMSI and the Solomon Islands Government and its people. I acknowledge those who have served and lost their lives in Solomon Islands. They are true Ambassadors of peace for mankind and we are truly grateful for their service.”

The FMSC commended the finalisation of the Partnership Framework as a major milestone in SIG-RAMSI relations. The FMSC welcomed the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to RAMSI and noted the importance of continued regional cooperation to achieve the core priorities of the Partnership Framework.

In an Outcomes Statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, Ministers welcomed the appointments of Mr. Paul Tovua, SIG Permanent Secretary to RAMSI, Mr. Graeme Wilson, RAMSI Special Coordinator and Mr. Sakiusa Rabuka, Forum Representative to Solomon Islands. Ministers also commended the excellent cooperation between the SIG and the RAMSI Special Coordinator and his staff.

Ministers acknowledged the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its successful launching by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in April 2009. Additional key issues that were discussed included the SIG decision to allow RAMSI to brief Cabinet on a regular basis and the successful initial briefing; and the Solomon Islands Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee Review of RAMSI;

Ministers warmly welcomed the advice of the Australian Government that it had recently decided to extend its commitment to RAMSI for at least another four years to June 2013. This decision was reached after the Australian Government had completed its consideration of the resource requirements for Australia’s future contribution to RAMSI beyond June 2009.

Ministers also acknowledged the excellent contributions by Mr. Tim George, former RAMSI Special Coordinator and Dr. Lesi Korovavala, former Forum Representative to Solomon Islands, to the work of RAMSI.

It was agreed to reconvene the next FMSC before the end of 2009.
 

WORLDWIDE: KSSL to provide regular shipping services to four Small Island States

Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community Press Release

The Kiribati Shipping Services Limited (KSSL) today formally signed an agreement with the governments of Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Wallis and Futuna to provide regular feeder shipping services to these countries.

The four small island states (SIS) in the region have been confronted with irregular shipping services in the past three years.

In applauding the signing, KSSL General Manager, Itibwinnang Aiaimoa, said this was a profitable venture for the company.

“We were providing services in the past but they were inconsistent and irregular. and this was due to a lack of commitment because there were no formal agreements in place to coerce the provision of services as required,” Mr Aiaimoa said.

The company, which has been in existence since 1979, has two feeder ships and will provide services once a month that will be dictated by the routes the cargoes demand and the volume of the cargo to be carried across from one island state to another.

Mr Aiaimoa said KSSL had been contemplating providing shipping services to SIS since 2007.

“We have been providing shipping services through Fiji since then, carrying cargo to Tuvalu, Nauru and to the Kiribati. And we continued this service even though they were irregular and sometimes with very little cargo,’ he said.

The agreement will also mean much needed income for KSSL.

“The company is government-owned but we do not enjoy subsidies anymore. We have to earn our existence and sustain our services,” he said.