Page 6 - IB FEB 2020

Briefs Briefs

CNMI
Casino operator Imperial Pacific International has agreed
to pay over US$18 million in outstanding taxes to the CNMI CNMI
government. Meanwhile Governor Ralph Torres has denied
allegations against him relating to ties with Imperial Pacific. Guam
FBI agents searched Torres’ home and office in connection
with the allegations in November. The status of those Marshall Islands
investigations is unclear.
Federated
COOK ISLANDS States of
The Cook Islands PM Henry Puna and his Deputy, Mark Micronesia
Brown, have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the Palau Nauru
chartering of a jet after the 2018 election. They face two
charges each of ‘conspiracy by default’ and ‘improper Kiribati
payment of public funds’. The complaints were filed by
a political rival, Teokotai George, who claims funds were
used to charter the plane to bring newly-elected MPs to the
capital, rather than for a medical emergency, as it should Tokelau
have been. The case is due to be heard in March. Papua New
Guinea
FIJI Tuvalu
Fiji’s Independent Commission Against Corruption has Samoa
thrown out a complaint by Fiji’s Opposition leader that a Solomon Islands
government tender for the restructure of the state-owned
Rewa Dairy had been done improperly. Sodelpa leader Wallis and Futuna
Sitiveni Rabuka claimed the government has failed to follow American Samoa
financial procurement procedures in appointing consultants to Vanuatu
undertake a company restructure. But FICAC said it found no
wrong-doing on the government’s part.
Fiji
MARSHALL ISLANDS Tonga Niue French Polynesia
The ongoing dengue fever outbreak has claimed two lives Australia Cook Islands
this month. Three people in total are reported to have died New Caledonia
since the outbreak began last July. More than 2500 cases have
been recorded. Government efforts have focused on waste connection with allegedly illegal online gambling. They were
management and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, arrested at the Cliffside View Hotel and will be charged with
particularly in Majuro where most of the cases have been labour law violations. This follows the arrest of 142 Chinese
recorded. nationals on New Year’s Eve across three different sites on
similar charges.
NEW CALEDONIA
The board of the Goro nickel plant has approved US$120 PNG
million for restructuring the business. The Brazilian company The PNG government has walked away from the final offer
Vale says it will divest itself of its 95% share in the plant. made by P’nyang gas field partner, ExxonMobile. As a result,
The restructure will see the nickel refinery close, cobalt joint venture partner Oil Search has seen a sharp decline in
production end and the plant focus on producing nickel its share price. The US$13 billion Western Highlands project
hydroxide cake, which is used in electric car batteries. is projected to double PNG’s gas exports by the mid-2020s.
Given how much is at stake, negotiations are likely to
NIUE continue.
The only wharf on Niue has suffered extensive damage as
a result of Cyclone Tino. Cabinet had released US$32,000 for SAMOA
initial repairs but costs are expected to be much higher, and Lightning strikes and thunderstorms have severely affected
government will be looking for external funds. Fishermen and power supply on the Samoan island of Upolu, with the
charter operators have been most affected. Electric Power Corporation saying power has effectively
been operating in a state of emergency. While power
PALAU supply was returning to normal, the cost of damage is still
62 Chinese nationals have been arrested in Koror, Palau in to be confirmed, and small hydropower plants launched

6 Islands Business, February 2020