Page 9 - IB April 2021

Briefs Briefs

businesses in New Caledonia had already returned to pre-COV-
ID-19 levels and 38 % expect to return by the end of 2021. Tonga
Frontline workers have received the AstraZeneca vaccine in
Tonga, with Princess Pilolevu Tuita receiving the first dose,
Niue along with the nation’s Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and
Three new Police officers have been sworn in on Niue, and cabinet ministers. Others to be vaccinated included health,
for the first time, two are non-citizens, hailing from Fiji and police, defence and officials at Tonga’s ports and airports.
Samoa. The third officer is of Niuean/Tongan descent. Niue’s
Chief of Police Timothy Wilson said the recruitment is a step Just over 200 Tongan workers have been quarantining in South
towards a more diverse police force where officers are able to Australia, where they will work in the Australian state’s agri-
communicate and have cultural relevance with the minority culture and horticulture industries. The A$7 million program,
communities on the island. which will see 1200 workers in total arrive, is being jointly
funded by the state government and the agriculture sector,
with industry contributing $2,500 per worker.
Papua New Guinea
A third mobile network operator, Digitec Communications,
will enter the Papua New Guinea market this year. Digitec Tuvalu
will roll out a 4G and 5G telecommunications network before A survey undertaken by the International Organisation for
launching the Vodafone PNG brand. Information and Com- Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organisation
munications Minister Timothy Masiu, said the construction of (ILO) with Tuvalu’s government has found that the effect of
Digitec’s 1100 plus towers once in full operation will create Tuvalu’s immediate state of emergency has been marginal
up to 1000 new jobs. as the economy’s largest employers, the Government and
public sector, have continued with operations. Remittances
The World Bank has approved a US$30 million (K105 million) from seafarers and diaspora communities have also remained
project to support improvements to the operational and finan- steady. However, the situation may deteriorate further
cial performance of PNG’s state-owned electricity provider. through reduced hours and loss of income if the pandemic
The new project, which is expected to be implemented be- persists.
tween 2021 and 2026, will help establish a strong foundation
for PNG Power Limited (PPL) to become financially sustainable
and catalyse private investments in the energy sector. Works Vanuatu
will include the rehabilitation, reinforcement and upgrade of The Vanuatu Electoral Commission’s Chairman says it needs
infrastructure on the Port Moresby, Ramu and Gazelle grids. funds and resources to be able to operate more indepen-
Just 13% of PNG’s 8.6 million people are connected to the dently. Edward Kaltamat says he is the only full-time staff
electricity grid. member. “We want the Commission to have its own office, a
secretary and resources to operate in the future. We want it
to be more independent so that decisions taken are indepen-
dent and neutral.” Several provinces—Shefa, Tafea, Penama
Samoa and Malampa—go to polls next month.
Caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and
his Health Minister Faimalotoa Kika Stowers were the first
Samoans to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. The
first 24,000 vaccines arrived in Samoa on Friday 9 April, the Region
same day the country went to the polls in the 2021 General Japan’s decision to discharge 1.25 million tonnes of radioac-
Election. tive wastewater accrued since the Fukusima Daiichi nuclear
disaster into the Pacific Ocean has been roundly condemned
by Pacific Island nations and beyond. Under the plan, the
Solomon Islands water would be discharged over a 30- year period, after be-
Charges will finally be laid in relation to the MV Taimareho ing treated. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame
ferry tragedy, which claimed 27 lives at sea a year ago. Police Meg Taylor noted deep concern over the decision, urgently
Commissioner Mostyn Mangau has confirmed individuals are calling on Japan “to hold off the conduct of the discharge of
being charged under the Marine Act. A civil case has seen the ALPS [Advanced Liquid Processing System] Treated Water
families of the victims take five defendants from the ship- until further consultations are undertaken with Pacific Islands
ping company and charter to court. The vessel was carrying Forum Members and an independent expert review is under-
passengers back to their constituency on West Are’are. It left taken to the satisfaction of all our Members.”
Honiara despite a cyclone warning.

Islands Business, April 2021 9