Page 7 - IB July 2021

Briefs Briefs

New Caledonia’s Koniambo nickel plant continues to face dif- tion requires SIM-card registration. Danitofea says they have
ficulties, with the latest attempt to resume operations failing completed face-to-face consultations with the two Internet
due to a blockade and ongoing protests. The plant— a joint Service Providers in the country, government ministries and
venture between the Northern Province’s SMSP and multi- State-Owned Enterprises, and at provincial level. Australian
national Glencore-Xstrata—has also experienced technical authorities are supporting Solomon Islands’ cybercrime leg-
problems this year. Glencore is expected to invest a further islative reform and development of necessary instruments to
US$250 million into Koniambo this year. implement the legislation.

The Pacific Games have been delayed for six months, and
will now start in November 2023. Solomon Islands sought the
Niue
Niue has vaccinated almost 100% of its eligible population change due to delays in the commencement of venue con-
struction due to COVID-19. China, Indonesia and Papua New
against COVID-19. Niue began its vaccination programme Guinea are supporting development of the venues.
with New Zealand-supplied Pfizer vaccines on June 1 and
vaccinated 97% of the eligible population on the first round.
Second round vaccinations were completed on July 9. Niue’s
government is now looking to vaccinate those aged 12-15. Tokelau
Niue remains COVID-free, and hopes to see the opening of a Pfizer vaccines are now being administered on Tokelau, with
quarantine-free travel bubble with New Zealand soon. the HMNZS Wellington successfully delivering the vaccine con-
signment to Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu atolls. There are
1140 people eligible to receive the vaccine in Tokelau. The
effort to get the vaccines to Tokelau involved New Zealand
Palau defence force and health officials in partnership with Toke-
A proposal to reopen Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) lauan officials.
to allow for foreign fishing is being considered by the Olbiil
Era Kelulau(OEK) in response to the impact of the coronavi-
rus pandemic on the country’s economy. It would require an Tonga
amendment to the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act. The Tongan cabinet minister, ‘Akosita Lavulavu, and her husband,
Bill before the house proposes to allow foreign fishing com- ‘Etuate have been jailed for fraud, although they intend to
panies to conduct long line and purse seining activities within appeal the sentence. The Lavulavus were convicted after
what is now the no-take zone of the PNMS for a period of five it was found they falsified the number of students they had
years.
enrolled in the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute when applying
for vocational education training grants.
Papua New Guinea
The Pasca A gas project in Gulf Province is set for signing Vanuatu
between the government and Twinza Oil this month. The K3 The Vanuatu government’s election petition which will seek
billion (US$2.4bn) project will have a lifespan of 12 years. to convince the court that 19 parliamentarians were present
Under the terms, 5% of the project will be reserved to meet during sessions in June, will be heard by the Supreme Court
domestic market needs, setting a precedent for other oil and on 26-27 August. The case is complex, with the Appeal Court
gas projects. recently ruling that former Speaker Gracia Shadrack had the
authority to announce on June 8 that he was satisfied that
the 19 MPs were absent for three consecutive days without
Samoa his consent and that by the operation of section 2(d), the
The Samoa National Provident Fund has announced a payout relevant seats were vacated.
to members worth WST$60 million (US$23 million) for the
financial year ending 30 June 2021. The Fund has paid out
50% of this year’s interest in what it describes as “part of our Wallis and Futuna
enduring commitment to the wellbeing of our members.” Wallis and Futuna has declared itself COVID-free, with no
cases amongst its 11,500 inhabitants since April 1 this year.
Vaccination rates are steadily increasing, with more than 50%
Solomon Islands of the eligible population receiving at least their first shot.
Solomon Islands Director of Communications, Alwyn Danitofea Wallis and Futuna has recorded seven COVID-related deaths
says the implementation of proposed cybercrime legisla- since the start of the pandemic.

Islands Business, July 2021 7