Page 8 - IB December 2023

Whispers Whispers

Uni’s rough start the international seabed. A Dutch been born in Vanuatu. Opponents to
The news on the newest regional court ordered Greenpeace climbers continued instability marched last
university is not good. Launched at an to disembark from a crane aboard month, calling for a greater focus
ecumenical gathering in New Caledonia the TMC drilling vessel, MV Coco, but on the basic livelihood issues facing
early this month, its application for denied NORI’s request that activists the people. Vanuatu has seen four
funding has been rejected by two banks. be excluded from a 500-metre zone prime ministers come and go in the
The institution needs FJ$5 million to around the vessel. The Dutch court space of three years. Meanwhile, the
build its head office. With dwindling noted that it is “understandable” the appointment of the Vanua’aku Pati
student numbers, the institution’s head organisation has resorted to direct action Secretary General, Johnny Koanapo,
has convinced his board the operation in the face of the “possibly very serious as the new Minister of Internal Affairs
remains viable. Yet he’s been forced consequences” of the company’s plans, is seen as a strategic move to foster
to borrow money to pay staff salaries. a statement which Greenpeace is taking unity within the government. It
Perhaps the executive council will as a victory. Deep-sea mining continues follows Prime Minister Charlot Salwai’s
realise now that its expansion plans are to be a divisive issue for Pacific Island undertaking to extend ministerial
flawed. governments. portfolios to political parties not yet
part of the Government of National
Falepili controversy YWAM rescue Unity (GNU) in a bid to improve
The controversial Falepili Union The Youth With a Mission vessel, Koha, cohesion.
Treaty between Tuvalu and Australia is now in a dry dock in Fiji undergoing
looks set to become an issue for debate repairs and should be back in New Hanger hang-up
in Tuvalu’s January election. Former Zealand in time for Christmas after At the height of his powers, Fiji’s
PM and now opposition leader, Enele a successful crowdfunding campaign former Attorney-General stopped work
Sopoaga says he would “throw away” to raise money for its repairs. The on the construction of a hangar at
the treaty. Sopoaga says there needs vessel, which brings health specialists Nadi International Airport. By the time
to be more transparency around the and care to remote islands, suffered a work was suspended, the company
agreement, which provides a special broken tailshaft bearing. The repairs had spent more than FJ$8 million
human mobility pathway to allow people were expected to cost NZ$300,000 on the project aimed at further
in Tuvalu who are facing displacement (US$176,368). Managing Director, Marty opening Fiji to the world of high-end
from climate change to settle in Emmett, said more than 5000 people in boutique tourism. In suspending the
Australia. It also extends Australia’s Fiji’s maritime provinces had benefited construction, Fiji’s top lawyer at
influence over Tuvalu’s foreign security from the ship in the past two years. the time completely or conveniently
arrangements, one of the biggest points overlooked the fact that no objections
of contention. Film Fiji pays up had been received prior to the
A recent Fiji Film conference examined beginning of work on the hangar. Work
Process grounded how movie production incentives can has resumed.
What of the airports management be better organised so that production
organisation which received more than companies receive them in a timelier Glitch to be audited
2000 applications for 18 vacancies? The manner. Film Fiji has only just paid An external audit will be done of
manager responsible decided to test the final $7 million instalment to the the ‘glitch’ that saw the Fiji Elections
600 people before interviewing 18. This, producers of Eco-Challenge Fiji, which Office (FEO) release incorrect figures
instead of simply testing applicants was filmed in 2019, says new Chair, in the counting of votes during the
with aviation industry experience. Culden Kamea. Stakeholders are now 2022 general election. The FEO
With new management, the process working on how other outstanding rebate and Electoral Commission say the
has been called out as flawed and new claims can be paid. Production companies audit will investigate whether there
applications invited. are eligible for a 20% tax rebate was third party interference in the
calculated on total Fiji expenditure on episode, which saw wildly inflated
Deep-sea mining stouch lodgement of an application at the end numbers for some candidates. They
NORI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of of productions. The total amount of say preliminary findings suggest that
The Metals Company (TMC), has failed outstanding rebates—which date from human, rather than a system error
in its bid to get an injunction against the term of the previous government—is was responsible. The glitch damaged
Greenpeace, which has protested FJ$200 million according to government, confidence in the FEO’s handling of
against its activities in the Clarion and will take up to five years to pay off. the election, which otherwise went
Clipperton Zone (CCZ)—an area between smoothly.
Mexico and Hawaii—where the deep- Stopem Instability
sea mining industry is conducting final Frustrated by the disturbances caused Show me the money
expeditions before filing the first-ever by frequent votes of no confidence, Having signed three revised
application to commercially exploit a movement calling for stability has Compacts of Free Association with

8 Islands Business, December 2023