Page 7 - IB June July 2024

Briefs Briefs
Secretary, Barassi Botelanga completed the disposal of three corruption Policy was officially launched in June. While
100lb UXOs (bombs). Gunnery Sergeant Kharlange, part of the the policy marks the first step towards establishing such an
contingent, said that learning and exchanging procedures and organisation, the harder part will be setting the parameters in
techniques had been very beneficial. the context of culture. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa
said the next step is to ensure early implementation and
adequate resourcing so that a new body can effectively
operate independently without fear of reprisals or
New Caledonia intimidation.
A group of pro-independence leaders charged with allegedly
organising protests that turned into violent unrest in New
Caledonia last month have been indicted and transferred to Solomon Islands
mainland France where they will be held in custody pending The Solomon Islands government is planning to increase the
their trial. Christian Téin and ten others were taken by number of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers
French security forces during a dawn operation in Nouméa on from the island nation to 16,000 by 2028. Minister of Foreign
June 19. The indicted group members are accused of being Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka, said about
the “order-givers” within a “Field Action Coordinating Cell” 6982 local workers are currently working in the agriculture,
(CCAT) that was set up last year by Union Calédonienne. The meat and aged-care sectors in Australia. Minister Agovaka
transfer was decided “to ensure investigations can continue in acknowledged that unemployment amongst the youth
a serene way and away from any pressure”, said Yves Dupas, population is high as 20,000 youths look for jobs annually and
Nouméa Public Prosecutor. of these, only a few thousands are able secure employment in
PALM, in the government sector and private sectors.

Niue
In his first official visit to Niue, New Zealand Prime Minister Tonga
Christopher Luxon has announced funding of NZ$21 million More than 1000 rooms will be needed to fully accommodate
to help Niue reach its goal of 80% renewable energy by 2025. visitors attending this year’s Pacific Islands Forum leaders
“This will reduce Niue’s reliance on expensive diesel with meeting to be held in August. While the rush is on to
a resilient energy system that could also reduce the cost complete 200 container houses in Nuku’alofa, Prime Minister
of living for Niueans, while also bringing down greenhouse Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has also asked residents to
emissions,” Luxon said. New Zealand has also committed NZ$2 open up their private homes to visitors.
million to the Niue Ocean Wide Trust (NOW), a public-private
partnership which aims to develop a resilient blue economy
and ensure long-term ocean conservation and management. Tuvalu
Karalo Maibuca is Tuvalu’s only athlete competing in the
men’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympic Games next month.
It will be his second Olympics after competing in the 100
Palau
Palau’s minimum wage will rise from US$3.50 to US$4.25 per metres three years ago in Tokyo. Despite finishing last in his
heat during the preliminary rounds in Japan, Maibuca set a
hour, effective October 1. The increase was passed as part of new national record for Tuvalu. In Paris, he aims to improve
the Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental Budget bill, signed into law upon his Tokyo performance of 11.42 seconds. Tuvalu first
by President Surangel Whipps Jr in June. The new minimum participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Since then, the
wage will apply to all employment contracts established on or nation has sent a total of six athletes to compete in athletics
after October 1.
and weightlifting.

Papua New Guinea Vanuatu
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape, has ordered The European Commission is proposing the permanent
the audit of the Departments of Finance, National Planning, reintroduction of visa requirements for citizens of Vanuatu.
and Works and Highways. “These three key state departments “This proposal builds on the Commission’s efforts to address
have been responsible for huge disbursement of public funds irregular migration and security challenges linked to visa-free
recently. This is not to say that they are wrong, however, it is travel, in particular those deriving from investor schemes
to point out to the people that we are time bound to ensure operated by visa-free countries,” the Commission stated.
all funds are spent properly and work is being done,” said These risks include the infiltration of organised crime, money-
Marape. laundering, tax evasion and corruption. As a result of the
temporary suspension currently in place, the Commission
stated nationals of Vanuatu require a visa in order to travel to
EU countries for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-period).
Samoa The final deadline of the temporary suspension is August 3,
An entity to look into corrupt practices in the Samoa
government will be set up soon as the first National Anti- 2024.

Islands Business,June/Juy 2024 7