Page 7 - IB December 2024

Briefs Briefs

Nauru Samoa
Nauru President David Adeang has launched the Economic and One of the South Pacific’s most iconic hotels has reopened
Climate Resilience Citizenship Program at the 18th Global in Samoa. Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows
Citizenship Conference in Singapore. President Adeang says in Apia, has officially reopened. It has more than 500 square
Nauru does not have the luxury of time to wait for the rest of metres of events space, including a ballroom and meeting
the world to wake up to the unique and special circumstances rooms, 149 guest rooms, 23 private bungalows and three
of Nauru and other small island economies. The program suites, each with private balconies or patios with harbour
offers visa-free access to 89 destinations and addresses and pool views. Originally opened in 1933 by Samoan
financing gaps while fostering global partnerships. entrepreneur and tourism pioneer Aggie Grey, the hotel was
a meeting place for American servicemen stationed in Samoa
during World War II.

New Caledonia
The curfew in New Caledonia has been lifted. It was first Solomon Islands
brought in after riots broke out in May and has been revised A motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah
many times since. French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc Manele did not proceed this month as expected. The motion
said authorities have been able to restore public order and was introduced by Gordon Darcy Lilo, MP for Central Honiara,
New Caledonia was on the path to normalcy. but was withdrawn after Lilo confirmed that he did not have
enough support to move forward with the challenge to the
Prime Minister’s leadership, reports Tavuli News. Meanwhile,
Niue Manele’s recently announced government budget outlines an
Niue Assembly Speaker Hima Douglas says the recent anticipated deficit of SB$1.274 billion (US$148 million).
referendum has significantly improved the role of the
Parliamentary Select Committee. He says the changes mean
the Auditor-General’s office can now help the Public Accounts Tonga
Committee focus on critical issues of accountability. During Tonga’s Prime Minister has resigned ahead of an expected
the referendum, voters agreed to the change of the title of vote of no confidence in parliament. Siaosi Sovaleni
Premier to Prime Minister and the change of the name of the Hu’akavameiliku made the announcement just before a
Audit Office to the Auditor-General. motion for the vote was tabled. That motion was based on
concerns over the amount of government spending at the
recent Pacific Islands Forum meeting, the performance of
domestic airline Lulutai, and concerns over a legal case
Palau involving the country’s reserve bank. A vote for the new PM
President Surangel Whipps Jr has submitted a bill to the will be taken on December 24.
Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK), proposing a 10% salary increase for
government employees, an update to pay scales, and the
reallocation of funds for critical projects and national events. Tuvalu
“Wage compression has eroded incentives for employees to The first submarine internet cable to be landed in Tuvalu,
take on greater responsibilities or pursue specialisation,” the ‘Vaka’ cable, has arrived. The cable is set to improve
Whipps stated. He says that without adjustments, Palau connectivity, expand opportunities, and significantly reduce
risks losing skilled professionals, such as attorneys and IT internet costs in the nation.
specialists, to more competitive opportunities abroad.

Vanuatu
Papua New Guinea Vanuatu citizens can no longer travel to Europe visa-free.
Prime Minister James Marape has announced plans to partially Controversy over its citizenship by investment program means
privatise PNG Power. “We are sick of this monster that it is the first country to ever lose this access following a vote
continues to burden and hold us down… it has continued to in the European Parliament. In the explanatory note on the
operate in a public service mindset for so long,” Marape told vote, rapporteur Paulo Cunha said that this is not a step the
the audience at an investment conference in Australia this EU took lightly. “It is both proportionate and justified by
month. “The state [will maintain] substantial interest, but a the inadequate cooperation of the Republic of Vanuatu and
private partner [will] come in with management rights,” he the need to protect European borders from a threat of this
further explained. As yet, there is no timeline for the change. scale.”

Islands Business, December 2024 7