Page 8 - Islands Business October 2022

Whispers Whispers

PNG’s big bills Non-Governmental Organisations Guam’s PIF bid
Papua New Guinea government offices (SUNGO) has called for a review of The suggestion that Guam may seek
have been able to move back into their how women are encouraged to stand to join the Pacific Islands Forum has
premises after temporarily being locked for office during general elections, raised a few eyebrows. It comes as
out over non-payment of rent, but the saying removal of the 10% quota is a Kiribati remains outside the political
matter had to go to court for that to “pathway” for women in Samoa to grouping, and other Micronesian
happen. The National Court ordered enter parliament. Tuilaepa said he was members continue to work through
locks be removed from four premises ‘appalled’ by the suggestion, which has the fine print of their continued
while the national government agreed proved to be divisive for Samoan voters engagement. There are concerns that
to pay another rent instalment of K30 and women’s advocacy groups. having Guam at the table would give
million (US$8.5 million) to its landlords, the United States disproportionate
Nambawan Supa Limited. The agencies FSM’s Robo-champs access and influence over Forum
affected included the Department Students form Pohnpei competing in deliberations. Historically, similar
of Finance, Department of Treasury, an international robotics competition in concerns have been aired over France’s
Department of Lands, Department of Switzerland had a very successful outing influence via New Caledonia and French
National Planning and Internal Revenue despite a few hiccups returning with Polynesia. Guam’s Lieutenant Governor
Commission. Rent still due amounts the title “First among small countries”. Josh Tenorio said, “We have, in Guam, a
to K90 million (US$25 million) and the The Pohnpei Island Central School very big desire to be part of discussions
government has undertaken to pay it (PICS) students competed at the FIRST that are going to promote regionalism.”
in instalments. Nambawan says the Global International Robotics Challenge,
arrears accrued over three years, and where the challenge was to build Bougainville tension
“have already impacted the returns for collaboratively using robotics to address The visit by Australia’s deputy PM
members causing fewer funds available climate change issues. They overcame to PNG, Richard Marles, raised a red
to reinvest and grow.” Prime Minister their own challenges to do so; the flag for the Autonomous Bougainville
James Marape has suggested that a long- carefully crafted robot, built and government (ABG), which accused him
term solution may be for government to customised by the PICS team, was lost of “veiled threats” over the future of
buy the premises it occupies outright. in the connecting flights from Pohnpei Bougainville. Responding to questions
Meanwhile, local media reported that to Switzerland. The students managed from journalists, Marles noted that they
the government owes PNG Power to get a new robot and build it up to will stand behind PNG Prime Minister
Limited around K90 million (US$25.6 the approved competition standards. James Marape: “Our job is to support
million) in unsettled power bills. They returned home to water cannons Papua New Guinea. And that’s what
saluting their plane as it landed, and we’re going to do.” ABG president,
Terminated and appalled a cheering group of dignitaries and Ishmael Toroama, was livid, saying it
The fallout from Samoa’s acrimonious students waiting for them off the showed Australia was no longer neutral
election continues, with the government runway. on the issue. “It has become clear
terminating the term for the President now why our requests for resources
of the Lands and Titles Court, Fepuleai MTC’s lucrative Nauru gig and assistance for independence
Atila Ropati after the Head of State The American company now running preparatory related activities such as
re-assented the Lands and Titles Court Australia’s offshore processing regime the Bougainville Constitutional Planning
Act 2020. The court and its powers were in Nauru will be paid more than Commission have been ignored,”
one of the pivotal issues of the election. US$750,000 per day for administering Toroama continued. Marles later stated
Local media reports that the Land and “garrison and welfare services” to the that there had been no change in
Titles Court matters have been on hold remaining 111 refugees and asylum Australia’s policy, and it would support
for almost a year due to uncertainty seekers on the island. Management “whatever political settlement is agreed
over the status of its leadership and and Training Corporation (MTC) was by the parties”, but the wounds of the
judges. Meanwhile, now-suspended Lepa controversially awarded the US$30 Bougainville war and Australia’s role in
MP and former PM, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele million contract earlier this year. MTC the conflict are clearly easily reopened.
Malielegaoi has criticised suggestions runs prisons and immigration detention
from an umbrella CSO body to repeal centres in America. Fukushima fallout
Samoa’s 10% women MP parliamentary China has threatened to step up
quota provision. Samoa Umbrella for regulations on food products imported

8 Islands Business, October 2022