Page 6 - IB January 2023

Briefs Briefs

American Samoa French Polynesia
American Samoa’s Commerce Department has awarded Rescue Prison inmates in French Polynesia have doubled compared
Plan Act funds to support preparations for future public health to mainland France. Figures from the French justice ministry
emergencies. The American Samoa Telecommunications for December show that for every 1000 inhabitants, 1.9 are in
Authority was awarded US$2.8m for immediate repairs to jail, compared to one per 1000 in France. It also shows that
the Manu’a submarine fiber optic cable and US$3.35m for Tahiti’s Nuutania prison continues to be overcrowded despite
5G network upgrades while BlueSky was awarded $3.35m to calls to improve the conditions. A lawyer, Thibaud Millet,
further support 5G network upgrades nationwide. told Tahiti Nui TV that the large number of prison inmates
is a surprise, given that there is no organised crime, and no
firearms are in circulation.
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
Marianas’ Governor Arnold I. Palacios has asked the appointed
members of 12 autonomous government boards and Guam
commissions to resign. These include the Commonwealth The government of Guam has exceeded its target revenue
Ports Authority, the Marianas Visitors Authority and others. by more than US$29 million in the first three months of fiscal
In his memorandum, the governor thanked them for their year 2023 while also having nearly US$246 million left in
service, but added that he and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang are federal American Rescue Plan funding as of December 31.
“dedicated to making fresh and meaningful changes that will Senators projected US$240 million in tax revenue for the
help to rebuild trust and confidence, and guide our CNMI into first quarter of fiscal 2023, but GovGuam ended up collecting
a brighter future.” 12.13% more. “This can be an indicator of recovery but we
shouldn’t consider this to be a pass to start appropriating
excess revenues,” Senator Joe Agustin said.
Cook Islands
Over 121,954 visitors arrived in the Cook Islands in 2022,
recording an increase of 305.42% since 2020, the nation’s Kiribati
finance and economic management ministry says. Last A new study has found the Phoenix Islands Protected Area
month, total arrivals were 10,914, most of them visitors from (PIPA) in Kiribati had a negligible impact on the conservation
New Zealand. Tourism operators have been advised by the of skipjack and bigeye tuna. The paper’s co-author, Kaon
government to use the down time to prepare for the pickup Tiamere of Kiribati’s Ministry of Fisheries, said the Ministry
ahead of the busy season, which starts in April. had been concerned that over the past eight years, the PIPA
closure to fishing had negatively impacted Kiribati foreign
tuna vessel licence fee revenue, which is a crucial source of
income. The Kiribati Government decided to re-open the area
Federated States of Micronesia
The people of the FSM have been warned of increased U.S. to tuna fishing at the time of printing.
jets fly-overs and anti-aircraft missile firing in the coming
years. “These exercises will be increasing in frequency over
the next several years and while they are ultimately in our Marshall Islands
national interest and in the interest of the nation’s security – The United States and the Marshall Islands signed a
of which the U.S. is our indisputable guardian – it is important Memorandum of Understanding on January 11 as part of the
that our citizens know about them well in advance so that our Compact of Free Association negotiations. Marshall Islands’
people do not see these activities and immediately fear the Insular Office stated it affirms their close and continuing
worst,” President Panuelo explained in a recent address.
partnership and reflects shared understanding reached on
levels and types of future U.S. assistance to be requested
by the Republic for the next two decades. Marianas Variety
Fiji reports that the Marshall Islands will receive US$700 million
Fiji’s Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been suspended over four years under the memorandum that it signed, but
on full pay on the advice of the Constitutional Services that amount would cover only one-fifth of a 20-year compact
Commission (COC). Other significant changes post-election extension.
have seen the Public Service Commission announce a reshuffle
and cessation of contracts of some permanent secretary
roles. The CEO of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation has
had his role terminated by the FBC’s newly appointed board. Nauru
Prisons Commissioner Francis Kean has also been suspended. The Nauru government has recommended the use of face

6 Islands Business, January 2023