Page 34 - Islands Business March 2023

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Litia Lui

Aisea Tamoepeau Lord Fakafanua Maryanne Hasola

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Tonga’s parliamentary Speaker, Lord Sir Kostas Constantinou has retired the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific
Fakafanua, is the first Pacific Islander as Chairman of the BSP Financial Group Studies, a world-class centre for
to be elected into the board of the after 13 years serving at the Bank. He interdisciplinary research about the
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum has been replaced by Robert Bradshaw, Pacific region.
of Young Parliamentarians. Fakafanua who is also current chairman of Post
said his election guarantees that PNG Ltd. Russell Tamata has resumed his
pressing issues such as climate change role as Director General of Vanuatu’s
can be heard at the international Tonga’s first Ombudsman, Aisea Ministry of Youth and Sports. He was
parliamentary fora. Taumoepeau has retired from the temporarily transferred to the Ministry
role, after nine years of service. Alisi of Health due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Samoan Associate Professor Taumoepeau will be serving as interim Judith Melsul, the Human Resource
Tuifa’asisina Patila Amosa is the first Ombudsman until June this year. Manager for MOH, has been appointed
female Vice-Chancellor and President as the Acting DG for Health.
of the National University of Samoa Palau President Surangel Whipps
(NUS). She takes over the position Jr. has terminated Ismael Aguon as Two new directors have been
held by Aiono Alec Ekeroma, who was the Director of the Bureau of Public appointed to the Fiji National Provident
appointed recently as new Director Safety without citing any reasons for Fund — veteran trade unionist Attar
General of Health. termination. Aguon was sworn in as Singh and business executive Joe Taoi.
Director in March 2021. They replace Sanjay Kaba and Joel
Solomon Islands’ High Court has a new Abraham, who have resigned from the
Puisne Judge — Ronald Bei Talasasa Former Tourism minister Patrick Board.
Jnr, who hails from Munda, Western Arioka, former secretary of Education
Province. He was the former Director of Sharyn Paio, and businessman Arama Lita Lui has been appointed as Chief
Prosecutions in Nauru. Wichman have joined the Cook Islands’ Executive Officer at the Samoa Chamber
Investment Corporation (CIIC) Board. of Commerce following the resignation
The new Permanent Representative of of Lemauga Hobart Va’ai earlier this
Tuvalu to the United Nations, Tapugao Bougainville Copper Ltd has elected year.
Falefou, has presented his credentials Maryanne Hasola as an independent
to UN Secretary-General António non-executive director. She has more Umarji Musa and Tupou’tuah
Guterres. than 23 years’ experience in accounting Baravilala have tendered their
and auditing while working for the PNG resignation from the Board of
Northern Marianas Governor Internal Revenue Commission. Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH).
Arnold I. Palacios has named former Their replacements were yet to be
Speaker Oscar M. Babauta as the new Professor Steven Ratuva has named as we went to press.
Special Assistant for Administration. been selected as the University of
Babuta served as speaker of the 15th Canterbury’s inaugural Te Amorangi Lautimuia Uelese Vaai has been
Legislature. Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific. He heads sworn in as Samoa’s newest Member

34 Islands Business, March 2023