[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 16 May 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "With the greater immediacy of radio news, VBTC had the biggest story at noon today ... The government's post-cyclone Pam Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan was outlined late Friday to the development donor partners and media. This was to highlight wha" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 16 May 2015 by bobmakin With the greater immediacy of radio news, VBTC had the biggest story at noon today ... The government's post-cyclone Pam Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan was outlined late Friday to the development donor partners and media. This was to highlight what government wants to be noted as priorities. United Nations agencies, and other international funding bodies like the Asian Development Bank, were present. Prime Minister Natuman observed that the people of Vanuatu trust the government to work with all such agencies for reconstruction. Donor partners were also told that the country still very much relies on their assistance. "Essential is a common understanding and commitment to prioritize the activities," PM Natuman said. He emphasized that the government must make use of its systems in place for the management of recovery funds. Responsibility for recovery management will be with the ministries of government and donor assistance will need to support this objective. Donor partners gave their responses to the government plan. The Australian Government is contributing 184 million vatu for renovation of schools, to top up maintenance money for Shefa and Tafea schools following damage reports. Daily Post has announced the gazetting of the honorary citizenship plan. People granted this as part of the economic rehabilitation plan will be entitled to hold a Vanuatu passport but there are strict limitations on the privileges this will provide for a payment of around VT 13 million. Political involvement is prohibited. Daily Post also carries a photo of government leaders celebrating a year in office and a long unattributed (other than by "staff reporter") article on recruitment irregularities at the VNPF. In addition the Marobe urban land claim dismissal by the Appeal Court is detailed. bobmakin | May 16, 2015 at 3:38 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-C5 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1A5B53w Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 15 May 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Not a lot in the papers yesterday or today (and thus no Digest yesterday), but we do have two interesting Appeal Court judgements. Yesterday Post had the loss to Gilbert Dinh of Urelapa Island off South Santo where Dinh was to build a resort. An airstrip " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 15 May 2015 by bobmakin Not a lot in the papers yesterday or today (and thus no Digest yesterday), but we do have two interesting Appeal Court judgements. Yesterday Post had the loss to Gilbert Dinh of Urelapa Island off South Santo where Dinh was to build a resort. An airstrip and jetty were constructed and a tank positioned. Silver Holdings had acquired an indefeasible title after a 2006 forfeiture by the Valuer-General back to the lessor as represented by the Pamavari family. Today Post brings us the Appeal Court ruling on the appeal of Marianne Bani, who had filled an interim position at the Vanuatu National Council of Women. "The grounds of appeal which question the validity of Mrs Bani's appointment and her entitlement to be remunerated are totally without substance," said the court. Yesterday's Post also had more information concerning the cyclone resistant houses being built on Ifira land. Commercial partners from Korea, Thailand and the United States are involved in the project. Other models from the Round House at Freshwater to the Erakor Half-road area have been seen previously. Following cyclone Pam, the main government consideration for maintenance must be given to roofing. Vanuatu Times "in its findings" discovers that VT 2 billion will be needed to "repair government houses". Later in the story, however, this figure is given as the amount needed for "replacement of such dwellings". With quite solid properties (such as around Independence Park) needing only new timber and glass work, government must establish fully professional estimates for such work on each house before deciding to sell off the asset to new citizens or business partners. Australia has reduced aid to Indonesia and various other countries, but not to Vanuatu the Post reveals today. bobmakin | May 15, 2015 at 10:07 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-C4 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1cBSTIg Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 13 May 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Radio Vanuatu today carries further news of CIIP applicants with criminal records and whose applications have not been accepted by the Citizenship Commission which undertook the due diligence not carried out by the Hong Kong CIIP agents. "We cannot c" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 13 May 2015 by bobmakin Radio Vanuatu today carries further news of CIIP applicants with criminal records and whose applications have not been accepted by the Citizenship Commission which undertook the due diligence not carried out by the Hong Kong CIIP agents. "We cannot compromise our national identity just for the sake of raising revenue," said Public Relations Officer Kiery Manassah. The ineligible applications were all made in Hong Kong. "People wanting citizenship must be good citizens," Manassah said, insisting that agencies in Hong Kong carry out proper checking. "We cannot allow people with criminal connections to enter." The President of the Green Confederation who is also Leader of the Opposition says he agrees that Port Vila MP Jean-Yves Chabod moves out from the Greens to the Vanuatu National Development Party, VNDP, headed by Christophe Emelee. to stand for Port Vila in 2016. Carcasses confirmed the move following a meeting of those involved. Tafea Province has agreed that timber cutting may resume on Erromango, VBTC reported this morning. Daily Post today starts with a magnificent artist's impression of the seafront of Port Vila, the curve from behind the library to the Grand. This marks the closure on Friday of tenders for the upper wharf road and seafront. This is part of the Vanuatu Tourism Infrastructure Project greatly supported by New Zealand. One about which we will all want to learn more is broached by Daily Post today. It is the launch of cyclone resistant homes on Ifira land as part of the re-birthmof the National Housing Corporation. This has just taken place. bobmakin | May 13, 2015 at 12:13 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-C0 Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1QHxGvG Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 13 May 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Radio Vanuatu today carries further news of CIIP applicants with criminal records and whose applications have not been accepted by the Citizenship Commission which undertook the due diligence not carried out by the Hong Kong CIIP agents. "We cannot c" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 13 May 2015 by bobmakin Radio Vanuatu today carries further news of CIIP applicants with criminal records and whose applications have not been accepted by the Citizenship Commission which undertook the due diligence not carried out by the Hong Kong CIIP agents. "We cannot compromise our national identity just for the sake of raising revenue," said Public Relations Officer Kiery Manassah. The ineligible applications were all made in Hong Kong. "People wanting citizenship must be good citizens," Manassah said, insisting that agencies in Hong Kong carry out proper checking. "We cannot allow people with criminal connections to enter." The President of the Green Confederation who is also Leader of the Opposition says he agrees that Port Vila MP Jean-Yves Chabod moves out from the Greens to the Vanuatu National Development Party, VNDP, headed by Christophe Emelee. to stand for Port Vila in 2016. Carcasses confirmed the move following a meeting of those involved. Tafea Province has agreed that timber cutting may resume on Erromango, VBTC reported this morning. Daily Post today starts with a magnificent artist's impression of the seafront of Port Vila, the curve from behind the library to the Grand. This marks the closure on Friday of tenders for the upper wharf road and seafront. This is part of the Vanuatu Tourism Infrastructure Project greatly supported by New Zealand. One about which we will all want to learn more is broached by Daily Post today. It is the launch of cyclone resistant homes on Ifira land as part of the re-birthmof the National Housing Corporation. This has just taken place. bobmakin | May 13, 2015 at 11:40 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-BZ Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1JG8v8y Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 12 May 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Daily Post today reveals the CIIP process has produced some 3 people out of more than ten applicants with unacceptable criminal records. The procedure requiring Hong Kong police clearance is said to have shown up discrepancies in the check mechanisms empl" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 12 May 2015 by bobmakin Daily Post today reveals the CIIP process has produced some 3 people out of more than ten applicants with unacceptable criminal records. The procedure requiring Hong Kong police clearance is said to have shown up discrepancies in the check mechanisms employed by CIIP. The findings have been made by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit and were prompted by the Citizenship Office in carrying out due diligence in the matter. Operating an illegal gambling business in the US, embezzlement and working for a narcotics organisation are amongst the crimes of the three already discovered and all are charged with financial crimes. The findings oblige further scrutiny of the controversial CIIP programme, Post advises. Successful applicants are allowed Vanuatu passports as "investors". Constitutional amendments to enable dual citizenship were said to have been made to cater for the decision of an earlier government to facilitate the CIIP Programme. The World Bank is providing USD 59.5 million for safer air travel in Vanuatu. A Vanuatu Aviation Investment Project is expected to deliver sector reform, upgrades to runways, improved terminal infrastructure and air traffic control management. The urgent runway rehabilitation of Bauerfield is included in the work to be provided. The aviation regulator's role will be strengthened along with aviation institutions. An Aviation Master Plan is to be developed and an Aviation Sector Strategy. Training, too, will be included in the project, Post reports. Government is going to assist repairs post-Pam on the Malvatumauri chiefs' nakamal. The Chairman of the organisation, Seni Mao Tirsupe, is calling on island chiefs to provide traditional materials for the repair work. bobmakin | May 12, 2015 at 10:15 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-BY Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1zUeWEN Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 11 May 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Appeal Court rules in favour of the 16 MPs clearly states Daily Post today. This was the response to the Speaker's appeal in the case won by the 16 who were alleged to have accepted bribes. That matter has not been adjudicated by the courts yet and th" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 11 May 2015 by bobmakin The Appeal Court rules in favour of the 16 MPs clearly states Daily Post today. This was the response to the Speaker's appeal in the case won by the 16 who were alleged to have accepted bribes. That matter has not been adjudicated by the courts yet and the police investigation continues. The Appeal Court pointed out the supremacy of the Constitution where national sovereignty is concerned and that this document enshrines the belief that all persons must be presumed innocent until proven guilty of any offence in a court of law. No misconduct had been proven and therefore the earlier judgement of Justice Saksak was upheld. Each party is to bear his own costs. Daily Post today also had the Appeal Court judgements listed for all the other cases before it in this first session. There will be a further session in July and certain cases have been set back to that time. Radio Vanuatu News had the Electoral Commission's Martin Tete explaining a number of the changes planned for the Luganville elections in July. There will be chairs reserved for women. Political parties will need to give a priority to their candidates in a listing. Independent candidacy will still be allowed. There will be considerable awareness given by the Commission for Luganville voters., Chief Lazare Asal has been appointed the new Director of the Vanuatu Kaljerol Senta. He is currently the chair person of the Penama Port Vila Council of Chiefs. Post reports Asal received his first schooling at Baie Barrier, then Lolopuepue and Lololima near Montmartre. After theological studies in Fiji he played a key role in directing Catholic vocational schools. Asal coming from South Pentecost may well soon need to make recommendations concerning the Nagol custom land dive ownership. bobmakin | May 11, 2015 at 3:07 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-BV Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1zV6vJG Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 9 May 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Government has within the last few days issued press releases relating to cyclone Pam and recovery which deserve close study. These are attached herewith. Mobilising funds.pdf Recovery Plan.pdf" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 9 May 2015 by bobmakin Government has within the last few days issued press releases relating to cyclone Pam and recovery which deserve close study. These are attached herewith. Mobilising funds.pdf Recovery Plan.pdf bobmakin | May 9, 2015 at 1:37 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-BR Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Vanuatu Daily Digest. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://ift.tt/1cxAXzo Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

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