[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 1 September 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Sixteen Members of Parliament are in the Supreme Court to answer the charges of bribery tomorrow. Their pleas will be given then. Further investigations are expected according to this week's Vila Times. Daily Post today has "more MPs may become Prose" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 1 September 2015 by bobmakin Sixteen Members of Parliament are in the Supreme Court to answer the charges of bribery tomorrow. Their pleas will be given then. Further investigations are expected according to this week's Vila Times. Daily Post today has "more MPs may become Prosecution witnesses." VBTC has signed an intention for a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese equipment supply company. The full MOA is to be signed this month. The move is intended to extend terrestrial TV availability throughout the Vanuatu islands on cell phones. The company will fund and supply all the equipment and programme material needed, VBTC News said yesterday. The project should be completed by May next year. Many will wonder at the overall value of such a service when VBTC technical facilities and Vanuatu's mobile telephone providers gave such a poor showing at the time of cyclone Pam. Ensuring proper disaster warning and advisory information should surely be considered a greatest responsibility for the national broadcaster. Head of State Fr Baldwin Lonsdale is pressing for a Vanuatu Christian Council representation in the Electoral College to choose a head of state in future. Such a representative would join the politicians from Parliament and the regional assemblies. The President's campaign will continue. (VBTC) Today Radio Vanuatu News is covering the supply of more cyclone-resistant planting material for certain varieties of food crops. This may well be of immense value in future and the Digest will report more later. Daily Post yesterday reported Education Minister Alfred Carlot promising a monthly increase to teachers' housing allowances, from VT 15,000 to VT 25,000. This follows a petition of teachers and much more news is bound to result as "illegal salaries" and planned re-structuring are addressed. Daily Post today details an alleged illegal handling of the IRU agreement between the Government and Interchange, the company operating our cable link. It is said the Government's Chief Information Office (OGCIO) is improperly selling band width and charges may well have to be increased in future. Ninety days has been allowed for resolution of the problem. Kenneth Natapei, son of the late Leader of the Opposition, will stand in the by-election to choose a replacement for his father. He will do so as a Vanua'aku Pati candidate. bobmakin | September 1, 2015 at 11:07 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-DD 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/1Jt7PCs Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

from Gmail
via IFTTT

[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 29 August 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Vanuatu Cultural Council has decided to suspend three staff members of the national museum and terminate one, despite their case being lodged with the Vanuatu National Workers' Union. The Chairman of the union, Ambong Thompson, told Radio Vanuatu News" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 29 August 2015 by bobmakin The Vanuatu Cultural Council has decided to suspend three staff members of the national museum and terminate one, despite their case being lodged with the Vanuatu National Workers' Union. The Chairman of the union, Ambong Thompson, told Radio Vanuatu News yesterday the decision was unfair. One staff member was terminated without disciplinary warning. Thompson said the Board of the Cultural Council failed to observe the proper requirements for a suspension. It was earlier observed by museum friends that the appointments to the new Board were improperly carried out. A regional Climate Change adaptation and resilience support programme depending on information sharing and offered by an Australian university has had the support of ni-Vanuatu stake-holders. The Australian Government is financing the programme which is assisted by SPREP, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga which share their information on climate change as appropriate. The aim is to build a data base concerning climate change, Radio Vanuatu reported today. Marokon Alilee, Director of Trade, pointed out at the opening of the Trade Fair this week that Vanuatu has people with considerable talent for production, but we produce less than other Pacific island countries. PM Kilman spoke of the need to ensure maintenance of projects undertaken and the high cost of this to budgets, VBTC reported. The Trade Fair has learned Maskelynes coconut oil and soap made from it have been helpful to children there in avoiding skin diseases. Daily Post yesterday observed that the Government still recognises Remy Kunuan as the head of the Vanuatu Fishermen's Association, despite news given by Post the day before. Daily Post today begins with the launch of the Vanuatu Infrastructure Strategic Investment Plan. This includes the urban development in the two big towns and the East Coast road on Malekula. Vanuatu Times' present issue tells readers of the early death of the founder of the Vanuatu Green Confederation Party, Gilles Daniel, at the age of only 46. bobmakin | August 29, 2015 at 1:13 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-DC 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/1N1G7mF Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

from Gmail
via IFTTT

[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 28 August 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Some of the things you missed whilst the Digest was away ... The Port Vila By-election will be held on October 15 at the usual 12 polling stations. This is the election to find a successor to the late Edward Nipake Natapei, MP. The Chairman of the Elect" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 28 August 2015 by bobmakin Some of the things you missed whilst the Digest was away ... The Port Vila By-election will be held on October 15 at the usual 12 polling stations. This is the election to find a successor to the late Edward Nipake Natapei, MP. The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, John Taleo, has participated in a meeting in the Dominican Republic to discuss the integrity of elections in various countries, including Pacific Island States. And Transparency Vanuatu's (TIV's) member Evelyne Toa has attended a UN Convention Against Corruption meeting in Tonga as President of the media association, MAV. Radio Vanuatu News yesterday reported the decisions of Justice Sey in the Bribery Case. A fuller report is given in today's Daily Post. The Supreme Court trial will proceed from 2 September. The Digest gave a summary of yesterday's hearing yesterday. Wednesday Daily Post reported the Fishermen's Association electing a new president to replace Remy Kunuan. The new head of their organisation is James Terry, and he is assisted by Maurice Kelly. The former president was accused of lack of cooperation with the members. The design of the billion vatu Malapoa College renewal project was completed a week ago after discussions in China between a Vanuatu ministerial delegation and the China Northeast Architectural Institute Co Ltd. The project embraces 24 classrooms and eight science laboratories. (Daily Post) Daily Post on Tuesday also had the Prime Minister on his visit to India encouraging Indian businessmen to invest in Vanuatu. Interest by potential Indian investors was subsequently expressed in the fields of tourism, hospitality, agriculture, education and health. The United Nations Development Programme is presently providing materials for 6 community centres in the Shepherds, Post reports. The work will be undertaken by local builders with support from PWD, says Post. All media have drawn attention to the Vanuatu National Trade Fair taking place at the Seafront. As well as locally produced goods, local performers will demonstrate their talents. The Agriculture Minister, Christopher Emilee, has promised a science laboratory building at the Vanuatu Agricultural College at Chapuis, Santo. The Training Centre's building will be transformed for the purpose, Daily Post reports today. ============== The reason for the short absence of the Digest was an allegation from the Prime Minister's Office that I had incorrectly reported. I have since apologized to Prime Minister Kilman as follows: Dear Hon. Prime Minister, I wish to sincerely apologise for failure to check the alleged facts to which the media statement issuing from your PRO yesterday clearly refers. My apology would simply add that the Vanuatu Daily News Digest is just a free of charge, online summary of the issues being reported in electronic, print and social media for the benefit of ni-Vanuatu overseas - students and RSE workers, along with former residents. And I always quote my sources so that readers of my newsblog can check for themselves if any item might matter particularly to them. I do not have the resources to be checking all news items, but long experience in and of Vanuatu journalism has generally reliably informed me when doubtful matters arise. I sincerely apologise in seeming to be showing a particular political standpoint. However it cannot be denied that in most countries the Fourth Estate tends to prefer reporting what the Opposition has to say on the performance of any Government, more than what the Government is actually doing, which is generally just getting on with the business of running the country. I did not myself seek to demean you in the granting of the citizenship: I was simply reporting what the Opposition said. And as regards the alleged COM discussion of deportation of a judge, I knew, as did most of the population, that you were not here at the time. You were in India. Hon. Prime Minister, herewith you have my apology, sincerely given, Bob Makin bobmakin | August 28, 2015 at 11:09 am | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-DB 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/1i5HTpO Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

from Gmail
via IFTTT

[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Bribery Case

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "The Vanuatu Daily News Digest has not been offered during the last few days. It is back. The Bribery Case this morning ... Justice Mary Sey remained as firm this morning as previously highlighted in the media. "Nobody is above the law," Justice" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | Bribery Case by bobmakin The Vanuatu Daily News Digest has not been offered during the last few days. It is back. The Bribery Case this morning ... Justice Mary Sey remained as firm this morning as previously highlighted in the media. "Nobody is above the law," Justice Sey rightly observed in respect of one leader's particular requests through his counsel. Justice Sey saw sufficient relevance of Sections 21 (acceptance of loans) and 23 (bribery) to trigger prosecution under the Leadership Code Act. She observed that punishment might involve a fine not exceeding five million vatu or imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years. The judge also saw it as entirely appropriate for the Public Prosecutor handling the Preliminary Inquiry, John William Timakata, to handle the prosecution of the persons accused depite the defence attempting to have the recently appointed new Public Prosecutor process the case. The case proceeds in the Supreme Court on 2 September for pleas to be heard. The same bail conditions apply to the 16 MPs and Thomas Bayer. bobmakin | August 27, 2015 at 3:17 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-DA 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/1PV5BQX Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

from Gmail
via IFTTT

Google Alert - Melanesia

Melanesia Weekly update ⋅ August 26, 2015 NEWS Radio Australia Pig farming i helpim ol Melanesian pipal Radio Australia Pik olsem yumi save em i bikpela samting tumas long laip blong yumi ol pipol long Melanesia. Image: Close up of pigs on a pig farm in Colombia in ... Flag as irrelevant See more results | Edit this alert You have received this email because you have subscribed to Google Alerts. Unsubscribe | View all your alerts Receive this alert as RSS feed Send Feedback

from Gmail
via IFTTT

[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 24 August 2015

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "It has been a weekend without any big news as such, but now we have Yumi Toktok Stret telling us ... ... Last week Gov't Cabinet (COM) discussed options to deport the judge in the Bribery Case, Justice Sey. "Cabinet was divided over the issue. The a" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 24 August 2015 by bobmakin It has been a weekend without any big news as such, but now we have Yumi Toktok Stret telling us ... ... Last week Gov't Cabinet (COM) discussed options to deport the judge in the Bribery Case, Justice Sey. "Cabinet was divided over the issue. The action was itself contempt of court. If it had been the case, YTS says, 18 MPs would have been arrested then. Now 3 MPs will be witness, many more attempting to switch sides. Looks like the end of the day one or two persons my end up in Jail or be deported." (YTS) Thursday sees finalisation of most submissions. The YTS information sounds realistic and suggests more MPs and possibly ministers will turn to supporting evidence already to hand in the Preliminary Inquiry. Up to now we have had the names of Hosea Nevu and Kalvau Moli. Vila Times today now adds in the name of one more of Cabinet rank, First Deputy Speaker Samson Samsen. Vila Times says that when Nagriamel MP John Lum was given a ministerial post, he, Samsen, defected from the then Carcasses-led Opposition side of the House to the then Natuman-led Government side. All three MPs have signed the witness documentation which will assist their indemnity from prosecution. (Vila Times) Vila Times also confirms the burning down of a restaurant at Lakatoro owned by Prime Minister Kilman's wife as likely arson, a story covered by Daily Post at the weekend. Otherwise, print and electronic media have given over a fair mount of space to the PM being in India along with all the Pacific Island leaders for the second summit of the Indian and island Pacific prime ministers. India is opening up visas for cooperation on climate changes issues, renewable energy, education and sustainable development. And another matter which has had a good many column inches and hours of radio and TV time recently is the Godzilla El Nino we are to expect. The drier than usual time is bound to continue, and worse than usual: present observations confirm this. NUP's Edwin Aprimen was elected Luganville Mayor last week. Several women councillors boycotted the elections because they knew the electoral issue was decided by men already and without the women participating. Daily Post has the women saying the gender equality preached by male politicians in Vanuatu is "lip-service." bobmakin | August 24, 2015 at 3:36 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Dz 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/1Pu6WNR Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

from Gmail
via IFTTT

[New post] Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 2nd Forum for India – Pacific Islands Cooperation

WordPress.com bobmakin posted: "Prime Minister Kilman is attending the Second Forum for India - Pacific Islands Cooperation This post appears on the Strategist today. It can be republished provided a link to the original is included (http://ift.tt/1NIPeW8" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Vanuatu Daily Digest Vanuatu Daily News Digest | 2nd Forum for India – Pacific Islands Cooperation by bobmakin Prime Minister Kilman is attending the Second Forum for India - Pacific Islands Cooperation This post appears on the Strategist today. It can be republished provided a link to the original is included (http://ift.tt/1WIfYfq) Leaders and officials of 14 Pacific Island countries will convene in Jaipur today for the 2nd Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation. The first was held last year in Fiji, in conjunction with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the G20 summit in Brisbane. Modi’s government sees increased engagement with the island countries of the Pacific as part of a wider agenda designed to enhance India’s global profile. It’s too simplistic to depict this as simply an attempt to counter the influence of China in the region, although that’s almost certainly part of the reasoning behind it. In addition, it’s part of India’s ‘Look East’ policy and an aspect of India seeking to establish its global presence. India has increased its presence in the region in recent times, and forums such as these indicate that we can expect that to continue. Unsurprisingly, India’s strongest bilateral relationship within the region is with Fiji but it’s reasonable to expect that this will provide a platform for increased engagement with other Pacific Island countries as well as regional organisations. The agenda for the Jaipur summit indicates that this engagement will be based around trade, development partnerships, people to people links and mutual support for issues of global diplomacy. In 2012, trade between India and the Pacific islands region amounted to US$228 million and the Indian government is looking for further growth. It’s somewhat surprising that the Indian financial sector isn’t more active in Papua New Guinea, given the growing demand for credit there. Whilst in India, Pacific leaders will visit one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations, the Taj Mahal, and we would expect that increasing the number of Indian tourists visiting the Pacific Islands region will also be an issue for discussion. India currently provides US$200,000 of development assistance to the each of the countries participating in the summit and is keen to promote the south–south nature of this engagement. New Delhi has experience of addressing key development challenges that affect the countries of the Pacific Island region that she can share, including combating gender-based violence, improving service delivery to rural and remote areas and disaster preparedness and recovery. There are a number of significant diplomatic issues that will inform both formal and informal interactions at this summit. India is seeking a seat on the UN Security Council and appears to have secured 11 votes from among the Pacific Island countries. And the Indian government will no doubt be using this meeting to lobby for further support in this endeavour. We can also expect the leaders of the Pacific Island region to use this opportunity to seek Indian support for their position in relation to climate change action ahead of the Paris talks later this year. Not only does India have a powerful voice in its own right, but the leaders of the Pacific should be exhorting it to exercise influence within the BRICS grouping. Related to this, but possibly more problematic from a diplomatic standpoint is the extent to which Kiribati President Anote Tong’s call for a moratorium on new coal mines can be meaningfully discussed with the Indian leadership, including their minister for coal. Of no little significance is the influence that India, as the world’s largest democracy, can bring to bear in the realm of supporting Pacific Island countries in maintaining their commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law. There are numerous instances of governments in the region adopting positions and policies that have autocratic tendencies and there are particular concerns around the state of democracy and the rule of law in Nauru. Indian politics since 1947 have proved complex, messy and, in some instances, dangerous but overall a commitment to democratic governance has prevailed and this is an opportunity for the Delhi leadership to reinforce the importance of democracy for our region. The Jaipur summit also provides Pacific leaders with an opportunity to discuss a number of issues among themselves, with a view to what they want to see as a result of next month’s Forum leaders’ meeting in Port Moresby. Fiji’s prime minister may try to enlist support from other leaders for his suggestion that the membership of the Pacific Islands Forum be changed to exclude Australia and New Zealand, although this has failed to get much traction thus far. Similarly, leaders may use this opportunity to seek to persuade PM Bainimarama to cement his country’s post-election rehabilitation by joining them in PNG in September. They could also discuss the initiatives that they can expect to have put to them following the process envisaged by the Framework for Pacific Regionalism. Of these, the one that is most politically and diplomatically sensitive is the issue of West Papua. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has already commenced lobbying for leaders to instigate a fact-finding mission to the Papuan provinces. Meetings such as these provide important opportunities for Pacific leaders to further national and regional diplomatic initiatives and they need to be utilised strategically and effectively. ends bobmakin | August 21, 2015 at 1:45 pm | Categories: The News, Digested | URL: http://wp.me/p2A4RK-Dy 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/1E8O7iH Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

from Gmail
via IFTTT