PACIFIC BRIEFS: SOLOMONS NEW PM LAUNCHES POLICIES

SOLOMON ISLANDS – The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is launching his government’s Policy Framework today.

50 days since his election as prime minister, Sogavare says he is pleased the policy launch will be broadcast live to allow all citizens to hear his intentions for the country. He says his government will be convening an economic summit after Parliament’s passage of the 2015 Budget to discuss with Solomon Islands development partners and stakeholders to see how best they can work together. Sogavare says his government is determined to bring about the change that Solomon Islanders have been longing for.

VILLAGE DEMANDS PAYOUT OVER KILLINGS

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s police commissioner says an investigation is underway into a police shooting at a Port Moresby market, and has promised that those responsible will face justice. The city’s metropolitian superintendent has also met with elders of Hanuabada village, who have demanded US$4 million compensation for the killings. A police spokesperson, Dominic Kakas, says the investigation team has already interviewed a number of family members and witnesses. He says it appears the shootings occured when national capital district reservists stormed the market to disperse betel nut vendors and the two men died in subsequent clashes. A road block through the village remains in place, and Kakas says police are respecting a ban that has been placed on police officers from entering Hanuabada.

TONGAN ERUPTION REPORTED AS ‘OVER’

TONGA – Authorities in Tonga say the volcanic eruption which created new land and which had been active for around five weeks is now over. The new volcano in the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai region, 65 kilometres northwest of Nuku’alofa, was visited over the weekend by the naval vessel Neiafu. There is no sign of any emissions of ash, gas or steam coming from the vent of the newly formed land mass. The new land mass is about 120 metres high awith a width of between 1.5 and two kilometres. It has joined with Hunga Ha’apai and is about 200 meters short of Hunga Tonga. All land in the area was covered by dark coloured ash from the eruption and now the sediments have changed into lighter colours due to oxidation.

NEW TUNA CANNERY OFFICIALLY OPENED

AMERICAN SAMOA – A new cannery, Samoa Tuna Processors, has opened in American Samoa, which is expected to create about 2,00 jobs. The high-tech facility is a US$70 million investment by the parent company Tri Marine International. The cannery is fully air conditioned and the owners say it will not smell because it will have a filter of coconut husks that will absorb odours. 300 workers have been hired and at full production the cannery will have 2000 employees Production has been delayed till the second week of February because key components of the plant have been delayed by a shipping strike on the US West Coast. The Governor Lolo Moliga and the President of Tri Marine International Renato Curto took part in cleaning fish as part of the official opening.

VILLAGE IN VANUATU TO GET A SEA WALL

VANUATU – A British scientist is in a tiny village on Emau Island in Vanuatu to scope a new project to build a sea wall. Dr David Lees, a consultant with the Department of Public Works, will work with engineers to ensure the village is defended from raging sea waters that threaten the village and its agricultural land. The island, close to the north coast of Efate, will receive a 400-metre sea wall and a jetty for visitors coming and going from Wiana village. Dr Lees says the wall is an answer to the villagers’ prayers, and will be a model for other villages around Vanuatu to follow.