Latest news with #JeremiahManele
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 19 June
Papua New Guinea - mining The mining company New Porgera is celebrating achieving its production targets, despite the impact of continuing lawlessness and a devastating landslide in the region. The new company, run by Barrick Gold, but with a significant PNG Government shareholding, replaced the former company after a lease dispute shut it down for more than three years. The Porgera region of Enga Province experienced the devastating Mulitaka landslide, which claimed many lives and shut the main road link out of the district. There have also been extensive law and order issues that resulted in a state of emergency being implemented, and dozens of arrests being made, many for illegal mining within the mine pit. Samoa - election Samoa's Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Stanley says approximately 30 percent of voter registrations are still pending with just over two weeks to go. As of Tuesday night, the count of registered voters reached 81,280, aiming for a target of 117,225 based on eligibility numbers from the last election. The total overseas registrations amount to 201, with 183 of those still incomplete, leaving 18 who have successfully completed their registrations, including their biometric details. Samoa's election will be held on 29 August and the last day to register to vote is 3 July. Fiji - health Fiji is reviewing some of its health legislation, including the more than 100-year-old Burial and Cremation Act of 1911. The Ministry of Health & Medical Services said the move aims to align existing legislation with contemporary health challenges and improve public health services. Other acts under review include the Public Health Act of 1935, the Nursing Act, the Quarantine Act 1965, and the Radiation Health Act of 2009. After the review is completed within the ministry, it will be carried out among Government and local stakeholders, international partners, and the general public. Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands Prime Minister has called for stronger global support for small island developing states (SIDS) at the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Austria. Jeremiah Manele arrived in Vienna at the weekend after attending the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where he joined global leaders in advancing international cooperation on ocean protection and sustainable marine resource management. In his opening address in Vienna he highlighted the challenges SIDS face. "We call for innovative solutions, including debt-relief solutions," he said. "Moreover I call for climate finance that is fast, predictable and tailored to the needs of small island developing states - not entangled in bureaucracy."
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Tuvalu calls for sea level rise treaty at UN Oceans Conference
Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN Tuvalu prime minister Feleti Teo has called for an international treaty on sea level rise at the UN Oceans Conference in France . Speaking to delegates in Nice, Teo said the ocean is critical to his country's economy, culture and survival. He said he supports the UN Secretary-General's call for all nations to deliver on the 1.5 degrees Celsius promise in order to halt the rate of sea level rise. "In that regard, Tuvalu calls for the development of an international treaty on sea level rise, to enshrine the legal rights of affected states and people, including the principles of statehood continuity and the permanency of maritime boundary," he said. "For Tuvalu, building the resilience and adaptability of our coastlines against the impact of sea level rise is our top adaptation program." Solomon Islands prime minister Jeremiah Manele used his speech to condemn the pursuit of deep sea mining in the Pacific. Addressing delegates in Nice, Manele said his country has placed a moratorium on deep sea prospecting and mining. He said the world's oceans face three planetary crises: biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. "Despite this, some are pursuing deep sea mining with minimal regard for scientific understanding, environmental risks and global consensus," he said. He said the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 - to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources - is off track and underfunded. "We must move beyond rhetoric to concrete actions that matches the scale and urgency to address today's crisis. "We must also reform our global ocean governance architecture and shift from harmful exploitation to sustainable use of the ocean." Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape said his national government does not support deep sea mining due to potentially devastating environmental consequences. However, his stance on the issue is opposite to the one the governor of his country's New Island Province has taken. Governor Walter Schnaubelt recently issued a statement backing Niu Solwara, the company planning to launch the controversial Solwara 1 seabed mining project in the Bismarck Sea by late 2027. Governor Schnaubelt said the new mining techniques employed by Niu Solwara are environmentally safe. Meanwhile, Palau's president Surangel Whipps Jr said financing is key to ensure a sustainable ocean economy that works for the planet. He said the mechanism must include grants for science and governance, patient capital for community-led enterprises, sustainable revenue mechanisms for marine protected areas, and robust local financial systems supporting nature-positive businesses. French Polynesia's president, Moetai Brotherson, spoke of his administration's plan to establish a network of highly protected marine areas (MPAs). This was met with applause. "Why do we do it? We do it because we are not just looking at the ocean; we are not just seeing it at some place that we can fish. We are part of the ocean, and the ocean is part of us."
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
HKH Constituency Submits 2024 CDF Expenditure Report, Reinforces Accountability & Compliance With CDF Act 2023
Press Release – Solomon Islands Ministry of Rural Development The report submitted comprised of the records of the total CDF allocation of about 3.88m disbursed to each constituency at the end of the Financial Year 2024. The Hograno-Kia-Havulei Constituency (HKHC) on Monday this week submitted its 2024 CDF Expenditure Report to the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), reinforcing accountability and compliance with the reporting obligation under Section 29 of the CDF Act 2023. The report submitted comprised of the records of the total CDF allocation of about 3.88m disbursed to each constituency at the end of the Financial Year 2024. The presentation was done by the Constituency Development Officer for HKH Constituency, Mr Apollos Manegere on behalf of the Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Honourable Jeremiah Manele. Receiving the report on behalf of the Ministry of Rural Development, PS John Misite'e, said that this is a reassuring pace, as the Ministry continues to implement the CDF legislation and bringing guidance in the administration of the constituency program under this legal framework. PS Misite'e emphasised that Annual Reports inclusive of the financial expenditures' reports are important processes and documents within any organisation and more so when public resources are being utilised in service delivery. These reports re-enforce transparency and demonstrated accountability in the use of public resources and funds. PS Misite'e thanked the HKH constituency for its diligent efforts in complying with the reporting obligations and also thanked other constituencies that already made their submissions on this 2024 CDF disbursement. PS Misitee reiterated calls on other constituencies who are yet to submit their reports to do so as soon as possible. By law all constituency annual reports and expenditure reports should be submitted by February each year and to be compiled by MRD by March of any financial year. 'I am now calling on these constituencies to come forward with their reports soon'. PS Misite'e reiterated. The HKH Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Manegere on behalf of the Honourable Member of Parliament, Jeremiah Manele and its Constituency Officers was very delighted with its office for submitting their report and pledge to support MRD in the process annually to satisfy the legal requirements for reporting. The CDF Act 2023 was passed by Parliament on 22nd December 2023 and came into commencement/enforcement on the 5th of January 2024. This means that whatever offence (s) committed by a recipient (s) of the CDF program after the commencement date of the new Act will be subject to penalties. Penalties apply to constituents, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Public Officers if they commit an offence (s). A Member of Parliament (MP), or a Public officer or a fund (CDF) recipient commits an offence if he or she: Misappropriates any funds or assets from the fund; or Advances materials and cash from a supplier without prior approval from the responsible ministry; or Fraudulently converts project assets or materials to his own use or to the use of some other person; or Deliberately victimises non-voters by excluding them from receiving Constituency Development Funds projects and funds without justifiable grounds; or Assists or causes a person to misappropriate or apply the funds otherwise than in the manner provided in this Act and Regulations. Now that we have a new CDF Act, the responsibility is on all of us to take responsibility and comply with the new CDF law to avoid legal penalties. We (constituents) should not be fearful of this legislation as it is there to act as a guide to our conduct in working with and applying the CDF in our development processes. The purposes of the new CDF Act 2023 are;
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
HKH Constituency Submits 2024 CDF Expenditure Report, Reinforces Accountability & Compliance With CDF Act 2023
The Hograno-Kia-Havulei Constituency (HKHC) on Monday this week submitted its 2024 CDF Expenditure Report to the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), reinforcing accountability and compliance with the reporting obligation under Section 29 of the CDF Act 2023. The report submitted comprised of the records of the total CDF allocation of about 3.88m disbursed to each constituency at the end of the Financial Year 2024. The presentation was done by the Constituency Development Officer for HKH Constituency, Mr Apollos Manegere on behalf of the Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Honourable Jeremiah Manele. Receiving the report on behalf of the Ministry of Rural Development, PS John Misite'e, said that this is a reassuring pace, as the Ministry continues to implement the CDF legislation and bringing guidance in the administration of the constituency program under this legal framework. PS Misite'e emphasised that Annual Reports inclusive of the financial expenditures' reports are important processes and documents within any organisation and more so when public resources are being utilised in service delivery. These reports re-enforce transparency and demonstrated accountability in the use of public resources and funds. PS Misite'e thanked the HKH constituency for its diligent efforts in complying with the reporting obligations and also thanked other constituencies that already made their submissions on this 2024 CDF disbursement. PS Misitee reiterated calls on other constituencies who are yet to submit their reports to do so as soon as possible. By law all constituency annual reports and expenditure reports should be submitted by February each year and to be compiled by MRD by March of any financial year. 'I am now calling on these constituencies to come forward with their reports soon'. PS Misite'e reiterated. The HKH Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Manegere on behalf of the Honourable Member of Parliament, Jeremiah Manele and its Constituency Officers was very delighted with its office for submitting their report and pledge to support MRD in the process annually to satisfy the legal requirements for reporting. The CDF Act 2023 was passed by Parliament on 22nd December 2023 and came into commencement/enforcement on the 5th of January 2024. This means that whatever offence (s) committed by a recipient (s) of the CDF program after the commencement date of the new Act will be subject to penalties. Penalties apply to constituents, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Public Officers if they commit an offence (s). A Member of Parliament (MP), or a Public officer or a fund (CDF) recipient commits an offence if he or she: Misappropriates any funds or assets from the fund; or Advances materials and cash from a supplier without prior approval from the responsible ministry; or Fraudulently converts project assets or materials to his own use or to the use of some other person; or Deliberately victimises non-voters by excluding them from receiving Constituency Development Funds projects and funds without justifiable grounds; or Assists or causes a person to misappropriate or apply the funds otherwise than in the manner provided in this Act and Regulations. Now that we have a new CDF Act, the responsibility is on all of us to take responsibility and comply with the new CDF law to avoid legal penalties. We (constituents) should not be fearful of this legislation as it is there to act as a guide to our conduct in working with and applying the CDF in our development processes. The purposes of the new CDF Act 2023 are;
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 20 May
Guam Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon An army officer overseeing plans for a 360-degree missile system for Guam says it will cost approximately US$8 billion. Lieutenant General Robert Rasch, the executive director of the Guam Defense System Joint Program Office, spoke to a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week. Lieutenant General Rasch told members of the Senate committee that the price tag is "really the cost of the systems that the services were building already that will now be located at Guam, approximately $8 billion across all the service". He said the effort on Guam was to "get as much capability as soon as possible". One senator asked how long until the system will be operational. Lieutenant General Rasch said they will be improving this capability forever, and defense never rests. Dengue cases in Tonga have now reached 756. In an update released on Monday night, Tonga's Ministry of Health reported there were six people in hospital with the disease. It said 381 cases are from Tongatapu, 309 from Vava'u, 62 from 'Eua, and four from Ha'apai. The health ministry said case investigations and vector control are ongoing. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is balancing ties with China. Photo: AP / Mark Schiefelbein The Solomon Islands' prime minister has warned government workers against engaging with "Taiwan". In a statement, Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed his government's commitment to the One-China Policy. Earlier this month Manele survived a motion of no confidence, the second such challenge he's had to face during his first year in government. It's given rise to talks of new legislation aimed at curbing political instability in the country. Last week, the ABC reported a newly appointed government minister was pressured by China to quit an international group critical of its policies. Beijing's Embassy in Honiara said the allegations are baseless. It said China will never interfere in Solomon Islands internal affairs and also firmly oppose any other countries' interference in Solomon Islands' internal affairs. Three men, including an officer of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, have been charged in Fiji in relation to importing methamphetamine. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service said the intercept took place last week after Customs Officers identified irregularities during screening of an airfreight consignment from a Southeast African nation. The Fiji Times reported the three men each face a charge of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, while two of them also face a charge of possession of properties suspected of being proceeds of crime. Police prosecutor, Inspector Pramesh Chand, told the court a fourth suspect had also been arrested. Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong is travelling to the Pacific with a delegation this week. In a joint statement the ministers said they will travel to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. They will meet with each nation's prime ministers, including discussing the strengthening of the Vuvale Partnership with Sitiveni Rabuka in Fiji. The ministers said this early visit to the region, soon after the Australian election, demonstrates how deeply they value being part of the Pacific family. The 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee has wrapped up in Alofi. The Forum Fisheries Agency said officials from across the Pacific focused on advancing the sustainable management of the region's tuna fisheries. It said officials addressed a wide range of strategic priorities including climate resilience and strengthened international engagement. The outcomes from this meeting will be presented to ministers at the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in July.
