Samoa

“The Pacific Ocean is a vital regulator of climate for the whole world and needs a voice.  We, the Polynesian Leaders Group, are the voice for the Pacific Ocean, and wish to carry our strategic vision to deal with the adverse effects of climate change by limiting global warming below 1.5 (degrees Celsius) and having access to tools and means to adapt to the adverse impacts caused by climate change.”

The acting Director General of Health, Dr Robert Thomsen, says the traveller had visited the Ebola affected country of Liberia and came to Samoa through Australia before the required 21 days of clearance had been completed.

He says the woman had no signs of the deadly disease but the health requirements must be met.

She had left the country immediately after being quarantined.

The newly-built district hospital near Faleolo International Airport, in which the quarantine operation was carried out, has been closed for two weeks since the incident, but is now reopened.

At a presentation on Samoa’s early warning systems, Samoa was asked if it was ready for a tsunami by chair of the Third Pacific Meteorological Council and head of the South West Pacific Tsunami working group, Ofa Fa’anunu.

Talauega Eleasalo Ale says some jurisdictions have raised questions regarding the validity of the documents, as most countries require travel documents to be valid for at least six months.

Talauega says the office is hoping to have a rule change in place by the end of summer to overhaul the certificates and address their problems.

He says they will be extended to one year, and will also be more secure to prevent problems for those using them.

However, Talauega says the updated certificates will also cost more.

Manu Samoa coach Stephen Betham has made six changes to his starting side to face Canada in Toronto.

Viliamu Afatia, Iosefa Tekori and Faifili Levave get a start in the pack with local lad Faialaga Afamasaga getting a chance in the number 12 jersey.

The other two changes from the team that drew with Fiji is the return of Sinoti Sinoti and Ah See Tuala out wide.

Stephen Betham says this is the coaching team's final opportunity to test combinations and to give some players more game time.

Tuilaepa made the invitation during the Bank South Pacific launch on Thursday night where the Director of Airlines PNG. who is also the Bank South Pacific Chairman Sir Kostas Constantinou was present.

Having learnt that Sir Constantinou was the Director of Airlines PNG Tuilaepa made the request. “I always note that you are a kind of gentleman that when you promise something, you will never fail,” said Tuilaepa.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, said the fact that 121 cases of dengue have been found is a warning.

He declared that there is an outbreak of dengue fever and cautioned members of the public. “Five of eight blood samples tested confirmed DENV serotype 3,” he explained.

“Since mid June, there has been a cumulative total of 121 dengue like illness (DLI) cases recorded.

“So far there are no reported deaths there but there are complicated cases.”

The Authority hopes to install enough photovoltaic panels to generate 13 megawatts of electricity.

It already has two photovoltaic installations at Pago Pago International Airport which produce 2 megawatts, which is now feeding into the grid.

The Authority executive director Utu Abe Malae says there is some funding available, but the company wants to create a community solar farm involving consumers.

He says it will ask customers to contribute and in return they will get a lower electricity rate.

Chief Executive Officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai confirmed expenses for the Apia test, including training camps, player allowances, travel and accommodation, amounted to 3.4 million Tala, or 1.3 million US dollars.

Faleomavaega says the Union had expected to balance the books but only collected 1.9 million Tala in revenue (US$580,000).

Tuilaepa did not mince words about the team’s poor performance.

“I don’t know the people who are coaching that team,” said Tuilaepa.

“Not only they don’t know how to coach the kids to box, even the athletes are cowards.

“What I saw was an eyesore, I just couldn’t understand how they selected these athletes.”

The Prime Minister suggested that perhaps S.A.S.NO.C. should consider taking another boxing team to the Games.

As for the girl’s cricket team winning gold medal, Tuilaepa was surprised and pleased.