Samoa

While presenting the Budget yesterday, Minister Sili Epa said growth will be driven by improvements in the business climate, tourism and construction including infrastructure projects.

“The performance of the tourism sector is expected to further improve in the medium-term with increased funding to support targeted destination marketing in Australia and New Zealand and expected increased air services into the country in the latter part of 2018,” he said.

The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa's General Assembly held their annual meeting last week and rejected the proposal.

The church is writing a letter to the Prime Minister outlining the reasons for its decision.

RNZI reports the church has joined other denominations in opposing the proposal apart from the Catholic Church which is supportive.

The MOU was signed in Suva, Fiji by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Gen Dr V.K Singh and the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame N. Mataafa.

Ms Mataafa, who is also Samoa’s Minister for National Resources and Environment, is attending the India-Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference currently underway in Suva.

The MOU was presented to Ms Mataafa today.

Photo Twitter/You Tube 

The company was selected from the eight that had expressed interest in the project via a tender processed.

A Cabinet statement said an assessment was conducted by the Sub Committee according to the tender documents.

After assessment, a recommendation was submitted to Cabinet for the final decision.

Vaisigano River catchment which runs through the area of Apia has flooded several times in the past causing extensive damage to public and private infrastructure such as homes and businesses.

Photo file Vaisigano River catchment in Apia 

“I think Manu Samoa are the heartbeat of the country,” said Manu Samoa CEO Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i.  “It stops the nation.”

Samoa Rugby Union kicked off its 29-day campaign with a media launch at the new Fale Samoa in Mangere Auckland last week.

The aim was to promote Manu Samoa versus the All Blacks at Eden Park on June 16. 

Manu Samoa is participating in a Special Pasifika Challenge hosted In Auckland, consisting of a double banger — Tonga versus Wales, followed by Manu Samoa versus New Zealand’s All Blacks.

The station had incurred losses since its launch four years ago and the conference looked at a recommendation to either shut it down or lease it out.

A source at the conference told RNZI’s correspondent that it was decided not to allow outsiders to buy shares in the television but for the church to continue holding 100 percent of its management and funding.

The news has been welcomed by the 21 paid staff who were worried about their jobs.

The television gets an annual donation of $US180000 from the Council from the Council for World Mission.

The lawsuit, which has been postponed several times by the court was filed by Suitupe Misa, who was wrongfully arrested at gunpoint at the Fugalei market two years ago.

The Samoa Observer said a Judiciary Settlement Conference had failed to reach a compromise so the full hearing will go ahead from 13 November 2017.

Mr Misa is suing the Minister of Police for a breach of statutory duty and the commissioner for an abuse of process.

The Samoa Observer reported the church had lost millions on the operation of the channel since it first went to air four years ago.

The possibility of a sell off is expected to be tabled and discussed before the General Assembly sometime this week.

Photo file: EFKS TV

The Government of Australia presented two new water tanks, a drinking fountain and fitting equipment worth $13, 025 to the school last Friday.

Minister of Communication and Information Technology and Member of Parliament for Satapuala, Afioga Afamasaga Rico Tupai acknowledged the support of the government of Australia.

The grant funding endorsed by the People’s Republic of China will finance the maintenance and revitalization of the Olympic swimming pool, Aquatic Centre at Tu’anaimato and the Apia Park Sports Complex.

Signed by China’s Ambassador to Samoa, Wang Xuefeng and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi in Apia this week, the assistance provides leverage for Samoa to host future international and regional games in Apia.