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Pago Pago, American Samoa— Several members of Parliament mentioned that drug crime has increased in Samoa.
One legislator stressed the growing involvement of young people in drug-related crimes, while another stressed the urgent need to strengthen security measures in light of rising crime rates.
According to the Samoa Observer, the same sentiments were expressed by MPs from various constituencies who were unanimous in stressing the need for immediate attention to these pressing issues.
Reacting to this, Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai, said the new X-ray scanners in Mata-Utu will enhance national security.
He said it was a proactive step to prevent the flow of illegal drugs into the country.
The exponential growth in methamphetamine seizures shows how rampant the drug is in Samoa, and police are also concerned that illegal guns may be found during methamphetamine raids.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Tonga Budget
The Tonga Legislative Assembly has adopted the country’s annual budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year at US$899.2 million (Tonga Pa’anga, TOP).
According to Matangi Tonga Online, after the third reading in Parliament, the Appropriation Bill to amend the 2024/25 financial year was passed with 21 votes.
In the new budget, 664,210,800 Torados will be allocated to government services from July 1.
Finance Minister Tiofilusi Tiueti told parliament that the budget would be financed by the government and donor development partners.
The government’s national budget theme is to “prioritise its most valuable asset – the Tongan people, and build a strong and inclusive society where everyone can thrive”.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
New Zealand/Tuvalu trip
Greens MP Huhana Lyndon said she was keen to meet with health officials in Tuvalu.
Tuvalu went to the polls in January this year to elect a new parliament of 16 members.
Linden’s visit is part of the UN’s support for newly elected local lawmakers.
She said that in addition to working with the newly elected MPs, she was also eager to learn more about Tuvalu’s health system.
Linden said several Australian lawmakers were also participating in the program.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Remote Pacific Islands
The United States has set a goal to protect 30 percent of its land and water by 2030.
But the true path to conservation success is neither simple nor direct, nor can it be quantified with a single number. Success is a path we must travel together, especially with the people who know the land and ocean best: Indigenous peoples.
Plans for sanctuaries on remote Pacific islands are flawed. The narrative of empty, undeveloped land and ocean is a lie. It is a continuation of Manifest Destiny and Uncontrolled Waters; ideas that even the Catholic Church rejects.
Native Hawaiian communities have applauded the proposed sanctuary, but have ignored the rights of other Native peoples—the Natives of Micronesia and Samoa who have deep historical and cultural ties to the islands. Our relatives on these islands are on the margins of society, remnants of the U.S. empire, and have little political power. It is unfair and unjust to shift the costs of conservation onto them while the social and political benefits accrue to Hawaii.
A peer-reviewed paper published last week offers a better way forward for the proposed protected areas. It’s a path that acknowledges past mistakes and works toward healing. On the surface, it’s about decolonizing conservation.
Colonialism is very good at pitting us against each other. Our shared history and our present reality are shaped by it, and our collective reflection must be based on respecting the trauma of this experience. We must speak for everyone, not just the loudest voices.
Without a sincere dialogue, this proposed sanctuary could violate the promises made to Native peoples by leaders in Washington, D.C., and it will certainly undermine conservation in the long run.
(Civil Beat)
Samoan charged over fatal car crash
Samoan seasonal worker, 25-year-old Fua Moananu, appeared in the Mildura Magistrates Court in Victoria last Thursday over a tragic mini-bus accident that killed two Samoan migrant farm workers.
According to local Australian media reports, Moananu faces multiple dangerous driving charges related to the incident.
Moananu, with the left side of his face bandaged, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and five counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.
The fatal crash happened about 7:45am on Tuesday near Kawapu on the Calder Highway, about 30 kilometres south of Mildura in north-west Victoria. Initial reports suggest the minibus lost control while trying to overtake and ended up hitting a tree.
During the proceedings, Magistrate Patrick Southey acknowledged the ongoing police investigation and expressed uncertainty about the strength of the prosecution’s charge of dangerous driving. He commented on the complex circumstances surrounding the accident, noting that road conditions were good and there was no evidence of drug or alcohol use.
The accident caused the death of two passengers, aged 43 and 34, on the spot, while two other passengers, aged 39 and 37, were seriously injured and are still receiving treatment in the hospital.
(Samoa Observer)
Fungus threatens native trees
A fungus is suspected to be responsible for the widespread die-off of native trees in Palau over the past three years.
The Udui Ud tree is endemic to Palau and has important cultural significance.
The suspected culprit is a Brazilian fungus that has spread to Southeast Asia, The Island Times reported.
Experts at home and abroad are working hard to confirm this.
Authorities urged residents to report unusual tree deaths, disinfect tree-felling tools and avoid moving dead uduid wood to other areas where it could spread the fungus.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Papua New Guinea Census
Papua New Guinea’s Minister of Administrative Services Richard Masire said there would be a seven-day “clean-up” after the census.
The census, which was originally scheduled to end on Sunday, has been plagued by problems.
Masele said all provinces had received census materials, including digital tablets, and that census work was still ongoing in most provinces, The Nation reported on Friday.
He said the extra time would give provinces enough time to complete the census, as many provinces had delayed it due to logistical and financial issues.
He also said that data cleaning exercise will also be carried out till August 30 to accurately determine the country’s population figures.
Meanwhile, the Post and Courier reported on Friday that election officials said the actual census in the Highlands Province will begin this week.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Pacific Coast Watcher
A World War II coastwatcher from across the Pacific is about to be honoured in New Zealand.
During the war, a network of civilian and military personnel monitored enemy aircraft and ships around the clock from stations across the Pacific.
For decades, civilian coastwatchers in the Pacific Islands have not received the same recognition as their New Zealand counterparts.
In 1942, 17 New Zealand coastwatchers and five other Allied prisoners of war were executed by Japanese personnel on Tarawa Island.
This week (Tuesday 2 July) Aotearoa Governor Dame Cindy Kiro will present certificates to the families of 25 Pacific Island Coastwatchers in recognition of their service.
Palau Grant
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced a new $7 million grant to Palau under the Compact of Free Association (COFA).
Department Assistant Secretary Carmen Cantor announced $6 million in COFA infrastructure maintenance grants for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, including $1 million in technical assistance program funding through the Office of Insular Affairs.
The grant is a three-year contribution from the United States and will be used to supplement the maintenance of Palau’s education and health facilities, water supply systems, Palau’s national capital, road repairs and other important projects, the Pacific Islands Times reported.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
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