Nuku'alofa Times Issue 148

Volume 5 Issue 148

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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The Nuku’alofa Times is now an online daily, making it Tonga’s only daily newspaper Tonga’s first medal at the Pacific Games Apia, Samoa (Nuku’alofa Times): Tonga’s first medals at the 16th Pacific Gaemes in Samoa has gone to the Archery Mixed team.

Arne Jensen and Mele Tu'uakitau combined to claim the Kingdom’s first medal at the event today.

That was a good result for the team, who had tough competition on the field.

Meanwhile, the men’s rugby league side lost out in the bronze playoff on Tuesday evening.

Samoa defeated Tonga 16-12 in front of an excited crowd. The hosts raced into a 12-0 halftime lead but Tonga reduced the deficit to 12-6 after the break. Samoan winger Tulolo Tulolo

sneaked over in the corner for his second of the game to secure victory, and a late Tongan score wasn’t enough, with the final hooter sending the crowd wild.

Tonga had lost to Papua New Guinea in the semifinals.

The Fiji Bati defeated PNG 14-0 in the final to claim Gold.

Thank you Japan

His Majesty launches new Wind Farm in Niutoua

Japan’s gift - wind farm....His Majesty King Tupou VI switches on the button for the windmills at the Niutoua Wind Farm here on Tongatapu today.

Full story on Page 3. Photos: BROADCOM Facebook.

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Local News

Nuku’alofa Times

Facilitators, participants and guests at the MSP Tonga Ocean Map drafting workshop at the Waterfront Restaurant and Lodge this morning. Photo: ENVIRO NEWS

Nuku’alofa (Enviro News): The drafting of a Tonga Ocean Map as part of the Marine Spatial Plan consultation is being done in Nuku’alofa this week.

Stakeholders are meeting at the Davina Restaurant and Lodge today and at the Davina House tomorrow to work on a draft ocean map.

This is part of the Marine Spatial Plan process being followed by the Tonga Ocean 7 team, tasked with putting together a Tonga Ocean Plan that will help manage the Kingdom’s ocean and its resources.

Lands, Survey and Natural Resources Chief Execu-

tive Officer Rosamond Bing opened the drafting meeting this morning and reminded all stakeholders involved about the importance of the work that they will be engaged in.

“What we are doing today and tomorrow is very important in the whole process of the planning that is being done,” she said.

The planned Tonga Ocean Plan will be taken to the different communities around Tonga later this year, following the first round of consultation that was completed last month.

MORTGAGEE SALE Sub-Lease Land and Property (Property Located on By-Pass Road, adjacent to Small Industries Centre, and commonly known as “Tonga Breweries Building”).

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INTERESTED PARTIES are invited to tender for the transfer of the leasehold land (and the buildings and improvements thereon, and all plant, machinery, equipment, fixtures, and chattels located therein, such leasehold land more particularly described below, (hereinafter referred to as “the Property”) by Bank of South Pacific Tonga Limited ("the Bank") as mortgagee in possession, through its duly authorized agent Paul Schaumkel, trading as Tonga Real Estate. The Property is situated at By-Pass Road, Ma’ufanga Tongatapu and described as Lot 109 and 110 on Survey Office Plan 157 / 185 – T9, and is occupied on a sub-lease deed basis.

Details of the sub-lease are as follows: Sub-Lease No.

Book 1 Folio 205.

Sub-Lessor:

Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries

Expiry Date

21 November 2061

Purpose

Brewing Beer

Area

3463 square meters

Sub-Lease Rent

$2,250.00 per annum

The Property is offered on an "as is where is" basis The disposition of the sub-lease land and Property will be by way of transfer of the Sub – Lease and the Property and is subject to approval from the Minister of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources and the Cabinet of the Government of Tonga.

Facilitating the drafting of the maps are officers from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) office in Suva, led by Dr Leanne Fernandes.

Participants at the drafting meeting include officials from the Ministry of MEIDECC, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Infrastructure, Marine Department, Ports Authority and the Ministry of Land, Survey and Natural Resources.

The MSP process is being funded by the OCEAN5, VEPA, IUCN, Waitt Institute, Italian Ministry of Environment and the Department of Environment Tonga.

Bank South Pacific’s group profit increases

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (THE NATIONAL): Bank South Pacific (BSP) has given back to the government – Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) Ltd – a total dividend of K444,877,442 million (US$131,462,760 million) over the last five years according to chief executive officer Robin Fleming.

Responding to questions from The National Fleming said, the increased dividends to all shareholders, including Kumul Consolidated Holdings, had been the result of the increase in BSP’s group profit over the past five years.

“BSP’s group profit increase has been driven by market share for lending increasing from around 45 per cent five years ago to almost 63 per cent now,” he said.

“There have also been much higher profit contributions from our businesses outside of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific especially which now provides almost 20 per cent of Bank South Pacific’s group profit.

“BSP has a dividend ratio of approximately 75 per cent which is high but is reflective of both our strong risk weighted capital position and also the need to provide returns consistent with the expectations of all shareholders which includes KCH.” Fleming said that KCH owned approximately 18 per cent of BSP and had received a total of K116,191,888 million (US$ 34,335,077 million in dividend last year from BSP. “BSP’s relationship with the Government has been sound and mutually

beneficial both in terms of dividends that are paid to KCH and also the banking services that we provide in all 22 provinces in the country,” he said.

Prime Minister Jame Marape also said recently that the government held substantial interests in BSP and that the bank had returned good dividends over the years.

BSP is listed on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange and any shareholder can purchase shares via an approved and licensed stockbroker, according to Fleming.

“Certain requirements and approvals do exist though for any shareholders who has more than 15 per cent ownership in BSP,” he said.

PACNEWS

Hon Sika denies racial remarks

Nuku’alofa (Heilala): This is to clarify that the circulation and publication made by the “Post Courier” website on 09th of July 2019 (postcourier.com.pg) in regards to allegations claiming that racist and discriminatory remarks were made against the reigning Miss Pacific Islands by the Deputy Prime Minister are not true.

It is deeply regretful that such allegations have been made against the Deputy Prime Minister and we wish to set the record straight that no such discriminatory remarks were made at any time against the reigning Miss Pacific Islands Ms Leoshina Kariha.

The Deputy Prime Minister is deeply disturbed by these accusations and that some have taken the opportunity to undermine and downplay the good work that has been done by the committee as well as the supporting staff who have made the Heilala Festival a great success.

The Deputy Prime Minister is grateful for the attendance of the reigning Miss Pacific Islands 2018 – 2019 Ms Leoshina Kariha and acknowledges her great contribution, hard work and her presence which has elevated the Heilala Festival program for 2019 to another level.

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 03

Local News

King opens wind farm

His Majesty King Tupou VI officiates at the opening of the wind farm in Niutoua today, as Tonga Power Limited Chief Executive Officer Setita Chan joins in the celebrations. Photos: BROADCOM Facebook

Nuku’alofa (Nuku’lofa Times): Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau‘u today officiated at the launching of the $40 million Pa’anga Wind Power Generation System for the Kingdom of Tonga at the project site at Niutoua village, Tongatapu.

His Excellency Mr. Tetsuya Ishii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga attended the ceremony along with Hon. Semisi Sika, Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga.

The ground breaking ceremony back in September 2018 was also done by Their Majesties.

In addressing the occasion, Ambassador Ishii said that the cer-emony

marked the end of the work to transform the site into a 1.3Mega Watt wind energy power source for the people of Ton-ga.

The Wind Power Generation System is Japan’s first-ever Wind Power Generation Project under their grant aid scheme, and it is Japan’s second major project in the field of renewable energy in Tonga, following the Solar Generation Facility commissioned in 2015.

This System is expected to cover about 8 percent of electricity supply in Tonga, and together with the Solar Generation, it will accelerate the achievement of Tonga’s target, to reform 50 per-cent of Tonga’s power supply system into renew-

able energy by 2020.

The Project is worth approximately two billion and one hundred million Japanese Yen, JPY equivalent to over forty million pa’anga (TOP$40,000,000) and consists of two important com-ponents; 5 unique and tiltable 275kW windmills at 38 meter high and the Grid Stabilization System.

Mr. Setitaia Chen, CEO of the Tonga Power Limited said “this kind generosity of the Government of Japan through JICA has contributed to our goal of reaching 50% renewable energy by way of Solar and now soon to be Wind.”

He added that the wind technology have been tested to safely withstand up to a category 5 cyclone.

Reforms must be demand driven, not supply driven

By ILIESA TORA

Sigatoka, Fiji (Nuku’alofa Times): Pacific Island countries should reform their Public Finance Management Systems (PFMS) for their own good and not just to meet requirements to access Climate Financing only, the Regional Climate and Disaster Risk Finance Forum in Sigatoka, Fiji heard late last month.

Cook Islands’ Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Garth Henderson said this was important to ensure that PFMS are owned by countries and can be sustained over time.

Speaking as a panellist on ‘Challenges to Assessing and Managing Climate Change and Disaster Risk Finance’, Mr Henderson said the Cook Islands’ PMFS reform was done to ensure that they were able to manage funds within their own country first before trying to reach out to the Climate Finances available.

“That is what we did in the Cook Islands when we started talking about reforming our public finance management system,” Mr Henderson said.

“We decided we needed to do that first and ensure we have a system that will help us manage our finances before we started reaching out to get climate financing.

“We wanted to take ownership of the reforms instead of just doing it to meet the requirements set up.”

The Officer in Charge of Tuvalu’s Planning, Budget and Aid Coordination, Ms Filiake Silaati Tofuola, said the onus must be on the countries to take ownership of what is being done in their own country.

Speaking at the ‘Modalities for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Finance’ panel Ms Tofuola said Tuvalu’s ap-

proach has been to be responsible and take ownership of their reforms.

“The reforms have to come from within and not directed by donors who come in and tell us what to do,” she said.

She said this was important because after the immediate funding has expired the system must be able to continue managing funding from any source.

The Climate Finance and Public Finance Management Advisor with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)/ GIZ, Mr Aholotu Palu said having a robust PFMS is critical.

He said this was one of the requirements of donor and funding agencies.

“Having a good finance management system will ensure that funds are being managed locally and will further help in managing bilateral and multilateral funds that flow into the respective countries,” he said.

“The whole idea is to ensure that the system is able to sustain itself beyond the funding timelines.”

Mr Palu, who was a presenter on the ‘Tools to support access, management and reporting of climate change and disaster risk finance’ panel, highlighted that the ideal situation would be to have all the funding coming into a country go into ‘one bucket’.

He said this would help the realistic management of the funds and monitoring to see where funds go, how they are used and whether they reached those who needed it thethem most.

“That is critical in the management and tracking of funds that are being received by any country, whether it be through government, non-government organisations or any other entity,” he added.

Assessments done around the region show that most countries have started reforming their finance management systems.

PIFS Ms Susan Sulu also told the media at a panel discussion on Tuesday that climate funding is released to countries “not on how vulnerable they are but based on their public finance management systems”.

She said focus has been given on how best to assist respective countries in reforming their systems to meet the standards and requirements needed.

Assessments have helped individual countries identify the need within their systems and prioritise action that would address those needs.

She said a good system would ensure accountability and transparency throughout the process.

“That then demands strengthening of coordination amongst the agencies, which includes planning, finance and technical,” she added.

The meeting continues tomorrow at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort on Yanuca Island in Sigatoka.

(Mr Iliesa Tora’s attendance at the Regional Climate and Disaster Risk Finance meetings was facilitated by Pacific iCLIM: Supporting the Regional Management of Climate Change Information in the Pacific and the Institutional Strengthening for Pacific island countries to Adapt to Climate Change (ISACC) projects. The Regional Climate and Disaster Risk Finance meetings and media training held from 25 – 27 June 2019 in Sigatoka, Fiji is supported by the SPC, PIFS, SPREP, GIZ, USAID and Australian Department for Foreign Affairs & Trade.)

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EDITORIAL

Nuku’alofa Times

Adapt to Needs of the Poor and Environment

By Jamshed Baruah with WTO News GENEVA - Aid for Trade initiatives must keep up with the evolving needs of developing countries and environmental protection to remain relevant and inclusive. Least developed countries (LDCs) will need continued support even as they graduate to a higher economic status, and climate change pressures will require targeted responses as well, says the World Trade Organisation (WTO) summing up the discussions during the Aid for Trade Global Review on 4-5 July, 2019.

Deliberations also focused on how to manage the transition for those countries that graduate from LDC status and ensure continued support for their development efforts. Representatives from some of the most vulnerable “graduates”, including landlocked and small island states, underlined the importance of ensuring a smooth transition as they face new development challenges, including climate change and environmental degradation.

Forty-seven countries are currently classified as least-developed based on select economic indicators established by the United Nations, a designation also recognized by the WTO. Only five LDCs have graduated from LDC status since 1971, but 12 are expected to graduate in the coming years, with Angola, Bhutan, Sao Tome and Principe, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on the early graduation list.

While graduation is a positive development and an acknowledgment of improving economic importance, it also means that these countries may find it more difficult to secure access to development assistance and financing and, in the WTO context, loss of flexibilities reserved for LDC members.

Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utoikamanu, UN High Representative for LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, described graduation as a “giant leap on a long journey”. The key challenge was making sure the transition was sustainable and that hard-won gains were not reversed. National transition plans should be established to address the phase-out of international support measures while facing challenges in a rapidly changing context.

Atarake Nataara, Kiribati’s Minister of Commerce, noted his country’s dependence on coconut exports and fisheries licences as revenue generators, both of which are economically and environmentally vulnerable. Continued support from sources such as the Enhanced Integrated Framework will be necessary to mitigate risks arising from these potential shocks.

The NUKU’ALOFA TIMES is published once a week for Tonga by NUKU’ALOFA TIMES MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS of Kolofo’ou, Tongatapu KINGDOM OF TONGA Associate Editor: ALFRED TORA Email:alfredtora@rocketmail.com Consultant: ILIESA TORA EMail: iliesatora2012@gmail.com Phone: +676 8467762 Correspondences in Tonga, the Region and the World © 2019 Nuku’alofa TImes Media and Public Relations.

Team Tonga support....members of Team Tonga and officials backing some of their athletes during competition on Day 3 of the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa today.

Tonga has won one bronze from archery so far. Photo: FACEBOOK

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Nuku’alofa Times - Page 05

Placed 5th...the Tonga men’s V6 outrigger canoe team following their fith placed finish at the Pacific Games competition in Apia, Samoa. The team finished ahead of hosts Samoa, a good achievement for a side that had to look for competition and sponsors. Photo: INOKE AFEAKI

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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Nuku’alofa Times

Times SPORTS

Nasi named in Ikale Tahi

London (RugbyPass): Returning cancer survivor Nasi Manu headlines Tonga’s 31-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup. The 31-year-old loose forward missed Benetton Treviso’s entire 2018-19 Pro14 season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer at the end of last year.

He has since made a miraculous recovery after undergoing chemotherapy treatment for the illness, and is poised to make his first appearance for the ‘Ikale Tahi since facing Fiji in Lautoka last June.

Manu, who co-captained the Highlanders to their maiden Super Rugby title with All Blacks fullback Ben Smith in 2015 before moving to Benetton via Edinburgh, said in March that he was still eyeing up a spot at this year’s World Cup despite his battle with testicular cancer at the time.

“I really feel like a new man now,” Manu told Rugby World magazine four months ago.

“I am happy to hurt. I’m training, doing cardio, and

it feels good to get back to some normality. I think for a little bit, I took things for granted. Now I know how important it is I make the most of this opportunity.

“Going through cancer and chemo has been a great sort of awakening for what I really want and my rugby goals, my life goals. I sort of narrowed down what’s important to me.”

Manu had a medical check-up scheduled for last month, but by being named for the Pacific Nations Cup, it seems the path is clear for a potential World Cup callup.

“It’s always been a dream to compete on the world stage, to play in a World Cup,” he told Rugby World.

“The dream is still alive to maybe achieve that this year.”

Manu is one of numerous talking points in Toutai Kefu’s first squad of the year.

Scarlets-bound Hurricanes lock Sam Lousi is named in the squad for the first time after overcoming a pectoral injury that ruled

Nasi Manu has fought cancer to reclaim his spot in the Ikale Tahi squad for the PNC Series 2019

him out for the majority of Super Rugby this season.

He is joined by prop Toma Taufa, first-five James Faiva and midfielder Otumaka Mausia as the newcomers in the side.

All four individuals add plenty of firepower to this strong squad, with all 31 players plying their trade overseas.

Eight players are with Top 14 or Pro D2 clubs in

Tonga beats Samoa in badminton

Apia, Samoa (SPGames Media): The Tongan national badminton team last night defeated Samoa 5-0 in their Pacific clash at the Pacific Games.

Neighbouring rivals Tonga and Samoa opened proceedings on the live stream court.

Tonga was fast off the blocks and celebrated a resounding 5-0 victory, having won every match over two games.

That means the national side will advance into competition.

The win was celebrated by the Tongans, who worked hard.

“We would like to thank Samoa. They trained and competed very well and we look forward to all our upcoming matches after today,” Lauti Naaniumotu said.

New Caledonia eased through their match against Northern Marianas to extend their impressive run at the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games. The second seeded team is gearing up for their upcoming matches against first and third seeds, Tahiti and Fiji, over the next 24 hours.

Tahiti and Fiji were battling it out on court number two as it all came down to the

wire. Tahiti got off to a great start after their star player and the regional Men’s Singles runner-up, Rémi Rossi, breezed through the Men’s Singles and the Men’s Doubles pair took the next game

in three.

Meanwhile, in basketball Tonga men lost narrowly to New Caledonia in their opening match.

Tonga played well but experience was against them.

France, a further eight are signed with Premiership or Championship sides in England, four are in the Global Rapid Rugby competition, three players – including Manu – play in the Pro14, three more are signed with provincial unions in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup, while Lousi is the only Super Rugby player, and Faiva is with SilverStorm El Salvador in Spain’s Division

de Honor.

Experienced halfback Sami Fisilau, former Sunwolves wing Viliame Lolohea and veteran outside back Afa Pakalani are the only non-professionals in the team, with the former two playing club rugby in Auckland, while the latter plays for Eastwood in the Shute Shield in Sydney.

Tonga’s Pacific Nations Cup campaign kicks off against Samoa in Apia on July 27, before playing Japan in Higashiosaka and Canada in Lautoka in consecutive weeks.

Following that, they face Fiji at Eden Park in Auckland as part of the Pasifika Challenge II on August 31, while their final match before the World Cup is against the All Blacks at Waikato Stadium in Auckland on September 7.

The matches act as vital preparation for Tonga’s World Cup campaign, which kicks-off on September 22 against England in Sapporo.

Tonga Pacific Nations Cup squad 2019: FORWARDS - Paea

Fa’anunu (Castres), Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Stade Francais), Toma Taufa (Bayonne)*, Paul Ngauamo (Agen), Elvis Taione (Exeter Chiefs), Sefo Sakalia (Asia Pacific Dragons), Ma’afu Fia (Ospreys), Siua Halanukonuka (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92), Leva Fifita (Grenoble), Onehunga Havili (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Lousi (Hurricanes)*, Steve Mafi (Castres), Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty), Fotu Lokotui (Kagifa Samoa), Nasi Manu (Benetton Treviso), Sione Vailanu (Saracens), Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres).

BACKS: Sami Fisilau (Auckland Marist), Leon Fukofuka (Kagifa Samoa), Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons), James Faiva (SilverStorm El Salvador)*, Latiume Fosita (Kagifa Samoa), Otumaka Mausia (Auckland)*, Siale Piutau (Bristol Bears), Nafi Tuitavake (Northampton Saints), Viliami Lolohea (Papatoetoe), Afa Pakalani (Eastwood), Cooper Vuna (Bath), Tevita Halaifonua (Coventry), Fetuli Paea (Tasman).

Badminton action and Tonga basketball team at the Games. Photos: NETINA LATU/ INOKE AFEAKI