Pacific Region News

$25-M loan to PNG okayed

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—The Asian Development Bank has approved a $25.8 million loan to improve the national government’s management of finances.

The funding, to be supplemented by additional support from the United Nations Development Program and the Australian government, will be used to improve budget planning and accounting systems, information technology facilities and human resource development.

The total cost of the project, which is planned for completion in 2004, is $46.9 million.

HIV cases double in Fiji

SUVA, Fiji Islands—The number of people infected with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) in Fiji has more than doubled over the last five years.

According to a new Ministry of Health report, 49 people in Fiji are HIV positive compared to 23 in 1994, and the main mode of transmission is through heterosexual relationships.

Anti-corruption body planned for Vanuatu

PORT VILA, Vanuatu—Establishment of a chapter of the international anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International, is planned, with former national ombudsman Marie-Noelle Ferrieux-Patterson as head.

Ferrieux-Patterson said she wants a wide range of citizens to join the organization to make it a strong check and balance on both the government and private sectors. The organization’s primary goal initially will be to reduce bribery and corruption in the awarding of government contracts.

Solomon Island to start Australia flights

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Solomon Airlines will begin direct flights to Sydney from Honiara’s Henderson International Airport on December 4.

The weekly Saturday service will use Boeing 737 aircraft.

Solomon Airlines Chairman Stephen Tonafalea said the service is the result of assessing the potential success of the route over several years. Its introduction will take advantage of the forthcoming year 2000 Olympics Games in Sydney.

Niue premier faces no confidence vote

ALOFI, Niue—Premier Sani Lakatani is fending off a motion of no confidence by opposition parliamentarians over government plans to establish an international airline, Coral Air.

Taukei Talangi has announced that he and three other MPs are ready to bring down the government when the Niue Assembly meets next week.

Premier Lakatani said opposition to the airline plans is based on a conflict of interest, since Talangi is local sales agent for Royal Tongan Airlines, which serves Niue.

Fiji troops will go to East Timor

SUVA, Fiji Islands—A plan to send troops to East Timor as peacekeepers is expected to be given government approval next week now that funding for the mission has been secured.

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Gaffar Ahmed announced that a proposed Fiji military contingent has received promises of financial support from both the Australian government and the United Nations.

Corruption blamed for decline in PNG services

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea—Poor healthcare services and inadequately funded schools are blamed by the local office of Transparency International on government corruption.

Chairman Sir Anthony Siaguru said a survey conducted by the Institute of National Affairs revealed that a third of PNG’s businesses had been forced to make special payments to government officials.

Bribery and exorbitant payoffs, he said, are crippling investments in the country.

Siaguru urged the public to take a tough stand against all forms of government corruption. (PIR)