Pacific Region News

Insurance policies of gov’t workers canceled

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—The life insurance policies of government workers are being canceled because payroll deductions are not being forwarded by the government to providers on time.

At least 400 government employees are now in “delinquent” status at the Bank of Hawaii, the Samoa News reported.

Sunset Life has terminated 15 life insurance policies and American National has terminated 140 policies.

A House of Representatives committee is investigating the matter.

The government, according to several insurance company representatives, is eight pay periods behind.

A Bank of Hawaii representative has encouraged their customers not to sign up for government payroll deductions.

Ultimatum issued to Solomon Is. gov’t

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—The newly formed Malaita Eagles Force rebel group has given the government 90 days to pay $14-million in compensation for damages resulting from last year’s ethnic tension on Guadalcanal Island.

If compensation is not made, the group threatens renewed violence over the loss of jobs and land to indigenous people on the capital island.

The group also has claimed responsibility for a successful raid on a police armory earlier this month during which a truckload of rifles, ammunition and other weapons were stolen.

Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa’alu said the government is giving the matter urgent attention.

FSM telecoms profit exceeds $3-M

KOLONIA, Pohnpei, FSM—The FSM Telecommunication Corporation, Inc. has announced a record profit of $3,137,594 for 1999, an almost 300 percent increase over 1998’s $1,161,973.

The company showed substantial improvements in “internet revenues,” almost doubling its earnings from such services over the previous year.

$14-M Majuro road project completed

MAJURO, Marshall Islands-Japan’s $14 million Majuro road paving project concluded this month, topped by an official capital handover ceremony involving officials from both countries.

Japan’s Charge d’Affaires Takashi Suzuki said the two year, 11 mile long paving project would contribute to uplifting social and economic well being, according to a Marshall Islands Journal report.

New Foreign Minister Alvin Jacklick accepted the road, saying it was a dream come true. “A better road couldn’t have been built,” he said. (PIR)