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Lupesina Fred Grey cites possible employment, tourism benefits

By Mata’afa Keni Lesa

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, March 4, 2013) – The Aggie Grey’s Reef Resort has thrown its weight behind Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s push for the establishment of casinos in Samoa.

In a rare media interview, Director of the country’s second largest employer, Lupesina Fred Grey tells the Sunday Samoan that criticisms leveled at Prime Minister Tuilaepa are "unfortunate."

But he says it is time for people to accept the fact that casinos are here to stay.

"The law has been passed by Parliament and the process up until this point in terms of issuing the licenses has been very transparent and accountable," says Lupesina.

"We’ve got to be able to see the bigger picture. We need to look at the possibility of creating more employment, foreign exchange, tourism development, new activities for tourism and taxes for the government and the Totalisator...

Real Tonga Y-12 delayed coming over from Vanuatu

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, March 4, 2013) – Tonga's new domestic airline Real Tonga began operation today by chartering a Chathams Pacific aircraft to service the outer islands, after the arrival of its Y-12 aircraft was delayed from Vanuatu..

The locally owned and managed airline had secured the lease of two Y-12 aircrafts to service the outer islands, and planed to start flying on Tonga on March 4.

Tevita Palu, the Chief Executive Officer of Real Tonga said today that the delay in the arrival of its 17-seater aircraft was from Vanuatu and due to a need to complete requirements that included its certification as required by the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO). He expected the aircraft to arrive in Tonga later this week.

"Despite the delay, Real Tonga began operations today as planned, and our scheduled flights to the outer islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai were not disrupted, although it was...

Healthcare, utilities, school system and retirement fund prioritized

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, March 5, 2013) – Northern Marianas Governor Eloy S. Inos gave a rundown yesterday of his administration's plans to reduce government spending and size, remove redundancy, and improve efficiency. That includes merging the Department of Labor and the Workforce Investment Agency, privatizing parks maintenance, and turning over the operation of the Oleai Sports Complex from the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs to an entity such as the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association, among others.

The list also includes not filling vacant positions deemed unnecessary or not critical.

The governor shared these after he and Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider met with Cabinet members yesterday morning on Capital Hill.

Some lawmakers interviewed later said they support the administration's proposals.

House Speaker Joseph Deleon...

Man ‘Paid’ To Collect Names For Fiji Labour Party Speaks Out ‘Poor’ man given travel, food money, but not ‘paid’ for work

By Farisha Ahmed

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Sun, March 4, 2013) – A man who was supposedly working for a proposed political party has admitted to Fiji Sun that he allegedly paid a man to collect names and signatures of people living in Vatuwaqa, Suva, for the proposed Fiji Labour Party.

This newspaper on Saturday interviewed Surendra – an unemployed man who claims to have one name – that he was paid FJ$40 [US$22.52] by Anendra Prasad (Surendra had initially told us on Saturday that Anand had paid him money) to collect names and signatures for the proposed Fiji Labour Party; Mr. Prasad is a businessman in Samabula, Suva.

We spoke to Mr. Prasad yesterday and he said: "I paid him (Surendra) FJ$40 for his meal and transportation allowance because he is a poor man and needed the money," Mr. Prasad said.

"He volunteered to help us get the...