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To carry passengers, cargo until new ferry arrives

NUKU΄ALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, March 3, 2010) - A 45.5 metres flat bottom Landing Barge will provide a temporary inter-islands ferry service for Tonga, starting from the first week of April until November when the new Olovaha is expected to begin operation.

This temporary ferry service, according to Lopeti Senituli, the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, will start in the first week of April and will run until the first week of November when the new Olovaha will start operation. he said this was announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday, February 25 on Radio Tonga

The captain and the crew of the landing barge will be from overseas.

The Tongan government with the financial assistance of Australia and New Zealand identified the landing craft in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.

The decision by government to accept the landing barge was based on an Inspection Report that was prepared by two officials from...

2 percent ‘cash handling fee’ questioned

By Pearson Kolo PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier) - Parliament was told yesterday during its first session for 2010 that commercial banks in the country were ripping money from their customers by charging unnecessary fees.

Port Moresby North East MP Andrew Mald who indicated that he was raising the issue on behalf of the business community asked why the Bank of South Pacific was imposing a 2 per cent cash handling fee for all its customers dealing with more than PGK5,000 [US$1,830].

"This is daylight robbery and the Government must look into it," Mr. Mald said.

The young leader said subsistence farmers, coffee buyers and vendors who were not making much from their activities were really feeling the pain of this fee.

"Subsistence farmers and vendors are making a PGK300 [US$109] or PGK400 [US$146] profit and if the bank is ripping this off from them, then it is unfair on them," Mald said....

Has fuel tax break, wants profits exemption too

PAPEÉTE, Tahiti (Tahitipresse, March 2, 2010) - The King Tamatoa fast ferry’s scheduled start of regular trips from Papeéte to the Leeward Islands has been postponed as the owner apparently seeks additional tax advantages.

A media communiqué published Tuesday indicated that ship owner Bill Ravel has decided to take his chances with proposed opposition legislation seeking a profits tax exemption for high-speed vessels like the King Tamatoa.

However, that legislation is not expected to be brought before the French Polynesia Assembly until the end of March. First, the advisory French Polynesia Economic, Social and Cultural Council (CESC) is due to debate the subject and give its opinion next Tuesday.

The Tong Sang government approved a decree on Feb. 24 allowing the King Tamatoa to begin Leeward Islands rotations starting Friday. March 5 is a public holiday throughout French Polynesia as the people celebrate...

Editorial

PNG Post-Courier

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (March 2, 2010) - The Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, never won a university degree but he should be given an honorary Masters in Political Manoeuvring.

The Grand Chief is again demonstrating his skills and feel for his subject by postponing the long heralded reshuffle of ministries in the National Executive council.

He announced the postponement yesterday, 24 hours before the start of the March sitting of Parliament.

He says he wants extra time on the reshuffle so he can get Parliament to change the law to allow for an increase in the numbers in the NEC from 28 to 31.

Such a delay comes when there are major shifts of mood and pressure within the coalition government, especially among the majority National Alliance Party’s ranks.

There have been moves between the Opposition and people inside the Government as the time draws near for the National Alliance to decide on its...