Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 6 guests online > February 13 2005 > Cooks Damage Inspection > > An official damage assessment team in the Cook islands is on > its way from Rarotonga for outer islands hit by tropical > Cyclone Meena. > > The team will assess the damage caused by Meena in the outer > islands of Aitutaki, Mauke and Mangaia, and will return with a > report expected to be tabled to the government early next > week. > > New Zealands High Commissioner in Rarotonga Kurt Meyer said he > has met the Cook Islands Prime Minister and members of cabinet > and discuss how New Zealand can assist in damage assessment > and reconstruction. > > Mr Meyer, a former High Commissioner to Niue, said they have > established that the most critical damage in Rarotonga was > sustained around the harbour and wharf area. > > Shield Fillip For 7's > [date.gif] Sunday, 13 February 2005 > a reduction in the number of Assemblymen. > > Islands 'Screwed' By Fish Deals > > "Corruption and short-sighted policies cost Pacific Islanders > hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost fishing > license revenue, according to the head of the University of > the South Pacific's Institute of Advanced Studies in > Development and Governance, Professor Ron Duncan. He says > islanders are being "screwed" by Asian fishing nations that > badger islands government leaders into accepting fees at rates > that are less than one-third of the 16 percent of catch values > collected by African nations. At a time when the Pacific tuna > fishery catch is growing, the average revenue from the catch > is moving down from a poor 4 percent to 3 percent, he told > Islands Business. A 16 percent return would bring the islands' > revenue to around US$320 million given that the annual catch > of around one million tons of fish is estimated to have a > market value exceeding US$2 billion. > > Meanwhile the StarKist fish processing plant in American Samoa > has closed because of the shortage of tuna. About 2,700 > employees have been sent home but plant officials say they > hope to re-open the factory next week. > The Whole of Government Review, evolved from the Niue > "sovereignty with self-sufficiency," underlines a number of > Due to a weighty tome agreements and reports Mr Don Hunn has > recommended the establishment of a joint New Zealand/Niue > Working Party to be chaired by the secretary to government. It > would be responsible for assisting Ministers to prioritize > activities and prepare a two year plan under the umbrella of > the Niue Integrated Strategic Plan. > relationships between Ministers, the Niue Public Service > Commission,heads of departments, the Legislative Assembly and > private sector development is necessary, says Mr Hunn and he > same message Mr Hunn has delivered. Nothing has eventuated. > > The population has dropped to 1300 and families continue to > migrate. > It's a big ask for a government to veer off course right now. > At present it's involved with building a hospital, an > it could easily demonstrate that by moving away from > state trading operations. Sell off the Bond Store the Bulk > Fuel Depot, outside PWD services and stevedoring, let the > private sector supply and maintain government stationery, > information technology equipment and maintenance, corporatize > the power and telecommunication and tourism departments. The > government in 2005 needs to encourage and demonstrate a > culture of self-reliance and value honesty, fairness, > hard-work and respect for achievement and integrity. > Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 February 2005 ) > 27919 Visitors
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