Tonga cable limited says it has enough cable to fix damaged line
Tonga cable limited said there's enough cable onboard the repair ship, the Reliance, to complete connecting the fibre optic cable damaged by the the giant volcanic eruption and and tsunami in Tonga last month.
Head of Tonga Cable Limited Samuiela Fonua said any reports suggesting there isn't enough cable on board is wrong.
Photo: Twitter/ @tongaportal
He said the crew are working hard on repairing the cable after an 80 kilometre section was cut during the disaster.
"Yes there is enough cable onboard to make the replacement. They working on connecting the cables and hopefully on the weekend they connect both ends."
He is hoping they are able to connect Tonga to the world at the weekend.
NZ Trade commissioner optimistic about NZ-Fiji prospects
The head of the New Zealand-Fiji Trade Commission is optimistic relations between the two countries will be further strengthened once the Kiwi markets are fully open later this year.
New Zealand reopens its international borders on February 28th when Kiwis in Australia will be able to return home.
Everyone else can travel to Aotearoa in October when the border reopens to the rest of the world.
David Dewar said this will boost the $3 billion-plus annual trade and investment flows between New Zealand and the Pacific.
"The main reason that we decided to reopen the trade commission here in Fiji is that Fiji is such an important trading partner for New Zealand. We have worked with Fijian and New Zealand businesses to help the effort of New Zealand and Fiji working together to overcome the pandemic."
Suva based commissioner David Dewar said trade between New Zealand and Fiji was valued at $1.1 billion pre-Covid but has dropped to $550 million since the global pandemic hit in March 2020.
Bribery charges against Samoa's PM and Minister of Agriculture dropped
Bribery charges against Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and Minister of Agriculture La'auli Leuatea Schmidt have been officially withdrawn in the District Court.
The charges were filed by Elikapo Peni as a private prosecution based on allegations connected to the April 2021 General Elections.
The Samoa Observer reports the pair had entered not guilty pleas on the allegations.
Meanwhile, petitioner Peni also asked the court on Monday to withdraw 13 charges of bribery and one of treating against Minister for Public Enterprises, Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo who had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Elikapo Peni had initially filed a total of 22 charges of bribery and treating against four other members of the FAST party.
American Samoa sets up a new Senate Select Investigative Committee
Senators in American Samoa have approved a measure establishing the Senate Select Investigative Committee to probe and conduct hearings on various issues in government.
Committee chairman, senator Togiola Tulafono told senators that the Senate's legal team are finalizing the drafting of the rules for its proceedings.
The new committee will have powers to subpoena documents and witnesses to testify during the hearings.
Money raised at Fiji Kaiviti Silktails and PNG Hunters match will go to Tonga
Fiji's Kaiviti Silktails will kick off their season in the New South Wales Rugby League with a trial match against the PNG Hunters for the Melanesian Bowl.
All money raised at the game will go to their Pacific neighbour Tonga after it was devastated by a tsunami and ash from an undersea volcanic eruption in January.
The match will be played on Saturday February 26 at Runaway Bay, near Southport, on the Gold Coast.
The day will include functions, sporting memorabilia auctions, and other activities around the game with all funds raised going directly to the re-build in Tonga.
The tragedy affected 84 per cent of Tonga's population, with homes, schools and hospitals either washed away or buried under the ash fall.