Concern raised over court delays in Vanuatu indecency case; US$26 million for critical services in American Samoa; abandoned Samoa airport project cost 1.7m tala; nominations open for PNG elections
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Concern raised over court delays in Vanuatu indecency case
Concerns have been raised over continued court delays in an indecency case against the general manager of the Vanuatu National Provident Fund.
A preliminary inquiry has been delayed three times.
The lawyer for Parmod Achary, Mark Hurley, said the delays were not only having an impact on Achary but also contributors to the fund.
Achary is facing six charges of indecency and six breaches of the Leadership Code.
The prosecution has told local media it has more than 20 witnesses to support the charges against Achary.
He is on bail which includes a ban on him entering the provident fund building.
US$26 million for critical services in American Samoa
The US Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs is providing more than $US26 million for critical government services in American Samoa.
The funding provides $13m for the Education Department, more than $1.5m for the LBJ Medical Center, and $1.6m to the American Samoa Community College.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior for Insular Affairs, Keone Nakoa, says the funds provide support for critical public services for the people of American Samoa.
Abandoned Samoa airport project cost 1.7m tala
A total of 1.7 million tala in public funds has been spent on the now abandoned development of the Ti'avea Airport in Samoa.
The previous government promoted the airport as a back-up for the main airport and to make access to American Samoa easier.
But the new FAST government dropped the idea because of its cost.
Most of the money has been paid out in compensation for the Ti'avea Village land that was to be used in the project and for the relocation of houses and graves from Ti'avea.
Nominations open for PNG elections
Nominations for Papua New Guinea's general election opened this morning after a week's delay due to the death of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil.
Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, told NBC News prospective candidates could be nominated from 8am and not from 4pm as was scheduled initially.
He clarified nominations were open as soon as writs were issued last Thursday but he had used his administrative powers to delay the process out of respect for Basil, whose funeral was held yesterday.
The nomination window closes next Thursday.