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Court overturns decision to remove TBC directors

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed a decision by the Tongan government to remove two directors of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.

The Minister of Public Enterprises, the Hon. Poasi Tei had removed Dowager Lady Fielakepa and Dowager Lady Fusitu’a from the TBC board in October 2015.

Hon Tei accused the women were responsible for “the poor financial performance of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission” and financial losts of the financial years 2011/12-2013/14.

The duo refused to accept the decision and sought judicial review to quash it.

The legal action arose after the Ministry of Public Enterprises announced its intention to restructure the boards of the public enterprises as part of the government reform processes and as a result “the existing directors were to be removed”, the court judgement said.

Ladies Fusitu’a and Fielakepa argued “that there had been no consultation with the TBC directors before the decision was made” and that the MInistry “had acted unlawfully in advertising the positions on the board of T BC as vacant when the existing directors were currently serving”.

Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen said Fusitu’a and Fielakepa were denied their rights to natural justice when they were not given enough “time to respond to the allegations made against them”.

Paulsen said: “I am satisfied, and indeed it is plainly obvious in my view, that the only reason the plaintiffs were removed from office was because they would not resign to allow for the introduction of the public enterprises reforms”.

Although the Government considered the removal of the two Ladies was necessary for the good of the country the Minister had no power to remove them, Paulsen said.

“The Minister’s decision of 16 October 2015 removing the plaintiffs as directors of the T BC is quashed”, Paulsen said adding that they “are entitled to their costs which are to be fixed by the Registrar if not agreed”.

Ladies Fusitu’a and Fielakepa were represented by legal counsel William Clive Edwards Snr while the government was represented by the Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu.

Nukuʻalofa waterfront $60 million plan revealed

By
Kaniva Staff
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A TP$60 million (NZ$39 million) development plan to build a sandy beach, a public park, complete a marina construction and upgrade a pier has been revealed.

The facilities are proposed to be built on the waterfront area in front of the Treasury and between Vuna Wharf and Uafu ‘Amelika.

A TP$20 million was required so a marina that has been constructed in 2007 before it was stopped could be finished off.

The new development included a beach volleyball court and a swimming pool for the South Pacific Games 2019.

An upgrade of the Uafu ‘Amelika will see the Yellow Pier turned into a modern wharf so that vessels and yachts could be able to dock there.

The Ports Authority Tonga’s CEO Mōsese Lavemai said the plan now is at the “discussion stage”.

He said the construction of the 100 square kilometres marina had to be hold after the former government refused to approve the Ports Authority Tonga’s application to lease the area.

Lavemai said the new government of ‘Akilisi Pōhiva approved the lease and now the ports authority is seeking funding so that the construction could start soon.

He said a conceptual design of the new development along with its estimate was prepared and approved by BECA consultancy  from New Zealand.

Lavemai said the Tonga Pacific Games Organising Committee requested a beach volleyball court and a swimming pool to be included in the project and it has been approved.

It was expected the construction would be completed before the Pacific Games 2019 starts.

Decision to appoint Sika as Tourism Minister delayed

By
Kaniva Staff
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The decision by Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva to appoint his Democratic Party Member Sēmisi Sika as Minister of Tourism has been delayed to allow time for the King and His  Privy Council to consider approval of proposed laws.

‘Akanesi Tāufa from Tonga’s Prime Minister’s Office denied rumours Hon Sika, the Chair of the Whole House Committee would be appointed before the end of this month.

“The appointment of Sēmisi has not been approved and there will be no ministerial appointment this week,” Ms Tāufa said in Tongan.

“We will release a statement when the process is done,” she said.

It was not clear whether or not the proposed laws submitted to the Privy Council had anything to do with the government’s move to set up a Ministry for Tourism.

The Ministry was under the  Minister of Labour and Commerce but a ministerial bill was passed in parliamment early this year to set it up as a separate entity.

READ MORE:

Semisi Sika approached for Tourism Minister

Hammer attack leaves daughter injured, father appears in court

By
Kaniva Staff
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A man from Pili in Nukuʻalofa appeared in court yesterday after he allegedly beat his 13-year-old daughter with a hammer.

The local media have reported the 32-year-old father allegedly hit the girl on the calf of her leg in which she later required to have an operation at Vaiola Hospital.

Police said the attack happened in February but it was only brought to their attention after the daughter sought medical assistance for her injury at the hospital.

The details of the hearing yesterday were not immediately available.

Pōhiva shakes up Education with new acting CEO announced

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two major changes in key positions at Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training (MET) have been announced today.

It was made public that Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva who is also the minister of MET  has appointed Ponapate Taunisila as Acting CEO of the Ministry  effective from March 30.

Claude Tupou who held the position since February 16 was reverted to his previous position as Deputy CEO for Secondary Schools.

The announcement meant the position of CEO is still vacant after the former CEO Emily Moala Pouvalu’s contract ended in May 2015.

The post was then took over by three different Acting CEOs, two  in 2015 who were Dr Raelyn ʻĒsau and Lucy Moala Mafi before Tupou was appointed last month.

In a statement from MET this afternoon the Deputy Chief Executive Officer Lucy Moala Mafi said:

“This is to inform you that Mr. Ponepate Taunisila, Deputy CEO for Quality Assurance has been appointed by the Hon. Minister for Education and Training to be the Acting CEO for Education and Training with effect from Wednesday, 30 March, 2016 until further notice. Mr. Claude Tupou reverts to his position of Deputy CEO for Secondary Schools with effect from the same date”.

Last month a Tongan tribunal ruled in favour of Mr.  Tupou after he took action against the Prime Minister and his government for not endorsing a panel’s recommendation to appoint him as the CEO of MET.

Following the tribunal’s ruling we were informed Tupou was appointed by the Minister as acting CEO.

“See you later Junior”, William Fifita laid to rest

By
Kaniva Staff
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William Greathouse Huluholo Fifita Jr was laid to rest yesterday Monday 28 at the Forest Garden Memorial Park in Covina Hill, California, after family and mourners bid a heartbreaking farewell and said “See you later Junior”.

Many of Fifita’s colleagues, high school football team and coach attended his funeral services and shared their sweet memories of the deceased.

Also attended was his missionary companion who they served as LDS missionaries in Guatemala two years ago.

Most of them said: “Junior was a great example to us”.

Fifita Jr  was gunned down Sunday 20 while he and three others were on their way home from a church function.

Authorities said the  motive for the crime remains a complete mystery.

The farewell with Fifita was described by his cousin Kolokiholeva Sekona Fifita as “Absolutely a heart-warming see you later to Jr.”

On Saturday a Facebook user by the name Mohekonokono Foʻui wrote on Kaniva News Website and said:

“Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. My family has been humbled by the many messages, phone calls, and overall support from many. My son was a awesome son who will be missed by many. I was blessed by the Lord to have been his father. We will all see him again. Malo aupito and Ofa Atu, Kia Kaha Mana! NZCM 89-91”.

Foui

We have been reliably informed the writer was indeed Fifita Jr’s father, William Huluholo Fifita Snr who is currently a San Bernardino County police officer.

Fifita Jr’s burial service on Monday 28 was followed by a luncheon prepared by the Cucamonga Ward.

READ MORE:

Tongan policeman’s son killed in US shootout remembered as man of faith

Waste authority welcomes new landfill compactor

By
Kaniva Staff
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The staff and workers at Waste Authority were excited to see the arrival of the new German Bomag Landfill compactor on Thursday, March 24,  2016.

The machine weighs about 22000 kgs and was worth US$475,000 funded by the Australian Government through DFAT and the Asian Development Bank.

The Bomag made can normally be modified on-site with a choice of wheel types and dozer blades.

It was specifically designed to crush rubbish at landfill sites and could compact mixed and cohesive soils in thin to Landfillmedium layer thicknesses.

“A landfill site is an important asset for Tonga” said the Minister for Public Enterprises Hon Poasi Tei. “By having this machine here, we will preserve the site for many more years.”

Tonga sevens squad for HSBC Hong Kong sevens 2016

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Tonga Sevens team list for the Hong Kong Sevens has been released.

It says the team included  six players from Toloa Old Boys, the Champions of the recent Kolomotuʻa Sevens Competition.

The entire Hong Kong Sevens competition is split into two groups, the group Tonga are in is the qualifying group.

The World series consists of Dubai, Cape Town, Wellington, Sydney, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris and London.

The Tongan squad:

  1. Atelea Moa – Marist
  2. Misitana Afeaki – Haʻapai
  3. Taliauli Sikuea – Toloa Old Boys
  4. Semisi Tei – Toloa Old Boys
  5. Sione Vea – Toloa Old Boys
  6. Tuihakavalu Ika – Toloa Old Boys
  7. Joseph Tongia – Marist
  8. Tavake Fusimalohi – Fasi Maʻufanga
  9. Unaloto Kaloni – Haʻapai
  10. Samisoni Asi – Toloa Old Boys
  11. Fine Tokai – Lavengamālie
  12. Viliami Siale – Toloa Old Boys

The Officials are:

Head coaches – Siaosi ʻAtiola & Taholo ʻAnitoni

Team manager – Tēvita Lavemai

Team physio – Siosaia Vakasiuola

 

Tonga games:

8th April Tonga vs Morrocco 13:22pm

8th April Tonga vs Brazil 15:34pm

9th April Tonga vs Japan 10:06am

9th April Evening Play Offs

10th April Final Day

Hope fades for Tongan boxers in China Olympic qualifiers

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Tonga Boxing Association (TBA) hopes of sending fighters to the Olympics in Rio are on the ropes after their three leading contenders were beaten in the opening session of the Oceania qualifying tournament in China.

Pueki Fifita a female fighter who won bronze medal for Tonga at Pacific Games 2015, Sepesitiano Lavemai, a super heavy weight who won silver medal at the Pacific games 2015 and Fine Tu’ipulotu, also a Pacific Games 2015 contender all lost their first-round fights yesterday.

Hiko Fungavaka, the assistant president of the TBA said he has yet to receive the results for Pouono Lopeti, a Tongan light heavy weight boxer from Australia who joined the Tongan team.

However Lopeti who goes by the name Machete Lopeti on Facebook, made an emotional comment on his page this morning and said: “Not the result we hoped for….. Humbled by the experience Sad and frustrated by the loss but definitely not defeated mentally. Many thanks for the support!!!”

The TBA sent two officials and four fighters to compete at the qualifying tournament.

Fungavaka said 13 boxers were trained to compete at the tournament but they finally cut them down to only four because the funding from the government was not enough to send them all to the competition.

The selection of the fighters was then forced to pick only those fighters who had fought in an international competition like the Pacific Games.

Not the result we hoped for….. Humbled by the experience Sad and frustrated by the loss but definitely not defeated mentally. Many thanks for the support!!!

Posted by Machete Lopeti on Monday, March 28, 2016

Law: concerns at increasing pharmacies and medical students returning to Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongan authorities were concerned about the increasing number of new pharmacies and medical students returning from overseas while the government has no regulations to control them.

The kingdom wanted laws to make sure only qualified medical practitioners are serving the public.

The idea however took shape in Nukuʻalofa last week after the health authorities and representatives from the Ministry of Justice  met to review and made the final amendment to the Medical and Dental Practice Act 2001.

The 2001 Act only dealt witht staff’s performances, professionalism and protecting the public from malpractices.

Mr Tuʻakoi ‘Ahio, Principal Health Administrator and Registrar of the Medical Dental Practice Board, said: “There is no regulation at the moment and this workshop is trying to develop some regulations to determine whether the Pharmacies are equitable to operate”.

Tuakoi
Dr. Tu’akoi ‘Ahio, Registra of the Medical and Dental Practice Board with Ms. Marina Moa from the Crown Office during the workshp in Nukuʻalofa

“Due to many new pharmacies and students going to Cuba to study, the reviewing of this Act” was to make sure they meet certain requirements before allowing them to operate and work in Tonga.

ʻAhio said the new laws will protect medical officers, dentists and doctors.

“It has been a long journey from 2001 to today and it has new things and new people in each category and it also has new challenges…so there is a need to review this Act before we implement it to meet the current standards and so on,” Tuʻakoi said.

“What we are trying to achieve today is going through the final draft and the proposed regulations for this Act,” Tuʻakoi said.

The proposal to amend the law will go through the government normal procedure and was expected to be discussed in Parliament soon.

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