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Custom boss apologises as corruption complaint laid against staff at airport

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield, has apologised to a complainant who accused his staff at Fu’amotu International airport of bribery and corruption.

Bloomfield said the complaint could have been resolved quickly if the complainant had spoken to the officer in charge of the airport so they could work directly with him there and with those who were involved.

Bloomfield said it was difficult to investigate the allegation without any concrete evidence although the Ministry would look at the complaint if its office received any solid information.

Auckland-based Sylvester Tonga alleged that he was told when he flew into the airport recently  that he and others who were queued to clear their luggage would have their luggage cleared more quickly depending on how much money they paid staff.

Tonga told Kaniva News he was surprised to see how the alleged corruption was conducted in front of the travellers.

He has lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman’s office.

Tonga alleged a man paid money to the staff and he was removed from the queue straight away and allowed to pick up his luggage and go.

He also alleged two men in front of him in the queue gave a carton of cigarettes and alcohol to two customs staff who policed the queue. These travellers were then allowed to go without having their luggage scanned in the x-ray scanner.

Tonga claimed a female custom officer approached him and others and asked if there was any stuff in their luggage that could pose a danger, to which he replied in the negative.

The woman then looked at another customs officer who told the woman jokingly that Tonga was a rich man.

Tonga replied he was not and had no money because he was poor.

The man then indicated to another man who stood by the scanner to take Tonga’s luggage and scan it.

Tonga claimed he was told to pay TP$100 at a booth, but when he asked the cashier for a receipt he was told there was none.

He said when he was asked by the ombudsmen for concrete evidence to support his complaint he asked them to check the log book at the airport to see who were working on June 29 when their flight arrived.

Bloomfield called on travellers who arrived at the airport to take pictures and videos if they could to support any complaint against staff at the airport.

He said the Ministry would wait for a contact from the Ombudsman’s office regarding Tonga’s complaint.

The main points

  • The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield, has apologised to a complainant who accused his staff at Fu’amotu International airport of bribery and corruption.
  • However, Bloomfield said the complaint could have been resolved quickly if the complainant had spoken to the officer in charge of the airport so they could work directly with him there.
  • Auckland-based Sylvester Tonga alleged that he was told at the airport recently that he and others who were collecting their luggage were told they could clear it quickly if they paid the staff.
  • Tonga told Kaniva News he was surprised to see how the alleged corruption was conducted in front of the travellers.

Supreme Court orders repayments in three currencies for breach of contract

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has ordered a man who promised to grow and market crops for three overseas investors to make substantial reparations in three currencies.

The court met to decide what payment should be paid after an earlier court case found in favour of the complainants.

Siosifa Koloti Seluini and his company were found guilty of breaching an agreement to plant, farm, harvest and sell crops for ‘Isileli Saluni, Fifita Saluni and Sione Saluni by the court on November 21, 2016.

The court was told that the Salunis met Seluini in 2014. He convinced the plaintiffs to allow him to assist them and he and his company were engaged to act as their agents to plant, grow, harvest, export and sell their crops.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the Salunis incurred significant expenditure to purchase seeds, pay  for labour, equipment and for  travel/accommodation  costs  in  respect  of  the venture.

The defendants breached the agency contract as they failed to account to  the plaintiffs for any of the  proceeds  of  sale of the plaintiffs’  crops.

They retained valuable equipment and plant provided by the plaintiffs for the purposes of the  venture  and did  not return it.

Seluini did not comply with a court order to provide a full account in English of financial transactions, original documents and details of the whereabouts of missing equipment.

The plaintiffs sought to recover costs for money lost as a result of Seluini’s breach of contract in Tongan pa’anga and New Zealand and Australian dollars depending on where expenditure was incurred. Total costs sought were TP$66,455.55, NZ$40,840.70 and Aus$3263.12.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen did not allow all claims, saying that some were too old and others not justified.

However, he ordered the following costs to be paid:

TP$64,020.11 and NZ$15,263.80 for production and labour costs.

TP$1789 and the sum of NZ$7250 for equipment.

TP$646.44, NZ$755 and Aus$3263.12 for travel and communication.

In addition, the Salunis were entitled to costs and  reasonable  disbursements  as fixed  by the Registrar of the Court.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has ordered a man who promised to grow and market crops for three overseas investors to make substantial reparations in three currencies.
  • Siosifa Koloti Seluini and his company were found guilty in an earlier trial of breaching an agreement to plant, farm, harvest and sell crops for ‘Isileli Saluni, Fifita Saluni and Sione Saluni.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the Salunis incurred significant expenditure to purchase seeds, pay for labour, equipment and for  travel/accommodation  costs  in  respect  of  the venture.
  • The defendants breached the agency contract as they failed to account for any of the proceeds  of  sale of the plaintiffs’  crops and kept valuable equipment and plant.

Lord Tuʻilakepa accuses Prime Minister of bad mouthing him to US embassy

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lord Tuʻilakepa claimed in Parliament yesterday that his application for a visa to the United States was declined because the Prime Minister had reported on him adversely to the US embassy.

In response, the Prime Minister told Parliament the Sydney Morning Herald had reported that Lord Tuʻilakepa had been bribed by an international crime syndicate headed by Colombians as part of a plot to import tonnes of cocaine into Australia.

Hon. Pohiva implied this was what he told the US embassy in Fiji when he was asked to give a recommendation about Lord Tuʻilakepa’s visa application.

While Hon. Pohiva was speaking Lord Tuʻilakepa interrupted and said he knew something about Pohiva which if revealed would be the end of him.

The noble made personal remarks about the Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva, alleging he should quit the premiership because he was terminally ill.

But the Speaker repeatedly stopped the noble and told the House to adjourn for a break.

The incident emerged after Tuʻilakepa made a long speech this morning in which he accused the government of not sticking to their election campaign for proper use of government vehicles.

Lord Tu’ilakepa then launched an attack on MP for Ha’apai 13 and Chair of the Whole House Committee, Veivosa Taka, accusing him of using his Parliamentary vehicle when he was finished work.

He said he took photos of Taka’s van parked outside a kava club at night while he was inside drinking kava.

Lord Tu’ilakepa then called on the government to confess to their voters and told them they had breached their promises.

Taka told Lord Tu’ilakepa he was spying on him and had reported unnecessary things to the House.

He lashed out at the noble and said he was just returned from Fiji after his application was declined.

“It was declined because of the Prime Minister”, Lord Tu’ilakepa told the House in Tongan.

The Prime Minister told the House he could tell there was a big improvement in how the government vehicles were currently used in comparison to former governments.

Hon.Pohiva said he understood what the noble was talking about, but they tried to keep after-hours usage to a prudent level.

The Herald article

On December 17, 2011, the Sydney Morning Herald, citing Australian Federal Police, reported that a Colombian drug syndicate allegedly bribed the then Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Lord Tu’ilakepa, to sponsor a Colombian drug boss to come to the Pacific island.

“The drug boss, Obeil Antonio Zuluaga Gomez, wanted to direct an alleged operating hub from Tonga and oversee cocaine shipments,” the Herald reported.

“Despite having never met Gomez, Lord Tu’ilakepa wrote that he would ”guarantee that I will be providing the necessary housing and financial support to this person [Gomez] and take full responsibility for him during the duration of his stay.”

”I can also vouch that the aforementioned is an honest, trustworthy and law abiding person.”

“Gomez has been previously imprisoned for drug trafficking.

As a result of raids prompted by the Australian investigation, Lord Tu’ilakepa was charged with drugs and weapons offences.

The main points

  • Lord Tuʻilakepa claimed in Parliament this morning that his application for a visa to the United States was declined because the Prime Minister had reported on him adversely to the US embassy.
  • In response, Hon. Pohiva said the Sydney Morning Herald had reported that Lord Tuʻilakepa had been bribed by an international crime syndicate as part of a plot to import tonnes of cocaine into Australia.
  • Pohiva implied this was what he told the US embassy in Fiji when he was asked to give a recommendation about Lord Tuʻilakepa’s visa application.
  • While Hon. Pohiva was speaking Lord Tuʻilakepa interrupted, but the Speaker repeatedly stopped the noble and told the House to adjourn for a break.

For more information 

Tongan Speaker helped drug team, say police

PACER plus function

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The New Zealand Tonga Business Council is hosting an event focussing on PACER Plus.

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) agreement was signed in Nuku’alofa, Tonga on June 14.

The event on August 22 is aimed at Tongan small and medium enterprises.

New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator at PACER Plus, Tessa Te Mata, will be the guest speaker the event.

It precedes the PACER Plus update at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Auckland office ion Quay Street on August 23.

It is open to the public.

For more information 

New Zealand Tonga Business Council

PM orders Ha’apai Cyclone Ian project office closed, wants probe after TP$1.3 million unaccounted for

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan government has ordered the Ha’apai Cyclone Ian project to close its office after TP$1.3 million pa’anga could not be accounted for.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told Parliament sums of TP$900,000 and TP$400,000 funded by the government to pay to a contractor were among the monies unaccounted for.

Hon. Pohiva, who returned to Tongatapu yesterday, said he wanted the Cyclone Ian Project office in Ha’apai to be investigated, the House was told this morning.

The World Bank, which funds the project, is involved in the investigation.

It is understood the office was administering millions of pa’anga funded by oversea donors and the Tongan government for the reconstruction of Ha’apai after it was destroyed by Cyclone Ian in 2014.

The Prime Minister said he was concerned at the progress of the reconstruction work, which was too slow.

The House was told 78 residential houses which were affected during the cyclone were not included in the reconstruction.

There were also a great concern at the salaries of 18 construction managers and consultants who were alleged to be paid a TP$1200 a day.

The Prime Minister said he became aware of the problem when he returned from Vava’u the previous week through Ha’apai.

It is understood Hon. Pohiva met with members of the public in Pangai on Monday.

Since the reconstruction project started there have been inconsistencies and several interruptions of the reconstruction process. At one stage the then government stopped work and demanded all those involved in the process to sign an agreement.

This occurred after it was revealed some tenants of houses which were damaged during the disaster did not own the land on which the houses were built.

Cyclone Ian

The Category Five cyclone was the most powerful storm ever recorded in Tonga and had a devastating impact on the Ha’apai island group.

An estimated 5500 people, about 70% of the Ha’apai population, were affected. Most of the 1100 existing houses and many public facilities were damaged or destroyed. A total of 14 people were injured and one person died.

The World Bank approved US$12 million to support the Cyclone Ian Reconstruction and Climate Resilience Project.

Total project cost was estimated at US$15.89 million.

The international body estimated the total physical damages and economic losses from the disaster at US$50 million, equal to 11 percent of the country’s GDP.

The closing date for the project is July 30 next year.

The main points

  • The Tongan government has ordered the Ha’apai Cyclone Ian project to close its office after TP$1.4 million pa’anga could not be accounted for.
  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told Parliament sums of TP$900,000 and TP$400,000 funded by the government to pay to a contractor were among the monies unaccounted for.
  • Pohiva said he wanted the Tonga Cyclone Ian Reconstruction and Climate Resilience Project office in Ha’apai to be investigated, the House was told this morning.
  • The World Bank, which funds the project, is involved in the investigation.

Economic outlook still strong, but inflation rate and import costs rise

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga’s Reserve Bank says the outlook for economic growth is still robust.

In its latest statement on economic policy, the bank said predictions for economic growth had been revised upward to 3.7%.

This followed stronger growth of 3.7% and 3.4% for 2014/15 and 2015/16 respectively.

The projected growth for 2016/17 was mainly driven by anticipated stronger growths in construction, utilities, fisheries and mining and quarrying.

A number of events scheduled for 2016/17 supported the growth in tourism and trade sectors. Higher real GDP growth of 4.8% was projected by the Reserve Bank for 2017/18, up from last year’s estimate of 4.7%.

Growth was expected to be driven by construction, as Government continues the construction of sports facilities. Transport and communication, trade, fishing and tourism sectors were also expected to contribute to growth.

The overall balance of Overseas Exchange Transactions for the six months to February 2017 showed a surplus of $11.4 million.

This contributed to an increase in the gross official foreign reserves to $377.7 million in February 2017, compared with $366.3 million in August 2016.

This was sufficient to cover imports of merchandise goods and services for seven months, well above the Reserve Bank’s minimum range of three to four months of imports.

The level of foreign reserves was expected to remain at comfortable levels supported by expected higher receipts of remittances, higher export receipts, anticipated government receipt of budget support and grant funds from development partners.

However, this would be partially offset by the projected rise in import payments.

The Reserve Bank also noted that inflation continued to rise in February 2017.

There was a significant rise in the headline inflation rate of 8.9% in February 2017, compared with a 5.1% rise in August 2016.

The Reserve Bank said it expected inflationary pressure to continue due to the increased custom duty and excise tax effective in July 2016.

The annual headline inflation was forecast to gradually decline below the reference rate of 5% per annum after August 2017.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Reserve Bank says the outlook for economic growth is still robust.
  • In its latest statement on economic policy, the bank said predictions for economic growth had been revised upward to 3.7%.
  • However, the Reserve Bank also noted that inflation continued to rise in February 2017.
  • The bank said it expected inflationary pressure to continue due to increased custom duty and excise tax effective in July 2016.

Three dead, four wounded following courthouse shooting in Moscow

By
International Media
-

Three people standing trial have been killed in a shootout at a courthouse in Moscow, Russian officials have said.

Five handcuffed defendants tried to escape as they were escorted by two guards at the Moscow Regional Court, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the country’s chief investigative body.

One of the defendants tried to strangle one of the guards, and the defendants managed to escape and seized the guards’ weapons, it said in a statement.

A shootout with the court’s guards ensued, and three of the defendants were killed while the two others were wounded.

The state-owned news agency RIA Novosti quoted a lawyer, Sofya Rubasskaya, who said she heard at least 20 shots.

Three guards were injured and taken to hospital, the agency said.

The prosecutor’s office for the Moscow region said it was looking into the incident to see if the guards had violated the procedure for escorting defendants.

The shooting took place before a hearing for a gang of nine people accused of terrorising Moscow roads and killing more than a dozen motorists.

She said the building had been evacuated.

Russia media dubbed the accused “the Grand Theft Auto gang.”

Prosecutors said the gang members were placing spikes on roads, forcing the motorists out of their vehicles and shooting them dead.

The nine men, all from central Asia, are charged with 17 murders and two attempted murders.

Earlier reports from Russian news agencies said four had been killed in the gunfight.

-independent.co.uk

Tongan-Rotuman poet will draw on family history during time in Hawai’i

By
Philip Cass
-

Tongan-Rotuman poet David Eggleton will use a prestigious scholarship to write about Pacific people and his own family history.

Eggleton has been awarded the 2017 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s residency.

He will take up the residency in Hawai’i.

His family came to New Zealand from Fiji.

A school dropout, he went on to become one of New Zealand’s most pre-eminent poets.

He is editor of Landfall, New Zealand’s longest-running literary journal.

Eggleton won best poetry book in the Ockham National Book Awards 2016 and the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Excellence in Poetry that same year.

He told Radio New Zealand he felt motivated to apply after his mother died.

He said he would write about Pacific people in relation to his own family history and how they were brought up as a family  in Fiji and later in New Zealand.

In 2015 Eggleton won the Janet Frame Literary Trust Award for Poetry.

His first book of poetry, South Pacific Sunrise, was published in 1987.

He lives in Dunedin, which he once described as a “miserabilist’s paradise.”

The main points

  • Tongan-Rotuman poet David Eggleton will use a prestigious scholarship to write about Pacific people and his own family history.
  • Eggleton has been awarded the 2017 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s residency.
  • He will take up the residency in Hawai’i.

For more information 

Tongan-Rotuman awarded Fulbright residency

Pilot lands plane ‘blind’ after hail storm breaks plane’s windows

By
International Media
-

This is the moment a pilot landed a passenger plane ‘blind’ after giant hailstones damaged the cockpit’s windows.

Captain Alexander Akopov was praised after touching down safely at Ataturk Airport, in Istanbul, Turkey.

The storm had also disabled the Airbus A320’s autopilot.

Dramatic footage showed the Atlasglobal aircraft, which had 127 passengers on board, struggling to maintain its balance as to came into land.

Trouble had started ten minutes into the flight to Erkan, in Northern Cyprus, after the plane was hit by hailstones that cracked the cockpit windows, damaged the exterior and disabled the auto-pilot.

Capt Akopov, from Ukraine, said he celebrated with another crew member like it was his second birthday when he landed.

‘I have been flying for 30 years,’ he said.

‘It was hard, but the main thing is that people are alive.

‘Well, did you see the plane landing? Was it okay? The passengers are alive. It is normal. This is our professional reliability.’

Separate video from the inside of the plane showed passengers crying and screaming as the aircraft rocked from side to side.

Everyone was relieved when it landed safely, including those watching at Ataturk airport who applauded.

The airport had been closed because of the weather but the pilot was still allowed to land because of the emergency.

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko congratulated Captain Akopov personally after calling him following the emergency landing.

He also awarded him the Ukrainian Order of Courage.

The two members of cabin crew were also praised for their bravery.

Four alleged smugglers caught with 1.4 tonnes of cocaine on yacht off Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Four alleged smugglers had been arrested by French navy after a 1.4 tonnes of cocaine has been intercepted off Tonga.

According to Radio New Zealand, a New Caledonian newspaper said the operation was launched a week ago when a navy vessel was sent out in a joint mission with police and customs officials.

“The report of Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes gave no details of where the yacht was caught but it said it happened several days ago and four people were detained”.

“The navy vessel, Le Vendémiaire, returned to its Noumea base this morning, with dozens of masked military men guarding the offloading of the drugs which have been moved to an undisclosed destination for destruction”.

The Tonga police has confirmed that they and their Transnational crime squad have no knowledge of the operation, One News reported.

The seizure comes about five years after the Tongan authorities had seized more than 200 kilograms of cocaine from a yacht that had run aground at an uninhabited atoll in Vava’u, Tonga.

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