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WSIS Forum 2016: Tonga progresses positively on ICT development

By
Kaniva Staff
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A meeting in Geneva, Switzerland last week was told that Tonga was progressing positively in its efforts to tackle cybercrimes, setting up e-government and improving information communication technologies (ICT).

About 1800 participants attended the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) which was first begun in 2003.

Those who attended the meeting looked at how the rise of technology can affect society and how people can prevent others from being left behind.

(Did you know that 43% of the world’s population is online?)

Some of the big questions raised in the meeting were: “how we can use information and technology to accelerate progress, and how technology can be used to achieve development goals”.

akilisi
The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva speaking at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland . Photo/PM Office

Representatives from various countries had the opportunity to “learn about what projects others are involved with around the world” including “discussing internet connectivity, mobile, virtual reality platforms, and much more”.

The Tongan government was represented by the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

A statement from his office said: “The meeting was also advised on Tonga’s positive progress to develop ICT through the establishment of the Cyber Challenges Task Force to address issues of cyber-security, cyber-safety and cyber-crime and the Tonga Computer Emergency Response Team (Tonga CERT) focusing on cyber-security.

“Tonga is also in the process of setting up E-Government connecting all Government Ministries, Public Enterprises and Agencies by fibre optic to provide online services.

The Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Va’inga Tone also attended the Summit following the meeting of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua that was held in London, England.

Typhoid case reported in Tonga

By
Alpha Latu
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Health officials in Tonga said  a case of typhoid fever has been found in Veitongo.

The authority has asked the public to  follow good hygiene rules, including ensuring food and drinking water are safe and clean for consumption after a four year old girl was diagnosed with the becteria.

Radio Tonga report said public activities in the town  such as social gatherings, feasting and drinking kava at kava clubs are restricted until May 29.

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi.

Call on princess to assist government’s attempts to get climate funding

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan government wanted Princess Angelika to take action over what they say is the government’s “efforts to access the Green Climate Fund”.

This has been made through a request to the Princess in Nukuʻalofa today by Tonga’s Acting Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni while Her Royal Highness visited MEIDECC.

Hon Sovaleni told the Tongan High Commissioner in Canberra  the funding is monitored by a board that is co-chaired by Australia and South Africa.

A statement from MEIDECC said the Princess was visiting the  Ministry to discuss issues including:

  • A Possible tsunami evacuation drill for the Hihifo District;
  • The Climate Change projects that are currently being implemented, and are in the pipeline for the Hihifo District
  • Tree-planting initiatives both for coastal protection and food security
  • A possible Official visit to the Hihifo project implementation sites

The Acting Prime Minister and Minister of MEIDECC welcomed the Princess.

“We are fortunate to receive Your Royal Highness and your support on the implementation of climate change and disaster initiatives.

“The Ministry is looking forward to working together with your Royal Highness, and the Hihifo Community, to successfully implement climate change and disaster initiatives amongst other initiatives from the seven different departments of MEIDECC’

MEIDECC stands for Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communication.

Passport royal commission uncertain, TPPT investigation continues

By
Kalino Latu
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The Royal Commission approved by the king to investigate Tonga’s passport scandal has yet to be launched and its mandate is uncertain.

The Tongan government said the investigation is currently being conducted by the Tonga Police Passport Taskforce (TPPT) led by the Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the TPPT reported to the cabinet once a month.

It said the government is closely studying the reports to determine whether or not there is still need to launch the Royal Commission.

The Office said the Commission would be a costly process while the TPPT operations had been proved to be cheap and effective.

Earlier this year Caldwell said the TPPT had made 11 arrests in relation to fraudulent passport activities. Kaniva understands some of those cases are being heard in court in Nuku’alofa since last week.

“The police are taking these matters of national security very seriously indeed. The role of police is to maintain law and order and uphold the rule of law, and in doing so police investigate crime by gathering the best evidence available to support the prosecution of any charges laid by the police in a Court of Law,” Caldwell said

“Because of the complexities and wide scope of this investigation, the completion of this investigation may take some time.”

READ MORE:

King agrees to set up royal commission to investigate Tonga’s passport scandal

PM disobeys King’s order over diplomatic passport

Edwards warns Tongan police and auditor’s office over passport leak

PM to clarify 15 Tongan passports issued to Chinese couple

Auditor general: Passport scandals involved PM’s office

US Navy destroyer visits Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
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A United States warship on Monday made a port call in Tonga as part of its routine patrols and maritime security operations in the Pacific regions.

The USS Spruance (DDG 111), a guided-missile destroyer from the US Navy’s 3rd Fleet, arrived at capital Nukuʻalofa for a three-day visit, the US embassy said in a statement.

The crew, joined by the staff from the US Embassy in Suva is expected to host a reception on board with guests of honor, King Tupou VI and Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni and to engage in community relations activities.

“We value our partnership with the Tongan government and are committed to strengthening our cooperative maritime relationships as the basis for maritime security and prosperity,” said Cmdr. Manuel Hernandez, commanding officer, USS Spruance.

The ship and crew of more than 300 Sailors departed San Diego Apr. 19 for a regularly scheduled deployment as a part of a Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG).

Under the operational control of U.S. 3rd Fleet, the PAC SAG is scheduled to conduct routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities to enhance regional solidity.

“Security and stability at sea serve as the foundation for economic prosperity in the region,” said Hernandez. “Together with our partners, we are committed to keeping the sea lanes open for the benefit of all.”

While in the region, Spruance is also expected to participate in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) with Law Enforcement Detachment 108 from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, based out of San Diego.

Upon completion of OMSI, the ship will continue operations in the Indo-Asia- Pacific operating with the PAC SAG.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

Dr ‘Ofa Keitu’u appointed SPC’s Director of Statistics

By
Kalino Latu
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The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has appointed Dr ‘Ofa Ketu’u as Director of the Statistics of its Development Division based in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Ketu’u who has more than 20 years of experience and currently holds a PhD in  Development Studies from Auckland University will begin her new job on July 1, 2016.

 

Dr 'Ofa Ketu'u
Dr ‘Ofa Ketu’u

Court rejects Keleʻa Newspaper’s bit to justify defamation claims against former cabinet leaders

By
Kalino Latu
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The fight by Keleʻa Newspaper to justify publication of a defamatory letter saying it was protected under “qualified privilege” because the content was allegedly raised in parliament has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Justice Scott said:“If the Appellant had accurately reported that  it had  been  claimed  or even proved in Parliament that the Respondents had acted as dishonestly as was alleged in the letter then the Respondents’ claim could not have succeeded”.

The judge said listening “to proceedings in Parliament may justify a person in coming to a private conclusion that a person has acted dishonestly” but to publish it without proof for the public cannot be justified.

The newspaper, its former editor  Mateni Tapueluelu, publisher Laucala Pohiva Tapueluelu and a writer to the paper Solomone Palu took an appeal to the Supreme Court in April 6 in a bid to overturn the Magistrate Court decision ordering them to pay the respondents damages  and  costs.

The case had been brought to the Magistrate Court in 2013 by the former Prime Minister Lord TuÊ»ivakanō and some of his former cabinet ministers including William Clive  Edwards, Viliami Uasike LatÅ«, Sōsefo Fe’ao Vakatā, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu Dr. ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki and Sione Sangster Saulala.

In June 2014 the Magistrate Court ordered the appellants to pay  TP$ $249,442.00 (US$112,523.29) to the respondents.

In an eight page ruling dated May 6, 2016  Justice Scott said the  Magistrate’s conclusion that the appellants had failed “to prove that the publication of the letter was an occasion of qualified privilege was correct”.

The court heard  Palu wrote and was published by the paper on October 29,  2012 that the former Prime Minister and his ministers “were guilty of theft and embezzlement”.

Justice Scott said: “Such claims are obviously defamatory and the question therefore was whether, in the absence of a defence of justification, the occasion on which they were  made was  privileged”.

The judge said it was clear the letter was based on what Palu “had heard on the radio about the proceedings then current in Parliament”.

However, Mr Edwards who also acted for the respondents argued that “the  letter itself makes no reference to any such proceedings and cannot viewed objectively be seen as any kind of report of what had there transpired”.

Mr Scott said Palu’s “letter contains no information which  it is in the public interest to have published. The bulk of the letter is a harmless commentary on current affairs but the matters complained of are not information at all: they are statements of fact for which no justification was attempted by reference to any transcript of what had actually  been stated in Parliament”.

I can find no duty or public interest in the appellants  publishing  this letter, Mr Scott said.

Mr  Siosifa Tu’utafaiva who acted for the appellants quoted a previous court case in which the “Magistrate  had erred  in rejecting the  defence  of qualified privilege on the ground that the defence was not available when the communication involved untrue  statements  of  fact”.

But Mr Scott said the defence was “rightly rejected by the Magistrate albeit for different reasons that I have set out”.

Tonga rugby changes constitution to allow Prime Minister to become president

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) will change its constitution to allow the Prime Minister of the country to automatically become president of the national body.

TRU Interim Chair Feʻao Vunipola said the amendments will be made in a special general meeting tomorrow Wednesday 11.

The board of directors along with World Rugby will still responsible for the election of the chairperson and assistant chairperson of the union, he said.

Kaniva News understands the changes were made to allow for smoother running of the organisation.

Last month World Rugby met with TRU and the Tongan government in Nukuʻalofa to discuss the future of the union in a meeting described by the international body as “positive and constructive”.

It followed with the election of the new headcoach for the ʻIkale Tahi last week, Toutai Kefu.

READ MORE:

Vunipola hits back after former interim CEO claims voting was unconstitutional

Vunipola hits back after former interim CEO claims voting was unconstitutional

Thousands in Tongatapu to get safe drinking water through NZ project

By
Kaniva Staff
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Nearly 4,000 people in six villages across western and eastern Tongatapu will soon have better access to safe drinking water.

The New Zealand Government, through its Humanitarian and Disaster Management Aid Programme, has committed NZD51,000 to Caritas Tonga for the restoration of water supply catchments in communities vulnerable to water scarcity, particularly during El Nino conditions. The project forms part of the Tongan WASH Cluster recovery plan.

Implementation involves renovating and rehabilitating five dilapidated village rainwater tanks and installing three new water refill stations. These will consist of 20 Rotomould tanks in positions that are easily accessible to all village members. The activity will take 12 months to complete, from April until March 2017.

Caritas Tonga Programmes Officer Mrs ‘Amelia Ma’afu said the project evolved out of community concerns over water shortages following the prolonged drought period of recent months. “The work is vital to restoring key infrastructure to the villages, and building greater resiliance to future natural disasters.”

New Zealand High Commissioner HE Mrs Sarah Walsh said New Zealand is pleased to support Caritas Tonga and the WASH Cluster on their drought response.

“The lack of adequate and potable water significantly increases health risks in these communities, particularly for women and children. I commend Caritas Tonga for responding to the need to increase safe water access, ensure villagers are guarded against disease, and improve sanitation. Their work will contribute to building safer, more robust societies”.

In 2015 Caritas Tonga successfully completed a similar refurbishment project of 11 water catchments in Ha’apai.

Authorities concern over maggots in frozen and takeaway chickens

By
Alpha Latu
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The Consumer Affairs Tonga (TCA) has expressed growing concern over the number of complaints it received from consumers about maggots being found inside frozen and takeaway chickens in Tongatapu.

Some consumers complaint to the authority after finding maggots in cooked chickens they bought from a takeaway restaurant in Nukuʻalofa.

The National Food Council (NFC) temporally closed down a frozen chicken provider in Pea last week saying it has found maggots inside its chicken and other frozen meats.

The authorities did not give any details about how the worms ended up in the chicken nor it identified the restaurant which provided the food.

However, they warned consumers to be wary and check food they purchase before eating or cooking them.

They said they have launched an investigation after the complaints.

Last month Tonga’s the NFC  suspended the operation of a local company which supplied hotdog to retail suppliers after it found maggots inside the product.

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