CNMI terminates $8M contract with Marianas Southern Airway Photo: Kuam News
Northern Marianas - airline
Marianas Southern Airways has decided to cease operations in the Northern Marianas after the inter-island carrier had its $US8 million contract rescinded due to lack of funds.
The company said its last day of operations was on April 1 and those who booked flights with them after that date would get refunds.
The airline said they were leaving the CNMI after failing to secure even a meeting with Governor Arnold Palacios to discuss his decision to cancel the sole-source contract the carrier signed with former governor Ralph Torres.
Palacios earlier said he had no choice but to cancel the contract, as his government no longer has funds to pay the airline.
He said the American Rescue Plan Act funds supposed to subsidise the deal have been depleted.
The governor further defended his choice, saying his administration cannot incentivise one airline without incentivising the other, referring to what will become the country's sole inter-island airline, Star Marianas Air.
Vanuatu - Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia has resumed its flights to Vanuatu from March 31.
The airline's first service touched down in Port Vila this Friday with about 150 passengers from Brisbane.
The government said the past three years had been particularly challenging for tourism and the aviation sector.
But Department of Transport director Paul Pio said since the reopening of the borders in July 2022, there has been a strong demand and interest from international tourism markets into Vanuatu.
Pio said with the return of Virgin Australia, it further cemented the confidence that tourism remained one of the country's key economic drivers.
Fiji - inquiry
The Fiji Corrections Service is conducting its own Board of Inquiry into an alleged assault leading to the death of a man serving time in Korovou prison.
In a statement to FBC News, Commissioner Salote Panapasa said she has given her assurance to the public that the zero tolerance policy on assault still stands.
Panapasa said the Corrections Service visited the family and informed them of the action taken.
She said this does not and will not impact the level of care that corrections officers give daily regarding the treatment of those under their care.
Police confirmed the victim was admitted to Colonial War Memorial Hospital on March 23 and died a few days later.
New Caledonia - ports
The New Caledonian Government has launched new measures to treat its polluted ports.
Grey water - water from dishes and showers on board a boat, and black water (toilet water) is being dumped in the harbour.
Soon all vessels eight metres long or more will have to be equipped with a toilet and storage system for black water and grey water, by law.
Minister Christophe Gyges told La Premiere those measures are found in all ports across the world.
"It puts in measures for grey and black waters which were not present in New Caledonia until now and is an obligation in every port of the world. It was strongly demanded by the shark committee and asked by a collective of associations and the maritime port."
In 2019 a young child was attacked by a shark while swimming in the Noumea Marina.
Boats measuring eight metres with a New Caledonian license plate only will be required to take up the measures.
The rule is enforced by the committee named the "Shark Plan".
The committee is made out of the New Caledonian Southern Region Council, the Noumea Council and the Government of New Caledonia.
Gyges says further measures are expected to follow linked to the shark problem.
French Polynesia - Covid
Covid-19 is on the rise again in French Polynesia.
The health authorities say 66 infections were recorded in the past week, mainly among older people in Tahiti.
They say almost all infections are the latest variant of the virus, which is spreading around the globe.
However, to date no serious cases have been reported and no hospitalisation has been needed.
People are encouraged to get vaccinated, especially if they are at risk of complications.
Tonga - vaccination
Tonga is removing the requirement for proof of Covid vaccination for all incoming foreign travellers.
This follows Cabinet's approval of the cancellation of the Open Border Policy Framework.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the removal following a request for advice from the government.
The government said Covid-19 cases in Tonga and around the Pacific have dropped in the last six months.
The ministries of health and foreign affair's will incorporate key surveillance data requirements into one arrival card for arriving passengers to complete.
Samoa -child labour
Samoa's Ombudsman Loukinikini Vili says child labour and violence among young people are increasing in the country.
Vili said her office is currently consulting communities; gathering concerns and recommendations about improving the conditions and welfare of children.
She said their concerns will be outlined in a national report to be submitted before the UN's Commission on the Rights of a Child this year.
"The biggest issues concerning the rights of children in Samoa are an increase in violence among children," she said.
"We are seeing an increase in young children selling items on the street, and aren't attending schools."
