Open Centre (RPC)

Despite the community concern expressed through the CBO leader’s petition against the Government’s plan for open centre, the Commissioner of Police Mr Richard Britten, told Nauru media that the plan will continue. 

Commissioner Britten said that he had called for a meeting with the Community leaders and not many attended.

However, Commissioner Britten advised the general public via NTV that these people are no threat to Nauru’s society, except they are human being like everyone else.

Though the asylum seekers refugee status have not been processed and confirmed since their arrival last year, the Commissioner of Police Mr Britten has conclude that it is safe for these people to wander around the country free.

Political Breakthrough

Finally a political breakthrough has been reached by His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido to re-establishing a functional and constitutional government to break the political deadlock both in parliament and in cabinet.

H.E President Sprent Dabwido 

This afternoon His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido has announced the names of his two new members in cabinet the Hon. Aloysius Amwano as Minister for Education and the Hon. Shadlog Bernicke as the Minister for Health.

Short Update on Nauru’s Political Crisis

EARLY ELECTION? 

Yesterday Wednesday the 20th of February 2013, the Government Information Office has issued a public notice in regard to the ‘Enrolment to vote at the General Election 2013’. Therefore it is inevitable that Nauru can be going to the poll sooner than later.

More update will be posted for your information. 

Update on the Asylum Seekers Court Case

On 18 of February 2013, the court case against the fifteen Asylum seekers men have finally underway. Ten of the fifteen men plead not guilty and will be taken to trial for rioting and damaging property of items estimating to around approximately $24,000AUD.

The ten men pleading not guilty were schedule to re-appear before the court on the 25 of February 2013, for mention before the court trial. Each man will be facing a charge of rioting and causing willful damage to which they pleaded not guilty today. The other five men who have pleaded guilty for all the charges have been withdrawn and discharge at the application made by the Prosecutor.

Due to the absence of the Asylum seekers representative Mr. Pres Nimes Ekwona who left to attend an urgent family business in Fiji on Monday the 4 of February 2013, the Salvation Army has engaged two Australian barristers from Sydney Mr. David Burwood and Mr. Jason Williams to take on the case. Both men just arrived on the island this morning via the Brisbane flight

On a separate matter on the same day, an asylum seeker appeared in court on assault charge telling the court that he is concern for his safety after a security guard allegedly threatened to kill him. 

The Resident Magistrate Law offered him a choice to either be remanded in custody for his safety or that the court issue a request to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to provide assurances that appropriate measures would be taken at the centre to assure his protection. 

The defendant chose the second option. Hence the Resident Magistrate said he considered the allegation to be of serious nature and have recommended the Police Commissioner Mr. Britten to fully investigate the incident. 

Resignation of the Minister for Finance

Political Instability in Nauru continues. Nauru Media tries to interview His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido along with the Speaker of Parliament the Honourable Ludwig Scotty and again failed to obtained consent.

Hon. Roland Kun, Minister for Finance 

However, despite the public interest to getting some answers from the president regarding his decision to terminating the Minister for CIE the Honourable Marcus Stephen and the equilibrium of his government, another minister has resigned, the Minister for Finance the Honourable Roland Kun after having a blast yesterday with the president.

Hon. Dominic Tabuna, Minister for RONPHOS and NRC, Left

Hence, the Minister for RONPHOS and NRC the Honourable Dominic Tabuna has been appointed also the Minister for Finance. Currently today there are only three Ministers in the Government. 

President seat in the parliament chamber

Therefore the most interesting question for one to ask at this stage is, is it constitutional for three members of cabinet to function the role of the government? Having that in mind, here’s another interesting question, who will be the next President of Nauru? 

Let’s wait and see… Anyways, more update will be posted on this matter.

Nauru Political Instability

Nine members of parliament including the Hon. Marcus Stephen, the Hon. Keiren Keke, and former member of the opposition party the Hon. Godfrey Thoma petitioned the Speaker of Parliament the Hon. Ludwig Scotty to call for an urgent parliament meeting, but the Speaker decline to entertain their request for reason again unknown.

Nauru Parliament House

His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido has not spoken to media about the issue and also hasn’t made any prior appointment for an interview regarding the issue that resulted in the termination of the Minister for CIE the Honourable Marcus Stephen and the resignation of the Minister for Health and Foreign Affairs and Trade the Honourable Keiren Keke.

Parliament Chamber

Some of the possible reason why the Speaker of Parliament would not entertain the nine members request must be due to the non-professionalism of one of the nine members during the last sitting where the Speaker of Parliament stood up and walked out of parliament during its proceeding.

Speaker's chair

All the happening during that particular parliament sitting was a shock for many who watched the parliament live. First the members of the Cabinet voted against their own president, while the opposition party vote along with the president. Secondly, the Minister for Transport using gestures at other members of parliament at their adjournment debate and last and not least, the Speaker of Parliament walked out of Parliament.

Further update will be posted for viewers information... 

Termination of the Minister for CIE

After the resignation of the Minister for Health and Foreign Affairs and Trade the Honourable Kieren Keke last week, His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido yesterday has terminated the Minister for Commerce Industry and Environment the Honourable Marcus Stephen for reason unknown.  

Minister for CIE Hon. Marcus Stephen M.P

His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido has appointed himself the Minister for Commerce Industry and Environment following his decision, but unfortunately, it is very inevitable that with these dramas, Nauru can see another possible changeover in the government. 

Nauru President signing an agreement with Matson Shipping Services

His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido has signed the new shipping license agreement with Matson Shipping Services from the United States on February 6, 2013. Matson Shipping Services is the name of the new company that has taken over the Reef Shipping Services from Auckland after the company went into receivership late last year.

The agreement signed is initially for 1 year and Matson Shipping Services will operate from the following ports which includes the United States, Hawaii, Guam, Auckland, and the Pacific islands of Nauru, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Tahiti, Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, Tarawa and Majuro.

His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido said that entering into the shipping agreement with Matson is a great opportunity for Nauru, as the country can be assured of the shipment arrival every month, plus the flexibility of the terms agreed between Nauru and the shipping company.

According to Matson’s Senior Vice President for the Pacific Islands shipping services Mr. Vic Angoco, he said that their company is looking forward to working with the Nauru Government in servicing the Nauruan communities.

As with the Matson’s Strategic Development Manager and former All Blacks coach and player Mr. Michael Jones, he said that he is confident that this partnership will be a strong one between their company and Nauru.

The first shipment is scheduled to arrive in Nauru early next week.

Motion of No Confidence

Parliament resume for its first meeting this year 2013 this afternoon at 2:30pm. The vote of no confidence motion has been defeated and cabinet assume their role as usual, except the resignation of the Minister for Health and Foreign Affairs and Trade the Honourable Keiren Keke.

Honourable Keiren Keke, photo taken from google

Lots of issues debated including the Eigigu Holdings Corporation DIAC project that is expected to finish off by next week Monday. Other issues were raised including the overtime payment delay for the Civil Aviation workers during the transition of the RPC. One of the very important issues raised, is by the member for Ubenide the Honourable Aloysius Amwano regarding the liquidation of the Bank of Nauru.

Mr Michael Niko Jones visit to Nauru

The former All Blacks coach and player Mr Michael Niko Jones is on Nauru as the Matson Shipping Services representative. The Iceman said he enjoyed his time here on the island and silently assessing the possibility in setting up a ruby team here in Nauru. Though Aussie Rules Football is considered the country’s favourite sport, the game no longer have many fans like back in the olden days since its temporary closure few years back, due to the extend amount of violence the sport experienced through rival districts. 

Photographic by: Russ Kun at the Bay Restaurant in Anibare: Mr. Russ Kun left owner of Rainbow Enterprise and Mr Michael Niko Jones right

Now the sport has been re-introduced, but at a more professional level, where team players are no longer representing their respective districts, but representing the pre-selected team as established by the Nauru AFL Association.The sport is being managed directly by the Ministry of Sport and headed by the Permanent Secretary for Sport Mr Rayong Itsimaera and his departmental staffs. Hence, there are people interested in playing ruby in Nauru and this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to be able to have someone with a professional background like Mr. Jones. 

Tsunami Evacuation in Nauru

Earlier on today a tsunami warning was issued to Nauru and other neighbouring pacific islands in the south pacific via the Australian Broadcasting Network or ABC News. Parents ran off to pick up their children’s at schools and immediately evacuated them to higher grounds at topside.

Photograhpic taken by: Jotte Dageago February 6, 2013 at 2:17pm

Government employees left work to pick up their families and flee for their lives while other workers from the state owned enterprises had been send off by their corporation management for evacuation. 

Photograhpic taken by: Jotte Dageago February 6, 2013 at 2:20pm

After all the happening and in particularly almost one hour later finally the Risk Disaster Management Unit has issued a warning to all the Nauruan’s via Digicel text messages confirming the warning on ABC News and has advised everyone to evacuate to high grounds and especially at the topside.

Photograhpic taken by: Jotte Dageago February 6, 2013 at 2:24pm

Two hours later after the warning another text messages have been issued from Digicel saying the tsunami warning is cancelled and people can go back to their homes safely. 

Court Case against the Asylum Seekers

Today the Government Information Office has issued and update on the outcome of the court case against fifteen asylum seekers who are involved in the riot incident that took place at the Regional Processing Centre last September. 

According to the Government Information Office, the Magistrate of the District Court Peter Law has adjourned the court case till February 18, 2013 due to the absence of the defendants lawyer Mr. Pres Nimes Ekwona who had left the country earlier today to attend an urgent family business in Fiji.

Magistrate Peter Law explained to the Asylum Seekers through an interpreter that each would be expected to indicate if whether they intended to plead guilty or not guilty at their next appearance later this month. All fourteen defendants stood up to identify themselves as their names were called for mention and they all appeared calm and composed throughout the brief appearance. 

The asylum seekers spokesman rise and informed the court that one of his clients is unable to attend court under medical grounds as his been sent over to Australia for medical treatment. However, all fourteen Iranian men were charged by the Nauru Police Force for rioting and damaging property at the Centre on 30 September 2012. 

Cost of damage accumulates at up to around approximately $24,000AUD. 

What happened to Price Control in Nauru

While the Government is trying to maintain stability financially in Nauru due to the country’s weak and fragile economy, businessmen are continuing to increase good prices on their shelves. Price of a 2kg chicken went up from $7.50 to $9.50 without any prior notice issued by the Price Control Board in consultation with business operators and consumers. 

Despite the effort of the Scotty government by introducing a Price Control in 2005, an act has been passed by parliament unanimously with zero actions taken since the bill is passed. The question that many would like to hear from the government and parliament is why this piece of legislation didn’t have any effect since it’s been adopted in parliament.

Not all products are affected, except the most common ones that consumers are after and especially frozen. One of the major underlying factors of this matter is the weakness of Eigigu Supermarket in not being able to provide continual competition on the retail market.

Eigigu Supermarket is a government local store established under the state own enterprises. The government’s vision for the company since the time of the Nauru Local Government Council (NLGC) under the full operation of the Nauru Co-operative Society is to provide affordable services to the Nauruan communities.

Unfortunately, time passes and Eigigu Supermarket has been experiencing it ups and downs since the late 90’s. The supermarket have been closed down at two to three occasions, due to insufficient funding and mismanagement, and is always at a drama whenever it attempts to carry out a smooth operations.

According to the government the supermarket is a liability and so is the holding company. In fact, that is not the real problem, but the problem is the company lack political support. In order for the company to progress is for the government to stand behind them and work with the company’s board and management hand in hand.

Without Eigigu Supermarket, there won’t be any competitions, and without competitions, local businessmen will topple the government’s vision to achieving economic stability. 

Nauru Independence Day

Nauru is a small and isolated island state situated north-east of Australia and lies at 42 kilometres south of the equator. The island is covered with coral reef and dotted with pinnacles. The country’s population is estimated around approximately 9,000 local citizens and including a population of around approximately 1,000 non-Nauruans. The country’s main source of revenue stream is heavily reliance on phosphate sales since the country’s independence in January 31, 1968. 

Photographic copied from Google

Nauru is like every other country who had suffered the effect of WWI and the WWII. Many lives are loss and families torn apart from each other and the entire population almost put to extinction through torture and other act of inhumanity. Thus, some of their stories where shared in the absence of real emotions.

Photographic taken from http://www.janeresture.com

Most of those affected with this tragedy have died with this haunting memory from the past. Some doesn’t want to share their stories because of their terrible experience. Some have shared their part of the stories with tears. Though the cold war lasted many decades ago, remembers last forever. The question lives on, why do they have to suffer? Why what wrong have they done to their oppressors? 

God bless Nauru.