Nauru Bulletin Issue 2-2017/150 7 February 2017 Nauru Celebrates 49 Years of Independence
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REPUBLIC OF NAURU Nauru Bulletin Issue 2-2017/150 7 February 2017 Nauru celebrates 49 years of independence President Waqa acknowledges the past, highlights improved services and a strong public service his year Nauru celebrates of water storage and distribution, T49 years of Independence road infrastructure, and school and commemoration of the 71st transportation. anniversary of the peoples’ return In air transport, Nauru Airlines is set from Truk following exile during the to launch new services to Kwajalein Second World War. in the Marshall Islands and Guam, In his national address during the flag and possibility of returning to Norfolk raising ceremony on 31st January His Island. Excellency President Baron Waqa “Capacity building is and will always recalls the remarkable history of be our priority. A strong workforce Nauru and reiterated the importance armed with the relevant skills and able of independence and the struggles of to implement Government policies the nations’ forefathers. and directives including our national “Forty-nine years ago, we reached sustainable development strategy or a turning point in our history. The NSDS, is of critical importance. struggles of our forefathers to achieve The Nauru Police Force guard of honour stand at “Sustainability is the key to any self-determination through political attention during the flag raising ceremony development aspiration and investment independence became officially in people is paramount.” recognised by the world,” President Other achievements of 2016 include Waqa said. improving the ports infrastructure President Waqa personally encouraged and mooring system, new power public servants to further their educational “Today, the meaning of Independence generators, a future of fibre optic cable training through scholarship opportunities. is synonymous with happiness and for communications and membership of celebrations. It is a reflection of the people His Excellency also congratulated the premier financial institutions the World and a time to celebrate our historical country’s sports men and women of their Bank and International Monetary Fund. development and achievements. We do participation and successes at international not only remember our past, but we set The President also highlighted the competition at Oceania level and the ourselves targets for the future.” government’s focus for the future in Olympics. projects such as solar energy, land His Excellency highlighted the In closing President Waqa thanked the rehabilitation, review of the National achievements of 2016 including the country’s close supporters and donor Sustainable Development Strategy establishment of the Sovereign Trust Fund partners Australia, the Republic of China (NSDS), restructure of Eigigu Holdings, which is currently valued in excess of $40 (Taiwan), as well as the governments of and other projects to do with climate million. Japan, Korea, India, and the European proofing, coastal erosion, improvement Union• Tawaki Kam appointed minister ember of Parliament Tawaki Kam was sworn in as the Mnewest minister in the Cabinet of President Baron Waqa last week (3 Feb) taking up the portfolios of transport, sport and Port Authority previously held by the late Valdon Dowiyogo. Chief Secretary Bernard Grundler facilitated the ceremony at the cabinet room witnessed by President Waqa, Cabinet ministers and members of parliament. Cont pg 2... Produced by the Government Information Office PAGE 2 Ministers Scotty, Bernicke assigned health, Australia Day celebrated in Nauru fisheries ...from pg 1 he Australian High Commission hosted Australia Day The remaining portfolios of health and fisheries previously Tcelebrations on Nauru, the second hosted by High held by the late minister have also been assigned to Minister Commissioner John Donnelly. Charmaine Scotty and Minister Shadlog Bernicke respectively. The dinner reception was held at the Bay Restaurant and attended Mr Kam is from the Constituency of Meneñ and was successfully by His Excellency President Baron Waqa, Cabinet Ministers and elected into the 21st Parliament following the 8 June 2013 senior government officials. general election and was re-elected at the 9 July 2016 general election. Minister Kam is proactive in his constituency with assistance in the new government housing scheme whereby residents receive assistance in refurbishing their homes. Most of the assistance has been in replacing roofing from asbestos to metal roofing sheets as well as other much needed housing repairs• President receives Indonesian deputy minister ndonesia’s Deputy Coordinating Minister for Political, Law Iand Security Affairs personally presented his government’s Australian High Commissioner John Donnelly (centre) hosted congratulatory message for Nauru’s Independence Day Australia Day dinner at the Bay Restaurant and here leads his celebrations in a meeting with President Baron Waqa last week office team in the singing Friday 3 February. Mr Yoedhie Swastono intended to be part of Nauru’s 49th Before sharing with guests that “Australia is proud to be a Independence Day flag raising ceremony however due to Pacific island country” with much in common such as the strong unforeseen circumstances was delayed. Nonetheless the deputy people-to-people links and shared love of sport, Mr Donnelly minister was able to personally attend the remaining days took the time to remember friends and colleagues that have of the celebrations and importantly to personally present his passed on including Chief Justice Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, Miss government’s congratulatory letter to His Excellency President Nauru contestant Unique-Lee Dick, Minister for Health, Ports Baron Waqa. and Fisheries Valdon Dowiyogo, and the high commissioner’s mother-in-law Anne Harrison. The presentation and courtesy visit on President Waqa took place in the Office of the President. “We enjoy a broad relationship and work on shared issues at a global, regional and local level,” the High Commissioner said. Mr Swastono departed Nauru for Indonesia on Sunday 5 February 2017• Mr Donnelly pointed out the progress made with the global challenge of climate change, the regional challenge of irregular people movements and people smuggling. NPF recruits 23 officers “Tonight [26 Jan] I’d like to welcome colleagues from the USA, new wave of Nauru Police Force (NPF) recruits received from Cambodia and Afghanistan, who are working with our two A their certificates at a ceremony held at the Civic Centre countries in the orderly movement of people from temporary Conference Hall last week (2 February). settlement in Nauru to permanent resettlement for refugees or, The ceremony formally commenced following the opening for those found not be to be in need of protection, voluntary prayer by NPF chaplain Reverend Roger Mwareow, followed by return,” Mr Donnelly said. the playing of the Nauru national anthem. The High Commissioner further acknowledged other areas His Excellency President Baron Waqa expressed his of cooperation including work “together addressing local congratulations and formally welcomed the 23 new recruits to challenges in healthcare, education and essential infrastructure. law enforcement work. Our work on the hospital, on the learning village and through “Police training is an ongoing program, we have our internal the ADB on the port redevelopment proposal. In addition, our training programs we also cooperate with other police institutions efforts in Eliminating Violence Against Women.” in the region. With the purpose of increasing exposure to how Mr Donnelly acknowledged the good progress made by both other regional police forces carry out their duties,” President countries on such issues further sharing his appreciation of Waqa said. “Nauru’s critical contribution and cooperation in all these areas.” The President also advised police to do their best as leaders in the community. In closing the High Commissioner acknowledged the Australians of the Year announced the same day (26 Jan) and a touch of “I trust that you will fulfill and carry out your duties to the best Nauru among the recipients of the award. of your abilities… most of all protecting our community and the weak.” “I understand from Richard Brennan [director of Nauru Customs], In closing, President Waqa acknowledged the services of officers who attended school in Nauru, that our senior Australian of the who have served in the past. [Cont pg 3...] Year was Principal of Kayser College in the 1970s• NAURU BULLETIN PAGE 4 Introducing the Nauru Media Bureau Get to know your government departments. A new office will feature in this space each publication. he Nauru Media Bureau (NMB) comes under the portfolio Tof the Minister for Telecommunications and Media Honourable Shadlog Bernicke and its head of department is Secretary for ICT Joel Waqa. The NMB has 27 permanent staff Radio manager and acting assistant Director Dominic Appi (orange plus two interns. It is the umbrella body for TV, radio and print shirt) with some of his media staff media that covers and reports local government and community news. Its monthly print publication Mwinen ko is sold for $1 at Slavka Menke – Reporter/News Presenter local retail outlets. Local television and radio news are broadcast Bronson Kamtaura – Chief Technician daily with additional news streamed from Australia. Kimmy Dabwido – NTV Productions Manager The media office is located on the ocean side of the government Michael Dame – NTV Programmer/Cameraman building. Malcolm Aroi – NTV operator Media Staff Lise