Fiji

Wigmen have waited 3 years after Lae Snax Tigers won it for a 3^rd time in 2020.

At today’s photoshoot and media conference, Wigmen Board Chairman Andy Hetra spoke passionately about team goals and objectives this year, but more so, how they are looking forward to defending the Melanesian Cup currently held by Lae Snax Tigers.

Hetra said although they will be up against an unknown Fiji outfit they will not be taking them lightly.

The regulation is effective from the date of gazettal.

“Cabinet on 14 February 2023 endorsed that the Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (2021 Amendment Regulations) in relation to the “No Jab, No Job” regulations be revoked. Such revocation will be effective from the date the same is published in the Gazette,” said Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.

Attorney-General Turaga highlighted this will mean those who lost their jobs when the policy came in can apply for jobs again.

The meet had renewed and celebrated solidarity as a Forum Family.

 Also in attendance were Heads of State, Government, and Territories from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. French Polynesia, New Zealand and Australia was represented at the Ministerial level.

Key Outcomes of the Retreat included:

He says under Prime Minister Rabuka, Fiji has afformed the reopening of this office.

“We indicated, offering land and assistance towards building their permanent office here in PNG,” said PM Marape.

He added, “There was a request made for reciprocal give of land, and Prime Minister Rabuka did indicate looking for a land in Suva for a mission to be established there.”

“Those reciprocal commitments were made.”

PM Marape says by mid-year, a Fijians ambassador or high commissioner will take up post in Port Moresby.

As he acknowledged the warm hospitality, PM Marape assured PM Rabuka that he had Papua New Guinean’s support both as Prime Minister and current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.

“Much of the Pacific’s future is in the hands of both PNG and Fiji,” said PM Marape as he reflected on the relationship between both countries forged by their great leaders Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, which both countries enjoy today.

Both great leaders were honoured in a friendly Golf match, the “Ratu Mara-Somare” Cup.

He will meet Fiji President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, during his visit, PM Marape will also meet with Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair Henry Puna ahead of the PIF Special Leaders’ Retreat, which has been called by Fiji PM and PIF Chair Rabuka, a milestone event in regionalism.

PM Marape will return to Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, for another commitment.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko will represent PNG at the Retreat and present the Country statement.

After previously finishing as runners-up on three occasions PNG can finally call themselves champions of Oceania after first-half goals from Meagen Gunemba and Ramona Padio secured the trophy, as well as qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Play-Off Tournament.

The game began at a frenetic pace, both sides showcasing their exciting attacking play with Cema Nasau and Trina Davis coming close for Fiji while Lucy Maino headed wide for PNG.

Head Coach, Nicola Demaine said they are expecting Tonga to be well prepared and organized with quick transition to attack and defense and they are also physically strong.

“We are just taking one game at a time since the start of the tournament. We worked hard to pass the Group stages of the tournament with two wins and are now looking forward for the quarter final on the weekend.

The hosts started off strongly in the game after leading in the first quarter 15-7.

The Alisi Naqiri-captained side maintained their strong defence that benefitted them a lot after extending their lead in the second quarter 40-14.

Ranked 15th in the world, Fiji also had a wealth of possession throughout the game and most of their players gave their strong performance.

The team also led in the third quarter 54-25.

Fiji will be meeting Tonga in their second game at 7.30pm (Fiji Time) tomorrow in Suva.

PIF leaders from 18 member countries will gather face-to face for the first time since 2019 to discuss a basket of issues affecting the region.
 
Marape will meet the host of the 51st PIF and Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the margins of the 51st PIF.
 
The meeting, hosted by the Fijian government, is billed as one of the most-significant in recent history as the region gradually emerges from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic.