July 13, 2012

Fiji warns oceania countries to pay up


July 13, 2012 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
By Fonua Talei

Acting Minister for Local Government and Minister for Transport, Captain (Navy) Timoci Natuva, at the Finance and Budget Committee for the Ramsar Convention in Romania has warned Oceania countries to pay up their dues to the international body that overlooks the care of wetlands.

Fiji has just been appointed as the newest member of the finance and budget committee for the RAMSAR and Captain Natuva insists there should be no ‘free riders”.

“There are a number of contracting parties that have not paid their arrears which at the moment amounts to CHF 700,000 (Swiss Francs). Some members from the Oceania region have not paid their dues,” Captain Natuva said.

Fiji as the regional representative will support any decision by the Conference of Parties plenary for sanctions against those who are in arrears.

According to a Ministry of Information statement, Fiji has always managed to pay its contribution on time and may possibly consider some regional projects as a voluntary contribution to the work of Ramsar.



No comments: