By Alfred Sasako
THE Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (SIPC), the smallest of the nation’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), is believed to have approved a special bonus payout for staff and board members.
The payout range from $10, 000 to $30, 000 per individual, according to information provided to Island Sun yesterday.
The Corporation’s Chairman, Robert Bokelema and its Chief Executive Officer, Allan Arafoa were both tight-lipped about whether or not the one-off special bonus had been approved.
Asked yesterday, Mr Bokelema said all questions relating to the matter should be referred to CEO Arafoa, who is in Samoa on duty travel.
“Alfred, your question earlier. Please speak with our CEO Allan Arafoa when he returns from overseas [later] this week,” Mr Bokelema said in a text message.
Island Sun also made contact via email with Mr Arafoa yesterday afternoon. He responded by saying:
“Thank you for your email. I am still on duty travel and upon my return we will discuss the matter.”
It is understood the Solomon Islands Postal Corporation has a Long Service Benefits (LBS) scheme. However, the special bonus which has reportedly been approved is quite separate and could just be a one-off payment.
It is not clear whether or not the SIPC Board had approved the payment, and if so, if it had been paid.
SIPC has a Board of Directors whose terms appear to have lapsed, according to its website. The website shows the position each director holds and when it expires:
Director Position Expiry
Robert Bokelema Chairman 10/10/2015
Benjiman Oatasia Member 16/09/2016
Christian Alan Siale Member 10/10/2012
Patrick Taloboe Member 10/10/2014
George Selwyn Kiriau Member 16/09/2015
Mr. Gideon Zoleveke Member 16/09/2016
The directors are accountable to the Minister of Finance & Treasury as well as the Minister for Aviation and Communications.
Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (SIPC) is a state-owned enterprise established by an Act of Parliament in 1996 to provide postal services within Solomon Islands and to other countries.
As an SOE, it is subject to the State-owned Enterprises Act 2007 and State-owned Enterprises Regulations 2010.
SIPC is governed by a board of directors that is responsible to the Accountable Ministers.
Its Vision is to be “a trusted leading provider of world-class postal services and other related innovative services and to be recognized as the best model of SOE in the South Pacific,”
Its Mission, on the other hand, is to “provide high quality and modern postal services within Solomon Islands and other countries, carry on any business or activity relating to postal services to bridge customers, provide telecommunications, value added services including electronic mail, electronic data interchange, internet services, electronic funds transfer services, financial services, e-commerce services and any other appropriate or related services for customers’ better life”, according to its website.