Home Blog Page 1024

VC Chand heading home soon

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Dr Ganesh Chand

By EDDIE OSIFELO

EMBATTLED Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor, Dr Ganesh Chand and four other expatriates are expected to return home next month.

This was after Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Clezy Rore upheld the decision of Commissioner of Labour Josiah Manehia to reject the work permit of VC Chand and four other expats.

His decision was relayed in a letter sent to SINU Council this week.

A leaked letter on social media shows the Labour Division sent a letter to Chairman of Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Council, Dr Culwick Togamana on August 7, 2020 regarding the employment of expatriates at SINU.

The letter stated that “A check through our office records and our files do not show that the expatriate staff, including the Vice Chancellor, have work permits for their employment by the Solomon Islands National University.

“A check with the Office of the Director of Immigration has also confirmed that no Gazette has been formalised to exempt the concerned staff from the requirements for work permit.”

The decision by Minister Rore was welcomed by some people who commented on social media, thanking him for upholding the law of this country.

Chand is is a Fijian academic and former politician of Indian descent.

He is a founder of the University of Fiji and serves as a trustee of the Fiji Institute of Applied Studies and as editor of Fijian Studies: A Journal of Contemporary Fiji.

He was a member of the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) in the parliamentary elections of 1999 and 2001. He was also Minister for National Planning, Local Government, Housing and Environment in 1999-2000.

Chand is the second Vice-Chancellor for SINU after Dr. Glynn Galo (first VC) resigned on November 2016.

Since then, SINU’s top job was filled on acting basis by Professor Basil Marasinghe who then, was the Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic and recently by Professor Prem Rai who is currently the Dean of School of Natural Resources and Applied Sciences.

MHMS plans to improve existing health facilities

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
-
0
PS Pauline McNeil

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has plans to step up its precautionary measures to ensure public are protected from risks of covid-19 should there be any potential outbreak.

They are planning to improve Honiara-base clinics, the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and provincial health facilities in the country.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Mrs Pauline McNeil said this when responding to media enquiries into what are the current plans to upgrade and improve health facilities for Guadalcanal, Honiara City Council (HCC) and Central Provinces.

McNeil said MHMS plans have already been in place to improve health facilities in other parts of the country.

“Under the covid-19, we look at improving health facilities particularly around Honiara, Guadalcanal Province, Honiara City Council (HCC), Central province and National Referral Hospital (NRH).

“This means our priority is to focus very much on the current situation of covid-19 and there are some other work that needs to be done.

“Our health facilities improvement in the country is now on pipeline and we are working on it.

“We are already discussing other health issues with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and they have shown their support to improve our isolation centers at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).

 “We hope work will be done by the end of this month.”

She said that other health assessments within the Honiara City Council (HCC), have already been carried out particularly at the Kukum and Rove clinic to improve our clinics.

Meanwhile, PS Mrs McNeil said MHMS have now waited for other donors for assistance to help other provinces and they are looking forward to working closely to assist provinces health hospitals and clinics.

NPF loses licence to start lending facility

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0
SINPF Building in Honiara

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 12-MONTH interim banking licence issued to the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) to operate its proposed credit institution expired early this month.

This means NPF will have to apply for another licence from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) if it is to start its credit institution, which it registered as Solomon Finance Limited.

CBSI issued NPF the interim licence on November 1, 2019.

Within that 12-month period, NPF was expected to establish the institution and start operating it.

But nothing happened up to November 1, 2020 when the licence expired.

Many members of NPF have questioned the delay and wonder whether NPF is still pursuing the proposal.

When contacted yesterday, the NPF management said based on advice from CBSI, they will not be commenting on the matter at this stage.

“SFL already consulted CBSI to apply for a new interim licence in accordance to Section 5 of the Financial Institution Act 1998,” NPF management said in a statement.

The Interim Licence will allow NPF to carry out banking business as a credit Institution in Solomon Islands subject to the provisions of the Financial Institutions Act 1998.

Following the granting of the interim licence last November, NPF general manager Michael Wate said Solomon Finance Limited will be giving out competitively price small personal loans and home loans to members when given the full credit licende after meeting the conditions of the interim licence.

Wate said the idea to establish a standalone institution to provide loans for members was started after NPF Board closed member loan schemes in 2000 where members had access for urban homes, rural homes and furniture.

“Finally, on a journey that started 10 years ago with past boards and management, we had achieved what we wanted to do for our members,” Wate said last year.

Government will hold people responsible for endangering country: PM

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
-
0
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his ‘Nationwide’ address this week said it is sad that most of the country’s positive Covid-19 cases resulted from dishonesty by its own citizens.

As a result of the behaviour of few citizens that opened the country to this unprecedented increase in numbers of Covid-19 cases, Mr Sogavare said his government will hold these people responsible for endangering the country.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said the government is tightening up the pre-departure assessment form making it a ‘prescribed form’, meaning anyone who lies on the form will be prosecuted after their release from quarantine stations.

“Fellow citizens, it is sad that most of the positive cases resulted from dishonesty by our own citizens. They lied in their pre-departure assessment forms,” said Sogavare.

“As a result of the behaviour of few of our citizens that opened our country to this unprecedented increase in numbers of COVID-19 cases, my government will hold these people responsible for endangering our people and our country.

 “At the same time, the government is tightening up the pre-departure assessment form making it a ‘prescribed form’. This simply means that anyone who lies on the form, will be prosecuted after their release from quarantine stations. This Government has tried its best in good faith to bring our people back home but our very own people have not returned this good faith.

“Fellow citizens, as I stated before, COVID-19 is not a game. Unfortunately, many of our returning soccer players and some of our returning students from Philippines seem not to realize the gravity of the situation.

“By their dishonest actions, they knowingly endangered our citizens and our country. Their selfish actions had increased the cost of our fight against Covid-19 substantially. It has also delayed the repatriation of the many deserving citizens that are still waiting to return home. This is extremely disappointing”

According to the Prime Minister, contact tracing of the positive cases and their assessments have been completed.

“I would like to reassure all our good people that your Government remains committed to implementing appropriate and strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into our communities,” said Sogavare.

The Prime Minister officially announced on Monday that Solomon Islands at present has recorded a further ‘three’ positive Covid-19 cases.

PM echoes MEHRD warning on fake papers

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
-
0
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has reiterated call by the education authority in not to be fooled by buying any examination paper sold on the streets.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his ‘Nationwide’ address on Monday this week said the leaked examination papers sold on the streets are ‘fake’ and one will only regret if they fall for such deceitful act by conmen. 

Mr Sogavare is urging parents and students to report to authorities on anyone who is doing this, advising not to be fooled by conmen who are taking advantage of the current situation as it is also an offence to engage in such behaviour.

“My good people, as you are aware, our national examinations have commenced today 9th [Monday] November and will go on until the 19th of this month. Whilst exams have commenced, our education authorities have received reports of leaked examination papers sold by certain individuals here in Honiara. I would like to reiterate the call by our education authority not to be fooled in buying any examination paper sold on the streets,” said Sogavare.

“The leaked examination papers sold on the streets are fake and you will only regret if you fall for such deceitful act by these conmen.  I urge our parents and students to report to authorities anyone who is doing this. Do not be fooled by conmen who are taking advantage of this current situation. It is also an offence to engage in such behaviour.

“The Ministry of Education has also advised that the Examination fees for Form 5 and Form 6 have been cancelled due to COVID-19. So, there are no Examination Fees this year.

“Let us continue to pray for our students. Allow me to convey on behalf of the government, best wishes to our students as they sit for their exams. This year 2020 has been a very tough year for everyone including our children. Please remember them in our prayers.

“I would also like to extend my respect to the parents who have stood by our children during these trying times.  Thank you parents for supporting our children.”

Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development’s (MEHRD) Deputy Secretary (DS), Mr James Bosamata earlier on Sunday during this week’s Covid-19 Talk-Back show assured that they have investigated the report on examination leakage and proven it to be ‘not true’.

Mr Bosamata on behalf of MEHRD and the national government cautions the public to be very careful and not pay for national exams that are sold.

Meanwhile, 2020 school national examinations for Forms Three, Five and Six have commenced this week starting on Monday.

Bmobile up for sale

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BMOBILE Solomon Islands is up for sale.

Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) is putting out Expressions of Interest for interested parties to buy off the company.

Bmobile, a mobile service provider since 2010, is the only competitor to Our Telekom.

The company is owned by the Government of Papua New Guinea.

No reason was provided for the sale.

According to Isikela Taureka, Managing Director of KCH, the sale of the business has been approved by the ultimate shareholder, the Papua New Guinea Government, in line with the Government’s State-Owned Enterprise reform policy.

When Island Sun checked with officers in Honiara, they claim they were not aware of the sale.

However, they said any inquiry should be directed to KTH.

Bmobile is a private company registered in the Solomon Islands and is wholly owned by Bmobile PNG, a PNG registered company which is a subsidiary of Kumuls Telikom Holdings (KTH).

It was launched in August 2010 to provide high speed and reliable data voice and SMS across the Solomon Islands.

The company currently operates in the provinces of Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western and Central.

Other covid victims

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
PS of the Ministry of Public Service, Mr Nego Sisiolo

8 nurses suspended as Government continues clamp down following protests

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

EIGHT senior nurses were suspended yesterday for alleged misconduct in office following the sit-in protest recently held over covid-19 allowance claims.

Seven are senior nurses working at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and one serving at a Honiara City Council (HCC) clinic; they are managers, nursing directors and nurse consultants.

Three are executive members of the suspended Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) and five are ordinary members.

The suspension letter given to the eight nurses by the Permanent Secretary for Public Service Mr Nego Sisiolo highlighted the subject of the letter as ‘suspension of duties for alleged misconduct in office’.

“Reference to the above subject, I write to you being a public officer serving in the Solomon Islands Public Services nursing cadre and that pursuant to your appointment in the said cadre you are a member of the Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) that is currently on suspension.

“It was alleged that you being one of the nurses spokesperson strongly and participated in the well planned yet unauthorized sit-down protest that occurred from Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November 2020.Given the seriousness of this allegations against you, it is prudent that you be relieved from duties to enable free investigations into allegations.

“I therefore in exercise of the Public Service Commission delegated disciplinary power pursuit to LN no.76/2008 decided that you be suspended from your duties with immediate effect.

“While on suspension, you will be paid 50 percent salary. The MPS PSU will pursue investigation to ascertain the allegations and where appropriate issue you charge (s) of misconduct for which you will be given opportunity to respond pursuit PSC Regulations 48.

“If investigations report suggest there are no evidence to support allegations, than you will be advised to resume duty and have your full salary reinstated and backdated accordingly.

“Furthermore, while on suspension, in accordance to PSC Regulations 64, you must not leave your duty station. i.e. Honiara unless you have a written permission from the Secretary from Public Service.

“You are restricted from entering Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) headquarters premises unless authorized by the reasonable officer in the said Ministry,” said the letter from PS Siosilo.

Nurses staged a sit-in protest from October 30 to November 1 this year following government refusal to pay them covid-19 allowance.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare responded by exercising the absolute power placed on him under the state of emergency and suspending the legal body representing nurses, SINA.

This dictatorial government move has left nurses without a legal body to channel their concerns and welfare issues through – Nurses are handicapped and voiceless.

Now it is clear that government is not only content on just suspending SINA, but is hell-bent on tracking and prosecuting individuals in SINA.

Virus delays Federal

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
PM Manasseh Sogavare

Constitution: PM

By EDDIE OSIFELO

WORK on the long awaited draft Federal Constitution has come to a standstill because of the coronavirus pandemic that prevents an expert from Commonwealth Secretariat from making an economic analysis on it.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare explained in response to question asked by Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale in Parliament yesterday.

Sogavare said the expert could not come because of the coronavirus.

However if the expert comes, then that person needs to go through the quarantine protocol, Sogavare said.

He said the Government needs to be very clear on the economic analysis of the Federal Constitution.

He said one of the questions is how the Federal Constitution is going to be funded.

However, Sogavare asked officials if it is important to engage a foreigner to do the economic analysis.

Sogavare said if the government cannot get experts outside, then it can engage chartered accountants and local economists to look at it.

Apart from that, Sogavare said three reports need to be furnished before the government in order to chart the direction of where the country is heading.

The reports are draft Federal Constitution, financial and economic report and peer review report.

Sogavare said under the Federal Constitution there will be three layers of governments.

They are the National Federal Government, State Government (nine provinces) and Community Government.

He said the Traditional Governance Bill which is in progress will help strengthen the Community Government.

He said when the provinces become states, they will have their own constitutions.

The Constitutional Reform Unit (CRU) in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has been assigned to oversee the lengthy process of nationwide consultations together with the drafting process over the past 10 years.

On 12th July 2018, the Joint Constitution Congress (CC) and Eminent Persons Advisory Council (EPAC) have handed the draft Federal Constitution to the government.

Most premiers in the country and people have seen the need for the country to move out from the unitary system adopted from the British Government in 1978 to the Federal system.

Guadalcanal and Malaita Province have also threatened to break away from the National Government and achieved self-autonomy.

Island Sun understands about $150 million have been so far spent in the consultation and administration of setting up the draft Federal Constitution.

Lack of funding delays state of Forestry report

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Minister Commins Mewa

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Forestry and Research is facing set back to update the State of the Forestry Report due to funding delay and coronavirus pandemic.

Minister Commins Mewa explained when answering the question asked by Member of Parliament for West Kwara’ae, Sam Iduri in Parliament yesterday.

Mewa said the ministry is still progressing the work to update the state of our Forest.

He said the report on the forest cover and land use will be presented to Cabinet and eventually to Parliament.

Independent Leader, John Dean Kuku asked a supplementary question on what percentage of the report was completed.

Mewa in response said it was 80 percent completed.

Furthermore, the ministry is ready to roll out an inventory exercise which cost around $3 million across the country to do drone on the satellite imagery assessment and to update a state of forest data.

Mewa said a delay was because a proposal that they submitted to FAO is yet to be accepted for funding.

However, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) has shown interest to assist on the ground truthing.

Mewa said currently, training and capacity building is ongoing using various technologies like drones and computers software to enhance the satellite imagery assessment report.

He said the software that is currently being used to train their officers include using iPad built with inventory software to assist the forest and enter data in the forest that will automatically update the main database in headquarters, Honiara.

“Our plan is to begin rolling out trial inventories in some parts of the country in 2020 is affected by this COVID 19 issue and the budget given to the Ministry was not enough to support the programme.

“This inventory is very likely going to be delayed as funds will be very likely be unavailable in 2021, but I trust my Ministry will continue the negotiation with our Development Partners to support us in that endeavour to know the truth of the Status of our Forest as currently, logging which has higher contributions to our economy, employment, infrastructure development, additional services and SIG revenue is exploiting our natural forests at an unsustainable rate,” he said.

Mewa said they are dealing with the unsustainable harvesting through the Sustainable Logging Policy as of this year as round logs export is proposed to be reduced compared to 2019.

“And I want to assure you all that, our forest is a renewable resource and our National Forest Policy is addressing the utilisation, sustainability, protection, governance and restoration of the forest,” he added.

The Ministry of Forestry and Research had started the work on updating the State of the Forest since 2018 using the Satellite imagery and other updated technology through the assistance of JICA and FAO. 

On that exercise, the Ministry used 2km x 2km and 4km x 4km scale to determine the forest cover and land use across our country.

A report developed from that assessment had been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as our Forest Reference Level (FRL) which has been requested  as a REDD+ requirement to report on our Carbon emissions and Carbon sequestrations, capturing the forest degradation and deforestation and our determination to know carbon emissions and sequestrations difference and the balance for the management of the Carbon emissions through forest management and restoration.

This report was accepted and published last year and we will submit or present it before the Cabinet and later a Parliament paper.

Malaita enquires missing $15m support fund from New Zealand

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0
Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA premier Daniel Suidani is enquiring after a $15 million support fund which New Zealand had given for covid-19 upgrades for Kiluufi and Gizo hospitals.

Mr Suidani said eight months ago the national government announced the $15 million covid-19 aid from New Zealand for the two hospitals, one of which is in Malaita.

The Premier said since then they have not seen, heard or received anything on this aid.

Suidani said he had approached New Zealand’s High Commissioner Georgina Roberts enquiring the matter and she told him that her government had already handed the funds over to the DCGA Government.

Given this long period of silence, the Malaita provincial government suspect that the DCGA government has diverted the funds to “other things”, something which the New Zealand government ought to take note of, Suidani said.

“We heard so much about some assistance to come, like the $15 million support from NZ government announced by SI government for Gizo and Kilu’ufi hospitals.

“But as of that time until today, nothing of that support from New Zealand reached the province as announced.

“Taking with New Zealand High Commissioner, Ms Georgina Roberts in Auki, I posed question on the matter and she said SI government already receive the aid under the stimulus package.

“Under the stimulus package that the national government announced the allocating the $15m among Kilu’ufi and Gizo hospitals,” he said.

Suidani said funds coming from donor partners especially under the current covid-19 are channelled through MPs or other non intended platforms.

“I didn’t see reasons for channeling the fund through MPs and others, because it won’t directly serve its intended purpose,” he said.  

Suidani said Kilu’ufi hospital is still waiting for its share of the funds and if government holds it for some reasons, the people of Malaita province are still waiting for the support.

1...1,0231,0241,025...1,665Page 1,024 of 1,665