Home Blog Page 1035

SIG ‘stand’ on USP Saga to be made known today

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
-
0
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands Government (SIG) ‘position’ on the University of the South Pacific (USP) saga will be made known today.

Towards call made by the USP Staff and students requesting leaders from the USP member countries to remove Mr Winston Thompson from the position of Pro Chancellor (PC) due to bullying and workplace harassment against the USP Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia, SIG’s earlier response on this issue this week was that the government can only make its decision based on the outcome of the USP Council, which is regrettable.

From PS Rodie’s response, having confirmation later on Tuesday this week that the USP Vice-Chancellor and President was suspended had got him responding to media inquiry again yesterday over their ‘stand’ on this issue, saying a media statement will be known today.

“Will send media statement first thing tomorrow [today] morning,” said PS Dr Rodie.

It is understood that Nauru and Samoa as two member countries of the USP Council are amongst the first to have earlier shown their support to end the USP saga, having Nauru’s President Lionel Aingimea calling for a special council meeting to be convened after the VC/P was suspended.

The Pacific owned university (USP) has been reported facing a year-long leadership tussle with the latest reports of fresh attempts to dismiss the Vice Chancellor and President of the USP, a report said to resemble as a desperate bid to sabotage Professor Ahluwalia’s position and authority as the Chief Executive officer of USP.

This has led the staff and students of Laucala Campus staging a peaceful protest in support of Professor Ahluwalia to remain and call for Pro Chancellor Mr Thompson to resign instead.

The Chair and President of USPSA Federal Body Mr Joseph Sua had also on behalf of the student council, issued their demand for the resignation of the Pro- Chancellor, Deputy Pro-Chancellor and Chair Audit and Risk Committee.

Repatriation flights depends on quarantine spaces

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
A NERT officer at one of the quarnatine sites

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THIRD repatriation flight is likely scheduled for end of this month (June) but this depends on the availability of spaces at the Institutional Quarantine Facilities (IQF).

This was echoed by Jimmy Rodgers, Secretary to Prime Minister

 “At the moment scheduling of repatriation flights depends on availability of quarantine spaces.

There is quite a lot of nationals out their so we look at our capability on quarantine space.

So, the next flight for repatriation is likely to be at the end of the month tentatively we are looking at 28th of June for Brisbane Solomon Islands and we are hoping to do a Fiji straight after that 1st of July.

I think it’s planning together with our capacity at the quarantine centers,” said Rodgers.

He said currently the country have a 28 quarantine policy which will come to an end on 23rd and 24th of this month.

“We still have many stranded nationals still out there

For seasonal workers in New Zealand there are 164 ready to come and for graduates in USP there is more than a hundreds,” said Rodgers.

On this matter Special Secretary to Prime Minister Albert Kabui said “In terms of reparation the government will continue to repatriate our citizens overseas.

Since we have in country testing capacity so we able to repatriate our citizens of course under the health protocols.”

Meanwhile, two repatriated flights have been successfully executed by the Solomon Islands governments.

These flights included one for nationals and foreigners stranded in New Zealand and Australia and one flight for Fiji and Vanuatu.

Manele warns Suidani

Written by
Press Release
-
0
Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

FOREIGN Minister urges Malaita Premier to be ‘mindful’ of government’s foreign relations with China

Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeremiah Manele, has reacted to Malaita Premier’s pro-Taiwan statements earlier this week acknowledging Taiwan for its support of the province in preparedness against covid-19.

In a media statement on 9th June, Government Communications reports that Mr Manele cautions Premier Daniel Suidani to be ‘mindful’ of the country’s foreign relations with mainland China.

Manele calls for unity of the country in response to Malaita Provincial Premier’s statement that challenges Solomon Islands recognition of the “One China Policy”.

Manele condemns the statement issued by Premier Daniel Suidani yesterday when the Premier made reference to the Republic of China (ROC) as a state rather than a province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Solomon Islands recognise the one China policy as of September 21, 2019 when it signed diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Taiwan is an integral part of the People’s Republic of China’s territory.

“Such divisive statement from a Provincial Premier threatens the unity of the country at a time when we need to work together in keeping COVID-19 from entering our borders and not politicize the virus,” Manele said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is also investigating possible external interference into Solomon Islands domestic affairs.  This was after the Ministry received a call from DHL seeking confirmation whether a certain private citizen is a member of staff of the MFAET.

There are three DHL consignments supposedly sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan to an individual at Kaibia Settlement, Central Honiara.

All packages remain unclaimed, items include medical masks, infrared Thermal Imaging Camera and other equipment.

Minister Manele calls for respect for government’s foreign policy and urge those who continue to make provocative and inflammatory statements to stop and work towards building a strong united country.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Gov’t to continue its repatriation flights

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands government will continue its reparation flights, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

“This government will continue to repatriate our stranded citizens under strictest of conditions,” said Mr Sogavare.

He said lately a flight was allowed to fly into the country from Papua New Guinea and this flight flew in with covid-19 supplies that will assist the country in its fight against covid-19.

On this matter Special Secretary to Prime Minister,Mr Albert Kabui reiterated, “In terms of reparation the government will continue to repatriate our citizens overseas.

“Since we have in country testing capacity so we able to repatriate our citizens of course under the health protocols.”

Meanwhile, two repatriated flights have been successfully executed by the Solomon Islands governments.

These flights included one for nationals and foreigners stranded in New Zealand and Australia and one flight for Fiji and Vanuatu.

Covid-19 oversight committee prepared to get all businesses to reopen

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Dr Jimmy Rodgers

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE government’s Covid-19 Oversight committee is prepared to now get all businesses to slowly reopen and provide services for people.

Jimmy Rodgers Secretary to Prime Minister said the oversight committee is prepared to get all businesses and sports to reopen.

“For the Oversight committee it is prepared to now get all the business and sports to slowly comeback towards normal.

“The important thing is to not forget the principals on cleaning hands, social distancing and so forth those must be continued and if we have any serious suspect or positive case we will go back into that action.              

“So the committee has discussed these matters and I think we be going back to normal soon,” said Rodgers

He said this idea of reopening of businesses had come up because the Oversight Committee had been receiving requests for reopening of other businesses that have been closed down due to the pandemic.

Rodgers said receives requests for reopening have been received from businesses like, sports especially for soccer and as well as for meetings.

“What we want is a plan on how they will address crowds, social distancing and so forth.

“If that one comes in and if the committee is happy with it then there could be an area for what time we can look at starting or reopening the number of businesses that have been closed.

“We have also ask them to give us the update on what happens in other countries in the pacific and also internationally.

“This is because we don’t want to make decisions out of vacuum,” said Rodgers.

He said for sports especially it is done in all pacific countries so Solomon Islands as a country don’t want to get behind in terms of sporting activities.

Rodgers said for businesses, most businesses in Honiara have already been reactivated except may be for night clubs.

“For nights I think the issues we need assurance is on how they can deal with areas on numbers allowed, also to do with social distancing kind of principles,” he said.

Kuma highlights guiding principles behind DBSI

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Minister Hurry Kuma

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma has highlighted the three guiding principles behind the revitalization of the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI).

Speaking at the launching of the bank at Anthony Saru building, Point Cruz on Monday, Kuma said first and central on the policy development towards the revitalization of DBSI is ensuring that the problem experienced by the previous operation of DBSI must not be repeated. 

He said high on this guiding principle is the reform of the old DBSI legislation. 

“This is to ensure that issues surrounding the governance of the bank are addressed, and to give a clear order of priorities to encompass the operation of the Bank,” he said.

Kuma said the second guiding principle explains how DBSI will succeed in the market place by filling the areas that are not being serviced by existing commercial financial institutions. 

He said this guiding principle clearly articulate two complimentary business model that DBSI will introduce in the market.

“The first stream of DBSI business model will focus on commercial Development Banking, and the second stream focuses on the full range of rural banking services,” he said. 

“I wish to also make it clear that although DBSI is a State Owned Development Bank, Government expects it to operate in a commercially viable manner and will not subsidise any of its normal activities unless it is a government directed initiative.  

“As to do this (to provide subsidies) would reduce consumer choices available to all Solomon Islanders,” he said.

Kuma said the Government wants increase access to financial services and increase the amount of innovation occurring in target markets.

He said the underlying policy objective of DBSI is that it will help to bridge the unattended gap.

Thirdly, Kuma said it is essential that measures are put in place to create the right environment for DBSI and as well as other commercial banks to take hold, as this will be critical in making all banks sustainable on a long-term basis. 

He said financial institutions in particular need good regulatory and legal infrastructure to work effectively.

“Am pleased to announce a package of financial reforms to accompany the opening of DBSI and to ensure financial sustainability of all banks is the commitment of the Government to progress. 

“This will include critical financial services reform such as the Credit Union Reform, NPF Legislative Reform, Insurance Act Reform, Financial Services Act Reform and the National Payment System Reform.,” he said.

Kuma said these reforms are critical to the long term financial operation of the banking sector including DBSI.

“Need to relax”

Written by
Alfred Sasako
-
0
Pacific Games 2023 Solomon Islands.

Government lags behind its multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects

By Alfred Sasako

THERE is growing concern the Government is lagging far behind its timetable for the construction of multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects in the country, prompting a call for an end to the 28-day quarantine requirements under the three-month-old State of Public Emergency.

Relaxing the 28-day quarantine restrictions would help speed up work on a number of important projects, including the construction of sporting facilities for the 2023 Games, sources told Island Sun 9th June.

To help the government, the People’s Republic of China has offered to pay for the cost of a direct flight between Honiara and Beijing as flights via Australia and Papua New Guinea are restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sources said.

“The purpose of the flight is to bring to Honiara technical advisors who will provide oversight on the construction of sporting facilities for the Pacific Games in 2023. Most importantly, Chinese diplomats who will advise on the five Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) signed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last October have been stuck in Beijing due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the sources said.

As well, employees of the two Chinese State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) – China Harbour and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) resident in Honiara – are also stuck in China due to the global travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 virus.

 Their absence is having a huge impact on the progress of their work in some projects.

Formalizing the appointment of Solomon Islands Ambassador-designate to China, John Moffat Fugui, is also being affected due to the travel restrictions.

“The longer we keep the 28-day quarantine, the less time there is to get anything done,” they said.

Concerned officials said while the need to remain vigilant is there, it is imperative that a balance is struck to ensure work on important infrastructure projects is not unnecessarily delayed.”

They are appealing to the Government to relax the restrictions so that those stuck in Beijing, including some local Chinese businessmen, could return to Honiara. It is understood Parliament is due to meet on 27th July.

It is understood that China has indicated paying for the Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 to undertake the direct return flight between Honiara and Beijing.

“Given the importance of this matter to the Honiara Government, China is willing to pay for the cost of the proposed flight,” sources said.

Logging industry not in Malaita’s interest at this time: Premier Suidani

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita province Daniel Suidani has reiterated his stand that logging is not in the interest of Malaita “at this point in time”.

In an interview with the paper over the weekend he said the logging industry goes against the policies which guidelines his Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government’s ruling of the province.

“The MARA government discourages logging industry due to the fact that the industry only came with destructive issues.

“Polluted water, damaged environment, created tribal arguments over lands and lots more matters.

“So we see it as a kind of development Malaita province doesn’t need to be in the province at this point of time,” said Suidani.

He said MARA government encourages people to pursue sustainable harvesting of resources.

Suidani said Malaita province is planning to assist landowners on the idea through the province’s business arm the “Malaita Chazon Association”.

“We are now behind the business arm and as long as it comes back we will let people how we can work together on it.

“This is maybe by providing machineries for people to carry out sustainable harvesting of resources that will be for their greater benefits.

“So it is the plan of MARA government to do away with logging industries in the province,” he said.

Suidani said by doing that they are restoring the natural resources in the province that were damaged by logging industry and other activities.

“The objective of MARA government’s policy dwelled on restorative economy. And by looking at it, we cannot restore or sustain our economy while logging is still there.

“It’s contradicted to the policy when logging continues to take away logs in the province, and we try to restore resources in the province,” he said.

Suidani said one of their plans in a way to restore the economy is to encourage replanting of trees in the province.

He said under this restorative economy, the plan is not only on logging sector along, but also on marine resources, cultures and traditions and etc…

“It’s common everywhere in the province that our young people’s attitudes towards our cultures, norms and tradition are going astray. 

“So many things in the province at the moment are ruin and went out of hand with/without control of us resource owners.

“MARA’s policy encourages restoring the province’s resources, heritage, culture and everything by protecting them,” Suidani said.

Half of first repatriated nationals test negative

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Chairman of NHA and Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

HALF of the nationals who were repatriated from Australia and New Zealand have had their first covid-19 tests and they all turned out negative.

This was confirmed by Jimmy Rogers, Secretary to Prime Minister, on Sunday 7th June during a radio talkback show at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC).

“Repatriated nationals from Australia have had their first test and half of them have already have their results and they are all negative and is about 39 of them,” said Rogers.

He said the rest of the first group of those who been repatriated from Australia have been tested but the result is not yet available. If the results are ready responsible authorities will let the public know.

Rogers said out of 39 results 24 of them came from the new machine called qPCR. “This machine can do multiple samples, that is the beauty of it.”

He said for the nationals who were repatriated from Fiji and Vanuatu, the tests are ongoing.

“Results will also be put in for public to know if they are available.”

Rodgers said this is the advantage and the capability Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has in terms of its testing capabilities.

“So that gives us a lot of confidence now for us to go back to the cabinet and propose some amendment on quarantine period in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile the country has two different machines that up and running at the moment.

OUR Party increases to 32 in DCGA

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

By EDDIE OSIFELO

OWNERSHIP Unity, Responsibility (OUR) Party led by political wing leader, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has extended its numerical strength in the government to 32 members.

This was after Member of Parliament for Malaita Outer Island, Martin Mokolo Kealoe resigned from Solomon Islands Democratic Party led by wing leader, Matthew Wale and joined OUR Party on May 29.

His move makes OUR Party single handedly dominating the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA).

Solomon Islands People’s First Party (SIPFP) contributes three members in DCGA with Chacha Bule Amoi of Marovo, Fredrick Koloqeto of South Vella La Vella and Clezy Rore of North Vella La Vella.

The other Party that makes up DCGA is Kadere Party Solomon Islands (KPSI) which consists of John Maneniaru of West Are Are and Silas Vagara Tausinga of West New Georgia.

Therefore, DCGA has 37 members after MP for Central Honiara John Moffat Fugui and MP for North East Guadalcanal Jamie Vokia have lost their petition cases recently.

Registrar of Political Parties Office, Jasper Anisi said this is the latest change following the switch by MP Kealoe.

He said MP Maneniaru has moved to the Opposition but his name is still under Kadere party.

Anisi said only Fugui, Vokia and former Independent Leader and MP for South Choiseul, Robertson Galokale were officially removed from the list after they lost their petition cases.

As such, there are only 47 Members of Parliament.

The Opposition Coalition has a total of eight members in three different political parties.

Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) has six members with Mathew Wale (Aoke Langalanga), Charles Sigoto (Ranonga/Simbo), Derrick Manuari (West Makira), Samson Maneka (North Guadalcanal), Sam Iduri (West Kwara’ae) and Bodo Horst Heinz Dettke (North West Guadalcanal).

United Party has resigned Deputy Opposition Leader, Peter Kenilorea Junior and Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) led by Rick Hou, MP for Small Malaita.

The Independent Group consists of Douglas Ete (East Honiara) and John Dean Kuku (North new Georgia).

The OUR Party members are:

  1. Political wing leader, and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare;
  2. Manasseh Maelanga, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for East Malaita;
  3. Bradley Tovosia, East Guadalcanal;
  4. Jackson Fiulaua, Central Kwara’ae;
  5. Anthony Veke, West Guadalcanal;
  6. Ishmael Avui, East Central Guadalcanal;
  7. Bartholomew Parapolo, Minister for Culture and Tourism,;
  8. Freda Tuki, Minister for Women, Youths and Children Affairs;
  9. Samuel Manetoali, Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs;
  10. Commins Mewa, Temotu Nende;
  11. Senley Levi, MP for North Malaita;
  12. Nestor Ghiro, MP for West Makira;
  13. Lannell Tanangada, MP for Gizo Kolombangara;
  14. Harry Kuma, Minister of Finance and Treasury;
  15. Peter Shanel, Minister for Communication and Aviation;
  16. Dickson Mua, Minister for Health and Medical Services;
  17. Augustine Auga, Lau Baelelea;
  18. Duddley Kopu, Minister for Rural Development;
  19. Christopher Laore, Minister for Home Affairs;
  20. Namson Tran, MP for West Honiara;
  21. Dr. Kaitu’u Tautai, MP for Rennel and Bellona;
  22. Rollen Seleso, MP for South Guadalcanal;
  23. Titus Fika, MP for West Kwaio;
  24. Raxon Ramofafai, Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination;
  25. Makario Tagini, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs;
  26. Jeremiah Manele, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade;
  27. Dr Culwick Togamana, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology;
  28. Stanley Sofu, MP for East Kwaio and Deputy Speaker;
  29. Lilly Mafane Maefai, East Makira;
  30. William Douglas Marau;
  31. Danny Philip, South New Georgia, Rendova, Tetepare;
  32. Martin Mokolo Kealoe, Malaita Outer Islands

1...1,0341,0351,036...1,659Page 1,035 of 1,659