THE Government is calling on ship operators to comply with Maritime Safety Laws of the country.

The call was made as the Government launched two separate investigations into the recent sea accident involving the MV Taimareho which has resulted in 27 passengers washed overboard when the vessel encountered rough seas triggered by cyclone Harold Thursday last week.

Bodies of seven of the missing passengers have been recovered during the week while a search mission for the remaining 20 bodies are ongoing.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister today said the first investigation comprises a two-part investigation by the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA).

The first part has already commenced – the preliminary investigation into the tragic incident in which the 27 passengers were washed overboard from MV Taimareho on the night of 2 April 2020. A Marine Investigation Officer has been appointed by the Director of SIMSA in accordance with the Shipping Act 1998, and Shipping (Marine Inquiries and Investigations) Regulations 2011.

The second part involves the Commissioning of a ‘Board of Marine Inquiry’ by the Minister under the Act to conduct a formal enquiry into the incident.  The Board of Marine Inquiry will commence its work following the appointment by the Minister of its Chairperson and two members.

The second investigation is a criminal investigation commissioned by the Commissioner of Police as a result of suspicious deaths. This will involve interviews of passengers, crews, shipping company and other persons or bodies of interest to establish facts resulting in suspicious deaths.

These investigations will look at the legality of certain actions or decisions taken or not taken leading to the ship departing Honiara on the night of 2nd April including the incident and post-incident activities. The findings and recommendations of these investigations will be presented to the relevant authorities.

These two investigations will provide adequate assurance into the cause of the incident. The government does not intend to do a Commission of Inquiry simply because a proper mechanism to investigate maritime accidents already exist in law, is already executed and will accomplish a comprehensive assessment that will be completed within a much shorter timeframe. Together with the Police investigations the outcomes of these investigations could result in charges being laid.

By contrast, and based on previous Commissions of Inquiries, a Commission of Inquiry is a very lengthy and costly process that could take a few years to complete which will not enable families affected by this tragedy to have closure for a long time.

As the two levels of inquiries proceed, the government is very aware that 27 of our citizens may have all lost their lives in this tragic incident and their families and relatives are suffering.

“Ship operators and captains must not break the Maritime Laws of the country when implementing government policy. These laws govern how ships operate for safety and security of passengers. They cannot break the law to implement government policy,” the OPMC Statement said.

The government is aware and appreciative that shipping operators are responding positively to implementing the government policy decision to assist our people to relocate to their home provinces as a result of our COVID-19 measures.

A lot of commentary has been carried by the papers and social media platforms regarding the search and rescue operations following the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the government has set up a humanitarian committee coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs and representatives of families and relatives that have lost loved ones.

This Committee is tasked to consider what and how best the Government can support families of the missing passenger as a nation, as a people and as a government.

“There will be ways through which we can all contribute to ease the suffering of our fellow citizens whose loved ones had been taken away from them. We ask you all to listen out and to contribute what you can to what our committee comes up with to support our families most affected by this tragic tragedy,” the OPMC Statement said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday has personally met with the MP for West Are’are, Hon. John Maneniaru and family representatives of the missing person to express his profound condolences and sympathy to those affected by this tragedy.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Government secures additional budget support from donors

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has secured a total of $449 million in grants and concessional loans from development partners and donors to sustain the economy during this downward time caused by the global covid-19 pandemic.

This is because the government expects additional spending pressures, particularly in the health sector, depending on the severity of the domestic public health situation.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma highlighted this during his presentation on the motion to extend the State of Public Emergency to four months in Parliament on Tuesday this week.

Kuma said Asian Development Bank will provide $24 million in grants and $24 million on loan.

He said ADB will also provide $162 million on grants.

Kuma said World Bank will assist with $114 million in grants and $48 million in loan.

He said Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia will provide $63 million in grant.

This is also same with New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade that will allocate $14 million in grants.

In addition, Kuma said the country very own State Owned Enterprises namely Solomon Islands Ports Authority, Solomons Power and Solomon Islands National Provident Fund pledged their willingness to purchase Government Development bond of around $100 million.

“This will further support the implementation of the economic stimulus package,” he said.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PARLIAMENT on Tuesday 7th April approved that the State of Public Emergency shall continue in force until the expiration of a period of four months.

Forty (40) members of Government, Opposition and Independent benches have thrown their support on the motion moved by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the divisional vote in Parliament.

 Eight members were absent during the voting.

Former Minister of Education and Human Resources John Moffat Fugui and MP for North East Guadalcanal, Jamie Vokia vacated their seats after they lost their election petition cases recently.

PM Sogavare said he was overwhelmed by the spirit of unity that manifested in the house for the first time a matter discussed where everyone agreed on points to put on floor.

He said it was amazing what a national crisis can do, it actually unites the country together.

“Where it starts, it starts appropriately here in this house.

“When the motion was debated, it was overwhelming supported by all members of the house,” he said.

Sogavare said the government took note of a lot of issues raised and would address through relevant ministries.

In addition, he said the powers given to him under the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) are not absolute and sweeping powers.

However, Sogavare said in times like this you don’t need to negotiate but for people to carry out orders.

He said the existence of State of Public Emergency does not means all rights of citizens are suspended but allow these rights to be curtailed.

“The State of Public Emergency allows the Excellency to evoke powers under the Emergency Powers Act to make regulations for the exercise of the powers prescribed the particular regulations.

“In this case it evokes the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) 2020,” he said.

Sogavare said the powers are to address the COVID-19 and not to do anything under the sun.

A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to perform actions or impose policies that it would normally not be permitted to undertake.

A government can declare such a state during a natural disaster, medical pandemic/epidemic, civil unrest, or armed conflict.

Such declarations are designed to alert citizens to change their normal behaviour and orders government agencies to implement emergency plans.

This was the second SOE in 20 years after former Governor General Sir John Lapli declared it in 2000 following the ethnic conflict on Guadalcanal.

Parliament adjourns to Monday 27th July 2020 unless the Speaker recalls Parliament earlier.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package targets the export sector and key growth areas in services, agriculture, construction, tourism and communication.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma explained the proposal during his contribution in Parliament yesterday on the motion to extend the State of Public Emergency to four months.

The proposal is pending Cabinet deliberation after consultation done between Officials in the Ministry of Finance, Office of Prime Minister and Development partners.

Kuma said the four different level of support in the proposal are:

1. Soft immediate relieve;

He said the first level looks at soft measures to ensure the economic machinery or vehicle continues to operate with the given relieve measures.

These include:

1. Utilities relieve package from State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) like Solomon Power and Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA);
2. Banks and financial institutions relieve on loan repayments and interests;
3. NPF relieve on surcharges to employers;
4. Possible tax relieve on specific sectors (this will be finalised with IRD input);
5. Government payroll will generally continue to support public servants and maintain certain level of consumer demand.

• Injection into targeted investments into productive and resources sector.

This will include:

1. Value added or production on target agriculture products, kava, noni, cassava, etc;
2. Value added or production on targeted forestry, fisheries sectors;
3. Targeted investments into tourism;
4. The package will also propose a specific investment called COVID-19 product in DBSI. This product will promote specific investment in agriculture sector.

• Equity injection into Government’s portfolio companies for immediate recovery and continuation of their operations.
• Equity injections into airlines;
• Equity injection into Soltuna;
• Equity injection into KFPL;
• Equity injection into DBSI.

• Medium to long term support to growth.

Kuma said this part of the package will commit the government to bring forward key unfunded infrastructure under the National Transport Plan and the Development Programme of the Government.

He said pipeline investments under this package will include but not limited to projects such as:

1. Two major wharves that links agriculture hub, include Kirakira wharf/rumps, and Malu’u wharf;
2. Fiu bridge in Malaita
3. Seghe and Taro airport upgrade project

Kuma said the road ahead to stimulate the economy will not be easy.

He said it is entangled with uncertainty, fear, and travel restrictions that have been established to contain the virus, but on the other hand are restrictive in the implementation of the stimulus package with the business sector.

“Unlike other disasters, such as cyclone and flood that are developed and physically seen in the country.

“The COVID-19 is unseen and is still a foreign virus,” he said.

Kuma said nonetheless, it has restricted people’s mobility, affect and reduce aviation and shipping services, hinders project implementation and reduce business and economic growth.

However, Kuma said the Government is committed to secure funding resources and identify targeted areas to be ramped up.

“Stimulating the economy (like protecting our citizen from COVID-19) is however, everybody’s business.

“We all need to see a goal together, plan together, and work together to reinvigorate the economy,” he said.