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PM to produce PIF report to Cabinet

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare will present the report of the government’s trip to the recent 50th Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu in cabinet before tabling it in Parliament for debate.

Speaking in Parliament in response to Opposition Leader Matthew Wale yesterday, PM Sogavare said the report contains 20 fruitful bilateral meetings involving him and Minister of Foreign Affairs with other countries.

Sogavare said it is a good suggestion for Parliament to discuss it in a motion moved by Minister of Foreign Affairs on the report.

On climate change, Sogavare said it is sensitive issue to address in Leaders’ Summit especially smaller island states were pointing figures to big industrialise countries.

Sogavare said Australia’s emissions contribution is only one percent but Pacific Islands emissions high in per capita.

“In statistic, our emissions are high but the effects of it we suffer more.

“We take comfort because we had this Paris Agreement framework where by 2050, Australia should be zero,” he said.

Sogavare said after they can start look at full green energy.

“So when we talk about that, we also sensitive on our national security and interests as well.

“We signed a lot of agreements with Australia on security so that this Pacific is safer and peaceful. But it is a very important issue,” he said.

Further to that, Wale said much was said of Australia’s coal policy, if you can call it that.

He said it is clear that Australia will continue to mine, use and export coal.

“It is opening new coal mines.

“Australia is the world’s 3rd largest exporter of fossil fuels after Russia and Saudi Arabia, when you take LNG into account,” he said.

“We understand that it is not easy for any country to quickly transition its economy from reliance on fossil fuels for energy and export earnings to renewables.

“And that jobs are also at stake. That we understand,” he said.

“However, we must respectfully keep nudging Australia towards ambitious climate action.

“Australia is the largest, wealthiest and most powerful economy in our region and it is entirely reasonable and justifiable that the region should expect it to show leadership in climate action,” he said.

“When, as in this case, Australia refuses to provide leadership on this important issue, the region is weaker in the international fora, in its efforts to achieve greater ambition,” he added.

Parliament has adjourned to Monday, September 9.

Who authored the statement of dissent over the China issue?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

AN internal investigation into who was responsible for writing the recent statement of dissent on the China issue is believed to be underway, with insiders saying the outcome is likely to give Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare the ammunition he needs to start pruning his ministerial team.

Sixteen Government MPs, including senior ministers last week openly declared their support for Taiwan in a published statement ahead of reports the Government had commissioned on the matter.

Former Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela who is the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination is among the senior ministers who declared their support for Taiwan.

Now the political Office of the Prime Minister is believed to be investigating who led the pack.

Island Sun was told last night a series of meetings over the weekend had identified Government MPs who are in favour of a switch in diplomatic relations from Taiwan but there were those who wanted to stick with Taiwan.

“Some have not spoken up in the debate over China so far because they fear a switch would put an end to the infamous Rural Constituency Development Fund (RCDF). That came out very, very clear in weekend meetings.

“These MPs were interested in Taiwan just for the money, nothing more,” one insider told Island Sun.

“Once the leader of the group is identified, the Prime Minister could start moving people around. This may mean some senior ministers could lose their jobs.”

One pro-China MP outside Government said, yesterday, “it is time Solomon Islands stop getting paid as a consultant for Taiwan.”

“That’s all Taiwan has been doing over the last 40 years or so. They pay us a consultant fee of USD10 million a year so that Solomon Islands can keep raising Taiwan as an issue at the United Nations,” the MP said.

“Look at how much Taiwan gets from the fish they caught in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”

Reports suggest that Taiwan gets USD2 billion a year from fish their fishermen caught in our EEZ.

Meanwhile the Opposition is believed to have decided to stick together while keeping a “wait and see” approach.

“A merge with Prime Minister Sogavare’s team of 19 MPs is possible, but that is really one of the scenarios being looked at. The problem is whether the leaders of the two groups – Prime Minister’s team and the Opposition – are prepared to forego their personal agenda in exchange for national interest.”

Request for authorities to investigate said ‘allowances’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands Students Association in Philippines (SISAP) request for the Ministry of Education and responsible authorities to investigate said allowance payments that they deny receiving.

The Ministry of Education through the National Training Unit (NTU) last week clarifying report claiming students were starving because their allowances have not been paid went on with the lead that ‘government sponsored students studying in Philippines have had their August allowances processed last month’.

From the media report, SISAP students deny it saying it is a lie on which they request responsible authorities to investigate said payments starting in June and July this year because they do not know about the payments.

“Overall, we have not received these payments that NTU is saying in the media, we only received our first semester allowances, however, it came in late as well (4 months late). But for the second semester, true, nothing is paid in till now, we don’t know when,” say SISAP students.

Currently, it is reported that SISAP students having still waiting for their semester two allowances are facing problems with rentals, water and electricity bills and Visas expiring.

More than 330 SISAP students are estimated to be still waiting for allowances.

Motion looms for Suidani  

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

Premier maintains confidence in overcoming challenge

 

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A motion of no confidence is reportedly looming over Premier Suidani’s two-month old government, it is reported.

But, the new helmsman of Malaita province says he is not swayed by such reports, and welcomes the challenge.

In a statement, Suidani says their attention now is focusing on serving the province as mandatory duty any government of the day is charged with.

The Malaita provincial government also believes it is not the time for political rivalry, “but to put hands together to serve the people and province of Malaita”.

The statement said the government is just two months old and they are positive as the government of the day to do their best for Malaita province.

It reiterates the provincial government believes in togetherness and working together as the only way to lead the province forward.

Suidani’s government has 18 MPAs with 16 MPAs on ministerial portfolios, one MPA backbencher and the premier.

The statement said the recent sworn-in of MPA for ward 26, Alick Junior Ofo’Ofo on Friday last week added to the previous 17 MPAs they have on the government side.

The statement also claims that while they have an 18-man strong side, they are also expecting two more who will be switching from the non-executive side soon.

It has been proposed that the inclusion of these two MPAs will be to replace two MPAs on the government bench on ministerial portfolios.

The statement said two ministers have voluntarily offered to take up back-bencher posts due to medical reasons.

This, if true, would mean Suidani will enjoy a 20-member government.

New President for Royals

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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New Royals FC Academy President Jessy Konofilia (R) with her brother and Royals FC founder Moffat Joel Konofilia. PICTURE SUPPLIED.

Joel Konofilia steps down

By Alfred Pagapitu

New Royals FC Academy President Jessy Konofilia (R) with her brother and Royals FC founder Moffat Joel Konofilia. PICTURE SUPPLIED.

ROYALS football club and academy has a new president. She is Jessie Konofilia, the sister of club founder Mr Moffat Puia Konofilia. Ms Konofilia told SunSPORTS her brother has decided to step aside from playing an active role in the club and academy until his football ban ends in July 2020.

“My brother Moffat Puia Konofilia who founded the club and academy decided to step down from playing an active role in Royals,” the new president said.

“He’s handing over the presidency to me. My responsibility will simply be to look after administration, public relations, promotions and marketing.

“On the field we have a technical director Alick Collins. It is a full time job so he has to be on the field everyday working with our academy kids.

“We have kids aged 4 to 19 and on top of that we have a squad of 25 players going to England next month so Alick trains them on a daily basis.

“I believe in maintaining, enhancing and creating new relationships, sustaining old ones and ensuring that Royals is running efficiently administrative wise.

“Not only that it’s also effective for the kids involved that we can achieve our goals by always being positive and letting everyone know that Royals is all about believing in these kids and taking them to another level in soccer,” she said.

Ms Konofilia said the academy will be sending a squad to England in September to see and experience a new football environment.

“This trip is going to be trials with professional clubs and an opportunity for our boys to study in England”

“Our team consists of players from different provinces of the Solomon Islands as we believe in equal opportunity for our diverse players.

“We have been very fortunate to have Sol Rice and Sol Tuna respond positively to our humble request.

“We got from Sol Rice T-shirts and rice” “Sol Rice has always been a supporter right from the start of our Academy and we are truly grateful for the positive partnership we have with them”.

“Sol Tuna thank you for the cartons of tuna. “ We look forward to more positive partnership with you. The sponsored goods will go towards the Royals squad who are currently in camp.

“Our 25 man squad will be accompanied by our Technical Director and Konofilia to England in September for two weeks.

“The trip will be an exciting and worthwhile football trip and experience for the boys and academy,” she adds. Exciting times ahead for Royals Football Academy.

The president further adds Royals will be organizing fundraising drives soon to help raise funds for the trip to England next month.

Students kicked out

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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MERHD delaying of allowance sees SIG-scholars in Philippines on the streets

 

 BY BARNABAS MANEBONA and MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

WHAT we have feared has happened – Solomon Islands government-sponsored students in the Philippines have been kicked out of their homes, it is reported.

As many as 300 students are affected. They are still waiting for their allowance.

The last allowance was paid in May.

The Ministry of Education’s National Training Unit (NTU) claimed last week that the students have been paid their July allowances. However, the students steadfastly refute this.

They condemn NTU and the President of their students association (SISAP) for dishing out false information seeing them also querying and debating on their social media page about the payment made by NTU reported in the Solomon Star newspaper.

“The news supplied by the SISAP President is misleading. SISAP’s President is talking about his own interest but not for the welfare of students because what has been said in the media especially Solomon Star is different from the reality which we currently experience,” said students.

One student member of SISAP via email wishing for anonymity shared, “90 percent of students are studying here at AMA Quezon. For sure we are yet to receive our allowances, and as far as I know from my direct contact with a finance staff, she told me only few students studying at Far East University received their allowance last week on Thursday.

“For some other universities I know through contacting, students are yet to receive their allowances as well, like AMA Makati, AMA Cavite, AMA Delta and other universities in Manila city.”

Another student living out of campus also sharing, said, “Some of us stay far away from school as far as I know have moved in to live with other students because of rent issue.

“In addition, many students’ parents are also living in villages [here in Solomon Islands] so they find it difficult to contact them for financial support, however, some students manage to contact their parents but they can’t afford to pay such bills for 3 months now.”

To date, Second Semester allowances including reinstatement allowances are still not paid, the students said.

Regarding transcripts, they say some students are unfortunate to enrol because of late arrival in the Philippines to resume classes after the break, and a consequence of not releasing allowances accordingly.

“For Visa, to be honest, currently the majority of students’ visas have been expired since June this year. If students are found, SIG will pay a heavy fine of SBD$10,000 to SBD$15,000,” said students.

It is understood that the National Training Unit (NTU) Director has scheduled meeting for 2pm tomorrow, Wednesday, at AMA Quezon, with what students amongst SISAP still say as ‘unknown agendas’.

“We are still not sure if is it an official visit for students or an unofficial one though it was mentioned in the media that amongst other things, they are expected to discuss matters relating to students’ welfare, visas and academic matters with the institutions that host Government sponsored students.

“If allowances are not paid until next month September then it seems that all of us studying here under SIG will be affected.

“Currently, the majority affected are from the main Campus and our estimation on students affected is more than 300.”

Learning and speaking Mandarin

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Mandarin language is one of the mostly spoken languages in the world today.

In other words, it has the highest number of speakers.

The Standard Mandarin for instance is used in all schools in China. We are not encouraging everyone to learn Mandarin because we are switching diplomatic ties soon – far from it.

We are simply saying learning and understanding some basic Mandarin would prove useful especially for our young people who will become our leaders in future.

The Republic of China (ROC) Embassy in Honiara is co-hosting the learning of Mandarin language at the Solomon Islands National University.

This is a good initiative so we must encourage our students to enrol.

Mandarin language is both spoken in China and Taiwan, but currently our students going on scholarship to study in Taiwan needs some basic knowledge of the language.

In fact most of those doing undergraduate studies in Taiwan will do a Mandarin Language course before enrolling in their degree studies.

The ROC Embassy in Honiara was instrumental in hosting this course at SINU and now recipients of Taiwan Scholarships took the Mandarin Course here at home.

Since the Mandarin language is spoken by millions of people and being one of the most spoken languages in the world, it is arguably the language of business today.

Most of our imported goods come from China. We also export our logs to China.

We are seeing goods sold in local shops littered with Chinese characters.

Perhaps if we understand some kind of Mandarin language, it will benefit us tremendously.

Mandarin is therefore a useful language to learn; not only for education, commerce and business but also in international relations and diplomacy.

We do not want to dwell on the political side of things, except to say that Mandarin would be useful language to learn.

Perhaps in doing so, we will get to understand more about China and Taiwan.

It would be useful if our students or even political leaders learn and grasp the Mandarin language.

As such we fully support the Mandarin Language course at SINU with assistance from ROC Embassy and encourage more students to enrol in it.

Congratulations to the Taiwan Scholarship recipients who have successfully undergone the Mandarin Language course at SINU.

Xie Xie!

Community officers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A good programme for rural Malaita development lacks support from the province

 

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA provincial government is being urged to support the province’s Community Liaison officers (CLO).

Community officers play a role in contributing to law and order in the communities, assisting provincial leaders with planned activities in communities, or assisting community members with sorts of needs.

The programme belongs to the ministry of provincial government (MPGIS). The ministry recruits officers and the provincial government pays their salaries and other benefits.

The Community Liaison Officer programme is run in three pilot provinces; Malaita, Makira-Ulawa and Rennell and Bellona.

Officers in Malaita are voicing their concerns that the province is not supporting them. It is claimed that this lack of support stems back to the time the programme began.

An officer of Malaita, requesting anonymity, says Malaita province has not been owning up to the MOU it signed with the MPGIS to support the CLOs in terms of salary and other funds for the programme.

He said their work is challenging, however, would be effective if the province supported them.

The CLO said at the moment individual officers are using their own resources.

In times where they cannot support themselves, and fail their duties, they get blamed and chastised by the communities and the province.

He reiterates that the province should help CLOs because they are the ones who prepare communities for development plans belonging to both the national and provincial governments.

The CLO adds that the community programme is still young and has space to improve, and support and will from the province is one which they have identified.

The MPGIS or Malaita provincial government could not be contacted for comments before this paper went to press.

‘Let’s not get too emotional’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

-PM Sogavare assures nation of DCGA’s good intentions with its approach to China-Taiwan issue

-PM downplays Opposition Leader’s media claims

 

PRIME Minister Sogavare has spoken out against criticisms by the Opposition on the way it is handling the China-Taiwan issue, refuting claims of being dodgy and having dubious intentions.

He assures that government is being careful, responsible and transparent in its approach to the China-Taiwan issue and how Solomon Islands will get the best deal unscathed.

“There is no intention by the Government and indeed we are not dodging the concerns of the public on this very important policy matter as alleged by the Opposition Leader,” the Prime Minister stated.

The Government is putting in place a mechanism to ensure “our people fully participate in the process of arriving at a decision on this matter and so no one including politicians should be jumping the gun that might undermine the process.

“I would therefore encourage the public and the concern citizens of this country to fully utilise the participation mechanisms to express themselves. Let us not allow emotions to take the best of us in this process,” he said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said Government would welcome and indeed encourage factual contributions and not one that is driven by emotions, hearsay and false dear that is driven by and emanating from the ongoing competition for global dominance by the economic powers of the world which is driven more by their desire for global dominance.

“We would become innocent victims of these power struggles and continue to be in the doldrums of a stagnant economy amidst plenty.

“It is in this regards that the government would like to approach this matter strategically so that we do not leave any stones unturned,” he stated.

He also denies suggestions that the delegation of Ministers to Beijing was to seal a decision to switch.

“That is not true, and I want to assure the people of Solomon Islands that the Government is committed to a process approved by Cabinet to properly assess the pros and cons of this policy intention before any decision is made. We are yet to receive the reports of the Task-Force,” he reiterated.

Sogavare also refutes “misleading, barrages of defamatory insinuations” that the members of the government bench are driven by the desire for pecuniary gain in the pursuance of the policy intention.

“There is nothing more far from the truth,” he stated.

He furthers that Solomon Islands must be able to place itself strategically in a fast changing world to benefit from the economic gains made.

He adds, the question to be asked in this endeavour is if Solomon Islands and 17 other countries are losing out by isolating from recognising the UN Resolution 2758 of 1971 on the question of Taiwan and China.

He emphasises that the answer can only be determined by a proper analysis of its pros and cons.

“That is precisely what the government is doing. The truth about the debt trap phobia must be established. The influence of communism and atheism as advanced by some observers must be probed in the countries that have relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

“The truth about the influence of controlled religious freedom must be understood properly by our Christian organisations. The ability of the country to cope with an overbearing economic power must be properly analysed in line with the experiences of developing countries in the region,” he reiterated.

He stated that these and many more are issues that the country must have answers to before making any decisions.

The deployment of various government teams to neighbouring Pacific Island countries and Beijing is in keeping with the Government’s commitment not to leave any stones unturned on the matter.

“The government is doing this for the benefit of the people of Solomon Islands who are rightly concern about a range of negativities that is alleged to characterise China’s diplomatic relations with the vulnerable developing economies in the Africa, Asia and the Pacific regions,” said the Prime Minister.

On the question of transparency, the Prime Minister said, “There is a vast difference between transparency and careless exposure of raw information that should not be released to the public on matters that are sensitive.

“We are running a responsible government and we intend to act responsibly on this matter.”

He adds that what needs to be appreciated is that there are information that are best for the consumption of the government and its agents for guiding its policy decisions on the matter.

“It is simply ludicrous and totally absurd for the Opposition Leader to insist on the government to release every information it collects and the intentions of its perceived actions, disregarding their sensitivity.

“That is not being responsible. There is a point where gaping government must stop and responsible governance steps in. There is a vast difference,” the Prime Minister said.

Sogavare also highlights the importance to understand that the information collected by various delegations is for the purpose of assisting the government to arrive at an informed decision and stating that at this point of time the information would be too raw for public consumption.

He also questions the Opposition Leader’s motive behind his recent media statements.

“I believe he (Opposition Leader) needs to be clear about what his motives are, and most importantly his stance on this matter,” he stated.

“Had the Opposition Leader read the government’s 100-Days Policy document, it is clearly stated that under its programme the Government will review the Solomon Islands Global posture by implementing its ‘friend to all, enemy to none’ policy of which aims for a Comprehensive Assessment on the China question.”

The Prime Minister has further tasked the 15 Ministers who independently stated their Pro-Taiwan stance prior to formal deliberation by Caucus and Cabinet, to answer the claims made by the Opposition Leader.

–OPMC PRESS

Shock discovery of dead girl below Cathedral Hill

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Members of the public curious about what is happening surrounding the death of a young girl at Holy Cross hill side. Photos by Eddie Osifelo

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

Members of the public curious about what is happening surrounding the death of a young girl at Holy Cross hill side. Photos by Eddie Osifelo

A female believed to be 18 years old was found dead underneath a tree below the Holy Cross Cathedral Hill in Honiara on Wednesday morning.

A big crowd gathered around the scene when Police officers arrived and took the body of the deceased to the National Referral Hospital.

Supervising Deputy Director of the National Crime Investigation Department (NCID) Inspector Michael Bole said police investigators at the Honiara Central Police Station, officers of the Serious Crime Squad and Forensic officers have started their investigation into this sad incident.

Bole said they cannot confirm the cause of death since a post-mortem is yet to be carried out and they have to also interview possible witnesses.

Island Sun arrived at the scene but police had already sealed the area with tape to keep public out.

The scene attracted many onlookers as they stopped by to discuss the incident before they dispersed.

“We don’t know what happen to her,” one onlooker said.

Police appeal to public who may have information about the circumstances that might have led to the death of the female person to come to the Honiara Central Police Station to give their investigators any information or call the Station on 22551 or 22999.

Anyone with information should also contact the Police National Communication Centre on phone 23666.

“I urge members of the public not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the death especially on Facebook. Let us instead assist police investigators to find out what really happened and bring those responsible to face justice,” Inspector Bole said.

“I call on relatives of the deceased female person to remain calm and not to take the law into your own hands. Let us allow the police to do its work.”

“My deepest condolences to the family and relatives of the woman as you mourn the passing away of one of your members,” said Inspector Bole.

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