Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Australia’s miracle man Prime Minister Scomo to meet Solomon Islands’ own miracle Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
By Alfred Sasako
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister, dubbed Scomo (Scott Morrison) the miracle politician who against all odds won a resounding victory at the recent election, will visit Honiara on Sunday.
The visit, reported on the front page of The Australian newspaper, is being seen as an extension of Washington’s fight to keep China out of the Pacific.
It is Mr Morrison’s first overseas visit after his re-election, which has been described as a miracle as the victory went against poll predictions which suggested the Australian Labor Party (ALP) was going to win.
The Australian newspaper said the stop-over visit was motivated by China’s attempt to persuade Solomon Islands to sever its ties with Taiwan and warnings by the United States that Chinese interference in the Pacific is leading to “the possibility of conflict.”
Prime Minister Morrison is on his way to London for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
His meeting with Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Sunday is expected to cover the One China policy. Mr Morrison is also expected to inform his Solomon Islands’ counterpart that Australia and the United States are against Solomon Islands recognising Mainland China.
The Sogavare Government remains divided on the China-Taiwan issue. There are indications that many in government are supporting the move to sever ties with Taiwan. They are working from within to make the change happen.
The pressure from within was so intense, Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands reportedly ended up in hospital in Honiara over the issue. He later left for Taipei on special leave.
Prime Minister Morrison may have a hard time convincing the Government about the One China policy since Canberra and Washington have offered no alternative in terms of economic development in Solomon Islands.
Nevertheless, the visit to Honiara fulfills a promise of a fresh focus on the country’s Pacific “step up”. Since his re-election Prime Minister Morrison has appointed his closest ally and numbers man Alex Hawke to lead a frontbench ministry focused on the Pacific region.
CBSI staff from left, David Ereai, Evance Neusia, Angeline Bataánasia, Uriel Matanani,Sandy Iro, Lain Aquillah and Paula Dofai proudly display the copy of the report.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
CBSI staff from left, David Ereai, Evance Neusia, Angeline Bataánasia, Uriel Matanani,Sandy Iro, Lain Aquillah and Paula Dofai proudly display the copy of the report.
CENTRAL Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has projected that the Solomon Islands economy to grow by 3.7 percent in 2019. This is a slight drop from 3.9 percent witnessed in 2018.
Speaking during the launching of the CBSI 2018 Annual Report, Governor Denton Rarawa said this moderation in growth reflects the key assumption that forestry will finally decelerate as part of the government’s new policy to achieve sustainability in the forestry sector.
Nevertheless, Rarawa said the growth is expected to be driven by the transportation and construction sectors, related to major infrastructure projects, the onset of mineral production, wholesale retail, manufacturing and fisheries.
“Over the medium term, the economy is expected to grow by an average 4.5 percent.
“This is expected to come from positive spill over from projects such as the submarine cable, Tina Hydro, the Pacific Games and projected robust outcomes in mining,” he said.
In the meantime, Solomon Islands economy witnessed another successful year in 2018.
Rarawa said this result was driven mainly by favourable performance in the services sector, particularly from wholesale retail, transport and financial services.
He said the positive outcomes in the primary and secondary sectors (mainly forestry and fisheries) and (construction and manufacturing) also contributed to this growth.
“Performance in all key export commodities, with the exception of copra, were positive.
“Round logs grew by three percent to 2.7 million cubic metres last year, the highest level of production on record,” he said.
Rarawa said labour conditions expanded during the year.
“Based on Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) data as a proxy employment indicator show an increase of seven percent to more than 58,000 active contributors.
“Staffing levels in the public sector rose by two percent to over 17,000 employees,” he said.
Rarawa said there was also a pickup in both the locally based work force and seasonal workers in Australia and New Zealand.
Further to that, consumer prize pressures rose in 2018.
Rarawa said headline inflation reached 4.2 percent in December against 1.8 percent at the end of 2017.
“This rate was within the Bank’s forecasted range and was driven by stronger supply side domestic inflation, along with the rise in imported prices.
“Categories responsible for the spike in consumer prices during the year were education, transportation, food, and alcohol and tobacco,” he added.
Rarawa said external conditions remained firm during the year.
He said despite a reduction in the trade surplus, improved investment income and tourism receipts narrowed the current account deficit.
“As a result, the country’s gross foreign reserves increased by 10 percent to $5 billion.
“This level of reserves was sufficient to cover nearly 13 months of imports and is well above the CBSI’s precautionary import cover threshold of six months,” he said.
Rarawa said developments in the monetary sector also point to sustained growth.
He said broad money rose by seven percent to $5.2 billion due to increase in both net foreign assets and private sector credit.
“Lending by banks to the private sector grew by 4 percent to $2.4 billion during the year.
“Major borrowing industries were construction, distribution, transportation and manufacturing,” he said.
Rarawa said nonetheless, interest rate margins remained high at around 10.5 percent.
Meanwhile, liquidity levels in the banking system continued to accumulate, rising by 14 percent to $2.2 billion and was largely driven by the growth in net exports.
He said excess liquidity remained high, although they believe it is not inflationary, particularly in view of the much lower credit growth and the supply side nature of inflation in the country.
“With respect to government’s finances, 2018 was a positive year.
“The fiscal position returned to an estimated surplus of $191 million after two successive years of deficits, reflecting considerable fiscal consolidation.
“Revenue in particular rose on strong collection from tax and trade related duties, while total expenditures only grew marginally, amidst a reduction in development spending,” he said.
Meanwhile, government debt increased moderately and remained at around 11 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
The theme for the event is ‘Setting the foundation for robust, broad based and inclusive growth’.
Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands Denton Rarawa.
BY EDDIE OSIFELO
Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands Denton Rarawa.
CENTRAL Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has made an operating profit of $84 million last year from investment income and growth in other incomes.
Speaking at CBSI 2018 Annual Report in Honiara on Monday, Governor Denton Rarawa said this is more than double profit of $30 million in 2017.
He said the net assets position of the balance sheet also increased to $149 million at the end of 2018 up from $45 million in 2017.
“In terms of its investments, CBSI strategically invested portions of the foreign reserves in secure asset portfolios overseas to generate income and sustain the reserves.
“Improved financial market conditions and favourable deposit rates, particularly in the United States contributed to the surge in interest income to $86 million from $49 million in 2017,” he said.
The Bank had also strengthened its governance with the appointment of three new directors to take it to a full complement of nine board members.
The Bank total number of staff increased by four percent to 159 in 2018.
Rarawa said there were some important currency developments during the year.
He said in July, the Bank launched the commemorative $40 note and a coloured $2 coin to celebrate the country’s 40th Anniversary of Independence.
In August, a new $5 polymer note was endorsed.
Rarawa said the bank plans to progressively update its suit of notes as part of a currency reform process that started in 2010.
He said these are aimed in part, to enhance the security of the notes and to reflect changes in the economy.
group photo by MINSITRY OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION _ FIJI
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
SOLOMON Islands representatives are among 150 feminists across the Pacific participating in the second Pacific Feminist forum currently underway at Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour in Suva, Fiji.
The forum focuses on sustain solidarity, building resistance and revolution with the aim to create positive change for women and girls.
Representing Solomon Islands are Martha Rurai the Provincial Desk officer for Malaita provincial council of Women and Island Sun journalist Mavis Nishimura Podokolo.
Mrs Rurai said she is honoured to be among the feminist participants sharing common issues affecting women in the pacific.
“I am glad to be part of the forum because it helps me to learn and share common issues affecting women across the pacific which different to mine.
“As Solomon islander activists this space is not only for me but am here representing my Solomon Islands sisters,” she said.
According to the Pacific Feminist forum 2019 statement it highlighted that the forum will mobilise diverse women from across the Pacific to share knowledge and experiences, celebrating achievements and strategies for collective action to achieve women’s human right.
“It will be a transformative space for Pacific feminists to reflect on key issues paramount to gender equality and women’s human rights and come together with strong, focused and accelerated strategies,” the statement said.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in Fiji Mereseini Vuniwaqa in her opening address said the meeting is truly an essential inspiring and uplifting opportunity.
“This forum is truly a celebration of the contribution women Pacific islanders did in every aspect of life, in home, in our jobs in communities as feminists as mothers daughters, farmers, activists, students citizens and leaders,” Mrs Vunivaqa said.
She said feminists across the Pacific are growing from strength to strength with various feminist organisation networks, activities and groups.
The theme of the occasion is “sustaining solidarity resistance and revolution”.
The three-day forum was organised by the PFF working group that consists of femLINKPacific, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality Fiji, Tongan Leitis Association and Rise UP (PNG). The 2nd PFF is supported by the Australian Government through the We Rise Coalition, Fiji Women’s Fund, Mama Cash and the UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office.
A group of logging companies which exported about 20,000cm3 of round logs in defiance of High Court Orders is planning another large shipment, it was revealed last night.
Sources familiar with the arrangement told Island Sun yesterday two export permits were issued for the export of 5,000cm3, although the companies knew these logs were subject to orders made in relation to the High Court Civil Case (HCCC) 496 of 2016 and HCCC 246 of 2018.
The new shipment is valued at around $6 million.
The logs are said to be from south-west Choiseul, where the High Court had found logging companies were undertaking felling outside their concession. As a result, the initial log shipments totalling 20, 000cm3 was confiscated by the State, the sources said.
“What the guilty party simply did was to change its identity by creating new companies which are then used to export the logs. These new companies are largely owned or connected to the guilty party. But because they are new entities they believe they are not bound by the High Court ruling to deposit the sales proceeds into trust account as ordered by the High Court.
“It is a very clever tactic,” the sources said.
Take the High Court Civil Case (HCCC) 496 of 2016 for example. This case involved a concession in south west Choiseul where some 3, 000cm3 valued at $3 million was confiscated by the State.
A new entity created after the High Court ruling exported the shipment, but since then no funds are said to have been paid into the Trust Account.
The same happened to a 4, 000cm3 of round logs, which was awarded the State in HCCC 246 in 2018. Again, newly-created companies connected to the guilty party had exported the shipment.
To date no funds have been paid into the Trust Account which the High Court had ordered. The shipment was valued at $4 million.
A similar thing happened to a shipment of 7, 000 cm3, said to be valued at $8 million went through the same process. But despite the High Court Order that proceeds from the sale of the log shipment be paid into a Trust Account, no funds have been deposited, according to those familiar with the matter.
The 5, 000cm3 shipment was also part of the HCCC 246 of 2018.
The third and final case involving HCCC 246 was the sale of 6, 000cm3 of round logs last year.
Despite the sale, no funds have been deposited in the Trust Account as ordered by the High Court, parties to the case told Island Sun.
The Commissioner of Forests is reportedly considering blacklisting companies that defied High Court Orders.
More than half of Parliament face court challenge over election
By EDDIE OSIFELO
UP to 27 election petition cases have been filed in the High Court at the closure of the petition period on Monday.
This means 54 percent of the winning members of Parliament (MPs) are facing election petition, a figure which sets a history in the politics of Solomon Islands.
Among the MPs who are facing petition are Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs, John Maneniaru, Minister of Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga, Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, Peter Kenilorea Junior and the nation’s only two female MPs, Lannelle Tanangada and Freda Tuki.
Registrar of High Court & Court of Appeal, Myonnie Ann Tutuo said she will provide the full list of the names today.
She said only Isabel and Rennell and Bellona provinces do not have any registered petition case.
Myonnie managed to provide 24 names of the 27 MPs facing petitions.
They are:
Honiara
MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete, MP for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui and MP for West Honiara, Namson Tran.
Choiseul
Robertson Galokale (South Choiseul) and Manasseh Sogavare (North East Choiseul)
Guadalcanal
Peter Shanel (Central Guadalcanal, Jamie Vokia (North East Guadalcanal), Anthony Veke (West Guadalcanal), Bradley Tovosia (East Guadalcanal).
Western Province
Danny Philip (South New Georgia/Rendova/Tetepari), Silas Vangara Tausinga (West New Georgia Vona Vona), Lannelle Tanangada (Gizo Kolombangara).
Malaita Province
Peter Kenilorea Junior (East Are Are), John Maneniaru (West Are Are), Levi Senley Filualea (North Malaita), Sam Iduri (West Kwarae) Jackson Fiulau (Central Kwarae), Makario Tagini (Baegu Asifola), Manasseh Maelanga (East Malaita, Mathew Wale (Aoke Langalanga), Augustine Auga (Lau Baelelea), Titus Fika (West Kwaio)
Centra Province
Dickson Mua (Savo Russells_
Temotu Province
Freda Tuki – Vatud
According to Solomon Times Online, an election petition can be filed by an elector to the constituency, to which the petition relates, or a candidate for the election in the constituency.
Such a petition must be filed within 30 days after the results of the election are published under Section 7 of the Electoral Act 2018.
The Act also states that the Courts must decide a petition within 12 months after it is filed.
This means the 27 election petition cases will be held between May 2018 and May 2019.
The petitions will test the efficiency of the new Act.
Aside from losing one’s seat, there are serious penalties for major offences such as election bribery and fraudulent voting.
The penalties include up to 15 years imprisonment and/or fines of over $155,990 ($US19,000) as well as an automatic five-year ban on voting or standing in elections.
Lesser offences such as providing misleading information can still land offenders in jail for five years and possibly steep fines.
Funding 2023 Pacific Games could decide diplomatic relations
By Alfred Sasako
FUNDING the South Pacific Games in 2023 could decide Solomon Islands’ future diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
This emerged as pressure reportedly mounts on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to switch relations to Mainland China now or face an internal revolt led by a combined group of Guadalcanal and Malaitan MPs.
The group is said to have numbered about 22 Government MPs.
The news came as Taiwan reportedly suggested last year that the Government use about $15 million it provides annually in prime minister’s discretionary funds to finance the Pacific Games, which Solomon Islands is hosting in 2023.
The suggestion was said to have come out during official donor discussions which Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela ordered in January last year.
Hon Houenipwela asked a team of Caucus consultants to gauge potential funding support from donors on a list of priority projects the government had identified, a member of the team of consultants told Island Sun last week.
These projects included funding support for the 2023 Pacific Games, a new office complex for the Office of the Prime Minister as well as a new official residence for the Prime Minister and so on,” the consultant who requested anonymity, said.
“The Taiwanese official that we met was forthright with us on the Pacific Games,” he said.
“Taipei is having its own economic difficulties and the only way Tapei would be able to help is for the Solomon Islands government to allow the discretionary funds we provide to meet the cost of the Games. Taipei will top it up,” the consultant said.
The consultant said the discretionary funds varied in amounts of between $10 million and $15 million from year to year. Only the Prime Minister has the discretion over the fund, which is provided annually, he said.
According to the consultant, the Taiwanese official told the Team the funds were initially used to prop up shortfalls in education funding until 2015 when it was converted into a discretionary fund or slush fund.
It was subsequently converted into the prime minister’s discretionary funds. Taiwan continued to provide the funding under Hon Houenipwela’s administration which took over from Hon Sogavare.
Three weeks ago the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers told Island in an interview that Solomon Islands and Taiwan were due to sign a financing agreement for the Games later this month.
No figures were mentioned in terms of Taiwan’s financial support. Two Taiwanese firms have already submitted bids to build the National Stadium on the adjoining King George VIth School and Solomon Islands National University (SINU) sports grounds on lower Panatina in East Honiara.
An initial government study has put the cost at $277 million. The Games Village which includes accommodation for international athletes is said to cost around SBD2 billion.
Dr Rodgers said the over-arching agreement which covers commitments by both sides in supporting the Games was already signed.
The parties are simply finalising details of the financing agreement and are hopeful to have that signed later this month, Dr Rodgers said.
FOUR election petitions have been filed to the High Court in the last two days as dateline for lodging the petition will close on Monday.
There are indications of more petitions to be filed before the deadline on May 20.
Of the four petitions, half are against two newcomers who won parliamentary seats for the first time in the April 3 National General Election (NGE).
The two newcomers are Hon Jamie Vokia who won the North-East Guadalcanal seat and Hon Fika who won the West Kwaio seat.
The North East Guadalcanal seat was once held by former Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, who lodged the petition in the High Court yesterday.
Central Kwara’ae’s Hon Jackson Filua’s victory too has been challenged in a petition lodged in the High Court earlier this week.
The first petition in this year’s election was filed by Harry Philip who unsuccessfully contested the Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency on Malaita. Hon Augustine Auga, now Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, retained the seat.
Mr Philip’s case is being listed for pre-hearing on June 4.
Island Sun understands that up to four more petitions could be filed before the deadline on Monday.
Members of the public have expressed their opinions that the 2019 NGE is the worst national general election ever given the scale of alleged bribery and double voting.
In one Constituency on Malaita for example, a presiding officer unilaterally decided the night before the election on April 3 to move one officially designated polling station to a village several kilometres away without prior permission from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission.
Rumours of bribery were also widespread in nearly all 50 Constituencies.
Member of Christafarai band on arrival at Gwounaru airfield on Tuesday.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
Member of Christafarai band on arrival at Gwounaru airfield on Tuesday.
THE international gospel reggae band, Christafarai arrived in Auki town ahead of shows they will put on for local funs.
The 13 member band including Vanesa Quai from Vanuatu touched down from a transit flight from Honiara at Gwounaru airfield around 4:45pm on Tuesday.
Rep from the local organizing committee in Auki calling them “Friends of Christafarai” Mr Richard Misi said the band will perform two shows at APS field in Auki.
He said the shows are free of charge and their first show will be this evening at 6pm – 7pm and another show on the same time tomorrow.
Misi said local artists will also feature during these two shows as organized.
He said their programme for today will be a courtesy visit at the provincial government house, as they will meet with the caretaker acting premier and some of his executive members and HOD of Malaita provincial office.
Misi said the purpose of the visit was because Malaita provincial government valued their tour to Auki and protocol wise they’ll have time to meet with the band.
He said on Friday an educational talk was organized for interested local artists in and around Auki.
Misi said band members of Christafari will lead the educational talk to share their experiences on music and encourage local artists.
Adding that on Friday as well, one of their band members who is their pastor will hold mentoring talk with youth leaders in Auki and surrounding communities.
He said the band will leave Auki on Saturday morning to Honiara for their Honiara shows.
James Rahari is part of the ballot paper draw after the official of nomination close yesterday in Auki.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
James Rahari is part of the ballot paper draw after the official of nomination close yesterday in Auki.
AS of the official close of nomination for candidates to the Malaita provincial election at 4pm yesterday, 262 candidates are registered to contest the election.
Returning Officer for Malaita province, Mr Pearson Simi officially announced this after the ballot paper draw which also happened yesterday.
He said ballot paper draw for candidates within 30 Wards of 13 constituencies on the mainland Malaita happened in Auki and draw for another three Wards in MOI happened in Honiara.
Simi said for two Wards under East Are Are constituency, Ward 19 with eight candidates and Ward 20 with nine candidates.
He said for another two Wards under East Kwaio, Ward 17 with seven and Ward 18 with eight candidates.
Simi said for three Wards under North Malaita constituency, Ward seven with nine, Ward eight with seven and Ward nine with eight candidates.
He said for two Wards under Fataleka constituency, Ward five with five and Ward 14 with 11 candidates.
Simi said for two Wards under East Malaita constituency, Ward 15 with five and Ward 16 with six candidates.
He said for two Wards under Baegu Asifoloa constituency, Ward 11 with six and Ward 13 with 11 candidates.
Simi said for two Wards under Aoke Langa Langa constituency, Ward one with 12 and Ward 30 with five candidates.
He continued that for three Wards under West Kwaio constituency, Ward 26 with five, Ward 27 with eight and Ward 28 with five candidates.
Simi said for another three Wards under South Malaita constituency, Ward 21 with 10, Ward 22 with seven and Ward 23 with five candidates.
For two wards under West Are Are constituency, Ward 24 with two and Ward 25 with eight candidates, he said.
Simi said for three Wards under Lau/Mbaelelea constituency, Ward six with 10, Ward 10 with 13 and Ward 12 with nine candidates.
He said for two Wards under West Kwara’ae constituency, Ward three with six and Ward four with 17 candidates.
And finally for three Wards under Malaita Outer Islands constituency, Ward 31 with six, Ward 32 with three and Ward 33 with five candidates, Simi said.
He said this is the number of candidates nominated to contest the upcoming provincial election on 12th June 2019.
Simi said date for withdrawal is 22th May 2019 and should any nominated candidate which to do so, advised lodge its withdrawal before 4pm on that day.
