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Police vehicle in Renbel sold: Varley confirms

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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PC Mathew Varley

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has confirmed that Police officers at Tingoa RenBel Province have sold the old ex-RAMSI vehicle AB 1530 without authorisation of the Police Force.

Island Sun had reported that the vehicle, AB1530, which was put on tender by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development last week, had already been sold by officers at Tingoa police station months earlier.

RSIPF Rove HQ was reportedly unaware of this sale.

Mr Varley says he is upset with his officers’ action.

However the briefing he got is it’s an old vehicle, an ex-RAMSI vehicle, and it was a vehicle that did not have an engine on it for some reason and it’s a vehicle that have been decommissioned and identified as beyond repair.

“What I’m told is that the officers disposed the vehicle locally,” Varley said.

He said that investigations are under-way regarding the sell and who benefits from the money.

He said that an old government property remains the property of the government and he has ordered full investigation on that case.

Varley also said that in relation to the misconduct officers down at Renbel a team of officers with the Assistant Commissioner Provincial and SIPDP Advisors had travel to Renbel last weekend and the ACP has prepared a report for in which he is still in the process of reviewing the reports.

“I have asked Deputy Commissioner of Operation Juanita Matanga and ACP Provincial Joseph Manelugu to review the report carefully and give me recommendation on changes or issues that need to be addressed down at Renbel I’ll update on those changes in due course at this stage I’m still working through those information,” Varley said.

MARA policy translation in weeks’ time

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Premier of Malaita Province, Hon Peter Channel Ramohia.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

TRANSLATION of Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government policy will soon happen.

The MARA government is the current provincial government of Malaita province led by Premier Suidani.

In an interview with one of the three tasked to work on the policy yesterday, former premier of Malaita province said they will do the translation in weeks’ time.

He said the review of MARA policy has already been done and at the moment the policy should have been already with them.

Ramohia said the executive’s busy schedule has kept them from giving the taskforce the policy.

He said for the last two weeks the assembly together with staffs from the administration office attended the induction workshop that ended mid this week.

Ramohia said it scheduled that next week the provincial government will be in Auki for a meeting and time will allocate after the meeting for the translation programme.

He said they see this is the only fitting time since everyone will be here for the meeting since it’s important for all of them to be part of the policy programme.

Mua launches 4-yr national NCD strategic plan

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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MP for Savo/Russell Dickson Mua and Minister for Ministry of Forestry and Research.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

MINISTER for Health and Medical Services Dickson Mua on Thursday launched the four years multi-sectoral national Non-communicable Diseases strategic plan 2019-2023.

The four-year multi sectoral strategic plan is a collaborative effort of the ministry of health, the Pacific community and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Solomon Islands country office with inputs from various government ministries, Solomon Island National University, Global Youth Nexus and faith based organisation.

This plan acknowledges the current status of NCDs in the Solomon Islands and provides strategies in terms of the three priorities.

Mua said the three priorities are to prevent NCDs and promote health and wellness for all, secondly to improve control of NCDs through capacity building and health system strengthening and to monitor NCDs and elevate interventions to track progress to achieve set target.

“These three priorities aim to produce the epidemic by strengthening monitoring and surveillance, scaling up implementation of evidence based measures to reduce risk factors like, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol.

“The implementation of this plan will be driven by my ministry but support from the whole-of-government and the whole-of-society is paramount,” he said.

The launch was done at the culmination of the two-day dialogue on NCD road map policy which was held yesterday in Honiara.

Genuine support?

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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Taiwan flag

Government investigates Taiwan’s $3.2 million rent-an-MP deal

By Alfred Sasako

 

THE Government is believed to be investigating reports that there was more to the statement of support by 16 Government MPs for Taiwan than has been disclosed thus far, sources said last night.

Sources said a deal worth $3.2 million was negotiated as a reward for supporting Taiwan on the diplomatic vote.

A special investigation by Island Sun in the past week had established that the source of the statement was the Embassy of Taiwan in Honiara. Our investigation also established through an email that the statement was sent to news outlets by an Oliver Weng, the Counsellor at the Embassy.

Mr Weng was the likely author of the statement attributed to the 16 MPs including former prime minister and Minister for Development Planning & Aid Coordination, Rick Houenipwela, Culture and Tourism Minister Bartholomew Parapolo, Justice Minister Dr Tautai Kaituu, Environment Minister Dr Culwick Togamana, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Augustine Auga, Health and Medical Services Minister, Dickson Mua, Traditional Governance Minister Samuel Manetoali, Public Service Minister Frederick Kologeto, Lands and Housing Minister William Marau, Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeremiah Manele, Police and National Security Minister, Lanella Tanagada, Education Minister, John Kuku and Women, Youth and Children Minister Freda Tuki.

Two Government backbench MPs – Deputy Speaker Stanley Festus Sofu and Hon Senley Levi Filualea – were also named on the list.

Now sources have revealed the Government is investigating a deal reportedly struck with the Embassy that all 16 MPs would receive $200, 000 each or $3.2 million in total once their support carry the vote to remain with Taiwan.

For now, the government is looking for evidence that there indeed was a deal. Once this is confirmed, some or all of the Ministers involved in the deal would have to go, the sources said.

“This is a very serious matter and the government is taking it very seriously. It’s the chequebook diplomacy alive and well,” one source said.

The revelation of the deal comes as the Government prepares to vote on switching diplomatic relations. The vote will take place in two weeks.

“Already the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) has secured its number to remain in office. More have indicated joining,” the sources said.

It is understood Prime Minister Sogavare has ordered all Government MPs to be in Honiara for the vote.

3 students on Chinese scholarship

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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(Left - rignt) Raymond Gwali, Shadie Haikau and Bently Tahioa at SI High Commission office in Port Moresby.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

(Left – rignt) Raymond Gwali, Shadie Haikau and Bently Tahioa at SI High Commission office in Port Moresby.

THREE Solomon Islands students will travel to China on Saturday to do their degree programme for the next four years.

They are:

  1. Shadie Haikau who will do Bachelor of International Relation at Beijing International Studies University;
  2. Bently Tahioa who will do Bachelor of civil engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology and;
  3. Raymond Gwali who will do Bachelor in Economics and Finance at Huaqiao University in Fujian province.

They are recipients of the China – Pacific Islands Forum Scholarship 2019/2020.

Ms Haikau and Mr Gwali will undergo six months study on Chinese language at their same university while Mr Tahioa will do his at Northeast Normal University in Changchun, Jilin province.

The students are currently in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to sort out their Chinese visas before they fly out to Beijing.

The Solomon Islands High Commission office in Port Moresby is helping the students to sort out their visas.

It was an excitement moment for the three students as they prepare to explore China and learn their cultures and equip them with knowledge.

Ms Haikau said she was really happy to achieve this scholarship.

She looks forward to do her best in school and come back to contribute to the development of the country.

Island Sun understand few Solomon Islands students are also currently studying under the same scholarship in China.

According to Stella Marie Martin, the Government of the Peoples Republic of China has offered 20 scholarships to nationals of PIF Countries under the China – PIFS Scholarship Scheme for the year 2019-2020.

This scholarship is linked to the establishment of the Pacific Trade and Investment (PT&I) Office in Beijing.

PIF Program is a fully funded scholarship established by MOE to encourage students from Pacific Island countries to study and conduct research in China.

‘China pours in US$630m in trade’

Written by
Mike Puia
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By Mike Puia

 

CHINA remains this country’s key trading partner even though they don’t have diplomatic ties.

The issue of trade came out at the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) hearing that started at the National Parliament on Wednesday.

The FRC hearing yesterday will end today. FRC is examining and will make recommendations on the issue of severing ties with Taiwan.

The committee will also examine, make observations and recommendations on the government’s general conduct of its foreign policy.

The bipartisan taskforce set up by the government to look into the pros and cons of a switch in relations to China was the first group to appear before the FRC.

Chairman of the bipartisan taskforce, Mr John Moffat Fugui, revealed that it was interesting to learn that China poured in over US$630million to the country for raw resources each year.

Team leader of a government delegation that visited Beijing, Peter Shanel Agovaka, said for over 35 years Solomon Islands had a cordial relationship with Taiwan.

But, Agovaka said this is the time for Solomon Islands to make new friends.

He said China is a new power and this country needs to embrace and engage with it.

Agovaka said China’s economy has risen over the last 30 years making the country second to USA in terms of economic strength.

He said a relationship with China will make Solomon Islands relevant to China and the rest of the world.

Agovaka said there is no harm for this country to take time in its decision to forge diplomatic tie with China but the quicker this happens the better.

He said China needs this country to feed its appetite for raw materials.

The former foreign minister said China has a population of over 1.4 billion people and raw materials are important to these people.

He said most of the country’s raw materials like logs, fish, minerals, are exported to China.

Agovaka said this country need to tighten management of its resources in a sustainable manner while waiting on the government’s decision.

He revealed China has indicated its interest in tourism, infrastructure and so forth.

Agovaka said China can offer an opportunity for this country to fill gaps that exist in sectors of the country.

Goodbye CDF

Written by
Mike Puia
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China

Mainland China promises to give Constituency Development Fund, but only for short time

By Mike Puia

 

THE People’s Republic of China says it is willing to provide flexible money like that provided by the Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

But, there’s a catch – they will give somewhat freely for only a certain period of time before switching to their usual loan scheme.

The revelation was made by the chairman of the bipartisan taskforce, Mr John Moffat Fugui, when he appeared before the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) yesterday.

The FRC commenced its hearing yesterday. It will end today.

FRC is examining and will make recommendations on the issue of severing ties with ROC Taiwan.

The committee will also examine, make observations and recommendations on the government’s general conduct of its foreign policy.

The bipartisan taskforce, which was set up by the government in April this year to look into the pros and cons of a switch in relations to China, is the first group to appear before the FRC.

The taskforce provided information about countries visited like Fiji, Tonga, PNG and Samoa which have diplomatic relations with China to see the impact of Chinese aid into the Pacific. The taskforce also visited China’s Beijing and ROC Taiwan.

According to Fugui, his taskforce’s report will be finalised in the coming days.

The report is yet to reach cabinet and caucus. The government will have a final say whether or not to switch.

Fugui told the FRC hearing that the government’s move to sever the country’s ties with ROC Taiwan will leave a “gap” to support the government delivers to its people through the CDF.

He noted that during his taskforce’s meeting with PRC officials in Beijing, they indicated that China is willing to deliver flexible money like what ROC Taiwan provided but for a period of time.

He said China’s commitment will go on during the transition of a possible switch

Fugui said after the transition period, China would go back to its loan arrangement.

He said funding support China promises would come through projects using the framework ROC Taiwan used to deliver its CDF contribution.

According to Fugui, a change would mean China will use this system and then move to another as time goes.

Severing of ties with Taiwan is believed to be a major policy of Our Party, one of the four political parties that make up the government. The Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, is the leader of Our Party.

In his comments, FRC chairman, Mr Peter Kenilorea Junior, said it is important that this country goes back and assess why the founding fathers of this country chose to forge a relationship with ROC Taiwan rather than China in 1983.

Kenilorea Junior said severing ties with ROC Taiwan is a serious matter and if it happens, it’s a major foreign policy shift.

Electoral commission set to test case holding by-election and provincial government election in one day

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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By Alfred Sasako

 

THE by-election for East Makira Constituency and the Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government Election due at the end of the year are set to be used as a test case for combining two elections in one day.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) said this week, “there is a strong preference by the SIEC to conduct the by election together with the Makira/Ulawa Provincial election to test the value of combining the conduct of both national and provincial elections together in one day.”

“To date, the Minister of MPGIS has already proclaimed the provincial election for Makira province to be conducted on 12th December. So SIEC may well go with this date because of its preference to test case the combining of both elections in one day,” SIEC’s Electoral Chief Mose Saitala told Island Sun.

It is understood that finances for both elections are an issue and holding them both in one day would help ease the financial hardships being faced by the government.

The East Makira Constituency became vacant following the death of first time MP Charles Maefai last month. There are rumours that his widow, Lily Maefai, could be asked to contest the seat.

Sympathy votes could help her win the bye-election easily, one report suggested.

Former lands commissioners appointed to the new lands board

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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By Alfred Sasako

 

TWO former Lands Commissioners have reportedly been appointed to the Lands Board, sources told Island Sun on Tuesday.

Silva Dunge and Fred Soaki were appointed by the Minister of Lands, Survey and Housing, Hon Jimmy Marau, the sources said.

Both men held the position as Commissioners of Land in the early 2000s. In their terms in office, members of public and in some cases the corporate businesses have often complained about alleged under the table land dealings as well as lost files.

The sources said their appointments have placed the acting Commissioner of Lands, Allen McNeil, in a difficult position especially in his role to clean up the mess in land allocations in urban areas both in Honiara and other provincial centres.

According to eyewitnesses, Mr Dunge and Mr Soaki were allegedly seen frequenting the premises of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Housing prior to their appointments.

“Their appointments are now seen to be in direct conflict with what the Commissioner of Lands is doing, particularly in dealing with land acquisition and allocations in urban centres.

“With executive powers behind them, the two Board Members may not cooperate with the Commissioner and so we may go back to square one in land allocation matters,” the sources said.

It is understood Mr Dunge’s and Soaki’s appointments have been gazetted. Neither men could be contacted for comments.

Sogavare misrepresents my statement: Kenilorea Jnr

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEPUTY Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (FRC), Peter Kenilorea Jr (LEFT) and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (RIGHT).
DEPUTY Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (FRC), Peter Kenilorea Jr (LEFT) and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (RIGHT).

DEPUTY Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (FRC), Peter Kenilorea Jnr says the Prime Minister has totally misrepresented his statement on the determination of the China-Taiwan issue.

The FRC Chair and also East Are’Are MP, said this in response to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare who ignorantly misrepresented what he (Kenilorea Jnr) had put out regarding the issue, and suggested it to be on who has the power and mandate to sever diplomatic relations.

Kenilorea Jnr pointed out that “the statement by the Prime Minister is a total misrepresentation of what I, as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Foreign Relations Committee (FRC), have publicly stated on this issue”.

He noted that the attempt to tarnish his credentials on international matters and understanding of our government processes by the Prime Minister is an attempt in cheap politics that may work on some.

“But it will not work on me. Such condescending approaches are outdated,” Kenilorea Jnr said.

The FRC Chairman stresses, “For the record, I am well aware of the role of the Foreign Relations Committee and that besides, examining and observing, we can only recommend to Parliament.

“The FRC intends to do exactly that in our report to Parliament following the inquiry for the Parliament’s deliberation.

“Following such deliberations, what happens thereon to the report is in the hands of parliament and the executive branch of government. The FRC will not usurp the powers and functions of other arms of government.

“In this particular issue, my Committee has agreed to make an inquiry into the question of ‘severing of existing ties’ with a traditional partner.

“Solomon Islands had a choice to make following independence on the One China Principle and our founding fathers decided to recognise Republic of China (Taiwan).

“Careful considering on severing this tie will need to be undertaken. This is exactly what the FRC hopes to achieve.”

He then pointed out that their terms of reference (TORs) are clear in the standing orders, and those covering the inquiry are being published in papers and online.

“I am sure the various task forces being set up by the executive also have their own TORs.

“We have invited the Chair of the bi-Partisan taskforce, the team leader of the ministerial group, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, other government ministries and authorities to appear before the FRC and air their views.

“We have also invited other interested stakeholders to the hearings from the civil society groups, as well as SICA and SI Chamber of Commerce.”

Kenilorea Jnr shares that as chair of the FRC, he is pleased the role of the committee is attracting so much attention from the Prime Minister and media.

“A positive aspect of this attention is that the public is now more aware of the FRC, one of the 10 standing committees of Parliament,” the FRC Chair said.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

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