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Solomon Islands for West Papua

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, we call them our brothers and sister, we call them our wantoks, we share the same skin colour but yet we ignore them when they needed us the most.

The recent confrontation between the members of Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and pro-West Papua activist during the Melanesian Arts festival in Honiara demonstrate how ignorant we are towards our fellow Melanesia brother and sister of West Papua.

We deny them the opportunity to tell the world about the genocides and in human treatment our brother and sister of West Papua faced in the hands of Indonesian invasion.

We have been vocal towards the issue of West Papua, yet our true colours exposed during the MACFEST.

I agree with few people’s view that the Melanesian Arts Festival was an exceptional avenue for Melanesia countries in the region including Solomon Islands to tell the world that the Melanesia people in West Papua have been discriminated socially, physically and spiritually.

We, Solomon Islands have missed a golden chance to advocate for our Melanesian brothers during the Melanesia Arts Festival.

Whether it is due to incompetency, corruption or a simple oversight of due process, this is a matter of life and death and that responsible governments including Solomon Islands needs to get its act together.

Where is our pride as Melanesian brother and sisters? Till today there has been limited action been taken to free our people to which we share identical culture and tradition.

Our country has been so vocal about West Papua issue in both regional and national level however, the fight is at a dead end.

It seems that the rivalry between free-for-all and politic have blinded the pathway for country to help free our Melanesia brothers and sister of West Papua.

We are blood related race, yet we fail to see the chain that bind the inheritance we share as Melanesian people.

Ben Bilua,

USP Laucala Campus

Proposed agricultural reform in the Solomon Islands might benefit from advice from Thailand

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, I read a news bulletin broadcast by Radio New Zealand last week which referred to Solomon Islands new permanent secretary for agriculture, Ms. Ethel Tebengi, and her views on how the Solomon Islands agricultural sector needed to be re-focused and re-strategised.

Ms Tebengi was quoted as having said as logging scaled down over the next few years, the nation’s economic base would remain weak and vulnerable, citing the past ‘ethnic tension’ and recent natural disasters.

She added that agriculture had the potential to fill the gaps, as long as the ministry was properly resourced.

Ms Tebengi also said it was good for Solomon Islands to export and earn revenue but Solomon Islanders also needed to feed themselves, create employment opportunities through commercial agricultural and to cut their dependency on imported foods.

I agree with what Ms Tebengi outlined for her ministry and the country but ponder how her envisaged plans will be achieved in the short and medium term.

When his late Majesty, King Bhumibol, acceded to the Thai Royal Throne in 1950, His Majesty must have faced the same conditions in Thailand as now foreseen by Ms Tebengi and throughout his entire reign he did much for the betterment of his people.

As early as 1998, the King had initiated 2,159 royal development projects aimed at improving the living conditions of his subjects, particularly those in the remote rural areas of Thailand dependent on subsistence farming for a livelihood.

Over the years, the King oversaw changes in rural development from the introduction of new crops to water conservation and swamp drainage.

Agricultural development was just one area of some eight development projects the King worked hard to see flourish and become the success story that it is today.

As I write, and quote the NATION dated 21 May 2018,

“Thailand’s Bt42.87-billion budget for agriculture has led to a money flow of about Bt113.52 billion in the economic system, according to the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE).

“Vinaroj Supsongsuk, OAE director-general, said that the multiplier effect of the government spending on 15 key agriculture-related policies could drive the flow of money to 2.65 times the actual amount budgeted and generate additional farm income.

“Of these 15 policies a total of Bt42.87 billion is focused on five areas: upgrading agricultural standards for sustainability extending across water resource management, fishery standardisation, development of a rice seed centre, assistance on debts to agricultural cooperative members and on a farm development institute.

“Others key areas include promotion to add product value, use of agricultural machines to replace workers, the organic agricultural product bank, a promotion system for large-scale farming, a learning centre to boost production efficiency for agricultural products, development of smart farming, agricultural area management under proactive agricultural plans, promotion of new agricultural theory, developing agricultural product markets and development of good agricultural practices (GAP).

“Of the total money flow of Bt113.52 billion, about Bt79.65 billion comes from production of materials and related products in supply chains, as a result of equipment procurement in construction projects including water distribution systems and improvement of water sources for greenhouses.

“About Bt33.87 billion came from wages in projects for farmers, such as the fees for instructors and travel allowances. Those wages are spent on household consumption, thus contributing to the income of shops and businesses in communities.

“Another Bt9.36 billion is additional income for farmers from the Bt4.17-billion water resource management project.

“The agricultural sector has seen higher potential through fishery standardisation, which has allowed the country to export more Thai fishery products to the European Union (EU) and non-EU markets.

“As the programmes help reduce the production costs of farmers and food producers, increase promotion of products, or increase use of agricultural machines, sector incomes and profits are increased by 0.5-1.0 times.

“Learning centres help boost the efficiency of producing agricultural products, while the smart farmers programme helps farmers become more self-reliant through learning about efficient production planning and making choices based on Agri-Map zones.

“Activities or projects under the scheme aiming to raise capabilities of the agricultural sector and farmers are expected to raise future farm incomes through improved quality of products, value-added products, and increased knowledge of production and distribution channels for export.”

While all I have quoted about Thailand’s budgetary success from agricultural development and reform is on a much grander scale than that of the Solomon Islands, I do believe, as I have repeatedly expressed in writing, Thailand has much to offer the Solomon Islands by way of advice and example – and to my knowledge the Royal Thai Government has offered to help agricultural reform in the Solomon Islands, if requested.

I would encourage this approach.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

It begins this week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE lengthy process for the long-awaited event which occurs only once every four years has begun.

Officials engaged by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission are scattered right across the nation’s length and breathe recording names of young people who will be casting their votes for the first time.

The 2019 National General Election (NGE) is due to be held during the last week of March. That date remains secret until December 5 this year when the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui announces that day of reckoning.

It is refreshingly encouraging to note the stance taken by the Electoral Commission after concerns about alleged vote-rigging, illegal voting and the like. The distinction which the Commission is trying to make between awareness and election-campaigning is interesting. Heavy penalties await those who knowingly cross the red line.

It reminds of the Chinatown riots of 2006. I was having coffee with a friend of more than 40 years when he received a telephone call that the mob, unhappy about the election of Hon Snyder Rini as Prime Minister, has descended on Point Cruz, leaving a trail of destruction behind.

The mob of largely young men was on their way to Chinatown.

As my friend and I looked out the window, buildings around us were going up in flame. It was frightening. There were men running around with machetes in hand slashing bags of rice, sugar and flour and emptying their contents along the road.

Members of RAMSI responded to calls for help except this. Armed members of RAMSI blocked entries to Chinatown – from the Lawson Tama end as well as from the upper Mataniko Bridge end. The destructive force inside Chinatown was a having a good time destroying whatever they laid their hands on.

What RAMSI members did not realise was that they had locked up the group destroying Chinatown inside Chinatown. Several members of the unarmed Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) managed to fan out into Chinatown, but there was little they could do.

Some of the areas the Electoral Commission has identified potential area(s) for questionable activities during the next election. Those areas would be watched closely.

By locking up Chinatown at both entrances, the troublemakers were left to their own devices. In the same way, these newly-introduced rules,(which is good by the way) do not seem to give us any real hope that the troublemakers, already locked up in the system, are being dealt with decisively by the force of the law.

So many of the concerns voters have raised over the conduct of the election remain areas for concerns.

Take for example how the election was conducted in one Constituency on the eastern seaboard of Malaita during the last election.

There are many accounts. I will use two here as examples in the hope that the Electoral Commission doubles up their supervision effort of election, particularly in Constituencies with activities designed to yield a certain outcome at the election.

In the case of the Constituency being cited here, one man voted 17 times – yes 17 times. The man simply walked to three adjoining polling stations where he cast a total of 17 votes.

But there is worse.

One MP, currently a senior government minister, allegedly printed his ballot papers prior to the election, pre-stamped and had his henchmen carry about three boxes to the Constituency.

On Election Day his men walked into the polling booth on the pre-text of preparing boxes for the election. A policeman was kept busy with mundane things outside. This was when supporters inside the polling booth pulled out the pre-stamped ballot papers and started filling their candidate’s ballot box.

This information was gleaned from individuals who actually took part in this corrupt practice. They have decided to disclose the information because the MP had failed them.

He promised to pay each one $5, 000 after winning the election. As it turned out, he won the vote but never paid the money. Now the once loyal supporters have decided to turn the table on their MP.

The Electoral Commission ought to take a special interest in this.

PM Hou and Norway on climate related developments

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Rick Hou and Foreign Minister Milner Tozaka in talks with the Norwegian Delegation.
Prime Minister Rick Hou and Foreign Minister Milner Tozaka in talks with the Norwegian Delegation.

PRIME Minister Rick Hou has held bilateral talks with Norway’s International Development Minister Hon Nikolai Astrup at the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Summit in Nauru this week.

During the meeting, Mr Hou acknowledged Norway for its significant contribution towards addressing climate change through the Green Climate Fund.

Norway is one of the largest contributors to the Green Climate Fund sponsoring over USD$270 million over four years.

Solomon Islands has benefited from the fund through the Tina Hydro Project, which Mr Hou has described as an important project that is expected to reduce electricity costs in the country.

Apart from climate change, Prime Minister Hou also highlighted other areas of interest to Solomon Islands regarding fisheries, maritime policing, training opportunities and education scholarships.

Meanwhile, Minister Astrup said Norway is keen in assisting in the areas of renewable energy, fisheries, and climate change through multi-lateral means and signaled Norway’s interest in sharing its experience with Solomon Islands to address issues regarding ocean resources, over fishing and plastic pollution in the oceans.

PM Hou will also hold other bilateral meetings during the week; notably, with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Patricia Scotland and the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters.

He is also scheduled to hold talks with other leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and other Forum partners including the Secretary of the Interior of the United States of America.

The 49th PIF Leaders was officially opened on Monday this week.

The Prime Minister’s delegation is expected back in the country at the end of this week.

–GCU

What is driving constituents from their constituencies?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Voters registration for the 2019 NGE now on process in Honiara and the country as a whole.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Voters registration for the 2019 NGE now on process in Honiara and the country as a whole.

CONSTITUENTS are now reported to be re-registering in other Constituencies because of no longer having trust in their own Constituency pointing directly of being fed-up of corruption.

If people are switching constituencies then such twist from citizens indicate that something is not right in the level of governance in Solomon Islands establishing call on the table for observation and answers to this population move in election process for Solomon Islands new leaders in the future thus, the upcoming term period for the next National Government members.

To add to concern raised, the expected scene of youths who have just turned 18 years old to be seen dominating the registration booths is quite the opposite in Honiara now heading into day three of the voters registration process.

“It is the elder and mature people yet who are the ones dominating registration booths,” raised Benjamin Mana an outspoken local who openly shared personal views of his and on behalf of other locals.

“Whether they may have not voted during the past or are just updating their registration ID cards who knows, but it seems that the whole process leading to the 2019 NGE need all collective cooperation in order to expect it to be a fair and credible one.

“Many people no longer have trust in their Constituencies as a result from observations on the types of corruptions and poor leaderships and services that usually take place in their society which we cannot blame them for their decision makings.”

Meanwhile, the recent revised Electoral Act has significantly increased penalties for election related offences prior to the 2019 NGE.

These penalties range from fines within $10,000 for less serious offences up to $150,000 or serving 15 years imprisonment for the most serious Offence committed.

According to Solomon Islands Electoral Commission’s (SIEC) Chief Electoral Officer Mr Mose Saitala, it is important that candidates and voters comply with these rules prior to and during the coming NGE as the new law is part of the Electoral reform programmes undertaken by the Electoral Commission to improve election processes in ensuring freeness, fairness and credibility.

It is understood from the country’s social media Forum posts that constituents are called upon by community leaders to keep watch for corruption practises in order to have a fair processed election for the 2019 NGE seriously, for the sake of Solomon Islands future to have a better one.

Disclosures needed on domestic violence and abuse case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PROSECUTION has been told to provide disclosures in relation to the case against a man facing domestic violence and physical abuse charge.

On Tuesday, Defence Lawyer Lazarus Waroka told court that the case has just been allocated to him thus he needs disclosures in regards to the charges against the accused.

Public Prosecutor told the court that they will provide full disclosures as requested by the defence.

This is the case against Thomas Bade whom police charged in relation to family protection act 4(1) (a) domestic violence and family protection ACT 4 (1) (A) Domestic Violence Physical Abuse.

The accused is being remanded in custody.

His lawyer will have to take instructions from him once all disclosures are served.

Court to deliver sentence on man facing larceny charge today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

SENTENCE on the case against man guilty of counts of simple larceny and damage to property will be delivered today at the Honiara Magistrate Court.

The case was called yesterday in court for sentencing, but since prosecution and the accused were yet to produce written submissions on sentencing and mitigation, the case was adjourned.

Police Prosecutor John Palmer Teula told the court that oral submissions have already been made on the previous appearance and thus the prosecution relies on that submission.

This is the case against John Billy Aru. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted on the previous occasion.

He is currently remanded in custody awaiting his sentencing.

The accused appeared for himself in court.

Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika presides over the case.

PM Hou signs milestone labour mobility deal

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
PM Hou signed the Labour Mobility Scheme agreement with Foreign Minister Payne in Nauru.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme with the Australian Government at the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Nauru on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Hou signed the MoU with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Senator Marise Payne.

Speaking during the occasion, the PM Hou acknowledged and thanked the Government of Australia and the new Foreign Minister Senator Payne for facilitating the new agreement.

The signing of the MOU is a commitment made by both countries following the meeting between PM Hou and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra in July this year.

Prime Mijnister Rick Hou pens the milestone agreement.

“Solomon Islands have never taken full advantage of this opportunity. We can provide the work force and I am pleased that Australian employers have highly recommended workers from Solomon Islands because they are hard workers,” he said.

PM Hou said he is grateful to officials from Solomon Islands and Australia for facilitating the milestone signing.

“The signing today is a win-win situation for both countries,” he said.

Foreign Minister Senator Payne said Australia was also pleased to sign off the agreement with Solomon Islands.

PM Hou signed the Labour Mobility Scheme agreement with Foreign Minister Payne in Nauru.

She acknowledged that the signing further enhances the relationship between the two countries.

The new labour mobility scheme is an integral part of Australia’s efforts to promote greater economic cooperation with the Pacific and help strengthen the region’s economic resilience.

It provides Pacific island workers with opportunities to gain valuable skills and income, and assists businesses in rural and regional Australia.

–OPMC PRESS

Foreign Minister Senator Payne congratulating the Prime Minister after the
signing.

NGF warn Constituency over corruption in NGE process

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NGELLA’S famous Forum (NGF) warns Ngella Constituents to watch out for corruption practises starting from the current voter’s registration process leading to the 2019 National General Election (NGE).

The team advises that if any NGF member or Constituents see suspicious activities or any activity that does not look right then report them in NGF’s social media Forum page or to the Electoral commission Office so that responsible Offices may deal with such people doing bad practises.

“Voter registration is an important process and some candidates and their supporters can manipulate it to their advantage.

“Let us advocate for a clean election so that our people can move the opportunity to elect the right person without undue influence,” explains NGF.

Island Sun’s front page article yesterday over a registration booth in a CDO’s residence had sparked this much needed call for the Constituency according to NGF.

In response to the urging call, local Ngella Constituents salute the pre-warning stating that everyone would like to see a clean election in Ngella Constituency.

EIA process in Solomon Islands not effective

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Under Secretary Technical, MECDM

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Under Secretary Technical, MECDM

THE Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) system in Solomon Islands is said to be not effective.

Speaking during a training for stakeholders on the EIA processes, Under Secretary Technical of the Ministry of Climate Change Disaster Management (MCDM) Chanel Iroi says a purpose of this training is to address these challenges and setbacks.

Iroi says there are some issues that hinders the effectiveness of the implementation of the EIA. He says these issues act as roadblocks.

“Lack of technical and managerial capacity, weak law enforcement, ineffective monitoring and auditing, lack of public participation, limited institutional and infrastructure support, lack of alternatives consideration, limited resources in terms of human and budgetary support and political influence in decision making.”

However Iroi says that this training is to train participants and raise awareness on the EIA process as a tool for sustainable development and to strengthen the partnership among line ministries.

He said this also include development proponents and EIA practitioners to all work together in building Solomon Islands for a sustainable and resilient society.

For Solomon Islands, EIA is said to be a new concept and continues to face a lot of challenges. EIA became legally binding in 1998 when the Environment Act was enacted in parliament.

Before becoming a legal requirement, EIA was said to be adopted as an administrative procedural system with the help of an EIA guideline developed in 1996.

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