TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) is urging the national government to tax the $20 million terminal grant payout for members of Parliament which they will receive when Parliament dissolves on December 17, 2018.
Ministry of Finance and Treasury has confirmed to the Public Accounts Committee hearing this week that $20million will be put aside for terminal grants of the 50 MPs. Each MP will receive $400,000.
In a media statement, TSI says that it is deeply concerned on such payout because it will forego government’s revenue worth of millions according to PAYE calculation.
TSI says this is not fair whilst Solomon Islanders can hardly cope from pay week to pay week struggling to make ends meet daily of the deductions made to their pay, the biggest is the government tax or PAYE.
“People hope that the government will use the tax payers’ money to improve social services, such as schools, clinics, provide water supply and sanitation, enough medicine and medical supplies in the clinics as well as build economic infrastructures to bring about development in the country.
“While citizens are struggling to put food on the table, Members of Parliament allowances, salary, and entitlement is totally tax-free.
“TSI renews the call for PEC to honour its announcement to the press in 2016. It is time we revisit this issue.”
THE fate of cruise ship visits to Gizo is in the limelight as the province’s government plans to convene a meeting with stakeholders over the matter.
This follows Monday’s huge disappointment when Pacific Eden skipped Gizo over bad weather, the second time for this to happen.
Western province secretary Jeffery Wickham on Thursday told Island Sun that Monday’s incident has prompted them to seriously consider relooking deals and arrangements regarding cruise ship visits to the province.
He said among the agenda would be alternative ports to Gizo, to which a ship could be diverted once Gizo faces bad weather during a visit.
“This is the second time, cruise ship Pacific Eden skipped Gizo.
“I would like to convene a meeting here in Gizo with Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MTC), Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau’s (SIVB), Ship Agent, Marine Department, Tourism Operators, SIPA, etc to discuss Cruise Ship matters.”
The date for the meeting is yet to be set, however Wickham hints that it will take place before the next scheduled cruise ship visit next month.
“It is sad really to see disappointments from the general public in Gizo. We all have to rethink on the way forward for tourism industry in the Province especially the cruise ship market.
“Gizo Island has three different alternative anchorage sites but due to technical requirements. I hope the same matter will not repeated on the next call on the 3rd of September.”
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the private sector window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) have moved to further boost support for the fishing industry in Solomon Islands with a new US$10 million loan to National Fisheries Developments, Ltd (NFD).
The investment, to enable the purchase of a large tuna fishing vessel, comes months after a similar financing deal for NFD, which supplies tuna to its sister company, SolTuna Limited, the only tuna processing facility in Solomon Islands.
“The loans are enabling us to buy two large fishing vessels, creating more jobs as well as increase our supply of tuna for the cannery, which in turn creates even more jobs in processing” said Frank Wickham, Managing Director of NFD.
“Each vessel will provide at least an additional 7000 tonnes of fish to the fleet’s annual catch.”
Overall the latest deal marks IFC’s third investment to support the tuna industry in Solomon Islands.
In 2013, IFC provided a US$10 million loan to SolTuna, the largest private sector employer in Western Province and one of the largest employers in Solomon Islands overall.
The loans to NFD have resulted in about 150 new jobs at SolTuna and about 50 jobs at NFD.
“We understand that Solomon Islands is heavily reliant on tuna for revenue, food security and exports,” said Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC’s Vice President for Asia and the Pacific.
“The tuna industry is also an important source of jobs, in a country with a high unemployment rate, so it’s vital to keep up support for fisheries to spur economic growth.”
The IFC Vice President for Asia and the Pacific was speaking after a visit today to NFD and its sister company SolTuna in Solomon Islands.
The tuna industry accounts for 18 percent of the country’s GDP.
In recent years, NFD’s tuna catch has accounted for around 25 percent of the commercially caught tuna in Solomon Islands.
Along with the new financing, IFC has also been working with NFD to advise on best practices in environmental and social standards, including improved working conditions.
IFC’s advisory services has also worked with SolTuna’s management on solutions for women, labor and occupational health and safety, helping the company significantly cut costs and reduce absenteeism from about 18 to 12 percent.
IFC’s support for NFD and SolTuna has been complemented by the support of the Australian and New Zealand Governments under the Pacific Partnership.
Australia, New Zealand and IFC are working together through the Partnership to stimulate private sector investment and reduce poverty in the Pacific.
THE attitude of some locals who were recruited to work in horticulture farms in Australia is responsible for the cut in number of locals recruited to work in Australia.
This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), Mr Joseph Ma’ahanua, when he appeared before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday.
Responding to questions from PAC members, Ma’ahanua said at present there are 150 locals working in Australia horticulture farms under the Seasonal Worker Scheme.
He said this number is a decrease compared to the past years where the number of locals went up to 200.
Ma’ahanua said horticulture employers had to reduce its recruitment in the country because of the attitude of some locals.
He said some acted outside the agreements they signed with employers and so seen as illegal.
Ma’ahanua said those who painted a negative picture on locals have reduced our local workers marketability.
He said the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme where locals work in New Zealand horticulture farms is going “exceptionally well”.
The Foreign Affairs PS said at present over 700 locals are working in various horticulture farms in New Zealand this year.
These locals working in Australia and New Zealand are injecting huge money as remittance into the country.
For the 2016-2017 Season alone for instance, local workers working in New Zealand and Australia injected about $31 million into the country.
This figure excluded money these local workers put in their pocket when they return and value of goods they put in containers carrying their goods bound for Honiara.
ENVIRONMENTAL impact of water pollution is affecting the people of Voruvoru Community at Northwest Choiseul being a result from logging activities.
Creating matters worse from report, the accused Springhill Company’s logging activities has operated over Voruvoru’s main water source that is used for drinking, cooking and washing.
As a result, Voruvoru residents and the community as a whole call on Springhill Company to allocate safe drinking water tanks for them.
“A strong call was made during the past by the community to relevant authorities in order to assess the environmental impacts of logging activities on our main water source but ever since then, our call has only fell on deaf ears,” said locals reporting.
“Voruvoru residents are suffering seeing them having to travel far to collect water for drinking and cooking when it is sunny as a result of the small water sources being dried up.
“We demand the company to supply us with water tanks while the environment and forestry Divisions must come and assess the environmental impacts caused to our main water source.”
Attempts to contact Springhill Company were not possible.
2 incidents in one day this week, increasing reports have police worried
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
TWO incidents of child rape in one day this week has sent shock waves across communities, as reports say that child rape is on the rise in Solomon Islands.
The first incident on Monday (August 13) at Nusabaruku (Gizo) involved a four-year-old female victim and a 15-year-old male accused, and the other incident involved a five-year-old female victim sexually assaulted by an unknown male at Ranadi around the Goodwood Building area.
According to Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Acting Commissioner Juanita Matanga, during their weekly Police Media Conference on Thursday, police are concerned with the ongoing increase in sexual offences on children, especially below 10 years of age.
“We are very concerned given the fact that we are a country made up of many cultures involving respect and caring.
“When we receive these types of reports involving very young children, it is a huge concern for us.
“It makes us start asking question on what is going on in our society. What is wrong? Those victims will have a haunted behaviour that will affect them for their rest of their lives.
“For those of us who have mothers, aunties, sisters and nieces, it is our responsibility to ensure that these kids are safe and secure. All of us parents, guardians, relatives and wantoks, it is our duty too.
“Give them the environment to grow up safe. This can only work if all Solomon Islanders take this responsibility,” said the RSIPF Acting Commissioner.
She poses the question that if Solomon Islands continue to accept this sort of behaviour then ‘what sort of future are we heading into?’
“If this sort of behaviour continues then it will divide the wantok system in our society. People facing such situations will start drawing lines to not accept the wantok system in their homes.
“This is where I want to remind that we must be responsible in looking after our children. Those who have children at homes, look after them well and encourage them to not be involved in such bad activities.
“I would like to encourage us to be proud of our cultures and make sure that we maintain their values that will help make us become good citizens in our society.”
According to RSIPF’s Acting Commissioner, the accused at Gizo was arrested that same evening and charged with rape the next day and is being remanded at CSSI in Gizo.
The suspect at the Ranandi incident however is yet to be arrested being still at large.
RSIPF’s Acting Commissioner is asking the people around Ranandi area for anyone in particular knowing information to pass on to their investigators at Naha Police Station or any nearby police station that can work with the Naha RSIPF Officers to assist them in their investigation.
Rape cases nowadays received according to RSIPF involves three to four years depending on the type of case that can even lead into lifetime imprisonment.
Dejected.. Solomon Islands team captain Junior Aengari sheds tears after their semi final loss to Tahiti on Thursday.
“Sorry we could not qualify”
By Taromane Martin
Dejected.. Solomon Islands team captain Junior Aengari sheds tears after their semi final loss to Tahiti on Thursday.
HEAD Coach for the Solomon Islands national under-19 soccer team Batram Suri has apologised to the nation following his side’s semi-final loss to Tahiti yesterday.
Solomon Islands lost 3-1 to Tahiti on Thursday at the Stade Pater, in Pirae Tahiti.
It ended in tears for the Solomon’s as goals from Roonui Tehau, Rainui Nordman and Eddy Kaspard was enough to cancel out Ali Mekawir’s 80th minute goal for the Solomon Islands.
Tehau struck three minutes into injury time of the first half for Tahiti’s first goal before Nordman made it 2-0, 74 minutes in the second half after Solomon’s team captain John Aeta was forced off the field with an injury, in the 56th minute.
Mekawir managed to pull a goal back for Solomon Islands but was not enough to stop Kaspard from sealing the win for Tahiti with a vicious strike past goal keeper Nanago.
The victory means the hosts’ Tahiti along with New Zealand have both booked their spots for next year’s U-20 World Cup in Poland.
Coach Suri said while they are disappointed with the loss, it is not the end of the world for his players who still have a long way to go in their playing career.
“We were unlucky today. I apologies to everyone because we could not qualify and could not make the people of our nation proud,” Suri said.
“Their victory today was our own fault because we created a lot of mistakes. However this is not the end of the world.
“I believe the boys have gained a lot of experience and have also learned a lot from this competition.
“Such as what it is like competing at such level. They boys are still young and have a long way in their playing career.
“We still believe that in the near future Solomon Islands will qualify for the FIFA World Cup,” he said.
Suri adds pride is the only thing left to play for when they meet New Caledonia for the third and fourth position playoffs.
“We have to play. We cannot leave anything. We have to play for our pride because it is good for our nation. At least we play for the third position is better than nothing,” he said.
Members of the Solomon Islands Hockey teams prior to the official opening ceremony.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
In Port Vila, Vanuatu
THE 2018 Oceania Hockey Series Round One kicked off in Port Vila, Vanuatu Tuesday evening.
The competition is being attended by four countries and is being held at the Wan Smol Bag Hockey Center at Port Vila.
Participating countries include hosts Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, President of Vanuatu Hockey Federation, Jack Manuel Chilia said he’s overwhelmed with the presence of the three Oceania countries who managed to turn up for the event.
“We are happy to host the event in Port Vila and we’re very pleased that we are going to play against our sisters and brothers from Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
“We have worked so hard to make this happen,” he said.
Solomon Islands boys during the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony on began with a parade led by Team Fiji, followed by Solomon Islands, Tonga and then the hosts.
Kevin Peebles of Oceania Hockey Federation said the World Hockey Series qualifier is an important step toward the qualifiers for the Olympic Games.
“May the best teams win. The winning team is important for Oceania where they will carry on our hopes forward into the next stage.”
Members of the Solomon Islands Hockey teams prior to the official opening ceremony.
The tournament was declared open by the Vanuatu Association of Sports National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) Henry Tavoa.
Delivering his official remarks, Tavoa urged all teams to play to their best with the good spirit of Hockey.
“I would like to thank the Vanuatu Hockey Federation (VHF), the Vanuatu government and sponsors Telekom Vanuatu Limited and Bank of South Pacific (BSP).
“I would like to say a few words, to say that the teams that qualify from this competition will go on to represent all of us.
“So whatever happens at this competition, whether one team loses or one team wins, we support the teams or the team that go on to the next level of the competition.
“So at the players or look at the friend sitting next to you from other countries and say all the best to them.
Henry Tavoa, the CEO of VASANOC (Left) and Kevin Peebles of Oceania Hockey Federation.
“I’m not only representing VASANOC but also the sports commission which is the body that’s behind the venues and the facilities and also look after the sports policy in Vanuatu. In that, I’m proud that we can host another hockey competition. Also big thank you to the wan smol bag for the use of the excellent facility that we have here.
“Onbehalf of the youths of Vanuatu, on the behalf of sports in Vanuatu and on behalf of hockey in Vanuatu, and on behalf of all the sports that are trying to host something like this, and on behalf of all of us, may I now declare this competition officially open,” Tavoa stressed.
Meanwhile, the competition kicked off on Wednesday morning with the Vanuatu men’s national team taking on the Vanuatu under-18 side, followed by the Solomon Islands men’s team going against Tonga.
The teams lining up during the opening ceremony.Solomon Islands girls during the opening ceremony.
THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) is yet to confirm request by the Fiji Football Association for an international friendly match between their two national soccer teams.
According to a report carried in the Fiji Times newspaper, Fiji FA Competitions Manager Mr Amitesh Pal had confirmed September 5th as the date for the friendly match and Suva’s ANZ Stadium as the venue.
SIFF Media Officer Simon Abana confirmed while SIFF had received the Fiji-Solomon Islands international friendly match request he is still awaiting official response from the federation executives for confirmation.
Mr Abana however confirmed that the proposed friendly match with the Macau national men’s football team is still set to happen on August 28.
Should SIFF agree to Fiji FA request for the friendly match it will see both countries meeting each other for the 28th time.
Solomon Islands have won six of the last 28 meetings while Fiji won 11 and drawing 10 times.
The last meeting between the two countries happened December last year where the match ended nil-all.
THE memory of the PT109 crew has been commemorated with a six-man team swimming the 4.2 mile route from Kennedy Island to Olosana and Naru and back to Kennedy Island.
On the early morning of August 8, 2018, waded into the cold water and began their journey. Five dugout canoes accompanied the swimmers along with a lead boat and a rear boat.
The swim was strenuous and intense. But the team proceeded through the water without the additional challenges of serious injuries, risk of hostile fire from enemy aircraft and vessels and lack of food and water that had beset the PT 109 crew.
The tranquil setting is a far cry from the fierce combat that had raged across the Solomon Islands during World War Two.
On the beach of Kennedy Island, August 8, 2018, following the commemorative swim. Pictured left to right are Jack Lundberg, Adrian Mula, Peter Canfield. John Kulewicz, Jay Madigan, Rich Lovering and Peter Canfield.
The swimmers are Peter Canfield (an Atlanta lawyer), John Kulewicz (a Columbus lawyer and team leader of the swimmer), Rich Lovering (a Columbus lawyer). Jack Lundberg (a builder in Montana and Ohio), Jay Madigan (an Orlando environmental consultant) and Adrian Mula (from Antigua, first mate on the yacht Antares, anchored nearby).
It took them two and a half hours to three hours. The swim was especially meaningful for those whose fathers and uncles had served in the American forces in the Pacific during World War Two.
Island Sun Gizo and Kerrie Kennedy of Dive Gizo accompanied the team to Kennedy Island, Olasana, Naru and then back to Kennedy.
The great swimmer Rich Lovering (a Columbus lawyer) who first reached Kennedy Island – 4.2 miles swimming from Kennedy, Olasana, Naru and then return to Kennedy.
“In the days before the swim got underway, the team was honoured to receive best wishes from former US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy as you embark on this incredible journey and for finding such a meaningful way to mark the 75th Anniversary,” the team leader John J Kulewicz told Island Sun Gizo.
Kulewicz is the son of the two other crew members (Ensign Leonard J Thom, the Executive Officer, and torpedoman Jack Kirksey).
Historian Mike Bell of Maine spoke with team members and shared personal memorabilia.
He said Mary Ellen Frawley, sister of Ensign Thom, sends her best wishes and prayers.
He said a highlight of the swim was the opportunity to meet with the extended families of Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, the two Solomon Islanders who had brought the crew’s rescue in coordination with Australian coastwatcher Reginald Evans and a team of seven scouts.
Kerrie Kennedy greets Peter Canfield upon his arrival at Kennedy Island.
The Gasa family welcomed the team to their village and homes. Entourages from the Kumana family paid visits to the team, one arriving aboard a speeding boat from which an American flag given to them by the US Navy was waving in the stiff wind and rain.
Danny and Kerrie Kennedy of Dive Gizo arranged the family meetings and handled all of the logistics for the swim. Danny (unrelated to JFK’s family) is an American expatriate born in Florida who has served in the provincial parliament. His wife Kerrie was born in Australia. The opportunity to work with them was indispensable to the success of the team.
The team was quartered at Fatboys Resort. Ideally situated across the water from Kennedy Island, the facility bears a name with literary origins that is hardly descriptive of the energetic involvement of all guests in a wide range of water activities.
Australian proprietors Karen and John Flynn and the friendly local staff made the swimmers feel especially welcome with their warm hospitality and a wide range of nutritious daily meals.
“The swim was a true test of our spirit and stamina,” said team captain John
Rich Lovering with his canoe counterpart John Wesley Tiabule pose for a photo after the swim at Kennedy Island.
“My teammates and I were inspired by curiosity, idealism and the love of country and willingness to take personal risks in service of the nation that guided the crew of PT 109 and all who served in World War Two.
“We each left the water with an even deeper respect for the adversity that President Kennedy and the surviving crew of PT 109 overcame. We head home with an especially grateful memory of all who served in the South Pacific, including the two sailors who perished in the PT 109 collision, and a sincere appreciation for the generosity of the people of the Solomon Islands,” said Kulewicz.
He said around 2.20am on August 2, 1943, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri emerged from darkness and fog to ram through PT 109, an American motor torpedo boat skippered by Lt John F Kennedy, that was patrolling in the Solomon Islands.
Two of the 13 crew members were killed instantly. The 11 survivors swam three miles to a deserted island, then known as Plum Pudding Island or Kasolo, after daybreak.
Post-swim team photo from Kennedy Island beach, with canoeists, Kennedy Island curator and spectators.
Two days later, they took to the water again to move to a nearby island called Olasana, in search of food and fresh water. There the crew awaited rescue while Lt Kennedy made several nighttime swims into Ferguson Passage and Blackett Strait to look for returning PT boats, and daytime swims over to the neighboring island called Naru.
After a fateful encounter with native canoeists Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, who took news of their survival to Australian coastwatcher Reginald Evans and the US Navy, the crew was rescued on August 8, 1943.
Team visit with the widow and family of Biuku Gasa, one of the two rescuers.PT 109 crew
