THE Ministry of Forest and Research (MoFR) has described Alfred Sasako’s article as a misconception on the path of the Legal Notice 114 – Forest Resource and Timber Utilisation (Timber Licensing and Tree Felling) Regulation 2007.

“It is somewhat an ambitious attempt by the author to deprive potential Solomon Islanders and resource owners from taking part in the logging business and industry,” responded the Forestry Office in an issued statement.

It says there is nothing unprecedented and illegal as the nine logging companies referred to on the Island Sun front page issue of August 13, 2018 have complied with all the legal procedures.

That includes becoming a legally registered and a legal business entity with the Company Haus; thus when a logging company operates with a felling license being issued, it is legal; the statement explains.

The Forestry office says the matter raised is a non-issue; it has been deliberated and explained previously already.

It says the Ministry’s stance on the LN 114 is that, it has been so vocal on foreign companies yet is so silent about indigenous or locally owned companies in this essence.

With that, it has been made clear that the Ministry of Forest and Research is not accepting any new applications for Felling Licences from Foreign logging companies as previously explained in a press release.

However, the Ministry on its efforts not to discriminate and engage in a level playing field on its action gives the indigenous or locally owned companies’ privileges, it says.

The Forestry office then questions why such complain against locally owned companies – whether fully owned by indigenous Solomon Islanders or partly owned through marriage is of interest.

“A local Solomon Islander, male or female marrying an expatriate, Asian or European, should be given the right to flourish with their business of interest or choice, thus logging business and related businesses are no exception.”

According to the statement it has noted that all of those companies mentioned in Sasako’s article are indigenous or locally owned companies.

Or are either partnered operations – meaning either the wife or husband is a local for that matter, thus it gives them the right to register as a local business entity at the Company Haus, and have the opportunities to make business in this country, it explains.

The statement adds the Ministry of Forestry and Research ensures that LN 114 is implemented accordingly while making sure that the logging business and related opportunities are available entrepreneur pathways for Solomon Islanders to venture into.

“Hence the granting of felling licenses to indigenous or locally owned business is done in the best interest of the government and the people of this country.

After all both the foreign and local logging companies have contributed enormously to the government revenue collection,” it adds.

The statement then dismisses allegations that the commissioner has failed in his duties is not true and holds no weight.

“Everyone else is complying accordingly with the legal procedures.”

The Forestry office then reiterate in questioning on whose interest the author is vesting on, Solomon Islanders or Foreigners?

“The Ministry of Forest and Research is looking forward to that time when Solomon Islanders can fully participate in forestry related businesses and development.

“Like any other businesses Solomon Islander’s operate, they are here to stay and contribute fully to the growing economy of this country in perpetuity.”

–MOFR PRESS

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PEOPLE in Lau region of North Malaita have expressed the need for a police post in their area.

The call came with an aspiration for people to uphold law and order and contribute towards national security meaningfully.

MPA for Ward 12, Fred Wai Diau recently said his ward which almost covers the whole of Lau region was not immune to social disorder.

He said with that he has working closely with Malu’u police to attend to criminal cases in the area.

Diau also emphasised that in his engagement with Malu’u police, community policing awareness programmes have also been held in communities within the ward.

He said creating a police post within ward 12 was crucial as it will strengthen law and order and contribute to peace building in the area.

He also expressed similar sentiment raised by people Lau for Ministry of Police to put into consideration setting-up police post in Lau area.

OFFICERS of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Isabel Province have been kept busy during the past month of July 2018 with policing duties in that province.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Isabel Province, Superintendent Leonard Tahnimana says, “My officers have been very busy during the month of July with various activities in the province as part of the Crime Prevention Strategy roll out.”

The activities in which officers of RSIPF in Isabel attended include:

• Arrest of a 60-year-old male at Bagovu Village in the Maringe District on August 2, 2018, for alleged assault of another person. Accused has been charged and released on bail to appear before a magistrate at a later date;
• Witnessed the enthronement service of Chief Clement Rojumana as the Paramount Chief of Maringe District of Isabel province;
• Arrest of two male persons at Maglau Village in the Maringe District for causing grievous bodily harm to another male person on July 30, 2018. The two accused have been released on bail to appear before a magistrate at a later date;
• Witnessed the ceremony for the custom handing over of land to Sisters of the Church at Havihua in the Bugotu District of Isabel Province from July 27 to 28, 2018;
• Conducted a high visibility Police operation during the Kodili Festival held in Buala July 24 – 29, 2018;
• Attended the launching and commissioning of the new vessel UTA Princess II at Susubona Village in the Hograno District of Isabel Province on July 21, 2018; and
• Provided security presence from July 4 – 7, 2018 during the “PHOGA” event in the Highlands of Maringe District.

“I would like to thank the people in the various communities in Isabel for assisting my officers during the various activities,” says PPC Tahnimana.

“I would also like to commend my officers for actively ensuring policing in Isabel is very much alive.

“Your police is here for you and I appeal to the good people of Isabel Province to assist ensure our communities are safe.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

TIME is now running out for Ngella in Central Islands Province (CIP) to stop mining prospecting on their island.

This comes after Ngella landowners and Chiefs signed a surface agreement on prospecting last month, July 23, along Sandfly Passage with SOLFISH Company causing stir of conflict amongst the indigenous people of the island not wanting such activity to take place there.

The only hope to stop the operation to take place now falls under the mining regulations that other members of the same land area signed may object within 30 days being a requirement under ‘The Mines and Minerals Regulation 1996’.

Taking on this task now is the famous Ngella Forum (NGF) Team who are to facilitate signings of objection from family members within the land signed to operate on. Out of the agreement signings that took place last month, 48 out of 53 participants signed the agreement having five ignoring it.

According to Mr Kenneth Sagupari on behalf of NGF to Island Sun yesterday, they will be focusing on North Ngella’s side along Mboli and Belagha Districts because it is most Chiefs from there who had signed the surface access prospecting agreement with SOLFISH Company.

“If we do not make the appeal then the Ministry of Mines will issue the license. As soon as the Ministry issue’s the license then CIP’s Provincial Government will have to issue the licence because the company has completed the process and there is no reason the Provincial Government will not have to issue the license,” said NGF Team worrying.

CIP’s Provincial Government on the other hand feels uncomfortable with the recent signings confirming in standing ground to not issue the business license for the prospecting to take place being understood that they are even yet to complete the assessment over logging impacts in Ngella too.

The Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni stressed that when they are yet finding ways to totally ban logging on Ngella and come up with plans in how to replant forest trees and such after damages to trees and the environment have taken place, mining activities will only disturb their aim.

“How come will we accept mining or prospecting activities to take place on Ngella when logging has already caused negative impacts on the island causing us yet to re-solve the destruction it has left behind on our island,” said the Premier.

On focusing, the priority now on this task is the appeal of the signatures that will make sure the Ministry of Mines does not issue the license.

By 22nd of this month August, the 30 days for any objection should be lapsed meaning time is running out before Ngella will experience an unsure future concerning their environment.