THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern over the lack of transparency around the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
This is the second time the IMF raised concern about the fund, largely contributed to by the Republic of China (Taiwan).
A team from the IMF has been in the country holding discussions on the 2018 Article IV Consultation.
Announcing some of their key finding, team leader Mrs Alison Stuart, said what the CDF is spent on and how well this fund is spent is not clear to the people.
Stuart said while it is important that this fund helps rural areas, it’s hard to know how effective it is being used.
She said greater transparency of the CDF would improve accountability and help identify remaining gaps in the provision of services to the rural areas.
Stuart encourages the government to follow principles that are already set out by the Commonwealth.
Among other things, these principles include transparency of fund and accounting for how the fund is used.
She said following Commonwealth principles can help everyone to understand if this fund is utilised well.
Stuart said this will help provincial, national and donors to see what level in the service provision gap that needs to be filled.
“Since there is no transparency in this fund and so it is difficult to see how fund is used,” Stuart said.
She said if there is transparency, issues around how funds are used can be alleviated.
CDF is used in other economy. It is an alternative method of delivering services to rural areas. This fund is higher than what goes through the provincial government.
Stuart said the CDF Act needs to be passed in parliament so as to help address some of the issues around this fund.
THE newly formed provincial government of the Western province is proving it’s here to act and not merely talk, with its latest announcement that illegal card games will be banned across all ‘government controlled areas’ in the province.
The law comes into effect tomorrow, August 1, 2018.
This decision hits hard for many who are engaged in the practice, which is usually disguised as fundraising activities.
This includes Korovou in the Shortland Islands, Gizo, Ringi, Poetete, Noro, Munda and Seghe.
Western provincial secretary Jeffery Wickham told Island Sun Gizo yesterday the Western Provincial Government has a committee that acts according to the Games and Lottery Act.
“This committee puts guidelines on the regulation of gambling – Kura. Currently it is suspected that there a number of games that contravene Sections 14 and 15 of the Gaming and Lottery Act. These games operate under the guise of raising money for community groups.
“An order will soon be given to police for the arrest of any person who contravenes this Executive Decision. These people will be prosecuted.”
The provincial government will monitor these card games daily in the province.
GOOD news for smallholding teak tree farmers in the country as the ministry of forestry announces greenlight for the export of the natural resource.
This is according to a statement received by this paper from the Malaita provincial forestry office in Auki.
“As the Forest Resource and Timber Utilisation Act (FRTUA) is silent on harvesting of established forestry plantations on customary land now privilege has given to teak farmers.
“Therefore, in order to do that the only provision that out growers can use to harvest their plantations or woodlots in the absence of an appropriate legislation or regulation is the Minister’s power provided for by section 4 1 (c) of the FRTUA.
“And using that power the applicants (company or association) can be exempted from committing forest offences from felling trees without a felling licence.
“Thus, the minister has instructed that under section 4 1 (c) permit will only granted to farmers if they met the following requirements through submissions to the office of the minister.
“Application to harvest forestry (teak) plantations or woodlots must be a registered company or association.”
Maps of the forestry plantation areas required and inventory data must be determined by a forestry officer with the tree growers or owners (diameter and volume).
Harvesting plan must involve detailed harvesting schedule, machines, labour, infrastructure, transportation, export point, export product (round log or processed product), environment protection and markets.
Benefit sharing model and investments that looked at revenue use for infrastructure, livelihood and development projects.
Consent is also required from each forestry plantation owner that includes list of plantation areas, owners name and signature.
In customary land where forestry plantations are scattered within tribal consent on the access and harvesting of plantation trees is required (addressing land ownership issues).
And there also a development consent required from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Disaster and Meteorology divisions.
According to the statement, addressing the required conditions in the submission will enable a company or an association’s application to dealt with accordingly.
It stated that the Exemption Order (EO) and the Legal Notice (LN) will include the required information and without their submissions the EO and LN will luck information and genuine.
The statement emphasised that assessment of all teak harvesting application are in progress and all application must meet the criteria before being granted with permission.
Coordinator for CRB Taskforce Mr Donald
Wate shares government stand on the
fight against CRB during the BA5 event
SICCI and GPPOL hosted last week
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Coordinator for CRB Taskforce Mr Donald Wate shares government stand on the fight against CRB during the BA5 event SICCI and GPPOL hosted last week
THE Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) has reportedly arrived at the Rennell and Bellona province.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock through Biosecurity division suspected has received information from communities in Rennell that the pest has been sighted there two weeks ago.
MAL’s Director for Bio-security Mr Francis Tsastia however said that they are yet to verify these reports.
“CRB now in Renbel, reports received from the communities but it need to be confirmed.”
Tsastia made the statement during the ‘Business After Five’ event which convened members of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Heritage Park Hotel last week.
Coordinator for CRB Taskforce Mr Donald Wate said currently government through its taskforce has established a MAL Operational Plan set out for pest management.
He explained the pest management systems are sanitation (reducing existing populations), internal quarantine (limiting further spread) and development of long term solutions.
Wate said implementing such a programme is complex and large which involves integration of pest management techniques such as sanitation, movement control, and identification and establishment of bio-control agents.
He also adds that the work will be carried out by several organisations including government and the private sector.
“This work goes beyond the Job Description of any existing government post and requires an individual with energy, initiative, drive and organisational leadership qualities, but not necessarily technical pest control expertise,” he said.
SICCI and GPPOL hosted the BA5 event with its members last week as a drive for the national campaign against the CRB.
The event convened members to listen from a presentation by GPPOL and Biosecurity highlighting updates regarding the pest.
Infested sites include Guadalcanal (2014-2015), Malaita (2016), part of Russell Islands (2016-2017), Savo (2016), Ngella (2016), Ulawa (2017), Gizo (2017), Shortlands (2000) and Renbel (2017-2018)(to be confirmed).
HE Don Higgins, Dr Sevil Huseynova, PM Hou and HE Roderick Brazier with the first
shipment of drugs from Australia
Australia, New Zealand and WHO provide life-saving drugs
AUSTRALIA and New Zealand, through their high commissions in Honiara (AHC & NZHC), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have sourced life-saving drugs for Solomon Islands, in response to a request from the Prime Minister’s Office received last week.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Mr Roderick Brazier, said, “We have been following the situation closely, so as soon as the request was made we were able to work together to take action.”
The Prime Minister’s Office requested assistance with supplying 15 specific items.
On Saturday, 13 of those items arrived from Australia.
Today the remaining two items will be flown in from Australia and Fiji.
Discussing the partnership approach used to source the emergency drug supplies. Photos from AHC Communications
Mr Don Higgins, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands said, “We all used our regional networks to identify the fastest possible way to get the requested supplies delivered.”
These supplies are expected to fill the current shortage until the National Medical Store order for these items arrives in two to three weeks.
Dr Sevil Huseynova, WHO Representative to Solomon Islands said, “This was a strong display of teamwork amongst partners.”
“Through close communication between ourselves and with the Solomon Islands Government, we were able to work together to meet the request within a week.”
Australia, New Zealand and WHO are in discussion with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services about providing technical expertise to review stock levels and analyse drug management systems, so that MHMS can avoid shortages in the future.
HE Don Higgins, Dr Sevil Huseynova, PM Hou and HE Roderick Brazier with the first shipment of drugs from AustraliaPM Hou inspecting a sample of the lifesaving drugs
Andrew Lano - Level two Olympic Solidary Course NC JULY 2018.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
OUR archery representatives have competed well at the recent Oceania Championship held in New Caledonia, a report by the Solomon Islands Archery Federation (SIAF) states.
The Oceania Championship was held in Noumea, New Caledonia from July 9 to 12. A total of six archers represented the country. They were Andrew Lano, Piper Soper, Kelly Baedonga, Janet Siru, Nancy Pize and Doris Laula.
The six archers were selected from the national archery championship sponsored by C & I Distributors held earlier June.
The Oceania Archery Championship brought together archers from 12 Oceania countries namely Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Following the completion of the championship, the Oceania Archery Congress was convened for top officials as well as a Level Two Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course from July 16 to 24 which were conducted by Pascal Colmaire of World Archery.
Andrew lano during the Course with Pascal.
Solomon Islands was represented in the coaching course by Lano and Laula while Archery Federation President Nihal Seneviratne represents the country in the Oceania Congress.
Upon their return, President Seneviratne said: “Competing in the Games was essential to give SI archers further experience of the pressure and the procedures of international competition, to observe and compare us with other archers and equipment and to build relationships with archers from neighbouring countries.
“There were 92 competitors in the Oceania Archery Games, the largest number of competitors in these games ever.
“Competitors came from Australia and New Zealand (by far the largest teams), Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and of course the Solomon Islands.
“Archers from New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga were very competitive against the larger team which goes to show that Solomon Islands can be competitive under the right circumstances.”
Seneviratne added that our archers have competed at distances they have not shot before which were challenging and intimidating for some.
Andrew Lano – Level two Olympic Solidary Course NC JULY 2018.
“However, several archers performed very well (at around the middle of the field in terms of score) and learnt a lot about choosing equipment and managing themselves in a competition (archery is an individual sport and competitors can’t ‘hide’ in a team).
“All team members benefited from the experience of competition pressure, equipment selection and maintenance, being constantly aware of competition progress so as to not delay the competition, and to make sure every arrow scores as high as possible!
“The number of under-20 competitors from other countries was very large (the Solomon Islands team were all seniors). We need to invite more interested younger people to participate in archery,” he said.
Knowing that they cannot compete well with the archers from other countries, the national representatives then played down strong focus on competition in training, but rather on developing technique,” according to Seneviratne.
“In the future, competitions at least every month will allow archers to gauge their progress and also to rank archers for selection in future competitions. Competition was intimidating for some archers, especially during match shooting when archers were matched with some of the best archers from Australia and New Zealand.
Doris Laula – Level two Olympic Solidary Course NC JULY 2018.
“The collegiality between archers and country teams was excellent and Solomon Island team members made good connections with other country members.
In-kind support was offered from Australian and New Zealand members and there were discussions on creating sister-clubs, so members can compete in reciprocal events.
“It takes time to become competitive in archery and this was apparent during these games. It is as much a mental sport as physical sport and there were times when the mental preparation was not enough; something to develop in the future.
“Solomon Islands archers competed at distances which they had not shot before which was challenging and intimidating for some.”
TEAM management for the Solomon Islands national beach soccer team, the Bilikikis, say they will name their final travelling squad for September’s OFC Beach soccer championship in Tahiti, next month.
The 2018 OFC Beach soccer championship will take place at the Pā’ōfa’i Gardens in Papeete, Tahiti from September 15 to 22 and will serve as Oceania’s qualification to next year’s Beach Soccer World Cup.
A statement from Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Media Officer Mr Simon Abana yesterday said the national beach soccer team management has also drafted 15 provincial based players into the training squad.
Seven of the 15 players are from the Malaita Football Association, five from the Western Football Association while one each from Temotu Football Association, Central Football Association and Rebel Football Association.
“The beach soccer management will name its travelling squad on August 15 for the 2018 OFC Championship in Tahiti in September,” Mr Abana said.
Team Manager for the Bilikiki Squad Mr Ruben Oimae meanwhile said the 15 provincial players are expected to arrive this week to join the training squad.
“Hopefully all the provincial boys will come before this week end to join the training squad who have been training at the Mamana Water.
“Our training days are Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Hopefully the final squad will out mid-week of next months,” Mr Oimae said.
The 15 provincial based players will join the following Honiara based players Fred Hale, Izomo Bird, Desmond Tutu, Darwyn Aomatangi, James Naka, Nicholas Muri , McPhilip Aisah, Robert Laua, Anthony Talo , Samson Takayama and Diago Aleale in training before the final selection next month.
The provincial based players drafted into the Bilikiki training squad are:
A female staff of the Ministry of Fisheries accepting her certificate from Hon Connelly Sandakabatu.
By Mike Puia
A total of 78 officers from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) are now equipped with skills and knowledge to use the Performance Management Process (PMP).
These officers were awarded certificates for completing the PMP training in Honiara last night.
Speaking at the certificate warding ceremony, Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development (MFMRD), Mr John Maneniaru said the training fisheries officers completed fulfil the long term plans of the current government in building social and economic reforms that aims to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.
Minister of Fisheries Hon John Maneniaru addressing the closing ceremony of the Performance Management Process Workshop.
Maneniaru said he is confident fisheries officers who completed the training will now know how to implement the PMP in their respective Divisions.
He said the experience gained in the training should be a bonus for fisheries officers as they are the frontline people to provide advice and assistance to his Ministry and to the public.
The PMP training comes in two set. The first set where about 30 attended was held in February. The second was held last month.
The PMP training was delivered by the Ministry of Public Service (MPS) in partnership with the National Parliament.
A female staff of the Ministry of Fisheries accepting her certificate from Hon Connelly Sandakabatu.
MPS Minister, Mr Connelly Sandakabatu, thanked staff of his Ministry for strengthening the work performance of public servants.
Sandakabatu said the PMP training fulfilled the current government’s national objective in ensuring that public institutes performed their work in a dynamic, accountable, transparent and high standard.
He said the training gives participants practical steps in translating their Ministry’s ministerial plan and working document into a PMP form.
Sandakabatu the training pave the way for facilitators and participants to focus on developing their Ministry’s corporate plan, strategic plan, divisions and annual individual work plans.
Sam Taloiasi receives his certificate from Hon Connelly Sandakabatu, Minister of Public Service
He said the completion of the training should send out signals that other government ministries and institutions should form cluster groups to address the problems and challenges that are facing the public service.
The Public Service Minister added the overall goal of the training is to increase the work performance of public servants.
Minister of Fisheries Hon John Maneniaru awarding acertificate to one of his staff from the ministry Peter Rex Lausu’u at the completion of the workshop.Minister of Public Service Hon Connelly Sandakabatu garlanded upon his arrival for the closing ceremony of the Performance Management Process workshopSelina Lipa is all smiles while receiving her certificate after successfully completing the Performance Management Process Workshop.
Booths werre set up along the HCC area manned by Y@W youth and a HCC staff.
COMMUNITY service work is now underway for more than 290 youth who are part of Y@W’s 14th phase intake.
Starting on Wednesday this week, selected youth have been assisting Honiara City Council alongside Friends of the city to do public awareness on the HCC litter Ordinance, in various areas within the city.
The rest of the other youth who are not involved in the public awareness are back in their respective communities doing general clean ups to cover a required period of 80 hours within three weeks.
The Group Leader for Y@W – Training and Registration Ms Joyce Aburii says: “Community service work is the first step in which young people who have applied for Y@W’s internship and entrepreneurs components must undertake to prove their commitment towards the programme.”
The No-Litter one week awareness completes today with next week kick starting the next step.
She continued by saying, assisting out the HCC and Friends of the city is a new strategy for the programme, yet we see it as a way forward in strengthening our partnerships.
The Chief Health Inspector George Titiulu said, “It is very encouraging to work with young people. We believe, we are working with young advocators who will carry on the sense of responsibility in their future.
“As a way forward I see that this circle will grow encouraging a wider collaboration between the government and other multi-sectors.”
The Coordinator for Friends of the City Judah Suimae said, “it is very good to see young people involving in such activities, they are the future of this country, and it is good to see that they take up the ownership in building the future they want, a future where the city look good and clean.
Booths werre set up along the HCC area manned by Y@W youth and a HCC staff.
“I would like to thank their young hearts and their commitment to working with us in these three weeks.
“I believe that is we all have a same vision, to keep our city clean we can reach a positive outcome.”
Florence Kelomae a youth from Tasahe community who participated in the No littering awareness said, “Going out in the streets and doing this awareness inspired me to take the lead in keeping our city clean and it is very encouraging when the general public supports the campaign.”
Y@W staff along with HCC and Friends of the City will work closely for the City’s clean environment for the next three weeks.
Youth@Work Coordinator, Ms Raywin Taroaniara states that “Community service provide the chance for these young people to give back to the community, cultivating a sense of responsibility and commitment as well as getting to know each other, before they can continue with other activities that the programme will offer”.
Youth@Work currently works with the Honiara City Council Rapid employment in providing tools and identifying sites for these young people to work at.
Community service continues in few communities whilst awareness is ongoing on the streets with selected communities coming out to help HCC and Friends of the city.
After completing 80 hours of community service work youth will be then able to undertake pre-employment and basic business trainings to get them to be work ready and know what it takes to run successful businesses.
Community service continues until August 10.
Youth@Work Phase 14 youth working alongside Friends of the City
Colonel Aldrin Mongan, Deputy Commander of INDF peacekeeping Center
and a representative from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
In Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Colonel Aldrin Mongan, Deputy Commander of INDF peacekeeping Center and a representative from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
INDONESIAN National Defence Forces (INDF) Peace keeping Centre is a training facility of various institutions, ministries, institutions for both civilian and military. Inaugurated in 2014, it is the largest security centre owned by an ASEAN (Association of South East Asia Nations) member.
For 2018, Indonesia is aiming to send 4000 peacekeepers in the Peacekeeping Force thus the centre plays a very crucial role in ensuring Indonesian peace keepers are well trained to carry out their duties in countries of assignment. But the focus of peace keeping only extends to international countries.
When answering a question from Island Sun’s journalist, it was said that Indonesia’s focus in peace building is mainly in international conflict areas and not so much in domestic areas.
“There’s nothing to do about the area of Papua. It’s totally different. Because the peacekeeping force is mainly for international peacekeeping,” a spokesperson from the Indonesia Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
He said the centre is different and not involved in the issues of the province of West Papua.
The issue of West Papua has been an ongoing one with Indonesia since the 1960s. There had been reports of human rights abuse by Indonesia towards Papuans in that province.
At the same time, Colonel Aldrin Mongan, Deputy Commandant of INDF Peace Keeping Centre says the challenge for them is to change the mindset of their personals from combatant mind to peacekeeper mind.
“Naturally the military has been trained for combat. It is their job. But the challenge when we train our troop for peacekeeping, we have to shift their mind and way of thinking from combatant to non-combatant. The result is we are now in number eight, the top ten in serving peace in the world. So what does this mean, it’s up to you,” Colonel Aldrin said.
He also said Diplomatic relations is left with those doing Diplomacy work whilst the military is focused only on doing their job.
“Like you are a journalist that is your area. Same for military that is their area,” he said.
He also said that in international areas’ Indonesia have tried their best in ensuring there is global peace with troops encountering casualties in conflict areas with a few that lost their lives.
INDF as a training facility for peace building is obliged to adhere to the United Nation’s standards. The centre is located in Sentul, Bogol Regency in the West Java province and is an initiative of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2010.
The INDF peacekeeping Centre consists of the Indonesia National Army Peace Maintenance Mission Centre, TNI standby centre, military sports centre, the Indonesian Defence University and carry out trainings on Disaster Prevention education, counter terrorism and deradicalisation, centre for linguistic development and diplomacy, language development and development agency and culture of the Republic of Indonesia.
Since 2017, it is also certified as an institution to train designated EU Diplomats for deployment to ASEAN countries.
It also has a number of partnership and collaboration in training with countries like Australia, Canada, Thailand, EU and the United States.
Indonesia for the fourth time since 1970 has been elected into the UN Security Council and has pledged its support for world peace through its peacekeeping mission.
“We are not interfering which I would we say and we are not lecturing but giving our effort to help,” the journalists were told when questioning Indonesia’s involvement in some conflict areas.
The centre is looked after by the Indonesian government through its Defence Ministry.
