Home Blog Page 1267

A major step in the right direction: Tourism Solomons

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
(Left to right) MCT Minister, Bartholomew Parapolo, MCT Deputy Director, Savita Nandan and Mr Bjorn Svensson with the launched Minimum Standards document.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

(Left to right) MCT Minister, Bartholomew Parapolo, MCT Deputy Director, Savita Nandan and Mr Bjorn Svensson with the launched Minimum Standards document.

TOURISM Solomons CEO, Mr Josefa Tuamoto applauds the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s recent launching of the Minimum Standards and Classification for Tourism Accommodation programme, describing the move as “a major step in the right direction” for the destination tourism industry.

According to Tourism Solomons’ press statement, he stated that the release of the programme was timely, in the efforts Solomon Islands has taken in recent times to increase its profile on the international stage.

“This long-awaited but carefully laid out programme will act as a catalyst for the local tourism accommodation sector to take a holistic approach to service excellence. It’s definitely a major step in the right direction for the destination’s tourism industry,” said Tuamoto.

Also emphasised is that among the160 accommodation providers operating in Solomon Islands, only 10 percent can be sold by international wholesalers offering Solomon Islands travel packages.

The programme which aims to set in place an essential improvement of standards in the tourism accommodation sector was officially launched by Minister for Culture & Tourism, Hon Bartholomew Parapolo at the Heritage Park Hotel on July 20.

At the launching occasion, MCT Director of Tourism, Mr Bunyan Sivoro said that while increased tourism was in the national interest, the main benefactors would eventually become tourism operators themselves.

“We in the tourism department look forward to this exciting new chapter in the development of our tourism sector,” he said.

Sivoro also took the opportunity to acknowledge the Minimum Standards Working Committee chaired by MCT Deputy Director of Tourism, Ms Savita Nandan for their efforts in bringing the program to completion.

He also extended the gratitude to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for their financial assistance to the project.

Australian Volunteer International’s (AVI) Bjorn Svensson with support from DAFT was also rendered special thanks for his immense contribution to the project in areas like providing technical input, guidance in finalising stages of the Minimum Standards document, training and inducting of countless tourism industry staffers into the programme.

TSI commends parl for passing ACB

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands commends the 50 members of Parliament for passing the anti-corruption legislation; especially MPs who – slept through the sessions, those who did not attend or were absent, those who were present only in the morning, those who were present only in the afternoon, those who contributed half-heartedly, those who contributed but show to the public that they have not read the bill nor understand or just could not be bothered, and the excellent contributors who really want to make a difference in the fight against corruption.

This is the people’s bill and it is good to have the Bill passed to become an Act of Parliament.

TSI acknowledges that there can never be a perfect Legislation. Whilst TSI regrets the inclusion of Custom as Defence, Section 6 and the exclusion of Illicit Wealth or Unexplained Wealth, Transparency Solomon Islands accepts and acknowledges that legislation on its own will not roll back corruption. It will need more than the legislation and Transparency Solomon Islands and the people of Solomon Islands are willing and committed to supporting the government in its fight against corruption.

TSI also wishes to re-iterate that MPs are the voices of the people of each constituency, and it is regrettable that when it comes to the fight against corruption, only a minority of the parliamentarians are indeed the voices of their people. The post or position of MP is a public post and one that represents people’s voice in the highest decision-making body of Solomon Islands. It is a position that comes with responsibilities given by the people of Solomon Islands. The onus is therefore on the people of Solomon Islands to monitor their performance and hold them accountable for we will be equally to blame for not performing our constitutionally given responsibilities. Our Constitutions says, “all power in Solomon Islands belongs to its people and is exercised on their behalf by the legislature, the executive and the judiciary established by this Constitution”.

We will be giving our powers again to the position of Member of Parliament come 2019, so pay the National General Election the importance that it must be paid in our democracy. Register to vote and cast your ballot paper to choose who should lead and make decision for our country, it human resources, natural resources and development in the next four years knowing very well that our duty continues after casting of our votes. That duty is to monitor their performance and hold them accountable on their promise or for any misconduct or decision that is not in the best interest for the country, its resources and human resources.

“Thank you, Prime Minister, for bringing this Bill to the parliament and 50 Members of Parliament for passing the bill. Transparency Solomon Islands applauds you.”

–TSI PRESS

ACB passed, when’s the gazetting?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Parliament

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Bill provides for imprisonment from five to seven or more years, besides fine, to those convicted of sleeping in bed with corruption.

After almost a week of scrutiny and proceedings, Parliament has on Wednesday passed the much anticipated Anti-Corruption Bill 2017.

The question now is how long before it is gazetted and implemented.

In his summary statement prior to the passing of the Bill, Prime Minister, Rick Houenipwela who is the mover of the motion for the tabling of the bill, said the piece of legislation provides safeguards to officers who perform their duties with honesty.

He pointed out that the government has brought up the bill so that honest performing officer does not get intimidated.

Hou said the “historic legislation has provisions to ensure cases with genuineness are given justice so to stop corruption practices in all levels”.

The Prime Minister said the government aimed at taking strict measures against corruption while also ensuring good working atmosphere.

Many members who took part in the debate stressed on the need for electoral reforms to curb corruption, which will also be brought into parliament under separate bills.

Some opposition members during the proceedings, accused the government of diluting the anti-corruption act, with critics over the non-inclusion of private sector, claiming it to be one of the main culprits as to why public officers fall into corruption traps.

Meanwhile, the summary of the Bill noted that the Anti-Corruption legislation is to give legislative effect to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) by creating new corruption offences to capture the full range of corrupt practices that may occur within the public sector or in the interaction between the public and private sectors.

The Bill provides for the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences, establishing the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption, and introducing a wide range of measures to prevent corruption.

It also included a national Anti-Corruption Strategy, public awareness activities about the effects and prevention of corruption, and assistance to public and private bodies in the prevention of corruption.

The reasons for the Bill according to its schedules, are that corruption in Solomon Islands appears to be widespread, with corruption undermining development and sustains poverty, inhibits economic growth, drives political instability, enables the unsustainable use of natural resources, impacts the delivery of services and undermines good governance and the rule of law.

The Bill’s summary also highlighted Solomon Islands agreeing to UNCAC in January 2012 and is internationally obligated to have laws in place to implement the Convention.

In 2014, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime conducted a Review of Solomon Islands’ compliance with the UNCAC, and showed deficiencies in several areas of law and administration, in particular as regards the scope of the existing laws and their effectiveness in preventing corruption.

The Government has accepted most of the recommendations in the UN Review, and the Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has developed a policy on Anti-Corruption, one component of which is this Bill.

Citing some other decisions related to new law, advocators spoken to earlier, however pointed out that it is easy to talk about corruption and difficult to walk the talk, and these leaders should put their hands together and see that the new legislation drives the hope of all for a better Solomon Islands.

It is understood that any legislations that makes it through parliament will have to get the blessing of the Governor General, and then Cabinet to gazette before it can become an effective law in the cycle, and people are questioning when it will be gazetted, highlighting similar instances where past crucial bills were passed but took years to be gazetted for enactment.

Victims, non-victims & lands ministry

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, I am concerned over the ongoing issue between us the April Valley victims, the non-victims and the Ministry of lands.

As far as I know, everyone knows, ministry of lands and the government knows, the April Valley Land Area was given by the government specifically to the April 2015 Flooding Victims who lost their loved ones, properties and all their financial means for survival.

When the land was secured and allocated to them, there is no such arrangement or agreement or any other documents whatsoever stating that the land was also to be meant for other interested non victims for whatever purpose, not at all, unless the victims themselves consented to.

The issue here is whether or not the Ministry of lands also had another dealing with somebody to the said piece of land or they did not knew that the land was given specifically for the victims that’s why whenever, there is dispute regarding the said land, they never act or response indicating that the intruder is wrong or even act at all when we consult them.

Consequently, the dispute resulted in a small argument where I was arrested and taken to the police station as if I was a criminal or am fighting on the wrong side.

As a leader of my April valley victims I will stand for our rights. Upon my arrest, I was then released without any charge at all, so what does that mean? Doesn’t that speaks the truth for itself? Or am I wrong? Are they wrong? If not or not sure, who is wrong here then, who is wrong or right doesn’t matter here, we will still keep pointing fingers, the source of the problem is the feeder root to the problem and that is what am looking for here.

The problem here is all about the land, the said land was given by the government to the April victims through the Ministry of Lands, so isn’t it the Ministry of Lands is where we should start digging up the problem (Root) here?

Therefore, we need the Ministry of lands to come and declare clearly to us that this land belongs to who without any conflict of interest playing in the background. If nothing as such happens, means that the Ministry of lands had a dirty deal or corruption with somebody who is pushing to claim some parts of the said land.

Therefore urged you the Ministry of Lands to solve this issue which now become a problem for us at the moment otherwise it is clear to us that somebody has a special relationship with any authority within the ministry to conceal any monetary or corruption dealings about whatever arrangement with the said lands.

Whether it is true or not but all we want from the ministry is just to come out clear and declare to us who the particular land is allocated to, the victims, non- victims or both? Or the land was meant for what purpose? Who else also have the legal right over the same particular land?

This is because somebody who is not a victim had claimed certain parts of the land beyond what he is rightfully owned and extend into the victims land and whenever we approached him he always resorted to arguments and referring to Ministry of Lands as they are the ones who authorised him.

Along with that, we proposed to build a school for our kids and other catchment communities within the area on the said land, however, when we consult the Education Authority to register the school they refused, instead they authorised the bother person (Non-Victims) to build his private school on the land which is still in dispute with that person. In that regard we assume that there must be a dealing going on between these authorities and the said person.

Concerned citizen

April Valley

Costly land dispute through court system

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, I had an experience of 18 years of customary land dispute that went through court system from 2008 to 2018.

The incident was on a tribal land at home, however that 18 years of court process has affected local villagers by disunity, division, frustration, argument and tribal fight among people.

The court process has also brought the land disputing parties into lengthy and costly litigation.

This is when court did not understand “customary land dispute” that falls outside of court jurisdiction.

Thus, the problems identified with the following processes are as follows,

1, Chiefs hearing of land settlement.

  1. a) Chief’s decision has no hand written document just like what the formal courts do.
  2. b) Chief’s decision should be descriptive and narrative records of the proceedings and determination by the chiefs
  3. c) Forms (1) and (2) in the schedule to the Act should be filled by the chief.
  4. d) Chief are lacking training in legal proceedings.

2, Local Court

  1. a) Local court decision must be complete using the provision of or requirements of section 12, (1), (a) and (b) of the local court Act (cap 19).
  2. b) Local court must conduct a land survey and define the boundary and survey report must attaches to the decision.
  3. c) Local court to discharge its statutory chapter under local court act, cap 19, section 13 (a) to (e).
  4. d) Local court justice must often come down to the villages to conduct court on land issues.

3, Customary land Appeal Court

  1. a) The court should not accept to write and issues letters on behalf of a party against another in any issue or dispute involving or affecting customary land or using magistrate office stamp.
  2. b) The court should not issue certificate of no appeal in respect of customary land acquisition.

4, Private lawyer legal service

  1. a) Many customary land cases ended up in High court trials and pending that are waiting for referral to the low courts for more evidences, because the submission is incomplete by the land court requirement.
  2. b) Most parties did not submit complete customary land documents as they use private lawyers legal service to compile their documents by paying lawyers administration fees to do the following.

1) Type in the form of High Court ruling.

11) Write the name of a retired previous chief Justice against the ruling.

111) Using High Court office stamp

I appeal to the government of the day to bring Traditional Governance and Custom Facilitations Bill 2018 to the parliament for approval to solve dispute in Solomon Islands.

Because I didn’t see problems with lands thus, it is with the people.

 

Henry Tabusu

Private sector community educator in North Malaita

Paia’s view on traditional governance draft bill commended

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands commends Warren Paia’s view on the ill conceived Traditional Governance Bill 2018.

Paia’s view on the bill aligns with concerns TSI raised in its various articles published in the media.

More importantly he raises a very important concern that this proposed bill will weaken and eventually wears away the leadership systems in rural Solomon Islands, a leadership system that is inclusive and appropriate for the communities, tribes where these are accepted by them according to their tradition and practices.

When it comes to land, the proposed bill is gender biased and does not accord women the importance that custom accords them in land matters.

Transparency Solomon Islands attest to Paia’s view that there should not be an alternative to what is already in place in each province.

“As per our argument a possible solution to what this drafting instruction is trying to address is to assist tribes/communities to improve their own structures under the current legislation and the constitution,” TSI said.

“We fully support Mr Paia’s point on expressing the end result of the bill would be thoroughly subjected to Central Government control and regulations and call on right thinking Solomon Islanders to raise your concern on this proposed bill.”

Transparency Solomon Islands understands government frustration when more than 80 percent of land in this country is customary land and does not directly accessible to the government for its development plans.

TSI urges Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) to conduct wider consultation throughout the country, a consultation that must include, women, youth and all and just the chiefs like in a number of provinces so far.

People must be allowed to also hear opposing views during this consultation and not just what the drafters want them to hear.

–TSI

French envoy pays courtesy visit to PM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (right) and Ambassador of the Republic of France to Solomon Islands His Excellency Gilles Favret. Photo from PM Press Secretariat.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (right) and Ambassador of the Republic of France to Solomon Islands His Excellency Gilles Favret. Photo from PM Press Secretariat.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has met with the non-resident ambassador of France to Solomon Islands His Excellency Gilles Favret, on Wednesday this week.

Prime Minister Hou was informed of an upcoming visit by five French senators who will be visiting the country in September.

The ambassador has also indicated the positive opportunities that both countries can pursue.

Hou and Favret also discussed some of the challenges that Solomon Islands is currently facing.

The Prime Minister said youth population and unemployment are some of the major challenges faced by the country.

Hou said the high rate of youth population in the country is also linked to the challenges with the increase in unemployment.

He acknowledged that the challenge for the government is to create opportunities for Solomon Islanders to be employed and help sustain themselves.

The Prime Minister also highlighted challenges on physical infrastructure.

He said Solomon Islands is scattered and interconnectedness remains a challenge.

The Prime Minister also briefed the ambassador on the progress of the undersea cable project and its positive expectations.

“Apart from the many benefits the undersea cable will bring forward, a faster and reliable telecommunication will also help to unite and connect Solomon Islands,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also conveyed his congratulations to the government and people of France for winning the recent FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia.

–OPMC PRESS

Outgoing EU envoy pays courtesy farewell to PM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
PM farewelling the outgoing EU ambassador today.

OUTGOING European Union Ambassador Leonidas Tezapsidis paid a farewell courtesy call to Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela yesterday.

Mr Tezapsidis during the visit explained the reasons behind the EU’s repositioning in the Pacific region.

He said the Pacific region is diverse and EU feels it is more strategic to be operating from a central hub.

He said the central hub will be in Suva which will look after 13 countries in the Pacific region including Solomon Islands.

Despite this new arrangement, the outgoing Ambassador said EU will continue to increase its support to Solomon Islands.

“EU will continue to support the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said EU has always been a friend to Solomon Islands.

However, he said it was unfortunate that EU has made a decision to move away from Honiara.

“It is unfortunate that EU is moving away but I hope they will take time to reconsider their presence in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

The Prime Minister has conveyed his best wishes to the outgoing Ambassador in his future endeavours.

–OPMC PRESS

Growing interest for cattle farming in Malaita

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA provincial agriculture office reports that there is a positive outlook for cattle farming in the province.

The onus is now on the national agriculture and livestock ministry to supply cattle.

A staff from the livestock department under Malaita Provincial Agriculture Office, Mr Carlos Fa’alimae made the statement in light of the growing demand for cattle farming by people in the province.

He said a lot of people have visited their office enquiring and registering interest to farm cattle.

Fa’alimae said every interested person have shown that they have everything and what is left is the cattle themselves.

He said some farmers have already been distributed with cattle and Malaita agriculture office has proved their commitment.

Fa’alimae said all these farmers were working without help from the government, as they met their own expenses to accomplish their interest. They did all they can on their own.

He said there are more than 20 cattle farmers in the province, and most of them are gathering farmers – farming one or two cattle.

Fa’alimae said the office continues to receive positive report from the farmers.

He said apart from those already engaged in the business, there are lots of people coming to their office with the interest of engaging in the business.

Fa’alimae said the office has carefully noted down their interests, and as long as MAL arranges for cattle they would distribute cattle to the interested farmers.

He said they had distributed more than 50 heads of cattle to farmers around the province some time ago.

Fa’alimae said the province’s cattle breeding head at Maoa farm in West Kwaio is reportedly flourishing.

South Bougainville donates to NRH cause

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Member for South Bougainvile Hon Timothy Masiu handing over the cheque to the Solomon Islands PNG Association President Denyse Ealedona flanked by HC to PNG Barnabas Anga and North Fly MP James Donald and SIPNGA executives. Photo from SIPNGA.

THE Member of Parliament for South Bougainville has donated 40,000 Kina towards the appeal by Solomon Islands community in PNG for the purchase of medical equipment for the national referral hospital in Honiara.

In a media statement, the Solomon Islands PNG Association thanks the Hon Member Timothy Masiu for donating the money towards its appeal.

President of the Solomon Islands PNG Association Denyse Ealedona expressed gratitude towards the kind gesture by Hon Masiu.

The SIPNGA used the occasion of its country’s 40th Independence anniversary celebrations to raise funds towards the purchase of an ECG Machine and a Suction Machine.

Member for South Bougainvile Hon Timothy Masiu handing over the cheque to the Solomon Islands PNG Association President Denyse Ealedona flanked by HC to PNG Barnabas Anga and North Fly MP James Donald and SIPNGA executives. Photo from SIPNGA.

Masiu who was the guest speaker at the 40th Independence anniversary celebrations by the Solomon Islands community in Port Moresby pledged financial support towards the appeal and handed over the cheque to the association during a cheque presentation ceremony on Wednesday this week.

Ms Ealedona said, the Solomon Islands PNG Association is very grateful for the financial support by Mr Masiu, who had also used the occasion to apologise to Solomon Islands for the spill over effects of the Bougainville crisis.

She said, “On behalf of the Association I would like to acknowledge this huge and significant contribution which will go a long way to assist NRH and the people of Solomon Islands.

“Bougainvilleans have always had a long relationship with Solomon Islands given its close proximity and its links to the Shortland Islanders sharing the border.

“We hope that the gesture by Hon Masiu will further strengthen our ties and the long relationship that Solomon Islands has with Bouginville and its people.”

Masiu used the occasion at the Solomon Islands High Commission office in Port Moresby to urge the Solomon Islands people especially at the Border with Bougainville to continue to foster harmonious relations .

He said he has been in contact with the Solomon Islands Reconciliation Task Force team and his officers will be joining the team for mediation talks and set dates for reconciliation with the Bougainville people.

“I want this to happen quickly because this should have been the first thing to happen for people to reconcile and bring back for us to reconcile.”

He thanked the Solomon Islands people for their relationships and support during the crisis period to today.

–SIPNGA PRESS

1...1,2661,2671,268...1,663Page 1,267 of 1,663