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Missing funds and resources too big to ignore: Wale

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Opposition Leader and MP for Aoke Langalanga Hon Matthew Wale. Photo Credit; Pacificwin NZ Aus Pacific on LinkedIn.

MEMBER of Parliament for Auki/Langalanga, Matthew Wale says the amount of public funds and resources gone missing are simply too large to ignore.

Speaking on Wednesday in parliament on the Anti-corruption Bill, Wale says it is in their interest that public offices are protected from corruption. He says it is also in their interest that public services are protected from loss of government’s revenues and resources.

“We have had recent experience of Commissioners of Lands, Commissioners of Forests, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting staff facing charges of corruption. And this, it is said, is the tip of an ice-berg. The amount of public funds and resources that are lost to corruption are simply too large to ignore this problem in our public life”. He questions how much better funded could our healthcare system be if the resources lost to corruption were to be allocated to health?

“We run out of essential medicines for extended periods at a time. Yes, no doubt some of this is due to incompetence and mismanagement. But how much better would it be if there was adequate funding every year for medicines? The state of our hospitals and clinics is generally very poor, not to speak of the remuneration of healthcare professionals”.

He said much can also be said for the quality of our education system.

The Auki/Langalanga MP said schools are under resourced, poor quality facilities and poor remuneration of teachers.

“Corruption does have an impact on these public services. It adversely affects both the quality and the reach of those services to all our communities throughout these lovely islands. Some parts of the country never get to “feel” government because they do not access any government services in an entire year. The extent to which corruption deprives government of providing public services to these very remote communities is deplorable.

It is not right that there are no medicines at our hospitals and clinics. It is not right that avoidable deaths occur at our hospitals for lack of basic equipment. It is not right that some children do not go to school because there is not enough classrooms”.

Wale was one of the few Members of Parliament to contribute to the Anti-Corruption Bill.

PM says fight against corruption must be inclusive & endless

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela says the fight against corruption must be comprehensive and persistent.

The Prime Minister highlighted this in his speech during the second reading of the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017.

He said unlike other criminal offences like assaults; corruption is secretive and normally operates and thrives in the dark making it hard to prove a corruption allegation.

However, he stressed that there are three-prong approaches the Bill focuses on;

  1. the need to skilfully investigate corruption allegations and successfully prosecute them,
  2. the need to provide preventative measures through public education and training, and

III.       the need for Government to work in coalition with the private sector, civil society and the international community in the fight against corruption.

Mr Houenipwela said the first includes the establishment of a new body, i.e. the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC).

“We need to develop and build up the capacity of a specialised body to investigate and prosecute corruption,” he said.

Hon. Houenipwela said it is justifiable to establish SIICAC to skilfully investigate and successfully prosecute corruption being that the nature and sophistication of the work of SIICAC does not necessarily fit into the mandates of existing institutions like the Leadership Code Commission, the Ombudsman or the Police.

The Prime Minister said the second approach, “stems from our conviction that it is cheaper for the country to prevent corruption rather than just wait for complaints, investigate and prosecute corruption.”

“The core functions of SIICAC has been constructed to ensure that it will pursue vigorously public education on the effect of corruption and, likewise, implement schemes embedded in the Act, that will ensure all public institutions, companies and organisations in Government and the non-government sector do take steps to prevent corruption,” he said.

He further stated that the third approach requires Government to work in coalition with other stakeholders.

“This approach is based on a lesson we have learned; that the fight against corruption is NOT just a fight by the Government. It is a fight by all of us Solomon Islanders. It is our fight and we can only be effective in our respective fights if we work collaboratively together,” Prime Minister Houenipwela said.

He also emphasised the need to collaborate with the international community.

The Prime Minister said this need for collaborative efforts curtail from the fact that we need to keep pace with the ever increasing sophistication of corrupt practices.

“We need to acknowledge the fact that corruption is a cross-border problem to all countries around the world.

“The proceeds of corruption syphoned out of the country need to be recovered and returned to Solomon Islands; and those who have fled the country after committing an act of corruption need to be extradited back to stand trial.”

–PM PRESS SECRETARIAT

MHMS forewarned on looming drugs crisis months before: Officials

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services was forewarned of the looming drugs crisis, but the top echelon of the Ministry appeared to have ignored the warning, officials said.

“Someone from the National Medical Store (NMS) warned the Permanent Secretary that if the drugs situation was not addressed by May 2018, we would be in trouble,” officials told Island Sun on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

“It was that serious,” one official said, adding other things might preoccupy the Permanent Secretary’s mind. He may now pay a heavy price for this blunder as fall-out from the crisis looms.

“We cannot play around with people’s lives.”

The Government on Tuesday ordered the entire drug shortage situation put under the microscope. Senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and others yesterday convened at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ headquarters to assess the situation.

Blame-game occupied discussions often punctuated by heated arguments, forcing the Minister of Health and Medical Services Hon Dr Tautai Angikimua Kaituu to abandon chairing it.

“It was good the Secretary to the Prime Minister, SPM Jimmy Rogers, was there. He took charge by chairing the meeting,” senior officials confided in island Sun.

“It was a heated argument amongst all the health officials, one faction blaming the other.

“One thing was very clear there was absolutely no coordination at all between the Ministry and those looking after drugs,” one senior official said.

The official pointed to a recent incident when Health officials approached the Office of the Prime Minister for the purchase of three machines doctors use to test blood.

All three units were not working and need urgent replacement, the official said.

“Emergency funds were approved to buy the machines, only to find afterwards that a brand new machine was sitting in a crate at the medical store. The crate was never opened, the machine was never used

“This is the lack of coordination I am talking about. The National Medical Store was aware of this machine sitting there, those who are supposed to be using this machine were never told it was there,” the official said.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services was ordered to create two templates – one showing drugs we have run out of, the other to show the quantity Provincial Hospitals have in stocks.

“The idea is to establish whether emergency drugs we urgently need are sitting in the Provinces, which could be used in the interim until drugs now being ordered start arriving next month, the official said.

The officials went back to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to see whether there are life-saving drugs are in fact still in abundance in the country. Island Sun was unable to establish the Ministry’s findings.

Apart from concerns by members of the public, the drugs crisis has dominated social and mainline media discussions.

One asked: “Is there anyway the PM could take drastic measures and ordered needed meds to be flown into the country and dispersed to our hospitals ASAP?

“Sounds easier said than done but am sure some people would agree with me that we needed these medicines like yesterday… there have been claims that the situations could be prevented are happening, death(s) simply due to lack of appropriate medical supplies.

“This is purely negligence by responsible authorities, people get sued for this. whatever it is, just get the damned medical supplies into the country and start saving lives… for we only have one life to live… 1 life… not 1 and half, 1 life,” the frustrated poster said.

One official said Cabinet had decided that if it had to, the Government would charter an aircraft to flying urgently needed, life-saving drugs.

PM appeal to leaders to listen to people’s wish to pass ACB

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands’ newly elected Prime Minister and MP for Small Malaita, Hon Rick Houenipwela. Photo by George Herming

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela said leaders in Parliament must listen to the pleas of the people to pass the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017.

“When there is an overwhelming desire by the people, when there is collective pressure by the people, for Government to do something about a particular matter and in this case the ACB, it is because the people are aggrieved by the existence of a problem,” he told Parliament.

The Prime Minister highlighted this when delivering his speech during the 2nd reading of the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 in Parliament.

The Prime Minister encouraged Members of Parliament to be responsive to the wishes of the people and that is to pass the ACB 2017.

“We all know what corruption does to our people – whether they are in the urban areas or in the rural villages – throughout this country, corruption erodes all opportunities to better their wellbeing,” he said.

Prime Minister Houenipwela also said corruption hinders the achievement of good governance, a fundamental requirement to achieving optimal and sustainable economic development.

He said that where the problem of corruption persists and good governance does not exist; it will always be difficult to deliver public services effectively and the provisions of health and education service sub-standards.

The Prime Minister said that corruption diverts scarce public monies from public investments in infrastructures, in education, health and the productive sector.

“It is no surprise therefore, why there is an outcry from our people for us leaders and the Government to do something about corruption. The outcry of the people reflects the way corruption has and will continue to hurt them. It’s an outcry that no one else can do anything about it except us in this supreme law-making body of our beloved country,” the Prime Minister said.

–PM PRESS SECRETARIAT

Voter registration exercise commences with training

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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RM and ROs who are attending the 8-day training of trainers.

BY MIKE PUIA

RM and ROs who are attending the 8-day training of trainers.

10 Registration Managers (RMs) and 50 Registration Officers (ROs) are undergoing training-of-trainers in preparation for the National Voter Registration exercise.

Being an important role in overseeing the implementation of the Voter Registration exercise throughout the country, the training will help them understand their roles and responsibilities as well as professionalism and partiality in executing their roles.

In the Voter Registration exercise, RMs are responsible for each of the provinces while the Registration Officers (ROs) represent each of the 50 constituencies.

They are directly responsible for the coordination of registration teams that will be dispatched in constituencies to conduct voter registration.

The RMs and ROs will also be responsible for training of Registration Clerks (RCs) and Assistant Registration Officers (AROs) who will directly involve in the voter registration exercise.

The current training will prepare them to return to their provinces and conduct further training for RCs and AROs.

The current training covers a range of topics from roles and responsibilities and code of conduct to voter registration procedures and aspects surrounding conducting voter information sessions in communities.

Divided into two groups, the first group that commenced training yesterday were RMs and ROs from Malaita, Choiseul, Temotu, Renbel and Isabel Provinces. The next group of provinces will start their training Tuesday next week.

The training is being carried out by the Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC).

Voter Registration crucial exercise

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) Commissioner, Taeasi Sanga, when opening the training-of-trainers at the Heritage Park hotel on Wednesday

BY MIKE PUIA

Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) Commissioner, Taeasi Sanga, when opening the training-of-trainers at the Heritage Park hotel on Wednesday.

ELECTORAL Commissioner, Mrs Taeasi Sanga said the Voter Registration exercise is a very important one.

Speaking during the official opening ceremony of the training-of-trainers for Registration Managers (RMs) and Registration Officers (ROs) Sanga highlighted the importance of the Voter Registration exercise.

“Its aim is to create an accurate and verifiable record of all of those people who are eligible to vote and who have chosen to register,” Mrs Sanga said.

She said the roles and responsibilities of RMs and ROs are vital to the health of Solomon Islands democracy.

“Without an up to date and accurate Voter List, the National Election results can be compromised.

“Every registration official must therefore have a good working knowledge of the key rules and regulations governing Voter Registration in the Solomon Islands.

“Understanding these regulations will enable you to answer any questions posed by the public and assist you to lawfully perform your duties.”

Mrs Sanga acknowledged the group for putting their hands up to take up the responsibility.

“I am grateful that you have chosen to give your time to serve the nation as a registration official.

“I know some of you worked in 2014 and 2017 on the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR), so your experience will be invaluable this time round.”

The SIEC commissioner also acknowledged the support and contribution the OSIEC has received from the Australian Government, European Union and the UNDP through Strengthening the Electoral Cycle of Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP).

The training ends on July 28th after which, the RMs and ROs will return to their respective provinces and constituencies to conduct training for Assistant Registration Officers and Registration Clerks.

SIG takes steps to create opportunities for youths

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Rick Houenipwela.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

PM Rick Houenipwela.

THE Government of Solomon Islands is now taking steps to create innovative employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people through-out the country.

Solomon Islands’ population comprises of more than 50 percent young people who do not have adequate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Consequently from this gap, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said young people are not able to contribute effectively to our country’s economic development.

However there are greenlights with Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government through Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs introducing a Youth Policy.

Hou said this year his government will introduce a new Youth Empowerment Policy to drive youth employment and entrepreneurship in the country.

He said such framework also include programs for leadership training, sports, arts and drama and many other areas of interest to country’s youth population.

Hou also adds that he personally seeking five countries overseas for labour mobility agreements with an aim to enhance employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youths in the country.

“In addition to enhancing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youths in the country, I am personally seeking to put in place formal labour mobility agreements with several countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Taiwan,” he said.

“I hope will help provide huge opportunities for our youths and alleviate the youth unemployment challenges in our country,” he said.

On the other hand, the Prime Minister urges the country to gather efforts purposely to support women in business initiatives and programs as well as strive for gender equality in leadership positions.

“We must seek and put in place mechanisms to increase women representation in our Parliament that are equitable,” he said.

From last year and throughout this year, Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs are working on the three tiers National Youth Policy which look at addressing youth issues.

The new three tiers National Youth Policy include, Solomon Islands National Youth Policy, Youth Development Framework and Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship strategy.

PM acknowledged strong stand behind AC-Bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Gary Hatigeva

DESPITE the shady experience on Wednesday’s status into the debates of the Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) 2017, the Prime Minister found time to acknowledge the country and people who stood behind getting the bill back to parliament, direct and indirectly.

Speaking to move the second reading of the AC Bill, Prime Minister Hou shared that yesterday was a historical day for Solomon Islands as a country.

He said a day the people of Solomon Islands should be joyful for at last, the will of our people is now before Parliament for enactment.

“I speak with personal joy and gratitude for the hard work by our officials and the continuing support of you fellow MPs to make this possible,” the Prime Minister shared.

He particularly took the opportunity to acknowledge and register his gratitude and thanks to the Deputy Prime Minister and Member for East Choiseul, also former Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, for what Hou described as, his leadership and commitment in progressing the Anti-Corruption Bill to what it is today.

“I thank you, Sir, and wish to assure you that your efforts will not be in vain,” Hou assured.

“And I also wish to acknowledge the contributions by members of the former DCC Government into this Bill.

“I also take this opportunity to thank the Chairman and members of the Bills and Legislation Committee for their invaluable inputs which are now reflected in the Bill before us,” the PM added.

He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to what he termed as, like-minded MPs for keeping the pressure on Government to bring this Bill into Parliament for enactment.

Hou also thanked the civil society organisations and interest groups around the country for steering the Government to come up with mechanisms and tools to go about fighting and eradicating corruption in the country.

The media in particular was also acknowledged for its significant role in continuously highlighting issues of corruption and how it is affecting the people, the economy and the country.

“Indeed, you have played your role,” the Prime Minister added.

He then expressed the government’s biggest appreciation to the public demonstration in support of the Bill, their feedback on consultations in the provinces on the draft Bill itself, the decade-long consultation on the Federal Constitution and the recent nationwide consultation on political integrity and stability.

He said those were unequivocal in your desire for Government to address the problem of corruption in our country.

He however assured that all the collective voices from all works of life on the corruption issue that were transmitted through the media, have been heard by the Government, who will ensure the bill becomes an act to help the country.

Parliament welcomes new MP

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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New Member of Parliament for Gizo-Kolombangara Lanelle Tanaganda taking her oath of allegiance in Parliament on Wednesday

By Gary Hatigeva

New Member of Parliament for Gizo-Kolombangara Lanelle Tanaganda taking her oath of allegiance in Parliament on Wednesday

PARLIAMENT on Wednesday welcomed its newest member to the house, Lanelle Tanaganda after her election victory in the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election, May this year.

Before being welcomed by both members of the two sides of the house, Mrs. Tanaganda took her oath of allegiance before a packed parliament chamber.

In welcoming the Gizo-Kolombangara Member of Parliament, Speaker of National Parliament, Ajilon Jasper Nasiu explained that it was important the new MP took her oath to fulfil and important part or requirement under the national constitution.

“Honourable Members, we have with us today a new member who is elected through a by-election in May this year.

“But according to section 63 of the constitution, no member is permitted to participate in the proceedings of this house until he or she has taken the oath set out in schedule one of the constitution.

“On behalf of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, I welcome you as the newly elected Member of Parliament for Gizo-Kolombangara constituency,” the Speaker expressed when welcoming Mrs. Tanaganda.

The Speaker however reminded that having taken her oath, the new MP is now permitted to participate in the proceedings of this honourable house.

“I can only wish you well as you take up your duties to this house and your constituency,” the Speaker further added.

Following her election as the new MP, Mrs. Tanaganda joined the government side.

AC Bill 2018 in doubt?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

Parliament adjourned debates due to low turnout of MPs

By Gary Hatigva

ONLY in its first day of debates, but the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 is again facing huge doubts and confusions as parliament was forced to adjourn its deliberation on it yesterday.

Earlier yesterday morning, the Bill was put to its first reading and went to its second when Prime Minister, Rick Hounipwela opted to have it debated, which didn’t go down well with those from both, the opposition and the independent sides.

Leader of the Official Opposition, Manasseh Maelanga made an objection to a motion by the government to suspend certain standing orders of parliament to allow for the debate of the Anti-Corruption Bill 2018.

With reasons, to allow for both the independent and opposition members to thoroughly go through the bill’s report for the sake of mass contributions and inputs to what Maelanga described as a very important piece of legislation.

The Prime Minister failed to see this aspect and however called for the matter to be tested through votes, which gave the government the upper hand, having the majority number.

The Bill was then allowed to be debated, but there silence from both sides of the house, as it was evident, none was prepared to present on it (bill).

However, with the early signs of mixed feeling about getting the bill debated and deliberated on, has got many including those from the Civil Society and NGOs worried as what’s displayed could continue and eventually force the government to delay or withdraw the bill again.

A lawyer (who asked not to be named), spoken to about the cluttered indicators, also joined the many concerns following yesterday’s outcome, stressing that it is very clear because not all including some from the government want this bill passed.

“Just look at the revised bill having compared to the first one, which was withdrawn under the Sogavare led government, not many changes.

“They are but all delay tactics to prolong the debate and passing of the bill. I mean, if you look at the first bill, it was withdrawn for the said purpose of considerations to recommendations from the Bills and Legislations Committee.

“Where are the recommendations now? The Chairman of BLC has come out very clear on this, and that only 2 out of 12 recommendations were taken.

“What happened to the other ten?” the disappointed lawyer questioned.

Many including the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga and Chair of the BLC, Matthew Wale pointed out that the bill though with many loop holes, is the best solution to the ever growing issue of corruption that many also agree, are now taking a huge toll on both the government and private sector.

Like a virus that is infecting every living thing in its path, mostly those in the rural and provincial settings of the country.

Parliament resumes 9am today, with the hopes that yesterday’s experience was not Anti-Corruption related and members are asked to think of their people and the country first.

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