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Use wisely “freedom of speech”

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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EVERY students have the freedom of speech same as everyone else.

Freedom of speech protects our right to express ideas and beliefs in any manner that we choose.

It protects our ability to protest and meet other people.

However one couldn’t help but notice the current impasse between SINUSA and SINA and read with interest the ongoing row of both parties in the media.

The last straw is the boycott of classes by the students.

One couldn’t help but wonder if the students are paying their own school fees because certainly as a parent I wouldn’t want to see my money go to waste.

Not to mention an overload for the students in an academic term.

How will they cope this academic term when normalcy returns?

True everyone has the right to ‘freedom of speech’ but when it causes substantial disruption and infringes on the rights of other students or school staff, we are creating and encouraging violations of school rules or illegal activities.

Even the RSIPF has declared the public protest or demonstration by the students as illegal.

True the student body might feel that it is their right to voice their concerns and rights but when it interferes with another person’s education, threatens or intimidates another person then something certainly needs to be done.

On the other hand, students should also remember that with rights, there also comes responsibility.

With such protest, there should be some principles or dignity in how it is being carried out.

It is not what is said that is important but how it is being said.

Use the freedom of speech and such rallies wisely and mostly according to our country’s laws.

Let us not run, even before we can walk.

Sogavare rejects claims gov’t colluded with loggers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Gary Hatigeva

FINANCE Minister and Member of Parliament for East Choiseul has categorically denied and rejected claims that logging operators have heavily influenced the government or its ministers over their forestry policies.

At the eve of deliberations into the 2018 Budget at the committee stage, Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga Matthew Wale accused the government in the way it has been handling the logging issues, suggesting that loggers have direct control over government programmes in the industry through the Solomon Forest Association (SFA).

Based on explanations from forest ministry officials during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearings in the way prices are determined for logs domestically, which is seen to have continuously disadvantaged resource owners, Mr Wale claimed that government continues to fail by submitting to loggers, who he described as criminals.

He said the Governor of the central bank, who is trusted far more than the government, informed the PAC that the determined price is set by the logging industry and given to government, and this has been going on since the determined price mechanism was established.

He added that PAC was also informed by the Permanent Secretary of Forests that government negotiates the determined price with the logging industry.

“Wow! Really? Negotiate with the criminals who rape our country and rob our people? This is how bad this situation really is. And it has been this bad for so long, so many years.

“How many years have we carried on with the nonsense of the determined price being lower than the market price? The determined price has never, at any time, been the same as market price,” Wale said.

He suggested those who are in it, have been in it for so long they are numb to it, they can’t see what’s wrong with it, and they have even gone to the extent of defending it.

“How can anyone defend the theft of national resources from the people of Solomon Islands? The country has been literally robbed of billions of dollars. And it is ok? This is state capture by the logging industry.

“We must not allow this same practice to be transposed to the mining industry, as that industry is also being swamped with loggers,” Wale added.

He suggested that government must deregister the SFA, which he repeatedly alleged to be a criminal organisation that exists solely to protect its members’ interests by conspiring against the interests of the people of Solomon Islands.

He further claimed that the Association meet to scheme ways to control government and that they collect cash money to help what he termed as, their pet politicians who do their bidding.

“They give cash to maintain a government that protects their interests against the interests of the people.

“Shame! The government of the people of Solomon Islands has been used to protect criminals who are robbing the people in whose name government gets its legitimacy,” Wale further alleged.

But in his response to the claims made by the Aoke/Langalanga MP, Sogavare suggested that allegation raised against the government are very serious ones that warrants arresting and throwing of people in jail.

“He also raised some serious allegation against the government about colluding with those in the logging industry. Is he saying that they are paying us and influencing the way we make our decisions?

“And other serious allegations, strongly implying that the minister is directly involved and receiving bribes in the design of policies that affects the industry,” the Finance Minister said.

He however emphasised that with regards to the claims and allegations raised by the Independent MP, there are laws in the country and if things like these happen, they should be reported to police for proper actions to be taken.

“Arrest people and put them in jail!

“Otherwise Mr Speaker, don’t use the privilege of parliament to come and say something you have no proof of,” Sogavare warned.

Sogavare then suggested that with no stands behind his claims and allegations, he suggested the Independent MP’s main objective was to discredit everything the government had said about the budget.

“Using his public speaking ability to misinform the public about the genuine intention of the government in the way the 2018 budget is structured,” he added.

“It is no surprise because that is the nature of this man…”

We only travel when it’s necessary: Kuku

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Gary Hatigeva

MINISTER for the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) John Dean Kuku says he only travels overseas to attend conferences and oversea meetings if they are necessary.

The Minister clarified this when questioned during Parliament’s Committee Stage proceedings into the 2018 Budget, over the reduction on the cost of travels from $475,979 in the 2017 allocation to a total $124,021 in this year’s budget under the ministry’s costing estimates for MP’s airfares.

In welcoming the response from the MEHRD Minister, the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale supported the sentiments and applauded the minister on his bold decision.

Wale however called on other ministers to see Minister Kuku’s model as a classic example to follow.

This was something many in various local social media forums also welcomed, saying this is not only saving money for the government but also saves time.

The sentiments were something the former Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui who also shared similar sentiments and suggested that travels should also be done at appropriate timings and if what attended is relevant to the country’s education system.

Malaita revenue collection needs improvement

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA province needs improvement in its revenue collection mechanism.

Senior Revenue Officer from the Revenue Department under the provincial Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Mr John Houma made the account in light of working toward addressing the matter.

He said currently there is no revenue collection on business licences around the province except for businesses in Auki Town.

Houma said very few businesses pay their licences when province goes on its revenue collection rounds.

He said these are only the honest ones.

“This is an area of need for the province to work on it if wants to improve on its revenue collection.”

He said currently logging licence is the major area province is collecting its revenue from.

Adding that other main areas include shipping, passenger levy, Auki wharf, Auki market, shops in Auki, vehicle licences, liquor licence and others.

Houma however adds that the province is faced with challenges to its manpower, but adds that province is working to rectify this.

He says they are stepping up this year in making sure that businesses in Malaita province pay their licences.

He appeals to businesses to come forward and pay up, rather than having to wait for revenue collectors to go to them.

MPs called to keep record of how constituency funds are spent

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Keeping track of how constituency funds are spent during an MP’s term in office is highly important.

This is according to Paramount Chief Benedict Garimane of Thimbo tribe, North Guadalcanal.

He stressed that since money allocated for constituencies is public money thus taxpayers’ money, MPs should have an inventory, a record of how they have spent constituency funds during their time as a member of parliament for their respective constituency.

Mr Garimane added that the record should show where the constituency funds went such as noted number of materials, equipment or vehicles purchased for the constituency.

He highlighted that this will surely help the next Member of Parliament because the MP will be well informed and know how far progress has gone in the constituency and in which areas he will need to help develop during his time as member of parliament for his or her constituency.

Garimane explained that since their former MP left without leaving a record of where their constituency’s money was spent, their current member of parliament should have one.

He calls on the current Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal constituency, Hon Samson Maneka to have an inventory so that should a new MP for North Guadalcanal constituency take his seat, the MP will be well versed about what has happened in the constituency.

Allowance cut hits law students

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Emalus USP Campus in Vanuatu

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Islands scholars studying at USP’s Emalus campus in Vanuatu are frustrated over allowance cuts which is affecting their studies and living.

Some are reportedly considering deferring their studies for next year.

Sources from Emalus say it’s been eight weeks yet 84 Solo students have not received their allowance yet.

And this is hitting them hard with their studies and living conditions.

The students’ rentals for February to April have not been paid yet, something which students say is an embarrassing situation for them.

“It seems we slow down our landlords’ normal business,” they explained.

To top up the students’ woes, Vanuatu is undergoing a 15 percent inflation this year.

“One NTU staff confirmed to us yesterday that there will be cut of allowance, and we call on Government to justify that cut of allowance because we are not able to survive since inflation in Vanuatu increase by 15 percent this year,” they said.

Students suggest government to consult them before doing cuts to their allwoances.

Island Sun, in following up this issue, has been told that 56 students have already had their allowances paid to their ANZ accounts, with working underway to pay the remaining 28 students theirs.

SI welcomes Mexico ambassador

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Ambassador Eduardo Patricio Pena Haller and Sir Frank Kabui at Government House
Ambassador Eduardo Patricio Pena Haller and Sir Frank Kabui at Government House

MEXICO’S Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Eduardo Patricio Pena Haller presented his credentials to the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Frank Kabui in Honiara yesterday.

Mr Haller expressed his excitement and determination to deepen and enhance the relation between Mexico and Solomon Islands.

He said bilateral trade has been small and steady for the last 10 years, but there is so much more that can be done to intensify relations and exchanges between the two countries.

“After a decade of diplomatic relations, not a single bilateral treaty or agreement has been signed between the Solomon Islands and Mexico, and I would like to humbly propose that we change that perspective,” Haller said.

“Through the High commission of the Solomon Islands in Australia, the government of Mexico has proposed the signing of agreements in areas such as investment protection, legal assistance, cultural and technical cooperation, protection of cultural heritage and visa suppression, just to name a few.

“Topics such as management of natural resources, environmental protection and climate change rank high among our shared priorities. I have personally set to work towards the development of projects in these areas. I look forward to establishing people to people networks in science, education and diplomacy, among others.”

Haller pledged to increase the awareness in respective business communities about enhancing trade and exploiting opportunities that are available.

“Rest assured I will do everything in my hands to foster exchanges between our peoples and our countries, building upon the foundation of trust and a friendship that spans already a decade,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sir Frank welcomed Ambassador Haller to Solomon Islands saying both countries are States that are far apart by distance, however, they come together at the United Nations to discuss and share common values and concerns.

“Indeed, there is space for us to enter into dialogue on various issues of mutual benefits to each of our two countries and peoples. Bilateral engagement is the key to further understanding and co-operation,” Sir Frank said.

“We do appreciate your willingness to be available and open to any ideas, initiatives, projects or simply expression of interests in any subject that bears mutual benefits for our countries.”

–GCU

Increase funding in agriculture research, gov’t told

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Gary Hatigeva

GOVERNMENT should take deliberate efforts to increase funding in agriculture research to increase food production in the country, members of parliament from the opposition and independent group said.

Their argument came in light of committee proceedings during the Committee Stage of the 2018 budget yesterday, specifically on the agriculture provisional allocation under the recurrent estimates.

MPs who contributed to the scrutiny shared similar sentiments, saying agriculture research is the brain to drive issues of importance for the sector and one of the inevitable developments in the world today that government can’t afford to ignore.

Most also shared, based on observations that with the increasing level of pests and diseases countrywide, increased research funding is needed to mitigate the upsurge.

Questioning the figures presented in the subheadings under the ministry’s programme for the highlighted area on public financing for agriculture research, there was further argument that agricultural research should be prioritised as security.

“As a country we must drive our own research agenda. It’s a security issue,” the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga and Member of the Independent group, Matthew Wale told parliament.

He said the country needs to make research that speaks to the needs of farmers, and highlighted the importance of disseminating researched technologies so that farmers across the country can access it, for the sake of making benefits from their crops and other produces.

One of his observations was that research institutions not having capacity to execute programmes that would help guide not only the ministry in its policy drive, but also farmers on how they can better meet requirements and standards if the country is to push for mass exports in crops abroad.

The arguments however reminded and reiterated that all constraints of institutions having no capacity to carry out its programs especially on research and other related areas, must be addressed.

The government was further reminded to take sometimes in the year to ensure relevant institutes involved in the areas pointed out are properly equipped and if necessary, in his earlier call at the Public Accounts Committee hearings, that allocations under any future budget supplements consider what is being highlighted under the ministry.

$3.3m to London Mission, a one-off maximised cost: Tozaka

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Chairman of the Public Service Commission says that they are yet to appoint an Auditor General

By Gary Hatigeva

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Milner Tozaka has revealed that the allocation of just over $3million in the budget to Solomon Islands’ London mission in the United Kingdom will be a one-off maximised costing that would enable the ministry in its preparations for its opening.

Foreign minister Mr Tozaka, Member of Parliament for South Vella, revealed this when questioned at the proceedings of the 2018 recurrent estimates in parliament during the committee stage of supplies.

He was questioned over what is seen as a significant gap in total allocations between the existing missions and the London one, which is yet to be fully operational.

But in his explanation, Tozaka said given that the mission is going to be a new establishment and being in one of the countries with a much stronger economy and currency, the amount is justifiable.

Tozaka said this factoring will include meeting costs of getting officials from this end to the UK who will be managing and running the office, and other related costs, which would also include purchasing of an official vehicle and other related necessities.

He said setting up a new mission, like any other new establishment will need big funds to ensure its opening occasion is official and done smoothly as in this case, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister will be the guest of honour to open the mission.

He added that it is for some of these reasons that the amount was projected at what has been included in the ministry’s allocation.

The Minister then clarified that the $3.309 million was only an estimated projection having seen the costing analysis for both the mission’s opening, officials’ salaries and other related matters that will be included in the events.

Tozaka assured parliament that not all the allocation will be used, because the projected figure was only used as a guide to ensure that any unforeseen circumstances can be catered for should they come up.

He further clarified to parliament that the $3 million allocation is just for the required events and establishment in this period, and assured that once the missions starts operating and in stable status, any future projected estimates will be normalised just like the rest.

But the minister reminded the members that the new London mission is a very important mission and it is the government’s priority concern to see that it is formally established.

Meanwhile, Tozaka highlighted that the arrangement came to an unfortunate situation, because the initial intention to establish a Solomon Islands mission in London, was for it become the country’s main hub to interact with the European Union, but that is now unlikely because of Brexit.

“However, we have already decided on that and so it will go ahead, and we need our presence felt there because we have already got some form of trade programmes with them, where our palm oils are being processed in Liverpool,” Tozaka explained.

He further explained and revealed that with the trade programmes, feedbacks have shown that the products coming out from Solomon Islands’ palm oil happens to produce some of the best oils in their market.

The government has this year, made a total allocation of over $8 million to all its 12 overseas missions, including the one in London.

Students allowance hit by government austerity measures

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
USP Laucala Campus

By Alfred Sasako

SOLOMON Islands’ students studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Campuses at Laucala in Fiji and Emalus in Vanuatu have started feeling the pinch from the austerity measures introduced by the Government in this year’s Budget.

Some students told Island Sun via the social media yesterday that the allowances they received this week were half what they used to get.

Each student received $700, according to one student.

“How can you live on that when the rental alone is $550? It leaves you just $150,” one student said.

Others said it was probably better to return home to avoid being ridiculed in a foreign country.

The halving of student allowances following similar cuts meted out to students studying at the AMA University in the Philippines last week.

In an email yesterday, Solomon Islands’ Education Attaché, Samantha Teitei Bob explained the payments, urging students to use their money wisely.

“This week this office has received funds enough to pay each student $800 and the balance of $720 will be paid before end of this month,” she said in an email sent to on-campus students yesterday.

“The information that I received is, the balance of the allowance plus May and June will be paid before end of this semester and this includes new students’ establishment.”

“From the allowance documents that this office received students were given a total of FJD3, 600 for the month(s) of February to April.

Students have be(en) paid $2080 from the above amounts over two payments, which means that the remaining balance yet to be paid to students is $1,520.

“I can only provide information that is revealed to me and such I cannot confirm whether the allowance had be(en) affected due to the Country National budget cut. However, we can only confirm the total of semester one allowance when the remaining allowance for this semester is received.

She said that in previous years Students were paid FJD6000 per semester.

“Such students were paid $1040 per month from February to June and $800 for book allowance.

“I strongly rem(ind) all of us to use the funds that we received on needs for now and avoid (expending) funds on entertainment and luxury items including sending money back to the country for family support. We are the ones living in a foreign country.

“I am really sorry for the inconvenience this may (have) caused but I will try and get the Finance Director of the Ministry [of Education and Human Resources Development) to better explain the allowance funds allocation for Fiji students,” Ms Teitei Bob said.

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