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Authorities urged to take necessary reactive measures

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Gary Hatigeva

MEMBER of Parliament for East Malaita and Leader of the Official Opposition, Manasseh Maelanga has expressed his disappointment over what he described as continuous soft approaches taken to deal with the issue of logging in the country.

His point raised came as a follow-up on his question raised on the status of logging operations in various parts of the country, especially the Kakabona operation, which made headlines earlier this year.

Reports were released surrounding concerns over environmental impact the operation will have on the resources and habitat of people living around the area.

Sharing similar sentiments, the Opposition Leader raised huge concerns over the operation, which he thinks should have never been granted licence in the first instance due to its location and impact.

Maelanga also blamed the Ministry of Environment for not doing its job and with ignorance gave green light for the issuance of operational licence to the logging company.

He even claimed that officials responsible are most probably breaching some of their acts through the manner in which reports and evaluations done gave an all-clear for operations to go ahead especially for a location as the Kakabona site.

But the Opposition Leader also blasted the forestry ministry heads for what he described as, making weak stands for the people of this country and not being reactive to ensure operations in such locations never eventuate especially on environment issues.

“If you go down there, the operation has crossed the river and caused some major damages, which people and communities surrounding it rely heavily on.

“It’s not good for us to just say this is straight based on criteria and processes so we have to allow for operations to take place, no I think we need to start reacting to some of these things,” Maelanga stressed.

He added that since responsible government bodies know that logging is one of the main revenue earners for the economy and become too shadowed, they tend not to put hard measures and redirections on loggers.

“But we have to put these measures and if they do not agree to things, then tell them to live. Our authorities too have always been of the view, fearing that by putting in measures will chase these operators away.

“They will not leave because that is their money and they will continue to operate,” the Opposition Leader further added.

$3.6m for forestry implementation of SIDCCG policies

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Ministry of Forest and Research has confirmed an allocation of $3.6 million into its slashed budget to implement its key priority areas under the policy of the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG).

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Vaeno Vigulu revealed this when appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing yesterday.

Mr Vigulu revealed that from a wide range of policies under the former government, seven policies were taken and adopted by the SIDCCG but were forced to reprioritise and trimmed down to what he regards as the top five key priority area objectives for the ministry to ensure their realisation.

The top five policy area objectives include a Review of the Forestry Act and the National Herbarium Research Laboratory project, where the PS said both policies received allocations of $500,000 each for their implementation programmes.

The others are the National Herbarium and Botanical Garden Fencing and Landscape project, and National Forest Resources Development Programme which were both allocated $1million each.

The Downstream Processing Project, on the other hand being regarded the ministry’s fourth top priority policy, which was allocated $600,000.

Meanwhile, the PS explained that the other two policies, National Forest Inventory and the Native Forest Enrichment and Research Project were left out because the ministry had to reprioritise.

“And we thought that the top five policy area objectives are the ones we can complete this year before the government actual close down in December.”

With the total allocation of just over $3million, the ministry has only around nine months in hand to see that all its top five priority policies are implemented.

Gov’t expects to pass ACB in July

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Government remains focused and committed to passing the Anti-Corruption Bill this year.

According to the Government’s timeframe, the expectation is to have the ACB passed by July this year.

The ACB is currently before the Bills and Legislation Committee, which has been since October last year after it was reintroduced to Parliament.

However, due to the requirement of getting the BLC to scrutinise the Bill, and the priority to pass the 2018 Budget; the Bill has missed the current sitting timeframe.

As such, the Government encourages and hopes the Bills and Legislation Committee can work together with the Government to have the ACB ready for July’s sitting.

Meanwhile, the Government reiterated that as much as the Government would like to proceed with the proposed Bills before Parliament; it hopes BLC can produce the reports in time for debate by Parliament.

“The Government considers the ACB and other legislations as important for the Government and people of this country. Therefore, it encourages the BLC to work together with the Government to pass some of these important legislations this year,” it said.

–OPMC PRESS

Gov’t committed to passing Budget

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Government remains committed in passing the 2018 Budget.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) yesterday said the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change (SIDCCG) remains devoted to the smooth passage of the Budget.

As such, the Government clarifies statements which it says are misleading, contained in an article by veteran journalist Alfred Sasako in an article yesterday which said that the Government has only five days from March 26, 2018 to approve the Budget in Parliament.

“Sasako’s assumption is a misleading interpretation. We are still within the timeframe and we remain committed in passing the Budget,” it said.

The statement further clarified that the Resolution passed by Parliament in November last year is based on section (103) 1 of the Constitution which allows the Government to meet necessary expenditures until April this year.

The statement said it is in the interest of this nation and Parliament to pass the Budget.

“No MP in his right mind would want to defeat the Budget. This would be the most irresponsible thing to do as a national leader,” the statement said.

Parliament will resume on Monday March 26 to deliberate on the Budget.

–OPMC PRESS

Undersea cable to be split in Aussie waters

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Undersea cable

By Mike Puia

THE two-head undersea cable that promises faster and cheaper internet to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea might be split in Australian waters.

Solomon Islands is prepared to pay about $30 million to get one head of the cable from Australian waters into the country.

From Honiara, the cable will be extended to Auki in Malaita, Noro in the Western Province and Taro in Choiseul Province.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury has appropriated $150 million under its 2018 appropriation bill 2018 to support this project.

The money is with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI). It is intended to activate the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands (ICSI) as part of the project.

The Australian government has engaged workers through a tender process to manage this project on its behalf.

Workers are expected to begin actual work next month.

The Australian government is likely to provide money to cater for about 66 percent of the costs associated with the project.

The Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) is a stakeholder in this project and might also provide money for this project.

The government has until next month to accept or reject this project.

Solomon Water in dispute with peace ministry

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

A State Owned Enterprise (SOE), Solomon Water, has hit back at the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP) by disconnecting water supply to its estate at Panatina, East Honiara.

Solomon Water claimed the peace ministry has built on its land as Solomon Water’s borehole can be found within this land.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Justus Denni, confirmed the cut.

Mr Denni said people moved in and settled in the said land, and this is how the Ministry entered and built on the land.

He did not mention any initiative to make peace with the SOE and to find a solution to the issue.

Instead, Denni said their houses are using water tanks and they are looking at getting and installing their own water pump.

Health vs soft drinks

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Permanent Secretary of MHMS, Dr Tenneth Dalipanda

War against NCD takes a turn as Ministry targets sweet beverages

By Mike Puia

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is taking another approach to fighting Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the country – it is going against ‘soft drinks’.

The Ministry plans to impose tax on soft drinks. These are sweet sugar beverages that have flooded Honiara shops, including many in the provinces.

In his presentation before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, Permanent Secretary of MHMS, Dr Tenneth Dalipanda said soon the Ministry will present a paper to the Economic Reform Unit (ERU) to look into this plan.

Mr Dalipanda said work on this paper has already started. It is expected the paper will be ready by June.

He said the plan is to increase the price of sweet beverages in shops, so that someone paying for a soft drink will have to pay more.

The tax will see an increase of about 30 percent from the current prices of drinks.

Yearly, statistics from the National Referral Hospital (NRH) indicates the high number of patients diagnosed with NCD.

Sugary carbonated drinks are risk factors that are often present in childhood, adolescence and youth.

NCDs which include heart disease, strokes, cancers and lung disease often result in premature death.

Dalipanda said they hope imposing tax on these sweet drinks will make people think twice before they buy one.

He said it will also benefit the government in terms of collecting much needed revenues as whatever tax charged will be paid to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Dalipanda said once this tax-plan works well; the Ministry might look at imposing tax on other goods that are categorised as NDC risk factors.

He added their fight against NCD is financially supported by the Tobacco Fund that was created under the Ministry’s Health Promotion Division.

MAL hands over vehicles for rural businesses

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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1
PS Saelea with recipients of the vehicles

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

PS Saelea with recipients of the vehicles

UNDER the RDPII – Component 2 project, three rural businesses from two provinces took delivery of their vehicles yesterday at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Headquarter. Handing over the vehicles, Permanent Secretary (PS) of MAL, Jimi Saelea says transport is a critical element that is necessary to move products from one place to another.

“In agriculture, transport is essential to move products from farm to market. From farm to factories, from factories to wharves and so on,” Mr Saelea said.

The three businesses that took delivery of the vehicles yesterday were Tupaghota cocoa partnership of North Guadalcanal, EF Farmers Support Network of East Fataleka and DME Rela Crushing Mill of Central Kwara’ae, Malaita province.

“These are but three of eleven partnerships that are being provided transport vehicles to enhance their business activities,” says Saelea.

Saelea says it is in the best interest of all partners to make sure cordial working relationships exist as it is a win-win game for all. He says the success of the lead partner depends on the success of the producers or partners.

“Therefore with vehicles provided to meet transport needs, respective partnerships are expected to see improvement in output through increased volumes in coconut oil, cocoa beans and copra. I do wish the three business partnerships that are represented today all the success. Your success will contribute to growing the economy of Solomon Islands.”

Nine other business partnerships are yet to receive their vehicles and the Permanent Secretary of MAL urges all the recipients to look after their vehicles properly. He says they are fortunate to receive such expensive items therefore it is very important that they also look after these items.

“Much is expected where much is given,” he quoted.

“Meaning that expectation for you to perform is greater now with this support.”

Saelea on behalf of the government thanked their development partners namely DFAT, World Bank, International Fund for Agriculture Development, EU and the RDP team for making this support possible for our agriculture sector developers.

Rural Development Project (RDP) is setup to improve access to basic services in rural areas and the production and productivity of farmers through two components.

Component one is community and infrastructure services and component two is Agriculture partnerships.

Component two mainly assists farming households to engage in productive partnerships with commercial enterprises as well as builds the capacity of MAL to deliver its core functions of regulation.

‘The struggle is real but we only need to believe’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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1
Joses Naumae in his new vehicle

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Joses Naumae in his new vehicle

“I believe this is an answer to my prayer. God knows my struggle and I believe it is his will for me to have this vehicle.”

These were the words uttered by Joses Naumai from Central Kwara’ae who is one of the beneficiaries from the RDPII Component 2 project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

Yesterday, Mr Naumai was one of the happy recipients to a three ton Isuzu vehicle that was granted to him through the RDP Agribusiness Partnership project.

After 30 years working for the government and the local owned telecommunication company, Naumae retired and went back home and started to look for ways in which he can also support his local community. He says how he got into the coconut industry was because coconut is a thriving product and a lucrative one. There is an abundance of coconuts in the rural areas and a crushing mill is well thought out to be the best business in this rural setting in which everyone can enjoy the benefits.

Over the years, Naumae says they have initiated a kindergarten where parents can pay in coconuts for their children to attend school. Thereon, they have sponsored a local in their community to get his qualifications as a teacher and is now looking after the school.

Naumai says they started off by buying coconuts from the local villagers in small amounts at first. But with the expansion of production and demand, there is need now for them to have a vehicle which will assist them greatly in going out to other communities in Malaita province to buy coconuts.

“When I first heard of the news that I am a beneficiary I feel so excited. There is so much that I want to do for our people and this is an answer to my prayers.”

By doing the business of ‘buy and sell’, he says this will help the local economy to flourish which will in turn help the rural economy to raise its standard.

“Money will be in circulation, people will be able to buy for goods and services generally boosting the local economy,” Naumai says.

On the issue of roads, Naumai says this is one area that needs a lot of improvement.

“The roads are so bad but with the right attitude and mindset, the vehicle should be able to last,” he said.

A beaming Naumae told Island Sun that his vehicle will be shipped over to Auki via MV Gulatatae tomorrow.

He is one of the 11 beneficiaries to the Agribusiness Partnership of RDPII Component 2.

Rural farmers emotional over logistical support

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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1
PS Saelea hands over key to Nelson Lomo of EF Farmers support network

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

PS Saelea hands over key to Nelson Lomo of EF Farmers support network

BENEFICIARIES of the three vehicles under the RDPII Component 2 project were so happy to receive the vehicles on behalf of the businesses they represent yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, an emotional Nelson Lomo of EF Farmers Support Network in East Fataleka says they have been struggling for several years now.

He says as farmers in the rural areas, they are very much in need of such logistical support and they are very happy that they have now acquired these vehicles which will assist them greatly in their transportation needs.

Logistical support of this sort is not easy to come by and because of this, the recipients thanked the government and its stakeholders in assisting them in an area where they lack the finances and capability to fill.

Mr Lomo was quite emotional when he delivered the talk on behalf of the recipients of the Agribusiness Partnership Project.

The three recipients yesterday was part of 11 other businesses who managed to secure this support under RDP’s Component 2 project.

The other recipients were Tupaghotua cocoa partnership from North Guadalcanal and DME Rela Crushing mill from central Kwara’ae.

The handing over of the vehicle keys was done by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and witnessed by staff from MAL and other supporting groups from the rural farmers.

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