BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE Pacific Islands Leadership Programme (PILP) has wrapped up its community building workshop in an alumni reception at the Mendana Hotel on Sunday.

The event convened the US consulate in Solomon Islands, staff of Taiwan’s Embassy, Solomon Islands National University and participants from Pacific nations who joined the PILP training.

The workshop ended with the PILP alumni being encouraged to use social media as one community platform to utilise for networking, discussion and seeking help needed for a change Pacific nations want.

East West Centre President Dr Richard R Vuylsteke during the closing ceremony said their four-day stay in Honiara for the workshop is to ensure the PILP training continues and encourage more aspiring leaders to be involved.

He said now there is a strong connection between PILP participants which is an indication of success Taiwan and East West Centre have been trying to do for Pacific islands countries.

Mr Vuylsteke said the training aims to build personal competence, leadership capability, and the ability to have confidence.

“I am impressed participants not concerned with their own career development, but looking at ways to serve their community, NGOs, volunteer works and became citizen responsibility.”

Deputy Counselor for Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr Oliver Weng said the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy knows the importance and value of capacity building for young leaders.

He said Taiwan, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, collaborates with the EWC to organise the PILP training course because they see its significance in changing the mindset of Pacific islands youths.

Weng said Taiwan appreciates EWC for supporting the idea and providing their best facilities and faculty for the programme.

“We appreciate contributions and support of SI government, private sectors and through strong support from all participants, we will keep on sponsor PILP program in the future.

“This programme will really help to develop your capacity, and we encourage young leaders to apply and optimistic someday they can the backbone to country in near future.

“We value the friendship of our allies, appreciate the support of Solomon Islands, and know human resource is fundamental for the development,” Weng said.

One of the Solomon Islanders who was selected for the programme in 2015/2016 Mr Ednal Palmer said the programme is one of the best that prepares aspiring young Pacific leaders to realise their potentials and map their futures.

“As one of those selected for the East West Centre’s Pacific Islands Leadership Program in 2015 as the third generation of the program, I encouraged young aspiring Solomon Islands leaders to apply,” Palmer said.

“The programme by now produced a large number of young pacific leaders some of whom are now taking leadership roles in their societies and others who are striving to achieve their leadership goals and dreams.

“The training well- prepares individuals. It has a tough selection process, but it is worth joining because of its learning practicality that ensures everyone thrives.

“Last week’s gathering in Honiara is a clear testament of the active and rich networking that exists within the PILP programme,” Palmer said.

The programme includes spending two months in the United States, Hawaii and another month in the Republic of China (Taiwan).

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Solomon Islands Government has resolved to relinquish its shares as a major shareholder in the Tina Hydro Project, which is soon to eventuate.

Speaking on this on the floor of parliament yesterday, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare revealed when responding to former finance minister, Snyder Rini’s question on the issue of shareholding in the proposed operation.

Based on documents, Mr Rini pointed out that the government is seemingly pushing to take up all initiative to secure funds from international commercial institutions, but noted that it (government) has no record of shares in the project.

However, the Finance Minister explained that to take shares in such initiative especially when it is a national project is not hard for the government, but stressed that if it is to have all the shares in the company and not be able to achieve the main objective of the project, “then there is no point in getting all these shares”.

“If we allow for the Korean Water to do what the government is doing to secure loans and funds for the project, for sure, they will be pressured to repay and based on that, the company will be forced to push its cost of electricity tariff, and that would just kill the purpose of this initiative.

“Which is to ensure the people of this country is provided with the cheapest and lowest cost of power sources,” Mr Sogavare explained.

He added that the history of the government’s holding shares in commercial activities, we have a bad memory on that, looking at Solomon Taiyo as an example, which was a the government owned.

“But when it comes to the call on recapitalising the company when it had financial difficulties, the Solomon Islands government couldn’t do that.”

He further added that the intention to relinquish shares and government participation in commercial activities is based on analysis and advices from key stakeholders, with the likes of the World Bank and International Monitory Funds (IMF).

“Looking at this argument of government owning shares is not an issue.

“We have no difficulty in getting shares and if the government still participates in it and we still achieve the aim of creating the project, by all means, let’s take all shares in those,” Sogavare said.

However, he highlighted that with this project, the arrangement to let go of shares is only for a period of thirty years.

“Where we relinquish our shares on the project under this arrangement and after 30 years, the government will take it back, and whichever way we’d want to structure how the shareholding of the company, will be entirely up to the government when that day comes in 30 years’ time.

“Let’s not lose site of the intentions to achieve the lower tariff and that is what is in the mind of the government and we have continued to discuss with K-Water and that is the reason for the government to relinquish the share,” the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE Republic of China (Taiwan) encourages aspiring leaderships across the Pacific including Solomon Islands to apply for the Pacific Islands Leadership Programme (PILP).

Taiwan made this call during a PILP alumni reception at the Mendana Hotel on Sunday March 18.

Deputy Counselor for Taiwan’s Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr Oliver Weng said PILP is an ideal platform designed to help Pacific island people build their capacity to become leaders.

He said there is a need of more Solomon Islanders to apply for this training programme because it covers a variety of interesting training programmes which will boost an individual’s capacity.

“This programme will really help to develop Solomon Islands young leaders’ capacity, and we encourage young leaders to apply for the PILP,” Mr Weng said.

“We hope to contribute in terms of capacity building and wish Solomon young leaders can be the backbone of the country someday in the near future.”

The East West Centre President Dr Richard R Vuylseke also encourages young people across the Pacific to apply for the PILP as one platform significant for developing the young generation to become good leaders in near future.

Mr Vuylseke further encouraged top leaders from Taiwan’s ally countries to market and advertise the PILP training and EWC about its roles to the Pacific island countries.

Mr Ednal Palmer who is one of the PILP said the training prepares individuals well.

He said it has a tough selection process, but it is worth joining because of its learning practicality that ensures everyone thrives.

The PILP is an annual programme; this year’s application is already closed.

It will open soon and interested applicants are encouraged to check the Taiwanese Embassy later this year.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

AN outspoken representative from the Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association (SIMTA) who is also a ship owner, Mr David Faradatolo, has called on government to develop the maritime industry.

He said if there is a plan on developing Solomon Islands, the government must first focus on developing the marine sector because many of the country’s economic developments is deposited in this particular sector.

“Anything to do with development in Solomon Islands has to be address through Maritime sector,” Mr Faradatolo said.

He said this country needs a lot of things to grow, and one segment that needs attention is the maritime sector.