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‘Vote for me’ funding identified and likened to a sickness

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, “CDF—the antithesis of sound social and economic development.” Local resident, Tony Hughes, has written a very enlightened article on the manner in which the government should manage its affairs and, as a former Governor of the Solomon Islands Central Bank and as a past Colonial service officer, like myself, I am in full agreement with his commentary and would even say he has squarely “hit the nail on the head” when he referred in his article to the CDF resources.

For the benefit of your readers that might not have seen what Mr Hughes posted as his commentary on the website of the SIBC today, March 20, 2018, let me quote the piece.

“Commentary by AV Hughes

“The overall aim of government in Solomon Islands, as in other developing countries, should be to manage the use of the total human, financial and physical resources available to the country in such a way that the mental and physical well-being of all its people, and the equitable distribution of such conditions, steadily improve over time, and the impact of external shocks (physical, financial or strategic-political) is successfully managed in line with that aim.

“Looking at the national economy as a whole, investment decisions are continually being made at all levels, from national government down to households and personal savings, that involve a choice between competing possible uses of the available money, land, people’s time or other resources. Every investment decision, however large or small, incurs an ‘opportunity cost’ comprising the potential value of things that cannot now be done with the resources that are being committed by that decision.

“In that context, Constituency Development Funds (CDF) as conceived and practiced in Solomon Islands are contrary to the public interest.

“The energy and attention of MPs is concentrated on achieving the biggest possible allocation of CDF resources to their control to distribute within the constituency so as to secure their own re-election. This appears to be politically and financially feasible, leaving the provision of social and economic services and the construction and maintenance of social and economic infrastructure to the increasing number of countries and regional and international institutions providing external aid to Solomon Islands. The ‘donor community’ seems to have no difficulty with this arrangement, or if they have, they keep quiet about it to protect their individual bilateral relationships.

“CDFs originated in former UK colonies in East Africa and spread like a debilitating sickness to other developing countries then under UK management. The impact of the widespread abuse of CDF resources and their effective use as a ‘Vote For Me’ fund, undermines public confidence in the machinery of government and cultivates a cynical disrespect for political institutions and individuals.

“CDF allocations should be reduced and redirected so as to limit their distorting effect on overall resource allocation — for example, by restricting, specifying and monitoring CDF end-use applications.

“Standard arrangements for application and use of CDF resources should be established in all constituencies, and their operations monitored and centrally reported. Transparency Solomon Islands has carried out in-constituency investigations into CDF funding and associated activities and is in a position to make research-based recommendations on improving the developmental efficiency of CDF expenditures.”

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Is the Prime Minister treading on dangerous ground?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PRIME Minister Ricky Houenipwela successfully moved a special motion to adjourn Parliament until next Monday, March 26, 2018.

It was a motion supported by both sides of the House. The rationale is to give the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) a little time to delve into the $2 billion appropriation Bill 2018.

It’s a common sense approach except for one thing. There have been rumblings since the Prime Minister assumed office last December. As of this week, some in the know say the undercurrents have grown in intensity.

As such is it safe to assume that Hon Houenipwela, in agreeing to the special adjournment, is walking into a trap – a trap set by people within his own camp?

Politics is a cruel game.

Players can be enemies today but friends again tomorrow. There are elephants, though – people who never forget. Perhaps this is why keeping your enemies closer to your chest than friends makes a lot of sense. For it is almost impossible to gauge what is brewing from within, but easier to know your enemy’s movement.

As we have seen time and time again, it is those within that usually take the knife and plunge it from behind when their leader has a sense of misguided trust in them.

As a matter of fact, it is safe to suggest that any Prime Minister spends about 85 percent of his time watching his back.

As a result, very little gets done in terms of service delivery.

Depending on who plunges the dagger at the back of the Prime Minister this time, but one wonders why it is necessary for yet another change in government leadership in such a short time?

We barely have the time before the next election.

But even more concerning is the fact that the adjournment to March 26 is such a short time indeed before we hit the Constitutional crisis red button on April 1. True, April is universally a Fool’s Day but let us not be fooled by what it stands for especially by those advocating a change in leadership.

For us, the threat of a Constitutional crisis in in terms of spending public funds is real. By March 26, we have only five days in which to fix the figures and have the figures approved by Parliament.

Given how we treat time in Solomon Islands where the Solomon Time syndrome rules, five days is a very short time indeed. It is the people’s prayer that the elected MPs dispense with the Solomon Time addiction to move quickly in passing the Budget.

For if this is not done, the nation will grind to a halt.

Service delivery will also come to a stop.

The consequences would be unimaginable. It is not the kind of legacy any government in its right mind would want to leave behind.

The onus is on the opposing faction within the Solomon Islands DCC Government to put the nation’s interest before their own. Members of Parliament are elected every four years to serve the nation.

Many do.

But there’s always a handful that has an agenda of its own. That handful is normally driven by the interest of a band of unelected officials whose interest is deeper than their pockets, often creating a survival kit based on the public purse.

One only hopes that we have seen the last of the perpetrators of these practices and that Prime Minister Houenipwela is allowed to do what he had already announced he intended to do for the remaining months before the national general election.

The most urgent task facing MPs now is to avoid a Constitutional crisis by passing the 2018 National Budget.

Sex education a must

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE latest report by the RSIPF media on the alleged sexual intercourse by a 70-year-old man with a six-year-old girl is just not on.

This animalistic act should not be tolerated and tougher sentences should be given to people found committing such crime.

No child should be mistreated in such a way.

Now and again all over the world we read stories about children being raped and even females as young as three months old being raped.

Today the world has become an unsafe for our children and that is a fact we cannot deny.

Therefore we as parents must be very vigilant in how we look after our children.

Nowadays it is not only to keep an eye our children, but to also educate them about sex.

Gone are the days where sex is a taboo topic.

Teach them on what they need to know and what they need to do should they come across such encounter.

Let them know that it is not okay for someone to touch their body in such a way.

We as parents need to work extra hard in making sure our children are safe.

On the other hand, as concerned citizens, we shouldn’t allow perpetrators to walk freely in our communities.

Should we know of a perpetrator, report him or her to the responsible authority.

So called perverts, paedophiles or child molesters are with us in society but because the works in the mind is not within our peripheral vision, we cannot judge a person’s character from the outside.

Instead, let us teach our children and everyone the art of defence, starting from the fountain of power – knowledge.

Keku elected Tandai paramount chief

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

OWNER of Kavuare dance spot in the Kakabona area in West Honiara, Charles Keku, has been elected as paramount chief of the Tandai House of Chiefs.

The installation committee of the Tandai House of Chiefs confirmed it is planning to hold an instalment ceremony for Keku of Haubata tribe and his deputy, Mariano Mele, at Tanagai school ground on April 21.

Mr Keku collected 19 votes out of 26 votes casted by members of the Tandai House of Chiefs to take up the responsibility.

The election of Keku follows the swearing-in of 27 chiefs into the Tandai House of Chiefs. These chiefs represent five main villages inside Tandai land, the land known for playing host to Honiara city.

Secretary of the installation committee, Michael Ben, confirmed they are pushing to set their house of chiefs in order before the Guadalcanal planned land summit takes place.

Mr Ben said with the election of Keku, they hope he will also attend the summit representing the Tandai House of Chiefs.

It is understood Keku had tried in the past to get into this position.

When asked what responsibilities expected of the paramount chief position, Ben said they have no guideline spelling out the responsibilities of the paramount chief but it generally requires the person in-charge to know the culture and norms of Guadalcanal, has knowledge in solving problems within the tribe and with other tribes and ensuring that Tandai land is well looked after.

This paper was unable to get comments from Keku following his election.

The installation committee plans to present a Talina, high valued traditional shell money, to Keku while Mele will be presented with a Malona, shell money of traditional importance to the province.

New school for East Malaita

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia has been given the green light for its planned national secondary to be built in East Malaita.

According to the diocesan secretary of the Anglican diocese of Malaita, Mr Anthony Maelasi, “the acquisition process has already been done and we are waiting for the national budget to be passed during the June budget sitting later this year from the national government.

He said the school is a national project from the national government for Malaita province under the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM).

This year’s budget from the national government is for the feasibility study and the detail design of the buildings.

So far a fundraising task force is already set up in Honiara to raise funds in support of the school establishment and other means.

The land title of the parcel of land is already with the ACOM for negotiations with the land owners for the outright purchasing of the land, hopefully after the Easter break in few weeks’ time.

Two men arrested in Malaita for allegedly breaking into a shop

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE at Auki in the Malaita province have arrested two men in their 40s for allegedly being involved in a break-in of a shop in Auki Town on March 18, 2018.

It is alleged the two men with two others entered the shop at night time and stole about twenty 20kg bags of rice.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “My investigators have recovered all the stolen twenty 20kg bags of rice believed to be from the said shop.

“The two men arrested have been formally charged and released on bail yesterday to appear before Auki Magistrates Court at a later date.

“I appeal to people in Auki and surrounding communities who may have information about the alleged stealing to come forward to police and provide information.”

Auki Police Station can be contacted on phone number 40132.

–POLICE MEDIA

Will the Draft Federal Constitution ever see the light of day?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Gary Hatigeva

IN Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela proposed with doubt the government’s hopes to introduce the Draft Bill on the Federal Constitution in the next set of Parliament sittings around June or July this year.

The Prime Minister revealed this when responding to the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale who questioned the Hou-led government over its policy regarding the status of the draft.

The Aoke/Langalanga MP also asked if the draft bill is ready, and when parliament will expect to receive the much talked about document.

Island Sun understands that the former government under Manasseh Sogavare’s leadership was very instrumental in driving the draft federal constitution in its initial stage.

The Democratic Coalition for Change Government in its heavy involvement also put in a lot of resources including funds to see the proposal is realised and preparations with hopes to bring it to parliament this year, but the leader was ousted before it was finalised.

However when questioned, Prime Minister Hou explained that his government chose to adopt the former government’s policy framework on what is being said to be a key area and has also taken the initiative to recommit full resources into its near final stage.

He then outlined that work on the draft have completed but only awaits final work on its structure and costing.

He said following the change in government, most work and personnel involved also left and they are in the process of engaging specialists to work on finalising the costs and financials involving components and stages in the process of finalising the document.

He added that there were some setbacks in the technical areas and works on the draft as the important person in-charge had passed away, living a gap for the government to fill up and the government is currently searching for experts to fill the gap, to see that these segment of the document is also finalised.

He further added that there are other small areas in the draft that need thorough attention and his government is working to see that they are fulfilled.

This includes final editing of the document, which involves amendments and corrections to be made on where necessary.

Hou then stressed that while it is also the government’s strong conviction and eagerness to see that the draft federal constitution sees the lights of parliament before the 10th parliament is dissolved, the timing and progress of the document to meet deadline is outside of his control.

He can only hope that those involved and set to be part of the finalization can see the urgency of it (draft federal constitution) to be completed.

The PM’s response on time and progress control over the proposal received mix reactions from members of the opposition and independent groups who felt the Prime Minister is not being true to what he said about the urgency of the draft.

They also suggested that the Prime Minister is not doing enough to ensure works into the draft federal constitution resumed to allow for the final stages to be completed.

Independent MP and Chairman of the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC), Matthew Wale pointed out and suggested that it is sad programmes and components involved in the draft bill is costing the country a lot of money and yet the Prime Minister turned to ignore all these and seemed not to have control over its progression.

Because so much have already being pumped into its initiation up to where it is now, taking up so much from the last three major government budgets, Wale suggested that the Prime Minister re-strategise and ensure he has full control over the flow of work into the proposal, at the same time put more emphasis on those involved to ensure tax payers’ money being poured into it for the last three years are not wasted.

Relatives irked by delay in investigations

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

RELATIVES of a young girl who was found dead in the Auki Traveller Lodge on Christmas Eve are not happy with the delay in police and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) investigations regarding the case.

This comes after a media release that police are still waiting for a feedback from DPP regarding the medical report of the deceased.

Speaking on behalf of the relatives, John Bitalau questions why the investigation is taking long.

He insists that the result of investigations should not take long because the medical report has already been submitted.

“How long would it take for DPP to review file to assess evidence?

“We are not happy and satisfy with the delay of investigation report. We want the police and director of public prosecution to explain why it takes very long for results of police and medical investigation report.

“We understand that it should not take very long for investigation because police have already aware of the incident,” Mr Bitalau said.

He adds that at the moment some of their relative members are not happy and are proposing ideas to take the law into their hands once the delay continues.

“Some of the relatives are not satisfied, and since last week they stated to get angry demanding police to update the process of their investigation.

” If police and DPP continue to delay the investigation report we may take law into our own hands,” Bitalau said.

According to a recent media report on the 9th of this month (last week) a medical report was received by police and sent to DPP for review.

However police are still waiting on DPP’s review of the file to assess the evidence.

It is understood that investigations are still ongoing and no arrest made yet.

Koa Hill community apologies to police

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

KOA Hill-Saua community yesterday apologised to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) over the recent attack on its officers.

The apology is in relation to an incident in the community last Friday where members of the RSIPF Police Response Team (PRT) were stoned by youth members in the community while they were carrying out a raid on a home that was producing illegal spirit (kwaso).

Two members of PRT were injured as a result. Both injured officers were at the reconciliation ceremony.

Leaders of the community, Charles Fakaia and Robert Lilimae, brought traditional shell money and presented them to the PRT officers and to their department. They also expressed their contrition for what their youths have caused them.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga, told the brief ceremony at the central police station that they are happy that leaders of the community took the initiative to approach the police to settle issues relating to the incident in a traditional way.

“Police has an oath not to accept compensation over injuries sustained during their line of duties. Koa hill-Saua community leaders have insisted so we accept it. I think it’s proper that settle issues in a Melanesian way,” Mr Uiga said.

Uiga said police is doing its work in communities to ensure communities are free of problems.

RSIPF’s Director of National Prevention Centre, Solomon Sisimia, said raiding illegal activities is a normal work of the police and it is doing this work everywhere in the country.

Mr Sisimia said anywhere there is illegal activity, police presence must be expected.

He said they hope to engage leaders of the community to establish a crime prevention committee.

He said there are opportunities where police can help bring programmes into communities to help youths.

Sisimia said this is an area they hope to explore with Koa hill-Saua community.

Representative of the Central Honiara Council of Chiefs, Hardy Fiuramo said police is the only authority mandated by law to maintain peace in our communities.

Mr Fiuramo said it is illegal to take the law to one’s own hand and try to confront police officers while they are doing their work.

Mr Fakaia, who represents Koa Hill-Saua community, said often parents of the community are ones who bear the impact of the actions of their youths.

He said most in their community supports the idea to make a turning point for the community.

Fakaia, who has been residing in the community for about 18 years, said he hopes the new relation they want to forge with the RSIPF will lead to the formation of by-laws in their community to help their community organise itself.

He said they will slowly deal with any illegal issue in their community.

Fakaia admitted it will take time to get their community fully organised as most people in their community are unemployed.

“We have plans on how we can address issues in our community. We are thankful to have started a relationship with the RSIPF,” Fakaia added.

Police in Malaita investigate death

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

POLICE in Auki, Malaita province are investigating the death of man in his 30s after he allegedly fell off from a vehicle at Kwa’are Bridge near Anokelo, West Fataleka in the Province on March 19, 2018.

It was alleged the deceased was under the influence of alcohol and was one of the 13 passengers sitting behind the vehicle loaded with fuel drums.

It is alleged that when the vehicle bumped into a pot-hole, he fell off onto the road and was injured.

He was then rushed to Fouabu clinic, but unfortunately they could not save his life. 12 others on the vehicle were fine.

The deceased’s body was taken back to his home village for burial.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “This is an unfortunate death and our prayers are with the family of the deceased at this time of their bereavement.

“I would like to remind the good people of Malaita Province about the safety messages including the safe loading of vehicles and boats; and do not drink alcohol whilst travelling in vehicles or boats.”

–POLICE MEDIA

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