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Police here to protect you: Varley

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mathew Varley reassures the people that police are there to protect the citizens of this country including women and girls.

Commissioner Varley said International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world to advance on gender equality and the Royal Solomon Island Police Force is proud to be part of the match yesterday.

He said RSIPF is committed to gender equality and of course the progress of women throughout the organisation not only for women’s achievement themselves but the organisation wants the Force to represent the community they serve.

And so the Police Force is the reflection of the community in Solomon Islands, Mr Varley said.

“We work very hard on the recruitment we work very hard on making sure our officers are available to meet and work with women in the community on issues affecting women and girls,” Varley said.

He said violence against women and girls is a significant problem and far too high in Solomon Islands and not only women but also men to take a leading role to end such activities happening in the community.

Varley said it is sad to see that cases of family and gender based violence in Solomon Islands are still high and police are too often called to cases where women and girls have been injured or harmed by men.

“And as you have heard me said this before really this has to stop.

“So our message today from the RSIPF your police are there to protect and serve the community and in particular we are here to protect women and girls across Solomon Islands and we are committed to doing that and we are committed to making sure we can do our part as best we can to make women and girls safe in our country,” Varley said..

He also urges the people of Solomon Islands that police alone cannot do that but needs all people across Solomon Islands to get behind them and work together with them to end violence.

“We need strong men to stand up and say enough is enough,” Varley said.

Good sign for SI progress on gender

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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IT was really nice to see women coming out in numbers to join the march from Honiara City Council to the Auditorium where celebrations to mark the International Women’s Day was held.

More so the participation of our youths and a few of our men with a couple of children whom were part of the crowd in yesterday’s event.

For the first time too, some big organisations and companies in our country has allowed their female staff to participate in the IWD march which has become an annual thing for us.

Our Telekom women staff for the first time participated in the march as well as have their own get-together later in the day, thanks to their employer.

Another big organisation, Solomon Power was able to treat their female staff to a lunch gathering at their office space.

These are small steps which could lead to the bigger steps where the global momentum is to strive for gender parity.

Gender parity is a 50-50 ratio of males and females accessing education, in the workplace and holding public office.

Though ‘World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap Report’ has found that gender parity is over 200 years away, there is feedback on women continuing to make positive gains each day.

With that, after this IWD celebrations, women, don’t be complacent but continue to strive for gender parity.

The unity shared by women and men and youths alike in yesterday’s celebration is a clear manifestation of what can be done, if we set our hearts and minds to it.

As IWD 2018 draws to an end, women, advocators and activists do please continue to #Press4Progress.

Women’s achievements and participation in the workplace and public offices are every day.

Please continue to highlight women’s achievements and issues every day.

Not just on IWDs. #Press4Progress

US$34M for provincial governments for next 5 years

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Permanent Secretary for MPGIS, Mr Stanley Pirione

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) in its PCDF phase 2 programme has more than USD$34 million to cater for the next five years, it is reported.

Recently, the Permanent Secretary for MPGIS Mr Stanley Pirione said under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) programme there is a sufficient budget to support provincial governments.

“For your information, the project’s phase 2 is estimated at USD$34 million for the next five to six years.”

Mr Pirione said currently they are consulting their development partners for more assistance in this regard.

He also adds that the Ministry hopes provincial governments in Solomon Islands will benefit from this programme once support is provided.

Pirione said the main objective of the project is to carry out institutional reforms, bring manpower capacity and strengthening of provincial government processes and system.

Moreover, it offers small scale infrastructure projects as an incentive for these reform programmes, Pirione said.

Since the establishment of PCDF in 2008, Pirione said the programme has registered more than 900 infrastructure which cost millions of dollars for the country’s nine provinces.

However, challenges MPGIS includes issues with the disbursement of funds from the Ministry of Finance, and to appreciate projects that encompass value of money.

 

Singamoana reassures Renbel people of province’s welfare

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Premier Collin Singamoana

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PEOPLE of Rennell and Bellona province have been reassured by their Premier that the province is functioning perfectly and is currently sitting on unprecedented heights.

Premier Collin Singamoana is speaking in response to media accusations on him by MPA for Renbel’s ward 9, Nicholas Taika, which were published in Solomon Star newspaper’s front page on Monday this week.

The article was full of unsubstantiated allegations levelled against Mr Singamoana, which he describes as “a ploy by Nicholas Taika and the non-executives to mislead public, facilitated by poor journalism ethics on Solomon Star’s part to go ahead and publish unbalanced stories”.

Singamoana says that in contrast to Mr Taika’s claims, Renbel province is functioning perfectly as a province, there are no tensions as purported by Taika, and Renbel province is financially sound.

Taika had accused Singamoana of fraudulent practices which has ‘brought Renbel to its knees’ and rendered it in a ‘state of financial insolvency’.

Speaking to Island Sun, Singamoana however denies the fraud allegations, adding that Renbel is on the roll with its development and strengthening plans.

He clarifies that since taking on premiership in 2015, his government had had to start from square-one in terms of bringing up the province from its failed state, introduce institutional reforms and strengthening, and make Renbel stand on its feet.

“Suspension of Renbel was a reverse of 20 years of progress for the province. And, since my government came in in 2015 we have spent the last three years fixing and mending things which has cost time and money.

“It is a very expensive undertaking to bring Renbel from being a failed province to one which is standing on its feet, and it has consumed much of our time, money and effort that would have otherwise been spent on development and progress for Renbel had the province not been suspended.

“If we had taken over a functioning province then of course we would have gone straight ahead to development and activities that would further the progress of Renbel. But that was sadly not the case.

“This is what my critics fail to understand. They think that recovering, rehabilitating and progressing a failed province would only take few months, or one year and cost nothing?

“One illustration of the titanic task is that we have spent nearly 3 and half million dollars on repaying off old debts of the province alone. And that is a big amount of money for a small province like Renbel, coupled with the limited finances available to provincial governments.”

Singamoana gives few examples of progress which Renbel has achieved so far under his tenure as premier despite the challenges and limitations Renbel province has and continues to face.

“We have retrieved province authority after it was suspended by the ministry of provincial government [MPGIS]. And, we have attained requalification of Renbel to national government’s development programme for the provinces.

“We proceeded to repay off all of Renbel province’s debts and loans, which took time depending on fund availability.

“Renbel province has never had an ordinance, and we have successfully passed seven ordinances. Renbel province before hence had only functioned with resolutions.

“We have also managed to bring back trust and confidence from the donor community such as the AusAid, JICA, Taiwan, NZAid to name few. This has enabled many individuals in Renbel to apply for projects.

“We have done away with the usual practice of ad hoc employment in the provincial administration and have set up a viable structure.

“Just only a month ago we have achieved two documents, the ward profiling and the five strategic development plans.

“And for the first time, Renbel province has sponsored one of its provincial officials to tertiary studies. Not only that but hundreds of Renbel students in primary, secondary, and tertiary are in class today thanks to the Renbel provincial government. We have managed all this despite our meagre funds.”

Singamoana reiterates that Renbel province, unlike Taika’s claims, has progressed a long way and is sitting comfortably as a well-functioning province.

He encourages the people of Renbel to not allow themselves to be misled by media publications which are baseless and tailored only to tarnish his reputation and that of his government.

“I am from Renbel province and am proud of it. I have a heart for the progression and betterment of my people of Renbel and Taika’s claims that I am exploiting Renbel for my own benefit are not only defamatory but utterly false.”

To his critics, Singamoana encourages them to practice their democratic rights, but cautions them to be wary of the boundary between constructive criticism aimed at progressing Renbel and destructive criticism which are based on selfish motives such as ‘jealousy, hatred and huger for power’.

Malaita eyes proper road maintenance

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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East Malaita Road rehabilitation plan underway.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA provincial government has assured of proper road maintenance for the province.

In an interview, Provincial Secretary (PS) of Malaita Province Mr Jackson Gege made the statement, saying the province is currently pursuing the initiative.

He said work on roads have now started on the south-road, which will later move to other roads in the province.

Mr Gege said since road users have complained on the past road construction, the province is now looking at a more integrated road construction.

Improvement on roads in Malaita Province under the road construction currently underway.

“Roads will not construct using the similar construction approach as what experienced in the past.

“Like in the past, roads were constructed under community base projects using manual tools like spade, wheelbarrows and etc.

“Now roads in the province will be constructed using machineries looking at a more integrated roads,” he said.

Gege said towards late last month construction started on the south road where road now on the process of grading and later to put on gravel.

He also said that the current construction of roads is in preparation towards permanent road construction province is working on with donor partner.

Police awaits DPP on Auki motel death

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mathew Varley has confirmed in his weekly media conference yesterday that the medical report regarding the Auki motel death has been received.

He said investigation is continuing and they are waiting on the Director of Public Prosecution for the review of the file, as the file is with the DPP’s office.

Responding to questions asked in regards to the death, he said no arrest has been made and police do not have any particular suspect as yet.

“The medical report has been received and at this stage waiting on the DPP for review of the file to assess the evidence and at this pointing time no one has been arrested and we don’t have a particular suspect we are waiting to see what the DPP’s conclusion based on the facts of the case,” Mr Varley said.

This is in relation to the death of a female, about 20-years-old, whose body was found at the Travellers Motel in Auki in December last year.

The cause of the death is still unknown and police are still continuing with investigations.

Police, as always, are urging relatives of the deceased to refrain from taking the law into their own hands whilst investigation is ongoing.

Businessman Patrick Wong was only an employee

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

IT has emerged that controversial businessman, Patrick Wong, was brought into Solomon Islands as an employee of the Copra Export Marketing Authority (CEMA), not as an investor.

“The CEMA Board employed him to reorganise the Russell Islands Plantation Estates Ltd (RIPEL). This means that when the term of the CEMA Board expired, he too was finished,” Russell Islands tribal landowner, Silas Selo told Island Sun in an exclusive interview yesterday.

The emergence of this new information is significant because it proves Mr Wong had no legal right to claim anything. He was merely an employee, not an investor, Mr Selo said.

The revelation comes amidst reports that some people stand to gain significant benefit from the $50 million the High Court ordered the Government to pay for the Hell’s Point waste land in east Honiara.

Island Sun was informed that up to $20 million from the payment would be paid to those who convince the government to pay.

Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela has put his foot down against the payment, although some reports suggest that there is in-principle agreement for future government to make the payment later.

Selo said the very reason the 1994 CEMA Act was enacted was for the sole reason that all alienated land held by foreigners up to July 7, 1978 were to be returned to the traditional landowners.

“All freehold land titles were converted into Fixed Term Estates (FTEs) then. So it means that even freehold land owned by Levers Solomon Ltd were returned to the traditional landowners,” Selo said.

“This means Mr Wong is not entitled to be paid a single penny. He owns nothing and Solomon Islands owes him nothing. The Government should never pay the $50 million,” Selo said, adding there should be a judicial review into the High Court decision awarding the payment.

“I believe the High Court may have been misled on the background of the so-called transactions involving the Hell’s Point land and LSL’s ownership of it,” he said.

“There should be a judicial review.”

My portfolio needs support: Tuki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda Rotutafi Rangirei.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

“THE gender equality work cannot sit in my portfolio alone, hence my portfolio needs the support of the Ministries, all private companies, commercial organisations including development partners and civil society.”

Minister of Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Hon Freda Tuki Soriocomua presented this call yesterday.

She said the implementation of policy development has been through much hard work, and equally important is the review and assessment of impact that has been made so far.

Tuki said many of the women are evidences of being duty bearers and have played a critical role in the implementation of gender equality and development of improving the lives of women, girls and families in communities, work places and networks.

Because of this she calls for action and support in carrying out gender equality between men and women of this country.

Government faces 14 days

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Office of the Prime Minister

By Alfred Sasako

THE Government was yesterday given an ultimatum to respond to claims by regular police officers and others who served on the Solomon Islands-Bougainville border as well as during the ethnic tension.

The 14-day deadline starts today – March 9, 2018.

The Combined Group, which includes unarmed regular police, special constables, marine officers, correctional service officers, Customs, Immigration and medical personnel, decided the 14-day deadline after their meeting in Honiara yesterday.

They number between 2,000 and 3,000 people, according to their president, Henry Bartholomew Kahui.

“There’s been no definite answer coming from the government the dialogue with the government began several years ago.

“Last year for example, we met with the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM) who assured us in writing that the government was working on a comprehensive policy to address the matter.

“That meeting took place last September. Seven months later we are still waiting,” Mr Kahui said.

In his letter dated September 12, 2017, SSPM John Muria Jnr, told the members of the Combined Group that past government had been dealing with the issue on a piece meal basis.

“As such the Government is now working on a comprehensive policy to address all outstanding issues/claims including from the Border Issues and Ethnic Tension period. This will also include making financial costing for the claims,” Mr Muria Jnr said.

“The Policy will guide the Government on how to address these issues as a whole and not on a case by case basis which includes legal clarification from the Attorney General on whether claims have legal justifications,” the letter said.

But, Kahui said what his group wanted to know is where the so-called comprehensive policy is at.

He said the 14-day ultimatum is the first of a series of activities the Combined Group plan to pursue until there is a definite answer from the government.

“Our executive members will meet on 26 March to discuss the response which we anticipate from the government. All our members will meet the next day to discuss what other actions to take if there’s an unsatisfactory answer from the government,” he said.

“What we are seeking from the government in terms of our claims is not new. The Government has already set precedence in paying members of the Field Force two years ago.

“They at least had weapons to protect themselves. The members of our group never had any weapons but we put the interest of the nation before our own safety. In fairness, I think we deserve to be paid,” Kahui said.

First ever press officers info workshop

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has taken on an important initiative since coming into office late last year to encourage the government’s outreach to people.

This is according to Mr George Herming, Director of Government Communication Unit (GCU) who was speaking at the first ever gathering of government press officers which took place on Tuesday at the Iron Bottom Sound Hotel.

Whilst expressing how delighted he is of Prime Minister Hou’s presence at the workshop, he spoke briefly of the Prime Minister’s efforts in bringing the government to the people by form of information dissemination measures.

Herming explained that when PM Hou came to office, he had expressed his desire to see that the government reaches out to people with programmes and information where people need to make daily decisions on.

He mentioned that Hou had tasked the press office and the government communications office to coordinate the workshop which is the first government information workshop to take place.

He furthered that with that initiative, the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) is pleased that government communication officers have all come together, thus demonstrating their commitment for the programme.

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