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US$34M for provincial governments for next 5 years

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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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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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.

3 bills ready for parliament

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Solomon Islands National Parliament

By Gary Hatigeva

THE government is looking to bring 12 legislations before parliament for tabling and hoping to get them passed and enacted.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela in his press conference yesterday revealed that with the legislative outlined, the government has scheduled three sittings where they are hoping to address the legislations.

The Prime Minister said so far, three bills are now ready before the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC) and waiting to be presented before parliament.

These bills include the 2018 National Budget Appropriation Bill, which Prime Minister Hou said should have been submitted to the BLC, and the Prescription of Minister’s Amendment Bill 2017.

Hou confirmed that reports from the BLC on the Prescription of Minister’s Amendment Bill 2017 and is now ready to be introduced in the remaining schedule of the 10th Parliament House.

Hou added that the government is also anticipating the introduction of the Whistle Blowers Bills 2017, which he said is also ready for it tabling.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister revealed that another three set of bills are still before the BLC and only waiting for reports on them to be completed and maybe introduced in Parliament.

The bills includes the Strata Titles Bill 2017, the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 and the Constitution (Amendment) (Electoral Reform) Bill 2016.

With the Strata Titles Bill 2017, the PM confirmed that the government only awaits its report which is now at its drafting stage.

As for the Anti-corruption Bill 2017, the government is keen on getting it dealt with as soon as possible and added that it is a piece of legislation that remained high on the government’s priority focus, but will depend very much on how fast it can be ready for its introduction in Parliament.

However, four other bills are said to be at their drafting stages and the government is hoping to also include them in their three meeting schedule.

“We are hoping that as soon as the Bills and Legislative Committee put forward reports on what we need to do with them (Bills) so we would factor them inside whatever sitting that we will be in,” the Prime Minister said.

Varley condemns gov’t officials breaking law

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Police Commissioner has lashed out at government officials who break the law of Solomon Islands.

Matthew Varley says that government officials should be role models in upholding the law of this country.

Speaking in his weekly media conference, he said it is disappointing to see government officials breaking the law of this country.

Recently a senior police officer, senior official from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and an officer of the Ministry of Forest were involved in drink driving accidents.

He said he had been giving many messages over recent months about drink driving because it is dangerous and a risk to the community right across Solomon Islands, particularly in Honiara and traffic officers are out there every day making sure people are not drink-driving.

“The message is very clear if you drink don’t drive and if you are going to drive don’t drink the limit of alcohol in a person’s blood is 0.05 percent and above that you are breaking the law and you will be arrested and prosecuted and taken to court,” Mr Varley said.

“The three very serious cases happened recently of people breaking that law is not good

“I am not happy with that, we have got three cases of officials in government vehicles of government department including the police force breaking the law.”

He also said that the senior police officer have been suspended and he also acknowledges the work of the young traffic officers in having the courage in professionally dealing with the case of the senior police officer.

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