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PM on major reform

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou during press conference with media on Monday

BY JARED KOLI

IN an unprecedented move, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela yesterday announced a number of cost-cutting reform measures his office has already undergone.

Speaking to local journalists at his first official press conference, Prime Minister Houenipwela has issued instruction which saw 60 Political Appointees (PAs) reduced to 30,   discontinuing all vehicle lease agreements and cut back on post-paid mobile phones.

As this could be seen as a clean-up of the mess left by the previous house, the Prime Minister said this is part of his Government’s priorities in managing the fiscal situation.

“As part of my Government’s priorities in managing the fiscal situation, I have initiated taking the lead on administrative cost-cutting measures,” he told reporters.

Houenipwela said the reform has resulted in the number of PAs reduced from 60 to just above 30 staff. The reform also includes a reduction in Salary Levels and benefits.

He said the appointments are subject for review, adding that this action is expected to result in savings.

This “reorganisation of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)” is more specifically in the PM’s Political Office which includes Policy Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation Unit (PIMEU), PM’s Private Office, Caucus and Cabinet Sub-Committees.

The Prime Minister said the use and hiring of motor vehicles is unregulated and mismanaged, this has led to gross abuse of motor vehicles and consequently the Government paying millions of dollars in motor vehicles hiring.

“All previous lease agreements have been discontinued from December 2017, the reforms have resulted in a new Policy been drawn up which has established rules and guidelines for; (1) Approval process for Hiring, allocation and use of motor vehicles, (2) Vehicles will be only assigned to entitled staff and (3)Vehicles assign to Offices must be garaged at PMO,” he said.

Houenipwela said these new rules and guidelines will be effective as from February 2018 which is expected to result in significant savings.

The Prime Minister yesterday revealed that uncontrolled issue and use of post-paid mobile phones led to gross abuse and resulted in overrun of the PMO Telephone bill of over $2Million per annum.

“About 80 percent of usage is mobile internet data. We have discovered that PMO had been paying bills respect of 138 mobile phones, more than 30 of which were unknown users,” he revealed.

Houenipwela said the Government has been paying phones bills for millions of dollars in the past years.

“I have issued instructions to cut back on mobile telephones: which saw the number reduced from 138 to 60, currently.

“I have introduced a new policy (which there was none) with rules and guidelines on eligibility for issue of post-paid mobile phone, eligibility and ceiling for data usage and other strict monitoring mechanisms for abuse,” the Prime Minister said.

He said it is expected these measures will also result in significant savings for the government.

Police investigate attempted suicide in Malaita

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE in Auki, Malaita province are investigating an alleged attempted suicide involving a 60-year-old male who set fire to his own dwelling house at Kafomara village, Central Kwara’ae on January 23, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “The victim lived alone for a few months and became depressed after his wife went to live with her daughter who was married to a man from North Malaita.

“We received a report from the community on the incident and responded accordingly and transported the victim to Kilu’ufi Hospital.

“Luckily people in the village saw what happened and rescued the man from the burning house.”

The victim is now recovering at the Kilu’ufi Hospital.

Apaesi adds: “I want to encourage members of our communities to look after each other and make sure we check our old folks and assist them should they need help so we do not have such sad incidences.”

–POLICE MEDIA

No date yet for Gizo-Kolombangara by-election

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

GIZO-Kolombangara by-election date will be set if the executive government decides for it to take place said the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

PS George Palua said this in response to Island Sun queries on behalf of Gizo-Kolombangara constituents questioning when they will make the announcement of the by-election date.

Under their Constitution rights, Gizo-Kolombangara constituents say that they must have a by-election to have an elected Member of Parliament representing their constituency.

“It is very important that we do not miss out from budget allocation and other important issues that should be presented at Parliament like all other constituencies,” said a constituent Mr Russell Pitubangara of Vuvukihi, South Kolombangara.

“In order for this to happen, we need our duly elected MP. A year without an elected National Government MP is unconstitutional and unfair for the people of Gizo-Kolombangara.

“Further to this call by the end of this month, if nothing happens then we will seek the Court to clarify if our wish is under the law.”

However according to PS Palua, when it comes to Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency’s case apart from Western and Choiseul Provinces Ward elections set to take place this year, it is the Executive Government that will determine a by-election to take place. But all depends on the new voter’s registration list to be available around March 3 this year as well as budget.

“If the National Government say that a by-election will take place then it should be around April or May,” said the PS.

“We have plotted the idea to the Government to see whether or not they are planning for a by-election. If it is approved then we can recommend for the Electoral Commission, Western and Choiseul Provincial Governments to hold both elections for the Provincial Government Wards and Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency at the same time.

“But then if we are to do this then we have to make good awareness for the people of Gizo- Kolombangara Constituency that they will be doing two votes.”

The PS said it will cost within $2 Million ($1.6 Million) for a bye-election.

On budget allocations and issues for the Constituency from the National Government despite not having an MP, PS Palua said that a Constituency’s Constitution Development Officer (CDO) is always in the position to receive from the Ministry of Rural Development and so for constituents.

2018 national budget by March

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government is optimist to table the 2018 national budget before parliament by March 2018.

In a press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou updated local media on his government’s preparation towards the budget.

He said on the objective of the budget, they are on course with their target date to take the budget to Parliament in March and pass it before end of that month.

He also announced a number of policy objectives that they are looking at to underpin their policy priorities and intentions.

“The first and it’s important to government as an institution is to stabilize the political situation.

“What we observed for the last three years is too much instability and it made government never focus.

“So one of the important objectives to us is to ensure political government must stable,” the Prime Minister said.

He believes they have achieved that as there is strong support showed by the cabinet and backbenchers.

Hou added that another objective they set to achieve is to stabilise the country’s financial situation.

In doing that he said there will be a strong management from the minister for finance.

“And I’m happy to announce that currently the financial situation is under control.

“I want to note here as well that we have started to pay our bills as early as December and January and do lots of our arrears,” Hou said.

He said under their policy priorities, they also consolidate actions towards implementation of selected major national investment projects.

Saying the projects include, Tina River Hydro Project, Undersea Cable Project, Gold Ridge Project and Bina Harbour Fish Processing Project.

Hou said at the office of Prime Minister they have at least six major infrastructure projects they are pursuing, that most of them have been on-going for a number of years.

He said they include, PMs Residence, Speakers residences, Leader of Opposition Residence, OPMC Office complex, Parliamentary Committees Office complex, SI Anti-Corruption Institutions Office Complex, SIBC Television Broadcasting and SIBC Radio broadcasting projects.

However, he said in line with the new Government priority, and given the short timeframe and lower budget envelope, all line ministries will have to concentrate their resources and efforts on one or two projects and programs that are achievable in 2018.

Hou said the ministers will discuss the details of those various projects but so far indications are that we are on course to start implementation of all these projects in 2018.

Youth@Work holds information sessions for youth

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Youth@Work holds information sessions for youth
Youth@Work holds information sessions for youth

YOUTH@WORK is in its second day of 3days info session held for youth at the National Art Gallery, Honiara.

Hundreds turned up yesterday including young people themselves, parents and guardians who are keen on having their children join the life changing training and opportunities offered by the programme.

During the sessions staff discloses information about the internship and young entrepreneurs programs so that youth can make informed decisions before they register.

Each session ends with handing out of registration forms to youth.

Speaking to Y@W Comms, attendee Ms Peiyi said, “I decide to join the Y@W programme because of the opportunities offers to have work experience.”

Another youth highlight that, “he was inspired by those whom have successfully undertaken the programme. I’m planning to give it a shot and promised to work hard’’.

The second batch of sessions continue today and final sessions tomorrow.

Youth@Work is implemented by the Pacific Community, in partnership Solomon Islands Ministry of National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation, the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs. The program is funded by the Queens Young Leaders Programme (UK), the Australian Government Aid Programme,

Youth@Work is an initiative to tackle youth unemployment in Solomon Islands and to help youth of the Solomon’s find pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

–YOUTH@WORK PRESS

DCCG lied to us

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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City Councillor for Vura ward Reginald Ngati

SIG students of SINU still waiting for their 2017 allowances & refunds

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

IT appears the democratic coalition for change government (DCCG) had left office with a lot of broken promises and unfulfilled obligations.

Government-sponsored students of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have not yet received their allowance for 2017’s second semester. Nor have they received their refunds which was promised them by the Manasseh Sogavare-led government.

DCCG had announced to the nation in parliament during the final sitting last year that the SIG students’ allowances and refunds will be paid after being processed.

But, the students have been waiting ever since. And, this year, when queried by students, the national Education ministry (MERHD) told them their allowances and refunds will not be paid.

SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati confirms to Island Sun that Manasseh Sogavare’s government still owes the students their allowances and refunds.

And, Ngati says the students view this as an outright lie from the Democratic Coalition for Change government.

Because of this lie by the DCCG, the students have suffered financial problems and frustrations, and are being forced to enter this academic year with uncertainty.

“The Sogavare led government in the floor of parliament through Minister for Education say in parliament last meeting that student’s allowances and re-funding of payment will be clear off as of late last year,” Ngati said.

“As I’m speaking today, many student did not receive their allowances yet.”

Last year government had advised SIG students to pay for their own meals and accommodation, promising it would refund them later. This too has been proven as an empty promise.

Thus, as it stands, DCCG owes the SIG students their 2017 second semester allowance and refunds.

Ngati explains that last year students have had to borrow money from friends and family to survive, thinking that government will pay them their allowance and refunds.

But, since government has not lived up to its promises, the students are facing an even bigger problem, with their creditors demanding that their debts be paid.

SINUSA is calling on the current government to consider this issue seriously.

SINUSA is working closely with student trying to calm things down, and if government fails to respond to their ultimate need, they will look at other alternatives, Mr Ngati said.

 

Photo caption- SINUSA president, Mr Reginald Ngati

Tour helps confidence: Marahare

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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KOSSA Head Coach Eddie Marahare.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

KOSSA head coach Eddie Marahare describes the recent tour to Vanuatu as a huge success and will help his players gain a lot of confidence for future competitions.

The tour was held last week and KOSSA played two matches against Vanuatu champions Nakultan FC at the Korman Stadium in Port Vila.

The matches were organised by the Ni-Vanuatu soccer club as part of their preparation for the upcoming Oceania club champions league group stage competition in Port Vila from February 10 to 16.

The group stage will see Nakultan play against Pool A contestants in the form of Ba (Fiji), Lae City Dwellers (PNG) and Tupapa Maraerenga of Cook Islands.

In the first friendly on Tuesday last week, KOSSA went down 3-1 and drew 1-1 in the second match on Thursday.

Marahare said during those two friendlies, KOSSA equally matched the level of Nakultan.

“In terms of club level, I believe KOSSA equally match the level of Nalkutan FC who has signed couple of players from other top clubs in Vanuatu, including James Naka, Nelso Sale & Joses Nawo.

“Overall it was a positive take for my players who played as a team for the first time outside of the country.

“Playing overseas at this level will help to build the confidence level of my players. For me, player confidence is vital ingredients to consistent performance on the field in games,” Marahare said.

Marahare said they returned with a lot of positives and that should help boost them ahead of the TSL championship series which would kick off on March 11.

The TSL Championship series was supposed to kick off last Saturday but organisers had it postponed for March due to request from few participating clubs citing lack of preparation.

The decision was reached in a meeting held Friday at the SIFF Academy.

Asked Marahare about his thoughts on the postponement, he said: “The postponement was made for the interest of those TSL clubs not ready for championship. To me, this is very bad for club/football management.

“However, given that we have more time to prepare, we will increase our training intensity to further strengthen our team’s fitness.”

Rain, pain for Tenaru school

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Principal of Tenaru School, Mr Abraham Hihiru.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

ST Joseph’s Tenaru school has decided to delay the start of the school year by a week. This is due to bad weather currently affecting the country.

Speaking to Island Sun, school principal Mr Abraham Hihiru says he had sought advice from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the meteorology office before making this decision.

Hihiru says normally during rainy times like this, the school will experience rising waters affecting the school ablution.

“Based on their advice, I had advised parents that school will be delayed by another week. Hopefully the system should calm down at the end of the week and on 4th February we should see students coming to school.”

Hihiru said the met office has confirmed that the bad weather has intensified and any decision next week will once again consider advice from NDMO and the met office.

Also, Hihiru says currently the school is experiencing power blackout due to the heavy rainfall.

He says during heavy rain, the school will experience power blackout which in turn causes water cuts.

Toppled with that Hihiru says the water table has risen and in such conditions the ablution blocks will be affected.

With that the school principal says it is advisable that parents listen out to SIBC and the newspaper outlets for further details on the weather condition and for messages from the school administration.

Hihiru says parents wishing to know more on the current situation of the school, should contact him on cell phone 7458124.

St Joseph’s Tenaru Catholic school is expecting 590 students this year.

NDMO monitors impacts of current weather

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE National Emergency Operation Centre within the National Disaster Management Office has been activated on standby to closely liaise with the Solomon Islands Meteorological services and Provincial Disaster Management Offices in closely monitoring the impact of the current bad weather.

The tropical disturbance is located west-southwest of Rennell island, and posing threat to the Solomon Islands.

Warnings and ‘What to do Information’ is continually issued by the Solomon Islands Met service and NDMO in an effort to alert the public, because of the existing threat.

Impact report have been flooded into the NEOC since the start of the severe weather, however information received will need further verification by means of conducting the initial damage assessments, when weather permits.

In the meantime, the National Disaster Management Office would like to encourage the public to listen to the radio for regular updates on the situation.

Public are also encourage to contact the following for further updates: 955/933/977.

–NDMO PRESS

Rising river causes pigs to evacuate

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Teresa Suki

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

LIVING close to the river surely has its disadvantages especially during the rainy season. Not only does one has to keep awake at night but face evacuation.

Teresa Suki lives close by the Tenaru river, near the bridge. But this time round, it wasn’t her and the grandchildren that were facing evacuation. Instead it was her pigs.

Following the heavy rainfall, water has now risen to the pigs fence and Teresa says she had to let her pigs out from their fence or risk having them taken by the flooded river.

Speaking to Island Sun, Teresa says she hasn’t slept a wink but was on the lookout for the rising water during night time. She says living close to the river banks is okay except for when it rains.

“Here water will reach this floor and what we usually do is to go up to higher ground on the road and wait for the water to go down. Last night we didn’t sleep for fear of flood but it didn’t reach our house yet except for my pigs fence. So I have to break open the fence for the pigs to come out.”

Unfortunately she said that one pig has been missing since then.

Teresa said she does not know what had happened to her other pig and felt sorry that it had gone missing.

“I don’t know how I lost that pig. When I did a head count, there was one already missing”, she said.

“I am trying to raise money to buy copper and flooring timber for my house which I am building close to Ngalimbiu. A pig that size should give me $2000,” Teresa said.

“I’ve ran out of money to buy my needed building materials and my hopes are in these pigs.”

Now that the pigs are outside, she said the next thing is to keep a watch out for them in case they got run over by a vehicle. Not only that but to maintain the peace as they also fight each other.

Teresa said though it is tough, they enjoy their living and will not have it any other way.

Asked if they are also faced with bad crops during the rainy season, Teresa said no.

“We have a good spot where we do our gardening and so we don’t usually have this sort of problems”.

Teresa said only banana plants will be affected by the rain.

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