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Police warn public to be careful with electrical lines

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) warns members of public to be careful and not touch any fallen electrical lines lying on the ground during the current bad weather being experienced throughout the country.

The warning comes after a 49-year-old female died in Auki, Malaita Province over the weekend as a result of being electrocuted after touching an electrical line which had fallen on the roadside.

Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says “The female was on her way home when she saw an electric line was lying across the road.

“She attempted to remove the line not realising that it was a live line. She fell to the ground when she touched the electrical line.”

“She was rushed to the Kilu’ufi but unfortunately she was pronounced death by the medical authorities there.

“I want to appeal to members of the public not to attempt to touch any electrical lines that may have fallen during the current bad weather but report it to the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority(SIEA) or the police.

“I would like to convey my sympathy to the family members of the deceased after the tragic sudden loss of their daughter.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Opposition supports call for Moveni’s suspension

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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What started it all! Aerial view of the log pond at Eden Bay. ISUN File photo

THE Opposition Group has supported the call by the Leader of the Independent Group Hon Dr Derek Sikua for the suspension of the Forest Commissioner for granting of a licence to the logging company operating out of Eden Bay in West Guadalcanal.

Opposition Leader Hon Manasseh Maelanga said the clear violation of the Forestry Act as seen in the nature of the logging activities carried out and the statement by former North-West Guadalcanal MP Siriako Usa in the Island Sun that the logging operation was approved by the Ministry of Forest and Research warrants the suspension of Commissioner of Forests Mr Reeves Moveni.

Maelanga said the suspension of Moveni is crucial to allow for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his granting of a logging licence to a company that is clearly not worthy and non-compliant with the Forestry Act.

He said the environmental damages caused by the logging operation to waterways and beaches at the Eden Bay is extensive and do not only impact on locals but Honiara residents who have been frequenting the sites for leisure.

The Opposition Leader said the Public Service Commission must do the right thing by ensuring the suspension of Mr Moveni because his decision to grant a licence to the company reeks of corruption.

–PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION

Opposition calls for more scholarship awards

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga.

THE Parliamentary Opposition Group calls on the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) to increase its scholarship awards to at least 2,000 awards to cater for the increasing number of Solomon Islanders who deserve to undertake further studies both in-country and abroad.

Opposition Leader Hon Manasseh Maelanga said the current 700 government scholarship awards is simply inadequate.

This number stands for 200 scholarships administered by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, 400 scholarships, through Members of Parliament constituency awards, and 100 partially-funded scholarship awards targeting citizens who are able to partly fund their tertiary studies.

Maelanga said the number of Solomon Islanders who complete their secondary education at the Form 6 and Form 7 level annually is growing rapidly, let alone the number of working class Solomon Islanders who either need tertiary educational training or further tertiary training.

He said SIDCCG as the current political government in charge of the Solomon Islands Government is obliged under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to provide adequate educational opportunities for Solomon Islands citizens and it must fulfil this obligation.

The Opposition Leader said any decision to reduce the number of government scholarships by the SIDCCG will be a slap in the face of Solomon Islanders and serious non-compliance with Solomon Islands UN obligations.

He said if the SIDCCG cannot fund its existing 700 scholarship awards and additional scholarships then it must secure funding to meet this obligation without fail.

–PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION

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

SI DCCG policy priorities set for mid-February

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government is set to launch their policy statement by mid-February, 2018.

Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou said that after forming their government they had set out immediately to prepare their policy priorities.

He said he has a team in his office under the department of Policy Implementation Monitoring Evaluation Unit (PIME), headed by the Chief of Staff who is working on the policy document.

Hou said the SI DCCG policies and statement of implementation are being finalised for submission to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury this week.

He said the purpose of submitting the policies and statement to MoFT is to have it aligned with the 2018 budget.

Hou said the statements will be launched by mid-February upon attaining their first 100 days in office.

Hou creates “Meet the Press” strategy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and MP for Small Malaita Hon Rick Hou.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou has come up with a new media strategy that would allow his office and all government ministries to meet the press.

During his first press conference with the local media yesterday, he said the strategy is “Meet the Press” and all ministries will be roosted to meet with local press for press conferences.

He said he has instructed the government department to establish a Media strategy that actively involves disseminate information on Government activities.

Hon Hou pointed out that this has resulted in the development of now a media strategy as well as policy on information dissemination.

“As a result of this strategy I have taken this “Meet the Press” initiative.

“This is a program which will see all ministers rostered to have their own press conference

“Where members of the media will come to meet the Minister making a statement on his departments programs of activities, policies, legislations or any other important announcements pertaining to his or her department.

“The press will then engage with the Minister in a question and answer session,” he said.

The Prime Minister said this is apart from all formal reports, and other statements and exchanges that may be necessary on the floor of Parliament.

He stressed that in so doing “I believe the Government is engaged more actively and directly with the public.”

PM on major reform

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
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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0

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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0

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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0
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.

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