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Selling the Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dear Editor,

THE latest figures from the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office show a total of 2,397 international visitors came to the Solomon Islands in September this year – a 67.8 percent increase over the 1,428 visitors recorded in the same month last year.

The CEO of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, Josefa Tuamoto, has said the September arrival figures represents the largest monthly intake for the country since the statistics office started recording international arrivals in 1990.

The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal is thought to have been a contributing factor to the record number of international visitors but, undoubtedly, a successful and aggressive marketing campaign has been the real driver of tourist numbers.

Such a marketing campaign has not been without high financial cost and skilled marketing.

Apart from promoting tourism what is being done to market what the Solomon Islands has to offer?

I think of promoting locally produced crafts, services, business opportunities, development, technology transfers, products, crops, to single out but a few.

In a highly globalized world market the Solomon Islands needs to sell itself internationally but I have not found much evidence of what is being done and I can find no website or manual giving country information to would-be buyers, promoters or developers.

My own website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com– I launched in 2014 to help promote the Solomon Islands has been successful over the past 3 years in putting the country on the map, aided  the MOHMS/NRH, the National Referral Eye Centre, drawn attention to the  exquisite and beautifully made hand carved wood products, brought forward  enquiries for business development, including two in the last two weeks, encouraged support for local charities, job applications, notices of events, such as the Queen’s Essay Competition and through the blog page circulated news of local happenings with an emphasis of good governance and national unity.

International viewers of my website can clink to instantly access current SIVB news and events, the SIBC.  Solomon Airways and the Solomon Star newspaper.

I am happy to further expand my website to try and promote a broader range of interests important to putting the Solomon Islands on the map and aiding the economy and especially helping those struggling to make a living from producing hand crafts that only find a local market when tourists visit.

Crafts can be an important contributor to a country’s economy, employing artisans that are preserving cultural heritage, while generating an important source of income through the informal sector, but I feel more needs to be done to raise international awareness of the local crafts.

My offer to expand my website to better serve the Solomon Islands need not be restricted to adding more facts about crafts but could help as a marketing promotional tool to those interested and, importantly, at no cost to anyone other than my own.

I invite those interested to contact me via the link on my website if it is considered I can assist.

Yours sincerely

Frank  Short

Looking at the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in relation to the Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dear Editor,

I have heard a good deal about the Green Climate Fund (GCF) but kept wondering how access to the GCF could be beneficial to the Solomon Islands as it faces an increasing threat from climate change.

I decided to do a little research and began by turning to an article in the Guardian newspaper published on 15 February 2016.  This is what I discovered (quote).

“When the Green Climate Fund (GCF) was announced at COP16 in 2010, the intention was to give small, developing countries direct access to finance to protect themselves from climate change. Yet many of the smallest and most at-risk countries in the world now claim that they do not have the means to access these funds directly.

“It’s a paradox,” said Anote Tong, the president of Kiribati “We need [the funds] the most but we don’t have the capacity to get it because we’re not accredited.” Tong added that the accreditation process involves so much bureaucracy it is a significant challenge for low-resourced governments.

“Later, when told of Tong’s words by the Guardian, representatives of the governments of Tonga, the Comoros and Grenada all said they shared his concerns.

The GCF which became operational in 2015 is funded by developed countries and aims to assist developing countries with climate change mitigation and adaptation projects, such as early-warning systems for climate-related disasters.

“For a country to directly access GCF finance, it must first nominate a “national designated authority” – usually an existing government department like the finance or environment ministry – which then nominates an institution for accreditation.

“That institution is reviewed by the GCF’s accreditation panel, self-described as independent and technical.

“The difficulty lies in demonstrating that these institutions comply with the GCF’s fiduciary and gender policy standards, and that they can apply the relevant environmental and social safeguards.

“Institutions must prove they have: a track record of delivering mitigation and adaptation projects, a fully functional independent audit committee with plans for the past three years, various procurement committees, relevant guidelines and data on complaints handled in the past two years, examples of conflicts of interest in the past two years and how they were dealt with – and so on.”

Having digested this background information I began to query the position in the Solomon Islands and whether accreditation has been achieved so far, given the need for pre-requisite fiduciary, gender policy guidelines and the lingering perception of corruption.  Perhaps an answer will be forthcoming after this article is published locally.

Obtaining accreditation can be helped along.  The World Resources Institute is apparently working on climate-finance readiness in Kenya, the Philippines and Fiji – funded by the German government.

The GCF also has a special US$30m “readiness programme” to support developing countries’ institutions through the accreditation process.

According to the Guardian, “As of December 2015, 95 countries had expressed an interest in support from this programme and 33 have had their requests approved. The maximum a country can receive is $300,000.”

Because of frustrations with the accreditation process and the long delays some countries are opting for the alternative route of direct access – through multilateral institutions that have the means to become accredited quickly. For example, the GCF recently gave a $31m grant for a new river water intake station, waste water treatment plant and sewer coverage in Fiji. The Fijian government was only able to access the grant through a partnership with the ADB one of several international banks to have become accredited already.

The final text of the Paris agreement urged institutions like the GCF “to support country-driven strategies through simplified and efficient application and approval procedures”.

Despite this pressure, simplification is far from certain, according to Action Aid

As  I end this article, I am hopeful that some answer will be forthcoming as to whether the Solomon Islands has been granted accreditation status to access the GCF and, if so, what has been done with the $300,000 that was receiveable, and how were the gender issues, corruption perceptions and fiduciary requirements overcome.?

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

UNDP pledges commitment to work with SIG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ms Azusa Kubota, Country Manager of the UNDP Solomon Islands

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

THE United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Head Office in Solomon Islands has pledged its commitment to work collaboratively with the Solomon Islands Government and other stakeholders.

UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager Ms Azusa Kubota made the assurance in the presence of Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Hon Bradley Tovosia, stakeholders and recipient of the SIWSAP.

Kubota said, “As a partner in this sector, UNDP remains committed to working collaboratively with SIG, development partners, NGOs, private sector and local communities.”

Six recipient of the SIWSAP consisted of three from rural communities and three from urban centres; they have undergone a two-day water forum which ended with recommendations and ways forward.

Positive aspect about the SIWSAP, Kubota said, is it impacts the lives of people at rural areas towards addressing some of the challenges faced by communities and urban areas across six pilot and replica sites.

She adds, the project supports the formulation of Water Sector-Climate Change Adaptation Response Plans and integrate them in water sector-related and in broader policy and development framework.

“The project aims to increase reliability and improving quality of water supply in targeted areas, invested in cost-effective and adaptive water management interventions and technology transfers,” Kubota said.

She also adds, SIWSAP has envisioned improving governance and knowledge management in water sectors at the local and national level.

“Today, SIWSAP made visible contribution to strengthen early warning and disaster management capacities both at the local, provincial and national level through provision of hardware investments,” Kubota said.

“These systems are compatible with early warning infrastructure under management by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services, providing expanded capacity and continuity in the country.”

First ever national herbarium building opens

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The new national Herbarium building.

BY BEN BILUA

THE Ministry of Forest and Research has officially launched the National Herbarium building, yesterday.

Guest of Honour, the Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Hon Manasseh Sogavare said the event marks a historical achievement in the history of the Ministry of Forest and Research more especially the National Herbarium and Botanical Garden division.

He said the building will accommodate programmes and activities that would boost plant specimen collection, storage and also improving the management of botanical garden.

“This marks yet another milestone in the infrastructure development to support government functions, especially for the work of collecting, preparing and storing the local flora or plant species specimens for the sake of research, education and reference for future generation,” Sogavare said.

Deputy Prime Ministre and Minister of Finance and Treasury Manasseh
Sogavare (left) and Minister of Forestry Samuel Manetoali (right) cutting the
ribbon to officially open the newly built National Herbarium building

He told those present that the building will play a vital role in storing plant specimens that are of great importance to the country and the region.

Sogavare said the building will resume full service when all the furniture and compactus plus the completion of retrieving the country’s plant specimen from Fiji.

He continues to say that more research must be done as plants are important resource and source of local medicines to cure some diseases and sickness that have taken many lives in the country.

Sogavare explained that the dream to build a new national herbarium is to replace the aged herbarium under the outgoing Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) plan.

He stressed that the outgoing government responded positively on the project seeing the need to enhance the capacity to accommodate future expansion of plant specimen collection and storage as well as providing better working space for staffs, a conference room to cater for meetings and presentations for in house trainings and visiting public.

Sogavare said the funds allocated enable the progressive development occurring at the botanical garden where 60 percent of fencing work has been completed and the new herbarium building.

He stressed that the newly established Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCC) is pleased to see the improvement of the management and protection of the NHBG.

Sogavare said SIDCC commitment is demonstrated in the policy to fence the botanical government and construction of a new herbarium.

He said the completion of the project materialized through the assistance of Honiara City Council and FT Building Construction.

Tovosia applauds SIWSAP partners

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

 

MINSTER for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Hon Bradley Tovosia applauds the partners of SIWSAP for addressing water shortage in Solomon Islands.

Government ministries have combined through the Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP) to engage rural communities in six pilot provinces, and are taking steps forward to improve the resilience of water resources to impacts of climate change.

The project targets improvement of health, sanitation and quality of life in vulnerable areas.

Tovosia said, “The project has enabled the allies to take holistic water cycle approach, considering people’s daily interactions with water resources, their needs and how these needs can be met under future climate change through adaptation and sustainable water resource management.

“Also the SIWSAP project has enabled them to focus largely on supporting the increased understanding of water resources at all levels in vulnerable areas, planning for people needs in the face of projected climate change impacts.”

He adds, allies through the project have made good progress in terms of protecting and conserving water resources at local levels through diversifying water supplies to reduce over-reliance on one type of water resource.

RSIPF prepares for Safe Boat Operation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE RSIPF is preparing for the Safe Boat Operation which usually happens during every Christmas season.

Police Commissioner Matthew Varley said that among other operations they will mount this Christmas festive, one is the Safe Boat Operation.

He said police had prepared campaign materials on sea safety precautions and they will distribute them to the communities soon.

Varley said in a message to public during a press conference yesterday that “safety at sea starts with you, so take simple precautions and simple actions to help yourself stay safe at sea”.

According to the campaign materials, the safety points are, “Plan your trip and let your wantoks know where you are going and what time you expect to arrive.

“Check the weather whether on SIBC or call Met Service on 23658 or toll free 933 before going at sea.

“If you start your trip and the weather becomes bad, seek shelter until the sea is claim. Make sure your boat is seaworthy and your OBM is serviced and maintained.

“Know your skipper, make sure they are experienced in driving boats and do not overload your boat.

“Wear life jackets. Take food, water paddles, first aid kit, anchor and rope, mirror to signal others, tools, bucket, torch, phone, flares and EPIRB.

“Take extra fuel. If your skipper is drunk, do not go with them or let them control the boat.

“And if you require help at sea call Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) or call the RSIPF.”

He said they want to see people safe and they want to see no loss of life at sea during the season.

Varley said as part of the operation, police in Honiara and in the provinces will conduct high visibility patrols and checks of sea ports to check on the safety of vessels.

He said police will liaise with other responsible authorities to carry out the operation to ensure the festive season is free from sea incidents.

Police Commissioner describes Avuavu killing as gruesome

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Police Commissioner Mathew Varley has described the murder incident in Avuavu last week as a gruesome and tragic incident.

Speaking during his weekly media conference, Mr Varley said the incident is particularly a gruesome murder due to the fact that a young defenceless girl was murdered by two or three men armed with bush knives and a rope tied around her neck.

“To me is indescribable and in despicable.

“I wanna condemn in a strongest term that this type of violence against women and against young girls in this country got to be stopped,” Varley said

He said following that incident Police in Guadalcanal province have arrested a 40-year-old man in relation to the murder of a young girl at Avuavu in the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal.

Other two suspects are yet to be arrested and police are still continuing with their investigation on the case.

Varley said the murder incident occurred on Tuesday last week.

The deceased was on her way home from school and was intending to go to the village when she was approached by the three men who were armed with bush knives.

“At this point in time as you aware from the allegation one of the men had been charged with murder for having brutally murdered the girl with a bush knife.”

Police said after she was murdered she was carried down the road and thrown underneath some trees on the roadside in some small bush.

The commissioner said it was a sad scenario as it was after three days before her families and relatives found her in that location.

Varley said the news was reported to the police and a team of investigators and Forensics were sent to the crime scene and worked with the community which led to the arrest of the first suspect.

Varley strongly condemned such attitude about violence against women and young girls and want the communities to work together to end such attitude and behaviour.

He said enough is enough because such incident not only affect the families of the victims but also affects police and everybody in this country.

Varley also said that investigation on the case is still ongoing.

Include cash reserves in budget

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

THE government should consider the inclusion of cash reserves in the budget within the level of cash reserves the government wants to build in 2018.

This was expressed in the parliament debate on Monday by the Member of Parliament for Auki/Langalanga.

Hon Mathew Wale said that it is important that the government budget for an adequate level of cash reserves.

“Let us budget for an adequate level of cash reserves so that the government is never in the position of not paying up its contractual legal obligations and meeting its legal commitments in any particular year,” he said.

Moreover, he spoke of how balanced budget is built on assumptions.

“We must stop the nonsense of the so called balanced budget that is built on an absolutely false assumption or the pretention that everything the government has collected will be spent on exactly the same amount in that year,” he said.

Highest United Church meeting raises and passes important issues

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

The Assembly Executive meeting of the United Church of Solomon Islands held at Lauru region came up with lots of important issues raised and passed.

According to Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru reporting, these were resolutions to help the church move forward successfully in the years ahead.

He said they successfully confirmed and endorsed resolutions to meet and adapt in resolving issues to straighten the leadership of the church, development of land policies, re-looking at the church structure, financial aspects of the church, youth and women issues affecting social and economic growth, stationing of Ministers and Chaplains in United Church Schools during the four days meeting.

“The United Church highest delegation were really happy for such a big achievement for the church to successfully hold the highest church meeting in the remote part of Lauru region,” said Ulemiki.

“This meeting was also historic in a sense that it is the first time for the highest meeting of the church to be held in one of the remote parts of the United Church regions.

“It was held successfully even though there were few blockages on the way prior to the meeting.

“The Acting Moderator and church delegation thanked the Bishop of Lauru region and Ogho Community and other communities of Tava Circuit and Soranamola community for successfully hosting the assembly executive meeting as the delegates were presented with gifts.”

Ulemiki elaborated that the highest meeting of the church was attended by the 40 plus highest church delegation.

It comprised of the Acting Moderator and Bishop of New Georgia and Eastern Islands region including Bishops of the other three regions making up the United Church of Solomon Islands, the church General Secretary, Church Legal Advisor, Principal of Seghe, General Secretary of Sasamunga Hospital, former Bishops and Ministers of the church and other church delegates.

Court of appeal quashes High court decision on trio’s case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Court of Appeal has quashed the decision of the High Court imposing a stay of proceedings on the case of Nelson Maeta and other two co-accused.

The recent Court of Appeal heard recently has allowed the prosecution’s appeal and ruled the case be remitted to the Magistrates Court for trial.

The decision said that the magistrate court has an obligation to conduct criminal trials in accordance with the Constitution, being a fair trial within a reasonable time before an independent and impartial tribunal and that it therefore must have been endowed with the powers to achieve that objective.

“We therefore do not rule out the existence of the power of stay but the circumstances in which such a power falls to be exercised are not matter to be found within this appeal and therefore we cannot assist the parties to this appeal with any definitive statement of principle,” The Court of Appeal judges said.

This is the case against Gordon Mark, Nelson Maeta and John Nelson Ross.

Previously their defence lawyers applied for a permanent stay on their case on issues of jurisdiction.

In 2016, the High Court granted a permanent stay of the criminal proceedings in which the prosecution has appealed the High Court’s decision.

The allegation said the trio were charged in relation to the allegation between November 1 and 30, 2011 where the two accused and other men obtained more than $300,000 by selling the victim fake gold bars.

Police alleged the men approached the victim, Hypolite Taremae, who is the former Minister of Truth Reconciliation and Peace, at his office at Anthony Saru Building.

Police said that the men went to see the alleged victim with the intention to obtained money through false pretence and also lure him into believing their made up stories.

The men and others allegedly told Taremae that they were from Weathercoast in Guadalcanal. And in the coming days a reconciliation ceremony will take place in their village but they did not have enough money.

It was at that time they showed a picture of a gold bar to Taremae which they claimed to be in their possession, Police said.

They allegedly said they have some gold bars which were stolen by the former Guadalcanal war-lord Harold Keke that was taken from the former Ross Mining during the height of the ethnic tension.

The men also allegedly showed Taremae a certification letter from the Director of Mines that confirmed that the gold bars were gold and worth six million dollars.

Having heard from the accused and seen all the documents, Taremae was convinced.

Then on various occasions between July and November 2011, the accused men allegedly handed Taremae three gold bars in return they received $300,000.

The victim however, later found that the men lied to him and he took the “gold bars” to a dealer who confirmed they were fakes.

The bars were made from lead metal and painted with gold colour paint.

It was also alleged that the men threatened the case officer who was investigating their case that they will shoot him with a gun.

The allegation further said that the men claimed that they still have guns and will hunt for the case officer everywhere and will kill him.

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