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Marau appointed PM Press Secretary

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

DOUGLAS Marau has been appointed Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou.

This was confirmed to Island Sun by Mr Marau himself when queried yesterday.

Marau was one of the few appointees alongside the Prime Minister’s new Chief Of Staff who is likely to be the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) President, John Usuramo.

Marau, 31, is a Journalist by profession with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at the Divine Word University and also holds a Post-graduate Diploma in Diplomacy and International Affairs.

Marau’s role is nothing new having being the former Press Secretary to former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo and just recently as Press Secretary to former Opposition Leader Jeremiah Manele.

Marau is also DAP’s Public Relations Chairman.

Prior to his political engagements, he was a senior Journalist of Solomon Star.

It is understood his appointment is based on qualification, experience and merit.

When contacted, Marau confirmed receiving his appointment letter on Wednesday this week.

“I would like to sincerely thank the Prime Minister for seeing it fit in appointing me as his Press Secretary,” he said.

Island Sun understands Political Appointee (PA) of the last Government have already been given their marching orders as the Prime Minister Rick Hou is looking at undergoing a major clean up.

Take the initiative and be enterprising, don’t sit and wait for others: Manele

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

We are living through challenging times and as a government we must always be ready to act quickly and be flexible to bring about fresh thinking and to evolve our responses as appropriate and needed.

This statement was made the Member of Parliament for Hograno, Kia and Havulei constituency and Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Hon Jeremiah Manele who was speaking during the government house debate on Monday.

In relation to the above, he expressed that as we continue to encourage more investments in infrastructure to encourage growth, we must be critical thinkers about the kinds of infrastructure the country needs in order to compete in today and tomorrow’s economy.

“We need to raise our ambition if we want to spur economic growth for our economy and our people. We need to make the right investments in people that are critical for the country to be competitive,” Manele said.

He also pointed out that we must also ensure that these investments benefit all Solomon Islanders.

Moreover, the Minister of Planning shed some light on the financial progress in the implementation of the 2017 development budget.

“I am pleased to inform the house that as of the end of October, about 74 percent of the total funds in   the 2017 development budget have been disbursed as actuals from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury,” he said.

Manele added that the government is confident that as much as over 80 percent of the 2017 development budget will be expended by the end of the 2017 fiscal year.

He explained that some of the major programs and projects initiated and commenced in the 2017 budget will roll over into the 2018 development budget and progress and completed in 2018 and thereafter.

In closing remarks, Manele said that as we look forward for the 2018 financial year, we must take the lead and responsibility in developing our country.

“We must take the initiative and let us be enterprising. Let is not sit back and wait for others,” he said.

Manele also took the opportunity to salute Solomon Islanders who have in one way or the other taken the risk to be prosperous while contributing to the development of the private sector and our economy as a whole.

Partnerships will be crucial: Manele

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

PARTNERSHIPS will be crucial, true and strategic partnerships between development stakeholders.

This sentiment was echoed on the floor of parliament on Monday by the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination and Member of Parliament for Hograno, Kia and Havulei constituency, Hon Jeremiah Manele.

He took the opportunity to contribute to the motion moved by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Treasury and Member of Parliament for East Choiseul, Hon Manasseh Sogavare.

The motion and resolution under the section of 103 (1) of the constitution resolves to grant power to the Minister of Finance and Treasury to authorise the issue of monies from the consolidated fund purposely for public services.

Manele stressed how important the government’s partnership is with stakeholders in terms of developing a comprehensive reform program.

“Partnerships will be crucial, true and strategic partnerships between development stakeholders. This includes development partners, the private sector, church groups and faith based organizations and all development stake holders,” he said.

Manele stated that the government is firmly committed to working closely with our donor partners to develop a comprehensive reform programme and to access budget support from those development partners.

He alluded to say that the resolution provides an opportunity to reaffirm and to reengage with our development partners on a road map to advance and progress the implementation of the NDS (National Development Strategy).

Wale exposes national gov’t ignorance of provincial governments

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Opposition Leader Matthew C Wale.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

MEMBER of Parliament for Aoke/Langa Langa Hon Mathew Wale has exposed serious negligence by the national government towards its provincial counterpart.

A practice which is contributing to a shaky nature of governance of Solomon Islands.

In his contribution to the debate over the provincial government (amendment) bill 2017 yesterday, Wale voiced out what many people fear to be the reality in the system of governance of the country.

The central government has all along been suppressing the provincial government.

Wale explains that the bill being debated both reflects and is a result of bad governance, unnecessary and is the direct result of negligence and irresponsible government.

“During the 2017 budget debate at the end of 2016, we already raised the omission of financial provisions for the two provincial elections expected in 2017, as matters of concern.

“We raised the concern again in committee, then, these elections are not unforeseen. We raised the need for funding provision to be made for updating the voter registration.

“The government, then, promised that funding will be made available during 2017 through a supplementary appropriation bill, and it would be in time to ensure that registration will be complete in time for the provincial elections.

“During the debate and committee on the supplementary appropriation bill, we again raised the concern on the provisions for the two provincial elections.

“Is it a budgeting issue, or is it a result of the cash flow crisis at Treasury? How much money does the government need to conduct these two elections? Why is it so difficult to find the money?

The NDF this year was 13m, distributed amongst a few MPs. Where is the sense of priority here? This is clearly Irresponsible government.

Elections, and their prerequisite requirements, are not matters peripheral to government. They are fundamental aspects of democratic government.

“We wonder why our provincial leaders feel slighted, and complain that central government leaders treat them like extras in movies.

“Provincial government is a critical mechanism to enhance participatory democracy. It hasn’t worked as well as we’d like it to, simply because we ourselves have not tried to make it work. We have complained about the ineffectiveness of the system, but have done little to change it to be better.”

SI committed to enhance Nationally Determined Contributions  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
PS for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Meteorology Dr Melchior Mataki speaking during a high level meeting at COP23.

BY JARED KOLI

 

SOLOMON Islands Government is committed to review and enhance its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to put the country back on a 1.5 degrees Celsius trajectory, guided by IPCC’s Special 1.5 degrees Celsius Report due out next year.

This was echoed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Dr Melchior Mataki when addressing world leaders at the global Climate Change conference in Bonn, Germany last week.

He told COP23 President and Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama that Solomon Islands is committed to work with Fiji through the Talanoa Dialogue.

“This should preserve the credibility and integrity of the Paris Agreement. My delegation calls for more Pre-2020 action, in particular those who have not signed the Doha Amendment to do so with a sense of urgency to put the Paris Agreement on a firmer foundation by 2020.

“On adaptation, Solomon Islands considers the Adaptation Fund to serve the Paris Agreement a natural step, we support the draft decision by G77 and China and hope to see this effected at this COP.

“On Loss and Damage (L&D), as climate change continues to define our future, we look to your leadership, to have L&D be a standing Subsidiary Bodies Agenda noting we have loss and damage activities in SBI 2018 and 2019,” said Dr Melchior.

Dr Melchior said, sadly the United States of America have announced its intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

“Solomon Islands find this regrettable. We call on the United States to take leadership in climate action, and not to stand in the way of current negotiations.

“Combating climate change requires our collective action; every country should be part of the solution, Solomon Islands supports the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s meaningful participation within the UNFCCC process. Let Taiwan help!” he said.

He said the country welcomes the signing of the World Bank and Green Climate Fund Accreditation Master Agreement on Monday last week, which will see funds roll out for our Tina River Hydropower Project.

“Below 1.5 degrees to stay alive” remains our call. The Paris Agreement is our last line of defense; we must work constructively to make the Agreement work for humanity,” Dr Melchior said.

Happy ending for two missing boat incidents

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A separate missing boat incidents in the Western part of the country reported to have been safely salvaged.

TWO separate missing boat incidents in the western part of Solomon Islands are reported to each have a happy ending.

Police Commissioner Matthew Varley told local media yesterday that one incident occurred in Western province and the other in Choiseul province.

He said in the last few days, police in Western province worked with the community in search of a 30-year-old man who was missing at sea.

“He was traveling from Vonunu as he had been travelling over night from the 20th of November and was found on the 21st as he’s now safe.

“He’s been traveling by boat along and was rescued by a boat in Kolobangara area and was taken to Gizo hospital and discharged as he’s reunited with his family,” Varley said.

He said police are investigating suggestions that the man was under influence of alcohol as he was traveling.

Meanwhile, Varley said in Choiseul province a missing ray-boat with five people on board, which was traveling for Gizo on November 20, was rescued near Wagina Island on the 21st.

It is alleged the boat drifted after it ran out of fuel.

Varley reminds public to always practice precaution when travelling at sea.

Canada continuing to open its door to workers from Guadalcanal

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE Guadalcanal Province-Canadian International Training & Education Corp Programme ( GP-CITREC) is continuing to be beneficial to Guadalcanal workers.

According to the SIBC’s latest news report, from which I quote:

“Another Solomon Islander from Guadalcanal will be heading to Canada to work.

Tourism graduate of the Guadalcanal Province-Canadian International Training & Education Corp program, Grace Delight, has been granted a Canadian immigration nomination for permanent residence to work in Canada.

“She will be employed as a cook and will soon travel to Canada under the country’s immigrant nomination program to take charge of a restaurant business.

“Ms Delight is the third nominee from Solomon Islands for the permanent residency program.

“In August, GP-CITREC graduates Amelia Muse and Careka Volly were the first two people from Guadalcanal Province to be granted a nomination for Canadian permanent residency.

“Three other GP-CITREC workers left for Canada to participate in an Agriculture Canada pilot project last month.

“The workers — Baddley Sepo, Jonathan Benosi, and Mclin Tiaro — were granted their two-year work permit under the agriculture management pilot project.

“CITREC Chairman Ashwant Dwivedi said it was a significant achievement as it showed that people from Guadalcanal can multi-task and contribute to Canada’s food industry.

“On an average since August of this year, we have added two workers into Canadian workforce each month from the province of Guadalcanal,” Mr Dwivedi said. “We are proud of this achievement and we look forward to having more recruitment of GP-CITREC graduates in the very near future.”

“He said three applications for seasonal workers are now being processed.

“Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke said Guadalcanal Province is achieving its mandate of educating, training and putting people to work as part of his government’s human resources policy.

“We started off by sending people for employment to Canada under a four-month scheme, then we started to prepare our graduates for 24-month employment opportunity,” he said. “Now we will have three GP people employed in Canada under permanent residence nomination program with another application under process.”

“The partnership between Guadalcanal Province and CITREC allows people from the province to be employed in Canada on a short-term or long-term basis in the agriculture, tourism and hospitality sectors.

“Premier Veke said his government’s partnership with CITREC will also provide opportunities to Solomon Islands as a whole.

“I know that Guadalcanal is setting the stepping stones for this opportunity for the Solomon Islands,” he said, “And I am proud that GP is willing and able to prove its success.”

THANK YOU, CANADA, FOR THESE WORK OPPORTUNITIES.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Police warns public to ‘Think Safety First’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

PROVINCIAL Police Commander, Western Province, Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu strongly appeals to the people of Western Province to think ‘safety first’ when travelling on out board motors from island to island and more importantly not to drink when going out to sea.

PPC Lenialu makes the appeal after an incident where a 36-year-old man from Vella la Vella was successfully rescued after he was stranded at sea for about 24 hours (from November 20 until 21 November 21, 2017) outside the island of Kolombangara.

Information received by police at Gizo say the man, who was believed to have been drinking alcohol, before he left Gizo by himself on a motorised canoe, decided to jump into the sea as he felt hot.

His boat drifted from him before he could get back on it.

The victim was travelling to Vonunu on Vella la Vella Island.

“His boat was found by a canoe travelling to Gizo and towed it with them and reported the matter to police in the township. We conducted a search in the surrounding area and the man was found in the afternoon of Tuesday 21 November by the same canoe that had earlier found his boat and engine near Kolombangara island and reported the finding to Gizo police.

“As soon as we received the report of the finding, we went straight to the village where he was kept and took him to Gizo Hospital on Tuesday evening.”

The man has since been discharged from hospital to be with his family.

“I just want to remind the good people of Western Province, if you are travelling by boat, don’t drink alcohol. Also make sure you are travelling with someone and tell others where you are going and what time you will get to your destination.

“Also make sure you have enough drinking water and enough fuel.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Wale tells ministers to do their homework

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

MEMBER of Parliament for Auki/Langalanga, Hon Mathew Wale during Monday’s parliament debate encouraged MPs to do their homework and seek scientific data from their ministries and utilise them in policy making.

Addressing the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock and Member of Parliament for Lau/Mbaelelea, Hon Augustine Auga, he stressed that there are three reports in the ministry which include information about soil structure and soil composition in all our provinces.

Wale explained that these reports also exhibit that the type of crops most favorable and commercially viable to each island.

In this regard, he said that according to that data, it shows that in West Are’are, the soil in Waisisi is not favourable to grow oil palm, “but because we choose to ignore that and under politically convenient circumstances, we still pursue such projects”.

“Go back to the scientific data which is already in the ministries. Don’t be ignorant of these things. Do your homework and find about these things,” Wale said.

He strongly voiced how essential these reports are in policy making and encouraged them to make policies from scientific data.

“Make policy on scientific information so that this country can move forward. So that we are not spending more money in places, soil types that are not suitable,” Wale said.

He said that this should also be carried out in the Mines ministry, in which the date which was compiled by the colonial government is extensive.

Wale expressed that there is extensive geological work there, thus they should look at that data and then formulate policy on it.

“Try and find what is already there and make very good use of it so that the 2018 budget, even given it’s limited resources can be a very good focused strategic budget,” he said.

Local West Papua group lauds PM Hou

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Solomon Islands West Papua Solidarity Group

THE Solomon Islands Solidarity for West Papua Group has welcomed and thanked the new Prime Minister’s affirmative stance on the West Papua issue.

Prime Minister Rick Hou this week openly reaffirmed his new government’s support for West Papua.

The Solomon Islands Solidarity for West Papua Group in a statement applauded Hou and his government for taking the bold and positive stand.

“West Papua issue is a human rights issue therefore any government of the day must render support until the West Papuan people’s plights are achieved and addressed,” the group said.

The group welcomed the reaffirmation from the new government, adding that the support is crucial to ending the human rights issues in West Papua and the fight for self-determination by the Melanesians.

“It takes brave and compassionate leaders to stand up and openly announced their support,” the statement added.

The group then conveyed their congratulations and best wishes to the new Prime Minister and his government.

“We look forward to working closely with the new government regarding the West Papua issue.”

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