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PAs to be culled in next Government: Hou

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

POLITICAL Appointee (PA) numbers will see a massive scrapping should the Heritage Park Hotel camp come in as the next Government.

Hon Rick Hou made the statement in an exclusive interview with Island Sun yesterday when queried over what the group’s intention is to lessen the burden of tax payers on political appointees.

Hou is the group’s candidate for the Prime Minister post.

As a member of the former Official Opposition Group, Hon Rick Hou, Parliamentary wing leader of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) has always been very particular on the Democratic Coalition for Change Government’s (DCCG) appointment of too many PAs.

“This issue has been upfront in my mind,” Hou said.

He then confirmed that he has already given instructions to the transition office appointed to see to the transition phase of the DCCG should they take on as the next Government, to make sure PAs are taken onboard depending entirely on the qualifications and their need by the next Government.

“Who we need to deliver our priorities in the next 10 months is what we want and it is known that once a Government goes, there should also be a clean slate to political appointees as well,” Hou added.

Search for missing Beche-de-mer diver

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

SEARCH is on for a 30-year-old man from Wagina, Choiseul province, who reportedly went missing after having gone on a Beche-de-mer diving trip.

Taro Police say the person has been missing since Saturday at Tuzu village, in South Choiseul.

Police say they were made aware by family members of 30-year-old Ken.

Western Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu said, “This person did reside with Johnwycliff Vorevore of Tuzu village for the last three months.

“Mr Ken I believe, went diving on Friday 10th November 2017 and he was last seen in the morning between Tuzu and Katurasele village.

“His wooden canoe sighted floating near Katurasele village about 1200hrs that same day and found two beche-de-mer and his clothing inside,” said PPC Lenialu.

Lenialu describes Ken as of Gilbertese descent, well built, healthy and strong.

Meanwhile, Western Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu and Taro Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Mrs Cindar Nevol are appealing for anyone with information on Ken to contact Gizo or Taro Police station.

Call to prioritise forest protection and rehabilitation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dear Editor,

RADIO New Zealand International (RNZI) this morning, Tuesday, 14 November 2017 broadcast a news item which said (quote)

“Fiji’s Minister for Economy and Climate Change says all countries need to prioritise forest protection and rehabilitation as well as financing of forest ecosystems.

“Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was speaking at the COP23 Climate Conference in Bonn, Germany.

“Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said while progress had been made in protecting ecosystems to enhance resilience to climate change, real incentives were needed to attract more investment in delivering nature based solutions.

“Some countries and corporations are taking action to cut emissions from forest use and establish sustainable forestry management.

“Initiatives from Ecuador and Gabon, as well as corporates like Walmart and Mars Incorporated were welcomed by delegates at the Forests Global Climate Action day in Bonn

“Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said forestry ecosystems were high on the agenda for Small Island Developing States because they were among the nations most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

“A spokesman from the World Wildlife Fund said forests played a huge role in efforts to tackle climate change and protecting them would ensure they continued to absorb emissions from the atmosphere, protect biodiversity, and provide livelihoods.

“The conference heard destructive, often illegal, logging and deforestation continued, with last year, forests equal to the size of New Zealand disappearing from the planet.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Help from the Kolombangara Island Community instrumental in rescuing 20 dolphins held in captivity

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR Editor,

According to today’s Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) news (quote)

“Help from the Kolombangara Island community in Solomon Islands was instrumental in the rescue of 20 dolphins being held in captivity.

“Western Province police commander Mathias Lenialu said dolphin trapping was common in the area, but it is illegal and people catch the mammals secretly.

“Mr Lenialu said the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources had raised concerns with the community on Kolombangara.

“With the crime prevention strategy recently implemented by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, now we have created all the crime prevention committees out in the communities, so people now usually come forward to assist police with information.”

Thank you all in the Kolombangara Island Community.
Yours sincerely

 Frank Short

Focus on the UN Climate Change Conference, COP23

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR Editor,

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

“Solomon Islands will be pushing for more global cooperation at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP23, in Bonn, Germany.

“Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Collin Beck is the chief negotiator for Solomon Islands in the global discussions at COP23, and he said the main priority for the country is to get major global carbon emitters to commit to the fight against climate change.

“He said there is a lot at stake for Solomon Islands because global action against climate change is currently slow.

“At COP23, leaders from around the world are discussing ways to speed up climate action to meet the goals of last year’s Paris Agreement.

“Mr. Beck said he hopes Fiji’s presidency of the conference will give more weight to the issues faced by Pacific Island states.

“Engaging with everyone is an important step in mitigating the effects of climate change, Mr. Beck said.

“Whatever we do, we cannot solve it ourselves,” he said. “It needs the cooperation of all our neighbors, all the world.”

Meanwhile, Radio New Zealand International has recently reported (quote)

“Pope Francis is drawing attention to the immediate climate change threat to the Pacific Islands, says (New Zealand climate change minister James Shaw)

Mr Shaw and Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio are representing New Zealand at climate talks in Germany, and on the way there had an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The COP23 conference in Bonn is being convened under the presidency of Fiji, giving the international meeting a decidedly Pacific feel and focus.

Mr Shaw said delegates from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia read statements at the Vatican meeting on different facets of the climate challenge. Pope Francis responded drawing on his encyclical of 2015, in which he described climate change as a global problem with grave implications.

“He is extremely concerned about the territorial threat from rising sea levels and about the state of the oceans,” Mr Shaw said.

“He is continuing to use the weight of his office and his influence to draw attention to the environment in general, but climate change specifically.

“The reason it’s such a big deal for the Pacific Islands is that he’s now drawing attention specifically to the immediate threat that the islands are facing.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Hou slams DCC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
MP for Small Malaita Hon. Rick Hou is being nominated to run for PM onbehalf of the DCC Group

A day before election PM candidate bites back on partner, ‘DCCG was never stable’

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

MEMBER of Parliament for Small Malaita Hon Rick Hou has dumped the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) in the shadows, saying it has never been focused and has always been unstable.

Hou made the statement in an exclusive interview with Island Sun yesterday.

He bluntly declared that ever since the DCCG came into power, it has always been unstable and was never fixedly focused.

Hou is the Heritage Park Hotel’s candidate for the Prime Minister post for the PM’s election which will be held tomorrow in a secret ballot.

Hou told the paper that the intention of his party’s shift to the caretaker Government was clear from the very beginning.

“We were never offered money and our intentions and objectives as a group were very clear,” Hou said.

This was because there already existed unstable mechanisms from within the then Government itself which then eventuated in the resignation of the group of Members of Parliament (MPs) that joined the Opposition.

Hou however strongly commended the DCCG for having good policies and a very good budget.

“But then again, the budget is only as good as it is implemented,” Hou added.

Hou told Island Sun that it is only in the best interest for his party, the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and the nation as a whole to have a stable Government.

This, he added, was why his group always made sure they provided sharp watchdog roles as the then Official Opposition Group.

He then added that the caretaker Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare has always been focused and adamant to have policies implemented, but the country’s cash flow issue and pendulum forces within the DCCG were its only setback.

Hou then told the paper that should he be elected the next Prime Minister, they will carry about focuses from the predecessor Government and make sure the country’s cash flow is all well, work collaboratively for the best and interest of the nation.

Caretaker PM accepts apology of former DCCG MPs

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE Caretaker Prime Minister (CPM) Hon. Manasseh Sogavare MP has acknowledged and thanked former DCCG MPs, for coming to his residence to reconcile their differences that were presented during the MNC, in both a Christian and Cultural manner by apologising for their actions and confessing their mistake to resign from the government and support the MNC that removed him as PM to cause political instability.

In a low key reconciliation ceremony, 15 of the MPs each spoke in turn to personally express their regrets with some acknowledging that they have learned from their mistake.

The Caretaker PM humbly accepted their apologies and thanked each of them for coming forward as National Leaders to reconcile their differences with him at a personal and cultural level.

“Anyone can make mistakes, but being able to recognize, admit and learn from ones mistakes is an essential leadership quality that demonstrates humility and integrity” said the CPM.

The CPM stated that he appreciates the courage and commitment of his former Ministers and Backbenchers, to put aside politics and seek genuine reconciliation at a personal level based on Christian and cultural values.

The CPM further stated that this ceremony is only between the 15 MPs and himself and does not impact on any political agenda.

The reconciliation was marked with cultural exchanges and ended with a word of prayer.

–PMO PRESS RELEASE

Soaki family utterly dissatisfied with High Court verdict on Dad’s killing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE immediate and extended family members of the late Sir Fredrick Soaki were shocked and disappointed with the High Court verdict on the death of their late father and relative.

A statement issued by the family on Sunday 12th November said the family has been waiting for 14 long years for justice on the assassination of their late father who was gunned down at Auki motel in Malaita province on 10 February 2003.

Former Police Officer, Edmond Sae stood trial in the High Court of Solomon Islands for the killing of the late Sir Frederick but was acquitted of the murder charge on Wednesday last week.

The High Court however, convicted Sae of manslaughter for another death two months later in 2003, sentencing him to twenty years in prison.

“We were shocked, and utterly dissatisfied with the outcome of the High Court verdict,” the Family said in the statement.

The wife of the late Sir Frederick, Mrs Ethel Maesiufia Soaki broke down with tears after the court ruling outside of High Court last week.

As the family is struggling to come to terms with the verdict, they are considering seeking legal counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to appeal the High Court decision, appropriately, through the judicial process.

“Through God’s conviction, justice will be served on the person responsible for the death of our dear father in due course,” Mrs Soaki said.

The late Sir Frederick was the former Police Commissioner of Solomon Islands.

He was in Auki on a UNDP Demobilisation Program for Special Constables as a member of the National Peace Council when he was shot at point blank.

The question now for the Solomon Islands Police, the Soaki family and the country as a whole is: who killed Sir Frederick?

New political twist?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Sogavare-vs-Fugui

–Former DCCG MPs reconcile with Sogavare

 

By Alfred Sasako

 

AS the election-day for a new Prime Minister edges closer, a new twist has emerged, throwing an already confused situation into further tailspin.

Amidst reports of MPs moving from one camp to another, United Democratic Party (UDP) MPs from the government and Opposition sides yesterday held a reconciliation, attended by caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Opposition candidate for the job, Hon Dr John Moffat Fugui.

The lunchtime ceremony was held at Mr Sogavare’s residence at Lungga, according to reports relayed to Island Sun last night.

Reports on how many MPs attended vary.

One report suggests that all 14 UDP Parliamentarians attended, including Mr Sogavare and Mr Fugui. Another report said only four UDP Parliamentarians attended the reconciliation which has raised eyebrows as to what it meant for the new Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) – DCC Government marriage whose prenuptial agreement is still being hammered out.

Some said the reconciliation signalled the regrouping of the UDP not necessarily as a Party but a new alliance in preparation for the 2019 national general election.

UDP has gone through factional in-fighting in recent months, which resulted in the no confidence motion in Mr Sogavare’s leadership last Monday. The Opposition won the vote 27-23.

No one could be reached last night to explain the overall political ramifications of the reconciliation in terms of the election of a new Prime Minister next Wednesday 15th November.

The Government side has downplayed the significance of the reconciliation, saying the new DCC-DAP alliance remains intact in terms of numbers.

“Our number remains at 30. There are talks of at least another four from the other camp joining us,” an insider said.

Senior officials are already at work preparing policy initiatives that would guide the DAP-DCC administration after Wednesday’s vote.

But the Opposition camp said things remained “upbeat” and are looking forward to the vote later this week. As the number stands, the government side has 30 while the Opposition has 20.

With hundreds of thousands of dollars allegedly on offer, the number’s game could change drastically as lobbying intensifies over the next 48 hours.

Parliament is due to meet at 09:30am on Wednesday to elect a new Prime Minister following the ouster of Mr Sogavare on Monday 6th November 2017. The government side has nominated Small Malaita MP Ricky Hou as its candidate for the top job.

The Opposition which camps at the Honiara Hotel has put up Honiara Central MP, Hon Dr John Moffat Fugui as its choice for the $186, 000-a-year job.

Observers said the situation remains volatile and the reconciliation could very well determine the outcome of next Wednesday’s vote.

A call for more x-ray equipment at area health centres

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
DEAR Editor,
Dr Gregory Jilini, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, last Wednesday when celebrating the World Radiography Day at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), made a statement in which he recommended the government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services provide more basic diagnostic support, including x-ray equipment and posting more doctors to areas health centres to generate more referrals.
 During the NRH ceremony Dr Jilini said two Australian High Commission projects in radiography were being implemented include provisions of x-ray scan services, adding that the need for such services was clear.
Dr Jilini also said one of the reasons why patients currently bypass clinics and go straight to the provincial hospitals and the NRH is the lack of diagnostic capability.
 
I thank the Australian High Commission for the help in improving rural diagnostic services by providing x-ray equipment.
A personal appeal I launched last week for donations to help the MOHMS and medical services throughout the country has, so far, not attracted any funds.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

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