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Formation of the new government begins in earnest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Office of the Prime Minister

By Alfred Sasako

PREPARATORY work for the election of the nation’s next Prime Minister has begun in earnest, but the Opposition which ousted the government on Monday is keeping a lid on its candidate for the top job.

Acting Governor General and Speaker of Parliament, Ajalon Nasiu, is expected to sign a letter advising Members of Parliament of a schedule of activities for next week, Government House told Island Sun yesterday.

That schedule includes the date of when nomination for the post of Prime Minister opens and closes and when Parliament would meet to elect the new one, Government House said.

“All these should [be] early next week,” Government House said.

The Governor General’s letter would be hand delivered to MPs in the two opposing camps after it is signed today.

Government House also said Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s group which was ousted in a no-confidence motion on Monday is eligible to nominate its own candidate.

Observers said such a scenario is keeping the fluidity of the situation alive, putting the new grouping on their toes.

“The fact that the margin separating the two sides is very thin is something the new group would have to watch carefully when they are deciding who their candidate for the top job would be,” one observer said.

“The selection of and support for their candidate is crucial otherwise Sogavare’s group known for making hard-to-refuse offers would capitalise on the situation. On Mr Sogavare’s camp, the difficulty lies with the North East Choiseul MP himself. He is not going to part with the job too easily,” the observers said.

Meanwhile former secretary to Caucus, Maratahana Sarah Susuta-Yee said Mr Sogavare had misled Parliament about the appointment of his nephew, Robson Djokovic, as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister.

“Caucus never approved the appointment because the position COS was abolished from the structure,” Ms Susuta-Yee said.

“I have records of the Caucus Minutes to prove it,” she said.

Sogavare told Parliament during the debate of the no confidence motion on Monday that Caucus approved the engagement of his nephew as Chief of Staff.

“Big bulls…” Susuta-Yee said.

“I vowed I would bring him down when they fired me and I did it from Australia too,” she said in a Messenger exchange from Brisbane yesterday.

“I have Caucus Minutes (which will) make Soga look like a weak person who agrees with the rest of the pack for the PM’s chair. The position COS was abolished from the structure.

“I have Minutes to confirm that.”

How the next PM will be elected

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

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE new Prime Minister (PM) is most likely to be elected by early next week.

According to Schedule 2 to the Constitution, the place, date and time on which nomination papers of PM candidates are to be delivered to the Governor-General (GG) no later than four days before the date appointed for the election meeting.

A list specifying all candidates nominated and their respective nominations will be submitted by or by direction of the GG to each Member of Parliament (MP) before the election meeting.

The election will be done by secret ballot and the election will be presided over and the election conducted by the GG.

If any candidate should at any ballot receive an absolute majority of votes he will thereby be elected Prime Minister.

If no candidate receives an absolute majority of votes at the first ballot a further ballot will be held and the candidate who received fewest votes at the first ballot will be eliminated.

If there is a tie between two or more candidates for the fewest number of votes received at the first ballot, the GG will decide which of the candidates will be eliminated.

The Constitution further states that if the ballot conducted results in a tie between two candidates, one further ballot will be conducted to decide the election between these two candidates and if there is a tie between them again, the GG will countermand the election and the election procedure will be commenced ‘de novo’.

This means the election will start all over again but no ballot will be held within a period of less than six hours after the conclusion of the preceding ballot.

When the count has been completed in any ballot the GG will then announce to the meeting the number of votes received by each candidate and where any candidate receives an absolute majority or the greater number of votes will be declared the elected PM.

Upon the election of a Prime Minister, the GG will, according to the Constitution, “cause that fact and the identity of the Prime Minister to be known to the public in such manner as to him may seem appropriate and to be published as soon as may be in the Gazette”.

Any dispute arising out or in connection with the calling or conduct of any election meeting or the election of the PM under Schedule 2 to the Constitution will be determined by the GG whose determination of the matter in dispute will be final and conclusive and will not be questioned in any proceedings whatsoever.

Leaders blinded by power hunger: Tuki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda Rotutafi Rangirei.

BY BEN BILUA

ONE and only women

THE country’s only female Member of Parliament says leaders of the country are blinded by their hunger for power and satisfaction.

Speaking in Parliament during the Motion of no Confidence on Monday, Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatu Hon Freda Tuki stressed that the main issue of leaders in the country is that they are never satisfied with portfolios the government hands down to help the nation grow.

She said this attitude has resulted in leaders not using their capacity to transform Solomon Islands.

Tuki stressed she is sad to see leaders continuing to search for the opportunity to satisfy their ambition and achievement.

“I’m sad and at the same time surprised to see leaders still searching for satisfaction in the political arena.

“This is a second time that such political movement takes place and I wonder what our leaders are yet to achieve,” she said.

Tuki reminds members of Parliament that being elected is to represent people in the national decision body and not searching for power satisfaction.

“Such bad political attitude done nothing good for the country but continues to boycott needed education, health and other important service the country expects from decision maker,” she said.

Meanwhile, she adds that the trend of instability faced by ruling governments every year shows the need for more women in parliament.

She emphasised that more women in parliament will bring positive change in the political arena of Solomon Islands.

Marist, Kossa arrives

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Marist FC Mathias Saru skips away from a challenge

Futsal semifinals tomorrow

By Taromane Martin

MARIST FC will meet Mataks FC in the first semifinal match of the 2017 Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Futsal Championship.

Both Marist FC and KOSSA FC qualified from Pool A after the final pool matches played at the Multipurpose Hall yesterday.

Marist FC defeated Real Kakamora FC 6-2 in their final pool match yesterday to see them leading Pool A by goal difference over second placed KOSSA FC who are also with 10 points.

Marist who finished top of Pool A with 10 points take on Mataks FC who is the runner up in Pool B with nine points at 1:30pm while second placed KOSSA FC will meet Pool B leaders G-Camp FC at 3pm.

G-Camp FC who is the reigning champions of the 2017 Melanesia Wantok Cup is still undefeated. But with KOSSA FC also still undefeated, this promises to be an action packed match as both teams fight for a spot for the grand final match set for Friday.

Meanwhile, SIFF Futsal Development Officer Jerry Sam said he is happy with the progress made so far and calls on club supporters to come and respectfully support their teams tomorrow.

“After all the pool matches we now only have Marist FC, KOSSA FC, Mataks FC and G-Camp FC remaining.

“So far so good, I’m really happy with the progress made since the competition started last week and with the completion of the pool matches the semifinals will surely be exciting.

The Development Officer also stressed his disappointment with Henderson Eels and the West Honiara Royals futsal teams who did not show up for their respective matches on Monday at the Multipurpose Hall.

“While there is reason to be happy I’m really disappointed with the two clubs for the attitude shown by them on Monday,” Mr Sam said.

“I do not want to see this happening ever again in future competitions because we want to give clubs the opportunity to play here.

“And if you’ve built a good reputation for your club in this futsal Championship then for sure you will be given an opportunity to play in the 2018 SIFF national Futsal League planned for next year.

“I urge all supporters to come and support your teams in a good and respectable manner during the finals.

“Security will be tightened up at the Multipurpose Hall and fans that are drunk and consuming alcohol will not be allowed entry to watch the semifinals because we want to protect both the players and spectators.

“Therefore I want to remind all Team Managers to make sure your fans that want to come and support behavior and respect one another so we can watch and enjoy the semifinals tomorrow,” he said.

DCC up to 30

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DCC IS BACK... A group photo of the DCC members last night at the Cabinet Room in the Prime Minister’s Office. DCC regained numbers last night and now boasts a total of 30 members with Rick Hou being their candidate for the Prime Minister’s post. -- PICTURE SUPPLIED

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) group is fighting back, last night successfully pulling seven members from the opposition group, including the leader himself Hon Jeremiah Manele.

The members of parliament (MPs) who have crossed over to the DCC are: Hon Rick Hou, Derrick Manuari, Steve Abana, Peter Tom, Culwick Togamana, Jeremiah Manele and Connelly Sandakabatu.

This brings DCC’s number to 30 MPs.

It is disclosed that Rick Hou comes in as the contender for the prime minister post. Other portfolio allocations will be made later this morning

Speaking to Island Sun last night from the Cabinet office, Hon Dickson Mua, Member of Parliament for Savo-Russells, said the leaders have defected because “they want stability and continuity. They see a new government as a waste of time due to time limitation”.

The seven defectors met with members of the DCC at the Cabinet room in the Prime Minister’s office last night.

Missing from the meeting last night was Member of Parliament for Fataleka, Hon Steve Abana.

Tourism Organisation signs MOU with MSG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR Editor,
According to Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) news bulletin last week a regional tourism body recently signed an agreement with the Melanesian Spearhead Group and is looking forward to the development of tourism in Melanesia.
 
This is what he bulletin was quoted as saying:
 
“The South Pacific Tourism Organisation is expected to work with the grouping of Melanesian countries in areas like planning, policy, information sharing, product development and marketing.
 
“The Memorandum of Understanding signed in Port Vila also includes collaboration with airlines on products, capacity building and training.
 
“The tourism body’s CEO Chris Cocker has highlighted the great potential for Solomon Islands and PNG in the area of cruise and niche tourism.
 
“He’s also pointed to the example of Fiji which has 40 percent of the Pacific’s regional market share.
 
“He said tourism involved the Pacific’s greatest assets – people, environment and culture.
 
“The MSG said information sharing means airlines should not use commercial viability as an excuse not to connect.”
Yours sincerely
 
Frank Short

Phase 2 of ‘READS’ National Literacy Campaign

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dear Editor,
AFTER successfully reaching out to 33 villages in ‘Reads’ National Literacy Campaign, the organizations teacher trainers are helping to set up classes and libraries, as well as offering guidance and teaching skills to village teachers in the Reef Islands.
 
The Solomon Star newspaper give details of the Phase 2 plans in a recent article which outlined plans for Phase 2 (quote).
 
“In Phase 2, all provinces will be visited except for Renbel and Choiseul. This time, 19 villages in the Reef Islands, Temotu Province, will be given the opportunity to be part of READ SI National Literacy Campaign.

“The teachers of READ SI have spent weeks packing 120 library kits for Phase 2. Anyone can get the agreement form for a village from the Bulk Shop. There are five of them in Honiara.

“Mrs Joyce Boykin goes to them each week and picks up the forms that have been returned and signed by members of a village committee. READ SI asks that villages close up be involved in the programme.

“When there is a cluster of villages, each village selected two people to be trained to be reading teachers. These people must be able to read already. If there are five or six villages close together, then the training would be for about 12 people.

“The READ SI trainers stay three extra weeks to support and encourage the establishment of each village reading classes and works with the people on how to use the library books. There are over 200 books for each village.

“The most important part of the READ SI programme is to teach the women of the village how to read so they can teach their children. Older children who do not go to school are invited to join, also the men and youth in the village.

“What is critical is the use of the books in the kits. They are full of good information—for example—how to raise the standard of living in the village; how to have a healthier family; how to do better gardening and how to choose a good leader are a few of the topics of the books.

“After three months, a monitoring team will contact each village to find out how the classes are “going and what changes have taken place because of the READ SI program.

“This whole process is a partnership between READ SI and each village that is part of the programme. It is the vision of the National Literacy Campaign to reach 600 villages and with God’s continued help, it will be achieved.”

Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Words of appreciation – Thank You!

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Dear Editor,
THE disaster authorities in the Solomon Islands are thanked for having delivered fresh water supplies to the people of the Reef Islands affected by volcanic ash after the eruption of Tinakulu in Temotu Province.
 
There had been disturbing reports that the people in the most affected parts of the Reef Islands had only have a few days worth of fresh water and coconuts to survive on as heavy rain had washed toxic ash into waterways and storage tanks.
 
Because of a no fly zone being in place after the eruption, the fresh water had to be conveyed by sea, taking some 20 hours to reach the stricken area.
 
On Guadalcanal a team of Australian volunteers are praised for having helped to build a new dining hall at Tenakonga School, situated in the highlands North of East Guadalcanal.
 
The new 525 square metre dining hall will help the school cope with the ever increasing demand for facilities as student numbers continue to rise.
 
Thanks due as well to the second batch of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers who recently arrived in the country to serve.
 
Up to 10 volunteers have been dispatched to do voluntary work in Honiara and in the provinces.

Five of the group will be serving as health workers throughout the country while others will serve in different fields.

The first Japanese volunteers, who arrived in the country early this year, are currently going on well with their various tasks.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Frank Short

Time to reflect on a sports stadium in Honiara at the risk of it becoming a white elephant

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
DEAR Editor,
Solomon Islands is a nation of sports lovers and does exceptionally well at soccer, futsal, netball and more recently began to show prowess in field and track events.

It was no surprise when the Solomon Islands Government approached Taiwan to help the country host the 2023 South Pacific Games and build the main stadium at a proposed sports arena in Honiara.

The estimated cost of the stadium was given as $US23 million.

During the recent visit of the Taiwanese President and her 100 strong delegation to Honiara last week it was reported in the local media that no mention was made by the President during the visit of any funding by Taiwan for the stadium and many are left wondering if the idea to host the South Pacific Games in 6 years time will have to be shelved.

A sporting venue of the kind needed to host the South Pacific Games could not be built by the Solomon Islands Government alone being economically wounded and perhaps one might now pause to reflect whether, even if major donor funding can still be obtained, it would be practical to build a stadium that could very well become a white elephant like so many have turned out to be in South Africa, Brazil and in other countries that hosted international sporting events costing millions and where the supposed benefits of tourism following the grand events did not materialize.

As soon as the World Cup events ended in Brazil, the brand new arenas went largely unused and had to be adapted to other uses to recuperate losses. The stadium in Cuiaba is now used as a high school and its car park used as a parking lot for the city’s buses.

If the Solomon Islands were to eventually manage to organize the Games there would have to be value for money spent long after the final medal ceremony.

What would happen to the physical infrastructure after the Games for surely maintenance and proper usage of such things as the stadia, arenas, dining halls, sleeping quarters and so on would be a long term legacy?

Could such facilities be effectively re-purposed, reused and beneficial to the community?

A magnificent stadium lying empty and unused following the expensive legacy left by hosting the 2023 South Pacific Games is a situation too concerning to contemplate giving what $US23 million could do to help the prevailing drastic situation in providing medical care and health services in the Solomon Islands.

Hosting the grandest sporting event in the Pacific is one thing but surely if thereafter all one sees is a white elephant, given the outcomes in other countries as I have outlined, then there are other priorities that must be taken into consideration.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Closing submission on arson case today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CLOSING submission on the case against three men alleged of setting fire to five excavators in Rennell Island will be made in Honiara Magistrate Court today.

The accused men – Oea Tiki, Tangosia Jimmy and Taukia Willie, are alleged of burning machines of a logging company in Rennell

All three have denied the charge when arraigned in the Magistrate Court in Honiara.

Prosecution alleged that the incident occurred on May 12, 2016 at Rennell Island, Renbel province.

Prosecution said that the men set fire to five excavators owned by Samlimsan logging company.

A private lawyer is representing all the accused.

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