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Citizenship Bill not discriminatory

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE Citizenship Bill 2017 regulations have been drafted in a way to not be discriminatory as applicably possible.

This was a statement by Pamela Wilde, the Legal Policy Advisor of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA) before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) this week.

She made the statement in response to queries by the Chairman of the BLC, Hon Connelly Sandakabatu on the proposed legislation’s section that specifies spousal relationships.

“We were careful when the Bill was drafted so that it would be non-discriminatory,” Wilde added.

The Bill is non-discriminatory to persons with disabilities, race and religion who wish to acquire citizenship in Solomon Islands.

Pamela Wilde then highlighted that if a person is in a genuine de facto relationship considering the duration, financial commitments between the duo and mutual assets acquired during the duration of their de facto relationship, they too are able to apply for citizenship just as formally married couples.

Gov’t told to wait

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Leaders who took part during the meeting

Isabel leaders refuse government’s 12-month timeframe for Nickel project

BY BEN BILUA

GOVERNMENT plans to fast track the Isabel Nickel project is crushed by Isabel leaders’ decision to ‘take time’ on mineral developments in the province.

This week, Isabel leaders including Paramount Chief Bishop James Mason, Bishop of Isabel Diocese Ellison Quity, Premier of Isabel Province James Habu, Member of Parliament for Hograno Katova, Kia and Havilei, Opposition Leader Jeremiah Manele, gathered at Buala to be part of consultations organised by the government to review the Mining Policy.

Briefing the seminar, Bishop Mason warns the government not to take for granted the Isabel Nickel Project especially when land is concerned.

He said there are a lot of land disputes in Isabel and that Axiom and Sumitomo have fallen victims to these disputes.

Mason said the timeframe of 12 months scheduled by the government is not acceptable.

“This is because the Isabel Council of Chief (ICC) is still developing a land profile for 2016 to 2020.

“It would not be appropriate for any major development while the ICC is still to complete this task.

“ICC would like to first find out whether it would be better to have the Isabel Council of Chiefs to deal with land disputes or to leave the current process as it is,” he said.

Mason said the land belongs to Isabelians and it must be left to Isabelians to deal with their land.

He said ICC is in the process of having all customary lands registered before any development takes place.

On the same note, Bishop Mason emphasised that regulation to manage nickel development must be enacted separately from gold.

He stressed that the existing Mining Act and royalties are applicable only for gold and that Bauxite and Nickel are not covered.

Mason strongly emphasised the need for each mineral to have its own regulations.

He adds, Isabel has a youthful population and organised groups such as the Isabel Provincial Youth Forum, and such youth groups should be invited to the table to participate in decision making.

Mason said Isabel youths have the brains and expertise of Isabel hence should be granted the opportunity to decide their own future.

YWPG member shares experience at youth peacebuilding forum

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ms Grace Hilly Sharing her experience with the young audience.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SHARING her experience to the young individuals present at yesterday’s 2nd round of Youth Peacebuilding Forum was former chairlady and active member of YWPG (Young Women’s Parliamentary Group).

Ms Grace Hilly shared a brief story of how YWPG successfully brought forward a petition concerning short bus routes to parliament.

She mentioned that they saw these bus routes as expense draining, making money whilst leaving people with less in their pockets by the time they get home and so they were prompted to do something about it.

Ms Hilly said that FSII (Forum Solomon Islands International) a Facebook page catering to discussions, issues and opinions of Solomon Islanders, was supportive and through this medium they were able to get the petition signed.

Lastly, she stated that they were able to get the petition through parliament and successfully, it was tabled.

Leaving the audience with some advice, Ms Hilly expressed that because we are not parliamentarians we cannot directly raise issues that concern us so we have to find other ways to do so.

Adding on, she said that one way to do that is to work together, discuss the issue and after getting the support needed, consult a member of parliament who will be your voice on the parliament floor.

East Guale MP and GP praised

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JARED KOLI

SUPPORT from Member of Parliament (MP) for East Guadalcanal Constituency Bradley Tovosia and Guadalcanal Education Authority (GEA) in East Guadalcanal has been given praise.

Deputy Head Master of Saro Extension Primary School, Godfrey Lovoli thanked the two for supporting Saro Extension and Luguvasa primary school.

The Luguvasa Primary School which has been proposed to be elevated to a junior secondary school has received support on the renovation work, roofing irons and the development of a three-blocked classroom building from Hon Tovosia.

Lovoli said this is the first ever secondary school for Tetekaji ward the MP has supported to contribute on a two-storey classroom, two dormitories and a toilet each for girls and boys.

“The Guadalcanal Education Authority also steps in developing the classroom, a skeleton structure has already been erected,” he said.

He thanked the GEA and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) for approving a status of Saro extension primary.

“In previous years mother schools have difficulties with fund distributions, now parents are happy on the current development which has shown a green light.

“At the moment the school also receives support from the community with two staff house to be completed at the end of the year. Construction of a six block permanent classroom was started but still need support from stakeholders.

“Community has shown its commitment in cutting timber, and they have also engaged as labour-based contract on the construction of Avuavu – Marau road and use what they earned towards the six-block classroom,” Lovoli shared to this paper.

He said such support assist in uplifting quality education and quality learning environment which is one of the goals of the government.

“This allows student to access education in a conducive learning environment,” Mr Lovoli adds.

Saro Primary is an extension of Kolobaubau the mother school and now provides education to more than five communities.

Mr Lovoli said the school currently enrolls 90 students and has the service of five trained teachers and a Distance Flexible Learning (DFL) student teacher undergoing courses from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

Chocolate can be made in Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
CEMA’s Chief Produce Inspector Mr Patterson Siliota showcasing Solomon Islands-made chocolate during the World Food Day and Agriculture Show

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

SOLOMON Islands is realising its potential of producing local chocolate.

CEMA proved this this week, displaying samples of locally made chocolate in the World Food Day and agriculture show.

The Solomon Islands product contains 60 percent cocoa, 30 percent sugar and 10 percent cocoa butter, weighing 60g.

CEMA’s Chief Produce inspector, Mr Patterson Siliota said Solomon Islands has a high potential in producing chocolate, reiterating that we can do it and do away with importing the food.

He adds that our product also stands a chance in competing with the outside market.

Siliota said they have been working closely with the ministries of Commerce (MCILI) and Agriculture (MAL) to promote the initiative before allowing private sector stakeholders to take the commodity further.

“We worked with Ministry of Commerce and MAL to try improving production development of cocoa and coconut so that we can do locally which will create revenue and employment opportunities,” Siliota said.

Meanwhile, he shares that CEMA faces few challenges which include storage temperature, packaging and how to carry out processing in the country.

MAL Permanent Secretary, Mr Jimmi Saelea is happy that CEMA has shown the country its capacity to produce chocolate.

Through strongly introducing coconut and chocolate production in Solomon Islands, it will boost the country’s economy and provide opportunities for Solomon Islanders especially young people, he adds.

Premier Siapu urges Ugi people to allow wharf project

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Premier of MakiraUlawa province, Hon Stanley Siapu.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Premier of Makira-Ulawa province has called on the people of Ugi not to forgo the national wharf project proposed for the island.

Premier Standley Siapu made the statement in response to a demand of $SBD3.3 million made by a person from Ugi, demanding government to pay before any further progress be done regarding the project.

In a recent interview with this paper, the premier spoke of the importance of the project to the province and a need for his people and government to work together with the national government.

He said his executive is aware of the issue and is working with the ward-4 MPA to address the problem.

“We will work closely with the people of Ugi, the landowners, tribes and the government especially the commissioner of lands to address the issue.

“Because the title of the land is with commissioner, and this person is just given with a grant of profit to use the land.

“So we will be seeking the advice of the commissioner of land as to how we will best address the issue.

“He is just a one person and the whole of Ugi and the province like this development to be in our island and province,” Siapu said.

He reminds the people of Ugi that such developments are for everyone’s benefit, and that such projects are hard to come by, and urges them to consider letting the project to go ahead.

BLC to commence hearings into Dual Citizenship Bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

ACCORDING to the tentative hearing schedule provided by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) will commence hearings into the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017 tomorrow.

The objective of the Bill is to remove the Constitutional prohibition on dual citizenship and to clarify that holding dual citizenship prevents a person from being a Member of Parliament.

This will facilitate the return and reintegration of Solomon Islands citizens by birth or ancestry who lost their citizenship by reasons of marriage, forced labour or naturalisation in another country.

It will also allow naturalised Solomon Islands citizen to regain or retain their birth nationality.

The policy to allow citizenship of more than one country is an exponentially growing trend in the 21st century.

It provides social, economic, family, employment and study opportunities by providing ease of movement between country of origin and country of residence for eligible persons.

The proposed legislation will repeal section 23 of the Constitution on avoidance of dual nationality.

Section 49 of the Constitution will be amended as well on disqualifications from being a Member of Parliament (MP).

BLC commences inquiries into citizenship bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) commenced inquiries into the Citizenship Bill 2017 yesterday.

The objective of the Bill is to repeal and replace the Citizenship Act (Cap 57).

It defines who is a Solomon Islands citizen and sets clear and non-discriminatory criteria for regaining citizenship by Solomon Islanders by birth and for becoming citizens by naturalisation.

The Bill retains the current Citizenship Commission and removes Ministerial discretion from the citizenship process and establishes a Review Board of senior public office holders with relevant knowledge and experience to review the decisions of the Board.

The Bill allows eligible citizens to retain or regain their citizenship even if they are or become citizens of another nation.

The policy objective of the Bill is to allow Solomon Islanders by birth who have lost their citizenship to regain their citizenship and reconnect with their country of origin.

The Bill facilitates the reintegration and return of Solomon Islanders by ancestry and their children who have lost their citizenship through marriage, naturalisation or displacement due to forced labour.

The Bill also provides clear, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria and procedures for long term residents of Solomon Islands to obtain citizenship by naturalisation.

Common-assault man faces manslaughter

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Public Prosecution has amended the charge of common assault and substituted to that of manslaughter against Rubenson Samani yesterday.

Public Prosecutor John Zoze made the application to withdraw the common assault charge under section 190(2) b (i) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi then granted the application and substituted the new charge of manslaughter.

The prosecution said they are relying on the same set of facts that have been disclosed to the defence lawyer.

The case was then adjourned to October 24 to allow the accused’s lawyer to take instruction and also to decide on the form of inquiry to be conducted on the matter.

Ms Taeburi said the case will be committed to the High Court for trial as the charge has been increased to a more serious charge.

Prosecution also informed the court that the new charge has already been served to the defence lawyer.

NRH in desperate need of a CT scanner

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is in desperate need of a CT scanner.

What is a CT scanner and why the need?

A CT scanner gives images of soft tissues and can provide doctors with far more information that can be determined by undergoing an ultrasound or an ordinary x-ray.

It helps doctors make better diagnosis and also decisions on the management of patients.

In the case of, say a patient comes to the NRH with a head injury, undergoing a CT scan, as opposed to just an x-ray, can guide the doctor in deciding what best intervention is needed.

Enquiries I have instigated have shown CT scanners are very expensive to buy and at the NRH an additional facility would need to be built to accommodate it.

One potential supplier of ‘pre-owned’ CT scanners in Taipei, Taiwan, has told me this week that to supply the NRH with a pre-owned Phillips Brillance 16 slices CT scanners, together with the supply of tools and manpower needed to help with installation, would cost the Solomon Islands Government about USD 160,000. (SBD$1,241,160.)

Without a CT scanner the NRH is inadequately equipped to be able to effectively deal and treat those patiently admitted to hospital with moderate to severe injuries, especially head injuries, no matter how diligently the NRH’s doctors work.

The NRH, being the main referral centre in the Solomon Islands, has the ultimate responsibility for the medical care of a population now around 650,000, if recent estimates of population figures are correct, but is devoid of the one essential tool, a CT scanner, already in use in Nauru with a tiny population and in Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa, Papua New Guinea and likely, also, in Fiji.

I would earnestly appeal, once more, to Solomon Islands regional donor partners, particularly, the Government of the Republic of China (on Taiwan), the Government of Japan, Australia and New Zealand to help the Solomon Islands Government and the NRH to quickly acquire a CT scanner, help built the facility to house it, and so ensure proper medical diagnosis is given to hospital patients who are risk without the intervention and use of such a diagnostic tool and in the circumstances I have outlined.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

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