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New Zealand take my hands charitable trust nominated for a sustainable business award

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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IN New Zealand, the charitable trust that has freighted containers of medical supplies and equipment for the NRH for the past 12 months has been named one of 12 finalists in the “Partnering for Good” category of the Sustainable Business Network Awards.
 According to a bulletin broadcast on Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) last week, the charity was nominated for its work sourcing useable medical supplies and equipment in New Zealand for the Solomon Islands’ main hospital in Honiara.
Quoting from the RNZI bulletin it said:-
“Take My Hands’ Janette Searle says their model involves partnering with New Zealand businesses and health boards to try and fill a needs list compiled by the hospital and the Solomons Ministry of Health.
“The first project we sent a 40 foot container of hospital beds that got used in the paediatric wards. And since then we have sent three other 20 foot containers. And all of it has been in response to the needs list that they have sent us. The awesome side of it for us is when we get stories about how it is being used and how it is improving healthcare for people in need over there.”
“Janette Searle says the charity continues to work in Solomon Islands but has also been to Fiji and Tonga to see what needs exist there and find out if they can do anything to help address them.
“The winners of the different categories of the NZI Business Network Awards will be announced at a black tie gala ceremony on Auckland’s waterfront on 30th November.”
 
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

The political dimensions of a corruption cleanup

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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JANUS continues to widen its net and now one reads that a warrant of arrest was issued last Friday for the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening. 
The latest arrest follows closely on the heels of several Permanent Secretaries having been arrested for alleged corruption offences.
As a consequence of these anti-corruption pursuits it came as something of a surprise that the Prime Minister withdrew the anti-corruption bill when it was re-introduced in Parliament again last week.
The withdrawal provoked an outcry against the withdrawal by the Opposition Parliamentary Group, citing the Prime Minister had lied and was even misleading the nation on his avowed intention to introduce the anti-corruption legislation.
There appears to have been a public reaction to the withdrawal of the anti-corruption bill with members of civil society organisations and concerned citizens meeting in public forums to discuss ways to revive the bill.
The PM in response to the criticism has promised a new version of the anti-corrupt bill next Parliament sitting, accusing the Opposition of inciting an anti-government atmosphere.
Prime Minister Sogavare has reiterated that the withdrawn bill was weak and had to be completely withdrawn to make way for a newer version which will carry improvements from recommendations by the Bills and Legislations Committee (BLC).
The new version he says will be fool-proof compared to the withdrawn bill, and will contain huge changes that promote its integrity.
The PM has reassured the nation that the new version of the Anti-Corruption Bill will be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament.
It is understood some the changes the PM has envisaged will include:-
(a)           The qualification of would-be Commissioners and duration of their appointments;
(b)            Members of the Select Committee to scrutinise applicants and recommend appointment of Commissioners;
(c)             Recognition of the role to be played by the Steering Committee overseeing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy implementation;
(d)            Improvements to the way complaints are handled as well as when investigating them;
(e)            Procedure to return proceeds of corruption;
(f)              Reinstating section 374 of the Penal Code – Corrupt Practices and 375 of the Penal Code – Secret Commissions on Government Contracts which were meant to be repealed in the 2016 version of the Anti-Corruption Bill;
(g)             as well as a number of drafting improvements to the Bill.
 The PM has further explained that such changes have already been made to the ACB and because there are numerous and substantive changes to the 2016 version, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet agreed with the opinion of the Attorney General’s Chambers that it will be better to present an entirely new Anti-Corruption Bill.
After 14 long years of RAMSI with coaching on the codes of governance, I like many in the Solomon Islands want to see the introduction of the anti-corruption legislation on the statute books but I suspect, as last week illustrated, there are political dimensions along the way in implementing a corruption clean-up.
I am far from the local scene and I would need to wait and see what the revised anti-corruption bill will encompass, apart from what the PM has mentioned about the draft changes, but my concerns centre on some core issues and reasons why ‘corrupt’ behaviour takes place and is rarely sanctioned.  These are:-
(1) A lack of “ethics of those with responsibility.”
(2) An unwillingness to denounce or prosecute those who are corrupt, although JANUS has so-far been effective in exposing those alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices.
(3) A lack of truly “independent checking mechanisms” See also No. (8)
(4) The “grey area” between custom and corruption
(5) Abuse of affirmative action policies
 (6) The prevalence of slush funds and of nepotism
(7) Secrecy surrounding campaign financing.
(8) Allegations regarding the use and distribution of funds paid to MPs for rural projects and development
(8) Bribing of voters, and
(9) Allegations regarding tendering and the awarding of contracts.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Mass resignation threat

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Magistrates on stand-by to quit jobs over housing allowance, no response from Gov’t

 

By Alfred Sasako

 

GOVERNMENT lawyers in the Magistrates Court have threatened to resign en masse unless their housing allowance is increased to $7,500 a month immediately, sources told Island Sun.

The threat was contained in a letter sent to Secretary to Cabinet (STC), James Remobatu about a month ago. It is understood the Chief Justice was also copied in on the letter.

But to date there has been no response by the Government.

Mr Remobatu was sent an email yesterday afternoon about the matter but there was no response from him.

It is understood lawyers serving as Magistrates are receiving $5,000 in rentals per month.

However due to price increases in accommodation rentals, the lawyers now feel the current rental allowance is not sufficient.

As a result, they have asked the government to consider raising the rate to $7,500 a month. It is understood this week is the deadline.

Many are understood to have lined up outside jobs with better terms and conditions.

“They have threatened to resign en masse if their request is not approved. Should that happen it would be a huge blow to the courts, which in the 18 months has seen a huge increase in criminal cases,” one observer told Island Sun yesterday.

“Cases of rapes and other criminal activities have increased substantially in the last 18 months and no one seems to place a finger on the reason(s) for this.

“It could well be that policing has been effective or that individuals have become aware of their rights and report these to police,” the observer said.

The observer said should Magistrates resign en masse, there would a huge backlog in cases.

Abuse in PFMA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

 

THE Opposition says there has been abuse in some of the provisions of the Public Financial Management Act.

Leader of the Official Opposition Hon Jeremiah Manele made the statement on the floor of Parliament yesterday.

He made the statement in response to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon Snyder Rini’s second reading speech on Tuesday.

“Mr. Speaker, in his Second Reading Speech yesterday, the Minister as expected has outlined the legal basis and framework for the Supplementary Appropriation Bill before the House.

“These include section 102(3) of the Constitution and sections 51, 58, and 60 of the Public Financial Management Act.

“Sir, I have no difficulties with these provisions.

“My difficulty is that we have been abusing some of these provisions due to deficiencies in our planning and budgeting capacities, as well as our inability to work and live within our means.

“This is not a predictable world but a few of the expenditures that keep on appearing in our supplementary appropriation bills including the one before us, are not unforeseen but forseen ones, expenditure or commitments that we knew in advance hence should have budgeted for them in the original budget,” the Leader of the Official Opposition said.

He then added that they knew three years ago that RAMSI was going to leave us at the end of June 2017, well before the 2017 budget launch and formulation in 2016.

This was also outlined in various amendments and adjustments to the original 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2017, that the Minister has outlined in his speech.

“I am sure these changes will be clearer when we go through the various heads and tables during the Committee of Supply.

“Mr. Speaker, the issue of shifting funds or reallocation of funds between budget heads to meet expenditure as raised by the PAC in its report, is a serious one,” Manele added.

He then further stated that this has the potential to undermine the credibility of the projects and programs in the development budget.

“If in deed these are savings then it could mean that the projects or programs in the development budget were either over costed or the Ministry concerned lacks the capacity to implement the project, hence cannot spend the funds,” Hon Jeremiah Manele said.

Donated equipment and medical supplies for the NRH being held up

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A 20 ft container of much needed medical equipment and supplies for the NRH was shipped by Take My Hands (TMH) charitable trust in New Zealand in late June this year and arrived in Honiara prior to 10 July.
The container has, reportedly, been left at the SIPA wharf awaiting clearance pending the payment of the requisite handling charges requested from the local Ministry of Finance.
It is claimed that other container supplies sent by several charitable donors for the NRH are also being held up at the wharf for the same reason.
My information is that the NRH requested the money to cover the charges for the container from TMH more than 7 weeks ago and it is likely the NRH did the same for the other containers I have mentioned, although I have no information I can give to support such a claim.
While the Ministry of Finance can take credit for its successful JANUS operations in close-cooperation with the RSIPF, it is most unfortunate that the Ministry is being criticized by some prominent citizens for its slowness in meeting the payment needs of other Ministries and the MOHMS/NRH in particular.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Reported unrest at Kazukuru Lipa point

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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YESTERDAY Thursday, 31 August, I received news that there was a tense situation at Kazukuru Lipa point in the Western Province where a second attempt was then underway by Gallego Resources, a logging company, to land their equipment on Kazukuru customary land but there was strong resistance from disgruntled landowners.
The report went on to claim the loggers had called on the police from Munda to prevent the resistance and allow the logging equipment to be unloaded.
A follow-up report claimed that police, numbering in the twenties with riot gear, were deployed from Noro, Gizo and Munda and allegedly allowed the loggers to unload their equipment against the wishes of the angry landowners.
I am reliably informed that the situation on the ground remains intense and potentially troublesome as I pen this note.
Policing incidents involving landowners and logging companies needs careful handling and special attention must be taken to ensure the police are impartial and acting within the law for fear of being seen as favouring one side or the other or acting themselves unlawfully.
My informant claims there is an air of suspicion in this reported incident since the police responded to a call from the loggers and not from the landowners who remain angry that logging equipment has been landed on their customary land, allegedly, without lawful permission.
While there is such a suspicion, it might be useful if the police media office could respond to the allegations and also say what action is taken to monitor a likely flare-up situation at Kazukuru.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

PM speaks out

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister

Promises new version of anti-corrupt bill next Parliament sitting, accuses Opp of inciting anti-gov’t atmosphere

 

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has rebutted the Opposition, labelling their outcry on the withdrawal of the Anti-Corruption Bill 2016 as ‘shocking’ and ‘completely unnecessary’.

Instead, he counters that the Opposition had cunningly tried to prevent the withdrawal of a bill which they had known fully well to be weak and easy to be manipulated.

He adds that the Opposition had intended to lure public into thinking that both he and his government had gone back on their promise to fight corruption.

However, in a media statement, Sogavare reiterates that the withdrawn bill was weak and had to be completely withdrawn to make way for a newer version which carries improvements from recommendations by the Bills and Legislations Committee (BLC).

The new version he says is fool-proof compared to the withdrawn bill, and contains huge changes that promotes its integrity.

He reassures the nation that the new version of the Anti-Corruption Bill will be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament.

According to PMO statement, “The furore about the withdrawal of the Anti-Corruption Bill 2016 was completely unnecessary and strongly gave the impression that the Prime Minister and the DCC Government is reneging on its promise to fight corruption.

This perception is absolutely misleading and manifestly incorrect.

The Prime Minister would like to reassure the Public that the Democratic Coalition for Change Government is committed to ‘the fight against corruption’ and that the Anti-Corruption Legislation remains the top priority of the DCCG.

It must be noted that the Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) is part of an Anti-Corruption legislation package which includes the Ombudsman Act 2017 and the Whistleblowers Protection Bill.

Ombudsman Act 2017 has been passed by Parliament and the Whistleblowers Protection Bill is still in Parliament.

Why was it withdrawn?

The Anti-Corruption Bill 2016 that is now before Parliament was initially approved by Cabinet before submitting to Parliament.

“As a matter of process, all bills must be presented for scrutiny by the Bills and Legislation Committee, a Standing Parliamentary Select Committee, before it is presented in Parliament for debate.” The Prime Minister stated.

The Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) consists of the following persons:

 

(1)            Hon Connelly Sandakabatu- Chairman

(2)            Hon Dr Culwick Togamana

(3)            Hon Rick Houenipwela

(4)            Hon Jeremiah Manele

(5)            Hon Namson Tran

(6)            Hon Matthew Wale

(7)            Hon Steve Abana

(8)            Hon Dr Derek Sikua

(9)            Hon Commins Mewa

(10)         Hon Peter Tom

Having gone through Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC), a Report was produced which contained recommendations on the ACB. The executive summary of the Report stated, inter alia, the following:

“The Bill proposes to establish the Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption (SIICAC). An authority that is tasked to receive, process, investigate and refer for prosecution any corruption complaints referred to it by the public and or whistleblowers.

From the outset, the Committee believes that the Bill was hastily drafted and has not gone through a thorough robust consultation. The Committee is of the firm view that a better and more effective model was not considered in the consultations. As a result, the oversight model proposed in the bill may not be the best to combat corruption in Solomon Islands.

Some of the clauses proposed in the Bill could weaken the integrity of the Commission such as; the membership of the nominating Committee who are politicians or politically appointed and the process for their appointment, the non-inclusion of provisions against unjust enrichment, the vulnerability of the Commission as a result of the necessary budgetary process and resourcing, and the use of custom as a defence.

The Committee makes sixteen (16) recommendations under this Bill and urges the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) as the sponsors of the Bill, to seriously consider the recommendations and make the necessary amendments.”

A full copy of the Report can sourced from the National Parliament or online at www.parliament.gov.sb. It must be clearly stated that the Report did not recommend the Bill for Parliament as stated by the Opposition in Parliament on Monday 28th August 2017.

Not only were recommendations provided by BLC but independent reviews were also conducted which provided recommendations.

As such, a decision was made to withdraw the ACB which has gone through its first reading, simply because of the amount of proposed changes to be made to the 2016 version.

It must also be noted that the proposed changes to several clauses in the ACB contained substantive changes and they are necessary.

These include changes, inter alia, to:

(a)           the qualification of would-be Commissioners and duration of their appointments;

(b)            members of the Select Committee to scrutinise applicants and recommend appointment of Commissioners;

(c)             recognition of the role to be played by the Steering Committee overseeing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy implementation;

(d)            improvements to the way complaints are handled as well as when investigating them;

(e)            procedure to return proceeds of corruption;

(f)              reinstating section 374 of the Penal Code – Corrupt Practices and 375 of the Penal Code – Secret Commissions on Government Contracts which were meant to be repealed in the 2016 version of the Anti-Corruption Bill;

(g)             as well as a number of drafting improvements to the Bill.

These changes have already been made to the ACB and because there are numerous and substantive changes to the 2016 version, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet agreed with the opinion of the Attorney General’s Chambers that it will be better to present an entirely new Anti-Corruption Bill.

“Technically, the Government cannot commence the legislative process of this newer version of the Bill while the 2016 version of the Bill is still alive on the agenda of Parliament.” Said the Prime Minister.

Like all other Bills, Cabinet needs to approve the newer version of the Anti-Corruption Bill before it is transmitted to Parliament for enactment. But Cabinet cannot consider a newer version of the Bill unless the 2016 version (already ‘on the floor of the House’) is totally withdrawn.

This session of Parliament presented the opportunity for the Prime Minister to do exactly that.

“With Parliament approval obtained this week, the Cabinet is now ready to consider the newer version of the Bill so it can be ready for the next sitting of Parliament.” The Prime Minister added.

Position of the Opposition

The position taken by the members of the Opposition and Independent group is quite disturbing.

Out of the ten members of the BLC who saw the Bill as weak, recommended that a lot work needed to be done to strengthen the Bill and that the Bill needed necessary amendments, eight (8) voted NO to withdrawing it.

Therefore, having advocated for a more robust legislative regime including making amendments, the Member of the BLC themselves voted to have the Bill kept in Parliament for Parliament to pass.

Therefore as a consequence, by voting no to the withdrawal, the Opposition and Independent Members wanted to keep in parliament a bill that could contain loopholes and a weak bill.

By voting no, the Opposition and Independent Members clearly are advocating for a bill that they can easily exploit. None of the Opposition Members nor Independent Members advocated for an improved bill. That is quite disturbing.

“Is the intention of the Opposition to ensure that a weak bill is passed so they (Opposition Members and Independent Members) can exploit it? Is it the intention of the Opposition and Independent group to ensure that they exploit the loopholes in the Bill?”

“So whose interest are they advocating?” The Prime Minister questioned.

What is next?

The DCC Government wishes therefore to assure the country that the new version of the Anti-Corruption Bill will be brought to Parliament for enactment during the next sitting of Parliament.

“This is a commitment – a crusade – the DCC Government had pledged to pursue and we will deliver on it as we have promised in our manifesto”, Prime Minister Sogavare said.

–OPMC PRESS

Environmental sustainability

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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IT has been reported recently that the community of Barana on Mt Austen, Guadacanal, is determined to re-plant trees and protect the ecosystems in a proposed park.
At a community consultation organised last week by SPREP through the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC) project and the Ministry of Environment, the community indicated great interest to champion appropriate ecosystem-based adaption activities to build their resilience to climate change.
I congratulate all concerned in focusing on tree-planting, protecting the ecosystem and working towards environmental sustainability at a time when climate change poses increasing threats to livelihoods in the Solomon Islands.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Serving the charitable needs of the Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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IN March 2015, I launched my personal website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com that I painstakingly designed and funded for the sole purpose of aiding good causes in the Solomon Islands with an emphasis on illustrating locally made wooden carvings and artefacts, but with a more serious focus on helping the SI MOHMS and the NRH in particular.
 
In launching the website I had no political motives or affiliations and how could I since I left the Solomons in July 1999.
 
My leaving was premature, as anyone whom has read my book ‘Policing a Clash of Cultures’ will understand, but having sworn an oath of office to serve the Solomon Islands in 1997 I felt, and still do, that I have a moral obligation to fulfil to the people of the Solomons by helping out in whatever way I can, whether by encouragement, tangible support, or simply expressing appreciation and thanks to the many who often go unrecognised for the help they give to others.
 
My early work in pursuing charitable causes brought me into contact with a New Zealand based charitable trust, ‘Take My Hands,’ based in Auckland.
 
I had discovered that this charity was engaged in shipping donated but surplus medical equipment and medical supplies to several regional countries, including Nepal, Pakistan and Fiji.
 
It occurred to me that I might get similar help for the MOHMS in the Solomons and I entered into communication with the organization and its principal director, Ms Janette Searle.
 
Over time, I was instrumental in getting the charity and the MOHMS/NRH to enter into a formal MOU for regular shipments of 20 ft containers of supplies much needed by the NRH in particular.
 
The latest container, one of several in the past, arrived in Honiara just prior to the 10 July this year but it has remained at the SIPA wharf because, as I understand the situation, the Ministry of Finance has not made available the necessary funds for the NRH to uplift the container and put the contents to use, albeit much needed.
 
Prior to negotiating for a formal MOU with the parties I have mentioned, I sought help locally by writing to the media for a donation to help freight a container of needs I had ascertained were required by the SIDT, the HOH charity, the Association for Persons with Disabilities and Women’s’ Refuge Centres.
 
I was contacted by Mr J Sy on behalf of the SFA and who donated in excess of NZ$12,000 directly to TMH in New Zealand to arrange for the shipment of the supplies that had been requested by the NGO’s I have mentioned.
 
That container is still to be freighted but TMH told me today (Wednesday, 30 August 2017) that much of the requested items, including furniture, clothing, beds and mobility equipment are already in TMH’s warehouse and a sailing date is being arranged.
 
TMH’s Director, Ms Searle, explained to me that following the terrible earthquake which occurred in Nepal the donated supplies collected for the Solomon Islands NGOs had to be diverted on humanitarian grounds.
 
I am aware that there has been some local media reports recently concerning alleged politically motivated donations of funds and the supply of goods and materials, including a truck, to the HOH charity based on Malaita, by the SFA but I challenge anyone to claim that the help I received to provide much needed help for the local NGO’s, or the NRH was in any way motivated by politics.
 
Sometimes it is best that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones, especially if ignorant of all the facts about which they allege things.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Frank Short

Micah ruled out of first leg in Auckland

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Micah Lea’alafa will miss the first leg of the clash between Solomon Islands and the New Zealand All Whites in Auckland tomorrow evening

By Romulus Huta

NATIONAL soccer coach Felipe Vega-Arango Alonso has confirmed that key attacker Micah Lea’alafa will not play in the first leg of the Stage 3 Finals of the Oceania World Cup against the New Zealand All Whites tomorrow in Auckland.

This follows the delay of the midfielder’s visa to enter New Zealand where he was not able to travel with the team when they left Honiara on Sunday.

However, the Spaniard said he had already worked out a replacement and at the moment he is not counting on Micah given the visa delay problem.

Micah is one of the key players in Alonso’s line-up and also a regular starter.

“Micah is not going to be here. I don’t think so. I’m not counting on him and I will have to switch one position to cater for his absence,” he said.

Alonso stressed that everything happens for a reason and Micah’s absence will make room for others to come out and show to the world that they can go on to the next level.

“I don’t think that the players see that as an opportunity because life is strange and everything happens for a reason.

“Maybe that opens up for someone to show to the world he can go to the next level. I think it’s going to be good for us,” he said.

The match this Friday will kick off 6.30pm (Solomon Islands Time) at the QBE Stadium and Alonso already knew what’s at stake going into the match and also what’s in front of them.

“The players have been training hard. I think they are concentrating a lot on the opportunity they have in front of them.

“They understand the game they are going to play.

“They understand they are going to play against a professional team.

“They understand it’s going to be tough.

“They understand that it’s a good opportunity for them to show themselves to all the coaches, to all the clubs and it’s also an opportunity to showcase their level of football because they are coming from an amateur setting. They want to progress and be better at football so it’s a great opportunity,” he explained.

Alonso added that New Zealand hasn’t lost a game in the region for quite a while and indicated zero comfort level for Solomon Islands but all they need to do is just step up and be positive.

The Spaniard had ruled out cold weather as an important factor to worry about ahead of the game but it’s the difference of the players in the two teams which really matters.

“Practice this week has been good because the most important thing was to adjust to the weather and to the field conditions and luckily it’s not been that cold and at this moment I don’t think the weather will be a too much of a factor. I think the important factor is the difference of the level of players in both teams. The weather, I don’t think it’s going to be too much,” Alonso stated.

The second leg of the Oceania finals will be played in Honiara Tuesday next week.

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