BY MORRIS NAFU

Community leaders of Milestone settlement behind Borderline area in East Honiara have acted to ensure peace following the alleged murder of a young man over the weekend.

The killing occurred at Jacob’s Ladder in the Milestone area within the vicinity of Mamulele in east Honiara.

Community elders came forward with cash money of $10,000 along with one Malaita shell Money (tafuliae) and Kwaio shell Money (Ba’aniu) believing the killers are from Kwaio district in Malaita Province.

The suspects’ representatives said the money presented was only a “peace money” to ease the tense situation between both parties with reconciliation and compensation will be further discussed after police completes its investigation.

The community elders expressed their regret and sympathy to the deceased’s family and relatives saying they support police to hold those involved to face the law.

“On behalf of the Milestone community and the people of Kwaio we regret to see this inhuman action taking the life of an innocent young man as we plead for the people of Makira and the relatives of the deceased to accept our sincere apology,” the elders said.

“We understand that words cannot take back the life of the young man but we ask your forgiveness and we promise to help the police in whatever we can to put those involve to face the full force of the law.”

In response, Member for East Makira and the Minister of Agriculture Franklyn Derek Wasi accepted the peace offering while expressing the deep loss faced by the family and demanded full force of the law to be taken against those involved in the killing.

“We don’t demand for any amount but we accept anything you offer as life is worth more than anything.

“All we need now is justice to be served for the loss of our young man,” he said.

The money was accepted by Wasi along with Member of Parliament for West Makira and Minister of Mines and Energy Derrick Rawcliff Manuari along with relatives of the deceased.

The ceremony was conducted at the central Police station with the Naha Police commander mediating the ceremony.

Police media however confirmed the police have taken steps into the issue with five suspects arrested on May 17, among them a female. Another two suspects are still at large.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta said the Serious Crime Unit under the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), supported by Naha police, is investigating the murder incident.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Gordon Darcy Lilo, Central Honiara Member of Parliament and Independent member has strongly suggested that government apply direct tax on capital gains.

Speaking on the floor of parliament on Monday, May 12 he said the country is missing taxation and stamp duty is not enough to get the real value of income that is moving around.

Lilo said there are only two forms of tax and they are direct tax and indirect tax.

While direct tax is paid directly by a person or organization, indirect tax is tax passed off by the government on goods and services.

He stressed that one form of direct tax is to tax capital gains; a tax on the profit when you sell something such as an asset that has increased in its value.

Lilo said this involves taxing the wealthier.

“There is huge money going around in the country right now. Assets have been transferred from one to the other.”

Lilo said as Solomon Islands is a small economy, we have to balance this now in the way we apply tax.

He reiterated that they must choose to apply direct tax or indirect tax, balance the two or not.

Lilo encouraged government that given the current situation, taxing capital gains is one avenue that should be taken.

“So, my submission is this. If you want to strengthen the fiscal situation more, you need to tax now.”

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Manasseh Maelanga, Member of Parliament for East Malaita and member of the Independent Group stressed on the execution of policies in parliament on Monday, May 12.

In early remarks, he said the National Buildings Standard Bill, the re-establishment of the Public Works Department and the Provincial Works Department and a new draft Government Vehicle Policy are positive steps, however are not new ideas.

Maelanga mentioned that many of these policies were initiated or drafted in previous terms.

Speaking of policies, he expressed that the test now is not policy design but in executing these policies.

In terms of infrastructure, Maelanga voiced that today, we often see ground-breaking ceremonies followed by silence.

He added that there are roads after having being laid, crumble within a season and commissioned buildings without water or electricity.

“This must change.”

He pointed out that infrastructure must reflect total value, not just cost, but quality, longevity, accessibility and community belief.

Maelanga, said it has been a previous challenge and will continue to be a challenge for the hard-working officers of the Ministry of Infrastructure (MID).

He stated that building new roads and maintaining our infrastructures will always be a national challenge until we have a permanent fixed rate.

“I encourage the government and our new Minister for Infrastructure to consider establishing a National Infrastructure Delivery Authority with the capacity and autonomy to implement complex projects.”

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The newly appointed Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), Dereck Manu’ari says major reforms are currently underway in the ministry.

Speaking in parliament this week, Manu’ari said a major agenda among them is the “Minerals Resources Bill 2025” which is now before parliament.

The bill reflects the commitment of MMERE to carry out a wide-range of reform on important areas under the ministry. 

Seeking clarity on MMERE’s program, Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale has this week, questioned the ministry, cited GNUT’s 100 days policy, as they promised reformed on the mining sector.

He referred to the promise as “largely unfulfilled” while no progress is observed to separate administrative and regulatory powers, leaving the sector vulnerable to ongoing unchecked ministerial control.

He added although a Mining Cadastre System was introduced, the system can be bypassed and enforcement mechanisms remain weak.

“Promised reforms to outdated mining laws and stronger environmental protections have yet to materialize. Revenue transparency and benefit-sharing with resource owners remain distant goals.

Despite bold claims of mining sector transformation, the reality is that governance weaknesses persist, reforms are stalled and the promised new era for sustainable mining has yet to begin.

At this time, the minerals beneath our soil continue to be exploited and one fears, at a loss to the government and resource owners,” Wale said.

In a gesture of response, Minister Manuari highlighted some of the significant reform programs MMERE is currently pursuing.

He emphasized that one of the major reform agendas of the Ministry is the Minerals Resource Bill 2025, which is now before parliament.

“The bill reflects solemn duty to ensure the mining sector operates transparently, sustainably in the best interest of Solomon Islanders, particularly our resource owners.

The reform holds a significant potential to contribute meaningfully to the economic development and prosperity of our country,” Manu’ari said.

The minister echoed that far too long, the mining sector has been operated under outdated laws and fragmented regulatory frameworks that no longer reflected the complexity of modern mining industry.

Meanwhile, Manu’ari said the aim of the Minerals Resource Bill 2025 is to establish a clear, transparent and legal framework that responsibilities and processes across all stakeholders; government, landowners, investors and communities.

He added it gears to strengthen governance and regulatory oversight that involve regulatory bodies to ensure robust balance and enforcement mechanisms.

Manu’ari said in terms of operation, the bill promotes social environmental safeguard in operations and includes free prior and inform concept and mandatory Community Development Agreements (CDA).

He noted that it also aimed at revising royalties and implementing strategy transfer of revenue sharing mechanisms to ensure fair return to landowners, communities and the nation.

Moreover, the minister stated that the bill is designed to attract quality and long-term investments and to provide legal certainty while aligned with global standards.

While the bill is before parliament, he stressed the focus is also on national ownership and interest of resource owners that mineral remains the property of the state.

At the same time, Manu’ari said the bill recognises community rights and participations, where landowners and communities are the active partners in the mining sector.

He mentioned that the bill will also encourage community reserve areas or permits for communities under small scale mining activities.

The minister assured that there is a lot to the bill that is designed to address loopholes currently experienced in the mining sector.

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