BY LORETTA B MANELE

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology’s (MECDM) Environment and Conservation Division and Climate Change Division are working together to finalise the integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Mangrove Management Policy (MMP).

Agnetha Vave Karamui, Chief Conservation Officer with the Environment and Construction Division spoke about this to the paper at an Internal Review Workshop for the ICZM Mangrove Management Policy held for the ministry at Rock Haven yesterday.

She said they support government programs for environment conservation activities in the country and mangroves is an important ecosystem in the country.

“In the Solomon Islands, we have at least estimated to be 63,000 hectares of mangrove area.

Communities mainly depend on mangroves for food and livelihood and as means of earning money from resources taken from mangroves.”

She stressed that however managing mangroves can be difficult and a challenge for the Solomon Islands government and local communities.

“So, in this case, from the Environment and Conservation Division, we are working with the Climate Change Division, to develop a mangrove policy for the government.”

She explained that this is so that the government can be clear on how it can work with its partners to manage and look after mangroves.

Karamui said the workshop is for divisions in MECDM to come together and agree on the policy framework in terms of what it will look like, it’s mission, vision and the core objectives of it.

She mentioned that their aim is to finalize the mangroves framework by this year and with the support of the MACBLUE (Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems)  project implemented by GIZ, SPC and SPREP, they are conducting a series of consultations.

Karamui said because these two divisions have separate roles they have to sit down and come together and agree on the policy.

“Because the climate change division looks after climate change adaptation and mitigation issues and we, the environment division look after protection, conservation, management and restoration of mangroves.

So, we have to sit down together for agreement. So, that’s basically the purpose of the meeting today.”

Karamui stated that they have a draft that had undergone a lot of consultations last year and they have now come to a point of preparing a final draft of the policy.

She said the final draft will go through in-house consultation before stakeholders can have a look at it and finally it will then be put forward to cabinet for endorsement.

Karamui noted that this will be the first time for the government to get a policy on mangroves, a specific ecosystem policy.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

A key outcome of consultations for MECDM’s Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Mangrove Management Policy (MMP) is the need for more inclusive decision-making processes.

According to the MACBLUE (Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) project, there is need of more inclusive decision-making processes that integrate the perspectives of both the state and customary land owners.

The MACBLUE Project, implemented jointly by GIZ, SPC and SPREP, has been supporting the government in developing and refining its legal and policy framework for the protection and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves and seagrasses. 

This policy is part of a broader Integrated Coastal Zone Management framework and has undergone several rounds of consultations and revisions, supported by Solomon Islands National University SINU, Korea Environment Institute (KEI), Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).

The finalization of the Mangrove Management Policy represents a significant milestone in strengthening the governance and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems in the Solomon Islands.

Sammie Airahui, National Project Coordinator for the MACBLUE project in Solomon Islands explained that after having just finished the draft policy, funding stopped.

“We have just finished the draft stage of it, but somehow this project was lost to the CTCN, and the funding has stopped.”

However, he expressed that MACBLUE willingly stepped in to carry out the remaining internal review, plus the stakeholder validation workshop.

“MACBLUE has stepped in to facilitate the last few workshops that remain when finalising this document.”

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Gordon Darcy Lilo, Member of parliament for Central Honiara constituency has been lauded for withdrawing the Motion of No confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

Rick Hou, Member of parliament for Small Malaita constituency acknowledged Lilo for withdrawing the motion whilst speaking in parliament on Tuesday, May 6th.

He thanked Lilo for the wisdom to take the action of removing the motion of which he expressed was like removing an uncertainty that probably almost became a certainty.

Hou said now they can feel a bit at ease and give time for new ministers to settle down in their ministries.

He also mentioned the movement of members of parliament.

Hou stressed that there are MPs who want to join the government, those who want to join the Opposition and then there are also those who want to go outside.

He emphasized that this is something they have to set right so that those who want to go everywhere don’t go anywhere.

Hou also extended his gratitude to the public for their support ands prayers throughout the period of time leading up to the motion.

“I’d like to join the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition to acknowledge the support of the public.”

Hou thanks the public for ensuring that the situation of country is steady as in such times, people can feel frightened.

He said schools had to miss the day’s lessons and several business houses also closed for the day,

“We want to thank the general public for understanding the situation.”

He noted that now the country should be back to normalcy.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai has lauded veteran politicians for showing maturity in parliament.

He expressed this in parliament on May 5, Tuesday afternoon after the Motion of No Confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele was withdrawn.

Bosawai in initial remarks acknowledged the new and young ministers.

Meanwhile, he also thanked the public for their support and sincerely acknowledged veteran politicians for their maturity in the chamber especially in a time where there was a lot of movements prior to the day set for the motion to commence.

Moreover, Bosawai stressed that the paramount importance is to put priority to our country and moving forward on how to develop it.

“So, that our people can see the output, return of our investment into what we have, in terms of our policy framework.”

Bosawai told parliament that he was not active for about a week in his ministry so he acknowledges Gordon Darcy Lilo, Member of Parliament for Central Honiara for withdrawing the motion.

“So that I can go back and put more effort into my ministry which is a very important ministry for us.”

“Health is for all, and so I want to sincerely acknowledge everyone for the maturity that we have until today, where a motion was withdrawn.”

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Understanding the use of GIS and remote sensing tools is important to communities that are part of the ongoing conservation activities in the country.

Tracey Vunagi, a female Lecturer at SINU who participated in a week-long workshop on geospatial analysis, using open-source GIS and remote sensing tools, told Island Sun in an interview.

A total of 19 representatives from Government ministries and the national university participated in the week-long workshop on geospatial analysis of seagrass and mangrove ecosystems and carbon stock assessment, using open-source GIS and remote sensing tools.

The MACBLUE project, supported by the Government, held at the King Solomon Hotel, started on Monday, 28 April and concludes on Friday, 2nd May.

As part of the project, the technical skills sharing workshops include mapping seagrass and mangrove as well as guidance on accessing, analysing, and monitoring changes over time.

“Many of these communities sometimes depend on the traditional or assumptions to collect data or information. However, with this workshop, we will help communities familiarise themselves with the tool,’’ said Miss Vunagi.

“For example, they might be unaware of a large area of mangrove destroyed in the communities due to logging or mining, so with these remote sensing and GIS tools, they can collect information and provide data to us and inform us of the mangrove and sea gras ecosystem in their communities,’’ she said.

“The imagery satellite tools will then help them find ways, in collaboration with authorities, to manage their coastal ecosystem. so, with this tool, it will help us to help the communities who also help to provide information on their conservation programs,’’ she said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Collecting accurate information and data is significant in managing the mangrove and sea grass ecosystem in the Solomon Islands.

“This is where mapping plays an important role,” said Agnetha Vave-Karamui, Chief Conservation Officer, Environment &Conservation Division, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology.

Karamui, who attended a week-long training on using open-source GIS tools and remote sensing satellite data, will enable her and the team from the Environment &Conservation Division (E&C) to map, monitor and protect seagrass and mangrove ecosystems.

The training, conducted as part of the Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (MACBLUE) project, brought together participants from the government Ministries and SINU to address a gap in environmental monitoring data collection and analysis.

“The Environment &Conservation Division is one of the agencies that look after Biodiversity Conservation and resource management. The MACBLUE intends to ensure we have updated information on mangroves and seagrass in the Solomon Islands,” she said.

She said that one of the training objectives is to enhance the sector and practitioners’ capacity in using open-source GIS tools and remote sensing satellite data.

“That is one of the gaps for us here in the Solomon Islands. We don’t have updated data on mangroves and sea grass to guide our policy to manage this important coastal ecosystem,’’ said Karamui.

She said that mapping is a necessary tool to know where the seagrasses and mangroves are, and to be able to come up with management plans.

“Participants were trained on how to use the online platform, called special mapping tools, QGIS, a mapping tool, and how to use it in the field using a phone,” she said.

“This can also be translated at the community level. It is easy, less costly and affordable compared to the past, where we had to get the whole team and travel to a particular province. Now, few people can do this,” she said.

She said that access to updated information showing trends, changes, losses of mangroves and where the mangrove distributions are enables proper, updated advice to management that can influence decision-making.

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BY SAMIE WAKORI

The people and government of Rennell Bellona province are hopeful, the new Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) will seek justice for the 33 unpaid shipments of bauxite from Rennell Bellona province.

Minister Derrick Manuari, was part of the Opposition Group that had been vocal about the issue. The people and government of Renbel are confident he still has the same fighting spirit to pursue the issue as responsible Minister for MMERE.

In a statement from Premier of Rennell Bellona province Derek Pongi he welcomed the appointment of Mr Manuari, as the new Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE).

“I congratulate the new Minister on his new role and confidence he is capable of addressing the outstanding issues in MMERE,” he said.

While congratulating him, Premier Pongi also called on the Minister and GNUT to address the issue of 33 unpaid shipments as soon as possible.

He said the issue was raised with the former Minister for MMERE, Bradley Smoky Tovusia and assurances were given that it would be addressed.

However, the issue remained unaddressed until now.

Brief detail of revenues for the 33 unpaid shipmen as follows; The unpaid shipments occurred between 28th November 2017 to 22nd January 2019.

Total Dry Metric Tone (DMT): 2,465,237
total Value: $288,168,205.30
total Royalties Due: $8,645,586.16

The breakdown of the royalty shares is as follows;

Solomon Islands Government (SIG): $4,322,793.08
Landowner (LO): $3,458,234.46
Rennell Belloa provincial government: $864,558.62

He Premer urged the new Minister and GNIT to assist the West Rennell LOs in recovering their $3,458,234.46 in royalties and the Community Development Agreement (CDA) amount of $10,086,51.186.

He also highlighted he $864,558.62 owed to the Rennell Bellona Provincial Government.

Premier Pongi stated “I seek fairness and justice for my people who have been victims of gross negligence on the part of the MMERE and the National Government, and the uncaring attitude of APID and Bintan Mining Solomon Islands (BMSI).

Meanwhile, he also called on GNUT to set-up commission of inquiry into the unpaid 33 shipment and West Rennel Mining project.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) is continuing its investigation into the published 2020-2021 COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) audit report.

In 2020, the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) allocated $309 million under the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) to revitalise the economy during the pandemic.

However, the published 2020-2021 COVID-19 (ESP) Auditor General’s audit report indicated major fraud risks in how it was handled. The report found that 3 government officials signed off on many payments, one of them cleared 251 cheques totalling $ 6.8 million and over 2,000 grant payments, but only 200 applications could be found for review by the OAG.

Speaking to local media during a press conference Friday last week, ahead of this week’s Motion of No Confidence, Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said that the Police have received the ESP referral and their investigation team continues to work on the matter.

“At this point, there are several statements taken, and also people are being invited for examination and questioning. So once the matters of course have finished, they will provide it to my office,’’ said Commissioner Mangau.

 He said that while people have been questioned, there is no formal charges have been laid to date.

“At the moment, there is no one being charged yet, but people are being pulled in for questioning. I did not get updated on how many people have been pulled in, as long as they prepare a report, I will provide an update on that,’’ he said.

He also said that the police are working around the clock to find a lead as the investigation continues.

“The questioning I’m referring to is to find a lead. The transaction, like any investigation, leads from point one to three, before we find the person responsible. Hopefully, by the time this month, we should get several updates on that investigation,’’ he told the media.

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