BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Members of the Cocoa Industry Committee, along with government officials and relevant stakeholders held their first meeting for this year 2025.

The meeting was convened Friday last week in the Board Room of the Commodity Export Management Authority.

A statement from the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) said that the meeting is to address key issues impacting the cocoa sector.

The SICCI statement said that the agendas of the meeting include discussions on achievements for the year 2024, a market report presented by CEMA, deliberations regarding the calendar year 2025, and insights from the Amsterdam Cocoa Week held from February 4 to 9, 2025.

The SICCI said in the statement that a pressing issue highlighted during the meeting was the EU Deforestation Regulation.

It adds that the European Union is implementing measures to reduce the risk of products linked to deforestation entering its market and to promote the demand for products that are free from deforestation.

The statement further said that according to the measures, producers and exporters of cocoa, coffee, oil palm, coconut, and cattle have 317 days remaining to comply with this regulation, indicating that further consultations are necessary to establish common ground that will assist local exporters in adapting to the new requirements.

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By Loretta B Manele

Only 3 out of 500 people absconded whilst working overseas as migrant workers.

Nathalie Hanley, IOM (International Organization for Migration), UN Migration, Programme Manager in Solomon Islands spoke briefly with the media after IOM launched its “Returned Migrant Workers in Solomon Islands” January 2025 report last month at the Heritage Park Hotel.

She said one of the questions people were asked during a survey for the report was if they absconded or left their jobs and the reason for it.

According to IOM’s survey, Hanley stated that only 3 out of 500 respondents reported that they absconded and referred to it is a very small percentage.

She said these three people reported that they absconded from their jobs because they were experiencing unfair treatment at their workplaces.

Hanley mentioned that if people abscond it creates a vulnerability because if they’re employed outside the framework of the formal labour mobility agreements that they went through, there’s less protection for them.

“And in this case, it’s because people were receiving unfair treatment at their original site of employment, and I guess weren’t able to get a successful resolution to that situation, so opted to remove themselves from it.”

According to the report, these three people were employed in the agriculture and farming sector.

All three reported that during the period they absconded from their jobs, they did not face any challenges with authorities and their second employer provided a better working environment for them.

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By Loretta B Manele

The Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement 2 (CAUSE) project is an initiative that promotes economic growth and boosts climate and disaster resilience.

According to the CAUSE 2 project booklet, the project aims to do the above by delivering key climate-resilient infrastructure projects through national contractors.

This project is made up of four components namely; resilient township development, safe and inclusive communities, enhanced urban productivity and land administration and urban management.

Under “resilient township development”, CAUSE 2 aims to have 120,000 Solomon Islanders benefit from improved climate resilient infrastructure and services, build or upgrade 25 climate resilient economic infrastructures and maintain 450 tertiary roads by low-cost community contracts.

Through “safe and inclusive communities”, the project target is to have 90% of local residents report improved environment and access to transport and services, 166 climate-resilient community infrastructure projects completed and 4,700 vulnerable people trained and receiving short-term employment.

As for the “enhanced urban productivity” component, CAUSE is looking at training more than 700 people in literacy and numeracy skills development, having more than 1,600 micro-firm owners trained on income generation and more than 2,300 people accessing employment, support and referral services.

Last but not least, there is the fourth component which is the “land administration and urban management” that aims to have 10,000 land registry records in Honiara digitalized, 100% of contract management system operational in MID and a 40% increase in annual land rent and property rates revenue for Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, Honiara City Council (HCC) and Guadalcanal provincial government.

CAUSE is a government initiative led by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), HCC, Ministry of Lands and Guadalcanal, Malaita and Western provincial governments.

This project was launched earlier this month and will progress until 2030 with a funding from World Bank at US $20.2 million and US $17.3 million from the Australian government through the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Umbrella Facility Multi-Donor Trust Fund (PPIUF).

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Climate change significantly impacts community resources, making these communities more vulnerable to various challenges, said Marlchom Zion Rowe of the Climate Change Division.

“Vulnerability refers to the ease with which a community can change behavior or leadership structures, indicating a reduced capacity to endure hardships, which may evolve over time,” he said.

He highlighted that projected risks, such as rising sea levels, are a primary concern.

“In the case of tropical cyclones, while their frequency may decrease, their intensity is expected to rise. Communities will continue to face the effects of sea level rise and increased rainfall in the coming years,” said Rowe.

“At present, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions regarding the status of the Solomon Islands in relation to climate change, as ongoing research is still in progress. However, preliminary findings indicate that communities are facing significant food security challenges. For instance, while crops may appear healthy, their yields are often minimal, and root vegetables in gardens are prone to rot, worsening community vulnerability,” he said.

Mr. Rowe emphasized that water resources are another critical area affected by climate change, further increasing community vulnerability.

“Rising temperatures cause water sources to sink deeper into the ground, forcing communities to walk longer distances for access to clean water.

“The depletion of seafood stocks also forces individuals to venture further into the sea, often spending long hours fishing. There have even been instances of individuals going missing at sea—not due to suicide, but as a consequence of their struggle to secure food for their families,” said Rowe.

He noted that communities face heightened vulnerability due to these pressing issues, particularly when they lack access to essential services.

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged the resilience of community members.

“However, this resilience is increasingly being tested by the ongoing impacts of climate change,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Naomi Tai of People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI) has expressed optimism about the organization’s collaboration with stakeholders in addressing climate change.

She stated that PWDSI is working with the Australian Humanitarian Program (AHP) to enhance disaster preparedness through community outreach and engagement initiatives.

“Our current efforts involve collaboration with key stakeholders from the Solomon Islands Government and various NGOs. These entities play a crucial role in ensuring that their initiatives effectively reach individuals with disabilities, allowing them to benefit.

“It is highly beneficial, as these stakeholders have established actions and best practices aimed at including individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable groups during disaster situations. We are working closely with six AHP partners in the Solomon Islands,” Miss Tai said.

“Our team also provides training to partners on disability inclusion, disaster risk reduction, preconditions for disability, and conducting access audits,” she added.

Miss Tai described the access audit as a method that enables individuals with disabilities to assess evacuation facilities.

“We focus on ensuring that centers are accessible for people with disabilities. In terms of advocacy, PWDSI collaborates closely with key government stakeholders, particularly the Meteorological Service and the Climate Change Division,” she said.

She further noted that since the organization’s expansion, PWDSI has been involved in agricultural initiatives related to food security, in partnership with Kastom Garden and PWDSI affiliates.

“Given that we are a scattered island nation, individuals with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to climate-related issues. Additionally, environmental conditions hinder accessibility within communities, preventing individuals with disabilities from accessing essential services,” she concluded.

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The High Court has dismissed the election petition case against Member of Parliament for North-West-Guadalcanal Francis Belande Sade.

This ruling yesterday was based on the petitioner’s failure to comply with the mandatory requirements of the Electoral Rules 6 (1) (e) of the Electoral Act Petition Rules 2019.

The trial for this matter was supposed to commence yesterday afternoon at the High Court on the Amended Election Petition filed on August 13, 2024 by the petitioner and his lawyer.

However, Justice Howard Lawry ruled by striking out the petition because the petitioner and his lawyer failed to comply with the mandatory requirements of the Rule 6(1) (e) of Electoral Act Petition Rules 2019.

Rule 6 (1) of the Electoral Act Petition Rules 2019 gives a convenient outline of what ought to be included in the election petition. Accordingly, it states:

 “6. (1) An election petition shall

(a) state the right of the petitioner to petition;

 (b) state the holding and result of the election;

 (c) briefly state the facts and grounds relied on to sustain the orders sought;

(d) include a statement of: the address within the jurisdiction for service of the petitioner; and, the contact details of the petitioner, or of his advocate or agent;

 (e) clearly identify the respondent or respondents to the petition together with their usual or last known address.

On the 19^th of September 2024 respondent Hon. Sade and his lawyer filed an application to strike out the petition filed by the petitioner Mr. Dettke on the basis that the application is frivolous, vexatious, scandalous and an embarrassment and lack the likelihood of meeting the threshold of proof required in election petitions.

On 8^th of October 2024 court ruled by refusing the respondent Hon. Sade applications to strike out the petition and orders for the matter to proceed to trial on the grounds of bribery and interfering with the voters.

On the 11^th of February 2025, Respondent Hon. Sade and his lawyer again filed a fresh Application to strike out the amended election petition filed on the 13^th of August 2024 by petitioner.

The application was heard on the 13^th of February 2025 and yesterday Justice Lawry strike out the petition on basis, the petitioner and his lawyer fail to comply with mandatory rule 6(1) (e) of Electoral Act Petition Rules 2019.

Walter Rotumana from Rano and Company represent Hon. Francis Belande Sade and Attorney General Chamber represent the second and third respondent and Gabriel Suri represent petitioner Bodo Heinz Horst Dettke.

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Minister Kologeto awaits legal advice before acting on TEC report against TCSI Commissioner

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Minister of Communication and Aviation Frederick Kologeto is awaiting directives from his Permanent Secretary and legal advice from the Attorney General Chambers to take action on the Telecommunications Commission of Solomon Islands’ (TCSI) Evaluation report.

Kologeto made the statement in an exclusive interview with Island Sun when he responded to the serious allegations about the TCSI Commissioner Calvin Ziru’s financial spending and conduct in office.

A meeting to decide on the matter is yet to be conducted between the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation and the MID evaluation committee according to an insider from the Ministry of Communication and Aviation.

It was reportedly supposed to have been held yesterday but this did not eventuate.

A report from the TCSI Evaluation Committee had highlighted significant concerns with the Commissioner’s financial decisions, conduct in office and spending.

TCSI commissioner Ziru spoke with Island Sun but declined to comment on the record citing that he was yet to see the report and give his answers to authorities.

According to the TEC report in July 2022, the commissioner entered into a contract for the development of a TCSI development corporate plan with a Fijian, UNDP employee for a total value of $160,000 however there was no evidence of the outcome of the product.

The UNDP employee, under SI immigration and labour permit, is illegal to work outside his formal approved work permit. The service contract was not advised for public tender and some payments were paid in cash collected by the commissioner on the UNDP employee’s behalf.

The TEC report also indicated that on 6 October 2023, the commissioner instructed payment for overseas travel costs for medical, amounting to a $35,000 cash cheque but never went overseas as advised, reference cheque no 1708535.

On 28 April 2023, the commissioner instructed payment total of $75,580 (cheque no 1708403) for travel allowance to Fiji with an additional airfare of $120,33 (cheque no 1654996) however, he is only entitled to 25,000 per annum which he already used up with the local cost.

The TEC report indicated, there are a total of 22 allegations against the TCSI Commissioner which add up to 90% of his questionable practices in the office.

“The report came at the end of last year, 2024. Since I was new to the ministry, I wanted to read through it thoroughly to understand how the TECSI operates.

“I don’t want to jump to the conclusion quickly. I would to understand the situation to determine what action I can take. The action I would take will be guided by my Permanent Secretary (PS) and the legal advisor we have under the AG chamber. They are the ones to advise me on the actions to be taken,” said Kologeto.

The Minister also refuted claims that he is taking sides on the matter.

“Rumours are going around that I am taking sides with the commissioner. That’s not the case. Should there be solid evidence then an investigation would be made,” he said.

“I cannot do it on my own or from outside pressure. So, I will act according to the law,” he said.

He also pointed out that the TCSI is an independent body with its acts and mandate.

“He may act according to the law of his powers. It’s good for us to investigate it or challenge it in court. I’m always directed by my PS and legal advisor, and not on my own,” said Kologeto.

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