BY NED GAGAHE

Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called on indigenous Solomon Islanders to actively invest in key sectors of the economy, particularly tourism, in order to qualify for government tax exemptions and contribute to national development.

In an interview with the Island Sun, Sogavare emphasized that the government’s tax exemption policies are open to all investors, including indigenous entrepreneurs, who invest in strategic sectors.

Sogavare defended the government’s support for foreign investors, particularly the Chinese company Xiao’s Henderson Hotel Limited (XHHL), stating that the government’s role is to assist those investing in areas that drive economic growth.

He stated that there is nothing preventing Solomon Islanders from benefiting from the same tax exemptions if they choose to invest in sectors such as tourism or other critical sectors.

“Nothing stops the government from giving exemptions to Solomon Islanders,” Sogavare said. “You (Solomon Islanders) invest in the tourism sector; I’ll give you 100% exemption. Simple as that.”

He expressed disappointment that few Solomon Islanders were investing in these critical areas, urging local entrepreneurs to take initiative and seize such opportunities.

Sogavare criticized the tendency to complain without contributing to the development of the economy, especially when foreign investors are bringing in much-needed capital, creating jobs, and contributing to the country’s tax revenue and foreign reserves.

“We will be strategically stupid to victimize investors who come into this country, invest, provide employment, pay taxes, and contribute to foreign reserves while Solomon Islanders just sit to complain,” he said.

The Finance Minister reassured the public that the government’s policies are inclusive and that any Solomon Islander who applies for an exemption will receive fair consideration.

“I’m not closing my hands on this issue. Any Solomon Islander applies for exemption, I grant them,” he affirmed.

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By John Houaniahau

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Volunteer Program aims to increase its focus on the provinces, according to JICA Volunteer Coordinator Yoshu Ota.

Mr. Ota explained that all JICA volunteers returned to Japan in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the program resumed dispatching volunteers in October 2022.

“It has been two years and four months, I guess. Finally, the total number of volunteers has reached 21,” he said.

Mr. Ota expressed satisfaction with the progress of the program, noting that it is an encouraging development for JICA.

“This batch includes six volunteers. In April this year, six more volunteers will arrive, followed by another six in August. In total, the number of volunteers in the Solomon Islands will be around 27 or 28,” he stated.

He emphasized that the program’s commitment extends beyond Honiara to include provincial areas.

“Our commitment is not only focused on Honiara but also on the local provinces, such as Gizo, Munda, Noro, Taro, Auki, and Kirakira,” said Mr. Ota.

He added, “We aim to focus on the provinces to strengthen the capacity of various sectors in the Solomon Islands.”

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By Loretta B Manele

Having the constituent assembly is important because it can advise government on what government system is best for us.

Peter Shanel Agovaka, minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) spoke briefly about this at the Sin Die Motion in parliament recently.

He said coming up with this constituent assembly is important for the country because the assembly can advise the government about the government system that is suitable for the country.

Agovaka added that as stated by the member of parliament for Central Honiara, we are still finding what government system is suitable for us.

“We are still looking for this and it is important because the constituent assembly will be able to meet, discuss, debate and come up with a report to bring to government and parliament”

Moreover, Agovaka said at the meantime, the call for devolution of power is also important.

He explained that the devolution is to relocate powers from the central government down to the provincial government so they can have the power to collect revenue or to do other things.

“To invite investments or do investments elsewhere”

He added that the other issue is decentralisation which is the relocation of administrative functions and that is something that both the national government and the provincial government have to look at.

Agovaka said the bill is defeated however they will come back again with the bill and look at the report from the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) and see how they can address issues raised by the committee.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The standing orders of Parliament allow members of the public to submit petitions, Opposition Leader Mathew Wale assured Caleb Pollard and Maverick Seda during a live podcast this month.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Aoke Langalanga highlighted this opportunity while discussing youth participation in addressing national issues.

“There are many avenues for young people to engage when issues arise,” Wale said.

“If youth care deeply about certain matters, you can organize a petition, get it signed, and deliver it to a Member of Parliament to sponsor it. Once submitted, it will be announced on the floor of Parliament.

“The standing orders of Parliament allow written petitions. You don’t have to wait—take the initiative. Be proactive and engage,” Wale encouraged.

He noted that when a bill is introduced to Parliament, it is referred to a committee for review.

“Bills are referred to the relevant committee. While we do receive written submissions, they are often from one or two individuals, rarely from youth.

“When you review the bill, you can ask yourself: What are they trying to achieve? Do we agree or disagree? Then engage. Write to the Bills and Legislation Committee. Write to your MP or ministers,” he urged.

Wale emphasized that laws are created to implement policies, and youth involvement in shaping these policies is vital.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Police boss Malaita, chief superintendent Tex Tafoa calls on Malaitans to uphold law and order with a new mindset that will encourage development in the province.

According to PPC Tafoa, it is 2025 and police wants to see change among Malaitans.

“People need change to embrace development change for Malaita province.

“We have some major development coming up for Malaita province. Kilu’ufi hospital, Auki tar-seal and other projects.

“This is the way forward for our province. Thus, we must settle our differences, change our attitudes and embrace law and order.

“Our mindset also needs to change. If we have negative mindset that hinder development, it must change.

“It’s time to prove to the national government and donor partners that we are ready to develop.

“We must also responsible for our time to prove who we are to our future generations by laying the foundation for their success,” he says.

Tafoa says police are working to ensure peace and security in the province and people to uphold law and order.

He stresses that no development can happen in an insecure society. This needs mindset changes and these are the areas police are working with communities to achieve.

Tafoa says police through by-laws or Crime Prevention Committees have been working towards peace, security, and safety of everyone in the communities.

“These are the important pillars for development. Now, it’s a new year and Malaitans through all sectors must work together to elevate the province toward its development aspirations,” he says.

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By Loretta B Manele

The Constituent Assembly bill was defeated today but I want to urge us that this means we will have to come back, sit down and look properly into the bill and bring it back to parliament.

Alfred Lazarus Rina, the member of parliament for East Central Guadalcanal constituency raised this on Thursday, 19^th Dec last month during the Sine Die Motion in parliament.

He said this bill is the wish of some of our provinces, especially Guadalcanal province and people from the province are really looking forward to the bill.

“So, I think that the government of the day should sit down and look into the bill again because it is an important bill and we are deciding things that will affect the future generations”

He added that what they want to see is the bill to be something that will help the country’s future generations.

Rina reiterated his call for the GNUT government to find a way to bring the bill back to parliament so they can find a meaningful way to have it passed in parliament.

By Loretta B Manele

The government must have a plan for people experiencing mental health conditions.

Alfred Lazarus Rina, member of parliament for East Central Guadalcanal constituency voiced this during the Sine Die Motion in parliament last month.

He expressed that he feels sorry seeing some of our people who are just walking along the road, sleeping at bus stops and drinking and bathing in water that is not clean.

“What I want to ask is, who is caring for these people?

Some of them might come to the provinces. They are mentally affected so my question is who is responsible for these people?

Their parents?”

He said when he sees these people, it is like nobody cares for them.

Rina stated that it is very important that responsible ministries find ways to take care of them.

He mentioned that he knows Kilu’ufi hospital is there but may be having another place will also do.

Rina stressed that these people are God’s creation thus the government must have a plan for them.

“So, I think we should find ways to take care of these people”