By Loretta B Manele

I informed parliament that I initiated some measures to improve the consideration of applications for exemptions by the Exemption Committee.

Manasseh Sogavare, minister for finance and treasury made the statement during the Sine Die motion on Wednesday 18 of December, in parliament.

Going forward, he said he has directed that the content and structure of the committee’s recommendations will need to be improved in the following areas.

“On mining, the new mining tax clauses, this is a specific area that I informed parliament that I will be looking into that of my statement to parliament earlier this year”

He stated that as they speak, all mining tax MOUs and agreements are being reviewed.

In this regard, Sogavare said work on this exercise is progressing very well with the Economic Reform Unit which is working with the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Controller of Customs and the Attorney General’s Office.

Another area is the consideration of exemption applications.

Sogavare said satisfying the qualification to be considered for exemption criteria, applicants must fully justify the reason why they requested 100 percent exemptions and general expressions of financial hardship is inadequate.

He added that applicants must provide empirical evidence that the business will not operate profitably without the granting of the exemptions.

Moreover, Sogavare also stated that the minister can approve the application, reject it or grant part of the request.

He explained that in order for the minister to make an informed decision, the recommendations must fully justify the reason based on the analysis of the relevant documents of the applicant including projected financial statements.

Sogavare said recommendations to the minister must prove that all the relevant information and documents are fully analysed to justify the recommendations.

He said they are also looking at active monitoring of the utilization of the exemptions granted.

Sogavare emphasized that the requirement of the proper utilization of the assistance is just as serious as budgetary assistance.

By Loretta B Manele

Government should bring in a new amendment.

Peter Kenilorea Junior, member of parliament for East Are’Are constituency and Leader of the Independent Group said this on the floor of parliament when speaking on the Constitution Amendment of the Constituent Assembly Sitting Bill 2024 on Tuesday this week.

He stressed that this bill was supported in the last parliament and not yet implemented.

“Now it’s going to be two years’ time, but are we going to do it again. The amendment that we did in last parliament has not been implemented and there’s a need to amend yet again”

Kenilorea Jr said they have supported this amendment in the last parliament but the idea is that they also want to protect our constitution.

“At least those of us that really hold that principle close would like to do that”

Kenilorea Jr expressed that they should not treat the constitution frivolously by continuously amending it, setting deadlines that for whatever reason, for administrative reasons that cannot be met.

“These are issues that weigh heavy and it should weigh heavy on all of us as legislators. Those of us that make the law, those of us who speak on behalf of our people, who also respect our constitution.

Our inability to implement is an administrative matter and I think that is very clear and, in a way, it reflects us parliamentary failure. All of us, all of us who voted, we failed.

We failed. It’s nothing to do with our constitution. It is administrative and it comes back to us as leaders, knowing full well that perhaps we may not be able to deliver and yet still making laws”

He told parliament that this time around, it’s not just any law but the constitution of Solomon Islands that they are talking about.

Kenilorea said it is on those grounds that he’s really appealing to the government to really relook at the amendment they are trying to bring again to parliament.

“But coming back to the issue we’re dealing with, with the amendment, the government can bring amendment to the constitution any time”

Kenilorea Jr said what he is asking now is for them to rethink as they are only a few days until the current amendment expires.

He furthered that they’ve been enriched with a lot more discussions in parliament that could help inform a new amendment that might come in.

“Nothing wrong with letting it expire and then come back fresh with a new amendment to the constitution. My suggestion would be something very general”

The Constitution Amendment, Constitution Assembly Sitting Bill 2024’s objectives are to firstly amend the constitution to extend the date for the sitting of the Constituent Assembly from a date before 31st Dec 2024 to a date before 31st Dec 2026 and secondly, to increase the membership of the constituent assembly.

By Loretta B Manele

Manasseh Sogavare, the finance minister stated that he will require a quarterly report on exemptions and this report will serve several purposes.

He spoke about this in parliament during the first day of the Sine Die Motion which was this Wednesday 18 of December.

Sogavare said the first purpose of the report is to ensure that exemptions are properly utilized for the purpose for which it was granted and any misuse should result in its immediate cancellation.

He also stated that this is subject to legal advice including the recovery of the exemptions wrongly utilized.

In this case, Sogavare said the applicant will go down as a bad taxpayer and any future request of exemptions will not be entertained.

“The behaviour can also be an important trigger to commence full-scale tax investigation on the taxpayer”

Also requested is a final exemption utilization report.

Sogavare said in this report, the recipient applying for the exemptions is to effectively tell the government that the company wants to partner with the government in achieving its macroeconomic goals.

“For example, creating new jobs, contributing to the expansion of the sector in which the applicants invest in or constructions of important community infrastructures, servicing training program or countering the effect of climate change and many more”

Sogavare stressed that this information is very important for the government especially when the government is involved as an indirect partner.

He pointed out that it will be totally irresponsible of the government to allow taxpayers to do whatever they like with the exemptions granted.

The finance minister stated that any misuse of exemptions will be dealt with sternly and followed with full-scale tax investigation.

“The reasoning being, if the taxpayer is not honest about the request for assistance, he can be dishonest about his tax affairs”

In relation., Sogavare said he also directs an improvement in the capacity of the Tax Exemption Committee Secretary.

He expressed that the regulations are designed in a way that the minister rely on the advice of the committee to make decisions.

“The quality of the minister’s decision will depend very much on the quality of and accuracy of the advice he will seek from the Tax Exemption Committee”

Sogavare said while he appreciates that work of the committee, he believes there is a need to improve the quality of the committee’s findings which must include a professional analysis of the relevant financial statements that applicants are required to provide.

As stated, this analysis is important to decide on the quantity of the tax exemptions that the government can and could grant.

By Loretta B Manele

The reform of the mines and mineral legislation must reflect maximized benefits of natural resources for our people.

Jimson Tanangada, member of parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara constituency expressed this at the Sine Die Motion session in parliament on Wed 18^th.

In regards to the reform of the mines and mineral legislation, he said he believes that the minister for Mines has already touched on the reform, however stated that it must be shown that the benefits of our natural resources are maximized for our people.

Tanangada added that the reform of our mines and mineral legislation is critical to achieving this goal.

He told parliament that it is about promoting responsible resource extraction, ensuring transparency and holding investors accountable.

Tanangada stressed that too often, we have seen rich regions remain in poverty due to poor governance and exploitation.

“The GNUT (Government for National Unity and Transformation) government will not allow this.

We will ensure that mining benefits local communities and contributes to national development. These initiatives represent the government’s goals and forward-thinking agenda” Tanangada said the GNUT government is not here to talk, they are here to lead

BY NED GAGAHE

Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola, Makario Tagini, voiced his full support for the passing of the Constitution Amendment (Constituent Assembly Sitting) Bill 2024.

The bill, which seeks to extend the timeline for the Constituent Assembly’s work from 31^st December 2024 to 31st December 2026 and increase its membership from 80 to 100, is seen as a critical step in advancing the nation’s constitutional reform process.

Contributing towards the debate on the second reading of the Bill yesterday in Parliament, Tagini emphasized the significance of the bill in ensuring that constitutional changes reflect the will and aspirations of the people.

“This bill is “straightforward” and necessary for the ongoing work of the Assembly. It provides the time and resources needed to ensure that the changes we make reflect the will of the people,” he said.

Tagini who is the Minister for Forestry pointed out that the extension of time and the increase in membership would provide the Assembly with the necessary resources and representation to effectively tackle the reforms that are crucial for the nation’s progress.

“With an extended timeline, the Assembly will have more time to thoroughly examine the proposed federal system and other critical reforms. The increase in membership will allow for more diverse representation, ensuring that all sectors of the country are included in the process,” Tagini said.

The MP for Baegu/Asifola reiterated that the bill is essential for ensuring that the constitutional reforms align with the needs of the people.

“The Constitution is the supreme law of our nation, and it must be shaped by the people. This bill will help us ensure that the reforms are representative and inclusive, and that the process truly reflects the aspirations of all Solomon Islanders,” Tagini said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manela has on behalf of the Government and the people of Solomon Islands passed a sympathy and condolence message to the people of Vanuatu.

PM Manale made a profound message on the floor of parliament yesterday during the Sine Die Motion.

“Mr. Speaker, at the outset let me take this opportunity first of all on behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands to extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to the Prime Minister, the government and the people of Vanuatu following the devastating earthquake yesterday (Tuesday), 7.3 and this morning (Wednesday) I understand another big one, 6.1 on the Rector scale. There has been a loss of lives and properties and infrastructure damage.

“So, our prayers and thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Vanuatu. An official condolence message is being sent to the government and people of Vanuatu,’’ said Manele.

Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation News (VBTC News) Families are temporarily living in tents and seeking safety following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck on December 17, 2024, 30 km West of Port-Vila, Vanuatu.

The VBTC reported that the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office in its response has activated 7 days of State of Emergency (SOE) for Life-saving and emergency response as the top priority.

The VBTC said that the National Disaster Management Office said that early recovery efforts are now in effect as of today (Wednesday 18), following the official signing last (Tuesday 17) night.

It reported that the Vanuatu National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has been activated to coordinate response efforts.

The secretary-general of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society Dickinson Tevi told ABC news channel the death toll from the earthquake is expected to increase as there are still bodies to be recovered.

Earlier this morning, the humanitarian organisation had updated the death toll in Vanuatu to 14 according to ABC.

“Several numbers are going around,” Dickinson Tevi told ABC News Channel.

“I haven’t had the chance to check on the [latest] numbers, but I know that we still have people trapped under the debris, or in a landslide. So, the number should be expected to increase anyway,’’ Tevi told ABC.

Mr Tevi told ABC News that the Red Cross Society has deployed volunteers to assist the central hospital, and to conduct an assessment of the extent of the damage around the island.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Polycarp Paea of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey said the Public Account Committee (PAC) report offers a comprehensive review of the proposed budget for 2025.

The Minister said during the Debate on the 2025 Appropriation Bill 2024 on the floor of parliament.

He said that it underscores vital concerns related to physical sustainability, transparency, accountability, and the capacity challenges faced by government ministries and statutory bodies.

Mr Paea also commends his Parliamentary Secretary and the team of the Ministry for the excellent presentation to the PAC Committee.

“On the 2025 Budget speech, as the Minister of Land, Housing and Survey, I am fully aware of the critical role that land and resources on land play in the development of our economy and the well-being of our people.

“The 2025 Budget presents a unique opportunity for us to address the pressing challenges in these sectors and to align our efforts with the government’s overarching goals of economic transformation, infrastructure development, and human capital enhancement,’’ he said.

Mr Paea also commends the government’s commitment to increase investment in key infrastructures.

He pointed out that this is vital not only for economic diversification but also for improving access to land and natural resources.

“Infrastructure development is the backbone of any growing economy, and we must prioritise the construction of roads, bridges, and utilities that will facilitate better access to land for our citizens,’’ he said.

He said that improved infrastructure will not only enhance connectivity but will also attract investment in housing, and commercial development, ultimately leading to job creation and economic growth.

By Loretta B Manele

The committee has recommended 150 members for the Constituent Assembly so that it covers those in the provinces and all our people.

John Maneniaru, member of parliament for West Are’Are constituency and Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) chairman stressed this during the debate of the Constitution Amendment of the Constituent Assembly Sitting Bill 2024 in parliament on Tuesday, 17^th  this week.

He said the original proposal by the constitutional congress and eminent persons of 150 assembly members to be reinstated is to ensure greater inclusivity and broader representation.

Maneniaru added that it emphasizes that resources constraint should not outweigh the need for a comprehensive and representative approach to the constitutional reform.

“The maturity of the constant assembly, among whom would be elected as well as appointed representatives, including youth, women, and minority groups”

Maneniaru voiced that from these 150 members, 50 of them should be women and youths.

“At the moment, if you look at it, we only have 3 female parliamentarians out of 50 MPs so already the number is already very small”

Maneniaru said it is not so much centred around gender equality but it is rather a social responsibility to ensure that the participation of our country; a democratic country can be well represented of women, the youth and men.