BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Rural farmers are the lifeline of this nation, says Minister of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services, Jimson Tanangada.

Mr. Tanangada highlighted the challenges faced by rural farmers, noting that their hard work in copra and cocoa farming has often been undermined by a lack of market access and unfair prices.

“The re-establishment of CEMA will revitalise our agriculture sector, ensuring that our farmers receive fair value for their products. It will create jobs, boost rural incomes, and foster economic resilience,” he said.

He recalled discussions with numerous farmers in Gizo-Kolombangara who shared their frustrations over the absence of markets and adequate support.

“Through CEMA’s re-establishment, we are giving these farmers a renewed sense of hope and a platform to succeed,” Mr. Tanangada said.

He emphasized that coconuts have always been a dependable crop for Solomon Islanders.

“I strongly urge our people to plant coconut trees and engage in copra production. If we are unable to process copra ourselves, we can request the government for technological support to enhance production processes,” he said.

“This is how a partnership works: we do our part, and the government supports our efforts. Let us revive the copra industry,” he added.

Mr. Tanangada encouraged Solomon Islanders to adopt a purposeful approach to daily life, whether it involves planting coconuts, cocoa, or palm oil, tending seedlings, fishing, or running small businesses.

“Every action matters. We must work harder, work smarter, and work together,” he urged.

He challenged every household, community, and young person to reflect on one simple question: What can I do today to help myself and my family?

“The answers are right in front of us—on our land, in our seas, and in our hands,” he said.

Malaita Provincial Government sets strategy framework for resettlement

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Malaita Provincial Government has established a policy framework for the resettlement and establishment of a provincial substation in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).

The policy is part of the Malaita Provincial Government’s broader resettlement and essential infrastructure initiatives for the development of MOI.

According to the Elijah Asilaua-led Malaita Economic Cooperation and Transformative Government (MECTG) redirection policy, a new substation is proposed for MOI.

“The MOI substation will establish the essential infrastructure and services needed for the fifth region of Malaita Province,” the policy states.

“This aims at creating an office for substation administration, as well as a police post to support both domestic and national security on the northern Solomon border.

“The need for education, health, and other related services infrastructure—including an airstrip, telecommunication, and energy—has been identified as essential for the MOI sub-region,” the policy says.

Currently, four substations exist on the mainland of Malaita, including Afio in the southern region, Malu’u in the northern region, Atori in the eastern region, and the central region at the provincial headquarters in Auki.

Meanwhile, the Malaita Provincial Government will work with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to review the resettlement policy framework for MOI.

“The MOI resettlement policy aims to address the impact of sea-level rise caused by climate change on the low-lying atolls of Malaita Province.

“The policy seeks to review the resettlement policy framework as a tool for project implementation to outline resettlement objectives,” the policy adds.

The Malaita Provincial Government and SIG will cooperate on arrangements, funding mechanisms, and other strategic legal interventions necessary for the resettlement of the MOI community on the main island of Malaita.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) has made history yesterday with the commissioning of its Domestic Seaport Passenger Terminal.

The furnished state-of-the-art infrastructure, dubbed as the “South Pacific’s largest domestic passenger terminal”, is designed to enhance convenience and passenger comfort, particularly for inter-island travel.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eranda Kotelawala described the ‘Millennium terminal’ as a “significant achievement and a great milestone for Solomon Ports”

“… not only for the ports but also for the industry, for the people and the Solomon Islands as a whole,” he added.

Kotelawala further highlighted the terminal’s self-sustainability, noting that revenue generated from its commercial spaces would be reinvested into maintaining and upkeeping the terminal.

Fully funded by SIPA, the three-floor terminal, which cost just over SBD$100 million, features a range of amenities, including cafes, a ticketing office, passenger waiting areas, shops, paid toilet facilities, and others.

The CEO expressed his deep appreciation for the teamwork that turned the vision of this landmark project into reality.

He particularly acknowledged the contributions and dedication of the local contractors and SIPA staff during the nearly two years of construction.

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele underscored that the terminal represents far more than just an infrastructure project but a symbol of “progress, a tangible manifestation of our collective ambition, and a milestone” that changes the way the country connects with the outside world

“This is a moment that every Solomon Islander should cherish, as it marks a significant step forward in our nation’s growth and development,” Manele noted.

Passengers traveling to their home Islands will now enjoy the comforts and some of the services provided

“…the building is fully functional but some of the services will start to move in because it’s Christmas so they will slowly move in-all of the shops and the cafes and everything…they can come in, rest, grab something and then it will continuously improve in the next couple of days and weeks,” Kotelawala told local media.

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