BY ROMINAH FAKA

On Friday last week the Public Solicitor Office in Honiara welcomed the Papua Guinea Public (PNG) Solicitor delegates, Director of Fiji Legal Aid Commissions with a ceremony of Chupu which was held at National Museum Auditorium.

The event was graced by the Deputy Prime Minister Bradley Tovosia, the Director of Public Solicitor Office of Honiara George Gray, the Public Solicitor of Papua Guinea, and Fiji Legal Aid Commission and Australia Solomon Islands Partnership in Justice (ASIPJ).

During the event, the Director of Public Solicitor office in Honiara Mr Gray greeted the partners with a warm welcome speech.

“Tonight is important nights where we gather to recognized the importance of our work and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments in our field.

“Collaborating and networking are vital elements if further growth is to be achieved. Improved collaboration and networking are important ideals to ensure a variety of standards are to be achieved.

“The stronger ties, relationship and support to broader insight to different perspectives in terms of the management and deliverance of legal services and justice.

“From building to raising professional standards to further expending the leadership capacity, and extent of the reach and quality of the Public Solicitor Office and its mandated role of quality providing legal aid services in the country,” Gray added.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Public Service successfully concluded a week-long capacity-building training programme last week at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

This training was designed for 24 ministries, specifically targeting senior Human Resource managers, public service officers, and chief administrative officers, as well as representatives from three government entities.

During the closing ceremony, Public Service Commission Chair Milner Tozaka addressed the participants, emphasizing that the training would enhance the organization’s ability to meet its goals and objectives.

“I am confident that following this training, many of you will be equipped to address the shortages in your ministry and agency’s human resource capabilities, thereby improving performance by implementing the principles learned during the training,” said Tozaka.

He said that this training is a result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Public Service and the Australian Public Service Commission in August 2024, aimed at fostering collaboration between the two entities.

“This partnership will focus on (A) Sharing and addressing common challenges, (B) Establishing best practices and governance in public sector human resource management through the creation of standards and benchmarks, (C) Resource sharing, (D) Training and exchange of experiences, and (E) Other relevant areas,” he explained.

Mr. Tozaka further said that this collaboration would facilitate the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovative ideas, ultimately leading to advancements in public sector leadership and management.

“This marks the second training session conducted by our colleagues from the Australian Public Service Commission. I would like to extend my gratitude to Facilitator Natalie Danes, APSC Assistant Director Bronwyn Armstrong, DFAT First Secretary Tasman Bain, and Political Counsellor Cameron Darragh.”

He informed the participants that another training session will be organized by the Australian Public Service Commission in the first week of December 2025.

Tozaka expressed gratitude, stating, “I extend my sincere thanks to our colleagues at the Australian Public Service Commission and all participants for dedicating their time to engage in the training,’’ said Tozaka.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

FINANCE Minister Manasseh Sogavare has refuted allegations regarding a controversial $29 million tax exemption granted to Wan Chen Company Limited, accusing the opposition and media of misleading the public with half-truths and political rhetoric.

In a press conference yesterday, Sogavare clarified that the exemption was intended to boost critical infrastructure projects, necessary for the country’s development.

In response, the finance minister explained that the company had proposed an investment in a wharf and warehousing upgrade of $40.9 million and $52.2 million in apartment and resort projects, bringing the total investment to $94 million.

Sogavare stated that the former finance minister granted tax and duty exemptions amounting to $29 million under two specific orders (0122-24 and 0125-24) on February 26, 2024, just before the national general election.

Following the government formation in early May and his appointment as finance minister, he was directed to issue new orders,

“On taking up the post, the exemption committee recommended that the minister issue new orders on the same exemption, replacing the orders mentioned, which is reviewable every six months,” Sogavare said.

He stressed that the orders will expire this November, allowing the government to review the implementation of the exemption, “that’s how it works.” Sogavare said.

The finance minister said that to adhere to current reviewing of exemptions, he has advised the company to submit a full report on the utilization of the exemptions to justify any extensions.

The finance minister claimed that these exemptions were “hardly utilized” and emphasized they have “very minimal loss of revenue.”

Regarding the proposed tourist resort, Sogavare clarified that the company was still in the process of backfilling the project site

“They have yet to import the materials required for the resort. Some works are going on the construction of the wharf and warehouse at the Ranadi compound,” he said.

Sogavare emphasized that attracting investors for critical infrastructure projects is essential for boosting the tourism sector.

“As the Minister of Finance, my duty is to ensure that government achieves its objective,” he stated

To demonstrate the government’s seriousness commitment, Sogavare said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism budget will increase in 2025.  

“This is to properly coordinate the development of this sector. This is how serious the government is. Now going forward, of course, as Minister of Finance, I also have the duty to protect government revenue,” he added.

Late last week Opposition came out with two episodes of revelations in which it produced documents showing government tax exemptions to few businesses totalling in the millions.

One Chinese business was granted $29 million in tax exemption, the documents showed.

Opposition criticised government over this saying that Finance Minister Sogavare had told parliament in June this year that he would halt all tax exemptions, which he described as a source of leak in the government’s revenue coffers.

Opposition’s revelations show that government is doing otherwise, continuing with its habit of issuing tax exemptions left and right, and secretly, to businesses it favours.

By Loretta B Manele

The recent bad weather has the police calling on the public to travel with caution in the capital.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau made the call during a press conference at the Police Headquarters yesterday.

He said right now the weather is not friendly so we have to make sure we travel safely by making sure to look left and right before crossing the roads and doing that when vehicles make a stop on the roads.

Mangau also calls on drivers to not use their phones when they are behind the wheel.

He said we must avoid doing things like this to avoid problems as such unnecessary things can even cost someone’s life.

Mangau pointed out that as we are heading into the Christmas season, there are a lot of incidents that might happen so we must look after ourselves when we travel.

“It’s also a busy time where people will be shopping, so if you are going somewhere make sure to tell a family member.”

He said Christmas is approaching and people will be celebrating soon however must also consider their safety.

Mangau said there are national games and a regional rugby 7’s game which will take place early next month followed by a Melanesian Cup game so people must respect the country’s laws and display good behaviour to show ambassadors from regional countries that Solomon Islands is a peaceful country.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

Citizens of the Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will soon enjoy visa-free travel between the two countries following yesterday’s historic signing of the Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement.

The signing took place at the Prime Minister’s office, with delegates from the PM’s office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and the media in attendance.    

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele described the signing as an “important progress”, stating it will allow ordinary citizens to travel freely, embrace each other’s cultures, and promote greater understanding and respect, which he believed are “critical to our bilateral relations”.

Manele noted that the agreement is expected to attract a portion of China’s 130 million tourists, encouraging them to consider Solomon Islands as a preferred destination.

He further emphasised the commitment to strengthening relations between both countries, “This continues to demonstrate your commitment, enhance strategic communication, and deepen cooperation in various fields with the Solomon Islands to ensure the steady progress of the bilateral ties and bringing more benefits to our two peoples.”

Manele expressed the Solomon Islands’ appreciation to the PRC government, particularly for their swift response in facilitating the establishment of reciprocal visa exemptions.

Under the agreement, citizens from both countries with valid ordinary passports will be exempt from visa requirements for entry or transit, allowing them to stay for up to 30 days per visit, with a total stay not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period.

PRC Ambassador Cai Weiming echoed similar sentiments, calling the agreement a further manifestation of the strong and growing cooperation between the two countries.

Following the signing, Acting Immigration Director Chris Akosawa explained that the next necessary step is to officially publish the agreement, enabling visa-on-arrival for Chinese citizens. China will also be added to the concessional visa category.

This process will be carried out in consultation with the Attorney General’s Chambers and Chinese authorities and should be completed soon.

In 2022, Solomon Islands and China signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports and passports for public affairs.