BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

We are always the losers when it comes to resource operations.

Rick Hou, member of Parliament for Small Malaita constituency stressed this in parliament last week.

He said what has been happening in the country is when operators fly in, they harvest resources and leave the rest to land owners, resource owners and the government to deal with.

“And what is the rest? The rest is the mess.”

Hou said the mess left behind is environmental damage, revenue shortfall and of course, a load of litigation cases in court between land owning groups.

He pointed out that resource operations in the country like mining at the moment is only conducive for the operators.

“Of course, we are always the losers. The resource owners, provincial and national governments, the economy and this country is always the loser.”

He stressed that the country receives revenue from such operations but once we lose in terms of revenue from these operations; the government is left with challenges like dealing with a hospital without drugs, clinics without medicine and closure of operating theatres.

Hou said a regulatory environment conducive for advancement of our people in this area is needed.

He also urged the Minister for Mines and Energy to bring to parliament the Mineral Act.

China offers Solomon Islands zero tariff for trade: Agovaka

BY LORETTA B. MANELE

China has become the first major economy to offer zero tariff for all LDCs export (Least Developing Countries) including Solomon Islands.

This was revealed in parliament by Peter Shanel Agovaka, the minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) and Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal constituency last week.

“I’m pleased to inform the house that China has become the first major economy to offer zero tariff for all LDCs export. This was done a week ago.”

Agovaka mentioned that no other country in the Pacific or the United States has done this as they are protective of their industry.

He said this is “good for the country and can help us to graduate from our LDC status”.

Agovaka stated that his ministry is looking at other products like noni juice, cocoa and coffee, non-endangered farmed corals and copra oil.

“The ministry is also working with relevant line ministries in preparedness to trade with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and to operationalise the SPC protocol we have signed as well as to ensure that our agriculture products are properly registered and can be effectively delegated with ease in trade facilitation processes.”

Agovaka however noted that market access and mutual recognition with our trade partners on trade facilitation process alone does not automatically lead to immediate quantifiable trade gains.

Hence, the need for collective consideration in necessary work for building the capacity of productive sectors that are critical for the integration of our rural homes growing into the mainstream economy and trade.

Agovaka told parliament that Solomon Islands formalised its relationship with China five years ago, have signed the non-reciprocal agreement with China and now it is on Solomon Islands part to take up the opportunity presented.

He noted that the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) government’s 100 days policy programme calls on progress to make the sanitary protocol active so we can progress trade with China.

BY LORETTA B. MANELE

It is high time for Solomon Islands to wake up from aid dependency and think about how each and every one of us can be productive for the country.

The sentiment was voiced by Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka in parliament last week.

The Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal constituency said the country has been receiving aid since independence.

“How long are we going to depend on aid?”

Agovaka said it’s now time that each and every one of us step up and measure up to the challenge of how we can turn around this aid dependency to trade dependency.

He said as the minister for foreign affairs and external trade he signed a number of trade protocols regarding agriculture for products like roasted beans, cocoa beans, coffee and also two protocols on cultivated marine products which enables our people to work.

Agovaka stressed that people should stop wasting time on things like card games or facebook everyday but be involved in something productive for the country.

He added that people have to think about what they can bring to the table instead of talking down about the government.

“I challenge each and every one of us, citizens of Solomon Islands, leaders alike right down to the villages to create something for this country.

“What can we bring to the table? You cannot just come and say the government didn’t do any work, bring your constituency.

“Come on Solomon Islands, wake up. We cannot just talk and not do anything.  I challenge everyone in the other 49 constituencies, come up with what you can produce for this country.”

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

The country lacks the credited infrastructures vital for the trade of produces and food items.

Ricky Fuo’o, member of Parliament for Central Kwara’ ae spoke on this in parliament last week.

He said the country at the moment is not able to trade for food potential because we lack credited infrastructures to meet some trading requirements.

Fuo’o told parliament that a lot of our produces cannot be traded because we don’t have the facilities to process them.

He said if we are serious about trade then our government should start putting money into it, so that we can trade not only with China but with the rest of the world.

“We have been talking about trade for so long however we have not invested in the right infrastructures for trade.”

Fuo’o said trade is essential for fostering economic growth.

Meanwhile, he also acknowledged the previous and current governments for facilitating and signing the non-reciprocal trade agreement with China.

Fuo’o said China has some of the lowest trade requirements and this is an opportunity we should act on quickly.

“I wish to urge the government to build processing plants to enable us to meet certain standards.”

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Plan Parenthood (SIPPA) has restarted operations following a temporary closure in July due to alleged fraudulent activities at its top management level.

Relevant sources told this paper that SIPPA resumed normal operation on August 7, 2024, after being inactive for three weeks in July.

The sources who remain anonymous claimed that the alleged fraudulent actions had disrupted the organization’s regular operations.

“From what I understand, both the Director and the financial controller are involved in misconduct of the organization’s funds,” one informer stated.

 “The diversion and depletion of funds have adversely impacted employee salaries, leading to instances of partial payments or, at times, no payments at all. Additionally, many of the organization’s initiatives, including community outreach and awareness programs, have been hindered due to financial constraints,” the insider said.

“Sometimes I was told to write a report, but what report can I produce when I haven’t rolled out my program to show it in the report? So, it’s something I have experienced for quite some time and it affects my work as someone responsible for outreach programs,’’ said the informer.

One insider who wishes to remain anonymous also said that the two positions were recently advertised for new candidates.

“Candidates for the Finance post contacted their interviews last week. For the Directors post, it has been advertised but there were no interviews contacted yet,’’ the insider told the paper.

The source said that the organization’s inability to organize some of its outdoor programs was an ongoing issue but has come to an end after the matter was reported this year.

“We have experienced a shortage of money for a long time. It hasn’t started this year 2024. The matter was brought to light after we had our new Program coordinator. This is how the issue was reported for investigation.

“Right now, we are operating with little amount of funds from donors. However, since they are aware of the issue, they don’t want to give funds to the organization. Moreover, the organization is offering clinical work, not outreach programs anymore since there is no money to facilitate the activities. So SIPPA only operated clinical work, and many programs have been not yet rolled out and now the year near ends,’’ the source said.

“Consequently, the Board has opted to terminate both the Director and the financial controller in light of these claims and advertised the two vacant posts,” the source added.