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JICA volunteer program to focus on provinces

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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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Constituent Assembly vital to advise gov’t

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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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 Youths eligible to submit petitions

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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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Tax exemptions are provided for by law

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By Loretta B Manele

Peter Shanel Agovaka, foreign affairs minister said tax exemptions are provided for by two laws; the income tax act, section 16 and the goods tax act, section 37.

He spoke about this during the recent Sine Die Motion debate in parliament last month.

Agovaka said there is nothing illegal or unlawful about tax exemptions.

The member of parliament for Central Guadalcanal constituency explained that in any country, tax exemption is made into law provided for government to use for business houses, investors, schools, hospitals, churches and communities.

“So, the exemption is provided for by law”

In relation, he said the only thing he wants to the minister of finance to do is to bring forth the issue he talked about regarding constituencies.

“He talked about some constituencies which applied for tax exemptions and then had swung it around and converted it into some kind of funds”

He added that this is fraudulent use of exemptions by the constituencies.

Agovaka noted that the finance minister needs to get the auditor general to audit those accounts and bring to light the issue he raised on the floor of parliament.

Tafoa calls on Malaitans to uphold law and order to develop the province

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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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‘LEAKED DOCUMENT POTENTIALLY LINKED TO INTERNAL POLITICS’

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Sogavare. Photo credit- MAVIS PODOKOLO

BY NED GAGAHE

Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare has expressed concerns that the recent leak of a document related to exemptions may be tied to internal political maneuvering within the government.

In an interview with the Island Sun this week, following the two leaked exemption documents totaling more than $15 million granted to a Chinese business, Xiao’s Henderson Hotel Limited (XHHL).

Sogavare suggested the leak was politically motivated aimed at causing political instability within the government.

Sogavare revealed that some ministers within the ruling Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) had recently raised demands with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, one of which proposed that exemption applications exceeding $10 million be reviewed by the Cabinet rather than the Minister of Finance.

Sogavare indicated he was aware of these internal demands but dismissed public concerns about the loss of government revenue from exemptions as “unnecessary fear.”

“I’ve issued three statements already on the issue of exemptions. It appears there are people who are not satisfied, influenced by I don’t know what,” Sogavare said.

“Despite the fact that three very comprehensive statements issued by myself on press conference again on leaked document.

“The principles are the same, there is no difference. And then the Ministerial statements I made on the floor of parliament seriously outlining the exemptions and the policies rationales behind it and the total unnecessary fear that the government lost almost 300 million dollars’ worth of exemptions granted.” He said referring to the exemptions issued since last year.

He directly linked the leak to the internal demands, suggesting that some “colleagues” within the government had signed a “log of demands” focused on these issues.

“They want the exemptions to be decided by Cabinet, anything above $10 million,” he explained.

In defense of his position, Sogavare reiterated the rationale behind the government’s exemption policies.

He addressed concerns over lost revenue, pointing out that while exemptions totaling nearly $300 million were granted, only $148 million of that was actually utilized.

“The lost revenue concern is non-sense,” Sogavare stated, dismissing criticisms that the government was losing significant amounts of money.

“Only 148 million out of 300 million dollars’ worth of exemptions was actually utilized by the applicants, so the lost of revenue concern is non-sense.

“It does not make sense what so ever. People see the fear that government is losing revenue so they come up with any sort of comments saying that we are running short of medicines.

“It is critical tactics they are using against us the government with ulterior motives. They did not think twice to use that tactic.

“So, I answered that on the floor of Parliament. So, anyone who did not understand and unsatisfied with that, I don’t know what to say. What else can we explain to the people. And I took the opportunity again during the sine-die motion in parliament to make reference to the issue.

“Still people not satisfy and I directly linked it to the log of demands that colleagues within the government put forward to the Prime Minister.” Sogavare said.

Despite his repeated clarifications and comprehensive statements issued both in press conferences and in Parliament, Sogavare said that some individuals continued to fuel “unnecessary fear” around the issue.

He accused these individuals of using critical tactics to undermine the government’s credibility, particularly with claims about a shortage of medicines or financial mismanagement.

“I don’t know what else we can explain to the people, I directly linked it to the log of demands that colleagues within the government put forward to the Prime Minister.” He said.

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Constituent Assembly bill needs to be revisited

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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, 19th 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.

Gov’t must have a plan for people with mental health conditions

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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”

Some provisions in provincial gov’t act needs changing

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By Loretta B Manele

We need to change some of the provisions in the provincial government act to allow our provinces to benefit from revenue sharing.

Alfred Lazarus Rina, East Central Guadalcanal member of parliament expressed this at the Sine Die Motion, on Thurs 19th Dec last month.

He said by benefiting from revenue sharing, provinces can be able to develop themselves.

Rina told parliament that as a person coming from the provincial government, he sees the need for government to do revenue sharing.

“I urge the minister of provincial government to work hard with his staff so that we can empower our provinces”

Rina mentioned that he thinks this is also preparation for transition and is something that should be done.

He stressed that they have talked about transition government but have not prepared the provinces.

Henceforth, Rina emphasized that it is good that they empower provinces so that while the national government is working, provinces are also working in terms developing good roads and establishing their own provincial headquarters.

MEHRD approves new schools, class expansions

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has approved several new schools and class expansions at the secondary level for this year, aiming to meet the growing demand for education.

In a sine-die motion last month, Minister Tozen Leokana told parliament that the ministry had given the approval to twenty schools.  

Leokana said of the twenty schools, three are new primary schools, one Rural Training Center (RTC), nine schools to commence form one, and an additional seven schools to provide form four.

He said the trend of establishing new schools and expanding the secondary level has indicated the need to cater to the “growing school population.”

While acknowledging a significant increase in the ministry’s budget, Leokana emphasized that challenges remain.

“…although we have the biggest share, we still have many challenges that remain, particularly in education access at the early childhood education and senior secondary school level. Including  learning outcomes for girls, children, those with disabilities and students in rural areas,” he said.

Other challenges include low student completion rates, the impacts of climate change, population growth, economic constraints, and limited resources for funding essential infrastructure projects.

Despite these challenges, Leokana expressed confidence in the ongoing education reform program, which is designed to address these issues.

“Nevertheless, there is renewed efforts by the government, together with the support budget through our donor partners, to address those challenges in 2025 and beyond,” he added.

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