By EDDIE OSIFELO

Chief John Marawa of Sulukokolo land in South Malaita has urged the Minister of Forestry and Research to cancel the felling license of Southern Enterprises Sawmilling.

This request comes in the wake of allegations that the company, a licensee of Graceland Logging Company Limited, engaged in illegal logging on Sulukokolo’s customary land.

Southern Enterprises Sawmilling claimed to have obtained an access agreement with George Kio, who was appointed as the ‘caretaker’ of Sulukokolo land in the absence of the Complainant party. However, Chief Marawa denied granting any such consent or authority to George Kio.

Chief Marawa also raised concerns about the legitimacy of the company’s license, as the Malaita Province and the Ministry of Forestry and Research could not locate the company’s file.

He called on the Ministry to investigate the company’s logging operations, alleging that they did not follow the proper Ministry’s processes.

“Every person involved with Southern Enterprise Sawmilling used the same form for logging, including their operations on Sulukokolo land,” Chief Marawa noted, expressing worry about the environmental damage caused by their activities.

Chief Marawa appealed to Minister Mua to cancel the company’s license, stating that failure to do so would condone corruption.

Additionally, Chief Marawa urged the Malaita Province Executive to write to Grace Logging Company, requesting that they cease operations in Small Malaita, as their practices appear to be illegal within the province’s jurisdiction.

Minister Mua has decided to defer the suspension of Southern Enterprise Sawmilling’s felling license A10112 under Section 39(2) of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilization Act. This decision is contingent upon the resolution of the encroachment issue on Sulukokolo customary lands between the Appellant and Grace Logging (SI) Limited. The Minister assures all parties that this decision is made with fairness and justice in mind, allowing for disputes to be resolved and all parties’ interests to be considered.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Elijah Owa Hirumae, one of the owners of Southern Enterprises Sawmilling, has issued a strong response to Councillor Reginald Ngati’s recent call for action against logging companies that allegedly violate Solomon Islands’ laws.

This public dispute centers around allegations of illegal logging and environmental damage on Small Malaita, drawing attention to the nation’s forestry and investment sector.

Ngati, Honiara City Councillor for Vura ward, had called upon the Foreign Investment Board to take action against companies like Southern Enterprises Sawmilling, accusing them of flouting the Forestry Act, the Environment Act, and other related laws governing their investments in the country’s vital forestry sector.

Ngati’s plea follows a dispute with Southern Enterprise Sawmilling Company Ltd, a licensee of Graceland Logging Company Limited.

In this dispute, Graceland Logging Company has agreed to compensate Ngati with $80,000 for the illegal cutting of 21 logs in Small Malaita.

However, Ngati contends that the company has failed to cover the costs of environmental damage to the land and has instead encouraged him to pursue the matter in court.

Ngati was particularly dismayed when he discovered that the Deed of Agreement provided by the company did not bear his signature.

Responding to these accusations, Hirumae clarified that the Deed of Agreement in question was a draft, which he had sent to the Commissioner of Forest for review.

He maintained that Ngati could sign it if he agreed with its contents.

Hirumae argued that Ngati’s environmental damage claim was not included in the Deed of Agreement because it fell under the Environmental Act, whereas the current dispute was related to the Forestry Act.

Hirumae also criticized the environmental report, stating that it had allegedly been conducted solely on a desktop computer by the acting Director of Environment and his team, without an on-site assessment.

He further claimed that Ngati himself did not know the precise location of the land in question.

In response to Ngati’s insistence on compensation for environmental damage, Hirumae suggested that if Ngati was dissatisfied with the company’s stance, he should take the matter to court.

He emphasized that the onus was on Ngati to initiate legal proceedings.

Hirumae also clarified that the company was currently engaged in road alignment work on Ngati’s land and that even if logging operations were to occur, it would not exceed $600,000 due to the relatively small one-hectare size of the land.

Earlier, Minister of Forestry and Research, Dickson Mua Panakitasi, exercised his powers under Section 39(2) of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilization Act. He deferred the suspension of the Appellant’s felling license A10112, pending the resolution of the dispute concerning encroachment onto Sulukokolo customary lands. Minister Panakitasi urged the Appellant and Grace Logging (SI) Limited to resolve the issue of encroachment and trespass on Sulukokolo customary land in a fair and just manner. If the conditions are settled, the suspension order may be lifted, allowing the license to be reinstated.

Minister Panakitasi emphasized that his decision aimed to ensure a just resolution of the matter, considering the interests of all parties involved.

This dispute underscores the complexities surrounding logging activities and environmental concerns in the Solomon Islands, and the resolution will be closely watched by stakeholders and the public alike.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

SUPERVISING PPC Malaita, Lesley Kili appeals to intending candidates and current MPs to cautious on safety of people when transporting them to the province for the current voter’s registration.

The call was made following experience that public transports continued to overload people coming from Honiara to Auki to various wards and constituencies in the province.

He said the provincial police have begun an operation, which will last until the objection and omission process of the registration and overloading of public transport is one of their main focuses.

Kili said awareness continue to provide to drivers and vehicle owners in Auki to be mindful on overloading and traffic law at large. 

“I also want to issue a warning to all intending candidates and current MPs in Malaita to take extra care for people they bring from Honiara to the province for the registration.

“Safety of the people is important and police will not tolerate whosoever may want to go beyond traffic law especially on overloading as experienced.

“The operation is currently active and part of it, we will continue to provide awareness in Auki continue remind drivers and truck owners on the area.

“This is so that we work together to avoid accident that will only create problems for our people and ourselves,” he said.

Kili reiterated his call to intending candidates, current MPs, owners and drivers of public transport to take up responsibility and control their people and vehicles.     

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Royal Solomon Island Police is confident to deal with any emerging threat prior to and during the upcoming Pacific Games in November 2023 that will be hosted in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

That is according to Police Commissioner Mostin Mangau.

Mangau said dealing with ongoing threats is part of the Police normal operations and responsibility.

“We faced ongoing threats but that is part of our normal operation. It our responsibility or police responsibility to deal with any threats that comes up.

“We are well prepared to provide security during the Pacific Games. We are ready to deal with any threats and situation that will come up,” he said.

Mangau said RSIPF is anticipating a lot of people that will come into the country as well as Solomon Islanders that will be flying into Honiara from Provinces.

“We have an operational plan for the upcoming Pacific Games. This plan will be carried out by our Police and with the support of our security partners as well. It will be implemented in 4 phases. Our enforcement will kick off as of next month.

“There will be an influx of people and we understand that it will put a lot of pressure on our security, but we will ensure lives and properties will be protected,” he said.

Mangau said a good number of officers will be well equipped for the PG 2023.

“At the moment we improving our capacity and upgrading our capabilities as well, so we are working towards upgrading our capabilities to support our operations. We are on own track.

“We will also be liaising closely with the Games Organising committee in terms of security measures and plans to ensure the games venues are safe for our athletes,” he said.       

Premier for Guadalcanal Provincial Government Frances Sade said his office is aware that there are some threats and it is not a good thing for people to do that.

“The upcoming Pacific Games 2023 in November would be an important event for the country. I would say that the threats are coming from very desperate ungrateful people. I don’t think it represents the people of this country but personal interests. Maybe some people who are not happy with the government are the ones making these threats.

“To me threat is not good for us and not good for the games. I would like to call upon our people across the country especially Honiara, Guadalcanal and Malaita not disturb the games,” Sade said.

He said the PG 2023 will promote unity in diversity and provide a platform for economic opportunities for Solomon Islanders.

“My advice to our good people is to capture the opportunity that the games will bring. This event will promote the unity of the Pacific through sports and also the unity of this country through sports. Please come out and support our athletes so that we can achieve our target goals.

“I want our good people to think positive about this event. I condemned any threat coming from any group that will disrupt the games. If you have any issues with the government, there are right channels to address the issues. Do not use the social media to mislead and create fear for our citizens.

“I ‘am sure police are taking the lead on dealing with these threats,” Sade said.

He said his office is still waiting for orders from the Guadalcanal Police Commander and the National government before beefing up their security preparation towards the upcoming Pacific Games 2023.

According to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) media release eight suspects were arrested for planning to destroy key infrastructures in Honiara to prevent the Games from taking place.

“Police brought in the suspects for questioning and few suspects have been remanded whilst others are released on strict bail conditions,” the RSIPF statement said.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) National Security and Operation support Ian Vaevaso said the suspects are allegedly planning to sabotage or destroy some of the government national projects and critical infrastructures in Honiara.

Vaevaso said planning of such activities is a serious crime under Solomon Islands law and police will not tolerate such attitude.

“Police is still investigating this matter and will not be able to provide further details as it will compromise the investigation,” he said.

Vaevaso assured the general public and business houses to continue with their normal business.