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EU pumps in $78M for water, sanitation here

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Berdi Berdiyev, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager, Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade, Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso, Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia and UNICEF Chief of Office, Dr Zalalem Taffesse.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands has received $78 million ($8 million Euro) from the European Union to improve water and sanitary conditions in schools and communities throughout the country.

The funding is also to strengthen the service delivery capabilities of provincial governments as prescribed in the major components of the project.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) will implement the projects.

Speaking at the launching of the EU funded projects at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday, Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso thanked the European Union, for this important gesture that would surely go a long way in improving water and sanitary conditions of schools and communities.

EU had also assisted the nine provincial governments through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) from 2008 to 2015.

Seleso said the overall contribution of European Union to PGSP phase one was over USD6.1million and USD3.5million of that went into PCDF.

“The European Union contribution in PGSP phase one did not only help the nine provinces to deliver critical infrastructure throughout the country, but it also supported the Ministry of Provincial Governments to strengthen the capacities of the provincial governments as critical service delivery agency of the National Government.

“Through the partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI, UNDP and UNCDF, the EU, the donor partners’ support to PCDF and PGSP has contributed a lot in improving the infrastructure and service delivery capabilities of the nine provincial governments,” he said.

“As of today, the nine provinces combined have completed and handed over 1,549 projects in various sectors from July 2008 to March 2022 at a total cost of USD41 million creating over 8,500 jobs for our construction industry most of whom are rural youths.

“Our records indicate that the provincial investment in water and sanitations stands at 520 projects at a cost of USD2.1 million.  In education sector, the provincial governments through the PCDF delivered 301 classroom projects at a cost of USD12.7 million whilst in health sector, they delivered about 133 projects across the nine provinces at a total of USD4.8 million,” he said.

Seleso said the new project they were launching yesterday shall greatly complement the efforts of the provincial governments and prepare them to provide the much-needed support to education and health sectors in their service delivery efforts at the sub-national.

He said because of the seed money provided by the development partners under the leadership of SIG, the capabilities of the provincial governments have been increasing.

“The National Government has recognized the impact made by the Provincial Governments not only in delivering rural infrastructure for service delivery but also the massive improvements realized in governance and accountability,” he added.

EU Ambassador and Head for the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, H.E Sujiro Seam and UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze could not attend the launching in Honiara but joined through virtual from Nadi airport in Fiji.

They could not come on Tuesday due to mechanical problem caused to Air Nauru but arrived in Honiara yesterday.

They start their engagement today by attending launching of other EU projects and held consultations with the Government before returning to Fiji on Saturday.

KILLER DRIVER GETS 6 YEARS

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court has sentenced a man found guilty for causing the death of five people at the Tenaru bridge last year to six year and six months.

 Danny Benson was charged for five counts of manslaughter.

High Court Justice Maelyn Bird said manslaughter is a serious offence and the maximum penalty prescribed under our laws for that offence is imprisonment for life.

 It is that serious because it involves the taking away of a man’s life through one’s negligence.

On July 7 2021 between 8pm to 9pm, the Benson was said to be drunk and driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser.

He was then spotted by a Police Patrol Team when he took off from the northern road at the KGVI crossroad.

Due to his careless driving at that time, the police patrol signalled him to stop but instead he tried to escape by driving through the middle of the single lane road without indicating lights to other vehicles on the road.

Justice Bird said despite signals from police to stop he drove on at very high speed.

During that time there was a fundraising at the western end of the old Tenaru bridge and the place was crowded with people attending the event.

In an attempt to avoid police patrol, he switched off the vehicle’s head lights and drove the vehicle towards the old Tenaru bridge towards the crowd.

It was during that time that the incident happened which resulted in the death of the five people.

Bird said the manner in which the prisoner was driving was extremely dangerous.

“You have no regard whatsoever for other road users and the public at large. You disregarded advise by your passengers to slow down.

“You were driving like a maniac and at night time and with your head lights off. As a result of your carelessness and negligence, you killed five people on the very same night.

“If you had your head lights on, you would have been able to see from a safe distance that people were congregated in the area for a fundraising,” Ms Bird said.

She also said the accident could have been avoided and loss of lives could even have been minimal if he drove the vehicle with due care and attention.

“These circumstances in my view makes your offending more serious than any other motor vehicle manslaughter cases previously dealt with by this court,” Bird added.

Mala youths to mark big day this Saturday

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki provincial town of Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Malaita Provincial Youth Council will hold celebrations this Saturday to mark International Youth Day which falls annually on 12th August.

President of the Malaita Provincial Youth Council (MPYC), Philip Subu said the event will be held at the Auki Market car park in Auki town.

He said the celebration is to recognize the efforts and important roles played by youths which contributed one way or the other to Malaita province

He said the celebration is also important for youths in the province to join the international youth community in marking this important day.

Subu said the event will be graced by Premier Daniel Suidani, who will be key speaker and speeches from MPYC and other stakeholders.

He said talks will also be presented during the event from stakeholders working with youths on youth related programmes in the province.

Subu said the celebration will happen on behalf of youths of Malaita province to mark this International Youth Day, 2022.

Wairiu is new Pro Chancellor and chair of SINU

Written by
Press Release
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New SINU Pro Chancellor and Chair, Dr Morgan Wairiu.

DR MORGAN Wairiu is the new Pro Chancellor and Chairperson of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Council

Hailed from Marau Sound, East Guadalcanal, Wairiu has been formally appointed as Pro Chancellor and Chairperson of the 4th SINU Council by the Minster of Education and Human Resources Development.

“Wairiu is a respectable person of high standing in the academic circle and has wide experience in teaching, research and publication and managing an education institution,” a statement from SINU said.

“He is currently the Chief of Party of SCALE-NRM Project, implemented by Winrock International and funded by USAID,” it added. 

Prior to joining the SCALE-NRM Project, Wairiu was the Acting Director of the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji.  

He also served as the Deputy Director, Programme Manager and Research Fellow at the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development.

Wauriu also served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in 2001.

A Fulbright Scholar, Wairiu obtained Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Ohio, United States of America in 2001; Master of Science in Soil Science at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland; Postgraduate Certificate in Agriculture and Rural Development at Wye College at the University of London in the United Kingdom and Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Papua New Guinea.

At the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD), Wairiu was the Lead Author of the IPCC 1.5 Special Report on Climate Change and the Coordinating Lead Author of the Small Islands Chapter in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.

His research interest is in climate change and resilient development. He has also supervised over 20 research students (both Masters and Ph.D.) in this research area.

Wairiu has published several publications in some leading and reputable journals.

He has been awarded Best Paper Award in 2017 in the International Journal of Climate Change Impacts and Responses.

Wairiu also serves as member of renowned Committees, Advisory Working Groups, Councils, Taskforces, Conference of Parties, Trusts, Institutes and Forums.

$5m for youth hub on Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE National Government through the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs has put forward $SBD5 million to build a youth hub (multipurpose hall) for Malaita province.

This was announced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women (MWYCFA), Dr Cedric Alepedava to youth bodies in the province during his visit to Auki last week.

Malaita Provincial Youth Coordinator, Francis Samo also relayed the funding support in an interview with this paper yesterday.

“The $5 million support grant was relayed to us by PS Alepedava during a dinner at Auki Lodge last week, and soon it will officially be announced.

“My office is liaising with other responsible offices within Malaita to prepare for the funding,” he said.

“One of the areas we are looking at is a suitable site for the hub which will also a government owned land and must be within the vicinity of Auki town.

“Aligegeo futsal court is one, there is another government land we applied for behind the Women Resource Centre in Auki town, we are yet to get a response,” he said. 

Mr Samo said the Malaita Youth Desk has a plan to have a youth hub in the province for a long time, and the funding support will be a fulfillment of the plan.

He said the plan is to have a 50×50 metres multi-purpose hall that will also house a sporting arena for activities and accommodation.

“The plan is there and we’ll see if the fund is enough, if not we will push for additional assistance by the Malaita Provincial Government through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF),” Samo said.

He said the Malaita provincial government through its Youth Desk is happy to learn of the support and they will ensure it materializes to support youth programs and activities in the province.

Samo said his office will provide whatever support required from them and other relevant offices and stakeholders to successfully implement the fund for the benefit of youths in the province.

Madam Sogavare assist widowed market vendors

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Some of the many widows posing for a photo opportunity with Madam Emmy Sogavare and Hon Ethel Vokia.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE Wife of the Prime Minister, Emmy Sogavare has hosted another fellowship for widows who are market vendors at the Fisheries Market.

The Prime Minister’s wife said this not the first time she has hosted such a programme for these special group of mothers.

She gave them encouragement and stressed that they are powerful and are the windows of love and windows of hope.

“As a madam and a mother of this nation, you are always in my prayers. I don’t know the pain and hardships you faced, but I want you to keep seeking the lord in all that you do,” Mrs Sogavare said.

She also presented gifts to the windows donated by the Peoples Republic of China.

“I want to thank PRC and the Chinese Women Association in Solomon Islands for supporting this programme,” she said.

A representative from the Chinese Women Association in Solomon Islands, a newly formed cooperative association, Ms Lan stated her admiration for women at all levels of this nation, calling them very hardworking and loving.

“When you go to the market, half of the market is dominated by women, and you are so diligent to run from early in the morning up until late at night and sometimes they have no rest days over the weekend.

“So that is why I said Solomon Islands is a place full of love, because women are half of the sky and but women hold more than half of the sky because you are very responsible for your families,” she said.

President of the Honiara Market Vendors Association moreen Sariki thanked Sogavare for recognising the difficulties women vendors face in their daily lives.

“We thank you madam for inviting us to your home. We are all here with broken hearts. No one can read the tears we share with you, only God can,” Sariki said.

The fellowship was held over the weekend at Sogavare’s private residence at Tasahe, west Honiara. 

Malu’u wharf nears completion

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Current construction work on Malu’u Wharf.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

CONSTRUCTION on a wharf project for the Malu’u provincial sub-centre is nearing completion.

The project is funded by the National government through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) and its completion is expected to boost economic activities in the northern region of Malaita province.

Recently, this paper visited the project and witnessed that the wharf structure is already complete with only a few remaining works to be done.

In a recent statement on the wharf project and other proposed projects for Malu’u sub-centre, MP for North Malaita, Senley Filualea called on resource owners for cooperation to accomplish the projects.

He said one of the projects for Malu’u is the wharf which will soon be completed.

Filualea said another project is the Malu’u fisheries project, co-supported by the national government and donor partners. The project is already completed.

He further stressed that CEMA will soon reopen at Malu’u as it only awaits minor works to be carried-out before beginning its operation.

He said another project is the construction of the new Malu’u market facility to be funded by the Australian government.

Filualea said this series of projects has portrayed the government’s commitment and support to its people in north Malaita and the northern region of the province.

He said services provided by these projects when completed will have huge benefit on people and will contribute to enhancing economic activities in the province.

Isabel government supports Tubi conservation initiative

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Parties showing the signed document after the signing

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

ISABEL Provincial government has entered into a partnership with the Hageulu Community and Network for the Indigenous Peoples Solomons (NIPS) to support conservation of Tubi forests on Isabel Province.

A memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday 26th August at Buala, Isabel Province.

The partnership will fall within NIPS’s Women4Biodiversity Project which is aimed at building resilience and weaving gender responsive approaches to biodiversity governance.

The programme promotes and showcase contributions of women as agents of change in the ecosystem restoration of local communities.

The programme to strengthen gender responsive initiatives on ecosystems restoration and conservation in Hageulu, especially Tubi trees and to identify priorities and gender gaps in biodiversity policies in Solomon Island.

In her speech after the signing of the MoU, Premier of Isabel Province Rhoda Sikalabu welcomes the partnership saying that NIPS has set a historical partnership that will encourage community based conservation initiatives so as gender participation in conservation activities.

He said IPG has technical staff, however establishing networks and partnership to encourage community participation has been challenging.

 “The MOU we signed will not be done behind closed doors. It is time for IPG, its new partner NIPS and Hageulu Community to come out to the media and promote this partnership.

“We have seen a brand new partnership that will definitely preserve unique tree species and other conservation activities going forward.

“This partnership is unique as women are empowered to participate and will lead in decision making, Sikalabu said.

She said the integration of women and men in the programme best described inclusiveness and greater collaboration in the implementation of the partnership.  

Sikalabu said IPG fully support the partnership and she acknowledged the Network for the Indigenous Peoples Solomons (NIPS) for down-streaming practical and technical expertise in conservation to communities.

She also acknowledged Hageulu Community for driving the restoration and preservation of Tubi tree.

Network for the Indigenous Peoples Solomons (NIPS) and the Hageulu Community are cooperating to implement restoration of Tubi trees in the burnt site as part of the Women4Biodiversity Project entitled “Building resilience and weaving gender responsive approaches to biodiversity governance.

The programme promotes and showcase the contribution of women as agents of change in ecosystem restoration in local communities.

It also to strengthen the gender responsive initiatives on ecosystems restoration and conservation in Hageulu, especially Tubi trees and to identify priorities and gender gaps in biodiversity policies in Solomon Island.

Building resilience and weaving gender responsive approaches to biodiversity governance project is funded by the FARN/Women4Biodiversity under a contract partnership programme. 

The tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines the roles and responsibilities assigned to Hageulu Community, Isabel Provincial Government and Network for the Indigenous Peoples Solomons.

Each party to the MoU has a role to play in driving the partnership.

Roles and responsibilities are as follows;

Hageulu Community will lead and conduct the restoration activities as per the work plan and calendar agreed on workshop and training.

Attend Women4Biodiversity projects meetings as requested by Network for the Indigenous Peoples Solomons (NIPS).

Update completed project activities to NIPS and report to the NIPS coordinator and Isabel Provincial Government on needs and issues as they arise.

Inform the Isabel Provincial Government and Network for the Indigenous peoples Solomons of any conflict of interest.

Fully understand and sign the MoU according to the project work plan and calendar and uphold the good reputation of the Hageulu community and Network for the Indigenous peoples Solomons at all times.

As a party to the partnership, the Isabel Provincial Government must support and observe the Women4biodiversity activities according to the agreed work plan and calendar and observe the ongoing programme of the project.

Provide feedback on the project performance to Network for the indigenous Peoples Solomons and report any performance issues that arise and provide technical officers to engage during the course of the project upon request.

As the funding agency, Network for the indigenous peoples Solomons (NIPS) is responsible to oversee the Women4Biodiversity project and its management according to the agreed work plan and calendar. 

Provide training and technical support to Hageulu community, Provide updated reports to donor partner, Hageulu community and Isabel Provincial Government and highlight the ongoing activities of the project through Social media and print media.

Government reject Sasako’s $5m payout claims

Written by
Press Release
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The Office of the Prime Minister

Government has dismissed and rubbished the news article by Alfred Sasako who claimed that government Members of Parliament have been paid $5 million each to carryout constituency consultation regarding the deferment of the dissolution of the 11th parliament.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) said that claim of $5m each paid to government MPs is baseless, unfounded and ridiculous.

The OPMC statement, however, stated that all MPs were given $100,000 each purposely for consultations in their respective constituencies on the matter of the delaying of election or deferral of the dissolution of parliament.

“In total a sum of $5 million was paid out to MPs, each MP was allocated the budget of $100,000 for that specific purpose,” the OPMC explained.

The OPMC statement further added that if Sasako was to pay attention, he would have noted that the funding was budgeted for and had he paid attention to government’s press releases he would have learnt of it.

OPMC calls on Sasako to attend the weekly press conferences organized and managed by the OPMC Press Secretariat, so that he is kept abreast of issues.

OPMC also reminded Sasako that the OPMC is open to phone calls and emails.

LSL closes in on government

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

SIG given until Friday to settle $32.4M

By EDDIE OSIFELO

LEVERS Solomon Limited (LSL) has given the Government until Friday to comply with its High Court order.

This followed negotiations with the Government officials in Honiara yesterday.

LSL also agreed to delay the repossession of its property at Hell’s Point, east Honiara, until Friday following.

High Court Deputy Chief Justice, Rex Foukona on16th August 2022 made an order for the Government to pay LSL $32.4 million plus interests by yesterday’s deadline.

The company’s Barrister, Geoffrey McDonald told the media the negotiation is friendly and positive.

“We remain hopeful but at 6pm tonight (last night) we are undecided whether to accept the proposal put by SIG,” McDonald said.

“It was not unreasonable but not yet accepted,” he added.

McDonald said SIG agreed they will comply with the High Court order.

“They were very kind to say they will comply with High Court order.

“My thoughts are they should unreservedly comply with a Hight court, it’s not been negotiable, it just happens,” he said.

However, McDonald said the order got several components, including interests and rents.

“His Lordship calculated the interests but didn’t calculate the rents.

“So, there is a number of rents, but there is a calculation of rents,” he said.

“There is a principle, augmented on tax. So, it’s not absolutely clear what is to be done to comply with the order.

“For example, I think interests are $6000 per day, that is another $20,000 by Friday, that is serious money,” he said.

At the negotiations, the LSL representatives were Director Patrick Wong, Alice Willy (lawyer), Geoffrey McDonald, Barrister at law and landowners.

SIG was represented by Ministry of Finance and Treasury Permanent Secretary, Dentana Mckini, Solicitor General, Accountant General, Investment Cooperation of Solomon Islands (ICSI) Director, Tukana Bovoro and Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil.

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