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Solomon Islands -New Zealand meeting significant, says Pacific security expert.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele meeting his Aotearoa counterpart Nanaia Mahuta in Wellington this week.

SOLOMON Islands says consultation between Pacific nations could be improved, ahead of a foreign affairs bilateral meeting in New Zealand.

The nation’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele sat down with his Aotearoa counterpart Nanaia Mahuta in Wellington yesterday.

Pacific Security expert Anna Powles said Mahuta would be looking to solidify bilateral relations between the two nations after intense geopolitical scrutiny over the Solomons-Beijing security pact.

“There’ll certainly be a sense that New Zealand needs to ensure it has strong, robust and open channels of communication with the Solomon Islands going forward in the relationship,” Powles said.

News of a draft security agreement between China and Solomon Islands caught the New Zealand government by surprise in March.

Speaking at Te Herenga Waka (Victoria University of Wellington)’s law school Monday night, Manele reiterated the Solomon Islands’ “friends to all, enemies to none” policy.

“We work with any partner that gives us a fair go,” he said.

However, he did say consultation in the Pacific region could be improved.

“I think there is room and space to further enhance our bilateral consultations… not only at officials level but also at the ministerial level.”

Manele added while regional frameworks, like the annual Pacific Islands Forum, facilitated consultation, it was important sovereign nations could make independent decisions.

“Of course while there are regional frameworks for consultation, flexibility must also be there for sovereign states to also consult and pursue their interests as they see fit.”

The United States has made concerted efforts to counter China’s influence in the Pacific in recent months.

Last week, leaders of 14 Pacific nations were hosted at a historic U.S-Pacific Summit in Washington for two days of talks and a dinner at the White House.

Manele said Solomon Islands welcomed America’s renewed interest and engagement in the Pacific region, including an 11-part partnership declaration it signed.

“We look forward to the implementation of that arrangement and the commitments that have been made by the US in terms of its interest and engagement in the region.”

Manele said the Solomons would continue to deal with its economic challenges, fast-growing youth population and security issues through a “development lens”.

He said he “remained determined” to increase the number of people allowed to work in New Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme to aid its recovery from the pandemic.

“We have lost a lot of ground due to Covid-19. Part of my visit is to promote Solomon Islands’ ‘here to work’ brand and ask employers in New Zealand to look our way,” he said.

Ministry of National Planning & Development hands over vehicle to Guadalcanal.

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MNPDC Permanent Secretary (Ag) Roy Mae second from left, hands over the key of the Toyota Land Cruiser to Guadalcanal Province Premier Hon. Francis Sade. Looking on are MNPDC DS Strategic Planning and Program Quality, Travis Ziku (left) and GPG Provincial Secretary (Ag) Maesac Suia (right). Photo MNPDC Press

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) handed over a Toyota Land Cruiser to the Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) during a brief ceremony in Honiara yesterday.

The vehicle was part of assets from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) which was implemented by the National Government through the MNPDC, with the program team, development partners, provincial governments and rural communities.

MNPDC handed over the vehicle to GPG as RDP has come to a closure as of 30th September, 2022, significantly reaching a milestone of 14 years of implementation since phase 1 and now phase 2.

MNPDC Permanent Secretary (Ag) Roy Mae said GPG has been identified as one of the important stakeholders that RDP has worked with over the many years that the program had been implemented, and has been very supportive of the program.

“Therefore, we are pleased to handover this vehicle to you,” Mae said.

“I would like to encourage you to take good care of this asset and put it to good use in many more years to come to achieve the province’s development aspirations and programs, as well as to overcome the challenges that you are facing at the moment,” he added.

Mae also acknowledged and thanked the partners who contributed funding towards RDP and made its implementation possible.

This includes the Australian Government (DFAT), The European Union (EU), the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), World Bank (WB) and SIG. 

Mae also acknowledged RDP program management, commending them for a job well done in ensuring the successful implementation and completion of the program.

Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade acknowledged SIG through MNPDC for the timely handing over of the vehicle.

 He said the current GPG executive has been faced with a lot of challenges, one of which is logistics.

“Logistics is one of our challenges that we have been faced with over the last couple of months. We are blessed that you make the decision to give us this vehicle,” he said.

The premier also acknowledge the work RDP has done in the province, and said his executive is happy to continue work together with MNPDC.

The handing over came after the province submitted a formal request earlier this year.

RDP was implemented in Solomon Islands in two phases over 14 years – from 2008 to 2022.

Its objective was to improve basic infrastructure and services in rural areas and to strengthen the linkages between smallholder farming households and markets.

RDP was focused on participatory development, demand-responsive provision of Government services and creation of a supportive economic environment for small-scale rural development to foster employment and income growth.

The program was divided in three components, and was designed to respond to priorities identified by communities in order to raise the living standard of rural households.

The successful completion of the program provided improved access to infrastructure and services to approximately 300,000 people, 60% of the population.

Consultation on Immigration Act 2021 conducted in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Members of MPG, consultation team from MCILI and participants attending the two days consultation review on the Immigration Act 2021 yesterday in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Ministry of Commence, Industry, Labor and Immigration (MCILI) will wind-up a two days consultation on the review of the Immigration Act 2012 in Aukitoday.

The consultation is to seek people’s contributions toward reviewing and strengthening the regulatory framework of the act to enable better management of the country’s border system.

Speaking during the opening of the consultation yesterday, Director Acting for the Immigration Division under MCILI, Chris Akosawa stressed that the country’s security and prosperity depend heavily on robust border legislation and policies.

“Let us focus on this bill with magnifying lenses to support us in this 21st century through policies and legislations that will make globalization work for our economy since we are no longer living in isolation.

He said managing the country’s border well with legal frameworks is imperative to connecting to Pacific neighbor and the world to manage risks by protecting and safeguarding the country.

Akosawa said this is to ensure the country benefits from the flow of goods and people including skilled immigration which is essential to grow the country’s economy.

“Therefore, this immigration bill will enable better management of our border system.

“This is instrumental with investment needs in new technologies to improve our database, speed, surveillance and integrity of movement across our borders,” he said.

Akosawa also said that the national government is supporting national economic infrastructure projects in Malaita province like Suava Economic Growth Centre, Malu’u wharf and Bina Harbour Tuna processing Plant Projects.

“These development projects upon successful completion will boost and connect our domestic economy with decentralized immigration services.

“Our preparation with this immigration bill is important to provide well-managed migration policies that take care of the cohesion of our society, community and humanitarian issues.

“This will help to maximize economic and trade opportunity through our global bilateral and multi-lateral relationships,” he said.

Akosawa said national government through the bill is vigilant about security risks that will obstruct the border controls of the country.

“It (bill) will ensure that our borders are well-protected against transnational crime.

“Enable better movement of goods and people with regulations to safeguard human health, protects our environment and ensure the sustainability and productivity of investment opportunities, employment and our primary industries,” he said.

Akosawa said the outcome of this review workshop and others will advance the ministry further with the immigration bill to repeal current act 2012.

He said the current bill is a product of a review work conducted on the immigration 2012 act with the support of Pacific Immigration Development Community in 2018, 2021-2022.

Akosawa thanked the MARA government for the support behind the bill and participants for contributing towards the review of the bill.

Police says no pact yet with US for police training

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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PRT Officers who joined the inspection parade

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands will need to sign a security agreement with United States of America to allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to train local police officers this year.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force confirmed this in an email to Island Sun yesterday.

“At this stage there is no bilateral bilateral agreement,” police said.

“When formalities are done then a security agreement will be signed between the two countries,” it added.

“At this stage not yet.”

The FBI is a top security and intelligence service in the US that also deals with counter-terrorism, counterintelligence and investigate federal crimes.

The announcement was part of the 11-point declaration signed by the United States and Pacific Island nations during their two days summit in Washington last Thursday.

According to Reuters, US agreed to provide US$2.8 million to step up FBI training with Pacific islands, including in 2022 with the Solomon Islands.

It also states United States would invest more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the islands, on top of over $1.5 billion provided in the past decade.

It includes a previously announced 10-year $600 million aid request to Congress to build climate resilience and maritime security for the island states.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare agreed not to sign the declaration prior to the Washington summit, confirms in a leaked memo from Solomon Islands Embassy in New York.

However, it turned out Sogavare joined the rest of the Pacific Island countries to sign the declaration and stood shoulder to shoulder with President Biden after the signing.

Currently, the RSIPF officers are trained by the Australia Federal Police and Chinese police, who were dispatched to the country after the signing of the security agreement between PRC and Solomon Islands Government in April this year.

The Chinese police officers also trained the employees of the Chinese businesses and youths at Tulagi, Central Islands province.

Furthermore, the US will open its new Embassy in Honiara and return the peace corps to engage in the communities.

Manele explain reasons for signing Washington 11 points declaration.

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Opposition Leader, Jeremaiah Manele
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeremaiah Manele.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele has clarified why Solomon Islands signed the 11-points declaration during the Pacific Islands and United States of America summit in Washington last Thursday.

Solomon Islands earlier made her stand clear prior to the Summit not to sign the declaration.

However, speaking to reporters in Wellington, New Zealand yesterday, Manele said Solomon Islands agreed to sign after a requirement for “Pacific Island states to consult with each other before signing security deals with regional impacts” was removed.

“In the initial draft there were some references that we were not comfortable with, but then the officials under the discussions and negotiations … were able to find common ground, and then that took us on board, so we signed,” he said.

Asked what specifically they were uncomfortable with, he confirmed it related to indirect references to China.

“There were some references that put us in a position that we would have to choose sides, and we don’t want to be placed in a position that we have to choose sides.”

He said the Solomons’ agreement with China was domestically focused and did not include provision for a military base.

“My belief … and my hope is this – that the Pacific should be a region of peace, of co-operation and collaboration, and it should not be seen as a region of confrontation, of conflict and of war,” he said.

“And of course, we are guided by the existing regional security arrangements that we have in place – and these are the Biketawa declaration as well as the Boe declaration.

“We welcome the US re-engagement with the Pacific and we look forward to working with all our partners.”

Manele was on an official visit to New Zealand to meet his counterpart Nanaia Mahuta.

He was welcomed to the Parliament with a pōwhiri.

Solomon Islands has signed a security agreement with China in April this year, sparking backlash from USA and other western countries.

Details of that security pact has not been released publicly to date.

Premier Suidani calls for review of Immigration laws

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani has called for a comprehensive immigration law to cope with issues of national security and to manage the investment and migration needs of the country.

Suidani made the call in his keynote address during the opening of a two-day consultation on the Immigration Act 2021 which will end today in Auki.

Speaking on the theme for the consultation “Safe and secure borders for economic growth”, he said the theme reflects the important milestone of the country that is aspiring for peace and security for its social economic development.

“Migration is a cross-cutting security issue and has been impacting our people, society and economy which our country needs comprehensive immigration laws and policies to manage investment and migration.

“Our immigration reform is part of the global community reform in which many countries are reforming their related policies and Immigration laws to ensure international borders are safe and secured,” Suidani said.

The Premier assured his commitment to support the national government redirection policy and efforts to reform the immigration laws to encourage and promote economic growth in the country.

He projected that the immigration reform undertaken by the MCILI will help to strengthen and encourage foreign investment and provide opportunities to support the productive and extractive sectors to expand their social economic development in the country.

Suidani stressed that Immigration, Foreign Investment and Labor laws are piece of legislations that are gate keepers of the country and the national government needs to reform these laws to be more comprehensive to strengthen enforcement and monitoring of the economy and migration.

Meanwhile, he said that MPG is looking forward to host some of the major national economic and industries in the near future such as Bina Harbor deep seaport, Ministry of Fisheries fishing project and Suava Bay development.

“These two major government undertakings will become key milestones to open foreign investors to Malaita province in which we need strong immigration, labor and foreign investment laws to protect our borders,” Suidani advised.

He said that the current reform is timely to ensure Immigration laws are structured to meet the International standards promoting the UN goals 2030 for safe and secured orderly migration.

On that note, Premier Suidani thanked the Pacific Immigration Development Community Secretariat and the government for co-funding the Immigration act review.

Judge to sentence woman after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

HIGH Court Judge Justice Leonard Maina will be sentencing a woman who pleaded guilty to a charge for manslaughter following the death of an elderly woman on Malaita in 2016.

This is the case against Ida Gwaro, her case was listed for sentence yesterday however was adjourned to October 27 for sentence.

Judge Maina’s associate informed court yesterday that the judge had already made directions for the case to be sentenced on October 27, therefore it has to be adjourned to that date.

It was agreed the defendant Gwaro was suffering from mental illness at the time of the incident.

The court heard that she stabbed an elderly disabled woman to death with a bush knife at Gwaiau village on the highlands of north Malaita in June 2016.

 As a result of the wound sustained, the elderly woman died.

Ms Gwaro was then arrested and charged for a count of murder, however after assessment by a psychiatrist, it was confirmed that Gwaro suffered from Paranoid Schizophrenia, a mental illness.

The Prosecution then sent Gwaro’s matter to the Governor General (GG) for his consideration, in which a recommendation was made for her to be kept at the Rove Correctional Centre to receive treatment.

Ben Alasia of Public Solicitor’s Office represented Gwaro, whilst Public Prosecutor, Geitaba Waletofea, appears for the Crown.

SIKAIANA STARVING

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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Sikaiana Island. PHOTO GEORGE HERMING

8 months no ship, schools closed, no food & medicine

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

February was the last time a ship visited Sikaiana. Now, eight months later, people are reportedly starving.

“There is no food, medicine, the school has closed to allow children to accompany their parents to the smaller islets to forage for food, more and more people are getting sick,” Sikaiana MPA Ezekiel Teusa says.

Around 200 people live on Sikaiana, mostly children, Teusa adds.

Concerned individuals from Sikaiana in Honiara have rallied together to call on their member of parliament and the national government to send a ship with relief supplies to the isolated atolls.

Spokesperson Tera Tavao told Island Sun, during their meeting on Sunday they resolved to exhaust all means of reaching out to their MP, Martin Kealoe Mokolo, and the national government to ask for a ship to be sent to Sikaiana.

Sikaiana belongs to the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) constituency.

MP Mokolo could not be reached for comments, however MOI constituency development officer (CDO) John Selwyn says the constituency cannot help the people on Sikaiana because of lack of funds.

“[MOI] constituency cannot charter a ship because the funds for this year have all been exhausted, expended according to their allocations.

“Sikaiana usually depends on the government franchise system which services uneconomical routes. But the contract for MV Airi expired earlier this year, and MID has put up this service for tender but the process is slow and the tender is yet to be made.

“MP Mokolo has been trying his best, even going as far as seeking an audience with the Minister for MID, to seek the possibility of quickly facilitating a ship to be sent to Sikaiana.”

Permanent Secretary to MID, Mr Steven Maesiola, responding to Island Sun enquiry, says he will try and push for the Central Tender Board (CTB) to prioritise the franchise so that a ship could be sent this month.

“I’ll try my best this week to arrange any ship to go this week or next week.

“The tender for Sikaiana franchise was not brought up in the recent CTB meeting, I’ll push for the CTB to quickly meet on this matter this week.”

He says he and the MP for MOI are working on this matter, adding that since the route is categorised as an uneconomical one, it is quite difficult to find any ship.

Meanwhile, he calls for understanding from the people of Sikaiana, saying that the process takes time.

“You cannot depend and blame the government all the time. We follow a process. And these things take time.

“A ship cannot go when there is no funds. In this kind of situation there should be understanding.

“And, they have their own member of parliament to help them too. He should intervene and support them and organise a ship.

“It is unfair for them to expect on the government. It depends on availability on funds, on the government meeting any franchise, on when the CTB will approve the tender, etc.”

Mr Tavao welcomes MID PS Maesiola’s reassurance of help to Sikaiana.

“This is good news, and we hope it will eventuate as soon as the PS has said.

“It is going eight months now, and our people are starving. People on Sikaiana depend on processed food from the shops, such as rice, noodles, sugar, tealeaf and necessities such as washing and bathing soap, fuel to move about in the boats, etc.

“Now that the supplies have been depleted, people on Sikaiana are resorting to taro, banana, and coconut for food, supplemented by fish.

“Food is also getting scarce because of the time it takes for crops, such as taro, and banana to mature and be ready for consumption.”

MPA Teusa, in reiterating the call for the MP and national government to send a ship to Sikaiana, says:

“As the provincial member for Sikaiana, I am really sad and am pressured every day by the plight faced by my people.

“I have been trying my best to get a ship to Sikaiana, including bringing the matter to the attention of the prime minister along with the MOI MP earlier this year, and also meeting with the department within MID responsible for the franchise tender today [yesterday].

“So far, I have been told that the tender has not been brought before the CTB.

“And I have been instructed to write a letter to the MID department for franchise detailing the plight of my people of Sikaiana, explaining why a ship must immediately be sent there.

“So, I have written a letter and will submit it to the MID department responsible for the franchise tender tomorrow [today].

“News from home Sikaiana is gut wrenching. There is simply no food, no medicine, no rice, even no smoke, nothing left. All forms of fuel have run out three months ago.

“The school has closed, with only form three classes being retained few classes per week, while the rest of the children are left to accompany their parents to the surrounding islets to forage for food.”

SPREP: role of media in climate crisis is vital

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Karl Kuper of MECDM

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE role of media in reporting the climate crisis has become more important than ever before, says the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) office.

Karl Kuper on behalf of SPREP highlighted this during the official closing ceremony of the 6th Pacific Media Summit in Honiara.  

“Let me remind you that the role of the media in reporting this climate crisis has become even more important than ever before,” Kuper said.

“As the ears and eyes of members of the public, the media has a duty to not only inform and educate but to continue to share our Pacific voices so our fight for 1.5 to stay Alive remains strong and visible,” he added.

“We can do this by giving scientists, policymakers and even activists a platform to speak directly to people, the media can powerfully translate the impacts of climate change in an understandable and a conceivable way.”

For instance, he said local news organisations can show the impact of climate change in their communities’ own context.

“In this way, localised media can give its inhabitants a chance to work grassroots and connect to countrywide policymakers to see what they can do.

“I want to emphasise that the Pacific media is crucial in sharing our climate change experiences and how we address these challenges as we strive for resilience.

“We are grateful for the work that you do.

“The stories we are celebrating tonight have highlighted our Pacific people’s fighting spirit and our resilience,” Kuper said.

Two local journalists win SPREP awards

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Local Journalist, Jeremy Gwao.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Two of the four winners of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) award, the 2020 Vision Pacific Media Award, are Solomon Islanders.

They are Jeremy Gwao of Tavuli News, who won the online category and Moffat Mamu of the Solomon Star, who scooped the Print category award.

Gwao received his award during the official closing dinner of the 6th Pacific Media Summit for stories highlighting Pacific people’s fight against climate crisis.

Karl Kuper, on behalf of SPREP and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, says through the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), with financial support from Aotearoa New Zealand, the 2022 Vision Pasifika Media Awards shines the spotlight on stories of Pacific resilience in the face of the escalating climate crisis. 

“The Awards commemorate the role of Pacific Media in amplifying our Pacific voice on this fight for our lives. 

“I want to emphasise that the Pacific media is crucial in sharing our climate change experiences and how we address these challenges as we strive for resilience. We are grateful for the work that you do. T

“he stories we are celebrating tonight have highlighted our Pacific people’s fighting spirit and our resilience. They deserve recognition.

“Let me congratulate all the winners of the 2022 Vision Pasifika Media Awards. Enjoy your evening,” Kuper said.

He adds by acknowledging the support from Aotearoa New Zealand through the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme for funding all the wonderful prizes.

Gwao said the awards will be recognised for a very long time and he owed it to Late Francis Filia who he wrote about his story based on human right caused by climate change.

“I’m honoured and humbly thanked SPREP for recognising my work in covering Climate Change in the Pacific.

“Today climate change is not only affecting environment but and is slowly affecting human rights and our basic rights.

“So being part of such platform makes a bonus for me to share my story abroad and me being the mouth piece of our people in Solomon Islands and the Pacific,” he said. 

In addition the other winners are Fabian Randerath of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation who won the Television category and Sere Tikotikoivatu a s student Journalist at the University of the South Pacific (USP) writing for the Wansolwara who won the Tertiary Level Journalism category.    

Moreover, SPREP was also the sponsor of the 6th Pacific Media Summit farewell dinner held in Honiara.

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