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US offer of police training welcomed

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and Correctional Service officers assemble during the joint demonstration with China Police at Rove field recently.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Solomon Islanders have welcomed the announcement that United States of America (USA) will send the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to train local police officers this year.

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, who initially opted against signing 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.

Social media commentators say the FBI is a well-trained force to boost the capability of RSIPF.

However, other posters claimed it is good to have the FBI but the underlying problems of Solomon Islands is corruption and land issues.

Island Sun is still to get any feedbacks from the RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau since the announcement.

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 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.

Despite the announcement was made in Washington, it has already generated a rippling effect on the people of Solomon Islands on seeing the 11-point declaration coming to fruition.

SINPF approves new investments

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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CEO Mike Wate speaking during the official announcement on Friday.

BY NED GAGAHE

The SINPF Board has approved four domestic investments and one offshore investment amongst the other approved investment portfolios for the current financial year 2022.

The board met ahead of the official announcement of crediting rate last Friday.

CEO Mike Wate highlighted that the current financial year has been one of ‘markets up and down’ both globally and locally, ‘creating uncertainties in an already challenging investment environment for the Fund to carry out its planned investment activities.

“Domestically, amidst the limited available investment opportunities, the Board approved a total of $20 million new term deposit placements; $10milllion with Pan Oceanic Bank (POB) and $10million with its new wholly own Credit Financial Institution, Solomon Finance Ltd (Our Finance) at the industry’s best premium rates of 3.0% and 3.5% respectively.” CEO Mike Wate said.

On development bond, Wate revealed that the board had approved for the purchase of $120 million development bond.

“The board sold its previously acquired $60 million development bond to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to part finance the purchase of this new bond at the same rate of 5%.” Wate said.

Wate added that the board also approved to finance a shareholder’s loan of $13.4 million to its subsidiary Solomon Telekom Ltd during the year at an interest rate of 5%.

He also revealed that the board had purchased additional Euro Units in the listed Euro Vanguard Index Funds totalling around $9.4 million. That was financed from the Fund’s ANZ Singapore EURO cash account.

“Against a backdrop of extreme external market volatility and capturing the opportunity left by the steep share market falls, the board purchased additional euro units in the listed Euro Vanguard Index Funds totalling around $9.4m.” Wate stated.

Meanwhile, CEO Wate revealed that the funds asset has declined by 5.9 % from 2021 value of $3.935 billion to $$3.700 billion in 2022.

He said this was mainly due the large negative 2022 annual valuations.

GOVERNMENT PAYS LSL $20M

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The Office of the Prime Minister

Remaining balance to be settled November

By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT has made a part payment of $20 million to Levers Solomon Limited (LSL) relating to the Hell’s point land at Alligator, east Honiara recently.

But it still owes LSL $12.4 million as the High Court ordered the government to pay a total of $32.4 million.

LSL has confirmed yesterday Government proposed to pay the balance (as per SIG calculations) by mid November 2022.

This happened after LSL has given the counter offer to SIG last week.

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 13th September 2022.

However, Attorney General John Muria Junior told media recently that both parties have gone through discussion to settle the money.

He said one thing that must remain clear is government at no point in time will not pay because it’s a court judgement.

“All along since this matter came before court, government never said it will not pay,” Muria said.

“What comes before the last case was on the tax component which the court agreed and minus $50 million to $32.4 million,” he explained.

“The Court deducted tax that LSL owed the Government and was left with $32.4.”

However, the court made it clear payments should be paid on the deadline without mentioning any instalment.

TSI urges politicians to embrace digital era

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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TSI's Ruth Liloqula

By EDDIE OSIFELO

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands is urging politicians to embrace the digital era which no one has any control over.

Chief Executive Officer of Transparency Solomon Islands, Ruth Liloqula stated this during the Plenary session of the 6th Pacific Media Summit 2022 at Pacific Crown Hotel on Wednesday.

The theme of the session was: “The Media and Political Leadership in a Digital Age.”

Liloqula said political Leadership must embrace these new media as complementary to traditional media instead of trying to shut it down, block it out for their own agenda.

She said they need to work with other countries, journalists, and developers and owners of these new technologies to ensure people are protected and that the information shared online are well researched.

“For political leadership not to keep up with these new media tools would be a grave mistake,” she added.

One of the commonly use medium in the Solomon Islands is social media mainly Facebook besides Twitter, Instagram and others.

Liloqula said Solomon Islanders use social media for:

  1. Personal recreation, communication, and networking
  2. Accessing news stories, ignored by traditional media.
  3. Participate in social, political, and other campaigns
  4. Promote and coordinate social causes, donations, political issues, and problems and
  5. Participate in social and political debate.

She said into the future and the trends observed in the use of new media technologies will increasingly have impact on the domain of political leadership and politics as people realize it can contribute to: –

  1. Develop an understanding of issues of common interest and concern and offer solutions through debate.
  2. Proposing policies, reforms
  3. Offering different viewpoints to issues solutions that can help government’s institutions to plan effective policies.
  4. Fostering inclusion, equality, and democracy
  5. Promoting social justice and fundamental rights,

However, she said despite these positive features of the new media tools of the digital age, they still serve a complimentary role to the traditional media.

“The work of journalists, their analysis is crucial and essential and important to what information is put out for public consumption and getting it right. 

“The information that can be accessed through these new media technologies must be well-researched, verified, and substantiated,” she said.

“Not only that but many people in the Pacific do not have access to these new media and nor do they have the know-how or the means,” she said.

The PMS ended last night with the retreat of all Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) financial members today.

CBSI announces policy stance to tame inflation for next 6 months.

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Central Bank of Solomon Islands. Photo by CBSI

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Central Bank has announced an accommodative monetary policy stance in gearing towards taming inflation over the next six months.

In a press conference yesterday CBSI deputy governor Mr Reynold Moveni said CBSI Board of Directors held a special meeting to discuss and endorse the monetary policy stance.

He said the action taken by CBSI will help contribute towards taming prices, slow down the rate of inflation the country will be facing.

He explained that the monetary policy is one key mandate for CBSI under Act 2012 and it mainly covers the requirement to ascertain the appropriate level of supply of money into the economy, for purposes of making sure financial stability is achieved within the economy

It is to continue supporting the economic recovery while ensuring inflation remains intact or avoid it spiraling too high. Against this, CBSI will be keeping unchanged the Cash Reserve Requirement and Bokolo Bills. However, CBSI will be vigilant and flexible to incoming data especially on the upward risks to inflation and take appropriate actions as needed.

He said the country’s economy is still weak based on their assessment the conditions still weak, and they are projecting three percent moderate of the GDP.

“So overall the country’s economy is weak,” Moveni said.

He said that Economic activity weakened, disrupted by the lingering effects of COVID-19 including community transmission in the first quarter a spill-over effects from the war in Ukraine. All sectors remained subdued, however, communication and investments especially in public constructions showed some signs of rebound. Inflation continues on an upward trend climbing to 3.9% in June 2022 from 2.5% in December 2021 largely soaring global fuel and food process in the global market. Monetary conditions too have showed while current account of the balance of payments remained in deficit due to subdued exports.

Meanwhile Moveni highlighted that global conditions deteriorated as the Ukraine was had brought in a new set of added challenges to the lingering effects of COVID 19, further compounding the disruptions to the supply chains globally and the associated spikes in inflation and commodity prices. IMF revised downwards its growth projections with significant downgrades in the United States, China, and Euro Area. Global inflation has also been revised upwards.

The Solomon Islands as a small open economy would feel the pinch of these deteriorating effects on global conditions on export demand and inflation. Inflation outlook is revised up than was anticipated in March 2022 Monetary Policy Statement owed to greater increase in imported inflation, in particular, imported fuel and food prices, and pass-through effects in the domestic prices.

The Outlook for the domestic economy for this year is expected to recede at a smaller decline of negative 4.3%. The economy is projected to slowly recuperate in the second half of this year boosted primarily by the opening of borders, lifting of mobility restrictions as well as the ramping up of the construction of key national projects and road up-grades in Honiara and the provinces. This construction-led growth is anticipated to linger into 2023 as spill over effects from the Pacific Games benefits other sectors.

Nonetheless, risks to both these outlooks are considerable. Spill over effects from the Ukraine war through higher fuel and food prices and persistent higher global inflation could swiftly change these outlooks.

SINPF to pay $77.5 million to members

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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CEO Mike Wate speaking during the official announcement on Friday.

BY NED GAGAHE

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has awarded a 2.65 percent interest to its members for the financial year 2021 to 2022.

Supervising Finance minister Dr Culwick Togamana announced the rating yesterday.

“Interests worth $77, 490,621 will be credited to members’ accounts as of 30 September 2022,” Togamana said.

He said the SINPF board met and approved the award for its members that will be applied to their retirement account balance on 30th June 2021 and credited to their accounts on 30th September 2022.

“As you all know that the past 6 months to 30th June 2022 had been a challenging time for our national economy and the fund as we experienced the November 2021 riots and community transmission of the covid-19 virus in January and April of this year,” Togamana said.

He added the rebounding global economy was challenged by the Ukraine war in February 2022.

Togamana said the results of this major event is now escalating energy and food prices tilting the global economy towards recession.

“These domestic and global events, challenges and risks had greatly impacted on the financial performance in particular on the annual revaluation of the fund domestic unlisted equities and listed traded equities for the financial period ending 30th June 2022.

“In considering the crediting rate award the board is extremely conscious of the current economic volatility driven by the ongoing impacts of the global economic uncertainties.

“Notwithstanding these challenges the board is also confident that with the current large investments for the PG23, implementation of major infrastructure projects, and the focus on the Solomon Islands, our economy will strength.”

Togamana thanked the board, management and staff of SINPF for giving its members the crediting rate despite the difficult financial times.

CEO and Manager of SINPF Mike Wate said the Board declared a 6.0% crediting rate for its members last year.

This, he said, was done on a strong turnaround in the national and global economy as the country learn to live with and have more knowledge on the pandemic.

Wate said the Board made both positive cash incomes from investments and revaluation gains from unlisted equities and offshore traded equities.

He said at the close of financial year on 30th June this year, five positive gains quickly evaporated.

“One – the November 2021 riots, second – the COVID-19 community transmission in January 2022, when lockdowns and restrictions were imposed during these two periods, third – supply chain challenges, and fourth – the impact of the Russian Ukraine war on energy and food prices and financial markets, and the fifth increased sovereign risk for Solomon Islands, due to the November 2021 riots.”

He said though the Fund’s draft cash incomes reached more than $174.5million from cash dividends, interest and rentals and its cash profit after expenses of more than $72 million, large revaluation losses from unlisted equities and traded listed equities due to the above external events eroded these cash gains resulting in an overall loss for the Fund of $173 million.

He said SINPF is now finalizing its 2021 audited financial accounts and is expected to be signed off at the end of next month whilst at the same time progressing into its 2022 financial audit.

Family Federation celebrates 40 years in Solomon Islands

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Admin
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Mr and Mrs Masuku, local missionaries of the federation

THE Family Federation for World Peace and Unification celebrated 40 years of outreach in the Solomon Islands.

Founded by Korean religious leader, Reverend Moon and his wife, the family federation has grown over the years with a sizeable membership and a local school here in Honiara.

To mark its 40th Anniversary, a day long event was held at the New Hope Academy School ground.

The event was well attended with the Premier of Guadalcanal Province unveiling a plaque to honor the existence of the federation in the country.

Premier of Guadalcanal, Francis Sade and his wife unveiling the plaque

The first missionary to the Solomon Islands, Susan Dale Crostwaite arrived in the country on August 1982. Three months later she went back to her home country in Australia after issues with her Visa.

Two years later, another missionary, Beat Z Rotz came to witness and in doing so founded the first member of Solomon Islands, Nellie Masuku.

Federation religious leader, Arnold Albert Fika emphasized that the goal of the early missionaries was to reach out the communities, in particular on education.

The Premier of Guadalcanal and the two Members of Parliament who attended the event

Fika said since Mrs Masuku from Choiseul, became the first Solomon Islander to be a member of the federation, the organization has expanded to more than 300 active members in the country.

He further explained that the education goal of the federation was realized in 2011 after it established the New Hope Academy at Town Ground.

 “It has now expanded from Early Childhood Education to a fully operational Primary School strand,” he added.

The 40th Anniversary celebrations yesterday was used as an occasion to highlight the legacy of the federation and the work it has been doing to young students and parents who attended the event.

Young students of New Hope Academy

“We want to show to our children and the next generation, what kind of investment past missionaries have done on our shores and the fruits we are enjoying,” Rev Fika added.

An emotional Nellie Masuku spoke of her journey that started in her home village of Choiseul to becoming the pioneer local missionary in the Solomon Islands since her conversion decades ago.

Her journey with the federation was cemented after she also took part in one of the mass wedding ceremonies presided over by Reverend moon. She was married off to her partner, Mr Masuku who is originally from Africa but has since lived here in the Solomon Islands assisting his wife in their mission work.

The events from yesterday included students showcasing their traditional dance as well as performances from the youth members of the family federation. A feast was also prepared for those that attended.

Other important people who attended the event included the Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete and Member of Parliament for West Makira, Derick Manua’ari.

FBI TO TRAIN LOCAL POLICE

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands police will start receive training from the United States of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) this year.

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

This was announced after the signing of the joint declaration by the 14 Pacific Islands countries including Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and US President, Joe Biden after a two days summit in Washington last week.

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.

The announcement came after Solomon Islands signed the controversial security agreement with Peoples Republic of China in April this year, sparking backlash from Australia and USA.

The Sino/SI agreement resulted in Chinese police dispatched to Solomon Islands to train the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and employees of Chinese businesses in the country.

Prior to the signing in Washington, a leaked memo from the Solomon Islands Embassy in New York states the government agreed not to sign the joint declaration with the other Pacific Island countries.

However, the twist by Sogavare to sign the agreement has shocked most people in the country, with some joking that Solomon Islands do not has the leverage and power to influence international politics.

Furthermore, US President Biden promised Pacific Island countries to address climate change which is the most existential threat in the region.

Solomon Islands will also host a US Embassy in Honiara as part of boosting her presence after the signing of diplomatic relationship with PRC in 2019.

However, Reuters reported that Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, responding to a question on Biden’s remarks, said on Friday that China had an “open attitude” towards countries wanting to strengthen cooperation with Pacific Island countries.

However, Mao emphasized that these countries should not be used as pawns in competition between great powers.

“We hope the U.S. side can sincerely and whole-heartedly provide support to the Pacific Island countries in responding to climate change and realizing vigorous development, rather than using cooperation as cover to engage in geopolitical chess games,” Mao said during a regular media briefing in Beijing.

Reuters reported that the White House said the 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.

Sogavare’s delegation is expected back home this week after attending the United Nation 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and the meeting in Washington.

He is expected to dialogue with Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese during his stopover in Australia before returning home. Island Sun is still to get a comment from the Police Commissioner over the announcement

Media workers discuss investigative role

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Journalists attending the Media Role in Investigating the Management of Public Resources' pre-summit workshop at the 6th Pacific Media Summit 2022.

The Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network (PACJN) yesterday hosted media owners, editors and senior journalists for a pre-summit workshop that discusses the media’s role in investigating the management of public resources.

The event was held ahead of the official opening of the 6th Pacific Media Summit this evening in Honiara.

Journalists of Fiji, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu were given the opportunity to share their challenges in tackling corruption in their respective countries.

It was evident that corruption is rampant in all these Pacific Islands countries that need urgent action to tackle it.

PACJN was launched at the 2019 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) CEOs Summit.

It was established to ensure that Pacific journalists are more sustainably trained and prepared and have ownership of their engagement in integrity and anti-corruption reporting.

PINA is the peak regional media organization in the Pacific, representing the interests of media professionals and links radio, television, newspapers, magazines, online services, national media associations (NMAs) and journalism schools in 23 Pacific countries.

In partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), PINA is delivering the Building the Capacity of Pacific Media to Report on Anti-corruption project.

This project targets media and journalists in the 14 Pacific Island countries, as part of UNODC’s activities within the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, which is supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme.

Sasako: SI engrained in corruption

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Former Solomon Islands Politician and long time Journalist, Alfred Sasako attending the pre-summit workshop on Monday.

BY BEN BILUA

FORMER Member of Parliament and longtime journalist, Alfred Sasako says Solomon Islands has been engrained by corruption that there seems to be no solution to address the issue.

Speaking during a penal discussion on “Media’s Role in Investigating the Management of Public Resources” yesterday, Sasako said the issue continues to be a challenge due to a number of short-falls within the country’s system.

Sasako said the first and most daring issues is that the local anti-corruption agencies have no teeth to bite – meaning these institution were established and guided by legislation but enforcement has been weak.

“The second issues is that, officials who are managing the anti-corruption agencies were chosen or nominated by the government, making it difficult for respective institutions to operate in an independent environment,” he added.

Sasako said substantial evidences of corrupt practices have been published in the media as well as in the statutory documents such as the audit reports, but bringing the issues to court always fall short due to poor enforcement of corruption laws.

He highlights that access to information is also one of the greatest challenges local journalists faced when doing investigations.

Sasako said potential sources always fear retribution from the government that they hold back information of public interest.

He said the Whistle Blower Act, which was passed in Parliament, was a brilliant piece of legislation but there are deficiencies within the act to meet its objectives.

Sasako said movements to make changes have been limited as corruption is deeply rooted in government systems as well as other institutions.

“There is a deep connection within public and private sector within Solomon Islands which encourages corruption practices to continue without interference, making it very difficult for the media to get hold of the lawbreakers.

“That said, corruption is like a normal thing that people turn to ignore as it is seen or becomes legal in the eyes of those who involved in corrupt practices,” he said.

Sasako said corruption can be addressed if there is a right law and enforcement put in place.

He strongly believes that one strategy to stop corrupt practices is for the courts to start prosecuting people who are involved in the practice.

“This will give a strong message to people to stop such practices that cost the country millions of dollars that are supposed to be spent on other important developments,” Sasako said.

Marie Pegie Cauchois, who is the Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor for Pacific UN Office on Drugs and Crime said, corruption is a pervading problem in the world and in the region and it has extensive costs, both in terms of money and in terms of broader social cost.

She explained that corruption shrinks public revenue and cuts spending on education, healthcare and other social services, and thereby undermining the welfare of particularly women and children who rely the most on such services.

“In the region, public service delivery continues to face challenges in the management of public resource management and that affects nearly all sectors of the economy.

“You will all agree that this has been very apparent during the covid crisis.

“The challenges affection the management of public resources are mismanagement, misuse of resources, insufficient and unequal resource allocation and late disbursement of funds but also corruption and this is compounded by limited citizen consultations in the planning, budget allocation processes but also in the accountability and review of the use of this public resources,” Cauchois said.

She said investigative journalism is key to ensure that such issues are not only exposed but also prevented and corrected.

Cauchois adds that reporting and highlighting events of maladministration or mismanagement of public resources is key taking into account to equate to social accountability.

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