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Region’s media told to probe more into corruption

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Regional journalists attending the pre-summit meeting in Honiara on Monday.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PACIFIC’S media owners, editors and senior journalists are urged to investigate corruption in order to prevent and tackle the scourge in their respective countries.

The call comes at a workshop held yesterday ahead of the official opening of the 6th Pacific Media Summit this evening in Honiara.

Speaking on the media’s role in Investigating the Management of Public Resources, Marie Pegie Cauchois, Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor, Pacific UN Office on Drugs and Crime said:

“We all know that 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.

“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.”

Cauchois said 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 affecting the management of public resources are mismanagement, misuse of resources, insufficient and inequal 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 these public resources,” Cauchois said.

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

She said reporting and highlighting events of maladministration or mismanagement of public resources is key but unfortunately is not sufficient to equate to social accountability

“Through your work citizens can be equipped with the contextual knowledge they need to effectively hold duty bearers to account for poor service delivery.

“The role of the media in this sphere has evolved and whilst initially it was more ‘name and shame’ of public officials with tracking corruption of particular cases, it is now moving to a theory which places social accountability as a means to tackling systemic dysfunction rather than individual instances of corruption or mismanagement.”
Furthermore, Ms Cauchois said in the Sharm el-Sheikh declaration on strengthening international cooperation in the prevention of and fight against corruption during times of emergencies and crisis response and recovery, the States parties have been encouraged to have in place transparency and accountability measures in managing public finances during times of emergencies and crisis response and recovery

This includes ensuring that budgets and accounts are available for public access, using effective financial distribution policies to manage funds allocated for relief and enabling supreme audit institutions and other relevant entities to perform their functions.

“With a view to improving the conditions of, people in vulnerable situations.

“Those are the commitments of states parties to the UNCAC, let’s be with them and support them, nudge them to comply with those international commitments, by keeping a pressure on those key elements of transparency,” she added.

Yesterday’s pre-summit workshop was part of the week-long event that brings together up to 150 media executives, delegates and practioners from across the region and beyond.

Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) are jointly organising the event.

The theme of the summit is “The Digital Revolution – Transforming Threats into Opportunities for the Pacific Media.”

PINA SUMMIT OPENS TODAY

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Part of the delegates attending PINA's Summit in Honiara. PHOTO: PINA

150 delegates in Honiara for region’s biggest news gathering

BY BEN BILUA

THE 6th Pacific Media Summit – the region’s biggest gathering of media executives and practioners – opens at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara this evening.

Up to 150 media delegates from the region and beyond are attending the week-long event.

“We are privileged to be given the opportunity to host this prestigious and big media event,” Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) vice president and chair of the organizing committee, Douglas Marau told Island Sun yesterday.

Marau said Education minister Lanelle Tanangada will officially open the summit in the absence of the prime minister and his deputy, who are both away overseas.

MASI secured the bid to host the 6th Pacific Media Summit at the last gathering in Nukualofa, Tonga, in 2018.

This was supposed to happen in 2020.

But COVID kept things in the wrap until this year after international borders were reopened.

MASI president Gina Kekea earlier said her executive looks forward to a successful event.

In Honiara, Island Sun understands all the major hotels have been occupied by delegates attending the summit.

“…..yes, we have been fully booked for this week,” a spokesperson for King Solomon Hotel told the Island Sun.

King Solomon hosted the first networking event for summit delegates last night.

Heritage Park hotel played hosts to pre-summit workshops that have been held yesterday and to continue today.

They will also host this evening’s opening ceremony.

Pacific Casino hotel will be hosting the two days of plenary sessions that will start tomorrow.

The summit wraps up on Friday with a retreat during which a new Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) board will be elected, and the next hosts announced.

Kili thanks West/East Kwaio for peaceful by-election

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Police Commander for Malaita province, Lesley Kili

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PROVINCIAL Police Commander (PPC) of Malaita province, suprintendant Lesley Kili has thanked the public of West and East Kwaio for the peaceful by-elections last week.

In his acknowledgement, he applauded voters, supporters and people from ward 18 in East Kwaio and West Kwaio and ward 28 for the respect shown to the rule of law during the by-election.

He said despite minor hitches encountered during the process of the by-elections, everything went smoothly and it was a successful by-election.

“The provincial police are happy and would like to register that there is no arrest made in relation to the by-election.

“This shows how people value the law and ensured the by-elections were peacefully administered for their sake,” PPC Kili said.

He thanked voters and supporters for their patients during the process of counting and importantly their acceptance of the by-elections results.

Kili, on the note acknowledged the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and all election officials for their time and commitment to ensure the by-elections are successfully done.

He also thanked all the electoral stakeholders and donor partners for the support provided to the successful and peaceful running of the by-elections.

Dubai Investor in the country

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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By NED GAGAHE

A Dubai Based Investor is in the country to look at some investible sites in the Western Province.

Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Culture and Tourism Barney Sivoro revealed this during the B5 event hosted by Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), Ministry of Culture and Tourism and its stakeholder at the Heritage Park Hotel last week. 

PS Sivoro stated that one of Solomon Islands key achievements in its participation at the world Expo 2020 Dubai is we were able to secure distributors and markets for 2 of our local companies. Soltuna and Coconut Pacific.

“We successfully participated at the 2020 Expo at Dubai for 6 months from last year so it ended in April this year,

“For the tourism sector, from the information we produce on the investible sites in Western Province we were able to display that as well.”

“Currently we have a Dubai based investor in the country, who is now in Western Province, trying to look at some of the sites and Islands we have promoted at the Expo.” Mr Sivoro stated.

“I think this kind of event has provided an opportunity to promote our destination, so that we can have breakthrough to the international market.” PS Sivoro stated

Meanwhile, the outcome of the visit once successful will be a major breakthrough for our tourism sector.

The Island Sun was aware that Central Islands province is amongst the list of investible sites the investor will visit as well.

PS Sivoro highlighted that similar upcoming events the Osaka Expo in Japan in 2025 and 2030 Expo will be a unique opportunity to market our destination to the world stage.

“It’s another opportunity for private sectors, we look forward to if we want to expand our markets at the international arena.” PS Sivoro stated.

MALA PPC SHOOTS DOWN ALLEGATIONS

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Provincial Police Commander (PPC) has slammed an article in the Solomon Star newspaper linking him to claims of sharing explicit photos to his subordinates.

In denouncing the article, he said that at no time in his life did he took such photos whatsoever and sent them to his subordinate officers as purported to in the article.  

In an exclusive interview with Island Sun, the PPC Lesly Kili condemned the article to be wholly false and holds no truth about him.  

“The article written by Alfred Sasako is a personal direct attack on me as Police Commander; I totally denied the content of the article.

“Not at any time in my life have I shown explicit photos to my officers. I want to clarify this publicly, because the article really tarnishes my reputation.

“I also would like to assure the public of Solomon Islands that the article written by Sasako has no ground, proof and evidence,” he retorted.

The PPC said a team from PSSI is following up on the allegation/report and enquiries are still going on.

Thus, he said as per the investigation those that are responsible for the allegation had been identified.

The PPC said six subordinate female officers were questioned and admitted their involvement with the support of somebody within the force to compose the allegations.

“I knew these individual officers and one of them had texted me apologizing for what had happened also admitted all about the move.

“I want to make it clear to the public that I will not tolerate such behavior within the force and I must ensure these officers are removed from my team,” he said.

The PPC also said that despite the upheaval there is teamwork within his team and there’s no division as allegations mentioned in the article.

He said he is ready to prove his innocence on the allegations and warned of serious consequences for those who are behind the accusations.

The PPC also assured that as long as the allegation is clear from him, he will take the matter to court.

Akosawa welcomes EU funds to fight trafficking

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Anti- Human Trafficking Advisory Committee.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration has welcomed the $4.6 million European Union funded project to combat People in Trafficking (PIT) and Gender Based Violence in the Solomon Islands.

The project “Strengthening the Capacity of Civil Society Organisations in Solomon Islands to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and Gender Based Violence and to Protect Survivors.”

It will build the capacity of partner organisations, including the National Council of Women and the Guadalcanal, Makira and Malaita Provincial Councils for Women, to strengthen prevention of TIP and GBV, and to support survivors in accessing coordinated and effective protective services.

International Organisation of Migration is the implementing agency of the project which runs from March 2022 to March 2024.

Speaking during the launching of the project recently in Honiara, Director of Immigration, Christopher Akosawa said this project is a welcome addition to complement their work at the Department of Immigration.

He said the Solomon Islands Immigration Division within the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration is the primary entity dealing with migration, and it includes officials dedicated to counter-trafficking and smuggling.

“Human Trafficking is a global issue affecting vulnerable people around the world, including people in Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is a source, transit, and destination country for internal and transnational trafficking of people for sexual and labour exploitation.

“For example, fishermen from southeast Asian countries have reported situations indicative of labour trafficking, including non-payment of wages, severe living conditions, violence, and limited food supply,” he said.

In addition, Akosawa said local communities, living close to extractive sectors, have reported cases of young women and girls being forced into domestic servitude and sexual exploitation by men working in local camps.

He said Solomon Island children are also at risk to sexual exploitation and forced labour within the country, particularly near foreign logging camps, on foreign and local commercial fishing vessels, and at hotels, casinos, nightclubs, and other entertainment establishments.

However, Akosawa said in recent years, the Government of Solomon Islands has been making significant efforts to combat human trafficking, guided by the Solomon Islands National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking and People Smuggling (2020-2025). Strengthening the four Ps of Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership.

“Speaking as a focal point for human trafficking, and a key member of the Anti-Human Trafficking Advisory Committee, a multi-stakeholder coordinating group comprised of both Government and civil society bodies aiming to prevent and respond to cases of Trafficking in Persons.

“The project has already begun supporting key aspects of our work. Including: supporting implementation of activities in the Trafficking in Persons and People Smuggling National Action Plan (2020-2025), coordination support to the quarterly meetings of the Anti-Human Trafficking Advisory Committee, as a continuation of support from the previously funded European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights phase one, as well as finalising the National Communications Strategy for the Prevention of Human Trafficking,” he said.

Repairs done to airport runway

Written by
Press Release
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Work being done to repair the International Airport Runway.

Emergency runway repairs have been completed at Henderson International Airport by a team from the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP), ensuring the airport  can remain operational and Solomon Islands can remain connected to the region and the world.

In early August 2022, Fiji Airways announced that it would temporarily cancel flights to Solomon Islands due to the degraded state of the Henderson Airport runway.

This led the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Communication and Aviation to request urgent support from the World Bank-funded Roads and Aviation Project to ensure the runway could be repaired as swiftly as possible.

Within five days SIRAP had brought an international airport pavement specialist to Solomon Islands to carry out an assessment of the runway conditions and to propose a solution for the repair works, with Kitano, a Japanese contractor who is constructing the Henderson Airport Terminal Building and the road connecting the city center to the airport, contracted to undertake the works.

The works were completed by the early morning of September 15, 2022; just 45 days from Fiji Airways’ announcement.

This period covered ten days of all-night construction, with the remaining time was required to source materials, fast-track contractors, and complete preparatory works.

Work done to repair the Runway.

Lemuel Siosi, National Project Manager with SIRAP, said it was imperative that the emergency runway repairs were carried out effectively to allow safe resumption of flights into Honiara.

Siosi said the works were logistically challenging, with teams working throughout the night to ensure the airport could remain operational throughout the works.

“While a full runway refurbishment has been planned for some time through SIRAP and is expected to occur later this year or early in 2023, these interim emergency repairs were essential and urgent. We are pleased the project could respond so quickly to the Solomon Islands Government’s request for support,” he said.

“This rapid response was the result of close coordination between the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, the Airport Staff, the SIRAP team, and the World Bank and we are proud of the immediate action that was taken to ensure the safe operation of the airport,” Dung Anh Hoang, the World Bank Senior Transport Specialist said.

“The repairs were carried out throughout the night – beginning after the last flight and being completed before the first scheduled flight each morning – to ensure minimal disruption to the country’s gateway” he added.

Now in its second phase, the US$89 million World Bank-funded Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project will make the Solomon Islands aviation sector safer, more efficient and more climate resilient, while also delivering important upgrades to selected roads and bridges across the country.

Kenilorea thanks West Kwaio for voting in Claudius Tei’ifi

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Admin
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Newly elected Member of Parliament for West Kwaio, Claudius Tei’ifi and United Party Parliamentary Wing Leader, Peter Kenilorea Jnr.

PARLIAMENTARY Wing leader of the Solomon Islands United Party, Peter Kenilorea Jnr has congratulated the people of West Kwaio Constituency for voting in Claudius Tei’ifi as their Member of Parliament.

Mr Tei’ifi who contested Wednesday’s by-election under the United Party banner was declared winner after a whole day of counting in Auki Yesterday.

 He polled 1793 votes ahead of nearest rival, Mani Aaron with 1104 votes.

In acknowledging the result, Mr Kenilorea said he was honoured that Mr Tei’ifi choose the Solomon Islands United Party (UP) as his party of choice.

“As UP parliamentary wing leader, I look forward to you joining Team UP in parliament representing your people of West Kwaio.

“Together, we can work towards a better tomorrow for West Kwaio, for Malaita, and Solomon Islands.

Mr Kenilorea thanked all candidates who ran, further acknowledging them for pursing their political goals and belief in the country’s democratic system of governance.

“To Hon. Elect Tei’ifi’s supporters in West Kwaio, thank you. You have spoken, we have heard you loud and clear.

Mr Tei’ifi was a former Provincial Member of Malaita’s Assembly, a post he held before resigning to contest the seat of West Kwaio after the death of former Member Titus Mokofi Fika late last year.

Local exporters in Fiji on look and learn Visit

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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The Delegation and Second Secretary at the Solomon Islands High Commission in Suva with the CEO and management team of Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA).

By NED GAGAHE

A team comprising of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), Bio Security Division and leading cassava exporters in the country, Varivao Holdings and Sape Farm are in Fiji for a look and learn visit.

The team is led by Nigel Devi of the External Trade division within the MFAET.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Fiji Joseph Ma’ahanua told Island Sun in an email yesterday, that the Key focus of the visit is to speak and learn how farmers and commodity producers get their produce ready for export markets. 

Commissioner Maahanua said in particular, exchange of ideas on how small farm producers in Fiji are able to work together and collaborate with Biosecurity authorities to prepare farm produce for export.

AMA Team explaining the peeling and washing process of cassava

For organizations such as External Trade, Biosecurity, Varivao and Sape farm, Commissioner Maahanua said the visit is important as a learning experience.

“It is limited in participation due to it is merely involving beneficiaries of the Enhanced Integrated Framework, (EIF) ECAT Project that is managed by MFAET.

The team is currently in Fiji visiting farms in Suva and Nadi.

 Cassava and taro flours which are also processed at AMA for both exports and domestic markets.

“Its scope however, is wider because it is a learning exercise for the farm producers but in particular for Biosecurity it can offer a model which can be localized for use in Solomon Islands exporter needs.  The idea is to learn for preparations of local export to export their produce in this case cassava and kava, but in a more broader context for other products as well.” Maahanua said.

Meanwhile, the visit is funded as part of the EIF ECAT Project managed by MFAET. 

 Packaging stage of frozen cassava for export

According to Commissioner Maahanua the project is currently implementing trade development nationally, but it specifically supports cassava and taro development for exports. 

It has supported Goshen for taro and Varivao for cassava exports.  SAPE Farm was a beneficiary of support from MFAET through tractors supplied under funding from People’s Republic of China (PRC).

DISPUTE SET FOR HEARING

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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CEO of SIPA Mr Eranda Kotelawala.

TDP schedules initial appearance for Sept 28

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE preliminary hearing of the industrial dispute between Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) workers and their Chief Executive Officer, Eranda Kotelawala, is scheduled for 28th of September next week.

The hearing starts at 9am inside TDP court room.

According to those familiar with the process, lawyers of both parties will turn up on the day to update the TDP on the status of their clients and the work they did leading up to this process.

Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) is representing the workers in this case.

The dispute is centred around three issues.

This was revealed in an application filed by Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) to Trade Dispute Panel against Kotelawala on 2nd September 2022.

WUSI claimed:

  1. The Chief Executive Officer of SIPA changed the signed Collective Agreement between WUSI and SIPA, dated 8th February, 2018, without consulting the Workers Union of Solomon Islands.
  2. The CEO of SIPA deliberately delayed and refused to negotiate and deal with workers Log of Claims for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
  3. The management style of the CEO of SIPA is such that becomes a threat to the industrial relation peace in Solomon Islands.

WUSI General Secretary, Tony Kagovai said based on their experiences in these positions over the years they are very concerned about what they see as real threat which the CEO of SIPA Kotelawala has posed upon the Industrial Relations system in the Solomon Islands.

“There are eleven registered trade unions in Solomon Islands. Ten of them represent public sector workers such as public servants and teachers.

“The Workers Union of Solomon Islands is the only trade union that represents private sector workers in Solomon Islands including SIPA workers,” Kagovai said.

He said WUSI has been negotiating Collective Agreements over the years, with companies and statutory corporations such as SIPA which covers all the terms and conditions of employment of these private sector workers in the country.

TDP has already informed CEO of SIPA on 5th September 2022.

Kotelawala said he will comment when seeing the content of the application.

Under Section 10 of the Trade Dispute Act 1981,

10.-(1) At any time when a trade dispute has been referred to the Trade

Disputes Panel and the Panel have neither:

(a) succeeded in bringing about a settlement of the dispute by negotiation, nor

(b) made an award in the dispute, no person shall do any of the things mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) Those things are:

(a) calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action short of a strike in furtherance of the dispute, or threatening to do so;

(b) instituting, carrying on, authorising, organising or financing a lock-out or other industrial action short of a lock-out in furtherance of the dispute, or threatening to do so; or

(c) terminating (for whatever reason) the contract of employment of any employee whose conditions of service are in issue in the dispute.

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