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To deprive people, forget education

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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The International Day of Education 2023 was celebrated on January 24, 2023 by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development with donor partners on the theme ‘invest in people, prioritise education’ (Star, 2023).

As I came across this article and its theme, I one-hundred percent agree with it. Education is of great importance because it is a catalyst for development.

Education provides a pathway out of poverty and importantly it gives meaning to life.

When you have been educated, having a university degree increases the chances of a good-paying job but also opens up many doors for your career.

But on the other hand, if we talk about the reality of education here in the Solomon Islands, from my point of view, what is currently happening is the opposite.

I would describe the current situation as ‘to deprive people, forget education’.

Education is a human right and sadly, I have seen this right being taken away by decision-makers.

In 2021, the outbreak of COVID-19 entered the shores of the Solomon Islands and this resulted in the closure of services such as those in education.

Schools were closed for a period of 15 weeks in which young people had little to no education during that time. Later that year, it was announced that schools would be cut short in preparation for the South Pacific Games.

Schools would finish by October since the schools are being used as venues for the South Pacific Games and thus are in need of preparation (Star, 2023).

This year, 2023, schools are meant to begin the academic year in late January but because of some preparations for the Solomon Games and late exam results, some schools actually started weeks later or haven’t even started as I write this.

Education is a human right and based on these situations, it seems to me that the education of our young people is not being prioritised and valued.

If we have a generation that is uneducated, we are depriving our nation.

If we are to prioritise education then the economics of education must be prioritised.

Because of globalisation, the education of the Solomon Islands is being affected because of unfair markets, trade imbalances, infrastructures and high unemployment.

Most parents send their children to school to ensure they are able to complete their education and get a well-paid job but what we have now is a great number of university graduates who are searching for employment.

The majority of the population of the Solomon Islands is Youth, and if nothing is done about the employment of youth then I wouldn’t be surprised if riots become a common thing every 10 years or even worse (Short, 2019). Unemployment of youth is a serious issue as this is depriving our nation as well.

Even though our nation faces many challenges and difficulties, I believe we can still make a difference. Instead of investing in people as the theme suggests, I am convinced that we need to invest in technology and entrepreneurship.

In this fast-changing society, technology can advance the education of our youths and also encourage them to be creative and critical thinkers.

Another positive is that technology can have a wide reach in which young people can learn more about the world and how it works.

Even if a teacher is absent, a student is still able to learn through technology.

Technology can provide a pathway for the betterment of education in which young people can be empowered.

Therefore, in conclusion, Let us prioritise people but also technology and infrastructure.

There is no one size fits all solution.

As much as we must continue to strive and support any pathway that helps our young people to realise their potential whether it be sports, music, entrepreneurship, creative arts and so forth education must be valued.

*This article was first published in the blog – https://sites.google.com/view/young-solomon-islanders/home which is a project supported by the UN’s Sustainable Development Solution Network.

By Caleb Maehanua Pollard

The perspective of young Solomon Islanders Blog

MPG loses approximately $185m due to isolation policy: Premier Fini

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier of Malaita province, Hon Martin Gaote’e Fini.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Malaita New Government for Fundamental Redirection (MNGFR) says the province has lost an estimated $185 million worth of approved projects due to former government MARA’s isolation policy.

New premier of Malaita, Martin Fini announced this recently.

He said the goal of MNGFR is to put an end to this ‘costly’ isolation policy.

“Malaita province had lost approximately $185m worth of approved development projects from the national government for the past three years; this included the PCDF funds forfeited under the MPGIS in 2021 and 2022.

“This included road improvement, agriculture, fisheries, health, education and other important government projects planned for Malaita province since 2019. The non-accomplishment of these projects negatively affected the lives of our rural populace.

“Your new government now cannot afford for Malaita to forgone the 2023 development projects from the national government ear marked for Malaita under the 2023 development budget.

“This included infrastructure, education, health, commerce, agriculture, fisheries, sports & youth and other sectors.

“I want to say, it is enough of business as usual. We must move on to new direction and ride into unchartered waters. We must step on new grounds we had never put our feet in the 38 years of Malaita journey.

“Therefore, I wish to state that meaningful development is only possible through dialogue and collaboration by all stakeholders.

“Mutual cooperation is an essential ingredient in this mix. It must be at the heart of this collaboration. Nothing works without it.

“Malaita has missed out on millions of dollars in approved projects because of the policy of isolation and deceit promoted by some over the last three years.

“Our people, unsuspecting as they are, were given false hopes,” he said.

According to premier Fini, the intention of his government is to revive hope and empower Malaitans to have faith and trust in their government.

“The time to keep deceiving our people is over, it is time to revive our hope for a better Malaita,” he said.

First parliament sitting expected in April

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Parliament is expected to start its first sitting for this year around April.

This after the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet receives the bills from the ministries.

Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui confirmed this to media last Friday.

Kabui said once the ministries get back to them and the bills are ready for first reading, they will recall Parliament.

Furthermore, he said since 2019, they have started the traditional speech from the throne from his Excellency the Governor General, Sir David Vunagi, where he addresses Parliament.

He said the GG is out of the country, so when he comes back before they can call for Parliament.

Moreover, Kabui recalled that last time, OPMC called Parliament quickly because of the resolution to pass the Budget.

However, he said Parliament has passed the budget before end of last year, so the constitution does not require to call Parliament quickly.

According to Solomon Star, the fifth meeting of the 11th Parliament was adjourned sine die on Monday 19th of December 2022.

The motion of the sine die was moved by the Hon. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Thursday 15th December 2022 “That at the adjournment of Parliament on Monday 19th December 2022, the present meeting shall be concluded and Parliament shall then stand adjourned sine-die.”

It took three days for members of both sides of the house to debate the motion.

In his response speech last year, Prime Minister Sogavare thanked all members who have contributed to the motion whilst responding to their queries and defending the government’s policies and programs of national interest.

The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Patteson J. Oti in his closing remarks before adjourning Parliament said the passage of the sine die motion moved by the Prime Minister concludes the fifth meeting of the first session of the 11th Parliament which commenced on Monday 28th March 2022 and concluded on Monday 19th December 2022.

The Speaker highlighted that during the course of the 5th meeting, Parliament had sat for 48 days in a plenary; • 6 bills were tabled and were passed by the house, 4 of which were appropriation-related bills. • In this period a total of 38 parliamentary papers were tabled, • 11 motions were put on notice • 30 questions asked and answered

Also, during the 5th meeting, Parliament resolved and approved the extension of the state of public emergency on one occasion to allow the executive government to manage responses to the global pandemic of Covid-19.

Mr. Oti added with community transmission of Covid-19 affecting the country earlier this year, Parliament has to be resilient and ensure continuity.

Also, during the last meeting, one constituency retained a new Member of Parliament in this year’s by-elections, a member for West Kwaio.

A total of five inquiries were conducted so far as the standing committees are concerned, 110 deliberative meetings convened and 5 committee reports were tabled.

The Speaker further told Parliament that he looks forward to when Parliament will have a meeting calendar for the whole year.

The Motion of Sine-die has been put in and passed and Parliament has now stood Sine-Die meaning without any future date being designated for its resumption. This is for an indefinite period.

PM last year said, Parliament will resume as soon as possible as there are many issues to address given the upcoming Pacific Games this year.

Malaita completes planning session on ward development plans

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Chairpersons of WDCs in the province and Heads of Divisions within MPG including others from stakeholders during the one-day PPDC meeting in Auki last Friday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

CHAIRPERSONS from 33 Ward Development Committees (WDC) in Malaita province completed a one-day session on Ward Development Plan (WDP) projects, last Friday in Auki.

The purpose of the meeting is to look at annual development plans for the wards and approve PCDF projects for the new financial year 2023/2024.

The new financial year will begin in April 2023.

Speaking during the opening of the meeting, Chairman of PPDC Randol Sifoni thanked the 33 chairpersons for attending.

“I must stress that the PPDC committee is a very important in which you charge with planning the development projects in the province.

“Unlike before, only politicians determine projects and as experienced there were lots of biasness in the distribution of projects,” he said,

Sifoni said since MARA government came into power, a new concept was introduced to all provinces where PPDCs or WDCs took control over planning and distribution of projects.

He said the concept promotes participatory planning process, which begins with WDC then PPDC before implementation of projects.

Sifoni said since the concept was introduced a fair and meaningful implementation of projects under Ward Development Grants and PCDF programs in the province.

“This is the sole reason you’re here for the meeting to ensure there is a proper planning on development projects to all parts of the province.

“People in this province depend on you and through decisions you made it will affect their development aspirations,” he said.

Sifoni said they expect maybe two or three PPCD meetings before the life of this current house.

MALA’S ARREARS

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Members of new Malaita provincial government.

New provincial government welcomed with $5m debt

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita’s new provincial government is faced with the unwelcoming task of clearing a $5-million debt in outstanding arrears.

The Malaita New Government for Fundamental Redirection (MNGFR) upon assuming power, immediately dons responsibility to clear more than $5 million owed to wards under the ward development grant (WDG).

This amount stems from 2021/2022 to 2022/2023 financial years and is likely to continue into the next financial year, 2023/2024 which will begin in April 2023.

Chief Planning Officer for Malaita province, Mr Peter Herehura said since 2021 ward development committees (WDCs) were not fully paid their ward development grants.

He said the issue has been a setback for WDCs especially for communities which should have benefited from mini-projects implemented through wards grants.

Herehura explained that a few factors contributed to the slow payment of WDGs.

These include,

  • Delay by WDCs to retire ward grants
  • Slow delivery of service grants (15 percent contributed to WDG)
  • Funding of unbudgeted activities
  • Weak internal revenue collection

He said ward grant depends entirely on the internal revenue of the province as it contributes up to 85 percent of its total budget.

Herehura said for the past two financial years, revenue collection has been hindered by lots of areas like covid-19 and challenges faced on Malaita’s revenue mobilisation strategy.

He stressed that this is one area needing strengthening – the province does not have strong internal revenue based like other provinces.

Herehura said an inclusive effort is needed by WDCs through their MPAs to work closely with the revenue team of the province to fortify the revenue mobilisation strategy.   He said MNGFR is behind the issue is planning a one-off payment of the ward grant arrears when funds are available.

Taskforce set up to drive MCC $165m investment here

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

AN oversight high-level taskforce led by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is established to drive the $164.9 million (US$20m) Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funded Accessing Land for Tourism Investment Facilitation (ALTIF) project.

The ALTIF project, which is a partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and the MCC, aims to address land access and investment facilitation issues that have prevented Solomon Islands from realizing its potential in the tourism sector. 

There are two components to this project.

First, the land access activity will help the Solomon Islands Government to identify sites capable of attracting and supporting tourism investment; second, ALTIF will help investors succeed by ensuring ‘social license’ with local communities to ensure tenure security.

The second component, the investment facilitation activity, will develop a portfolio of land parcels with potential opportunities for responsible investors.

It will also enhance the government’s capacity to respond to investor needs and identify potential projects that could yield the greatest benefit to Solomon Islanders by fostering local economic growth, including the expansion of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women.

Speaking to media in a press conference at US Embassy yesterday, MCT permanent secretary Barney Sivoro said the composition of the High-Level Taskforce comprises of representatives from other line ministries, to achieve this objective.

He said other members come from:

  1. Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination;
  2. Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey;
  3. Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration;
  4. Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and;
  5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

Sivoro said overall, the taskforce will act as the project oversight, will manage and provide strategic leadership on how to implement the project.

He said all implementing partners to report to taskforce what activities and progress in various work plans they developing.

Further to that, Sivoro said they are suggesting a working levels team mainly Land Working Level team and Investment Working Level Team to identify issues relating to land and investment.

The Taskforce has already been established in 2022 by the Minister of Culture and Tourism following Cabinet’s endorsement and approval.

Potential tourism land search on Guadalcanal, Central and Western

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MCT PS Barney Sivoro (left) and MCC Resident Threshold Director Charles Jakosa. Photo supplied.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Culture and Tourism is looking at identifying other investable potential sites on registered land on Guadalcanal, Central Islands and Western province.

This is made possible by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funded Accessing Land for Tourism Investment Facilitation (ALTIF) project.

Initially, MCT has already identified 80 investable potential sites on registered land in Western Province, supported by International Finance Corporation (IFC).

MCT permanent secretary, Barney Sivoro told media in a joint press conference with MCC Resident Threshold Director Charles Jakosa at the US Embassy yesterday.

He said over the years, they tried to develop tourism sector but with little improvement due to number of factors like lack of quantity and quality rooms to meet international standard.

Further to that, he said on biggest challenge tourism faced is lack of investable sites (land) to attract investors.

Sivoro said there are land but not properly exposed and profiling to the state to attract investors to come and invest.

However, he said under this ALTIF project, it will address this problem.

Sivoro said for sub activity 1 of this project is to improve access to land and establish social license to operate for Tourism investors.

He said the key objective is to enable tourism investment to have long term land tenure security through fair business agreement with land owners and surrounding communities.

The implementing partner for this activity is Tetra Tech.

Furthermore, Sivoro said in the sub activity 2 is to increase tourism investment through investment facilitation.

He said the key objective is to take proactive approach to facilitate tourism investment on attractive investment process to help all relevant actors realise tangible investments that will contribute to long term economic growth through tourism.

IFC is the implementing partner in the activity.

Further to that, Sivoro said there will be Facilitated Governance Reform to help them in the processes and policies to facilitate access to land and investments are assessed, reviewed, amended and documented in order to establish sets of practical and workable approaches in the long term.

The implementing partner in this activity is DT Global.

The MCC ALTIF project is a four years cycle project.

The MCC identified the Solomon Islands as a country partner in December 2018, and, due to delays caused by covid, the MCC and the Government of Solomon Islands signed the Solomon Islands Threshold Program Grant Agreement in January 2022, formalizing a partnership that aims to encourage sustainable development and alleviate poverty. The US$20 million investment works to yield economic growth in the natural resource management and tourism sectors. 

Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth.

Solomon Islands Government and the MCC Threshold Program are also partnering on the Forest Value Enhancement Project (FoVEP), which aims to generate more reliable, sustainable benefits from the country’s natural forest resources.

US embassy refutes ‘fantasy’ media report of backing assassination plot on PM Sogavare

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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US Embassy office in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

BY NED GAGAHE & IRWIN ANGIKI

The United States embassy has refuted Solomon Star’s front-page story claiming the US was behind an assassination plot on Prime Minister Sogavare.

Spokesman for the embassy, Damian Wampler describes the report as ‘outrageous’ and an effort ‘to undermine and damage US-Solomon Islands relations’.

The office of the prime minister and cabinet (OPMC) is expected to make a statement on this matter today.

Solomon Star on Saturday (March 4) published a front-pager titled ‘TOP SECRET OUT’ alleging US of having supported a move to oust the DCGA government and assassinate PM Manasseh Sogavare.

The article references unnamed sources for the allegations, and withheld names.

Police (RSIPF) has chosen to remain silent on this matter. “Police are unable to respond to such an issue,” Police Media told the paper this week.

Meanwhile, members of public have taken to social media questioning the credibility of the article and its author, a veteran journalist. One prominent academic has labelled the article ‘a story on unfounded rumours’.

The media association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has responded calling on the Solomon Star to be responsible in its news reporting. MASI describes the article as having ‘no substantial evidence’ and ‘based on mere hearsay’.

Embassy spokesman Mr Wampler responding to Island Sun enquiry earlier this week said:

“The United States condemns the outrageous claims made in the Solomon Star newspaper that the United States is involved in an assassination plot against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

“Efforts to undermine and damage US-Solomon Islands relations will not succeed.

“The story is a wild fantasy that has no truth or merit whatsoever. Any efforts to undermine advancing US-Solomon Islands relations, to be clear, will only end in failure.

“We continue to call on all parties in Solomon Islands to engage in constructive, inclusive dialogue to seek a peaceful resolution to their differences and secure a prosperous future for the country.

“The opening of the US Embassy in Honiara this year is an expansion of our engagement with the Solomon Islands, further solidifying the US commitment to our relationship and to the people of the Solomon Islands.

“The United States has a long history of engagement in Solomon Islands. Examples include the commencement of the U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)’s work with the Government of Solomon Islands through a four-year $20 million MCC Threshold Program; sharing 188,370 COVID-19 vaccine doses and other assistance to Solomon Islands to combat the pandemic; support through USAID’s SCALE program; and the mitigation of unexploded ordnance. 

“Solomon Islanders, along with people from across the region, also actively participate in the State Department’s Young Pacific Leaders Program and many other exchange programs.

“Our relationship with the Solomon Islands has never been stronger.

“We look forward to accelerating our collaboration and building our ties together to facilitate a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

Cyber-bullying claims another life

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

ANOTHER young life has been lost early this week due to cyber-bullying.

Gizo residents woke to news on Tuesday a teenage boy was found dead at Power House Area, West of Gizo.

Unconfirmed report reaching Island Sun Gizo said the deceased hanged himself and the cause of the death was self-strangulation.

Reports say that the deceased was a victim of cyber-bullying.

Attempt to get information from Gizo police proved futile due to government protocols on information sharing from government institutions to the media.

Island Sun understands that this is the second victim of cyber-bullying. The first was also from Western province, who took his life after facing cyber-bullying in 2020.

The general public is condemning those bullies who prey on people on social media calling on responsible authorities to take strong measures.

Solomon Islands is yet to have a Cyber-Security Law thus the deaths reinforce the need for the national government to fast track endorsing one.

Malaita expects to pass $25m budget this week

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MALAITA Provincial Assembly expects to pass its 2022/2023 revised budget of $25,292, 482 by the end of the week.

Full assembly meeting took place yesterday in Auki to debate the revised budget – similar to the budget that was defeated two months ago.

Presenting the budget on the floor of assembly yesterday, Provincial Finance Minister under Malaita New Government for Fundamental Redirection (MNGFR) Randal Sifoni thanked the administration for preparing the budget.

He said the 2022/2023 revised budget estimate are;

  • the total revenue budget summary is estimated at SBD25,292,482.
  • the total expenditure budget summary is estimated at SBD25,292,482
  • the total recurrent revenue for financial year 2022/23 is estimated at SBD 20,342,182, an increase of SBD2,116,628 or 12% increase from the 2022/23 original estimates.

Sifoni said of the total recurrent revenue, MPG estimated its local revenue will contribute around $7,982,746.

Adding that SIG through service grant to contribute SBD11,636,456, timber right hearing will be SBD294,954, SBD161,826 from reserve account and MPGIS second appointed day fund of SBD30,000.

He said from the difference of total recurrent revenue less total recurrent expenditure figures, they anticipate a surplus of SBD5,108,700 to cover the ward funded projects summed at SBD5,008,700 and PCDF co-funding of SBD100,000 in the Capital Expenditure.

Sifoni said the total revised recurrent expenditure for financial year 2022/23 is estimated at SBD 15,233,481.

Adding that the disbursement of these expenditures covers core expenditure levels of the provincial government include:

  1. Salary & wages                                                                SBD7,193,289
  2. Consultancy cost                                                  SBD1,226,935
  3. Operational costs                                                 SBD3,068,937
  4. Assembly and Executive expenditure                              SBD2,199,383
  5. Debt Servicing                                                                  SBD   900,000
  6. Repairs & Maintenance                                       SBD   644,938

He said the total revised capital revenue is SBD4,950,300, new PCDF allocation is SBD1,249,637, commitment carried forward $2,260,905 and tourism fund of SBD500,000.

Sifoni said the World Bank Integrated Economic Development and Community Resilience Programme (IEDCR) at SBD312,409 and Government for Climate Resilience SBD627,349.

He said on the revised capital expenditure, the province plans to spend a total of SBD10,059,000 for this fiscal year.

Debate on the budget speeches presented by premier Fini and minister Sifoni will begin today. Yesterday, a total of 28 MPAs from both sides have attended the meeting.

The current meeting is to pass the 2022/2023 revised budget, and before the end of this month they will convene another full assembly meeting to pass the 2023/2024 original budget.

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