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New Malaita govt announces plan to reconcile with national govt

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier Martin Gaote'e Fini.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE new government of Malaita has announced it will reconcile with the national government.

Malaita New Government for Fundamental Redirection (MNGFR) Premier Martin Gaote’e Fini announced this during his budget speech yesterday.

He said it is part of his government’s strategic intervention (2), that is to rebuild confidence with SIG/DCGA, donors and people of Malaita province.

The objective of the reconciliation is to regain confidence and resolve the long-standing stand-off between DCGA and Malaita province, he said. 

“After this assembly meeting, my new government (MNGFR) will organize a reconciliation ceremony to resolve the long-standing stand-off between DCGA and Malaita Province that had direct effect on the donors and other development partners.

“Our objective is to regain the confidence and trust that has been destroyed within the three years.

“My new government (MNGFR) will continue to work in close collaboration with the national government, donor partners and other development partners to achieve our goals in this 11th hour,” Fini said.

According to Fini, his government is about Inclusiveness.

“It is about working together.

“It is about ordinary people working with their elected government for the purpose of addressing pressing needs in our communities.

“It is about re-establishing links with the national government, other provinces and donors. No one can walk the development road alone.

“It calls for all hands-on deck,” he said.

Fini also explained that their intention to take up government was not inspired by a desire to grab power.

He said their intention based on conviction that this great province of Malaita can be great again.

“Our intention is to restore Malaita’s image, pride and leadership role in the affairs of our nation through partnership with MEDI, MPGIS, key ministries and important development partners.

“As the new Premier, I am convinced that this redirection policy will make our province to regain its rightful place and continue to contribute to the betterment of our society.

“In other words, we acted on our conviction that this great province of Malaita can be rescued even at the 11th hour” Fini said.

He said that MNGFR is determined to restore Malaita’s image through its flagship policy of “fundamental redirection policy”.

“We believe that in pursuing this policy initiative, Malaita can be great again,” premier said.

GET TO KNOW OF DISASTER

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Govt and UNDP push for our children to learn of disaster risk reduction

BY BEN BILUA

Solomon Islands communities are vulnerable to disasters.

This has prompted government to push for our new generation to be taught on disasters and how to mitigate risks.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping government achieve this.

UNDP is working closely with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development to introduce Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction (IDRR) to the school curriculum.

Speaking during the launching of IDRR in the Western Province earlier this month Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRM) Project Deputy Project Manager Deltina Solomon Mamu said UNDP and the Ministry of Education are currently reviewing the guidelines and IDRR handbook.

She said the collaboration is paramount as Solomon Islands is vulnerable to natural disasters.

“In one of the workshops that I’ve attended, NDMO highlight that Solomon Islands is ranked as the second highest country vulnerable to impacts of disaster or emergencies in the world.

“This is evident in more than 80 percent of our population living in low vulnerable coastal rural areas and are heavily reliant on subsistence economy.

“Should disaster occur our shelter and livelihood will be easily destroyed,” Mamu said.

She said the IDRR handbook will provide broader awareness beginning with children at schools to communities to improve resilience.

“Despite a number of island communities have developed disaster preparedness and response capacity through Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction programs (CBDRR) and certain level of institutional preparedness and strengthening, the recent review of National Disaster Management Plan 2018 (N-DMP18), states there is ‘limited awareness of the NDMP18 and disaster management responsibilities, lack of communication, coordinated strategic planning and cross-agency engagement, particularly at operational and middle-management levels and no common disaster management communication system for disaster management agencies(IMP,2020),” Mamu said.

$16m for recovery of businesses from the November 2021 riots

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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China Town during the 2021 riot.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has disbursed a total of $16 million to assist owners of properties in Chinatown, torched and destroyed during the riots in November 2021.

This was based on a policy government passed last year to support the property owners.

Under the policy, Government would provide incentives, relief on duties on goods and materials and give them capital injection up to $2 million for those affected.

Ministry of Finance and Treasury permanent secretary, McKinnie Dentana said some property owners have received $2 million, others less than $2 million and $1 million.

He said this was based on the assessment carried out by Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration technical team on their sites.

Dentana said the assistance was to support the property owners restock their shops because some have relocated to new locations and for reconstruction.

He said the support is very small because some of the properties valued more than $10m.

“But the government can only go as far as the amount to rebuild their businesses,” he added.

Furthermore, assessments have been carried out by Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Development Architectural and building license services, National Disaster Management Office, Honiara City Council and Solomon Islands Fire Services last year.

This happened after HCC convened a meeting with Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA) in January 2022.

Reports from the assessments recommended that 32 buildings need to be demolished immediately before the Pacific Games in November.

Ministry of Finance and Treasury has confirmed the November riots has showed an estimated loss of $811 million in 2021.

It happened after protestors demanded Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to step down after his government switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.

However, there were other mixed issues blamed for the riots as well like ‘economic inequality’ and ‘ethnic tension’.

Govt turns to fisheries, mining to replace logging

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MoFT Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana. Photo by SBM

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands will depend on fisheries and mining to fill the gap left behind by the declining logging industry.

Logging is the major contributing revenue earner to the government coffers.

Ministry of Finance and Treasury permanent secretary, McKinnie Dentana told media last Friday that in previous years, they normally recorded two million cubic metres of round logs export.

However, he said now it has reduced below two million cubic metres.

As part of controlling the harvesting of logs, the government came up with a sustainable logging policy.

Dentana said under the policy, a ceiling of below 1.7 million cubic metres is allowed for export to allow for regeneration of the logs.

Apart from that, he said few sectors to fill the gap left by logging are fishery and mining.

He said the government is closely watching Gold Ridge mining as it is expected to commence full commercial production towards end of this year.

According to International Monetary Fund, the current account deficit of the Solomon Islands Government is projected to widen to 15.0 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023 and remain around 9 percent of GDP over the medium term, reflecting the decline in log production, slowing potential growth of China, the main export destination, and high imports for infrastructure projects.

IFM says foreign reserves are forecast to decline further to 5.8 months of imports by 2027, although they would still be within the adequacy range at this lower level.

Overall, IFM says Solomon Islands economy is recovering from a series of shocks, supported by the reopening of the border and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games.

But the recovery has been fragile as Russia’s war in Ukraine has led to higher inflation and a worsening of the terms of trade.

Expenditures related to the Pacific Games and the general elections need to be well controlled to minimize the crowding out of other essential spending. Public investment projects should be phased in line with the economy’s absorptive capacity and accompanying financing arrangements need to be prudently negotiated.

Modernizing legal and regulatory frameworks and strengthening anti-corruption and auditing institutions remains critical for mitigating governance vulnerabilities and corruption risks.

SI to get $82m from ADB

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Solomon Islands stands to receive $82.6 million from the Asia Development Bank (ADB) – half as grant, the other half in loan.

This assistance is part of a USD $38 million (SBD 314 million) disaster financing package by ADB for four countries in the Pacific.

ADB announced this yesterday.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD$38 million (SBD 264.5 million) in contingent disaster financing to help Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga respond to disasters triggered by natural hazards and health emergencies, ADB media statement said.

The support comes from the fourth phase of the Pacific Disaster Resilience Program and will provide Kiribati with an USD $8 million grant, Samoa with a USD $10 million grant, Solomon Islands with a USD $5 million (SBD 41.3 million) grant and a USD $5 million (SBD 41.3 million) loan, and Tonga a USD $10 million grant. All four countries have made strong progress on building the resilience of their institutions, which build on the previous phases of the program.

“The Pacific Disaster Resilience Program will provide the participating countries with quick disbursing, flexible budget support for urgent relief, and early recovery from disasters,” said ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez.

Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga are highly vulnerable to the impacts of natural hazards and health emergencies. ADB’s support to the Pacific under previous phases of the program has helped strengthen policy, legislative, and institutional arrangements to manage climate and disaster risk, including health emergencies.

The programme fills a financing gap common in the Pacific during disasters, providing a predictable and quick-disbursing source of financing for early response and recovery activities.

The project is financed by a $5 million concessional loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources and a $33 million grant from the Asian Development Fund (ADF). The ADF provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

–ADB PRESS

WE’RE NOT BROKE!

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dentana
Permanent Secretary for Finance McKinnie Dentana.

Gov’t denies cashflow problem, says $200m in coffers  

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Finance and Treasury has denied any cash flow problem as there is still $200 million in the coffers.

Permanent Secretary, McKinnie Dentana clarified this during a media press conference last Friday.

This came after Ministry of Education and Human Resources permanent secretary, Dr Franco Rodie claimed government sponsored law students did not get their allowances between October and December due to lack of funds in the Finance ministry.

However, Dentana said the government has $200m cash at hand but blames the problem faced by the education ministry on ‘stress on the process’.

He said a lot of pressure came towards the end of the year including holidays.

“It is not a funding issue.

“It is a processing pressure in the ministry of finance, especially as far as our capacity is concerned.

“That is the main issue,” he said.

Dentana said, “for your information they move from 2022 to 2023 almost $200 million in cash.

“That’s why I am saying it’s not a financing issue but a processing stress,” he added.

Island Sun understands the Government still owes suppliers about $9m for their services provided to the government during the covid-19 pandemic.

IMF stresses importance of deeper engagement with SI

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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IMF team leader Mr. Masafa Yabara (L) and IMF Resident Representative (based in Fiji) Neil Saker.

BY NED GAGAHE

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it will work closely with the Solomon Islands Government to further deepens its engagements in the country.

This was highlighted by IMF Resident Representative based in Fiji Mr. Neil Saker at a press conference recently following the IV 2023 consultation it held with various stakeholders in the country.

“I would just like to stress the importance of deeper engagement with the Solomon Islands. We IMF are focusing much on Fragile and conflict states and we know the history of Solomon Islands.

“So, we want to work with the government to tackle the sources of fragility and to ensure that living standards and level of development continuously rise in the coming years.

“To do that we set out a comprehensive strategy to help the Solomon Islands and this includes intensive surveillance not only from the headquarter but also at the regional head office based in Fiji which also covers the Solomon Islands.

“We also want to expand our capacity development and some of the key areas which includes tax reforms, public expenditure management, banking supervision and statistics so these are all important areas to make sure the future is sustainable.

“So, I just want to highlight that the IMF is also going to work closely with the development partners and with the government of Solomon Islands to try to ensure that growth becomes sustainable for the long term.” Mr. Saker said.

Govt to help HCC with waste management before Games

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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City Clerk Justus Denni

By EDDIE OSIFELO

HONIARA City Council is expecting additional support from the National Government to build its capacity in waste management, before the Pacific Games in November, this year.

This after HCC has limited capacity to manage waste for the Games.

It was estimated an extra 60,000 of wastes will need to be collected during the two weeks of the Games and dump at the limited Ranadi landfill in East Honiara.

This will add to the 100,000 tonnes of wastes produced everyday Honiara.

Ministry of Home Affairs permanent secretary, Jeffrey Sade Deve told media last Friday for collection and disposal of waste during clean up and during the Games, HCC will utilise its current fleet up to full maximum.

He said for additional support, HCC is requesting additional waste management vehicles, compactor timber truck, skip bin trucks from the National Government.

Further to that, Sade said the HCC stakeholder – CAUSE project will also support with collection and disposal during the Games.

However, he said HCC recently purchased a bulldozer which is now working to deal with wastes at the landfill.

“And HCC will use additional equipment to push and handle waste during the Games,” he added.

In term of Going forward, Sade said HCC is also discussing with interested private waste sector entities to set recycling of green energy production at the Ranadi landfill.

HCC Clerk Justus Denni  said despite lack of capacity, they are doing all their best to collect the wastes within Honiara and dump at Ranadi landfill.

“Hoping close to Games, we receive additional support from National Government or private sector entities to help build up capacity in waste collections,” he added.

Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers said they had few consultations with HCC and Prime Minister has committed National Government to work with HCC to address some of that.

32 buildings burnt during riots to be demolished

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Part of the burnt-out China town from the recent riots. Photo supplied.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 32 buildings torched and destroyed during the riots in November 21 are recommended to be demolished immediately.

This came after assessments carried out by Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Development Architectural and building license services, National Disaster Management Office, Honiara City Council and Solomon Islands Fire Services last year.

This happened after HCC convened a meeting with Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA) in January 2022.

Ministry of Home Affairs permanent secretary, Jeffrey Sade Deve told media last Friday that in a follow up meeting with SICA, they focussed on the need to rebuild Chinatown.

However, he said it was delayed because some property owners are still waiting for financial supports from the National Government.

Further to that, Sade said some property owners have raised concern of another riot occurring during the National General Elections in April 2023.

As such, he said most of them have agreed to start rebuilding their properties after the elections.

Furthermore, Sade said some of them try to rebuild, so HCC has granted them approval in consistence with National Building Code and building ordinances.

Apart from that, Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers said from a Pacific Games perspective, they join HCC and speaking with SICA to flatten the structures if they are not going to rebuild.

He said this is to avoid ‘eyesore’ during the Games.

Rodgers said this will also include buildings left standing at King George Six in East Honiara.

Ministry of Finance and Treasury has confirmed the November riots has showed an estimated loss of $811 million in 2021.

It happened after protestors demanded Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to step down after his government switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.

However, there were other mixed issues blamed for the riots as well like ‘economic inequality’ and ‘ethnic tension’.

1,000 SIG scholarships will be available for 2023: PS Rodie

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY NED GAGAHE

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development Dr Franko Rodie has confirmed that the total number of Solomon Islands Government funded scholarships that will be made available in 2023 is 1000.

Dr Franko Rodie revealed this at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) weekly media conference last Friday.

Rodie said he was informed last week that 500 conditional awards have already been issued and work is currently in progress to issue the actual awards.

“In 2023 the number of scholarship available is 1000. From what I know from last week some 500 awards have been issued. So, what happen is after the selection was done those successful students or candidates were offered provisional awards, so the process has been completed, what they are doing now is to issue the actual awards, so as I speak that is what happening.” Rodie said.

On another note, Rodie said most universities that the government usually sent students have already commenced classes five weeks ago.

He said that he is aware that the delay has caused frustration amongst parents and students but he said that the process has really put the students and parents down.

Rodie confirmed during the conference that so far he doesn’t have any data on how many awards for SINU, how many for USP, FNU and other universities that we usually sent our students.

“But I think many of you are aware that most universities where the students supposed to go have already began lectures five weeks ago. And that is the issue. There has been delay and most parents and students are really frustrated.

“The process has put them dowm. That’s all I can give in terms of the awards. I do not have the data, how many awards for SINU, how many for USP, FNU and other universities that we usually sent our students.

Meanwhile, Rodie said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) Constance Nasi was supposed to be here but she is not present to answer some of the questions.

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