Home Blog Page 679

Police to probe vehicle abuse claim in Temotu

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE have confirmed they have received a report alleging Police officers at Lata were drinking kwaso and abusing police vehicle.

Deputy Police Commissioner National Security and Operation Support Ian Vaevaso said the allegations are serious and there are directives from the Commissioner to investigate the allegation.

He said such actions and attitudes of Police officers are condemned.

“RSIPF is a disciplined organization and such actions by police officers should be condemned, and I call on the public that any allegation against police officers must be reported to the Professional Standards Internal Investigation for investigations”, Vaevaso said.

A Chief from Venga village Chief Thomas Menaba in Temotu had made a call to the Police Executive Authority to investigate such manner concerning police officers at Lata.

He said the province is extremely concerned on the conduct of Police officers in Lata.

He said such attitudes by Lata Police Officers undermine the professionalism of the organization.

“We expect professionalism from RSIPF, instead the actions and attitudes displayed by Lata police officers undermines security and law and order in our communities.

“We are calling for investigations as certain officers at Lata were engaging in Kwaso consumption, selling of Marijuana and also selling of Police OBM”, Chief Menaba said.

Vaevaso said officers should behave and act in a good manner in uphold law and order of this country.

Sogavare to attend UN meeting

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will attend the UN meeting in New York.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America.

The 77th session of the UNGA has commenced on 13 September 2022.

The first day of the high-level General Debate will be on Tuesday, 20 September 2022.

Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui confirmed to the media yesterday that the Prime Minister will lead five officials from his office.

He said officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade are already there plus other ministries will attend the meeting as well.

In New York, Kabui said the government will engage in bilateral meetings with 10 countries.

However, he said the number will increase in the coming days but is yet to be finanlised.

After UNGA, Kabui said the Prime Minister will also be visiting Washington DC with other Pacific Islands countries to hold talks with US President Biden and his administration.

He said returning home, Sogavare will stop over in Australia to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Bill to delay election set for gazette

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
National Parliament of Solomon Islands

EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNOR General, Sir David Vunagi should assent the Constitutional Amendment Act at the Government House yesterday.

The Act is to defer the National General Elections until after the Pacific Games 2023 hosted by Solomon Islands.

Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui confirmed to media yesterday they are waiting for the Act to come down to Prime Minister Office to be published in the gazette.

Furthermore, Attorney General John Muria Junior said upon gazette, there is a provision in the Act for the Prime Minister to choose for it to commence.

He said when commencement is made, it will be gazetted and the Constitutional Amendment Act to be enforced.

Parliament passed the Bill on 8th September 2022 after 37 of the 49 Members of Parliament voted for the Bill in the second reading and third reading to pass the bill.

Initially, the term of the 11th Parliament commenced on 15th May 2019 and ends on 19th May 2023.

However, Parliament will dissolve on December 31st 2023.

As such, elections will be held around April 2024.

Government says it will settle $32.4M owed to Levers.

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
The Office of the Prime Minister

By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT is committed to settle the $32.4 million ordered by the High Court that is owed to Levers Solomon Limited.

Attorney General John Muria Junior told reporters yesterday 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 it not pay because it’s a court judgement.

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

“What comes before the last case was on tax component which the court agreed and minus $50 million to $32.4 million. Court removes tax that LSL owed the Government and was left with $32.4,” he said.

Muria said there were good discussions held with LSL on Tuesday and both parties came up with a settlement approach.

“Parties will be making a statement once matters are fully settled,” he added.

However, LSL said if no settlement is done before today, there is high possibility of repossessing its property at Hell’s Point, east Honiara.

At the negotiations, the LSL representatives were Director Patrick Wong, Alice Willy (lawyer), Geoffrey McDonald, Barrister at law and landowners who are directors.

SIG was represented by Ministry of Finance and Treasury Permanent Secretary, Dentana Mckini, Solicitor General, Accountant General, Investment Cooperation of Solomon Islands (ICSI) Director, Tukana Bovoro, Attorney General and Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil.

MRD PS pays courtesy visit to Premier Suidani

Written by
Press Release
-
0
MRD Permanent Secretary Dr Samson Viulu, second from left, next to Malaita Province Premier Daniel Suidani with MRD and Malaita Provincial Government senior officials.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Dr Samson Viulu has paid a courtesy visit to the Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani at his Office in Auki, Tuesday.

During the meeting, PS Viulu explain to the Premier the purpose of MRD official’s presence in Auki which is to conduct a two-days consultation on the first ever Solomon Islands Constituency Development (SICD) Policy with its stakeholders.

It was a fruitful meeting as PS Viulu and Premier Suidani traded positive sentiments and encouragement during their discussion in the presence of Malaita Province Deputy Premier and Malaita Provincial Secretary (PS).

PS Viulu acknowledged the Premier for accepting him and his team into his office for the meeting and also for the opportunity to meet him in person and brief him on the Solomon Islands Constituency Development (SICD) Policy concept which now undergoing nationwide consultations.

“Our presence here in Auki is to do a two-days consultation on this new policy initiated by MRD called Solomon Islands Constituency Development (SICD) Policy.

“…MRD was established in 2007.

“However, it did not have any standing or development policy to guide its operation over the years. So, SICD Policy will be the first ever policy the ministry is embarking on and once realized it will help the ministry in reforming constituency developments.

“This policy will also guide our constituency offices to see what areas should be prioritized with more emphasis towards reforming development in our constituencies.

PS Viulu further told Premier Suidani that the consultation on the new policy is to gather honest views from rural people on the policy framework which will lead to reforming the CDF Act 2013.

He said that having an improved and robust mechanisms to guide MRD in its management of the CDF is of paramount importance.

“The idea to repeal the existing CDF Act is also forthcoming to replace it with Constituency Development (CD) Act so it accommodates every development approach and not just the fund,” PS Viulu told Premier Suidani.

“Our task force will commence drafting of the policy once we completed all consultations. With the political support that we have now, we want to make sure that this policy is complete in time for further deliberation at the government level,” PS Viulu added.

Meanwhile, Premier Suidani in response acknowledged PS Viulu for the courtesy visit where they were able to share together thoughts on a way forward for CDF.

The Premier said that perhaps PS Viulu is the first person in his capacity as the Permanent Secretary of MRD to have visited his office and discuss constructively on ways to improve the management of CDF.

Premier Suidani took the opportunity and shared his knowledge and concerns surrounding the CDF and its effect on the lives of our people and he said despite these concerns, he assured PS Viulu that he will support the CDF reforms and the current SICD Policy consultation and its framework.

He also highlighted decentralization of government services to the rural populace and how he ponders this policy will really help Malaita constituency to really feel the positive impact of CDF.

“If we really want to see our people involved meaningfully in development then this policy must capture the decentralization of government services with the assistance of the reformed CDF Act,” he added.

He also voiced his concern about the management of CDF and what mechanisms are in place to hold our leaders accountable if the funds are mismanaged.

He said having robust financial mechanisms in place will guide our Members of Parliament to be accountable in how they use this public fund.

“I support this policy and your ministry to make this policy come true not only for our leaders but for the rural population of this country.

“I encourage you and your ministry to carry on with these good works because I believe you can lead this work as an accountable officer for MRD,” he said.

UNITED AGAINST CORRUPTION

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Berdi Berdiyev, Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager, Japan Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Miwa Yoshiaki, Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption Deputy Chairlady, Anika Kingmele, Deputy Secretary for Prime Minister’s Office (Policy&Programmes), Tony Kabasi, SIICAC Director General John Kouni and UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze with the new ICT equipment.

$214,751 worth of equipment to SIICAC

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) has received a boost to its efforts to tackle corruption in the country.

This was after they took delivery of ICT equipment worth $214,751 from the United National Development Programme (UNDP) and Japanese Government yesterday.

The equipment were procured under the Transparency and Accountability Project (TAP) established between UNDP, the Japanese Government and the Solomon Islands Government.

UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze said this is to ensure SIICAC and the Anticorruption Secretariat has the digital capacity and the necessary resources to undertake the enormous tasks placed upon it.

Bouadze said since 2012, UNDP through its regional programme has been working to strengthen the anti-corruption landscape across the Pacific.

In addition, SIICAC Director General John Kouni has welcomed the generous support from both partners.

Kouni said for any anti-corruption body to carry out its task, it must by fully resourced mainly with human capacity, ongoing training so that they know exactly their work,

He added it also needs resources in terms of facility and working tools.

“We value this assistance, not in monetary terms but what it can deliver in fighting corruption in the country.

“The use of this equipment will go a long way to assist in fighting corruption in the country,” Kouni said.

Furthermore, Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy & Programmes), Tony Kabasi said the support of ICT equipment’s to the Anti-Corruption Secretariat, under the OPMC Policy & Program and the Anti-Corruption Commission is timely and crucial.

He said the donated ICT equipment’s will ensure the newly established Anti-Corruption Commission and the role of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat to coordinate and facilitate the integrity institutions framework are resourced and equipped with the relevant ICT needs for its operation including processing, storing, and communicating of relevant information.

Moreover, the Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, Miwa Yoshiaki said fighting corruption is not easy.

He said there maybe two alternative ways to fight corruption.

“The first one is very democratic, where you expect the initiative of the civil society to create common understanding and red line that we should never go beyond.

“Another is very extreme, which I don’t support at all. It is authoritarianism and very strict. People will fear the strict procedures of the government. That kind of procedure should not contribute to the development of our society,” he said.

Yoshiaki said there should be deeper understanding of culture and common understanding in the society.

UNDP and Japanese Government have supported SIICAC on the Transparency and Accountability Project, TAP since 2018.

Under the project, UNDP has supported SIICAC and the anti-corruption secretariat with the refurbishment of the office and with the purchase of equipment and furniture crucial to the setup of the new office.

Ramofafia thanks EU for $78M assistance

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia delivers his speech at the launching of EU projects in Honiara yesterday.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia has congratulated the European Union for its $78 million funding assistance to Solomon Islands.

The funding aims at strengthening the governance system for service delivery within the provinces, notably by improving the coordination between Provincial Governments and the provincial sector offices for education and health.

Speaking at the launching of the EU projects in Honiara yesterday, Ramofafia said the projects long term objective is to build sound, inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance systems within the provinces, for sub-national service delivery.

He said this response to the National Development Strategy’s call for ensuring effective governance at the local provincial level, which is a necessary element in creating an enabling environment for effective service delivery.

Further to that, Ramofafia said health and education remains critical to the empowerment of our people.

“Having a healthy and literate population is fundamental to sustainable development as it supports all other aspects of development.

“The provincial spread with a focus on Honiara and all nine provinces is also pleasing, as this ensures that there is equity amongst both the urban and rural population in all the nine provinces of Honiara,” he added.

In addition, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Sujiro Seam said this project is consistent with the global priorities of the European Union as reflected in their global gateways when they intend to strengthen networks particular in health and education.

He said it is also consistent with their regional priorities which are embodied in the European Union strategic cooperation in the Indo Pacific, which comprises the priority on human development which covers health and education.

“It is also consistent in good alliance with European Union and the Pacific which provides for the financial framework for our commitment to the region for the years 2021-2027 which we have an emphasis on as a third priority of human development,” he said.

Ambassador Seam said they are also contributing in strengthening Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This includes:

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 4: Quality Education

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

EU channels funds through PCDF

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia has welcomed the implementation of the European Union projects through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) mechanism.

Speaking at the launching of the $78 million EU projects in Honiara yesterday, Ramofafia said the projects modality of implementation by utilizing the existing PCDF grant mechanism is also very much welcomed.

“The PCDF grant mechanism is a longstanding modality of delivery in the provinces which has shown positive results and contributed a lot to improving capacity of provincial governments to deliver services.

“The PCDF modality also builds national ownership by allowing the national and provincial governments to be in the driver’s seat,” he said.

Ramofafia said this is the kind of inclusive engagement and partnership that the government encourages.

“As the Minister responsible for National Planning and Aid Coordination, I continue to urge our development partners to align to the priorities as set out in the National Development Strategy,” he said.

Moreover, Ramofafia said at such a time as this development, effectiveness remains critical.

“We must ensure national ownership, a focus on results, having inclusive partnerships and mutual transparency and accountability,” he said.

In a similar connection to ensuring development effectiveness, he stressed the importance of monitoring and evaluation.

“Improving governance is a means to an end.

“Whilst improving governance is a key vehicle and means to ensuring effective service delivery, the ultimate end that we strive for is effective service delivery to our rural people,” he said.

“In that regard, we must also monitor for development results, such that we are able to ascertain progress in service delivery in the targeted sectors of health and education,” he added.

Ramofafia encouraged all to work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, to ensure successful delivery of the project activities in a timely manner that will see tangible outcomes for our rural people.

EU pumps in $78M for water, sanitation here

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Berdi Berdiyev, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager, Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade, Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso, Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia and UNICEF Chief of Office, Dr Zalalem Taffesse.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands has received $78 million ($8 million Euro) from the European Union to improve water and sanitary conditions in schools and communities throughout the country.

The funding is also to strengthen the service delivery capabilities of provincial governments as prescribed in the major components of the project.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) will implement the projects.

Speaking at the launching of the EU funded projects at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday, Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso thanked the European Union, for this important gesture that would surely go a long way in improving water and sanitary conditions of schools and communities.

EU had also assisted the nine provincial governments through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) from 2008 to 2015.

Seleso said the overall contribution of European Union to PGSP phase one was over USD6.1million and USD3.5million of that went into PCDF.

“The European Union contribution in PGSP phase one did not only help the nine provinces to deliver critical infrastructure throughout the country, but it also supported the Ministry of Provincial Governments to strengthen the capacities of the provincial governments as critical service delivery agency of the National Government.

“Through the partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI, UNDP and UNCDF, the EU, the donor partners’ support to PCDF and PGSP has contributed a lot in improving the infrastructure and service delivery capabilities of the nine provincial governments,” he said.

“As of today, the nine provinces combined have completed and handed over 1,549 projects in various sectors from July 2008 to March 2022 at a total cost of USD41 million creating over 8,500 jobs for our construction industry most of whom are rural youths.

“Our records indicate that the provincial investment in water and sanitations stands at 520 projects at a cost of USD2.1 million.  In education sector, the provincial governments through the PCDF delivered 301 classroom projects at a cost of USD12.7 million whilst in health sector, they delivered about 133 projects across the nine provinces at a total of USD4.8 million,” he said.

Seleso said the new project they were launching yesterday shall greatly complement the efforts of the provincial governments and prepare them to provide the much-needed support to education and health sectors in their service delivery efforts at the sub-national.

He said because of the seed money provided by the development partners under the leadership of SIG, the capabilities of the provincial governments have been increasing.

“The National Government has recognized the impact made by the Provincial Governments not only in delivering rural infrastructure for service delivery but also the massive improvements realized in governance and accountability,” he added.

EU Ambassador and Head for the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, H.E Sujiro Seam and UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze could not attend the launching in Honiara but joined through virtual from Nadi airport in Fiji.

They could not come on Tuesday due to mechanical problem caused to Air Nauru but arrived in Honiara yesterday.

They start their engagement today by attending launching of other EU projects and held consultations with the Government before returning to Fiji on Saturday.

KILLER DRIVER GETS 6 YEARS

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court has sentenced a man found guilty for causing the death of five people at the Tenaru bridge last year to six year and six months.

 Danny Benson was charged for five counts of manslaughter.

High Court Justice Maelyn Bird said manslaughter is a serious offence and the maximum penalty prescribed under our laws for that offence is imprisonment for life.

 It is that serious because it involves the taking away of a man’s life through one’s negligence.

On July 7 2021 between 8pm to 9pm, the Benson was said to be drunk and driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser.

He was then spotted by a Police Patrol Team when he took off from the northern road at the KGVI crossroad.

Due to his careless driving at that time, the police patrol signalled him to stop but instead he tried to escape by driving through the middle of the single lane road without indicating lights to other vehicles on the road.

Justice Bird said despite signals from police to stop he drove on at very high speed.

During that time there was a fundraising at the western end of the old Tenaru bridge and the place was crowded with people attending the event.

In an attempt to avoid police patrol, he switched off the vehicle’s head lights and drove the vehicle towards the old Tenaru bridge towards the crowd.

It was during that time that the incident happened which resulted in the death of the five people.

Bird said the manner in which the prisoner was driving was extremely dangerous.

“You have no regard whatsoever for other road users and the public at large. You disregarded advise by your passengers to slow down.

“You were driving like a maniac and at night time and with your head lights off. As a result of your carelessness and negligence, you killed five people on the very same night.

“If you had your head lights on, you would have been able to see from a safe distance that people were congregated in the area for a fundraising,” Ms Bird said.

She also said the accident could have been avoided and loss of lives could even have been minimal if he drove the vehicle with due care and attention.

“These circumstances in my view makes your offending more serious than any other motor vehicle manslaughter cases previously dealt with by this court,” Bird added.

1...678679680...1,677Page 679 of 1,677