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70 students from Vanuatu this weekend for SINU

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Solomon Islands National University

BY NED GAGAHE

About 70 students from Vanuatu will arrive this weekend to commence study at Solomon Islands National University (SINU) this year.

This was announced by SINU Chancellor Sir Dr Nathan Kere at the inauguration ceremony of SINU third Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau held yesterday at Friendship Hall, Panatina Campus.

“About 70 pioneer international students from Vanuatu would arrive this weekend entering SINU this year.

“The epitome of these achievements is now the inauguration of our new Vice Chancellor today.

“We decide to have a proper and transparent beginning to provide our new Vice Chancellor the platform from which he informs all of us and the nation his passionate visions and missions for our University, as the top tertiary institution for learning, inquiry and research in Solomon Islands.

“I am elated at these achievements made during these recent difficult years and indeed it make me proud to be your SINU Chancellor,” The SINU Chancellor said

Sir Dr Nathan Kere said SINU has indeed gone through several serious challenges in the last few years including the covid-19 pandemic, but he said he is pleased that SINU has gone through and thanked everyone for their serious commitment to the reform by the senior management and the Council.

“We know have new SINU outlooks indicating improvements through the whole of SINU as specified in our current 5-year strategic plans.

“A new look SINU Council being led by the Pro Chancellor Dr Morgan Wairiu.

“We have new and qualified academic staff, professors and experienced PHD graduates and new experienced corporative staff members.

“All have been engaged through the normal due processes. Equally important, SINU is embarking on a new academic programme consistent with international academic standards.”

Meanwhile, it was revealed that most if not all of the Vanuatu students will undertake nursing programmes at SINU starting this year.

$5m for SIBC

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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PMO tops up $4m to national broadcaster

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) has injected a SB$5 million budgetary support to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) to boost the national broadcaster’s services locally and abroad.

This is an increase of $4 million from the annual subvention grant of $1 million every year.

The increase was drawn under the Government Communication Unit (GCU) annual recurrent budget.

Director of GCU, George Herming confirmed the increased allocation, saying, PMO is committed to boost its support towards SIBC following the repositioning of the national broadcaster under the Prime Minister’s Office last year.

SIBC was repositioned from a State Owned Enterprise (SOE) in 2022 and became a National Broadcaster under the Prime Minister’s Information Service portfolio.

“SIBC is a vital information service institution for the country and the national government is committed to support its operations following its repositioning under the Prime Minister’s Information Service portfolio,” Herming said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recently pledged his full support for the establishment of a Television Service branch of SIBC.

Once established, the TV service will elevate the country’s broadcasting and information services to greater heights.

–GCU PRESS

MPG delegation in Honiara

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A Malaita provincial government delegation is in Honiara for talks with government agencies on areas of capacity strengthening for the province.

The four-man team is led by Deputy Premier Joe Hero’au.

They include provincial minister for finance, Randol Sifoni, minister for planning, Elijah Asilaua and MPG Chief Planning officer (CPO), Mr Peter Herehura.

In an interview with Mr Hero’au prior to their departure yesterday, he said the delegation will be in Honiara to hold talks on a number of areas the province is facing.

Hero’au said during the visit, they will meet with the policy team under PMO as well as hold dialogue with responsible government ministries on national projects in the province.

He said the delegation will also meet with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthen (MPGIS) on other outstanding issues the province is bearing.

Hero’au adds, issues such as Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF), Ward Development Grant (WDG), the Provincial Secretary and legal advisor posts for Malaita and others.

Moreover, he said they will try to reestablish relations between Malaita provincial government and the national government.

Asked whether one of the objectives of the mission is to strike a deal with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through the national government, he responded “no”.

Hero’au reaffirmed that the China deal, as rumours have it in Auki, is not part of the agenda for their dialogue with the national government.

He reiterated that the dialogue will only be on issues the province is currently facing and some of its outstanding issues mentioned.

Hero’au said this is important so that feedbacks could be presented by the premier on the floor of assembly during the assembly meeting proposed for next week.

IMF welcomes OAG audit report on govt ministries’ use of covid-19 funds

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

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has welcomed the recent publication of the Auditor General’s audit reports of the three government ministries spending of covid-19 funds.

IMF team leader who is the country for the 2023 IV Consultation Mr Masafumi Yabara had held discussion with various stakeholders in the country from February 8-21, 2023 and preliminary findings of their mission were compiled and announced in a media conference yesterday.

Yabara said IMF welcomes the publication of the results of an audit of covid-19 related expenditures.

“IMF staff recommends that the government audit expenditures related to the Pacific Games once the event is over and publish the results.

“Reviewing the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) Act and establishing regulations is critically important to ensure that the funds are used effectively and transparently.

“Introducing a Value Added Tax is a highly priority for consolidating the fragmented tax systems and yielding additional revenues over the medium term by improving compliance and expanding the tax base in line with the economy

“The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) should phase out its accommodative monetary measures, given the ongoing recovery and high inflation. Further purchase of government securities at the secondary market should be avoided to safeguard macroeconomics stability and independence of the Central Bank. The current exchange rate regimes remain appropriate, but timely review of the currency basket is called for, given changes in trade patterns.

“Addressing structural bottlenecks including land registration is needed to generate new sources of inclusive growth. Establishing strong governance and fiscal regimes for the mining sector, including through finalizing a Mining Act and rejoining the Extractive Industries Transparency initiative, remains a priority. Ensuring independence and increasing resources of anti-corruption and auditing institutions is essential to advancing reforms to limit corruption and enhance accountability of public spending.

“The IMF team wishes to express its deep appreciation to the authorities and other stakeholders for frank and constructive discussion,” Yabara said.

‘SPEND WISELY’

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

IMF advises govt to control spending on Pacific Games and national general elections

BY NED GAGAHE

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Solomons government to watch its spending on the Pacific Games and National general elections.

“Expenditure related to the Pacific Games and general elections need to be well controlled to minimize the crowding out of other essential spending.”

This was highlighted by International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) team leader Mr Masafumi Yabara in their preliminary findings following the completion of the 2023 IV Consultation held with stakeholders in the country.

Yabara and his team held discussions with various stakeholders in the country from February 8-23, 2023.

Preliminary findings of their mission were compiled and announced in a media conference yesterday.

Based on their finding on public investment projects for the country, Yabara said that it should be phased in line with the economy’s absorptive capacity and on accompanying financing arrangements, ‘it need to be prudently negotiated’.

“The economy remains subject to downside risks, in particular the risks of a resurgence of the pandemic and natural disasters. Lower-than-expected support from development partners or unsuccessful bond issuance in the shallow domestic market could hinder budget implementation.

“Further increase in global commodity prices, as well as mismanagement of infrastructure projects and their financing, would disturb the recovery. Other downside risks include political instability in the runup to the general elections and rises in geopolitical tensions.

“The fiscal deficit is projected to widen to 6.3 percent of GDP in 2023, mainly driven by exceptional expenditure for the hosting of the Pacific Games and preparation for the general elections (summing up to 5.3 percent of GDP).

“Expenditure related to these two events needs to be well controlled to minimize the crowding out of other essential spending, including targeted support for the vulnerable and investment for future growth. Once the recovery is secured, rebuilding the government’s broad cash balance to at least two months of spending should be prioritized.

“Fiscal deficit are expected to persist over the medium term, driven by large spending needs for improving physical and human capital, costs to maintain newly built infrastructure, and continued weak revenue trends including from declining log exports. Public debt is projected to significantly increase to 22.8 percent of GDP in 2023, from 7.9 percent of GDP pre-pandemic.

“The public -debt-to GDP ratio could reach the authorities’ threshold of 35 percent before 2023, driven by increasing concessional external borrowing. Public investment projects need to be phased in line with the economy’s absorptive capacity and accompanying financing arrangements should be prudently negotiated to mitigate fiscal risks and ensure external balance and debt sustainability.”

Malaria cases rife in Western Province

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo Hospital

BY BEN BILUA

MALARIA cases have increased in Western Province with 97 percent of cases reported to be infected with PV malaria.

In medical terms PV simply means a positive result that a patient have the parasites in his/her blood and that he/she may have malaria.

According to report from Gizo Hospital, a team from World Health Organization have visited the hospital and have conducted data collection.

Report has it that responsible department within Gizo Hospital is in a process to compile a full report of the extent of malaria cases recorded in Western Province.

Risks are for Gizo as most people store water on open drums due to lack of proper water supply encouraging mosquitos to breed.

Police sent to East Fataleka following killing of brothers

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki and Atori police have been deployed to East Fataleka, Malaita, following the killing of two brothers, it is reported.

Malaita police commander Superintendent Lesley Kili confirmed the incident to SunAuki yesterday, adding that police are on the ground to provide stability and investigate the incident.

Senior Administration Officer (SAO) for Malaita’s eastern region, Mr Nixon Atu told this paper yesterday the incident happened around 5pm Monday this week.

He said the brothers (deceased), one aged between 12-14yrs and the other in his early 20s, were extracting timbers with a Lucas-mill along the roadside in Manu area when the incident occurred.

Atu alleges that the suspect killed the boys with a machete. The younger brother died at the scene and the older brother was pronounced dead at a nearby clinic.

He furthers that a dialogue has been held between relatives of both parties in Honiara to pave the way towards a reconciliation.

Atu said the dialogue was held at Central police station and MP for Fataleka constituency had given $50,000 and two traditional shell money (tafuli’ae), that will be presented to the families of the deceased.

He explained that money given by their MP Rex Ramofafia was to ensure peace prevails between the two parties and for relatives to refrain from escalating the incident.

Atu also said the money was taken by police in Honiara to East Fataleka to be presented to the families and relatives of the deceased. 

He said during the dialogue, they agreed to set up a taskforce that will begin work towards reconciliation between parties to the incident.

Atu, who is also from east Fataleka, together with leaders both in Honiara and in East Fataleka are calling for calm amongst families and relatives and to allow the law to take its course.

OAG found unregistered businesses given contracts

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Released audited reports from the Office of the Auditor General ( OAG).

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Office of the Audit General had found in its audit of three government ministries in their use of the covid-19 funds that some businesses which were not registered were given contracts.

This was mentioned in the thematic audit report on COVID-19 related procurement in a State of Public Emergency by three ministries, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and National Disaster Management office, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management and Meteorology.

According to the thematic audit report on COVID-19 the Procurement and Contract Administration Manual (PCAM)  requires tender submissions will only be accepted for businesses which are registered. ‘Tenderers should be a registered company, a registered business name or a Registered Charitable Organisation in order to be considered for SIG Tenders.” (PCAM S4.8)

“However, there is no requirement for businesses which do not go through a tender process to be so registered and in these audits, OAG found some businesses which were not registered had been given contracts and as had some others which had previously been registered but no longer were,” the report stated.

The report says Part 6 of Public Finance Management (Procurement) Regulations   PFMR 2021 provides standards for Government procurement practice, ‘regardless of the method of procurement used.’ This Part also provides a series of schedules to outline the standards for various types of procurement.

These schedules each provide that appropriate specifications should be prepared and businesses should be registered. PFMR 2021 does not widen the requirement for conflict-of-interest declarations beyond those involved in Tender Evaluation Boards, the report said.

NDMO spent $12m of covid funds on unrelated activity: OAG Report

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Released audited reports from the Office of the Auditor General ( OAG).

By EDDIE OSIFELO

NATIONAL Disaster Management Office in the Ministry for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, has spent $12 million on disaster relieve activity that was not related to COVID-19.

A thematic compliance audit carried out by Office of the Auditor General on NDMO from 1 April to 31 December 2020, revealed it.

OAG says prior to the advent of COVID-19, the Ministry for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology was allocated $1,527,423 in the 2020 budget in the account ‘disaster relief’.

This was increased by $33, 617,600 in the Supplementary Appropriation of 2020 in September 2020.

OAG says although NDMO spent over 95% of this budget, some $12 million was spent on disaster relief activity that was not related to COVID-19.

“For example, in the transactions reviewed by the OAG, over $4.5 million of this COVID-19 money was spent on food relief for the victims of Cyclone Harold.

“Technically, this money was appropriated for disaster relief but the Budget commentary makes clear that the intention was that it be used for COVID-19 related disaster relief,” OAG says.

This audit has reviewed whether the NDMO’s procurement activities for disaster relief complied with applicable Acts and Regulations.

The OAG conducted this audit in accordance with International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) namely the ISSAI 400: Compliance Audit Principles and ISSAI 4000: Compliance Audit Standard issued by the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).

The objective of this audit was to assess whether the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) managed COVID-19 Procurement in accordance with relevant laws, policies and regulations of Solomon Islands Government. These include the Public Financial Management Act 2013, The National Disaster Council Act 1989, Emergency Powers Acts for COVID-19, the Interim Financial Instructions currently in force and the Solomon Islands Government Procurement and Contract Manual (PCAM).

Bribery allegations concerns SITESA

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY NED GAGAHE

In defence of bribery allegations over awarding of scholarships for this year Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) says it treats such allegation as very serious and called on those with evidence to come forward and report to them.

SITESA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Constance Nasi and Director Quality Assurance Mr Gibson Philip made the call when questioned by media in a press conference last week.

In response Nasi said at SITESA they have process in place to deal with allegations of bribery where they will investigate and discipline officials who are found guilty.

“Staffs are the first people we sit down and talked to them and signed a conflict of declaration to ensure that if they were seen to influence the system or to manipulate it in anyway there is a process to deal with them.” Nasi said.

Mr. Philip commented that at SITESA they see such allegations as very serious and if the public or anyone who actually has information, he urged them to come forward and report it with them.

“If it implicates a SITESA staff there is an internal process where we can undertake and discipline them.

“We are aware of those allegations but it is not something that is tangible where we can establish those involve. But even those who come forward they also lacks evidence. So, until we have a very proven allegation that is fully attached with evidence it is advisable to bring them to us.

“If you have evidence then please come forward and talk to us. You are most welcome anytime. Because it is very serious. In terms of the process, we would like to ensure there is zero influence on the process, the process is fair, transparent, accountable but at the same time it is in line with the act and regulations we have.” Philip said.

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