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Businesses call for calm as Parliament meets controversial bill.

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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

The country’s chamber of commerce and industry (SICCI) has called for peace and stability as the country’s MPs deliberate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2022 this week in Parliament.

In the best interest of peace and security, SICCI on behalf of its business members of the private sector encourages the general public to allow our leaders and the democratic process to take its course and refrain from inciting another unrest which will not only have a negative impact on businesses but also to the lives of ordinary Solomon Islanders.

 “The Chamber’s stance on issues of national interest and issues affecting business is always one that is always looking long term, into the future.

“And we believe that business cannot thrive without economic and political stability,” SICCI said in a statement on Tuesday.

“SICCI also believes that to achieve the vision of a prosperous Solomon Islands, all leaders should exercise their roles with a mind to how political rhetoric impact on popular sentiment can adversely affect efforts to project Solomon Islands as a favourable place to do business.”

The first reading of the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2022 to amend the country’s constitution to defer the National General Election from 2023 to 2024 was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday 6th September and expected for second reading on Thursday. It is also anticipated to be debated and passed on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

As a result, SICCI urges the general public to exercise judgement and prudence in every action keeping the future of Solomon Islands as outmost priority before anything else.

“It is natural to have political grievances in a democratic country. Parliament and/or other political settings are and is the best place for those debates to bring resolution.

“For the sake of economic stability, continuation of employment and foreign investments SICCI would urge everyone to act with the best interest of the Solomon Islands in mind in the coming days and weeks,” the SICCI statement said.

In a recent survey conducted by SICCI highlighted that the unrest in November last year posed huge destruction to most businesses. Survey respondents indicated that the unrest causes huge reduction of sales due to burning and close down of business. This leads to decline purchasing power of customers. It also causes increased cost of goods in the shops and increased cost of labour, leading to incursion of extra excessive recurring costs.

SICCI currently has over 200 members as well as a number of affiliations to other national private sector organisations, covering approximately 80 percent of the Solomon Islands private sector workforce. Sixty (60) percent of the SICCI membership is made up of Small Medium Enterprises employing less than 20 employees.

–SICCI MEDIA

MAMARA EVICTION ORDER

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Work on the Mamara City project last year.

Locals told to leave as investor expands project

By EDDIE OSIFELO

METROPOLIS Mamara Development Limited is pushing out indigenous landowners to allow the development of Mamara Township Development in the western end of Honiara.

Chief Mariano Mele confirmed this when he received a 30-day notice of restriction and vacation from the company on August 9, 2022 targeting those that continue to build houses, cultivate food gardens and hosting beach-goers to leave the company land.

The company communication officer, Derick Aihari said the area between Poha and Mamara Rivers and beyond is currently under construction and is subject to clearance by the company workers at any time, so be prepared to vacate immediately without notice and any other form of compensation.

Aihari said those who need help to evacuate properties, the company is willing to help to remove their materials.

He said failure to adhere to this notice will result in Eviction orders according to laws of Solomon Islands.

The company had served notices, eviction orders, court orders, evacuation exercises, served and carried out since 2013 for people to leave their properties.

Aihari said: “You are doing so without authority which simply means you have been trespassing on the company land.

“However, the company is so kind enough to have watching you to do so without taking any legal action against you.

“Those of you who have decided to disobey those previous notices and orders are doing so at your own risk and will be subject to removal without notice and any other form of compensation.”

However, Chief Mele said it is not right because his people have been staying on the land since 1960s and depend on the river and land for survival and livelihood.

He said as an indigenous landowner of Guadalcanal, he has the right to live on the land given by his ancestors.

Further to that, Chief Mele said his people have protected the properties of the company during the November riots last year otherwise youths would have torched them down.

He calls on the Guadalcanal Premier to dialogue with them in order to sort out the issue with the company.

According to Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Riley Mesepitu, the Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo development project is styled after the North New Georgia Timber Corporation Act.

Like NNGTC; an act called ‘Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo agreement Act’ was passed in parliament in 1995 to govern the development of the Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo areas.

Mesepitu said the Act gives power for a council to decide and make important decisions regarding the development of the areas.

It is understood that the council consists of four officials representing the government- the minister of Commerce, the minister of Lands, the Minister of Provincial Government and the Minister of Finance.

The Premier of Guadalcanal Province is also a member of the council as well as three investment members representing the developer, MPPL.

Mesepitu said the council’s duties amongst others is to approve work plans, discuss issues arising during the course of development and other important matters pertaining to the development of Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo lands.

Ministry of Lands buys 3 homes for its officers

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Team Solomon Housing limited hands over three purchased house to Ministry of Lands Housing and Survey

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey has purchased three new houses from the Solomon Housing Authority for its officers for around $1.5m.

The three newly built houses were officially handed over to the Ministry during a short ceremony at the Kombivatu area yesterday afternoon.

Chairman of Solomon Housing, Shepard Lapo said the housing industry could play an important role in facilitating economic growth and development in the Solomon Islands by providing housing to Solomon Islanders efficiently and at an affordable price.

He said having a safe and secure home environment provides the critical link towards encouraging positive outcomes in education, health, economic development and employment.

“Today marks again a significant milestone in our relationship, we are here today to witness the handing over of keys to three newly built houses purchased by the Ministry as a step to renewing our old partnership and reaffirming our purpose in implementing Government’s policy with regards to development of affordable housing for home ownership in the Solomon Islands.

One of the newly purchased houses that was handed over to the Ministry of Lands Housing and Survey from Solomon Housing limited

“Both the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey and Solomon Housing believed in what I have stated”, Lapo said.

He also said that Solomon Finance Limited trading as Our Finance has assured them of their plans to bridge the financing gap by providing home ownership loan product to enable eligible members of the SINPF both in the public and private sector to own a home.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Stanley Waleanisia said with the current partnership they have established with Solomon Housing they have prepared a subdivision on the other end of Honiara.

The idea is that the Ministry of Lands will develop it and Solomon Housing will be building homes.

“So, we have already acquired 20 hectares of land and we are working on it, so we will come to you and negotiate”, PS Waleanisia said. 

He said the failure of the formal sector is what is evident in Honiara where people have built as they wish without proper planning.

BLC rejects government claims on Bill

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee John Maneniaru

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CHAIRMAN of Bills and Legislative Committee, John Maneniaru has accused the Sogavare-led government of “hijacking” parliamentary process.

This was after the government did not provide any financial assistance and ample time to allow the BLC to complete its inquiry into the Constitutional Amendment Bill in the nine provincial centres as required under Standing Order 71, in accordance to Section 62 of the Constitution.

The Bill aims to extend the 11th Parliament until December 2023 instead of dissolving in April 2023.

Prime Minister Sogavare will make the second reading of the Bill tomorrow, followed by debate and committee of supply.

If Parliament passes the Bill tomorrow, election is expected to take place in April 2024.

Maneniaru confirmed to media yesterday in response to Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui who claimed BLC failed to conduct any inquiry within one month after the Bill was noticed in Parliament on August 5, 2022.

He said BLC has convened on August 9, 2022 immediately following the receipt of the Constitutional Amendment Bill by Parliament and the Bill having being noticed by the Speaker.

“I convened a meeting of the BLC on August 9 on the planning and discussion of the inquiry into the Constitutional Amendment Bill and again on 11th August,” he said.

Maneniaru said five meetings have already been convinced by the BLC to date with three more meetings held on August 28th (Sunday), September 1st and 5th showing that the committee was busy planning the inquiry into the amendment.

“My committee resolved to call for submissions from the public from 17-31 August and again decided to extend the period until the end of September and we have already received submissions from the public with more expected.

“I have also written five letters, including two to the Prime Minister on our plans as well as on requesting submission of reports from Members of Parliament on their consultations in their respective constituencies,” he said.

Furthermore, Maneniaru said a number of BLC members are also members of the Public Accounts Committee which held inquiries into the Supplementary Appropriation Bills from 17-24 August.

“The supplementary appropriation bills hearings demand our attention to ensure that we scrutinise the bills carefully and thoroughly and it’s unrealistic to expect our members to work on two separate and important bills at the same time,” he said.

Further to that, Maneniaru said he had also met with the Prime Minister to update him and request his support for resources for their work and he thought he (PM) was receptive of the work of his committee was going to undertake.

He said BLC has submitted a budget of $3 million to complete the inquiry, but at the end PM Sogavare has responded indirectly with a “no” answer.

Therefore, the BLC Chair rejected the claims by the SSPM Kabui that the committee was perhaps lagging in its work.

In Parliament yesterday, Maneniaru has raised his disappointment towards Sogavare for bypassing BLC during the Special Adjournment Motion.

“I am very disheartened, very disappointed by the fact the prime minister and the DCGA have seen it and decided to my Bills and Legislation Committee mandate and Parliamentary responsibility understanding order 71.

“This for me is a sad moment indeed of democracy. A fresh and new history penetrated down into our parliamentary democracy history that a deliberate decision was made to bulldoze into our parliamentary democracy process for the first time,” Maneniaru said.

Speaker Oti raised a point of order to cut short Maneniaru’s intervention.

Oti told Maneniaru that the points he raised should be more appropriately raised when Parliament comes to consider that particular bill.

Maneniaru in return accepted the Speaker’s ruling.

Internet still slow, despite cable landing in 2019

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

Solomon Islands is still experiencing slow internet despite the country being connected to the fibre optic, submarine cable in 2019.

The 4700 kilometer cable connected Solomon Islands to Australia via Papua New Guinea.

Leader of Opposition, Mathew Wale has asked the Minister of Communication and Aviation, Peter Shanel on the progress of cable in Parliament yesterday.

Shanel said there is a transition between optic fibre cable and satellite that they are using.

“At the moment much of our communication is done by satellite.

“As you know Our Telekom has signed a 20 years lease with a Satellite company and they are stuck with it,” he said.

“We are trying to ensure our optic fibre cable are utilized and then we release the lease.

“It’s a business venture between Telekom and the Satellite company, something the government is outside of,” he added.

“But we provide the optic fibre cable for use much faster.

“So, the transition is slow,” he said.

Shanel said Our Telekom is trying to transit from use of satellite to use of optic fibre cable.

He said the Ministry envisaged the cost of telecommunication in the country must be reduced and enhance the optic fibre cable which is much cheaper than satellite telecommunication.

Solomon Islands is regarded as having one of the highest cost of telecommunication in the Pacific region.

Respiratory illness at NRH declining

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The number of flu-like illness or respiratory illness presented at the Emergency Ward, National Referral Hospital is now declining.

NRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr George Malefoasi said the decline began two weeks ago.

At the peak of the outbreak, 70 percent of cases presented to the emergency ward were flu-like or respiratory illness.

“Today’s (yesterday) update of the total 110 emergency presentation 24 or 2 percent only was respiratory illness. So we are slowly seeing decline in the number of patients present at the Emergency department but we will keep on tracking the number of cases that coming in,” he said.

Malefoasi said in terms of admission in the ward the number is quite low at the moment.

“During the first two weeks of the outbreak there were no admissions until the middle of the outbreak where cases more cases were started to start picked up. Around 16th to 18th August we have the highest of 12 patients admitted. Equally distributed amongst adults and kids.

“The latest now is we have about four patients currently admitted and two adult and two kids where are managing at the moment,” he said.

Malefoasi adds, nine patients had died from the outbreak.

“So out of the nine deaths four were confirmed related with influenza A strain at the moment the level of death are still very low,” he said.

Malefoasi echoed the above statements this week in a radio talk back show on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation in Honiara 

Government may seek subsidies on fuel

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT may resort to assistance from International Monetary Fund to subsidise high fuel costs in the country if the war in Ukraine continues.

This after Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete has questioned the government’s strategy to make exemptions on imported fuel in Parliament yesterday.

Ete asked what steps have been taken by government to negotiate available facility with multilaterals like IMF for fiscal package to subvent current fuel prize.

He said this is to avoid exempt tax as the country is actually losing revenue by taking this strategy.

Recently, Ministry of Finance and Treasury has made zero exemptions on imported fuel as relieve to public and businesses due to global fuel rise impacted by the Ukraine war.

In June, Ministry of Finance and Treasury has imposed 50 percent exemption on imported fuel.

This saw the government removed sales tax of 10 cents per litre and reduced import duty of 50 cents per litre to 25 cents per litre.

Finance Minister, Harry Kuma said Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has singed off with IMF during Covid to support Balance of Payment and foreign exchange as well.

“If prize continues to rise to such a level that will exhaust Balance of Payment or Foreign Exchange, we can call on that as standby position,” he added.

However, former Prime Minister, Rick Hou said to depend on Foreign Exchange holding, as far as they are concern, exchange rate is not sustainable to depend on Foreign Exchange.

He said CBSI Governor (Dr Luke Forau) said Foreign Exchange holdings from donors is not sustainable.

“We have to look for other sustainable means to support prize ceiling of fuel,” he added.

Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia said he supported the idea not to give exemption on fuel imports.

He said the Ministry will meet with fuel suppliers, Markwath and South Pacific Oil to look on the prize margins next week.

Parliament meeting continues at 9.30am today.

Man admits killing Chinese woman

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Royal Solomon Islands Police Force recovering the body of the Chinese shopowner found dead in her shop last year. PHOTO CHARLES KADAMANA

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE man accused of killing a Chinese woman at her shop at the White Angel Building, Point Cruz in 2021 has pleaded guilty to murder yesterday.

This is the case of Max Gosia Taiga of Malaita province; he is facing one count of murder in relation to the murder incident on April 13, 2021.

His case was supposed to go on trial yesterday however before the trial started, he was re-arraigned and he entered a guilty plea.

His matter will be called again in court on September 9 for submission on minimum term sentence. This will be the time that the court will impose a sentence term for him to serve before he can be eligible for parole.

The deceased is Li Meng Chen (Lisa) and she was a Chinese national and was 44 years old at the time of her death. The deceased was the owner of Wai Hai Shop. 

Prosecution said on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the deceased arrived at her shop and entered between 8am and 8.30am.

Prosecution said the husband of the deceased received a phone call from his wife a while later, she was calling for help since a person had attacked her. 

The deceased’s husband having received the call allegedly rushed down to the shop in his vehicle but found the back door locked.

He then allegedly accessed the shop through the neighbouring shop but found his wife already dead.

The deceased was found lying dead on the floor of her shop.

Prosecution said according to Dr Roy Maraka he confirmed that the deceased died from exsanguination as a result of severed left internal jugular vein due to a stab wound to the left side of the neck. The exsanguination resulted from the large cut on the internal jugular vein. The deceased had abrasions on her neck indicating manual strangulation on the neck. There was laceration on the left side of the head, and an incision wound at the back of the head. 

The Police took a statement from the Accused on April 13, 2021; he was then released afterwards and subsequently escaped to his home village. He was later voluntarily handed over by his own parent to the police and was remanded until today.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Andrew Kelesi and Vernon Taupongi of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Ben Alasia of the Public Solicitor’s office represents the accused.

ENDS//

GOV’T REJECTS OFFER

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Press Release
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

Accuses Australia of trying to influence bill voting

GOVERNMENT says the timing of the announcement by the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong that her government is willing to fund next year’s elections was inappropriate.

In a statement, the Government says it acknowledges and appreciate the offer, however, its announcement came at a time when a bill to defer the elections for a period of 7 months is now before the National Parliament for deliberation.

The bill is set for the elected Members of Parliament to debate and vote on as required by the Constitution of Solomon Islands and NOT the Australian Government to influence.

“The timing of the public media announcement by the Australian Government is in effect a strategy to influence how Members of Parliament will vote on this Bill during the second reading on Thursday 8th September 2022,” the statement said.

“This is an assault on our parliamentary democracy and is a direct interference by a foreign government into our domestic affairs,” it added.

The statement said the Government has conveyed to the Australia Government its concern on the conduct of bilateral relations via the media through the Australian High Commission Office in Honiara.

“The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022 was put on notice in Parliament on 5th August 2022.

“This is the Bill that seeks to delay the dissolution of Parliament by 7 months, which in effect will see the conducting of the National General Election (NGE) for the 12th Parliament around February or March 2024.

“On 1st September 2022, the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade received a letter from the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, offering to fund the National General Election.

“The Government was in the process of replying when the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister made an announcement to the Australian media about this offer.

“This announcement was made on the same day that the Bill was read for the first time in Parliament.

“Solomon Islands is a sovereign country and its Parliament must not be seen to be coerced or unduly influenced by ill-timed offers that is directed to a matter that is before Parliament,” the statement said.

It added the Government will make a formal response to this offer after Parliament has disposed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022.

Rescued local returns home

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H.E William Soaki, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to PNG meets Malefo Anisi upon his arrival in Port Moresby from Kimbe on Thursday 1 September 2022. He was accompanied by Benson (centre) from the West New Britain Provincial Disaster Office

A Solomon Islander who was rescued after 47 days at sea on August 18 in the remote south coast of West New Britain province in Papua New Guinea was safely repatriated to Honiara over the weekend to rejoin his family just before Father’s Day.

The Solomon Islands High Commission in Port Moresby facilitated the repatriation of Malefo Anisi on an Air Niugini flight to Honiara on Saturday.

Anisi went missing after he made a boat trip from Honiara to Western province on July 3.

Due to unfavourable weather and the shutdown of his GPS due to a failed battery he did not reach his intended destination.

His outboard motor also ran out of fuel.

Anisi drifted for 47 days in the Solomons and PNG waters. He was rescued on August 18 on the remote south coast of West New Britain province in Papua New Guinea.

He was later airlifted by helicopter to Kimbe hospital for emergency medical check-up and was kept for a few days at a guesthouse in Kimbe to fully recuperate.

He was repatriated to Port Moresby on September 1.  

The Solomon Islands High Commission acknowledges with deep gratitude the kind assistance rendered by a number of individuals, public and private agencies in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands who were instrumental in ensuring Anisi’s welfare was taken care of until his repatriation to Honiara.

A final selfie with H.E William Soaki at Jackson’s International Airport, Port Moresby before Malefo Anisi boards the Air Niugini flight to Honiara on Saturday 3 September 2022

These include; PNG Foreign Affairs Department, Immigration Division, West New Britain Provincial Disaster office, Kimbe Hospital, Air Niugini, Solomon Islands Immigration Division, Solomon Islands Ministry of Health & Medical Services, Jack the forester, villagers on Kaskas Island and the two young girls who did the initial rescue. 

Anisi arrived safely in Honiara and reunited with his family on the eve of Father’s Day.

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