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Government fines Win-Win over gold smuggling

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has charged Win Win mining company an administration fine after it tried to evade customs at the Honiara International Airport by smuggling 1.7 kilograms or $700,000 of pure gold in 2019.

According to Section 214 of Customs and Exercise Cap.121,  If any person imports or exports, or causes to be imported or exported, or attempts to import or export any goods concealed in any way, or packed in any package or parcel (whether there be any other goods in such package or parcel or not) in a manner calculated to deceive an officer, or any package containing goods not corresponding with the entry thereof, such package and the goods therein shall be forfeited, and such person shall incur a penalty of two hundred dollars, or treble the value of the goods contained in such package, at the election of the Comptroller.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma told Parliament last week that smuggling of gold is a breach of Customs Act.

However, he said through Customs Act, it provides the Company to seek administrative settlement and which they did.

Kuma said through advice which can be done, purely based on economic reasons because the company just started work and given the important contribution of the company to the nation, especially during this difficult and challenging times like Covid 19 period, they decide to sort it out administratively.

However, Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale questioned the Ministry on how it handled the issue given its seriousness and how it was sorted out administratively without any criminal liability against company officers after what is clearly an intentional attempt to defraud the government and people.

In the meantime, the issue became a hot cake in the media when former Director of the Ministry of Mines Energy and Rural Electrification Nicholas Biliki exposed the export document details last year showing in 2019, 1.7 kilograms worth SBD700, 000 of pure gold was attempted to be smuggled out from the country by a Win Win Mining officer.

Biliki claimed the gold samples were intentionally spray-painted to look like ground samples for test analyses abroad.

Win Win hit back on Bilikiki for releasing the information too late and claimed he had some liabilities with the company as well.

Ete slams Government policy on UXO

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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EOD Operator remove the UXOs.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MEMBER of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete has described the government’s policy on Unexploded Ordinances (UXO) as trying to look for a “pin in a haystack”.

Ete made this scathing comment in Parliament last week after the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Anthony Veke said due to no mapping, the only way to know the deposit of UXO is through ‘sighting and reporting’.

However, Ete, also chairman of Public Accounts Committee, said it is an “old” issue.

He claimed after the signing of the second World War 11 agreement in New York in 1945, there was a case of bomb study made in Solomon Islands.

Ete said this matter needs to be dealt with at the regional level like the Pacific Island Forum.

He said in 1989, a project under SPREP saw divers diving the 101 sunken ships at Iron Bottom Sound.

“I think there needs to be a policy to remove the UXO with the help of USA and Japan,” he said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirmed the issue was discussed at the Forum level and taken up in the Communiqué.

Sogavare said it is up to the Forum Secretariate to take it up with the countries.

In the meantime, the project involving the mapping of Unexploded Ordinances (UXO) nationwide is currently being suspended following an incident two years ago.

The project is part of identifying areas which unexploded bombs are located in some parts of the country.

Minister Veke explained the mapping of UXO survey was supported by the United States (US) government in partnership with the Norwegian People’s Aid.

But it was suspended in 2020 following an explosion incident involving officials working under the project in Honiara.

In late 2021 Veke said, his ministry has resubmitted the government’s interest to reconsider the recommencement of the project.

“And they have responded positively to support us. They will come back to support us.

“Currently a bid is being undertaken to get a partner that will be involved in the project,” he said.

Veke said funds for the project is also being finalized as well.

In addition, he said that some parts of the country are being littered by unexploded bombs from the WWII, 80 years ago.

Veke strong believed there is a need to clear off the unexploded ordinances.

Parliament resumes on 29th August 2022.

Riot torn businesses to receive payments soon

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Fire officers trying to put off fire at the kukum area during the riot. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 162 businesses affected by the looting and burning down during the riots last November are expected to receive their payments soon.

About $125 million is allocated under the 2022 National Budget to meet the cost.

This came about after Cabinet endorsed the implementation arrangement on August 2nd 2022.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma confirmed this when asked by Chairman of Public Accounts Committee and MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete last week.

Kuma said the technical team chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration has finalised guidelines to accommodate the implementation of the two components mentioned earlier.

The two components are as follows:

Firstly, the Government will directly manage the first part.

The types of support under this part:

  • Possible import duties and good tax exemption on import materials, machinery for construction, equipment or restocking goods to business who are committed to resume operations
  • Possible tax relief on case-by-case basis
  • Possible rental relief for affected business
  • Stamp duty exemptions on mop purchase if business seek additional financial support from commercial banks
  • Options for possible cash grants

The second component will be managed through our commercial banks including the Development Bank of Solomon Islands.

Types of support include:

  • Long relief support. This relieve includes interest payments on existing loans up to six months on affected businesses
  • Concessional financing. This includes special products with DBSI to support affected businesses who wish to rebuild their properties and restock.

Kuma said the affected businesses will be informed on the criteria and commencement of the support.

Parliament resumes on 29th August.

INQUIRY SOON

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

BLC sets to inquire into decision to delay elections

By OFANI EREMAE

THE Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) will soon carry out a provincial-wide inquiry into the Government’s move to defer next year’s election by a year to 2024.

This comes as the Government unveiled a controversial bill to amend the Constitution so that the election could be deferred by a year.

Opposition leader and member of BLC Mathew Wale told reporters yesterday the inquiry, which will be carried out at provincial centres, will happen as soon as Government releases funding.

“We hope to complete the inquiry within six weeks before parliament can debate the bill,” Wale said.

Notice of Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022 was issued in parliament this week.

The bill intends to delay next year’s election and extend the life of the current parliament from May 2023 to 31 December 2023.

This means the next election will be held within the four months after 31 December 2023.

Government says the extension is necessary because of next year’s Pacific Games in Honiara.

It argued, despite widespread public opposition, that the country cannot afford to host two major events – election and Pacific Games – within the same year.

But Wale yesterday argued there is simply no sufficient weighty grounds for amending the constitution merely just to host the Pacific Games.

“Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is playing around with the Constitution,” Wale stated.

“It’s a terrible decision that will set a bad precedence for the country,” he added.

“It’s bad governance.”

The Prime Minister’s Office recently dished out $100,000 to each MP to carry out constituency consultations on the matter.

The funds were drawn from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and will be deducted from the next round of CDF pay-outs.

Prime Minister Sogavare has told parliament a report based on the constituency consultations has been produced.

But Wale said Government is yet to furnish BLC with a copy of the report.

“We need to see the report,” he said.

East Makira MP and BLC member Derick Manu’ari said the recent constituency consultation was poorly organized.

“The Government has not provided MPs with the right information about its proposed move to extend life of parliament by a year,” Manu’ari said.

“It was a poorly organized consultation,” he added.

Manu’ari said the decision was taken to undermine the Constitution.

He said deferring the elections because the country is also hosting the Pacific Games in the same year is not a good reason to amend the Constitution.

“Simply, the Government has hijacked established processes to fulfill its ambition to defer the elections.”

Opposition leader Wale says the only reason he could think of as basis for delaying next year’s election is “the fear of losing the election”.

“The real reason for postponement is not because of the games. The real reason is they are scared.

“They are scared of losing the elections. They are scared of the people not voting for them.

“No matter how much money China gives them for the election, they will lose because people have had enough of them and the bad decisions they’ve made.

“That’s the real reason.”

CBSI COMMITTED TO NEW PAYMENTS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 

Written by
Press Release
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Central Bank of Solomon Islands. Photo by CBSI

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) is committed to ensuring that the payments system landscape of the country is modernised, efficient and meets international standards for payments and securities settlements.

 This was reiterated by CBSI following the passing of the Payment Systems Bill (PSB) in Parliament recently.

 The Bill which was tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Treasury (MOFT), Hon. Harry Kuma, was debated extensively by Members of Parliament, with overwhelming support to the objectives of the Bill and its benefits to the nation.

 Minister Kuma explained when moving the Bill, that the National Payment Systems (NPS) objectives rely heavily on CBSI having the appropriate powers and responsibilities, in order to make sure the ground work established by CBSI, with its Stakeholders and partners are properly and fully developed.

 Minister Kuma highlighted in his presentation that the NPS will assist the country meet international standards of conducting payments both locally and globally, and more importantly, help to mitigate risks and inconsistencies that may affect the country’s reputation when trading.

 According to CBSI, a transitional period of up to six (6) months will allow actions as prescribed in the NPS Bill to be implemented. This should provide the required space for smooth transitioning into this new legal environment. CBSI will also continue developing relevant regulations once the Governor General assent to the NPS Bill, and current work for CBSI is on introducing an Automated Transfer System (ATS) that will ensure speedier settlement of both high value and retail payments, between CBSI and the commercial banks. All these should improve efficiency in the domestic clearing house and contribute to the growth of digital financial services in the future.

 With key provisions within the Bill giving CBSI more regulatory powers and authority, CBSI is positive and confident that the establishment of this system for the country is beneficial in the long run.

 CBSI will make sure that  the NPS encompasses safety, reliability, swiftness and soundness to cater for an efficient and functioning payment systems infrastructure.

Apology offered to Japan following stabbing incident

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Barney Sivoro conveyed the country's sincere apology to the government, people of Japan through a traditional reconciliation ceremony witnessed by Ambassador Yoshiaki Miwa.Photo by MAVIS PODOKOLO

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

GOVERNMENT acted promptly to apologise over yesterday’s stabbing of a Japanese military officer at Bloody Ridge, east of Honiara.

The attack, by a man police say was mentally ill, marred what was to be a solemn and memorial event, attended by dignitaries from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and locals.

The apology was conveyed through a traditional reconciliation ceremony conducted at the Mendana hotel in Honiara.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Barney Sivoro made the apology to the government, people of Japan and to the officer who was stabbed in the incident.

“I would like to convey our sincere apology to you all, especially the officer who was involved in the incident,” Sivoro said.

“None of us were expecting, nor even wanted this kind of incident to happen up there when everyone was enjoying the ceremony,” he added.

“We know it was not targeting the Japanese. It could have been anybody in the crowd.

“We know it could have been worse, and it could have threatened his life but thanks to the swift action by those who were standing beside him to quickly get the situation under control.”

Sivoro said from information received is it is an isolated incident by somebody who is mentally affected and the government will not be deterred by such s selfish attitude of one person to derail the significance of the program and to the many peace-loving people in the community who live within the vicinity of the Park, and who do not condone such uncivilized act of cowardness.

Sivoro stressed that the matter is now in the hands of police who arrested the offender and will be dealt with by the law.

“But for now, the government and its people are really sorry for what happened today and as a gesture to show that we are really sorry, we would like to offer this traditional shell money as a symbol of peace and reconciliation and I hope that you will accept it.

“We have learned our lesson and assure our friends that it will not happen again in future events,” he said.

Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Cornelius Walegerea adds that this relationship between the two countries is what they are so concerned about

 “So this reconciliation by the government and people of Solomon Islands will register our apology to the officer who is involved in this incident,” he explained.

“We will later this afternoon (yesterday) convey our formal apology to the Embassy of Japan in Solomon Islands so that you can convey it to the government and people of Japan,” Walegerea added.

Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Yoshiaki Miwa in response thanked the government of Solomon Islands for arranging this traditional reconciliation ceremony to say the country is sorry for what happened.

“This event shows that our cooperation and friendship is very strong. I understand this incident has no political background,” Miwa said.

He on the other hand expressed his appreciation that in spite of this incident the very important ceremony at the Bloody Ridge National Peace Park held yesterday was pushed through until the end.

“It is confirmed that our friendship is solid and we will develop in the future,” Miwa said.

He said this ceremony is organised by the government of Solomon Islands and attended by the representative of US and Japan and so all the countries involved in the WWII 80 years ago had already overcome that kind of thing.

“But know that we are friends already,” Miwa said.

Tovosia: We will be careful in handling deep-sea mining

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government will be very careful in handling the issue of deep-sea mining in the country, Mines minister Tovosia says.

THE Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification will be guided by the following international obligations and duties when comes to deep sea mining.

These include:

  1. To protect and prevention of the marine environment and rare fragile ecosystem and habitants
  2. The prevention reducing the controlling of pollutions from deep sea mining, activities and costs of ships by dumping wastes and other matters at sea
  3. The prevention of transboundary harm
  4. The convention of biodiversity
  5. Applying of precursory approach
  6. Employing best environmental practice
  7. Conduction a prior environmental impact assessment of activities likely to cause significant harm
  8. Taking measures for ensuring safety at sea and
  9. Non-interference with the rights and freedom of other states such of freedom of navigation and freedom to install submarine pipelines and cables and conduct marine scientific research

Minister Bradley Tovosia told Parliament on Tuesday the ministry will ensure that the legal and regulatory framework appropriately address due diligence, licensing, inspection and registration of the sea bed exploration and mining operations and the gathering and retention of the geo science tech.

He said where there is a suspected and non-compliance by the license company or the risks or impacts of the sea bed mining activities appear to break, the ministry will have enforcement powers including reasonable notice

Further to that, Tovosia said the imposition of the sanctions against the company, such an order requiring certain actions, amendments or suspension to work for programmes, a fines or referral for prosecutions for offences.

He said the Ministry will encourage an initiatives or incentives for local process of minerals extracted from seabed where there is no local processing.

“The legal and regulatory framework shall consider and make provisions for methods by which companies can can contribute to the broader local economy.

“This maybe through addition of fiscal contribution supporting national and provincial education skills training through sea board training with company scholarships or funding allocated for purpose when adult training is not possible and local services,” he said.

Furthermore, Tovosia said the Government will encourage mining companies to pursue local recruitment, requiring 100 percent of unskilled labour to be sourced locally.

He said more broadly the Government will support and encourage policy to safeguard these businesses opportunities for Solomon Islands nationals

Moreover, in regulatory deep sea mining, the ministry shall take into account marine scientific research and ensure that the deep sea mining activities do no obstruct marine scientific research promotes industries

Tovosia said the deep sea mining company that carry out marine scientific research is to share data gathered with the ministry.

“The deep sea mining company shall be required to provide a public engagement and information plan.

“If marine and coastal users likely to adversely affect by the proposed projects identified to anytime, especially through the Environmental and Social Impact assessment process, the company will be required to obtain informed the consent from the species by way of compensation prior to the activities,” he added.

AGONY OF A BOY, 3

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Francis and Samantha Bele with their son Xavier inside the Children’s Ward at the National Referral Hospital (NRH)

Help Xavier get the cancer treatment he needs overseas

By OFANI EREMAE

AS he hugged his critically-ill son on his bed at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), Francis Bele could not imagine losing a child he called “the apple of my eye”.

But Bele’s fears may likely happen if son Xavier Bele, 3, who is suffering from cancer of the blood (leukemia), is unable to get the treatment he needs overseas.

“This cancer is rapidly eating away the health of my son,” a tearful Bele, from central Guadalcanal, told the Island Sun this week.

“The pain he is going through every day breaks my heart,” he added.

Xavier has been sick for eight weeks before he was diagnosed with leukemia on 21 June this year.

Doctors at the NRH have told Bele and his wife Samantha there’s no treatment for the cancer locally.

This means Xavier has to travel overseas if he is to get a second change in life.

A lively and playful Xavier Bele before he was diagnosed with leukemia.

But medical treatment overseas does not come cheap. It’s costly – far beyond an ordinary Solomon Islands family could afford.

And that’s the challenge Bele and Samantha face as they scramble to raise funds to send Xavier for treatment abroad.

“Frankly, we don’t have the money for Xavier’s medical treatment,” Bele said.

“This is why we are working with family members and friends to try and raise enough funds so that we can send Xavier overseas,” he added.

A number of small fundraising efforts have already been held in recent weeks to raise funds for Xavier’s cause.

A cousin of Bele, Israel Sibia, who is currently in Australia, has also set up a Go-Fund-Me page on the internet as part of the fundraising effort.

In Honiara, a number of groups are also preparing to chip in.

Island Sun understands Zumba groups are planning a weekend marathon Zumba dance for Xavier.

One More Shot, a group of young photographers, says they’ll meet this weekend to plan how to raise funds.

For Francis and Samantha, life has not been the same again since their Xavier was diagnosed with the cancer.

“For the last three months, this has been our home,” Samantha says, referring to the Children’s ward where Xavier has been admitted.

“I hardly slept,” she added.

In pain…Xavier on his sick bed at the National Referral Hospital.

“Xavier has been in pain everyday and he does not want anyone else to be by his side, except me and Francis.

“So we have to be here for him day and night.

“I’ve taken leave and I don’t know how long I’ll be on leave,” Samantha, who works as a medical technician at the NRH, says.

At the children’s ward, Xavier, once a lively and playful child, is unable to walk around.

“Since it is a cancer located in the marrow of the bone, the pain he experiences from it made him unable to walk,” according to doctors.

“That’s because most of the pain comes from the bones of the legs.”

Xavier has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment, but now his body is not responding to the treatment.

So he will need what doctors called Bone Marrow Transfusion – a treatment that is costly and cannot be done locally.

Francis and Samantha appeal to the public to donate whatever amount of money they can to give their son a second chance in life.

Registration officials urged to be ethical

Written by
Ben Bilua
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First and second voters who kicked off Western Province's voter registration

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

REGISTRATION Manager of Western Province has called on voters registration officials carry out their duties in an honest and ethical manner.

Patrict Toiraena made the call during the launching of Western Province’s voters registration process on Tuesday.

“You are to provide eligible voters with equal opportunity to take part in the registration process so that they can practice their democratic rights to vote.

“There is no place for discrimination in the registration process so I appeal to all registration team to do their works with integrity and impartiality,” he said.

Toiraena also urge community leaders and other stakeholders to assist the registration team so that the registration process can run smoothly.

Wale lashes out at PM decision to control SIBC

Written by
Press Release
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Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale. Photo Credit; Pacificwin NZ Aus Pacific on LinkedIn.

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale has lashed out at the Prime Minister’s decision to remove the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) as a State Owned Enterprise (SOE).

In a statement yesterday, Mr Wale said this is yet again another scheme orchestrated by the Prime Minister to curtail activities of SIBC as the voice of the nation and people of Solomon Islands.

The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister’s decision is a clear attempt to directly control and censor the news content of SIBC.

“This will hijack well entrenched principles of law on defamation and freedom of speech thus depriving the public using SIBC to freely express their views, or accessing information on government activities,” he said.

Wale said it is a bad and regrettable decision that lacks any sensible policy rationale and a threat to press freedom in the country.

The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister must accept that derogatory reporting is never an automatic wrong in law.

He said reporting truth and fair comment are justifiable even if they hurt.

Wale said that is why courts are there to order payment of compensation to any person aggrieved by any report by SIBC or any other media outlet for that matter.

The Opposition Leader said as leaders they are subject to criticism and it is absolutely right for people to voice their concerns against us leaders.

“Allowing the Prime Minister to control SIBC activities is not only contrary to law but can also have far-reaching consequences.

“It may well be draconian leaving no room for corruption by ministers and government officials to be brought to public attention,” he said.

Wale said it is hypocritical to suggest that government streamlining of SIBC news will serve the greater public interest.

He said the Prime Minister can never be neutral in cases where SIBC wants to publish news implicating the wrongful decisions of the government and its cronies when breaking the law.

The Opposition Leader said the decision therefore is a gag on the freedom of expression with the consequences that are potentially repugnant to the rule of law and the democratic principles of good and transparent governance.

“Lest the Prime Minister forgets, SIBC does not belong to him or the DCGA government.

“It is owned by the people of Solomon Islands to carry the voice of the people in this nation,” he said.

Wale said this action is trampling on the people’s right to hear a diversity of views and opinions, especially those critical of the Prime Minister and his government.

“The government is not the private business of the Prime Minister and his cronies.

“Their exercise of government is of interest to all citizens.

“SIBC must not be prevented by the narrow political interests of the Prime Minister from truthfully reporting how government powers are being used or abused,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition calls on the Prime Minister to revoke this wrong decision and reaffirm SIBC’s total control of & independence in its editorial policy.

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