Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and Correctional Service officers assemble during the joint demonstration with China Police at Rove field recently.
THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is expected to receive equipment from China to boost their capability in carrying out their operations.
China Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Li Ming confirmed that 22 police vehicles, 30 motorcycles, 2 police water cannons, 8 police drones and advanced CPP equipment which are valued at $SBD22M that will arrive in the country soon.
Speaking at the demonstration of a joint police training between China and Solomon Islands at Rove field last Friday, Sogavare said this equipment will greatly assist the RSIPF and CSSI.
“I also look forward to the implementation of the 3 projects mentioned by the Minister of Police.
“Ambassador Li Ming, please accept my gratitude and that of the people of Solomon Islands for this equipment and the training provided by the China Police Liaison Team. Thank you,” he said.
Furthermore, Sogavare congratulated the China Police Liaison Team (PLT), police officers from the RSIPF and the CSSI for the very professional demonstration that he had just witnessed, using the equipment that have been donated by the Peoples Republic of China.
“I am very impressed and feel confident that the capability of the RSIPF and CSSI has been greatly boosted with these trainings.
“Team Leader of the China Police Liaison Team Leader, Commissioner Zhang Guangbao, I applaud your leadership and guidance over the past 5 months in training our officers. The effort that you and your team have put into this training is self-evident,” he said.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and China Ambassador Li Ming and PRC Police Liaison Team members at Rove field.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare wants to see a permanent arrangement established with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to response to future uprisings.
This after the China Police Liaison Team (PLT) completed five months of training the Royal Solomon Islands Police officers and Correctional Services of Solomon Islands last week.
Speaking at the demonstration of joint training between PRC and the Solomon Islands police at Rove field last Friday, Sogavare said going forward he would like to see a more permanent arrangement in place.
He said an arrangement that is not only reactionary to certain situations, but one that is forward looking in identifying gaps and addressing these gaps before these gaps are exposed by situations such as the November Riots.
“Whilst we have MOUs in place, I think it is prudent that Solomon Islands and the Peoples Republic of China start discussion on how we can elevate the current joint training arrangement to a more permanent arrangement with clearly defined expected outcomes which aim at ensuring that RSIPF and CSSI have capability in the long term.
“If we achieve such capability, we will not have to depend on other countries to assist us to deal with our internal threats,” he said.
“Let me repeat it that as a sovereign country we cannot continue to depend on other countries to look after us.
“We must have the capability to address our internal threats,” Sogavare said.
“I see this current training arrangement including other capability package by our other donor partners as a first step in addressing our capability to ensure that we are not dependent on another country when it comes to addressing our internal threat.
“We want our discipline agencies to be self-sustainable with integrity and professionalism,” he added.
“As a country we will continue to explore how we can actively promote long-term enforcement cooperation with all our bilateral partners to bring peace and security for the people of Solomon Islands,” he added.
Prime Minister Sogavare speaking at the ceremony today at Rove Police Headquaters
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Last year’s November riots have exposed the weakness and incapability of our police.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare alluded this in his speech yesterday at a joint demonstration by the RSIPF and Chinese police yesterday at Rove field.
As a result, the Government invited the China Police Liaison Team (PLT) to upgrade the skills of RSIPF officers and Correctional officers to prepare for future riots.
Sogavare said it is becoming a worrying trend recently for a small group of people to instigate such unlawful activities just because they do not get what they want.
He said the sad part is that it is our innocent people who are being manipulated and unsuspectingly being used.
“The cost to rebuild our town is another challenge that we will have to face.
“All for what? All for nothing. Actually, the November riots has put us back as a country. We cannot develop and progress if we continue to take the law into our hands,” he said.
Furthermore, Sogavare said there cannot be progress without law and order.
“That is why it is important that we build the capacity of RSIPF and CSSI to ensure law and order so that we can progress and develop as a country.
“Investing in our law and order capabilities is of utmost importance,” he said.
“We must have that capability, otherwise we will continue to depend on other countries to address our internal security threats.
“As a sovereign country, this is not acceptable,” he said.
“We cannot continue to allow our sovereignty and democracy to be held at ransom with violence by a few people.
“As a disciplined force, it is the responsibility of the RSIPF to serve and protect our people and I urge all officers to discharge this responsibility with pride and honour,” he said.
“As long as the capability of RSIPF and CSSI is being questioned, certain elements within our society will continue to use threats, fear, intimidation and inflammatory comments to create anxiety and alarm within our country.
“However, I have confidence and trust that with the training and equipment provided, RSIPF and CSSI will continue to defend the rule of law against the rule of the jungle,” he added.
Sogavare said this is why our capability in the long term is crucial.
The recent November riots have cost the country $800 million and up to 1000 people lost their jobs.
The Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Environment – Natural Resource Management (SCALE-NRM) project team based in Malaita has successfully completed four Pre-Application Conferences (PAC) at the four regions of the province.
The PACs were conducted at Auki, Atori, Malu’u and Afio for almost a hundred organizations that were selected from the preliminary expression of interests call for the Forest and Development Fund (FDF).
FDF is an initiative under the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) SCALE-NRM project which is being implemented in the Solomon Islands by Winrock Solomon Islands.
Maluu PAC participants2
The PACs provided detail instructions to the organizations, on project proposal development that meets both Winrock and USAID requirements.
Participants expressed gratitude not only with the support provided to help them develop project proposals but more so, for the knowledge imparted on proposal development, which they say will help their organizations in future applications for support from aid donors.
The grants are categorized into three categories namely, Innovative, Critical and Capacity Development Grants.
On March 24, SCALE-NRM made its first call for Expression of Interests (EOI) for associations, institutions and community groups, to submit initial applications for forest and development grants aimed at strengthening and supporting organizations working to enhance natural resource management and livelihoods in Solomon Islands.
Atori Participants
The first EOI call attracted a high number of applications from interested groups, demonstrating the vitality of the agribusiness sector in the province and widespread interest in supporting natural resource management.
All organisations that qualified through the initial FDF process have already submitted their detailed application proposals after the PACs. Final successful applicants will be announced after screening is conducted by an independent panel and approved by USAID.
SCALE-NRM has allocated SBD$3.2m for the first round of FDF. Additional rounds of FDF grants are expected periodically. SCALE-NRM encourages the public to listen out for the next call for expressions of interest which is expected later this year.
The Forests and Development Fund will provide grants to Solomon Islands organizations for activities that support the SCALE-NRM objectives of protecting forest, enhancing livelihoods, and building capacity of organizations on Malaita.
Two Participants from Atori2
SCALE-NRM is designed to address the underlying causes of forest degradation in the Solomon Islands.
The program will implement a range of activities to improve forest governance and ensure sustainable forest management.
The project is being implemented over a five-year period, from October 2020 to September 2025.
Atori Pac Group
The SCALE project operates in Malaita province due to a specific request from the central government of Solomon Islands to address unmet development priorities in the largest province.
SCALE-NRM is a partnership between USAID and Winrock International.
Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL) has launched a new processing plant for making pallets from plantation logs with the support of Australia’s Strongim Bisnis program which aims to encourage innovation in the private sector.
SolTuna is the plant’s first customer and will use the KFPL pallets, which are built to international export standards, to replace the pallets they usually import from Thailand.
KFPL General Manager Edwin Schramm, said the establishment of the pallet plant means KFPL is now employing extra staff on Kolombangara and exporting fewer logs by processing them directly in the country, boosting the local economy. Despite Solomon Islands’ high volume of timber exports, not many finished timber products are available locally, Mr Schramm said.
“It is amazing that Solomons exports so much timber, but we have to import it back as finished products. Now, we are processing and adding value to our own plantation logs, employing local people and adding to the value of the economy,” he said.
Pallet plant in operation
“KFPL thanks the people of Australia, who have made this possible through the Australian High Commission,” Mr Schramm said, referring to the support provided through KFPL’s partnership with Strongim Bisnis.
The pallet plant is a great example of what can be achieved when the private sector receives the support it needs to try new ideas and innovate, the Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan said.
“We saw the potential of this partnership during our visit to KFPL and SolTuna in Western Province in May 2021 and now the vision has become reality.
“Australia is proud that this potential has been realised and will now generate concrete benefits to the Solomon Islands economy and its people through jobs and revenue,” Dr Strahan said.
KFPL was also very appreciative of the strong support they received from SolTuna for the development of the pallet plant.
“We also thank SolTuna who have been working with us for about two years now to make this happen. SolTuna is a great local business, and we are proud to work with them,” Mr Schramm said.
Pallets being put together.
SolTuna CEO Jim Alexander, said the company, which is the biggest employer in the country, was very happy with the quality of the pallets.
“The first batch of pallets we received look strong and well made,” Mr Alexander said. At SolTuna is our policy to keep as much of our business in local hands as a way of supporting the economy, Mr Alexander said.
“SolTuna is proud to continue showcasing the best of Solomon Islands. Not only is our tuna an iconic Solomon Islands product, but it will now be exported on environmentally friendly, Solomon Islands wood, processed into pallets, here on our own shores,” Mr Alexander said.
By processing the timber in Solomon Islands, KFPL is also supporting the environment by reducing greenhouse gases previously generated by the importation of pallets.
In addition, SolTuna will be able to use a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified product which highlights that it uses pallets which are environmentally and socially friendly. Kiln drying at the pallet processing plant now also meets international phytosanitary standards.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele calls on Australia and New Zealand to consider providing reciprocal visa waiver for Solomon Islands passport holders.
Minister Manele made the call when he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Nanaia Mahutu and the Australian Minister for International Development and Pacific, Pat Conroy at the margins of the CHOGM in Kigali, Rwanda recently.
A government statement says the call for reciprocal visa waiver is not new.
“Solomon Islands through previous governments made the call but there was no positive response or consideration,” the statement said.
“Solomon Islands have reciprocal waiver visa arrangements with other countries and recently with India,” it added.
“Currently, Australian and New Zealand passport holders enjoy visa on arrival for tourist and business purposes when travelling to Solomon Islands.
Hon. Jeremiah Manele with Hon. Nanaia Mahuta.
“In contrast, Solomon Islanders must apply for a visa with big fees. The visa application process is lengthy with no guarantee a visa can be granted,” the statement said.
In his call, Manele said: “As a Pacific family, we care for each other and we look after each other in times of need so it would be most grateful if our two neighbors consider granting reciprocal visa waiver for us.”
The statement said both Ministers take note of the call and assured Foreign Minister Manele that they will further look into the request.
Special Secretary to the Prime Minister Albert Kabui. Photo supplied
By EDDIE OSIFELO
SPECIAL Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui has questioned the survey conducted by Transparency Solomon Islands.
TSI conducted the public opinion survey on the opinions and views of the citizens of this country on the proposed extension of the parliament from four to five years between March 16 and April 1, 2022.
The interviews were by phone, face to face and online reaching 1,248 respondents.
On Facebook group pages 930 respondents were reached.
A total of 2,178 respondents participated in the survey.
Of the 1,248 respondents 42 percent are female.
On age cohorts nine percent of the respondents are age groups 13-18 years (children), 50 percent are age group 19-34 years (youth), and 41 percent are age group are 34 plus years (adults).
Also, the survey uncovered information from public and street discussion on the hidden agendas for the proposed extension of Parliament like the switch from Tawan to China; fear of MPs losing their seats in election; access to Constituency Development Fund; MPs lucrative entitlements and benefits; staying in power for longer; deny citizens rights to vote and influence of loggers and miners.
However, Kabui said they have been telling the reasons why Government wants to delay the National General Elections after the Games.
He said the reason is that they can’t afford to hold two major events in one year.
“We would love to see the survey and questionnaires, whether it’s quantitative and qualitative and how they determine sample population to say the majority of the people.
“I think the process itself needs to be transparent in how you get the opinions of people especially when come to determine issues where Parliament will decide on it,” he said.
Kabui said in social media, one man could have 10 accounts.
“When the process of the survey is not transparent enough, that begs the question of whether the claims are substantive or not.
“TSI needs to provide substantive evidence to show allegations true or not,” he said.
Furthermore, Kabui said the Government would like to talk to TSI and any other organisations.
He said the Government is opened and willing to discuss with the issue.
“What we must understand is that we have elected leaders who we mandated to make decision on our behalf?
“While we open to discussions, it is our institutions like Parliament to make final decision or the Executive Government in terms of policy,” he added.
Kabui said they would be inviting Civil Society Organisations and Non-Government Organisations next week for dialogue like they did with Solomon Islands Christian Association and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association to hear their thoughts.
“But that does not mean our MPs and the Parliament to act on their opinions, but this depends on individuals MPs,” he added.
DIRECTOR of Malaita provincial health, Dr Rex Maukera says the flu that is spiraling in Auki is not covid-19, but a common flu.
He made the statement to clarify the status of the flu that has been in Auki town and parts of the province over the past weeks.
Maukera said following that, the provincial surveillance team has carried out an investigation and identified it as common flu.
“Investigation was carried out on cases of flu reported to Auki clinic with the fear of renaissance of covid-19, but not covid-19 rather a common flu,” he said.
Maukera, also chairman of Emergency Operation Centre for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital said the country is still in its post covid-19 and they’re ready to respond to any suspicious health circumstances arise.
“This is to ensure plans are prepared on actions to tackle the health issue to protect the public of Malaita,” he said.
Maukera said for this current flu, it just a common flu and those infected are required to take medications advice by health officers in the province.
GROUND work on the site to relocate the National Referral Hospital (Gilbert camp) to is progressing with current work on Geo-Tech Survey.
Dr George Malefoasi, chief executive officer for National Referral Hospital, confirmed this to journalists this week during the OPMC press conference at the Mendana Hotel.
“At the moment site clearance and preparations is still progressing. Geo-Tech survey is progressing well, soon bomb clearance will happen on that propose site at Gilbert camp and partial fencing is also done,” he said.
Malefoasi said he feels it might take like 10 years because there will be reviews done on the site service plans, more consultations and also it will take a bit more partnership where government will need to partner well with other stakeholders.
He said the work is at the preliminary stage.
Malefoasi also clarified the NRH background.
He said the proposed location begin in 2015 with the establishment of a taskforce; and in 2018 ADB was engaged to support this work.
“The business case was approved on March 2020 and it has three parts.
“Phase one involve improvement of current hospital, second phase there is a development plan for two centres West and East into a urban health care centre and Phase three is the relocation of NRH.
“By looking at March 2020 up until now is a pandemic time and a lot of emphasises were put towards the pandemic response effort when becoming community transmission,” he said.
However, he said last year we have a new committee that was set within the Ministry of Health, NRH and stakeholders.
“Now changes have happened, demand for health care services happened, epidemiologists of diseases changes and we may look at continuing with the current level of services at NRH.”
Attorney General John Muria Junior adds there is pending court case also on the gilbert camp land where the NRH will be relocated.
“But I thanked the parties for their understanding to allow government and NRH to continue their work on the relocation site.
“So, that matter is still before the court but that doesn’t stop NRH to do work on the site but parties have understanding and so that is why the work is still progressing at the moment,” Muria said.
DISCUSSION on the Government’s proposed $70 million-plus Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) with Orbis and Pacific Investments Holdings, to pay off some lands from Levers Solomons, is still ongoing.
Attorney General, John Muria Junior confirmed this to media in a press conference on Wednesday, saying once it is finalised, it will be made known to public.
Orbis and Pacific Investments Holdings are currently under bankruptcy proceedings in Australia.
Orbis and Pacific are owned by Willem and Margriet Van Vlymen.
The Van Vlymens appear to have been in a joint venture with entities owned by Patrick Wong in the controversial take-over of Levers by Russells Islands Plantations Estate Limited (RIPEL) some years back.
Furthermore, the High Court has ordered the Government to pay Levers Solomon Limited $50 million.
Muria Junior said unfortunately he cannot answer that because the matter is before the court.
“I cannot say much until the matter is fully determine by the courts,” he said.
Documents showed that on 1 July 2021, court administrators in Australia received correspondence from SV Partners, a professional insolvency firm, advising that they had been approached by the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Government via a local barrister.
Documents show the proposed offer under the Solomon Islands DOCA was between AUD$15 million ($80 plus million) and AUD$20 million ($112 plus million), which would be enough to pay all creditors of Orbis and Pacific in full.
On 5 August 2021, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury of the Solomon Islands Government wrote to the administrators, expressing an interest in acquiring the land owned by Lever Solomons through the DOCA process, but noting that any proposal would have to be approved by the Cabinet.
The documents showed on 20 August 2021, the Chief of Staff persuaded the Attorney General to write to the administrators, estimating that a minimum of three months was required to finalise a DOCA proposal for the approval of Cabinet.
On 23 August 2021, the administrators held a telephone conference with the Attorney General, a representative of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Djokovic and discussed the proposed DOCA being formulated in the Solomon Islands and how long that would take.
At that point in time, Djokovic, Muria and Dentana indicated that AUD$14 million ($78 plus million) was being considered.
On 9th February 2022, the Attorney General John Muria wrote a letter to Steve Agosta, Solicitor Director of Nelson McKinnon Lawyers in Sydney, requesting a further extension of the court proceedings to June 2022.
In his letter the AG stated a number of events that has impacted on the ability of the Solomon Islands Government to finalize the DOCA.
These events included the entry and community transmission of COVID 19, the motion of no-confidence in November and the riots.
