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TRIBUTE TO FOUNDING FATHERS

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare

PM remembers past leaders in 44th independence speech

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has paid tribute to the founding fathers, who pushed the country to gain Independence from Great Britain in 1978.

Sogavare stated this during his reflection of the country’s 44-year journey in his 44th anniversary speech yesterday.

“These men and women negotiated our political Independence from Great Britain who ruled the country for 85 years since declaring us a Protectorate in 1893,” the prime minister said.

He said on 7 July 1978, our young country attained nationhood.

Former Member of East Are Are, late Peter Kenilorea was the first Prime Minister who led the country to Independence.

“Our first leaders solemnly declared to the world our choice and determination to champion our destiny.

“On that day, 44 years ago, we started the process of governing ourselves,” he said.

However, Solomon Islands, a country of more than 700,000 people and different cultures and languages, has faced many challenges in her history.

Some of the challenges included internal conflicts like the ethnic conflict between Malaita and Guadalcanal from 1998-2003, riots in Honiara and natural disasters like cyclones and climate change.

Sogavare pondered some questions that remained with him today as he reflected on the country’s journey.

“Has the country achieved the vision and aspirations our founding fathers and mothers had of a strong united and peaceful Solomon Islands?

“Has the country achieved the vision portrayed in our National Anthem which is a country that exude joy, peace, progress and prosperity where men shall brothers be make nations see?

“Or are we planting seeds of doubts and dissent that will continue to divide us and prevent our country from achieving long term peace and prosperity?” he asked.

Sogavare said what legacy should the current generation of Solomon Islanders leaders leave behind for future generations.

“What kind of Solomon Islands do we want to see in 10,20, 50 years or 100 years from today?

“What should we do to ensure that the decisions we all make will lead us to the type of Solomon Islands we wish to see and leave behind for our children, our great children, grandchildren and your children?” he asked.

He said to ask answer these questions, we must first look back to our past and consider the realities we face today before we can chart our path into the future.

Honiara marked the Independence with parade from White River to Maranatha Hall, music shows at Townground, Auditorium building, women selling food and handicrafts and youths offering barber services at Solomon Islands Ports Authority compound.

While people in the communities also celebrated the Independence with sporting events and selling of foods and music.

SIEC holds election training for Auki media

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Members of media in Auki and SIEC staffs after the Media Accreditation and Code of Conduct training at Auki Lodge yesterday in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

A team from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission office has successfully conducted a half day Media Accreditation and Code of Conduct training for media personnel in Auki yesterday.

A total of six media personnel, four from the mainstream outlets, Island Sun, Solomon Star and SIBC and two from social media Face book groups, Malaita Issue and Malaita News have attended the training.

The training is part of SIEC’s preparation for the upcoming two by-elections for West Kwaio constituency and provincial ward 18 of East Kwaio constituency.

The training was aimed at enhancing the capacity of media on the important role they play to disseminate fair and proper information to public on the election events.

During the training, the media personnel were briefed on SIEC organizational structure, election process, SIEC code of conduct for media and election advocacy.

These areas are important to the media personnel to provide them with fair understanding on what to do when executing their election reporting.

Particularly, for election process and election code of conduct to guide them on how best they could carry out their work in accordance to the required standard.

Media personnel in Auki thanked SIEC for the training and coordination they have with the Media in Solomon Islands on election activities.

Auki media looks forward to working together with SIEC and people in West Kwaio constituency and provincial ward 18 of East Kwaio constituency in the coming by-elections.

Bill to extend parliament

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE proposed Bill to delay the 11th Parliament to 2024 or permanently extend for five years can be scrutinised by the Bills and Legislative Committee.

This after the Constitutional Review Committee in Parliament is also identified to scrutinise the Bill if it is tabled in Parliament.

Under Section 61 (4) (a) of the Constitution, the notice of the proposed Bill has been given to the Speaker at least four weeks before the first reading of the Bill in Parliament.

Parliament Office said by default position, any bill can go through BLC apart from the Appropriation Bill which the Public Accounts Committee is mandated to scrutinise it.

However, Parliament Office said the CRC can do an issue base inquiry on the proposed Bill.

Under the Standing Orders of Parliament, the CRC can review the Constitution regularly and examine any changes of the proposed Constitution.

“It is still not sure whether the Speaker will allow the proposed Bill to be scrutinised by BLC or CRC,” Parliament office said.

The CRC is currently without a Chairman after Member of Parliament for Rennell and Bellona,” Dr Tautai Angikimua Kaitu’u has vacated his responsibility.

The members of CRC are Opposition Leader Mathew Wale, Member of Parliament for East Are Are, Peter Kenilorea Junior, MP for South New Georgia, Rendova Tetepare, Danny Philip, MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete and MP for Central Kwara’ae, Jackson Fiulaua.

Furthermore, Parliament Office said the one-month notice is to allow time to notify the Committee members, hold enquiry with different stakeholders and make recommendations of the report.

Unlike the Government’s bill, it has a duration of four days and Non-Members Bill is 12 days.

However, one month notice is given to the proposed Bill because it is a Constitutional Amendment.

The Government intended to delay the elections to 2024 because the Pacific Games is taking place in 2023 as well.

So far, Transparency Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands Christian Association, House of Chiefs on Guadalcanal and other women’s organisations have opposed the delay or extension of Parliament because they want to the election held in 2023.

Bintan owes landowner $366,964

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Road infrastructure in Rennell.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BINTAN Mining SI Limited has owed Biunalu landowners on Rennell island $366,964.07 after it halted its operation two years ago.

At the same time, the landowners’ credits towards the company are $921, 144.16.

Biunalu tribe is among other clans that offered their land to Bintan for bauxite mining since 2014.

According to the landowners’ spokesperson, the company owes:

  1. John Morries – $106, 202.12
  2. Aljay Tuhaika – $41,183.26
  3. James Teugua – $100,591.13
  4. Wesly Hakanoa – $40,834.77
  5. Brian Saoba Group – $59,494.09
  6. Owen Baipolo & Joshua Tepai – $15,000.00
  7. Prince Temahua – $11,650.00
  8. Sylvia Tebegi – $5,508.70

Furthermore, other outstanding claims include:

  1. Security payments from 31 July 2019 to 22 May 2022
  2. 36 months at $10,000 totalled $360,000
  • Road access from 22 May 2018 to 31 December 2020
  • Outstanding is $165,000
  • From 31 December 2020 to 22 May 2022
  • Total is $240,000
  • Machine storage $3000 per night, $3000 per day
  • From 11 November 2019 to 22 May 2022
  • Total cost is $5,466,000.00
  • 15 stockpiles remain
  • 40,000 times 5 total $200,000

In the meantime, Rex Soaika of Tehakamagoku tribe claimed they are still to receive any payments from more than 30 Head of Agreement (HOA) signed with Bintan.

Soaika said according to HOA, if the company exported 70,000 dry metric tonnes of bauxite, the company must pay the landowners $200,000 per shipment.

He said this is different from royalties and lease payment.

Soiaka said the company needs to settle their debts before they allow any mining in future.

Bintan Mining SI Ltd was the contractor of Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID) Limited, which held the mining license over the tenements on Rennell Island.

However, the Mines and Mineral Board has cancelled APID’s license after it failed to carry out bauxite mining on Rennell Islands in the last two years during the Covid 19 outbreak.

Permanent Secretary of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification permanent secretary, Dr Christopher Vehe said from what he got from the Mines and Mineral Board, there was no operation done during the covid 19 which left the project idled.

Dr Vehe said APID has challenged the Mines Board for its decision to cancel its license in court at the moment.

However, he said Nickel Enterprise SI Limited has submitted a letter of intent to the Ministry to mine bauxite on Rennell Islands.

The company is owned by a Singapore based company, Solomon Enterprise PTE. Limited.

Dr Vehe said the Director of Mines and Secretariate of Mines and Mineral Board have carried out due diligence and found Nickel Enterprise SI Ltd has close associate with Bintan Mining SI Ltd.

He said Nickel Enterprise SI Ltd submitted its application during the leadership of former Director of Mines, Nicholas Biliki.

As such, no company is endorsed by the Mineral Board to mine the bauxite on Rennell Islands at the moment.

At the same time, APID, which holds the mining license over the tenement on Rennell is challenging a judicial review on the Mineral Board’s decision to cancel its license.

Soaika claimed Bintan General Manager Fred Tang was behind the move to push Nickel Enterprise SI Ltd to get license from Mines and Mineral Board in order to pay the outstanding creditors of Bintan.

Island Sun understands the owners of Bintan had already left the country.

Suidani urges electors not to vote independent candidates

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier Suidani is carried on a platform as he and his delegation was welcome by Malaitans in Auki .

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani warns Malaitan electorates not to vote independent candidates in the next General Election.

The premier said although he respects the voting rights of everyone, he has reasons for the call, further urging Malaitans to look and think beyond past voting practices.

“This time around, if any candidate contests the next national general election as an independent candidate, don’t vote him/her.

“That advice is from me.

“I find it very difficult when elected independent candidates arrive in Honiara and jump from camp to camp.

“It is a shame for the leader who is elected by his/her people only to be pulled here and there.

“The reason is that elected independent representatives don’t have any vision and dreams, because they didn’t contest under political parties.

“So stop looking at independent candidates,” he said.

Suidani said although governments often form under a coalition, it is fair enough for different parties to merge manifestos and lead the country with sets of visions as one.

He said in the case of independent candidates, they have no base before going there and they are most likely the ones that are causing instabilities in parliament.

“So I encourage whoever in the province that is planning to contest the upcoming election to join a political party before contesting.

“And for voters, don’t waste time with independent candidates.

“It’s time to change Malaita. We want our leaders to be united under one manifesto, principles and vision in order to take this province forward.

“It’s time that we vote true leaders who care about the issues of this province,” Suidani said.

He said the MARA government is serious on leadership issues currently faced and it’s high time voters  re-group their mindset and think political parties and not independent candidates.

Suidani says his government remains stronger

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PREMIER Daniel Suidani says his government is rock solid and ready to take on any motion of no confidence should there be one in the future.

Suidani made the statement in response to a question raised during his awareness talk at Kilusakwalo village on the strength of his government.

As well as the notion that it is only a few months left to make it to 12 months after his last motion of no confidence was defeated.

He said MARA government had already defeated two motions and should there be any motion, he did not know, but they are prepared to defeat any motion.

Suidani said very soon one of their MPAs, Claudio Te’efi will leave to contest the West Kwaio seat and that will live them with 16 MPAs on the executive.

He said his replacement is ready and as long as he leaves the eyed MPA will fill in his space.

Suidani said there are rumors by some people that another motion is likely.

“If so, let it be,” he added.

He said the MARA government has faced two motions and if there is another, this is the only provincial government of Malaita to face three motions in a single term.

“The funny thing is, if another motion looms, how many more years do they want to rule while our term will lapse by mid next year. It makes no sense.

“However, if there is another motion as the law provides for, we welcome it,” Suidani said.

Suidani reiterated the strength of his government and assures of his continuous bold stand on issues of concern to the people of Malaita province.

FARE OPTIONS

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Crowded busstop at the Honiara Central Market.

Meeting to consider bus and taxi rates

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BUS and taxi owners will be invited to a meeting to discuss their demand for authorities to increase fares.

The proposed meeting, to be held on 12 July, came after the Working Committee of the Road Transport Board (RTB) met Tuesday this week on the matter.

“The Working Committee agreed to invite representatives of bus and taxi owners to the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday 12 July 2022,” a statement from the Honiara City Council (HCC) said.

RTB is made up of HCC, Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labor and Immigration (MCILI) and the police.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) was held on Tuesday 5th July 2022.

The statement said the 12 July meeting will consider options for bus fares and taxi fares within Honiara City.

It added that during Tuesday’s meeting, the Working Committee agreed that legal or regulatory mechanisms must now be put in place to regulate public transport service within Honiara City.

“The Working Committee is pressing towards this in collaboration with bus owners, taxi owners and other stakeholders.

“As part of this expected collaboration, the Working Committee requests bus owners and taxi owners to register as companies so that it would be more effective and efficient to consult and collaborate on issues pertaining to bus and taxi services in Honiara City.”

Meanwhile, city mayor Eddie Siapu calls on bus and taxi owners to maintain current fares until the Working Committee completes its tasks.

Last week, bus operators staged a protest in Honiara demanding the city council to approval fare increases in Honiara.

Some of the buses went ahead and imposed a new bus fare of $5, an increase of $2 from the usual $3.

The demand for fare increases came in the wake of continuing rise in fuel prices.

Buses, taxis warned against increasing their fare rates

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Crowded busstop at the Honiara Central Market.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BUSES and taxis are warned against increasing their fares.

Stephen Maesiola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, made the reminder after last week’s protest by bus drivers to increase their fares from $3 to $5.

Also, the Taxi Association proposed over the weekend to increase the Kilometer rate from $10 to $15 and the hourly rate from $100 to $150.

These proposed fare increases came in the wake of the continuing fuel prices.

Maesiola told Island Sun the National Transport Board is still to meet over the fare increases.

He said a working committee consisting of Honiara City Council, Price Control Unit in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration and MID will need to meet with the Bus and Taxi Association before forwarding the proposal to NTB.

He said there are representatives of Bus Association and Taxi Association in the NTB.

Island Sun understands some buses have charged $5 from Honiara Central Market to Lunga because it is outside the boundary of the city.

Passengers who get off before Lunga can still pay $3.

However, some buses imposed $5 within the city, which resulted in heated exchanges between passengers and bus conductors.

Some passengers threatened to report the buses to police when the bus conductors refused to give them change of their bus fares.

As a result, the bus conductors returned the change money to the passengers.

Honiara City Council Mayor, Eddie Siapu said whilst he sympathises with the bus owners, he asked for them to maintain the $3 fare.

“As we’re heading towards the 44th Independence Anniversary, let us have the spirit of one and unity to support each other,” Siapu said.

The Lord Mayor appeals for calm and understanding from the general public in this matter.

More than 40 communities to benefit from Gasini market

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gasini Port, Marovo Lagoon in the Western Province. PHOTO: BEN BILUA

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

OUTGOING Provincial Member of Ward 24 in Western Province says the newly opened Gasini Market will benefit more than 40 communities.

Samuel Sive said the market house will be a life-line to people of ward 23 and 24 in Marovo Constituency.

He adds that the project will go a long way in addressing the need to shelter men, women and children who have exposed to unfriendly weather when selling foods and other items to passing passenger ships.

Sive further stated that the travelling public will also benefit buying food and other essential item at the healthy and clean market house.

He said the benefits will be enormous and take home income will multiply due to good environment provided for vendors to sell their products.

“We all know that there are many hurdles to go through during the initial stages of the project, but thanks to vision and foresight of our people especially the landowners of Gasini to allow this piece of land where this market house was built on.

“You have set a good example for others to follow. In this note, I would like to urge all landowners to allow your land for development because without land there is no development.

“I on behalf of my people wish to acknowledge Member of Parliament for Marovo Constituency, Chachabule Amoi for been instrumental in securing funds for the project.

“We also very thankful to the government, aid donors and tax payers who also contributed one way or the other for supporting this project,” Sive said.

Ngossi Valley prepares to celebrate independence day

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Kids and residents of Ngossi Valley stage a colouful parade of the national flag during last year's celebrations

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO    

NGOSSI Valley community in West Honiara is set to celebrate the 44th independence celebration on July 7 with focus to educate community members of the meaning of independence and the reason behind the celebration.

Chairman for Ngossi Valley Community Ramsey Olisukulu said the celebration will begin in the afternoon with a parade in national colours, flag hoisting, and singing of the national anthem.

“Celebration will continue in the evening with an independence dinner, video flashback of the Independence Day, address by Guest of Honour, speeches and finally cultural presentation from the provinces.

 “Maintaining this spirit, we have organised different activities from monthly clean-ups, sports, Police talk, health awareness programs and religious programs.

“This year we are organising this independence celebrations in a unique way with the Theme ‘IUMI TUGEDA, ONE COMMUNITY, ONE NATION, SOLOMON ISLANDS’. This event is educational aimed at teaching our children and youths about their history promoting a sense of patriotism in our youths and children to grow up to be good citizens of this beautiful nation,” he said.

Mr Olisukulu said Ngossi Valley is a vibrant community known for its peaceful, safe and clean environment with its residents valuing and promoting the belief of working together in building a model community.

“We have invited a Senior Statesman as our guest of Honour, a Minister of crown, a Permanent Secretary, the Mayor to Honiara City Council and our ward member as other quests. Therefore, your donation will be of great value to our community,” he said.

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