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GOV’T MOVES IN ON RIPEL

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Negotiates deal to bail out two bankrupt Austrian companies

LEAKED documents have suggested that the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Robson Djokovic and the Attorney General John Muria Jnr are cooking up a “dubious deal” in an attempt to commit the Government into bailing out two companies in Australia.

This is over the failed Russell and Tenaru plantation (RIPEL) formerly Levers Solomons Ltd.

The two companies, 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 RIPEL some years back.

While their fight in the Australian court is over, their business interests has left the future of the plantations and the Solomon Islands creditors and the brawl between the Commissioner of Lands and RIPEL over company land in limbo.

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.

SV Partners advised that the Solomon Islands Government “is looking to acquire unspecified number of Levers properties in Solomon Islands through a proposed Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) with Orbis and Pacific.

Documents show the proposed offer under the Solomon Islands DOCA was between AUD$15 million ($120 million) and AUD$20 million ($160 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 Solomon’s 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 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.

But government sources say the AG’s letter has raised the question as to who authorised him to write the letter without Cabinet’s approval and why the need to interfere with the legal process in Australia.

Sources have questioned why the PM’s chief of staff and the AG would enter into a financial commitment without Cabinet’s approval.

“Why should SIG bail out Orbis and Pacific Investments Holdings?

“These two companies are under bankruptcy proceedings in Australia.

“What liabilities do these bankrupt companies have?

“The DOCA implies that SIG is paying off company debts in exchange for company shares?

“If SIG is interested in buying properties only, why not deal directly with LSL and RIPEL?” sources questioned.

“It is clear from the documents cited that the involvement of these government officials had no Cabinet mandate thus raising the question as to whose authority do they make that commitment.

“The commitment made by Djokovic and AG on behalf of the Government without Cabinet’s approval has raised a lot of questions especially trying to bail out two companies that are currently under bankruptcy proceedings.

“The involvement of Djokovic who has a history with controversial issues who also has criminal convictions in Australia raised the question as to whose interests he is making that commitment,” sources said.

Comments are being sought from Djokovic and Muria.

Covid patients in hospital ‘overall low’: Togamana

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Mavis Podokolo
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Health Minister and team talks to a mother admitted at the NRH Golden Ward during local community transmission.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE overall hospitalisation due to covid-19 remains low, says Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana.

Togamana echoed this when delivering his covid-19 situational update this week.  

“Overall hospitalization due to COVID-19 remains low and I thank our frontline medical teams at our various hospitals and clinics managing COVID-19 patients. May God continue to bless your hands as you work to help the sick recover,” he said.

Togamana explained regarding hospitalisation, National Referral Hospital in the past 72 hours as of yesterday had made three discharges with no new COVID-19 admission during this reporting period.

“With this, total of 33 COVID-19 patients that the NRH is currently managing. This is 14 percent of total admissions at the hospital. From these 33, four patients are in severe condition with one (1) critical case needing oxygen,” he said.

Togamana adds, for Kiluufi hospital in Malaita Province, eight patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have been moved to the hospital’s isolation ward to undergo treatment for their other health conditions and management.

He also stated that in Makira Province, two patients with mild symptoms and admitted due to other health conditions, and one COVID-19 patient who is also considered as a mild case is being managed at the Gizo hospital isolation ward.

Unvaxed, elderly prone to any new variant: Togamana

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKO

Unvaccinated persons with underlying health conditions and the elderly will get sick from any new variant that enters the country.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana announced this in his situational update on covid-19 this week.

Solomon Islands was recently announced by the government as undergoing its second wave of covid-19 community transmission.

In January this year, the first wave began, ending about two months later, which was due to the Delta strain.

The current second wave is reportedly caused by the Omicron variant.

‘Nevertheless, those with unvaccinated more especially with underlying health conditions, the elderly and those with risk behaviours still remain at risk of being sick and even die from the new variant,” Togamana said.

“What is critical for us is to all remain united in solidarity as one family in our fight against COVID-19. Practically this requires everyone to play their part. It saddens me to see people complaining.

“Even for vaccination, do not wait for health to visit your communities.

“While this has been our struggle to bring the vaccines closer to your homes, we seek your cooperation to also go to nearest vaccination site and get vaccinated.

“This is the true meaning of unity, solidarity and togetherness in the face of COVID-19. Only through our combined cooperative efforts we will spare lives, preserve our health and overcome this virus,” Togamana said.

Manele defends Sino-SI security pact

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Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele has rejected any notion that the security treaty with China calls or provides for the establishment of a PRC military or naval base.

This came after some Solomon Islands traditional partners, members of United Nation, talked about a ‘red line’ and ‘responding appropriately’ should China set up a military base in Solomon Islands.

There are even talk of invasion of Solomon Islands by the international media.

Speaking on the motion to thank the Governor General on his speech to the throne in Parliament on Wednesday, Manele said “we are not stupid to ask for a military base as we ourselves could be a target for a military strike in the future in the event of an armed conflict between the major powers.”

He said the Solomon Islands Security Agreement with China reaffirms respect for Solomon Islands sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.

“The security agreement reinforces the foundation of peace, security and development.

“Security agreements are meant to grow peace through development,” he said.

Manele said it builds bridges of confidence, and removes sources of danger so that our people can keep investing to improve their quality of life.

He said it gives confidence to business houses and allows the nation of Solomon Islands to prosper.

Furthermore, Manele said Solomon Islands security cooperation with China does not undermine our security arrangements with Australia, or security cooperation with any other country.

He said actually it complements existing arrangements.

“The SI-PRC security agreement is a form of preventive diplomacy, in line with the 1997 Aitutaki Declaration.

“In other words, preventing the use of violence by some to uproot democratic processes and values.

“It prevents disputes from turning into conflict. It is peace keeping driven by the needs of the state,” he said.

Manele said the security cooperation agreement with China will not undermine regional security and stability.

“Having a stable Solomon Islands is also about securing stable and prosperous Pacific region,” he said.

Under the Aitutaki Declaration on Regional Cooperation, Leaders of the Pacific recognised that an adverse law enforcement environment could threaten the security, and economic integrity of Forum Members and jeopardize economic and social development. The Pacific has also identified climate change as the single greatest threat facing the region

SI products high demand overseas from Expo

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Eddie Osifelo
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Soltuna products

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands tuna, Kokonut Pacific products and local carvings have attracted a lot of demands from visitors to Solomon Islands Pavilion at the recent World Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Expo 202 was held from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

It was originally scheduled for October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeremiah Manele informed Parliament on Wednesday on Solomon Islands’ successful participation at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Manele said, “The last six months, the Government and private sector joined 192 countries to participate at the Dubai Expo.”

He said a number of products were promoted in Dubai, including coconut products and canned tuna.

“I am pleased to report that a business deal was signed and secured with an Abu Dhabi company for our tuna products.

“The company will act as the authorised import of our tuna products into the Middle East and North Africa. We hope to establish new markets in the Gulf,” he said.

Furthermore, Manele said Kokonut Pacifiki products were also high in demand.

“I am pleased to report that a shipment for a variety of Kokonu Pacifiki products have been shipped to Dubai.

“Local carvings from Solomon Islanders were also a big seller,” he added.

Further to that, Manele said following our successful participation a report is coming to Cabinet soon about the Dubai expo.

He said his Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Immigration, and Labour, as well as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is now preparing a development framework with the Government of United Arab Emirates to jointly pursue some of the outcomes of the Dubai Expo.

Solomon Islands is currently preparing to participate at the Osaka Expo, Japan in 2024.

Manele said: “I am confident that we will also secure new opportunities and markets for our products at the Osaka Expo in 2025.”

PALM scheme can do more for SI: Sisilo

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Ben Bilua
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Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, Robert Sisilo

BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

SOLOMON Islands High Commissioner to Australia says Australia can do more to improve the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme and in doing so can advance Solomon Islands and Australia’s bilateral relationship.

Speaking to Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), this week, Robert Sisilo said the scheme is currently confined in rural Australia and there are rooms to expand the scheme to cities.

“If only the scheme can be extended to the whole of Australia; in metropolitan city like Sydney, Brisbane, Wollongong, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, New Castle and Gold Coast where the demand for plumbers, brick layers, care-givers and domestic servants is huge, what an impact it should have on the livelihood of our people,” he said.

Sisilo adds that the issue of permanent residence could also be a good way of forwarding and advancing the two country’s bilateral relations.

“I understand that the Agriculture VISA agreement with Asian countries also has a provision of permanent residency, so why not for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. That would certainly be a good prospect to further advance our relationship with Australia,” he said.

Sisilo said PALM scheme has contributed big time to the local economy via the remittances workers continues to send home.

He said number of Solomon Islands seasonal worker have increased from 189 in 2019 to more than 3000 this year.

Sisilo described PALM scheme as one among other opportunities that would address the high unemployment rate in Solomon Islands.

“I was in Honiara undergoing quarantine during last year’s riot. From my hotel’s balcony I could clearly see that a lot of those involve in the looting were our youths.

“With our unemployment rate very high, this is going to be one of our major challenges and this is where the Pacific/ Australia labor mobility scheme has contributed big time to our economy via the remittances our workers continues to send home,” he said.

Last week, as part of its campaign for the May 21st election, Australia’s Labor Party vowed to build a stronger Pacific Family by expanding access to labour migration schemes and permanent residence for Pacific Islanders.

In a statement Labor Party promised to:

• boost permanent migration from Pacific countries to Australia by creating a new Pacific Engagement Visa for nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. 

• improve the mainly agricultural Seasonal Workers Program (PALM-SWP) by allowing workers to stay up to 9 months, improving workplace standards and tackling exploitation and mistreatment of migrant workers.

• allow workers on the skills-focused   Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM–PLS) who spend up to 4 years in Australia, to bring their partners and children with them.

• relocate the proposed Agriculture Visa, which critics have suggested would undermine opportunities for Pacific workers, to  sit as a third visa stream under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM)_ program.

The new Pacific Engagement Visa that would lead to permanent migration would see uto 3,000 visas allocated annually by a ballot or lottery process modelled on the New Zealand Pacific Access Resident Category visa.

“While detailed design still needs to be done, we envisage applicants being aged between 18 and 45 years, them or their partners being required to have a job offer in Australia, as well as some English,” the Labor party announcement said

“There would be country-specific quotas within an overall quota of up to 3,000 places a year, and applications will be open to Pacific nationals in their home countries or who are in Australia on a valid temporary visa.

“The program will commence in July 2023.

17 enlisted as CSSI officers

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A group photo with CSSI Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi, Director CSTC Joseph Watawa, Deputy Director CSTC Loretta Tohulao and Haisoma recruits

SEVENTEEN officers formally joined the Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) on Tuesday.

That was after they undertook two years of training under the guidance and manager of CSSI.

CSSI Commissioner Manelusi congratulated the officers on their achievements.

Manelusi highlighted three basic principles and legacy of Jesus to the newly confirmed officers.

They were ‘words, action and obey’

“Words is a powerful principle of Jesus, as He used ‘words’ for healing, comfort and encouragement,” Manelusi said.

“Action is the second practical principle of Jesus demonstrated by His life on earth and the final principle was simply to ‘obey’ what He was mandated to do.”

In addition, Manelusi reminded them that God is watching their action, listening to their words and follow their obedience to God and to fulfil their duties.

Out of the 40 officers in total, 11 were extended for another 6 months’ probation due to some actions committed during their probationary period and the assessment reports for the remaining 12 officers are still with the Commandant.

CBSI launches new framework

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Left to right: Linda Folia – Manager Financial Inclusion Unit, Dr Luke Forau – Governor, Denson Deni – Manager Financial Systems Regulations, Mary Maggie Loea – Senior Analyst Financial Systems Regulations

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) launched the Regulatory Sandbox (RSB) Framework recently at the CBSI Board room.

A statement from CBSI said the RSB is a guideline or framework through which a controlled testing environment is open and is available for interested genuine innovators of Financial Technologies (Fintech) and its eco-system to test their financial product.

It said the emergence of fintech and digitalization covers key areas such as; payment service providers, innovative solution providers, Micro Small and Medium Enterprise financing, agriculture, insurance, savings, credit, investment and wealth generation, sustainable and renewable power generation, mobile money, remittances, payments transfers, tourism and any other key priority areas.

Following the launching of the Pacific Regional Regulatory Sandbox Guidelines in March 2020, CBSI, with the technical support provided by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), developed a Regulatory Sandbox Guideline and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) specific to Solomon Islands context.


The purpose of the sandbox is to provide and facilitate innovative regulatory approaches that over time should see the ease of doing business in the country, with special emphasis on providing access to and use of high-quality financial services to the unbanked and underserved segment of our society.

The statement said working together with AFI and its members across the Pacific region, CBSI was able to use peer learning and knowledge sharing to develop regulatory and policy interventions which balance innovations and oversight in inclusive FinTech.

Presenting the official remarks during the launching of the RSB, CBSI Governor, Dr Luke Forau said “it is envisioned that this RSB framework is an enabler to the already transformative role that Fintech plays (and will continue to play) in Solomon Islands; particularly in broadening financial access and providing the opportunity to the unbanked and underserved segment of our society.”

Manager for Financial Inclusion Unit, Linda Folia also explained the regulatory sandbox should enable applicants to test their financial service as easily and efficiently as possible without placing undue risk on customers and the financial system.

She said RSB supports the financial sector development exploring responsible innovative solutions that provide opportunity for all Solomon Islanders including the informal sector to access and use a range of financial services that will assist them to achieve greater financial security and financial opportunity.

“It is also seen as a vehicle for transitioning our informal sector into the formal sector and, the digital economy through digital financial services.

“CBSI’s approach is to balance the need for innovation, broadening, and deepening of the financial sector with the requirements of financial stability and integrity that will foster responsible innovative financial services through creating an enabling environment.

“This environment is where potential solution providers and innovators can experiment and test their prototype innovative financial services but with clear guidelines and a criterion which enables proportionate regulation and supervision by the Central Bank,” Folia said.


Governor Dr Luke acknowledged the challenges induced by these new and innovative financial services and products as well as the sophisticated risks they do bring in but hopes to remain positive with the RSB in place.

“However, we remain positive and open minded that this Guideline will continue to recognize our need and will develop regulations that supports genuine and useful innovation and that it is already designed with appropriate principles that requires applicants to embed adequate risk management, customer protection and redressal mechanisms that enables appropriate mitigation and response to the new risks,” he said.

He said the launching of the RSB is a key milestone for CBSI and was witnessed by the Management of the
Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

Gizo market days return to normal: Maeta

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Ben Bilua
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The bustling Gizo Market. PHOTO: SIIP

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO Market Management has announced that market days have now returned to normal with strict regulations and requirements.

Market Manager, Moffat Maeta said Gizo Market and Banana Valley Market will open Monday to Sunday.

He said the decision was made after consultation with health officials and Gizo police.

“I’m happy to announce that Market Days now return to normal. Our markets will open Monday to Sunday.

“But mind you, COVID Safety Protocols will be tightened and well observed. Vendors must be vaccinated to access our market facilities, vendors must wear mask at all time, vendor’s must limit contacts with other vendors while in the market, social distancing must be practiced, vendors must buy their own hand sanitizers and vendors must show their vaccination card before entering the market.

“All these public measures are put in place for our safety and I urges you to fulfil all these requirements before entering the market to sell your products,” Maeta said.

He said Gizo Market Management will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustment if needed.

Fanalei Islanders welcome Suidani’s visit

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Elders of Fanalei receive Premier Daniel Suidani during his visit to Fanalei island as part of his southern region tour last week.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE People of Fanalei on small Malaita have welcomed the visit of Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani to their community recently.

The Fanalei people, like those from Walande have been struggling with the effects of climate change (sea level rise) and although they had relocated to the mainland, the issue of land scarcity is still being faced.

Premier Suidani and team visited the two island communities and their relocated communities of Walande and Fouele and witnessed the happenings himself.

Canoe welcome at Fanalei.

An elder of Fouele, which is the relocated community of Fanalei, Joseph Leo said although Fanalei Island was not faced with a similar scenario to Walande., people are moving from the island due to continuous erosion.

Leo said since 1970, the effects of cyclone and other natural hazards have contributed to the gradual demise of Fanalei island, where only a few houses can be seen on the island today.

He said it is calculated that the coastline of the island is eroding at 2 metre per year and it’s an alarming rate, one that could see the island fully submerged soon.

Few of the remaining residences on the island of Fanalei.

Leo said as they are escaping sea level rise, another issue faced is population and soon they will be not enough land to host them in the piece of land they were relocated to at Fouele.

He said the population of Fanalei is 388 people this year and within the next ten years the number would have doubled and there will be no space for people to live in.

Leo further said although resettling from Fanalei Island to the mainland of Fouele began on a piecemeal since 1960, there is no proper planning on how the village should be structured.

The foundation structure of what used to be a church on the island of Fanalei that is now below the high water mark.

He said if the trend continues there will come a time when not enough space will be there for further building of homes, while the population of Fanalei/Fouele is growing.

Leo said these are impacts of climate change and they will continue to remain with the severe effects if there are no remedial measures taken.

On that note, he called on the premier and the government of Malaita province to see the challenges they face on how they could work together to address them.  

Kirio traditional dancers of Fanalei and Fouele leads the welcome procession of Suidani and team to Fouele last week.

Suidani said this is one of the reasons his team had visited Fanalei and Walande to bring the government to the people and discuss what they would do together on the issues.

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