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Aqorau cites loopholes with China-SI treaty

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau.Photo supplied.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SENIOR Scholar Transform Aqorau says the China/Solomon Islands Security Treaty had lots of escape clauses that will become a problem for Solomon Islanders.

He made the statement during a Webinar organized by Center for Pacific Islands Studies “China-Solomon Islands Security Agreement and Blue Pacific (In) Securities”

Aqorau said there are missing pieces in the process leading up to the signing of the security treaty and this includes lack of supporting legislation to legally authorise and approve arming of Chinese personnel in Solomon Islands.

He suggested that the security treaty should be complemented by an act of parliament as arming foreign personal comes with greater risks in circumstances where discharging of firearm may result in casualties.

“I want to make a point about the process. When RAMSI was brought in, it was done under an agreement.

“The carrying of arms and immunity was facilitated through an act of parliament.

“The immunity for RAMSI and the assistance force …was passed under the facilitation act. I suggest this (latest) agreement should also have been subjected to the same kind of legislative process,” Aqorau said.

Outspoken Member of Parliament, Peter Kenilorea Jr said there are differences between the China/Solomon Islands security treaty and the Australia/Solomon Islands Agreement.

“Having seen the draft and the Australia agreement, the Aust agreement is very specific. Issues on arms, customs, tax…I know because I was permanent secretary.

“The open-endednee of the draft with China is what worries me more than anything else. Security treaties are usually deposited with the UN. I would like to see this, andveryone can see it,” he said.

Kenilorea went on to say that the China/Solomon Islands Security Treaty is not a collective decision but the decision of the Cabinet.

He said the agreement lacks inputs from National Parliament, let alone lack of consultations prior to the signing of the agreement, and that such conflicting views are bound to happen.

“The process is very much an executive process on behalf of the nation.

“There is very little or no input from parliament. It is a little different from other Pacific countries and democracies.

“Done by executive branch – cabinet – they decide which ones we ratify,” he said.

“I see a straight line from the switch to the signing.

“I think this was in the works even before the switch. When you have economic power, military might follows,” Kenilorea added.

He said the Foreign Relations Committee is looking at introducing the involvement of a parliament committee to put correct records on executive decision.

Government back-bencher and Chair of the Government’s Foreign Policy Advisory Sub-Committee, Danny Phillip shared similar sentiment saying that the agreement was signed and drawn up for the eyes of the government.

“The agreement that was signed is very much in the hands of the executive government at the moment but in the context of what we are dealing with here… but in matters of national security there are some things that do not need to have the whole country’s legitimacy,” he said.

Time is up, US you are too late: Kenilorea

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

OUTSPOKEN Member of Parliament Peter Kenilorea has described the proposed visit by a US delegation as “too late, the agreement has already been sealed”.

He said there have been discussion between Solomon Islands and United State of America for a meeting before the switch but it never happened.

“Before the switch – Sogavare spoke with US Vice President on an understanding to come and meet before the switch. That didn’t happen. Now the agreement signed even before the US delegation arrives,” Kenilorea said.

According to Danny Phillip (former MP), USA has distanced itself from Solomon Islands over the past years.

He said USA has totally forgotten Solomon Islands over the past 80 years after the vicious world war two (WW2) living tones of munitions, hazardous chemicals wastes and military hardware of various descriptions in the country.

“Our people have been killed in numbers annually by unexploded ordinance and other hazardous materials – a risk that still persist in most part of Solomon Islands till today,” Phillip said.

He said, like other Melanesia countries in the pacific, Solomon Islands is the most volatile country with different culture and traditional beliefs and values which makes governance complicated and plain difficult at times.

“We tried to govern ourselves politically and economically since independent doing so with much challenges and difficulties.

“As we continue to govern ourselves we discovered many unsuspected issues and challenges related very on our diversity.

“We struggle on ways of making our tribal land, our cultural values and systems to become more relevant to the requisite of more than economic development.

“This is often our development partners left the issues for us to deal with it ourselves,” Phillip said.

He said the unresolved fundamental reforms often developed into internal challenges that have become more serious and have political overturns which cause social segregations that often developed into violence and destruction.

Phillip stressed that the need for establishing a strong and effective internal security apparatus and system to underwrite and guarantee economic development so as national assets is important.

“This alone is the basis for the expanded scope of security arrangement between Solomon Islands and China,” he said.

Budget refocus after big hit from the riot and COVID

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

By Brian Lezutuni

THE dent to the economy brought about by the November 2021 riots and Covid-19 transmission has seen a refocus on the Government’s key policy commitments.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma announced in his budget speech that key policy commitments would be focused on three key priority areas.

The key areas are COVID-19 transmission response in Honiara and the provinces, reconstruction and financial assistance to businesses affected by the riots and implementation of economic response measures to support economic recovery and growth in the country.

The areas of focus are important as the government predicts the local economy would further contract by 4.5 percent in 2022 after 2021 ended with a GDP contraction of 0.2% following the adverse effects of Covid-19 and the November 2021 riots and looting. These new figures revealed in the budget speech show Solomon Islands is now tracking well behind other Pacific nations in its economic recovery and are significantly worse than had been expected before the riot and the recent COVID outbreak.

Mr Kuma said a Ministry of Infrastructure Development report on the riots showed an estimated loss of SBD$811 million in 2021.

The report also showed that a total of 81 businesses and buildings were affected.

“The total loss was equivalent to 6.1 percent of the pre-unrest 2021 GDP value,” Mr Kuma remarked.

He said the civil unrest had also severely impacted Governments fiscal operations.

Police officers tirelessly working to bring the riots under control. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo

“Preliminary indicators have shown that Government has lost $120 million in total revenue in the last two months of 2021 alone.

Apart from that, ongoing revenue losses for 2022 are estimated at $200 million.

As compensation, the government is committing $125 million to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of building and businesses destroyed during unrest.

In terms of the impacts of COVID-19, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury estimates that lockdowns associated with local transmission has costed the Government about $81 million in foregone revenue.

 For the nation as a whole, it was estimated that the economy was losing $25 million worth of output per day, with Honiara alone accounting for $14 million per day.

Minister Kuma stressed that the most affected sectors were retail and wholesale, public administration, transport, manufacturing, and agriculture.

“The immediate knock-on loss in all other provinces were estimated at $10 million, as a result of supply chain disruptions.

 He said the Community Transmission Plan estimates that around $400 million is needed for a period of six months to adequately respond to COVID-19 community transmission.

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

“The fight against the covid-19 pandemic is not yet over,” he said.

“Until COVID19 vaccination rates in the country increases dramatically, the pandemic will continue to be a handbrake on our economic growth prospects and a likely driver over a longer period.

The government will be committing $180.6 million under respective implementing ministries to support response to COVID-19 community transmission in Honiara and provinces.

Minister Kuma highlights that with these new developments, a review of the overall 2022 budget including revenue projections and policy priorities was made to cater for the changing economic environment faced.

Despite the setbacks, the Government said it is focused on ongoing commitments to its economic recovery strategy as demonstrated in the 2022 development budget.

The 2022 budget will see the Productive and Resources sectors again being key priority sectors. It views these two sectors as major drivers and enablers of economic growth.

Copra is one of the most important commodities in the country

The Minister said the productive sector is one of the pillars of the country’s recovery and growth process.

This explains why a total of $222.9 million is allocated to the productive sector.

The allocations are as follows.

(i)            $25.0 million for Agriculture investments.

(ii)           (ii) $33.7 million for Commerce and trade investments.

(iii)          (iii) $109.2 million for Infrastructure developments.

(iv)         (iv) $10.0 million for investment in lands issues.

(v)          (v) $15.0 million for Fishery investments, and

(vi)         (vi) $30.3 million for Communication and Aviation investments.

Allocation under the Resource Sector would aim to build a resilient environment to support socio-economic development, create innovative development models, review and strengthen development frameworks of the country’s extractive industries, support strategic development through Public Private Partnership (PPP), and maximize economic benefits from natural resources.

The following Budget allocations are made under the Resource Sector in the 2022 Budget.

(i)            $10.6 million for Forestry related investments.

(ii)           (ii) $7.5 million for Environment related investments.

(iii)          (iii) $30.0 million for mining related investments.

In his closing remarks Mr Kuma told parliament Solomon Islands had suffered major challenges in 2021 and into 2022.

‘The task of rebuilding our nation and hopefully reversed the damages done by the COVID-19 and November 2021 riots is immense,’ he said.

‘For the sake of our nation’s future, I appeal to all citizens of our beloved country, Chiefs, Church and Community leaders, NGOs and Civil Society organizations, Premiers and Members of Provincial Assemblies, Public Servants and the general populace of Solomon Islands to support the government in this fight against our common enemy, the COVID-19 and work in partnership to lay the foundations for recovery, growth and prosperity in our country,’ he concluded.

US delegation flies in today

Written by
Admin
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A UNITED STATES delegation is expected in Honiara today.

It will be led by deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator, Kurt Campbell.

The delegation was in Fiji yesterday, where they met Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

In Honiara, they are expected to meet Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare over the security treaty Honiara signed with Beijing this week.

The US has expressed grave concerns and fear about the security arrangement, saying it may pave the way for China to build a military base here.

But Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare earlier said the agreement, which is yet to be made public, does not cater for a military base.

And Sogavare said his government will never allow the construction of any military base in Solomon Islands.

The US delegation are expected to be here for a day!

Women leaders want security treaty cancelled

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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National Council of Women (NCW) president Ella Kauhue

BY MAVIS N. PODOKOLO 

WOMEN leaders want the next government to cancel the controversial security treaty Honiara signed with Beijing this week.

“The security agreement is not done in the interest of our country,” National Council of Women (NCW) president Ella Kauhue told reporters yesterday.

“It’s an agreement negotiated and signed for the interest of the DCGA government and China’s Community Party,” she added.

“So, a new government that comes in after next year’s election must terminate it.”

Kauhue stated although DCGA had gone ahead and signed the agreement in the face of widespread public opposition, her organisation will not stop talking about it.

“Our next step is to reach out to our women partners across the region,” she said.

“This is a big, big issue that does not concern Solomon Islands alone.

“It’s a regional issue and one that will have implications on regional security.

“So we will be in touch with regional council of women organisations to decide and consider our next response to this.”

NCW member and chief executive officer of Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Ruth Liloqula said in signing the agreement, Sogavare has just given away the sovereignty of this nation to the Community Party of China.

“So, I don’t know what sovereignty they were talking about when they mentioned that this was a sovereign decision,” Liloqula said.

“Didn’t the prime minister realised that the very sovereignty he was talking about protecting was the same sovereignty that he had just given away to China?” she stated.

Liloqula backed Kauhue’s call for the next government to dissolve the agreement.

She said the agreement was shrouded with secrecy and that women were not consulted on it.

“I believe China drafted the agreement and forced it on the DCGA to sign.”

Liloqula said the arrangement is a reflection of just one man and the government that he leads.

She added that it was sad to see the security agreement dividing the government, instead of uniting it.

Rose Isukana, another senior member of NCW, the sovereignty of this nation has been hijacked by a government that cares less about its people and neighbours.

“Just look at the arrangement and the manner it was signed. It was done in all secrecy,” Isukana said.

“So sad that the government simply don’t want any inputs from our people in an agreement that will affect us all,” she added.  

“If this framework agreement is for this nation why are you hiding it, why?

“For us women, our call won’t stop here we will go beyond our borders and will continue to raise our voices on behalf of women, youth, children and People with Disability and those who are not happy about this security agreement.”

Gizo vendors defy call

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Market at KHY area still striving

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MARKET Vendors are continuing to defy provincial orders not to sell their products at the KHY area in Gizo, locally known as the Buni area.

Vendors continue to crowd the area since the stop notice was issued last week.

A vendor spoken to said most vendors have decided to sell their products at the Buni area because of two reasons.

Their first being, the Buni area attracted many customers and second reason is that, vendors pay less market fee and sometimes there is no market fee at all.

“Most of us found that we get lots of customers when selling our products at the Buni area compared to when we sell at the Gizo Market – meaning we get more money to help our families,” the vendor said.

In his public announcement last week, Acting Chairperson of WPDC, Patrict Toiraena said selling of fish, cooked food and betel nut is prohibited at the area.

He said fish vendors so as those selling cooked food and betel nut must go either to the Gizo main market or Banana Valley to sell their products.

GIZO Market Manager Moffat Maeta shared similar sentiment saying the province has provided market facilities and that market vendors must use authorized market places such as the Gizo and Banana Valley Market Facilities to sell their products.

He said the closer of KHY area as a market is good news as the decision will finally encourage vendors to use the Gizo and Banana Valley Markets.

“I think if the KHY area is fenced for any further development, then our market vendors will come back to their right places for market, that is Gizo market and Banana Valley Market,” Maeta said.

He said there is no reason to protest against the province’s decision as the province has already provided the venues for vendors to sell their products.

This paper understands that two attempts have been made to stop vendors from selling at the Buni area.

The area was sealed by barbed wire during the first attempt, however the barbwire was not able to scare off vendors.

Solomon Airlines spells out plans to keep it operational

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0
Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Airlines has taken a step into resizing and restructuring the company by undertaking a thorough review to enable it to fly people during these challenging times.

Chairman of the Solomon Airlines Frank Wickham told this to local press yesterday.

He said this challenging time has also required as to look within the company in terms of resizing and restructuring the company.

“At the moment we are now undertaking a thorough review of the Solomon Airlines company’s structure. Our objective is to determine the right organisational structure now and as our Airlines moves forward as passenger, cargo and chatter service provide,” Wickham said.

He said “We must take into consideration that it will take several years for passenger demand to recover from covid-19 and that our business is not the same and indeed will not be the same for several years yet”.

On the same note Chief Executive Officer for the Solomon Airlines Brett Gebers said the company had looked at everything they do all the time and see if it is suitable in the environment that they working in right now.

Brett said one of the issue that they started looking at is that how easier it is to make bookings with Solomon Airlines given the situation with staff changes, procedure changes covid-19 restrictions etc.

“We are looking at how we restructure our reservations department, no bodies losing jobs but we are making sure it is easy for customer to phone and make a booking and make a payment on line with the aim to improving our services and for us to able to adapt in our new environment because we never know from one day to next of when is the new restriction will be imposed. But we see a brighter future part of that would be making it easier for people to buy tickets, one phone call and you get sorted out,” he said.

Home learning booklets to be distributed soon: Malaita EA

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Supplies of the “Continuity Learning Booklets” at Malaita EA office in Auki that will soon distribute to schools in the province.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA Education Authority (EA) assures students, teachers and schools in the province that “distribution of home learning booklets will happen soon”.

The EA made the statement yesterday in response to a recent media report questioning the delay in book distribution.

According to the Malaita EA, supplies of the books have been received in Auki, but they are waiting for the remaining supplies from Honiara before they can begin with distribution in the province.

They said the supply received was only for schools in northern and eastern regions while supply for central and southern regions are yet to arrive.

Thus, they said that even then, the supply received was just three-quarter of schools in the two regions and an additional supply is needed.

For central and southern regions, they have very minimal supply in Auki and could be enough for only four schools in the two regions.

The EA said they understand the fact that the books were intended for school children/students to do home learning while schools are still close due to the current covid-19 situation.

However, they are waiting for the remaining supply to arrive before distribution.

They said any distribution now will not reflect a well-administer program while some schools will receive and others not.

The EA explained that the delay is between them and the Ministry of Education (MEHRD) and they are working on it.

The home learning booklet “continuity learning book” was produced by MEHRD with the assistance from Australia and New Zealand under the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) in 2022.

The purpose of the booklets is to make sure school children and students from early childhood, primary and secondary schools to continue learn at homes while schools are still closed.

The beginning of a new voyage

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Press Release
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Following the Central Islands Province Premier Stanley Manetiva’s handing over of a key for a new World Vision’s Office in Tulagi on 24 March 2022, the new voyage begins April 7th as World Vision sets sail its new Project’s Out Board Motor (OBM) for a test ran.

The test run of the new OBM displays World Vision’s commitment to continue reaching out to and supporting the well-being of children in the country, despite the hardships caused by the current pandemic.

“The OBM will be powered by a 40 Horse Yamaha Engine and used for the Central Islands Province Livelihoods Improvement Project (CLIP),” a statement from World Vision SI says.

“Through the hard work of staff and Provincial authorities, World Vision set up the new office space with funding secured for the CLIP Project, thanks to the European Union (EU), which is financing the two-and-a-half year project,” the statement added.

“The project’s team has also been recruited and is ready to roll out the project.

“Through its goal, which is to sustain economic and social resilience to the impact of COVID-19 and improve the well-being of families, the project will be implemented in ten communities in Small Ngella, which have a population of approximately 3,701.

“The project will engage with the communities on areas of fisheries, conducting training to improve knowledge on basic fishing techniques to improve the quality of products.

“While establishing producer groups to engage in sustainable livelihood activities, the project will also work to secure and link them to the market for their produce.”

The statement added the project will also work to strengthen financial literacy and enable community members to access financial services.

This includes training financial literacy and small business to ensure their skills on these important areas are improved.

Furthermore, the project will establish Saving and Producer Groups (SPGs) in partnership with the Anglican Church of Melanesia and Mothers’ Union, which are partners in the project.

“Saving is one of the key activities that World Vision Solomon Islands wishes to introduce to communities to ensure financial sustainability.

“Importantly, while the producer groups produce their products to sell at the market, a portion of their earnings will also be saved for household expenses such as school fees or medical bills.

“The model which World Vision is currently using is called Saving for Transformation (S4T).

“The model received many positive testimonies during the current COVID 19 outbreak, as it supported financial security during a time of difficult restrictions in place across the country.

“World Vision will be working with partners and other stakeholders to implement it during the project.”

The key partners are the Anglican Church of Melanesia and Mothers’ Union, while the stakeholders are Forum Fisheries Association, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, CIP Provincial Government, and People With Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI), and other stakeholders will also contribute to the project’s goal.”

During the Easter weekend, WVSI Staff did a final set up at the Tulagi office and now ready for use.

APTC training gives Monica a job in Australia

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Press Release
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Monica Wale

Gaining an internationally recognised qualification expands employment prospects for Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) graduates seeking employment in international labour markets. 

APTC graduates like Monica Wale from the Solomon Islands see value in pursuing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses as a pathway to gain industry-relevant skills and prepare for the workforce.

Monica credits her training and Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) (CHC33015) qualification from APTC as the catalyst for progressing her career in Australia.

In March 2020, Monica was selected through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme to work for the Mercy Aged Care Facility in Singleton Australia.

Two years into this role, she remains dedicated to her job looking after older persons working in Australia’s Aged Care Sector.

“I was a nurse aid for 19 years in the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands, and aged care nursing is a bit different,” she said.

“APTC’s Individual Support course prepared me for this job in Australia, including how to speak and care for older persons, adapting to a different culture and environment and self-management,” Monica added.

The support Monica receives in her workplace has boosted her confidence to work independently.

She emphasises that having respect for and protecting the dignity of older persons and making them a part of the wider community, is important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The staff at Mercy Aged Care Facility are fantastic. They love to help and see people grow professionally and personally.

“It can be challenging working in a foreign country but I appreciate the support from the staff who continue to motivate and inspire me.

“We enjoy our work as aged care nurses even through difficult times like the COVID- 19 situation.” 

Despite the personal challenges she has gone through, Monica commends the PALM scheme for the opportunity to work in Australia and support her family back home.

She misses her family and is grateful for platforms like Facebook that keep her connected.

“It was challenging to hear that my beloved mum died when I was in Australia.

“I also lost my dad while I was studying in Fiji.

“I can’t forget the moment.

“Another challenge was missing my eldest son’s wedding.

“However, Facebook brings me closer to my family each time despite these sad moments in my life. I felt comfort this way,” she said.

She encourages women and youth to enroll in TVET courses for improved employment prospects in the Solomon Islands and to seek international labour mobility opportunities.

Monica joined three Solomon Islanders at Mercy Services.

The organisation provides community and in-home support to older persons, persons with disabilities, people affected by drug and alcohol abuse, the socially disadvantaged and families across various parts of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Lower Hunter region of NSW. – Source: APTC

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