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SolAir starts fortnightly Sydney trip

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Solomon Airlines airbus

Solomon Airlines will commence fortnightly passenger flights from Honiara to Sydney, with the airline’s Airbus A320 then continuing on to Brisbane.

The Sydney services will initially operate during November and December only, flying Honiara-Sydney-Brisbane on November 19, December 3 and 17.

Flight IE710 will depart Honiara at 2.25pm and arriving in Sydney at 7pm. Flight IE710 will then continue on to Brisbane departing Sydney an hour later at 8pm, and arriving in Brisbane at

8.30pm.

The flights to Sydney are possible following the relaxation of border entry requirements by the

Australian and New South Wales Governments.

Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent

residents may now return to Australia via Sydney, without quarantine requirements.

“We are very appreciative of the fast work and co-operation of the Australian Department of Foreign

Affairs and Trade to help make these passenger flights possible, as soon Australia’s entry conditions

Changed,” said Brett Gebers CEO of Solomon Airlines.

“It’s wonderful news for travellers, especially people who have been waiting patiently for a very long

time, to reunite with family and friends in Sydney and other parts of New South Wales.”

To be eligible to travel on Honiara-Sydney service, passengers must be an Australian national, hold a

permanent resident visa, or immediate family of Australian nationals.

They must be fully vaccinated

at least seven days prior to travel, with an approved vaccination and able to show a Proof of Vaccination

certificate, or have an immediate international connection within eight hours.

They will also need to

meet any New South Wales requirements for pre-departure testing.

Children under 12 years of age and medically exempt passengers may also travel on the flights

providing they are Australian nationals or permanent residents and if medically exempt, hold valid

proof of medical exemption for vaccination.

Passengers wanting to travel from Honiara to Brisbane as their final destination, can also travel on

the flight via Sydney, subject to inbound passenger limits allowed by Australian Government.

On arrival in Sydney, Brisbane-bound passengers will be required to clear security and reboard the

aircraft for the Sydney-Brisbane sector.

International flight connections in Sydney are also possible to the following destinations:

• Los Angeles – with Qantas Airways

• Hong Kong – with Cathay Pacific

• Narita, Japan – with ANA All Nippon Airways

–SOLAIR PRESS

CEMA projects progressing

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PM and CEMA board and Management.

The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) revitalisation and recapitalisation implementation government project continues to make headway regardless of the COVID 19 impacts weighing-down on National programs.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was updated yesterday by the CEMA Board and Management of the work completed in the past few months.

These include:

  • Review and completion of the Assessment Report with costing of repairs and maintenance of three buying centres in Malu’u/Auki in Malaita, Pakera/Kirakira in Makira Ulawa, Noro/Gizo in Western Province and Honiara warehouses and storage facilities.   
  • Conducted third site visits and valuations of the proposed Noro land allocation for CEMA by the Western Provincial Government. Also met with the WPG Executive regarding transfer of the FTE title, discussions on the proposed Joint Venture Agreement between CEMA and WPIC. The Land Valuer and Engineers also did preliminary assessment and presented concept plan for establishment of the warehouses, storage facilities and refinery mill;
  • The Central Islands Provincial Government Premier signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the CEMA Board and Management for the Tulagi land for refinery and Hakama land for livestock processing facility setup. Construction work on these sites will resume as soon as FTE titles are transferred.

Further, the CEMA Cabinet Sub Committee and CEMA Board and Management submitted the CEMA revitalisation budget of SBD$12.05m for 2022 Development through the Ministries of Commerce, Agriculture and Infrastructure Development. The CEMA budget allocations for the Ministries are; Commerce SBD$4m, Agriculture SBD$2.05m and Infrastructure Development SDB$6m. However, the Ministries of Commerce and Infrastructure confirmed their inclusion of the CEMA budget into their 2022 Development Budgets except for the Ministry Agriculture.

The Ministry of Commerce recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the CEMA and other Private Sector exporters and logistics to implement the Ministry’s price subsidy program for rural farmers.

As with work in Progress, the Prime Minister was informed, that site visits and assessments continue for Gojuru, Lata, Choiseul Bay, Tulagi and Manekalaku Buying Centres to determine repair cost. 

Repairs and maintenance of Honiara Warehouses and site clearance on the Noro land continues.

Challenges include, land allocations in the Provincial Centres to establish CEMA operations will be a huge setback towards reopening the former buying centres and refinery in the Provinces. This is now currently being addressed through meetings convened with the PS Lands and Commissioner to assist in dealing with the identified land at the Provincial Headquarters and possible transfer of the FTE titles before the year ends.

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare responded briefly by commending everyone behind CEMA’s achievement so far.  

“We’ve seen a lot achieved, you are our heroes,” said the Prime Minister.

He said, the revitalisation of CEMA is among the government’s best decision.

Prime Minister Sogavare said, refining of our natural resources has been a dream of successive governments. Value adding of coconut, cocoa and other products is an important agenda of the government of the day.

The government will ensure the industry is protected and looked after.

Guadalcanal leaders reject concept bills

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

LEADERS of Guadalcanal Province have rejected the proposed four concept bills affecting their land, condemn and issue seven demands for the National Government to consider.

This was agreed in the Guadalcanal Leaders’ Forum held at Maranatha Hall (Tandai Ward), on Wednesday 29, September 2021.

According to the resolutions, the Guadalcanal Leaders out rightly reject the following documents;

  1. Guadalcanal Affairs Bill 2021
  2. Guadalcanal Customary Land Bill 2021
  3. Guadalcanal Customary Land Commission Bill 2021
  4. Guadalcanal Customary Land Trust Board 2021.

Further to that, the Leaders condemn the National Government for secretly attempting to deprive us of  protection of our rights and properties pertaining to ownership of customary land enshrined in the constitution without prior consultation.

In addition, they demanded the government to

  1. discontinue and abandon any further attempts to use Guadalcanal Province as a “sample or scapegoat’ for its land reform program.
  2.  formally apologise to the Provincial Government and people of Guadalcanal for the disrespect and disregard of the sensitiveness and sacredness of customary land issues on the Island.
  • establish a process that would facilitate the return of all alienated land on Guadalcanal including Honiara Land to descendants of original land owners and tribes by September 2022.
  • continue and complete the process of granting greater autonomy to the provinces of Guadalcanal and Malaita as stipulated in the Townsville Peace Agreement 2000. Further take necessary action to introduce the Federal System of Government by August 2026.
  • that the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Report be tabled in Parliament and implemented.
  • review and amend the Mamara Tasivarongo Mavo Development Act 1995, in particular;
  • repealing Section 14 and making provision, inter alia, to include the Town  and Country Planning (Amendment) Act (Cap154) applies to all development activity in the Development area.
  • Guadalcanal Province takes the position that Clause 12 of the Agreement  signed between SIG and the Developer in relation to the imposition of  property rates over the Mamara-Tasivarongo-Mavo Development area does not prevent the Province of Guadalcanal from levying property rates.
  • Amend the composition of the Mamara Tasivarongo Mavo Board to represent the local community and Guadalcanal Province in relation to the sharing of rents due and payable to the Commissioner of lands, so as to distribute the rents in a more equitable manner for the benefit of the Guadalcanal Province and resource owners, including the customary owners of the sea fronts.
  • establish and appoint a Special Committee to pursue and take meaningful steps on the above resolutions.

SOLOMON POWER OFFICIALLY OPENS NEW TULAGI OFFICE

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Solomon Power has opened its new Office at Tulagi, Central Islands Province.

 The office was officially opened on the 5th of November 2021 by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, David K.C. Quan O.B.E and the Premier of Central Province, Stanley Manetiva.

This is a milestone for Solomon Power and the opening is a very important event.

 The new office is a single-story building and will house the administrative office, cashier, and customer services.

Solomon Power’s Board of Directors and Executive Management were in attendance at Tulagi to witness the event.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of Directors, David K.C Quan O.B.E said “this is a very important and momentous occasion for Tulagi and also for Solomon Power that as you all know has a very aggressive Capital Works programme that includes all the upgrades to all offices, staff houses network extensions and power stations.

 “So, this is part and parcel of that very aggressive programme that we continue to roll out throughout the country”.

The Premier of Central Province, Stanley Manetiva in his speech stated that he is honored to be a part if the official opening of the new building and highlighted proposed infrastructure development in Tulagi that will increase power requirements in the provincial capital.

 The Contractor of the Tulagi building was 2CMJ Builders.

 In her speech, Eve Mali, Managing Director of the company said that they were happy that the project has achieved what it set out to do and also requested all Tulagi residents to be proud stewards of the building.

“To our good people of Central Province especially residents of Tulagi the building is an icon and must be a pride for you”, Mrs Mali said.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solomon Power, Donald Kiriau thanked everyone who were involved in one way or another in making this project possible and a successful one, and also wished to thank its partners, stakeholders, as well as the national and provincial government for the support and cooperation.

He said, “Despite COVID we are still actively engaged in our communities, opening new offices.

In July we opened the Gizo office and now in November we are opening Tulagi.” This is a facelift for Solomon Power in Tulagi and it sets a trend for all other stations in the provinces as Solomon Power continues with its vision of energizing the nation.

 Solomon Power has been renting an office space since October of 2020. The office will commence serving customers on Monday 8 th November 2021

$385M support for education

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SOLOMON Islands government, Australian Government and New Zealand Government have invested $385 million towards Education Support Programme.

The investment is managed by Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) for a period of four years beginning last year 2020.

ESSP has three components and four expected programme outcomes.

The components include direct budget support for the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development to deliver annual work programs and activities aligned with the National Education Action Plan, technical advisory support to enable capacity development and skills and grant to non-government organisations (NGOs) to strengthen early childhood care, education and community support for children’s learning.

Expect program are; improvement in basic education participation and completion rates, improvement in learning outcomes for children in basic education (particularly literacy and numeracy), improvement in learning outcomes for disadvantaged children in basic education and improved education sector management by Education Authorities, Schools and MEHRD, in support of improved teaching and learning.

A program management team has been established to support the program management, coordination and delivery of the capacity development supports and NGO grants.

And, a Governance Committee for the program has been established with representative from MEHRD and relevant Solomon Islands Government ministries alongside representatives from Australia and New Zealand.

Gizo based reporters briefed with ESSP branding

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo-based media personnel with ESSP Monitorig and Evaluation Coordinator Moses Tongare, second from left

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO based reporters have been briefed on the Education Sector Support Programme (ESSP) branding.

The briefing was carried out by ESSP Communications Coordinator Priestley Habru and ESSP Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Moses Tongare.

Habru said the workshop was to inform reporters on required structure of writing when covering ESSP programs and activities.

He said journalists play an important role in promoting the education sector but fall short on knowledge to standardise news reporting.

“ESSP is a project funded by Solomon Islands Government, Australian Government and New Zealand Government. It is important to note that the project has standard policy when comes to news writing. For example, there are standardize templates for reporters for reporters to use when reporting on ESSP programs and activities, there are different templates for social media and also there policy on consent policy when comes to photography of children below 18 years old,” Priestley said.

He said the media briefing is part of series of workshop his team facilitates for media organisations, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Habru said his team has completed similar workshop in Malaita province last month and is looking toward organizing another training for Honiara based reporters.

Senior Reporter from Solomon Star Gizo Bureau, Terence Ziru said the workshop was an eye opener reporters.

“We acknowledge this workshop base on the fact that branding is a new thing to us and most times reporter made mistakes due to simple oversight.

“This workshop is very important and I must acknowledge ESSP for seeing fit to roll this workshop,” he said

The workshop was made possible through support from ESSP – a partnership between Solomon Islands government with the Government of Australia and New Zealand to support the country’s education sector.

COURT PAY CLAIM NOW WITH LCC

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

Leadership body to meet this week

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Leadership Code Commission (LCC) will meet this week to look through a complaint filed by Solomon Security Services (SSS) against officials of the High Court.

SSS claimed certain court officials have requested and illegally received payments worth around $83,300 from them.

Those reportedly benefitted include Jeff Hou, Registrar Myonnie Tutua and and a Sherriff officer, Moses Inomae.

Hou was the person who facilitated the payments between Solomon Security Services and the High court officers.

Chairman of LCC, Solomon Kalu confirmed receiving the complaint from SSS.

Kalu said he cannot make any comments at this time until the Commission meets to discuss the complaint.

He stated some of the allegations are corruption related which police can investigate.

According to records produced by economist George Kosui, who investigated the issue, Inomae allegedly received a total of $65,500 in his name.

The Registrar was accused of receiving a total of $15,000 while Jeff Hou, , allegedly got $5,000.

Kosui said Solomon Security Services has been requested by these officers to pay them fees whenever they discuss issues relating to SSS’s court case.

“Although the payments are small, which might be the reason for losing the case, the actions by these officers are deemed corrupt, unethical and have contributed to compromising the independence of the Judiciary system of Solomon Islands,” Kosui said.

“Payments to High Court Officers totaling $83,000 have been recorded,” he added.

The three Commissioners who will go through the complaint are Kalu, Waita Ben Tabusasi and Henry Isa.

MINER’S CLOUDY PAY-OUT

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Former Mines Director Nicholas Biliki. PHOTO: SIBC

Former mines chief says payment is for his boat

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FORMER Director of Mines, Nicholas Biliki says $160,000 gold miners Win Win Mining Investment Ltd paid to him was for his new boat.

Win Win, a Chinese company, accused Biliki of receiving the payment after he exposed them in September of attempting to smuggle 1.7 kilograms of gold worth $700,000 out of the country in 2019.

“This is a payment for my boat,” Biliki told the Island Sun yesterday after recipients of the payments were posted on social media.

“I have an agreement for Win Win to pay my new boat,” he added.

Biliki said the company is trying to twist the story after he exposed their illegal dealings.

“If you look at the receipts, they are for my new boat.

“I have the hard evidence and photos of our meeting,” he said.

However, one of the local directors of Win Win, Charles Meke said there is no agreement.

“He lied to us.

“He borrowed from us,” Meke claimed.

According to SIBC, the Solomon Islands Customs intercepted and confiscated the gold samples at the Henderson International Airport.

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

One of the local directors of Win Win, Charles Meke has confirmed that the incident happened.

“We used to send mineral samples abroad for analyses. And after the incident happened, we are now using the Ministry’s lab for examination.”

Asked why they keep sending samples abroad instead of using the Ministry’s Geochemical lab, he said the company was not aware of the lab.

The samples were returned to the miners, and later allegedly stolen by robbers wearing Police Uniforms who raided the Win Win Mining premises in late 2020.

Biliki earlier said the smuggling officer has never been prosecuted under the country’s laws.

The leaked documents as well as Meke confirmed the gold has been returned to Win-win mining.

Following the confiscation, the two samples were analyzed at the Ministry of Mines Geochemical Laboratory which turned out to be 1.7Kg pure gold.

The leaked analysis documents dated January 6, 2020, revealed two samples were analyzed weighing up to 836.39g and 873.69grams respectively. 

The samples contained around 97and 98% of pure gold.

Furthermore, Biliki said following continuous serious breaches of the Mines and Minerals Act, by the company, the Mines and Mineral Board proposed to suspend or cancel the operation in early 2020.

But this never happens.

“This is a very serious offense to commit under the Mines and Minerals Act and other relevant SIG legislations.

“Win Win must prepare to face the consequences if further actions are taken. This incident has tarnished the confidence SIG has in this project and those who manage it.”

The explanation provided here clearly reveals the intent the company has to defraud the Government system, Biliki stated in his recommendation letter last year as a Director.

The Board prepared a ‘Show Cause Notice’ to cancel the operation.

However, he said, political pressure and involvement on the issue, has been a major setback to pursue canceling their Mining Lease during his time.

The leaked documents revealed, a ‘Show Cause Notice’ has been issued by the Mines and Mineral Board outlining many serious breaches by Win Win Mining.

“The Notice never reached the miners, instead, it was left to collect dust at the Attorney General’s Office, for the whole of last year”, Mr. Biliki said.

He said, after waiting for a year, his office took an initiative to revisit the ‘Show Cause Notice’, but from top-level political pressure, the notice again never reached the miners.

“Instead of submitting the notice to the company, my office was directed from the top to only give a chance for the miners, with an understanding they have to improve on their failures and allow them to continue with the operations. I am not happy with this decision.”

Meanwhile, a response from Win Win Mining in a leaked document dated April 23, 2021, confirmed it will comply with the decision by the government as their gold samples have returned.

 “The samples retained by Customs had since been returned to us after almost 1 year of custody.

“The returned samples are intended for resending but were unfortunately stolen during the Camp robbery of 9th December 2020.”

Police reports claimed late last year, December 9, 2020, a group of men entered the Win-Win Gold Mining Company premises in Central Guadalcanal and removed two gold bars each weighing 3 kilograms and 1.7 kilograms respectively.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau confirmed three of the 11 suspects have been arrested, now on bail awaiting court.

Biliki has now been removed as Director of mines under conditions that he has reached his retirement age as of last month.

Public urged to take their jab

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Thelma measuring the mils before carrying out an injection. PHOTO BEN BILUA

By EDDIE OSIFELO

A local consultant physician at the National Referral Hospital has encouraged people in Honiara to take their vaccinations to prevent them from COVID-19.

Dr Jones Ghabu stated this when speaking to community leaders of Honiara at Mendana Hotel on Monday.

National Health Promotion Department in Ministry of Health and Medical Service, UNICEF and Solomon Islands Chambers of Commerce and Industries have organized the awareness talk to the leaders to allow them to inform their people of the need to get the vaccination before the Government opens the border.

Ghabu, who spent most of his medical years in Papua New Guinea, encouraged everyone to get vaccinated and not believe in conspiracy theories and religion.

He does not want to see the prevailing covid-19 outbreak in PNG experienced in Solomon Islands because it will have a lot of detrimental impact in the country.

“People go to social media to spread false information about the vaccine which make people to question the doctors.

“We should know that it is business where people paid scientists to talk against the vaccine,” he said.

However, Ghabu said he strongly believes that the vaccine is good to prevent humans from getting the COVID-19.

One community leader said people fear the vaccine after one person was reported dead after getting his injection.

Ghabu said there is still no evidence to prove the injection killed any patient.

He said the vaccine brings out underlying sickness.

“Most died because they have underlying sickness,” he added.

One community leader expressed his appreciation to Ghabu for explaining the science behind the vaccine.

He invited Ghabu to come and talk to his community because the chiefs are not qualified to do that in order to convince the people.

Ghabu said his team are more than willing to visit the communities to spread the awareness of the vaccine to the people.

He said it is also agreed that doctors at NRH will visit homes to carry out the vaccination to the people.

IMF: economy to grow by 0.4%

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE country’s economy is projected to grow by 0.4 per cent this year despite the negative impacts of COVID-19.

That’s according to Jarkko Turunen of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during a media conference in Honiara yesterday.

Turunen said the projected growth will come at the back of the contraction seen in the economy last year.

“The economy has been hit hard by the pandemic,” Turunen said.

“But following the contraction in 2020, real GDP growth is projected to improve by relaxation of COVID-19 related restrictions and construction activities,” he added.

Turunen stated fiscal deficit is expected to expand this year from 2.4 percent of GDP in 2020.

On foreign reserves, he said as of end-October 2021 the foreign reserves remained robust at about 11.5 months of prospective imports (US$708 million),reflecting inflows from development partners, subdued imports, and the new allocation of IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).

“Inflation has been muted but is expected to increase.

“Labour market conditions have deteriorated, and the pandemic is likely to have disrupted progress in poverty reduction and human development.”

He stressed the risks to the outlook are twisted to the downside, with the main danger being community transmission of COVID-19, given low vaccination rates and weaknesses in health infrastructure.

“Delays to border reopening pose a key risk to the economic recovery.

“Vulnerabilities are exacerbated by a weaker fiscal position, owing largely to the impact of the pandemic on revenues and expenditures.

“Solomon Islands remains vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters,” Turunen said.

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