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PM highlights importance of unity

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo supplied.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare spoke strongly of the need to maintain national unity no matter whatever we do as a nation.

The Prime Minister made the reminder during the celebration of the Western Province’s Second Appointed Day in Gizo this week.

Prime Minister Sogavare emphasized the importance of caring for each other as one nation and one people.

“The challenge that we are grappling with as a nation is to ensure that whatever we do, we do not undermine our National Unity and that our collective responsibility to look after each other as one nation and one people is maintained”, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said.

PM Sogavare further added that together as one nation and one people is a commitment that we have declared to the world through our national anthem.

“This is a commitment we expressed to the world through our National Anthem. We reminded ourselves with these words: “Our Solomon Islands, Our Solomon Islands, Our Nation Solomon Islands Stands Forevermore”, the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare strongly emphasized.

The Prime Minister thanked the Western Province’s past and present leaders’ for their humility and leadership in putting up with the unfairness over the years and remain resolute in ensuring that as a country we remain one nation.

 PM Sogavare further highlighted that with the prevalent view for state government system, that should not take away the notion of one nation.

He pointed out that he is hopeful that the new state government system will still build a united country even though, resource wise, other provinces are more ready than few others.

 “I would like to be optimistic that the new state government system will strengthen our solidarity and unity, and stronger states will translate into a stronger country. Some provinces are more ready than others to become states but since all provinces are calling for this state system, it is becoming very difficult not to take heed of these calls,” Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stressed.

PM Sogavare reiterated his personal trust in God that through Him as a nation we can navigate through the new journey that we intend to partake in.

“I pray that as we move forward we do not lose sight of what hold us together as a family of Solomon Islanders. I put my faith and trust in our Father in Heaven to be the guiding light of wisdom as we move forward together on this new journey,” the Prime Minister stated.

—OPMC

Bishop Seka retires

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Bishop Seka lying down the pastoral staff on the alter

THE Right Rev Ben Seka, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Solomons (DOCS) in the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) officially laid down the diocesan Pastoral staff that was handed to him when he was consecrated Bishop of the diocese on February 20, 2011.

The laying down of the pastoral staff on the altar of the Diocesan Cathedral symbolises the act of relinquishing the authority vested upon him as the Diocesan Bishop of Central Solomons.

During the laying down of the Pastoral staff, the Retired Bishop said; “In compliance with the requirements of the Laws of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, I do hereby relinquish the authority vested upon me as the Diocesan Bishop of Central Solomons, by laying the Pastoral staff of this diocese on the Altar of this Diocesan Cathedral.”

Seka is the second Bishop of the diocese succeeding the late Bishop Charles Koete.

He served as Bishop of DOCS for 11 years. He was the Principal of Bishop Patteson Theological College (BPTC), Kohimarama when he was elected Bishop.

Procession to the Alter

Archbishop of ACOM, the Most Rev Leonard Dawea in his acknowledgment speech after the ceremony, thanked Bishop Seka for his enormous contributions to the ACOM as a Priest and Bishop.

“Seka participated in various provincial decision-making bodies of the Church including the General Synod, Executive Council, Council of Bishops (CoB), Diocesan and Provincial electoral boards. Given his heavy involvement in these important decision-making bodies, it is not hard to see the extent of Bp. Seka’s influence in the life of the ACoM over the last 11 years.” Dawea said.

Retired Bishop Seka also thanked the ACOM and all members of the church for the support rendered to him and his family during his term as an active Priest and Bishop of the ACOM.

Archbishop Leonard, retired Bishop Seka and clergy after the service

“To my diocesan staff who have been with me in the past and those who have just came into the diocese; we have shared, worshipped and celebrated together in the past 11 years. I thank you for your unceasing love and support in one way or the other. It’s time for me to move so that another Bishop will come and continue the work that God has chosen him to carry on.”

He also thanked the Member of Parliament for Ngella Constituency, Bartholomew Parapolo; the Premier, Stanley Manetiva and the Central Islands Provincial Government, other sister churches, business houses and stakeholders in Central Islands Province for the excellent working relationship, and the support rendered to the Diocese of Central Solomons during his eleven years as bishop of the diocese.

“Without your support, DOCS will not be able to achieve some of the achievements we have seen in the diocese.”

Newly commissioned Bishop Seka building

Representatives from the various parishes, districts, ministerial groups, institutions and family members have all echoed the same sentiment of acknowledgement to the retired Bishop for his fine achievements in the diocese and the whole church.

The newly completed and commissioned Bishop Seka Building that will house the diocesan head office with huge conference rooms both upstairs and ground floor, with kitchens and other amenities is one major achievement of Bishop Seka before retiring.

The Archbishop calls on the whole church to pray for Bishop Seka and his family as they take on a well-deserved retirement.

Bishop Seka will be succeeded by Rev. Stephen Koete (Bishop-Elect) who will be consecrated bishop on 27 February 2022. The Archbishop will be the supervising bishop of the diocese during this period of transition.

–ACOM PRESS

Govt announces commitment to state government system.

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Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has used the occasion of the Second Appointed Day of Western Province to reaffirm government’s commitment to ensure that the much sought-after state government system will be implemented.

The Prime Minister reminded the people of Western Province that self- autonomy was not new and that it was brought up during the time country gained independence in 1978.

“Self- Autonomy is a theme that the people of Western District as it was then known, which includes Western and Choiseul Islands are familiar with. We do not celebrate when our country attained political independence from Great Britain in July 1978 when the other islands did,” PM Sogavare stated.

“Why? Because leading to and right from the word go, we asked the right questions. Will the system of Government, we adopt at independence work for us? Will it fairly acknowledge the contribution of our different island groups which eventually became Provinces in the distribution of the national wealth of the new independent nation? Will it provide the incentive for people to work hard?” the Prime Minister continued.

PM Sogavare pointed out that these are the questions that have continued to haunt us as a country.

He added that the simple answer to these questions is that the system of government we have adopted at the independence cannot accommodate those questions.

The Prime Minister pointed out that he understands the feeling and argument of the people that the current provincial government system does not reward provincial productivity.

“Did the Provincial Government system as a form of government give us the autonomy that is conducive to hard work and entrepreneurship? Our people think otherwise and rightly so…because there is a perception that there is no guarantee under the centralized budgetary system to reward provincial productivity. I can also understand the frustrations of our people in that regard too,” Sogavare stated.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that the answer to peoples’ frustrations is the State Government System, further adding government will not consider any other forms of self-autonomy but it will stand on the recommendation by Eminent Persons Group for the Federal System.

PM Sogavare pointed out that the draft Federal Constitution takes more than 10 years and over $100 million of budgetary provisions to develop. 

The Prime Minister made a strong assurance that government is committed to introducing the Federal System of Government as recommended by the Imminent Persons Group.

PM Sogavare also used the occasion to dispel the rumour that government is being influenced to brush aside the issue of State Government System.

“Contrary to any thinking that the Government may have succumbed to the dictates of some foreign influences to shelve the State Government system, I want to assure you…that the DCGA is fully committed to introducing the Federal System of Government recommended by the Imminent Persons Group,” the Prime Minister stressed.

Western Province’s Second Appointed Day celebration was delayed by a week, and the Prime Minister was invited as the chief guest.

—OPMC

Suidani queries presence of foreign military vessel

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Australian Patrol boat outside Auki this week. PHOTO: Celsus Irokwato Talifilu

MALAITA Premier Daniel Suidani says his province have no need of any foreign forces.

He highlighted this yesterday after observing foreign military style vessel appearing at least three times within waters off the Auki Harbor.

“On three occasions the public of Auki and the surrounding communities of Malaita have been observing and wondering what the foreign military vessel have been doing in the waters off Auki,” Suidani said in a statement.

“Whoever is behind these rather threatening appearances should at least informed the people and the government of Malaita what their intentions are,” he added.

“This is because Malaita has always been peaceful and thus there is no need for any foreign military vessels to patrol our jurisdictional waters.

“If this is a case of power posturing then whoever is doing it is basically out of touch with the reality of Malaita province.”

Suidani reinforces autonomy survey pledge

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier-Daniel-Suidani-meets-members-of-his-executive-upon-his-arrival-at-Auki-wharf.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

ON Monday, Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani again reinforced his government’s plan to carry out a survey seeking an autonomous government for his province.

In a public address at Auki main market, he said his government is steadfast on the proposal and are working on required necessities for the survey.

He said this is his second public address on the matter and shows his government is grim to take onboard this long-standing issue to get people’s view on it.

Suidani clarified that the survey will be carried out and people to voluntarily engage in the survey will be trained before embarking on the survey.

He said his government has proposed a training for the surveyors on 29th December 2021 to prepare them for the survey to begin on 5th January 2022.

Suidani said the survey team will conduct the survey on a village-to-village approach and discuss with people the questions on the survey form.

He said the survey questions will not merely centre on the autonomy itself, but on development and other pressing issues the province is faced with.

Suidani said after collecting data from the survey his government will then look at it to charter the way forward on this autonomy for the province.

He also explained that the province’s current pursue for self-autonomy doesn’t mean independence thereafter.

Suidani said this is the beginning of the road towards whether the province is going to adopt federal system of government or independence.

This paper also understands that the Premier of Western province, Christian Burley Mesepitu also called on the national government to fast track the federal system of government.

Premier Mesepitu made the call during Western Province Second Appointed held at Gizo provincial capital on Tuesday this week.

Tourism to introduce “green lane” for tourists

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister for Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Tourism and Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are planning to introduce a ‘green lane’ for international tourists and tourism investors before the reopening of the border.

Tourism Minister Bartholomew Parapolo confirmed this during the Sine Die motion in Parliament last week.

Parapolo said this exercise is important for his ministry in 2022 as it will allow much needed revenue inflows for tourism businesses and the government.

He said the ‘green lane’ entry concept will also ensure to facilitate and secure investment interests and overseas investors who are keen to establish tourism operation before the border reopen.

Parapolo confirmed other countries in the world have used this ‘green lane’ where a world system has data input of those people who get their vaccination against covid-19.

In Philippines, it was reported that arriving passengers who can avail of “green lanes” no longer need to observe a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, so long as they are fully vaccinated and test negative for the coronavirus.

Kologeto updates on gov’t redirection policy projects

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Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

Minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Frederick Kologeto has updated some of the government’s project under the re-direction policy.

These include the Kirakira Cocoa Oil factory supposed to be completed this year, construction of Bonale pineapple factory this year and the Malu’u Fishery project.

Speaking during the Sine Die motion in Parliament, Kologeto said the delay of the Kirakira cocoa oil factory was due to re design.

He said the building should happen in 2022 and comes under the budget of the Government.

Furthermore, Kologeto stressed that the Bonale Pineapple project belongs to the government and not to the Provincial government.

He said the good news is the US SCALE project has told the Ministry to take on board the project, so it will progress next year.

Furthermore, Kologeto said the Ministry has also funded the Malu’u fishery project.

“We have renovated it and completed it,” he added.

According to the Government, the policy redirection aims to support the economy in response to negative impacts of COVID-19 while maintaining a continued long-term focus on developing Solomon Islands into an economically strong and vibrant nation and advance the livelihood of our people.

This will be achieved by investing heavily on the primary industries and downstream processing.

This includes providing price and support subsidies to the main agricultural export crops such as copra and cocoa, promote kava export and embark  on  a  national  expansion  program  for  noni production.

“Some of these development initiatives will require partnership with the private sector hence, the government is formalizing the public private partnership (PPP) approach as one of the many approaches that DCGA will utilize to implement its policy redirection”, Sogavare told parliament recently.

300 + utilize local holiday packages

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Eddie Osifelo
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Tourism Solomon

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 373 passengers have utlised the ‘Iumi Tugeda Holiday Packages’ program introduced by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in March this year.

This is in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Services and the Ministry of Communication & Aviation, in close consultation with Tourism Solomons and Solomon Airline.

Government has injected about $1.34 million to Solomon Airlines during the course of the bubble, which the Airlines used to create new tourism operations in the country.

Most of the passengers who travelled to the domestic resorts and accommodations in the provinces were public servants.

Minister Barthomew Parapolo said in October, there were 14 public servants who utilized the package under the new holiday entitlement.

He said 38 people have used the package to travel domestically.

“We are hoping to increase the number of public servants to use the package in November and December,” he said.

“We hope to see positive increase in 2022,” he said.

Parapolo said despite many challenges, his ministry looks forward to 2022 which is demonstrated in the preparation of their workplan and budget in 2022.

He said MCT hopes to have its budget approved so they can continue implementation of the programme in the DCGA re-direction policy, to get results.

The ‘Iumi Tugeda Holiday Packages’ forms a critical component of the MCT/Tourism Solomons ‘Five Point Strategy’ launched mid-2020 aimed at boosting the country’s domestic tourism numbers.

Court condemns recent rioting

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Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Felix Hollision says the recent looting and rioting in Honiara must be condemned as it causes fear to members of the public, business owners and investors.

Hollision said the ransacking, looting and burning of shops started from the 24th November 2021 right through to the 26th November 2021.

This case reflects a sad situation where very young people including juveniles defied the curfew regulations as ordered by the Governor-General which became effective from the 26th of November 2021 up to the 10th of December 2021.

He also said the fact that very young people were involved along with adult defendants who were found together at Ranadi, shows that they do not have any respect for the rule of law and they had taken advantage of the situation thinking that they would not be arrested.

“I take cognizance of the fact that innocent foreign investors from countries such as Australia and China, Papua New Guinea which is home to Bank South Pacific (BSP), local Solomon Islanders of Chinese origin, and some indigenous people were heartlessly and unfairly targeted.

“I also take judicial notice of the three locals who have tragically lost their lives during the riots between the 24 and 26th November 2021 in Honiara, although at the moment, it is not clear how the trio got into the scorched building in the first place and whether or not they were part of the looters and hooligans”, Hollision said.

Hollision therefore stressed that people should not take advantage of any given situation to commit crimes and the rule of law must always prevail. That is to say that there is no lawful excuse or justification for the unlawful events that we have seen during the recent deadly riots.

Juveniles fined $500 fines for breaching lockdown order

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Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THREE male juveniles guilty of breaching the riot related lockdown last month have been fined $500 each.

 Each were found guilty of one count of Restriction of Movement of Persons in Honiara: contrary to Regulation 5(1), (2) (a) and (b); and 9(1) of the Preservation of Public Security Regulations 2021 and section 3 of the Preservation of Public Security Act [Cap 27] and 21(a) of the Penal Code [Cap 26] were sentenced to a fine of $500.

The juveniles were charged together with 17 other adult males in relation to an incident that occurred on November 26th 2021, at around 7pm, Police arrested a group of people at the Bishop brothers, Ranadi area, in which the three juveniles were part of the group.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollision in sentencing the accused said regulations were made for the preservation of public safety in Honiara aimed at curbing the riots, burning and looting of shops and other private businesses.

The riots and looting between the 24th and 26th of November had resulted in the scorching of more than 50 buildings and destruction of business houses.

“The total loss in which I take judicial notice of is the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) report which stated that the minimum loss is more than SBD 200,000,000 (200 million).

“Many business people which include foreigners, Solomon Islanders who are of Asian origin and indigenous people were rendered homeless because of these senseless and inhuman actions. Lives were sadly lost.

“Thus, disobeying the lockdown or curfew regulations following last three week’s riot should be treated as more serious than the usual lock downs or curfews”, Hollision said.

On November 25 2021, large groups of people started forming in east Honiara. They were then involved in the looting and burning of buildings including the Bank of South Pacific (BSP) Ranadi branch which was set on fire. The level of destruction increased throughout the day. Members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (the Police) struggled to control the groups of people.

On 26th November 2021, the Governor General declared a curfew on the basis that it was necessary for the preservation of public security to do so, under section 3 of the Preservation of Public Security Act [Cap 27].

The curfew was in force and run between the hours of 7:00pm and 6:00am.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Stanley Taedi of the Public Solicitor’s office represents the three juveniles.

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