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Village students act to restore food security

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Solomon Yeo, left and Rodrick Rolland with British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.

By CHARLES KADAMANA

Students and surrounding communities at Kolokoda primary school in Isabel province are taking action to restore food security now under threat due to climate change.

As part of the action, they are currently constructing a permanent nursery that will provide an opportunity to bring together young students, youths and the community to enhance their knowledge and understanding of climate change and food security.

The project is implemented by two members of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting for Climate change Solomon Yeo and Rodrick Rollands supported by Pacific Islands Forum.

In an interview with this paper prior to implementing the project, Mr Rollands said climate change remains to be one of the single greatest threats to people’s livelihood, security, wellbeing and still, are growing crises that requires urgent commitment and action.

He said the project stems out from the challenges experienced by the people of this community and of course throughout the Solomon Islands.

He said the existing environmental challenges experienced by the community have gradually increased and at present is already an imminent threat to food security for women, children, men and most importantly to the older women and men and the disable ones.

He said currently the situation of the people living at Kolokoda school and the surrounding communities, has been growing, to be very difficult to access better yields and root crops for consumption daily.

“These people rely heavily on the land, plants and streams for their livelihoods, but with the burden of climate change, especially the irregular weather patterns and the human influences and activities to the environment it has been a major contributing factor to the current difficulties experienced by the people especially with food security,” he said.

He said this is where the construction of permanent nursery to provide high yield root crops for the community is important.

He said through such project it will provide an opportunity to bring together young students, youths and the community to enhance their knowledge and understanding on climate change and food security, and how important it is to adapt to this environmental crisis and the changing environment.

He said the important of the project built at the Kolokoda Primary School is to allow the young students to start engaging in promoting food security and enhancing their capacity to grasp the knowledge, understanding and the value that food can be grown around their homes with proper techniques and methods.

“More importantly that these young students and children, starts to develop their attitude of ownership over their environment and see the value and important to take care of their own environment, which in the future they too can experience a better environment and access to food availability than the one we are experiencing now, in a more sustainable way.     

“With the outcome of this project, we expect to achieve or see, a resilient community of students with people having access to availability to different varieties of food crops that can be easily planted in the nursery and as well as around their homes.

“Furthermore, young students are well informed on the changing environment, its causes and ways to adapt in terms of the food security, and more importantly for students and children, to have the knowledge and capacity to provide for their own livelihood in a much sustainable way.

“We ought to carry out education and awareness to the young students at Kolokoda Primary school and at the same time provide a physical and tangible alternative to the school,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Yeo the campaign director recently represented the youth-lead organization at the COP26 in Glasgow.

Renbel premier rejects calls to resign

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Premier of Rennell-Bellona province Willie Tuhagega has rebutted calls for him to step down.

An elder in ward-three, West Rennell, Jonathan Tohuika had made this call, citing serious allegations of corruption, abuse of office and of funds meant for the province’s coffers.

Two members of Rennell-Bellona’s public accounts committee [PAC] tell Island Sun the allegations are well-known within the province’s political circle, and by the savvy of Renbel’s public.

The deputy premier [MPA for ward-seven] has defended his boss, saying the allegations are “just rumours cooked to taint the reputation of the premier”.

Three other members of provincial assembly have been willing to respond to Island Sun enquiries, provided their identities are kept confidential, citing cultural reasons.

One, who is a member of Premier Tuha’s executive, said: “Tohuika’s allegations which are based on the PAC’s findings are true, however, the others are just allegations.”

The other two, members of the non-executive, say they are aware of the allegations since it is talked about openly within their circle [among MPAs themselves].

In August this year, Renbel’s PAC published a Report revealing “issues of concern” going on in the provincial government and its admin.

These include:

  • High use of temporary imprests – PAC believes is a tactic to hide misuse of funds in budget;
  • Budgeting Inactive Head and Sub-Heads – funds allocated are utilised without any physical proof;
  • Unretired Imprests;
  • Account Payable – huge number of payments made to ghost suppliers;
  • Payment Procedures – spending of provincial funds done by unauthorised officers and paid to the wrong people;
  • Payment Vouchers without Supporting Documents – unauthorised payments raised obligating the province to unwanted financial or performance commitment, financial reporting misstatements, funds division and personal gains;
  •  Account Receivables – Revenue collected outside the province’s Financial Protocols, contradicting the Provincial Financial Management Ordinance;
  • Revenue Collection Strategy – outstanding revenue collected by unauthorised officers without knowledge of the Executive;
  • Revenue Policies and Procedures – province lacks of revenue policies and procedures;
  • Investors License Fee – most mining/logging investors didn’t pay their licence fee, some made incomplete payments but continue to carry out operations in Rennell;
  • Dual Cash Book – one records revenues collected and deposited to the RBP Bank Account while the other Cash Book is used to record Revenues collected outside the revenue collection protocols.

Following PAC’s report publication, Tohuika launched his call on Premier Tuha to step down.

Additional to some of PAC’s findings, Tohuika lists a few allegations claiming Tuha had been collecting licences, fees and other payments meant for the provincial coffers and using them for his own personal gain.

In his letter to the media, dated September 9 this year, Tohuika said the huge number of allegations against premier Tuha does not speak well of that office thus he must resign.

Premier Tuha, speaking to Island Sun last month, refuted all of Tohuika’s allegations, and demands that he provides evidence for them.

Secretary to the Renbel PAC [name witheld], tells Island Sun that Tohuika’s allegations hold a degree of truth.

He says during the course of the PAC investigations, persons working in the provincial admin as well as MPAs, both in government and non-executive, have corroborated concerns which relate to Tohuika’s allegations.

He backs revelations by the two non-executive MPAs that Tohuika’s allegations of Premier Tuha being involved in abuse and misuse of funds are well-known topics of conversation in Renbel’s political circle.

An auditor of the OAG, speaking to Island Sun on condition of anonymity, says their investigations and findings in previous Renbel governments and current, point to malpractice that is common in Renbel province.

“Renbel province officers or politicians collect revenue and use them for whatever means, then record them as imprests.

“Most, if not all, of these revenues do not get to be deposited into the province’s bank account and used properly or in the proper channel, and remain unaccounted for.

“First come, first serve is observed to be the common practice.”

Island Sun understands that the OAG are auditing the Renbel province.

Allegations and Premier Tuha’s responses:

Listed below are Tohukia’s allegations, each followed by Premier Tuha’s response.

Tohuika: Direct involvement of Premier Willie Tuhagenga in many controversial development activities in the province

Premier Tuha: I have never involved in any controversial development activities in the province. Tohuika needs to specify which activities.

Tohuika: Bintan Mining Company operation in West Rennell, as more holes and stock filings are still in West Rennell to date which also had left the land owners in limbo and total hopeless. Yet Premier Willie Tuha was reported facilitating this same failed company in the name of “Nickel Enterprises Solomon Islands Ltd”

Premier Tuha: Bintang Mining Company (BMC/BMSI) is the company that was terminated by the Mineral Board along with APID few months ago. BMC directors register a company with a new investor from Singapore, the Nickel Enterprise Solomon Islands Ltd (NESI) and they applied for the mining licence previously held by APID.  I fully understand these connections and I need wisdom to deal with matters far wider than what Jonathan Tohuika knows. It is not simple as he thinks. I see those holes and stock piles every day and what is Tohuika going to do with them? I am not ignorant about all these.

My question to you Jonathan is, who is going to pay for these holes and stock piles? If you think you know anyone willing to will pay now then I will agree with you.

We also have other outstanding landowners’ royalties, Community Development Agreement Funds, West Rennell lease, access and jetty agreements and other benefits under CDA. Tell me Tohuika, who is going to help the landowners?

I am a landowner myself and I have some outstanding rentals that someone has to pay. My first task is to negotiate with NESI because this is the company that the mineral board will screen next and they have given the assurances that they will manage these outstanding accounts.

Any other company will not be liable for these outstanding payments. This will be one of the conditions for NESI to enter new negotiations and new agreements and new benefits. This is the wish of many landowners in West Rennell who have signed their support for NESI.

We have learned our lesson and we hold the same view as our MP and I quote; “we don’t want to stop mining, we want a better mining operation, better benefits to contribute to our development”, end quote. We now have the opportunity to review all mining activities then make a decision.

Landowners still hold the power to change the whole scenario. Our executive will advise and facilitates better negotiations and agreements for the landowners.  

There are no hidden agendas, all these issues are discussed in our executive meetings and we are all clear on this.

Tohuika: Tuha was very instrumental in approving and making arrangement for many other investors returning to West Rennell including; Gulf Three, New World, Solomon Resources

Premier Tuha: There is only one company that is operating in West Rennell that we approved last year which is Solomon Resources Ltd and one this year which is New World which came in about four months ago. There is no left to right. We budgeted for two companies and follow that through. Jonathan please if you don’t know these things then it’s safe to come and discuss with me.

Tohuika: Province was operating two separate cashbooks. Premier Willie further confirmed that one book was recording the payments that was collected on hard cash, outside of the system, while the other account was recording those payment that was procedurally paid to the province. His lame reason was this is the normal practice in Renbel Province

Premier Tuha: There are NO two separate accounts. PAC should know better than that. There is only one operating account at BSP. What I explained is that the province under the former Premiers operate two cash books.

The second cash book records the small portion of cash paid by the companies. All cash received are receipted and expended on our operation as mandated. All processes are followed. 

I advise PAC that the current system will continue temporarily until we get our finance team settled in our new office. With the current leadership of our new PS Acting Aubrey Saueha, all cash collected are deposited and I am happy about this.

Right now we still don’t have a fully functional accounting system. Most of our team work outside of our office at Tigoa HQ putting things together ready for our new set up. In few months’ time we will have our administration and financial processes in place when our team no longer need to take our work outside of the office. This issue is now resolved.     

Tohuika: Premier Tuha misused the internal revenues of $100,000 to keep his executive members, before the motion of no confidence, especially the member for ward-7 who was reported receiving the highest offer of $40,000

Premier Tuha: The 100k my staff administer these funds and have been accounted for. The 40k, I have no knowledge of this. I deny paying any money to MPA of Ward 7.

[MPA for Ward-7 (Deputy Premier) has denied this claim to Island Sun].

Tohuika: $150,000 was collected direct from the Gulf Tree in November 2020, as part of the business license till now, no one knows as how that money was used

Premier Tuha: This fund was administered by my staff and have been accounted for. All provincial funds are accounted for and are used according to our plans. As the Premier of the province, I have a discretionary fund passed in our budget that I expend using my best judgement and according to financial regulations.

These funds are used in the best interest of the Office of the Premier, support to urgent ward needs through their MPAs, community activities, welfare of the Premier and many more. This fund is under my discretion and Jonathan you have no part in this and you don’t question my mandated authority.

Tohuika: 2019/20, the province was collecting a total of $4.9m, in its internal revenues, while in 2020/21, the Province was recorded collecting a total of $4.4m. The very disturbing part was that of this total $9.3m, only $250,000 was recorded pay through the provincial account while the rest was paid cash outside of the system. In other word, $9,050,000 was paid outside of the provincial account

Premier Tuha: These figures are false and we know Tohuika is trying to gain points. I have no knowledge of the 250k. The figures stated by Tohuika are incorrect and I have no idea where he got his figures from. These figures include SIG grants, PCDF Project funds and very little internal revenue actually collected. Our revised budget was only $5m include all funding, where did we collect $4.4m in cash? I cannot reconcile your figures. These figures are incorrect, may be from the time of the former Premiers.

Tohuika: The fishing arrangement made by Premier Willie Tuha in the name of the Provincial Executive has put the province further down in its effort to progress and advance into the future. Inside source confirmed that this Premier had approved a mother fishing company from China to harvest the marine resource in Renbel particularly in the indispensable reef. Prior to the approval, report confirmed that the Premier and his cronies had collected the sum of $300,000 hard cash, as part payment of the provincial business licence

Premier Tuha: I have no knowledge of this payment and there was no such payment received. Jonathan Tohuika must provide evidences to prove his claim.

Tohuika: Construction of the road from Tegano to Hutuna, in the lake was also involving some payments which was reported shared among by the premier and his executive member for ward-one

Premier Tuha: This is another false claim, we know the province is yet to be compensated for the work we did. I confirm that nobody was paid for this work. Check with MID to confirm. Jonathan must provide evidence to proof his claim.

The provincial government spent quite a big amount to complete the road to Hutuna and MID promised to deliver a new vehicle to the province and we are still following up.

Finally we passed our assessment twice since we came in. These allegations are the opposite.

SolAir starts fortnightly Sydney trip

Written by
Press Release
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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

Written by
Press Release
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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

Written by
Press Release
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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.

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