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Only 4 Mala MPAs retire 20k

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA provincial members are called to submit their retirement of $20,000 budget spent during the 38th Malaita Second Appointed Day.

This year Malaita provincial government have allocated $660,000 budget to celebrate the second appointed day across the 33 Wards.

Out of the 33 provincial members only four have submitted the retirement of $20,000 budget.

According to information gathered from the Malaita Provincial Government its almost two months and majority of them are yet to submit their retirement of the $20,000.

So far only four MPAs have retired how they utilize their budget allocation. They are Timeas Waledala MPA for Ward 1, Felix Bosokuru MPA for Ward 29, Benjamin Baetalua MPA for Ward 2 and Glen Waneta MPA for Ward 8.

This means 29 MPAs are yet to retire their allocation and MPG calls on them to do as soon as possible. Failure to retire their fund will result in non-issuing of ward grants to them.

The next provincial ward grant is expecting to be released later this month and only wards that retired their 20k will receive their grant.

The budget was agreed to by the executive of MARA since the $100,000 budget passed by assembly for celebration this year was not enough to mark the provincial day in ward level.

AJ Mall conducts preparatory training ahead of grand opening

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The participants of the AJ Enterprise Ltd one week training.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 77 people representing Janitors, Gardeners and Security of the multi-million-dollar AJ City Building at Lunga, East Honiara have successfully completed their one-week training on Friday.

The training aimed to equip them ahead of the grand opening of the classic building proposed for 18th October 2021.

Absolute Company Limited organized the training program in collaboration with Triple Brothers Security Firm.

A female participant received her certificate.

The AJ Enterprise Limited funded the training program.

CEO of AJ Enterprises Limited, Ellen Inahia Maruarofa said they have achieved the aim of the workshop and urged to put what learned into practice.

Director AJ Enterprise Ltd, Aron Dawen ZHENG encouraged everyone to work together to make the place safe and clean so that the people can enjoy.

AJ Enterprise Ltd CEO, Ellen Maruarofa hands over the certificate to one of the security officers.

One of the participants, Nerolyn Tuita, who works as a gardener, said the training has really helped her because she learned new things.

She thanked AJ Company for initiated the workshop for them.

AJ Enterprise Ltd officials, Gwen, Milford and Ellen after the closing of the workshop on Friday.

The aim of the workshop was to prepare and equip the Gardeners, Janitors and Security Guards of AJ City Mall to perform their roles as expected.

The objectives are for them to:

Be informed of AJ Enterprise Limited business vision, mission, its business activities and working relationship with its partners.

  1. Know their roles as Gardeners, Janitors and Security Guards.
  2. Identify the bad behaviours and practices at work place.
  3. Know their way in and around the AJ City Building.
  4. Learn of AJ City Mall basic building rules and policies.

It was also for them to:

  1. learn how to use the escalator and lifter;
  2. learn about the basic work place communication skills;
  3. engage in preparedness sessions on emergency responses during earthquake, fire and self-awareness on racism, assistance to customers, handling & hazards.
  4. Learn about the AJ City Mall Building Emergency Plan.
  5. Learn how to use appropriate equipment at workplace.

Furthermore, for them to:

  1. Learn about health & safety rules at workplace.
  2. Learn basic knowledge and skills on larceny and its elements.
  3. Learn the importance of appropriate dressing and grooming to workplace.
  4. Learn basic awareness on COVID 19 responses at work place.
  5. Learn about the importance of efficiency & effectiveness at workplace.
  6. Learn about Team Work and why it is important.

Other facilitators of the workshop were National Disaster Management Office and Royal Solomon Islands Police.

Triple Brothers Security Firm members

6% NPF GIFT

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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SINPF Building in Honiara

Members get increased interest credit rating

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MEMBERS of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) were gifted with a crediting rate of 6 percent for the financial year ending 30 June 2021.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the declaration at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.

Witnessed by SINPF Board, Governor of Central Bank, Dr Luke Forau, Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mckinnie Dentana, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chairperson of SINPF subsidiary companies and media.

Sogavare saida  total interest of $168,612,861 will be credited to your accounts as from 30 September 2021.

He said a total of $90,964,922 has been paid into the Fund’s reserve.

Sogavare said this year’s Members’ rate is higher than the 3.7% paid out to member in 2020.

“It shows that our Fund has been investing and managing our funds well despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“I am also happy to inform this August gathering that the full $168,612,861 is paid from the Funds operational performance in the past year, as compared to last year’s members rate where the Board had to use parts of the reserve to meet the payment,” he said.

In relation to the ‘Members Special Death Benefit’, Sogavare said the Board has decided to keep the rate at $7,500 noting that this was only increased to this new level last year.

Sogavare said as you all know that the past 15 months to 30 June 2021 had been a challenging time for the global economy including our own in Solomon Islands, and the SIPNF had not been spared the negative impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite these challenges I have been advised that the Fund has a rewarding year with gross incomes expected to settle just over $400 million for the year.

“After adjusting for direct investment costs, impairment costs, and operational costs, the Board is confident that up to $340 million will be available for crediting,” he said.

Sogavare said in considering the crediting rate award Board is extremely conscious current economic volatility driven by the ongoing impacts of the global pandemic.

He said the Board is also guided by my government’s continued efforts to manage the pandemic for a successful outcome to a new normal.

“In this regard, I am reassured that the Board has set aside adequate reserves based on its due diligence of current and future volatilities that may arise from ongoing economic downturns resulting from the pandemic, market movements, and movements in individual assets of the Fund’s investments portfolio,” he said.

Furthermore, Sogavare said the Fund is an important player in the government’s securities market investing in the government treasury bills and long dated development bonds.

“During the year, the Fund purchased a total of $240 million long term development bonds providing funds for my government to invest in necessary infrastructure and to support my government’s economic stimulus package to keep our economy going.

“My government recognises the vital role that the Fund plays in our financial sector.

“In that regard it is vitally important my government continue to ensure the Fund is well managed and protected,” he said.

Sogavare would also like to announce that in due course his government will bring to Parliament the new SINPF bill.

“I am also encouraged that positive movements in the Fund’s investments portfolio have contributed to the government’s improved sovereign risk rating – which is one of the key criteria in the independent fair value valuations of the Fund’s unlisted equities,” he said.

In addition, Sogavare use this opportunity to encourage all staff, and members of the SINPF to go for your vaccination as soon as possible.

“In order for us to reopen our borders, we must vaccinate up to 90% of the total eligible population in our country of 414,327 people which is 372,895 people.

“If all members of the SNPF were to be vaccinated, we will be able to reach our vaccination target much quicker and reopen our borders much earlier,” he said.

NPF grosses $400m in profit

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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General Manager for SINPF Mr Mike Wate

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has achieved a very strong above budget income for the year with an expected unaudited gross income of just over $400 million.

This is based on the Fund’s financial performance and key activities undertaken during the financial year ending 30 June 2021.

The outcome is based on an unaudited number, as their 2021 audit is still in progress.

General Manager, Mike Wate highlighted this during the declaration of the crediting rate for NPF members at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.

Wate said the strong drivers to this strong positive outcome are from the following:

  1. Our offshore equity investments through managed funds Vanguard and UBS Australia share Fund in USA, Europe and Australia;
  2. Cash dividends from South Pacific Oil Limited, Solomon Telekom Company Limited and Bank of South Pacific;
  3. Interest from our subsidiary companies Heritage Park Hotel, Soltuna Ltd, Solomon Telekom Company Limited and Solomon Housing Limited;
  4. Interest from our long-dated Government development bonds;
  5. Commencement of rental for the recently completed refurbished Anthony Saru building, and
  6. Improved fair values of our key unlisted domestic equities South Pacific Oil Limited and Solomon Telekom Ltd.

Wate said as a result of their strong financial performance against their budgets during the year, potential business growth and with the government’s improved sovereign risk rating by rating agency Moddys, SPO recovered its declined 2020 fair value prices with STCL extending further its values.

He said Soltuna Ltd business prospects improved with the Government signing the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) with European Union in May 2020.

“Under the IEPA Soltuna has secured a derogation to secure fish from other fishing jurisdictions when inadequate fish are caught in our waters in October 2020.

“This has greatly improved the cannery’s throughput and productivity and financial performance as fish supply consistency is assured,” he said.

Wate said their investments that relied on international travel and tourism did not achieve their potential as the domestic market is limited and hence are performing below their pre-covid 19 levels.

These include the Heritage Park Ltd, Loloata Island Resort Ltd and Hibiscus Executive Apartments.

“Our other unlisted equity exposures Solomon Housing Ltd and Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company Ltd fair values declined during the year,” he said.

Wate said Solomon Islands premium resort Tavanipupu island resort was leased to Private Islands Investments Limited for a 5-year lease whilst discussions are ongoing for the sale of the Fund’s shipyard to Sasape International Shipyard Limited.

He said direct investment cost of $19.9 million declined in 2021 from 2020 amount of $26.2 million during the year as the refurbishment of the 2 major buildings were completed during the year.

Wate said operational costs declined to $48.6 million in 2021 down from 2020 amount of $53.1 million as the Board deals with the uncertainties of the pandemic by cutting back on certain expenditures.

“With the adoption of new standards for additional investment classes, the Board has set aside more than $5.3 million for potential impairment losses up from $3.1 million in 2020.

“Adjusting for direct investment costs, impairment cost, and operations cost the Board will have around $300 million to consider to distribute for members crediting,” he said.

Kira Kira Police probe death of student, 14

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Kirakira station, in Makira/Ulawa Province

Kira Kira Police crime investigators are investigating the sudden death of a 14-year-old Standard-5 student of FM Campbell School in Kira Kira, the Provincial Capital of Makira Ulawa Province.

Acting Provincial Police Commander, Jerry Muaki says the student, Joseph Karani of Star Harbour in East Makira was found dead in a bedroom he shared with another teenage relative soon after he and other students watched a soccer game around 6’oclck in the evening of September 23, 2021.

He says reports his crime investigators had been given so far claim Joseph Karani had a wound on the back of his neck and a piece of cloth stuck on his mouth.

Mr Muaki says young Karani’s death happened so fast because he was found dead soon after he left his friends with whom they had been watching the soccer game together.

Meanwhile, some standard five classmates had claimed young Joseph Karani had appeared to be a lonely student with whom they had shared soft drinks and food because they had felt sorry for him.

Mr Muaki says his crime investigators have also been trying to confirm whether or not young Karani had been subjected to bullying by other students at school and relatives at home as one major reason for taking his own life.

He says as crime investigators dig deeper in their investigations to ascertain the cause of young Karani’s death, they are yet to question the last people who had seen him alive that early evening of September 23, 2021 to help them with their investigations.

And Mr Muaki says Police has yet to conclude the cause of Karani’s death whose body was taken to Star Harbour for burial in his village last weekend.

By George Atkin

Kira Kira

Call to respect elderly women

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau has again reminded males to respect elderly women.

He was speaking at his weekly media conference yesterday.

This came after a 26-year-old man was arrested and charged for an alleged indecent assault on his 70-year-old grandmother on 21 September 2021.

The incident occurred on Big Gela, Central Province.

He said according to his officers at Tulagi, the elderly went to the beach for convenient purposes early in the morning on 19 August 2021 when she was allegedly attacked by the accused.

Mangau said communities must remind their people not to involve in such activities and report such issues or crimes when it occurs.

He said the accused is facing an indecent assault charge contrary to section 141 of the Penal Code.

He was released on bail to appear before the Tulagi Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

15,000 people so far vaccinated on Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

AS of Wednesday this week, a total of 15,613 people have taken their vaccine since the roll-out of covid-19 vaccination program in Malaita province.

An achievement for the provincial health however, the sad thing was the figure only represents 17 percent of the target population of 89,666 for the province.

Person in-charge of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital, Malaita province, Nixon Olofisau told Sun Auki yesterday.

He said since the launch of the program on 23rd August in Auki, provincial roll-out has begun early September for central and northern regions of the province.

And as of yesterday, the 28 days vaccination roll-out for the two regions had completed and will review for the next roll-out.

Olofisau said now the focus is on southern and eastern regions of the province and they’re into the second week of their community vaccination roll-out.

He said reasons for delaying roll-out for the two regions were due to shortage of logistic and to learn from the roll-out in the first two regions.

Olofisau said so far positive report continued to be received from southern and eastern regions as vaccination teams are on the ground.

He added data collected as off Wednesday this week on the overall vaccination roll-out for the province as follows;

RegionsTarget PopulationVaccinated PopulationPercentage
Central Region38556607516%
Northern Region22417470521%
Southern Region (Vacn Cont)11657201817%
Eastern Region (Vacn Cont)15243154410%
MOI1793127171%
Malaita Province896661561317%

He said the vaccination rate was well below the expected trend and provincial health is working tirelessly on putting in inputs into the program to pick up the rate.

Olofisau said the main reason for the dull coverage so far was due to hesitancy and opposition to the vaccine and it still remain at large among people in the province.

He said even though a lot of break-through has been made, the provincial health is concern about addressing the challenges to make sure people in the province gets vaccinated.

Solomon Water supports vax drive

Written by
Press Release
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One of the country’s state-owned enterprises, Solomon Water, has chipped in to support the national vaccination campaign.

It is giving a three-month discount period for customers who are vaccinated.

In support of Government and the Chamber of Commerce initiatives to get many more people vaccinated, Solomon Water has announced a five percent discount on all domestic water and waste water account payments beginning from October 1 until December 31 this year, Solomon Water said in a media statement yesterday.

All postpaid and cashwater customers who received their first Covid shot or are fully vaccinated are eligible for the discount if they show their vaccination card when they pay their bills at any Solomon Water cashier outlets or electronically (electronic payers are to present their vaccination cards subsequently to Solomon Water’s Customer Care team). Customers are advised that the discount is one time only and applies to those who have had one or two vaccinations.

The 5% discount is in addition to other smaller prizes such as branded drinking bottles, bags, umbrellas, pens and USB drives that Solomon Water is contributing to the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign.

The campaign is to encourage and drive vaccination amongst all Solomon islanders as Solomon Islands continues its fight against COVID-19.

The “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign will reward anyone who received their first jab or has been fully vaccinated with prizes to be drawn in coming months.

CEO Ian Gooden says Solomon Water is happy to support SICCI and government in this important campaign to protect Solomon Islanders against the coronavirus.

“We are participating in this campaign by donating some small prizes, but more importantly we are offering all customers who come to pay their water accounts a 5% discount if they show their vaccination card. 

“Solomon Water has over 14,000 customers and this campaign is to encourage customers to get vaccinated and also to reward them by saving themselves some money.”

–SOLOMON WATER PRESS

Gov’t and Malaita to work on SCALE

Written by
Press Release
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The national government and the Malaita provincial government have expressed their commitment to work together on the USAID SCALE Project.

This was following a series of meetings held between the National Government, the Malaita Provincial Government (MPG), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other stakeholders.

The series of meetings included a stakeholder dialogue on the SCALE programme jointly hosted by the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) and USAID and followed by a courtesy call on the Executive members of the Malaita provincial government.

The stakeholder dialogue on the SCALE programme discussed progress in rollout of the SCALE Programme as well as governance and coordination arrangements to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the programme.

The National Government delegation also took the opportunity to pay a courtesy call to Hon. Glen Waneta.

Hon. Glen Waneta thanked the Government Delegation for the courtesy call and the debriefing after the SCALE Project meeting.

He acknowledged this as one of the first meetings between the National Government and Malaita Provincial Government on the USAID SCALE project.

He added that the SCALE project if successfully carried out in Malaita, could be a model project in other provinces.

Further, Deputy Secretary for the MNPDC, Travis Ziku conveyed his appreciation to the MPG executive for the opportunity to dialogue and encouraged MPG to work together with the National Government and other stakeholders, for the successful implementation of the SCALE Project.

He stated that a Draft Implementing Agreement, which the Government is working on with the USAID, is being worked on and will be finalized for Cabinet Approval.

The team also took the opportunity to highlight the Solomon Islands Aid Management and Development Cooperation Policy and the Partnership Framework for Effective Development Cooperation.

The Aid Management and Development Cooperation Policy provides guidance on how donors and development partners should engage with government in ensuring effective aid delivery in line with the Paris Principles of Aid Effectiveness and other relevant international and regional frameworks for effective development cooperation.

National Consultant in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Bernard Bataánisia, also expressed gratitude to the MPG executive the meeting and added that the SCALE meeting in Auki presented a Golden Opportunity for the National Government, MPG and all stakeholders to work together to maximize opportunities provided under the USAID SCALE Project.

Bata’anisia added that effective collaboration amongst all stakeholders is of paramount importance.

Glen Waneta and Peter Taraumae expressed their appreciation to the Government Delegation for the briefing and clarifications made in the meeting, on the funding process, and alignment with Government policies, which will set the course and direction for further follow up meetings and engagements between National Government and Malaita Provincial Government.

The Government delegation comprised of Senior Government Officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination and the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.

–OPMC PRESS

Manita farmers taking cocoa as a business

Written by
Press Release
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Cocoa beens dried in a solar dryer

Cocoa farmers in Manita, Makira Ulawa Province, are taking their cocoa production to new heights and treating it as a business and not only an income generating activity for daily needs and wants.

The farmers established a saving group of up to 17 members and included saving as the main part of their production.

Their change of mindset to see saving as the main business part of their productions paid off as from the end of year 2020 to the third quarter of this year their Saving Producer Group (SPG) recorded up to $50,000 in their saving.

Previously, from 2019 they saved up to $173,000 which they did a share out at the end of 2020.

This whole understanding comes after the introduction of Market Linkage Phase II (MLP11) Project of World Vision Solomon Islands to the community in 2019.

The project engaged them on training which included Saving for Transformation Model (S4T) of World Vision, business trainings using Resilience, Inclusive and Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) model that help them to understand the levels they are performing in their daily businesses activities.

The project also assisted them with facilities like solar dryer, fermenting boxes, Shed Storage facilities and other technical assistance that help them boost their productions.

SPG on its part as an established group within Manita Catchment is responsible to buying cocoa wet beans from the members of the community and processed them using the facilities.

This in a way creating small scale self-employment to people in the community.

Testimonies shared to the project included the project has boosted their income generating activities through the cocoa production as a key economic activity in this community.

The S4T model has also been very supportive to them especially because it is assisting them to pay for their children’s school fees.

“With the help and support from World Vision, we manage to build our own Office space. The office space is mainly for administrating SPG activities and accommodate any staff or especially World Vision staff who are going to do work in the Manita, with the SPG with the support from the Honorable, we manage to buy one vehicle.

The main purpose of this vehicle is for transporting of cocoa and to reach out for our cocoa famers and other community engagements,” SPG members said.  

The SPG is currently helping 5 SPG member in building their permanent houses. This will be continuing until all members and the communities’ members have their own permanent building.

Meanwhile, S4T is a saving model that encourages community members to establish saving clubs where they can save money.

While saving, the members can also access small loans from their savings where then can be repaid with small interests.

They also have different pass books for different areas like Saving Producer Groups Funds that including Sustainability Fund, Operation Funds and Profit funds and also Sector Funds which including social, church funds, youth and women funds.

The pass books can help them access money from them when the need arise from these different areas.

Annually the Saving groups can do share out to their group members.

Supported by Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), MLP 11 Project is touching the lives of up to 400 people in Manita Community.

–WVSI PRESS

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