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NO MORE POLITICAL GAMES

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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The office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

Political parties warned to comply with PPIA

BY JARED KOLI

POLITICAL parties eyeing to contest for future national elections have been warned to comply with the Political Party Integrity Act (PPIA) 2014 or face prosecution.

Registrar of the Political Parties Commission Jasper Highwood Anisi issued this stern warning as United Party (UP) and Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) are facing possible criminal charges for breaching Section 59 and Section 65 of the Act.

This is because the two parties have breached these sections of the PPIA after failing to produce financial statements and audit reports following the National By-election of Central Honiara in November 18, 2020.

“The commission wants to warn political parties that will be contesting future elections that this is one of the important aspects of compliance with the Act,” Mr Anisi said in a recent interview with Island Sun. 

He said the commission is serious with the PPIA and wants to see the audit reports of parties contesting in the National General Elections.

“If political parties are non-compliance with the Act, we will prosecute them, we will take them to court because the provisions have been set there,” Mr Anisi said.

The commission is finalising evidences and will shortly advise the Director of Public Prosecution and National Criminal Investigation Department to lay formal charges on UP and SIPFP who have breached the Act.

However, the two political parties are bracing to defend themselves.

UP Secretary Abraham Namokari told Island Sun that they will be filing a defence to clear possible charges that will be laid against the party in regard to breaching Sections of the Act.

“The executive will meet and look at the defence in regard to the Sections of the Act. It depends on the Act and how we interpret it, so we will consider all of our grounds of defence and proceed on with it once the commission take it to court,” UP Secretary Abraham Namokari said.

President of SIPFP Joyce Konofilia said she will reserve her comment and will consult with UP before issuing any statement on this.

However, she said they have their own reasons why they did not submit their financial statements.

According to Section 59 (1) of the Act: “A political party shall, within 90 days after the close of the polling in an election, lodge with the Commission in the prescribed form a financial statement of donations received, including their sources, and election expenses.”

Subsection (2) said: “For the purpose of subsection (1), the financial statement of the political party must also include the donations received, their sources and election expense by the political party for each candidate.”

Section 65 states: “A political party that contravenes section 59 (financial statement of income and election expenses), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $15,000 penalty units.”

However, Mr Anisi said in the event the two parties pleaded guilty in court, they are liable to pay a fine. A none payment of the fine imposed by the court will see the two parties deregistered. 

“On the basis that they did not pay the fine, we will deregister them – this is an administration penalty where we penalise them,” Mr Anisi said.

He said the decision of the commission can only be challenged in court through Judicial review, if parties were not happy with the decision of the commission.

“The decision of the commission can be appeal against in the court, the commission made the decision based on the section 59 of the Act that is why we will proceed on it,” he further explained.

Mr Anisi said the Commission have the discretion to give a grace period, and the power to extend it but they have exhausted all channels so they have to follow what the Political Party Integrity Act (PPIA) stated as per section 59 to proceed on with the case of the two parties.

Meanwhile, on June 29 Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner, Mrs Jane Waetara has urged candidates contesting South Choiseul National By-Election on May 19, 2021 to submit their Election Campaign expenditures accounts before 15th of September 2021. 

Mrs Waetara said that this is to comply with Section 125 of the Solomon Islands Electoral Act (SIEA) 2018.

Island Sun has booked an interview with Mrs Waetara for this week to get the current status of individual or independent candidates that have contested the past national elections and have failed to submit their Election Campaign expenditures as required by the SIEA 2018.

According to Section 125 of the SIEA, a candidate whose election campaign expenses exceed $500,000 commits an offence, and a maximum penalty for this is $50,000 or five years imprisonment, or both. 

Both the PPIA and the SIEA work parallel to each other. However, PPIA is responsible for political parties while SIEA deals with individual contesting candidates.

This means if a candidate is contesting under the banner of a certain political party, the party to which the candidate is affiliated with will be prosecuted by the Political Parties Commission.

However, if the candidate is contesting as an independent candidate, he or she will be prosecuted by the Electoral Office under the SIEA 2018.

Choviri community launch its by-law

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Choviri Taskforce members and community elders

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

CHOVIRI community in Central Honiara yesterday launch its community by-law that legally binding rules to build strong community against crime.

Among the guests witnessing the launching ceremony are Member of Parliament for Central Honiara Alfred Efona and Councillor for Vavae ward Billy Abae.

The by-law governs Choviri community to creating a peaceful community that promote respect, unity and prosperity for both residents and community visitors.

Speaking at the launching event Chair lady for Choviri community Anna Vota said the by-laws were based on Community rules formed by the committee in October 2016.

Cutting of the cake to mark the launch of the community by-law

She said formulating by-law in the community is not an easy task but that does not stop her committee commitment to successfully launched their by-law.

“The aim of our by-law is to create a community that promote respect, unity and prosperity to both residents and visitors of our community,” she said.

Vota said there are 27 rules set out in the by-law that will govern the community.

She advice the community members that there is nothing to fear regarding these by-laws unless they love to see or do wrong behaviours and practices.

She said the by-law is a guide for their community to do what is right and respectful and not to cause problem to another person, or most importantly to protect when they are victimized by another person.

“To my good people of Choviri, children and especially the youths, on behalf of our committee and the community taskforce, we acknowledge your cooperation and the fine contribution rendered to make our launching day a successful one.

“Please continue with the good spirit of working together as has been displayed over the years in our community despite the small challenges we encounter at times,” she said.

Aimela community disassociate themselves from protest

Written by
Samie Waikori
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The protest last week in Auki

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Community members from ward (2) Aimela in the Central Kwara’ae constituency have disassociated themselves from the peaceful protest staged in Auki, Tuesday last week.

They came out to clear themselves following implications that three leaders from wards two, three and four are behind the protest.

Some members from communities in ward two told Sun Auki they knew nothing about the claims made over the protest.

A community member said they have community leaders who should be representing their views when it comes to issues concerning their communities.

“For instance, there was a meeting leading up to the protest and it claimed that leaders in ward two joined other leaders from ward three and four in the meeting.

“We asked our leaders and they didn’t know anything about the meeting.

“It seems their names were used to gain strength for the protest or some unknown people in the communities did that without informing our leaders,” he said.

He said while they accepted peaceful protest, they had no idea of the process leading up to the protest so they were not part of it.

“We are with MARA government and the claims presented in the petition saying ward two leaders are not true and such fabrication will not be tolerated.

“If you want to do something, do it yourself and stop referring to wards as only few might do it on behalf of the communities that weren’t come from the leaders, the man said.

He said they are persuading their MPA for ward (two) to know whether he involved or not in the issue and his stand on it.

PRF needs inclusive governance mechanism: CSO

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Officials of Civil Society Organisation (CSO) present during the Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) say that the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) needs inclusive governance mechanism to achieve its objectives.

Speaking to the media last week, Lavetanalagi Seru of Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) said the Pacific Resilience Facility is an important establishment but the worry is how the implementation of the facility.

“With respect to the Pacific Resilience Facility, we congratulated the Forum on its launch and civil society has reiterated a strong call for effective and also an inclusive governance mechanism.

“And we’ve urged for the full engagement of civil society in all stages of the implementation and also ensure that the Facility is a truly Pacific owned initiative that promotes equitable sharing and caring for each other,” he said.

Seru said the establishment came in the right time not only because of COVID-19 but also the ongoing battle against climate change in Pacific Islands.

He said CSO is pleased with leaders respond on CSO’s document presented during the meeting.

The Pacific Resilience Facility is a center point where funding towards resilience development and also natural disaster support will be kept and distributed.

The initiative has been launched with fund worth US$1.5 billion earlier this year.

SOSA clean up Honiara city

Written by
Press Release
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Selwyn College Old Scholars Association (SOSA) and current students have successfully carried out a three-hour Clean Up Honiara on Saturday as part of their contribution to keeping the Capital City clean and green.

A huge number of SOSA and current students of Selwyn College joined in the campaign that covered most of the Central Business District (CBD) ranging from St Barnabas in the east to Rove in the west, picking rubbish from drains, walkways and the road-sides.

MASI Girls

SOSA members were divided into four groups according to their popular divisions, with Masi and Kirio in the east and Noabu and Tahula in the west side.

The clean-up campaign ended at the SMI Area with meet and greet and a barbeque.

Vice-Chairperson of SOSA Shalom Akao Waita in lauding former and current Selwyn College students underscored the importance of SOSA’s role as responsible citizens of the city.

She said as residents of the city it is their duty to look after Honiara and today’s (Saturday) effort was part of that social obligation to “pick rubbish and put it in the right place”.

This year Selwyn College, which is the premier school of the Anglican Church of Melanesia will also celebrate its 50th Golden Jubilee in September.

TAHULA SOSA

And chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee Robert Iroga said the high turn up demonstrates SOSA and Selwyn College’s readiness to participate in nation building.

He said SOSA has a responsibility to Honiara and one of them is to make sure it is clean as it is good for “our health and the health of the city environment.”

Iroga said given the success of Saturday’s event he’s suggesting if the clean-Honiara campaign can be an annual event on the SOSA calendar.

He said SOSA as one of the leading alumis in the country has a huge responsibility to utilize its massive base and numbers to participate in activities that benefit the entire population.

Former Gela MP. Gordon Mara was part of the clean up campaign

Iroga said SOSA remains active and will continue to grow and participate in developments that benefit the masses of today’s society.

SOSA would like to thank Chengs and the Honiara City Council for their support towards their Clean Honiara Campaign.

SOSA will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Selwyn College in September this year.

SOSA MEDIA

WESTERN LANDHOLDING TRIBE CELEBRATES HISTORIC CUSTOMARY LAND CERTIFICATION

Written by
Press Release
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Minister Avui with Members of the Patubasioto Landholding Tribe with the Certificate of completion

Hundreds of tribal leaders and people of the Patubasioto Customary Land in the Vona Vona Lagoon in the Western Province have celebrated a historic certification of their customary land on Thursday 15 July at Petunia Village.

The long and exhausting land recording process involved months of public awareness, consultations, public hearings, boundary mapping, genealogy tracing and reconciliation between tribal members that finally culminated into the successful recording and certification of the Patubasioto Customary Land.

The certification, which also recorded the tribe’s genealogy is now legally recognised and will be registered in the Customary Lands Record repository at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.

A Patubasioto Tribal Leader at the Ceremony

The Customary Recording programme is one of the major policy programmes of the National Government, which is supported by the UNDP’s Inclusive Governance for Natural Resources Project (IGNRP) in Solomon Islands.

The Western Provincial Government and the Agosimaema House of Chiefs of Vona Vona region are also key partners and supporters of the programme during its roll out phase in the province.

Members of the Patubasioto Customary Land Holding group make a presentation

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey, Hon. Ishmael Avui led a joint Government and UNDP delegation on Thursday 15 July to formally handover the certificate to tribal leaders at a historic ceremony at Petunia village in the presence of hundreds of tribal members.

Minister Avui told the gathering that the purpose of recording land under the Customary Land Records Act derives from the challenges and long history of land administration and management under the Torrens Land Registration System that Solomon Islands adopted since 1978.

Minister Avui handsover the Certificate to Chief John Sasabule

The Torrens system was a system that has led to so many land disputes and most importantly the alienation of customary land from customary landowners.  The Torrens system only makes up for 15 percent of the land mass of Solomon Islands whilst the remaining 85 percent is still customary owned.

Minister Avui said the challenges encountered from accessing and making customary land available for sustainable and responsible development has necessitated the government policy of recording customary land and including landholding groups to become partners in economic development.

Patubasioto tribes men and women at the ceremony

“This necessity is fundamentally derived from the wishes and desires of customary landholding groups to secure their customary land rights but still maintain the status quo of their land.

Avui said Land recording enhances land tenure security of tribes, clans and landholding groups by legally recognising customary rights and interests over customary land while at the same time eliminates ownership and boundary disputes.

A Patubasioto Tribesman Warren Paia at the ceremony

Land Recording, according to the Minister also increases landowner potential and ability to emerge and engage into land markets. Similarly, Land recording also serves the purpose of guaranteeing the rights of the tribe to own, use and manage land peacefully to keep civilization and society going.

“We all accomplished a very important milestone, one which is a major step in the journey of our lives. One that should be recognised for its significance. Coming this far shows commitment but also one that we should all be proud of. We have all worked hard to get to this day and all efforts are much appreciated and acknowledged within our government machinery,” Avui said.

Chief Lands Officer Assad Norris at the ceremony

The Minister added that a Certificate issued under the Customary Land Recording Act is an accomplishment that can open many doors of opportunity for landholding groups.

The Patubasioto Customary Land was one of the project sites for customary land recording under the Customary Land Records Act in the Western Province. The recording process began in mid-June 2020 in partnership with the UNDP under its Inclusive Governance for Natural Resource (IGNR).

The Certificate handover ceremony marks the first successfully recorded customary land in the history of Western Province.

The first ever Certificate of Completion for Customary Land Recording was issued in October 2019 to the Barora Fa, Gaghe and Pizuana customary landholding groups in Kia, Isabel Province.

GCU

Sustaining peace through customary land recording

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Press Release
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Hon. Ismael Mali Avui, Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey hands over the certificate of land recording completion to the Mr John Sasabule, Ago/ Simaema Tribal Chief; Photo credit: UNDP/ Anastasiia Tiurmenko

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Solomon Islands, in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, has supported the customary land recording in selected locations in Western, Guadalcanal, and Malaita provinces. The recording was carried out in accordance with the Customary Land Act, which allowed customary landholding groups to record their primary rights. 

On July 15th, UNDP and Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey representatives handed over the certificates to the customary landholding groups of the Patu Basioto community in Western Province, confirming the recording of their lands in the Repository of the Central Land Records Office. 

Speaking at the opening of the ceremony, Ismael Mali Avui, Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey, on behalf of the Government, expressed his gratitude to UNDP for the continuous support and encouraged customary landholding group members to support the Government in the implementation of land reform programmes, “We are honored to partner with UNDP on the customary land recording, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration to support the people of Solomon Islands.”

The Minister recognized the land recording process as an accelerator for reducing conflict: “Land recording plays a pivotal role in empowering people and building sustainable peace in Solomon Islands’ communities. We are bridging gaps between customary land groups and laying strong foundations for harmonious relations and social cohesion.”

Vardon Hoca, UNDP Project Manager stated that “Addressing land issues is not easy, but it is essential for peacebuilding.”

“The land in Solomon Islands is so closely tied to people’s identity, culture, and traditions. Investing in the land recording is a tool for conflict resolution and social cohesion,” Mr Hoca further continued.

With the Sustainable Development Goals as a guiding thread, UNDP works to promote peace and inclusive societies by supporting and partnering with governments, civil society organizations and people to participate in processes to prevent conflict and sustain peace. 

The customary land recording process is being completed with the support of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey by the Inclusive Governance of Natural Resources (IGNR) Project implemented by UNDP Solomon Islands and UN Women with the financial support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at www.pacific.undp.org or follow us on social at @UNDP_Pacific and @undpsolomon.

–UNDP

More than 12k raised in Band fundraiser in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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DPM is also part of the ROOTS 21 band fundraising to raise fund towards building the prosthetic and orthotic lab at Kilu’ufi hospital in Auki. The band had their last gig last night before leaving for Honiara.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MORE than 12,000 was raised from two hours show hosted by Roots 21 band during their first gig at the old fish market area in Auki last week.

The band scheduled also scheduled two other gigs in Auki their first at the Hotel Malaita Thursday night, the last at the same venue on Friday night before leaving for Honiara.

A member of Friends of Kilu’ufi committee who helped in organizing the fundraiser, Wilson Ne’e thanked the public of Auki during the show yesterday for support towards the fundraising.

He also thanked business houses for their contributions and the Auki Chinese community for donating a sum of $5,000 towards the fundraising.

Ne’e assured the public of Auki that their contributions will go towards a good cause and that is to save lives.  

He said funds raised during these shows will go towards the building of a prosthetic and orthotic lab at the Kilu’ufi hospital.

In statement from Director of the provincial health, Dr Rex Maukera urged the public to support in whatever to build the prosthetic and orthotic lab at Kilu’ufi hospital.

“We believe in the ability of the human spirit to prevail. Help people to walk again with freedom and confidence.

“We believe a person’s abilities always outweigh their disabilities.

“We believe it is our responsibility to ensure the rehabilitation community has the expertise to successfully treat the most complex gait conditions. 

“Help our Kilu’ufi hospital towards this lab by making a difference,” Maukera said.

Mala-Covid vaccine rumour worries authorities

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial Health Authority is following-up on a rumor that some people are going around in the province advocating against the upcoming covid-19 vaccination program for the province.

The provincial health is aware of the rumor and they are ensuring those behind it must be identified and held accountable for their actions.

Team leader of the provincial covid-19 vaccination roll-out program, Rockson Siliota told Sun Auki they are trying their very best to address the rumor as people continue to receive it.

“At this moment we do not know the reasons behind the rumor, whether it be political or whatsoever, but people need to understand that the program is life-saving, as life matters.

“And this is our fear, for if the rumor continues it will affect the roll-out of the vaccination program for the province.

“Thus, our call is for communities across the province not to take heed of any forged information circulating about the vaccination program as it only tries to stop you from this life-saving program,” he said.

Siliota warned that the pandemic had claimed and continues to claim millions of lives around the world and seriously it’s not just a hoax that people must understand.

He stressed that there’s no other way except only through vaccination that will give people a second chance of life in the fight against this pandemic.

And this is the core reason for the campaign.

Siliota stressed that this is a serious matter and those who are spreading the rumor must stop.

He said the provincial health through its health promotion team will soon reach out in an awareness program to communities in the province to iron-out doubts on the vaccination program.

Siliota also said during the awareness program; the team will provide detailed information on the program and it will be an opportunity for people to learn.

He said the team will be working together with responsible community stakeholders to mitigate the rumor and carry out the awareness program ahead of the vaccination roll-out for the province.

Initiative to support rural farmers in times of Covid-19

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Festers Dalei and community members with their bags of harvested products

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

North West Guadalcanal Development Association (NWGD) has introduced a new initiative ‘Bulk Marketing’ for rural farmers to generate income amidst impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the initiative rural farmers will not spend money to travel to the Honiara Central market to sell their produce.

Chair of the association Simon Chottu said under the new initiative the rural farmers will supply the local produce in bulk to the buyers residing in the capital city, Honiara.

He said the impact of Covid-19 has affected the rural farmers from West Guadalcanal to bring their local produce for marketing when the government declared the emergency zone.

On April 18, 2021 Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare declared Poha River in West Guadalcanal and Alligator Creek in East Honiara as emergency zones.

Festers Dalei shows what he earns from his local products

Chottu said in response the association introduced the Bulk Marking to support rural farmers directly sell their produce from home in bulk.

He said the local produce they normally sell in bulk are fresh vegetables and root crops.

These include cassava, pawpaw, banana, chilli, sugarcane, tomatoes, pineapple, vegetables, dry coconut and yam.

A local farmer and member of the association Festers Dalei said the establishment of the association is timely adding it has helped a lot of local farmers with hope and opportunity to sell their local produce to generate income and sustain their livelihood during this time of uncertainty.

“All we need during this pandemic is money and the formation of this association has answered our struggle to meet our daily needs and also support our children to be able to complete their education,” he said

Dalei stressed the association also helped them to sell their noni fruits.

“I am very happy to see income from my garden shade especially the selling of noni fruit. I have a big noni tree inside my garden that I use for shade during humidity while working in my garden and now I am very happy and thank our Lord for the blessing,” he said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare when he visited the establishment of the association praised them for developing their resources for economic self-reliance.

He described the Association as a classic example of a great initiative that engages people in agriculture activities that contribute to positive economic development and financial self-reliance.

The NWGDA was established this year when the Government announced its Economic Stimulus Package initiative as a way to properly organise local farmers who are willing to enhance their economic activities.

The Association is inclusive of Copra, Cocoa, Noni, Root Crops, Poultry, Fisheries, Youth events, Programs, Training, Tourism and Networking.

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