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Temotu vows to remain a province of Solomon Islands

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Premier Clay Forau in Lata

The Premier of Temotu Province, Clay Forau has vowed that his Province will always remain part of the Solomon Islands as one nation.

Premier Forau made the assurance in the presence of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during celebrations to mark Temotu Province’s 38th Second Appointed Day in Lata last week.

He said the position of the people of Temotu Province in regards to a united Solomon Islands is clearly depicted on their Provincial Flag, which was flown during the celebration.

The Premier said the design of the National Flag embedded to the Provincial Flag symbolised Unity amongst the Province and Country as a whole.

“With 17 Wards, this flag is a symbol of our unity, not only as a Province but as member, as a province, as an agent and as a stake holder in the development of Solomon Islands.

“We will never be a separate nation according to the flag. We will always be part of Solomon Islands,” he said.

Forau also reminded fellow Temotuans that the flag points to Unity to remain part of Solomon Islands as long as the flag remains.

Meanwhile in his address a Guest of Honour during the celebrations, Prime Minister Sogavare highly acknowledged the assurance made by Premier Forau.

Sogavare also assured the Premier, Temotu Provincial Government and the people of Temotu Province of the National Government’s support and commitment towards the development aspirations of their province and all Provinces in the country.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Ming meets students over scholarships

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Ambassador Ming meeting some of the candidates for the Chinese 2021/2022 Scholarship.

CHINESE ambassador Li Ming last week met with the candidate students from Solomon Islands who participated in the interview of PRC Government Scholarship for academic year 2021/2022.

Ambassador Ming welcomed the students to apply for the PRC Government Scholarship.

“China and Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations in September 2019 and opened a new chapter of cooperation between our two countries,” he said.

“China and Solomon Islands highly complement each other. Our cooperation has great potentials and bright prospect. Bracing China is bracing the future,” Ming added.

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

“Under the leadership of CPC, the Chinese people are working hard to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

“The future of China-Solomon Islands relations is rested on the young people of our two countries.

“The Chinese Embassy will work with the education authorities of Solomon Islands to provide opportunities for further study in China.

“I wish everyone of you become goodwill ambassadors between our two countries and make more contributions to the two peoples.”

The Solomon Islands students expressed their wish to further study in China, and thanked the Chinese Embassy and Ministry of Education of Solomon Islands for organizing the interview.

Schools must have safety procedures in place: Wale

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Brian Lezutuni
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BY JARED KOLI

Leader of Official Opposition Matthew Wale has said all schools must have procedures in place for safety of children.

Wale made this statement in respond to an incident where a grade one student of St Nicholas school was hospitalised from serious injury this month.

“All schools must have procedures in place to safeguard children. In some instances, accident happens or anything may happen that may out of our control. There must procedures in place to respond to this situation and ensure safety of students,” said Wale.

He said the primary responsibility for safety of all students lies in the principal and teaching staff and auxiliary staff.

“They were the ones to care for the safety of children in the first instance.  In the second instance, the second responsibility lie with education authorities in which they were the ones managing or governing these schools,” the opposition leader said.

Wale said education authorities must pass these procedures or approve these procedures, and to make it clear what is allowed or permitted on campus or within a school premises, and what is not allowed.

“That must be clear. I think it is important that the ministry of education in consultation with the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) education authority do a thorough investigation base on the fact and on establishing how this situation come about,” he said.

Wale furthers the incident must also look on how we look on student safety as well as staff safety on school grounds and school assets and buildings, properties and compasses around the country.

“This must benefit our entire our education system in terms of students and staff safety. But first of all, there needs an investigation to establish the facts of the incident,” Wale said. 

Child safety or child protection means safeguarding children from harm. Harm includes violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.

All organizations should have safeguarding policies and procedures, especially those that work with or come into contact with children. This is to ensure that every child has a right to equal protection from all forms of harm.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which covers different rights of children states that a “child” or “young person” is anyone under the age of 18 years.

Unlike schools, ensuring that children are safeguarded should be a commitment by all organisations to enable children to take part in whatever activity free from all forms of abuse, harassment and exploitation. 

Gizo churches elect office bearers

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Ben Bilua
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO based Church representatives came together yesterday to form an association that would lead the various religious organisations in the township.

Pastor Steven Aretana of SSEC has been elected as the Chair of the Association which is now known as the Church and Economical Group.

His appointment was welcomed by most church members of various denominations attending the meeting.

Pastor Aretana will be supported by his Vice Reverend Lawrence Kimaere of the Catholic Church.

According to Aretana the establishment of the association is a huge achievement to revive religious partnership between churches and also the Western Provincial Government, so as non-government organisations and civil society organisations.

He said he is looking forward to executing the task conferred to him by church members and other stakeholders.

Aretana also called on Churches to render support towards the elected executive to make sure plans and objectives are fully executed.

He acknowledged church members for the trust and confident put to him to lead the association.

Island Sun understands the executive will host another meeting at the end of this month to map out necessary objectives for the executive to tap in the next two years. Invitations will be sent to Western Provincial Government, Government agencies, NGOs and Civil Society Organisation to attend the important meeting

Border Patrol Boat outpost launch soon

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The Lofung Border and Patrol Boat Outpost site plan in the Shortland Islands

THE National Government is deploying officials to oversee preparations for a historic groundbreaking event on June 23 to mark the start of the Solomon Islands Border and Patrol Boat Outpost project in the Shortland Islands, Western Province.

The Government through the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) Taskforce is overseeing the preparation process since May 2021.

Taskforce Officials began traveling to the Shortland Islands Tuesday this week and more officials will be deployed in coming days ahead of the ceremony.

The Australian Government is funding the multimillion-dollar Border and Patrol Boat Outpost project, which Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare jointly announced in Honiara on 7 October 2019.

The two leaders said both governments would undertake a joint project to deliver a Border and Patrol Boat Outpost in the Western border region of Solomon Islands.

They stated that the design will feature environmentally sustainable elements and will be appropriate to regional conditions and will include a wharf capable of replenishing Guardian-Class patrol boats, accommodation buildings and storage facilities.

Soon after the announcement, the Government assigned the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to lead the process in collaboration with Australian Authorities, the Western Provincial Government and the FAMOA Trust Board of the Shortland Islands to progress discussions on the project.

In November 2019, the Government conducted a reconnaissance to seven potential outpost sites in the Western border areas.

The intention was to identify the most suitable of these sites and present recommendations for consideration by the Solomon Islands Government.

During the process, Australia undertook to support this reconnaissance during bilateral talks in November 2019 and contributed engineering subject matter experts from the Australian Defence Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade personnel and transportation support.

The project once completed will improve border security services in the Western region by supporting social and economic growth by strengthening border management, surveillance, response capability and protection from illegal activities. Importantly, the project also aligns well with the Solomon Islands Government’s National Security Strategy and the National Border Security Strategy for better management of our borders.

EDITORIAL- A step further for Tina Hydro

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WORK on the Tina Hydro Project was given a boost yesterday with the signing of a co-financing agreement in Honiara.

This latest financing agreement between Australia and Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) will avail $218.6 million for the funding of Tina Hydro’s Transmission System.

Australia will provide $181 million while SIEA will chip in $37.6 million.

The transmission system is the third component of the Tina Hydro Project, which is currently being built in central Guadalcanal.

Through the system, power generated from the Hydropower facility in central Guadalcanal will be sent to Honiara Electricity system through two parallel single circuit 66 kilovolt transmission lines of 22 km each to the existing Lungga Diesel Power Station, according to information about the project.

The Transmission System will have a transmission capacity of 15 megawatts, equivalent to the generating capacity of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project.

The Transmission System is expected to deliver 70 – 80 gigawatt hours of renewable energy per annum.

This will supply enough energy to meet around 68per cent of Honiara’s electricity demand.

The cost of this component includes the upgrading of the switchyard of Lungga Power station to accommodate the Tina 66 KV transmission system from the current 33 KV system.

This component will be implemented by SIEA who will contract a supply and installation contractor.

Over 200 jobs are expected to be created during the construction of the Transmission System, according to Tina Hydro Project fact-file.

So yesterday’s signing ceremony was a significant one. It is another step to bringing the hydro project to reality, come December 2023.

Furthermore, Tina Hydro holds so much potential for the nation’s energy needs and business opportunities.

The project is expected to bring the cost of electricity in Honiara down and lessen the country’s reliance on expensive imported diesel.

Thank you Australia for seeing the importance of this project to the nation.

VIEWPOINT-PM’s visit to Tikopia

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Brian Lezutuni
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PM Sogavare surrounded by the Happy Children of Tikopia

A grateful community say thank you….

PETER FORAU

Honiara

MANY people would not leap for joy when the Prime Minister makes a visit to their island but for us, the people of Tikopia, the Prime Minister’s latest visit to our island is not only historic but also a defining moment for us. 

It’s the first time after 43 years since a Prime Minister has visited us, almost half a century before we were able to see in person the Prime Minister of the country that we are citizens of.

Therefore, the visit was an occasion to behold which is why virtually the whole island, yes everyone on the island, old and young turned up to see, meet and hear the Prime Minister. 

I’m told some had to come a few days earlier so that they can be at the venue when the PM arrived. 

The PM’s arrival was delayed by half a day, yet no one moved, they all waited, just to see the Prime Minister. 

On Tuesday 15th June the Island Sun shared in the front page of its daily, a photo of the PM abiding with three of our Chiefs at the venue where he was welcomed.

The venue was Safoa school, the very school that I was educated at with the assistance by the New Zealand Government who had seconded a retired teacher to be principal of the school. 

He did wonders and a good number of us including yours truly were able to pass for further education away from our island.   

Overall, we had made a disproportionate contribution to the human development of our country, yet had in return received very little in development assistance.

For me it’s a double honour.  For the PM went ashore at my village and he was welcomed at my old school.  Wow! How wonderful.

In the old days we had running water in our villages and a well-equipped clinic housed in a permanent building that had a fridge and communication facilities.

Shipping services was the best, reliable and good, clean vessels to traverse the long journey.

All these are no more, making us an orphan of Development. 

We don’t have running water any more. We don’t have a clinic – thankfully the PM donated medical supplies to re-start our clinic after being dormant before his arrival. 

We have been neglected for almost half a century, the Central Government had neglected us, development partners and the NGO community had also not paid us any attention – maybe we are too remote so fearing no public visibility, everyone had shied away.

I wonder whether this is how development assistance should be extended just for the sake of publicity?

Everyday, we watched with envy so and so High Commissioner or Minister Counsellor, even first Secretary of this and that diplomatic mission launching projects after projects for the benefit of communities in and around Honiara or near-by provinces.   

Maybe if we had been close-by the same could have happened to us too.  Sadly we are so remote too far to provide the publicity that donors are looking for. 

This is why the Prime Minister’s visit to our Island is a blessing for us. 

We have hope for improved attention and maybe a trickle of development assistance for our benefit to happen following the visit.

If you are wondering yes we have an MP who is a Minister. 

But why isn’t there any development on the island?  Oh yes we have a tractor and canteens everywhere on the island.

However we need running water, sanitation and medical services.

We would do a good ship too.  The current one is best suited to transport cargo, not passengers.

Maybe our Constituency is too big which is why our member is unable to address everyone’s development needs. 

Perhaps if our people do not request personal projects from our MP, some community projects can be attended to. 

Anyway, going back to the Prime Minister’s visit, as a community we are so thankful to the PM for the visit because not only has he made our people aware that they are truly part of Solomon Islands, but as well, we believe the attention now paid on us because of the visit can lead to some interest by our development partners to help attend to some of our needs – water supply, sanitation, housing and medical services.

You may not get wide publicity for any help you give but rest assured there would a grateful people that will really embrace your help into eternity far more deeply than publicity can achieve. 

On the same note I also wish to express our gratitude to the Island Sun newspaper for highlighting the PM’s visit prominently in its issue on Tuesday 15th June. 

What you have done is draw attention to us a forgotten community and thanks to your editorial team, our plight may have registered with a worthy development partner.

But thank you very much PM for visiting our island, it has taken almost half century for the visit. 

What you saw, apart from the tractor, is how we live our normal lives.

Our Chiefs, people and all of us are truly grateful to you for visiting because of the attention you have generated for us.

We thank the Premier of Temotu Clay Soalaoi for making the visit possible and our MP Nau Rangirei for leading the way. 

God bless Solomon Islands from shore to shore!

Solomon Power Signs Financing Agreement with Australia for Tina River Transmission System

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Solomon Power CEO Donald Kiriau, Solomon Power Chairman David Quan, and Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan (representing the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific) sign their financing partnership for the Tina River transmission system

Solomon Power and the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) have signed a USD22.7 million (SBD180 million) grant and loan financing agreement to build the 22km transmission system for the Tina River Hydropower Project.

The transmission system is the critical piece of infrastructure needed to enable the hydropower facility to supply power to Honiara. It will deliver 70–80 gigawatt hours of renewable energy per annum – enough electricity to meet around 68 per cent of Honiara’s needs. The resulting reduction in Honiara’s reliance on diesel generation will see Solomon Islands meet all of its greenhouse gas emissions targets under the Paris Agreement.

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare attended the ceremony at the Heritage Park Hotel and said, “the fact that we witness the signing today, despite the delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is testament to the genuineness, durability and maturity of our relations which ensures we achieve win-win outcomes in our bilateral relations as we continue to strengthen it.”

Prime Minister Sogavare adds, “more affordable and reliable electricity for Solomon Islands will alleviate pressure on household incomes and provide opportunities for businesses.”

The Tina River Hydropower Project is Australia’s largest ever climate finance investment in the Pacific. The AIFFP financing package brings Australia’s investment in the Project to more than SBD360 million since 2009. The package consists of a concessional loan of SBD84.8 million and a grant of up to SBD96.8 million.

“The agreement brings with it a partnership between Solomon Power and the AIFFP that will see reliable, sustainable renewable energy delivered to the people of Honiara for many years to come”, said Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan.

In his speech Solomon Power’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr David K.C.Quan, said, “I wish to thank the Solomon Islands Government for working together with the Australian Government in maintaining the long-standing partnership to successfully implement the country’s largest renewable energy project. We are honoured by the trust and confidence AIFFP has in SIEA and we will strive to ensure the transmission system is completed on schedule and on budget.”

The AIFFP financing agreement is a milestone for Solomon Power. The transmission system is expected to cost SBD219.1 million and Solomon Power will invest SBD37.6 million of its own funds. Solomon Power will employ more than 200 people to make sure the transmission system is constructed before the hydropower facility is completed in 2024. 

—SIEA, DFAT JOINT PRESS RELEASE

SIEA signs deal with AIFFP

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Charles Kadamana
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From left, SIEA CEO Donarld Kiriau, SIEA Chairman David Qwan, Australia High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan sign the agreement as PM Sogavare and official guests witnessed

By CHARLES KADAMANA

 SOLOMON Islands Electrical Authority (SIEA) and Australian Infrastructure Finance Facility of the Pacific (AIFFP) have signed a USD$22.7 million ($181 million) deal yesterday to develop a transmission system from Tina Hydro power station to Honiara.

Involving in the signing ceremony are SIEA Chief Executive Officer Donald Kiriau, Chairman David K.C. Quan, Australia High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan and Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kumar as witnessed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and officials.

Kiriau said by signing this agreement SIEA will be partnering with AIFFP, an Australian Government funded financing facility, to develop a transmission system which will include a 22 kilometres transmission line to connect from Tina Hydro power station to the Lunga power station.

He said the transmission line is one of the important components of the Tina Hydro Development Project because it will essentially bring electricity into homes and businesses in Honiara by 2024.

“This agreement will enable the required financing for the development of this transmission system which will no doubt improve and enhance SIEA’s capability into a realiable and sustainable power,” he said.

He said the total cost of the transmission system is around USD$27.4 million.

Under the agreement AIFFP will provide US 22.7 million while the government through Solomon Power will contribute to the remaining US$4.7 million.

He describes the partnership as historical and demonstrates the trust and confidence of Australia and AIFFP in SIEA.

General Manager Special Project and Planning Bennie Smith said currently Solomon Power uses “quite a bit” of diesel fuel to generate electricity.

He said with signing of the agreement it will allow to build transmission line from Tina Hydro power station that will be built over the next 3 or 4 years.

“The hydro power station will allow Solomon power to eliminate some of the diesel fuel supplier and become greener islands which is good for our country

“Also, as part of the project it would deliver transmitter electricity to the existing distribution system and on top of that this will allow us to provide electricity to communities around the Tina River area where the transmission line will run so more people will have access to electricity in a more environmentally friendly,” he said.

Smith said the project is an expensive undertaking but over the long period of time it will reduce the cost of electricity to customers.

Under this component power will be generated from Hydropower facility to Honiara Electricity system through two parallel single circuit 66 kilovolt transmission lines of 22 km each to the existing Lungga Diesel Power station.

The transmission system is expected to deliver 70-80 gigawatt hours of renewable energy per annum enough to meet around 68 percent of Honiara’s electricity demand.

The design of the transmission line has started and should be finalised in the coming months. It is anticipated that the construction will start by end of this year or early next year.

PM lauds signing of Tina hydro transmission system

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Australia High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan show his appreciation to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as official guests look on

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday witnessed the signing ceremony of the Financing Agreement of the Tina River Transmission System at the Heritage Park Hotel.

The transmission system is the critical piece of infrastructure needed to enable the hydropower facility to supply power to Honiara.

It will deliver 70–80 gigawatt hours of renewable energy per annum – enough electricity to meet around 68 per cent of Honiara’s needs.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Sogavare described the occasion “yet another historical milestone that takes Solomon Islands one-step closer to realising the benefits that Tina Hydro Project will bring”.

He said whilst the full Tina Hydro project is a much larger undertaking involving many partners, the signing focuses on the further strengthening of the bonds between Solomon Islands and Australia.

He said it would be done through Australia’s expanding investment portfolio in Solomon Islands with a focus on the Tina Hydro project.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the Tina River Hydropower Development Project (Tina River Project) is Australia’s largest climate finance investment in the Pacific amounting to $SBD362 million between 2009 and 2021 of which:

  1.  50 percent, [$SBD181 million] in grant funding was provided between 2009 and 2020, for the preparation phase, construction of the access road, technical assistance, and to support operational costs of the Tina River Project Office, and
  1. A further 50 percent, $SBD181 million from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) is what was signed today – a financing package comprising a base grant, a contingency grant, and a concessional loan.   

“The funds that will be made available will assist the Solomon Islands Government to finance the Tina River Project transmission system, which will ensure transmission lines are provided between the hydropower station and the power distribution centre that will distribute the power to users,” he said.

Sogavare said he is also pleased to note that ‘Solomon Power’ will also have a cost-sharing role in the Tina River transmission system and will contribute approximately $37.6 million to ensure the transmission system is fully funded and implemented.

The prime minister also conveyed the Government’s appreciation to the many other partners that have made the Tina River Hydropower project possible including:

  • The World Bank
  • The International Finance Corporation (also part of the WB group)
  • The Asian Development Bank

…. and other partners including the Green Climate Fund, and other bilateral and multi-lateral partners.

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