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SPAR OVER NORO

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Lands chief McNeil faces criminal complaint

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

PARI Development Company Limited has reported a criminal complaint against Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil to Central Police Station.

In a letter sent to police on Friday, May 21, PARI Managing Director, Donald Bato said the complaint relates to certain false statements made under oath in a Sworn Statement filed in the High Court by McNeil.

Bato said the false statement relates to paragraph 9 of the sworn statement by McNeil when he said the Pari Development Company Ltd has already sold its Fixed Term Estate in Parcel Number 098-016-1 to Pacific Everest Company Ltd on March 7, 2018.

This relates to a land on Noro, Western Province.

He said at that time McNeil made the sworn statement, the fixed term estate was registered in the name of Pari Development Company Ltd, and has never been sold nor offered for sale to Pacific Everest Company Ltd.

“As the Commissioner of Lands, McNeil would need to grant his consent for the sale,” Bato said.

“McNeil knew or ought to have known that no sale could be affected without his written consent,” he added.

Bato said McNeil’s consent would have been given upon a request by either Pari Development Company Ltd or Pacific Everest Company Ltd.

However, when Island Sun contacted McNeil yesterday, he said he stands by his sworn statement.

SICCI: we need enforcement in order to create ‘level playing field’.

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and SICCI Chairman Ricky Fuo’o.

SOLOMON Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) says it is supportive and encouraged by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) intention to closely monitor policy and legislation implementation.

This, according to the Chamber, is very relevant because in many areas, Solomon Islands have strong and fit-for-today regulations and policies but lacks enforcement and implementation.

‘A level playing field’ continues to be a SICCI concern, as it is important that businesses coexist in a spirit of competition all the while complying with Government legal framework.

Some examples where compliance is expected is in fulfilling company obligations as regulated by Government, adhering to tax regulations and complying with Occupational health and safety standards.

During the Prime Minister’s Business Breakfast event SICCI hosted on Friday 21st May for members of the business community, SICCI Chairman, Ricky Fuo’o took the opportunity to highlight that the Private Sector is keen to work with Government to ensure a ‘win-win’ outcome for both parties through all economic activities.

“Where we get really constrained is when we do not have the same treatment for all businesses,” he said.

“This impacts the affected businesses, dilutes the investment climate for new entrepreneurs and stains the social ecosystem by demonstrating the wrong example when ‘rogue operators’ thrive,” Fuo’o added.

An example is the shipping industry being heavily dominated by foreign players who are slowly driving out local service providers in the industry.

In June 2020, SICCI organised a roundtable involving both private sector and Government bodies to discuss ways in which Government can maximise its opportunities for revenue collection from businesses.

By doing this, SICCI aims to promote an environment where business confidence can increase because of a level playing field.

In August 2020, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance shared with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament the importance to tackle leakage of Government revenue.

Fuo’o said there was a clear call to enforce all legal standards for operating businesses in Solomon Islands.

“We do not need new legislation – we need enforcement. – we need fair tax collection from all operating parties.

“We need close watch and corrective measures so that money does not get out of this country rather gets reinvested,” he said.

Fuo’o added it is important to note that SICCI looks forward to Government’s support to allow local businesses thrive in the country.

“Because all the local businesses are here to stay and work hand in hand with Government toward the path of development and progress under the theme ‘Iumi ‘Tugeda.

“In these current unprecedented times where the whole world is suffering from economic challenges, it is imperative for us to protect our local businesses and the private sector in general, with a view to protect local employment.

“This will ensure money circulation to the grassroot level even in rural economies and allow Solomon Islanders survive, if not thrive, in such trying times,” the SICCI Chair said.

Speaking during the event, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the DCGA continues to support private sector development through productive sector re-direction policies.

“Investment opportunities crafted under the re-direction policies enables small and medium enterprises to mitigate the negative effects in the pathway for recovery and sustainable growth of the economy for better well beings and livelihoods.

“The Government re-affirms its support to provide safe environment for business developments and continue to support businesses to recover and stabilize cash flow in the economy,” the Prime Minister said.

– SICCI Media

Sade-led gov’t settles workers NPF arrears

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GUADALCANAL Province under the leadership of Premier Francis Sade says it has cleared $3 million outstanding National Provident Fund (NPF) arrears for all its workers last week.

And a statement from the province says this was a milestone achievement for the Sade-led Government for Inclusive Change and Sustainable Development (GICSD).

“This settlement was confirmed by the SINPF Enforcement Officer who deals with the Guadalcanal Provincial Government arrears via an email,” the statement said.

“In retrospect, these GPG arrears from SINPFs had dated back to 2016,” the statement added.

“Due to the surcharges the debt continued to be accumulated over the course of 6 years, until the GICSD had improved the Financial and Treasury Division and settled the long outstanding debt last week.”

According to the GP Finance and Treasury Division, previous attempts to settle the debts were inconsistent due to lack of proper and strong compliances to will for debt servicing within the division.

“In terms of the provincial debts in general, the GICSD had inherited almost more than $20 million debts since the 2019/2020 FY.

“As a result, debt servicing made the biggest percentage of the three previous financial budgets (2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022), in terms of the recurrent expenditures.

“To make matters worse, the negative economic impacts of Covid-19 on the national GDP growth, especially the projected 4.3 percent decline from last year, and the recent budget cut by 12.7% in the 2021/2022 FY from the national government, are the major challenges facing the GICSD to declare the province debt free by 2023.

“Despite these economic challenges, Premier Sade was determined that his current Executive will continue its debt-servicing strategy.

“We have to acknowledge that despite the inherited debts of more than $20 million and the current negative impacts of Covid-19 on our economy, we still maintain our debt servicing strategy.

“It is a matter of continuation of strengthening our financial treasury division and maintaining a strong workforce to increase our local revenues in our productive sectors,” Sade explained.

Furthermore, he said new (debt) claims submitted from individuals and businessmen dated back in the late 2000s had also recently emerged.

“However, some of these claims look dubious and the GP Legal and Policy units are in the process of ensuring their legitimacies.

“The GP’s biggest creditor is the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) due to its previous provincial scholarship arrangements.

“It is estimated that GP still owes SINU $4 million from its almost $8 million debt.

“Consequently, the GICSD will be improving its local revenue collections by the second (2nd) quarter of this 2021/2022 FY.

“So far, this is the only strategy to achieve its debt servicing.

“In summary, based on previous appropriation ordinances (financial budgets), the GICSD is the first Executive to vigorously pursue debt servicing.

“Hence, the settlement of the GP’s NPF arrears is an obvious proof to that.”

Priority groups to receive SinoPharm vaccine: PM

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SINOPHARM covid-19 vaccine roll-out planwill prioritise the remaining covid-19 operations frontline workers and support staff in Honiara and the provinces, including essential workers.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the SinoPharm vaccine launch.

“SinoPharm roll out with also be in line with the COVID-19 Vaccine National Deployment and Roll- Out Plan that was also used in the roll out of AstraZeneca. We will continue to prioritize remaining COVID-19 operations frontline workers and support staff in Honiara and the provinces, including essential workers,” Sogavare said.

He stressed there are also some of our students who plan to return to China for study including other Chinese nationals who plan to travel to China thus will be offered the Sinopharm Vaccines.

“People above 40 years of age and those with co-existing other diseases will also be included in the roll out following the first group to be covered. We will also take into consideration other factors such as operational and logistic issues in roll out of this and other vaccines so as to provide most benefit to our populations,” Sogavare said.

He said the 50,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine will be administered to 25,000 people because it requires two doses to be administered at an interval of four weeks.

“Meaning those who receive their first dose of SinoPharm will in less than four weeks receive their second dose to complete their COVID-19 vaccination,” Sogavare said.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana encouraged the priority group to come forward to get jabbed when their turn comes.

“This vaccine is authorized for use in people 18 years and above. People with existing co-morbidities are encouraged to get the vaccine on a priority basis,” Togamana said.

Mala stand may affect Fiu bridge, says Nuake

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Existing Fiu River Bridge

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE “controversy” surrounding the upgrading of Fiu Bridge in Malaita province may affect the project in the long run.

This was after Malaita Provincial Executive decided not to accept the winning bidder, China Harbour Engineering Company, to upgrade the bridge.

The project is part of the World Bank funded Solomon Islands Road Aviation Project (SIRAP).

Government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) met with the Malaita Provincial Executive on Tuesday last week and has threatened to pull out the project component if the Malaita Executive did not accept the Chinese company.

The Malaita Executive held a meeting later and decided that the Fiu bridge component be re-tendered since the province was aware that even the Chinese Company’s bid was over and above the 10% variation threshold.

In this regard, the Executive said that it is prudent that the Fiu Bridge Component and the other 2 or 3 bridges be tendered together again.

Also, the province continues to stand by the spirit of the Auki Communique to ensure that developments in Malaita province when it comes to roads and bridges are of quality and not sub-standards.

That means companies responsible for the construction of such infrastructures must have good and reputable backgrounds.

However, Deputy Secretary of MID, Jimi Alelamalei Nuake posted on social media that even if retender no other international companies will bid due to covid restrictions.

Nuake said only companies currently in country will bid.

“Unfortunately for Malaita most of these companies that will meet World Bank criteria for such big projects include these Chinese companies.

“Kitano, a Japanese company, unfortunately are not interested given the work load they are already facing,” Nuake added.

Nuake said if people are worried about quality, the Fiu Bridge is designed by SMEC, an Australian consultant using Australian Standards.

He said they will also closely supervise the construction work.

Furthermore, Nuake said funding for the Fiu Bridge is also from Central Government under the Economic Stimulus Package.

He said re-tendering will also “significantly delay the project by at least 6 to 8 months and what if no one else bid for the work after retendering?”

“The funding may then be redirected to resurface the international airport runway which has been put on hold under this project in order to address Fiu Bridge,” he added.

Man found guilty of raping own daughter

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man has been found guilty before the High Court of having raped his own daughter, twice on two separate occasions in 2016.

The man is a teacher by profession, and was teaching in one of the schools in Isabel when the incidents occurred.

He was charged with two counts of rape pursuant to section 136F (1) (a) and (b) of the Penal Code [cap. 26], as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 (“the Amendment Act 2016”).

He denied the charges and a trial was conducted on his case.

The man had defended himself by claiming that the sexual intercourse was consensual on both occasions.

Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, in passing judgement, explained that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that sexual intercourse was without consent and that the defendant knew or was reckless as to that issue of lack of consent.

“I have had the opportunity to carefully assess the evidence of the victim, observe her demeanour in court and find that throughout she had remained consistent, clear and unfazed about the issue of consent, that she repeatedly refused to have sex with him and denied his advances.

“I am satisfied this denial or refusal would have been more than sufficient to convey plainly and clearly to the defendant in no uncertain terms, of her lack of consent.  He could not have been mistaken or confused about that plain fact. He should have known and ought to have known that she did not want to have sex with him for the plain and simple reason that he was her ‘real father’, that it was wrong and that he knew that she was afraid of him,” Palmer said.

He also said there is ample evidence before the court that the victim did not agree or consent to the request for sexual intercourse on both occasions, for the reason inter alia, that he was her “real” father and that she was ashamed, apart from her fear of being hurt or harmed. 

The evidence adduced by prosecution has been quite clear and consistent throughout, that she was never a willing participant to the demands of the defendant for sexual intercourse.  On each occasion she was asked, she said no to him.  This would have been plain and compelling evidence of lack of consent, and has not been discredited by defence, Palmer said.

He added, the defendant (father) should have known that as a father, he held an inherent position of authority, power, trust and responsibility towards his daughter and that if he persisted in his demands and actions, the daughter was bound to comply.  If he did not know, then he was reckless to that most obvious fact.

“As a father she respected and trusted him that he would not even think of asking her to do such a disgraceful and shameful thing to her, his own daughter, but he did not.  He forgot about all those restraints and compelled her to have sex with him.

“I am satisfied prosecution have established on the evidence the elements of the offences of rape on both occasions and he should be convicted accordingly.”

Palmer then adjourned the case for July 2, 2021 for sentencing submission.

Man faces court today for murder

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man facing murder charge will have his case mentioned before the High Court today.

Garnet Babaua is alleged of having killed a person on July 13, 2020, around midnight at the Foxwood area, outside east of Honiara.

It is alleged Mr Babaua was angry at the victim for having waved at his (Babaua’s) wife when she was standing near a store in their area.

Allegation said Babaua assaulted the deceased on his back and kicked him on his belly.

It is alleged that the accused approached the deceased and used his left leg to kick the deceased on his back and after that the deceased went and laid down on the road but the accused followed him and kicked him on his belly.

Some people took the victim and washed him before rushing him to the hospital; but he later died in the afternoon of that day.

The office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

Aviation ministry defends PS over social media comments

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A Facebook commentary criticising the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Moses Virivolomo of threatening to pullout the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Projects (SIRAP) from Malaita Province last week were “baseless” and “deceiving” to the people of Malaita Province.

Premier Suidani’s Political Appointee, Celsus Talifilu ambiguously claimed Mr Virivolomo threatened the Provincial Executive at a meeting in Auki Tuesday last week that he would cancel all SIRAP activities on Malaita if the Provincial Executive did not accept a Chinese Company earmarked to construct the Fiu Bridge project.

Talifilu further claimed the Solomon Islands Government through its respective ministries have already awarded the contract to build the Fiu Bridge project to Chinese company, China Harbour, a claim that is not true.

In response to these unqualified claims, Virivolomo said the consultation meeting in Auki on Tuesday, May 18, essentially helped the MPG Executive members to fully understand the components of the project, which were executed according to World Bank Procurement Guidelines and not SIG Procurement Guidelines as alleged by the Premier’s private advisor.

“We informed the MPG Executive that the SIRAP National Steering Committee (NSC) has not recommended any company including any Chinese related companies at this stage as alleged by Talifilu who deceptively claimed that we awarded a contract to China Harbour.

“He needs to prove to us any disgrace we have caused regarding the projects,” Virivolomo said in reference to the claim by Talifilu, who was not seen at the Auki meeting.

He added that the World Bank Office in Honiara could not find any irregularities regarding the processes involved in implementing the Fiu Bridge project after Mr Talifilu personally emailed the World Bank directly alleging misprocurement by SIG and demanding a re-tender of the project.

“His unqualified approach to personally email the World Bank regarding this project obviously degrades the authority placed on Premier Suidani and his Executive as intended beneficiaries of the project,” Virivolomo said in a statement over the weekend.

Virivolomo reiterated that the MPG Executive is now aware of the risks of politicizing project implementation that is not in the interest of the NSC, which is mandated to deliver subprojects on Malaita in an open and transparent manner outside ongoing politicking on PRC issues that the Premier and his Executive including his Advisor may have.

Virivolomo said the MPG is an arm of Government and infrastructure development are functions of the National Government and not a devolved function and NSC is only implementing its mandate to deliver transport infrastructure to Malaita.

He further clarified that the allegation of collusion as slandered by Talifilu are baseless and did not have evidence to impress any healthy minded person.

Virivolomo said the claim that SIG has manipulated the tender pricing to suit the China Harbour bid is invalid since the Government is guided by World Bank Procurement guidelines.

Regarding concerns that Suidani’s Executive have on tender and procurement processes, Virivolomo said this assertion is a non-issue at this stage since no award was granted.

Virivolomo is a qualified engineer and Project Coordinator in his career and has provided leadership in delivering infrastructure projects in Malaita when he was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

These included the Manawai wharf, the Aluta Bridge, Labour based roads, Small Malaita Roads Rehabilitation-Afio and Afio-Olosu’u road, Marine and Navaids Project at Su’u and all Navigational aids on Malaita, the Auki wharf and Market, Manaoba, Auki and Parasi airports.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Shipping operators defend safety measures over covid-19 cases

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Shipping companies and ports authorities in the Pacific have defended their coronavirus measures after they were criticised for bringing COVID-19 to Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare blasted shipping companies after two new COVID-19 cases were detected among the crew of the PNG-registered MV Kopi Chief in Honiara.

Mr Sogavare said it was the third time a shipping company had brought COVID-19 to Solomon Islands.

But David Toua from Steamships Trading, which owns MV Kopi Chief, told the ABC that all COVID-19 safety protocols were followed before the MV Kopi left for Solomon Islands.

“When we get a series of negative tests, we have a confidence that these people are in good health …if someone’s asymptomatic, or pre-symptomatic, that’ll be something that’s impossible for us to detect,” he said.

Mr Toua said the company is reviewing its operations to look at ways of catching COVID-19 infections among crew.

Kiribati recorded its first COVID-19 infection earlier this month, with crew onboard a ship that had sailed from PNG.

Fego Kiniafa, the managing director for PNG Ports said their COVID security bubble has been widened at ports facilities.

“The critical thing for us is if we do not allow cargo to flow then we will have a bigger problem than the COVID. And we do recognise that importance as an island country largely dependent on sea trade,” he said.

MAL looks forward to implement MEAs national activities with FAO

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Participants of the inception workshop which include representatives from relevant government ministries, FAO, organisations and private sector.

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is looking forward to the implementation of national activities of the Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs) in Solomon Islands with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

Deputy Secretary Technical (DST) of MAL, Michael Ho’ota uttered the statement during MEAs two-day inception workshop/meeting held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara from 13-14 May 2021.

Objectives of the meeting is to raise awareness on the programme’s objective and activities; scoping out strategic partnerships with civil society and private sector; refine and validate work plan for year 1 which include validating agro-biodiversity priorities areas, reaffirming preliminary sites/province identified, reaffirming preliminary subsector (commodities such as cocoa, coconut and others) and scope strategic partnerships with civil society and private sector.

“The two days consultation mainly dealt with a component of the programme on the mainstreaming of biodiversity into agriculture and Solomon Islands is the selected focus country for intensified action in the Pacific Region. We (MAL) look forward to the implementation of national activities jointly with FAO,” Ho’ota said.

He said agriculture is an important sector for the Solomon Islands’ national economy as it sustains 85 percent of the rural population with food crops, cash crops, and livestock for their daily livelihoods, food, and social security.

“…it is common knowledge and studies have indicated effects of agriculture on the environment.

“Agriculture is known as one of our greatest triumphs and sources of environmental damage.

“Major environmental problems – Soil erosion – Sediment transport and deposition downstream – On-site pollution from overuse and secondary effects of fertilizers and pesticides – Off-site pollution of other ecosystems, of soil, water and air. It changes the environment major environmental problems such as deforestation, desertification, degradation of aquifers, salinization, accumulation of toxic organic compounds and Loss of biodiversity.

“Therefore, the manner in which we develop agriculture sustainably and environmentally friendly must now be seriously addressed in light of the increasing environment and land resources exploitation,” the Deputy Secretary Technical of MAL,” Ho’ota stressed.

Meanwhile, former Permanent Secretary of MAL and now the Assistant FAO Country Representative Jimi Saelea said FAO has the global mandate to improve levels of nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, and improve lives of rural populations through agriculture development.

He said one of FAO’s strategic global objectives is to focus on “Increase and improve provision of goods and services from agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a sustainable manner”.

Saelea said this is but one of the projects that FAO is implementing and will be implementing in the country.

“The project operates at the global, regional and national levels, thus for Solomon Islands to be selected as the focus country in the Pacific region requires that we commit to make sure we benefit from the programme,” Saelea stressed.

He said the primary focus of the project (MEAs) is to promote mainstreaming biodiversity and sound pesticides management in agriculture.

“This initiative will contribute to achieving the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy, NDS-2016 to 2035 Objectives of which Objective 1: Sustained and inclusive economic growth through Agriculture &livestock. Objective 2: Poverty alleviated across the whole of the Solomon Islands, basic needs addressed and food security improved. Objective 4: Resilient and environmentally sustainable development with effective disaster risk management, response and recovery,” Saelea added.

He said FAO remain committed towards supporting the development of sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and environmental management of pesticides in Solomon Islands to ensure food security, livelihoods and healthy living for the households and people of our country.

Saelea also took the opportunity to acknowledge the role that government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology will play in ensuring this project achieve its objectives.

Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) – phase III Programme is an initiative of the Organization of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (OACPS) and is funded by the European Union, under the Intra-ACP envelope of the 11th EDF.

The Programme is being implemented jointly by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The primary objective of the programme is to promote environmental sustainability in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries by strengthening environmental governance and the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

The target of MEAs are the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) and indirectly the United Nations Convention to Combat Diversification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

FAO, in close collaboration with regional partners and national counterparts, implements a component of the programme on the mainstreaming of biodiversity into agriculture.

The programme operates at the global, regional and national levels.

Solomon Islands is the selected focus country for intensified action in the Pacific Region.

The implementation of national activities will be jointly done by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and FAO.

Representatives from relevant government ministries, FAO, national research institutes and organizations and private sector attended the inception meeting. – Source: MAL Media

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