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Tourism deal

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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From left, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance and Treasury Mckinnie Dentana and DBSI Chief Executive officer Tukana Bovoro with the copies of the agreement.

First tranche of $2m loan available

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

Ministry of Culture and Tourism have signed $2 million guarantee support scheme with Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) to support local tourism operators yesterday.

The grant agreement was signed by Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance and Treasury Mckinnie Dentana and DBSI Chief Executive officer Tukana Bovoro witnessed by official from the office of the Prime Minister.

Under the agreement DBSI will manage the tourism loan in liaison with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT).

Mr Nihopara explains that guarantee support scheme targets existing tourism operators in the rural villages to improve their facilities.

He said to be eligible the tourism operators will apply in a form of loan at DBSI with endorsement from the MCT.

He said the migration of tourism support fund to DBSI goes in line with policy redirection of the current government.

He said previously the tourism operators get direct support from the Ministry but as of now they are taking a more commercial approach so that it can be managed through loan or tourism facility by financial institution.

He said the guarantee scheme will go through a transition phase.

“We are providing a tourism guarantee support scheme and then through the process we hope to working with the bank to refine the process and then hopefully by next year we should move to lending portfolio.

“For a start the ministry is putting the first tranche of $2 million into to DBSI that will help the establishment of this process going forward.

“It will be an ongoing process that will continuously refining over the first year and hopefully by next year we will have much more established tourism support facility within the bank.”

He acknowledges DBSI for accepting his team proposal to work on tourism support facility that will be managed with the bank.

PS Finance Mr McKinnie Dentana describes the partnership as historical evidence since the resumption of DBSI last year.

 “I congratulate my colleague here not only as first product that engage with the bank but also as one of the ministries in the process of implementing the 2021 budget.

“As far as my responsibility as chairman to this bank is concerned, one of the policy resumptions of the bank is to ensure the institution carries forward some of the important policies of the government to promote certain activities in our economy,” Dentana said.

He said the signing of MOU is a fulfilment of the policy that is in the legislation of the bank and this is a great achievement.

“This is the first arrangement that we witness, there are some more arrangement that will come in the future next year. One is on agriculture.

“I would like to have this kind of facilities to sustain the programme for the long term that can benefit other operators as well in the industry,” he said.

CEO Bovoro said the singing of the agreement is the first of such collaboration between the government and DBSI.

He said part of DBSI strategy is try to implement government policy and programmes based on bank category.

He said the discussion between the two parties is very clear and will be followed.

He said in order for the customer to comply there are certain steps both parties will comply with their rules and banks is happy to be part of the program.

He said with the initial support of $2 million DBSI will use it to the existing players in various ways-either as a loan, a guaranty.

“We are trying to develop is an interest payment support mechanism,” he said.

He said Covid-19 has kill the tourism industry in the country and this is a time for them to fixing their facilities in preparation for when the tourism boarder opens back.

He said due to limited funding they are targeting the low hanging fruits to improve their facilities.

SIEA to light up Supizae Island

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Wood polls and rolls of cables at Supizae Island

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

RESIDENTS on Supizae Island in Choiseul Province will soon enjoy electricity.

Teo Electrical Company which won the bid to connect the power line from Taro to Supizae is currently on the ground doing feasibility studies and erecting power lines.

In an interview with SunGizo, Aquila Kiroto Karani, who supervises the ground work said his team had already completed part of the task last week.

“We have identified how the main line and LV line going to run through the village.

Boys sitting on some of the polls

“I also engage community members in digging holes for the post line – An idea which based on giving back to host community the benefits of the project,” he said.

Karani said 25 boys from Honiara some of whom have technical experts with local boys have been engaged to complete the task.

An employee tries out the floater

He said the job is very difficult as there is no existing infrastructure like roads to transport the poll.

“There are challenges but with creativity we slowly overcome some of the challenges.

“We use floaters to transport the polls. We create a bed with floaters, put the polls on the beddings and our boys swim with the polls to the venue identified to erect the polls.

“Transporting 106 polls is very difficult but I’m confident that we will complete what is required before the due date,” Karani said.

Aquila Kiroto Karani at Supizae

He said, the project will due in 66 days but he believe the task will be completed before the contract’s expiry date.

Deputy Provincial Secretary, Nelson Tanito said Choiseul province welcomes the development as it will bring great benefit to not only Supizae residence but also the province.

Workers try to float the floaters to transport the polls

“Some of our staffs lives on the Island and this project will surely help our staffs to enjoy their living and also work performance.

“We are very supportive of the project and will render needed support to make sure the project is completed,” he said.

RSIPF review team meets Taro Police

Written by
Press Release
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AC Evelyn Thugea speaking during a muster with officers

Choiseul Police had a muster with the border review team led by Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Police National Capital and Crime Prevention (RSIPF COVID-19 Operation Commander) Simpson Pogeava on May 24, 2021.

“We are here for the purpose of what you officers here in Taro, Gizo and Honiara have done for this country in relation to the border security as we try to fight against this COVID-19 disease,” says Pogeava.

“The objective of this review is to make sure that we are cost effective as we all know that this border operation had deployed with a lot of resources.”

Speaking at the musters Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operation Everlyn Thugea says, “We understand that this pandemic has been affecting us for a year now and who knows how long it will take. However, reviewing of this operation is very essential as we look into what needs to be done, what  improvement needed and what has to be maintained in order to keep up and to step forward into the level of securing our borders.”

Taro police officers during the muster ceremony

“We are well aware how easily COVID-19 could transmit and with a great initiative done to create contingency plans by the deployed Police Response Team (PRT) to Taro. I believe it will assist if there is any positive case arise within our work environment or in the community to protect our families and us. We have to apply precautionary measures at all times as advised by the health experts to protect us.

“It has truly a miles stone for the RSIPF even though we are just a supporting agency to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS). We have done a lot and am so proud of you by taking part in this operation. Because of your commitments no cases of COVID-19 have entered into our shore through our borders.

“I want to thank the communities in Choiseul Province for assisting police officers with their daily mandated jobs, especially for supporting them in working together during these trying times.

Team leader of the PRT deployed to Taro raising issues during the muster ceremony

“I want to acknowledge you police officers for the comments and recommendations raised with feedback. It will assist us on how we will plan this operation and how we can manage either in the short or long term as operation continues on,” says Thugea.

–POLICE MEDIA

Plasticwise Gizo, a beacon of hope

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Members of Plastic-wise Gizo showcase Hand bags made from rope which normally wraps around carton of noodles

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

OUR Islands, Our Wastes and Our Future. This was the message Plasticwise Gizo put across during the launching of their programme yesterday.

The programme is looking at addressing solid wastes such as plastics both on land and ocean.

Proud members of Plasticwise Gizo, which includes Gizo based women groups, members of the provincial Government, church representatives and Gizo residence packed the MSG building to witness the launching.

Innovative. trash bin made from can drinks

Guest of Honor, Under Secretary Technical of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Meteorology and Disaster Management, Chanel Iroi flew to Gizo to be part of the important event.

In his speech, Iroi commends Plasticwise Gizo for taking the lead in community based approaches to dealing with plastics.

He told those present that Plasticwise Gizo is a beacon of hope for positive environmental efforts in Western Province and the country as a whole. 

“I acknowledge your commitment in the environment sector through waste management initiatives that you have engaged with here in Gizo and Western Province as a whole.

Guest of Honor Under Secretary Technical of MECMD Chanel Iroi delivers the keynote address

“Your programmes, projects and activities are contributing to the implementation of national policies, plans and strategies to addressing waste management and environmental issues in the country,” Iroi said.

He said Plasticwise Gizo has been recognized at the regional and international level through their collaborative engagement with some of the projects that the Ministry is partnering such as the Commonwealth Marine Litter Project by CEFAS.

Members of Plasticwise Gizo performs their theme song during the launching

Iroi said his ministry has engaged Plasticwise Gizo in consultation, data collection and identifying issues and solutions to manage waste in the country through the waste minimization activities such as Reuse and Recycling.

He adds that Plasticwise Gizo has been instrumental in sharing experience and demonstrated waste minimization by reuse/recycle of plastics workshop held in Auki, Malaita Province in 2018.

Provincial Minister for Forestry and Environment, George Stucliffe congratulates the founder of Plasticwise Gizo and her members for leading plastic management in Gizo.

Officials who witness the launching

He said, the association has proved its capacity through some of its existing initiatives such as turning plastic wastes into useful products.

“Accept my government’s highest accolade over the progress and achievement you have made so far. You have undertaken an overwhelming challenge trying to address the massive onslaught of plastic wastes of all forms and sizes. Plastic waste is a single most destructive curse facing our beautiful God-given land, shorelines, reefs, seas, streams, forests and various inhabitants.

“I commend your enthusiastic and commitments towards visions,” Stucliffe said.

Active partners of Plasticwise Gizo pose for a photo after the launching

He said Western Provincial Government is looking forward to working in partnership with Plasticwise Gizo in its endeavors.

Plasticwise Gizo is a leading local Non-Government Organisation based in Gizo Western Province. The Organisation has gained regional and international recognition in waste management. Its membership statistic has been increasing over the past four years and now working in partnership with two international donors.

JUSTICE FOR T-27

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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27 lives were lost on the MV Taimareho in April 2020 when the ship sailed through rough weather.

Owners of MV Taimareho land in court for sea tragedy of April 3, 2020

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

OWNERS of passenger vessel MV Taimareho are facing criminal charges in the High Court, one year after the sea tragedy.

Twenty-seven people lost their lives onboard the ship during a fateful trip from Honiara to the southern region of Malaita on April 3, 2020.

Solomon Islands Maritime Administration (SIMA) filed the charges against the directors, general manager, skippers and the West Are’are Constituency Shipping Company.

SIMA accused them of being responsible for the deaths of the 27 people, who were amongst more than 700 passengers escaping Honiara back to the safety of their villages from the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Government chartered the ship for the people to travel, but it met Cyclone Harold while out at sea, resulting in the tragedy.

In fact a cyclone warning was already issued before the ship set sail from Point Cruz wharf.

The case was called at the High Court before Justice Maelyn Bird for the defendants to enter their pleas.

However, lawyer James Apaniai, who represents the defendants, did not get the disclosures and sought for further adjournment.

He also informed the court that two of his clients were not able to be in court as they are in Malaita.

Apaniai also asked SIMA to provide him the Shipping Conventions as Solomon Islands is a party to various Maritime conventions relating to shipping.

He said some of the charges against his clients referred to a couple of those conventions.

Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecution Rachel Olutimayin, who appeared for SIMA on this case, told the court that the disclosures were already served to WAC Shipping Company office on the last occasion.

Olutimayin said the defendants were facing a total of 102 counts under the 1998 Shipping Act.

Some of the charges include sending an unsafe vessel to sea, Vessel going to sea without a valid certificate, Taking an unsafe vessel to sea, Disciplinary offences, Failing to keep an official log book, Failing to notify the principal surveyor of change in condition of a vessel and not complying with the international convention on standards of training certification and watch keeping for seafarers.

She also said that a police bail should be imposed on the defendants, so that they can appear when their case is called before the court.

Olutimayin told the court investigations are still open.

Justice Bird after hearing the submissions from counsels adjourned the case to June 28 for possible plea.

The 12 people charged include Michael Roy Galo (ship master) Joe Malepa and Stephen Waina’a (captains) shipping directors Esther Hoasihere, John Bosco Houanihunu, Lawrence Hunumeme, Stephen Maahanua, Aaron Oritaimae, William Parairato and Aloysius Poiohia, and general manager Cypriano Taamora.

Noro land issue

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Lands Board supports commissioner, Pari hits back clarifying misleading statements

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

The Land Board on Tuesday this week gave its full support to the Commissioner of Lands for taking action to forfeit Fixed Term Estates previously owned by Pari Development Company.

This relates to Small Baru sub division in Noro, Western Province.

PARI has also responded, clarifying some claims in the Lands Board statement, which it says are misleading.

Land Board Chairman Alfred Soaki said that the Board had been informed about the long and complex history of land allocation to the company in Noro.

He said due to a failure of the company to stop selling land that was under forfeiture, the Commissioner Alan McNeil had no other option but to complete the forfeiture process.

Soaki also stated that the Commissioner of Lands was locked into a binding consent order signed on the authority of the previous Commissioner, and this requires Fixed Term Estates (FTE) over certain additional parcels to be also handed to the company.

He said however that the term of the Fixed Term Estates was not set in stone by the consent order, and therefore the Board agreed to grant Fixed Term Estates for very short terms.

Given that, the company had previously held a Grant of profit for just 10 years.

Soaki said the Land Board agreed to grant Fixed Term Estates also for 10 years, minus the 2 years and 4 months that the company had the Grant of Profit before it was cancelled.

Therefore, the Fixed Term Estates would run for just seven years and eight months.

 “The Board agreed that we will only give Pari Development the absolute minimum that we are bound to give, due to the company’s failure to work cooperatively with the Commissioner of Lands and the Solomon Islands Government,” said Soaki.

Meanwhile, PARI Managing Director, Donald Bato has clarified that PARI did not sell any land as Soaki claims.

Mainly, is because about 250 people from other provinces are living on the land for many years now.

He said PARI cannot chase them out for humanity’s sake, compared to other land issues in which companies chased settlers out of their land, such as Samlimsan at Henderson and KHY in Gizo.

Therefore, PARI asked them to pay small fees to support the company pay the General Property Rates fees to the Western Provincial government.

Bato said in March this year, PARI paid about $123,464.20 to Western province (Island Sun has sighted documents supporting this).

Furthermore, Bato said the company agreed for the Land Board to return the seven parcels of land because this was stipulated in the court order in 2015.

However, he said PARI will challenge the Land Board in court for granting only seven years and eight months FTE.

Bato said according to Section 100 (1) of the Lands and Titles Act, FTE is converted to 75 years after the country gained her independence in 1978.

Moreover, Bato said the company has worked cooperatively with the Commissioner of Lands and the Solomon Islands Government to give part of PARI overlapping allotment Parcel Number 098-012-545.

He had also agreed to give 10 hectares of the land for cemetery and another five hectares of parcel 098-011-169 land near Noro-Munda road specifically for a waste dumpsite.

Also, Bato said PDCL will build and complete a road alone and inside the north- western boundary of this parcel.

He said COL will consent to the subdivision of this parcel and allow resulting parcels to be transferred, in exchange for PDCL surrendering the road parcel free of charge to SIG.

Wale wants an explanation on Mamara payment claim

Written by
Press Release
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Work on the Mamara City project last year.

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale calls on the government to explain the claim by Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd for payment in relation to houses built under the Mamara Township Development Project.

The call was made after reports suggested that Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd has put in a claim for payment of more than $21million from the government for more than 20 houses built to date under the Mamara – Tasivarongo – Mavo Development Agreement.

“This twist now takes the debate on this project to new heights.  For all we know, the agreement was ratified by an Act of the same name passed by Parliament and gazetted around March 1, 1996. 

“This year makes it 27 years after signing and one cannot help but wonder whether the agreement is still valid,” Wale said.

He points out that the current investor is probably the second to take up the project in the last four years and the original agreement was with Metropolis Pacific PTE Ltd, a company registered in Singapore.

“The letter of demand on the other hand was issued for Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd, a locally registered company.  

“Are these the same company or not? If they are, has the time that has passed affected the agreement at all or not?

“If they are not the same company and given the time lapse, have the terms of the agreement ever been repudiated and what steps had been taken to contextualise the terms?”

He said Section 2 (2) of the Act requires any amendment to the agreement to be met by appropriate amendments to the Act also.

“Clause 27 of the agreement further requires any changes made to be placed before Parliament. This is a safety net providing opportunity for Parliament to review matters such as prices, budgetary constraints and changes in laws amongst others. Someone must explain what is going on. Thus, it is very important that answers be provided.

“Looking at the claimed figure and the planned total number of houses, this project is going to cost the government big time and this clearly runs contrary to Government promises to focus our limited resources on protecting our country from Covid 19, and growing our resource sector. This deal signals a major hole which is going to drain our limited finances if anything.

“I therefore call on the Prime Minister to come out clear and explain the situation. The public at large and tax payers whom are going to be affected need to know what is going on,” the Opposition Leader adds.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

Logging picks up in Malaita after decline

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Logging is reportedly picking up in Malaita province.

Last year saw a dramatic decline to logging in Malaita thanks to covid-19.

Following 21 logging operations reported in the province in the beginning of 2020, only seven survived.

However, reports say logging is slowly picking up again, with three operations bound to start this year.

These three are reportedly in their timber rights hearing stage.

Officer in charge of the Provincial Reforestation office in Auki, Mr Ronnie Aiwewe said there are more logging operation applications pending for Malaita.

“More to come,” he says.

In 2019, this paper reported up to 20 logging operations in the province, the highest number of logging operations in any province in the country at that time.

In the beginning of 2020, it climbed to 21 operations before dropping down to seven by the end of the year.

Aiwewe confirmed to this paper yesterday that three new operations are expected in the province soon and applications for new operations pending.

He said the three new operations are now into their timber rights hearing stage.

Aiwewe said one for Wairokai in west Are Are, another for Masupa in east Are Are, and the third one for west Kwaio.

For the current seven active operations, one in East Are Are, three in Small Malaita, and the other three in West Kwaio.

Saying the operations is within the central and southern regions of the province, particularly from west Kwaio to south Malaita and East Are Are.

Aiwewe explained that the main reason for decline of logging in the province last year was covid-19.

He said there are other reasons such as disputes and even MARA government’s firm stand against logging operations in the province.

Aircraft tracker commissioned

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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THE Minister for Civil Aviation and Communications, Peter Shanel

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Automatic Dependent Surveillance –Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment to track aircraft location was officially commissioned yesterday for use.

The official commissioning and issuance of notice to airmen was done by Minister for Communication and Aviation Peter Shanel Agovaka.

Mr Agovaka said the commissioning of the (ADS-B) equipment marks one of the biggest achievements of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA).

“The official commissioning of the ADS-B for the users Airlines and Operators that flies into Solomon Islands will be monitored by the ADS-B, both over-flights, arriving and departing both Munda and Honiara marks one of the biggest milestone achievement in my ministry,” he said.

Permanent Secretary to MCA Moses Virivolomo said the ADS-B is an advance surveillance technology for tracking aircraft location that will be implemented as a part of the next generation Air Transportation System.

 Virivolomo said the ADS-B will replace radar as the primary surveillance method of controlling aircraft.

Avatai murder case goes to High Court

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi confirmed in court yesterday the case against the accused Ashley Ghapuika has been committed to the High Court for trial on murder charge.

She said that a committal has been made to the High Court and the accused will be called at the High Court on May 28.

She therefore told the Correctional Officers to bring the accused to the High Court on Friday.

Ashley Ghapuika of Rennell Island, Rennell-Bellona province was charged with the murder of a young man at Avatai village in West Rennell on February 15, 2021.

The allegation said that the deceased and his uncle were in their kitchen at Avatai Village, in west Rennell, trying to light a roll of cigarette.

It was when the deceased was trying to light his smoke, the suspect entered the door with a long bush knife and walked straight to where the deceased was standing and allegedly cut the deceased once on the back of his neck.

It is believed the deceased was not able to defend himself due to the sudden attack. The suspect later went outside from the kitchen and walked away with his bush knife full of blood.

The deceased was rushed to the Tigoa mini-Hospital in West Rennell in a vehicle but was confirmed dead by the nurse in charge.

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