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Platform launch to strengthen SAFENET in Isabel

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Group photo of all attendees on the launching event of Gender Responsive Peacebuilding Extractive Industries in Isabel province.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE launch of the Gender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries Isabel Province will directly support the establishment of provincial SAFENET referral network in Isabel.

Thompson Araia, women development division training co-ordinator Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs, said the establishment of the SAFENET referral network in Isabel was established through ministry, the Isabel Provincial Government and its stakeholders in 2018.

“The project will directly strengthen the efforts of ministry, Isabel provincial government and stakeholders in the establishment of the provincial SAFENET referral network,” Araia said.

He said the Isabel Provincial SAFENET is a network of government ministries and agencies, CSOs, Community groups and leaders including chiefs that will ensure that victims and survivors of gender-based violence have access to essential services including access to justice.

The project aims to create an enabling environment support women’s human right and participation of women in community based peace-building process, ensuring women and young women are able to drive change within their communities through peace building dialogues and to improve the quality of services provision to women who faces violates in terms of programming the services between CSOs and government to community based women.    

The project was launched yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

Platform shows govt pledge to gender equality: MWYCFA

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Thompson Aria from Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE launch ofGender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries in Isabel Province marks significant progress in national government’s commitment to advancing gender equality.

Thompson Araia, women development division training co-ordinator, Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs echoed this on behalf of the ministry.

“Today’s launching of the project Gender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries in Isabel Province marks a significant progress in the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly for women and girls in the rural areas of Isabel Province,” Araia said.

He adds by thanking the Isabel Provincial Government and Isabel Council of Chiefs for recognising the importance of addressing the issue of human violations related to the logging companies operating in the province.

Araia stressed the ministry is looking forward to this partnership including with the other line ministries and Civil Society Organizations.

“I cannot overemphasise the importance of this project’s aim and objectives. Women are proven peace builders, evident in the critical role they played in bringing back peace to the Solomon Islands during our dark history of the social unrest, sadly they were not involved or any engaged in any of the peace procedures and processes that followed,” he said.

On the note the Ministry sincerely thanked and commend UN Agency International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Fund (UNFPA), UN Women through UN peacebuilding fund for support to government in promoting human rights and women empowerment.

The project aims to create an enabling environment support women’s human right and participation of women in community-based peace-building process, ensuring women and young women are able to drive change within their communities through peace building dialogues and to improve the quality of services provision to women who faces violates in terms of programming the services between CSOs and government to community-based women.  

The project was launched yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

Violence against women an obstacle to sustainable development: MWYCFA

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Cutting of cake to mark the official launch of the project

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

VIOLENCE against women and girls in all its forms is a key obstacle to the sustainable development of Solomon Islands and most horrific human rights violation, says Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs.

Thompson Araia, women development division training co-ordinator,Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs, echoed the above sentiment on behalf of the ministry.

“Violence against women and girls in all its forms is one pf the most horrific human rights violations that not only affects women and girls in Solomon Islands but also our families, societies and our nation. It is a key obstacle to the sustainable development of Solomon Islands,” Araia said.

He said according to the study commissioned by the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs – the 2019 Community Health and Mobility in the Pacific report provided the much-needed evidence that human rights violations are strongly linked to the presence of logging operations in Isabel province.

Araia said the human right violations ranging form sex work, increased rates of gender-based violence, early and forced marriage and sexual exploitation.

He said with the launch of the Gender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries in Isabel province projects marks a significant progress in the Solomon Islands governments commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Araia said the Ministry sincerely thanked and commend UN Agency International Organisation for Migration (IOM), United Nations Fund (UNFPA), UN Women through UN peacebuilding fund for support to government in promoting human rights and women empowerment.

TSI- PM respond to CDF concerns is unacceptable

Written by
Press Release
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TSI

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) is very disappointed to hear the Prime Minister (PM) Manasseh Sogavare responding to many concerns raised on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) by challenging the premiers of Malaita and Guadalcanal Province to take the matter to court.

The disbursement and use of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) have been a controversial issue since the introduction of CDF and this continues to be the case till today.

It is no surprise that these provincial leaders are taking the initiative to challenge this.

The premiers of Malaita and Guadalcanal are not the only citizens of this country who are concerned about CDF.

Most citizens of this country are equally concerned about the use and disbursement of CDF.

Through the advocacy work carried out by TSI in all our provinces, CDF remains to be a concern to the people.

Although the ‘term’ CDF is something that people know and heard about from campaigns to seeing constituency officers and supporters benefiting from CDF, the actual information pertinent to the purpose of CDF is lacking or rather is a well-kept secret.

For a start, it is unclear when the CDF Act actually commenced pursuant to section 1 of the CDF Act.

Section 1 requires the Minister responsible to appoint when the Act shall come into operation by notice in the Gazette.

The citizens of this country need to be informed whether or not the Minister responsible at the time, in the exercise of the power conferred by section 1 of the CDF Act appointed a date in which the CDF Act come into operation.

Additionally, our legislators’ have miserably failed the citizens of this nation by deliberately choosing not to gazette the CDF Regulations since 2013 till today, why the delay?

Certainly, any concerned citizen of this country should be alarmed about the use and disbursement of CDF especially when the CDF Act permit millions of public funds to be channeled through members of Parliament, each MP receiving up to $7 million a year.

MPs are directly benefiting from this CDF Act whilst at the same time MPs are not transparent and accountable with the use of CDF and they fail to gazette the CDF Regulations.

Through TSI’s continuous advocacy work in our various communities, it’s obvious why CDF continues to be a huge concern to our citizens.

There is little to no information shared with the people who are supposed to be benefiting from these funds.

For example, the CDF Act requires each constituency to have a constituency development plan with regards how each MP plan to develop his/her constituency, yet constituents do not know what their development plans are.

How can they benefit from such plans if they do not know what areas they are supposedly developing?

The Act requires all 50 constituencies to establish constituency development offices in the 50 constituencies however all CDOs, Project officers, finance officers are based in Honiara.

Apart from the 3 Honiara constituencies, how can constituents in the 47 constituencies access their constituency officers? Some MPs even have their spouse as CDOs, isn’t this a conflict?

These constituency officers are public servants yet most seem to be immune to public service rules and regulations, why?

Some MPs have lists of supporters only who are eligible to benefit from CDF contrary to the purpose of having CDF.

There is an overwhelming abuse of CDF in this country yet nothing is done about this by citizens, why?

MPs fail to provide information pertaining to the use and disbursement of CDF to their constituents. MPs continue to use CDF to maintain voter support through the supporting and benefiting ‘voters only’.

It is common to hear in all communities that MPs support their voters only.

This can easily be rectified is MPs inform their constituents about development plans and most importantly the retirement of these millions of dollars.

Who knows, maybe the reports with regards the use and disbursement of CDF looks good and genuine on paper but does it reflect the situation on the ground in each communities?

Why would MPs hide their CDF retirement reports from the constituents?  

Obviously, there are issues surrounding CDF that needs to be rectified, hence these two provincial leaders taking such initiative to challenge CDF.

The PM’s defensive response will not benefit this country, more public funds will be lost in defending this if it goes to Court.

Such a response is unacceptable and it shows a leader who does not have the citizens wellbeing at heart.

TSI is concerned to see the huge increase again given to the Constituency Development Fund that allocated each MP the sum of $6.8 million a year whilst out health sector is in dire need of much needed help and support.

Clinics in poor states.

Very little or nothing to be seen in the constituency as evidence of CDF contribution to development over the past years. 

This is the second highest CDF allocation for the Constituencies through their MPs.

To allocate this amount of money for the Constituencies at a time when the country is going through an economic crisis and health crisis is very irresponsible of the MPs, regardless of which side of the house they are in.

And to allocate such an amount to go through this failed and very corrupt scheme at a time when the country needs to address the health crisis by way of doing something about the delipidated state of health and medical infrastructures is beyond understanding, common sense and is not a sign of good and strong leadership.

Transparency Solomon Islands agrees with Hon Harry Kuma who said, “if Solomon Islands is to grow and develop into a society that is economically vibrant, sustainable and prosperous then we must ensure there is political and economic stability and strong ethical leadership.”

But allocation or commitment of $330 million for CDF is most certainly not a sign of strong ethical political leadership nor will it bring about a society that is economically vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous. 

This is especially so when our debt stands at $1.5billion as government borrows. The Constituency Development Fund Scheme is the most corrupt funding scheme there is. 

It corrupts elections, it corrupts public officials, it corrupts people, it corrupts government systems, it hijacks the constitutionally assigned roles of the provincial governments and the Ministries. 

For all these millions nothing much happens for the majority of Solomon Islanders.

The executive government must understand that the intended legal challenge on the legality of the CDF is not an issue to do with the PM or the MPs, but a matter to be tested in court, to see whether CDF is constitutional or unconstitutional. Since CDF was introduced to MPs who are elected representatives from the constituencies as legislators in parliament, citizens see and feel very little impact on their lives from CDF.

Over a decade now CDF has total up to billions but yet citizens haven’t seen any tangible development from the fund.

The PM instead of suggesting ways to improve the management and disbursement of CDF to meet its intended purpose, he however challenges the premier to take the matter to court.

This does reflect well of an elected leader who is supposed to be collaborating with the provincial government as his agents to deliver services to the people.

TSI believes that given the abuse, lack of transparency and accountability surrounding CDF, the Legislators (MPs) must gazette the CDF Regulation and come up with ways to improve the funding mechanism.

But to defend its current status and ignoring citizens’ concern over its high prevalence to breed corruption does not reflect well of the leadership of the executive government.

 TSI further reiterated the call on MPs and Constituency Officers to inform your constituents about how their CDF have been used over the years to supposedly develop their constituencies.

MPs must inform constituents about your Constituency Development plans seeing that whatever development is done in the constituencies as a result of CDF funding, it has to reflect the development plans.

Often citizens wanting to find out more information about their constituency plans and retirement of funds to enable them to align project applications with areas identified in constituency development plans are informed that these information are confidential.

MPs and constituency officers must not misinform constituents to believe that CDF information are confidential information. Constituents must be informed about how their CDF have been spent and about plans to further develop their constituencies (if need be).

MPs and Constituency Officers must inform their constituents about their retirement reports and again TSI calls on the Ministry responsible to verify retirement reports through visits to the communities.

Enough of this secrecy surrounding the use and disbursement of CDF, our people deserve better.

CDF in its use, abuse and misuse is a breeding ground for abuse and misuse of entrusted power by those in power.

TSI earlier commends Hon Silas Vagara for his move to channel CDF through the Provincial Government under ward grant mechanism.

TSI hopes other MPs will do the same. Similarly in Choiseul, the people said they are finally seeing the impact of the ward grants under the current arrangement where CDF is being channeled through ward committees, so why not trial it out.

All members of Parliament know that PCDF and Ward Grants are well structured, tested, monitored, and have proved to be the most effective and productive means of disbursing public funds to deliver projects and achieved the desired outcome.

Sadly, the voices of the people MPs represent have fallen on deaf ears. 

They hear them, they know what needs to be done, but they choose not to do anything about it other than prioritize their own interest first and if there is any crumb left their constituency might get it.

Former Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou as the Governor of the Central Bank was the most vocal about how corrupt this scheme is. Disappointingly it is now business as usual.

PM invited to Isabel 2nd appointed day

Written by
Press Release
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L-R Premier Lesley Kikolo, PM Sogavare (centre) Provincial Secretary John Lokumana

Premier Leslie Kikolo of Isabel province has formally invited Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to the provincial capital Buala early next month for the Provincial Second Appointed Day celebrations.

Mr Kikolo personally delivered the Prime Minister’s invitation yesterday afternoon.  

Handing over the invitation, Premier Kikolo said, “the main reason for my courtesy call is to hand deliver to your good self, our request for you to be our guest of honour and guest speaker in this year’s Second Appointed Day which will be celebrated on Thursday 3rd June, 2021.

“It will be a pride for my executive and the people of Isabel Province to have you as the head of the National Government celebrate with us, should you accept our humble invitation.”

Kikolo requested if the invitation is accepted, travel arrangements are communicated ahead of time so that his people are prepared to meet the Prime Minister.

Premier Kikolo also discussed a number of provincial priorities, seeking support from the national government.

He said the lack of area for expansion of the Buala Provincial Township needs attention. An alternative is to reclaim the Buala seafront to accommodate better and improved development for the Provincial headquarter. This will be done through compulsory acquisition.

Kikolo also handed to the Prime Minister a copy of the Concept Plan for the proposed reclamation.

“Should the process of compulsory acquisition is done, we may need support and financial assistance from the national government,” he stressed.    

The Premier said due to Climate Change, Fera airstrip is starting to experience sea erosion. It would be very expensive to upgrade or maintain the airstrip at its current location.

The only possibility, he adds, is to realign the Airstrip along the Island. Land space is not a problem and can accommodate Dash 8 and other bigger planes.

As the sun sets on the logging sector, tourism is Isabel Province’s new hope. Upgrading the airport will boost the tourism sector.

He said, discussion had started with the Commissioner of Lands to reclaim Fera which is currently under foreign lease.

“After the discussion, nothing much has been heard from the Commissioner of Lands, thus we need the National Government through your office to assist in getting this done quickly, Premier Kikolo told the Prime Minister.

Welcoming the request, Prime Minister Sogavare verbally accepted the invitation to be part of the Isabel provincial Second Appointed day.  

“I look forward to be part of the Isabel Provincial Second Appointed Day celebrations on the 3rd of June,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister is also grateful to the Provincial Government and people of Isabel province for supporting the national government.

“Thank you for the assurance and support from your provincial government and people of Isabel province towards the national government’s endeavour for the betterment of our people and nation especially in this time of COVID 19.

Prime Minister Sogavare assured Premier Kikolo that requests including logistics for the Provincial Second Appointed Day would be channelled through the right Ministry.

–OPMC PRESS

NATIONAL SPORTS STADIUM CONSTRUCTION SET

Written by
Peter Zoleveke II
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the Chinese Ambassador HE Li Ming with government officials, CCECC Mr Huang and the Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade dig to officially mark the launch of construction.

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

The official ground-breaking ceremony for the 2023 Pacific Games National Stadium project was marked as history in the making for Solomon Islands together with its bilateral partners as construction work is set to commence.

Prime Minister, who is the Minister for the 2023 Pacific Games Manasseh Sogavare has expressed his gratitude as the country takes a step further towards hosting the major regional sporting event – for the first time.

PM Sogavare said after formally establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the exchange of notes, and discussions the initial support from PRC has commenced.

“It is one of the largest infrastructure projects, funded and built by the People’s Republic of China in any of PRC’s partner Pacific Island countries,” Sogavare said.

Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade presenting a gift to CCECC Country Manager Mr Huang

The national stadium will consist of seven sporting infrastructures;

1 – A 10,000-seat national stadium which includes 1,000 VIP seats,

2- An Aquatic centre hosting a 50-meter competition pool, and a 25-meter training pool,

3- A six-court tennis centre

4 – A full-sized training track and field with a full-sized soccer/ rugby field

5 – A 90 meters by 50 meters multi-purpose hall

6 – A 5-aside competition hockey field

7 – A double story food court and office space building for the Games Organising Committee

“The facilities will focus our energy as a nation to provide sustainable venues to be used for grass root sports, high performance sports, and community events for the next several decades,” PM Sogavare said.

Chinese Ambassador HE Ling Ming delivering his remarks

“Four key principles underpin the detailed attention paid to the design stage of all facilities for the 2023 Pacific Games. These four principles are:

All facilities must be multi-purpose. Each facility can be used for multiple sports, and community activities.  Even the pool complex was designed to be multipurpose. It can convert to family pool as well as a competition pool. 

All facilities must be high-quality, low maintenance and sustainable.  Quality materials and construction standards, solar power generation, water retention, and green areas are incorporated throughout the PG2023 complexes. 

All facilities are accessible to all users, especially citizens with physical disabilities. The facilities belong to all Solomon Islanders. Disability would not be a barrier.

All facilities are multi-use. The design of the facilities incorporated sports requirements, but also office and support areas to allow the National Sports Council as well as National

NSC Joe Sika presenting the building permit to CCECC Country Manager Mr Huang

PM Sogavare further commends PRC and the winning construction bid company the China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation [CCECC].

HCC TAD DELAYED

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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New City Council executive yet to be gazetted by PMO

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Newly appointed members of the Honiara City Council executive are yet to be blessed by the Prime Minister.

Regardless, the new executive are already carrying out their new portfolio roles.

The Secretariat to the prime minister could not comment when contacted last night on the matter.

Honiara City Council (HCC) Mayor Eddie Siapu says he appointed members of his executive after his election on April 15.

However, Siapu said the Prime Minister Office is still to formally gazette the appointment of the members.

Siapu, who replaced former Mayor, Wilson Mamae, told Island Sun yesterday that his executive members have performed their functions already.

He said his office is only waiting for the formal gazette from the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Initially, Siapu appointed Robert Oge of Kukum ward as his Deputy after he withdrew as candidate for Mayor in the conference room just before the start of the election.

This led to Siapu defeating Reginald Ngati of Vura ward by 14-6.

His full executive members are:

  1. Francis Idu – Chairman of Finance
  2. Dorah Irio – Chairwoman of Trade and Commerce
  3. Luciano Sikwae – Chairman of Lands and Planning
  4. Clement Terewairi – Chairman of Education
  5. Charles Awaisuga – Chairman of Health
  6. Charles Lesimaoma – Chairman of Law Enforcement
  7. Mostyn Saferio – Chairman of Tourism
  8. Wilson Mamae – Chairman of Sports, Women and Youths
  9. Leonard Sai – Chairman of Works

Siapu is still to appoint the Chairman of Waste Management.

Fred Warereau is currently the Acting clerk after Rence Sore was removed from his position.

After his victory, Siapu assured residents in Honiara that his administration will take into serious consideration the never-ending ‘short bus routes’ that are affecting city commuters daily.

Meanwhile, Siapu said he would respond later to latest revelations that he had been privately using a hilux the council purchased last year.

Wale queries vaccine roll-out

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Press Release
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OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale has called on the Prime Minister to further clarify government’s roll-out of covid-19 vaccination throughout the country.

Wale made this call in view of the Covid-19 situation in India that seems to be out of control.

This has affected India’s capacity to manufacture AstraZeneca vaccines for exports, as it is focused on its domestic situation.

The Prime Minister earlier announced that the government had requested 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca from India, half to be paid for by the Government, and the other half was requested under India’s bilateral assistance to Solomon Islands.

Wale points out that in view of India’s desperate domestic situation, and given that Solomon Islands was hoping to procure the majority of its vaccines from India, it is important that the Prime Minister outline what other options the government is exploring.

The Opposition Leader however emphasized the need to ensure government only procures vaccines approved for use by World Health Organization.

“People who received their first vaccination jabs in April are due for their second jabs in June.

“The second jab will need to be of the same vaccine used for the first dose – AstraZeneca.

“It is obviously important that enough supplies arrive before the start of the second dose for those needing it, and for the continued roll-out of the vaccination programme throughout the country,” Wale said.

Sinopharm vaccine update on emergency use soon

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE country is expecting World Health Organisation approval for Sinopharm vaccine emergency use soon, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

“We expect some updates from WHO regarding its approval for Sinopharm vaccine emergency use soon,” Sogavare said.

He said national covid-19 vaccine technical working group of the Ministry of Health is preparing its presentation on the approval of the Sinopharm to the National Drug, Medicine and Therapeutic Committee to be submitted as soon as the WHO approval process comes through.

Sogavare said 50,000 doses provided by China are kept at the National Medical Store. The government is closely monitoring the WHO approval process for this vaccine.

Further to that he said the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine that have rolled out had been approved by WHO and is in use in many countries. Based on the WHO approval, this vaccine is safe and so far in Solomon Islands, they had not yet seen serious side effects

Sogavare said like all other vaccines and medicines, the AstraZeneca vaccine does have mild side effects in some people following the vaccination. These side effects may include light-headedness, dizziness, mild headaches or tiredness and sweating. These side effects usually pass within 24 hours, and some are relieved by taking paracetamol.

“Since roll out of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, there has not been any cases of Anaphylaxis, which is the severe form of reaction or allergy to the vaccine. Such reactions would normally occur within 15 to 30 minutes of receiving the vaccination,” he said.

Chefoo betrays gaps in our covid preparedness: Wale

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Press Release
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LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale is concerned with the actions alleged to have been taken by the shipping agent of MV Chefoo recently, which was in direct breach of the Standard Operating Procedures governing the clearance of foreign ships.

Wale said he is quite concerned that officers of the shipping agent boarded the ship before it was cleared by the Health team, thus endangering not just their own health safety but also that of the community.

Wale has cautioned the Oversight committee to pay particular attention to this shipping agent, stressing that there is the suspicion that this shipping agent is given special treatment by the Oversight committee in the clearance of their vessels.

“This, if true, may pose a risk to the SOPs not being thoroughly followed,” the Opposition Leader said.

He calls on the Oversight Committee to investigate this matter, and if confirmed to be true, there must be some punitive measures taken against this particular shipping agent and its officers involved.

Further, he expressed grave concern about the lack of enforcement of SOPs on log ships.

The Opposition Leader said he has received reliable information that a number of log ships were not cleared by health teams but proceeded to allow local stevedores to come onboard and head to log ponds to load their cargo. The stevedores live on board for several days as they do their work.

“This is a terrible gap in the country’s Covid preparedness and fight. If true, this poses a significant risk to the country’s health safety.

“These local stevedores return to their families and communities after loading without being tested and the risk to their communities and the wider country cannot be overlooked.

“This matter has been left as it is for too long, it is worse than negligence,” Wale added.

The Opposition Leader therefore calls on the Prime Minister to take immediate steps to eliminate these risks. And review the enforcement of SOPs on foreign log ships.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

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