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One Link Director case for plea

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against One Link director Gerard Tauohu is listed for plea today at the Honiara Magistrate court.

Tauohu earlier faced 33 counts of false pretence under the penal code, and one count of unlicensed financial institution under the Financial Institutions Act 1998.

However, after further investigations, prosecution acquitted him of all the initial charges and charged him with simple larceny.

Tauohu was arrested by police after receiving complaints from One Link mentors and customers who had not received their payments from the director as promised.

Allegation said that Tauohu obtained more than $400,000 from six mentors between December 2019 and February 2020 and failed to pay them their promised interests.

He then allegedly escaped to Malaita and was arrested after police received complaints from the scheme’s mentors and customers who had invested in the scheme last year but were yet to receive their payments.

One Link Pacifica customers had allegedly invested a total of $56,440,4575 in the scheme but police had only managed to recover $336,891.20.

Jonathan Auga of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Ronald Dive represents the accused.

NPHL predeparture testing soon: PM

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE National Public Health Laboratory will soon be doing pre-departure covid-19 testing, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Sogavare said so far over 1,000 tests have been done for pre-departure requirements.

“All pre-departure testing will soon be done at the National Public Health Laboratory,” he said.

Sogavare stressed the molecular laboratory has now performed about 13,000 covid-19 tests to date.

He said more than 10,000 tests are to fulfil our quarantine requirements for incoming travelers.

Sogavare adds, covid-19 testing for all crews on incoming logging vessels, and all stevedores on outgoing logging vessels are now done at the laboratory at Gizo hospital.

“So far Gizo hospital has processed almost 500 tests.”

Bangladeshi’s case moved for May 18

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison has adjourned the case of a foreign national for May 18, 2021 for mention.

The accused appeared in court yesterday and had his case further adjourned.

The Bangladesh national faces counts of rape, indecent act, criminal trespass and count of intimidation.

Regarding the rape charge, police alleged that the accused raped an underage girl on unknown dates early this year.

Prosecution alleged that the Bangladeshi raped the 11-year-old girl in an area in East Honiara.

According to Police the case was reported to the Henderson police station by the mother of the victim.

Police said the victim’s mother called in at Henderson Police Station and reported that her daughter was raped by a Bangladesh national in his bedroom.

The mother said she only knew of the incident when she heard stories from other girls about what happened to her, it was at that time the mother asked her daughter and confirmed that the accused has been doing sexual action on her about a week ago but she was afraid to tell anyone about it.

Journos reminded to do duty with professionalism

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The Hon Prime Minister who is also the patron of MASI delivering the MASI night’s keynote address

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

LOCAL journalists in the country have been reminded to do their duties with professionalism.

This call to remind journalists of their duties was echoed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the World Press Freedom Day event organised by the Media Association of Solomon Islands and partners.

“I want to encourage our press and media to do your duty with the utmost professionalism. Your credibility depends very much on the confidence and the trust that the public has in you.

“The government will always support you, and we expect the press and media to discharge their duties in a professional and ethical manner.

“At the end of the day, it is the people that we serve.

“As we mark this day, I call on everyone to ensure the information continues to remain a public good,” said Sogavare.

He said there are other media outlets that continue to discharge their duties in a professional manner.

“I therefore wish to acknowledge the role of the media in supporting the government to disseminate information to the people,” Sogavare said.

Journalists briefed with CAUSE project grievance redress mechanism system

Written by
Ben Bilua
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CAUSE Officials and Journalists who were part of the discussion

BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

JOURNALISTS in Gizo yesterday were briefed with Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement (CAUSE) Project’s Grievance Redress system.

The discussion was held at Gizo hotel and was conducted by Kevin Teferomu – CAUSE project Safety Officer and Lawrence Nodua – CAUSE Project Communication Officer supported by CAUSE Project Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Gizo Project Implementation Unit, Penny Siliako and Resident works supervisor here CAUSE Project Gizo Edwin Ghasapio were also present during the discussion.

In his presentation Mr Teferomu said CAUSE project has a standard procedure to resolve grievances.

He explained that the procedure is codified in the project’s policy which is endorsed by the World Bank and relevant Solomon Islands government agency

Teferomu said there are proper channels to launch a complaint and that is through standard procedures established under the project policy.

“Those who gone through Infrastructure Service delivery training (ISDT) know this policy.

“There is a form available at our provincial offices so as at the head office where Graduate trainees with grievance can fill.

“The form will go through an appropriate line of command find best solution.

“In addition, there is a box made available at our offices where trainees or public can drop their complaints.

“As per the policy, the issues will be deliberated within two weeks and feedbacks will be delivered or announced,” he explained.

Teferomu said there have been issues where complaints were raised outside of the standard procedures and this has created some misunderstanding in the community.

He further states that this policy is a guide to create better relationship with the project but also create better understanding of the way the project is operated.

“Such policy has penalties in an event workers are not following the guidelines these include, warning, reprimand, suspension from the project these applies for both people who project employed on a short term basis and staff of the project.”

Meanwhile Nodua said media plays a key role in information dissemination and at the same time educate people.

He thanked mainstream media for continuous reporting of the project’s milestone achievements.

EDITORIAL- It’s Honiara city council again!

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Admin
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IT is clear as daylight.

Since they came into power more than a year ago, the current bunch of elected Honiara City Councillors have no plan and vision for the city.

From day, they came up with self-serving decisions that benefit no one but themselves.

This is happening while Honiara is in chaos – uncontrollable public transport service, irregular rubbish collection, dirty streets and the list goes on.

Less than two years time, the city will host the Pacific Games. This event will bring in thousands of visitors from the region and abroad.

We are yet to see a plan from the current council executive as to how they are going to prepare Honiara for this big event.

What we are seeing instead are mismanagement of council funds, spending money on unnecessary projects such as the controversial Fire Extinguisher procurement, and purchasing expensive vehicles while the council does not have the funds to pay rubbish collectors.

Last year, the Auditor General found widespread abuse of power, mismanagement of funds, conflict of interest and outright failure to adhere to legal administrative procedures.

A report the former treasurer produced into how the current leadership spends money and allocate resources is even damning.

This year, the Pacific Accounts Committee (PAC) decided to conduct an inquiry into how the council manages its affairs.

PAC is yet to release its report, but what transpired during the inquiry was telling enough that the current councilors are not there to serve the city and its residents.

What’s revealing from the inquiry is the fact that despite the existence of established financial management procedures, the council leadership opted to do things their own way.

They have treated the council as their personal business.

It was relief for Honiara residents to see the city clerk Rence Sore go.

And it’s interesting to see Sore produced a report just before he left office.

Whilst the report may have no legal standing, it is a true exposure of what went on in there over the last year or so.

In fact, it was just a confirmation of what the auditors have uncovered.

Question now is why do we allow the current bunch to remain as councilors in the face of all these overwhelming evidence?

Why does it take so long to take action and dissolve the council?

A new mayor was recently elected. He has appointed his executive.

But they are the same old bunch. It’s just the leadership that has changed.

What do we expect from them?

Nothing!

So why are we still allowing them to run our affairs when they have absolutely nothing to offer this city?

Is this how we tackle corruption head-on?

The Government talked so much about fighting corruption. But we have seen little or no action when it comes to doing it.

Enough is enough!

This current bunch must go!

VIEWPOINT- SEZs can drive transformational economic development in SI

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Admin
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IF you are like me, observing with mortification, the languid state of our economic development, then I hope this article can ignite excitement that this state of affairs can actually change, literally overnight- well maybe over a matter of months to be exact. 

However considering the time we have been languishing, on average, in economic decline, maybe the above is a candid statement.    

What is the basis for this genuine claim?  

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of course!

In fact Government has been pushing the establishment of SEZs but hasn’t actually succeeded. 

An attempt in 2017 to get a Bill into Parliament didn’t materialize and there is currently a push within Government to implement SEZs as part of its policy redirection but lack of funding may have scuttled this effort. 

May I suggest that Cabinet makes a declaration that all Provincial urban centres will be SEZs and start developing these SEZs using PPP.

The Provincial urban centres are on crown land so the difficulty of land access will be skirted and Government will be dealing with far fewer problems than seeking to develop SEZs elsewhere.   

Making a start with the Provincial Centres will build momentum for development of special economic zones and set the platform for driving meaningful economic development in our country.

Given that the current models are not working, maybe SEZs will be the engines of growth that will stimulate employment, export production, and harness the potential in rural areas for economic growth.   

Managing the process for developing SEZs is not that difficult, I suggest.

First things first, Government meets with all Premiers to obtain their support for the proposal and then Cabinet makes the declaration. 

The lead ministry, the MCILI establishes a taskforce to spearhead the process. 

After the declaration the taskforce meets to draw-up tender documents for investors to invest under PPP to develop the SEZs. 

Hoping that there will be several interested investors/operators, a number of SEZs can be developed simultaneously until all the SEZs have been developed in the Provincial Centres.

To ensure investor funds risked to develop the SEZs are recovered, a number of businesses in the SEZs will be reserved for the investors/operators to manage. 

Overtime these business ventures will be transferred to the respective Provinces at no recourse.

We are optimistic that our economy will rebound from 2022 with the ADB and CBSI projecting growth to be around 3+% .

This projected rate can be increased if the SEZs are developed from now so that by next year, some will already be in business and producing for exports. 

Concurrently, the SEZs will modernize the Provincial Centres, turning them into growth centres, and through creation of aggregate demand in those centres, a multiplier effect could be fashioned that will generate multiple knock-on effects cross the provinces therefore consolidating economic development in the Provinces, with greater combined impact on our overall economic performance which in finality can lift our standard of living and state of economic prosperity.

With these possibilities, it would pay for our country for SEZs to be established.

And, any responsible Government will certainly seize the opportunity to act decisively and take action to advance the establishment of SEZs in our Provincial urban Centres.   

PETER FORAU

Honiara

PRIVATE VIEW- Is SIPA a monopoly in the International shipping cargo tariff haul?

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Solomon Islands Ports Authority

I TAKE it upon myself to contribute viewpoints to ongoing discussions on matters I spend a lifetime carrier labouring to make contributions towards. 

We all have a duty of care to guard and protect the Maker’s creation, but also to leave it in a better state than when we found it. 

This I am trying to do, conscious of the grave responsibility to be fair, selfless and justified; and in exercise only of what I consider to be well-founded and knowledge-based pointers.  

While so engaged, I endeavour to keep within my areas of competence so that I am ever prepared to backup those pointers, which may become contentious. 

Friends of mine have nagged about my communication skills and that my writings can scarcely be understood by the average reader. 

I concede but, at the same time, I have this conviction that the language and style of written communication must bear importance and dignity to the subject matters of discussion and must be tailored to translate concepts in succinct and direct form. 

This way, it is easy to discern countering pointers and so to engage in constructive exchanges for optimal consensuses (or agreeing to disagree or even, disagreeing without being disagreeable). 

This is provided, of course, countering pointers emanate from open-minded and likewise discerning individuals. 

Otherwise battles of rhetoric and incessant tirades is uneconomic use of time.

The current case in point is whether international cargo handling the sole and restricted domain of Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA). 

Is SIPA a monopoly?  Are other international cargo handlers stealing, competing or complimenting SIPA when it boils down to revenue levying and collection. 

Definitively, there is no stealing. 

There is only competition and complimenting.  This is a challenge to SIPA but good for the country’s economy and best for the consumer.

The current CEO of SIPA prides himself as proponent of re-engineering but recently he has been in the radio and newspapers complaining that Leroy Wharf Port has been taking away business from the port of his tenure. 

Maybe his best move right now is to reverse engineer the thought process and go back to basics. 

Stop crying foul and engage the grey matter for industry market retention, fulfilment and satisfaction. 

Stem the market haemorrhage by reinvention not by vocals and media jockeying.  Deeds make a bigger bang!  Stop the top dressing and concentrate on core business. 

Stop intimidating, suspending and sacking the workforce without following the proper procedures. 

Build bonds and a cohesive team encompassing management and rank and file workforce.

Stop running to town with vain issues and learn that compliance to mandatory maritime rules and procedures will land SIPA a ‘favoured-port’ positioning for market gain and retention of international cargo traffic; and, but also for international favours in terms of bilateral and multilateral partnering in development projects procurement ambitions.

The international community is conscious of our ‘Least Developed Country’ status and are very open to assist. 

But for this, you have to learn to appraise, propose, solicit, and even coerce target Development Partners in the manner compliant to the checklist of their grant-in-aid protocols. 

As an SOE, SIPA has the moral duty to go with the flow with the rest of the country in financing its operations and infrastructure development.

As it is, SIPA has been basking in the innuendo of previous CEO Colin Yaw’s unreasonable jacking up of tariffs.  

In the short period of two years (2015/2016, 2016/2017 Financial Years) SIPA’s Bank Account had swollen in excess of SBD300M, dubbed by Finance Experts as; ‘TOXIC MONEY’.

The temptation for wayward expenditure had been so irresistible that unplanned equipment purchases and unplanned recruitment are now evident in surplus equipment and overmanning. 

The CEO himself may have chalked up more than SBD5M, if not more, in overseas travel.  Anyone can be forgive for calling this a reap-off.

Spending power of people’s money was constricted because port users and business houses are passing the effects of the high tariffs to the end user. 

The ultimate beneficiary is SIPA because by legal due process, mass polarisation of money is stashing away in their Bank Account. 

The two alternative balancing act in this scenario are to rationalise and right-size the tariff or introduce competition. 

The latter has happened and will continue to happen.  SIPA’s Point Cruz Port is bottlenecked and choked by Honiara city growth.

Revisit the Corporate Plan and Business Plan and if there is a need to re-engineer then; so be it, only be sure to make them better than when you first found them. 

And Oh; while so engaged, remember to keep within ethics, laid down procedures and guidelines.

SIPA is owned by Solomon Islands Government and as such is subject to political directives. 

It is not completely free to operate 100% entrepreneurship. 

Although SIPA is popularly perceived to be a monopoly, general reading of the Ports Act reveals all its duties and mandates, but that legal framework falls short of encasing those mandates within an exclusive domain. 

The Ports Act is also silent on the issue of private commercial ports; neither debarring them nor stating a protection clause on the operations of SIPA. 

Under the nuance of a free enterprise country, any individual or corporation desirous of conducting business as receiver and forwarder of international cargo can thus do so by virtue only of an appropriate compliant Business Licence.

This country is a democracy and as such the society herein is capitalistic – driven by supply and demand. 

There is freedom of association which also means anyone can conduct business with anyone else they choose, and not because they are forced to. 

The choice by purchasers to move to cheaper sellers is completely their own prerogative. 

And so it is with international cargo vessels.  As so it is with the earning of tariff money from international cargo handling.  The bottom line is Leroy Wharf Port is not unduly taking business away from SIPA.

Having arrived at this juncture in this storyline, I am beside myself; I cannot help but reminisce on an analogy I read in a lessons story book years ago. 

There was this cunning and woolly canine creature in the Arizona desert on a clear but cold night.

It was perched atop a rounded mountain spur; hind legs horizontally extended frontwards on the ground and forelegs stiffly vertical; head, jaw and open mouth upturn to the starry sky above, howling its heart out at the fully blown silver moon sailing proudly from one end of the firmament dome to the other. 

The canine creature (wolf) howled and howled and howled, – awhoo – yahoo – awhoo – but the moon kept on shinning and sailing ostentatiously across the firmament. 

As with all ‘Lessons Books’ stories, there is a moral to this story.

WILLIAM BARILE

Former CEO, SIPA

MASI marks World Press Freedom Day

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The Hon Prime Minister who is also the patron of MASI delivering the MASI night’s keynote address

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MEDIA Association of Solomon Islands in Partnership with the school of Media and Journalism under the Solomon Islands National University Commemorated World Press Freedom Day under the theme “Information as a Public Good.”

The event provided an avenue where journalists are recognized for their role as a fourth Estate and at the same time were reminded and encourage to report responsibly.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare who was the guest speaker of the event said as the patron of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) and as the Prime Minister he believes the government has done extremely good work in making sure information is accessible especially since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

From left to right, Dr Maebuta, PM Sogavare, Peter Shannel and UNDP country manager to Solomon Islands Berdi Berdiyev

Sogavare on the same note acknowledges the role of the media in supporting the government to disseminate information to the people

“I must also say that the government is grateful to the media outlets who find the time and space to publish these updates in their papers.

Barava FM staff Ursula Nongebatu with her friend from Australian High Commission to Solomon Islands

“I want to encourage our press and media to do your duty with the utmost professionalism. Your credibility depends very much on the confidence and the trust that the public has in you.

Island Sun dancers

“The government will always support you, and we expect the press and media to discharge their duties in a professional and ethical manner. At the end of the day, it is the people that we serve. As we mark this day, I call on everyone to ensure the information continues to remain a public good,” he said.

Lynda Wate Seni Director to Isles Media with some of the female media workers in the country

Acting Vice Chancellor, Solomon Islands National University Dr Jack Maebuta said on behalf of the university he is honored to have the presence of the PM Sogavare as the father of the nation.

President to MASI Georgina Kekea escorting the Hon Prime Minister who is also the patron of MASI

“To MASI president our sincere gratitude for choosing Lokol Fusion Café as a fitting venue to host this year’s World Media Day. It is a fitting venue madam President because it also gives SINU’s the opportunity to engage and expose its certificate in Journalism and Media students to such event that will be an eye opener for them to the World of media and journalism,” Maebuta said.  

Georgina Kekea President to MASI in response said World Press Freedom Day is a very important day for MASI and its members.

“We the members of MASI are happy to be here to celebrate this day here with you. Thank you to the UN agencies for making this possible for all of us tonight, Thank you.

Some of many females witnessing the event

“This year we have changed our style of celebration to mark World Press Freedom Day. We have extended our invites to those who have been supportive of MASI and what we believe in,” Kekea said.

She said MASI strives to strengthen the media industry in the country amidst great challenges.

The event was supported by United Nation Agencies.

Governor General visits Kukum United Church

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The Governor General Sir David Vunagi speaking to the Kukum United Church congregation

The Governor General paid a visit to the Kukum United Church on Sunday.

Governor General Sir David Vunagi, his wife Lady Mary and their party arrived just before the morning church programme where he was greeted by Ministers Reverend Smith Chacha and his wife Yonna, Reverend Simon Ngatu, Reverend David Lampio, Pastor Melvin Uzziala and his wife Lyncia, Pastor Brian Soma and the congregation chairman Solomon Sammy.

There was much anticipation when the congregation heard of his proposed visit, and the church was fully packed with not only Kukum congregation members but also members from Gilbert Camp, their sister church.

Since it was the first Sunday of a new month, it was a Holy Communion Sunday.

Girls greeting His Excellency Right Reverend Sir David Vunagi with flowers

After welcoming the Head of State, Reverend Ngatu read from the Gospels of Mathew 5:14-16 and John 8:12.

Reverend Chacha then delivered a strong sermon, highlighting Jesus as the light of the world and encouraging the congregation to also be the light like Jesus.   

Later, Sir David spoke to the Church. His message was short and simple; he wants all the churches in the country including Kukum United Church to work together.

The Head of State meets the Kukum United Church elders

Making the appeal, he said it is his prayer for all the churches to work together.

“We seem to work in parallel lines, Catholic, SSEC, the United Church. I pray for the churches to meet somewhere so we can share our resources. We all have our own resources and we need to share them.”

The Governor General highlighted an example during the days of the Methodist founder Reverend John Francis Goldie and the Bishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia Bishop Cecil Wilson.

“Reverend Goldie was going to Lord Howe to establish the Methodist Church but he didn’t have a ship. Bishop Wilson had a ship. So, they made an agreement for Bishop Wilson to establish the Anglican Church at Lord Howe and for Reverend Goldie to establish a Church at Aola, since the area was accessible to him.

“That is working together. There was no competition, only mutual agreement.

“I appeal to you Ministers, we must work together, recognise each other’s strengths and help each other. Let us follow the example of our founding fathers.”

The Head of State also told the congregation at Kukum to support the National Government in light of the Corona Virus pandemic.

His Excellency Right Reverend Sir David Vunagi walks with the Kukum United Church Minister Reverend Smith Chacha

Then he had them laughing as he recalled his days studying in New Zealand where he was with former United Church Moderator Reverend Philemon Riti.

“Lunch was apples and pears. That is normal for white people. But you know us Solomon Islanders. Who would be satisfied with just apples and pears for lunch? So Reverend Riti would say to his wife “Okay Nancy you cook some rice.”

A heavy lunch in Solomon style soon followed after the service, where more speeches and stories were shared.

Honourable Dean Kuku who nominated Sir David in June 2019 as Governor General was present with his wife and recalled the event.

“No person from Isabel province has held the office of Governor General. We felt at the time it was fitting for a person from Isabel Province and a person of a high calibre like Sir David himself to be accorded the position.”

Sir David Vunagi’s election at the time was unopposed.

The current head of State was Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia from 2009 until his retirement in 2016.

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