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VIEWPOINT- Truth about the GRML tailings dam

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Gold Ridge tailing dam. FILE PHOTO

PRIMO AMUSAEA – Chairman, Kolobisi Tailings Dam Association

DICK DOUGLAS – Chairman, Gold Ridge Communities Landowners Association

Sam Maneka – Chairmann Metapono Downstream Association

GOLD Ridge communities strongly refuted and condemned in the strongest possible terms lies contained in the statement issued by Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) through SIBC and Solomon Star and Island Sun newspapers regarding discharge of dangerous chemicals into the environment.

The statement is a deliberate lie and designed to intentionally misinform the public about what the GRML is actually doing at Gold Ridge and specifically discharge of contaminated water from the Tailing Storage Facility.

We can confirm the statement does not and was not an official press release from the Ministry.

At no time was permission granted to the company for direct discharge contaminated water from the facility into the Kuara tributary of Tinahulu/Metapono River System,  neither was there any “consultation’   conducted by GRML seeking approval for direct discharge of contaminated water into the environment.

However, communities in the area in consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change have agreed to allow the company to do so to reduce water levels on condition that the contaminated water is treated prior to discharge in accordance with existing Agreements on the Management of the Tailings Storage Facility and International Best Practice on Management of Mine Waste.

Despite of the Understanding between the communities and the GRML on the issue, GRML went ahead and discharged dangerous chemical waste into the river system on Wednesday 14th, April, 2021 without regard for the risk that cyanide and other dangerous chemicals contained in stored mining waste pose to the lives and livelihoods of communities residing along and depend on the river system for their sustenance.

This is hypocrisy on the part of GRML, which should not be allowed to continue unabated.

GRML is using the “danger” posed by the rising water level in the dam as an excuse and as a pretext to discharge untreated contaminated water into the river system and thereby avoid the cost of treating the contaminated water prior to discharge as required under MOU with landowners, Solomon Islands Government and Environment Laws of Solomon Islands.

The intention of GRML is to extract the gold content the mine tailings stored in the facility which they do not have the Right to benefit from/ THAT IS THE CRUX OF THE MATTER-the community leaders said in the statement. 

Interestingly, GRML was defiantly discharging contaminated water from the facility while directing whoever issued the public statement on behalf of GRML.

The statement referred to was clearly intended to misinform and mislead the public about the real intentions of the GRML.

This clearly shows what the new Chinese owners of the Gold Ridge mining project are up to and what they are capable of doing.

If GRML is concerned with the rising water level in the tailings dam as claimed in the statement, then it should have done so under temporary permits issued by the Ministry on November 2020.

The permit expired and was reissued again to GRML to conduct the required discharge on condition that waste water is treated.

The extended permit will expire in May 2021.   

GRML has done nothing under those permits.

This clearly indicates that either GRML, whom the statement claims is owned by foreign loggers, operating in Solomon Islands and private foreign business people in Solomon Islands, is not capable of developing Gold Ridge or is using the Gold Ridge Mining Lease for other purpose other mining.

Moves by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to have the owners of GRML and those connected with the unlawful discharge of contaminated water from the facility to be investigated for offences under the Environment Act is welcomed and has the full support of communities residing along the Metapono River system and along the northern coast of Guadalcanal.

Zumba aids Red Cross centre

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BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Honiara Eve Zumba exercise class as part of its quarterly charity initiatives, donated school stationaries to the Red Cross Special Development Centre at Rifle Range yesterday.

Eve Zumba class instructor Evelyn Basi said these charitable incentives from her class are about giving back to the community.

She says the donations are funded through her class session takings and there will be three more charity events from her class later on this year.

“Our takings every day we set aside amounts towards charity,” she says.

Each year in October Zumba classes in Honiara combined for the Pinktober, which is their major charitable event for breast cancer.

Principal Jiope Ralulu Iputu in receiving the donation thanked the Zumba ladies for their timely support.

“These will help towards the students learning and we really appreciate the donations,” Mr Iputu expresses.

The Special Development Centre is one of the programmes under the Red Cross umbrella for children with disabilities.

Seventy-eight students with special needs enrolled this year in the school.

GREASY DEALS

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Alfred Pagepitu
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Logging company owned by government MP fined $150k

Fairtrade Limited, a logging company owned by government MP, Chachabule Amoi, is one of two companies fined for forestry offences.

The ministry of forest (MOFR) on April 13 this year imposed a penalty of $150,000 to Fairtrade company and Agro LBS Limited for committing a forest offence under section 4 of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act.

This penalty was imposed as a condition for Fairtrade to fulfill in order to be given an export permit by MOFR to export round logs felled and extracted in Putuo island, Isabel province, by Agro LBS.

The penalty was paid the next day, April 14, 2021.

However, the amount on the MOFR receipt is $160,000. It is unclear why the extra $10,000. MOFR has not responded to enquiries.

Last week, Island Sun reported on landowners complaining about illegal logging on their land by the two companies, Fairtrade and Agro LBS.

A case is before the court against the two companies.

Allegations say the two companies had felled round logs in Putuo island using only a Milling licence.

[Milling licence does not empower the holder to fell trees]
Isabel provincial government last year ordered a halt to operations after noting discrepancies.

However, on April 8, 2021, Fairtrade wrote to MOFR expressing interest to export the round log pile on Putuo.

April 13, MOFR granted Fairtrade with an export permit, provided that it fulfilled three conditions, one of which was to pay the $150,000 penalty.

The ministry of forestry has not responded to enquiries sent regarding the issue.

Comments are being sought from Marovo MP, Chachabule Amoi, and owner of Agro LBS, Mr Lemuel Beti Siosi.

PM: no urgency to extend life of parl

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PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare clarified in parliament that the proposed policy to extend the life of the current house would go through proper processes and it will not be rushed.

Sogavare was responding to a question by Member of Parliament for East Are’Are Peter Kenilorea Junior on whether or not the reforms currently pursued by government are the basis for the policy direction to extend the life of the current parliament.

In his response, PM Sogavare said it would be narrow to base the reason for the extension of the parliament on the reforms pursued by government, adding that given the right time he will outline the basis for that policy stance.

Already, Cabinet has approved the proposal to extend the life of parliament from four to five years after Sogavare presented a paper to cabinet recently.

The leaked cabinet document stated the life of parliament needs to be extended to give the government ample time to fully implement its development plans and programs.

However, Sogavare said in parliament public consultations have to be done first.

“At this stage the Attorney General (Ag), Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) and other officials are firming up the consultation process for the proposed policy.

“On prima facie, we will be doing injustice to ourselves and the nation if we go to the polls on 2023.

“However, I will not delve into this until proper consultations will be made to firm up this proposed policy,” he said.

Sogavare said the Government is fully aware that since the extension of the life of parliament will touch on the national constitution, such proposed policy will need to be grounded with solid and valid basis in order to garner two third support in parliament for the amendments of the national constitution and the relevant Acts of parliament.

“In light of that, government will be cautious and ensure that the due process of consultation must take place to ensure peoples’ views and opinions are taken onboard,” the prime minister said.

Agriculture support heralds MAL-CSSI new partnership

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A new era partnership to boost agriculture development focusing on strengthening food production for food security has materialized between the Ministry of Agriculture (MAL) and the Correctional Services of Solomon Islands (CSSI).

The new partnership was acknowledged during a handing over ceremony of seeds and basic farming tools and materials by MAL to CSSI Tetere Correctional Centre (TCC) in Guadalcanal Province on April 15.

“This occasion (handing over) heralds a new era in a partnership between MAL and CSSI in agriculture development, more specifically in food production for food security and as an opportunity in giving the CSSI inmates opportunity to learn farming practices as part of their rehabilitation process,” Deputy Secretary Technical Michael Ho’ota said on behalf of MAL’s Permanent Secretary.

“Now that this partnership begun, the ministry is looking forward in participating in partnership with CSSI on other agriculture development aspirations that it (CSSI) has.

“Our technical team stand ready to assist you in technical matters relating to production of agriculture crops and livestock,” Ho’ota assured CSSI Commissioner, Gabriel Manelusi during the handover ceremony.

“As CSSI commissioner, I feel very honoured and pleased to receive these items on behalf of CSSI,” Commissioner Manelusi said.

Manelusi said the assistance has established a partnership that will grow and strengthen both organisations collaboration in agriculture development, especially in food production for food security and as an opportunity in giving inmates the prospect to learn farming practices as part of their rehabilitation development.

He said the support will boost the real need of progressing the capacity or rehabilitation programme of the Correctional Centre (Tetere) for inmates as well as equip and prepare them before they can go back to the communities.

Meanwhile, Ho’ota said the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) in an efforts to address the impact of the Covid-19 on our economy redirected and streamline its policies which resulted in the following policies for agriculture sector;

• Develop and Strengthen Production of Export Crops.

• Facilitate and support the development of Commercial Agriculture.

• Enhance Food Security and the Livestock industry to alleviate rural poverty.

“The occasion we witness here today is part and parcel in the implementation of the government of the day policies,” Mr. Ho’ota said.

British High Commission in Honiara on January 18, 2021 donated the seeds and tools to MAL and the ministry (MAL) as the implementer distribute the items to identified farming groups, education institutions and community groups in the country under its Livelihood Sector – Food Security Programme in response to the impact of Covid-19.

Ho’ota while acknowledging the British people through the British High Commission Office in Honiara for the donated seeds and tools said the main objective of the Livelihood Sector as hosted by MAL under its Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Strategy is to boost Food Production by growing early maturing crop to reduce the impact of Covid-19 on Food Security and the livelihood of the people of Solomon Islands.

Commissioner Manelusi also took the time to thank the British High Commission office in Honiara for the donation of the farming items through MAL where facilitate the activities.

“It’s an honor to receive these agriculture farm equipments. These equipments will really help our farming industry here at Tetere especially during this Covid-19 season. Also with the redirection of the government and besides limited resources that we have, these support will boost our activities here at the Centre as we continue to develop capacity development of our inmates,” Manelusi said.

“As Commissioner, I am really touched by this support, because we have struggle on how we can progress for the future of our inmates.

How can we develop them proper, equip them proper on farming practices so that when they go back to the communities they can be able to engage in farming activities – especially at the community level where it can progress our economy development.”

TCC has involve in various farming program activities which include; piggery, poultry, vegetable farming and forestry.

These farming activities were part of the CSSI rehabilitation program which aim to equip inmates with skills and knowledge more especially on farming practices and other activities hosted by the Centre.

Inspector and TCC Farm Manager, Mark Seiroa said he is happy for the support.

“Often times we find it hard to procure quality seeds. We use to pay seeds from the Chinese shops but somehow some manage to geminate, some just rotten and died.

“What you provided will help our inmates in farming activities as part of our rehabilitation program here to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge on farming practices.

We will enjoy working with the tools. Thank you for the support,” Mr. Seiroa expressed.

Ho’ota and the CSSI Commissioner Manelusi together with the MAL and CSSI officers as accompanied by Inspector and TCC Farm Manager, Mr Seiroa also took a brief tour around the Centre (TCC) and observed the farming activities that are taking place there.

Various vegetable types with a total of 70 packets, basic farming tools and materials were donated to TCC.
–MAL PRESS

Gov’t dresses AG lawyers

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LAWYERS working with the Attorney-General Chamber will now be able to attend court proceedings smart and professional following the handover of new legal attires yesterday.

The National Government through the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA) funded these critical items for the first time following years of relying on donor support.

During the handover ceremony, the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Clezy Rore said the Ministry is happy to support the Attorney-General’s Chambers in obtaining this set of court attires because the office plays an important role, especially the Attorney-General being the first law officer of the Government.

“These court attires are a symbol of your profession as lawyers and I can tell the importance this attire plays in your profession, especially the high regard that lawyers hold towards each other when wearing these attires,” Minister Rore said.

Minister Rore believed that new attire would raise the morale of lawyers in the Litigation and Advisory Division of the Attorney-General’s chambers who frequent the courts to protect the interest of the Crown.

The procurement of these set of court attires now put an end to the problem of lawyers having to share court attires when attending to court matters.

“I know it is quiet inconvenient when there are multiple court hearings or trials happening at the same time and lawyers have to be in the courtrooms.

“It looks bad on us when we have to wait on other lawyers to finish their hearings in order to put on the court attire, or borrow from other legal practitioners,” Rore added.

In receiving the Court Attire, the Attorney-General thanked the Government through the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and stated that these Court Attires are “akin to an armor that Soldiers put on before going into battle”.

The last time the Attorney-General Chambers received support to purchase Court Attire was around 2009 with the assistance of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

“Today, I am very proud to receive these much-needed Court Attire that is fully procured by the Solomon Islands Government,” Mr Muria added.

“I convey my appreciation to the Ministry for recognising our need for these items, which will make our lawyers feel professional and comfortable when attending court proceedings,” he said.

Muria said the problem of sharing legal attire is not only unprofessional but creates a lot of inconvenience to lawyers when they carryout their duties at the courts.

The Court Attire includes Wigs, Jarbot, Bar Jacket and Gowns for each lawyer in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Paul Mae said the procurement of these court attire is part of the support the Ministry continues to give to its agencies to enable its lawyers are properly dressed when performing their legal duties.

He cautioned lawyers that the Court Attires are not cheap and it is important that they look after them properly for its intended purpose.

Minister Clezy Rore also made a brief tour of the Attorney General’s Office where he was introduced to staff prior to the handing over ceremony.

Mamara incident must be resolved quickly

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POLICE reported a disturbing incident that occurred last Friday at the Metropolis Development site at Mamara, west Guadalcanal.

It involved a group of men who entered the site and caused damages to properties there.

Some police officers were involved, according to Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal Province, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga.

“The group of men have entered the Mamara site on three vehicles fully armed with weapons,” Uiga said.

“They moved in aggressively and chased the Chinese workers, shouting abusive words at them,” he added.

Uiga said the men went there to demand compensation following allegations a Chinese worker harassed two female local workers employed in the kitchen.

First, the alleged involvement of police officers in such incident is not only unlawful, but also unethical.

Of all people, police officers are the ones who should to be upholding the law in every circumstance.

This is why they are called disciplinary officers.

No matter how big the challenge is, police officers must at all time learn to be disciplined and law abiding.

Officers allegedly involved in this incident must be investigated and disciplined.

The alleged harassment of the two local girls by their Chinese boss, which sparked Friday’s incident, must be investigated too.

If the girls have not reported the matter yet, they should do so with the police and other bodies like the Family Support Centre.

This is a serious allegation and one that must be promptly dealt with.

No girl should be subjected to sexual harassment in their place of work.

Foreigners coming in to work need to understand they have no right to mistreat or harass their local workers, irrespective of their gender.

It is wrong both in law and custom to do that.

Metropolis Development and the police need to sort this matter out quickly to avoid further hostility and resentment.

This is important for the progress of the proposed township development.

Water supply soon to be flowing from Tina

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THE Community Benefit Sharing Project (CBSP) team are out in the community this week initiating preparations for the construction of water supply systems under component 2a of the program.

It is the final preparation work required before actual construction begins on this element of the Community Benefit Sharing Project worth an estimated $6 million.

“This month several days will be spent in the communities updating residents on the agreed water designs and discussing any final community input,” a statement Tina Hydro office issued yesterday said.

“The team, including the CBSP community water engineer, a water consultant from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) specialising in boreholes and an environmental person covering the CBSP Environmental and social management framework (ESMF) will conduct the field work to make a final assessment of where the bore hole sites will be located and to ensure the construction aligns with the prescribed ESMF,” it added.

“Where necessary, they will also hold further community and household consultations specific to the work.”

The statement said the Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which is a subcomponent to Component 2a of the Community Benefit Sharing Program is set to positively impact more than 60 communities and 5000 residents with the improvement of the community water infrastructure.

In 2016, a preliminary survey was conducted over 88 villages in the Bahomea and Malango areas to study the water supply and sanitation status of the communities and make recommendations for possible investments under the CBSP.

A total of 16 packages were identified referred to as the ‘WASH Investment Priority List” covering densely populated communities, schools and clinics for water and sanitation installations, which the CBSP team have been reviewing since 2019.

“Work will also be completed in the coming weeks to produce a specific Environmental and Social Management Plan for the water construction,” the statement said.

“This plan will align to the World Bank CBSP Environment and Social Framework Screening as part of the upcoming activity to be presented to the communities in a pre-construction workshop.

“The sessions will be held sometime in May and before actual constructions on the water project begins.

“The CBSP team are working closely with the Water Division of the MMERE, who are conducting the final surveys, before borehole drilling commences towards the end of May.

“The full construction of the water transmission systems to communities is also scheduled to start mid-year.

“With construction of the Water Supply Systems Project now on the near horizon, procurement and tender documents for construction will be developed and distributed over the coming weeks.”

Gov’t may engage local to review federal constitution

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PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the government cannot engage an eminent consultant to look into the proposed Federal Constitution report due to the corona virus.

As such, Sogavare said the government is thinking of engaging a local consultant to look at it.

Initially, the Government has engaged eminent constitutional scholar, Professor Yash Ghai to review the draft Federal Constitution.

Former Prime Minister, Rick Hou said he supported the idea to look at the report to see whether this system fits the country.

However, he was worried to see the report took 10 years to complete and costs about $200 million.

Hou said the people involved in the formulation of the report have outstanding claims of $30 million as well.

He said it is important to give timeline to people engage in the work.

However, Sogavare said the idea for the state government was stated in the Mamaloni report.

This was after the Peoples Alliance Party won a landslide victory and promised to establish Federal Government.

“We need to come up with solutions to address these costs.
“We need to think for other ways under existing system and structures,” he said.

Member of Parliament for East Are Are, Peter Kenilorea Junior asked if the idea to extend Parliament is to consider the Federal System.

Sogavare said there are issues that he is not prepared to discuss as consultation is still ongoing.

Island Sun understand to pass the Federal System, it will need two thirds of Parliamentary support.

The development of the draft Federal constitution started in 2004 with support from UNDP but the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands resisted it the grounds of cost.

Consultation started again in 2009 but could not reach any resolution.

The Constitutional Reform Unit in the Office of Prime Minister continued the work on the draft Federal report in 2011 and 2014.

The push for the change of governing system came about after bigger provinces like Western Province and Guadalcanal argued that most of the revenues in the National budget derived from their resources.

However, there were fears that smaller provinces like Rennell and Bellona and Temotu outer islands maybe victims if the country changes from this unitary system to proposed Federal system of governance because they have limited resources.

PM: 3479 vaccinated so far with no serious side effects

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AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by NDTV.

A TOTAL of 3479 people have been vaccinated so far with no serious side effects experienced.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated this during his nationwide address yesterday.

The Prime Minister said only two cases out of the 3,479 that were vaccinated, were referred to NRH outpatient department.

However, he said both cases were unrelated to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Prime Minister Sogavare said he was informed that it was related to other causes including anxiety and panic attacks.

“As of 16th April a total of 3479 within the prioritized groups for vaccination in Honiara have received their dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.

This is only 49 percent completion rate, which leaves 3522 doses yet to be administered,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.

He said the breakdown of those who have taken their vaccinations are as follows:

  • Health workers – 1012
  • RSIPF/CSSI – 740
  • Airport staff 214
  • Seaport staff including stevedores – 167
  • Immigration 29
  • Customs 66
  • Hotel Staff – 202
  • Teachers 24
  • Banks 20
  • Students 22
  • Bilateral and multilateral personals 57
  • Other essential workers 336
  • Others 589

The Prime Minister also announced that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are now inviting the following groups of people to get their vaccinations at the Central Field Hospital.

  1. Everyone above 18 years of age that have co-existing sickness such as diabetes or high blood pressure or asthma
  2. All adults above 40 years old that do not have any co-existing illness
  3. Family members of front-liners that are above 18 years of age
  4. Members of national sporting teams that will travel to represent the country in overseas sporting events such as the 2021 Olympics, Regional Futsal competitions
  5. All staff of shipping agents that board foreign vessels when clearing vessels
  6. All stevedores in Honiara and especially in Western province
  7. All staff in government ministries that serve on counters and interact with members of the public including staff of:
    a. the Ministry of Finance and treasury,
    b. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External trade,
    c. Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development
    d. Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, and
    e. All teachers in Honiara based schools
    f. Staff from the Fisheries sector
  8. All staff that serve on counters and interact with members of the public in Banks, the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund, SOEs including SIWA, SIEA, Post Office, Solomon Airlines, Solomon Islands Ports Authority, and members of the Boards for these SOEs
  9. Members of the Clergy and Church Leaders
  10. Staff of Multilateral, international, regional organisations
  11. Staff of diplomatic missions

Prime Minister Sogavare said it is advisable that those with existing medical conditions, to bring their medical cards with them.

“This first roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination in Honiara will close on Friday 30 April 2021.

“This is to allow the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to focus on the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination in Choiseul province, Western province, and Malaita Outer Islands,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said this will also allow the Health Ministry to finalize its plans for the rollout of the Sinopharm vaccines.

“Vaccination remains the most effective way in which we can combat the COVID-19 global pandemic,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the Chair of the National Coordinating Committee on COVID-19 Vaccines will provide further information on scheduling of vaccinations by groups in the coming days.

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