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Tandai house of chiefs pay courtesy visit to Mayor Siapu

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Deputy Paramount Chief of Tandai of Chiefs Peter Sageliverana (second left) presenting the Malona to Mayor Eddie Siapu. Witnessed by Deputy Mayor Robert Oge and Tandai House of Chiefs executive

The Tandai House of Chiefs Executive have made a courtesy visit to the new City Mayor Eddie Siapu.

The delegation led by Deputy Paramount Chief Peter Sageliverana, made the visit to show recognition and congratulate the new Mayor since he was elected last week.

Tandai House of Chiefs appreciated the shared common knowledge and recognition shown by Honiara City Council towards the people of Guadalcanal, who access the services provided in the city.

The Tandai House of Chiefs acknowledge the importance of HCC’s role as a local governing body with multi-cultural populace.

They presented traditional shell money (Malona), which has a traditional significance and value in Guadalcanal, to the Mayor as a token of appreciation.

Mayor Siapu responded by saying that he is overwhelmed by the visit and gift from the Tandai House of Chiefs.

He stated that HCC is always trying it’s best to provide better services and will continue to maintain and improve these services which will benefit everyone from different Provinces and the people of Guadalcanal.

Siapu said HCC appreciates the cordial relationship with the Tandai House of Chiefs and Guadalcanal Province and is looking forward to work together and maintain the relationship.

–HCC PRESS

MV Cheefo under strict Quarantine here: PM

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THE cargo vessel MV Cheefo that the latest COVID 19 case was detected on-board has now come under strict quarantine.

Prime Minister Manasseh in his special nation-wide address yesterday said no one apart from authorised health officials are allowed to board the vessel and no one from the vessel is allowed to disembark.

This followed the latest Covid-19 case detected on MV Cheefo that arrived from Lae, PNG to Honiara over the weekend.

The Prime Minister said the Ministry of Health is working with the vessel’s agent to swab and test all the remaining crewmembers.

“This is a critical requirement to ensure the COVID-19 status of each crew is established and known,” he said.

The Prime Minister said once all the results are known an appropriate plan will be discussed with the shipping agent to be implemented.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the vessel will then be allowed to be cleared to discharge cargo under strict supervision.

“The timing of this will be determined by Health authorities following availability of test results. Any cargo that are disembarked from this vessel cannot be cleared immediately. They will first all be decontaminated before they can be cleared. This may take between 7-10 days before the cargo can be released,” the Prime Minister advised.

The Prime Minister said the Ministry of Health is also working closely with the Comptroller of Customs, other border agencies and the Shipping Agent.

He said this is to achieve the most appropriate and effective outcome for the country and the vessel owner, operator, and shipping agent in the most expeditious manner.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said he has advised the Oversight Committee to assess entry of people to our borders from PNG at this time when there is widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in PNG.

“Given that the last three cases of COVID-19 diagnosed, two from entry by air and one from a vessel all originated from PNG, I have asked the oversight committee to assess the current situation,” he said.

—PMO

Third conservation area for leatherback turtle in Isabel

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Charles Kadamana
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BY CHARLES KADAMANA

Kolebara descendents of Isabel province have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the provincial government and The Nature Conservation (TNC) to conserve leatherback turtle at Litogahira.

The MOU was signed by Premier Leslie Kikolo, Director of TNC Willie Atu and Kolebara descendent representative Anette Ofu and witnessed by Paramount Chief James Mason and Chief Clement Eta last Friday.

Litogahira, which has the longest beach on Isabel province and accommodates the highest leatherback nest in the country, will become the third conversation area to preserve the largest sea turtle species on earth.

The other conversation areas that are already operational are Haevo Khulano Integrated Conversation and Soisoilo Conversation.

Paramount Chief Bishop James Mason, who was involved in the ground work to convert Litogahira beach into a home for leatherback turtle, is happy to support such project.

He recalls that when he attended junior school in Litogahira during the 1940’s they used to eat the leatherback turtle, but now he has learned that the species are just like human beings trying to survive.

He said the largest sea turtle species is endangered and their survival depends on our goodwill.

“It is time for us to come to terms with them so that we can treat them like our neighbours and protect them,” he said

Mason said with the signing of the MOU the three parties should show their commitment towards implementing the project.

Premier Leslie Kilo added that the MOU comes at a right time for them to come to one mind and strengthen their commitment towards the project.  

He said TNC has been implementing similar conservation projects like in Arnavon, Haevo and Soisoilo and the province is honoured to host such projects.

He assured resource owners that the province will try its best to comply with the condition set out in the MOU to ensure the project becomes successful.

He believes other communities and resource owners in Isabel will follow suit in terms of turning their area into conversation areas.

He acknowledged the national leaders of the province for working together with the province to see such project taking place in the province.

Member of Parliament for Hograno/Kia/Havulei Jeremiah Manele commends the three parties for recognizing the important of protecting marine species that are endangered.

He said such project will benefit the future generations to be able to learn about the species.

Manele welcomes such initiative and will support it.

Director of TNC Willie Atu added the leatherback turtle is a species highly bred in Isabel and Western provinces.

“Some species are new so connectively between land and sea is important,” he said.

Atu thanked the landowners for taking on board the project.

EDITORIAL- People, not MPs, should decide on extending life of parliament

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SO the Sogavare Government intends to extend the life of parliament from four to five years.

Its intention was revealed in a secret cabinet paper that was leaked to the public.

The leaked document confirmed cabinet had approved the proposal.

That decision was made on the following grounds:

  • Government needs ample time to fully implement its development plans and programs.
  • Government needs time to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Report and the Federal State Government System. It argued previous governments have swept these two issues under the carpet.
  • Conducting the national election in 2023, the same year the country is hosting the Pacific Games, will be costly. Delaying the election to 2024 will enable the Government to absorb the cost.

At the same time, cabinet agreed that a nation-wide consultation must first be carried out to get people’s views on the proposal.

In Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Sogavare says there is no urgency in the policy to extend the life of parliament.

He said consultations would have to be carried out first before a final decision could be made.

To extend the life of parliament needs the support of 32 MPs of the 50-member House.

The Sogavare Government already has that number.

If it wants to have its way, it could have easily pushed the proposal through.

But it would be too dictatorial if it does that.

Extending the life of parliament is no small matter. It’s a decision that has wider implications, and one that should be left to the people to make.

While the Government has the duty and right to come up with policy matters, extending the life of parliament is not an issue that should be left to politicians alone to decide on.

It would be an absolute shame if the Government goes ahead and do that without consulting the people.

The most appropriate step to take in deciding on the issue is through a national referendum.

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

Written by
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.

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