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Kuku queries use of terms in Kuma’s budget speech

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Hon. John Dean Kuku

By EDDIE OSIFELO

INDEPENDENT Leader John Dean Kuku has questioned the two terms ‘Policy Redirection’ and ‘Redirection Policy’ used in the Minister of Finance Speech on the $4 billion budget last week.

On page 1 of his budget speech, the Finance Minister Harry Kuma said. “this budget launches the process of implementing the Government’s Redirection Policy program.”

On page 15, the Minister Kuma said “…. Governments Policy Redirection is to prioritize budget spending on specific targeted objectives in all sectors, with specific focus on the productive and resource sectors…”

Kuma continued to say, “…government had decided to redirect its policy after thoroughly reflecting on our past drawbacks…”

On page 18, the Minister said… “the DCGA Policy Redirection is also committed to redirect resources towards the productive and resources sectors…” whilst on page 26 the Minister said…. “the DCGA Redirection Policy budget allocations towards the resource sectors has been increased…”

Kuku said in his address from the Throne on the 15th March 2021, his Excellency quoted a statement by the Prime Minister on the Redirection Policy.

He said Policy Redirection and Redirection Policy are two different matters and concepts.

“Policy Redirection refers to the prioritization of EXISTING POLICIES and allocating sufficient funds to meet those priorities, example the prioritization of adequate resources to the productive and resource sectors. 

“Policy Redirection is about making choices. In doing so, you would have eliminated the choices that are difficult to implement in which the government will redirect its resources,” he said.

Further to that, Kuku said Redirection Policy refers to the CREATION OF NEW POLICIES, which when implemented, will have major impacts on the economy in key selected areas, example the response to Covid 19 pandemic and the Economic Stimulus Package.

“In case of infrastructure development pertaining to the 2023 Pacific Games, I had expected the redirection policy will ensure that there is a quota in place to ensure that Solomon Islanders take a significant pie of the construction work.

“In forestry, I had expected a redirection policy that seeks to ensure the export of more value added timber products,” he said.

“With DBSI, I expected to see that it genuinely targets the productive sector in ways that make it not appear to be a scheme for refinancing of bad loans.

“What are we talking about in this budget, Mr Speaker Sir: policy redirection or redirection policy or a combination of the two?” he asked.

Kuku said here lies the inconsistency and confusion.

The budget debate continues today.

Warrant of arrest for school chaplain

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court has issued a warrant of arrest on the School Chaplain for Holau Vocational Christian Academy in West Honiara.

This followed the chaplain’s failure to turn up in court yesterday.

Police Prosecutor Watson Akwai applied for the warrant.

This is the case of Martin Pola Nehemiah who faces three counts of obtaining credit by false pretence from Smart Technology shop at Chinatown in 2019.

The allegation said on February 5, 2019 the accused met with the owner of the shop and introduce himself as the president of the Accelerate Christian Education Schools of Solomon Islands.

Upon their discussion the shop owner at Smart Technology was convinced and agreed for the accused to collect the items discussed and to be re-paid when the school grants were ready.

On February 28, 2019 around 10am the accused came and collected one mobile phone at a cost of $2,250 as according to the agreement and walked out with a proforma invoice.

On March 15, 2019 he collected one notebook laptop 14 inches and 1X 8c Honour brand mobile.

Later, on March 28, 2019, he again went to the Smart technology shop and collected two Redmi mobile handsets.

The total cost of all items collected was $12,150.

Couple of months later the shop owner made several attempts to call the accused to settle his credits but was unsuccessful.

The shop owner gave him enough time, but up to March this year the accused never turned up to settle his credits.

The matter was reported to the police in which Nehemiah was arrested and charged.

He was released on bail to appear yesterday.

The court then adjourned the case to April 19 to review the warrant of arrest.

Police Prosecutor Watson Akwai prosecutes the case in court.

No time for blame game: Wale

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

By EDDIE OSIFELO

LEADER of Opposition, Mathew Wale says he was impressed with Government stand not to blame our founding fathers for the socio-economic problems the country has faced since independence.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma stated the Government stand when he delivered the $4 billion budget in Parliament last week.

Wale said this is the first time he had heard this from the government.

He said this is a sign of growing maturity.

“The Hansard is full of finger pointing and the blame game, as recent as last year.

“Blaming our founding fathers does nothing to address our problems and challenges,” he said.

“If they were here and allowed to compare their situation to ours and permitted to play the blame game – I wonder what our found fathers would say about what we have been able to do, or not do, or destroy during our time in leadership.

“But it is a sign of maturity to accept that we must make the best of the challenges and opportunities we face when we are in leadership,” he said.

Wale said blaming others does not fix anything, it only portrays immaturity.

“As leaders we must accept our responsibility to lead and build a Solomon Islands that we are proud to bequeath to future generations of Solomon Islanders,” he said.

Noro water tribes request audience with government

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Noro Port.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

Landowning tribes of Noro town’s water source are pleading to have an audience with the government over outstanding payments.

The tribes claim government owes them more than 10-years goodwill payment, stretching back to the Lilo-government.

Spokesman for the four tribes, Rex Biku, told Island Sun over the weekend this.

“We would like to bring back to the Government’s attention a long and outstanding Goodwill Payment over the Ziata Water Source that continues to supply water to Noro Township in West New Georgia, Western Province.

“Ziata Water Source is located between Noro and Munda and is situated on Hiagore Customary Land known as the Kazukuru Land.

“The land had gone through many legal entanglement disputes by various tribal groups and held several Acquisition Proceedings appointed by the various Commissioner of Lands.

“Ziata Water Source is located in our customary land and the process of appointing a new Acquisition Officer, a Surveyor and a Valuer is gradually progressing well, to quickly pursue and acquire the land for important development infrastructure.

“There were various High Court cases that dealt with the acquisition of the Ziata water source but fortunately, a final pending decision was finally made on March 13, 2017 at the Gizo Magistrate Court, which ruled in favour of our party against the Appellants.

“January 2014 and May 2015, I, on behalf of the above four tribes, submitted petition letter to the Lilo-led Government to pay up the Goodwill Payment of $400,000, to the rightful Land-owners of Ziata, to avoid being disrupted of closing down the water source.

“During that particular period, the Prime Minister’s delegation led by former SPM: Mr. Jeffery Wickham went to Munda and met with the chiefs and leaders of the tribes.

“Former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo met with the GGMV delegation in Honiara but was informed that Goodwill Payment would only be issued once the appeal court decision over the Ziata water source is heard.

“As a result, my tribal members were aggrieved and unsatisfied. Fortunately, the final decision was made three years later in 2017.

“We humbly request government authority to revisit this issue with the DCGA Government if there is any possibility of discussing this issue and to seek your wisdom and understanding in resolving this issue with your likely approach.

“It is our humble request and appeal to the current DCGA Government to resolve this issue amicably, with a fair resolution.

“We are confident that raising the issue in a round table discussion with your Executive Government is very vital in order to give us some hope. Our aim is for the Noro Town infrastructures and economic developments must be left undisturbed.”

Two men, 2 years for stealing water tanks

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Two Isabel men convicted of stealing 36 water tanks belonging to the Rural Water Supplies and Sanitation Hygiene in 2017 have been sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea, in handing out the verdict yesterday, said such offending must not be tolerated in the society and that the judgement must have a deterrent factor.

Iomea said one of the accused, Hilly Manasseh, was an insider who worked for the Island Tanks prior to the offending, and knew about the water tanks paid by RWSSH and left uncollected, and was involved in the sale of the water tanks which he got commissions from.

Wilson Innie Hiro and Mr Manasseh faced 28 counts of simple larceny and were found guilty after a trial was conducted in the Honiara Magistrate Court.

Iomea however after considering all the circumstance of the case sentenced the men for two years on each count (from count-one to count-28), but imposed an order that the sentences to be served concurrently – thus the two men will only serve two years in jail.

The two men were found guilty by the court for collecting 36 water tanks on different dates from Island Tanks Ltd and selling them to other people.

The court heard during the trial that in April 2016, two payments totaling up to $194,600 were made for two projects, one for Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) and the other for Renbel.

It was also heard that the two payments, $99,340 for the GPPOL Project and $95,260 for the Kanaba project in Renbel were paid to Island Tanks.

Those tanks were however never delivered to the Rural Water Supplies and Sanitation Hygiene (RWASH)/Ministry of Health and Medical Services warehouse.

Public Solicitor’s lawyers Rodney Manebosa and Daniel Kwalai represent the two accused while the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions appears for the crown.

Dead body found

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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The scene of the crime: PHOTO CHARLES KADAMANA

POLICE are investigating the suspicious death of a female Asian shop owner found lying in a pool of blood in her shop this morning.

The shop located opposite of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) bookshop was cordoned off by Police Officers who took the body away for further investigations.

It is understood some shopkeepers were taken away for questioning by Officers as part of investigations.

More in our next issue.

East Are’Are conservation rangers get skills

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Participants attended the recent rangers training facilitated by Albert Kwatelae at Ahetaha in Manawai, East Are’Are.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AHETAHA Water Conservation Association (AWCA) with Solomon Islands Rangers Association have held a two-day rangers training for conservation groups within Aiaisi ward 19 in East Are’Are, Malaita province.

The training was held at Ahetaha training centre in Manawai from March 24-25, 2021 as part of AWCA’s activity under its UNDP/GEF funding support.

In a statement from General Secretary of Solomon Islands Rangers Association and AWCA Coordinator, Mr Eddie Huitarau, he said the training was facilitated by president of Solomon Islands Rangers Association, Mr Albert Kwatelae and attended by 25 participants (six females) from five sister conservation groups namely; Ahetaha, Lausia, Roreaita, Tookina and Su’upa’ura.

He said the training is a series of capacity building course and rangers are required to complete four units. However, Huitarau said only three units were covered due to time limitation. They expect to complete the remaining unit in the next phase.

Conservation groups are now aware of their responsibilities and how to execute duties within their conservation areas and develop other conservation works.

Facilitator, Mr Albert Kwatelae said the training is important for communities since many conservation initiatives have been established by multiple communities, tribal groups, and individual communities.

“This means number of community-based rangers and champions are accumulating which demand need for specific skills and knowledge to carry out tasks in the conservation sites.

“This is the gap, the rangers association is connecting by building capacities among men and women in the communities and part of the conservation groups and those who are member to rangers’ association.

“These can enhance and support their daily work and help make right and effective management decisions,” he said.

Huitarau said this is the reason AWCA took the initiative in partnership with Solomon Islands Rangers Association, NGOs and specialists to carry out capacity buildings for rangers (both men and women) in Ahetaha Conservation Area.

He said during the two days training participants went through theory lectures, group activities and activities like field survey and practical applications of things they learnt.

Adding that participants were taught on the standard way (as used in other conservation sites in the country) to do survey and monitoring on coral reefs and mangrove forest as the major hands-on activities.

“In fact, these hands-on sessions encourage rangers, and champions to interact and build confident in the technical areas of rangers training,” he said.

Huitarau said during field activities conducted on the coral reef and mangrove surveys in AWCA, three ranger groups engaged in the activity as part of the rangers’ hands on and practical application of the processes and methods they learned.

He said participants had done a transact each to survey the site as they count and identify mangrove species along the 50mx 2m transact in Ahetaha Mangrove forest.

Saying this is a simple method to monitor mangroves and understand their growth patterns and how they protect the coastal areas.

Huitarau said participants included rangers, stewards and champions had benefited a lot from the training.

Auki vendors to teach waste management to communities

Written by
Samie Waikori
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0
Reps from AMVA, Kilu'ufi health promotion team, MPG Waste Management office and other stakeholders that are leading the waste management campaign in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AUKI Market Vendors Association (AMVA) will work with communities in and around Auki on phase II of their waste management advocacy campaign.

Coordinator of the Waste Management campaign under AMVA, Mr Joel Reverly told this paper saying the programme is already rolling after its launching on March 24, 2021.

He explained yesterday that phase-I of the campaign was focused in Auki market where market vendors were provided with a waste management advocacy programme.

Adding that in complimenting the campaign, AMVA, Malaita government and other stakeholders supported Auki Central Market with wheeler bins which are currently use in the market.

Reverly said after phase-I, focus is on community ensuring the issue of waste management is taught to people in the communities.

He said AMVA believed that if the issue of waste management is properly disseminated right down to communities, it will have great impacts on waste management in communities and urban centres.

Revelry said the campaign is proposed for Wednesday every week; last week the programme reached Kokomu community near Auki town.

He said other communities will also benefit from the campaign – Ngaisagore, Fasitoro, Sikitae and Lilisiana.

Reverly said AMVA invited and partnered with responsible stakeholders Waste Management office under MPG, Kilu’ufi Health promotion team and other partners on the programme.

He said areas covered in the awareness programme are on 3Rs-Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, common diseases associating unhealthy environment, misunderstanding of wastes and others.

Reverly said so far MPG and Kilu’ufi hospital are very supportive of the programme and AMVA hope for further partnership to reach and inject the concept of waste management into people.

He said although challenges are face on the programme like proper landfill for Auki town, AMVA will continue to partner with responsible stakeholders on waste management campaign in Auki.

Reverly thanked PPAC under SPC for funding AMVA with the current waste management advocacy campaign.

Vaccine roll-out to continue

Written by
Admin
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Staff-of-National-Public-Health-Laboratory-with-the-V-sign-indicating-their-done-with-first-Covid-19-vaccine-jab

THE COVID-19 vaccine roll out will continue despite latest reports of the negative health impacts of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

New findings from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) safety committee and the WHO Global Advisory Committee for Vaccine Safety (GACVS) stated there exists possible link of AstraZeneca vaccine to blood clots and low blood platelets.

In the wake of this report, the Solomon Islands COVID-19 vaccine Technical Working Group (TWG) had held an urgent meeting to review the report together with other relevant available data.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says the roll out of the AstraZeneca vaccine will continue.

The ministry said the decision has been reached based on the following considerations:

“Firstly, a causal relationship between the vaccine and the occurrence of blood clots with low platelets is considered plausible but is not confirmed.

“EMA concluded that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effect of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca although causality has not been proven and that EMA has not changed its recommendation for the use of the vaccine.

“Secondly, the report does not advise pausing or stopping the roll out of the AstraZeneca vaccine, rather for health care professionals and people receiving the vaccine to remain aware of the possibility of very rare cases of blood clots combined with low levels of blood platelets occurring within 4 to 20 days of vaccination.

“Additionally that disproportionately cases reported have occurred in women under 60 years of age within 2 weeks of vaccination.

“Thirdly and again as highlighted by the report, that COVID-19 is associated with a risk of hospitalization and death.

“The reported combination of blood clots and low blood platelets is very rare and the overall benefits of the vaccines in preventing COVID-19 far outweighs the risks of side effects.

“The vaccine technical working group had also assessed and discussed the report from the Australian National Centre for Immunization Research and Surveillance.

“The report showed estimated number of clotting disorders that potentially might occur in the Pacific Island Countries if all adults received the AstraZeneca vaccine, based on estimated adult population in each country and the incidence of these events in Europe and Australia.

“In the case of Solomon Islands if all adult population are vaccinated, there is a very rare chance that the blood clot disorder might occur, and estimated that possibly only 1 or 2 cases might occur in adults against the entire adult population.

“Thus, it is extremely unlikely for the blood clot side effect to occur even if all adult population in Solomon Islands received the AstraZeneca vaccine dose.

“Globally only 86 including 18 fatalities have been documented from almost 200 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine administered and this demonstrates there is a very rare association with blood clot combined with low platelets. 

“India, manufacturer and supplier of the AstraZeneca vaccine, continues to roll out the vaccine as authorities upon reviewing available data found that there is nothing to suggest a causal relationship between vaccine and blood clots.

“About 115 countries using the AstraZeneca vaccines globally only a handful have made some modifications with the vast majority continuing with normal vaccination in line with WHO recommendations.

“Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health is taking recommendations from the EMA and GACVS very seriously and thus will move to include in public messaging, updating of information sheet for doctors and people coming to receive immunization, conduct trainings for staff based on these updated information and ensure appropriate management protocols for such adverse events are in place.

“An independent committee for Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee comprising of health experts and clinicians who are not part of the vaccine roll out is being put together.

“Their primary task will be to review all AEFI cases and to make recommendations and advice to the Ministry of Health regarding the administration and roll out of the COVID-19 vaccines in Solomon Islands with respect to documenting and managing AEFI cases.

“Ministry will continue to provide further updates in this regard and monitor the situation closely.

“With this, the Ministry would like to encourage the public to come forward when your turn comes for vaccination as the benefit of all of us getting vaccinated far outweighs the possible risks, thus let all work together against this COVID-19 global pandemic.

“Public are also urge to not rely on information from unreliable and non-reputable sources as they can be misleading with the potential of jeopardizing the good work of vaccine roll out that is underway which is critical for the protection of the country from COVID-19.”

SICCI wants local content in big infrastructure spend

Written by
Press Release
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PM Sogavare at the site of the newly built SINS complex

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) encourages the Government and relevant authorities to ensure there is sufficient local content included in the billion-dollar worth of infrastructure projects that are planned for the next five years to enable the economic benefit to remain inside Solomon Islands.

SICCI Chairman Ricky Fuo’o highlighted this when SICCI representatives appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently during the inquiries into the 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021.

Considering the number of foreigners currently competing across certain industries in Solomon Islands, one of the things SICCI is advocating on is for Government to focus on local content.

“That is to formulate some form of threshold, where certain number of contracts are reserved for indigenous businesses and individuals. This can be done not only for the construction industry but also for suppliers and across all industries,” Mr. Fuo’o, said.

The SICCI Chair said this is purposely to protect our local industries, businesses and local jobs.

“For most indigenous businesses and existing businesses, all the money we make and spend stays in the country. If we continue to promote local content and protect local businesses that would have a big impact on economic growth as well,” he told members of the PAC.

“Local competition is growing and international competitions are coming in but there is no form of protection for local industries and indigenous business owners,” he added.

Solomon Islands has a large pipeline of infrastructure projects that is about to be spent into our economy which the Chamber considers as being a key factor in the country’s economic recovery.

“One other thing we have been advocating for on a lot of these large international contracts is to see local content built into it.

“So that a certain percent of that work is down streamed to local contractors, local suppliers and local businesses.

“While we have these big expenditures of infrastructure, there is that spill over effect into the local economy, to ensure we are not just by-standers when a lot of these infrastructure are getting built and delivered,” Mr. Fuo’o said.

SICCI also understands that there are currently around SBD7.5 billion worth of infrastructure projects that are either underway or tabled for the next four (4) to five (5) years.

Some of the timeframes may have been extended due to the economic and logistical challenges brought on by COVID-19 on these projects including Solomon Water Capital Works (SBD 760M), Tina River Hydropower (SBD 1.95bn), ADB Ports and Road program (SBD 1.115bn), Kukum Highway Phase II (SBD 256M), World Bank Roads and Aviation Project (SBD 451M).

There are also the bilateral agreements with Development partners such as the sport stadium and construction work proposed for the 2023 Pacific Games which total to an approximate SBD2.5bn.

–SICCI Media

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