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SICAN builds on media skills to boost Climate Change work

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SICAN group photo after the media training

MEMBERS of the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN) have completed a one-day workshop on the basics of media and communications work.

The training was conducted on 31 March at the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation building at Town Ground and attended by 13 partner members.

The event involved presentation sessions and group activities that aims to train participants on how to identify, construct and amplify stories of SICAN’s work in the country.

The workshop which was conducted and facilitated under the Pacific Climate Change Collaboration, Influencing & Learning (PACCCIL) project by Oxfam in the Pacific.

“The key purpose of the workshop is to train SICAN members on the basic media covering, content gathering, media writing, local media knowledge and safeguarding media ethics,” participants concluded in a press release exercise.

“I’m very pleased to see how members of SICAN are eager to learn about the work of the media and how to be involved in media work,” says Oxfam PACCCIL Project Coordinator Gareth Quity.

“PACCCIL will continue to support SICAN’s work and will definitely bring maybe something more in-depth for our next media training.”

SICAN is a newly established National Climate Change Network which brings together Civil Society Organisations, Community Based Organisations, Academics and Activists to raise the voices of the marginalized Women, Men, Youths and People living with disability on Climate Change issues, actions, implementations and to help build a resilient Solomon Islands.

SICAN is supported by PACCCIL. PACCCIL is a four-year project funded by DFAT’s Australian NGO Corporation Program (ANCP), its goal is “action to build climate change and disaster resilience in the Pacific Region and beyond, is more effective, inclusive and collaborative”.

EDITORIAL- When will this stop?

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KUKUM Highway went under the water again yesterday.

This came after the heavy downpour on Tuesday night. Honiara woke up to a road that virtually disappeared under the water.

This is not the first time the Kukum area has been flooded.

It’s an old story. And a sad one, too!

Sad because the problem was not due to poor drainage, but our bad attitude and neglect by the government.

The road’s drainage was designed to cater for run-off from the rain.

But as we again witnessed yesterday, the drainage was blocked by plastic bags and other wastes our people carelessly threw around.

Most of these wastes are from residents living further up the Kukum area.

And because the Ministry of Infrastructure Development hardly clean up the drains, we continue to have the highway flooded.

If the situation is not addressed, the surface of the road will be compromised.

People need to know that their litter will end up in the drain, consequently blocking it.

And with lack of regular and scheduled maintenance on the road, the problem will persist.

Japanese engineers who built the road designed its surface to last up to 20 years.

The road was barely three years after the Japanese Government handed over the facility in 2018.

Yet, it appeared we are incapable of looking after it.

The road was built to the highest level of civil engineering one could find anywhere in the world.

It was a fine product when Japan handed it over to the Government.

Three years on, lack of maintenance and negligence on the part of the Government was already evident.

When will the flooding stop?

And where is the minister for MID?

Fish covid away

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Kingfish caught being displayed during the PCYC Charity Fishing Competition held over the Easter weekend.

PCYC charity Easter fishing competition ends on a high note

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

The Point Cruz Yacht Club Easter fishing competition was successfully held over the weekend, with proceeds heading for the national referral hospital’s (NRH) covid-19 response.

More than 200 qualifying fish weighing a total of 723kg were caught.

Billy Emmet, skipper of the boat ‘Milani’ brought home the prized catch of the day with a two-metre-plus Sailfish weighing a whopping 34.6kg.

From left, Billy Emmet of the Milani, being awarded a prize for the heaviest Reef fish (5.9kg) during the easter fishing competition.

Fishing started at 3pm on Friday, April 2 in the afternoon; all lines had to be out of the water by 3pm Sunday.

A total of 13 boats registered for the competition with both club members and non-members all participating. 

Sharing the turnout of the day with Island Sun, Mr Mark Johnston said “Over the 2-day competition 225 qualifying fish weighing a total of 723kg were caught.

“The prize catch of the competition was a 34.6kg Sailfish caught by Billy Emmet the skipper of the Boat Milani which also won the heaviest fish of the competition.

Fishermen weighing their catch upon arrival at the PCYC competition over the weekend

He said Milani was the champion boat catching the most fish with a total of 163kg of fish during the competition.

“Milani also took out the prize for the most different species caught catching 15 different types of fish.

“Billy Emmet took out the best male angler award catching 55.9kg of fish and Jan on Red Kokosu took out the best female angler award catching 15.6kg of fish.

Billy Emmet the skipper of the Boat “Milani” with other participants. The crew won the heaviest fish of the competition during prize presentations over the weekend

“Other prizes awarded were for the biggest kingfish (13.3kg) was caught by John Matangi on Milani, the biggest snapper (7.7kg) caught by Charles Siosi on the boat Nata, the biggest Barracuda (6.9kg) by Nicky Ausia on Milani, the heaviest Dog tooth Tuna (5.9kg) by Mathias Sake on Nata, the heaviest Travelly (4.6kg) by Joshua on Red Kokosu, the heaviest Wahoo (7.7kg)  by Billy Emmet on Milani, the heaviest Reef fish (5.9kg) by Clement Lagelage on Kulikau and the biggest shark (30.3kg) was caught by Hollings on Beeracuda.

He said the most rare catch was awarded to Clement Balea on Red Kokosu for catching a 3.3kg Remora fish.  The boats, Black Orchid and SOS were awarded hard luck awards for coming back with no fish weighing over 1kg.

“The PCYC fishing competition organisers thank all of the sponsors for their support to make this Easter competition a success particularly as we are still currently in a state of public emergency, we really appreciate the support.

“Partial proceeds from this competition are going to be donated to the NRF COVID-19 response and as we are now in the build up to the major competition in June.

“PCYC Annual June Fishing Competition 2021” *Naming rights for this competition remain available as at 7/04/2021.

“We welcome any business or group whom which would like to participate as a sponsor and or take part in the organising of the competition, they welcome to contact club executives for further information. Donations accepted are both in cash and kind.”

The major sponsors of the competition were South Pacific Oil & Our Telekom – Other sponsors included, TJ Holdings, Iu Mi Kaban, the Teama Family, Origin Energy, Tongs, DH Construction, Cruz Communications, AB Earth Moving, The island Sun Newspaper.

SORE BOOTED

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Former Honiara City Council Clerk Rence Sore. Photo: Charles Kadamana

HCC terminates controversial Clerk’s contract

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

THE Honiara City Council (HCC) Executive Committee has terminated the contract of Rence Sore as City Clerk.

Deputy Mayor Francis Idu told Island Sun yesterday the decision was reached on Tuesday, with Mr Sore receiving the termination letter yesterday.

Sore is being investigated over allegations of corruption. However, Idu said HCC executive were in one-mind to get rid of him.

Sore did not return phone calls made to him last night for comment.

Deputy Mayor Idu said the executive is doing what former Mayor, Wilson Mamae hesitated to do.

“Seven Councillors have decided to terminated Sore after the Councillors Committee members meeting on Tuesday 6th April 2021 held at the HCC Chamber decide to terminate Sore’s contract as the Clerk.”

Idu said the decision is based on the grounds that there is sufficient evidence to terminate the City Clerk; one of the main reasons is illegal sale of Council land PN. 192010-33.

“HCC Legal team stressed that any decision to terminate the City Clerk must come with good grounds to avoid any repercussion.”

Idu said despite this the executive committee favoured terminating the City Clerk with immediate effect.

“There were two options that were considered, and that is either to suspend the City Clerk and allow for investigations to be carried out or to immediately terminate the Clerk.

“We the executive committee’s decision now is to terminate the appointment of the City Clerk immediately.

“During the discussion on the motion put forward to terminate the Clerk, Cr Eddie Siapu stated that it would be in the best interest of the Council and the public to terminate the City Clerk.

“Most of the councillors who joined the meeting shared the same sentiment that termination of the City Clerk needs to be done immediately to clear way forward for the council.

“The executive committee resolves to terminate the appointment of the City Clerk with the immediate effect based on reasons stated on April 6, 2021 meeting.”

Idu said the executive committee resolved to revoke and remove the City Clerk’s signature from the Council’s Bank Account, and resolution was passed by majority.

Meanwhile, Idu said they have appointed the current Deputy City Clerk to be the acting City Clerk until such time a new Clerk is appointed by the full Council.

Present at the meeting were Councillors Francis Idu, Dorah Huapii, Robert Oge, Mostyn Saferio, Clement Terewauri, Luciano Sade and Eddie Siapu.

Ex-officio present were Paul Inifiri, William Floyd and Vincent Kohata.

FLOAT ON $4B

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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-Government promises to help local businesses

-Electricity cost down, May

By EDDIE OSIFELO

LOCAL businesses will receive tax incentives from Government to remain afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma revealed this when he tabled the $4 billion budget in Parliament yesterday.

He said Business Incentives are as follows:

1.            Government will not lift but continue with the current tax incentive relief measures for the tourism sector.

2.            Government will continue to fund the State Owned Enterprises Community Service Obligations in 2021.

3.            Government will also continue the grant/subsidy programme for both copra and cocoa industry in 2021 to help in the cost of freight and prices.

4.            Government will also provide special incentives for the NONI industry and local farmers in 2021.

5.            Finally, the government has completed the independent review of electricity tariff.

Kuma said based on this independent review, all Solomon Power tariff rates have been reduced, and will be effective as of May 1, 2021.

These include;

1.            Domestic or household customers are likely to see a reduction of 22 percent,

2.            Commercial customers are expected to see a decrease of around 27 percent, and

3.            Industrial customers are expected to see a fall of five percent.

He said the government expects an overall reduction averaging by 18 percent.

“SIEA will provide the details of the reduced rates in the coming weeks before they are implemented,” he said.

Furthermore, Kuma said the Non- Tax Revenue collection for 2020 showed that despite the impacts of the COVIO-19, there is potential to improve further in this area in 2021.  

He said Ministries collecting non-tax revenue need to seriously look into ways to improve and seal off loopholes to collect this much-needed revenue to finance services and boost the fiscal spending to stimulate the domestic economy.

Debate continues today.

Top Down – gov’t introduces new approach to $4b budget

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has introduced a ‘top down’ approach in this year’s $4 billion budget.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma told Parliament yesterday the 2021 budget process taken by the government was slightly different from the previous years’ budget preparations.

The theme of this year’s budget is “Towards A Path to Economic Recovery: Advancing   Growth     and     Service   Delivery   through    Better Partnerships”.

He said in 2021, the government decided to guide the development of the budget from a top down approach.

“In times of hardship, it is crucial that all government ministries adhere to government policies and not do their own usual business.

“As you would recall, the Government has decided to delay the 2021 budget preparation late last year to ensure government has sufficient time to revise and develop its policy priorities along its Policy Redirection mandate for 2021 and beyond,” he said.

Furthermore, Kuma said many have questioned the rationale for the current government’s Policy Redirection.

He said anyone who questions governments Policy Redirection initiative must be blind to what covid-19 has done to the global economy, and to us in 2020.  

“As I said earlier, the Solomon Islands economy had suffered tremendously because of covid-19.  

“Its negative impacts are real and must be addressed,” he said.

Kuma said Government’s Policy Redirection is to prioritise budget spending on specific targeted objectives in all sectors, with specific focus on the productive and resource sectors.  

He said the aim is to support the economy in response to negative impacts of covid-19, while maintaining a continued long-term focus on developing Solomon Islands into an economically strong and vibrant nation and advance the livelihood of our people.

“Government had decided to redirect its policy after thoroughly reflecting on our past drawbacks and using this experience to set the basis for future growth and further development in our country.

“Actual government spending on investment projects in both the productive and resource sectors had drastically declined over the last three years,” he said.

“For example, in 2018, government spent $557.5 million on investment projects in both the productive and resource sectors.

“This further declined to $412.5 million in 2019 and to $355.5 million in 2020,” he said.

Kuma said this downward trend is a concern to the government.

“Both the productive and resource sectors are important pillars of the economy. 

“If Solomon Islands economy is to grow and provide jobs for the growing population, then adequate financial resources must be allocated to both the productive and resource sectors,” he said.  

Kuma said this explains why government has redirected resources and increase budget allocations to both sectors to $580.2 million in 2021.

He said in this trying time, it is very important that our limited financial resources be prioritised and only focus on economic activities that would provide the highest socio-economic benefits to our people.

Only less than 3,000 people jabbed so far

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

As of yesterday, the pilot covid-19 vaccination programme is still to reach halfway, with just over a week to go for Honiara.

Only 2,651 have been jabbed, said prime minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide address.

Seven thousand doses have been allocated to be administered in Honiara, in the first phase of the roll-out programme. The second phase will be carried out in the border, with 17,000 doses put aside for this.

Government last week, after a disappointing low turnout by frontliners to be jabbed, said it has put two weeks for the vaccination roll-out in Honiara to be completed.

This would put just over three weeks for the vaccination programme to be done in Honiara.

Addressing the nation yesterday, Mr Sogavare stressed the urgency of having frontliners vaccinated according to schedule.

“I encourage the remaining front-liners to please go and take your covid-19 vaccines this week,” PM Sogavare said.

Sogavare also that health teams in Western, Choiseul, and Malaita Outer Islands have already commenced awareness meetings in all three provinces.

A team from the Ministry of Health will deploy this week to jointly conduct further training for vaccination teams in the Western and Choiseul provinces in the first instance.

“It is our hope that COVID-19 vaccination will start rolling out in Western Province as early as next Monday, April 12, 2021 to be followed closely by the roll out in Choiseul province and then Malaita outer Islands.

“A total of 17,000 does of the AstraZeneca vaccine is being deployed to the border zone to vaccinate our communities along the emergency zone at the western border.

“As from Monday, April 12 people over 40 years of age who have co-morbidities or existing diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma etc, to present themselves to the Central Field hospital with your medical records for your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

“If you are over 40 years old and are healthy and have no other existing disease such a diabetes, or high blood pressure of asthma etc, please do not come at this stage. We will ensure you get vaccinated in future roll-out phases of the vaccination programme” Sogavare added.

We need leaders who are not afraid: Kuma

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands development challenges since Independence in 1978 offers two lessons.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma stated this when he delivered the $4 billion budget in Parliament yesterday.

He said first, if Solomon Islands is to grow and develop into a society that is economically vibrant, sustainable and prosperous, then “we must ensure there is political and economic stability, and strong ethical leadership. 

“We need leaders who are not afraid to ‘DO THE RIGHT THING’ even in the midst of severe crisis and mounting difficulties,” he said.

Kuma said second, is that the true wealth of this country does not lie in monetary values and material goods alone.

He said “the true wealth of this country is our people; the very people we represent in this Honourable House.

“Our people’s possessions such as the natural environment, land, sea, culture, religious beliefs, and ethnic diversity are also part of our wealth.

“The DCGA government policies and development strategies are premised on moving away from doing business as usual, to actually getting things done. Getting things did mean helping our people to help themselves improve their quality of life,” he said.

Kuma said the task of transforming our people’s socio-economic challenges is immense and well known:

1.            our economy is small, highly dispersed and very vulnerable to international adverse developments;

2.            the private sector is not well developed and needs to function in a transparent environment supported by quality infrastructure;

3.            More than half of our population is young and not employed; and

4.            emerging environmental challenges pose serious threats to our people’s livelihood.

As such, Kuma urges the 50 Members of Parliament to RISE AND DO THE RIGHT THING and take the initiative in the critical task of reversing the damage done arising from the covid-19 pandemic.

He said “all Members of this Honourable House must therefore remain united and show that we are all here for the common interest of our country”.

Debates continue today.

SI expects 84k Astra

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

The country is expecting more batches of AstraZeneca vaccine in the coming months.

These are the remaining 84,000 from the allocated 108,000 which COVAX facility had earmarked for Solomon Islands.

This is according to the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in his nationwide address yesterday.

He adds, the Government of India has responded favourably to his government’s request for 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines.

“We are currently finalising the necessary paperwork to be given to the responsible authorities in the Government of India after which we will be informed of the specific delivery and logistics arrangements.

“Our vaccination roll out in the border zone is currently underway,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sogavare said the health teams in Western province, Choiseul province, and Malaita Outer Islands have already commenced awareness meetings in all three provinces.

He added that a team from the Ministry of Health will deploy this week to jointly conduct further training for vaccination teams in the Western and Choiseul provinces in the first instance.

“It is our hope that COVID-19 vaccination will start rolling out in Western Province as early as next Monday, 12th April 2021 to be followed closely by the roll out in Choiseul province and then Malaita outer Islands.

“A total of 17,000 does of the AstraZeneca vaccine is being deployed to the border zone to vaccinate our communities along the emergency zone at the western border,” said Sogavare.

Kuma lays out $4b budget before parl

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma outlined the overview of the $3.9 billion budget in Parliament yesterday.

Delivering the second reading of the 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021, Kuma said the government has planned an overall deficit of $329 million in the 2021 budget. 

He said total consolidated revenue is estimated at $3.710 billion and total expenditures at $4.039 billion.

“Of the total consolidated revenue estimates, total domestic SIG revenue is projected at $3.009 billion.

“The government is confident that the balance of $701.5 million will be externally sourced,” he said.

Kuma said of the $701.5 million balance, government has already secured $341 million from its traditional multilateral and bilateral partners.

He said the remaining balance will be sourced domestically or from other normal external sources.

Further to that, Kuma said in terms of expenditures, the $4.039 billion in total consolidated expenditure consists of $2.830 billion in recurrent expenditures, and $938 million in development expenditures. 

He said a total of $270.5 million will be budget support and $90 million from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).

“An amount of $32 million, consisting of $12 million for continued Economic Stimulus Package program and $20 million in Contingency Warrant provision is also budgeted for the year.

Furthermore, Kuma said the total revenue estimates for 2021 is $3.710 billion.

This consists of $3.009 billion in normal SIG revenue; $360 million is Budget Support revenue from Donor partners and $341 million secured from development partners to fund Governments development budget initiatives.

He said both the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) and Customs and Excise Division are projected to collect $2,576 million in 2021. 

“This is a slight decrease of 2 percent from the 2020 revised estimates of approximately $2,580 million. 

“Total non-tax revenue is estimated at $433 million dollars for 2021,” he said.

Kuma said the IRD revenue estimate of $1.744 billion is 15 percent below the 2020 original revenue estimates of $2.048 billion, but 4 percent above the revised revenue estimates of $1.678 billion in 2020.

Moreover, he said for Customs and Exercise Division, the revenue estimates of $832million is 15 percent down from the 2020 original revenue estimates of $976 million and 7 percent below the revised revenue estimates of $902 million in 2020.

“For other ministries, non-tax revenue is estimated $433 million.

“This is 20 percent below the 2020 original revenue estimates of $546 million and 2 percent below the revised revenue estimates of $441 million in 2020,” he added.

Debate on the budget continues today.

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