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Rore is new minister for Justice

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THE new Minister of the Ministry of Justice & Legal Affairs Clezy Rore was sworn in yesterday by the Governor General, Sir David Vunagi at the Government House.

Rore was the former Minister for Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration.

He is one of the three Cabinet Ministers that were reshuffled recently.

Last week Former Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Makario Tagini was also sworn in as the new Minister of Public Service, while former Public Service Minister, Frederick Kologeto replaced Rore as the new Minister for Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials, witnessed the swearing in ceremony.

SI Red Cross elects new board members

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Red Cross Secretary General and Board Members. In the back row, new Board Members include Dr.Paul Popora Bosawai (2nd from left), Richard Sesebo (3rd from left) and John Sumana (2nd from right). In front row, Georgina Kekea is first on the left

THE Solomon Islands Red Cross Society has elected new members to its national board following a board meeting held recently.

The newly co-opted members into the National Society’s Board include Dr Paul Popora Bosawai and a government representative, who’s co-option awaits confirmation from his line ministry.

The other members of the Board who have also been appointed into the National Society Board include Georgina Kekea, Richard Sesebo and John Sumana. 

Speaking in relation to the co-option and appointments made, the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Secretary General, Clement Manuri mentioned that the National Society is proud to have these skilled and qualified people who will contribute in moving the National Society forward.

“The National Society is very pleased to be able to have these very skilled and passionate people who are willing to be part of its National Board. This is the first time we are also able to have more females in our Board and I hope this will certainly continue”, Mr Manuri said.

The Secretary General also thanked the members for their heart in choosing to volunteer to serve the National Society and its work in the country through their participation in the Board.

“I am particularly grateful with the new members especially for their heart in choosing to volunteer to be part of the Board. This is a great show of the spirit of humanity and the passion to serve voluntarily”, he further added.

Meanwhile, one of the new members who was also the new treasurer, Richard Sesebo, mentioned the reason for joining the Board.

 “One of the reasons to join the Red Cross Board is to learn about who the Red Cross is and what it does.

 The intention to learn more about the National Society is what drives me to have a strong heart to join the Board. Likewise, I know that by doing this, I am also giving my time to volunteer to serve our most vulnerable people in the country”, Mr Sesebo said.

The newly appointed members will serve in the Board until the next General Assembly, which is usually held after every two years. The next General Assembly will be held in around the middle of 2022.

–SIRCS

Prime Minister’s Directive doubled numbers of people vaccinated on Day 4

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Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer was one of those who came out to receive the Covid vaccine over the weekend.

At day 4, a day after the Prime Minister issued directive for all frontline workers from frontline ministries and agencies to come forward for vaccination had seen a doubling of the number of people on day 4 compared to the first three days last week.

On the first three days just above 200 people received their initial vaccination for each of the days compared to day 4 with over 400 people and the increase is expected to continue with the numbers coming forward on day 5 (day 5 report yet to be released).

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

As at day 4, cumulative total of people vaccinated stood at 1065 people, health workers accounted for the largest number of vaccinated persons with 34 percent (399) of the total followed by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) frontline, 18 percent, airport staff 6 percent, customs 2.3 percent, immigration 2.1, and hotel staff 1.4 percent.

The remaining percent are those 55 years and above with underlying health conditions including for leaders and other public figures.

Que outside the Central Field Hospital over the weekend

Day four of vaccination also showed that over 700 males and 300 plus females received their first dose of COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Ministry of Health will continue to roll out the vaccines in Honiara as per its roll out plan that is giving priority to COVID-19 operations frontline workers who are at most risk to contracting the virus, persons 55 years and above with underlying health conditions who are at risk of being sick, hospitalized and death by COVID-19.

Correctional Services Officers after first jab

As the vaccination progresses in Honiara the order of priority groups will also be revised and amended accordingly and any changes will be communicated to the public.

Health would like to reiterate key messages that the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccines currently being roll out at the Central Field Hospital is safe and effective against COVID-19 as it has been listed for emergency use by WHO.

–MHMS

Housing project rolls out in North Guadalcanal

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

UP to 159 constituents from North Guadalcanal received sets of building materials from their MP Samson Maneka yesterday.

These were funded through public funds under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Each recipient gets 24 bags of cement, 24 steel rods, 24 pieces of iron roofing, 24 color-bond roofing and 30 sheets of mesonites.

Maneka said the housing project is for 2020 but they moved it to be rolled out this year.

He said this project is vital to his people because it is part of the North Guadalcanal development picked up during a constituency assessment exercise.

 “We want to support our people in terms of our standard of living because we are living next to the country’s capital but are so careless about living,” Maneka explained.

“For this particular project we aim to accommodate all families and households in my constituency,” said Maneka.

He said the only challenge they will face in implementing the project is timber but his constancy will assist people to address this challenge.

Maneka said his staff at the constituency officer have worked hard to initiative this project to support not only the now generation but the future generation as well.

He adds by advising his people make full use of the housing materials provided to them and avoid reselling them to other people.

Maneka said the constituency would not involve in building houses but only assist families with the materials.

Constituency Project Officer Jeff Alexander said for this year their priority is on housing and water supply.

SORE MAKES A U-TURN

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Former Honiara City Council Clerk Rence Sore. Photo: Charles Kadamana

DPP rejects embattled city clerk’s attempt to withdraw criminal case

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

EMBATTLED Honiara City Clerk Rence Sore yesterday made a surprise attempt to withdraw a criminal case he filed against two city councilors last year.

But the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution outrightly rejected Sore’s request on the basis much work has been already done with the case and that they are now ready to go to trial.

Sore, whose future with the council hangs in the balance after his boss city mayor Wilson Mamae was toppled Monday in a no-confidence vote, wanted the intimidation charges against councilors Reginald Ngati and Billy Abae withdrawn.

No reason was immediately provided as basis for his request.

Ngati and Abae were the two councilors who have exposed Mamae and Sore’s controversial dealings and alleged mismanagement of council funds.

The two councillors, Billy Abae and Reginald Ngati who led the charge to remove the leadership at the HCC

They were also behind the no-confidence vote that toppled Mamae on Monday. In fact Abae was the mover of the motion.

Sore claimed the two councilors threatened him in the office in June last year after he refused their requests to release their ward grants.

Abae and Ngati denied the charges, so the case was listed for trial yesterday morning when Sore and Mamae suddenly showed up at the Magistrate’s Court.

Before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti, Sore requested the case to be withdrawn.

But public prosecutor Olivia Ratu told the court she would seek the DPP’s approval before a decision could be made. This resulted in an adjournment.

When the matter returned in the afternoon, Ratu said the DPP had refused the request for withdrawal and wanted the matter proceeded.

She said the prosecution has all its witnesses ready to give evidence in the trial.

Beneteti however, adjourned the matter for mention today because the defence lawyer Allan Hou was engaged in another High Court case.

CDF monitoring to be boosted

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Rural Development is going to step up its capacity and Monitoring and Evaluation this year.

This was after the Government has allocated $2 million under the $3.9 billion 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 budget.

Previously, the government has allocated $20,000 under the M&E which made it hard for officers in the ministry to carry out inspection in all 50 constituencies.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament yesterday, permanent secretary, Allan Daonga said the allocation will be used to capacity and purchasing vehicles and outboard motors to carry M&E in all constituencies.

Further to that, Daonga said the ministry will take a paper to Cabinet to establish another unit under the Corporate Service.

He said a Advisor and Communication Officer will be recruited to man the unit.

Daonga said it is important to engage a communication officer to disseminate information about the success and challenging stories of this programme.

Further to that, Daonga said the ministry plans to establish an internal audit division to carry out ongoing audit on projects’ acquittals.

He said the unit is expected to set up next year.

CDF Act to be reviewed

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Allan Daonga

By EDDIE OSIFELO

A TASKFORCE was set up to review the outdated Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act 2013 and Regulations.

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Rural Development, Allan Daonga confirmed this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament yesterday.

PAC has scrutinised the $$3,905,951,360 budget for this financial year.

Daonga said work halted since 2015-2016 to review certain provisions of the Act and the guideline to implement the programme.

He said Government has set up a taskforce under the chairmanship of Ministry of Finance and Treasury permanent secretary to align with Public Finance and Management Act and CDF Act.

In going forward, Daonga said a Technical Assistance has completed work on certain recommendation.

He said the taskforce will finalise the outcomes and recommendation of the study and present to Caucus.

Daonga said after that, the taskforce will also consult with the Opposition Group.

Former Prime Minister and MP for Small Malaita, Rick Hou said the CDF Act is important for accountability and reporting

Parliament passed the CDF Act in 2013 with the objective to ensure that the management and disbursement of CDF is carried out with integrity and in a prudent manner with the view to safeguarding the interest of potential recipients of the fund.

$6.8M to each constituencies

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE 50 Members of Parliament will receive a total of $6.8 million each in this financial year.

This after the government allocated $340 million to the 50 Constituencies under the Ministry’s Development Budget.

About $18.4 million was allocated under the Recurrent Budget for the ministry to meet its office’s expenses and other charges.

The Peoples Republic of China contributes $90 million of the portion, which each MP will get $1.8 million per year.

Ministry of Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Allan Daonga confirmed this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament yesterday.

PAC is scrutinising the $$3,905,951,360 budget for this year.

Daonga said the ministry is embarking on implementing the National Development Strategy objectives and Government’s policy to deliver rural development nationwide.

He said this is so that all Solomon Islanders participate meaningfully to improve their social and economic livelihood.

Further to that, the ministry has allocated $1.5 million for the 50 constituencies to apply to engage their communities in income generation activities and infrastructure projects like roads and bridges to access markets and establish fisheries centres.

Daonga said the constituencies need to submit their work plans to get 30% of the $1.5 million for income generating activities and infrastructures projects.

He said the constituencies can also get support to plant kava, cocoa and copra and establish their storage facilities at rural level rather than rely on fees allocated under constituencies.

Member of Parliament for Small Malaita, Rick Hou said infrastructures are pressing need in rural constituencies.

He said the road he built in his constituency was estimated at $250 million.

“I spent $3 million to make the road.

“However, it is very expensive as you have to meet the costs of machines, trucks, fuels, labour and shipping freights,” he said.

Call for action against Mamae

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Ousted City Mayor, Wilson Mamae appearing recently before the Public Accounts Committee

President of Solomon Islands Grassroot Organization Henry Wale Maneási is calling on the police unit called JANUS to investigate allegations against the ousted city council mayor Wilson Mamae.

He said investigation must continue because many serious allegations were raised under his leadership.

Maneasi said the issue of sale of land used by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock at Ranadi and the failed Fire Extinguisher deal were classic examples.

“These issues must not be buried under the bridge even though Mamae has now left office,” he said.

Maneasi added the HCC office is not an office for leaders to serve themselves but to deliver services for people residing in Honiara.

He said Honiara residents have struggled to survived and it will not give justice to the people if Mamae and his cronies are allowed to walk away with their crimes.

Maneasi also appeals to the Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption (SIICAC) to investigate the former mayor.

Five arrested for Jejevo incident now charged

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE have finally charged the five men arrested for the incident which occurred on March 8 2021 at Jejevo, Katova Isabel province this week.

Police said the five suspects have been charged for the offences of going armed in a public place, wilful and unlawful damage and criminal trespass.

The men appeared at the Honiara Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after the High Court directed the Magistrates’ Court to hear the matter.

Police said the men were then released by the court on strict bail conditions to reappear at a later date.

This is in relation to the incident which occurred at Jejevo on March 8 2021

Police said a group of people armed with knives and axe went inside the Jejevo community and destroyed properties at the estimated value of $350,000.00.

Police called on people around the Katova area, especially communities around Jejevo, Furona, Jajao and Hurepelo village in the Katova District to remain calm and allow police to do their investigation.

Police also said that investigations may take some time as police want the community to allow the law to takes its cause and that taking law into their own hands will create another issue.

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