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Gov’t needs to be serious about Taro relocation: Premier Qoloni

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Disposed Choiseul Province Premier Watson Qoloni.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

The national government needs to be more serious on the relocation of the provincial township of Choiseul due to sea level rise.

Since the announcement was made more than five years ago, the township is yet to relocate to the mainland.

Choiseul province Premier Watson Qoloni told this to Island Sun yesterday.

Mr Qoloni said the government’s response is too slow as this is another disaster for his province. Taro Islanders have struggled to mitigate the effects of the rising water and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

“But as the population swells and the island cedes ground to the sea, the residents of Taro are firmly committed to relocating their capital to higher, drier ground, believing it is the only way forward.

“We ask the government to quickly relocated or provided a second home for the people of Choiseul,” Qoloni said.

He said the government should focus on identifying priority areas that Taro is not the only island in Solomon Islands compounded with sea level rise.

Qoloni is hoping the government will be identifying priority areas to focus on as Choiseul was the first of the islands announcing relocation from sea level rise.

He said that his government will continue to push on to this issue to quickly relocate the township to the mainland.

“My government will see as this is the key number one priority area for his government to work on it this year 2021.”

Qoloni understands that while the country is facing the covid-19 pandemic is a health issue that also impacts the global economy, but he hopping the government will take note on to since the announcement was made more than five years ago, the township is yet to relocate to the mainland.

SFA helps with $1.7m to combat covid

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Members of SFA handing over the $1.7 million cheque to members of the Government Oversight Committee and senior ministers. Photo: Barnabas Manebona

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

MEMBERS of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) have joined hands to donate $1.708 million towards the Government’s response to combat covid-19.

The $1.708 million was handed over to the Covid-19 Oversight Committee on Saturday during a golf event SFA sponsored at the Honiara Golf Club.

A number of senior government ministers, including Finance minister Harry Kuma, witnessed the handover ceremony.

Speaking at the event, SFA spokesperson Bing Bing thanked SFA members who have contributed to the cause, as well as golfers who participated in last Saturday’s competition.

Ms Bing said SFA is committed to working with the Government to support its covid-19 response and prevention.

“We are a year into the Covid-19 Pandemic and sadly, infections and deaths are increasing in many parts of the world,” Bing said.

“While we all continue to face unprecedented challenges as a result of Covid-19, Solomon Islands through the establishment of the Joint Oversight Committee under the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has been extremely successful in combatting Covid-19 and preventing its spread,” she added.

“We hope to see Solomon Islands continues this trajectory and that it remains an example for other nations to follow.

“On behalf of Solomon Forest Association, please allow me to extend our sincere gratitude to all donors for your gracious contribution and support, and to all golfers who have participated in making this event successful.

“The SFA is committed in working with the Solomon Islands Government to support its Covid-19 prevention and response efforts, both now and in the future.

“I am proud to present the donation to our Solomon Islands Government amounting to $1.708 million, which was contributed by the SFA, fellow member companies and our Chinese log buyers.

“We hope this will help Solomon Islands in its preparedness and response plans to combat the threat of Coronavirus.

“May everyone stay safe, healthy and most importantly be virus free,” Bing said.

Chair of Covid-19 Oversight Committee James Remobatu thanked SFA, all members and stakeholders for the genuine and generous donation.

“On behalf of the oversight committee, the government and people of Solomon Islands I would like to thank SFA and all members and stakeholders for the genuine and generous donation.”

The Government is expected to issue a statement on this latest donation today.

Here are SFA members who contributed the $1.708 million:

  1. Solomon Forest Association, (amount) 700,000
  2. Gallego Resources Limited, (amount) 100,000
  3. Grace Logging Limited, (amount) 100,000
  4. Mega Enterprises Limited,  (amount) 100,000
  5. New Ocean (SI) Limited, (amount) 100,000
  6. Samlimsan (SI) Limited, (amount) 100,000
  7. Xiang Lin Timber (SI) Limited, (amount) 100,000
  8. Mas Pacific International, (amount) 50,000
  9. PWP(SI) Limited, (amount) 50,000
  10. Muhibah (SI) Limited, (amount) 50,000
  11. Sonic Phase (SI) Company LTD, (amount) 50,000
  12. SKT Wawasan (SI) LTD, (amount) 30,000
  13. New Venture Limited, (amount) 20,000
  14. Burwood Limited, (amount) 10,000
  15. Chia Tai Enterprises SI LTD, (amount) 10,000
  16. Elite Shipping Services (SI) Limited, (amount) 10,000
  17. Gulf Three Limited, (amount) 10,000
  18. Jubilant Development Limited, (amount) 10,000
  19. Middle Island Investment PTY LTD, (amount) 10,000
  20. Morning Star CO LTD, (amount) 10,000
  21. Rima Limited, (amount) 10,000
  22. Shalom Limited, (amount) 10,000
  23. Synergy Brisk (SI) Limited, (amount) 10,000
  24. Sunwood Enterprises LTD, (amount) 5,000
  25. Metro Team Limited, (amount) 3,000

Total: $1,658,000.00

Non-member and buyers:

  • Osta Bright CO., (amount) 10,000
  • Jiashu Ronghe, (amount) 20,000
  • Sunwin Timber(Tian Yi Company), (amount) (amount) 20,000

      Total: $50,000

Grand total: $1,708,000

Jungle rule

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Logging in Solomon Islands. Photo supplied

Connections between loggers and key government officials put under spotlightThis is a Heading Example

By EDDIE OSIFELO

A LOGGER has questioned the connection between President of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) Jonny Sy and certain key and influential players in the Government.

Managing director of Orion Limited, Chan Chee Min raised the issue after Sy sold Cowboy’s Grill Bar and Restaurant Limited to Clandestine Entertainment Limited.

According to documents Island Sun cited, Sy sold Cowboys for $1 million to Clandestine, whose shareholders are the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Robson Djokovic, Attorney General John Muria Junior and Our Party’s lawyer Wilson Rano.

Documents show that Djokovic’s wife Therese injected $500,000 into Clandestine, while Muria Junior and Rano each contributed $250,000.

Chan said incriminating documents mentioned that should such information (gifting of shares in Clandestine Entertainment Limited to the Attorney General and others falls into the wrong hands), the consequences could be dire – for SFA as well as the government.

“In short, it has the potential to bring down the government,” he alleged.

Chan Chee Min said he had this information way back in 2018, but chose to remain silent.

“Now that SFA and its President has made me a victim of their plot, I will start releasing every incriminating document progressively to expose SFA’s ‘vile’ plots,” he said.

However, former Prime Minister and long-time senior public servant Gordon Darcy Lilo said there was nothing wrong with the sale of shares in business to another person.

But Lilo said the question is does Djokovic and John Muria Junior have to continue as private investors or actors of public institutions.

Lilo said former United States President, Donald Trump had to surrender his business interests to trust before he took up the presidency.

“Anyone craving for public institutions cannot serve two masters,” Lilo said.

“The risk is the possibility of compromising in their decision,” he added.

Lilo said the Attorney General, as the government’s chef legal advisor, must avoid putting himself in situations that would give rise to members of the public questioning his standing and decisions.

“Cowboy’s Grill is a public entertainment like casino so your hands must be clean to avoid conflict of interest.

 “If they declare their shares with Leadership Code Commission, they must also show duty of care.

“It is your duty to take care in a very vigilant and responsible manner,” Lilo said.

He added it is public knowledge that certain SFA members secured jobs with State Owned Enterprise like Solomon Ports Authority.

 “Where were these guys when the government reformed SIPA?” Lilo asked.

What has become of Rove seafront?

Written by
Admin
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Rove seafront

WHERE is the Honiara City Council?

And what are they doing about illegal developments in Honiara?

In March last year, the council demolished a retention wall at the Rove seafront that was built at the mouth of the stream that runs from the Ngossi-Tasahe area.

The developer was a Chinese Hong Jun Zhong.

Zhong reportedly acquired that space to build a commercial building.

Problem is any building constructed on the site will effectively block the stream’s outlet, causing flooding in the area.

In fact that’s what’s been happening after Zhong built the retention wall.

At the order of City Council Rence Sore, the retention wall was demolished and the proposed building put on halt.

But it seems the matter has not been solved at all because Zhong – or another developer – has returned to the area and started filling it up again.

During the heavy rain on Wednesday, flooding was again evident on the road and nearby areas.

Residents have complaint that this is going to get worse if the development on the site is allowed to proceed.

When the Island Sun contacted the city council yesterday for an explanation, we were told a statement would be issued later.

But here’s the thing.

If the development is allowed to go ahead, the entire Rove area would always go under water every time there’s a big rain.

It will affect the road as well as the residents living there.

Why is the council reneging on its earlier decision to stop the work on the site?

This is not what residents of the city expect from their councilors.

Can the city clerk Rence Sore and the mayor Wilson Mamae explain what has become of the Rove seafront?

Have they given it away to another developer?

Something is not right here.

Sore and Mamae must come out and explain it!

Integrity in development vital: Suidani

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Admin
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY BEN BILUA

PREMIER of Malaita Province says integrity is an important virtue that should be considered in any development.

Speaking at the launch of World Vision– USAID $8million project for Community Disaster Resilience on Tuesday, Premier Daniel Suidani said integrity plays a key role in the development and implementation of the project.

“Without integrity for the implementation of the intentions of this project, we will end up with is a framework for soliciting funds for the satisfaction of a few,” Suidani said.

“This is not what the government of Malaita Province wants to see but rather a project that truly help those that are intended to be assist under the project,” he added.

“It’s about resilience and finding opportunities to ensure our vulnerable places and people are given the integrity needed for them to mitigate the effects of Climate Change.

 “The project we are launching today (Tuesday) I believe is about putting integrity into action.”

Suidani emphasised that community participation should be given prominent roles in the implementation process of the project to avoid short term and dead-end outcome.

He stressed that he is confident the project is heading to a new direction to mitigate the effects of climate change by strengthening mechanisms that would reduce the effect of climate change on vulnerable communities within the project’s implementation plans.

“Ideally Malaita province would like to see that there be sustainability in the outcomes of the project.

“We want to see lasting solutions and not band aid solutions.

“We want to see progress that leads to prosperity, and prosperity that leads to sustainability,” he said.

Suidani said projects have come and go on Malaita province with little impact on people’s lives and this must be changed.

Payment for covid-19 tests under review

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Government approach meeting 100 percent of the entire Coronavirus (Covid-19) tests for all persons entering the country is under review.

This is confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare early this week, explaining that many countries require foreign nationals to meet the cost of their Covid-19 tests.

In addition, Mr Sogavare said they are required to also meet their accommodation and food costs.

Speaking during his nationwide address, the Prime Minister said a decision will be made later this week on charges for Covid-19 tests during the quarantine period.

“Fellow citizens up to now, the government have met 100 percent of all the COVID -19 tests for all persons entering the country.

“This is currently under review. Many countries require all foreign nationals (and some even their returning citizens) to meet the cost of their COVID-19 tests, in addition to also meeting their accommodation and food costs. A decision will be made later this week on charges for COVID-19 test during the quarantine period.

“We will continue to charge pre-departure COVID-19 fees for those that depart from Solomon Islands to countries that require such tests,” said Sogavare.

Pre-arrival requirements are not negotiable: Sogavare

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PRE-ARRIVAL requirements for people travelling to Solomon Islands during this State of Public Emergency (SOPE) period are not negotiable state Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

In order to minimize the risk of further importation of Coronavirus (Covid-19) into the country, Mr Sogavare said all foreign nationals and returning citizens must comply with strict entry requirements.

For foreign nationals, all foreign nationals wishing to enter the country must first be approved and exempted to enter the country by the Prime Minister and have their names gazetted. Second, they must comply with the country’s strict pre-departure quarantine requirements.

“I advise all foreign national that just having your names on the gazette does not guarantee entry into the country. Each must comply with our strict pre-departure requirements applicable to the country you are in.  If you do not comply with the pre-departure COVID-19 requirements applicable to the country you are travelling from, that is an offence and any person committing such offence is liable to prosecution after the quarantine period ends,” said Sogavare.

For citizens, the Prime Minister said citizens do not require approval to enter the country. However, each returning citizen must comply with Solomon Islands strict pre-departure quarantine requirements before they can enter.

“If citizens do not comply with the pre-departure COVID-19 requirements applicable to the country you are travelling from, that is an offence and any person committing such offence is liable to prosecution after the quarantine period ends,” said Sogavare.

Meanwhile, it is understood that National Government while still dealing with Covid-19 will also introduce some control on the ‘frequency’ foreign nationals can leave and re-enter the country.

This is because Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said such frequent trips put a lot of pressure on the country’s Covid-19 front-liners, all of whom had not had any rest since the start of repatriation in 2020.

To date, there is no new additional Covid-19 positive case in Solomon Islands from the 17 registered.

Solomons’ elephant

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Former Governor General and chairman of SIICAC Sir Frank Kabui

-Country gets low score on corruption

-But, very, very hard to eliminate it here

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands has a no single solution to eliminating corruption, a panel discussion has established.

Leadership Code Commission, Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI), Council of Women, Ombudsman, United Nations Development Programme and social media representative could not come up with one solution when they discussed the country’s approach on corruption and reflect on her Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking.

Solomon Islands ranked 44 out of 180 countries in the CPI ranking, announced by former Governor General and chairman of SIICAC, Sir Frank Kabui yesterday.

CPI uses a scale of 0 to 100 to rank nations, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.

Sir Frank suggested one way is to improve internal procedures in the public service as a lot of officers cannot comply.

He said most public servants could not even make decision on legal basis.

“We need to think right to live right or think wrong to live wrong, “he said.

Sir Frank stated that when one public officer wants to do things, the other colleagues would take a soft measure.

“If you report us, for what reason.

“Or they may say the rules does not belong to your dad,” he said.

As such, Sir Frank said it is really hard to eradicate corruption.

Furthermore, Sir Frank believes corruption in the country may be attributed to certain factors like:

1.         Decline in morale standard in population;

2.         Poor, people don’t have money because most come from villages;

3.         Environment, our wages are low and cannot sustain through out the month plus trying to feed many people in the house.

Sir Frank said corruption is not a new thing as it has been on the penal code since 1963.

He said the Anti-Corruption Act just expands the definition and scope of provision in the Penal Code.

In 2017, Solomon Islands ranked 39.

It moved up to 44 in 2018 after the government passed the Anti-Corruption Act, the Whistle-blowers Protection Act, and government working with civil society more openly welcoming people’s participation.

However, in 2019, it dropped to 44.

But last year, Solomon Islands made a huge jump to 77 out of 180 countries.

The theme for this year’s launch of the 2020 CPI is COVID-19 AND CORRUPTION.

No illegal entry from western border since Christmas period

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

No illegal entry had been reported since the Christmas Period along the declared emergency zone in the western border as well as in Choiseul province.

This is according to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during his nationwide address this week, saying that a breach of the State of Public Emergency was however reported and responded to at the Noro International Seaport involving a crew from a logging ship who disembarked the ship and went into the Noro Township market.

Despite their being little risk of Coronavirus (Covid-19) transmission, the vessel was detained and only released following the owner’s and agent’s compliance with the country’s legal requirements said Mr Sogavare.

“Work is also progressing on the refurbishment of staff houses for health workers in the three clinics along the border catchment area. This work is expected to be completed by the end of this month. All 3 clinics will soon be fully operational and contribute significantly to the overall COVID-19 operations along the border with Bougainville.

“Fellow citizens in Choiseul, Western province, and Malaita Outer Islands, please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements or illegal entries along our western borders to nearest police or health authorities or call health toll free line 115 or police toll free line 999,” said Sogavare.

Corruption ranking to be unveiled today

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands will know its ranking in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) today.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has organised a one and half hour panel discussion today starting 1.30pm at Solomon Islands Broadcasting leaf hut to discuss the country’s approach on corruption and reflect on her CPI ranking.

Leadership Code Commission, Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI), Council of Women and social media representatives are participating in the panel.

CPI uses a scale of 0 to 100 to rank nations, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.

In 2017, Solomon Islands ranked 39.

It moved up to 44 in 2018 after the government passed the Anti-Corruption Act, the Whistle-blowers Protection Act, and government working with civil society more openly welcoming people’s participation.

However, in 2019, it dropped to 44.

But last year, Solomon Islands made a huge jump to 77 out of 180 countries.

The huge jump was due to Solomon Islands witnessed the national general election and the period leading up to the formation of the new Executive Government.

Substantial evidence has identified that the new regime was very much open to political party financing and politicians were open to undue influence from vested interests and such a government was obviously less able to combat corruption on its own and they have failed to partner with the people in the fight against corruption.

According to TSI, there are two most widely used indicators of Corruption today.

These are the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index [CPI] and Control of Corruption Indicator one of the six Governance Indicators [WGIs] produced by World Bank Researchers.

The Corruption Perception Index [ CPI] is the leading global indicator of public sector corruption since its inception in 1995. 

In 2012, Transparency International revised the methodology used to construct the index to allow for comparison of scores from one year to the next.

The CPI analyses perceptions of corruption in the public sector and scores 180 countries and territories, drawing on 13 surveys of businesspeople and expert assessments.

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries “by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.”

The CPI defines corruption as “the misuse of public power for private benefit”.

The theme for this year’s launch of the 2020 CPI is COVID-19 AND CORRUPTION.

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