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That house

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Work on new PM residence starts

By EDDIE OSIFELO

WORK on the new official residence of the Prime Minister is on track adjacent to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) headquarters overlooking Honiara city.

This was after the Central Tender Board awarded the contract to a builder to start work on the site.

Ministry of Infrastructure Development Permanent Secretary, Stephen Maesiola is currently on leave so has been unable to provide an update.

In 2018, Under Secretary Jimmy Nuake said the Government through MID had approved the plan to build a new official residence for the Prime Minister.

Nuake said the move was based on Government’s policy initiated in 2016.

Prior to that, the Prime Minister is normally accommodated at the Red House at Vavaya Ridge.

MID had already demolished the Red House and late last year fire engulfed the Guard House.

An officer at Architectural Design at MID said currently there is still no plan to rebuild the run-down Red House.

Island Sun understands work at new PM’s residence at FFA started after the completion of design, geotechnical work and boundary survey.

Previously, former Prime Minister Danny Philip decided not to reside at Red House due to deteriorating condition of the building after Dr Derek Sikua left.

However, incoming PM, Gordon Darcy Lilo decided to move in the Red House after small renovation was carried out on it.

After that, Rick Hou and Manasseh Sogavare decided to reside at their private residences at Lunga, East Honiara, rather than moving into Red House.

Their decision attracted public criticisms because they decided to reside at their own residence rather than in a government residence.

Going ahead

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita ready to roll out PCDF projects for 2021

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA Provincial Tender Board will sit this week to award its first four PCDF projects for implementation in 2021.

In a statement from the Provincial Planning Division, the projects were put on tender last month for interested certified contractors to be part of the bid.

The projects include Waneagu CHS, Sinasu CHS assembly hall, Ote Rural Health Centre and Sikaiana crushing mill.

It said applications from contractors were received and screening will be carried out on the bids to award the projects to the winning candidates.

Official statement on wining candidates will be published soon and contractors have been asked to listen out.

Also, a re-tender was made for Maka primary school project which was a failed project and will be re-implemented this year.

In last year’s financial year 2020/2021, MARA government implemented a total of 29 PCDF projects in the province.

From the 29 projects, four project work will begin on this year are Waneagu CHS, Sinasu CHS assembly hall, Ote Rural Health Centre and Sikaiana crushing mill.

Completed projects total up to 24 and almost all of them have already been handed over to recipients. Only Sulufoloa market building is yet to be handed over.

The 29 projects covered sectors include administration, works and transport, education, water supply and sanitation, health, agriculture, women, youths and sport and investment service.

Education and Health sectors scooped the highest number of projects under the 29 implemented PCDF projects.

Most of these projects are carried-over projects from the previous MART government led by former premier, Peter Ramohia.

PNG nationals quarantined on Pelau

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Pelau police post on the atoll island of Pelau in the Malaita Outer Islands.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

FOUR Papua New Guinean nationals are at the moment kept under quarantine at Pelau police post in Malaita Outer Islands.

The four were reported to have illegally trans-border the SI-PNG border from Tasman Island (under PNG) and arrived on Saturday morning, December 26 at Pelau.

Supervising PPC Malaita, Mr Michael Ramosaea told this paper on the incident in an interview yesterday.

He said based on report received from Pelau police post on the incident, four men from Tasman Islands trans-border to Pelau Island in Solomon Islands on an out-boat motor engine.

Ramosaea said the men arrived at Pelau after their voyage and upon finding out on the situation, officers at Pelau police post alerted the headquarter on the matter.

He said in respond to the situation, a team consisted of RSIPF, medical, disaster and St John Ambulance deployed to Pelau via patrol boat 05 Gizo on December 27, 2020 to deal with the situation.

Ramosaea said the team arrived in Pelau and report received from them was the men were arrested and put under custody at the police post.

He said reason for their illegal entry is yet to be known at the moment and they now under police investigation.

Ramosaea stressed that the fear on the issue that is now being dealing with the potential spread of covid-19 in Pelau and neighboring Luaniua.

“I said so because upon report received, two men from the group had been reported to be on a direct route from PNG mainland through Tasman and then to Pelau.

“And since we don’t know of their health status it’s a fear because they had direct conduct with 10 locals in Pelau included a police officer who dealt with them upon their arrival.

“Our hope is for positive outcome from our four colleagues PNG nationals and 11 locals for covid-19 free status as testing is carry out on them,” he said.

Ramosaea said in dealing with the situation, the four PNG nationals were put under custody and at the same time quarantine at Pelau police post.

He added that the locals include the police officer were put under quarantine at Bellama Island just outside of Pelau Island.

Bellama Island was an uninhabited island and it believed locals serving the quarantine on the island were given temporary shelter and food as they serve their time on the island.  

Ramosaea reiterated that the PNG nationals are put under custody and also quarantined and will soon face charges under this State of Public Emergency.

Overcrowding affects teaching and learning environment

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Governor General Sir David Vunagi

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

OVERCROWDING is seriously affecting the teaching and learning environment in schools in Honiara which has led to poor hygiene and poor living conditions.

This was uttered by Governor General Sir Rt Reverend David Vunagi when delivering his New Year message to the nation.

“Overcrowding greatly affected teaching and learning environment in the schools in Honiara, overcrowding also affected the hygiene and living condition in many homes in Honiara.

These are facts that we cannot continue accept as normal, if we are to be true to the nation, we must address the unjust living conditions that are very obvious even to mention,” said Vunagi.

He adds on the same that the whole national population data has not been released but one group he believed has often made up the biggest percentage is that of the young people,

He said this group needs to been given special consideration because when its moves it creates the biggest fall and momentum and it not controlled it could lead to undesirable consequences.

“There is unsubstantiated claim that young people have nothing to do and have nothing to offer the nation. The way forward is to empower them, they have the number, strength, skills and talents which are often untapped, the test to test their viability and character we need to give them responsibility and I am sure we will be surprised to see the unimaginable gifts and talents to do even the things many of us cannot do,” he said.

He said the census has also shown and even population distribution throughout the country that there is a dynamic population drift towards Guadalcanal making Honiara the melting pot of the country where social, cultural and racial issues are exhibited.

“We must reduce the pressure in Honiara by distributing the population evenly throughout the nine provinces, maybe we can do this in future when we have the capacity,  capability and resources to developed Lata, Kirakira, Auki, Buala, Tigoa, Gizo, Munda, Noro and Taro, the standard and level of infrastructures and services in the provincial headquarters must be compatible to Honiara.

People should come all the way to Honiara to access reliable banking and communication services, hospital, schools, sports, sport stadium, legal advice and market for Agriculture and marine products.

“If these services are accessible in the provinces, we can create job opportunities right in the places where the people are.

“It is a fallacy to say that every basic thing that people need can only be obtained in Honiara,” he said.

HCC’s grace period?

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RECAP - Round 2 TSL action. The league resumes this week

TSL resumes this weekend

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

HONIARA City Council (HCC) has given a grace period to the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) to complete its top tier national league – the TSL which will resume starting this weekend, Saturday 9th.

SIFF confirmed in a statement yesterday.

These were in regards to the ongoing Lawson Tama stadium lease termination which HCC now agreed to give SIFF and its TSL Board the access for the completion of the 2020/2021 seasons.

The lease termination which came into effect on January 1st takes a new turn while it’s welcoming news for the football public.

With eight league rounds to go the league enters Match Week 16 and will continue through to next week.

Saturday’s fixtures will see the bottom of the table clash between Marist FC (9 points) against Malaita Kingz (0 points), while reigning champions Solomon Warriors (25 points) take on Real Kakamora (14 points) on the day’s second fixture.

Sunday’s matches will see league debutants Honiara City FC (18 points) up against leaders Henderson Eels (34 points) who are nine points clear comfortably top of the table.

Season’s underdogs Southern United (18 points) will take on FC Isabel (17 points) also on Sunday’s second fixture.

Midweek match for Matchweek 16 is a top-four battle between Central Coast FC (25 points) and Laugu United (24 points).

Fixtures;

Saturday 9

Marist FC vs Malaita Kingz – 2PM

Solomon Warriors vs Real Kakamora FC – 4PM

Sunday 10

Honiara City FC vs Henderson Eels – 2PM

Southern United FC vs FC Isabel – 4PM

Wednesday 13

Central Coast FC vs Laugu FC – 4PM

At loggerheads

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Logs

Asian logger wants SFA registration cancelled

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Managing Director of Orion Limited, Chan Chee Min has called on the Registrar of Companies to exercise the “Statutory Obligations” and the “Fiduciary Duty” to cancel the registration of Solomon Forest Association (SFA).

In Orion Limited letter dated 04th January 2021 to the Registrar of Companies, Chan Chee Min say that:

1.         It is a crystal clear case that the Executives (Presidents) of SFA has breached its Constitutions clause 6.

2.         SFA Executives (President) through its legal counsel did not give reason/s to justify their (SFA) Executives (Presidents) unilateral action that cancel Orion Limited SFA membership and removed Orion Limited from the SFA register.

3.         SFA, through its legal counsel gave lame excuse/s saying it is a private quarrel.

4.         SFA legal counsel has accused the Registrar of Companies to allow outside persons to use the Registrar of Companies office to further their interest or to solve disputes with other outside bodies or person.

Chan Chee Min said SFA Executives (President) has unilaterally cancelled Orion Limited SFA membership and removed it from its registry.

He said this is crystal clear that SFA breached its Constitution, Clause 6.

Furthermore, Chan Chee Min said that he expected SFA and its legal counsel to be smarter and truthful than to give lame excuses.

He said that these are matters of “statutes” and statutory compliance.

“This is clear that SFA Executives (Presidents) lacks maturity in leadership and therefore SFA is not functional,” he added.

Chan said this is again clear that SFA lacks maturity to differentiate “private”, “statutes” and “statutory compliance” and again SFA is not functional.

He said that the Registrar of Companies is a “Statutory Body” or “Forum” constitutionally enshrined with statutory power to address matters and breaches committed by entity holder registered under the Companies Act and Charitable Trust Act.

Chan said that justice must be seen and justice shall prevail.

Acting Registrar of Companies at Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Tobit Taravu said he just received the letter from Orion yesterday and will make the response this week.

Attempts to talk with SFA were unsuccessful.

Guadalcanal province seeks injunction against Sino Capital

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AFTER issuing a Stop Notice to Sino Capital to stop logging in the Aola ward area of Guadalcanal Province weeks ago, the Guadalcanal Provincial Executive lead by premier Francis Sade decided to file a High Court case to seek injunction against Sino Capital and its contractor, New Ocean Ltd.

Information reaching YTTF appears to suggests that the High Court case has been prepared and expected to be filed by Guadalcanal Province next week.

According to information reaching YTTF, Guadalcanal Province is alleging in its court documents that Sino Capital Felling Licences were obtained as a result of a fraudulent Timber Rights Hearing way back around 2006 or 2007.

Sino Capital and its contractor, New Ocean, are currently operating in Aola ward area of East Central Guadalcanal. Sino Capital is owned by controversial figure, Gary Geah.

YTTF has been reliably informed that there are moves to destabilize the Guadalcanal Provincial Executive as a result of its decision to stand up against Sino Capital.

However, YTTF has spoken to some prominent Guadalcanal leaders who have said they support the move taken by the Guadalcanal Provincial Executive to correct mistakes done by previous provincial leaders, with one Guadalcanal prominent person telling YTTF “the current administration of Francis Sade must be commented for standing up to powerful self- interest groups that have been ruining our province for far too long.”

There have been rumors circulating that Sino Capital owner, Gary Geah, has a close relationship with some senior politicians and government officials in the government.

The issue will likely tests this alleged links between Gary Gaeh and his political protectors.

It is understood the case will be heard next week.

However the High Court has not confirmed the actual hearing of the matter according to information reaching YTTF.

‘Election body is still independent’

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Electoral Commission will still discharge its work independently although it will now operate under the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The body, which is responsible for administering and managing elections, used to be under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The commission’s Operation Manager, Freddie Bosoboe clarified this after its move from Home Affairs to PMO generated a lot of debate on social media.

Some claimed the assignment of Electoral Commission to OPMC is opened to political interference by the Prime Minister.

However, Bosoboe said the move is part of the administrative set up to fulfil the (Amendment) (Electoral Reform) Bill 2018 passed last year.

He said under the Amendment, the Chief Electoral Officer is now a constitutional post.

Bosoboe said all constitutional posts have to be aligned with the Prime Minister Office.

Furthermore, the Amendment allows the 3 members in the Electoral Commission to increase to 5 members.

Bosoboe said the Speaker of Parliament will no longer the chairman of the Electoral Commission in the Amendment.

“The Electoral Commission will consist of a Chairman, three members and the Commissioner of Elections appointed under Section 57.

“In the five members committee, there will be 2 female members,” he said.

Currently, the 3 members in the Electoral Commission are in the transition period until the appointment of the 5 new members.

Historically, Bosoboe said the Election Commission office started on ad hoc basis since the country gained Independence in 1978.

“In the past, government normally appoints workers in other Ministries to run elections.

“In 2001, the Election office moved into semi-permanent after the appointment of late John Babalu, who headed the department,” he said.

Therefore, Bosoboe said the assignment of Electoral Commission to OPMC is a sign of going into permanent administration where they will work full time.

Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui posted on social media that he found it fascinating that people on social media forums do not care if they are speculating or not.

He said the employment of section 37 of the Constitution by the Government to assign to the Prime Minister the responsibility for the conduct (subject to the provisions of this Constitution and any other law) of any business of the Electoral Commission, including responsibility for the administration of the Commission has drawn criticisms including conspiracy theories from commentators on social media.

Former Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Andrew Muaki said it is ‘constitutional’ because Section 37 of the Constitution gives the Governor General the power to assign departments or work to ministers and ministries upon the advice from the PM.

NHA expects plans by early 2021

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Sol 2023 NHA Executive Director Christian Nieng

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

THE government’s Pacific Games 2023 responsible National Hosting Authority (NHA) is expecting all national sports federations to provide their guidelines by the first quarter of 2021.

These guidelines or plans are in particularly for sports federation to be entitled to receive funding support from the national government for athlete’s development under the National Sport Council (NSC) and the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI).

NHA Executive Director Christian Nieng told SunSPORTS that NHA is responsible in assisting these sporting entities to prepare Team Solomon before the games that will be hosted here in 2023

“To be able to do that NHA is setting up the High Performance (HP) center to sharpen athlete’s skills getting them prepared for competition. Under NHA policy we are not to work directly with federations, but will support NOCSI and NSC prepare athletes,” Mr. Nieng explained.

He adds that NHA relies on NSC and NOCSI to set up strategies for winning developments, a timeframe from 2021 to 2023 – governed under the two organization’s clear policies before eligible for the level of support in line with NHA HP policy program.

“NHA supposed to pay a one-off support until NSC and NOCSI establish their clear plans for support,” he added.

Therefore, any support given by NHA to Federations is on the recommendations of either NOCSI or NSC.

Meanwhile, the government’s Solomon Islands National Institution of Sports (SINIS) currently in its construction phase at the former Telekom recreational area.

MMGB’s membership grows

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Mai-Maasina Green Belt’s endeavour to save biodiversity in the southern region of Malaita province is gaining momentum. The local and green organisation continues to receive overwhelming support of membership from tribal conservation groups in the region. (Pictured) Secretary of MMGB, Mr Andrew Taraha (left) welcomes the Interim chairman of the newly shaped Nasi Tribal Land Conservation, Mr Vahid Namo (right) as a new member to MMGB. The organization is glad to welcome Nasi Conservation as its member to work together on conservation initiative in Are Are, Malaita province.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MAI-MAASINA Green Belt’s (MMGB) endeavour to save biodiversity in the southern region of Malaita province is gaining momentum.

An executive member of MMGB, Mr Flex Naitoro said at the moment the organisation has up to 28 conservation group members.

Recently, the organisation welcomed Nasi and Ohena Tribal Land conservations as new members.

Secretary of MMGB, Mr Andrew Taraha in a post congratulated Nasi tribal land conservation in ward 25 of West Are Are in Malaita province for the initiative and becoming a member of MMGB.

“Thank you so much for becoming a member of this body (MMGB) as we strive to protect the remaining forest on Malaita,” he said.

Naitoro told this paper yesterday that MMGB continues to receive new members and the organisation appreciates members’ interests of cooperation to conserve the biodiversity on the island of Malaita.

He said MMGB’s members are from both east and west Are Are and east and east Kwaio.

Naitoro said MMGB is thankful that people/resource owners are starting to see the importance of animals and plants and the imperative need to collaborate and care for them.

He reiterated that it’s a boost for the conservation initiative in Malaita province and MMGB is willing to work with interested groups in the province on this conservation initiative.

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