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“No police protest”

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

Commissioner Mangau says officers will continue duties while authorities work hard to pay outstanding allowances next week

BY JENNIFER KUAPA

POLICE Commissioner has guaranteed that his officers will not stage a sit-in protest against government’s failure to pay outstanding allowances.

He made the assurance following reports that police officers working frontline duties were threatening to stage a sit-in protest because government has not paid them several allowances including ones connected to covid-19 duties.

Commissioner Mostyn Mangau adds that responsible authorities are working hard to ensure these allowances are paid next week.

This he says comes from an understanding reached between the Office of the Prime Minister, Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services after discussions was held between them to address the problem.

Mangau explains that the Finance ministry has been facing difficulties in processing allowances for the huge number of police officers involved in covid-19 operations across the country, which include assisting other government agencies.

Meanwhile, he thanks his officers who are affected by the unpaid allowance problem for their patience and allowing authorities to deal with it.

“I thank the police officers who committed themselves to work on frontline duties here in Honiara as well as in the western border for the good work they are doing in protecting our border at the Western part of our country and for our officers here in Honiara for continue dedicating themselves in supporting our government in fighting covid-19.

 “It is important to note that the Government’s Covid-19 Oversight Committee, the specially tasked committee in spending a lot of time in ensuring our officers are adequately remunerated,” Mangau said.

He said police officers are mandated to provide law and order in the country and also is one of the essential services, therefore police officers will always make sure that the security of this country is maintained and also with these coivd-19 operations police are supporting other government agencies to fight covid in the country.

“I want to reassure the frontline officers that Government has assured us that the issue of unpaid allowance has been given priority and the outstanding allowances will be paid in the coming week.”

Mangau also explained that police officers are paid in two different allowances for those support officers they are paid $500 fortnightly, whilst officers who are deployed to the Border are paid $150 per day and those that looking after the quarantine sites are paid according to the camp managements of $400 per day.

No budget in upcoming parl session

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) will not table the 2021 National budget when Parliament resumes on Monday, November 9.

This is not possible because the government is heavily focused on the coronavirus pandemic in the country and has little time to prepare the budget proper.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete said currently there is no budget proper to scrutinise ahead of the sitting of Parliament.

Ete said it is highly likely the budget proper will come before his committee around January or February next year.

He said the Minister of Finance is highly likely to table a resolution to allow authorization of money in the Consolidated Fund to meet the operation of the public service until the expiry of four months.

However, Ete said if the front-line ministries in the covid-19 are spending money outside of their budget, government should bring a Supplementary Bill to Parliament for blessing.

This is in line with Section 103 of the Constitution and Section 58 of the Public Financial Management Act 2013.

According to Section 103-(1) If the Appropriation Act in respect of any financial year has not come into operation by the beginning of that financial year, Parliament by resolution may empower the Minister of Finance to authorize the issue of moneys from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year, until the expiration of four months from the beginning of that financial year or the coming into operation of the Appropriation Act, whichever is the earlier.

In Section 58 of PFMA 2013, the Minister (Finance) may only consider an application for a contingency warrant if the following conditions are met:

  1. An urgent and unforeseen need has arisen to authorize an issue from the Consolidated Fund;
  2. No such issue has been authorized by an Appropriation Act or Supplementary Appropriation Act for the relevant financial year; and
  3. The issue cannot be delayed without detrimental effects to the public interest.

Some frontline ministries are adamant their budget will run out before the end of the year in December because most money are spent on covid-19 preparation and response.

Chairman of National Disaster Council and National Disaster Operation Committee, Loti Yates said so far, the government has provided funding to meet needs in the quarantine centers like food and others.

However, he told the Health and Medical Services Committee in Parliament yesterday that for their budget to reach December is something that a request will be put forward to government to consider.

Parliament passed $3.8 billion 2020 National Budget on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

It also passed two Supplementary Appropriation Bills in September 2020.

MARA gov’t lauds MOU with MAL

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial Government has lauded the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) for a MOU signed between them.

The MOU looks into ways of partnership with MAL through national government and MPG will collaborate in the agriculture sector to achieve better results for people in the province.

Speaking during the signing this week, Premier Daniel Suidani said his government and people are happy to sign the MOU with the national government.

He said this is the third MOU MARA government has signed with government ministries.

“Not long ago my government has signed historical MOUs with the MFMR on Bina Tuna Processing Plant project and with MCT.

“And this is the way we believe we should do things collaboratively,” Suidani said.

One that note, he said the MOU with MAL has marked a new journey in the development of agriculture and livestock in the province and the country.

“This is a new journey based on mutual cooperation and share responsibilities. Especially in addressing multiple challenges that often confront us in our large scale agriculture endeavors.

“We must take stock of our past disappointments and thereupon forge a new outlook for our agriculture sector.

Agriculture as we know is the pillar through which our society survives. Therefore, it is an industry that we all related better to it than any other sector.

“However, as our society expanded and grows in population we need to expand and grow the way we see agriculture as well,” Suidani said.

He said this is though what the MOU is intended to host. Finding new ways to work collaboratively in the agriculture sector to achieve better results.

“And as said in the MOU, our mutual interests and obligations are the pillars of the document.

“MPG will strive to ensure its parts in the MOU be executed correctly and we believed this will be the same for MAL,” Suidani said.

PM confident country will retain covid-free status again

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare is confident Solomon Islands will retain its Covid-19 free status again.

However, the Prime Minister said the government cannot do this alone as ‘all hands on deck’ is needed from the nation.

Speaking during his ‘Nationwide Address’ early this week, the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Choiseul said in such unprecedented times, ‘unity and solidarity is very important’.

“I would like to thank citizens that have continued to support the government in our fight against the deadly virus. We have lost our status as a COVID-19 free country but I am confident that we have managed it very well,” said Sogavare.

“We have avoided community transmission and we are containing the virus within the quarantine and isolation stations. Our aim is to eliminate it from there. I am confident that we will overcome this pandemic and we will retain our COVID-19 free status again.

“However, this government cannot do this alone. As I have already said, we need all hands on deck.

“Fellow citizens, in such unprecedented times, unity and solidarity is very important. Now is not the time for division. Now is not the time for petty politics.

“This is a time that calls for ordinary people to do extra ordinary things for this country and our people. This is a time that requires people to act selflessly and to put the interest of this country and people above all other interests. Now is the time to rise to the occasion and be counted.”

Ontong Java chief calls on Fisheries to return confiscated beche-de-mer

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A Lord Howe chief has called on the Ministry of Fisheries to return the beche-de-mer that were confiscated on Tuesday night this week back to the owners.

Chief Bartholomew Kokolopu said with the covid-19 situation the country is facing, the Ministry of Fisheries should sympathise with the beche-de-mer owners and return those beche-de-mer that were confiscated on Tuesday night at the Point Cruz wharf, inside MV Onogou on her return from Lord Howe.

“The owners of those beche-de-mer in fact had breached Fisheries regulation because they harvest the beche-de-mer illegally, but I want the Fisheries to sympathize and understand our situation.

“We the Lordhowe people did not have other means to earn money from but only through Beche-de-mer,” Kokolopu said.

He said what happened on Tuesday night was a really sad scenario; Officers from Ministry of Fisheries along with Police officers went inside the ship and checked all the luggage and also inside the crew-rooms.

And after a thorough check they took off with the cartons of beche-de-mer, Kokolopu said.

Kokolopu blamed the Fisheries office for ignoring Lordhowe chiefs request since 2018, they have been discussing with them to assist the chiefs in raising awareness and explain the regulation to the people but nothing forth coming.

“I was also one of the member delegation that came some two years back and last year discussing with the Director of Fisheries for a possible way forward for Lordhowe people, and for their officers to come to Lordhowe and educate our people relating to beche-de-mer issues.

“In our discussion we told them that it will be effective once anybody from the office to down to our people and tell them why they ban the beche-de-mer, instead our request fall on deaf ears,” Kokolopu said.

He said Fisheries officers should at least work with the Chiefs of Lord Howe so that any decision made is fair to them and the resources owners.

He also said in 2018 the ban lifted in October because of the National General Election, and at that time it was not in the interest of Lordhowe people to lift the ban, and after the ban imposed again.

“Earlier this year we made a call to the Fisheries again if they could allow us some time do the harvesting just for our survival, they refused our request, and because of no other means we can earn money our people continue to harvest illegally”, Kokolopu said.

Kokolopu said Fisheries had refused to visit their communities and also refused to consider their call, therefore they should have been blamed for the people’s action.

“Since the Fisheries office did not respond to our call, we the resource owners decided that since the beche-de-mer are ours, we continue to harvest because it is our God given resources,” Kokolopu said.

Therefore, he calls on the Ministry of Fisheries to return the confiscated beche-de-mer.

Meanwhile this paper made contacts with the Ministry of Fisheries to confirm the raid but was unsuccessful, since the Director of Fisheries was busy in a bilateral meeting yesterday.

Oversight’s oversight?

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Members of the Oversight Committee recently. Photo PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Government had allowed a high-risk passenger to be quarantined with low-risk ones in the heart of Honiara

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A positive covid-19 case detected in a quarantine site in the heart of Honiara may be the result of government oversight, it is reported.

Island Sun has learnt from witnesses in the October-25 flight that the covid-19 patient who had travelled from Korea had sat close to the player accused of breaching safety protocols [refusing to wear face mask] in the plane. Yet, authorities deemed it fit that he be quarantined along with low-risk passengers at the King Sol Hotel quarantine site.

All the high-risk passengers are reportedly quarantined at the SA Accommodations at Henderson, east of Honiara.

Sources tell the paper meanwhile that this passenger had boarded the flight covid-free, and had contracted the virus via flight.

Government has said as part of its anti-covid measures, high-risk passengers in repatriation flights are identified upon arrival and quarantined at the same location to safeguard other passengers regarded as low-risk.

However, this latest revelation speaks otherwise and indicates serious risky loopholes.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary to the prime minister and member of government’s covid-19 oversight committee, could not comment when contacted yesterday for an explanation.

Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary to the Health Ministry and member of the covid-19 oversight committee, when contacted yesterday for comments referred the paper instead to the “incident controller”.

She interrupted questions, saying, “The distance on that, those on the operation will have detail on the sitting arrangement on the flight, our ‘incident controller. We will have to refer it to the incident controller.”

Speaking during an earlier ‘special address’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said all the returning 16 players were seated together in the flight, which minimises the risk of potential spread to other passengers.

Despite the Prime Minister saying the remaining travellers on that flight have all been quarantined in single rooms to minimise any potential spread should any of them become positive, it does not go down well with members of the general public learning that one the recent positive Covid-19 cases was identified from within the centre of Honiara. The location for quarantine is what members of the general public disagree on.

“With the exposure that was understood from the flight being reported, why were all these passengers not quarantined in one isolation centre that is far out from the main centre of the capital,” raise concern.

Tackle climate change via social media

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Scientist Marie Schlenker

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

HAVE you witnessed changes in the environment in your community? Would you like to share your observations to create evidence-based science and tackle climate change in Solomon Islands?

Head to Facebook and join the “Solomon Islands: Environment” discussion group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ontongjava).

That’s according to scientist Marie Schlenker, who is a PhD student at the University of Southampton, UK, and works closely with the Anglican Church of Melanesia and the Melanesian Mission UK to study the impacts of environmental change on rural communities in Solomon Islands who are particularly at risk from rising sea-levels.

The facebook group has been set up by Ms Schlenker, as part of her research. She visited the communities of Fanalei and Walande in South Malaita and the Lord Howe and Red Beach settlements in Honiara last year and conducted in-depth studies of local impacts of sea-level rise.

While the current Coronavirus pandemic has prevented her from returning to Solomon Islands this year, her research is still ongoing.

According to Schlenker “the Internet has made it possible for us all to stay connected, regardless of how far away we are or how isolated we are due to the pandemic.

“I hope that it can now help me to finish my research. But what I really need is the help from the people in Solomon Islands.”

She believes that local knowledge is key for mapping changes across the country and informing climate change adaptation.

“Nobody notices changes in the environment more than the people who live there.”

While her in-depth study focuses on the communities of Ontong Java, Sikaiana, Fanalei and Walande, she is also interested in extending her research about environmental change to other parts of the country.

 “I believe there are many more communities out there that have been affected by rising sea-levels. We just haven’t heard of them yet.”

She believes local knowledge is key for mapping changes across the country and informing climate change adaptation.

Dr Abraham Hauriasi, ACoM General Secretary said the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) is pleased to be helping in this research effort in collecting data that will be useful and important to national and regional stakeholders in the on-going fight against the destructive effects of climate change affecting Solomon Islands communities across the country.

Hauriasi says our communities will benefit a lot from actions/activities taken by government and donors, church and other stakeholders to mitigate climate change effects as a result of the availability of the findings/data/evidence generated from or by this research.

Schlenker said many coastal communities in Solomon Islands are already experiencing adverse impacts of environmental change, including sea-level rise, shoreline erosion, increased flooding frequency and degradation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

While the drivers of these changes are varied and include local human activities, such as logging, overharvesting and sand mining, climate change will likely exacerbate environmental change and associated problems in the future.

Schlenker explained that in recent years, it has become more and more apparent that we need to take better care of our planet.

“Institutions have been formed, policies have been released and new technologies have been piloted, but so far with little tangible outcomes for the people who are most at risk from climate change – like Solomon Islanders.

“One reason why tackling climate change has been difficult for authorities and communities is because we do not fully understand the phenomenon of climate change and its local manifestations yet.

“Climate change is a new challenge, which requires us to develop new solutions. Another issue has been the lack of funding for sustainable climate change projects at local level.

“Increased international assistance and effective distribution of the funds are key to tackle climate change in Solomon Islands.”

She said that in order to understand how climate change is affecting different parts of Solomon Islands, to create evidence-based funding claims and to inform strategies for helping affected communities, science is vital.

SI has highest data on pre-trial detainees-remand prisoners

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. Photo by RNZ

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer says Solomon Islands is one of the countries with highest percentage of accused being remanded awaiting their cases to be heard in court in the region.

Sir Albert said according to the data obtained from the World Prison Brief (“WPB”) as at 2018, the percentage rate was 46.8 percent for Solomon Islands.

 At that time record shows that the country had 224 prisoners in remand from a total of 479 in the Correctional facility. 

“Our most recent figures, showed that as at 21st October 2020, there was a total of 618 incarcerated in our prisons, out of these 296 were in remand, giving an increased percentage rate of 47.8 percent. Of these, you may be interested to note that 136 of these are remandees awaiting trial or hearing in the High Court; that is very high indeed.

“Sadly now, it seems from recent information that has come to my attention, that Solomon Islands has one of the highest percentages of pre-trial detainees/remand prisoners in the region,” Sir Albert said. 

Comparative figures around the region of pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners, showed the following percentage rates:

Australia: at June 2019: 33 percent;

New Zealand: at June 2020: 36.5percent;

Fiji: at September 2019: 24percent; and

Papua New Guinea: at 2019: 34.4percent.

He said the figures for Solomon Islands are startling and must be cause of great concern for those of us in the judiciary who care, and the Government. 

“There is no short cut to justice issues,” Sir Albert said. 

The courts must continue to sit, hold trials and go on circuits; the DPP’s Office and PSO’s must be strengthened and supported so that they too are able to provide the much-needed support for the courts to hear and dispose of cases as scheduled; vacating and postponing of trials and circuits should be avoided at all costs.

“In spite and despite of pressures to vacate and postpone hearings and circuits, I am reluctant to do that, and you know why.

“It is our constitutional mandate to have criminal matters tried within a reasonable time and to afford an accused person a fair hearing within a reasonable time”, Sir Albert said.

Sir Albert said the constitutional rights of an accused are at stake and it is the duty of the judiciary to hold hearings and circuits to be able to chip into those backlogs and reduce delays.

He said the High Court cannot do it alone but needs support from the legal sector. For each judge added to the Bench, there should be a ratio of two prosecutors and four legal officers from the Public Solicitor’s Office added.

He also said that it is clear that the support for the legal agencies has not kept pace with the growth and expanse in the work of the courts in administering justice in the country, compounding delays, a build-up in the backlog of cases and consequential build-up in the number of remandees, those waiting for their trials in our prisons.

“I have oft repeated that the effectiveness of the criminal justice system is central to peace and stability in the country and directly linked to growth, expansion and prosperity of the economy. 

“A thriving economy is dependent on a vibrant democracy and the rule of law,” Sir Albert added.

Simple surgical masks recommended by MHMS

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SIMPLE surgical masks have been recommended by Ministry of Health and Medical Services, says Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary to Prime Minister and Member of the Oversight Committee.

Rogers said the basic recommended mask is the surgical mask which is blue in colour, however at the moment the number of covid-19 recorded in country has been contained on quarantined centers and Isolation facilities.

He said the simple surgical mask is the most common mask which was recommended by Ministry of health and Medical Services to wear in event if we need more sophisticated mask.

“Also, if we have suspected spread in community this mask is still useful but that is where we go for the black mask and the N95. For N95 mask it means 95 percent of the bacteria cannot go into the mask or comes out of the mask,” said Rodgers.

He adds the most important thing about mask is it did not protect you from others in a sense but it protects others from you.  

“For instance, in places like the USA where they not wear mask, there is a lot of drop-lets go out and it affects them where as if you wear mask when you are infected you will not spread it that is the nature and rational to wear mask.

But simple surgical mask that is the one that is commonly recommended,” said Rodgers.

Airline board’s stand on audit findings

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Board of Solomon Airlines Ltd decided not to dwell into the internal audit report released on 17th February 2020 over the poor management decision making on transition of old A320 to new A320-200 plane.

The audit found that the sale of an old A320; purchase a new A320-200 and the new Twin-Outter from Ikana was done by Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Manager alone, this led to financial constraints at the airline.

The report found that Gebbers recruited his own son to be IT administrator in Brisbane.

Further to that, Heston MRO PTY Ltd deposited SBD$20million for the sale of A320, shortfall of $3 million in Solomon Airlines bank account with $16 million in the balance.

The Board was forced to find $3m to pay the loan before the deadline on 31st January 2020.

The audit states the CEO stepped in with $1 million to meet the deadline of the loan and Solomon Airlines repaid him with $500,000 later.

Furthermore, the audit report claimed the hiring of airlines has cost Solomon Airlines while the tickets sales are low.

However, Deputy Chairman of Solomon Airlines Board, Rob Bochman said “please be aware that while we appreciate your interest in Solomon Airlines, we will not be engaging further, other than to comment that the Airline’s financial strategy and aircraft financing are extremely complex matters which require expert understanding of all of the issues involved.

“As a matter of due diligence, the Board of Solomon Airlines Ltd monitors and remains fully appraised of strategic decisions and the financial activity of the national carrier.

“The Minister for Finance as well as shareholders ICSI are also fully briefed on developments of material significance.,” he said. 

“We are fully satisfied that the CEO and management team at Solomon Airlines Ltd are continuing to lead the airline with integrity, and with the best intentions, through an extremely difficult period for airlines worldwide,” Bochman said.

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