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SINU VC’s work permit processed

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Ganesh
Dr. Ganesh Chand, SINU VC

By EDDIE OSIFELO

WORK on screening and finalising the work permit of embattled Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor, Dr Ganesh Chand is going through the process now.

Commissioner of Labour, Josiah Manehia confirmed this to Island Sun yesterday.

Manehia said the outcome should be known soon.

When asked about the illegal work Mr Chand did with SINU since last year, Manehia said necessary explanations will be tendered later.

Riley Henao Mesepitu of Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, earlier said the applications of the VC and other expatriate at SINU must meet the criteria before the Commissioner of Labour can grant the approval for their work permits.

As such, PS Mesepitu said the VC and the other staff should not work because they entered the country under the permit to enter and reside and not to work.

“SINU is not a regional university, but our university under our laws.

“As such every company has to go through the same process, which SINU is not exceptional,” he said.

A leaked letter on social media shows the Labour Division sent a letter to Chairman of Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Council, Dr Culwick Togamana on August 7, 2020 regarding the employment of expatriates at SINU.

The letter stated that “A check through our office records and our files do not show that the expatriate staff, including the Vice Chancellor, have work permits for their employment by the Solomon Islands National University.

“A check with the Office of the Director of Immigration has also confirmed that no Gazette has been formalised to exempt the concerned staff from the requirements for work permit,” a officer in Labour Division said.

As such the letter stated this may mean that their employment by the University is illegal.

Island Sun understands the VC and other expatriate are currently staying at home without attending to any work at SINU until their work permits are granted.

We need our book allowance: SIG students in Fiji

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USP Laucala Campus

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

The second semester for this year is nearly through, and Government-sponsored students in Fiji institutions are still waiting for their book allowance.

Disappointed SIG students at Fiji said they need the ‘Book Allowance’ because monthly allowances cannot cater for school materials.

To add to matters, SIG students point out that only October and November are left for school this year in its second semester.

SIG students having waited since July express being weary waiting for their ‘Book Allowance’, because despite numerous previous calls have been made, there has never been any positive update or response.

“Seeing that it is September now and we have not yet received our ‘Book Allowance’ is not good. We are asking for transparency on this matter as we understand that we are in challenging times and our economy is going down due to the negative impacts of Coronavirus [Covid-19]. Therefore, it will only be good if the government and ministry responsible be honest with us on whether we will receive book allowances or not, rather than causing us to have high expectations that will not be met,” said SIG students wishing for anonymity.

“If they say we will still receive it then “when “? If they say no because of financial crisis faced by the Government then please do let the students know about it.

“Waiting for ‘Book Allowance’ has become a pressing issue to SIG students, waiting for a very long time without clear information. Such situation of frustration also affects students’ learning.”

Attempts to get comment from the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) over this issue were not possibly yesterday.

Meanwhile, in a letter issued yesterday to SIG students by MEHRD’s Suva-based Education Attaché (EA) Francis Tavava, he said: “Dear students,
“I would like to thank you for your perseverance at this difficult time but I hope you have endured the spirit of patience with me.

I understand students will be frustrated but your continuous support for each other is slowly seen and noticed. I applaud students for their positive attitude towards studies and I begin to see students striving for excellence rather than complacency.

“I would like to strongly advise students living off campus to be cautious with any valuables that you have and a simple reminder to check your doors before slip in the morning after late studies.

If you returning to your accommodation after class in the evening please call your friends accompany you. Laef hem difficult distam and pipol ba threaten or steal from students so luk afta ufala gud [Solomon Pidgin].

“Allowance will be on Friday 11th September and further advise on spending. Please prioritize your rent and food first therefore, management skills as academics must be practiced. All the best.”

With the EA’s email yesterday, SIG students at Fiji said there is still no update on ‘Book Allowance’.

CHINESE MONEY CLAIMS

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DPM Manasseh Maelanga

Maelanga denies allegation of attempting to bribe Malaita leaders to topple Suidani-gov’t

By EDDIE OSIFELO

DEPUTY Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga has denied allegation that he carried a large amount of money to Auki on Tuesday night to lobby Malaita Provincial Assembly members to leave Premier Daniel Suidani.

The Premier’s Political Advisor, Celsus Talifilu posted this on social media that the move is being made so that China can enter Malaita and force it to submit.

Talifilu alleged that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has sent DPM Maelanga with orders and a big amount of Chinese money to ensure this happens as soon as possible to allow Chinese takeover.

He said some Government members of Parliament from Honiara had informed Auki that Maelanga is on a mission to bribe MPAs for a no-confidence motion on Premier Suidani.

However, Maelanga told Island Sun that he was shocked to learn of the allegations.

“Rubbish,” he retorted when asked about the allegation.

“I never visit Auki Township upon arrival but travel straight to my constituency in East Malaita from Gwounaru’u airport,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday met with the Council, which consists of various leaders of the communities in the constituency.

Maelanga will hand over school materials to Foumamanu Community High School today and visit the deteriorating roads in East Malaita following the recent rainfall.

He is expected to arrive in Honiara on Friday.

Earlier, Premier Suidani said his camp was rock solid because the population in Malaita is backing them.

Suidani said this was evident when the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening wanted to recall Provincial Secretary Fredrick Fa’abasua and it led to protests in Auki.

“How much more if the Premier is removed?” he said.

Suidani said the proposed motion of no confidence planned against him died its natural death because the Malaita population is behind MARA government.

He said is government’s numerical strength will be back to normal after other MPAs are expected to arrive from Malaita Outer Islands yesterday.

There are 33 wards in Malaita.

Speaker of Malaita Provincial Assembly, Ronnie Butala said his office has not received any notice of motion of no confidence.

Gov’t remains committed to fight covid-19: PM

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says his Government remains committed and vigilant in its fight against covid-19.

Speaking during his nation-wide covid-19 address on Monday this week, Prime Minister Sogavare said despite the criticisms, the Government is steadfast, focused, committed to protect our people and keep our economy afloat.

“This Government will continue to take drastic and proactive measures to protect our citizens,” he said.
“Our determination is stronger than ever and our resolve has never wavered.”

The Prime Minister said there has been so much misinformation floating in the media and social media by certain groups and individuals that have a personal vendetta against the Government.

“This Government has nothing to hide. In fact, we have been more than transparent in everything during this State of Public Emergency,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said his weekly national addresses, Government talk back shows, radio programs, public forums and open dialogues over the last seven months, has proven the immense work the Government has been undertaking.

“We should be thankful that Solomon Islands still maintains its covid-19 free status, and we remain amongst the few nations world-wide that have yet to record a positive case,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, Sogavare has thanked citizens that continue to support the National Government’s cause during these trying times.

The Prime Minister also thanked all the front liners and their families around the country for their continuous sacrifice and commitment.

“You all have shown true courage and patriotism and for that, I salute you all,” he said.

–OPMC PRESS

Agovaka free, appeal case struck out

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Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

HIGH Court Judge Justice Leonard Maina has struck out the appeal against the Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal Peter Shanel Agovaka.

Justice Maina on Monday dismissed and ‘strike-out’ the appeal that was filed last year by the Office of the Director Public Prosecution.

MP for Central Guadalcanal and Minister of Communication and Aviation is now finally relieved of his burden.

Speaking to Island Sun outside Court Mr Agovaka said that he is fully relieved and he will be totally freed from thinking about his case before the court.

“I think it is a reaction of relieve from attending court and also the expenses of the court, it takes me about five years for this particular case,” Agovaka smiled.

This is the appeal where the Office of the Director Public Prosecution filed to the High Court after the magistrate acquitted charges against the MP relating to an incident which occurred in 2013.

Following the appeal filed to the High Court the lawyer representing Agovaka made an application for strikeout due to the delay in the filing of the appeal.

On Monday this week the court ruled and finally struck-out the appeal and dismissed the ground of appeal.

This was in relation to the case of the MP in relation to the incident occurred in 2013. Agovaka denied the charge and then a full trial was conducted.

The trial was conducted and after the trial the presiding magistrate found Agovaka guilty of the charge of common assault instead and had him acquitted of the initial charge.

Agovaka was the MP for Central Guadalcanal at that time and the victim who is one of his voters went to his residence to enquire about timbers to complete his family’s house.

Malaita yet to meet over fate of its PS

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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MALAITA Province Executive is still to meet to decide on the fate of Provincial Secretary Fredrick Fa’abasua, who was recalled by Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening to Honiara.

Premier Daniel Suidani explained this after protesters in Auki demanded an answer within 24 hours for his government to allow Fa’abasua to continue working in the province or they will not allow any replacement.

Suidani said due to the good work of Fa’abasua and the demand from the people, the executive will need to meet and decide on his fate.

He said MARA government represents the people, therefore it will honour the call of the people.

The administrative arm of the Provincial Governments is headed by a Provincial Secretary, who is answerable to the assembly through its executive in the same way Permanent Secretaries in the national administration are accountable to their ministers.

Provincial staff composed of staff posted by the MPGIS, staff employed by National line Ministries and working in the provinces, and staff directly employed by the provinces.

All staff are supervised by the Provincial Secretaries, and accountable to the provincial executives and premiers.

MPGIS Permanent Secretary, Stanley Pirione said it is a normal thing to recall provincial secretaries back to the headquarters because they work under the ministry.

He said PS Fa’abasua was recalled due to pressing issues facing Malaita province so they can restrategise ways to provide service deliveries.

However, Pirione said due to the issue that came out lately, the Public Service Commission and the ministry will consult with Malaita province to sort out the issue.

Tovosia told not to meddle with mines board decision

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By EDDIE OSIFELO

LANDOWNERS of Central and South Guadalcanal have accused Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia of interfering in the decisions of the Mines and Mineral Board.

They claimed Tovosia had requested the Board to reconsider their decision where it rejected Solomon Islands Resources Development’s application for prospecting licence to do mining on their customary land.

“As landowners whose traditional rights will be impacted by any mineral related activity in the area, we have confidence in the technical capabilities of the Mines and Mineral Board to reach the conclusions it has made regarding the applicant’s capabilities,” they said in a statement given to Island Sun yesterday.

Further, the landowners also claimed that they are aware that WinWin Resources is understood to be related to Solomon Islands Resources Development, which is currently under investigation for attempting to smuggle gold from its alluvial mining operation at Turarana area out of the country disguised as a piece of rock core sample.

“Given the record of these types of prospecting companies, including the recent report of an attempt to smuggle items from the flight from China, the landowners have resolved that predatory investors will not be allowed to operate within their traditional lands under any circumstances whatsoever and will take whatever measures necessary to protect their rights and those their communities against such investors,” the statement reads.

Under the Mines and Minerals Act, the Minister can only grant the Prospecting Licence after the terms of access has been negotiated between the landowners and the applicant.

Such an agreement has to be confirmed as a signed Surface Access and Compensation Agreement and vetted by the Attorney General’s Office.

The landowners believed SIRD is related to other companies under various names including Win Win Resources Ltd operating in the Turarana area in the vicinity of the former Goldridge Mining Lease and probably, holding mineral prospecting license under different names in other parts of the country.

When Island Sun contacted Tovosia, he demanded to know who the landowners making allegation against him were.

He urged the media to check the Mines and Mineral Board.

Director of Mines and Chairman of the Board, Nicholas Biliki confirmed the Board had rejected the company’s application because it has no relevant technology and finance to carry out the work.

Biliki said the company can appeal the Board’s decision if it is not satisfied with the decision.
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr Christopher Vehe said he was aware that the Mines and Mineral Board had already rejected the company’s application because of incompetency.

In a letter which bears the signatures of the leaders of the main traditional land owning groups in the area which covers Sutakama/Sutakiki and Goldridge (Central Guadalcanal), Kuma and Koloula (South Guadalcanal) dated July 29, 2020, addressed to Tovosia, and copied Biliki, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr Christopher Vehe, the landowners advised Minister Tovosia that they will not grant access to the applicant.

A leader of the landowners advised that a formal complaint will be lodged to relevant authorities including the Leadership Code Commission to investigate whether the Letter of Intent and a Prospecting License reportedly granted by the Minister to SIDR was done in accordance with procedures prescribed under the Mines and Minerals Act and also determined whether Public Officers in the Ministry of Mines have abused their offices if the Letter of Intent or Prospecting License have already been granted.

Prosecution told to provide disclosures to defence counsel on woman’s case

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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Tearo Beneteti has adjourned the case against a woman, charged with stealing SBD1.3 million, to September 21 for plea.

Yesterday the court was told that documents and evidence regarding the charge against the accused are yet to be provided to the defence lawyer and defence is still waiting on those documents.

Meanwhile Steward Tonowane who appeared on behalf of his colleague told the court that investigations are now complete and they are ready to provide disclosures to the defence lawyer.

Therefore, the court made orders that prosecution provides disclosures to the defence and also defence lawyer to obtain instruction for plea on the next appearance.

This is the case of a female teacher Cecilia Samani Tome who was charged by police with count of embezzlement by public servant contrary to section 273 (b) (ii) of penal code (cap 26)
Ms Tome is an Early Childhood Teacher currently attached to the Manaoba Early Childhood Education Kindergarten School by the Malaita Education Authority under the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.

It is alleged that in 2017 two very large overpayments were made over pay period one and pay period two in the month of December.

The payments were made to ANZ account number 5147563 which is held and operated by the accused.

The allegation said the first payment was made on December 2017 for $3, 703 557.11 and the second payment was made on December 21 2017 for $102, 740.66.

Which the two payments totaled up to $3,806,299.77.

Police said as an early Childhood Education teacher the accused is paid on pay level 6 which earns her in the vicinity of $1000.00 per fortnight net pay.

According to the salary authority form raised by the teaching services for the pay period in December the amount she should have received for that pay should have been $6,240.00. this was for her yearly inducement allowance.

However, when her salary was forwarded to the payroll section at the Ministry Finance one of the staff who processed the payments entered the wrong data into the Aurion payroll system. This resulted in the overpayment of $3,806, 299.77 to the accused account.

The fact that she received two very large payments from the Solomon Islands Government into her account should have prompted the accused to inform either the Ministry of Education and Human Resources or the Ministry of Finance Payroll sections of the obvious errors.

The accused did neither of these things.

It is alleged that between December 7 and July 24 2018, she in fact set about withdrawing large amounts in cash and transferring large amounts from her ANZ account Number 5147563 where her government wages were paid, to her other ANZ account number 5467447.

The error which led to the overpayment was discovered by the responsible Ministry, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, who notified the Ministry of Finance and Treasury payroll section in July 2018.

The Ministry of finance and Treasury payroll section made a request to the ANZ Bank in July 2018 to freeze the accounts of Cecilia Tome and that funds still available be remitted to the Solomon Islands Government.

As result of this request from MoFT the ANZ Bank secured and returned to the Solomon Islands Government the amount of $2 412 301. 47 which was transferred from the two accounts operated by the accused, ANZ account no 5147563 and ANZ account no, 5467447.

After the recovery it was discovered by government auditors that an amount of 1 393 996.30 had been taken and used by Cecilia Samani Tome, to which she was not entitled.

She appeared in court and was released on cash bail of $2000 with following conditions that she must surrender her passport, not to contact any person or indirectly employed by the Solomon Island Ministry of Finance and Treasury or the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, and also not to enter any government office, including all Ministry of Finance & Treasury offices or the Ministry of Education.

Government monitors covid-19 impacts

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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE Government through the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) assure closely monitoring the flow on impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19) felt throughout the country.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide address this week Monday said whilst Solomon Islands is yet to register a COVID-19 case, financially and economically, the flow on impacts of COVID-19 continued to be felt throughout the country may likely continue well into 2021.

Nevertheless, the PM assures the nation that the Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Treasury continues to closely monitor these situations very closely and on daily, weekly and monthly basis.

“As been reported through recent statements that our economy is heading towards a recession of negative 4.3 per cent this year.

As a result, Government revenue collections are expected to fall below the estimates for 2020. Ministry of Finance & Treasury have taken revenue and expenditure measures to ensure the government continues to deliver its services effectively, and to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 threat,” said Sogavare.

“To further enhance expenditure control, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury also issued an austerity financial circular earlier this month. This circular set out clear expenditure control expectations for all SIG ministries and adherence to these requirements will be strictly enforced by Treasury.”

Gov’t has nothing to hide: PM

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

PRIME Minster Manasseh Sogavare said the government has nothing to hide but have been more transparent during this State of Public Emergency.

Mr Sogavare stressed this following what he claims as misinformation floating in the media and social media against the government.

“There has been so much misinformation floating in the media and social media by certain groups and individuals that have a personal vendetta against the Government. This Government has nothing to hide. In fact, we have been more than transparent in everything during this State of Public Emergency.

“My weekly national address, Government talk back shows, radio programs, public forums and open dialogues over the last seven months has proven the immense work the Government has undertaken,” he said.

Sogavare said despite the criticisms, his Government remains steadfast, focused and committed in their fight, and that is to protect the people and keep the country’s economy afloat.

“That said, allow me to thank all our front liners for your sacrifice and commitment that you have continued to shown. You have shown true courage and patriotism and for that, I salute you all,” he said.

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