Government lags behind its multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects

By Alfred Sasako

THERE is growing concern the Government is lagging far behind its timetable for the construction of multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects in the country, prompting a call for an end to the 28-day quarantine requirements under the three-month-old State of Public Emergency.

Relaxing the 28-day quarantine restrictions would help speed up work on a number of important projects, including the construction of sporting facilities for the 2023 Games, sources told Island Sun 9th June.

To help the government, the People’s Republic of China has offered to pay for the cost of a direct flight between Honiara and Beijing as flights via Australia and Papua New Guinea are restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sources said.

“The purpose of the flight is to bring to Honiara technical advisors who will provide oversight on the construction of sporting facilities for the Pacific Games in 2023. Most importantly, Chinese diplomats who will advise on the five Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) signed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last October have been stuck in Beijing due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the sources said.

As well, employees of the two Chinese State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) – China Harbour and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) resident in Honiara – are also stuck in China due to the global travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 virus.

 Their absence is having a huge impact on the progress of their work in some projects.

Formalizing the appointment of Solomon Islands Ambassador-designate to China, John Moffat Fugui, is also being affected due to the travel restrictions.

“The longer we keep the 28-day quarantine, the less time there is to get anything done,” they said.

Concerned officials said while the need to remain vigilant is there, it is imperative that a balance is struck to ensure work on important infrastructure projects is not unnecessarily delayed.”

They are appealing to the Government to relax the restrictions so that those stuck in Beijing, including some local Chinese businessmen, could return to Honiara. It is understood Parliament is due to meet on 27^th July.

It is understood that China has indicated paying for the Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 to undertake the direct return flight between Honiara and Beijing.

“Given the importance of this matter to the Honiara Government, China is willing to pay for the cost of the proposed flight,” sources said.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

HALF of the nationals who were repatriated from Australia and New Zealand have had their first covid-19 tests and they all turned out negative.

This was confirmed by Jimmy Rogers, Secretary to Prime Minister, on Sunday 7th June during a radio talkback show at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC).

“Repatriated nationals from Australia have had their first test and half of them have already have their results and they are all negative and is about 39 of them,” said Rogers.

He said the rest of the first group of those who been repatriated from Australia have been tested but the result is not yet available. If the results are ready responsible authorities will let the public know.

Rogers said out of 39 results 24 of them came from the new machine called qPCR. “This machine can do multiple samples, that is the beauty of it.”

He said for the nationals who were repatriated from Fiji and Vanuatu, the tests are ongoing.

“Results will also be put in for public to know if they are available.”

Rodgers said this is the advantage and the capability Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has in terms of its testing capabilities.

“So that gives us a lot of confidence now for us to go back to the cabinet and propose some amendment on quarantine period in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile the country has two different machines that up and running at the moment.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

OWNERSHIP Unity, Responsibility (OUR) Party led by political wing leader, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has extended its numerical strength in the government to 32 members.

This was after Member of Parliament for Malaita Outer Island, Martin Mokolo Kealoe resigned from Solomon Islands Democratic Party led by wing leader, Matthew Wale and joined OUR Party on May 29.

His move makes OUR Party single handedly dominating the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA).

Solomon Islands People’s First Party (SIPFP) contributes three members in DCGA with Chacha Bule Amoi of Marovo, Fredrick Koloqeto of South Vella La Vella and Clezy Rore of North Vella La Vella.

The other Party that makes up DCGA is Kadere Party Solomon Islands (KPSI) which consists of John Maneniaru of West Are Are and Silas Vagara Tausinga of West New Georgia.

Therefore, DCGA has 37 members after MP for Central Honiara John Moffat Fugui and MP for North East Guadalcanal Jamie Vokia have lost their petition cases recently.

Registrar of Political Parties Office, Jasper Anisi said this is the latest change following the switch by MP Kealoe.

He said MP Maneniaru has moved to the Opposition but his name is still under Kadere party.

Anisi said only Fugui, Vokia and former Independent Leader and MP for South Choiseul, Robertson Galokale were officially removed from the list after they lost their petition cases.

As such, there are only 47 Members of Parliament.

The Opposition Coalition has a total of eight members in three different political parties.

Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) has six members with Mathew Wale (Aoke Langalanga), Charles Sigoto (Ranonga/Simbo), Derrick Manuari (West Makira), Samson Maneka (North Guadalcanal), Sam Iduri (West Kwara’ae) and Bodo Horst Heinz Dettke (North West Guadalcanal).

United Party has resigned Deputy Opposition Leader, Peter Kenilorea Junior and Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) led by Rick Hou, MP for Small Malaita.

The Independent Group consists of Douglas Ete (East Honiara) and John Dean Kuku (North new Georgia).

The OUR Party members are:

1. Political wing leader, and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare;
2. Manasseh Maelanga, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for East Malaita;
3. Bradley Tovosia, East Guadalcanal;
4. Jackson Fiulaua, Central Kwara’ae;
5. Anthony Veke, West Guadalcanal;
6. Ishmael Avui, East Central Guadalcanal;
7. Bartholomew Parapolo, Minister for Culture and Tourism,;
8. Freda Tuki, Minister for Women, Youths and Children Affairs;
9. Samuel Manetoali, Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs;
10. Commins Mewa, Temotu Nende;
11. Senley Levi, MP for North Malaita;
12. Nestor Ghiro, MP for West Makira;
13. Lannell Tanangada, MP for Gizo Kolombangara;
14. Harry Kuma, Minister of Finance and Treasury;
15. Peter Shanel, Minister for Communication and Aviation;
16. Dickson Mua, Minister for Health and Medical Services;
17. Augustine Auga, Lau Baelelea;
18. Duddley Kopu, Minister for Rural Development;
19. Christopher Laore, Minister for Home Affairs;
20. Namson Tran, MP for West Honiara;
21. Dr. Kaitu’u Tautai, MP for Rennel and Bellona;
22. Rollen Seleso, MP for South Guadalcanal;
23. Titus Fika, MP for West Kwaio;
24. Raxon Ramofafai, Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination;
25. Makario Tagini, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs;
26. Jeremiah Manele, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade;
27. Dr Culwick Togamana, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology;
28. Stanley Sofu, MP for East Kwaio and Deputy Speaker;
29. Lilly Mafane Maefai, East Makira;
30. William Douglas Marau;
31. Danny Philip, South New Georgia, Rendova, Tetepare;
32. Martin Mokolo Kealoe, Malaita Outer Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE number of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) members who are entitled to withdraw money under the covid-19 exemption orders has dropped as the deadline draws closer – June 30, 2020.

When the doors of SINPF opened on April 1, thousands of people turned up at SINFP building at Point Cruz.

This led to SINFP relocating the covid-19 enquiry to SMI Compound at Town-ground.

However, due to the increasing number every day, SINPF decided to hire Honiara High School hall to deal with the enquiry and withdrawals.

Now, the queue is long in the morning and reduced in the afternoon.

This shows many members have already withdrew their allocation in the last two months.

Under the criteria:

1. A sum of $5,000 will be made available to members under the age of 50 years, who are temporarily laid off, or stand down due to the effect of COVID-19, or employed as of 31st December 2019, and are residing within the ‘emergency zone’. Members whose balances are below five thousand dollars are to be paid 50% of their balances.
2. Laid-off members due to COVID-19 be waivered 3 months waiting period and be paid 1/3 of their contributions or in full if their balances are less than $10,000. Their remaining Balance will be paid according to SINPF schedule.
3. Members aged 50 years and above to withdraw up to 20% of their contributions should they wish to or else, they can elect to withdraw in full.

SINPF has engaged United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Digital Finance expert Mr Sanjay B Shah to architect some strategies on how the payment should be delivered effectively and efficiently.

UNCDF makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries (LDCs).

General Manager of SINPF, Mike Wate earlier said it’s a learning experience as a first of its kind to happen to SINPF Board since its existence in 1976.

Wate said even during the social unrest in 1998-2003 the Minister of Finance or the government then did not provide exemption orders for members to access part of their NPF contribution.

He said such payout to members will go down in SINPF Board 44 years’ history.

“SINPF will learn from this experience and in the future Fund will have a precedence to lean on when such crisis arises,” he added.

There are members with no mobile numbers and also members who missed their collection dates and times.

These members are requested to contact the Fund on 673 or on our two direct lines 25147 or 25149 go to the payment site for their payments for those who received their messages.

People enquire at DBSI for loans

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PEOPLE turned up at room 27 of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Plaza to collect forms to access loans from the revitalised Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) on Tuesday 2nd June.

Officers of DBSI started to give out forms for personal loans, Small Medium Enterprise, rural farmers and large corporations.

This is in preparation for the official opening of the bank this Friday to allow lending to customers.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma had already visited the bank on Friday last week, ahead of the opening.

In the meantime, a Fijian, Tukana Bovoro has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer to lead DBSI.

Bovoro is accountable to the Board of Directors. His initial role will be to support the re-establishment of the DBSI, taking over from where the Interim Board has brought the Bank up to.

Many companies whose businesses have been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic are looking forward to apply to DBSI when it opens its service.

The revitalisation of DBSI is a priority of the national government that has received bipartisan support because of the need for an institution to provide financial services that caters for the needs of all Solomon Islanders.

Government and serving members of parliament realise that the country as a whole has not progressed economically and socially as it could have because of the absence of financial institutions that will look at the needs of Solomon Islanders in a more holistic and at the same time financially viable manner.

Parliament passed the DBSI Act 2018 in November, 2018, paving the way for the re-establishment of the DBSI.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A local fisherman has questioned the government on just how accessible the Economic Stimulus Package is for rural people.

He said listening through the radio and reading from newspapers about the Stimulus package, only few can access the funding but for the majority of rural people who also contribute to the economy they will not really benefit from it.

The fisherman hopes that there should be independent assessment and screening of applications so that citizens alike can equally access the fund.

Last week the National Government began the process in implementing the Economic Stimulus Package following Cabinet’s approval of the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package to address the negative economic impacts on the local economy.

Submissions for the Stimulus Package will be closed on June 5, 2020 – this Friday.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his recent national address also said the primary objective is to address the immediate impacts of the crisis. This is to ensure the local economy remain afloat during these challenging times.

He said applications are open for submissions in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, tourism and forestry industries.

Awareness programmes have also been undertaken to inform people in the rural areas about the purpose and aim of the economic stimulus package.

By Alfred Sasako

THE Honiara City Council has defended its decision to remove deputy Treasurer Obedson Pina, saying hiring and firing of staff is a prerogative of the Executive.

As well, the Council yesterday called on Cr Billy Abae to stop the witch hunt, he has engaged in against the Council since he was removed as Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee.

“Cr Abae should accept his sacking with humility and use the incident as a learning curve for his future good,” a City Council spokesman told Island Sun last night.

“If Cr Abae has nothing to do, we wish to let him know that we have a lot of work to do. He should use his talents on something that will benefit the 60, 000 or so residents of Honiara rather than use it to criticize the Administration,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman was responding to Cr Abae’s latest tirades in an article being published by the Solomon Star newspaper this morning.

In it, Cr Abae denied he was scheming to overthrow the Honiara City Council administration led by Mayor Wilson Mamae.

But the spokesman said the Council does not want to engage in mud-slinging over the legitimate removal of Cr Abae and others.

“All we can say to Cr Abae is this: stop misleading the people of Honiara with false information. Your sacking should not be used to poison innocent Councilors and officials.”