Home Blog Page 1069

Number of terminated SIG-scholarship drops

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
-
0
Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

THE number of SIG-students terminated has dropped significantly this year, semester 1.

Education Ministry (MEHRD) Permanent Secretary tells Island Sun that this semester’s number of terminated students is the lowest ever.

Every year, the number of Government scholarships is culled depending on the academic results of scholars. This follows the stringent requirement of the Government scholarship scheme which does not tolerate failures or low performance.

PS Dr Franco Rodie said in previous years, between 100 to 200 students were often terminated at the end of each semester because of under-performance.

He said 35 students were from USP Laucala campus and 30 from the Fiji National University.

“A total of 17 students have been terminated from the Philippines base institutions. Only one student was terminated from PNG base universities. One student from UNITECH/ Auckland was sent back because of visa issues.

“We in the MEHRD are very pleased with the success rate of our SIG Sponsored students in semester 1 and continue to encourage them to study hard,” he said.

Island sun understands that the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) continue to improve the monitoring and management of SIG-scholarship.

The outcome of a review conducted in 2017 by MEHRD has resulted in a reduced number of scholarships for students to study in Philippines.

Data has shown that the students’ performances have actually improved for the last four years.

In 2014, a total of 300 students were terminated or suspended from their programmes, 2015, a total of 200 students, 2016, a total of 150 students, 2017, MEHRD only have 70 students either terminated or suspended.

Candidates who failed to submit NGE campaign report referred to police criminal investigation unit  

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
-
0
Mr Saitala

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NATIONAL Generation Election (NGE) candidates of 2019 failing to submit campaign Statements of Account are now under review of the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID).

This is confirmed by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Media Unit saying that RSIPF has received the referrals from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) understood to be around 14.

Currently according to RSIPF’s Media Unit, NCID thinks it appropriate to discuss with SIEC, the Attorney General (AG) and Director Public Prosecution (DPP) to get legal advice on this referrals on which RSIPF will not progress this matter until further advice is provided.

“The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has received the referrals from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) recently and the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) is currently reviewing those referrals.

“NCID thinks appropriate to discuss with SIEC, Attorney General (AG) and Director Public Prosecution (DPP) to get legal advice on this referrals. RSIPF will not progress this matter until further advice is provided,” said RSIPF’s Media Unit in response to inquiry.

SIEC’s Chief Electoral Officer Mr Mose Saitala when querying over this issue late last week said it is up to the police now to put together cases for the Court.

Before July 20 this year on the due date of submissions for campaign Statements of Account, SIEC has been calling for NGE remaining candidates who have not submitted campaign statements to file them in order for the daily $100-fine under Section 69 of the Electoral Act 2018 to cease.

If not then SIEC said the fine will continue to accumulate till the candidates are prosecuted and penalised.

It is understood that from the SIEC List of 2019 NGE candidates who had submitted their Statements of Account to SIEC, 14 candidates out of the 331 contesting the 2019 NGE have not yet submitted their statements.

Under the electoral law, it is a requirement that all candidates, successful and unsuccessful, must file their campaign Statement of Account 90 days after the publication of NGE election results.

2019 NGE results were published on April 19 seeing July 20 was when the 90 days period given for submission of statements of account lapsed.

 

Under Section 69 on campaign expenses in the Electoral Act 2018, it states;

  1. Within 90 days after the publication of an election result under section 107, a candidate in the election must submit to the CEO a statement of account specifying:

(a) All expenses incurred by the candidate in relation to the candidate’s campaign for election; and (b) the source of all funds (including the amount received from each source) used to meet those expenses.

  1. The regulations may make provision for the preparation and content of the statement of account.

Under Section 125; Campaign expenses and donations:

(1) A candidate whose election campaign expenses exceed $500,000 commits and offence.

Maximum Penalty: 50,000 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment, or both.

(2) A candidate who fails to comply with the requirements of section 69 commits an offence.

Maximum Penalty:

(a) 20,000 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment, or both; and

(b) 100 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(3) A candidate commits an offence if the candidate accepts a campaign donation from:

(a) A person who is not a citizen of Solomon Islands; or

(b) A company with at least one shareholder who is not a citizen of Solomon Islands.

Maximum Penalty: 50,000 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment, or both.

(4) In this section, “campaign donation” means any transfer of property made, otherwise than by will, without consideration or with inadequate consideration that is intended to be used, or is used, solely or substantially for a purpose related to an election.

On their website, SIEC commends the candidates mentioned in the submission of campaign statements List who have complied with section 69 of the Electoral Act 2018.

“Although some candidates have filed their statements of account later than the deadline, SIEC is still appreciative of the fact that they have complied with section 69 of the Act.

“Remember that the obligation of a candidate, who contested the 2019 NGE, to comply with section 69 of the Act, will not go away until he/she has filed his/her statement of account,” remind SIEC’s CEO.

Half of students yet to receive allowances in Philippines

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
-
0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ALMOST half of Solomon Islands government sponsored students in the Philippines are still waiting for allowances this week, as some have already received theirs last week, it is reported.

More than 300 Solomon Islands students are studying in institutions in the Philippines, and according to an email exchange to Island Sun last week, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Permanent Secretary (PS) confirmed that a little more than 95 percent of the payments have now been processed.

The same goes for final batch of payments.

“As of today, (Tuesday 27 August) a little more than 95% of the payments have now been processed by Treasury and the Philippines base students affected should receive their allowances once the funds are transferred into their bank accounts as of tomorrow (Wednesday 28 August). The final batch of payment is being processed,” said MEHRD’s PS.

SISAP students recently raised concern as to why there was very much delay in second Semester allowances, and on Wednesday last week when the NTU Director and team were said to hold a meeting with SISAP students at AMA Quezon to address students welfare and other school areas of concern, they were reported questioned much by students over this issue.

“This goes for reinstate allowances. And the NTU Director responded by saying that they will be discussing our discussions when returning to administration,” said SISAP students.

Members of SISAP students finally relieved for receiving second Semester allowances said to this paper that they will now be able to pay debts, bills, rentals and visas too.

A dead police in Renbel and a deaf HQ in Rove

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
-
0
Commissioner of Royal-Solomon Island Police Force Matthew Varley

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is being rocked by reports of corruption in its Renbel police post and a Headquarter which us turning a blind eye.

RSIPF headquarters at Rove is being accused of allowing policing in the province to slide to an all-time low, leading to no regulations on social behaviour and policing for people’s welfare in Rennell and Bellona province.

Many have written expressing their concerns to the RSIPF Rove HQ about deteriorating law and order in the province due to lack of policing, but have been met with silence.

Island Sun understands these include former Premier of Renbel, Mr Collin Singamoana, who had written to and paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of police in 2017, during which he voiced this concern. Several chiefs and elders of West Rennell have also written letters of concern.

Various people have come forward to Island Sun since 2017, with identical complaints of lack of policing in both Rennell and Bellona islands and the resulting hardships that people there face when they need protection, guidance and mediation.

As early as 2017, prominent Tigoa Chief Steward Taungaika warned that law and order was deteriorating in the province. Rennell and Bellona was without a provincial police commander [and still is] and elders of communities surrounding the provincial capital of Tigoa, west Rennell, also alerted of reckless and unlawful behaviour by ill-disciplined police officers.

Island Sun followed up with RSIPF Rove HQ on the matter, and police media responded, saying that RSIPF would look into the complaints. However, people living in Rennell and Bellona whom Island Sun had spoken to say there is no improvement to policing in the two islands, and it is now at an unprecedented low level.

Last year, the same complaints were raised to Island Sun, which the paper queried RSIPF about, and received the same blanket reply.

This year, the same complaints have resurfaced, and RSIPF is again giving the same textbook response of promising to look into the matter.

Police Media said, “RSIPF welcomes any criticism of how it delivers its services to the people of this nation. However, the criticism must be substantiated with evidence.

“For this reason the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Provincial has been tasked to investigate the allegations of abuse of office, misuse of assets and lack of policing in Renbel Province made by the unnamed person to the Island Sun newspaper. The ACP will report to the Commissioner of Police as soon as possible.

“Despite the numerous challenges faced by RSIPF officers in Renbel Province, the RSIPF is committed to maintaining law and order on the two islands. The recent arrest of two suspects soon after the incident of arson at Tigoa is a good example of how police in Renbel are carrying out their duties with the assistance of officers from the Rove Police Headquarters. The RSIPF continues to need the cooperation of all members of the communities in that Province to make sure people are safe and secure on the two islands.”

Allegations:

Bellona witnessed two gruesome killings within the space of eight months; the first in August, 2018 and the second in April this year, a day before the national general elections. The first was described as a direct result of lack of police presence and activity in Bellona which allowed anyone to freely indulge in drugs and alcohol, an environment where such incident has a high possibility of happening.

RSIPF carelessness and complacency was also implicated in the April killing in Bellona. Witnesses tell Island Sun that police officers were only about a hundred metres from the scene, and had been warned about the row between the victim and the accused an hour earlier but did not respond. Island Sun was also told that the youths were drinking the night before, well into the day, and police officers living near there knew about the drinking spree but did not apprehend them.

Witnesses speaking to Island Sun on anonymity, say, “From where the police officers were living, they could hear the singing, shouting and swearing from the group of youths who were drinking, but they did not bother to go and disperse them.

“In the daytime, few hours from the time of killing, the drunk youths were walking around in plain sight and the police saw them but did not react. It was as if everything was normal for youths to drink homebrew and walk around swearing, brandishing bush knives and threatening people.”

Complainants from Bellona tell Island Sun that lawlessness is rife there.

“In Bellona the Acting PPC [name withheld] resides in his village and does not enforce law and order. Youths and elderly people indulge in homebrew making and consumption, marijuana is planted, sold and consumed openly, gardens have been destroyed due to land disputes, burglary and theft is now a common occurrence, public swearing and intimidation by both drunkards and sober people is a norm. All these happen with no action whatsoever by the acting PPC.

“A young boy’s arm was nearly chopped off during a homebrew drinking session in west Bellona [just after the provincial elections], and no police case has been opened yet.

“The acting PPC has been witnessed several times using the police boat and OMB engine to transport timber belonging to his local church from Rennell to Bellona. And, we’re just wondering if it is ok nowadays to do that.”

Complainants from Rennell express similar concerns to Island Sun.

“The Tigoa police station is reportedly empty nearly everyday. Only the probationers are usually seen by public in the station. The senior constable who looks after the station in the absence of the Acting PPC [name withheld] is reportedly rarely in.

“This same senior constable [name withheld] has been witnessed several times by members of Tigoa public to be driving the police vehicle while drunk.

“The old police landcruiser has been sold to a local. The HQ in Rove is not aware of this.

“The second arson case in Tigoa (burning of Premier’s residence) was avoidable. There was no police operation after the election tie for premier. This same senior constable said there was no threat thus no need for any policing or monitoring of Tigoa town. The same senior officer also refused to stage an operation saying that there was no food rations for officers to carry out an operation.

“The Acting PPC was in Bellona during the premier’s election. Why?

“The team that was sent by Rove HQ to investigate the arson incidents were reportedly driving around in the police vehicle while under the influence of liquor. They ran over the grave of a chief in Teavamagu Village. This sparked anger among the villagers and they followed the police officers all the way to Tigoa town, demanding compensation and seeking retribution. It is understood that they are planning to open a police case.”

It is reported that public do not have any trust or confidence in the police at Tigoa. They complain that it is a waste of time reporting cases to the police, when they know that nothing will be done about it.

“Policing is dead in Tigoa capital, and throughout the province as a whole.”

Island Sun last week reported on a government landcruiser vehicle which a senior constable in Tigoa police station in Rennell had sold months earlier this year, and this same vehicle turned up in a Tender published by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development late last month. The commissioner of Police Matthew Varley had responded by promising to investigate this incident.

Whether or not this would happen remains to be seen, given RSIPF’s track record of neglecting matters in Tigoa police station.

Indonesia pushes for an umbrella framework cooperation agreement with Solomon Islands

Written by
Alfred Sasako
-
0
Ambassador Andriana Supandy (second left) pose for this photograph at Mendana Hotel yesterday on his right is former PM Gordon Darcy Lilo, Island Sun publisher Mathias Loji and Alfred Sasako (far left)

By Alfred Sasako

 

Ambassador Andriana Supandy (second left) pose for this photograph at Mendana Hotel on Sunday on his right is former PM Gordon Darcy Lilo, Island Sun publisher Mathias Loji and Alfred Sasako (far left)

INDONESIA’S Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Adriana Supandy, has revealed his country wants an Umbrella Framework Cooperation Agreement with Solomon Islands, saying such an accord would open up boundless opportunities for both countries in many sectors.

Ambassador Supandy has been in Honiara for a week. He presented his credentials to the Governor General, David Vunagi at Government House last week.

He has raised the need for an umbrella agreement in discussions with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare when both men met last week. He returns to Port Moresby 2nd September.

Ambassador Supandy shared his views with a small gathering of Solomon Islanders at the Mendana Kitano Hotel on Sunday. These Solomon Islanders had been to Indonesia on short term training and media visits in recent time.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, Solomon Islands’ first Prime Minister to visit Indonesia, attended the brief gathering.

The Ambassador said Indonesia and Solomon Islands are two island states which share a lot in common. They could use their commonalities to address issues and challenges they face.

These challenges could be addressed under a formal arrangement.

“This umbrella agreement is very important because it opens up different sectors for bilateral cooperation. Trade and investment, tourism, education and training are sectors that can be addressed under such an agreement.

“Climate change is another,” he said.

It is understood Indonesia provided the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Honiara a Draft on the proposed several years ago now.

“It is my hope this agreement can be signed soon because it is very important to both our countries,” he said.

Meanwhile Ambassador Supandy on Sunday visited the site for the multi-purpose sports complex being built at the King George VIth Field. Indonesia is funding the 4, 000-seat complex to be used for Futsol and basketball matches during the 2023 Games.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo urged Indonesia to stay focused on what it is doing, thanking Jakarta for supporting Solomon Islands on the United Nations resolution on French Polynesia.

“Everyone else walked away from us but Indonesia and Cuba supported us to register 163 votes. I won’t forget that,” former Prime Minister Darcy Lilo said.

For Sogavare’s sake

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
-
0
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

China or Taiwan? PM to decide on whichever will keep him in power

 

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE decision to switch to China or remain with Taiwan will not be made for the good of the country, rather for the good of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Prime Minister Sogavare had promised that government will make sure that whatever decision it takes, Solomon Islands’ interest comes first.

He said that was why the bi-partisan taskforce was established costing taxpayers $6 million to investigate and report back to him, and a ministerial delegation sent to China for additional exploration and investigation.

But, it appears that all this was a sham just to buy time while he appeases his pro-China ministers and MPs.

It is now clear that whether Solomon Islands will continue with Taiwan or switch to mainland China, it will be solely on the premise of Sogavare remaining as Prime Minister.

As of this weekend, Prime Minister Sogavare is reportedly undecided on the China-Taiwan issue. He is on the fence.

Senior government officials, speaking to Island Sun on condition of anonymity, say on the party spectrum; Our Party – eight are pro-China, seven including PM are pro-Taiwan, Kandere – one is pro-China, five are pro-Taiwan, DAP all four are pro-Taiwan, People First – one is pro-Taiwan, two are pro-China, Others – undecided.

“Current numbers are with Pro Taiwan. If the tide changes, Sogavare will probably switch sides, with his Our Party MPs to China and sack pro-Taiwan MPs.

“In the meantime, he stays with pro-Taiwan so as not to cause panic and force the pro-Taiwan group to resign. If they resign it will result in a minority government.

“DCGA coalition is with 34 MPs, and 16 have come out clear with their Taipei-stance. Removing these pro-Taiwan MPs leaves 18, which means the government does not have the number to continue.

“Therefore, PM must stay with pro-Taiwan MPs for convenience sake and assess the situation before making his move.

“If China deals looks good to addressing pressing issues, PM will move on that basis. But he will only do so when the tide has turned in favour of the pro-China group. Although they say they have the numbers, insiders say they don’t so they are now lobbying Opposition MPs. Four Opposition MPs are reportedly in the mix of things.

“If Caucus decides to follow pro-Taiwan group, the pro-China group will walk. Either way, PM will continue to sit on the fence and watch. This is the style of politics that he has played over the years.”

Inside information also has it that some of the senior MPs in government who are instrumental in organising the pro-Taiwan group will be sacked any time soon. Again if this happens, PM will look to replacing them with Opposition MPs.

The way things are going, a decision will now be made by the Caucus which could see the issue decided either way. This runs contrary to what the PM said in that the process will enable the government to make an informed decision on China.

In relation, the supplementary budget had been delayed for Monday next week, and senior government officials say Sogavare is stalling the process to find compromise. Meanwhile, lobbying between pro-China and Taiwan groups internally and with Opposition MPs intensifies.

PM Sogavare being pro-Taiwan causes confusion. He is behind the pro-China group. His strong supporter, Bradley Tovosia is leading the charge and recently, Peter Channel led the delegation of ministers to China.

Reports has it that Sogavare’s son took up a Taiwanese scholarship recently. A big party was thrown for his son at the Maranatha Hall last weekend.

PM continues to pat Taiwan and allied forces on the back.

Seneviratne terminated

Written by
Taromane Martin
-
0
Nihal Seneviratne

By Taromane Martin

Nihal Seneviratne

THE National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) has confirmed that the president for archery federation and Hockey Federation Mr Nihal Seneviratne has been terminated.

A NOCSI statement yesterday said that Mr Seneviratne’s termination was endorsed during an executive board meeting held in back in May.

NOCSI said his termination means he will no longer be involved in any sport portfolio in the country that is affiliated to NOCSI whatsoever.

“National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) which is the authentic and the legitimate body of sport in the Solomon Islands representing the interests of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), Commonwealth Games Federation and Pacific Games Council, wish to announce to the public the stakeholders and the Government and the public at large that the above named person Nihal Seneviratne has been terminated from holding any portfolios in any National Federation of sport in Solomon Islands that duly affiliated to NOCSI,” the statement said.

“His involvement in sports has been terminated by the NOCSI Executive Board and was passed and endorsed by the NOCSI Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 5th of May, 2019 with the overwhelming endorsement and approval of the General Assembly representing all sports in Solomon Islands.

“The public and all National Federations are informed by this media release that Nihal Seneviratne can no longer be involved in any sports portfolios whatsoever affiliated with NOCSI.

“NOCSI confirms that it cannot recognize Nihal’s involvement in any capacity in sports in Solomon Islands until further notice upon clearance of his termination,” NOCSI said.

Plots of land given are ‘null and void’, CPG to revisit offers

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
-
0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NEW plots of land given to ‘Smoking Residents’ at Tulaghi by the former Central Provincial Government (CPG) last year being reported, are termed ‘null and void’.

This does not mean that the current provincial government of Central Islands Province (CIP) under the leadership of Premier Hon Stanley Manetiva will be displacing residents receiving offer letters but revisiting the offer plots and doing proper remapping for equal sharing of plots.

Premier Hon Stanley Manetiva speaking to Island Sun on Thursday said the offer letters signed and passed on by the former provincial Assembly had no purpose but only for ‘election interests’, on which they will be revisiting the offers.

“This does not mean that the provincial government of CIP will be forgetting long serving residents (Smoking Residents) from different provinces that have remained choosing to earn a living and spend the rest of their days in the province. They are now part of CIP’s people,” said Hon Manetiva.

According to Hon Manetiva, the idea is they will be waiting for a mapping to take place by a surveyor before relooking into plots.

He said to note, no one will be taking a big or small share but they will be receiving equal shares of plots.

“The way the plots were offered earlier was only for election purpose, our purpose now is to do proper mapping so that everyone will have an equal share of plots and to address the generation to come as well concerning the availability of land areas to be planned,” said Hon Manetiva.

Last year, the former Premier of CIP Mr Patrick Vasuni said that the plots of land allocated for Smoking residents is being done because a new domestic wharf development is planned to be built at Smoking’s seaside. The plan was said to start develop two months ago.

From different perspectives too being earlier targeted to him over this issue’s move, he said it is not of political interest and apart from the domestic wharf planned, the relocation of residents from Smoking area at Tulaghi is part of sympathy that the province has for the people.

“Residents at Smoking area have always been effective participants in the province activities so they deserve to be relocated in a suitable environment for their livelihood.

“Many amongst the elders there have lived almost throughout their entire lives at Tulaghi seeing them being no stranger to the province and as already part of CIP’s family and citizens,” said the former Premier.

Many families settling at Smoking area are islanders from different provinces such as from Temotu, Makira, Malaita and Isabel who went to work at Tulaghi during when Solomon Taiyo and the National Fisheries Development (NFD) were operating in CIP.

The islanders ever since then to this present living amongst indigenous Ngella people call CIP as their very own home, choosing to dwell there. They continue to live and generate at Tulaghi amongst the former fishing companies’ areas after they were being relocated to Western Province.

It is understood that CIP’s former Premier and Executive Government had already met and passed the area (plots of lands) for relocation just inland (upper hill) of Smoking area, however, the offers are now ‘null and void’ according to the current CPG on which they will revisit offers.

Police to enquire on allegation of police vehicle sold in Renbel

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has ordered an immediate investigation to enquire into the allegation relating to a police vehicle at Renbel alleged to have been sold out.

Mr Varley responding to an article published by this paper said if that report is true it will be very much disappointed.

He said when he received the report on Thursday he was quite concerned about the police vehicle allegedly been sold by Police at Renbel.

“if that report is correct then obviously I would be very disappointed on that, I can tell you that as part of a vehicle evaluation exercise last year I ordered that review of the entire fleet and number of vehicles across the RSIPF were identified as being unserviceable, or not worthy of maintenance or repair because of their age or condition”, Mr Varley said.

He confirmed that the vehicle at Renbel was one of those vehicles that were determined to be unserviceable and therefore was intended for disposal and that was the process that was going thru with MID at the moment.

“So to the best of our knowledge the vehicle was due for destruction and that was the tender and the allegation that the vehicle was dispose or sold is concerning and I have ordered immediate investigation to be led by my Assistant Commissioner Provincial to make enquires and report back to me as soon as possible”, Mr Varley said.

Mr Varley said it always a concern to him when hearing complains about RSIPF service anywhere across the country including the provinces and sometimes it’s difficult for them to maintain a close eye on what is happening around the provinces and that is why police are relying heavily communities feedback.

Mr Varley said when reports of officers not doing the right thing then that are where enquiries and investigation established to get facts before appropriate actions taken.

Undersized logs

Written by
Mike Puia
-
0
Vanikoro-island

Logging in Vanikoro harvests trees below legal requirements

By Mike Puia

 

UNDERSIZE trees are reportedly logged on Vanikoro in Temotu Province.

An eyewitness confirms to Island Sun that the trees are logged by Gallego Resource Limited, an Asian logging company.

The eyewitness, speaking on condition of anonymity, who is a resource owner, questions authorities to confirm the size required by law to be harvested and exported.

He said what he saw on Vanikoro recently makes him worry about the future of the tiny islands’ forest.

Vanikoro is a group of islands surrounded by a single belt of coral reef. The total area of the Vanikoro group is about 170 square kilometres.

Only two islands (Banie and Teanu) are inhabited. Logging operation took place at Banie Island- the main island. This group of island belongs to the Temotu Vatud constituency.

Gallego Resource Limited commenced operation on Banie Island about three years ago. It has been issue a licence to harvest the entire island.

The company is reportedly moving to its third camp.

The resource owner said he visited a site where logs harvested on the island are piled and took photos of the logs harvested.

He said many logs are undersize.

The former logging worker said based on what he understands the required log size should have a log-head diameter of 50cm.

He said log-head size of most logs harvested at Banie Island have a diameter of 30cm.

“This size is very small. They’re almost like firewood,” the resource owner said.

He appealed to the Ministry of Forestry to clarify the harvest size of logs.

He also appealed to the Ministry and the Temotu provincial government to visit Gallego Resource Limited operation on Banie Island to confirm his report.

He said the rate and size of harvest going on at Banie Island represent a threat to the livelihood and resources of his people- especially their children.

This paper made several call to Gallego Resource Limited office in Honiara after 4pm yesterday but there were no answer.

There was no answer to calls made to the Ministry to confirm the size required in logging operation.

This report brings the question of sustainable harvesting of the country’s forest.

Reports noted, the rate of harvest to the country’s logs is more than 19 times higher than sustainable levels and if continued could denude the country and soon exhaust the single biggest contributor to the country’s economic growth.

Though the Ministry has previously said it had toughened regulations to address issues in the logging sector, there remains lack of enforcement capacity.

1...1,0681,0691,070...1,662Page 1,069 of 1,662