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Govt needs to address unemployment: Wale

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Opposition Leader Matthew C Wale.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has urged government to address the high unemployment rate among youths in the country.

Wale raised this concern in a motion moved by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday for Parliament to beg leave to offer thanks for the Speech which was addressed by his Excellency to Parliament on Monday.

He said as mentioned earlier, the population of the country is growing, and he thinks the government is not prepared to take on the challenges that come with the anticipated population increase, especially youth?

“According to the CBSI Annual Report 2018, employment in the formal sector as reported by SINPF was 58,736, an increase of 7 percent from 55,820 in 2017.

“And I don’t think there will be any increases in formal employment if the economic base remains thin and small and unable to absorb the increase in population by creating employment opportunities and if the government continues to be hooked into self-centred polices that focus mainly on constituency development (solar, roofing iron, boat/engine, school fees, etc),” he said.

Further, Wale said absence of policies and interventions that encourage inclusive participation and contributions of their people and communities, especially investing in the productive and services would affect their intention to grow and increase our revenue base.

“The poor condition of infrastructure and the lack of it in many Provinces impeded movement of people, goods and services, increase costs of doing business and affected communications.

“With a tinny export base, mostly primary industries and commodities that are prone to disasters such as cyclones and continuous bad weather contribute to expose the economy to instability in government revenue, one that could adversely affect the nation’s prospects for economic advancement and growth in 2019/2020,” he said.

Wale said a worsened trade war between the US and China could wash down prospects for growth in the export sector and affecting the country’s economy.

He said the country also need to prepare in advance for the country’s graduation from Least Developed Country to Developing Country status in 2024, an issue that will impact on the country’s export and revenue.

Furthermore, Wale said the Government needs to strategically deal with the current China/Taiwan issue.

LET’S GROW UP: PM

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

PM Sogavare warns of bad times ahead for Solomon Islands if the country does not ‘unlock’

 

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the country needs to be unlocked in order to address the population growth in 20 years’ time.

Speaking in the motion he moved yesterday to allow Parliament to beg leave to offer thanks for the Speech which was addressed by his Excellency to Parliament on Monday, Sogavare said if the country does not address land reform, in 20 years, the people will face absolute poverty.

“I am asking, let’s grow up.

“Under current level of economic growth, we are in danger of losing our ability to look after ourselves in 20 years’ time,” he said.

Sogavare said it is a frightening scenario where no one wants to see happen.

“When we talking about getting out of business as usual, business as usual happened in 9th, 10th and 11th Parliament.

“Let think about development, let’s think about our people, let’s mature, let’s prepare to take tough decisions,” he said.

The government is pushing to table the report of the Federal system in Parliament within the four years.

Sogavare said they are still struggling to decide on the best structure for this country.

“We still talk about it, even before Independence we still talked about it what kind of structure we want.

“The Mamaloni report in 1997, people say we go into State Government, then we go into Provincial Government and when we adopted it, we don’t allow it to work,” he said.

Sogavare said they are still talking about structures; that’s why they don’t develop.

“We still find best ways to deliver government services.

“We still struggling to address the fundamental like land reforms,” he said.

The debate continues in Parliament today.

Federal system must benefit all and not few people

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNOR General David Vunagi warns that the proposed Federal system must be based on evidence and not political ambition.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Vunagi said the immediate task is to do a cost analysis on the proposed state system.

“Any decision that the Government take will be evidence based, and not based purely on political ambition.

“The Government understands that any decision it makes must be a responsible one that is based on the common good of all, and not in the interest of a few,” he said.

The Constitutional Congress, (CC) and Eminent Persons Advisory Council (EPAC) within the Constitutional Reform Unit (CRU) have finally completed the “Final (Clean) Draft” of the Federal constitution for Solomon Islands and handed over to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recently.

The Constitutional Congress and Eminent Persons Advisory Council are mandated to promulgate a federal constitution for Solomon Islands with technical assistance from Constitutional Reform Unit.

The two bodies have finally and successfully completed the document and was printed out as required of them.

When the document is handed to the Prime Minister and government, the process will continue on, which include facilitating it through Caucus for noting and endorsement by Cabinet before tabling in parliament.

During this period, a number of important tasks will still need to be pursued by Constitutional Reform Unit on behalf of the government especially to further facilitate the implementation of the document.

This government initiative to reform the nation’s constitution is in light of a post-conflict situation that called for a change in the political governing system of Solomon Islands since year 2000.

Government developing home ownership scheme

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

 

THE Government is believed to be developing a new home ownership scheme whereby individuals would each be able to obtain funding of up to $150, 000 to buy or build own house.

Details of the scheme are not immediately known. Island Sun was tipped off about the scheme last week.

“The government is developing a national homeownership scheme where individuals can obtain up to $150,000 to buy or build their own house.

In his Speech from the Throne to Parliament yesterday, Governor General the Rt Rev David Unagi gave some hints on the scheme.

“Shelter is a basic human right as well. This government will continue to support rural and urban dwellers to build or buy appropriate and affordable housing that satisfies the minimum acceptable living standards,” he told Parliament.

“It is recognised that housing contributes to a decent family life and the productive output of that household. To that end the Government will develop a National Housing Policy.

“The Government will also facilitate and implement the Strata Title Act,” the former clergyman said.

It is not clear whether the housing scheme being developed is linked to amendments being proposed for the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund.

“There are a number of legislations that this Government will bring to Parliament to achieve this policy objective. These include a reformed Trustees Act, National Provident Fund Act but a more immediate one is the Credit Union Bill which will be brought to Parliament soon,” the Governor General said.

NAMES OUT SOON

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Counting of votes in Gizo/Kolombangara.

Public will access list of NGE candidates who complied with the law

 

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PUBLIC will soon know which 2019 NGE candidates complied with the law and which ones did not.

Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has assured curious members of public that it will release the List soon onto their website, and through the media.

SIEC CEO Mr Mose Saitala said yesterday that his office is currently ‘finalising their formatting’ and ‘thank you message’ with the List for their website.

According to Saitala, uploading the List is a way of saying thank you too for the 2019 NGE candidates complying with the Electoral Act.

“We will be uploading shortly to our website the ‘List’ of Candidates who have successfully and unsuccessfully filed their statements of account as our way of saying thank you for those who had tried to comply with section 69 of the Electoral Act,” said Saitala.

Earlier this week, members of public requested the SIEC to release the list of candidates who submitted their statements of account.

They demanded that merely announcing the number of candidates who submitted is not enough – they want to see names.

A total of 79 candidates out of 331 contesting during the 2019 NGE were reported last week to have not filed their campaign ‘statements of account’ before the due date required under the Electoral Act 2018.

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

Having the general public’s call, SIEC’s confirmation yesterday to Island Sun somehow meets their request.

“Report has it too that there might be a few Members of Parliament (MPs) who have not submitted their campaign ‘statements of account’ on which seeing a list provided would confirm such information,” said members of the public.

It is a requirement under the electoral law (Section 69 of the Electoral Act 2018) that all candidates, successful and unsuccessful, must file their campaign Statement of Account 90 days after the publication of NGE election results.

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.

Candidates not complying with the electoral law on submission of campaign statements are now under investigation and possibly to face prosecution says CEO Saitala.

China is ready to welcome Solomon Islands into its Pacific fold

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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0
China

By Alfred Sasako

 

CHINA has reiterated it is ready to welcome Solomon Islands into its Pacific fold, warning the window of opportunity for meaningful engagement is closing fast.

The message was issued last week as the battle between China and Australia for influence in the Pacific continues unabated.

A delegation of the Solomon Islands-China Friendship Association (SICFA) which participated in China’s Belt and Road Initiative forum in Xining, northwest China, was told of China’s position in discussions last week.

The Forum coincided with the Summit of International Sister Cities Along the Silk Road, China’s ancient trade route for spice and silk linking it with Europe via the Asian continent.

In discussions with various groups of people including Chinese government officials who attended the Summit, the SICFA delegation was told the same message: China is ready to engage with Solomon Islands, adding this is only possible through a change in diplomatic relations.

Solomon Islands is one of six Pacific Island Countries which has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims is its renegade Province.

“China is ready but the key to open that door is with the Solomon Islands government,” one Chinese official told SICFA delegates.

The official warned that the window of opportunity is closing fast, adding it is in the best interest of Solomon Islands’ development needs that it acts promptly.

Since it came into office last April, the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA), led by Manasseh Sogavare, has set up a bipartisan Taskforce to examine the pros and cons of a switch in relations.

The Taskforce, led by Central Honiara MP Hon Dr John Moffat Fugui, has since visited Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa – the island countries which have diplomatic relations with China to see the impact of Chinese aid into the Pacific.

It is due to visit Papua New Guinea at the end of this month.

The Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby has confirmed the Taskforce is planning to visit Beijing in August. It will also visit Taipei as part of its mandate designed to help the Government to decide its relations with Taiwan.

A Chinese Professor has said Australia’s perception of China’s motive behind the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in the Pacific region couldn’t be farther from the truth.

“The nonsensical bogey of a menacing China as a threat to Australia’s security and sovereignty based upon ideological differences is so disconnected from reality that it could only be diagnosed as an obsessive paranoia,” Prof Chen Hong said.

The Prof also accused US President Trump and Australia of engaging in the Cold War mindset, despite a push by China for a shared future for mankind.

“While China advocates a shared future for mankind some Western countries such as Australia are still fixated on the Cold War confrontational mindset, resonating the Trumpian rhetoric of decoupling from China which is absurd considering pervasive globalisation.”

“There are considerable differences between the Chinese and Australian areas of focus in this region. China’s aid and cooperation programs are mainly in the form of infrastructure projects such as bridges, airports, seaports and hospitals, while Australia stresses more upon issues such as AIDS prevention, education, human rights, legal system and gender equality.”

“The Pacific countries have a huge demand for funds, advanced technology and professionals with technological expertise and competence, which China can provide.

“China does not regard Australia as its competitor, but s collaborator in the South Pacific. China’s aid and investment programs are not aimed at regional leadership or threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, but seek to bring about economic exchange and joint development with mutual benefits,” Prof Hong said.

CDF ranking

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0
Sogavare-and-Auga

Sogavare and Auga rank top

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare and MP for Lau Mbaelelea constituency Augustine Auga rank top in the level of Constituency Performances per Constituency Development Funds output for 2014-2018.

PM Sogavare with 7,000-plus population in his constituency ranked first with 64 percent while Auga with population of 32,000 in his constituency ranked second with 63 percent.

Among the top four are MP for Hograno Kia Havulei Jeremiah Manele and MP for East Malaita Manasseh Maelanga.

Manele ranked third with 61 percent while Maelanga ranked fourth with 60 percent.

The ranking was made after the Ministry of Rural Development officers visited the 50 constituencies and collected data through their assessment on how the parliamentarians used the CDF on projects in the last four years.

Republic of China (Taiwan) had funded the CDF to the 50 MPs to help them address the rural social and economic developments in their constituencies.

However, there were a lot of public outcry on how MPs used the CDF which led to former MPs losing their seats in the recent election.

Even donors and civil society groups viewed the CDF as a political slush fund that can be detrimental to development.

But research by Colin Wiltshire and James Batley in 2018 found that in Solomon Islands, CDFs now make up around one-third of the development budget, or between 10 and 15 percent of total budget outlays.

In the last four years, all 50 constituencies, disregarding their size and population have received $6 million per year across the board.

As such in the four years term of Parliament, each MP received $24 million.

In the report received by Island Sun, Rennell and Bellona with around 2000 people was doing good after it settled at 5th place with 59 percent output.

However, the ranking did not reflect well on the other two small constituencies in the country namely Malaita Outer Island and Temotu Vatud.

Malaita Outer Island with a population of more than 1000 people came 15th in the ranking with 45 percent output.

Temotu Vatud led by Freda Tuki, with 800 people settled at 20th position with an output of 37 percent.

Member of Parliament for Lau Mbaelelea, Augustine Auga has welcomed the outcome of the ranking by MRD.

Auga said the ranking speaks for itself as a result of what he did in the last four years in his constituency.

“I have used the CDF well to help my people through upgrading of road and other social and economic projects,” he said.

He said this was the reason why he won by landslide with 4728 votes in the recent April 3 National General Elections.

Overall Ranking of the Level of Constituency Performances per CDF Programme Output 2014-2018

NO CONSTITUENCY PERFORMANCES OF OUTPUT RANKING
1 East Choiseul 64% 1
2 Lau Mbaelelea 63% 2
3 Hograno Kia Havulei 61% 3
4 East Malaita 60% 4
5 Rennel Bellona 59% 5
6 Maringe Kokota 57% 6
7 East Kwaio 55% 7
8 North Malaita 54% 8
9 Ugi Ulawa 53% 9
10 Auki Langalanga 52% 10
11 South Malaita 51% 11
12 East Areare 50% 12
13 West Guadalcanal 48% 13
14 West Areare 47% 14
15 East Guadalcanal 45% 15
16 Malaita Outer Island 45% 15
17 North West Guadalcanal 44% 16
18 West Makira 44% 16
19 Central Honiara 41% 17
20 Gao Bugotu 41% 17
21 South Choiseul 41% 17
22 Baegu Asifola 41% 17
23 Shortlands 40% 18
24 South Guadalcanal 40% 18
25 East Makira 38% 19
26 Rannogga Simbo 37% 20
27 Temotu Vatud 37% 20
28 Fataleka 35% 21
29 North New Georgia 35% 21
30 North West Choiseul 35% 21
31 South East Guadalcanal 32% 22
32 Marovo 30% 23
33 Central Kwara’ae 28% 24
34 Savo Russels 28% 24
35 West Kwaio 28% 24
36 Gizo Kolobangara 26% 25
37 South New Georgia Rendiva Tetepari 25% 26
38 North Vella La Vella 24% 27
39 Central Guadalcanal 23% 28
40 East Central Guadalcanal 22% 29
41 Temotu Nenede 22% 29
42 Temotu Pele 22% 29
43 West New Georgia – Vonna Vonna 22% 29
44 South Vella La Vella 21% 30
45 West Honiara 20% 31
46 West Kwara’ae 20% 31
47 Central Makira 17% 32
48 Ngella 17% 32
49 East Honiara 14% 33
50 North Guadalcanal 10% 34

 

NGE candidates to be referred to police for prosecution: SIEC

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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0
Mr Saitala

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

2019 National General Election (NGE) candidates who failed to file their Statement of Account will be referred to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution.

Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) in their Press Statement on Wednesday this week said the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mr Mose Saitala will refer the candidates’ cases to the police.

SIEC said a total of 79 candidates out of the 331 contesting from the 2019 NGE have yet to file their ‘Statements of Account’ required under the Electoral Act 2018.

Final call was issued by SIEC through the media last Friday, July 19 for candidates contesting the 2019 NGE to file their ‘Statements of Account’ before last Saturday 20th, or prepare to face prosecution.

It is a requirement under the electoral law (Section 69 of the Electoral Act 2018) that all candidates, successful and unsuccessful, must file their campaign Statement of Account 90 days after the publication of NGE election results.

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 five 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 two 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 five 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.

Dissolution looms for Renbel provincial government    

Written by
Mike Puia
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0
Renbel-Flag

BY MIKE PUIA

 

RENNELL and Bellona Provincial Assembly is in danger of being dissolved after it reached a fourth ‘election tie’ over its search for a new premier and government yesterday, in Tigoa.

The 10 provincial members of Renbel had earlier reached two 5-5 ties in two elections on Wednesday this week. They then adjourned for yesterday hoping for an answer.

But, after another two rounds of voting yesterday the results were still locked at 5-5.

Anothony Tamaika of Ward 3 and Eric Tagaibasa of Ward 4 are the contenders for the premiership post.

The maximum number of election tie required by the Provincial Government Act and the provincial standing orders is three.

However, even with an additional voting conducted, the tie remained.

It is expected that the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Mr Anthony Veke, will issue a dissolution order to the province.

Clerk and speaker of the province are expected to travel to Honiara to meet with officials from the Ministry to look into how the province will be governed.

Provincial clerk, Felix Tahua, indicated there is a likelihood that the Ministry will appoint someone to supervise the operation of the province.

Tahua said upon dissolution the 10 MPAs that were elected have all become ordinary people in the province.

He said for the time being, administration work of the province will be looked after by Renbel provincial staff.

Tahua said fresh election for the province may happen after one year.

He said there was a sense of guilt among the 10 MPAs but the law has taken its course.

This is the second time the province experienced dissolution.

The frustration of the people in the province is evident on social media.

Some stated what had happened shows that the short-lived MPAs have no serious business in forming a government for the province.

Others said what the province had experienced depicts the lack of togetherness the people in the tiny province had.

BONES MYSTERY

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

Police investigate human remains found on beach

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE are investigating human bones found on a beach near Lata, Temotu province.

The bones were found by children who were playing along the beach.

Speaking to the media in a press conference yesterday, Police Commissioner Matthew Varley said a team of investigators from the RSIPF Serious Crime Squad and Forensics are in Lata following up on the case.

He said the case was reported in by a group of children from Luava village who made the discovery on Friday, May 31.

Report reaching police said that the children discovered the bones after having dug a 20-centimetre hole near the beach.

Mr Varley said currently police are yet to verify that the human remains belonged to any particular person.

However, a person was reported missing in 2017 from the province, and this is the first lead which police is working on.

The Forensics team will obtain DNA samples from the bones which will be compared against samples obtained from relatives of that missing person.

“It’s too early for police to speculate but it’s important for people to know that investigation is ongoing,” Mr Varley said.

Police are calling on anyone in Temotu who may have information to contact the police and give them information which may be of useful to police enquiries, Varley said.

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