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SI participates in Pacific Feminist Forum

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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group photo by MINSITRY OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION _ FIJI

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands representatives are among 150 feminists across the Pacific participating in the second Pacific Feminist forum currently underway at Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour in Suva, Fiji.

The forum focuses on sustain solidarity, building resistance and revolution with the aim to create positive change for women and girls.

Representing Solomon Islands are Martha Rurai the Provincial Desk officer for Malaita provincial council of Women and Island Sun journalist Mavis Nishimura Podokolo.

Mrs Rurai said she is honoured to be among the feminist participants sharing common issues affecting women in the pacific.

“I am glad to be part of the forum because it helps me to learn and share common issues affecting women across the pacific which different to mine.

“As Solomon islander activists this space is not only for me but am here representing my Solomon Islands sisters,” she said.

According to the Pacific Feminist forum 2019 statement it highlighted that the forum will mobilise diverse women from across the Pacific to share knowledge and experiences, celebrating achievements and strategies for collective action to achieve women’s human right.

“It will be a transformative space for Pacific feminists to reflect on key issues paramount to gender equality and women’s human rights and come together with strong, focused and accelerated strategies,” the statement said.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in Fiji Mereseini Vuniwaqa in her opening address said the meeting is truly an essential inspiring and uplifting opportunity.

“This forum is truly a celebration of the contribution women Pacific islanders did in every aspect of life, in home, in our jobs in communities as feminists as mothers daughters, farmers, activists, students citizens and leaders,” Mrs Vunivaqa said.

She said feminists across the Pacific are growing from strength to strength with various feminist organisation networks, activities and groups.

The theme of the occasion is “sustaining solidarity resistance and revolution”.

The three-day forum was organised by the PFF working group that consists of femLINKPacific, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality Fiji, Tongan Leitis Association and Rise UP (PNG).  The 2nd PFF is supported by the Australian Government through the We Rise Coalition, Fiji Women’s Fund, Mama Cash and the UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office.

Large shipment of round logs underway

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Logging in Solomon Islands. Photo supplied

By Alfred Sasako

A group of logging companies which exported about 20,000cm3 of round logs in defiance of High Court Orders is planning another large shipment, it was revealed last night.

Sources familiar with the arrangement told Island Sun yesterday two export permits were issued for the export of 5,000cm3, although the companies knew these logs were subject to orders made in relation to the High Court Civil Case (HCCC) 496 of 2016 and HCCC 246 of 2018.

The new shipment is valued at around $6 million.

The logs are said to be from south-west Choiseul, where the High Court had found logging companies were undertaking felling outside their concession. As a result, the initial log shipments totalling 20, 000cm3 was confiscated by the State, the sources said.

“What the guilty party simply did was to change its identity by creating new companies which are then used to export the logs. These new companies are largely owned or connected to the guilty party. But because they are new entities they believe they are not bound by the High Court ruling to deposit the sales proceeds into trust account as ordered by the High Court.

“It is a very clever tactic,” the sources said.

Take the High Court Civil Case (HCCC) 496 of 2016 for example. This case involved a concession in south west Choiseul where some 3, 000cm3 valued at $3 million was confiscated by the State.

A new entity created after the High Court ruling exported the shipment, but since then no funds are said to have been paid into the Trust Account.

The same happened to a 4, 000cm3 of round logs, which was awarded the State in HCCC 246 in 2018. Again, newly-created companies connected to the guilty party had exported the shipment.

To date no funds have been paid into the Trust Account which the High Court had ordered. The shipment was valued at $4 million.

A similar thing happened to a shipment of 7, 000 cm3, said to be valued at $8 million went through the same process. But despite the High Court Order that proceeds from the sale of the log shipment be paid into a Trust Account, no funds have been deposited, according to those familiar with the matter.

The 5, 000cm3 shipment was also part of the HCCC 246 of 2018.

The third and final case involving HCCC 246 was the sale of 6, 000cm3 of round logs last year.

Despite the sale, no funds have been deposited in the Trust Account as ordered by the High Court, parties to the case told Island Sun.

The Commissioner of Forests is reportedly considering blacklisting companies that defied High Court Orders.

27 PETITION CASES

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

More than half of Parliament face court challenge over election

 

By EDDIE OSIFELO

UP to 27 election petition cases have been filed in the High Court at the closure of the petition period on Monday.

This means 54 percent of the winning members of Parliament (MPs) are facing election petition, a figure which sets a history in the politics of Solomon Islands.

Among the MPs who are facing petition are Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs, John Maneniaru, Minister of Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga, Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, Peter Kenilorea Junior and the nation’s only two female MPs, Lannelle Tanangada and Freda Tuki.

Registrar of High Court & Court of Appeal, Myonnie Ann Tutuo said she will provide the full list of the names today.

She said only Isabel and Rennell and Bellona provinces do not have any registered petition case.

Myonnie managed to provide 24 names of the 27 MPs facing petitions.

They are:

Honiara

MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete, MP for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui and MP for West Honiara, Namson Tran.

Choiseul

Robertson Galokale (South Choiseul) and Manasseh Sogavare (North East Choiseul)

Guadalcanal

Peter Shanel (Central Guadalcanal, Jamie Vokia (North East Guadalcanal), Anthony Veke (West Guadalcanal), Bradley Tovosia (East Guadalcanal).

Western Province

Danny Philip (South New Georgia/Rendova/Tetepari), Silas Vangara Tausinga (West New Georgia Vona Vona), Lannelle Tanangada (Gizo Kolombangara).

Malaita Province

Peter Kenilorea Junior (East Are Are), John Maneniaru (West Are Are), Levi Senley Filualea (North Malaita), Sam Iduri (West Kwarae) Jackson Fiulau (Central Kwarae), Makario Tagini (Baegu Asifola), Manasseh Maelanga (East Malaita, Mathew Wale (Aoke Langalanga), Augustine Auga (Lau Baelelea), Titus Fika (West Kwaio)

Centra Province

Dickson Mua (Savo Russells_

Temotu Province

Freda Tuki – Vatud

According to Solomon Times Online, an election petition can be filed by an elector to the constituency, to which the petition relates, or a candidate for the election in the constituency.

Such a petition must be filed within 30 days after the results of the election are published under Section 7 of the Electoral Act 2018.

The Act also states that the Courts must decide a petition within 12 months after it is filed.

This means the 27 election petition cases will be held between May 2018 and May 2019.

The petitions will test the efficiency of the new Act.

Aside from losing one’s seat, there are serious penalties for major offences such as election bribery and fraudulent voting.

The penalties include up to 15 years imprisonment and/or fines of over $155,990 ($US19,000) as well as an automatic five-year ban on voting or standing in elections.

Lesser offences such as providing misleading information can still land offenders in jail for five years and possibly steep fines.

CHINA OR TAIWAN?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Taiwan-or-China

Funding 2023 Pacific Games could decide diplomatic relations

 

By Alfred Sasako

FUNDING the South Pacific Games in 2023 could decide Solomon Islands’ future diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

This emerged as pressure reportedly mounts on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to switch relations to Mainland China now or face an internal revolt led by a combined group of Guadalcanal and Malaitan MPs.

The group is said to have numbered about 22 Government MPs.

The news came as Taiwan reportedly suggested last year that the Government use about $15 million it provides annually in prime minister’s discretionary funds to finance the Pacific Games, which Solomon Islands is hosting in 2023.

The suggestion was said to have come out during official donor discussions which Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela ordered in January last year.

Hon Houenipwela asked a team of Caucus consultants to gauge potential funding support from donors on a list of priority projects the government had identified, a member of the team of consultants told Island Sun last week.

These projects included funding support for the 2023 Pacific Games, a new office complex for the Office of the Prime Minister as well as a new official residence for the Prime Minister and so on,” the consultant who requested anonymity, said.

“The Taiwanese official that we met was forthright with us on the Pacific Games,” he said.

“Taipei is having its own economic difficulties and the only way Tapei would be able to help is for the Solomon Islands government to allow the discretionary funds we provide to meet the cost of the Games. Taipei will top it up,” the consultant said.

The consultant said the discretionary funds varied in amounts of between $10 million and $15 million from year to year. Only the Prime Minister has the discretion over the fund, which is provided annually, he said.

According to the consultant, the Taiwanese official told the Team the funds were initially used to prop up shortfalls in education funding until 2015 when it was converted into a discretionary fund or slush fund.

It was subsequently converted into the prime minister’s discretionary funds. Taiwan continued to provide the funding under Hon Houenipwela’s administration which took over from Hon Sogavare.

Three weeks ago the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers told Island in an interview that Solomon Islands and Taiwan were due to sign a financing agreement for the Games later this month.

No figures were mentioned in terms of Taiwan’s financial support. Two Taiwanese firms have already submitted bids to build the National Stadium on the adjoining King George VIth School and Solomon Islands National University (SINU) sports grounds on lower Panatina in East Honiara.

An initial government study has put the cost at $277 million. The Games Village which includes accommodation for international athletes is said to cost around SBD2 billion.

Dr Rodgers said the over-arching agreement which covers commitments by both sides in supporting the Games was already signed.

The parties are simply finalising details of the financing agreement and are hopeful to have that signed later this month, Dr Rodgers said.

MORE ELECTION PETITIONS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

By Alfred Sasako

FOUR election petitions have been filed to the High Court in the last two days as dateline for lodging the petition will close on Monday.

There are indications of more petitions to be filed before the deadline on May 20.

Of the four petitions, half are against two newcomers who won parliamentary seats for the first time in the April 3 National General Election (NGE).

The two newcomers are Hon Jamie Vokia who won the North-East Guadalcanal seat and Hon Fika who won the West Kwaio seat.

The North East Guadalcanal seat was once held by former Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, who lodged the petition in the High Court yesterday.

Central Kwara’ae’s Hon Jackson Filua’s victory too has been challenged in a petition lodged in the High Court earlier this week.

The first petition in this year’s election was filed by Harry Philip who unsuccessfully contested the Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency on Malaita. Hon Augustine Auga, now Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, retained the seat.

Mr Philip’s case is being listed for pre-hearing on June 4.

Island Sun understands that up to four more petitions could be filed before the deadline on Monday.

Members of the public have expressed their opinions that the 2019 NGE is the worst national general election ever given the scale of alleged bribery and double voting.

In one Constituency on Malaita for example, a presiding officer unilaterally decided the night before the election on April 3 to move one officially designated polling station to a village several kilometres away without prior permission from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission.

Rumours of bribery were also widespread in nearly all 50 Constituencies.

Christafarai to rock Auki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Member of Christafarai band on arrival at Gwounaru airfield on Tuesday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Member of Christafarai band on arrival at Gwounaru airfield on Tuesday.

THE international gospel reggae band, Christafarai arrived in Auki town ahead of shows they will put on for local funs.

The 13 member band including Vanesa Quai from Vanuatu touched down from a transit flight from Honiara at Gwounaru airfield around 4:45pm on Tuesday.

Rep from the local organizing committee in Auki calling them “Friends of Christafarai” Mr Richard Misi said the band will perform two shows at APS field in Auki.

He said the shows are free of charge and their first show will be this evening at 6pm – 7pm and another show on the same time tomorrow.

Misi said local artists will also feature during these two shows as organized.

He said their programme for today will be a courtesy visit at the provincial government house, as they will meet with the caretaker acting premier and some of his executive members and HOD of Malaita provincial office.

Misi said the purpose of the visit was because Malaita provincial government valued their tour to Auki and protocol wise they’ll have time to meet with the band.

He said on Friday an educational talk was organized for interested local artists in and around Auki.

Misi said band members of Christafari will lead the educational talk to share their experiences on music and encourage local artists.

Adding that on Friday as well, one of their band members who is their pastor will hold mentoring talk with youth leaders in Auki and surrounding communities.

He said the band will leave Auki on Saturday morning to Honiara for their Honiara shows.

262 candidates to contest Malaita provincial elections

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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James Rahari is part of the ballot paper draw after the official of nomination close yesterday in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

James Rahari is part of the ballot paper draw after the official of nomination close yesterday in Auki.

AS of the official close of nomination for candidates to the Malaita provincial election at 4pm yesterday, 262 candidates are registered to contest the election.

Returning Officer for Malaita province, Mr Pearson Simi officially announced this after the ballot paper draw which also happened yesterday.

He said ballot paper draw for candidates within 30 Wards of 13 constituencies on the mainland Malaita happened in Auki and draw for another three Wards in MOI happened in Honiara.

Simi said for two Wards under East Are Are constituency, Ward 19 with eight candidates and Ward 20 with nine candidates.

He said for another two Wards under East Kwaio, Ward 17 with seven and Ward 18 with eight candidates.

Simi said for three Wards under North Malaita constituency, Ward seven with nine, Ward eight with seven and Ward nine with eight candidates.

He said for two Wards under Fataleka constituency, Ward five with five and Ward 14 with 11 candidates.

Simi said for two Wards under East Malaita constituency, Ward 15 with five and Ward 16 with six candidates.

He said for two Wards under Baegu Asifoloa constituency, Ward 11 with six and Ward 13 with 11 candidates.

Simi said for two Wards under Aoke Langa Langa constituency, Ward one with 12 and Ward 30 with five candidates.

He continued that for three Wards under West Kwaio constituency, Ward 26 with five, Ward 27 with eight and Ward 28 with five candidates.

Simi said for another three Wards under South Malaita constituency, Ward 21 with 10, Ward 22 with seven and Ward 23 with five candidates.

For two wards under West Are Are constituency, Ward 24 with two and Ward 25 with eight candidates, he said.

Simi said for three Wards under Lau/Mbaelelea constituency, Ward six with 10, Ward 10 with 13 and Ward 12 with nine candidates.

He said for two Wards under West Kwara’ae constituency, Ward three with six and Ward four with 17 candidates.

And finally for three Wards under Malaita Outer Islands constituency, Ward 31 with six, Ward 32 with three and Ward 33 with five candidates, Simi said.

He said this is the number of candidates nominated to contest the upcoming provincial election on 12th June 2019.

Simi said date for withdrawal is 22th May 2019 and should any nominated candidate which to do so, advised lodge its withdrawal before 4pm on that day.

Oti is new speaker of Parliament

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Speaker to National Parliament of Solomon Islands Patteson Oti

By Gary Hatigeva

Speaker to National Parliament of Solomon Islands Patteson Oti

FORMER politician and former diplomat Patterson John Oti has been elected as the new Speaker to National Parliament of Solomon Islands.

This was known after a tense voting process, which saw a total of 48 Members of Parliament that were present in yesterday’s session, taking part in a secret ballot.

After taking their oaths, all 48 MPs went straight and participated in the voting process for the election of the speaker’s post.

From the total of votes casted, 45 were counted where the former speaker Ajilon Nasiu received a total of 15 votes, while the newly elected received 30.

According parliamentary officials, two MPs were absent as they are currently away on overseas duties, while three votes were spoilt.

Following the announcement of the winning candidate, the outgoing speaker suspended meeting for him to vacate the Speaker’s seat, and to allow little time for the newly elected speaker to go through a quick briefing, where he then took charge of the remaining businesses of the first day of sitting.

But before vacating the seat, the former speaker took time to thank members of the 10th Parliament House for what he described as, the enormous trust they have bestowed on him, to oversee the businesses of parliament in the last four years.

Nasiu also thanked the people of Solomon Islands particularly those that have took part in what he had also described as, a peaceful national general election process, which gave them the mandate to elect a new speaker.

He then acknowledged and congratulated the newly appointed Clerk to Parliament David Kusulifu, whom according to the former speaker, was the right choice, and someone who has the right experiences and quality to take up the post.

Kusulifu was the Deputy Clerk in the 10th Parliament House before taking up the Clerk post, after it was left vacant by the former who is now the newly elected MP for North Vella la vella, Clezy Rore.

The former speaker in his concluding remarks challenged all members to maintain the high respect that has always been given to Parliament, and urged all members to give the new speaker the same support they had rendered to him during his tenure in office.

Meanwhile, in a press conference with the media after the first meeting, the new Speaker to Parliament thanked the outgoing speaker for his service to the country and shared that he is looking forward to working closely with all members of the current house.

Not new to the speaker’s post, Oti who was a Deputy Speaker during his time as MP, expressed that it is a great honour for him to have been elected the new speaker, acknowledging the expectations that rest on him as he will play his role to further enhance the work of parliament as head of legislature.

Oti, a onetime MP for the Temotu Nende constituency, which he held until the 2010 general elections, but was later appointed Solomon Islands’ High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, before his election yesterday, as the new Speaker of Parliament.

Prior to his appointment as High Commissioner, Oti was Solomon’s special envoy to the Melanesian Spearhead Group, but before that, he served mostly as a senior public servant.

The newly elected speaker was nominated by the Member of Parliament for East Malaita, Manasseh Maelanga, for the government side, while his predecessor was nominated by the Member of Parliament for South Choiseul, Robertson Galokale from the Opposition and Independent group.

Wale urges Government to avoid political instability

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Matthew Wale

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Member of Parliament for Matthew Wale

MEMBER of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga, Matthew Wale encourages the Government to avoid political instability because it is not good for the people of Solomon Islands.

Speaking at motion of special adjournment moved by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday, Wale encouraged the ministers not to make life of the Prime Minister hard because of the numbers situation.

He said the Prime Minister is always the weak link to make the work of the government done.

Wale said the people require and expect the ministers to perform and the Prime Minister to coordinate and monitor, but it’s a weak link because he needs their numbers.

“Don’t exploit your position of privileged and position of power to weaken government, weaken good of Solomon Islanders, weaken resolve to move country forward where people of Solomon Islands expect,” he said.

Furthermore, Wale urges all 50 MPs to uphold ‘servanthood leadership’ because they are in custody of peoples’ powers to make decisions.

As such, he encourages new MPs to engage and part of decision making of government in national levels.

He said those in caucus and cabinet play initiative role and active role before come to the house.

Wale reminded the MPs that Solomon Islands faces major challenges in health, security, governance, economy and other challengers.

He said it is important Government give hope to Solomon Islanders that the future fills with opportunities and jobs.

“Jobs that pay reasonable income, opportunities that are sustainable especially in our environment.

“Within an economy, cost of living affordable for ordinary Solomon Islanders,” he said.

Wale said it is not good enough for government repeating policies that have failed the country.

He said it is the interest of Solomon Islander that government learn from these experiences.

“I encourage Government to be ambitious for Solomon Islanders,” he said.

Moreover, Wale said members outside of government or backbenches should have access to draft bill.

He said this is important step forward for this Parliament.

“We can propose law, when dealing with law, comes with budgetary implication as well.

“Therefore, we need for resources to consult people on some of the proposals,” he said.

Finally, Wale said there needs to be a reform on the election of the Prime Minister after the recent commotion by the people.

He said having a process more based on political parties taking greater role in it and educating our people to understand it.

Wale claimed the Electoral Act highlights a lot of deficiencies that needs to be improved.

The Parliament will resume on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

FIGHT FOR CLEAN WATER

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Aerial view of logging operation. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

Stop notice issued to logging company, investigation underway

 

By Mike Puia

Aerial view of logging operation. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

A stop notice has been issued to a logging company operating on the upstream of Kovi and Kungulai water sources as investigation carried out to determine the cause of turbidity (dirty water).

The investigation is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.

Kovi and Kongulai catchments, which cover an area of 14 square kilometres, is where close to 60 percent of Honiara’s estimated 70,000 residents rely on for water.

In recent days, Solomon Water was forced to shut down water from these catchments due to turbidity.

It carried out an investigation into logging situation upstream in conjunction with relevant government ministries.

Solomon Water inspected the site and suspected that the sources of the turbidity are due to logging operations upstream at Tavilo concession area.

Solomon Water inspected other logging and sawmilling operations in the same area and compiled a joint inspection report with the responsible ministries.

Solomon Water CEO, Mr Ian Gooden, said they can confidently say that logging activities contribute to the latest turbidity issues.

Gooden confirmed that they have conducted an investigation into logging activities in adjacent catchments and working with the relevant ministries to manage sediments run–off from logged areas.

“Logging activities upstream is the underlying cause for the continuous turbidity experienced from our Kovi/Kongulai water source,” CEO of Solomon Water said.

MECCDMM’s Permanent Secretary, Melchior Mataki, told Island Sun he is aware a stop notice issued to a logging company and a sawmilling company that are operating in the water source catchment area.

Director of Environment within the MECCDMM, Joe Horokou, confirmed the stop notice being issued.

Horokou said the stop notice has been issued to the logging licensee and its contractor to cease operations within its concession.

While a stop notice has been issued, Horokou said the Ministry is investigating the potential causes of water pollution within Solomon Water catchment.

He said the logging company that operates within its concession has complied with the necessary legal requirements such as environmental statements, public notice and public hearing which was held at Kakabona village.

Horokou said Solomon Water management has already done an Ariel survey with an intention to properly have a good view of its water catchment in light of the areas disturbed by the logging operations on Monday.

He said the Ariel survey will complement the ground surveys undertaken within sections of the timber concession of the logging company and to determine any encroachments within the catchment.

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