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Dugong sculpture to be unveiled today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

A sculpture on a mother and calf dugong will be unveiled today at the National Art Gallery. The dugong sculpture is to bring awareness to the communities on the importance of the sea mammal in the marine eco-system.

Made by Riaz Maninga Haikiu, Brian Afia, Peter Fikiafi and their crew, this is not the first sculpture of a mother dugong and calf in the Pacific. Dugongs are classified as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species, thus this sculpture is crucial in reminding people of the importance of this mammal species.

In Solomon Islands, it is against the law to fish, retain and be in possession of, buy, sell or export dugong. Any violation of this law is punishable by four months in prison and/or SI$40,000 fine (US$5,000). The new Fisheries regulation formally prohibits dugongs hunting and trading.

The dugong is a large herbivorous marine mammal which spans the waters of at least 37 countries throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The ‘Mother and Calf’ Dugong Sculpture is funded by the GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project (DSCP) which is coordinated and implemented by the National Facilitating Committee (NFC) through the Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership (SICCP), Coastal Marine Management (CM2), and World Fish.

The GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project supports partner countries to conserve seagrass ecosystems through a combination of science and research, conservation policy development and implementation, community incentives, as well as outreach and education programmes.

The Project is executed by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MbZSCF), with financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implementation support by United Nations Environmental Program and technical support from the Convention on Migratory Species’ Dugong MoU Secretariat.

Solomon Islands join 86 participants from Asia Pacific in Taipei

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Group photo of the 86 young leaders participants across the Asia Pacific with the Director General Dr Klement Gu at the MOFA Head Quater

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

IN TAIWAN

EIGHTY-SIX young leaders from the Asia Pacific region has gathered in Taipei for a 10-day seminar on leadership.

Following the successful event last year, this year Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again hosted the 2018 Taiwan Study Camp for future leaders from the Asia Pacific.

The seminar convened 86 leaders from across Asia Pacific who came from government and private sectors to learn about Taiwan’s politics and culture through presentation and tour trips.

Among the 86 participants are six Solomon Islanders with three representative from government sector and three from private sectors.

According to Taiwan’s MOFA, the Taiwan Study Camp for Future leaders is a platform initiated to engaged young leaders across the Asia Pacific as an opportunity to learn about Taiwan’s historical culture and its successful stories.

It also said one important aspect about such initiative is it will help promoting Taiwan’s democracy and cultural diplomacy across Asia Pacific region.

Following that, MOFA also said the reason behind hosting the seminar is basically for 86 participants to cultivate perspectives, increase knowledge of Taiwan and foster friendship among participants.

Group photo of the 86 young leaders participants across the Asia Pacific with the Director General Dr Klement Gu at the MOFA Head Quater

Team Leader for Solomon Islands delegation, Mr Dennis Marita, Director for Culture Division of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said, he hope the seminar will benefits individual Solomon Islands representatives.

He said they will go through segments of seminars and interaction activities relate to leadership which is a takeaway for them to utilize at their respective workplace.

With the programme, Maritia said it offers an opportunity not only for Solomon Islands but other participants across the Asia Pacific region to learn about Taiwan. An example is its transition period from agriculture.

As a representative from private sector particularly churches, Mr Harrison Oldom from the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) said he was excited that the event is offering an opportunity to learn about Taiwan diplomacy and to create network with other Asia Pacific countries.

He adds that such platform brings potential young leaders in different sectors across Asia Pacific which will boost leadership for the development of young people in churches or Solomon Islands as whole.

The 10 days seminar is built under a theme that includes Taiwan’s political and economic development’s effort to reduce energy use, carbon emissions, environmental protection and epidemic prevention.

Not only that, participants also have the opportunity to learn how Taiwanese relate to their local cuisine as well as visiting Taiwan’s most natural scenery.

The seminar commenced on Thursday 15 at the MOFA Head Quarter. The first-day was a presentation on Diplomacy Policy in Taiwan and Green Energy Technology Industry and Climate Change Policy in Taiwan.

Participants also visited Academic Sinica: Institute of Earth Science Research Centre for Environmental Changes.

Youths reportedly frustrated following the UDP sponsored Malaita Land Conference

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

LAST week in a letter to Solomon Islands media and also posted on Linkedin I reported on the UDP sponsored three day Land Conference held in Malaita Province.

I mentioned the young people attending the Summit had called for their inclusion in decision making on all matters when their interests were involved, including decisions being made about land issues and tenure.

I also mentioned that some had raised their voices in criticism of leaders and questioned whether one or two had spoken out in excess of what I considered might have gone beyond free speech.

One young leader subsequently wrote to me following my story and said the young people were frustrated during the Summit and told me (quote).

“What we all felt was heck this is just another conference and we are not important because they only gave us one hour to present and on the last day.

Did you know that at the previous conference they have 136 recommendations not implemented and now the women and youth have like another 30+ recommendations to add on their waiting lists?

We are going around in circles, we need to look at the constitution and see what is relevant to our time.”

If previous conferences have led to recommendations made by the young attendees at such gatherings not having been attended to and, as claimed, not enough time allocated for the youths to raise their concerns when meetings take place, such as allegedly occurred at the Land Summit, then it would be my suggestion, indeed plea, that all their outstanding claims be addressed as soon as possible and better time arrangements be considered for all future meetings when people, young and old, need to make their statements and air grievances.

Young people make up the majority of Solomon Islanders to-day and their rights, needs, ambitions and desires require full consideration and to sideline them would be a mistake.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

A plethora of issues we must face in the race against time

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

This is the first of a feature-type article by Alfred Sasako on the Malaita Land Summit.

 

A plethora of issues – largely land related ones came out in the open during the Malaita Land Summit held in Auki last week.

Azusa Kubota, UNDP’s Solomon Islands’ Country Manager, was one of the speakers at the official opening of the three-day Summit on Tuesday 13th November. She revealed that despite table-thumbing speeches by politicians on development over the years, the national government is as much to blame as anyone else.

For example, Solomon Islands’ failed to achieve any of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), set by political leaders at the United Nations, when the MDGs expired or ran out in 2015.

That year, we, along with 192 countries, made commitments to achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 – only twelve years away. These goals talk about people having access to good education and health care system, safe drinking water and sanitation and food.

We have only 12 short years to beat the race to achieving these goals.

“Is the Solomon Islands going to look different in 2030?,” Ms Kubota asked. This question leads to another – does the national leadership has the capacity to deliver on any or all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) leaders set at the United Nations three years ago?

Here’s what Ms Kubota said.

“Premier Peter Ramohia, Provincial Assembly Members, Representatives from the Ministry of Unity, National Reconciliation and Peace, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, Chiefs, Women and Youth Representatives of Communities in Malaita

Distinguished resource persons and representatives of academic institutions

On behalf of the UN Peacebuilding Fund project, I would like to welcome you all and thank you for coming.

This summit is supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund project, which is implemented by UNDP and UN Women. The first project started in 2016 to support the country with the transition from the withdrawal of RAMSI. The current project started early this year and focuses on addressing issues that are identified as triggers for conflicts.

Last year, the UN conducted a nation-wide survey, targeting 2,500 people in eight provinces. The survey asked people to identify the most common cause of dispute. Almost half of the respondents identified land disputes.

This means that there is a close linkage between land and peace. Therefore, we are working with partners to have a close look into the land issues.

Similarly, the survey asked people to identify two most important actions for ensuring lasting peace in the Solomon Islands. The top response was increased access to economic opportunities and employment.

People said that economic growth that leads to job creation is important for maintaining peace in the country. Inequalities in income and access to services create conflicts and tensions.

At the same time, we know that the economic growth and development efforts are often hampered by land disputes across the country.

For example, together with the government and communities, the UN has been implementing several development projects. They include providing a sustained supply of drinking water to communities by installing water tanks and rehabilitating water sources and training rural famers to adapt to the impact of climate change.

Many times, these projects were affected by land disputes. Communities of a hundred families could not benefit from a drinking water supply because a handful of individuals contested the land ownership. Many women farmers in the coastal villages could not grow vegetables for their families because their access to highlands to fetch fertile soil had been denied.

Several large-scale infrastructure development projects and investments have been blocked, denying opportunities to bring prosperity to the communities and to Solomon Islands as a nation.

Solomon Islands’ economy is growing at the rate of about 3 percent per year. At the same time, the population of the country is growing at the same rate. This means that the economy is growing just enough to support the fast-growing population, and arable land won’t be available. The economy needs to grow much faster in order to bring new jobs and economic opportunities to the people.

Solomon Islands did not meet any of the eight Millennium Development Goals, which expired in 2015 while many of the emerging countries met most of them through rapid economic growth and proactive policy interventions.

In 2015, along with 192 countries, the Solomon Islands made commitments to achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. These goals talk about people having access to good education and health care systems, safe drinking water and sanitation and food. 2030 is only 12 years away. Is the Solomon Islands going to look different in 2030?

To ensure that people in Solomon Islands have adequate social services and economic opportunities, something very different needs to take place to unblock the stagnation and accelerate economic growth.

History has taught us that peace cannot be achieved without development. Similarly, development cannot be attained without peace. So how do we ensure development takes place while fully respecting people’s rights to land and customs? How can we move forward as a united country, one people, one nation and one future, so that the interests of the collective population can be reflected in the decision-making processes?

These are the questions I hope we will be able to discuss and answer through a concrete set of action points with the commitment of the decision makers and community representatives. We fully appreciate that land issues are complex matters¬ that cannot be resolved during one summit. However, I hope it will help trigger a chain of action towards solutions.

In closing, we would like to commend the government of Solomon Islands for its continued efforts to address the land issues and also to Malaita Province for leading a way to tackle this complex issue of land reform.

The sustainable development agenda calls for leaving no one behind. While many countries grow rapidly, it is important no one is left behind from the benefits of such growth. Therefore, decision making process should be fully inclusive of women, youths and other marginalized groups, representing the population of Malaita. I would like to commend the provincial government for making sure a full participation of the community representatives in this summit and beyond.

The issue of land disputes is not only affecting Malaita, but the Solomon Islands as a whole. If solutions are not found in the immediate future, Malaita might be left behind, and Solomon Islands might be left behind while the rest of the world achieves greater prosperity and peace.

This is an agenda that requires collective efforts and a shared vision. I wish all of you a fruitful discussion and hope there will be a concrete set of actions to take the discussion forward.”

Four projects on hold for gov’t to undertake multi-million dollar project

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) has put on hold, four capital infrastructure projects. The projects were put on hold in order for the government to under-take its multi-million dollar undertaking of the 2023 Pacific Games.

In the Minister’s 2019 Budget speech, Finance Minister, Manasseh Sogavare said major priority between now and 2023 is the securing of funds to finance the games facilities and the games operational costs.

Sogavare says the projects on hold includes residence of the Prime Minister, the Justice Precinct, the IPAM building and the Ministry of Environment building.

“It is the intent to consider these infrastructure priorities during the 2020 Appropriation Bill”, Sogavare said.

Sogavare said the Pacific Games Council had advised government that it needs to reflect in its budget on an annual basis between now and 2023 adequate allocations that will demonstrate government’s ability to deliver on its commitment to host the Pacific Games.

“Sir, this is the first time the Government will host the Pacific Games. The requirement for facilities for the games such as stadiums, tracks, fields, swing pools, venues for water sports, etc. are a lot more than those required for mini games. The number of sports is a lot more than for mini-games. We are also trying to negotiate the inclusion of Futsal and Beach Soccer as these are now Pacific-wide sports that Solomon Islands have good opportunities to perform well on. This means government needs to reflect its commitment and ability to finance the games”, Sogavare told parliament.

He said it is crucial that SIG demonstrates its commitment and capability through a substantive budget allocation in the 2019 budget for the PG 2023.

Sogavare says, preparatory works on the PG2023 by the cabinet set up bodies had been concluded and the PG2023 Act 2018 had been brought into operation effective 26th October 2018.

“National Hosting Authority members will be appointed by the end of this month and preparations are already underway for it to host its inaugural meeting on the sixth and seventh December 2018”, Sogavare says.

Canada serious to work with Pacific islands, including Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen having light moment with Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon Rick Hou. Photo supplied

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen having light moment with Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon Rick Hou. Photo supplied

CANADA’S Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has met with leaders from the Pacific Island nations on Saturday. In his meeting with the Pacific Leaders, Trudeau spoke about funding infrastructure resilient to the effects of climate change.

“The opportunity that Canada takes very seriously to work with you on the very specific challenges facing small island developing states, the importance of capital flows and investments in infrastructure, are things that we are happy to sit down with you about,” Trudeau was reported to say at the start of the meeting.

Canadian Times reported that Trudeau said, island leaders want to frame themselves as key players in the Pacific region, both environmentally and economically.

Baron Waqa, president of Nauru, was reported by Canadian Times to tell Trudeau that tsunamis, earthquakes and cyclones have created enormous losses for the economies of smaller island states, while a rising sea level shrinks their territory and increases water salinity that effects their food security.

Prime Minister Rick Hou was also a part of the Pacific Leaders that met with Justin Trudeau at the APEC meeting in Port Moresby, PNG.

Trudeau was reported to take the opportunity to host Canada’s first leader to leader engagement with the Pacific Islands Forum.

The Pacific Islands Forum comprised of 18 members from Pacific Island countries including Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

During the meeting, Trudeau also made a commitment to expand trade and investment with the Asia-Pacific region, attract global investment, and create new economic opportunities and good, middle class jobs at home.

Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted how Canada was among the first countries to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which will unlock unprecedented opportunities for Canadians and deepen trade and investment ties with APEC partners.

Customary land issue must be solved for development to occur

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A major issue that hinders many of government development projects and private sector initiatives is the inability to obtain land whether by purchase or leasehold.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that enhancement is needed in policy changes and land reform efforts so land is not an obstacle to development and land owners can share benefits of development.

This is expressed in the Solomon Islands Economic Development Documents –Medium Term Development Plan, 2016-2020, IMF Country Report.

IMF stated that while there is a lot of unproductive and unused land in both urban and rural areas including customary land which could be more productively used, customary land reform remains an issue the government is still trying to solve.

The report adds that analysis is being conducted to find out how land owned by land owners can be utilized by the private sector, government, donors and others as well as how it can be sold, leased or occupied through proper, transparent and appropriate prices and possible regulations and the processes of land agreement applicable to various communities in the provinces.

IMF stressed that although current approaches and policies will not bring solutions to all problems they will assist in developing appropriate land valuation and land market prices.

Also mentioned is that an equally pressing problem is the availability of land for housing.

IMF noted that there are three projects and programs to address issues relating to urban and semi-urban land management, governance, planning and development, increasing availability of land, improving institutional and legislative capacity, and the planning process.

The three projects are Solomon Islands Urban Management Programme (SUMP) Land Development, Preparation & Construction Programme (LDPCP) and Lands – Institutional & Capacity Strengthening Programme (ICBSP).

Serious logging problems

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Logging operations on Kolombangara Island (Photo supplied).

Locals seek compensation for environmental damages

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Logging operations on Kolombangara Island (Photo supplied).

POOR logging practices are again said to cause serious problems for locals in Kolombangara, Western Province. This is less than a month after international not-for-profit organisation Global Witness released a damning report on the wide ranging environmental and social damage being caused by unsustainable logging in the Solomon Islands and poor logging practices.

Speaking to Island Sun last week, village spokesman, Andrew Kubala said, logging activities on neighbouring customary lands which border the Pepele River have caused water in the river to become unusable for human purpose.

“This water pollution is threatening our life and the life of our people and the most affected ones are women and young pikinini,” said Mr Kubala.

Contaminated water run-off from a logging camp on Kolombangara’s Pepele River has led to a health crisis amongst the village of Taghoapa.

Kubala said as a result of the environmental pollution being caused by logging operations in the area, Taghoapa is now dealing with a violent outbreak of diarrhoea and dysentery with half of the adult population of the village falling badly ill to these diseases.

Kubala said many of Taghoapa’s villagers have no other source of water besides the river, forcing them to drink and cook with its contaminated contents.

“Because we do not have water/pipe supply and a proper clean drinking well, we really mainly [rely] on this Pepele River for all our basic need. We also have a shared 600 gallon water tank, but it could not cater for the unbelievable population of 13 households and 95 people, children and adults.”

Children swimming in murky river said to be caused by logging operations.

Both diarrhoea and dysentery are diseases which are commonly caused as a result of people drinking contaminated water.

Of this issue, Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara, Lanelle Tanangada said she is not aware of any violent outbreak of dysentery and/or diarrhea. She said the people there have requested water tanks, to which one was sent the other week. She said, no one has told her of any serious illness in the community. She assures Island Sun that she will look into this matter.

At the same time, a landowner that was said to allow RIMA, a Malaysian company to carry out operations on their customary land said they are not stupid so as to allow the company to fell trees, close to the river. He said there was an agreement that allow only a certain portion of their land to be logged.

“My goodness, if there is a dysentery outbreak, this will be a state of emergency. Dysentery is an illness not to be taken lightly. Has there been any report from Kukudu clinic about any outbreak of dysentery or diarrhea?” he questioned.

He said they had won two court cases already on issue of land and land ownership and there is nothing more to say about this matter. He said the people should not exaggerate to the media about serious issues of this sort. He further mentioned that the people of Taghoapa are not customary landowners but settlers from Vella la Vella.

Logging operations said to destroy the locals water.

“Of course the police are doing their job since we won the court case already. What more do the people want? A third court hearing?” he said.

Meanwhile, what the people want is for the logging company to compensate the environmental damage caused to their land and river. They say a request was made to the health environment division on 29th October 2018 to which they were advised to seek legal advice.

“They promised us to send down inspection team to make assessment to the concern location as soon as possible”, a note from the concerned villagers say.

While Kubala awaits government intervention, he said he has approached the public solicitor’s office to seek assistance in having RIMA Limited logging in the area halted by the courts so that proper environmental assessments can be done.

Kolombangara is not the only island with its woes in logging issues. People from Malaita, Guadalcanal, Ngella, Isabel and Temotu including the Western province but to name a few are faced with similar issues.

Axiom respects necessary regulations: CEO

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BEN BILUA

AXIOM Mining Company vows to meet necessary requirements when its San Jorge mining project in Isabel province comes into full operation.

Chief Executive Officer of Axiom Mr Ryan Mount said Axiom’s primary focus is making sure the operation will be carried out within all rules and regulations.

He said the company will display professionalism to maintain and demonstrate high standards of social, environmental, financial and broader economic development as operation progresses.

Mount said in San Jorge Island, nickel-laterite is commonly found near the surface and this reduces the degree of environmental impact as production facility will not require much toxic chemicals.

“Protecting the environment and preserving the Isabel culture remain to be some of Axiom’s top priorities.

“The Company regularly engages with landowners and community members as the project continues to progress.

“Axiom bases the San Jorge Project schedule on practical achievability with minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment.

“Community development agreements are ongoing and a ground-breaking ceremony is being planned.

“Axiom wants to establish a sustainable business that would build greater community and greater benefits,” he said.

Mount said San Jorge mining project will establish a strong economic environment where landowners and non-landowners access different benefits such as food trades (selling of local produces), employments and also other small assistances.

He said 86 percent of Axiom’s staff are locals and the number is expecting to increase in the next few months.

Mount said Axiom is proud to be one of the investors that will contribute to the economic development of Solomon Islands in the years to come.

“Over the next five years, it is estimated that the San Jorge Nickel mine will be the biggest generator of taxation incomes for the national government,” he said.

Mount said cooperation and team work is required to maintain and improve the implementation of the project.

Government’s 2019 Budget Support expenditure set to go before PAC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY Gary Hatigeva

$213.4million is projected to be the government’s 2019 Budget Support expenditure.

This will be allocated to five ministries through donor partners.

The Ministries are, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, allocated with an estimate of over $134million, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, with an allocated estimate of over $65million, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, with an estimated allocation of just above $7million, the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, with an allocated estimate of $4.2million.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Natural Disaster and Meteorology on the other hand, gets the lowest allocation estimate of $2.2million under the budget support expenditure.

Meanwhile, under its Development Expenditure estimates, the 2019 Appropriation projected a total of over $540million, with the Ministry of Rural Development allocated with the biggest estimate of $120million, while the Ministry of Home Affairs gets the smallest estimate of $500,000, however, the estimated allocations for the rest fall within the range of these two.

According to the Bill, a further $100.9million is forecasted to be spent through statutory changes on the Consolidated Fund, including $78.3million to be exhausted on National Debt Repayments.

The Appropriation Bill also outlines that the government’s limits of borrowing from both its internal and external aid donors/development partners, has been directed not to go be more than $100million.

The PAC hearing into the 2019 budget is expected to use all of this week to go through the 2019 Appropriation. With this, Parliament officials are reminding responsible officials within respective ministries, to show commitment in this particular session as time is very short.

Officials stressed that the committee will need to a little more time after the hearing program, to compile and complete reports for both the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill (2), and the 2019 Appropriation Bill 2018. This is before parliament resumes Tuesday next week.

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