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Lilo blasts government and commission

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Former PM Gordon Darcy Lilo

BY GARY HATIGEVA

FORMER Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo who brought the bill on the now PPI Act, suggested there is an oversight on the new Electoral Act that will likely undermine the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, particularly, on the existence of the Political Parties Commission.

The former Prime Minister blasted the current government over what he described as a serious error from the Commission and the government’s part.

Lilo agreed that this is a serious oversight in the part of the government and those tasked with the responsibility over the new Electoral Act, including the AG Chamber.

“This is a huge error from the part of those responsible, a big mess done on in this important system

“There is no need for us to argue about that as it shows poor administrative performances and is a miss-courage in their responsibilities over this matter,” Lilo stressed.

He added that the repealing of Part 2 alone is a total negligence in the part of the responsible draftsperson and the relevant officers dealing with this important matter.

“Otherwise the intention to repeal is wrong and has no bearing in a policy rational in relations to elections and political parties,” the Former PM said.

He explained that the intention will discourage and weaken the roles and responsibilities of political parties and the system in an overall perspective, so as intentions to encourage good governance, and political stability.

When asked if he thinks the SIEC could well be the option to take up the Party Commission’s roles and responsibilities, Lilo clarified that nurturing political parties and the management of elections are two different matters, and should not be confused or put together.

Recently, the number of new parties launched has increased and many are waiting to be registered under the PPI Act’s Commission but, questions were also being raised as to whether the existence of the commission is legal, now that it was removed following the repealing of its establishing mechanisms.

Referring to the establishment of the Commission and the Act itself, Lilo further explained that the Party Commission through the PPI Act, was orchestrated to help facilitate and manage political parties while at the same time nurture their integrities and related matters.

Lilo then suggested that the only way out of this mess is for the government to quickly take up an amendment bill to amend or take out the section that repeals Part 2 of the PPI Act 2014.

He further added that its current status now can affect the next year’s national general elections, and there will be room for past political negativities to come back and haunt the system.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s attempts to get comments from the Attorney General’s Chamber was unsuccessful, but the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission when contacted, admitted to the error and confirmed that they will be bringing to parliament a bill, for amendments on the oversight.

Western province leads women caucus program

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BEN BILUA

WESTERN Provincial Government has been the first province to endorse and accept the Women Caucus Leadership Program.

The province is waiting for the final Terms of Reference document with promise and throws more support towards the implementation of the program.

Earlier this year, women representing wards across Western Province highlighted key provincial women’s priorities and made recommendations on how to address the agendas during a dialogue with Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs).

The dialogue between the 16 women leaders and 26 MPAs centred on priority outcome areas of the Western Province Women’s Empowerment and Transformation Policy for Development.

UN Women, Honiara Based representative Ms Audrey Manu confirmed that Western Province has endorsed Women Caucus program with seven women already appointed to implement the program.

She said Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces are still in a process to formalize and endorse the Women Caucus Terms of Reference documents.

SIEC admits error

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Political Parties Integrity Commission was supposed not to be removed

By Gary Hatigeva

THE current status of the Political Parties Integrity Commission was an error. This was confirmed by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission Office (SIECO).

The error as highlighted was noted, as questions were raised surrounding the legitimacy of the Political Parties Commission. This was after it was suggested to have been removed following the repealing of Part 2 of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, which established it (Party Commission).

“Section 143(6) in the Electoral Act 2018 clearly notes that Part 2 of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 was repealed”.

Following the revealed error, a lot were directed at both the Attorney General’s Chamber and the SIEC for what was widely described as a serious oversight on their parts.

While critics were high, there were also strong recommendations for the government through the responsible bodies, to quickly bring in an amendment bill to reintroduce the repealed parts of the PPI Act, to give legitimate status on the Party Commission, fearing next year’s election could be affected if the matter remains.

But a follow up with SIEC yesterday revealed that the matter raised was justifiable, admitting that it was indeed an error.

“SIEC would like to clarify that it is an error. The Electoral Bill was amended at the Committee stage of its passage through parliament, and the decision was taken not to replace the Political Parties Commission,” SIEC officials explained.

Meanwhile, on the basis of suggestions that the error was intentional, SIEC clarified it was not as the section responsible for ‘the repeal of Part 2 of the PPI Act’ was supposed to be deleted in the committee stage to allow for the continued existence of the Part Commission, but unfortunately noted that it was overlooked.

The SI Electoral Commission further clarified that the error was identified and following its detection, it was rectified through an Amendment Bill, which is expected before the dissolution of the house.

However, due to what was termed as an unforced error, officials told Island Sun that the SI Electoral Commission is now putting together the amendment bill for the error, and is expected to be tabled when Parliament resumes.

SIEC officials then explained that the bill, which will be presented as the “Electoral Bill (Amendment) Bill 2018”, looks to amend Section 143(6) of the Electoral Act 2018, to correct the highlighted error.

Fish rockets in Auki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE price of fish in Auki has said to soar in the past few days. In Auki, consumers are complaining about the increase of prices in fish, and are quite dissatisfied with the amount of fish they are getting for their money.

Auki Man Mr Henry Tuhu told Island Sun the current hike on fish price does not go down well with the consumers in Auki.

He said it is vividly clear on the price hike as it must be the law of demand vs supply.

Tuhu said the past couple of weeks, there has been a very low supply of fish stocks to the market resulting in the increase of the price, as demand for fish is quite high.

He said because the price of fish has gone up, processing market vendors selling fish and chips, barbecue fish among others are also placing an increase in their product prices.

Tuhu added that there are some who stick to their normal price but reduces the content of their product.

He said as currently experienced, tuna (bonito) and reef fish are selling in smaller volumes for the normal price. Tuhu said if small number of fishermen continues to supply the market, there’ll be no expected change on the price.

Operation Render Safe demolishes more than 600 UXOs in Western Province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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OIC Inspector Tunuki (front) and another member of his team preparing UXOs for detonation at Teme Village.
OIC Inspector Tunuki (front) and another member of his team preparing UXOs for
detonation at Teme Village.

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team demolished more than 600 unexploded bombs (UXOs) in the Western Province during Operation Render Safe from 15 to 19 November 2018.

The Operation was conducted in Munda, Rendova, Ringi and Teme on Kolombangara Island.

Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the RSIPF EOD Team, Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “For the first four days of the Operation our Team detonated 374 UXOs in Munda, Rendova, Ringi and Teme in Western Province. On the final day of the Operation today (19 November) we detonated 257 UXOs so the total number of UXOs detonated during the entire operation has reached 631 UXOs.”

OIC Tunuki adds: “We also received a total of 17 new reports of UXOs since we arrived in the Western Province for the Operation. We have also demolished these UXOs as well. We continue to receive more reports of sightings of UXOs but unfortunately we can only take note of them for next time as the current Operation has come to an end.”

Inspector Tunuki says, “I would like to acknowledge villagers around Munda, Ringi, Rendova and Teme where the operation was conducted for their cooperation. Members of the public are encouraged to report any sighting of UXOs to your nearest police station or through the Police Communication Centre on 23666 or the toll free 999. Do not attempt to touch any UXO discovered at any time.”

RSIPF MEDIA

Party Commission removed?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

‘Existence of Political Parties Commission questioned, notably, due to repealed Part 2 of PPI Act 2014’

By Gary Hatigeva

LEGAL Professionals have questioned the existence of the Political Parties Commission (PPC). Most are quite confused whether matters related to Political Parties will still be facilitated, as the section, which established the Commission, was cancelled under the Electoral Act 2018.

Lawyers spoken to, pointed out that this might be overlooked. This is after thoroughly going through the consequential amendments of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, highlighted in the new Electoral Act.

As stated in the Electoral Act 2018 Section 143(6), Part Two of the Political Parties Integrity Act, which established the Political Parties Commission, was repealed, and following the end of terms for all Commissioners just before the middle of this year, no further activities were carried out.

Initially, the government had proposed to merge both the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission and the Political Parties Commission, with anticipation to repeal both acts that guided their existence and functions.

However, the intent came under heavy criticisms from the Opposition and Independent groups, who then vowed not to vote in favour of the required constitutional amendments that paved way for the now Electoral Act 2018.

Both the government and the groups from the other side of the house held meetings and agreed to maintain the separation of both commissions, and their acts also remained.

During its thorough proceedings in the Committee of the Whole House, before it was put down for its third reading and later passed, amendments were made to certain sections of the PPI Act, removing terms previously used in reference to the old Electoral Act, and replaced with that of the new electoral act.

Relevant sections were amended accordingly, except for the repealing status for Part 2 of the PPI Act, which was never amended or removed during committee proceedings, and this has also got people questioning, whether it was mistakenly overlooked, or it was intentional.

And as it stands now, there remains no Political Parties Commission and Registrar, which meant no legal body exists to facilitate and manage the affairs of political parties, despite the existence of the Political Parties Integrity Act.

This issue has also attracted wide discussions on local online forums, many of which blamed the Legal Draftsperson and the Attorney General’s Chamber, who is said to be responsible as the first place to identify drafting issues.

SIEC has admitted to an error.

Court to hear bail application on Sikua’s case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court will today hear the bail application made by the defence lawyer representing the former Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services Edmond Sikua.

After he was sentenced to two years imprisonment last Friday, the defence lawyer informed the court that they will apply for bail while pending the appeal on the case.

Defence lawyer on behalf of the accused appealed his client’s conviction.

This is the case where Sikua has been found guilty of three counts of official corruption involving more than $250,000.

Magistrate Taeburi said Sikua and other like-mined offenders must appreciate that corrupt practices are not tolerated in all levels of the society in both the public service and the private sector.

She said that there is a need for the courts to be involved in the fight against corruption.

Therefore considering all the factors and mitigating submission on the case she imposed a sentence for count 2- official corruption two years, count 3-official corruption two years and count 3- official corruption two years.

Sikua was on trial for seven counts of official corruption, an offence that carries a penalty of seven years imprisonment.

However he was only found guilty on three charges while the other four he was acquitted of.

This was for allegedly awarding government tenders worth $630,436.50 to Beeds Investment in 2015 and 2016, a company registered and owned by his two daughters.

It was also alleged that in 2015 and 2016 Beeds Investments responded to calls for tenders and was awarded business contracts for service delivery to the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services on seven different occasions.

Prosecution had called 16 witnesses and tendered by consent exhibits while Sikua defended himself giving sworn evidence where he denied those allegations.

He had told court in his defence that he did not financially benefit from the payments as the company was owned by his daughters.

Sikua was the third public officer to have been arrested by Janus, since the establishment of the joint task-force in August 2016.

A-league club wants Rafa

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Raphael Le'ai

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Talented Solomon Islands footballer Raphael Le’ai is wanted by Australia’s Hyundai A-League club Brisbane Roar FC for trials.

MORE overseas clubs are keen on signing Solomon Islands’ latest football prodigy, Raphael Le’ai ‘Rafa’.

Following the interest shown by top Argentine Premier Division Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz last month, the latest to come on board is Australia’s Hyundai A-League Club, Brisbane Roar FC.

According to an email sighted by SunSPORTS yesterday, Roar’s Technical Director Drew Sherman invites Le’ai for a one-week trial with their club in Brisbane.

“I am writing in regards to young Solomon Islands player, Raphael Le’ai, who we at Brisbane Roar have been keeping a keen eye on since the OFC Under-16s Championship.

“It is my understanding that Raphael has recently been offered an opportunity to trial with an Argentinian Club, we are exploring the possibility of him perhaps coming to Brisbane for a week’s training with us here at the Roar,” an email sent by Sherman to Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), dated November 1, stated.

Sherman is responsible for the management and direction of the youth department at Brisbane Roar and he works closely with their A-League squad’s Head Coach and former Socceroo, John Aloisi and Director of Football, Craig Moore to ensure young players are provided the best opportunity of forging professional careers at the club.

A Pro-License and Football Association (FA) Advanced Youth License holder, Sherman has previous working experience with Southampton Academy in United Kingdom and also a former head coach and a technical director for Cook Islands football in 2015.

Sherman believes Le’ai can make the most of this opportunity in his young career if he is signed by their club.

“Brisbane Roar has a proud history of developing young players and providing opportunities for young Pacific Islanders.

“We have in the past couple of seasons established Talent ID networks through PNG and New Caledonia particularly, and accepted trialists from both countries.

“Personally, I have seen the talent in the Pacific Islands first hand having been Technical Director and Head coach of the Cook Islands National Team, and I am passionate about ensuring there’s a better pathway to professional football for children in the islands.

“I’d be keen to speak to you (SIFF) further about how we are able to bring Raphael over to Brisbane for a week in the near future,” Sherman assured.

Should Le’ai takes up the opportunity with Brisbane Roar, he may become the third footballer from Solomon Islands to play in the A-League since Henry Fa’arodo’s stint with Perth Glory in 2005/06 and Benjamin Totori’s one year spell with Wellington Phoenix during the 2012/13 season.

About Brisbane Roar FC

Brisbane Roar Football Club is a professional Australian soccer club based in Queensland and has won two A-League premiership titles and three A-League Championship titles over the years. They had also competed five times in the Asian Club Champions league.

The club plays home matches at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and is the only club in the A-League not to have lost a Grand Final.

Meanwhile, in related news regarding the interest shown by the Argentine club to sign up the talented Solomon Islander, Marist FC and SIFF are yet to come out regarding the latest update on the deal.

Political Party Crisis

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

Lawmakers’ oversight plunges nation into a partyless state

By Alfred Sasako

A serious oversight or ignorance of the new Electoral Act by our Members of Parliament has plunged the nation into a political party crisis.

The oversight, reportedly discovered by prominent private lawyer, Andrew Radclyffe, has in effect wiped out all the political parties registered under the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.

“Section 143(6) of the Electoral Act 2018 was kept in when Parliament recently passed the Act. This section repeals Part 2 of the Political Parties Integrity (PPI) Act which establishes the PPI Commission.

“In effect, there remains no PPI Commission and Registrar which means no body exists to register political parties.”

“It also means that all political parties registered under the PPI Act 2014 are no longer in existence,” some said yesterday.

Social media commentators said the Government needed to bring a short amendment to the new Electoral Act to remedy the situation or it will affect the coming elections as far as political parties are concerned.

“It has three weeks to do that or we are back to square one in terms of political party development in this country,” they said.

Parliament will be dissolved on 17 December 2018, in preparation for the national general election due in the second week of March next year.

Commentators also pointed out that the oversight was the result of a “rushed job,” adding Members of Parliament should not rush into passing important Bill so close to the dissolution of Parliament.

“They should not rush passing such important Bill close to dissolution of Parliament. If they miss something substantive but the House has already dissolved, who will fix it?” one commentator said.

“(It’s) plain old common sense. Now it has come to pass but luckily it was spotted before the House dissolves. Just imagine the confusion and mayhem this would cause had this not been noticed,” the commentator said.

Abana blasts PMO

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Office of the Prime Minister

Over handling of PER, called for neutrality and matters related to PER of MPs be given back to Parliament

By Gary Hatigeva

MEMBER of Parliament for Fataleka Constituency, Steve Abana has lashed out at the Office of the Prime Minister on the manner in which matters related to Medical Entitlement of members of Parliament (MPs), are being handled.

This, the Fataleka MP threw out at representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office when presenting their case, during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing into the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill (2) on Wednesday.

He said the office of the PM is currently responsible for processing their documents, but the OPMC ought to realise that a lot of MPs are sick, unfortunately, the projection under the Office’s head only requested for six.

“The problem with the Prime Minister’s Office is that, you guys have a very sluggish, useless and wasted system in terms of dealing with MPs.

He further pointed out that there is always this uncalled for delay in how the office is handling this matter, with prolonged processions by officers responsible.

“What kind of a system are you guys using in there to send MPs out when they are sick? We’d wait until they almost die before you intend to send them.

“I see that sometimes, officers within the PMO turned to act as if they are more powerful than us the Members of Parliament,” Abana stressed.

He then shared that some former MPs could have been saved if such matters are being handled well and given to neutral bodies or people.

He then strongly recommended and suggested for the matter to be transferred back to Parliament to administer and allow for the Speaker and Clerk who will be more neutral to handle it and not with the PMO where it continued to be politicised.

“I speak from within the government, and this is not on, and this budget, I hope are not using the heads just to get funding, which you guys will use for your own travel expenses and those selected ones who are sick.

“We need to give this head back to Parliament, before we die one by one in the carelessness and hands of those in that office,” the Fataleka MP added.

In addition, the MP for East Makira, Alfred Giro also shared similar concerns with the Fataleka MP, reiterated that in the PMO, political influences and interests are always practised over the PER.

“In there, politics is very much involved in the PER, and they chose who to go first and who to be delay, but the situations are all the same,” Giro shared.

He also agreed that anything to do with PER of MPs should be brought back to Parliament than it remaining with PMO.

This according to the Chairman of PAC and MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete, is a matter for the officials representing the PMO to take serious note of as it should be a matter handled by a separate body apart from the OPMC or Caucus.

“This is something that is on the discretion of the Prime Minister himself, but it shouldn’t be treated as such. It should be an independent body, or person,” the PAC Chair further stressed.

Taking the points raised, the Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister noted and assured that the PMO team will see that the matters are relayed to the bosses and officers responsible within the office.

“We do acknowledge the concerns, but in terms of overseas cost, it something that is not under the budget of other ministries, but that’s probably one thing that could be looked at, or even to come back to Parliament.

“So in times where it is not budgeted for under the ministries, the Prime Minister’s Office take on the responsibility, and so it would be easier to move it back to parliament.

“Also, it would be good if such areas are clearly spelt out in the Parliamentary Entitlement Regulations so that administration would be easy,” the Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minster said.

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