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19 drivers arrested during weekend check

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Traffic Department of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) has arrested and formally charged 19 drivers with presence of alcohol in the blood over the legal limit during an operation in Honiara from November 2-3, 2018.

Supervising Director Kukum Traffic Police, Inspector Brian Surimalefo says, “During the traffic operation my officers checked 590 vehicles. Out of that, 19 were positive with presence of alcohol in their blood over the legal limit.

“All the 19 drivers were charged and released on bail to appear in Court at a date to be set.

“Three drivers were also charged for driving unlicensed vehicles and released on principle bail to appear in Court at a date to be set.

“During the two nights operation there were no emerging issues except for three vehicles that were involved in accidents at different locations over the weekend. These accidents were the result of driving under the influence of liquor.”

“We will continue the traffic operations at any time in Honiara during the week to ensure that our roads are safe for all road users.

“I appeal to vehicle owners and drivers not to drink and drive. If you thinking of taking alcohol make sure you arrange for someone who has not consumed alcohol and who has a valid driving licence to drive you safely home to avoid any accident.”

“Be responsible for your actions when you are driving. Check your driver’s licence, third party documents and ensure you have a valid vehicle license. Your vehicle must also be road worthy.” says Inspector Surimalefo.

–POLICE MEDIA

PAC concerned about Solomon time

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is concerned about the recurring practice by the government of procrastination.

In its report on the 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAB) 2018, the Committee said, the process of bringing forward arrears from previous years to another fiscal year have a diverse impact on the following year’s budget.

The report said, this will also have a diverse bearing on the implementation of government’s action plans which will cause unnecessary strain on the current budget.

The 2017 SAB 2018, though already been spent a year ago, is a requirement by the Public Financial Management Act 2013.

As required by the Act, the hearing into the said SAB is to correct monies spent through Contingencies Warrant (CW) and Advance Warrants (AW).

In the report, the Committee concluded that most of the requests made in the 2017 SAB 2018 were foreseeable and could have been factored in the 2017 Appropriation Bill 2017.

“Except for issues of unknown nature as stipulated in provisions of the National Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act 2013,” the report said.

On this note, the Committee reiterates it previous calls for the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) to have robust planning processes within the fiscal budget year and factor these known expenditures in that year to prevent the application of a CW and further supplementary appropriation for that fiscal year.

MoFT in August this year (2018) during the 2019 National Budget Launch, highlights procrastination and complacency as all-time issues faced by the Ministry.

Lack of procurement planning in Government’s ministries is also an issue.

At the same launch, during the 2019 National Budget Launch, a representative of the Core Ministerial Coordinating Committee in the Office of the Prime Minister made a strong call to agencies and senior officials. The coordinating committee as part of their aims and objectives are to ensure implementing agencies and senior government officials are accountable for their actions or non-actions in delivering the priority policies of the government.

The National Budget is a priority policy of the government.

Judicial spending on Contingency Warrant concerns PAC

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

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE amount locked for the remuneration of the High Court Judge to preside over the Town Ground Plaza civil case has cost government more than one million dollars.

In the PAC report on the 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAB) 2018, $1,380,064 was itemised as additional funding for High Court judge’s remuneration to preside over the Town Ground Plaza civil case.

With this much amount budgeted under Contingency Warrant (CW), the PAC is concerned that CW has not been fully utilised for the case.

“These locked up funds could be utilised for other purposes,” the Committee said.

The PAC is also concerned that local judges lacked technical skills to preside over complex commercial civil cases such as the Town Ground plaza case.

The Judicial Ministry had confirmed before the Committee that the case has gone to the Court of Appeal and judgement delivered.

The Ministry also told PAC that the law was said to restrict the number of judges to six so the Ministry is unable to recruit additional judges.

“There is a need to upskill and train high court judges so that they can be able to preside over complex commercial cases,” a recommendation from the PAC report said.

At the same time, the committee noted that the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs had found it difficult to recruit a consultant for a project on dispute resolution.

During the scrutiny of the 2017 SAB 2018, the Ministry informed the Committee that a CW was raised for $2.5 million in 2017 to fund a study on alternative dispute resolution.

This was not spent, thus it was appropriated again in 2018 under the 2018 Appropriation 2018 Act.

Since the Ministry found it difficult to recruit a consultant for the project, funds provided by DFAT was held under the watch of the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Committee in its conclusions said, responsible ministries, in particular Ministry of Finance fails to adhere to repeated advices by the Committee to strengthen its budgetary process and make provisions to avert the use of CW for foreseen expenditures and recurrent expenditures.

The Committee also re-emphasise that spending of monies intended for public good without parliament’s approval is illegal and monies should be appropriated prior to any expenditures.

At the same time, underspending was also an issue raised by PAC in their report.

Gov’t to reintroduce Dual Citizenship Bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By Gary Hatigeva

AT its resumption on Friday, November 9, Parliament is expected to receive the return of the Dual Citizenship Bill for its pre-deliberations as well as first reading.

This was confirmed by the Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela when presenting the government’s businesses that have been scheduled for Parliament ending Friday.

The Dual Citizenship Bill comes in the form of two supporting bills, namely the Dual Citizenship (Constitutional Amendment) Bill 2018, and the Citizenship Bill 2018.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill is looking at amending the Constitution to allow for Dual Citizenship, because currently, it prohibits any dual citizenship status, while the Citizenship Bill looks into the structures and application of the dual citizenship proposed legislation.

The Bill will be presented for the first reading and then later be put down for the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC’s) inquiry, where it will be scrutinised before it is taken up again for its second and third readings, including the Committee of the Whole House’s thorough proceedings.

The Dual Citizenship Bill was tabled early this year during a previous sitting of parliament but forcibly withdrawn, and according to the Prime Minister, this was done because the house was one MP short of the two thirds majority required to pass constitutional amendments.

The withdrawal was also done in recognition of the Bills and Legislations Committee’s recommendation, based on issues highlighted to be missing in the bill, which would have helped tightened it.

Initially, the BLC recommended for the Dual Citizenship (Constitutional Amendment) Bill to be withdrawn and have the Citizen Bill withdrawn, but the government had decided for the withdrawal of both bills.

But the Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare during that session, explained that the Procedures on dealing with a bill is outlined in Standing Orders 43 to 60, which he clarified that when a bill is introduce into the system of parliament to the stage where it is now ready to be moved for second reading, the only provisions available for not to deal with it is under Standing Order 59, and that for the withdrawal of Bills.

He said the Bills will have to come through the normal processes again when they are ready to be reintroduced to Parliament, and the government had ensured this is so, now that the bill is confirmed and ready to be reintroduced.

The bill’s later proceedings, which include its second reading, scrutiny through the Committee of the Whole House, and third reading, are all expected in the coming weeks as parliament continues to deliberate on the remaining government bills.

Other Bills that are also lined up for Parliament’s deliberation include the Payment System Bill 2018, the Development Bank of Solomon Islands Bill 2018, and the Traditional and Custom Facilitation Bill 2018.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also announced that a few of the Bills will also be put down for their further proceedings in the house this Friday when Parliament resumes.

However, due to the current situation parliament is going through, especially with the loss of its House Committee Chairman, the outlined are still in doubt, as Friday is also a private members day, and would require an approval by the Committee to allow for government businesses to be tabled on that day.

RSIPF warns against use of laser pointers at aircrafts

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is encouraging members of the public to report any one using high powered laser pointers at night against aircrafts taking off and landing at the Henderson International Airport in Honiara.

This call follows a report by the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands of the increasing number of high power laser green strike incidents on aircraft arriving or departing at the Airport.

Some of the reported incidents took place immediately after take-off and probably before the pilots had fully transitioned into instrument flight or when the aircraft is approaching the runway.

The latest laser incidents were recorded on October 28, 2018 with sources coming from Point Cruz and the Lungga/Burns Creek areas.

“The use of the high powered laser pointers at night can cause a tragic air disaster. People using them must be aware they can be prosecuted under the Solomon Islands Civil Aviation Act 2008.

“If found guilty under this Act a person could face a maximum fine of $300,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. This is how serious this offence is,” says Assistant Police Commissioner, National Capital and Crime Prevention Simpson Pogeava.

“RSIPF is working together with the Civil Aviation Authority and Solomon Airlines to ensure people using the high powered laser pointers at night stop their action immediately before a tragic accident happens.

“We urge members of the public especially around the Henderson International Airport including Lungga and Burns areas to report to police anyone who they know is using the pointers.”

Police can be contacted through the Police Communication Centre on phone 23666 or the Police Emergency Toll Free line 999.

–POLICE MEDIA

No public transport to operate tomorrow

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Buses

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NO public transport bus and taxis are to operate tomorrow as a march to the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) is planned out today by the public transport associations.

Local public transport business owners and members of the public transport associations want explanation from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury as to why the recent enforcement of tax returns late last month is too costly, being unfair compared to their daily business takings and expenses financially not forgetting to mention the day-to-day cost of living in Solomon Islands.

According to the Bus and Taxi Association members, part of the tax returns being implemented is for public transport vehicles operating since 2015 to pay yearly taxes starting from 2015 to this present 2018 which will be $7,000 yearly per taxi and $10,000 yearly per bus.

Within the timeframe since 2015 to this present 2018 means that each taxis operating since then to this present will have to pay $21,000 each, while for each public bus will be $30,000.

What is the purpose for such new tax implementation is what the public transport Associations are really curious about stating that the enforcement is not fair.

Public transport businesses in Honiara were reminded through the media last week that they will now pay tax to the government after IRD issued a notice in October for all to comply.

Despite call attempts were not possible yesterday to IRD, from their documents, it was revealed that any form of business that charges goods and services with the intention to make profit must file annual return. Therefore bus and taxi vehicles operating transport services are categorised as business operators obliged to file income tax returns, pay income tax and keep business records. All annual income for one year would be taxed 30 percent.

On the goods service tax, taxi drivers are questioning too on which goods are referred to stating that they only provide transport service for human passengers.

“If the government stand on their stand then on what basis do they stand on? If the government wants a tax return then they should do it in a way that is reasonable on expenses and the struggles faced every day in the country financially. Such move will only lead to problems in the future for our people through our service,” stated taxi drivers.

The public transport Associations that were joined by heavy load public transport owners during the public transport Associations meeting yesterday in front of the Multi-purpose Hall formed a Committee that will lead a march accompanied by public transport owners and workers to demonstrate their disapproval over the new tax enforcement on them.

All the public transport Association members meeting yesterday are advised to meet today (Wednesday) 12pm in front of the Multi-purpose Hall to receive the memo that will be distributed to them for their plan.

Spokesman for the public transport Association Mr Leonard Ofa along with the Interim Chairman of their public transport Associations Committee expressed over the new tax enforcement that there has not been any proper consultation done to make the people and public as a whole to be aware.

“It is not only us who owns public transport vehicles who will be affected but it is all of us consumers in the Capital who will be affected.

“So we have to ensure our rights for our leaders and implementers so that they respect our rights too rather than depriving them and imposing such taxes as these that are really unfair. As Solomon Islanders we have our rights to demonstrate our disagreements.

“This service is not only too for vehicle expenses, people have been doing this service with the means for survival of their families, school fees and such over which increasing tax this way will cause problems for families to not be able to meet daily needed expenses.”

The public transport Associations meeting yesterday ensured that their plan and proposal must be taken into action by the responsible authority.

Another local public taxi owner sharing his disappointment to Island Sun reminds that registering to operate public business transports in Honiara can be seen as the only current business many locals are engaged in as many other business services in the country have already been dominated or observed as taken over by Asian foreigners especially.

“Seeing with vision that this is one of the only main businesses locals turn to engage to is why we have to push for our right to ensure that we also want to enjoy a suitable environment to operate our businesses in,” said the local taxi owner.

It is understood from the public transport associations Committee that they will be informing Police Traffic and the Honiara City Council (HCC) to be aware of their plans for tomorrow, assuring to be in a peaceful way.

If the government only wishes to remain on their stand then many from the public raise fear over the suggestion to then increase public transport charges as well.

Meanwhile, fuel price has also increased overnight Thursday last week adding worry for public transport owners looking on the other side of expenses. The fuel price increase is the Means of Platts Singapore (MOPS) prices for this month being confirmed when queried.

Ngella Constituency Office to register Vaka Motor

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NGELLA Constituency’s Office has confirmed that the Constituency’s debated ‘Vaka Motor’ will be registered.

The Constituency Office has not denied the fact that the said $4.5-million vessel was detained by police stating that it is the ‘marine order’.

“Because we have not registered the Constituency Vessel yet since its arrival is why the marine gave out the order over which the Constituency Office has already approached the ‘Company Haus’ on Monday this week and are only waiting for the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) heads to return back from their overseas trip before we finalise up registration,” responded Ngella Constituency’s Office to Island Sun yesterday.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Tulaghi Station when queried over the matter has remained silent over the detainment hinting only that investigation is in place.

Meanwhile, Ngella Constituents disapproving of the vessel being purchased for the Constituency demand for it to be sold in order to purchase a new vessel for Ngella that would be suitable to operate as a passenger vessel.

Rural NW Guale women caught in logging concession conflict

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The new market area being built by MP Dettke for North-West Guadalacanal women to do their marketing, which Honiara City Council wants removed. Photo by Alfred Sasako

By Alfred Sasako

A conflict over logging concession in North West Guadalcanal has spilled over affecting hundreds of rural women who were looking forward to using a new market being built for them by their Member of Parliament, Bodo Dettke.

The battle is between MP Dettke and the Honiara City Council Mayor, Andrew Mua.

Mr Dettke last night vowed to fight to the end in protecting the interests of the innocent women from his Constituency, estimated to be around 800.

The former Government Minister did not rule out the matter heading to the courtroom this week.

The City Council gave Dettke 24 hours as of yesterday to remove a fence, which his firm, Success Company, had built along part of the western banks of the Mataniko River.

Success Company is developing a temporary market for the North-West Guadalcanal Constituency women to use, pending consideration of a new location.

“These are innocent women. They have the right to have a place where they could use to sell their market produce. The Lord Mayor must be suffering memory lapses in that recently the City Council closed down the White River Market, which the rural women from Guadalcanal were using.

“Rural women from Guadalcanal actually forced the market to reopen the next day,” Dettke told Island Sun.

“The City Council should have realised that I have merely provided a location in my private property for the rural women in my Constituency to use until such time a new location is found. Not only have I provided a place, I have actually developed the area at my own cost.

“To shut down the market as the Council has ordered is injustice to all the women in North-West Guadalcanal.

“Why target me when you don’t have to look far to see illegal construction along the river banks? Some of the buildings you could see from here had 10 metres of concrete protruding into river. That is something that the Honiara City Council needs to look into instead of victimising rural women who are innocent,” the angry MP said.

Dettke said if the City Council were to enforce building regulations, half the buildings in Honiara would end up being demolished.

“I know of buildings and structures that did not comply with the building regulations, but were nevertheless allowed because the City Council decided to look the other way,” Dettke said.

“The market we are building does not block the traffic in either direction of the new Mataniko Bridge.

“I can only conclude that the City Council is having a go at me for two reasons. The first thing is a conflict over logging concession in North-West Guadalcanal and the second is that I did not support his candidacy for the post of Governor General when the incumbent’s term was renewed.”

Lord Major Mua could not be reached for comment last night.

Solomon Islands can ease Canada’s demand for labour: Dwivedi  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islanders that have arrived under CITREC partnership to strengthen Canada’s labour mobility.

CANADIAN International Training and Education Corp Chairman Ashwant Dwivedi says that Solomon Islanders can help ease Canada’s demand for workers as Canada’s businesses are struggling to find workers to fill jobs in the Hospitality & Tourism sectors.

“We can further expand our opportunity into other skilled trades which would include but is not limited to plumbers, joiners, carpenters and others who can contribute and help ease the pain of labour shortages in Canada,” Dwivedi announced.

Dwivedi said that discussion is already taking place between Canadian regulatory authorities to come up with a right tool to access skill trades youths in the Solomon Islands and bring those trade holders to Canadian equivalency.

“There is also active ongoing discussion on the establishment of a Regional Centre in the Solomon Islands which can be a one stop shop for both the Canadian employer and Solomon Islands workers which can connect both. This is an arrangement we look forward to concluding very soon,” Dwivedi said.

Solomon Islanders that have arrived under CITREC partnership to strengthen Canada’s labour mobility.

Dwivedi said that with Western Canada attracting one of the largest Liquefied Natural Gas [LNG] projects, Solomon Islanders who have proven experience as welders and others can be considered for the opportunity.

Speaking during a conference in Canada, Dwivedi also said that by hiring a “Solomon Islander” Canadian businesses are directly helping build a community, a village and a town and nation that is a direct victim of climate change with a high rate of unemployment among its youth.

“The money that Solomon Islands workers earn when remitted back to the Solomon Islands is put towards family and community development. I am told this morning that a dairy farm worker out of Chilliwack has sent SBD$18,000 to his mother, one of the many contributions he has made since coming into Canada,” Dwivedi said.

“A daughter of Solomon Islanders out of Saskatchewan has been sending thousands of dollars each month to support her family in Guadalcanal. She has been able to support her family’s dreams come true with the money she is remitting. There cannot be any better moment that seeing smile and joy on faces of people of the Solomon Islands and together as Canadians we can slowly but surely bring this joy across Solomon Islands,” Dwivedi said.

“When I met the father of this worker, he said to me that amount of money his daughter has sent to him in the past two months is what he earns in a year through local salary. He told me that it is not just money that brings joy to the family, but it is the fact that his daughter has a job. A permanent job and a bright future. For a father there is nothing more that can bring joy,” Dwivedi said.

Dwivedi said that Canadian businesses are playing a leading role in Solomon Islands labour mobility sector an achievement he is proud to talk about and boast about.

Ofati Leve presenting a gift to Chairman of Citrec Canada Corp, Ashwant Dwivedi.

“Canada’s hunger for more labour can be easily met by Solomon Islands youths who once trained can be job ready for the Canadian market. I urge all of your businesses to consider hiring Solomon Islands. We are just a phone call away and our people in Solomon Islands are job ready,” Dwivedi said.

“One of the biggest challenges that is faced by Solomon Islands is the highest number of unemployed youths that the economy has to deal with on a daily basis. There is no doubt that we in Canada have a booming economy and that in our tourism and hospitality sector we face a growing shortage of workers. Let us all look at Solomon Islands for our labour needs,” Dwivedi said.

Dwivedi also talked about the recent single largest achievement of bringing nine people from Solomon Islands into Canada under various immigration programs which includes 4 people who entered Canada under the Permanent Resident programme.

Of the nine people travelling four were travelling to Canada under the Permanent Residence stream whilst five were admitted into Canada as Temporary Foreign Workers under Canada’s Agriculture Management arrangement where they were issued with 24-month work permits. The new arrival of nine people from Solomon Islands provinces has set a new record in Canada’s Labour Mobility partnership with the Solomon Islands.

Dwivedi announced that the nine people who travelled were the largest number that were processed for Canadian visa in one day.

“We had four people travelling under Permanent Residence Stream through provincial nomination, Permanent Residence Stream, while five others from province of Makira-Ulawa, Guadalcanal combined will be entering Canada as seasonal workers. We are all excited about this opportunity and the benefit it will have on the persons, their families and Solomon Islands,” Dwivedi said.

“It was the first ever opportunity when Makira-Ulawa province had sent three workers to support Canada’s labour needs under the labour mobility arrangement with CITREC. We look forward to more opportunities in the coming weeks of recruitment,” Dwivedi said.

Canada’s Permanent Residence Stream has recently become an attractive feature to Solomon Islanders the first to be made available to Solomon Islands under the Labour mobility arrangement.

–CITREC PRESS

‘Why the delay?’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Prepared facility: Basketball court ready

Renbel province questions Gov’t and Home Affairs over continued delays in funding for Solomon Games

 

THE Premier of Rennell and Bellona province is questioning the national government and its Ministry of Home Affairs why funds to complete preparations for the Solomon Games continues to be stalled.

In a media statement, Premier Collin Singamoana reminds the national government, “The Renbel Solomon Games Task Force and LOC had done all that was required by NOCSI and the national government amidst time constraints and many challenges to qualify Renbel Province to be allowed to host this year’s Solomon Games.”

However, after the final assessment of sports venues and facilities and the supporting components of the Solomon Games that includes transportation, accommodation, catering, protocols, medical, media, security, ceremonies, entertainment and community participation, that was jointly carried out by the NOCSI, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Solomon Games LOC on October 15 and 16, who confirmed in their report that Renbel Province is ready to host this year’s Solomon Games, the chairman of the Renbel Taskforce, Premier Singamoana, questions why the Ministry of Home Affairs is delaying the release of the final tranche of funding that would have enabled the Renbel Organising Committee to host this year’s Solomon Games this month.

Prepared facility: Basketball court ready

Singamoana further explained that this year’s Solomon Games was scheduled to take place from November 26 to December 7, 2018. However, the ongoing delays of funding by the national government through Ministry of Home Affairs has put the games hosting dates in jeopardy once more.

It is understood that the joint report by the assessment team that includes representatives from NOCSI, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Renbel LOC along with the submission by the Renbel Solomon Games Taskforce and Organising Committee was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs in late October to be forwarded to the national government cabinet for deliberation and funding two weeks ago, but from information received this report and submission is yet to arrive at the cabinet, which thereby resulted in the further delay of funding to secure support services, equipment and goods that will enable the Solomon Games to go ahead as planned.

“So while the Renbel Solomon Games Task Force and Organising Committee are grateful to the Prime Minister and his Deputy, Cabinet ministers, members of the government caucus and government officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs for their continued support for Renbel province to host the much anticipated national sporting event, it questions why the government keeps on delaying financial assistance towards the hosting of this event.”

The delay has forced the LOC to quickly convene an urgent meeting last week to look at alternative dates when the Solomon Games can be hosted in anticipation of any further delay in the release of funding.

Rugby field ready

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Renbel Solomon Games Task Force thanks the provinces Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Renbel and Honiara that had maintained their support and intention to participate in this year’s Solomon Games, and further thanks Western province and Guadalcanal province for reconfirming their participation late last week and on Tuesday this week in the upcoming Solomon Games in Renbel.

He assured athletes from the provinces and Honiara, officials and technical officials from the national federations, guests that will be attending the games and the general public that Renbel province is ready to host and that his people are ready to receive everyone that will be involved come the actual games; how soon is reliant on the possible release of funding by the national government.

Premier Singamoana is calling on the Ministry of Home Affairs that represents the national government to empathise with the hard work and efforts that his Taskforce and the Renbel province as a whole have invested in preparatory work that had enabled the completion of necessary facilities and supporting components for this year’s Solomon Games, and help push for funding to be made available as soon as possible so that the games can go ahead.

The sports that had been confirmed for this year’s Solomon Games include athletics (track and field), basketball (5v5) and (3v3), boxing, futsal, lawn tennis, netball, rugby 7s, rugby league 9, soccer (men), swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, and touch rugby, volleyball (indoor and beach). Exhibition sports includes triathlon and weight lifting. Para sports includes athletics field events and table tennis.

–RENBEL PROVINCE PRESS

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