Confidence high in government’s camp to have its motion through
By Gary Hatigeva
AFTER three days of workshops and trainings, youth parliamentarians are all set to take part in a whole day debate session, with hopes high in the government camp, to have its motion voted and passed.
On Wednesday, the youths were given final coaching on their presentations and debates for the session, with recaps on the processes and procedures of parliament, particularly, Parliament’s Standing Orders or House Regulations.
Speaking on this, Chairlady of the National Youth Parliament Marisa Peppa, in an interview explained that the youths are all set and now hyped up for today’s session, with so much anticipation for a much higher level of debates and discussions into the motion to be tabled.
Ms Peppa further explained that yesterday’s session also saw all 50 participants separated into the three respective groups of parliament, which are, the Opposition, Independent, and Government, where heads of these groups were appointed.
Following the appointment of a Prime Minister and the formation of a government, those in the government side went through the process of allocation of ministerial portfolios.
“So they are all pretty much set for tomorrow (today), and are ready to make a good youth parliament debate session,” the NYP Chair explained.
The Minister responsible for the motion is expected to move it and present an opening speech before the floor will be opened for debates.
The Motion: “That this National Youth Parliament resolves that Compulsory Voting be introduced in the Solomon Islands to ensure peacebuilding and social inclusion” and the Youth Prime Minister is confident his side will pull things off, with the support of the other side of the house.
Peppa said this year’s session is very much a duplicate of an actual parliament sitting, which involves all the processes and protocols, including the activities that involved in the formation of a government, opposition and independent benches in parliament.
“Debates will be guided by Parliamentary Standing Orders and that means all the rules that are applied on Members of Parliament in actual sessions, also apply on these youth parliamentarians.
“They might also exhaust the voting procedures of parliament if the house comes a deadlock over the motion, where every single vote would matter most, especially for the Yes and No’s.
“We’ll see how things will go tomorrow (today), but there is so much to look forward to in this debate session, as it is expected to bring out the great potentials in our youths, as some of them have already been involved in politics arena and would have very good contributions and discussions,” she added.
Meanwhile, the NYP Chairlady pointed out that today’s debate session will be open to members of the general public, and those who are interested can make it up to Parliament early as the programme will start at 9am sharp.
A number of schools have confirmed their attendance to observe the session, with families of the participating youths, but the NYP Chairlady reminded that once in parliament, observers must always adhere to the rules and regulations of parliament.
“Remember, less noise when in the public gallery during parliament session and no photos when sessions are also on.
“Just basically, don’t do anything that will interfere or create obvious disturbances to the session, otherwise, all are welcome to listen and observe,” the Chairlady stressed.
The debate will also be broadcasted live on SIBC and televise on TV through the Telekom Television (TTV), with an additional feature, for it to be steamed live on Facebook.
Dr Tammy Tabe and PhD Michael Ha’apio in panel discussion
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Dr Tammy Tabe and PhD Michael Ha’apio in panel discussion
DISCUSSIONS are underway between Government officials and stakeholders for the development of a National Resettlement Policy.
Solomon Islanders continue to face issues with resettlement thus this initiative is a timely one for the country.
With the issues of climate change, natural disaster, and land dispute rife in Solomon Islands, outcomes of this session will pave the way for the Solomon Islands Government to address issues of resettlement.
Currently there is no national policy in addressing the natural and social issues of resettlement or relocation.
The first consultation of its sort, the Lands Ministry is meeting with stakeholders in the country to look at ways in which they can work towards the development of the National Resettlement Policy.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey Mr Stanley Waleanisia said their discussion yesterday was to come up with roadmap for Solomon Islands addressing resettlements.
He said, “The presentation today [yesterday] on land issues in resettlement certainly will be helping us see the difficulties in any relocation scheme by private and public sector.
“It is anticipated that this proposed Solomon Islands resettlement and relocation policy be inclusive and as much as possible accommodate the UN policy—Live no one Behind.
“This means the policy must not only be natural disaster but includes displacements caused by development.”
He adds, in the past Solomon Islands lost many lives due to natural disaster, development and urbanisation thus creating such policy will help to critically look at these areas.
Yesterday, presentations were given by specialists who have done case studies on resettlements, climate change and natural disasters.
The different presentations done yesterday brought light to the issues currently faced in Solomon Islands.
Despite lack of attendance by many invited, the workshop progressed positively throughout the day.
HCC called on to reconsider notice as children’s right to education is at stake
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
SCHOOL Board Chairman of the Honiara Integrated Primary School (HIPS) has called on the Honiara City Council to reconsider its relocation notice.
In a letter dated October 2, 2018, bearing the name of City Clerk, Charles Kelly, notice was issued to the school, giving them three months’ notice to find an alternative site for relocation.
But, in an interview with Island Sun, Chairman Michael Suarikeni says it is not right for HCC to treat them like this.
In the notice it was stated that legal proceedings is not required in this matter and the school’s sincere cooperation is duly requested. “This is to ensure that compliance is done by the school,” the letter said.
Mr Suarikeni says HIPS belongs to HCC and it is HCC’s sole responsibility to find an alternative site for the school.
By issuing the letter, HCC seems to disassociate itself from the school, he said.
“How can you do this to your own school?” Suarikeni questions.
He said HCC should find an alternative site for HIPS or should be protecting the school and its children. He said the action shown by HCC is likened to a father disowning his own child.
“It is the council’s responsibility. Something is not right here,” he said.
Meanwhile on HCC’s website, HIPS is listed down as one of its 15 schools in the city. In their Education and Recreation column, HCC wrote, “Honiara City Council has 15 different Primary Schools spread throughout Honiara, so we can best serve the children of Honiara”. A statement said to contradict the current situation as children’s right to education is now at stake.
While the wrangling on relocation continues between HCC and the HIPS board and administration, Island Sun understands that some 300 students will be affected should HCC decide to close the school down.
To the world, the closing down of the school for such an excuse might not go down well with International Human right treaties and agreements such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
While this might seem insignificant, Solomon Islands when ratifying the CRC, accepts obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil these rights. CRC places equal emphasis on all rights for children.
“There is no such thing as a ‘small right’. There is no hierarchy of human rights. Children’s rights are indivisible and interrelated with a focus on the child as a whole. Governmental decisions with regard to any one right must be made in the light of all the other rights in the convention.”
On top of that, the national government’s overarching strategic goal of the Education Strategic Frame work is to provide universal access to quality basic and secondary education for all children by 2030, and improved access to early childhood education and care and technical and vocational education and training.
“The Government will place priority on refocusing education sector expenditure to providing services at primary and junior secondary schools to achieve the target of achieving universal completion of quality junior secondary by 2030,” the National Education Action Plan (NEAP) 2016 – 2020 stated.
Thus with these factors in consideration, HIPS is of the opinion that HCC shouldn’t just hand them this three-month notice without due consideration for the children’s education.
Suarikeni says the action of the HCC seems dubious and calls for further investigation into this matter.
“First the letter was addressed to the Principal. The Principal do not own the school. It belongs to government. The principal is an employee of the government,” Suarikeni said.
He said in the first place, it was HCC that relocated HIPS to its current location.
“And now it wants them to relocate again,” Suarikeni said.
HIPS was given until December 31, 2018 to relocate.
HCC’s reason for the relocation is for work to commence on the development of the site. This is in preparation for the 2023 Games.
Island Sun has not been able to get comments from the head of the SPG 2023 Games Sub Committee as he is said to be in Moscow, Russia.
POLICE at Taro in Choiseul province arrested a 19-year-old male for allegedly raping a six-year-old girl at Taro Station on October 10, 2018.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “The alleged rape incident occurred between 3pm to 4pm on October 10, 2018 in the Taro Township.”
“The suspect is currently remanded at the Gizo Correctional Services waiting for his appearance before the Gizo Magistrates Court on October 26, 2018.
“Although the remand application was granted my officers are continuing with the normal investigation.
“It is a sad incident to occur in our community. I call on youth, community and women leaders, chiefs and church elders to work together to discourage such attitude in our communities.
“Police will not tolerate such behaviour and attitude in our communities but will prosecute such incidents.”
POLICE in Auki, Malaita province, have arrested and charged a 31-year-old male in relation to a wounding incident at Sarawasi logging camp, small Malaita on October 11, 2018.
It is alleged that the incident is connected to a land dispute relating to logging.
“It will be alleged that in the early hours of October 11, 2018 the accused went over to the victim’s residence,” says Provincial Police Commander Malaita Province Superintendent Timothy Apaesi.
“It’s alleged that as the accused approached the victim he struck the knife on the victims back.
“Then he struck again and wounded the victim on both hands as the victim tried to defend himself.
“People in the community were alerted and they stopped the accused from further attacking the victim.
“They assisted the victim to Afio clinic for medical assistance. They reported the matter to Police through the Police Communications Centre in Honiara.”
The report was dispatched to Auki Police and Police attended to the report the next day where the accused was arrested and an investigation carried out.
“I want to thank community members at the Sarawesi Logging Camp for responding to the incident before the police arrived and working closely with my officers on the investigations,” says Apaesi.
The accused is facing a count of attempted murder and was yesterday taken to court for remand applications.
The victim is an Asian and has been flown over to Australia for medical attention.
WORK of the civil society organisations (CSO) continued to be praised and appreciated in all aspects of the country, but certain members of Parliament (MP) are now questioning their integrity and some of their outreach programmes held recently.
MP for Shortlands Hon Chris Laore.
Member of Parliament for Shortlands, Chris Laore is concerned over the manner in which some of the CSO groups, particularly, the National Council of Women, has been conducting its awareness programmes, most of which he described to be very ‘anti-MP’.
The group along with representatives of other civil society organisations were out in some of the provinces last month, with a mission to give civic awareness to the rural people on women issues, including women in leadership.
But the concerned Shortland MP told Island Sun that the groups are ought to be questioned as they were moving around with female intending candidates, using the CSO banner as a platform to advocate election agenda on behalf of those women.
More so, he added, the group’s recent trip to the Shortlands was for an intending candidate in his constituency, under the CSO banner, using information to bring disrepute to his image.
Laore shared that while he is happy to see women participate in the formal electoral system, he is concerned that the women advocacy group’s agenda has gone a bit too far off the mark, which he felt was going too deep into how the constituency is running its affairs and development programmes.
The MP said he has no problems with organisations going around making civic awareness programmes on behalf of women in politics and their leadership potentials in the country, but thought that the nature of these outreach activities have gone beyond their mandates.
The Shortlands MP who had just returned from his constituency shared that he was shocked to have learnt of the manner in which the NCW General Secretary Acting, Casper Fa’asala, was carrying out his programmes, which he said was clearly targeting current MPs – for the interest of women candidates within their circle.
Laore who was also questioned by a group of women from Shortlands on how he had used the funds given to his constituency under various ministries under the RCDF programme, suggested that these were the outcomes of what the CSO groups, particularly, the woman advocator, has intended, which he expressed to have no problems with as all the records are with the responsible ministries.
He then claimed that the NCW head has intended to bad-name him so to create the potential to display a picture for their woman intending candidate, which he thought the authorities should carefully look into.
“Is this a civic awareness programme or a campaign strategy they are using to target the MPs under the umbrella of such a very reputable organisation like the National Council of Women?” Laroe questioned.
He also questioned if these activities were done under exempt of the Minister of Home Affairs because he claimed, were obvious campaigning.
He further questioned if the head of the NCW delegation to his constituency was mandated under the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs, which he thought would not have gone beyond approved agenda if it was so.
The Shortland MP however stressed that if these women in his constituency that questioned him were genuine enough in their calls as concerned electorates, he suggested that the constituency office is there to consult with, so as the Ministry of Rural Development and other relevant ministries, where all the records of fund usage are available.
“These are constituency matters and so these women if they are genuine about their concerns, should have approached the constituency office for answers, or even the ministry responsible. Otherwise, these are all part of the intentions orchestrated by these CSO groups and their women intending candidates,” Laore said.
The matter raised is also something some constituents of the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) constituency have shared, suggesting that while some elements of the groups are being genuine with their agenda, others are actually hiding under the umbrella of the CSO to push the agenda on behalf of their women candidate.
Like it was in the Shortlands, the NCW representative was also alleged to have accompanied another woman intending candidate for MOI and electorates have also expressed the same concerns, regarding the nature of the groups’ Civic awareness programmes, which they thought was very much campaigning.
But a follow up with the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs revealed that the NCW is one of their key partners in the implementation of government policies relating to youths, families and women, but have not mandated for them to use such strategy if they were true.
Ministry Officials explained that these groups can be exempted under the umbrella of the CSO and the Ministry, to carryout election civics, raise awareness on issues such as women in leadership and politics, and other issues to highlight the potentials of women in the country.
“But not to discredit or have programmes done in the manner that is directly linked to influencing electorates and bad repute any members of parliament,” a senior official who wished anonymity explained.
Also commenting on this, Solomon Islands Electoral Commission officials explained that they support the works of the CSOs in their outreach activities throughout the country, in the form of availing trainings on the election processes, but not on the grounds of training them how to lure votes or similar activities.
Commission officials however warned that any form of awareness activities related to election, must be done within the boundaries of the Electoral Act, and therefore any activities deemed campaigning in nature are illegal and should be discouraged, or people might get penalised.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the Acting General Secretary of NCW denied accompanying the woman candidate to Shortlands, despite claims his trip was funded by the intending candidate.
Fa’asala briefly explained that the awareness was based on the bulk amount of funds to constituencies through Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that was highlighted in the Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Report on the development fund.
He said his return to the constituency, which prompted the complaints, was done after the women of the constituency requested for awareness on CDF and related constituency funds
The General Secretary (Ag) then suggested that those unhappy MPs should however see this as an opportunity to go down to the constituency and explain to electors on the details of what was highlighted in bulk sums of the funds.
He however clarified that in the Malaita Outer Islands, the awareness on CDF was done by TSI based on their report analysis on the much talked about funds, but denied holding similar programme like he did in Shortlands.
“My trip to MOI was basically to do a short list analysis on the constituency to draw up profile for the woman intending candidate, in preparation for her campaign platform during the campaign period,” Fa’asala explained.
Fa’asala was unable to respond to most of the claims and allegations made but confirmed that he will be making a full reply statement on this in our next issue.
A North Guadalcanal Chief has voiced his disappointment in Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) over its inability to pay for their student’s tuition fees at SINU.
Chief Benedict Garimane says he is quite disappointed and angry when he saw that GP Education Authority owes $8million to the country’s local university.
He said GP Education Authority should prioritise spending on the province’s Human Resources.
He said GPG has been able to prioritise spending on the province’s human resources to Canada.
“Why shouldn’t they do the same for our local university?” he questioned.
Garimane said these are the same human resources that the GPG Premier was referring to when he spoke highly of the CITREC programme.
“If they are be able to spend money to meet the graduate’s expenses to Canada, they can be able to spend money for the students to complete their studies at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU),” Garimane said.
He said GPG should set its priorities right, and urges the Guadalcanal Education Authority to pay up its debts at the SINU.
SOLOMON Islands is yet to see what real freedom and liberty means, according to President of Malaita Ma’asina Forum (MMF), Martin Housanau.
Addressing those who attended an annual general meeting on October 8 at the National Museum Auditorium, he stressed on the above sentiment.
Housanau stated that although we have gained independence in 1978, we are yet to achieve political and economic freedom in our country.
He said important sectors in our economy like cocoa and copra are taken over by foreign companies, even mining and the list goes on.
Housanau mentioned that we talk about the Rural Constituency Development Fund (RCDF), but see no tangible developments in the constituencies.
In relation, he stated that being independent means being able to make our own decisions as indigenous Solomon Islanders regardless of province so long as one is a leader.
Housanau expressed that unfortunately since independence every decision that has been made by our political leaders is determined by donors.
“That is not political independence,” he said.
Housanau voiced that our leaders must have the courage to make decisions for us.
THE Government is planning to ban the import of rice, blaming Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) for its drastic action, it was revealed last night.
Rice, which has become a staple food for Solomon Islands families, cost an estimated $400 million a year in imports.
Sources told Island Sun last night that the planned ban would begin with imposing higher taxes on rice imports, which would lead to increases in the price of rice sold locally.
It is not clear when the new taxes would kick in, but sources said it would almost be immediate.
“This is because the Government believes eating rice contributes to the spread of infection from Non-Communicable Disease (NCD). One way to discourage this is to impose higher taxes on imports of rice so that people eat less rice,” the sources said.
The sources said the matter was discussed between Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela and his Deputy and Minister for Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare, in recent days.
“Both agree that the way to combat NCDs is to impose higher taxes on rice so that it would be difficult for families to buy it.”
The news comes amidst fresh revelation that some Members of Parliament have been using a foreign-owned barge to transport goods bought with CDF grants from JQY Enterprises Ltd.
“These cargoes were being moved by this barge under cover of darkness from Alligator Creek,” eyewitnesses said.
The barge is said to be owned by a company called AAA, which many believe is a subsidiary of JQY Enterprise Ltd.
Each time the barge comes to Alligator Creek all the MPs whose consignments are being sent would arrive there, one eyewitness said.
“High profile MPs are involved. They would be at Alligator Creek until midnight when the barge sails before they go home,” the eyewitness said.
The eyewitnesses said this had been going on for quite some time.
Meanwhile the new MP for Gizo/Kolombangara Lanelle Tanangada is expected to be sworn in as Minister for Youth, Women and Sports this week. She replaces Ms Tuki whose election was declared null and void in the court of disputed returns.
Landowners seek justice for environmental damages to ecosystem
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
SEA boundary owners of Sabunu on Vangunu Island in the Western province are very disappointed with the government.
In an article to Island, the group of rural people say government is hesitant to prosecute a logging company that had discharged toxic waste into their sea.
In or around March this year, they claim that a logging company, renowned in Western province for poor environmental practices, was responsible for the illegal discharge of large amounts of waste oil as well as toxic waste metal pollutants.
The illegal dumping of fuel was witnessed by numerous members of the Sabunu tribe. Witnesses say that during the transfer and loading from the log pond of timber felled by the company onto their boat the MV Portland, waste fuel and scrap metal were dumped, in order to clear space and ballast for logs.
Spokesman for the owners of Sabunu, Reverend Bulaid Leto, said the thick slick of oil and waste that was intentionally and illegally released from the ship has continued to wash up on the shores of the surrounding coastline in the months that have followed, causing serious damage to the reefs and ecosystems within that area.
After being unable to confront the responsible companies for compensation, the Sabunu owners took their grievance to the relevant government institutions charged with monitoring compliance with environmental laws.
To their grievances, both government institutions issued a letter to the Camp Manager of the company.
In August 29 this year (2018), Environment Director in the Ministry of Environment urged the company to address the claims by resource owners.
In the letter he wrote, “Waste oils and thus marine pollution have been witnessed floating around the marine environment there for several days. I understand that the issue has been brought to your attention in the past and that you are aware of the incidents”.
Last week when contacted by Island Sun to verify the information, Director Joe Horokou says there is nothing much the government can do when it comes to compensation for the resource owners.
“The incident happened almost six months ago and the resource owners just came to us recently with their claim. We need to have evidence of such claims.”
Horokou said now it is too late for them to do any assessment and whether the assessment will be justifiable as the toxic waste might not be visible anymore.
At the same time Acting Director SIMSA has issued a letter to the company advising the company to clean up any remain of discharged oil reported and to consider the resource owners claim.
Under the MARPOL Convention of the International Maritime Organisation, which Solomon Islands has acceded to, Annex 1 of Marpol 73/78 prohibits the discharging of oil into the sea anywhere around the world except oily bilge water discharge through an Oily Water Separator (OWS). The convention is part of Solomon Islands Shipping Act of 1998 where a spot fine of USD$500,000 is the initial penalty for known cases of contravention of Annex 1.
The resource owners of Sabunu said they will seek legal assistance from the Public Solicitors Office to ensure this environmental crime does not go unpunished because they are not satisfied with the letters issued by the government institutions.
Island Sun has not been able to confirm whether the resource owners have received compensation from the logging company accused of discharging the toxic waste.
It is understood that the compensation would be cheaper for the company than the USD$500,000 spot fine.
