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Minister Tozaka addresses Mandela’s Peace Summit at UNGA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister Milner Tozaka, Ambassador Sisilo and foreign ministry officials at the summit on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs minister Milner Tozaka addressing the Mandela Peace
Summit at the UNGA in New York.

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Milner Tozaka on Tuesday joined world leaders in reinforcing the message of peace and ideals of humanity in a Peace Summit held at UN General Assembly.

When delivering his statement at the Nelson Mandela’s Peace Summit, Minister Tozaka reminded global leaders of their ultimate responsibility to ensure the next generations do not inherit a world full of fear and depredation.

The Nelson Mandela Peace Summit was hosted at the United Nations General Assembly in honour of the centenary of Nelson Mandela‘s birth.

The High Level Peace Summit drew leaders from across the United Nations membership, sharing the ideals and values of Nelson Mandela.

“In the midst of all current challenges and calamities that have gripped our world, this Peace Summit is fitting and timely,” he said.

Minister Tozaka said global leaders must exploit all means to let peace prevail.

“We must strive towards eliminating conflict by building bridges and forging partnership and relations despite our differences,” he said.

Tozaka emphasised that the role of the UN Charter is a guiding framework to facilitate peaceful interaction.

“Since its inception the United Nations continues to actively advocate on the platform of peace. The UN Charter firmly remains the compass, which sets our course of action. It compels each us of the shared duty to uphold peaceful co-existence within and amongst countries. And that we must seek settlement of disputes, and use intensive, sustained and inclusive dialogue as a first resort in resolving differences and conflicts,” he said.

Tozaka told the Summit that bitter rivalries and warfare serve no purpose if more emphasis is placed on promoting reconciliation amongst our people and between nations.

“We commit to sustained attention and support for activities aimed at preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence of conflict, addressing root causes, assisting parties to conflict to end hostilities, ensuring national, regional and global reconciliation, and moving towards recovery, reconstruction and development,” he said.

Minister Milner Tozaka, Ambassador Sisilo and foreign ministry officials at the summit on Tuesday.

Tozaka added that the seeds of peace, germinates development, economic prosperity and sustained growth.

“Peace building and nation building are ideals which foster unity, particularly in post conflict states. I speak on the experience of Solomon Islands as a post conflict state, aspiring to maintain sustainable peace. Peaceful co-existence of communities and peoples must not be elusive or taken for granted,” Tozaka said.

The Foreign Minister also adds that the value of peace and humanity is priceless.

He said Nelson Mandela’s life and his ability to overcome adversities and triumph sets the benchmark in leadership that everyone should aspire.

The Foreign Minister also assured of Solomon Islands support to the political declaration on the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit.

–OPMC PRESS

RCDF must be removed from MPs: Ete

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete

By Gary Hatigeva

The Public Accounts Committee Chairman and Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete

MEMBER of Parliament for East Honiara and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Douglas Ete has called for the review of the Rural Constituency Development Funds (RCDF) and suggested for it to be distant from Members of Parliament.

This was in response to statements made regarding the use of the RCDF, being highlighted as one of the main reasons why it has forced a recorded high in the number of voters moving away from constituencies to re-register in others.

Speaking before the passage of a motion of special adjournment on the floor of parliament on Monday, the East Honiara MP stressed that RCDF continues to be deemed one of the reasons why people are moving from their constituencies to others.

This according to earlier concerns from disgruntled electorates is in the manner of looking for members who will listen to their needs, as far as usage of the funds is concern.

This issue is something many also highlighted to be one of the main concerns, which electorates believed is being used only on those close to the MPs and not all.

He then suggested that with this issue raised on the funds, there must be policies surrounding RCDF in the new house so it can be distant from members of parliament.

“This is because complaints that arise are directed towards members based on the RCDF and this is something that is talked about in Hotels, Bars, and on the streets.

“There needs to be a thorough review in the matter of RCDF and I therefore ask any new government to review the policy on it.

“I’m saying this because it has affected votes and elections and many citizens in the country are pointing fingers at MPs who have direct hands on the RCDF, saying they have been using it to win votes,” the outspoken East Honiara MP said.

This issue has been making headlines in the local media as people felt the manner in which these funds are being handled and directed, are a big problem for constituents, who suggested that there is unfairness in the disbursement of the RCDF as a lot from outside the constituency are getting the bigger share or in most cases, all.

Thus, denying the actual people of the constituency the opportunities to benefit from it (RCDF) and other development programs, and the people are of the locked views that because of their direct linkage to this fund, MPs are continuously being blamed, which Ete thought is arguable and something should be done about.

Promise on the 27th for registrants?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE 27th of this month September is an interesting day for many Solomon Islanders as reports have it that many registrants are assured to be receiving extra cash on this particular day.

Interestingly, this is report coming from registrants over assurance they have received by certain intending candidates for next year’s National General Election (NGE).

“Whatever it is that is going on in the politics of this country, everything seems to be going according to plan politically,” raised concerned observers from the general public.

“Recently witnessing going on through the current registering process, many registrants have been receiving bags of rice and other small tokens of appreciation from different intending candidates so we question if such practise is right at this stage of period when we understand that the law being set down by Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) does not encourage such yet. Can the law investigate now rather than having to wait for the objection period or so?”

“To add in a suspicion, many people registering in Constituencies have also said the same thing and this is they have been promised to return on the 27th of this month September to receive more on what they are registering for.”

Whichever maybe the truth, there has been many reports now over the current cross border registration issue in which SIEC too in their recent Press Release confirmed receiving such report.

It is up to investigations now after all this process to prove all these chaos reports.

School principal arrested for alleged rape of 14-year-old girl

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE at Taro in Choiseul province have arrested a school principal for the alleged rape of a-14-year old girl on September 21, 2018 at Pangobiru in North West Choiseul.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “This incident is a very sad incident because of the fact that the suspect is the uncle of the victim.

“The alleged incident involves a school principal and it has caused fear among parents forcing them not to send their children to the concerned school.

“As the situation has disturbed the school, Police arrested the school principal and removed him to allow the school to continue with its normal school activities.

“My officers are investigating the incident and I would like to call on both parties to refrain from taking the law in to your own hands and allow police to deal with the matter.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Tax scheme promoter here for nickel mining

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ewan Stoddart

By Mike Puia

Ewan Stoddart

AN Australian, who was sentenced by the Australian court in 2013 for promoting schemes to avoid tax, is in the country on nickel mining business.

Mr Ewan Stoddart, an accountant from Queensland, is the shareholder and director of Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited.

The government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), has issued Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited a Letter of Intent for a Prospecting Licence (PL) to harvest nickel on San Jorge Island in Isabel province.

The Letter of Intent was issued by the MMERE’s Minister, Mr Bradley Tovosia, based on recommendations from the Ministry’s Mines and Minerals Board.

The Board met on May 9 and recommended to Minister Tovosia to issue a Letter of Intent to Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited. Tovosia issued the Letter of Intent on May 23, 15 days after the Board’s meeting.

The Letter of Intent allowed Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited to collect signatures from landowners for a Surface Access Agreement over a period of six month.

Once Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited collected the needed signatures from landowners, it can ask for a nickel prospecting licence.

Mr Stoddart has travelled to San Jorge Island and held meetings there. Landowners who were aware of Mr Stoddart’s background refused to attend these meetings.

Some landowners vented their dismay on the government for giving the individual a Letter of Intent for a PL.

Stoddart, 51, made it to the news headlines in Australia in 2013 when he was sentenced for promoting tax avoidance schemes to several clients while consulting in Gold Coast.

He helped his clients avoided up to AUD$1.4 million tax due to the Australian government.

Stoddart was sentenced to six years in jail for defrauding the Australian Government 13 times. He only served four years imprisonment and was released after entering into a recognizance with security of AUD$2000.

In sentencing Stoddart, Judge Long, said the offences Mr Stoddart committed are serious in nature, as they affect the integrity of Australian taxation system.

The Australian court warned that Stoddart’s case must be a clear warning to those who market tax exploitation schemes.

The Australian Taxation Office also warned other professionals about the risks of advising tax evasion.

Stoddart’s clients were also convicted of obtaining financial advantages by deception in connection with the tax schemes.

According to the Company Haus, Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited is registered as a local private mining company incorporated in July 2007 and re-registered July 2010.

Stoddart holds 850 shares in the company while one-time MMERE’s Minister, Mr Basil Manelegua holds 150 shares in trust for landowners and the government.

Prominent names popping up in ‘cross border registration’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Registration ground at Town Ground.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

REPORTS continue revealing from the issue of cross border registration now becoming more interesting too as some reveal certain prominent people one could not imagine off to involve in influencing.

To note, certain names cannot be revealed as investigation is still carried through, however, one of the recent prominent figures in the country being revealed also was made known just yesterday by Ngella people travelling across to Honiara to register for a certain Constituency in Malaita Province that the prominent individual they mentioned is an intending candidate in.

Ngella people admitted receiving assistance of given bags of rice plus assistance in fuel for travelling and giving small tokens of appreciation promising them to return on the 27th of this month for more cash.

To add flavour from reports, there seem to be the same promise by many intending candidates on that very same date (tomorrow) to offer extra cash of appreciation to registrants which is a very interesting day to monitor according to public observation sources wishing for anonymity.

From such practices reported, the Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) strongly warns both intending candidates and registrants to refrain from adversely influencing the registration process understood to be yet currently on progress.

SIEC in a Press Release has also confirmed receiving reports of intending candidates or their agents facilitating the movement of people between constituencies to register (transfer) to a constituency they are not eligible to register in.

According to SIEC, one of the serious offences under the Electoral Act is to influence a voter.

“It can also be seen as engaging in campaign activity outside the campaign period,” remind SIEC.

“A person who engages in a campaign activity outside the campaign period for the election commits an offence that comes with a penalty of $20,000 or 2 years imprisonment, or both.”

SIEC strongly warns intending candidates to refrain from activities that may amount to campaigning.

The Commission also extends strong warning to registrants that transferring registration details to a constituency one is not eligible to register and vote in is also a serious offense under the Electoral Act.

“You could be making a false declaration. It is also providing misleading information to registration officials. Giving misleading information document to an election official comes with a penalty of $50,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both.”

The Commission has issued this warning before the commencement of the BVR update exercise early this month and continues to urge people and intending candidates to do the right thing.

It is understood that the Electoral Act 2018 has already come into force, however, a number of sections will come into force at a later date.

SIEC reminds people who are yet to register to do so before the 27th of September (tomorrow) when the BVR update should end.

Last day for registration tomorrow

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

TOMORROW is the last day for registration for the upcoming 2019 National General Election (NGE) as advice reaches out to those who have not yet registered to do so.

One main area to be mindful off in remembering always according to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and the law of this country during this current process of registering being announced every now and then is to refrain from providing false information and doing cross border registering.

The penalty of such once being founded guilty during the objection period next month will be quite hefty for one’s own pocket.

Nevertheless from reminder, Solomon Islands is now heading into its 2019 NGE to select its new Members of Parliament (MPs) to head the country.

Vella constituents irked by huge number of cross-borders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

VELLA LA VELLA constituents have raised concerns over the huge number of transfers into the constituency noted during the current registration.

It is reported that huge numbers of people from other constituencies have transferred to the South East Vella Constituency and the North Vella Constituency.

A Mr Mathew Kale said that almost a thousand people within South and North Vella constituency have registered to vote in the upcoming national general election next year.

“There are more people from other constituencies in the province have cross over to Vella la Vella Island to register their names for this upcoming national general election next year.

“We are calling on the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) registration Officers and Observers at voter registration centers (VRCs) within Vella to identify ghost voters who come to registered their names to put a stop.”

TSI commends SIEC stern warning on card selling and buying

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands has applauded the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) in warning all intending candidates and voters to refrain from buying and selling voter ID cards.

TSI in a media statement yesterday, reminds all citizens that Elections is the most important event Solomon Islands carry out every four years, a time when people of this country make individual decision on who should govern the country with their entrusted power for the next four years.

“For this reason, it is important that people accord the Voters Registration with the importance that it needs to be given.

“Election is one of the important components of our Democracy where people have the say on the kind of government that will safeguard all their interests.

“The leaders we elect will have the responsibility of ensuring that the country is run in the most efficient way for all people of Solomon Islands bringing prosperity to all.

“Intending candidates should stop politicising registration activities in the absence of civic awareness being carried out by the responsible authorities, whilst not being done now must be carried out to educate voters on election processes and registration before the polling day.

“Registration is an important process for citizens as it allows them to exercise their democratic right to vote come polling. It is an important component of establishing a comprehensive and inclusive voters’ list.”

TSI condemns this broad daylight reciprocity practice by intending candidates to voters must stop during registration process because this kind of assistance is purposely to convince voters to vote intending candidates or to make money out of them.

“Inclusive responsibility by relevant authorities is imperative to stopping the dirty and illegal practice of card selling and buying. We need to look into strategies that avoid passing this on to future generations.”

–TSI PRESS

Police investigate death incident in Choiseul province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE officers in Taro Choiseul Province are enquiring into the death of a 45-year-old-male after he died at a logging camp in Moli, Choiseul Province on September 21, 2018.

The deceased, a local, was employed as a chainsaw operator at the logging camp.

Provincial Police Commander, Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “It is alleged that the deceased was cutting a tree when a dead branch fell and hit his head.

“He was taken to Moli Clinic and but was pronounced dead by the medical authorities there.

“The matter was reported to police at Taro and officers have been deployed to the place of incident including a doctor from Taro Hospital.

“I would like to thank and acknowledged members of the community in Moli, particularly relatives of the deceased for their cooperation and support towards my officers on the ground to ensure a peaceful outcome was reached.

“Police are continuing with the investigations into the matter and I want to call on relatives of the deceased not to take the matter into your own hands but to assist and allow police to carry on with the investigations,” says PPC Eria.

–POLICE MEDIA

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