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Romanian Ambassador presents credentials

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Romania Ambassador to Solomon Islands Her Excellency Nineta Barbulescu and Governor General His Excellency Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui. Photo from GCU
Romania Ambassador to Solomon Islands Her Excellency Nineta Barbulescu and Governor General His Excellency Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui. Photo from GCU

ROMANIA’S Ambassador to Solomon Islands Her Excellency Nineta Barbulescu presented her credentials to Governor General His Excellency Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui, on Thursday last week at the Government House.

In her opening remarks, she briefly highlighted Romania’s geo-political timeline and highlighted the countries’ bilateral ties.

“As a European Union member state since 2007, Romania brought its contribution to the development of relations between the EU and the Solomon Islands and will continue to do so, in particular during the future Romanian presidency of the EU Council, next semester (2019).

“The huge geography between Romania and Solomon Islands didn’t prevent our bilateral cooperation under the United Nations flag, in particular after 1978, when Solomon Islands joined United Nations as its 150th independent state.

“Romania and Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations in New York, at the UN Headquarters, on February 1, 2011, an important milestone in our bilateral relationship,” Ambassador Barbulescu remarked.

She highlighted Romania’s strong support towards United Nations and its effective multilateralism as one of the main vehicles of addressing national and regional interests within the UN.

She points out for the past 63 years, Romanian has persistent engaged within the UN, constantly striving for the consolidation of the UN global profile, devoting political and diplomatic resources to support the organisation’s efforts in ensuring peace and security, fostering development and protecting human rights and the rule of law.

“All these underpin the candidature of Romania as a valuable non-permanent member of the Security Council.

“Romania would highly appreciate the valuable support of Solomon Islands to the candidature of Romania to the UN Security Council, at the elections to be held in June 2019 for 2020-2021 mandate.

“It will be our pride commitment to advance universal agenda, in particular for leveraging partnerships for action-oriented responses on climate change and to put it, together with sustainable development, at the heart of the UN agenda during our next mandate within the UN Security Council in 2020-2021,” the Romanian Ambassador said.

Barbulescu added that Romania is a champion of climate change with years in advance reaching the renewable energy targets annually and becoming top three EU countries independent of fossil fuels imports.

“In this framework Romania is considering financing, for the first time, the Pacific Islands Development Forum, a symbolic yet important project for supporting a representative regional organisation for Pacific.

“Romania is also considering various climate change projects of cooperation with the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), benefitting too all Pacific nations, including the Solomon Islands,” she said.

Barbulescu said she will work tirelessly to advance the relations between the two nations and to grow the people-to-people bonds between Romanians and Solomon Islanders.

She also expresses her profound impression with the current 6th Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival, an outstanding environment for learning and indulging into the Solomon Islands culture and its way of life.

The Governor General upon acceptance of the Letter of Credential cited his noting of the request.

Kabui said though the two countries are miles apart in terms of location, ‘in many ways, we are bound by humanity’.

“The issues discussed, debated and agreed are all matters to do with humanity such as human rights, the rule of law, international security, climate change, equality, economic enhancement and so on.

“The contributions your country has made on such issues and the impact of them on others in the developing world is noteworthy indeed.”

The Governor General said it is assuring also to note that Romania is willing to continue its efforts to pursue issues of global benefit in the United Nations.

“Your candidature for the United Nations Security Council election in June, 2019-2021 is therefore noted with appreciation.

“Although our relation has been modest so far, the potential to develop it further to new heights is possible,” he said.

Kabui pledges his support during the Romanian Ambassadors’ term in office.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

World Bank approves the renewable energy project in SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Ezekiel Talatau

THE World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $19.95 million project for the electricity access and renewable energy expansion for Solomon Islands.

More than 9,300 Solomon Islanders will benefit from new or improved electricity services, including renewable energy sources such as solar.

The project aim to assist the government in terms of increased renewable energy generation, increased access to grid-supplied electricity while dipping the expensive, imported fossil fuels.

The project will also receive a fund through a $5.5million Credit and a $4.75million grant from the International Development Association (IDA).

Solomon Islands Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Bradley Tovosia stated that, the project is imperative to increase the quality of life of people of Solomon Islands and for the development of business.

Government is now working with World Bank and other partners to increase the access of electricity in low access remote areas.

It will focus on providing connection to health centres, households, schools, and throughout Honiara and surrounding towns and formal settlements.

The project will also focus on addressing gender inequity in the energy sector, which currently employs few woman by providing employment opportunities for rural woman to maintain solar panel and sites.

The project will sustenain Solomon power to build a reproductive and respectful workplace and culture through strengthening anti-bullying and harassment policy and supporting employers who may be affected by domestic violence.

Director from the World Bank Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands Country Michel Kerf quantified that Solomon Islands Electricity is among the highest in the world. Almost as double the average for the Pacific region as a whole, creating a financial affliction on families and business throughout the country.

To date, about 20 percent of the Solomon Islands population have access to an electrical power supply, and when electricity is available, it is costly.

Amnesty International puts pressure on Indonesia

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Indonesia

By Mike Puia

THE issue of human rights violations has come to the forefront in West Papua’s quest for independence from Indonesia.

Amnesty International has mounted pressure on Indonesia to address issues of past human rights violations.

The London-based non-governmental organisation says Indonesia has failed to address past human rights violations.

In its 2017/2018 publication online, Amnesty International says the rights to freedom of expression, of peaceful assembly and of association has continued to be restricted by Indonesia.

Indonesia controls Papua, and West Papua forms the western half of the island of New Guinea.

Political control of the region has been contested for more than half a century and Indonesia has consistently been accused of human rights violations and violent suppression of the region’s independence movement.

The indigenous people of the province are Melanesian, ethnically distinct from most of the rest of Indonesia and more closely linked to the people of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands.

Papua was retained by the Dutch after Indonesian independence in 1945 but the province was invaded by Jakarta in 1963.

Indonesia formalised its control over West Papua when in 1969 voting was done in favour of Indonesian takeover under a UN-supervised, but undemocratic, process known as the Act of Free Choice.

Many Papuans regard the Indonesian takeover as an illegal one and the Free Papua Movement has led a low-level insurgency for decades.

With the heightened police and military presence, there have been reports of security force abuses including extrajudicial killings, torture and arbitrary detention, excessive use of force and mistreatment of peaceful protesters.

Dozens of Papuans remain behind bars for peaceful demonstration or expressing solidarity with the independence movement.

Raising West Papua’s independence flag can send someone behind bars for 15 years.

Most observers estimate that about 500,000 native Papuans have been killed since 1963 by Indonesia.

Amnesty International says Indonesia’s human rights record has been examined under the United Nations (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process two months ago.

The process is a mechanism of the Human Rights Council (HRC) aimed at improving the human rights situation on the ground of each of the 193 UN Member States.

Although Indonesia accepted 167 out of 225 recommendations, it rejected, among other things, calls to investigate past human rights violations.

The organisation says Indonesian authorities have continued to prosecute those participating in peaceful political activities, particularly in areas with a history of pro-independence movements such as Papua.

Amnesty International says despite killings happening in West Papua, no perpetrators were known to have been held to account.

The recent incident at the 6th Melanesian festival that ended in Honiara yesterday where police confiscated the West Papua’s flag from local activists who held up the morning star flag in front of the Indonesian stall has again attracted much interest toward the issue of West Papua.

Indonesia, an associate member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), took part in the festival on the invitation of the government.

West Papua, with a MSG observer status, is not included in the festival – an issue that also raised questions among local activists.

Local activists insist Indonesia is not a Melanesian country – West Papua is Melanesia.

The former Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has been vocal about West Papua’s issue.

Sogavare, who is now the deputy Prime Minister, earlier blamed the UN for showing little commitment towards the West Papua issue.

He said UN is responsible for facilitating the question of self-determination for the people of West Papua.

The principle of self-determination is embodied in article one of the UN charter. The first paragraph of the article in the UN charter stated that all peoples have the right to self-determination.

The issue of self-determination is recognised in many international and regional instruments.

These instruments include the declaration of principle of the international laws concerning friendly relationship and cooperation among states which was adopted by the UN assembly in 1970, the African charter of human and people’s rights 1981, the cooperation among states charter of parish for new Europe adopted in 1990, the Vienna declaration and program of action of 1993, committee on the elimination of racial discrimination and many others.

When it comes to human extortion, Sogavare said Solomon Islands stands to condemn it.

Solomon Islands has opened an Embassy in Indonesia with hope talks will continue to happen between the two countries about the issue of West Papua.

Indonesia has set up its own human rights committee to look at human rights violations issues there. The status of the work carried out by the committee is unknown.

Grand closing ceremony marks end of 6th MACFest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Fijian dancers that stole the show in each of the performances at the MACFEST

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 THOUSANDS of locals and Melanesian visitors took part in the closing ceremony of the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival 2018 at the Panatina Melanesian village on Tuesday.

The grand closing ceremony was a colourful finale to what has been a memorable 10 days of sharing, promoting and preserving the different cultures which were represented by the participants.

Jenny Ligo of Vanuatu presents a gift on their behalf to Deputy PM Sogavare.

Fireworks heralded the final minutes of the 6th MACFest last night as the diversity in Melanesian culture bade farewell to this year’s event.

The colours of the fireworks equalled that of the attires worn by the participants from the five MSG member countries; Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and PNG, and those from the friends of Melanesia; Taiwan, Torres Strait Islands and Timor Leste.

Tuesday’s event started with speeches, exchange of gifts, handover of MSG flag to Vanuatu as the next host country followed by entertainment including cultural and contemporary dancing.

Fiji representative reciprocates gift to Deputy PM, Sogavare

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Treasury Mr Manasseh Sogavare in his keynote address acknowledged and praised the success of the event despite being faced with many challenges.

He said Solomon Islands is proud to host this festival twice. He said it is a remarkable success that officially concludes in magnificent performances.

“I’m delighted because it is for the second time in 20 years that Solomon Islands has successfully host this regional event.

“I always proud to see us Melanesian culture play, and we must be always proud about Melanesian heritage and show it to the world,” Sogavare said.

PNG rep, presents their gift to Deputy PM, Sogavare.

He thanked the participating countries and looks forward for the next Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival in 2022 which will be hosted by Vanuatu.

Honiara City Mayor Andrew Mua also shared his excitement for the successful hosting of the regional event in Honiara city.

He acknowledged participants for the remarkable cooperation seen throughout the 10 days which has led to a peacefully, enjoyable, informative and successful MACFest 2018.

The ceremony ended with fireworks which made the event more interesting and recorded in the country’s history.

Diversity of culture at closing of 6th MACFest.
New Caledonia representatives
Participants from Papua New Guinea.
Representatives from New Caledonia.
Representatives from Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands women of ‘Stage of Change’ at the closing ceremony
Vanuatu celebrates after receving MACFest Flag to host the next festival in 2022.
Fiji delegates dancing at the closing.
Diversity of culture at closing of 6th MACFest.
Delegates from PNG at the official closing ceremony.
Crowd attendance at the closing ceremony despite slight showers of rain.

Sikua’s trial continues today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

TRIAL into the case against the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Service Edmond Sikua is currently ongoing in the Honiara Magistrate Court.

Prosecution is still calling their witnesses for the trial.

Mr Sikua is charged with seven counts of official corruption contrary to section 91(a) of the Penal Code Cap 26.

Sikua was charged in relation to the allegation on December 22, 2016 for allegedly awarding government tenders worth $630,436.50 to Beeds Investment, a company registered and owned by his two daughters.
Prosecution alleged the accused Sikua is by default the chairman of his ministry’s tender board.
The allegation said between December 18, 2015 and August 29, 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.
The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services have made payments of $630,436.50 to Beeds Investments for these services.
Prosecution further alleged that Sikua used his position of power and influence within the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to manipulate the tendering process for his own and his family’s pecuniary advantage.
Sikua is the third public officer to have been arrested by Janus, since the establishment of the joint taskforce.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown in court.

Alleged human trafficker to appear in court

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 55-year-old male from Malaysia alleged of human trafficking will have his case mentioned in court today.

The accused, Thien Seng Wong, was an employee of a Malaysian logging giant Earthmovers and is facing count of human trafficking under the section 77 of the Immigration Act 2012.

He was accused of carrying out internal human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation between November 30, 2015 and January 2016.

Prosecution alleged that Seng had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl in 2015 up until 2016.

The alleged incident occurred at a logging camp in Isabel province where the accused was working as a manager at the logging camp at that time of the alleged incident.

Prosecution said the father of the girl was also working at that logging camp.

The camp belongs to Jubilant Development Logging, an offshoot of Earth Movers logging company.

That logging company has a camp in Isabel as well as in Vella La Vella.

It was alleged the accused started living with the girl at the Isabel logging camp.

He also took the girl with him when he was transferred to the camp at Vella La Vella.

The accused was arrested after a joint operation made up of police and immigration officers investigated the matter following a media article on the matter.

The office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the crown on the case.

SICCI applauds successful MACFest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Alibusu from Malaita Province perfoming their items during the Macfest.

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) has applauded the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) for the successful hosting of the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFest) from July 1-10 at various venues in Honiara.

SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dennis Meone applauds the Permanent Secretary, Andrew Nihopara, and the National Organising Committee including his team at the ministry for a splendid job in successfully hosting the regional event despite the numerous challenges faced.

More than 1500 delegates from all over Melanesia converged in Honiara to celebrate Melanesia’s rich culture and heritage during the MACFest which ended with a memorable closing ceremony on Tuesday.

A contigent from PNG.

Mr Meone said from what the country has witnessed these past days the MACFest has truly lived up to its significance, which is to help young people maintain and conserve their unique art and culture and instil a sense of pride in their identity as Melanesians.

From a business perspective, the MACFest also provides economic benefits, gathering revenue for the host country in terms of the visitors’ arrival and the increase in economic activities.

Meone said by hosting the MACFest, Solomon Islands as a country and its Government have brought together Melanesian people of different views, skills, knowledge and backgrounds together to ensure that our culture and traditions live on for generations to come.

Alibusu from Malaita Province perfoming their items during the Macfest.

The event has brought together key stakeholders from both government and private sector through the national organising committee in working together to making it a success.

The theme of the 6th MACFest – “Past Recollections; Future Connections” – reinforced the significance of the festival as a time to reminisce about their history and cultures while at the same time connecting as one people in diversity.

The idea was conceived by leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group in 1995, with Solomon Islands hosting the first MACFest in 1998. MACFest takes place every four years.

–SICCI PRESS

Standing up for Justice and Human Rights

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, it is my understanding that Ms Emma Garo, the Honiara Chief Magistrate, has been honoured by the United States Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, H.E. Catherine Ebert Gray, with this year’s ‘Women of Courage Award in recognition of Ms Garo’s work in standing up for justice, human rights, constitutional reform and the rule of law, often disregarding any personal or professional risk.

I congratulate and salute you, Ms Garo.

Sincerely

Frank Short

New water fee

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED SASAKO

THOUSANDS of customers of Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) trading as Solomon Water have been dealt a double whammy – an extra bill to pay in the event their accounts are disconnected and forefeiture of their initial deposit.

Apart from settling their arrears and reconnection fee, defaulters will now be required to put down a house deposit fee, according to documents sighted by Island Sun.

House deposit once upon a time only applied to new connections.

Now it appears that once an account is disconnected, the account holder has to pay a new house deposit, besides arrears and reconnection fee.

In one case sighted by Island Sun, the existing customer was told to pay $1,010 (one thousand and ten dollars) in new house deposit charge before his account could be reconnected.

The new charge has prompted a former Honiara City Councillor, Charles Lesimaoma, to demand an explanation from the Solomon Water management, saying such a huge outlay is not justified.

“The Management of Solomon Water needs to explain to its customers why it is putting extra financial burden, especially on families, who are struggling to get by,” Mr Lesimaoma said.

“The Management needs to explain this new charge.”

Lesimaoma said the new connection and reconnection fees are fair, but certainly not the new house deposit charge, when you are disconnected.

Island Sun was unable to get a comment by Solomon Water on Tuesday.

12 days to go

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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2017 TSL Champions Solomon Warriors FC.

Telekom S-League to kick off new season next weekend

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE new season of the Telekom S-League is less than two weeks away from kick off.

The 2018/19 season will take off July 21 which is next Saturday.

Already the participating teams in the TSL are now hard at preparation.

The eight participating teams are Solomon Warriors, Marist, KOSSA, Henderson Eels, Malaita Kingz, Western United, FC Guadalcanal and Real Kakamora.

Some teams have also taken in new players from other clubs.

Defending champions Warriors have secured the services of national number goalkeeper Philip Mango from Real Kakamora and so as Robert Laua and John Aeta from Marist.

Dennis Ifunaoa and Timothy Maearasia also joined in from Henderson Eels.

Henderson Eels have retained most of their key players from last season and are also eyeing some overseas imports to bolster their squad.

Meanwhile, the TSL participating clubs have been given a July 15 deadline to get registered.

During a press conference held last month, a member of the TSL Board Treasurer Henry Kapu said their board have been discussing ways on how to improve and grow the competition more, saying they are thinking of increasing the prize money for the TSL competition.

“During our recent board meeting we came up with some new thinking. First one is on the gate revenue sharing for each team.

“The custom way regarding this matter is that at the end of the season we sit down with clubs and give their shares from the gate revenues collected that season.

“How we do it is, forty percent goes to the franchise clubs, thirty percent goes to SIFF and then another thirty percent goes to TSL.

“However, the plan we discussed was to share the gate revenues collected amongst the eight clubs on a monthly basis.

“I know some clubs have issues with money so the revenue sharing instead of us giving it to the clubs at the end of the season we’ll give it to them on a monthly basis so it can help clubs manage themselves.

“The other thing we discussed but is waiting to be approved in our next board meeting is to increase the prize money for the competition.

“Now that SIFF has given us financial support plus what we have in our reserve we can probably see this happening for the next TSL season and championship.

“However these will be confirmed later with more details on these matters to be known after our next executive board meeting,” the Treasurer said.

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