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Positive growth for visitor arrivals in April

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

INTERNATIONAL visitation to Solomon Islands has shown double digit growth for the fourth month in a row, it is reported.

The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) this week revealed that international visitation for April 2018 increased by 11.8 percent over the corresponding month in 2017.

Figures SINSO released highlighted that 2,250 total of international visitation showed an increase of 237 over the 2,013 achieved in April 2017.

Australian visitor arrivals continues to dominate as the major source of marketing with a climbing 13 percentage from 2,689 to 3,038.

New Zealand figures increased 17 percent from 443 to 519.

Papua New Guinea figures increased from 377 to 492, an increase of 30.5 percent while US figures grew 19 percent from 341 to 409.

Interestingly, this year Japan visitation to Solomon Islands has climbed by 40 percent from 207 to 290, which shows potential of country’s market to Asia region.

With the Japanese’s positive result, CEO for the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto attributed to renewed interest in the destination following on from the 75th anniversary of the Guadalcanal campaign last August.

European traffic also continued to build with 338 total recorded representing a 48.9 percent increase over the 227 figure achieved in 2017, according to the Global Travel Industry News.

The Global Travel Industry News also adds April result follows the destination’s best-ever first quarter result with collective visitor arrivals for Q1 2018 up 29 percent.

Solomon Islands is a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of 28,400 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi).

Fear in Western province over rhinoceros beetle

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
One of the coconut tree infested by Rhinoceros beetle close to the Wesleyan Methodist Church area in Gizo. PHOTO BY PAGEPITU ALFRED

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO

One of the coconut tree infested by Rhinoceros beetle close to the Wesleyan Methodist Church area in Gizo. PHOTO BY PAGEPITU ALFRED

SIGHTINGS of the deadly rhinoceros beetle has caused alarm for people in Western province for fear of their coconut plantations and copra business.

A Mr Andrew Koke said that their coconut trees are infested by the beetle.

“There is a growing threat for the coconut tree industry if the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle intensifies and remains untreated in the province.

“People of Ranonga, Vella la Vella, Gizo, Simbo, Kolombangara, Vona vona, Roviana, Marovo Lagoon and as far from Shortland Islands are now worried because coconut tree is really important to the people and one of the main income sources in the province.”

Another concerned resident Mr Moses calls on responsible authorities for help in eradicating the pest from the province.

He reinforces the call for quick action before the beetle spreads to extensive levels which would prove ‘very difficult’ to address.

When contacted Gizo Bio-security Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of the Western province said that they have received reports on the matter and they are working on it by installing traps close to the affected coconut trees.

MID clarifies MACFest vehicle fleet

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PS Andrew Nihopara

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has clarified that the fleet of brand new cars given to the committee of the Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest), are a matter under the MID and not the Culture Ministry to answer.

The clarification came following publicities in local online forum on Facebook, Yumi Tok Tok, and local mainstream media, where a series of questions were raised regarding the fleet, some of which alleged that the committee gotten them with funds allocated for the running of the festival.

But prior to MID’s clarification, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Andrew Nihopara also clarified the circumstances and status of the fleet.

Nihopara clarified that those vehicles (Brand new) were never bought with the MACFEST Budget under his Ministry, but were purchasing activities done under the MID program and budget, which were already allocated to respective Ministries for use.

He further clarified that the committee had only requested that they use those vehicles for MACFEST first before they are released to the respective ministries by MID, a move the local Forum described as a clever approach from the MACFest Chair.

Meanwhile, the Yumi Tok Tok forum on Monday published a clarification from someone within the MID who agreed with explanations from the MACFest Chair over the status of the vehicles currently parked at the National Museum.

Following the Yumi Tok Tok revelation, Island Sun also got from MID officials who confirmed that the headlined vehicles were purchased under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) in their 2017 budget from Ela Motors.

Discussions within the forum also received questions, as to why the new fleet of vehicles when the country is face with a cash flow situation and a negative economic status, but ministry officials explained that based on these concerns, the Yumi Tok Tok forum source was right to state that some government ministries are in need of vehicles for official use.

They however added that this is to also cut down on the issue of hiring of vehicles, which have become costly and unnecessary in many aspects.

This clarification also goes in line with earlier explanations from the Yumi Tok Tok forum, whose source stated that there are certain ministries currently in need of new vehicles, and that some of them are currently hiring vehicles.

Officials further added that the reports in the both the mainstream and online media, were right about the fact that vehicles have been allocated to Ministries that are in need of vehicles to carry out their work, but reassured that not for all ministries.

It was also reported that the six new vehicles highlighted, are valued at more than $200,000 each, estimated at a total of around $1.2 million were bought from Ela Motors, as one of the country’s leading car dealers.

The forum further added in its report their source also revealed that MID took quotes from three leading car dealers, and Ela Motors was the cheapest with a reputable backup service as one of the conditions.

The vehicles according to MID officials confirmations, were given as part of the ministry’s contribution towards the hosting of the Melanesian event, something the MACFest Chair said, will mostly be used to transport officials from participating nations during the festival.

The Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival will run from July 1 and coincides with Solomon Islands 40th Anniversary Day, and the vehicles will be delivered to the Ministries who have already been identified after the festival.

2 juveniles arrested on unlawful wounding

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

POLICE at Tulagi in Central province have arrested and charged two male juveniles on June 18, 2018 for alleged unlawful wounding following a stabbing incident at Burungia Village on Small Ngella.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “It was alleged that on May 20, 2018 the alleged suspects had an argument with the victim whom they claimed had an affair with their sister. It was alleged the victim was then stabbed with a scissor that landed below the victim’s right armpit.

“The matter was reported to police in Tulagi on May 24, 2018. However, the suspects were on the run until they were finally arrested on June 18, 2018 as a result of the support given to police by the suspects’ parent.

“I wish to remind all good people of Central Province not to take the law into your own hands. There is always a way to resolve problems in a peaceful manner. I would also like to sincerely thank the families of the suspects for assisting my officers.

“I would also like to thank my hard working officers who responded to the report regardless of the bad weather experienced.”

Both suspects will appear at the Tulagi Magistrates Court on July 16, 2018.

–POLICE MEDIA

2 juveniles arrested on unlawful wounding

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

POLICE at Tulagi in Central province have arrested and charged two male juveniles on June 18, 2018 for alleged unlawful wounding following a stabbing incident at Burungia Village on Small Ngella.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “It was alleged that on May 20, 2018 the alleged suspects had an argument with the victim whom they claimed had an affair with their sister. It was alleged the victim was then stabbed with a scissor that landed below the victim’s right armpit.

“The matter was reported to police in Tulagi on May 24, 2018. However, the suspects were on the run until they were finally arrested on June 18, 2018 as a result of the support given to police by the suspects’ parent.

“I wish to remind all good people of Central Province not to take the law into your own hands. There is always a way to resolve problems in a peaceful manner. I would also like to sincerely thank the families of the suspects for assisting my officers.

“I would also like to thank my hard working officers who responded to the report regardless of the bad weather experienced.”

Both suspects will appear at the Tulagi Magistrates Court on July 16, 2018.

–POLICE MEDIA

PS calls for audit of Western province finances  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PS Jeffery Wickham

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO

THE provincial secretary of the Western province has called for an immediate audit of the province’s finances.

Jeffery Wickham, while congratulating the newly elected and returning MPAs, said the time is ripe for an audit of the Western province’s coffers – before a new government is established.

He said he believes funds have been misused and that the only way to find out is to carry out a financial check and balance of the province.

“The past government has disallowed the PS not to sit in the full executive meetings for a full year so the time has come for a clean government.

“No wonder the PS has never been allowed to sign provincial cheques when the Financial Management Ordinance (FMO) clearly states who should sign,” he said.

He posted on social media that the people of Western province deserve better.

He adds, “I hope the new government will abide by the rules and comply, to be honest and passionate about what is best for the province.”

Meanwhile, Wickham said elected MPAs of Western province will take their oath sometime this week.

LSL not allowed to set foot on Russell islands: Sevev land trust board

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

THE Chairman of the Sevev Land Trust Board, Leslie Norris, has written to Lever Solomon Ltd, warning it is no longer allowed to enter or claim any Fixed Term Estates (FTEs) on Russell Islands.

Mr Norris warned that failure to comply would amount to criminal trespass, incurring charges.

Mr Norris’s letter follows a similar letter, which the Registrar of Titles has written to Lever Solomon Ltd. In it, the Registrar’s Office advised LSL of “Note of Re-entry by Sevev Land Trust Board (Incorporated) has been entered on 13 FTEs Register.

These FTEs are: 165-002-121, 165-002-123, 177-003-2 177-003-3, 177-003-6, 177-004-2, 177-004-3, 177-005-1, 177-006-1, 177-006-3, 177-006-4, 178-001-1 and 178-002-1

“Please be advised that by virtue of the Registrar’s entry of Sevev Land Trust Board’s re-entry dated 13th June 2018, your FTEs on Russell Islands had been forfeited according to law and as such you no longer have any claims of ownership of Russell Islands,” Mr Norris said in the letter dated 18th June 2018.

The one-page letter was addressed to the Manager of Lever Solomons Ltd, said.

“This is a notice to convey to you, and your agents, including your Lavukal Trust Board shareholders that you are not allowed to enter Russell Islands without the consent or permission of Sevev Land Trust Board.

“Failure to comply with this notice will amount to criminal trespass and you will be charged accordingly,” the letter said.

But the Chairman of Russell Islands Plantation Estates Ltd (RIPEL), Patrick Wong told Island Sun earlier this week that the ownership claim was “a dream.

“… the FTE titles remain in the name of Lever Solomons Limited,” Mr Wong said.

MFMR highlights fisheries opportunities

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ACCORDING to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), there are emerging opportunities that the ministry can exploit to increase revenue collection for the government and trigger community fisheries livelihood related enterprises.

The above was stated in MFMR’s Business Plan (2018-2023), a document supported by their Communication Strategy (2018-2020) which were both launched this month.

Speaking of opportunities, the ministry said they are linked to Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), increased domestication of Solomon Islands tuna fishery, processing and operations and commercialisation of economically viable and sustainable aquaculture.

Some of the specific opportunities under the above initiatives outlined by MFMR are; PNA promotion of free school tuna fishery in the region under its MSC certification, PNA initiated VDS for purse seine and long line gear vessels, contracting of Solomon Islands Observers to any reputable providers of international fishery observers’ services and to lead the national onshore processing project at Bina Harbour with the inclusion of private partnerships to support its development.

In the business plan, the ministry explains that they have in recent years been focussing on efforts to manage, develop and ensure that the country generates sustainable benefits from its offshore related fishing operations, particularly, commercial tuna fishery.

MFMR mentioned that it also recognises the social benefit and value of inshore domestic and export-led market fisheries and is aspiring to accelerate efforts to secure those fisheries and enable sustainable inshore related commercial activities.

“This aspiration is evidenced by the building of Constituency Fisheries Centres and increased emphasis on aquaculture development,” said MFMR.

The ministry furthered that donor support will be needed to meet some of the aspirations for capital investments in infrastructure.

Focus to develop different attractions on tourism

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said Solomon Islands in terms of its tourism competency will have to develop some kind of attractions that are different.

One area they talked about during his recent visits to Australia and New Zealand was the country’s diverse cultures.

This is to develop Solomon Islands diverse culture as a product.

The PM explained that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is actually working on this now plus the Visitors Bureau Office.

“The idea the ministry is working on is to establish a cruise ship domestically in the country, purposely for tourists to travel in these boats taking five days or nights out before returning to the capital to leave the country,” said the PM.

“Destinations travelling to will be locations such as at Makira, Ngella and other provinces where activities promote the country’s diverse cultures.”

Of course the PM said the other market area is diving being a product Solomon Islands is good with.

‘Half-cooked law risk’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Guadalcanal province raises concern over traditional governance bill

GUADALCANAL provincial government and stakeholders are concerned with the consultation programme being carried out by the ministry of peace (MNURP) on the traditional governance bill (TGB).

Guadalcanal stakeholders include Guadalcanal representative at the Constitutional Reform Unit (CRU) within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), the Eminent Persons Advisory Council (EPAC) and Constitutional Congress (CC) members together with the Guadalcanal Province Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Restoration Association (GPPCRRA).

and the Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) have decided to issue a joint statement as a matter of concern over the consultation programme on the Traditional Governance Bill (TGB) currently conducted by the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP).

In a joint media statement yesterday, they expressed concern regarding the timing of the consultation exercise and the potentials of the outcome of the exercise to derail the much-anticipated introduction and passage of the Federal System of Governance.

The group sees the constitutional reform exercise within the OPMC, as a national much-desired major reform in the country that is long overdue.

The reform has been supported by successive governments in the creation of the CRU and the facilitation of the EPAC and CC members for the drafting of the federal constitution.

Representatives of the EPAC and CC members questioned the very short timing of the processes the bill involved from consultation to the legislative stages before ascending to become an Act.

They believe the TG bill will need years for repeated consultations and public awareness and comments from different sectors of the society.

“It is a massive amount of task and we cannot develop a one-size-fit all framework on traditional governance in Solomon Islands overnight.

“The exercise therefore could be a well-orchestrated move by the Kandere Party for their political convenience at the expense of public funds.

“With the clock ticking before the next General Election, it seems as we are going to have a bill that is rushed and should it happened to be passed, it shall be yet another half-cooked legislation.”

The major concern the joint statement wishes to highlight is the potential for TGB to derail the much-anticipated passage of the draft federal constitution since it is now at its final stage ready to be handed to the government.

“It seems that the government is saying one thing but is doing the opposite. We are confused and must send a strong warning to the government.

“The need to recognise and strengthen our traditional leaders is accommodated in the Federal Constitution in the community government sphere of the federal system.

“Therefore if the government and Kandere party are serious, they simply need to pass the Federal Constitution and let the traditional governance tier born out of our home grown Constitution instead of another stand-alone Act of parliament.

“The current exercise by the MNURP is a duplication of exercises the Constitutional Reform Unit with the EPAC and CC members are already conducting hence a waste of public funds.”

A representative from GPPCRRA noted that any political move to derail the passage of the Federal Constitution will be met with resistance.

‘’The Federal System of Governance is what we struggled for, we hunger, shed our blood and tears for it. Our women and children suffer for the cause. We cannot wait any longer and entertain anymore delaying tactics,” the representative said.

Meanwhile the Guadalcanal provincial assembly, Premier and current GP-executive government maintained its unwavering position for the implementation of the Federal System of governance.

That position has never changed since day one.

The provincial government position since the Buala Communique and then the Townsville Peace Agreement and then the Honiara Communique has been the same.

“We are for the wishes of the People of Guadalcanal and that is for the attainment of the Federal system of governance. We do not understand why the MNURP is now doing the consultation on the TG bill as if MNURP is attempting to strengthen the current unitary system.

“The Constitutional Reform Unit the CC and EPAC members, had already made a lot of wider consultations on the Federal Constitution around the country and with University students around the region.

“The nation and the people have spoken. Our Chiefs and traditional and community leaders are now waiting for the coming of the Federal system of governance.

“The current consultation of the TG bill on the same issue will only get our communities confused, agitated and suspicious about the national governments real intentions.

“With that, the GP team is prepared to adopt and implement the federal system of governance at any point of time.

“Thus any further delays at this time is unwelcomed and is unacceptable as far as Guadalcanal Province and its people is concerned.”

The statement concludes that to do justice to the wishes of Guadalcanal people and Solomon Islands, the government must halt the expensive traditional governance consultation exercise and prepare for the implementation and smooth passage on the Draft Federal Constitution with which traditional governance has been provided for therein and is born from the home grown constitution.

–G-PROVINCE PRESS

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