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Lanelle wraps up campaign

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

Gizo

THE only female candidate in the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election, Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada, concluded her campaign programme in the constituency on Friday.

Lanelle’s final campaign was held at Gizo’s netball court, where she launched her campaign about three weeks ago.

She now looks set for the by-election polling day next Wednesday. Four other male candidates are contesting the seat.

Lanelle used her final campaign to appeal to the packed Gizo netball court to join her as she prepares for battle.

“Fight with me with respect, dignity and humility,” Lanelle, a resigned school teacher, said.

She said she wanted to complete the work her husband (Jimson) left and to be the voice of the unheard in parliament.

The seat Lanelle is contesting was vacated by Jimson last November on the order of the high court.

The high court found him guilty of bribery during the 2014 national general elections.

Lanelle said as a girl, woman, mother and teacher, she “perfectly understands the needs” of the people.

“I am not interested in politics. I am only interested in good governance and good leadership,” Lanelle said.

A grandmother who also witnessed Lanelle’s final campaign was Gladys Fatiano.

Fatiano told Island Sun Gizo that having Lanelle in parliament will give a fresh perspective to the same old song sung by male MPs.

Fatiano, 62, said Lanelle is a humble and honest lady and teacher who can be a fine leader for them.

“Lanelle is easy to approach. Being a teacher taught her to care for those she looks after,” Fatiano said.

She said having Lanelle as their MP is a dream come true for the women of the constituency.

“This is the time that we, the women, wanted to have a voice parliament. This is our cry. We hope she’ll go through. If not, we’ll do it again. We will never give up our fight to have a woman representing us in parliament,” Fatiano added.

Where’s the cost cutting?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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George Palua.

Permanent Secretary questioned over spending of thousands of dollars on smartphones for committee members

 

By Gary Hatigeva

 

THE Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs, George Palua has been questioned over his approval for the purchase of smartphones for members of the Committee responsible for the country’s independence anniversary celebration in July.

Sources within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) believe this is against the government’s stance to reduce government costs in all line ministries including the Prime Minister’s office (PMO).

“After all the Prime Minister has already decided to cut spending, and this has resulted in officials that are given mobile phone under their contract, to just use credit instead of postpaid.

“Yet, the committee found it reasonable and decided to serve themselves with fancy phones,” sources revealed.

According to insiders, the committee, which Mr Palua also chairs, were each given an S8 smartphone, understandably one of Samsung’s latest models in the market, and this will have costed the ministry thousands of dollars.

“The 2018 Independence Committee under Ministry of Home affairs each received a new Samsung S8 this year? Last year received S7.

“Even some officer working for Home Affairs who aren’t in the committee were given an S7 last year and S8 this year by the PS,” the insider claimed.

However, in an exclusive interview yesterday, PS Palua while admitting to the purchase of the high-cost phones for around 20 members of the Independence Committee, denied any similar incentives given out last year as claimed.

He said the committee had two options, one was for the ministry to fund the credit for members, and another was to buy handsets.

“The committee has decided to go with the option, and I know that it will have some concerns and implications, however, I considered it and I think that it is an appropriate incentive for them to really get on and not waste time, as a communication tool, for when meetings are called they are there.

“And they (members) have given me the assurance that they have to perform, secondly for motivation and incentives, as they are public officers, from PMO, Foreign Affairs, Government House, MID, Culture and Tourism, Home Affairs, Head CC, SICCA, SIBC.

“Every year, it is an organised and national event, and the same people are in the committee, some of them have been in the committee for 10years and others less, so I see this as a responsibility for home affairs ministry to look after.

“And this year been 40 years anniversary there are a lot more responsibilities given to the committee by the ministry and the expectation from the Prime Minister’s office.”

It is understood that a total of $2million was allocated for the hosting of the national event, including other operational costs, and the PS has assured that based on consultations with his ministry officials and staffs, the purchase was within budget, which he also admitted to have been done under the $2million allocation.

But questions were also raised surrounding what justifications there are for the purchase of phones that created what sources described to be unnecessary costs for the government.

“Even as the chair, I did not receive a phone, because the government has already given me one under my contract, but I felt that benefits and incentives as such should not just be given to top government officials.

“These are operational staff. The very people who are doing the work and should therefore be recognised with such incentives or benefits for that matter.

“Yes, it is true these phones, S8 are expensive but these are also senior officers who have been in service for some time.

“After the event is over, these devices as tools, will contribute to their performance within their ministries, and the justification for it, for the benefit in the long term for the officers next year, the same officers will be back again.”

Meanwhile, Palua further assured that with the purchase of these costly phones, the Ministry does not pay for their (members) credits, just the handsets given, and that there is also a trade-off when considering this option.

He said following his consideration of the proposed items, he has promised to have the committee’s sitting allowance reviewed to a bare minimum as part of the trade-off for the expensive phones, which the PS said members have no issues with, “and Telekom has promised a discount for these products”.

PM Hou applauds Japan’s infrastructure initiative

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Hou meets Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before the bilateral meeting.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has welcomed Japan’s initiative for connectivity through quality infrastructure in the Pacific region.

Speaking during the PALM 8 Leaders’ Summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Houenipwela said connectivity in infrastructure is vital for the country.

However, the Prime Minister has highlighted that climate change challenges remains an existential threat to the Pacific Islands and Solomon Islands, and it is already negatively impacting the region.

He said extreme weather events are reversing our development efforts, undermining food production, and taking away lives.

“We have lost 6 atoll islands due to climate change and sea level rise,” he said.

PM welcomed and greeted by Iwaki Governor

He also conveyed that the increasing ambition of the Paris Agreement to put us on a path of well below 1.5 degree Celsius is pivotal to our survival.

Prime Minister Houenipwela also emphasised the need for global partnership in support of the Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility in line with globally agreed targets, and subsequent streaming of access to these funding mechanisms.

“Thank you, Japan for support towards the Green Fund. Solomon Islands is already benefiting from the fund in the development of the Tina Hydro project, a cross cutting project that addresses mitigation of emissions from diesel generators while providing more efficient and affordable energy to our capital city, Honiara,” he said.

On the economic dimension of sustainable development, the Prime Minister informed PALM 8 Summit that Solomon Islands will look to proactively increase its economic potential in the tourism sector.

“Our partnership with Japan on this will be a feature. Our Ministry of Culture and Tourism in partnership with the Honorary Consul of Solomon Islands in Japan opened the Solomon Islands Tourism Office – Japan (SITO-J). Through the Solomon Islands Tourism Office – Japan and SIG will look to strategically create the awareness of Solomon Islands to the trade and consumer markets in Japan,” he said.

He also informed that Solomon Islands will be joining other small islands in the Pacific, including Samoa and Vanuatu in graduating from the least developed country status having met the criteria for graduation set by the UNGA.

PM Hou meets Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before the bilateral meeting.

As such, Prime Minister Houenipwela acknowledged Japan’s continued support to countries in the Pacific that have recently graduated or are about to graduate.

“We have to ensure that our countries don’t slide back to least developed country status,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the cultural dimension of sustainable development, the Prime Minister said Solomon Islands and other PIF members are looking to strengthen the very basis of their own sustainable development by seriously taking into account their specific and unique cultural dimensions.

These cultural dimensions will include the consideration of policies, formulation of plans and the implementation of sustainable development programs.

“One in which sustainable development has a working rationale in which it stipulates that the interdependence of economic, intellectual, political, environmental and cultural dimensions must be considered together in the making of policies and plans for the future of Solomon Islands and its people,” he said.

–OPMC PRESS

Graduates trained for management level

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SITCO’s General Manager, Shusendra Singh introducing the first three intakes

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

SITCO’s General Manager, Shusendra Singh introducing the first three intakes

AN intern programme for new graduates has been launched by the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company (SITCo) at the Business after five (BA5) event hosted by the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).

The aim of the internship program is to provide new graduates with valuable on-job training and experience to kick-start their professional careers.

The intern programme of is for six months.

At the end of the six month intern programme, interns who do well will be given preference for future job opportunities becoming available at management level.

During the BA5 event, three interns had been introduced to the guests attending the BA5.

The interns will be attached to the Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Operations Departments. They will also interact with global British American Tobacco family.

“It will be an unforgettable internship journey,” says SITCO’s General Manager, Shusendra Singh.

The internship program is designed for fresh university graduates who have just finished or about to finish their studies.

Through the internship program, SITCo aims to recruit and prepare the best available talents for entry-level management future roles.

ACOM’s decade of evangelism and renewal 2017 to 2027 re-launched

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Archbishop Josiah (first on left) and Rev.Canon John (2nd from left) with Fr. Nigel ACOM Mission Secretary and Br.Bako Head Brother Melanesian Brotherhood. Photo taken by Alphonse Garimae during their visit to Tabalia, HeadQU

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

 

Archbishop Josiah (first on left) and Rev.Canon John (2nd from left) with Fr. Nigel ACOM Mission Secretary and Br.Bako Head Brother Melanesian Brotherhood. Photo taken by Alphonse Garimae during their visit to Tabalia, HeadQU

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) has relaunched its Decade plan last night. As the Church continues to develop, constant re-evaluation is needed to re-look into the life, growth and journey of the church.

ACOM says that this is to see where it has fallen short of its mission. With the theme ‘Vision of an emerging church: building a new community of God’s people in the Anglican Church of Melanesia’, this vision provides a theological premise and platform for reflection that will help towards the discernment of a prophetic description, as well as towards building the ‘new emerging church’, which God wants.

ACOM’s media office reports that this Decade of Evangelism and Renewal is ACOM’s response to the call by the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC16) in its meeting held in April 2016, in Lusaka, Zambia, to bring healing, hope and renewal in the Church and towards “advancing discipleship in a broken world within the Anglican Communion”.

“It is a call for ACOM congregations to actively engage in the proclamation of the Good News of God’s Kingdom to the world, and to become more mature in their love of God through their faith in Jesus Christ”.

The overall goal of the Re-launching of the Decade of the Decade Plan is to renew and revitalize the mission and ministry of the Church through: Renewing and strengthening all members of ACOM to become more committed with time, money, manpower, knowledge, wisdom, courage, strength, understanding, patience, humility and our earthly possessions and properties for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

ACOM media office says all members of the church are encouraged to be active participators during this Decade of Evangelism and Renewal and not just mere spectators.

Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are being rallied to take up the call to evangelise and renew their homes, families, tribes, communities, churches, suburbs, towns and cities, islands, provinces and nations.

The ACOM media office says they must make sure that people in the pew become more adept at articulating what has been poorly understood in the past and develop new insights and be able to participate fully and effectively in the overall evangelism ministry in this Decade of Evangelism and Renewal.

“The church is at a ‘crossroad’ today where it must make a conscious decision to adapt, change and become relevant, dynamic and alive, to make the church become an avenue for nurturing faith equipping and empowering people for mission work in Anglican Church today”, the statement from the ACOM media office says.

The blessing of the Decade Plan was done by the Bishop of the Diocese of Guadalcanal the Right Rev Nathan Tome at St Barnabas Cathedral yesterday morning.

The Re launching took place at Lawson Tama Stadium last night.

Rev Canon John Kafwanka, Director for Mission in the Anglican Communion was the guest speaker.

Solomon Water celebrates 25th Anniversary

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification Jeffrey Deve, left, Chairman of Solomon Water, Phil Bradford, and officials attending Solomon Water’s 25th Anniversary. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification Jeffrey Deve, left, Chairman of Solomon Water, Phil Bradford, and officials attending Solomon Water’s 25th Anniversary. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

SOLOMON Water (SW) had celebrated its 25th Anniversary last week.

Despite approaching a state of collapse early 2000 leading to 2010, Chairman of Solomon Water Phil Bradford assured they are now standing on their feet.

Political instability, poor governance, lack of investment in infrastructure and poor organisational capacity nearly plunged Solomon Water into bankruptcy,

In 2010, the government of Solomon Islands intervened to stabilize the company and assist its performance.

A bilateral agreement between the Government of Solomon Islands and Australia was established in 2011 to improve the economic infrastructure of Solomon Water and it began the long road to recovery.

Under the recovery and action plan program which also included further JICA support, the quality of water supply has improved in the country.

“We’ve got a good future, 8 years ago we had Board members being actually scared as it was a bankrupt institution. We are certainly not in that position now but we’ve got a long way to go,” reminded Bradford.

“We are making small profits each year, we are starting to do some of our own upgrades but we still need our donors. We recognise and acknowledge the efforts of both JICA and DFAT because without them, we could have not gone far from where we are today.”

“When I came and took over we were losing over a million dollars a month, but now we are starting to make profits. 2013 was 70 Million and by 2017, we have made a hundred million. It is not a lot of money in some people’s minds but every single penny we can afford has been reinvested in many ways.”

Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification Jeffrey Deve praised Solomon Water despite facing many challenges and difficulties, through their management they have managed to turn around since 2010.

He said significant changes has resulted financial stability.

He added that the turnaround in performance by SW over recent years were made possible by support from development partners in which he acknowledged ADB, DFAT and JICA who helped enable SW to revitalize.

“We assure you of our continuous government support,” reminded the PS.

The General Manager for SW Mr Ian Gooding during the celebration thanked his Staff for their continuous hard work.

“I am very proud, I appreciate the commitment and dedication, I thank the government and donors support and I also thank our Board of Directors,” said Gooding.

SW working hard to tackle water stealing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Water’s (SW) General Manager Ian Gooding said they still lose 25 percent of water through people stealing.

For this, SW’s General Manager does not rule out the fact that they still need to do a lot in the water management.

“That is to stop people from doing illegal connections. We’ve got almost 10, 000 connections in which obviously it is a lot of work to go through the areas where illegal connections are but we are working on that,” said Gooding.

He elaborated in sharing also to Island Sun that for years 2018-2019, they are going to make extra resource and energy into what they call non revenue water.

“The other part is fixing the leaks because we lose a lot of water through leaks as well,” said Gooding

City’s youth platform launches new official logo

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Girls from the Hasi uria dianala youth group picture expressed their excitement in a photo shop saying this is a milestone achievement for HYC and Youths.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

HONIARA Youth Council (HYC) has officially launched its official logo during the conclusion of a youth orientation workshop last week.

Amongst the youth councils across the provinces, HYC was the first youth-led organisation in Solomon Islands to have a logo and a legitimate body which is still active.

Official launching of HYC’s logo is described as a milestone achievement which signified collective ideas and strong support from partners and young people in Honiara.

Young people proudly smile in the picture with the HYC’s new logo

HYC President Mr Harry James Olikwailafa in his remarks said for HYC to have its own logo marked another milestone of its journey to become recognised and gain visibility.

He said HYC is a legitimate official platform of young people in Honiara City, so having the logo will help its visibility and branding of their work to advocate for youths’ issues.

With the achievement, Olikwailafa acknowledged its partners saying HYC believe and value their collective supports which set as foundation for youth development work within Honiara.

Girls from the Hasi uria dianala youth group picture expressed their excitement in a photo shop saying this is a milestone achievement for HYC and Youths.

HCC-Youth Development Officer, Mrs Mary Tuhaika said it’s about right time that HYC have its own logo for its identification and visibility among stakeholders and young people.

She said HYC having an official logo is important for portraying information to public that there is a legal entity which represents young people in Honiara.

Tuhaika said HCC was very happy to see the growth of HYC, from one man team; now they have a very vibrant board which are proactive with its activities.

She thanked the Queens Young Leadership Award through Comic Relief and through Oxfam Solomon Islands to engage with HYC and youths in Honiara.

Representative from partners and community youth groups in group photo to cut the ribbon as official launching of the HYC’s official logo

At the event, community youth groups were excited and thrilled saying for HYC to have an official logo will be effective for campaign, awareness and advocacy activities to channel youth’s concern.

The logo was designed by Lemuel Steve Rauona, who is a president for CY and HYC executive member.

The event has convened Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Honiara City Council, DSE, representatives from New Zealand and community youth groups.

HYC acknowledged HCC-YD and DSE for facilitating the designer of the logo and other administration matters relate to the event.

The HYC is a youth governing body that represent the voice of young people in the Honiara City to provincial and national government.

It was formed in 2012 with support from the HCC-Youth Division, MWYCFA and other donor partners.

Group photo of community youth groups and its stakeholders during the launch ceremony at the OG conference room, Kukum

PM Hou supports Japan’s candidate for WHO director

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO IN JAPAN

PRIME Minster Rick Houenipwela has strongly supported Japan’s candidate for the World Health Organisation regional director post.

This was highlighted during his bilateral meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Iwaki, Fukusima in Japan over the weekend.

“I like to again reassure you to know Solomon Islands strongly support Japan’s candidates for World Health Organisation (WHO) religion director position, the international candidate,” he said.

“Apart from that we also strongly support Japanese bid for the expo 2025.”

Further discussions have been made including to confirm cooperation on following up PALM8, to further strengthened partnership between Japan and the Solomon Islands including cooperation for realising “Free and open Indo –Pacific Strategy”, requested cooperation relating to stable operations by Japanese fishing vessels and the project to recover the remains of Japanese soldiers and confirmed cooperation on the regional situation and in the international arena including North Korea.

$5K to enter

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Parliament

Candidate fee for national general election jumps by 40 percent

 

By Alfred Sasako

CANDIDATE’S fee for contesting the national general election next year is set to jump to $5,000, a 40 percent increase on the current fee, the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has revealed.

“Yes, the new fee for a candidate contesting the election will be $5,000,” Island Sun was told last week.

“The current fee for a candidate contesting election is $2,000,” the Electoral Commission said, adding this would increase by $3,000 on the current fee. The Commission described the proposed fee as “a policy choice of our leaders.”

The Commission said the proposed fee is prescribed in the Electoral Bill 2018, which could become law once Parliament passed it in July this year. The Bill is the second on the Government’s legislative program for the July sitting of Parliament.

The Electoral Commission has also given a birds’ eye view on what to expect as the countdown to the 2019 National General Election has gone underway.

Next year’s National General Election is expected to be held either next February or next March at the latest.

“Despite Parliament dissolution on December 17, 2018, the proclamation notice for the General Election by the Governor General will be issued after New Year.

“This is because the count-down to the polling day, by law, is dictated by the date of the proclamation notice. Although we want the Governor General to issue the proclamation notice after Near Year celebration, he must do so no later than 15 January,” the Electoral Commission said in response to written questions raised by Island Sun.

“If therefore the Electoral Bill 2018 is passed, and the GG made the proclamation by 15th January (for example) the earliest polling day for General Election would be 13th March 2019 (after 56 days from date of proclamation notice).

“If the new Electoral Bill is not passed the earliest polling day would be 27th February 2019 (after 42 days from proclamation notice),” the Commission said.

Meanwhile the Electoral Commission has confirmed that its proposed roll out date for voter registration would be July 27, 2018.

But it warned the proposed roll out might be delayed by two weeks “depending on the arrival of the batteries for the computers to be used by registration officials”.

The Commission said it had been advised that no airlines were able to fly the batteries over to Solomon Islands. As a result the batteries are being shipped to Honiara and are expected to arrive during the second half of July this year.

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