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Inquiry on couple’s death continues in court

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE inquiry into the death of a couple at the Mbumburu area in 2016 is continuing in the Honiara Magistrate Court before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.

Yesterday a police officer gave evidence before the Coroner in relation to a phone conversation.

The hearing has been conducted since March and several witnesses have been called to give their evidence before the coroner. The hearing was adjourned and then continued on Monday this week.

The inquiry was conducted to establish the cause of death for the deceased couple.

This is in relation to the case where a couple were found dead at their home in November 2016.

Police were called to the scene and retrieved the bodies of the couple and transported the bodies to the National Referral Hospital.

On the day of incidence, residents of Mbumburu were shocked at the sad news and gathered along the road as police entered the house to carry out initial investigations and also to retrieve the bodies.

Reports stated that residents close to the house where the two deceased had lived were not aware of the tragic death.

However, curiosity arose when they realised that the house was quieter than usual and the fact that an unusually large number of flies were circulating the house, battering the windows.

It was then that the neighbours kicked down the locked doors and were met by a foul smell coming from inside that they called the police.

‘We are not your ATM’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Taiwan flag

Taiwanese legislators react to Solomon Islands’ endless financial requests

 

BY ALFRED SASAKO

TIRED of Honiara’s never-ending requests for financial assistance, Taiwanese legislators have reacted angrily to news that Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela has secured NT$900 million from Taiwan in support of Solomon Islands hosting the 2023 South Pacific Games.

“Solomon Islands should not be treating Taiwan like an ATM [Automatic Teller Machine],” the angry legislators reportedly said.

The Presidential Office has agreed to the request, according to Taiwan’s Formosa EnglishNews.

The agreement allegedly triggered an avalanche of protests from legislators who said Solomon Islands should not treat Taiwan like an ATM.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has defended the agreement, saying the payment should not be seen as “monetary aid, but rather a part of the two countries’ long-term, mutually beneficial alliance”.

The Ministry pointed out that as a faithful ally, Taiwan has already been contributing to the Games’ planning, design and location scouting.

It is not clear whether the new funding is additional to Taipei’s budgetary aid assistance to Solomon Islands.

It is also not clear whether it could impact on Taiwan’s current aid programme which stands at more than SBD100 million in untied aid a year.

Many have blamed Taiwan’s free funding as a source of corruption in Solomon Islands, particularly the use of the money by politicians.

Taiwan has recently taken steps to address the concern by withholding payments of the infamous RCDF grants to constituencies that do not acquit their shares.

In Taipei last week, Prime Minister Hou told a lunchtime banquet held in his honour that Taiwan’s aid to Solomon Islands over the last 40 years has led to new technological innovations in agriculture and other sectors.

“We are pleased that development aid to Solomon Islands over the last four decades has led to new technological innovations in our agriculture fruit trees, vegetables, crop and poultry and pig-farming; and introduction of green energy to rural villages.

“Other assistance programmes in strengthening health and medical services delivery capacity, tertiary education; cooperation in meteorology data system management, climate change and disaster prediction systems installation and training continue to be implemented.

“The benefits these different programmes created for the people and the country can be seen across the different sectors, and their impact felt with varying intensity within individual households, communities and the wider government circles,” Prime Minister Hou said.

A historic election win and a boost for gender equality

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, following a reported overwhelming turnout for the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election last week, the poll closed with a landslide victory for Mrs Lanelle Tanagada, a former teacher and the holder of a Masters degree from Waikato University in New Zealand.

Mrs Tangada won by a 987 majority from the 2580 votes that had been cast.

Her historic win means she is the fourth women in the history of this country to enter parliament.

The current parliament will now have two female MPs. The other current female MP being the Hon. Freda Tuki of Temotu Vatud.

The win by Mrs Tanagada has been described as a sweet victory for women in the Solomon Islands.

In 2009 Florence Naesol then the Deputy Clerk to the National Parliament, said “Women taking up senior positions in the Public Service are becoming acceptable among us and I’m seeing a brighter future with Solomon Islands women assuming leadership roles in government”

I too, over the years, have witnessed seeing the value of women’s increasing participation in decision making processes in the public service and across the broader areas of life in the Solomon Islands.

Clearly, from Mrs. Tanagada’s election victory attitudes towards women’s in the electoral role are changing, albeit still too slowly, but nevertheless I see change is on the way.

Some commentators have already said the victory is about advancing women in leadership and gender equality.

Another voiced the option that Mrs Tanagada’s win was a huge victory because the silent majority had spoken.

Mrs Tanaganda will be sworn in as a new MP soon.

I believe all will wish Mrs Tanaganda success in her parliamentary role.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

SICCI briefed on national security policy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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National Security policy team with the SICCI staff after the consultation

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

National Security policy team with the SICCI staff after the consultation

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) were briefed on the proposed National Security Policy which the Government is developing for the country.

Consultant National Security Policy, Mr Bernard Bata’anisia informed SICCI that the proposed policy is important for Solomon Islands’ security.

He said the policy would help the country devise strategies and mechanisms to address many security challenges confronting the country, especially for the security outlook for business environment in the country.

He added, since independence Solomon Islands did not have a national security policy in place and such made the country vulnerable to sorts of security challenges, both internal and external.

Bata’anisia also said Solomon Islands also encountered threats to its national interest, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Another important issue in the policy framework discussion and debate is how we manage and effectively coordinate our two international maritime borders with Papua New Guinea in the north bothering Western, Choiseul and Malaita provinces and Vanuatu in the eastern bordering Temotu province.

“It is therefore important that we consult widely and listen to the views and aspirations of all stake holders in the country, including SICCI, so that collectively we could address our border and security challenges in a more effective, coherent and coordinated way, to ensure the country is safe and secured as well our citizens and resources,” Bata’anisia said.

SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Dennis Meone welcomes the opportunity.

“From a business perspective, it is important that we work together to collectively address our security challenges in the country so as to create a peaceful and safe environment for business to operate.”

The presentation to SICCI is part of the National Security Policy wider consultation with all stakeholders in the country and with a view of presenting the final report to Cabinet by end of October or early November this year.

The team earlier on Thursday last week held consultations with the Honiara City Council.

Dialogue for women provincial leaders underway

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Group photo of the participants attending the dialogue workshop for provincial women leaders from the GP, Malaita and Western provinces.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

INFLUENTIAL women leaders from Malaita, Guadalcanal and Western provinces are in Honiara for a two-day dialogue workshop to empower women’s leadership and peacebuilding issues.

The workshop started on Monday at the Mendana Hotel.

More than 30 participants are attending the workshop which is organised by the UN Women, UNDP and Women’s Development Division of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.

Women from Guadalcanal province pose with a MPA for Malaita province Hon Rose Liata.

It is a follow-up session to one which was hosted in early January this year in which the Government, UNDP and UN Women planned efforts on a gender mainstreamed roadmap.

Permanent Secretary for the MWYCFA Dr Cedric Alependava said the dialogue is crucial for women to share ideas, as they are very influential leaders at the provincial level, to push for women’s agendas.

Alependava adds, such dialogue is meant for women to discuss issues of land, corruption and women’s right which are huge challenges to peace and peacebuilding at the provincial and community levels.

He said from this dialogue women will build a provincial women leaders’ strong network to support the provincial councils to implement dialogue actions and promote political participation in decision making and conflict resolutions.

Group photo of the participants attending the dialogue workshop for provincial women leaders from the GP, Malaita
and Western provinces.

“Such women’s caucuses could also contribute to increase women’s engagement in national election process and to monitor the conflict situation to prevent violence and increase security of women at community and provincial level,” Alependava said.

UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager Ms Azusa Kuboto encourages women to participate fully, to discuss issues relating to land, corruption and women’s rights.

The dialogue yesterday was built on an objective with Provincial Women’s Caucus of the Western Province, Malaita and Guadalcanal will;

UNDP Country Manager Ms Azusa Kuboto with women attending the dialogue workshop at the Mendana Hotel.

Advise the respective Provincial Council in the implementation of the National Dialogue resolutions and the National Action Plan on Women’s Equality.

Promote political participation of women in decision-making and conflict resolution.

Report to and conduct regular consultations with the Premier and their office.

Communicate regularly and consult and/or advise UN Women and the Ministry of Women, Youth and Family Affairs on the effective implementation of the NAP.

(Right to left) Member of Provincial Assembly for Malaita Provincce Mrs Rose Liata, UNDP Country Manager Ms
Azusa Kuboto, PS for MWYCFA Dr Cedric Alependava and a staff.
Three women attending the dialogue workshop.

Miss SI to promote menstrual hygiene management in schools

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Miss Solomon Islands, Emily Chan poses with some students who also witnessed the menstrual day on Monday at Maranatha hall.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE reigning Miss Solomon Islands, Ms Emily Chan has reaffirmed commitment to work for women and girls to support and promote Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in every school in the country.

She expressed this yesterday, adding that menstrual hygiene is a fundamental to the dignity and wellbeing of all women and girls in Solomon Islands and globally.

Chan uttered that good menstrual hygiene is crucial for the health, education and dignity of girls and women.

“Hence when girls have adequate information on menstrual hygiene and its management, it empowers them to enhance their self-esteem and positively impacts their overall growth and development,” she said.

Chan said in this regard, education for girls is not only about text books, class rooms, students and teachers.

“It is about the whole physical environment in school that contributes to learning, ensuring that students especially girls have access to proper, well maintained WASH facility, ensuring soap is available, water is available, information is available,” she said.

Miss Solomon Islands, Emily Chan poses with some students who also witnessed the menstrual day on Monday at
Maranatha hall.
Miss Solomon Islands, Emily Chan poses for a group photo with some of the girl students from King George school,
Betikama college and St Nicholas college school during the menstrual hygiene day.

Menstrual hygiene day commemorated

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Invited guests at the menstrual hygiene day on Monday.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Ms. Mamita Bora Thakkar, UNICEF WASH Specialist
making her opening presention.

ON Monday, a packed crowd at Maranatha hall witnessed the occasion of the Menstrual Hygiene Day, which aims to create awareness and leverage action on the issues that impact the health and education of girls.

Speaking on the occasion yesterday, UNICEF WASH specialist Mrs Mamita Bora Thakkar this programme was organised purposely for schools to be aware of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and how best they could provide WASH facilities to help girls manage menstruation with safety and dignity using safe hygienic materials.

She said addressing the issue of menstrual hygiene in Solomon Islands is an issue for adolescent girls for whom MHM is significant in terms of health, well-being and educational opportunity.

“Yet the issues of Menstrual Hygiene Management in Solomon Islands still remain covered in silence due to cultures, beliefs and traditions which leads its invisibility in education programmes and lacks prioritisation in planning, implementation and monitoring.

“Hence it is essential for administrator’s policy makers, political leaders, community members, teachers, girls and boys to speak of the challenges, promote a culture of openness and acceptance,” said Thakkar.

On the same occasion Mr Ambrose Malefoasi on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development said many of the challenges faced by girls and women globally with regards to this issue are also faced by Solomon Islands girls.

Dr. Zelalem Taffesse, UNICEF making his opening remarks
during the menstrual hygiene day at Maranatha hall on Monday. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.

“While we need to work towards targeted solution to address the multiple barriers, one of the first steps required is to start a conversation around the issue, to break the silence and the secrecy that surrounds the topic.

“In doing so, schools provide the most appropriate platform to integrate MHM and equipping adolescents’ girls in schools with adequate information and skills on menstrual hygiene and having separate toilets, water and soap in schools removes major obstacles to girls’ attendance in schools,” he said.

The event was jointly hosted by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and Solomon Islands Government.

Present yesterday were representatives from UNICEF, MEHRD, Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), schools in Honiara, bilateral agencies and donors.

 

Miss Solomon Islands, Emily Chan poses for a group photo with some of the girl students from King George school,
Betikama college and St Nicholas college school during the menstrual hygiene day.
Dream Cast drama group at the mentrual hygiene day.
Invited guests at the menstrual hygiene day on Monday.

Finance officers undergo training on IPSAS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PS Ministry of Provincial Government, Stanley Pirione.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Under Secretary Fiscal, Ministry of Finance and Treasury Norman Hiropuhi.

PREPARING annual financial statements is a crucial part of government’s work.

Commencing yesterday, a number of provincial officers are currently undergoing training on the International Public-Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS).

IPSAS are a set of accounting standards used by public sector entities around the world in preparation of financial statements and is said to be sustainable in the long run.

With the aim to equip officers on this standard, a two-week workshop is held in Honiara for provincial finance officers as well as Honiara based finance officers.

Speaking to participants of this IPSAS Training, Under Secretary Fiscal in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT), Norman Hiropuhi says understanding the underlying concepts of the standard is an important pre-requisite for its proper application.

“Being a new standard, it may take time to understand every aspect of its application, but I believe this training is a right step in the right directions.”

Mr Hiropuhi says IPSAS cash basis is an international standard that Solomon Islands Government adopted in July 2010.

“And since then we have been obliged to prepare our financial statements based on the provisions of the standards for their onward submission to the office of the Auditor General.”

He said our Public Financial Management Act 2013 also calls for production of financial statement on Cash Basis IPSAS and therefore it is crucial officers responsible for financial reporting are familiar with every aspect of this standard.

PS Ministry of Provincial Government, Stanley Pirione.

He said it is the duty as heads of these important institutions to support in house trainings of this nature for officers to learn new skills and techniques in financial reporting.

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Stanley Pirione says so far provinces have been producing financial statements before the PGA deadline because of trainings they have been conducting for them on IPSAS and other areas of public expenditure management system.

“I am happy that provincial financial statements are being submitted on time and that Western, Choiseul and Isabel have acquired qualified audit opinion for the past three years consecutively. This is encouraging and I thank all officers in those locations for the great efforts and I wish to encourage all other provinces to emulate.”

Pirione says they are now focusing on improving the quality of PG financial statement, hence training of this sort is very important.

It is hoped that every officer in treasury division should have a good understanding of the standard including staffs from provincial governments.

Participants to this training come from Temotu, Western, Malaita, and Choiseul provinces, Ministry of Finance, Office of Auditor General and MPGIS.

Invitation for MACFest causes disappointment

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SPOKESMAN for United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) (2018-2021) Mr Jacob Rumbiak has expressed his disappointment at an invitation sent to Indonesia for the upcoming Melanesian Arts Festival (MACFest).

Rumbiak said he came few months ago and approached the Director of Culture under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dennis Marita, who Rumbiak said had extended a welcome for them to take part in the 2018 MACFest.

However, since then, Rumbiak says there has been no communication with the director of culture. Not until he came to the country last week; only to be advised to instead see the ministry of foreign affairs (MFAET).

Mr Jacob Rumbiak said the invitation said to be sent will not be going to West Papua as a Melanesian group but Melanesia-Indonesia as ULMWP and Indonesia are both in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). When Indonesia has the right to come, ULMWP also has the right. ULMWP should have an invitation also going through him as the one working for them with the government of Solomon Islands to receive an invitation.

“After I received response I could not continue, for this issue, I hope the Solomon Islands West Papua Solidarity Group here can ask Hon Manasseh Sogavare to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs for an invitation. But then it is up to the SI Solidarity Group,” said Rumbiak.

Speaking with the Director of the Culture Department under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism during his recent visit, Mr Rumbiak received confirmation from him

Rumbiak, meanwhile, says that Mr Marita has reassured him of the welcome to the people of West Papua, which still stands, citing that ‘West Papua is part of the MACFest and there is no exception culturally, socially and physically as all are Melanesians’.

Marita said then that at the moment, they are waiting for advice and confirmation from the MFAET to get a correspondence to send the invitation through for West Papua.

“We do not wish to get political sentiments, we just want to see this festival as a cultural one being a time to share our cultures and remember them to learn and appreciate each other’s cultures. That is the main focus of the festival,” said Director Marita.

Rumbiak said that he will have to apologise to their delegation already preparing and explain that the process has changed and they should wait patiently for the right time hoping they would be picked to travel.

A new investment model for the South Pacific

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A new investment model for the South Pacific

By Gary Hatigeva

“FOR the first time in the history of the project we have the opportunity to set up a new investment model for the South Pacific for the long-term benefit of our people and all shareholders.”

These strong sentiments came from the Chairman of Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL) and Director of Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), Walton Naezon, when addressing a Chupu ceremony in one of the mine’s pit on Friday.

The occasion was marking a significant process, which involved the removal of over 2000 people from four pits to their communities of origin.

In his remarks, Naezon explained that GCIL took on much risk when it first purchased GRML for AUD$100 from St Barbara, “but I knew that landowners were doing the right thing”.

Upon making his call for a respectable and peaceful moving out process, the GCIL Chairman stressed that once people move out of the pits, Wanguo International Mining Group and AXF Resources will be in a position to recommission the mine and to support GCIL to be set up as a service provider to the mine.

“GCIL is in advanced negotiations with Wanguo and AXF on the signing of a number of Memorandums of Understanding to supply goods and services to the mine.

“The Memorandums of Understanding cover, running the security for most aspects of Gold Ridge Mine and being a human resource contract recruitment agency.

“Other agreements focus on the provision of transport and logistics; food supply and catering to the workforce at the site and the accommodation village; and cultural and customary support for community relations through the establishment of a House of Chiefs and Women Leaders Community Relations Group,” Naezon said.

He said with the mining operation in place, also comes a lot of benefits, and the Gold Ridge Mine landowners know mining and are building their business expertise to supply to the industry.

He then suggested that in the future, landowners through GCIL, look forward to expanding to provide services to the wider Solomon Islands community well beyond the mine and with the support of project investors will be well supported to do just that.

“We look forward to a future where we can partner with other mining and infrastructure companies to support landowners in other provinces to build their capability to supply to the emerging mining industry.

“This is about development by landowners for the benefit of landowners,” the GCIL Chairman and GRML Director concluded.

With the new partnership model, it is understood that the landowners of Gold Ridge through GCIL own 10 percent of the shares in the GRML set up, and will also have a say in decisions to be made on the welfare and operations of the company, having to representatives in the company’s board of directors.

This according to mining experts, is a significant and milestone achievement, which has never happened anywhere around the pacific.

“In most or all cases, landowners will only rely on royalties and other benefits if made available, but in this case with the GRML structure, landowners get to have a say in decisions through the GCIL and dividends, plus other benefits, which will include supply of services to the company, and of course the royalty,” GCIL Director and Member of the GRML Board of Directors, Benjamin Afuga explained in support of the experts’ analysis.

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