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Moot reunion

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Democratic Alliance Party wing leader, Jeremiah Manele and Kadere Party interim-chairman, Peter Boyers

DAP and Kadere parties meet for the first time in four months

By Alfred Sasako

THE Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and Kadere Party – the two political parties that are the pillars of the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition Change Government (SIDCCG) met for the first time in four months yesterday.

No details of the meeting were immediately available.

It is also not clear whether the minor Coalition partner, the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) joined the meeting, which were held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

There were speculations in Honiara that the meeting was the reason for adjourning the 2018 National Budget session which began yesterday. Parliament was adjourned for tomorrow (Wednesday), just a day before the nation plunges into a constitutional crisis as Friday is a public holiday due to being a Good Friday.

No public spending is allowed from April 1, which falls on Sunday, if the budget is not approved by Parliament before then.

Many believe yesterday’s meeting was to resolve a number of key issues, which have been troubling the coalition partners since forming the government last December.

One of the key issues is an on-going undercurrents relating to reported moves to oust Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela because of his hard line stance on a number of issues including the reduction of the number of political appointments.

The other issue which has been simmering over the last few months is to do with the payment of $50 million for the Hell’s Point waste land in east Honiara. Prime Minister Houenipwela is steadfastly opposed to the payment, while his Deputy and Minister for Finance and Treasury, former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare is reportedly supportive of the payment.

The fact that DAP has less number in the Coalition is a factor which has tied Hon Houenipwela’s hand from taking actions, fearing the collapse of his government.

Observers said being indecisive on many issues the Prime Minister has played into the hands of those who are pushing to remove him. That has also angered those closest to him.

The SIDCCG coalition meeting is expected to continue today in the hope that Parliament would pass the $2 billion National Budget the next day.

Oxfam trains young artists on graffiti

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mr Julla teach a young female artist

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Mr Julla teach a young female artist

TWENTY young artists in Honiara underwent training on graffiti as part of the ‘Side by Side’ campaign for gender equality and ending violence against women and girls in Solomon Islands.

This is a new project designed by Oxfam International Solomon Islands in partnership with local civil society organisations and youths.

The concept is to use street art as a form of advocacy to put to end violence against women and girls.

The project aims to introduce young people to new and creative methods to advocate for the change they want to see in their communities.

Last week, the campaign team welcomed Justin aka ‘Julla’ a professional graffiti writer and street artist from the Back Alley Gallery in Australia to train 20 young artists in Honiara.

Julla is the first of two international street artists, and next month, the Side by Side team will receive another female renowned artist in Australia to Solomon Islands.

So far, two groups of ten dominated by male artists have already gone through two trainings on advocacy and technical skills.

Next weekend they will go through another series of trainings.

End of the month, the group will be painting a large public mural at White River to promote the Side by Side campaign with key messages of gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.

Julla said he tries to inspire local artists with his knowledge and skills through graffiti and the message will be on ending violence against women and girls here.

He adds, his presence in Honiara is a collaboration with Side by Side project to train local artists and show them how to use paints from Australia – can’t be found here.

With the past trainings, Julla said local artists are amazing, talented and are quick to pick up ideas, knowledge and skills straight away.

Local young artists said they are excited to learn from the professional artist especially in the area of graffiti which will be useful for their advocacy campaign.

They said such knowledge and skills is important for them to portray messages of their interest in public places.

The young artists wish our country allows any space in the city for them to share their issue through graffiti.

Farmers receive farming tools

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Jedom Organic Fruits Director, Mrs Jennifer Kelly hands over tools to Lead farmer, Mrs Hilda Suri

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ON March 21, Women Farmers group in Papagu, Ghaobata ward, East Guadalcanal received farming tools from local fruits and nuts processing company, Jedom Organic Fruits.

This is according to the local fruits and nuts processing company’s press release statement.

The handover of tools was made possible under an agribusiness partnership between the Women’s Farmers group, Jedom Organics Fruits and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock under the Solomon Islands Rural Development Phase 2 project.

Speaking at the hand over occasion was lead partner and director of Jedom Organic Fruits Ltd, Mrs Jennifer Kelly who assured the women of closer collaborations in the partnership.

Mrs Hilda Suri who is the lead farmer thanked the company for the equipment.

“Thank you for supporting, we are excited, and can’t wait to use the tools,” she said.

Moreover, as expressed in the press release, the women farmers have been supported since 2017 and today look forward to developing local products.

“These farmers have been supported, through different levels of trainings since 2017, to further improve productivity and quality of banana, pawpaw, pineapple fruits and taro.

“Most women farmers have completed basic food processing training, and are looking forward to developing local products such as dried banana, pawpaw and pineapple snacks,” said that press release statement.

Further stated is that while Jedom Organic Fruits is encouraging about 100 farming households to plant high producing varieties of banana, pawpaw and pineapples that have high market demands, the company is also strengthening market access for farmers through value adding technics.

Voruvoru Zone celebrate Palm Sunday

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

VORUVORU Zone at Northwest Choiseul celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday at their Catholic Mission Station.

According to Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish reporting, the liturgy started with enactment of Jesus entry into Jerusalem while the blessing and issuing of palm leaves to the parishioners and the Holy Mass was presided over by Fr Henry Paroiop the Parish Priest.

“Christ the King Parish have set up all its programs for the Holy Week including parish tours throughout the parish,” said Mr Ulemiki.

SDA team visits Voruvoru for first time

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANRBONA

A team of 40 Seventh Day Adventists from Taro Station made a successful weekend visitation tour to Voruvoru Community at Northwest Choiseul between the 23rd and 25th of this month.

The team led by Reverend Minister George Bekele and Personal Ministry Leader Simmy Vazarabatu was comprised of church elders, pastors, youths, men, Dorcas, nurses and pathfinders camping at Voruvoru Primary School compound.

Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish reporting said an open-air service was held on Friday night at the Mission Station in which various activities like sing-along, health awareness talk by professionals in the team, slide shows and open air preaching by the Minister George Bekele took place.

“On Saturday, the team made charitable visits to orphans, the sick, disabled and the elderly in which they prayed and presented gifts to them being 44 in total,” said Mr Ulemiki.

“Night program continued and ended successfully on Saturday Night with thanks from both the Voruvoru Community and the team because the visitation was historical due to the fact that it was the first time for a SDA group to visit Voruvoru and open interaction with Catholics in the area.”

The SDA team travelled back to Taro Station on Sunday morning.

Political party’s role in government stability

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A political party plays an important role in government stability on which in the context of Solomon Islands, it is still on a learning curve.

In this particular function, Democratic Alliance Party’s (DAP) Parliamentary Wing Leader Hon Jeremiah Manele said in more mature democracies, the stability of political parties has a direct positive effect on government stability.

“This is very important because without government stability, the country would rarely achieve its development goals,” said Mr Manele.

“And a country that does not achieve its development goals would not also be able to make progress and its people will suffer.

“On the flip side if there is party instability or we have a weak party system then there is all the changes that the country will not improve as much as we would like to see.

“I need not to labour this point but this is where a party like SIDAP needs to be properly organized and managed.”

Another important political party function also mentioned is political parties involving in nomination and providing support to candidates in elections. Manele said this allows candidates to run on a party manifesto.

Perceptions hostile to political parties roles

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THERE are perceptions that are hostile to the important roles of political parties in politics and democracy, according to the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP).

DAP’s Parliamentary Wing Leader Hon Jeremiah Manele, during their political party’s fundraising over the weekend at the Yacht Club, raised two anti-political opinions not as a form of discouragement, but rather to put them on notice that there are issues with political parties that they as a party need to be mindful and reminded of.

In briefing some perceptions that are hostile to the important roles of political parties in politics and democracy, party corruption was one of the issues DAP’s Parliamentary Wing Leader pointed on.

“There is popular discourse in the public space that parties are often involved in corrupt dealings by taking bribes and support from powerful individuals and companies without due declaration,” said Mr Manele.

“This is often seen as an impediment to the ability of political parties to independently implement their political party agendas which in the end, it is often the elites that are benefiting more than the rest.

“In a survey carried out by Transparency International, the public around the world perceive political parties as the institution mostly affected by corruption. This was published by Transparency International (TI) to mark the UN International Anti-Corruption Day sometimes during the past.”

Manele added that similar argument often put forward along the same line is political parties foster contention turning their participants into unthinking followers rather than informing citizens.

“There are people out there who see this important political platform (DAP) in a negative manner,” reminded Manele.

Temotu province passes budget

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Assembly members with speaker and clerk after assembly meeting in Lata. Photo by Alan Agassi

TEMOTU province has passed its appropriation bill 2018/2019 on Wednesday last week.

The budget is however uncertain because the national government is yet to pass its budget.

Mover of the motion, Baddley Tau, ward member for Tikopia and Anuta, said he and his team will work hard in the achievement of what has been appropriated in the budget 2018/2019 in the coming financial year of the province. The financial year of all provincial governments is April to March the following year.

He said the preparation of the budget was challenging because normally the national government passes its budget before provinces prepare their budget.

This year is different because national government has not passed its budget and therefore normal revenue expected from service grant from the national government has not been confirmed.

“Adding to the challenge was the drastic reduction of PCDF support to provinces, which we heavily relay on for capital development in the province.”

“This coming financial year will see a total of 80 percent reduction of PCDF to all the provinces. Completion of capital projects already started in the province will be an issue let alone the new projects already appropriated for funding under the current budget.

“Because of these challenges, overall estimate appropriated for the province in the next financial year has been reduced by 13 percent, from 13 million in 2017/2018 to 12 million in 2018/2019.”

He further explained that funding of the budget for the first time will see local revenue contribute more than 50 percent of expected revenue in the province.

This he said will require hard work and commitment of all employees as well as local entrepreneurs.

MPAs will also be expected to identify revenue areas in each of their wards.

He said some areas the province has not collected in the past will now be pursued.

One of those areas is the passenger levy. All shipping services coming to the province will be expected to comply as provincial revenue collectors will be mobilised.

The province is calling on all private and semi-private organisations operating in the province to support the government and live up to their obligation and pay relevant revenue to the province.

Mr Tau thanked every member of Assembly for supporting the bill. Special thank you was accorded to administration staff for their hard work in making sure the appropriation bill 2018/2019 is made ready for the Assembly.

Assembly members with speaker and clerk after assembly meeting in Lata. Photo by Alan Agassi

–TEMOTU PROVINCE PRESS

SPO makes $132m profit in 2017

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SPO board chairman, Gideon Zoloveke.

By Mike Puia

THE South Pacific Oil (SPO) recorded a $132.9 million profit at the end of last year, a $16.8 million increase from 2016.

Chairman of the SPO board, Gideon Zoloveke, revealed this when announcing SPO’s historic dividend payout of $73 million to the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) last Friday.

Zoloveke said the $132.9 million profit represents a 14.5 percent profit growth when compared to their 2016 operation.

Over the last 11 years, SPO paid a total dividend of $354.1 million to SINPF. The payment done last Friday increased the total dividend paid to SINPF to $427.1 million.

Zoloveke said SPO has been having a good year last year in terms of profit and volume growth.

He said operation costs have gone down and they have recorded a $3.4 million last year for interest rates and exchange rates gains.

In terms of volume, Zoloveke said, SPO sold over 105.8 million litres of fuel, an increase of 20 percent to 2016 volume.

He said when one considered the economic climate of the country in 2017; “this result is outstanding”.

SPO project further growth this year.

Ngati hits back at pro-vice chancellor

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Pro-Vice Chancellor (Corporate), Mr Donald Malasa (Left) and SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

PRESIDENT of the SINU student association has hit back at the institution’s pro-vice chancellor (corporate) Mr Donald Malasa, saying that the current strike notice to have him (Mr Malasa) removed is based on his failure to address students’ welfare.

SINU student association (SINUSA) president Mr Reginald Ngati says Malasa has failed to address students’ welfare in his three years in office, something which Malasa has denied.

Malasa, instead says that the real reason behind the strike notice was his decision to render Ngati and his executive’s election null and void on October 31, 2017.

SINUSA executive and Student Council however insist that Ngati in his term as president has pushed for the students’ welfare, something which they say past student leaders have failed to do.

Malasa is being accused of failing to address matters pertaining to students; this includes the students’ hostel, improvement to kitchen facility, and improvement of diet.

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Corporate), Mr Donald Malasa (Left) and SINUSA President Mr Reginald
Ngati.

Ngati says that one of the main reasons behind the strike notice is the dilapidated state of the students’ hostel, which he says poses risks to the students residing in them.

He said the hostel is running without clean and safe water, and that the hostels lack some basic amenities.

He also highlights the current diet, saying it is not healthy and is a direct threat to students’ health and wellbeing.

Ngati adds that another issue is facility for day scholars; internet laboratory for students, student safety and security at night and violation of discipline.

“SINU is a newly established University but has over the last 4 years failed to make providence of a student welfare office in both campuses Kukum and Panatina where photocopy and printing and other related services could be easily accessible.”

The Acting Vice Chancellor will meet with the students at the Panatina campus regarding the issue.

Students welcome the idea of meeting Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Basil Marasinghe, saying they have lot of queries to ask.

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