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PM’s letter insulting: Landowner

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

By Alfred Sasako

A West Rennell landowner has described as “very insulting” Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s letter to controversial mining concern, Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd.

“The letter is written by a man who chose to ignore the plight of the West Rennell landowners and its provincial government,” Jonathan Tohaika told Island Sun on the weekend.

In his letter dated 8th May this year, Mr Sogavare described Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd in glowing terms.

“I have been watching with keen interest the challenges that your operations in the country had to go through in the formative years of your operations and might I add continue to face in Rennell.

“I can only admire the cool and understanding manner in which you conducted yourself in dealing with these challenges within the bounds of our laws. You have demonstrated good corporate citizenship in this matter,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.

“For this, I thank you very much and would encourage you to keep up this responsible attitude which is worthy of emulation (copying) by other mining operations in this country.”

“I must also commend your commitment to implement an extensive community service engagement, fully acknowledging your social responsibility to the indigenous landowning group and provision of employment to Solomon Islanders. This is admirable given the high risks associated with mining operations which requires a careful balance between social responsibility and profit making.

‘You have managed this very well, which is a credit to the effective management and administration of the company,” Mr Sogavare said.

But Mr Tohaika said the Prime Minister’s letter is odd.

“He knew and knows today that Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd has never fulfilled its social and legal obligations in terms of the payment of royalties to landowners. Of the 40-plus landowners on whose land the company has been carrying out work since 2008, only two (2) received $50, 000 each, the rest received varying amounts from $1, 500.

“As well, you can’t even see a local landowner riding a bicycle in West Rennell today. There are no clinics or schools, nor are there any water supplies. For the Prime Minister to write admiring the company as he had done, is very insulting to the people of West Rennell,” he said.

Mr Tohaika said the Prime Minister must explain why he wrote such a letter to Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd in the first place.

“He did not write one to Sumitomo, the Japanese mining giant which has ploughed into the economy more than USD100 million into its social responsibility program, which included providing annual scholarships for Solomon Islands’ students.

“When you add what the Japanese government is doing in Solomon Islands in terms of infrastructure development to what Sumitomo has done, it runs into hundreds of millions more,” Mr Tohaika said.

“So what has Bintang Mining (SI) done for this country to deserve a letter from the Prime Minister? It is absolutely nothing when it is compared with Sumitomo’s and yet when Sumitomo left this country, the government and indeed this Prime Minister said nothing.

“It is a shame,” he said.

In closing his letter to Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd, Mr Sogavare said:

“On behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands, I commend the good work you are doing in this country and assure you of our closer working relationship with you.”

Youth leaders reflect on Statim Faia project

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Young people roundtable for discussion during the Statim Faia Reflection Annual workshop held at the Ginger beach

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

ABOUT twenty youth leaders from community-based youth groups of Honiara City are in a three-day workshop on the Statim Faia annual reflection conference at the Ginger beach retreat, west Guadalcanal.

The workshop started yesterday with opening remarks from the Oxfam Solomon Islands representative, Honiara City Council Youth Development Officer and Honiara Youth Council president.

The workshop is part of Oxfam’s Statim Faia project and convenes youth leaders to reflect on key achievements, challenges and plan future activities.

Furthermore, to find effective strategies to improve the programme quality, impact and overcome challenges which might be helpful to the project’s phase-three.

The workshop is organised by HCC-Youth Division in collaboration with HYC with support from the Oxfam Solomon Islands as the major funder for the Statim Faia project.

The HCC-Youth Development Officer Mrs Mary Tuhaika appreciates partner establishes with Oxfam and HYC.

Honiara City Council Youth Development Officer, Mrs Mary Tuhaika in her remarks appreciated the partnership created with Oxfam for the past three years which has impacted youth groups within Honiara City on its small projects.

She encourages youth leaders to make good use and participate fully on the three-day workshop to reflect and share recommendations that will pave the way forward for partners and community youth groups.

“Our time here together, it is an opportunity for you to share with us so that we as partners to know your stands as next year the Statim Faia project will move to another level,” Tuhaika said.

Tuhaika acknowledged Oxfam Solomon Islands for visualising youth issues to be addressed within Honiara City through its project and to choose HCC-Youth Division and HYC as their partners.

Honiara Youth Council President, Mr Harry James Olikwailafa welcomed the participants and introduced the first-day session focused on the theme, ‘To enhance and build understanding of youth stakeholders’ services and ways of working with young people’.

Mr Alfred Kiva from the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs talked about the status of the new National Youth Policy along with HCC-YD, HYC and Oxfam Solomon Islands.

Stakeholders christen 7-yr dream for Noro port

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SIPA CEO Eranda Kotelawala, Captain Thue Barford and the Tri-Marine representative showing the copies of the MOU.

By Alfred Sasako

THE dream of turning Noro into a regional hub for transhipment of thousands of tonnes of frozen tuna to several international destinations around the world has been christened.

For one man it was a dream that took him seven long years to finally convince the various players both outside and in Solomon Islands to get the “right mix” to make it happened.

Yesterday the dream burst into reality when documents in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the development plan for Noro were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in a three-hour ceremony in Honiara.

The MOU binds Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), MAERSK, the world’s largest shipping line and Tri Marine in a tripartite partnership to develop the port of Noro.

Mr Sogavare described the tripartite arrangement “a strategic alliance”.

“Through this, Solomon Islands is telling the international community that although we are small, we are ready to contribute to the global market,” he said.

Hong Kong-based MAERSK representative, Captain Thue Barford the man who carried the dream silently for the last seven years, was on hand to witness the “christening” so to speak of the Noro port plan.

Capt Barford thanked everyone including the Chairman, Board Members and the Management of SIPA, Tri Marine and its ground agent, National Fisheries Development (NFD) for their support.

In a brief presentation yesterday, he recalled, “selling” Noro as a potential port to his bosses in Singapore seven years ago.

“They all turned to me and said, and where is that? I looked at them and said, as a matter of fact, I don’t know.”

That was seven years ago. Yesterday’s “christening” the beginning of the expansion phase, which would see Noro wharf extended to a 150-metre long berth. It is now 60metres long.

“It’s not going to happen overnight, but the potential to convert Noro into a transhipment hub for the region began with the exchanges of the documents today [yesterday]. It is now up to us to make it happen, adding he doubts anyone in the region would undermine the project because it is going to make other countries in the region want the same thing.

“The problem is that not every country in the region has the natural harbours such as what we have in Noro and in Honiara. And having their cargo transhipped from here is going to save costs for them,” Capt Barford said.

SIPA Chief Executive Officer, Eranda Kotelawala, told the gathering at The Heritage Park Hotel that Solomon Islands has a huge potential waiting to be realised.

“Solomon Islands’ potential is like oil sitting under the seabed. Unless the oil is pumped to the surface it is useless. The development of Noro is the beginning of realising this hidden potential.”

A Tri Marine representative said the challenge to make the project work rests with all the stakeholders, adding government agencies such as Customs and Fisheries in particular, have an important role to play.

Spokesmen for Customs and Fisheries gave their assurance in support of the project.

Representatives of MAERSK and TRI MARINE will travel west today to inspect the Noro facilities in preparation for the redevelopment.

Noro port to increase production

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SIPA staff explaining the technical features for the Noro wharf

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the tripartite MoU signed between SIPA, Tri-Marine and Maersk for the redevelopment of Noro Port will increase production at the port.

Sogavare said during the launching of the blueprint for the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Noro port yesterday, “I understand that the main objective of this tripartite MoU is to increase the volume of reefer containers originating from Port of Noro with the assistance of Maersk and TriMarine.

“I also note that under this arrangement MAERSK will be providing two fish off-loaders and training as part of their obligation under this MoU.”

Sogavare said under the MoU, Tri-Marine will carry out business development to bring more fishing vessels to off-load their fish in Noro which will be converted to reefer cargo for export.

“Not only will this increase economic activity but I am sure that it will create employment opportunities and provide for livelihood development in Noro.

“It will also let exporters get competitive shipping rates to export their products to the rest of the world,” he said.

Sogavare said as part of contributing to the environment, the MoU would also be looking at investing in solar energy to power reefer containers and gradually transform into a Green Port in the future.

He said the signing also represents renewed confidence in SIPA and he has no doubt that this will act as a catalyst for prospective partners to come forward and partner with SIPA.

“I am also certain that this partnership will only grow in strength as we venture into the future.

“To the Board and Management of SIPA, I would also like to congratulate you in your vision and hard work which culminated in today’s [yesterday] ceremony.

“I am confident that this project would pave a path to achieve our long-term ambition of developing the Noro port as a geo-strategic transhipment port linking the rest of the world,” he said.

PM lauds plan to redevelop Noro Port

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SIPA CEO Eranda Kotelawala giving a brief on the Noro Ports development plan.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has applauded the MOU signed between SIPA, Tri-Marine and Maersk on a multi-million dollar plan to redevelop Noro seaport into a regional hub for transhipment of thousands of tonnes of frozen tuna to several global destinations.

Sogavare described the MOU as a milestone which will contribute a lot to the economic development of the country.

“Today [yesterday] we are gathered here to mark another milestone in the history of Solomon Islands Ports Authority and also for the Solomon Islands as a whole.

“As we are all aware, majority of trade in Solomon Islands is facilitated through our Ports and Solomon Islands must adapt to the changing international environment if we are to progress in the maritime sector.

“As such, the pursuance of strategic alliances is one avenue that Solomon Islands Ports Authority must embark upon to ensure that the Solomon Islands does not lag behind progress.

“The new alliance is evidenced by the ceremony today is our way of showing to the international community that although small, we are ready and able to contribute to the global market,” he said.

Prime Minister said an alliance with the world’s largest container shipping line MAERSK and globally acclaimed Tuna Supply Company Tri-Marine, not only transforms Noro port but allows Noro to be poised for transformation into a regionally competitive transport hub in the future.

He said this is the beginning of a new chapter in the transformation of SIPA and MAERSK and Tri-Marine for having the faith to venture with SIPA in this remarkable arrangement.

On the same note, Sogavare also made mention of similar kind of historic agreement they made with the port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

“Three weeks ago, we marked in history the signing of the first sister port agreement with Port of Kaohsiung, Republic of China (Taiwan) and Port of Honiara,” he said.

National laboratory prepares for world recognition

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE national public health laboratory (NPHL) under the Ministry of Health (MHMS) is working to attain the international standard accreditation – ISO 17025.

Hopefully by the end of 2019, NPHL will be accredited with the accreditation.

Director of NPHL Dickson Manongi said that after a workshop held earlier this year, a steering committee was established to oversee implementation and management of the project as well as provide guidance as needed.

He said currently they working round the clock to prepare the facility.

Manongi said as part of their preparation there is an internal arrangement to allow laboratory preparation and work to flow unhindered.

He said instrument and equipment, expired reagents, culture agars and medium that were expired or out of service were discarded.

“Relocated of officers seating arrangement out of the lab analytical to nontoxic environment.

“Relocate hazard chemical storage to outside Hazchem hut outside the Laboratory, repair of water systems and plumbing systems like toilets.

“Repair air-condition ensuring the internal temperature is sustain and maintain services, internal airflow for the sterile room and SOPs for proper disposal of Hazardous chemicals and biological microorganisms,” Manongi said.

He added, the laboratory was assigned to perform tests on 50- 100 plus sample of food per week including water samples, environmental samples and manufactured drinking water.

Manongi said samples also needed on disease outbreak investigation, food from industries (bakeries, beverages, Ice creams, others), waste discharge (mining, palm oils, workshops, housing estates, institutions) and environment pollution (rivers and coastal seas).

They have also made orders through the National Medical Stores for consumables to carry out lab analysis for biological and chemical testings

Manongi said orders are on agars, cultures, medium and equipment from overseas supplies.

Adding that NPHL is also pursuing the laboratory quality management manual system (LQMMS) as it’s very important as a reference for accreditation.

He said the purpose for LQMMS is to direct the lab in two major aspects of lab management that is required to encompass 15 subsections and the technical requirement that has 10 subsections within NPHL.

Manongi said as part of the preparation NPHL needs four additional staffs who have knowledge in Medical Laboratory Science or Chemistry food or clinical Microbiology.

Woman denies assaulting another woman

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A woman alleged of assaulting another woman on January 18 this year has pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault causing actual bodily harm yesterday.

Rachel Sam was arraigned in the Honiara Magistrate Court before Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea.

She appeared in person as she is yet to secure any legal representation.

She told court that she went to the Public Solicitor’s Office five times for a lawyer to assist her but they told her they were busy.

Police alleged Rachel assaulted another woman in Honiara and the matter was reported and she was charged for the offence.

Magistrate Iomea then adjourned the case to October 30 and also made direction for the woman to secure a lawyer to assist her on the PTC since she entered a not guilty plea.

Police Prosecution Service prosecutes the case in court.

Prosecution to serve disclosures on Fiusale’s case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

DEFENCE lawyer representing Simon Fiusale has requested disclosures from Public Prosecution for his client, and the case will appear again on November 1.

This is in relation to an incident in Malaita in July last year where five men are alleged to have been in possession of firearm.

Public Prosecutor Bradley Dalipanda told court that three of the five accused were absconding and admits in court that he cannot assist the court on the status of the execution of warrant, because only limited instruction was given in the file.

Meanwhile he told the court that disclosures will be served during the adjournment.

The court was also told that the other accused Iki Olomea is still without a lawyer and thus had to secure a lawyer before the next date of appearance.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi told the accused to visit the Public Solicitor’s Office every day so that he can be allocated a lawyer.

Simon Fiusale and Iki Olomea were charged together with three other accused who are currently under warrants of arrest.

They were charged for in possession of fire-arm and threatening violence.

Three other accused men currently under warrant are Leonard Ofaka, Bredley Abarai and Jimmy Eno Bana and they are jointly charged with other two of one count of possession of firearm and threatening violence each.

Police said that the men were drunk and threatened the employees of Dalgro Construction Company that won the bid for Bridge Construction at the Tabaa Bridge in North Malaita on July 21, 2016.

It was alleged that one of the men who hold the gun which is a 303 rifle black in colour put in a bullet and then cocked the gun pointing it at the workers.

Police also ceased the alleged weapon believed to be used by the accused.

Prosecution yet to charge co-suspect on Fangs case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Public Prosecution has sought adjournment for the case against Honiara businessman James Fang to allow them time to lay appropriate charges on the co-suspect.

Court then adjourned the case for October 31 for mention.

Public Prosecutor Bradley Dalipanda told court yesterday that on the previous occasion, court was told that during adjournment prosecution will lay appropriate charges on the co-suspect but that has not been done.

Dalipanda said the prosecutor in carriage is currently away in Nigeria to visit her sick mother and will be away for a month, nothing much has been done since the last adjournment.

He assures court that during this adjournment they will make sure to sort out the issues and on the next appearance prosecution will update court on the status of the case.

Defence lawyer Anderson Kesaka then told court that they will apply for bail variation for the accused and also seek the court’s permission to return the files belonging to the accused, James Fang.

Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea then adjourned the case to Friday this week for bail variation and on October 31 for mention.

James Fang is being accused of having forged and uttered documents earlier this year

He is facing a charge of Forgery and Uttering.

The charges stem from an extensive enquiry into the legitimacy of a document emailed to the Inland Revenue Division.

The document was a letter purporting to have been authored by a Government Minister, authorising the waiving of $14,000,000 in tax payable to the Government of Solomon Islands, through the Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance & Treasury.

Investigations revealed that signature on the letter were not that of the Minister.

James Fang is the owner of Fangs Shop and other businesses in Honiara.

SI hits $57.5m trade surplus for March

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Government Statistician Douglas Kimi

SOLOMON Islands national statistics office (SINSO) yesterday announced a $57.5million surplus in trades recorded for March this year.

This figure is on the country’s international merchandise trade statistics (IMTS), which puts together all of Solomon Islands’ exports and imports.

IMTS shows the movement of different types of goods between the Solomon Islands and a range of countries regionally and around the world.

Releasing the statistical bulletin, government statistician Douglas Kimi said the surplus is an increase of $109.4m (211 percent) over the deficit of $51.9m recorded in the preceding quarter.

Compared to March 2016’s record, this year’s record is an increase of $21.1million (58 percent) over last year’s $36.4m.

“The movement of goods into and out of the Solomon Islands is an important aspect of our nation’s economic development,” Kimi said.

On Major Exports in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2016, Kimi said that round log and sawn timber exports declined by $7.4m (1 percent) to $604.7m while total of fresh/frozen and canned fish rose by $33.8m (62 percent) to $88.7m.

“This increase is mainly attributed to $52.1m of fish loin exports to Italy which accounted for 59 percent of total fish exports.”

He added that the total for copra, cocoa, palm oil and other agricultural products has increased by $40.8m (56 percent) to $113.9m affirming this is mainly driven by a surge in palm oil and copra exports during the quarter and gold increased by $3m (63 percent) to $7.8m.

Meanwhile, on Major Imports Kimi said food imports, which is comprise mostly of rice and canned meat, increased by $0.7m (0.6 percent) to $111.9m.

“Mineral fuel and lubricant imports rose by $58.2m (55 percent) to $164.9m. Machinery and transport equipment increased by $33.6m (15 percent) to $260.3m,” he said.

Merchandise trade balance with major trading partners in the March quarter of 2017 compared to the previous corresponding quarter records the following:

  • The trade deficit with Singapore, the main source of fuel imports, increased by $63m (57 percent) to $174.5m.
  • The trade deficit with Australia decreased by $16.8m (11 percent) to $132.2m.
  • The trade deficit with Papua New Guinea was down by $14.3m (58 percent) to $10.4m.
  • The trade surplus with South Korea declined by $9.7m (86 percent) to $1.5m.
  • The trade surplus with China, the main destination of exported logs, rose by $63.1m (15 percent) to $491.6m.
  • The trade surplus with Italy, the main destination of fish-loin exports, increased by $13.2m (35 percent) to $51m.

Data are compiled from the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division, the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands, Commodity Export Market Authority and additional records provided by major importers/exporters.

–SINSO PRESS

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