BY SAMIE WAIKORI

One of the key pillars of Gwaena’alu Association is conservation; to protect and manage the nature or the environment sustainably.

Founder of Gwaena’alu Association, formerly known as Moro Movement, late Chief Pelise Moro believed nature is the source that breaths life to the culture of the people of Guadalcanal.

However, whether members of the movement are serious about it is the question, when looking at reproachful investments in the province.

Speaking at the 19th anniversary in remembrance of the legacy of Chief Moro, Mr David Cornelus shared a trailing trend on conservation in the province.

He said one of the aims of Moro Movement is to conserve land and environment in Guadalcanal.

Meanwhile, the question is on how serious the people in Guadalcanal are conserving their environment.

“The terminology “conservation” begins to evade us. Conservation is becoming a non-issue, and why does it have to happen that way? One thing that stands out is because of foreign influence and law.

“Solomon Islands will continue to be exploited, mutually destroyed, because we continue to collude with foreigners,” Cornelus said.

He recalled prophecies made by Chief Moro and it’s happening now. Moro once said, in the future, a child will land in Guadalcanal.

“It will eat away our land, our resources, our culture, our laws, our ideas and our practise. The child is huge and powerful and cannot be defeated unless we come together as one.

“And I tell you, the child is right here, eating away everything. And it’s happening right in front of our eyes,” Cornelus said, referring to mining operations at Gold Ridge and Turarana.

On the same note, Premier William Atu of Guadalcanal Province shared the sad and harsh reality the province faces in the benefit sharing in the mining industry.

“There are challenges we faced on revenue sharing when comes to investment especially mining in Guadalcanal.

“But I thank the people in Vulolo, who host the Gold Ridge mining, and those in Tasimboko, who also host the Oil Palm industry in the country.

“These investments are good for the country, but as I always said, there are areas that need improvement especially revenue sharing of mining,” he said.

Premier Atu mentioned that in terms of royalty of mining, 97 percent goes to the company, 1.5 percent to the national government, 1.2 percent to landowners and 0.3 for the province.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members are in Honiara for the 21st Management Options Consultations (MOC) set to take place at the FFA Headquarters from October 27-31.

FFA said that members underwent a series of preparatory sessions last week ahead of the MOC.

In their statement, FFA said members covered a broad range of discussions including the FFA Strategic Plan Review 2020 – 2025, the Independent Refresher Review (IRR), the Country Partnership Agreement (CPA) instrument, the Special Pacific Islands Parties (SPIP) Meeting on the US Treaty, and the South Pacific Albacore (SPA) session.

The agency said these meetings provide an important platform for members and the Secretariat to review progress, strengthen coordination and prepare for next week’s consultations.

Speaking on last week’s discussions, FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop said this week is about resetting and aligning member states focus as an organisation, consolidating the different work processes, strengthening corporate governance and to ensure that the Secretariat continues to respond effectively to members’ priorities.

The FFA said that the Management Options Consultations (MOC) is an annual meeting where FFA Members and the Secretariat review technical analyses and management options for the Western and Central Pacific tuna fishery.

FFA notes that the MOC provides a forum to agree on regional strategies that support sustainable fisheries and shared economic benefits and is also to prepare FFA Members for the annual Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Regular Session in December.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale has blamed the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Bradley Tovosia for not doing his job during his term as the Minster of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE).

Wale condemned the member of parliament for East Guadalcanal during the asking & answering of question on the issue of Rennel Bauxite Mine in parliament this week.

Wale’s disapproval came in light of the ongoing unaddressed environmental issues from mining and logging operations that is impacting communities across the country.

While thanking the New Minister of MMERE Derick Manuari for his leadership to reform the mining sector, Wale said the former Mines minister had done nothing while holding the post as a minister.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Minister for Mines. Regrettably, the concerns raised here suggest that little has been accomplished since he is new to the position; however, the individual failing to fulfill his responsibilities is the one absent from this discussion.

“As for the Minister of Fisheries, I am uncertain how many times he has served as Minister of Mines. Honestly, he is quite ineffective. While we may find funniness in this situation, it is not appropriate.

“I refer to the unfortunate Rennellese, who have been impacted by the oil spill, receiving no royalties or payments, and the 33 shipments that have left significant damage to their homes due to the mining company. Mr Speaker, this situation is detrimental to our people,” Wale said.

He pointed out that similar issues can happen anywhere in this country.

“They even shout to deaf ears as well, and to say that this neglect is something we overlook. It is not. we have had years and years of experience with Gold Ridge Mining and the environmental issues there, so really there is no excuse for this neglect.

“So, I am really happy that finally the Minister and Ministry are addressing these issues.

“It is imperative that we consider these issues, and clearly, regarding the oil spill liability, we must include it into our domestic laws to ensure that liability is assigned to the responsible parties and enforced promptly,” Wale said.

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By MORRIS NAFU

Civil servants who banked with BSP yesterday did not receive their salary.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) confirmed that technical issues with the new banking interface system delayed payroll payments for civil servants, a statement by the government communications unit (GCU) yesterday said.

The transition to the new system resulted in salaries earmarked for BSP accounts being held up, while ANZ and BRED account holders received their payments successfully, the statement said.

The MOFT has assured affected civil servants that the issue is not related to cash flow problems but rather a banking system glitch.

According to the facilitating bank, delayed payments will be processed by today, Friday, October 24, the GCU statement said.

The MOFT apologises for the inconvenience caused and appreciates the understanding of affected civil servants, the statement said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

A group consisting of government and opposition MPs met secretly on Wednesday night at the Heritage Park Hotel, the agenda – third wave of motion of no-confidence against PM Jeremiah Manele.

PM Manele confirmed to Island Sun being aware of the said meeting but declined to comment further.

With all corridor lights turned off, the meeting was held at the furthest conference room.

A number of government ministers and prominent members of the opposition group attended.

The agenda was to consolidate numbers and plan a motion of no-confidence motion against PM Manele, insiders told the paper on condition of anonymity. Island Sun was also on the ground and witnessed the gathering.

The group however does not have the numbers and are planning to lure other MPs to join them, the insiders said.

Making up the majority of government MPs who attended the meeting were members of one of the major coalition parties of the GNUT. However, the party’s two main leaders were not present.

Three GNUT MPs who attended were approached for comment but declined yesterday.

The issue of a third wave of motion of no-confidence was alive in late September when PM Manele was overseas on official international engagements.

A group of government MPs were rallying to launch a motion of no-confidence against PM Manele on October 13 when parliament resumed.

However, this campaign was halted in its tracks when PM Manele returned and made a major reshuffle.

MP Rexson Ramofafia was made new finance minister on Friday, October 3. He replaced MP Trevor Manemahaga who had only been made finance minister a month earlier, August 30.

This reshuffle was only a band-aid fix. The problems which had caused the group to rally for a motion of no-confidence are still present, leading to Wednesday night’s secret meeting, the insiders told Island Sun.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Public servants in Malaita Province were left frustrated yesterday in Auki when their salaries were not paid into their bank accounts.

About 50 nurses, many of whom travelled from the remote parts of Malaita to Auki were affected.

The public servants bank with Bank of the South Pacific (BSP).

In an interview, a concerned nurse who requested to be called George said that this is the first time they have experienced such a delay in their salary payments.

He said they only encountered payment delays during the ethnic crisis.

He said this has caused frustration and added to their burdens, such as borrowing money from fund agents or local businesses, and has brought hunger to their families at home.

“This is the first time we have ever encountered a delay in our payments. During the ethnic tension, we experienced delays with our payments on payday, but after that, we did not face such delays,” he said.

A statement from the government communications unit (GCU) yesterday explained that “technical issues with the new banking interface system delayed payroll payments for civil servants”.

GCU added that only customers of BSP were affected and not of the other banks, ANZ and BRED.

The salaries will be available in the BSP system today, the statement said.

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