By Loretta B Manele

The two-day “Peacebuilding and Security Dialogue” ended on a high note at the King Solomon Hotel yesterday.

On Tuesday, the first day of the programme, Lottie Vaisekavea, permanent secretary for Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs opened the dialogue with a speech.

Afterwards, two sessions held were focused on classifying peacebuilding and security and finding out current conflict and security issues in Solomon Islands.

The third session was the “Introduction to Conflict Analysis Tools” of which participants were given presentations on analysis tools like “Root Cause Analysis and Stakeholder Mapping”.

Afterwards, participants went into session 4 in which they practised using the above tools before delivering their presentations about it.

Meanwhile, on the second and final day of the dialogue, sessions provided by the facilitators were; Identifying Key Conflict and Security Drivers and Entry Points for Peacebuilding and Security Interventions.

This was followed by four intense group activities which allowed participants representing the government, schools, local communities, churches and other organizations to actively contribute to discussions among themselves and with facilitators and learn from each other whilst forming new relationships among themselves.

The dialogue aims to generate interest in the development of a Community of Peacebuilding Practice (COPP) in Solomon Islands.

This programme was facilitated by Transcend Oceania and Conciliation Resources with funding support from UK-Integrated Security Fund.

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-Premier Asilaua questioned why Malaita provincial government will be paying for security guards for Chinese company CCECC working in Auki road project

-Asilaua says it is ‘normal’

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita provincial government (MPG) is being questioned why it will be paying for security guards for CCECC, the Chinese company contracted for the major Auki road project.

Premier Elijah Asilaua has said it is ‘normal’.

Malaita non-executive MPAs raised the concern after the provincial government advertised vacancies for security guards to look after CCECC properties and sites.

The non-executives questioned why Asilaua’s government was giving this special treatment to CCECC when it had never done the same for other companies from other development partners.

“A lot of projects in Malaita funded by other development partners such as Australia and Japan, involving companies from other countries which Premier Asilaua’s government has not even spent a dollar to cooperate and pay for their security.

“But, Premier Asilaua suddenly finds it normal to pay for the security guards of Chinese company CCECC,” the non-executives say.

“If MPG wants the same with contractors implementing donor funded projects in the province, similar privilege should be offered to them all,” the MPAs argued.

“We acknowledge if the privilege is impeded in the agreements between MPG and the contractor on the project. But that doesn’t reflect fairness to all development partners especially contractors implementing projects in the province.

“After all, our donor partners are here to develop us and we should accord similar treatment to them all,” they argued.

“If other contractors pay for their own security guards, why is CCECC not paying for theirs?” the MPAs said.

In response Premier Asilaua said in his assembly speech on Monday said Malaita needs to reciprocate in some form to the CCECC over the Auki road project.

He said for Malaita provincial government to provide security officers “it is normal under its budget allocation”.

“It is a good investment through a win-win cooperation for a good course with high returns on tangible, visible and decent road infrastructure to benefit many people in Malaita province.

“It is the government’s responsibility to make sure the contractor’s foreign staff and even our local employees, machinery, and equipment are in a safe working environment for smooth operations to successfully complete the project time frame in 22 months.

“Safety and security of the machinery, equipment, and staff are important. Providing security officers and police officers to patrol is just normal as well,” Asilaua explained.

Meanwhile, the non-executives clarified that they support the Auki road project.

“We are in full support of Auki Road upgrade project and other donor funded projects in the province,” they said. 

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is a state-owned enterprise of the People’s Republic of China.

It has been awarded the contract to build the major Auki road project.

It is unclear how much the project is worth. However, the Auki road project is part of the $170 million infrastructure funding from China which government directed to Malaita last year.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

 Solomon Islands Recycling Waste Management Association (SIRWMA) came into existence in 2019 with the intention of recycling solid wastes.

“Before that, in 2018, there was a discussion between the individuals, the NGOs, and the corporate houses to have one common goal, an objective, and that is to recycle solid waste,” said Lorraine Rini, SIRWMA Treasurer.

She said the corporate companies had the objectives to reduce their product waste to landfill, sober in particular, which was less than two percent to landfill.

“So, in 2019, the Solomon Islands Recycling Waste Management Association was officially launched,” said Ms Rini.

She said that on May 26, 2021, the association had an AGM supported and facilitated by the Minister of Environment, Conservation, Disaster Management and Meteorology through the support of Environment and Conservation, Honiara City Council (HCC), JPRISM, funded by JICA.

 “When this was formulated, it was to promote recycling activities in Solomon Islands in partnership with the stakeholders. Also, we needed this in place to support the private sector, the recyclers,” she said.

Rini said that the recyclers play a very important role in the Solomon Islands, where a few have already been established, mainly to deal with plastics.

“There are ones that recycle plastic cans, aluminium cans, scrap metals, and also food waste. A sustainable and suitable system, incentives, and facilities that support the recycling businesses must be developed.

“In doing so, it will increase the recycled amounts domestically that can be exported internationally to be recycled,” she said.

She said that the SIRWMA acts as a medium between the stakeholders and the recyclers in the Solomon Islands.

“If you have an interest or share the same objective for recycling all the waste, not only in Honiara but also in the provinces, feel free to contact us,’’ appealed Rini.

The association’s Facebook page is called Solomon Islands Recycling Waste Management Association.

“Going forward, we’re looking forward to working with the Minister of Environment and Conservation, HCC, to align with the policies and the regulations and to drive the objectives and the goals that we have for the recyclers here in Solomon Islands.”

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) is working towards a product stewardship legislation and a container deposits system for the Solomon Islands.

Wendy Beti of the Conservation Division said that the scheme aims to provide incentives for responsible waste disposal practices and, at the same time, create economic opportunities through the strengthening of the recycling industry in the country.

“People can drop off identified material at identified centres and will get paid for that. A percentage fee is deducted and goes towards promoting this system to become sustainable,’’ said Beti.

She said that this would help people return the items to be disposed of at centers instead of disposing of items irresponsibly.

 She said that this program is a partnership between the public and private sectors.

“This program or activity is ongoing, and once we get more information on that, we will inform the public and stakeholders,’’ she said.

She said that other countries in the Pacific have already implemented this system.

“For example, Kiribati, Palau. For us if this comes into place, it also helps; for example, recycling companies here where involved recycling, will help them in terms of collecting waste materials for exporting out of the country since we don’t have a facility in the country for doing recycling of aluminium cans, etc,’’ she said.

She said that the enactment of the Product Stewardship Scheme (PSS) legislation is in line with the National Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy 2017 – 2026.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Malaita province, Elijah Asilaua says political stability, peace, and unity remain the flagship of his government to strengthen the local economy of the province.

He emphasised that this is vital to drive policies in partnership with development partners to achieve the desired outcomes from being heavily dependent on extractive industries to productive and manufacturing sectors.

Asilaua added this will expand into diversified technological economies to increase the domestic market and tap opportunities for export in the global market.

He said this could be through diplomatic and trade bilateral relations established with Jiangsu province of China and other traditional partners.

“While focusing on mass production to reduce shocks and fluctuations in the global market to create more employment opportunities and incomes for a better standard of living to reduce poverty.

“That will transform and improve the lives of our people through productive and resource sectors in commerce, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, lands, and infrastructures with $11 million indicating 48% of our budget,” Asilaua said. 

Moreover, he emphasized the policy translation with MPG’s current budget over time supports existing sectors in economic growth, climate change, fundamental and social sectors to provide better education and health to communities in the province.

Asilaua also noted the importance of quality infrastructure to boost economic activity and delivery of services in Malaita.

“Our connectivity with quality road, bridge, and maritime infrastructures supporting an inter-Island transport system is very vital for better access to connect our hard-working agricultural rural farmers in copra and cocoa production with market links to CEMA.

“Other domestic markets for cattle, taro, pineapple, and kava farmers,” he said.

According to Premier Asilaua, his government believes in political stability and cooperation to translate its policy to ensure Malaitans benefit by participating in economic activity in the province.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A concerned elder in Ulawa, Makira-Ulawa Province has raised concerns regarding the increased number of Malaria cases on the island.

 And, the clinic in the Haupala community is also reportedly run down and short of medicine.

The elder who requested anonymity stressed that despite the cases of malaria continuing to increase on the island, there is no medicine and that one of the major clinics is in a dilapidated state.

“We have malaria cases on the rise with no medicines on the island,” said the concerned community elder.

He revealed that there is a growing concern from community members as cases keep increasing and the clinic building being rundown and not catering for the huge number of sick people needing medical attention.

“The Haupala clinic building has run down since it was built 40 years ago. No staff house and sanitary facilities,” the concerned elder voiced.

“For malaria on the island, this has been ongoing for months now,” said the elder from Ulawa.

The concerned person also disclosed that the clinic on the island is in a poor condition.

“Our clinics are in a very poor condition, even to the stage where they need to be shut down. No proper toilets for sick patients,” the concerned elder said.

The community elder also pointed out that the Arona airport waiting house on Ulawa Island needs demolition.

“The terminal or waiting house does not fit for human habitation. The roads are in bad condition. The Sumoli wharf is already disconnected by sea from mainland access,” said the concerned elder.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

THE Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has slammed the response by the Minister of Mines & Energy, describing it as a mockery and lame attempt to defend the actions of the minister.

Wale’s response comes amid the Mines and Energy’s strong rejection of his concerns of procedural breaches or ministerial overreach regarding the Mines and Energy Minister’s proposed granting of a mining license to Far East Resources Company Ltd for nickel mining operations on San Jorge.

The Mines and Energy statement, in defending the Minister, assured the public that the regulatory framework governing the mining sector is being strictly adhered to and that all mining projects are subject to rigorous legal scrutiny.

The Ministry further explained that no mining license application can be processed without fulfilling the requisite statutory conditions under the Mines and Minerals Act and other relevant legislation.

The Ministry firmly stated that, contrary to the claims made by the Opposition Leader, NO mining license is issued unless these legal requirements are met in full compliance with the established legal framework.

However, Wale slams the response, stating that in light of the concerns raised, eyewitnesses have testified to seeing the Minister disembarking from a boat owned by Far East Resources Company Ltd at Kokonut Café just on Monday night this week after returning from a private trip to Kopiu village in his Constituency.

A press statement issued from the office of the opposition leader yesterday indicated that the mining company’s boat that picked up the Minister was driven by his brother.

“How can this be so? Isn’t this a clear case of conflict of interest, and isn’t this the same story that we have heard before?” Wale questioned.

Wale said in the statement that this recent incident only confirms the concerns raised by the San Jorge landowners. 

“If the Minister can travel in a boat owned by the mining company, how can they trust him to uphold the law and be neutral in dealing with the company’s pending application? What if this is just one of the many favours the mines minister is getting from the company?” Wale questioned.

According to the statement, the Opposition Leader said that this is a conflict of interest at the highest level in any democratic country upholding the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance.

Wale said that the Mines Ministry’s response in the media recently to defend the mines minister is ‘shameful’.

 “The response by the ministry deviates from the core concern raised by the landowners of San Jorge, and it is shameful when we are trying to mislead the people when the red flags are evident,” Wale said in his official statement.

Wale said that successive governments have recklessly handled the mining sector in this country for far too long.

The opposition Leader said the government’s failure to address the long-standing issue in Renbel bauxite mining is just one of many examples of the Government’s gross mismanagement and incompetence in the mining sector.

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