Home Blog Page 591

Geruana Trust calls for Minister’s action

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Permanent Secretary of Forestry, Vaeno Vigulu

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The GERUANA Tribe Trust Board Association (GTTBA) has called on Minister of Forest and Research, Dickson Mua, to suspend his Permanent Secretary, Dr Vaeno Vigulu, due to allegations of a conflict of interest.

This request comes after the Commissioner of Forest, Reeves Moveni, suspended the Felling License No. A102303 of the contractor, Sunway (SI) Limited, from conducting logging operations on GTTBA’s registered land in Vangunu, Western Province.

In their letter to Minister Mua, GTTBA claimed that Dr. Vigulu, who is also recognized as the enthroned chief by the Marovo Councils of Chiefs, has a personal interest in the logging operation and is pursuing a personal vendetta against them.

They allege that Dr. Vigulu is using the customary land issue as a means to disrupt their logging operations on the registered land.

GTTBA also stated that Dr. Vigulu and his brother Plinty took them and the Commissioner of Forest to the High Court in Civil Case No.162 of 2023 regarding the logging operation on the land.

They questioned the fairness of the Commissioner’s decision to issue the suspension notice and raised concerns about potential undue pressure from Dr. Vigulu, who is the Claimant in the ongoing court case.

Additionally, GTTBA questioned why the Commissioner of Forest addressed the suspension notice to Dr. Vigulu instead of the Forestry officer at Seghe.

They claimed that the report received by the Commissioner, which led to the suspension notice, was not true according to a report produced by Senior Forester Mudi of Seghe.

GTTBA argued that the company, Sunway (SI) Limited, did not commit any serious forestry offenses.

They stated that no logs were harvested from Geruana customary land, and the area referred to as Block C, where harvesting took place, belongs to them and shares a common boundary with their land.

GTTBA also mentioned that they had given consent to the company to access the licensed concession area through their land and to set up the logging camp on their land.

GTTBA expressed their belief that both Dr. Vigulu and the Commissioner of Forest should be suspended.

They claimed that the Commissioner did not base the suspension on a substantial report but only on a complaint from the Vigulu brothers.

They accused the Commissioner of being in a position of conflict of interest and incapable of making independent decisions.

GTTBA referred to Minister Mua’s statement in the Island Sun newspaper on Tuesday this week, where he acknowledged issues within the ministry involving officers with vested interests.

They requested that Minister Mua address the issue of vested interests within his ministry, specifically regarding the Permanent Secretary.

Logger’s lawyer appeals for Minister to lift suspension

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
MP for Savo/Russell Dickson Mua and Minister for Ministry of Forestry and Research.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ANT Legal Services recently submitted an appeal to Minister Dickson Mua, urging the lifting of the suspension placed on Sunway (SI) Limited, a logging company.

The suspension was imposed by Commissioner of Forest, Reeves Moveni, who suspended the Felling License No. A102303 of Sunway (SI) Limited, preventing the company from conducting logging operations on the registered land PE 142-001-24 in Vangunu, Western Province, which is under the ownership of the Geruana Tribe Trust Board Association (GTTBA).

According to ANT Legal Services, the Commissioner of Forest notified Sunway (SI) Limited about the suspension on 16th June 2023. Subsequently, on 23rd June 2023, the managing director of the company wrote to Minister Mua, seeking an appeal of the suspension notice.

ANT Legal Services has raised concerns about the decision-making process, alleging that the Commissioner of Forest may have been unduly influenced or placed in a conflict of interest due to the vested interest of Dr Vaeno Vigulu, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

They have drawn attention to a related ongoing civil case, High Court Civil Case No. 162 of 2023, which involves Plinty Vigulu and Dr Vaeno Vigulu, who happens to be the permanent secretary to Minister Mua.

Interestingly, the Commissioner of Forest is named as one of the defendants in this case.

The legal services firm argues that the Commissioner of Forest’s decision to suspend the felling licence appears to pre-empt the ongoing court case involving the Vigulu brothers.

They question the Commissioner’s ability to impartially and independently handle the allegations outlined under Section 39 of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilization Act (FRTU Act).

Additionally, ANT Legal Services highlights that the Commissioner’s show cause letter dated 1st June 2023 did not provide an independent written report to the licensee and the land trustees, neglecting to substantiate or dismiss the allegations made by Plinty Vigulu, the brother of the Permanent Secretary.

Both Sunway (SI) Limited and the land trustees deny these allegations, yet they have been denied the opportunity to respond to the complaint.

ANT Legal Services expresses concern that their response may fall on deaf ears due to the involvement of the Permanent Secretary in the case.

They suggest that the Commissioner of Forest’s alleged predetermined decision, along with the perceived undue influence and conflict of interest, makes it necessary for the suspension issue to be brought before the court as part of the ongoing High Court Civil Case No. 162 of 2023.

This would provide the licensee and land trustees with a fair opportunity to present their case before an independent party.

In light of these circumstances, ANT Legal Services, on behalf of their client, requests that Minister Mua considers the appeal and lifts the suspension order imposed by the Commissioner of Forest.

They propose that Plinty Vigulu brings his complaint to court through the ongoing civil case, ensuring a fair and impartial hearing for all parties involved.

Neither Minister Mua nor the Ministry of Forest and Research has issued a response or statement regarding this matter at the time of reporting.

2 CITIES, FRIENDS

Written by
Ofani Eremae
-
0
Eddie Siapu.

Honiara and Japan’s Nishinomiya collaborate for a better, cleaner future

BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara city’s poor rubbish and waste collection and management system could be a thing of the past as it joins hands with Japan’s Nishinomiya City.

Leaders of the two cities met earlier this week to cement ties and look forward to a future of working together.

Honiara city stands to benefit much from this partnership, with waste management being one of the top priorities.

Lord Mayor Eddie Siapu says Honiara city is honoured to have very this important cooperation with Nishinomiya city and looks forward to working together through environmental learning to achieve sustainable development goals and solve social issues facing both sides.

Mr Siapu highlighted this at the forum on Learning Ecological Activities Foundation (LEAF) Project report session of JICA grassroots programme in the presence of Mayor of Nishinomiya City, Ishii Toshiro.

The event was held at the Mendana Hotel on Tuesday.

Siapu said under this mutual exchange and cooperation, both cities declared environmental learning cities, there are areas of common interest which both cities can implement.

He said Honiara City Council (HCC) values such cooperation and looks forward to working with and supporting Nishinomiya.

“On behalf of the Honiara city Council, I would like to thank the Nishinomiya City for supporting the HCC with the waste collecting compactors as it really helps in waste collections.

“HCC is happy to have such assistance and thank full that Nishinomiya city recognised this,” Siapu said.

“Honiara City Council expects more tangible supports in wastes management as we continue to grow our partnership and collaboration.

“The Council continue to face challenges in maintaining its wastes collection vehicle fleet so is planning to get new vehicles.

“In addition, Honiara City Council expects to see people to people exchange as part of the implementation of the relationship with Nishinomiya City.

“Some Council employees should be given the opportunity to come and learn from the colleagues in Nishinomiya.

“We should also promote students exchanges to foster learning in environmental and related issues,” Mayor Siapu said.

Women in West Makira trained on crop yielding techniques

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Women participants at Wango Community, Makira province.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WOMEN and men of wards 5, 6, 7 and 8 of West Makira are now able to produce enough food to feed their families in the face of ever increasing negative effects of climate change.

This follows a training conducting by the Matavale Women’s Association (MWA) which engaged more than 200 women, girls and men of West Makira.

Charles Stenneth of Matavale Women’s Association said this is the result of a series of training and demonstrations organised and conducted by the MWA with trainers from Kastom Gaden Association and a graduate from Alafua Campus in Samoa over the past months.

“The Matavale Women’s Association has been conducting trainings and demonstrations for women since last year and the last was conducted recently in ward 8 at Asimanioha and Wango in which more than 90 attended.

“The previous ones were held at Anuta and Bia in ward 5, Tawaraha in ward 6 and Tawatana in ward 7.

“The trainings and demonstrations included indoor classes and demonstrations which were open to other community members to observe so that knowledge gained can be replicated in their communities,” Stenneth said.

He said components of the trainings and demonstrations include various ways to improve poor soil fertility such as composting, mulching and crop rotation.

”They were taught, crop management from planting to harvesting, seed selection and preservation and pest control using biological methods.

“Information booklets and tools were also provided under the project to enable women continue with their vegetable gardening after the project is completed.

“An assessment following the completion of the Soils improvement component had indicated that 100 percent of women attending the trainings have put into practice what they have learnt,” he said.

Stenneth said it was also evident that women’s groups and individual families are receiving some form of income through the selling of their products to the public.

“They include the selling of seedlings, vegetable boxes, bags of improved soils and harvested products from their gardens

“The next component in which the Matavale Women’s Association will be involved in is the training of women in entrepreneurial skills to be able to manage and run businesses and cooperatives of which the profits will be saved to be used during times of disasters in providing relief supplies and doing assessments of natural disasters when they happen,” he said.

Stenneth said a training of 16 women from the four wards will soon be carried out to enable them set up the cooperatives to buy cocoa and copra products from rural farmers of which profits will be saved to be used during times of disasters.

“The cooperatives will provide employment to rural youths as well as increasing the circulation of money in the rural economy thereby encouraging commercial activities to thrive.

“The project is also hoping to establish community disaster committees, managed by women to develop mechanisms and systems to be applied during times of disasters,” he said.

Moreover, the purpose of the project component supported by UN Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund is to enable women acquire new agricultural skills to be resilient against the effects of natural disasters.  

Bad weather hinders community roadwork in East Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE current bad weather is hindering community work which started months ago to repair certain parts of East Malaita Road.

“From Foufoumela, we are to continue work to Kware bridge, but was hindered by the current bad weather,” a report update on the work yesterday said.

“We are waiting for the bad weather to over and continue with the roadwork.

“However, the current bad weather has brought the road back to its initial condition and it needs proper maintenance to be carried out,” it said.

The report said communities were supported by MPA for ward 16, Preston Billy Faarobo on the roadwork to revive business activities within the region.

It said communities in the highland of West and East Kwara’ae depend entirely on the road to access goods and services as well as business activities.

The report said that the community roadwork started from Kwaiafa towards Auki, and the eastern end from Kwaiafa to Atori was repaired by Eastern Esteem company.

Cape West fulfills Forestry Regulation

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Minister for Forestry and Research Dickson Panakitasi Mua.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CAPE West Enterprise Limited fulfilled the Forestry regulation to export round logs from Qoiqoi, Tangarare in West Guadalcanal on June 23.

Minister of Forests and Research, Dickson Mua, confirmed this after the ministry refused to sign the export permit because Cape West needed to pay off an outstanding Anniversary Fee of $30,000.

Minister Mua posted the response on the Island Sun Facebook page after the paper ran a story that Cape West carried out a shipment without the authorisation of the Commissioner of Forest.

He said the ship had been at the camp for some time and was later allowed to load after the payment was made.

“I was informed when overseas that my advice, together with the Commissioner of Forest and the Permanent Secretary, is no payment, no loading of cargoes/logs. So, after a few days, payment was made, the export permit was approved and signed, and all export requirements were finally met,” he said.

Mua also said he was informed of some officers within his ministry who had a vested interest in the said land.

“I would also like the media or those who might know more to come forward with rumours of ‘directives from the top level.

“We must work together to stop this. While most forestry issues target the minister, we must, however, acknowledge that the minister relies on his technical officers for advice,” he said.

“I agree that there are some issues within the ministry with some officers having vested interests.

“We must not tolerate such thriving within our ministry nor encourage such,” he added.

New Asian Mining Company press charges against angry landowners

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The New Asian Mining Company is pressing charges against landowners who reportedly demanded compensation and threatened some workers of the company with knives in Manakwai, East Malaita, recently. 

The company claims that these actions violate Section 79 (b) of the Mines and Mineral Act 1990, which states that unlawfully interfering with or obstructing any holder of a permit, license, or lease, or their servants and agents in the exercise of their rights acquired under this Act, is an offence. 

The offenders may face a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisonment for up to twelve months, or both.

The company management expressed sadness over the involvement of a police officer based in Atori in the incident, who was supposed to keep law and order within the communities as expected of him. He should have resolved to have a dialogue with the Auluta Landowners Association on internal land matters.  

However, they criticised the Solomon Star for what they perceived as biased reporting, as the reporter failed to obtain the company’s perspective on the matter.

Solomon Star claimed according to sources on the ground, some of the legitimate land-owning tribes have recently become aware of the reality surrounding the New Asian Mining Company Ltd prospecting activities in East Malaita and have taken matters into their own hands. 

It has been reported that individuals used fake names to sign the Surface Access Agreement (SAA) for land that does not belong to them.

Last week, an Asian worker employed by New Asian Mining Company Ltd accompanied by the Chairman and some members of Auluta Landowners Association was allegedly threatened with knives and forced to pay $3,000 in spot compensation to the landowners after collecting mineral samples from a location called Makakwai. 

Workers left as work intended was completed and returned to Honiara for preparation for the next phase of the prospecting programme.

The sources warned that the issues surrounding the presence of New Asian Mining in East Malaita are highly sensitive due to the dishonesty surrounding the signing of the SAA.

Contrary to the company’s claim that the incident is an internal problem between two parties, there is an existing dispute among the landownership over a portion of land called Manakwai.

The company management clarified that they have signed the SAA with 24 tribes in Auluta who are within the prospecting Licence tenement. 

They argued that the incidents reported in the media are often from people outside of their tenement area and are fueled by political motives against the current government of Malaita.

The company management further stated that the project aims to gather data on the presence of minerals, as there have been rumors of diamonds beneath cocoa trees and gold found while digging post holes. 

However, they emphasised the need for actual proof of these claims. 

They also mentioned their efforts to assist the Malaita province and landowners in East Fataleka and East Malaita through additional prospecting licenses, including a one-year Reconnaissance Permit for aerial surveys using drones and an extension of their existing tenement.

The company management argued that the project contributes to the revenues of both the National Government, through tenement fees, and the Malaita Province, which receives $250,000 for the business licence. They emphasised the financial benefits that come with additional licenses and reiterated their commitment to complying with the relevant laws and regulations.

The New Asian Mining Company commenced mineral prospecting in East Malaita in April after being granted a business license worth $250,000 by the New Government for Fundamental Redirection (MNGFR) led by Premier Martin Fini. 

This Provincial business license allows them to conduct prospecting activities on 24 customary lands until the end of March 2024. Moreso, the Prospecting License issued by the National Government is valid for three years accorded to the Mines and Minerals Act 1990.

Sunway appeals to Forest Minister after suspension of felling licence

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
MP for Savo/Russell Dickson Mua and Minister for Ministry of Forestry and Research.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SUNWAY (SI) Limited has submitted a written appeal to the Minister of Forests and Research, Dickson Mua, after the suspension of its felling Licence No. A102303.

The company’s operations were halted by Commissioner of Forest, Reeves Moveni, on June 16, 2023, shortly after logging activities had commenced on registered land in Vangunu, Marovo, Western Province.

According to Moveni, the suspension was prompted by a dispute over the representation of the Geruana tribe. The company claims that Plinty Vigulu, who raised the complaint, does not accurately represent the tribe and that their activities were authorized by Dr Vaeno Vigulu, the enthroned chief recognised by the Marovo councils of chiefs.

Moveni further explains that the Geruana tribe is traditionally represented by the Geruana Tribe Trust Board Association (GTTBA), of which the registered trustees of Block C were members. However, the complainant argues that Plinty Vigulu acts on behalf of the enthroned chief and should be recognized as the legitimate representative of the Geruana tribe. They contend that matters concerning customary lands should be handled by the enthroned chief rather than a self-proclaimed chief or the GTTBA.

Additionally, the company asserts that they had obtained necessary agreements, including a log pond agreement, campsite agreement, and road access agreement, with the Land Trustees of the GTTBA. They argue that the GTTBA was appointed by the Geruana people to represent their interests and that their activities were lawful based on these agreements.

However, the complainant party, under the leadership of the enthroned chief (MFR Permanent Secretary, Dr. Vaeno), disputes the legitimacy of the GTTBA’s representation. They argue that the GTTBA does not have ownership rights over the customary land and represents the business interests of a select few individuals. According to them, the Geruana customary land is under the custodianship of the enthroned chief, who denies authorising or signing the aforementioned agreements.

Consequently, Moveni suspended SUNWAY (SI) Limited’s felling licence, emphasising that their operations within the Geruana customary land, without proper timber rights or a valid felling licence, are deemed unlawful. He cited a serious breach of Regulation 10 (c) of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation (Felling Licenses) Regulations 2005, as well as a forest offense under Section 4 of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act (FRTU Act).

In response, SUNWAY (SI) Limited maintains that the Geruana Tribe Trust Board Association was established and recognized by the Geruana chiefs and tribe prior to Plinty Vigulu’s complaint. They argue that their previous logging operations on Geruana Customary land were carried out without objections from the Geruana tribe or the complainant, resulting in a Timber Rights Determination in favour of the GTTBA. They stress the significance of their logging operations, highlighting the contribution to government revenue and the overall benefit to the citizens of the country.

As the appeal process unfolds, SUNWAY (SI) Limited seeks reconsideration of the suspension and the reinstatement of their felling license, highlighting the validity of the agreements they entered into and their belief in acting lawfully within the boundaries of their agreements and permissions.

The resolution of this dispute will not only determine the fate of SUNWAY (SI) Limited’s logging operations but also shed light on the broader issue of representation and authority over customary lands.

As the appeals process progresses, the Minister of Forests and Research will play a crucial role in ensuring a fair and just outcome for all parties involved.

Police urged to make arrest in petrol bomb attack

Written by
Press Release
-
0

Police are urged to arrest the five unidentified masked men armed with knives who used petrol bombs and attacked a couple at Kukum on July 2, 2023.

A report indicates that this practice continues in Honiara, where the group allegedly attacked a market house at Vavaya Ridge and later burned a recently torched vehicle at a workshop in Kukum.

A resident of Honiara has urged the police to promptly arrest any suspects, as failure to do so may result in people taking the law into their own hands to deal with the group.

According to one resident, the families of the victims have already provided evidence to the police regarding the suspects, but no arrests have been made thus far.

Honiara City Police Chief Superintendent Jimson Robo recently commented on the incident, describing it as sad and shocking to see criminals inventing new ways to harm ordinary citizens.

The police require the assistance of the community to eradicate such threats from reoccurring.

As of now, the suspects are still at large, and the police are appealing to anyone with information about the masked men to assist the investigators.

HCC urges repatriation of dead bodies

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
City Mayor of the Honiara City Council Eddie Siapu.Photo credit- MAVIS PODOKOLO.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

FAMILY members of dead persons are called to repatriate the body home due to grave site scarcity in Honiara.

This call was made by the City Mayor of the Honiara City Council Eddie Siapu during the celebration of the country’s 45th Independence anniversary held in Honiara last week.

He said at this point in time, space to bury our dead at the present Grave site in Kola Ridge is scarce.

“I therefore appeal to all residents to repatriate the body of any deceased family member back to his or home village for proper burial,” Siapu said.

He said Honiara City council is currently working close with relevant ministers to secure new cemetery site.

“City Council is working closely with relevant ministries of the national government and Guadalcanal Provincial Government to secure a new cemetery site,” Siapu said.

1...590591592...1,664Page 591 of 1,664