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Labour mobility emits huge remittance to the country

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Labour Mobility Scheme continues to bring huge remittances to the country.

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Rod Hilton was in Auki this week and the scheme was amongst other development areas discussed with Premier Martin Fini, Deputy Premier, Joe Hero’au and Commerce Minister, Edward Misite’e.

He said for 2022 alone, Australia received 5,000 workers from Solomon Islands, in which 40 percent of them were Malaitans.

Hilton said the remittance they sent back to Solomon Islands for that year was SBD200 million, and 40 precent of it was SBD80 million received by Malaitans.

He said the SBD200 million, excluded money the workers brought home with them during their return.

Hilton said there is an outlook that the figure will increase to SBD300 million in 2023, and if so, Malaita province would likely receive SBD120 million for its 40 percent portion of the total workers.

Hilton said the remittance plays a significant role in addressing family needs like; school fees, building of house etc.

Hero’au thanked Australia and other partners in the programme for the benefits it has on the country particularly Malaita.

He said being with the biggest population, Malaita also has biggest demand for the programme.

Hero’au said that is portrayed in the number of workers to Australia last year, Malaita almost halved the 5,000 workers.

He said whilst Malaita provincial government applauds the programme, they have a concern that needs considering.

Hero’au said the concern is – what is next after the workers return home from the scheme?

“This is because there is no avenue provided in the country or province to utilise the skills they had learnt.”

He said although it is a national concern, Australia and the national government should be preparing for the workers by investing in areas would provide avenue for them.

Hero’au said one of which, particularly for Malaita province is Bina harbor processing plant project. If the project operates, it will create more jobs to address the concern.

The Deputy Premier, however, thanked the Australian government for being one of the key partners in the Bina harbor project and other economic infrastructure projects in the province.

Hero’au said Malaita provincial government will continues to work hand-in glove with them and other development partners towards the development aspirations of the province.

MOU for Malu’u market project sealed

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Australian high commissioner to Solomon Islands His Excellency Rod Hilton delivers his speech at the opening of the country’s first ever child care centre. Photo credit - Ben Bilua

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUSTRALIAN High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton and Premier of Malaita province Martin Fini signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin work on the Malu’u market project.

The MOU was signed on Monday this week in Auki witnessed by members of Malaita provincial government (MPG) and its administration staffs and HE Hilton’s delegation.

The project will be funded by the Australian government. The design for the market facility is in progress and construction will begin in October 2023.

The total fund for the market project is SBD15 million, aimed to stimulate and boost the local economy and create local jobs for rural populace of Malaita’s northern region.

The project was initially proposed to be placed in front of Malu’u Are Health Centre. The proposal was however reassessed due to the expansion of the health facility.

After dialogue between responsible stakeholders, the project was agreed to be relocated to an area in front of Malu’u.

The completion of the project will enable communities within the northern region of Malaita to engage in economic activities that will benefit them. The project is among six other similar projects that will be funded by the Australian government across the country under the coordination of Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP).

‘MORE THAN A FRIEND’

Written by
Samie Waikori
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(L-R) World Bank rep, rep from customary landowner, Mr Jonathan Mali'i and H.E Rod Hilton cut the ribbon to officially hand over the projects to the community.

Australia hands over community projects in Malaita, MOU signed for Maluu market

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Australia’s high commission this week has been busy handing over completed community projects in Malaita province and signing a memorandum of understanding for the $15million Maluu market project.

A new clinic was handed over to the Oneoneabu communities in Central Kwara’ae on Monday.

Also on the same day, Australian high commissioner Rod Hilton handed over a completed footpath and an improved access water source to Kunu community in Auki, a project implemented by the CAUSE Project.

To cap it off, HE Hilton and Malaita premier Martin Fini signed a MOU to allow work on the Maluu market project to begin, with constructions expected to start in October this year.

Kunu community, which hosts more than 1,600 members, can now access clean water easily and safely after Monday’s handover of a 208-metre footpath, a foot-bridge and an improved-access water source.

The two projects were funded by the Australian government and World Bank under the CAUSE project in the country through the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility (PPIUF) Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

Speaking during handover, landowner of Kunu customary land, Mr Jonathan Mali’i thanked the CAUSE project, Australia and World Bank for funding the projects.

He said Kunu is just on the outskirt of Auki town, but lacked basic services like water and electricity.

Mali’i said in 1990s, the landowner brought a logging operation into the area with the aim to turn the customary land into ‘commercial pivot’ to Auki town.

He said after, people started to buying land from the owners and now Kunu has turned into one of the biggest residential areas in Auki.

He thanked the Australian government and World Bank for the improvement of the water source and footpath which will help residents access water easier and safer.

Hilton thanked Mali’i on behalf of customary landowners of Kunu for cooperation with CAUSE project.

He said the projects, footpath and improved-access water source will play a crucial role in addressing some of the challenges faced within the suburb community.

Hilton said Australia continues to engage in similar projects and other community improvement projects in Malaita province and the country as part of their relationship with Solomon Islands.

German sailor retrieves one of her iPads

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Ms Hilde Larsen onboard her yacht. Photo credit - Ben Bilua.

BY BEN BILUA

ONE of the iPads which were stolen onboard a sailing boat owned by a German sailor has been retrieved by police.

Police handed over the iPads yesterday to Hilde Larsen yesterday at Gizo Hotel.

According to a report, an unknown man handed the iPAD to police last week following calls police made to communities.

The report says efforts made by Nusabaruku and Fishing Village communities enabled police to get the item.

Report states that Police have identified one suspect and are in the process of making an arrest.

The report states that another IPAD is yet to be located and Gizo Police is still working closely with communities with some leads.

Island Sun understands that Larsen lost two iPADs when a burglar entered her boat in the early hours earlier last month.

Larsen shared with this paper her horror that morning when she woke up to see a burglar trying to board her boat.

The news of the stolen item was soon spread on social media attracting Gizo residents to express frustration and anger towards such a bad attitude.

Constituency office cannot address all requests due to fund: Manele

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Jeremiah Manele

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

MEMBER of Parliament for Hograno Katova Kia Havulei Constituency and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele has admitted on the floor of Parliament that it was not possible to address all projects due to funding limitation.

Minister Manele said projects and requests submitted to the Constituency office, will not be addressed as expected due to limited funding.

“I want to address my people that it is not possible to address all the requests submitted to the constituency office, even 8, 12 or 16 years is not enough as we have a lot of people”, Manele said.

He said population increases every year and new people join the queue of list of every year and also the level of funding does not correspond to the increasing number of requests of needs and of wants of the people.

However, he assured his people that he will continue to do his best to serve his people and continue with the positive change they have started eight years ago.

Opposition leader calls on government to prioritise federal government

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Opposition Leader Matthew C Wale.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

OPPOSITION Leader Mathew Wale has called on the Government to prioritize its resources to speed up the Federal Government system.

Mr Wale said he noted the reasons and difficulties highlighted by the Prime Minister about the delay, but it is too long.

“Our people will not trust us; our leadership and they will say that we are not taking this issue as important.

“It has been too long for the government to decide on this very important matter”, Wale highlighted.

He said the government must prioritize resources and address issues that need to be done, so that in the event this current parliament not able to deliberate on the issue, the next Parliament will decide on the issue.

“Decentralize governance and government is key to keeping this country together, it is important we pursue”, Wale said.

Therefore, he added that leaders need to be responsible in the way they are dealing with the idea of Federal State government as people are waiting to long on the Government to decide on.

SIG 2024 scholarship intake set to open in June

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Franco Rodie

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE proposed date for the Solomon Island Government 2024 scholarship intake is scheduled for June this year.

This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development Dr Franco Rodie in a recent weekly media conference organised by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).

“On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education Skills Authority (SITESA) I can confirm that the tentative date for next year’s SIG scholarship intake will open or be advertised on June and will end on the 31st of July,” Rodie said.

He then adds by encouraging interested individuals who are interested to further their education level to listen out for the propose date.

Moreover, Island Sun understands that names of the 2023 Solomon Island Government scholarship recipients was not made known to the public or published.

Big promise

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier of Malaita province, Hon Martin Gaote’e Fini.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita’s new government has promised to deliver its 11th hour multi-million dollar project, which encompasses many small projects for the communities.

These national projects centre on infrastructure sector and if implemented, would put Malaita province higher in its development strive.

There are a number of projects mentioned by the MNGFR, but 12 of them are the ones that were identified and selected to kick-off work as soon as possible.

They are:

  • Fotana deposit project
  • Find out 28 towers for Malaita province
  • Find out Kilu’ufi intervention hospital
  • Find out Fiu bridge
  • Ward development projects
  • Auki region tar-sealing road (including existing north, south and east roads)
  • West Kwaio Bonale pineapple product
  • Honoa Economic Growth Centre
  • Atoifi airfield/wharf/road tar-seal
  • Afio wharf/road tar-seal
  • Manawai harbour wharf
  • Auki sea port terminal

MNGFR will also support other projects like; Fakanakafo international seaport, northern economic corridor, climate change projects and programmes and existing projects like Bina.

The projects are part of DCGA’s commitment with MNGFR, where they will work to create an enhanced and conducive environment for meaningful development for the province.

And MEDI will behind MNGFR to negotiate and discharge projects for the province in the national development plan with DCGA to deliver within the 11 hours.

Premier Martin Fini said MNGFR will look at important issues like climate change, harvesting of natural resources and settlements of disputes through negotiation and discharging of agreements to allow participation of people in economic developments.

Fini said MNGFR saw this as the cornerstone to implement this policy in the 11th hour.

He said his government will focus on doable strategy and not “business as usual strategy” to implement attainable programs that will have a leverage impact on businesses, economy and financial ability of the province.

“It will be a one shot stop strategy in the dying hours,” Fini said.

He said the MNGFR is committed with positive responses from DCGA, Japan, PRC, US, World Bank & ADB, Australia and New Zealand who will support Malaita province in its various sectors of development.

Sutton wins defamation case against Sol Star and Sasako, appeal looms

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Solomon Star newspaper and veteran journalist Alfred Sasako have lost a $75,000 defamation case to former Customs Comptroller Jim Sutton.

High Court ruled on March 24, 2023 that Solomon Star and Mr Sasako were guilty of defaming Mr Sutton in a string of articles, and ordered they paid Sutton a total of $75,000 in damages.

Fifty thousand dollars was for damages caused by Star and Sasako on Sutton, and a further $25,000 for aggravated damages in their repeated publications of the defamatory materials and their refusal to apologise and retract.

Sasako last week told Island Sun that they would be appealing, although Sutton’s lawyer Andrew Radclyffe said he has not been informed of it yet.

Star and Sasako have 30 days since March 24 to lodge an appeal.

Court heard in its March-7 hearing that four articles were published in the Solomon Star newspaper on dates, September 24, 2021, March 22, 24 and 26, 2022. The articles were also published online.

Sutton had claimed that materials run in the stories about him were ‘untrue and defamatory’, and Star and Sasako pleaded that they were ‘justified in publishing the material and said that the material published was true and in the public interest’.

On September 24, 2021, Star ran a front-page story titled ‘Sutton Under Spotlight’, lining allegations which include:

1) Sutton allegedly breaking the law by opening an unauthorised bank account with BSP and depositing $274,000, which were proceeds five vehicles sold.

2) It also alleged Sutton was investigated for corruption because he had donated vehicles to the office of the Prime Minister.

3) Sutton allegedly was guilty of gross misconduct and sexual harassment.

4) He allegedly breached the Public Finance Management Act by selling a government vehicle and failed to pay the proceeds to the Government.

5) His alleged account allegedly had $4 million, money which allegedly should have gone to the government.

On March 22, 2022, another front page article was published with the title ‘$5M Pay Package for Comptroller of Customs under a three year contract’.

This article alleged Sutton was previously terminated by the Australian government and that he now had a new three year contract with SIG with a tax-free salary of $100,880 per month plus covid-19 allowance of $156,389.34.

Further allegations, ‘in addition to his salary he received a vehicle and hotel accommodation’, court ruling documents said.

On March 24, 2022, another article appeared in the Star, repeating allegations about Sutton’s salary package, covid-19 allowance, vehicle and hotel accommodation.

The fourth article repeated allegations of SIG funding a lucrative three-year contract for Sutton, allegations of sexual harassment, and unaccounted money from vehicle sale.

Despite a letter on March 29, 2022 by Sutton’s lawyer demanding an apology and retraction of defamatory statements, no apology nor retraction was made.

In the court ruling statement, the following excerpts show lack of evidence to support the publications’ allegations.

19. There was no documentary evidence that had reference to the claimant regarding the sale of the vehicles.

20. The contract was not for three years but for one year. The salary was subject to tax at the rate of 40%. There was no allowance for covid-19. The accomodation at the hotel was part of the allowances and not in addition to the allowances.

21. There was no evidence put forward to prove who opened the account into which the proveeds for the sale of the cars was made. There was no evidence that the opening of the account was unathorised. There was no evidence that around $4 million was paid into that account. There was no evidence that the proceeds of the sale of the cars was not paid into the consolidated fund on conviction of the accused in the police investigation.

23. There was no evidence that the claimant had breached section 22(1) [of the public finance management act (PFMA) 2013].

25. The defendants have not provided evidence to prove the truth of the allegation that the claimant had failed to properly account for the proceeds of the vehicles. In particular there was no evidence that the claimant had broken the law as claimed nor any evidence that monies due to the government were not paid to the government. In short, the defence did not prove that the claimant had misapplied or misused government money.

26. There was no evidence that the claimant [Sutton] had breached this section [Section 24 of the PFMA]… No evidence was put forward to prove that he had opened an account at the BSP. There was no evidence that the amount into which the proceeds of the confiscated vehicles was paid had been opened without authorisation.

27. No evidence at all was put forward to demonstrate that the allegations of sexual harassment were true. No evidence was put forward to prove the truth of the allegation that claimant [Sutton] was previously contracted to the Australian government but that contract was terminated following allegations of sexual harassment.

28. No evidence was put forward to prove the truth of the allegations of acts of gross misconduct.

33. No evidence was put forward by the defendants to demonstrate whether the claimant had improved or failed to improve the custom and excise division as he was employed to do…

Commenting on the defamation judgement, Puisne Judge Howard Lawry said, “Freedom of speech is not an absolute right. In the present case the articles were distributing allegations that have not been shown to be true arising from persons described as being ‘disgruntled staff’. The articles were clearly designed to impugn the character of the claimant and to publicly ridicule him.

“The claimant is a very senior public figure … and has been accused of breaking the country’s financial laws, misusing public funds and of sexual harassment has suffered significant harm to his reputation.

“The fact that his contract was relatively short term means that he is dependent on his reputation for future employment or contracts. The damage done to his reputation … entitle him to damages for the harm done.

“For all the defamatory material I consider an award of $50,000 is appropriate. I consider the repeated publication both later publications of the newspaper and online together with the refusal to apologise and the refusal to retract justify an award of aggravated damages.”

ALLOWANCES FROM 2022?

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

MEHRD waits for ‘cheques to be ready’ before paying SIG students their dues

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

Allowances from last year are yet to be paid to Government sponsored students at the local university SINU and rural training centres.

The ministry of education (MEHRD) says it is waiting for ‘cheques’ to be ready before it can start paying students their overdue allowances.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development Dr Franco Rodie told this at a press conference last week at the prime minister’s office.

“To answer the questions of when will the government give students’ allowances. My response is when the cheques are ready to be paid, thank you very much,” he said.

Rodie there are internal processes that did not allow the quick payment of the 2022 allowances.

“The key reason is the all the payments last year was halted so we got to re-raise them again,” he said.

“As far as I know this is based on the requisition that I’ve sighted most of the payments have been made but I cannot give you the figures because I don’t have it in terms of those who are yet to be paid. The internal processes have contributed to the delay.”

He said the other factor that triggered the delay is that some students did not provide their enrolment details in the required timeframe as per SITESA’s requests.

Rodie adds that the internal delay is caused by internal payment process both at the Ministry level or SITESA and at the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MFOT).

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