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SI MAKES PROGRESS

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MPDC Permanent Secretary Ms. Susan Sulu delivered her remarks at the launching.

Objectives in national development strategy achieved

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Solomon Islands has made progress in achieving the five objectives of the National Development Strategy 2016-2036.

The give objectives are Economic Growth, Human Development, Social Services and Infrastructure, Environmental Sustainability, and Good Governance.

Speaking at the launching of the NDS 2016-2035 in Honiara yesterday, Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination permanent secretary, Susan Sulu said the Gross Domestic Product growth is projected to increase from 3.5 percent in 2020 to 5 percent in 2025 and 7 percent by 2030, but the country is currently a little off-target.

Furthermore, she said poverty alleviation is being achieved across the whole of Solomon Islands, and efforts are being made to improve clean water, access to electricity, and access to quality health and education.

Further to that, Sulu said disaster risk management and response, as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation, are also areas of progress.

However, Sulu said the lack of updated data and information and weak monitoring and evaluation systems pose a challenge in tracking progress accurately.

But she reminded all stakeholders that the end goal is to improve the lives of the people of Solomon Islands.

Journalists launch first investigative media outlet in Solomon Islands

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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The In-Depth Solomons team. (Left-right) Charley Piringi and Gina Makaa, lead investigative journalists, Ofani Eremae - Editor/ Publisher. Photo supplied.

A NEW investigative media outlet has been launched in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on 5 May 2023.

It comes two days after the world marked World Press Freedom Day on May 3.

In-depth Solomons is an initiative of three leading Solomon Islands journalists Ofani Eremae, Georgina Maka’a and Charley Piringi.

“We are glad to finally get this media project off the ground,” In-depth Solomons team leader and editor, Eremae, said.

“It has taken us a while planning this out. Now it’s time to get down to business and do some real work,” Eremae, a journalist with more than 25 years experience, added.

He explained the news outlet was initiated because of the dire need for investigative and in-depth reporting in the country.

“While we will be also doing regular news coverage, our primary focus would be on investigative journalism.

“This is where our focus will be. And this is where we are heading,” he added.

Eremae further added that In-depth Solomons is not here to compete with anyone, but to complement the work that existing news organizations are already doing.

He thanked OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project), a leading global network of investigative journalists, for its financial support.

“OCCRP gave us a grant that helped to meet our start-up costs,” he said.

He also acknowledged Internews, an international media support group that works in more than 100 countries, for assisting to build In-depth Solomons’ news website.

“We have a website that is as good as any news websites you could find elsewhere in the world.

“All because of the expert advice and guidance of our partners at Internews,” he stated.

Charley Piringi and Georgina Maka’a will spearhead In-depth Solomons’ news investigations.

And they say they are excited about being part of this new project.

“As journalists who are passionate about investigative journalism, I look forward to the work and challenges that lie ahead,” Piringi said.

In-depth Solomons will publish online at: www.indepthsolomons.com.sb

–IN-DEPTH SOLOMONS

NEW AIRBUS SOON

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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New CEO of Solomon Airlines, Gus Kraus.

Solomon Airlines and government negotiating for another A320

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Airlines is on path to securing a second airbus, with the support of the national government.

Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gus Kraus made the announcement yesterday during a media conference saying that the move is now in its negotiating phase.

He adds that they have received some good indication to go ahead with the plan.

The aircraft model A320 is an ex-Jetstar airbus just under 10 years old and is one of the recent models of aircraft in the aviation industry.

Mr Kraus said the lease is similar to what the airline is paying for the current airbus and would reduce down-time for maintenance because its newer and better in terms of performance and maintenance.

“I have made mention to the Chairman and the management team it will signal to the Pacific airlines that we mean business because we have a new model airplane. 

“It’s under 10 years old and that’s a newest airplane we’ve ever want.

“I mean the Twin Otter is 40 to 50 years old. Dash-8 is 38 to 40 years old, the first airbus we’ve had was 25 to 30 years old, the second airbus is 18 to 20 years old.

“So, this one is under 10 years old, hopefully that relates to less down-time for maintenance because its newer and should be better in terms of performance and maintenance.

“But I think we shouldn’t speak too quickly, wait for the government to guarantee first and then wait for the financial institutions to go through our paper works then we will see.

“But we are now already in the phase of trying to negotiate the lease it’s a good sign we got some indication.

“That is partly why the government has agreed to support second airbus. There is more work out there.

“It’s about tapping into it and making sure that any long term plans we have is stable and brings a return of our investment. Otherwise, the government would say don’t go there.

“But at the moment the government is confident and we’ve indicated to them that the confidence in the economy gives us the confidence to actually make those ball rolls. So, it is important to us all that we continue to play our part and develop the country’s economy through the aviation process.

“Well, the lease is almost similar to what we are paying now. But our plan is to charter to additional work of air Vanuatu for some seasonal work charter. On top of that it has the potential to extend to Port Moresby, potential to do other work to Kiribati, so there’s plenty of work.

 “And in longer term we would like to discuss to Tonga and Samoa whether they are interested because these two countries do not have an airline. So, there is potential. Plans are plans and it’s about activating it and making sure that it gets us returns of our investments,” Kraus said.

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.

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