IMF stresses importance of deeper engagement with SI

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March 7, 2023

By EDDIE OSIFELO

HONIARA City Council is expecting additional support from the National Government to build its capacity in waste management, before the Pacific Games in November, this year.

This after HCC has limited capacity to manage waste for the Games.

It was estimated an extra 60,000 of wastes will need to be collected during the two weeks of the Games and dump at the limited Ranadi landfill in East Honiara.

This will add to the 100,000 tonnes of wastes produced everyday Honiara.

Ministry of Home Affairs permanent secretary, Jeffrey Sade Deve told media last Friday for collection and disposal of waste during clean up and during the Games, HCC will utilise its current fleet up to full maximum.

He said for additional support, HCC is requesting additional waste management vehicles, compactor timber truck, skip bin trucks from the National Government.

Further to that, Sade said the HCC stakeholder – CAUSE project will also support with collection and disposal during the Games.

However, he said HCC recently purchased a bulldozer which is now working to deal with wastes at the landfill.

“And HCC will use additional equipment to push and handle waste during the Games,” he added.

In term of Going forward, Sade said HCC is also discussing with interested private waste sector entities to set recycling of green energy production at the Ranadi landfill.

HCC Clerk Justus Denni said despite lack of capacity, they are doing all their best to collect the wastes within Honiara and dump at Ranadi landfill.

“Hoping close to Games, we receive additional support from National Government or private sector entities to help build up capacity in waste collections,” he added.

Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers said they had few consultations with HCC and Prime Minister has committed National Government to work with HCC to address some of that.

32 buildings burnt during riots to be demolished

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March 7, 2023

261002640_4546194542125772_6762279084870846313_n — Part of the burnt-out China town from the recent riots. Photo supplied.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 32 buildings torched and destroyed during the riots in November 21 are recommended to be demolished immediately.

This came after assessments carried out by Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Development Architectural and building license services, National Disaster Management Office, Honiara City Council and Solomon Islands Fire Services last year.

This happened after HCC convened a meeting with Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA) in January 2022.

Ministry of Home Affairs permanent secretary, Jeffrey Sade Deve told media last Friday that in a follow up meeting with SICA, they focussed on the need to rebuild Chinatown.

However, he said it was delayed because some property owners are still waiting for financial supports from the National Government.

Further to that, Sade said some property owners have raised concern of another riot occurring during the National General Elections in April 2023.

As such, he said most of them have agreed to start rebuilding their properties after the elections.

Furthermore, Sade said some of them try to rebuild, so HCC has granted them approval in consistence with National Building Code and building ordinances.

Apart from that, Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers said from a Pacific Games perspective, they join HCC and speaking with SICA to flatten the structures if they are not going to rebuild.

He said this is to avoid ‘eyesore’ during the Games.

Rodgers said this will also include buildings left standing at King George Six in East Honiara.

Ministry of Finance and Treasury has confirmed the November riots has showed an estimated loss of $811 million in 2021.

It happened after protestors demanded Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to step down after his government switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.

However, there were other mixed issues blamed for the riots as well like ‘economic inequality’ and ‘ethnic tension’.

1,000 SIG scholarships will be available for 2023: PS Rodie

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March 7, 2023

Permanent-Secretary-of-the-Ministry-of-Education-and-Human-Resource-Development-Dr-Franko-Rodie-900x450 — Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY NED GAGAHE

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development Dr Franko Rodie has confirmed that the total number of Solomon Islands Government funded scholarships that will be made available in 2023 is 1000.

Dr Franko Rodie revealed this at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) weekly media conference last Friday.

Rodie said he was informed last week that 500 conditional awards have already been issued and work is currently in progress to issue the actual awards.

“In 2023 the number of scholarship available is 1000. From what I know from last week some 500 awards have been issued. So, what happen is after the selection was done those successful students or candidates were offered provisional awards, so the process has been completed, what they are doing now is to issue the actual awards, so as I speak that is what happening.” Rodie said.

On another note, Rodie said most universities that the government usually sent students have already commenced classes five weeks ago.

He said that he is aware that the delay has caused frustration amongst parents and students but he said that the process has really put the students and parents down.

Rodie confirmed during the conference that so far he doesn’t have any data on how many awards for SINU, how many for USP, FNU and other universities that we usually sent our students.

“But I think many of you are aware that most universities where the students supposed to go have already began lectures five weeks ago. And that is the issue. There has been delay and most parents and students are really frustrated.

“The process has put them dowm. That’s all I can give in terms of the awards. I do not have the data, how many awards for SINU, how many for USP, FNU and other universities that we usually sent our students.

Meanwhile, Rodie said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) Constance Nasi was supposed to be here but she is not present to answer some of the questions.

IMF recommends gov’t to review CDF Act

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March 7, 2023

IMF — IFM’s Masafumi Yabara. Photo credit - SIBC Online.

BY NED GAGAHE

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Solomon Islands Government commences review of the Constituency Development Fund.

This was highlighted by a team from IMF who have recently visited the country to conduct and presented a preliminary finding on the 2023 IV Consultation held with stakeholders in Solomon Islands last month.

Team leader of the group Masafumi Yabara was asked during a press conference if IMF have now concerned after repeatedly recommending the Solomon Islands government to review the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act.

“Yes, you are right we have been recommending the reform of the CDF in a couple of years.

“I see the government is aware of the issue.

“They are really trying to address the issue – the review of the CDF Act, so that establishment of regulation under the Act, so that we support their efforts and we hope it would materialize in the near future.” Mr Yabara said.

Meanwhile, Yabara also said that the trade structure in Solomon Islands is also changing because China has become the dominant trader partner in the last decades.

Yabara said because of that Solomon Islands needs to review the exchange rate basket for which Solomon Islands dollars is pegged with other trading currencies.

“So that is the part of the reason why we recommend the review of the exchange rate. We need to see to what extent the current basket reflects the trade structure.

“We are recommending the review of the basket to confirm that the composition in in line with the trade structure. For now, we are not recommending changing the basket.

HCC EYES BUS SERVICE

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Mavis Podokolo

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March 7, 2023

crowded-bus-stop-at-the-Honiara-Central-Market-under-no-roof-while-waiting-for-King-George-VI-and-Naha-destination—Photo-by-Daniel-Kakadi — Crowded busstop at the Honiara Central Market.

Bus drivers/owners continue to ignore regulations, Council considers takeover

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WITH the long standing issue of short bus route in Honiara the Honiara City Council (HCC) is seriously looking at operating bus services ‘in partnership with some private sectors’.

City Clerk for Honiara City Council Justus Deni confirmed this in a press conference held in Honiara last week.

“We HCC actually launched our programme to crack down on short bus routes.

“This programme worked for the first day but with some mentality issues and attitude problem that people have this programme did not serve its purpose.

“It was noticed that after first few days the issue of short bus route still stands.

“But going forward we are seriously looking at Council running bus services in partnership with some private sector, we have a committee working on that at the moment to develop our policies and ordinances,” Deni said.

Attorney General John Junior Muria adds, this issue of short bus route is related to the Pacific Games 2023 especially how to deal with logistics.

Muria said, “as per Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s statement during the launch of the Safe and Green games, this week a meeting with stakeholders will be held to discuss on how to address certain issues like the short bus route.

“We will be working on an ordinance that if buses did not adhere to what HCC says, HCC has the power to immediately de-register them and they will be unable to operate because their license will be taken away as well, so, the committee will discuss around this particular issue,” he said.

Secretary to Prime Minister Jimmy Rodgers further stressed that there will be harsh penalties made because it is the only way to change mentalities.

Meanwhile, according to HCC media statement measures to crack down short bus route were outlined and effective as of Monday, January 23 but the measures were not observed and adhered to.

New NRH building work given greenlight by disputing parties

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March 6, 2023

Attorney General John Muria Jnr. Photo credit - SIG Portal Online.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

DISPUTING parties of the proposed new National Referral Hospital at Gilbert camp, East Honiara have agreed for work to progress.

This is despite the dispute over the land being before the court.

Attorney General, John Muria Junior confirmed this to media last Friday.

Muria Junior said the land is in the name of the Commissioner of Lands after the government paid certain landowners following negotiations.

He said then some disputing parties came in and introduced a caveat and an ensuing court case.

“Since then, number parties also joined in the civil proceedings.

“But one thing is common among everyone is everyone agree for progress to go ahead and hospital to be built,” he said.

Attorney General said it just they don’t want payment to go to certain people only.

“In terms of ground working and all that, everyone agreed for hospital to progress,” he added.

Furthermore, Secretary to Prime Minister, Jimmie Rodgers said construction of the new NRH in two phases namely Planning and design phase and actual construction.

He said the total cost sits around $1 billion, that is the cost of Pacific Games project.

Rodgers said it is not going to be a small entity but Ministry of Health and Medical Services is liaising with Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Moreover, Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr Culwick Togamana told Parliament last September that it will take up to 10 years before the actual work begins because there a lot of work involving in the process of the construction of the work.

“Some of the works are developing concept plan, master plan, fencing, land issue and clearance of unexploded bomb.

“The site at Gilbert Camp for the relocation of the hospital is still in the concept planning stage,” Dr Togamana said.

Dr Togamana said a taskforce was appointed in 2021 and it comprises important stakeholders have been selected to work together on this important project.

“One important task is to involve important consultant groups for the designing of the master plan for the new hospital.

“This is important because the existing NRH only caters for a population of about 300,000. But our national population has exceeded 600,000.

“We need to properly plan so that the new hospital can cater for our growing population,” the Health and Medical Services Minister said.

Dr Togamana said site studies have been conducted on the location and are being reviewed by his ministry and other key stakeholders of the national government.

Attorney General blocks mineral resources bill 2022

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March 6, 2023

PS Mines — Permanent secretary Ministry of Mines, Dr Chris Vehe. Photo credit - SIG Portal Online.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Attorney General Chambers has blocked the Mineral Resources Bill 2022 after advisors submitted a draft bill, instead of drafting instruction.

Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification permanent secretary, Dr Christopher Vehe confirmed this to media last Friday.

Dr Vehe said there is a clear expectation and anticipation from the Chamber that drafters only submit drafting instruction and not draft bill.

“One issue causes this prolongation of having the bill to Cabinet.

“Instead for those that work put together all this consultations information into drafting instruction but move ahead to draft the bill,” he said.

Dr Vehe said when it reached the AG Chambers, it has its own position on that and the whole draft bill not taken on board.

He said it’s nothing to do with DCGA holding back on progressing the bill to Parliament.

“It’s all of this technicality we need to make proper,” he added.

MMERE has hired Professor William Kosar – a Canadian now living in Kenya – to help put the Bill together.

Dr Vehe said the legal advisor engaged again will arrived on Tuesday to really go through the drafting instruction.

He said all of this month to tidy up properly and should approach Cabinet next month.

“We really looking at two months to allow Cabinet to look at it,” he added.

According to Solomon Star, Prof Kosar described the Mineral Resources Bill as “shoes for Solomon Islanders’ feet”, when he met with media last year.

He said under the new Bill, mineral ownership of a mineral located in or on Solomon Islands land … waters is vested in the people and Crown (Government) regardless of:

“where … the mineral is located or whether the mineral is dissolved or suspended in … waters or located in the seabed or subsoil of those waters,” he said.

He stressed that in dealing with matters concerning minerals in Solomon Islands, the government “must at all times, act “on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands and in the best interests of her people.”

Prof William said the Bill was intended to address, among other things, “the natural resources world is rapidly changing as is the demand for minerals.”

Solomon Islands’ Mines and Minerals Act is now three decades old and “has failed to keep up to date with advancement in other sectors.”

The Bill also proposes setting up of a Mineral Resources Special Fund within the meaning of section 100(2) of the Constitution.

“The purpose of the Fund is to receive and hold payments made by holders of mining tenements into the Fund. The Fund shall be the principal depository for all revenue sourced from mineral exploration,” it said.

It shall be held by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

The Bill also proposes setting up a Solomon Islands Minerals Advisory Centre (SIMAC) to support landowners and communities by providing training, consultation and awareness activities and facilitating independent advice at all stages of the mining life cycle.

‘SIMAC shall have a permanent or semi-permanent presence in Provinces an communities where mining is taking place,” the notes said.

Women shall be “substantially” included in community level negotiations and decision-making regarding mining activities.

“Where possible, a community or landowner group will benefit from mine-related training, scholarships, employment or other similar benefits men and women will, as far as possible, shall have equal access to those benefits.

TOLOA gives Malaita provincial govt 90 days

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March 6, 2023

Afio station, Small Malaita. Photo credit - SIBC Online

BY NED GAGAHE

Talahanea Original Land and Resource Owners Association (TOLOA) Board of Trustees have issued a three-month notice to the Malaita Provincial Government to resolve rental arrears for two water dams built at Weilulu head stream source build within customary land outside Talahanea 2 provincial boundary.

In an interview with this paper TOLOA Board of Trustees representative Alfred Karuheu said TOLOA Board of Trustees decided to issue the warning based on a recent meeting concerning the matter and lack of forthcoming discussion by the Malaita Provincial Government.

“A letter was written by the TOLOA Trust Board and Executive Committee on 03^rd December 2021 addressed to the Hon. Premier and attention to Provincial Secretary. On the same note, a letter was written to the senior Administration Officer South, Afio based attention to Officer in Charge Rural Water Supply on date 7th December 2021.

“Non response to the above legal letters shows negligent of duty of care in your higher office.

“I refer you to letter given to Senior Admin Officer South that stated the SAO must come to Auki to discuss the Water Dam with PS at Auki for monthly rental purposes at $30,000/dam and $60,000 for both per month.

“Be aware that the above-mentioned rental must be back dated to 2019 estimated at $3,600,000.

“I am urging you the Provincial Secretary and Malaita Legal Advisor to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding after discussing the issue with the Senior Admin Officer South and TOLOA Trust Board incorporated in the next 90 days/ three months.

“I advise you to resolute the issue out of court. I hold documents and information to go to the High Court of Solomon Islands.

“This is to show to the people of this country and Malaita Province that you are operating on bad governance, not on good governance in Malaita Provincial Government,” Mr Karuheu said.

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March 6, 2023