MALAITA provincial government is implementing 13 new PCDF projects despite its disqualification for the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) programme for the financial year 202/2023.
Provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury under MPG, Nelson Lenty confirmed this in a revised budget speech that was defeated by the non-executive by vote last week.
“I would like to highlight that for this year 2022/23, MPG is implementing 13 new projects.
“Retention payments for five (5) completed projects are also included in the budget which are still awaiting the completion of their six months deferred liability period,” he said.
On the same note, Lenty announced eight approved projects that removed from the 2022/2023 financial year due to MPG’s PCDF disqualification.
“I want to affirm to my honourable colleagues that eight approved projects for 2022/23 financial year have been removed due to the recent MPG’s PCDF disqualification.
Lenty clarified that reason to remove the projects was due to insufficient fund to construct all the intended projects.
The Minister however said despite that the government is co-funding $100,000 to the province’s PCDF capital projects.
Lenty said the figure represents around three percent of the total PCDF revenue, and such contribution to the province’s own development is essential as part of the assessed performance measures.
He said under the arrangement, MPG expects to provide budget for 3%, which is a 2% less than the required contribution margin of 5% of the PCDF.
Lenty said provincial governments receive 1 mark for contribution above 5% and two marks for contribution above or equal to 7%.
“We expect to get zero (0) mark for this performance measure in the upcoming PCDF assessments possibly towards the end of January 2023,” he said.
However, Lenty said Malaita province is looking forward to another round of assessment whilst they hope to passes all the minimum conditions.
Groundbreaking ceremony of the new design of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
The new design of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre project worth $150 million aimed at providing high quality birthing and care services for Naha and surrounding communities was launched on January 23rd.
Speaking to the event Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana said the Naha project has been a long time coming.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Togamana Delivers his remarks.
“Its establishment will be a first for Solomon Islands.
“The establishment of this Birthing Centre will be a first for the country and will enable high quality birthing services to be provided to mothers and their babies in modern, safe environment outside of the National Referral Hospital.
“This Birthing centre will have capacity for up to 1500 low risk deliveries per year and this will greatly assist with reducing the workload on the National Referral Hospital Delivery Wards and the National Referral Hospitals over-workers midwifery staff,” Togamana said.
Unveiling of Signage by all speakers of the launching ceremony.
He said the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre will provide for the broader Naha ward community as well, through provision of primary health services for all, in a modern, new facility.
“The new Naha facility will be the first Urban Health Facility built to meet the requirements of the Ministry’s Role Delineation Policy, which is the major policy initiative of my Ministry aimed at providing quality, affordable health services closer to where people live,” Togamana said,
He said $150 million has been provided by the Australian Government for this project.
The Signage of new design of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.
On the same note Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Dr Lachlan Strahan says this project is really important to him as he approaches the conclusion of his time in the Solomons.
Strahan says this project was unveiled by the Australian and Solomon Islands prime ministers in 2018 – “so in fact it is a prime ministerial initiative”.
Australian High Commissioner Lachlan Strahan delivers his remarks.
“This project is important because it is about the health of the community Honiara. This project is indeed very much a signatory project of our Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) programme.
“This facility will be accessible for people with disability and also we will be having more spaces for patients to feel comfortable. In the end it is all about making sure that people in this city especially the women receive the best possible medical care.
“It is also a very much corner stone of our health program here in Solomon Islands,” he said.
Naha Clinic Head Nurse Sr Lucy Maena says the ground breaking ceremony marks another chapter for the Naha health centre.
Naha Clinic Head Nurse Sr Lucy Maena.
Maena said Naha clinic is one of the busiest clinic in Honiara Country Council and serves a huge catchment population in east Honiara. Yet, the size of the clinic remains the same and cannot provide a conducive waiting area for clients and also transporting sick patient to the National Referral Hospital cost a lot of money.
“With the new re -designed health facility my staffs are looking forward to work in the high classic quality health facility and to provide the much needed quality care for clients.
“We are so excited and looking forward to work inside the new facility upon its completion,” Maena said.
Moreover, the new re-designed health facility is larger with 34 beds, x-ray, ultrasound and operating theatre, dental, ear and eye health, large birthing suits with bath room, laundry and garden access, community pharmacy and larger room and family space.
A contractor will be confirmed in the coming months and construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
Solomon Water has swiftly launched an immediate investigation into the cause of current brackish water affecting Noro residents, Western Province.
In a statement yesterday, Solomon Water warned customers against using the affected water for drinking, food preparation, cooking and consumption whilst swift action is taken to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Brackish water or brack water is when salt water is mixed with fresh water. It is saltier than fresh water, but not as salty as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water.
Solomon Water has also issued an apology to its customers for the inconvenience and assured them that they working to resolve the problem.
“Solomon Water would like to extend our sincerest apologies to our valued customers in Noro, for the recent issues with brackish water.
“We regret the inconvenience and concern this has caused and want to assure you we are taking immediate action to respond to the problem.
“We are working to identify the cause of the brackish water and to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
“In the meantime, we advise customers to take all necessary precautions and avoid using the affected water for drinking, food preparation, cooking and consumption.
“We understand the importance of clean and safe drinking water and Solomon Water is committed to providing our customers with the highest level of service.
“We will continue to work diligently to restore the water supply to its normal quality.
“We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue.
“For updates and further information, please contact our customer care service in Noro or in Honiara.” Solomon Water statement said.
Malaita Provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury, Nelson Lenty .
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
MALAITA provincial government is looking forward to a disappointing audit report for 2022/2023 financial year.
Provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury, Nelson Lenty confirmed this in his revised budget speech last week.
“Sadly for 2022/23 financial year, we will expect increase in audit issues due to uncontrollable spending without appropriated budget,” he said.
Lenty said compared to past financial years, there has been a progress in the province’s audit issues, although some reports are yet to be received.
“I understand that the audit report for 2019/20 financial service is yet to receive by the executive. For 2018/19 audit report, we have managed to top reduce audit queries from 29 issues to 19,” he said.
Lenty said for 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, MPG is still waiting to receive its audit reports for the respective financial years.
On that note, he urged the PS(Ag) and team to follow-up with the Office of the Auditor General to speed up the auditing process and fast track the reports as soon as possible.
OUTSPOKEN leader of Western Province, Jeffrey Wickham has called on the central Government to stop bullying provincial governments.
He said all the regulations and requirements placed to provincial government not only hinder provinces to progress but also affect the core function of provinces to serve their people.
“I’m quite dumbfounded with all these requirements. For example, the regulation on financial compliance requirements.
“Provinces have done their best year in and year out to fulfill this requirement. Failure to do so means provincial governments will be penalized.
“Provinces will not be entitled to some of the funds under the Ministry of Provincial Government.
“This requirement or regulation is a clear example of action taken by the central government to derive provinces from their ambitions,” Wickham said.
He said such regulations or compliance should also be enforced to all government ministries.
“While provinces are subjected to this regulation, I see no reason as to why government ministries are pardoned to do the same.
“What I’m trying to say is that, Government Ministries and other State Own Enterprises must also produce their audit report every year.
“I’m certain that Government Ministries and SOE are worse than province when comes to misuse of funds,” Wickham said.
Jeffrey Wickham Member for ward 16 in Western Province.
BY BEN BILUA
Member for ward 16 in Western Province has cautioned the new provincial government not to allocate projects to failed contractors.
Speaking in Assembly last week, Jeffrey Wickham said there are lots of failed provincial projects because contractors were either fake or incapable of implementing projects.
He said the issue behind the fail project is not due to shortage of funding but contractors lack of transparency and accountability.
“I made this comment because I know. When I was the provincial secretary I came across lots of incomplete provincial projects.
“Reports I received were similar. Similar in the sense that most of the contractors were not doing a good job.
“This must be changed. Again, this must be changed because if we continue to exercise such practice, we are wasting the province’s financial resources,” Wickham said.
He said there are good contractors with good reputations where the provincial government can utilize.
Wickham said it is time to critically look into which contractor can deliver best outcome for Western Province.
GIZO Town Council (GTC) is still waiting for forming letter from the provincial government that would enable the municipal authority to manage MSG building.
Clerk of Gizo Town, Charles Kelly said there have been verbal conversations but GTC has limited its arm to avoid conflict between the province and GTC.
He said however GTC is willing to manage and improve the MSG Building to become a property that would generate revenue for the provincial government.
“MSG building is an important property that would generate revenue for the province and GTC is more than happy to take lead in marketing the property.
“GTC is capable of managing the building,” Kelly said.
He said is just a division within the provincial government setting as such his office has limited power and financial resource to fulfill its plan.
However Kelly said, GTC will continue to deliver services while at the same time looking for opportunities to develop a better system to run GTC business and operations.
Children took part is an activity to know more about effects of climate change.
BY BEN BILUA
BABANGA Primary School in Western Province is less than five meters from the shoreline and during extreme weather waves reached the walk way which is less than 2 meters from the classrooms.
On Tuesday this week, Network for the Indigenous People Solomon (NIPS) met with children, parents and teachers of Babanga Primary School and deliberate on climate change and its effects on children.
The program is part of Climate Parent Fellowship, a new global movement which aimed at supporting vulnerable children to know climate change risk and at the same time champions of climate change advocacy in their respective countries and communities.
Children took part is an activity to know more about effects of climate change.
Children aged four to seven were introduced to common risk and challenges caused by climate change to children’s welfare and also taking part in role play to understand risk associated with climate change.
Coordinator and Vice President of NIPS Aydah Akao said the session was aimed at educating children about the effects of climate change at an early age to lessen stress and trauma on children when they experience extreme situation caused by climate change.
She said children are at the receiving end of climate change and that they must be informed about climate change and its effects to communities.
Akao said the program was interesting and at the same time emotional as children who are innocent to global failure expressed what they love living on an Island that is at risk of climate change.
“I’m very pleased with the short session and the interest shown by students and parents towards session.
“It was heartwarming to see the children expressed what they love about their home which is now at risk of sea level rise through their drawings.
“I can see their interest and love for their home.
“Most of the children draw their parent and village life such as paddling a canoe, playing soccer with their friends and swimming in the sea.
“A little girl draw a flower and a girl playing next to a school.
“These drawing shows somehow depicts how vulnerable our children are amidst effects of climate change.
“They love their homes and schools but climate change will soon robe these children from what they love,” Akao said.
She said children’s voices must be heard as the impact of climate change to children is three times more than adults.
Mrs Akao talking to the children and parent during the program.
Chairperson of Babanga Primary School, Riakai Waituti Euta expressed his gratitude towards the program saying that Babanga School and community as a whole do feel the effect of climate change.
He said the program opened the eyes of his community about the risks related event that caused by climate change.
“This island is getting smaller as the ocean continues to gulp the coastline. Sea level is also getting closer to our homes.
“I see it fitting for NIPS to come down not only to educate our children but also adults who called this place their homes.
“On behalf of Babanga Primary School, I acknowledge NIPS for choosing our school to be part of their program.
“I’m looking forward to working with NIPS in any future programs,” Euta said.
A teacher at Babanga Primary School, Partina Pitakaka shared similar sentiment saying that the program was very helpful and important not only for the children but also parents, teachers and children.
“Babanga community suffers the effect of climate change but there is no proper information or access to information to help the school and community make informed decision has been lacking.
“I like to say, our community is not exposed to proper information. I understand that there are lots of NGOs that deals with climate change in Solomon Islands but only few came to educate us on the risks associated with climate change.
Pitakaka spent two years teaching at Babanga School and she said sea level rise an ongoing issue that continues to threaten the school and also Babanga community.
She also acknowledge NIPS for the effort put together to bring the information to Babanga Primary School.
NIPS Coordinator met one of the teachers upon arrival at Babanga Primary School
Network for the Indigenous People Solomons, NIPS for short is a local CSO established in 2007 with a passion to work with people in local communities in areas like climate change, biodiversity, conservation, women empowerment and climate resilience focusing on food security.
The organization holds one primary goal and that is to give voices to local people in Solomon Islands.
Since its establishment NIPS has projects across Solomon Islands including Isabel Province, Malaita Province and Temotu Province. One of NIPS premium project is the protection of special tree species known locally as tubi tree which can be found in Isabel
Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal and Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso
Minister Seleso to refer province over to Auditor General
By EDDIE OSIFELO
MINISTER of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso, is expected to ask the Auditor General Office to investigate the accounts of Malaita Province.
This is after he received the reports of the defeated $27 million revised budget and Public Accounts Committee from Speaker of Malaita Province’s Ronnie Butala, last Friday.
Seleso said the reports reflect some elements of ‘misappropriation’ on the revised budget.
He said there is likelihood to call on the Auditor General to investigate the province before any decision can be made on their future.
In terms of politics relating to the defeated revised budget, Seleso said he will leave that to Members of the Provincial Assembly in Malaita to deal with it.
He said in politics, it depends on the number game to change any government.
Seleso said the process to do that is recognised under the Standing Orders.
The revised budget was defeated through a voice vote, after the debate of the Finance Minister’s speech.
The Premier Daniel Suidan led government did not have the numbers during the voice vote after some of his ministers attended to personal commitments.
As such, there was strong voice from the non-executive side who said ‘No’ during voice voting, which convinced Speaker Butala to rule in their favour.
Butala said under the Standing Order 47 in the Provincial Government Act 1997, he has no power to do anything about it.
He had sought advice from the Attorney General Office in Honiara and the counsel advised him that the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening has the power to make any decision on the issue
Apart from that, the actual budget session is scheduled to take place in March.
The four years term of the Malaita Provincial Assembly (MPA) members die a natural death in June.
However, it is still not sure if the term is going to be extended after the National Government has extended their term in office until January 2024.
