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.
Stab wounds the boy received on his back. Photo supplied.
Beliga attacks innocent boy; steals his phone
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
A parent is calling on authorities to address the issue of ‘beliga’ or daylight robbers in Honiara following his son’s near-fatal ordeal with one.
He also cautions members of public to be aware of beligas riding in buses and attacking victims.
The father, who asked not to be named, said his 19-year-old son was travelling on a bus servicing the Skyline/Mbokonavera road when he was stabbed with a scissors and had his mobile taken by a beliga (robber) on Thursday evening.
The incident has been reported to police. Police Media could not comment yesterday (January 20) when queried over the matter.
This incident unfolded before the eyes of the bus driver, his conductor and other passengers. No one stepped forward to help the boy.
The father claims that the bus driver and conductor could be aiding the beliga.
“The bus driver urged my son to give the beliga his phone when the robber demanded my son’s phone,” the father said.
According to witnesses the boy boarded the bus from Honiara City Council Skyline bus stop to go back to his house after purchasing cabbage from the Honiara Central Market.
Stab wounds on the boy’s left arm.Photo supplied.
The witness said it was when the victim was inside the bus the incident took place.
The suspect (beliga) sat next to the boy. The suspect then asked the victim for his phone but he refused.
The suspect then got angry and took out a scissors and stabbed the victim multiple times.
The victim’s father said his son suffered 10 injuries in total, on his back and his hands.
The witness said the beliga then instructed the bus drive to tell the victim to hand over his phone.
“The bus driver followed what the beliga requested and asked the victim to hand over his phone.
“The beliga took the phone and left,” the father said.
The victim was later transported to the National Referral Hospital for medical attention and is now on clinical treatment, the father said.
Speaking to the paper yesterday, a doctor at the national referral hospital emergency ward said the boy is lucky the wounds were superficial although they are situated in dangerous places, such as the back behind the lungs and heart, and the arms and near the neck, where major arteries are located.
Premier Daniel Suidani’s MARA government is still intact and commands the majority in the Malaita provincial assembly.
Deputy premier Glenn Waneta says this amid public rumours that some members of the executive have defected to the non-executive.
“The MARA government is still with the majority of 17 MPAs with no single deserter as reported, while the non-executive with 16 MPAs and the matter with regards to the vote is worth clarification.”
Deputy Premier Waneta made the statement yesterday to clear confusion and importantly to distinguish between the “$24m revised budget” and “budget speech”.
He explained that the budget which was voted for as referred to, was the budget speech read by the finance minister and not the $24 million revised budget.
Waneta, who is serving his fourth term in politics, added that after the Minister read the budget speech, it will go through the first, second reading, committee stage and the final reading.
He furthered during the final reading as provided under the ordinance, if the budget is rejected by vote, then it will not be passed as referred to.
“For this case, after the minister presented the budget speech on Monday, it put for debate in which we debated it on Wednesday and then the minister wind-up the debate.
“After then, the speaker called to vote for the speech in which we did as only practice.
“For clarity, there is nowhere under the standing order has provided for voting for speeches, whether the premier or finance minister speeches.
“It only used as practice, but it’s illegal since it has no provision for under the standing order.
“The reason for that is these speeches are not ordinance. So, whether you like the speeches or not, they are just speeches and should not be voted,” Waneta said.
He said with regards to the budget, they are yet to go through it and it’s too early to make “yes or no” decision on the budget.
“In short, the voting happened was only for the finance minister’s speech and not the $24 million revised budget,” Waneta explained.
He said should there be voting for the $24 million revised budget, the executive government has the number and they will definitely pass the budget.
Waneta said reason the executive was not in number during the budget speech vote was due to some of their MPAs were on compassionate leave, but again whether defeat or not, the vote will not affect the budget.
Gizo Police have charged a 36-year-old male person for store break-in and escaping from police custody on January 14.
Initial report said the suspect allegedly broke in a Chinese shop in Gizo town and removed cash and other valuable properties at 2am on January 3.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Western Province Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says, “The suspect was taken to Gizo police station after the incident, however, he escaped before they could formally arrest and charge him.
“RSIPF and Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) officers in Gizo conducted a joint operation which resulted in apprehension of suspect and was later charged.
“The suspect charged for one count of Shop break-in and Committing Felony Contrary to Section 300(a) of the Penal Code (Ch. 26) and one count of Escaping from police custody contrary to section 199 of the Police Act,” said Lenialu.
The suspect currently remanded for 14 days at CSSI facility in Gizo and will appear in court on a later date.
Tulagi Police have appealed to communities in Central Province to come forward with information regarding illegal fishing method (dynamite), which occurred over the weekend.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province Superintendent David Soakai says, “Initial report stated that an outboard motor (OBM) was going around big and small Ngella reefs using dynamites as fishing method.
“Upon receiving the report, police at Tulagi respond to the reported location but the boat has already left. The OBM is suspected to be travelling from Honiara to Ngella at night and used dynamite on several occasions to fish.”
PPC Soakai encourages people with information to come forward and work together with police to help put an end to such practices as it is destructive to the sea environment and surrounding ecosystem and damages the coral reefs.
Dynamite fishing is extremely destructive to surrounding ecosystem and if not stopped will severely affect todays and future generations.
Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso
By EDDIE OSIFELO
MINISTER of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso is still to make any decision on the defeated $27 million revised budget in Malaita Province, on Tuesday.
This was after the Speaker of Malaita Province, Ronnie Butala did not submit the report on the deliberation of the revised budget meeting in Auki, to Minister Seleso.
Seleso said upon receiving the report from the Speaker, he will seek proper legal clarification on what to do next.
Majority of the members of Provincial Assembly voted ‘No’ during the voice vote, after the debate of the revised budget.
The Minister of Finance tabled the revised budget on Monday and the debate continued on the next day.
Butala said four MPAs debated the Minister of Finance’s speech on revised budget, when tabled in the Assembly.
He said the two common issues raised during the debate were over the Provincial Capacity Development Fund that was never paid to the province and the money in the Operational Heads, that have been vired already.
He said after the debate, it was put to voice vote in order to allow it to go through Committee of Supply and third reading.
“However, during the voice vote, the majority of the MPAs in the Chamber said ‘No’, so the ‘Nos’ have it.
“As such, under the Standing Order 47 in the Provincial Government Act 1997, I have no power to do anything about it,” he said.
Butala said he had sought advice from the Attorney General Office in Honiara.
He said a lawyer in the AG advised him that the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening has the power to make any decision on the issue.
However, Butala urged the public not to mix the budget meeting with politics.
He said the defeat of the revised budget has nothing to do with politics.
Butala has adjourned the budget session indefinitely until Minister Seleso provides the advice on what to do next.
Apart from that, the actual budget session is scheduled to take place on March.
The four years term of the Malaita Provincial Assembly (MPA) members die a natural death in June.
HONIARA City Council will crackdown on short bus route on Monday next week.
City mayor Eddie Siapu says measures were developed following concerns relating to short bus routes, irregular bus services, unregulated fares and poor bus conditions have expressed by residents and travelling public.
“The current taking Council of Honiara City is serious about addressing these concerns. My government is taking measures to address these concerns both in the immediate term, short term and long term,” Siapu says.
“Honiara City Council will crack down on short bus routes effective Monday January 2023.
“HCC will join forces with Traffic Department of the Royal Solomon Islands Police to monitor all buses serving routes in Honiara. HCC will revoke business license of any bus doing short routes,” the statement said.
HCC office adds by appealing to members of the public to report any public bus doing short routes.
In the short term, HCC is submitting a requested to the Road Transport Authority based in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
The submission will request the Road Transport Board to review and regulate bus fares, bus route and conditions of public buses in Honiara.
“Just to give ab example: HCC will request Road Transport Board to regulate that bus fares in Honiara is SBD5.00 for adults and SBD3.00 for students and children,” Mayor Siapu said.
In the long term, HCC has completed a survey on bus services in Honiara. HCC is now setting up a committee to conduct further consultations and studies into public bus service in Honiara. HCC is also looking at the viability of operating public bus services serving the main routes within Honiara City.
“The council is also enacting public bus service ordinance to regulate the industry within Honiara City. I appeal for understanding and patience from the general public in this matter as HCC continues to work on ensuring having proper regulated public bus service,” Siapu says.
He on the same note requests support and cooperation of bus operators to stop short bus routes and charging of excessive fares.
“If bus operators, do not listen to HCC, we will venture into operating bus service in Honiara and cancel all public bus licenses. So let us work together to provide a reliable, affordable, safe and viable public bus service on Honiara City,” Siapu says.
Parties involve in the reconciliation led by three MPs for constituencies in the northern region hold hands in show of reconciliation during the ceremony.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Family and relatives of the man whose body was found at Sasafa river three weeks ago have been paid compensation.
This reconciliation money included $100,000 and 30 shell money.
The 26-year-old deceased was from North Malaita, and his death is being treated as foul play by police, which has launched an investigation into the matter.
The compensation was presented by MP for Baegu/Asifola, Makario Tagini, colleague MP for Lau/Mbaelelea, Augustine Auga (who presented portion of the compensation earlier), families and parties on behalf of perpetrators during a reconciliation held at St Paul Anglican chapel in Auki yesterday.
Speaking during the ceremony, MP Tagini conveyed sincere condolences on behalf his people to MP Senley Filualea, relatives and families of the 26 years-old for his death.
“We are so sorry…… and what we will give will not replace life or somebody who is so dear to us, but this is to show our remorseful for what had happened.
“And I want to appeal to all parties to the incident for peace after this ceremony. We must love and forgive each other as one people.
“Our presentation is to show we are so sorry, and please colleague MP for North Malaita, Hon Senley Filualea, relatives and families accept it,” he said.
Rep from Lau Mbaelelea constituency presents a shell money on behalf of MP Auga and people of the constituency to MP for North Malaita,Hon Senly Filualea during the reconciliation.
Tagini added that his people will support police in their investigation and ensure those responsible for the incident must face the full force of law.
MP Filualea, who represented relatives and families of the deceased, said the incident is hard to accept but it has nevertheless happened.
“We thank God that today we can see the hands of God and I want to thank those who continue to pray for peace and reconciliation among problems that are affecting us.
“What is presented is accepted and will be taken to the tribe of the decease. This is what we must do to resolve the issue and heal the wounds as a result of the incident,” he said.
Filualea furthered by appealing to everyone in the province especially in the northern region not to take revenge on what had happened in the distant past.
“That takes us back to the times of the devil, while we are in the modern world and nobody wants such brutal killing and it must be stopped!” he said stressed.
Filualea said parties to the incident are all victims in one way or the other of their life and the paramount thing to do is to reconcile with each other, which had happened.
Premier Daniel Suidani said MPG as a government that looks after people in the province, doesn’t want to see such incident that happened resulted in the reconciliation.
He said the incident is indeed painful to the victim families and even impacted people in the northern region that was not a matter that can solve easily.
Suidani said his government is so grateful that the intervention of three national leaders within northern region help to address the matter for parties to the incident and people in the province.
PPC Malaita, Lesley Kili on that other hand thanked parties related to the incident and stakeholders to put together their mind and heart and agreed for the reconciliation.
He said the matter is actively under police investigation and appealed to people in the knows of the incident to support police in their investigation.
Kili also he called for calm and advised all parties not to take laws into their own hands by responding to the incident.
The reconciliation ceremony was coordinated by the office of peace in Auki with the support of churches, Malaita Provincial Government, police and PMO.
