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Carbon buyers in the country

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister for Forestry and Research Dickson Panakitasi Mua.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT five groups from overseas who are interested to pay resource owners’ carbon from their forests, are in the country.

Minister for Forestry and Research, Dickson Mua Panakitasi warned resource owners who want to go into carbon trading, to seek assistance from the ministry before engaging in it, because of the high demand in the carbon trading market.

In response to Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale during the committee of supply of the 2023 budget in Parliament on Monday, Mua said under the PARIS agreement, there is an alliance that has a good price of US$50 per metric tonne.

Solomon Islands is a member of the Coalition for Rainforest nations (CFRN).

He said during his bilateral meeting in COP 27 in Egypt, the Alliance used satellite and shows that Solomon Islands has 120 million metric tonnes of carbon.

“With this carbon, one reason resource owners need to consult with the ministry.

“It is easy for these carbon buyers to come and buy on US$17 and lock you for 25 years not to cut your forest. They then go out and sell it to US$50 or US$60,” he said.

Wale said this is an emerging problem where there are speculators to buy and sale.

He said there needs to be a licensing regime so that the buyers don’t go to tribes and do it alone, but government must issue the license.

Mua said they need to work on policy and regulation as well the question of benefit sharing.

He earlier asked resource owners and stakeholders as you work on protecting the forests for carbon trading, liaise with his Ministry for updated information and how they can establish a national REDD+ Policy and REDD+ Regulation to protect you and our nation’s interest going forward

NRH lab runs out of reagents

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE laboratory at the National Referral Hospital is reportedly running out of reagents.

Reagents enable technicians to analyse blood samples.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana said, “We experienced shortage of reagents at the moment. This is something to do with procurement and supply of the reagents.”

He said sometimes when they make orders for reagents it delays at times and therefore they have issues and were not able to do analysis.

“So we are working on that to ensure smooth procurement of reagent so at least we   know and to end up with situation where we have to wait for two or three weeks before the reagents arrive to do tests,” Togamana said.

He echoed these sentiments in Parliament.

PM denies funding ex-militants’ office

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Manasseh Sogavare Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party Parliamentary Wing Leader.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Government did not fund the establishment of ex-combatants’ offices at Town Ground Plaza, West Honiara.

This was after Opposition Leader Matthew Wale and Member of Parliament for West Are Are, John Manenioru confirmed seeing ex-combatants of Malaita and Guadalcanal renting offices at Town ground.

Sogavare told Parliament yesterday that anyone in this country has the right to organise themselves to set up office.

However, he said the Government is not aware of funding any office.

Most of the ex-combatants are members of Solomon Islands Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Restoration Association (SIPCRRA) Guadalcanal and Malaita.

They have set up to push for their demands, after they signed the Townsville Peace Agreement on October 15, 2000, to end the ethnic conflict on Guadalcanal.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee and MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete asked how the government is going to rehabilitate the ex-combatants.

Sogavare said there will be a Commission set up to look on the outstanding claims.

He said the precedent had been set in the past where Government has paid out money for lost properties and loss of lives.

Sogavare said it is not a simple matter and that it needs the cooperation of everyone to address.

SUIDANI: NOT TRUE

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani

Premier denies allegations of paying loyalty from executives

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita premier Daniel Suidani has clarified rumours he dished out $10,000 to his executives to ensure their loyalty remains intact ahead of the province’s full assembly meeting.

Allegations add that Mr Suidani got his funds from the New Asia mining company and the USAID SCALE-NRM project.

Suidani agrees that he had given more than $10,000 each to his executives, but says this money was intended to help them with their Christmas festivities plans, and not as a means of consolidating them ahead of the Full Assembly meeting.

He also denies that the funds came from the mining company and the US-backed project on Malaita.

Suidani says he does not see this as an issue since past provincial governments of Malaita had engaged in the practice.

More so the national government also practises this, he adds.

He said his office is aware that New Asia Mining Company has been in the province recently, for the signing of Access Agreement with landowners in pursuit of proposed mining initiative for East Kwara’ae and Fataleka.

Suidani said under the arrangement for the signing of the Access Agreement and meeting with landowners in East Malaita, his office has nothing to do with it, neither involved in it.

He said the only involvement MPG will have in the initiative is when the mining company wishes to obtain business license from them to operate as business in the province.

Adding that he has no business with the New Asia Mining Company.

Suidani said for the USAID SCALE-NRM program, MPG is partner with them for development but they hardly involve with MPG on such matter.

He said it’s not anyone’s interest to know where about the money came from, and for those who want to know it, what would you do with it?

“If people can earn money, why not me? We all can earn money and I was once a businessman who I used to earn money and can still earn money.

“So, what is wrong when I support my executive government as their leading hand when they asked me for support. I can do it,” Suidani said.

He said on the notion that there is an upcoming no confidence motion against his leadership, this is news to him and there’s nothing as dishing out money to his executive members to consolidate them ahead of the full assembly meeting.   

Suidani said there might be a motion as the law provides for, but how long would they lead when the current house is only six-months away from its natural death?

He said it makes no sense, adding that the MARA government is intact and if there’s to be any challenge, they are ready to face it.   

Suidani said this allegation plus many others on him only have one goal and that is to tarnish his reputation and mislead people.

Immigration ministry expects 2000 passports

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) is expecting 2000 new passports next week to allow students and seasonal workers to travel overseas.

This came after the Passport Unit in the ministry ran out of passports following high demand from seasonal workers.

Minister of MCILI) Frederick Kologeto confirmed this when asked by Member of Parliament for Small Malaita, Rick Hou during the committee of supply of the 2023 budget, in Parliament yesterday.

Kologeto said the ministry has applied to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to purchase the new passports.

He said next week, hopefully 2000 passports will arrive for students preparing to go overseas and the seasonal labourers.

Initially, a total of 13,300 Solomon Islands passports were issued in the period from 2021 to 2022 raking in $10.7-million into government coffers and the national economy.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Labour and Immigration, Riley Mesepitu, earlier told media that 90 percent of the 13,300 passports were issued to seasonal workers.

Ten percent accounts for other Solomon Islanders travelling on businesses, conferences and or training.

He said in 2021 alone a total of 8,804 passports were issued raking in $6 million.

In January to July of 2022 alone some 4,500 passports were issued, earning the state coffers some SBD$4.7-Million.

Mr Mesepitu said these figures show an increased demand for passport and his Ministry is looking at ways to address the high demand.

One of the ways being considered is the creation of mobile passport units, with bases in provincial capitals such as Gizo in Western Province and Auki on Malaita because of its high population.

The MCILI purchased the passports from IRIS, a Malaysian technology company.

Suidani: It’s too early to say anything on mining for Mala

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

PREMIER Daniel Suidani says it is too early to say anything on the proposed mining for East Malaita and Fataleka, however MPG is aware of development so far on the initiative.

He said recently his executive was briefed by a team from New Asia Mining Company Ltd on an arrangement between Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and resource owners toward an Access Agreement.

Suidani said MMERE is the responsible ministry that worked with New Asia Mining Company towards the Access Agreement, and not Malaita province government, as they have nothing to do with it.

The premier made that in response to queries raised by public on MPG’s perspective on the matter.

He said what MPG aware off was, mining like other developments has its own process and Access Agreement is first to confer with resource owners on the development, in which signing of the Access Agreement was done last week.

Suidani said the process is to know whether landowners want the development or to get approval from landowners for the development.

He added that the Access Agreement is also a crucial step to pave way for the company to get their prospecting license from MMERE, where they will apply for.

Suidani said for Malaita provincial government, they have no mining ordinance neither provision for mining prospecting under its business ordinance.

“This is why I said its early to talk, because MPG has no ordinance to safeguard mining development in the province, except only business licence.

“And, business license is only for the mining company to pay their fee in order to operate business in the province, nothing more about the mining operation,” he said.

In a public statement issued by Premier Suidani’s Political Advisor, Celsius Talifilu, MPG executive informed New Asia Mining Company the MPG has no provisions for mining prospecting in its business licence ordinance.

“Therefore, until there are provisions for mining prospecting in its business license ordinance, MPG in not in a position to give such a license to the company until appropriate provisions are legislated for,” he said.

Suidani said that MPG through his office is aware of public queries on MPG’s views on the mining initiative, and this is what he could only say.

He said that at this stage, it’s only an Access Agreement signed and although MPG has no provision for mining under its business ordinance, they will always have something to say.

About 18 tribes within Aluta basin had signed the Access Agreement with the New Asian Mining Company at Aluta village last week.

Aluta basin was initially earmarked by national government for national palm oil years ago, later this year rice project and now mining.

Togamana: TB and leprosy data pending  

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister for Health and Medical Services

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

TUBERCULOSIS and Leprosy national data to show the trend of these diseases is yet to be finalised, says the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Minister for Health Dr Culwick Togamana says during the height of Covid-19 it was noted that provincial hospitals reported an increased number of tuberculosis cases.

“However, the final report on tuberculosis diseases is not yet made available to us so, we cannot tell whether cases are rising or managed. This is also the same for Leprosery,” he says.

Togamana adds, in terms of teenage pregnancy they only have data collected and published in 2017

“We did have 87 teenage pregnancies out of 1000. But we need to update these data so that we know whether the trend continue to increase or now it’s managed and if that is the case those responsible stakeholders take up appropriate measures to advice,” he said.

Togamana clarified that despite not having updated datas from his ministry, the health information system at the ministry’s headquarter is still functioning.

“All we need is to tap into this digital ICT in order to make this more available and accessible to the public,” he said.

Togamana echoed the above sentiment in Parliament.

MPs TO GET EXTRA $4.5M

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare

Gov’t allocates additional funds for politicians’ health

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE 50 members of Parliament are allocated an extra $4.5 million on top of the $3 million under National Parliament, to refer them for medical treatment abroad.

The $4.5 million is part of $6 million under the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet in the 2023 budget.

The other $1.5 million is for medical referral for constitutional post holders and permanent secretaries.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirmed this when asked by Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale, during the Committee of Supply of the 2023 Appropriation Bill 2022, in Parliament on December 12.

Sogavare said OPMC picks up on the allocation because the $3 million is for local assistance.

He said the Mustard Seed International Health Insurance does not pick up on pre-existence cases of MPs.

Mustard Seed has signed a five-year agreement with the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission in 2021, to assist MPs to seek medical assistance with any medical practitioners and they can reimburse the costs.

However, Sogavare said Mustard Seed did not follow the original arrangement after it opened their own clinic, which caused revolt to MPs.

He said Mustard Seed follows the principles of insurance, although it is not an insurance company.

Island Sun understands there are only two licensed brokers under the Insurance Act (Cap.82) namely Pacific Insurance Brokers and United Risk Services Ltd.

Bred Bank Solomon is the only agent licensed under the Act.

Sogavare said hopefully in 2024, the Government will review the arrangement and PEC to lead it to improve the scheme.

However, he said Mustard Seed has also made an arrangement with Saint Luke hospital in Philippines for referral of MPs.

He said a team will be sent to Philippine for firm up the arrangement to allow MPs to seek their medical referral there.

Opposition Leader Wale asked about the report commissioned by Minister of Finance, Harry Kuma for Controller of Insurance, Dr Luke Forau to look at the Mustard Seed scheme.

Kuma said he was aware of that Controller of Insurance seek authorization to do some kind of investigation and assessment as to whether that service insurance scheme in nature or just another health care scheme.

He said that was still early this year, but no findings or report given to him by the Controller of Insurance.

Health minister blames drug shortage to delay in Ports clearance of MHMS containers

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

MINISTER for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana has blamed the shortage of medical drugs on the slow process of clearing containers at the Solomon Ports.

Togamana said container loads of consumables coming in at the Ports wharf needs the Ministry to pay for the clearance and that is one of the challenges his ministry is facing.

“We used to have imprest for our container and is about 45 thousand and we normally run short on that for container clearance.

“So we have negotiated with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and they kindly increased that by 20 thousand so that we (MHMS) can deal with customs clearance quickly and get those drugs to medical store for their eventually distribution to our health facilities not only here in Honiara but health facilities at rural areas as well,” he said.

Togamana explained that getting the drugs to provinces is also another challenge for them.

He said the islands are geographically scattered and so medicines need vessels to ship to provinces.

“And, so there are no government vessels that can be used to transport drugs to provinces, this is because now as all vessels are privately owned and ship owners expected Ministry of Health to pay for freight.

“And for those ships that we have accumulated arrears they will refuse to carry medical drugs to provinces,” Togamana said

He adds in terms of the government procurement system everybody needs to understand that it takes a long period of time when it comes to that process.

“And so during those processes of waiting some of the drugs reached their expiry dates and so, we realised that,” Togamana said.

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale in response said this is crazy when it comes to drugs.

“Ticking the box at Treasury is more important!

“This is crazy when it comes to life saving medicines, ticking the box at Treasury is more important. We are in a situation that procurement process is not efficient and needs to be improved,” Wale said.

Minister for Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma adds that his ministry is aware of a number of presentation provided to them by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“I really believe that management at Treasury are fully aware that medical service is one of the very core businesses of government’s services delivery and I don’t think they will hold up essential payments like this and it is essential services that are very important 

“I am 100 percent sure that they are aware of the importance of medicines and the importance of getting it quickly.

“I suggest that it needs communication improvement on top level and also directly to senior management of Treasury and of Finance,” Kuma said.

The above sentiments were echoed in Parliament.

‘Election date unchanged, go to your polling stations’

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Election

BY BEN BILUA

THE Deputy Provincial Secretary of Western Province has called on eligible voters to go and cast their votes on December 14, Wednesday this week.

In an interview with Island Sun, Patrick Toiraena said the election date remain unchanged following the revised gazette order made by the Ministry of Provincial Government last week.

He said the revised gazette order has nothing to do with the election.

“I want to clarify that the revised gazette order has no effect on the election date. So my call is for eligible voters to go to their polling station and cast their votes to elect new leaders.

“I came to the media to clarify some questions going around asking whether the revised gazette order has some effect on the election. The answer is ‘not’,” Toiraena said.

He said the electoral office along with personals on the ground have mobilised and will be deployed to polling stations to monitor the polling day.

Toiraena said officials will be stationed in Shortland Islands in the far west to Marovo in far east to make sure the election is running smoothly.

He adds that the Royal Solomon Islands Police officers will also accompany electoral officials to provide security and to make sure everyone enjoy their democratic rights to cast their votes in peace.

Last week, the Ministry of Provincial Government took a direct bummer when they realized the decision they made on June 13th this year was null and voided.

The decision was for the dissolution of Western Provincial Assembly which result in Western Province having no leadership for the past six months.

Just last week, a revised gazette order was made to allow the Premier of Western Province a caretaker role until a new government is formed.

The decision has sparked outcry in Western Province labelling the revised gazette as a mockery to the Ministry of Provincial Government as people have suffered from the ill decision for more than six months.

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