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800 per month for seasonal work processing: MFAET

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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MFAET Permanent Secretary, Collin Beck

BY NED GAGAHE

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affair and External Trade (MFAET) Mr Collin Beck says due to the massive work of processing well over 15,000 applications, MFAET can only do 800 applicants on monthly basis for the Work Ready Pool.

Beck said based on estimations it will take up to 19 months to process the massive task of processing the applicants who have applied during the recent two-week window opportunity.

Beck revealed this during its media conference yesterday.

He said the four underrepresented provinces will be visited starting in two weeks’ time, the provinces are Makira, Temotu, Isabel and Renbel.

Beck added that for this calendar year they are looking at sending 2000 to 2500 workers under the LMU scheme.

“Nearly 4, 000 applied online portal, bulk of those submission were received on email, 10,964 to be exact.

“Outreached to four underrepresented provinces will soon commence for Makira, Isabel, Temotu and Renbel, funds were already available for the program.

“MFAET is now finalizing arrangements in the next two weeks our teams should be in both Makira and Isabel, Temotu visitation will begins in the first week of April.

“For the provinces access to network is not that good compared in Honiara so we will accept manual submissions of hard copies.

“In light of the capacity to deal with the massive role of processing the 15,000 applicants we acknowledged the support from Australia and the firm Pasifika HR.

“We can only do 800 applicants a month and will be spilled over going into 2024 based on rough estimation it will take up to 19 months

“Current work includes building profiles for workers on the WRP at the same time mobilizing workers out of the country.

“2,478 workers still on work ready pool from the previous recruitment drive

“MFAET is working on trimming the list by delisting applicants for non-responses to phone calls being made to contact them over a period of time.” Beck said.

Meanwhile, Beck said that for the past 24 to 36 months 5332 were mobilized to Australia and some have already completed their contract.

He said presently 4,705 workers are in Australia and the total number of workers in New Zealand is around 600

He said they are hope to surpass 1,000 workers for New Zealand this year.

3 global powers descend on Honiara

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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US Coast Guard Commander for Oceania Rear Admiral Michael Day, Commander, District 14 (left), National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Dr Kurt Campbell (centre) and US Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer (right). Photo credit – Mavis Podokolo

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands welcomed three global powers in recent days.

This after Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi made the first historical tour to the country for the first time in the history on Sunday.

On Monday, China International Development Agency officials arrived in the country to follow up on the multi-million projects they funded for the Pacific Games in November this year.

Followed on by USA’s Dr Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, National Security Council, who arrived with his eight-member delegation.

When asked why Solomon Islands is special by media during a press conference on Tuesday, Dr Campbell said so look this is an arena that the United States has critical strategic interests.

“We have moral interests.

“We have historical interests,” he said.

“I have visited the Solomons in the Pacific for decades.

“And I believe that the United States is seeking to step up its role and engagement in the Pacific for a multiplicity of reasons,” he said.

Dr Campbell said it is important to them for you to understand that United States believes that it is a Pacific nation, our states are in the region.

“We have a long-standing history here.

“I think it is very much in the interests of the Solomon Islands people that that more nations are paying attention or engaging on your terms and seeking to meet the needs of the Solomon Islands people some,” he said.

However, political analysts believe the diplomatic switch Solomon Islands made to China in 2019 and the Security pact signed with China in March 2022 have triggered the physical interest of US to the country.

Dr Campbell said the position of the United States and other countries in the region would be that while those interactions and engagements are appropriate.

“For instance, if there was any discussion about a permanent military base or something associated with power projection, the United States would have substantial concerns associated with that,” he added.

AUKUS to provide security for Indo-Pacific: US delegation

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Dr Kurt Campbell.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The United States delegation to Solomon Islands has explained the AUKUS partnership as providing security for the Indo-Pacific region.

National security council coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, Dr Kurt Campbell, who led a delegation on a one-day swoop visit to Honiara told local media this on Tuesday this week.

He said AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom & United States) is a new security partnership which is an effort to respond to a rapidly changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific.

Campbell echoed this during a press conference with the local journalists on Tuesday.

He said Great Britain and Australia are two of United States’ very important allies and partners who are committed in a peace loving and also committed to non-nuclear policies especially deeply engaged in the Pacific particularly Australia.

“I think the view is AUKUS was an effort to respond to a rapidly change security environment in the indo-pacific it is not meant to pro proactive but it is defensive and its goals are to secure Peace and Stability in the Indo –pacific something that we believe    is in the best interests of all the people.

“I would also say that Australia, Great Britain and United States want to be open and transparent about the details associated with this initiative. Australia has strongly reassured partners in the region of their determination to continue to adhere to the Treaty of Rarotonga and we support that and we also believe that it would be critical to continue with that understanding of the people of the Pacific,” Campbell said.

AUKUS is a new security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States established in September 2021. It is a new security partnership that will promote a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable.

WEST DENIED $1.4M

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Government says no funds

BY BEN BILUA

The Government through the Ministry of Provincial has again denied Western Province of $1.4 million.

And, Western province policy-makers are rubbishing national government’s explanation as ‘lame’.

The fund is part of the 2022/2023 PCDF allocation which every province is the Solomon Islands is entitled to under the Ministry of Provincial Government Act.

In his speech when delivering Western Province’s Appropriation Budget 2023/2024, Minister of Finance and Treasury, who is also the Deputy Premier of Western Province, Calrick Runimetu said the 10th Assembly of Western Province is very disappointed that the government failed to pay the outstanding SIG PCDF allocation to Provincial Government in 2022/2023 Financial Year.

He said there was no formal explanation as to why the government has resorted to holding the funds back which are supposed to be delivered to support Western Province’s service deliveries and operations.

“The only explanation we received was that there were no funds which to us is a lame excuse,” Runimetu said.

He said the 1.4 million should stand as part of Western Province’s development budget for 2022/2023 and the fund is now foregone.

“WPG’s disappointment is that there was no written justification or reason stating why it will be forfeited. As agents of the national government, the PGs should be duly informed of such decisions.

“Further to that, these budget allocations are part of the approved appropriation ordinance and are legally binding and thus should be delivered,” Runimetu said.

He said Western Province is a strong province that has been looking at its people though the government downplayed benefits that are legally accorded to Western Province.

MID welcomes willingness by local contractors to remove potholes free of charge

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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MID Permanent Secretary (PS) Stephen Maesiola

BY NED GAGAHE

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Mr. Stephen Maesiola has welcome local contractors who are willing to do road maintenance along the stretch of road between Ranadi roundabout down to Henderson, East Honiara with their machines free of charge.

Maesiola was responding to calls by a local contractor to fix the road by grading it with his own machines free of charge following the worsening road conditions.

When asked by the media during the weekly media conference last Friday Maesiola said MID welcome such proposal and urged the contractors to see them.

“If any contractor is willing to voluntary work on grading the road, I am happy to see them and give them the offer to allow them to carry out the work.” Maesiola said.

He explained that Kitano company who is currently upgrading of the road was responsible to ensure that the road is in good condition for vehicles to use on a daily basis.

Maesiola said that despite undergoing the major upgrade Kitano is responsible under their contract to ensure that the road is in good shape.

Last week the paper reported that deteriorating road conditions there has forced bus owners avoiding the patch of road resulted in students and residents residing at Lunga and Henderson to walk from Ranandi to their homes.

Mr. Maesiola also added that other contributing factors such as rain also contributed to the worsening road condition.

Budget will be enough: HCC

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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HCC legal officer, Paul Inifiri.

BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara City Council’s (HCC) says that the National Hosting Authority (NHA) proposed budget to support HCC step up its rubbish collection and clean-up towards and during the Pacific Games will be enough to carry out their work plan.

HCC Legal Advisor Paul Inifiri echoed this during the media conference organized by the Prime Minister’s Office Last Friday.

Mr. Inifiri said HCC is currently working on its work plan designed as a budget before it submitted to NHA to provide funding to implement the workplan.

“To my understanding the budget from NHA should be enough for HCC to carry out its work on rubbish collection and clean-up campaign towards and during the games.” Mr. Inifiri said.

Earlier Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) Dr Jimmie Rodgers disclosed that a proposal submitted by HCC for additional budget to complement HCC’s annual budget allocation specifically for the Pacific Games was disqualified for failure to meet government budgetary requirements.

NHA as a result has offered to support HCC with funding support.

The Island Sun had asked Mr. Inifiri how much is NHA’s funding support and whether it is sufficient for the intended purpose.

Mr. Inifiri only said that he hopes that the funding should be enough.

Mr. Inifiri did not disclose the amount and answer whether the funding will be enough to carry out the work.

Meanwhile, it is expected that HCC will have to deal with a massive work of cleaning up to 160 tonnes of rubbish in a single day in the city during the Pacific Games.

Police yet to make an arrest on Sasafa killing

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Police are yet to make an arrest in the killing of a man in North Malaita early this year.

Provincial Police Commander Malaita province, superintendent Lesley Kili made the statement yesterday when asked on the progress of police on the case, saying “no arrest yet made, but investigation is well underway”.

He said the incident is serious and police will ensure whoever is responsible must face the law.

The incident occurred on January 1, 2023, after the deceased left Uni’ai village where he was married and headed to Fo’ia (head road).

It is alleged that he was last seen at Fo’ia. After few days of failing to locate him, his relatives reported the matter to police.

A joint search was conducted by police and relatives, and after seven days the lifeless body of the deceased was found along Sasafa River – that borders Lau/Mbaelelea and Baegu/Asifola.

The body was retrieved by police and brought to his home village in north Malaita for proper burial.

After weeks into the incident, a reconciliation was held in Auki to settle the matter and address a roadblock put-up by relatives of the deceased at Taba’a area, blocking route to northeast.

The two MPs for North Malaita and Baegu/Asifola constituencies, Senley Filualea and Makario Tagini, and relatives organised the reconciliation, and more than $100,000 and 30 plus shell monies were presented to the relatives of the deceased.

$47m budget for West

Written by
Ben Bilua
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0

BY BEN BILUA

WESTERN Provincial Assembly has adopted a budget paper for 2023/2024 which strike a net-worth of $47,164,338.

The Appropriation Bill 2023/2024 went through second reading yesterday and will be debated today when it goes to the third and final reading.

The breakdown of the proposed budget is as follows.

The total Recurrent Revenue anticipated to collect in FY 2023/2024 is $23,188,771.

The total Recurrent Expenditure anticipated to support the Service Delivery of the province is $18,427,172.

The total Capital Revenue Anticipated to Collect in FY 2023/2024 to support the Capital Development in the Province is $23,975,567. The Total Capital Revenue anticipated to support the Capital development of the Province is $28,737,166.

US visa to be available in new embassy here: US delegation

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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US Coast Guard Commander for Oceania Rear Admiral Michael Day, Commander, District 14 (left), National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Dr Kurt Campbell (centre) and US Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer (right). Photo credit – Mavis Podokolo

By EDDIE OSIFELO

UNITED States of America has assured Solomon Islands to offer visa service at her reopened Embassy in Honiara.

Currently, Solomon Islanders have to travel to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea or Fiji to get their visas to travel to USA.

Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, National Security Council, confirmed this to media yesterday to look into the visa issue.

“We understand that that’s what the Solomons people are working for.

“We’re going to do everything possible to get this done as quickly as possible,” he said.

Furthermore, U.S. Embassy Honiara Chargé d’Affaires – Russell Comeau said the consular services that will remain there for the time being primarily because the demand isn’t here for such services.

“To be quite frank, if we get to a point where the demand necessitates opening up, bigger, fuller concert operations, we’ll certainly look at that,” he said.

The USA was asked whether to consider visa waiver in the future like Solomon Islands is benefiting from European Union at the moment.

Campbell said his strong representative from the State Department will need to study it before making any decision on visa waiver.

“Isn’t that in the future for us as organizers considering that we don’t have many plans for visa probably that could be an obstacle.

“So, I want to just give kudos to your government, because this is an issue that your foreign minister raised directly with us today,” he said.

His eight-member delegation left Honiara yesterday to Vanuatu.

US offers more opportunities for Solomon Islands

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Dr Kurt Campbell.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

UNITED States of America has offered opportunities to help develop Solomon Islands in maritime security, education, climate change and unexploded ordnances.

This came after Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, National Security Council and his eight-member delegation met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his Cabinet in a bilateral meeting in Honiara, yesterday.

Speaking to media in a press conference yesterday, Campbell said they had a very positive meeting.

He said they held the first ever strategic dialogue between the two countries.

“This was important because it allowed us to go through concretely the specific issues that are important for both of our countries,” he said.

Furthermore, Campbell said they underscore that they’re extremely close to being able to welcome back the Peace Corps Peace Corps volunteers to the Solomons.

In addition, he said they made clear to Solomon Islands to begin a process to support ship rider agreements with the Solomons if there are interests.

“We’ve been very fortunate to work on that programme throughout the Pacific,” he said.

According to internet sources, shiprider agreements allow maritime law enforcement officers to observe, board, and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within a designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas.

Apart from that, Campbell said they are seeking specific partnerships for the university with American academic institutions to ensure that Solomon Islands students have the opportunities to advance in forestry and in Marine Studies.

Moreover, Campbell told US President Joe Biden announced a major initiative in which they will start to train the up-and-coming leaders and executive people in the governments and institutions of the Pacific in Washington DC, later this year.

“I think that we were very pleased with the discussions was very practical.

“We have a list to follow up on,” he added.

However, Campbell said there’s sometimes misunderstandings about how processes are undertaken in both of our governments and the best way to deal with those is to sit down directly and figure out how to make progress as we go forward.

“So, I would judge this visit to be very successful.

“We are following up on the commitments that we made earlier and we want to do more as we go forward,” he added.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare joined other leaders and senior representatives of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, met with the United States at the White House in September 2022.

They made a joint declaration to enhance cooperation, combat climate change, advance economic growth, and strengthen our partnership, a partnership rooted in mutual respect, transparency, and accountability.

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