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Police say no referral yet relating to OAG audit report on misuse of covid-19 funds

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Police say despite the Auditor General having released its report showing millions of covid-19 funds misused, there has been no case opened.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau confirmed this yesterday at the police weekly conference.

Last month, the Auditor General released its audit report of three government ministries which found widespread non-compliance from April-December, 2020 in their spending of public funds allocated for covid-19 preparedness and response.

Responding to questions raised Commissioner Mangau said referrals for investigation will be forwarded to his office and they will look into the file for investigation.

He said there has been no referral since the report was released.

Last month it was published in the media that Office of the Auditor General investigated how three ministries procured goods and services using covid-19 funds from April to December, 2020.

They are the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) under the ministry of environment, climate change, disaster management & meteorology (MECDM).

The OAG report published last month and called on the national government to strengthen its procurement processes.

$90 million was spent by MHMS, NDMO and MID in 2020. They used the disaster relief fund to spend on goods, services and works to support the response to the pandemic.

MHMS spent $26 million, MID – $14.9 million and NDMO – $49.5 million.

However, the report found that most of these spendings were made though “truncated procurement process”.

When the state of public emergency was declared on March 25, 2020, government’s normal procurement procedure was replaced by the use of Bid Waiver system – an alternative procurement system which was used in exceptional circumstances in which ‘observing the normal requirements would result in detriment to the people or assets of the Solomon Islands’.

The bill waiver system was abused. For example, some works were completed and paid for before the bill waiver was approved and contracts signed in ‘cart-before-horse’ style.

Since the tender process was absent, conflicts of interest were not declared. There was high risk of nepotism, wantok business and offering contracts to family members, relatives, friends or associates.

Bloated prices of goods and services popped up which ate away the covid-19 funds.

For example, $400 for one pillow and $130 for one blanket, provided to the national referral hospital (NRH), seen in an invoice of $99,500 dated May 25, 2020.

Documents were missing, which would have provided information to prove that public funds were well spent.

In many cases, documents show that amounts have been manipulated by hand. For example, a payment voucher made out for a $11,089 payment was manually changed to $110,089.

Some businesses which were not registered under the Company Haus were awarded contracts.

Addressing copen in Honiara not for authorities alone: Police

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Copen drug.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says that addressing the use of Copen by school students and children is not for authorities alone to address.

He says parents too must teach their children at home.

He said selling of drugs and other illegal items is happening on the streets, markets and market vendors.

“Parents must teach their children of the effects of copen drug.

“It is our responsibility to teach our children at home, Police and other stakeholders will try as much to do awareness but it is the parents to teach their children not to buy those drugs from street sellers.

“We will be working with the Honiara City Council to address street markets but parents must be responsible for their own children,” Mangau said.

Recently a joint awareness by Police and stakeholders was conducted in schools around Honiara on the Copen drug.

Copen is a new drug with potential harmful effects that is becoming popular in schools and youths in communities in Honiara and the provinces.

Copen is a mixture of tobacco and other substances like Colgate toothpaste and coral lime which creates a “high” effect. Users often experience vomiting and headaches after its use.

Zero tolerance for absconded workers: PS Beck

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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MFAET Permanent Secretary, Collin Beck

BY NED GAGAHE

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Collin Beck has issued a stern warning to seasonal workers not to flee their designated companies signed under their contracts.

Mr Beck says they are aware of the issues where workers abandoned their work they signed for and seek other opportunities.

Beck said this when he was asked on how MFAET will deal with the issue during MFAET’s media conference on Wednesday.

“The contracts are tied to the visa, once a worker is absconded, he or she is basically breaking the law of the host country.

Beck said they are aware of some cases but it is not that big that affects the entire programme.

“There is zero chances, workers who did that are doing that at their own demise.

“They are basically breaking the contract and will be eliminated from the system.

“It should never undermine the chances for other workers participate in the programme,” Beck said.

Meanwhile, Beck urged those who will participated under LMU to behave properly, follow rules and not to do illegal activities that might undermine the LMU programme.

Second land reform awareness held for landowners of Bellona and Rennell

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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Some of the Participants. Photo credit - UNDP Communications.

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

A follow-up awareness on land recording was held for Honiara-based landowners of Rennell and Bellona province last week.

Wednesday’s session was for landowners of Bellona, and yesterday one was held for Rennell landowners.

This follows an initial session held at the UNDP office on February 17 this year, in which Honiara-based landowners of both Rennell and Bellona were introduced to the idea of registering their land with the land recording unit of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS).

MRD PS Dr Samson Viulu presenting the reviewed CDF Act. Photo credit – UNDP Communications.

This awareness on land recording is part of a nation-wide peacebuilding project spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with stakeholders including the World Vision, government ministries such as MLHS and Rural Development (MRD).

Land recording is an integral part of peacebuilding. It has been identified that land issues is one of the main factors of conflict in the country. And, one of the main issues relating to land is ownership.

This is theoretically mitigated by having the ownership recorded in official government records, which is kept with MLHS.

About 50 chiefs and community elders of Bellona convened for the two-hour workshop at Heritage Park Hotel on Wednesday evening.

MRD permanent secretary Dr Samson Viulu and team gave a presentation on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act which is being reviewed and amended, explaining the relevance of land recording towards the CDF plans of establishing constituency development growth centres (CDGC).

National Recorder for the MLHS Mary Tegavota revisited the process of registering and recording land with the participants.

Question & Answer segment of the programme followed, in which a heated debate over land ownership system of Bellona as opposed to the proposed land recording exercise ensued.

The workshop closed just before darkness, with many participants still not fully grasping the concepts which were intended for them to understand.

Some participants recommend further consultations.

A participant commenting on land reform. Photo credit – UNDP Communications.

It is understood that following yesterday’s workshop with Honiara-based landowners of Rennell, the team comprising UNDP, World Vision and MHLS personnel will revisit Rennell and Bellona to carry out a follow-up workshop.

Prominent landowner and community leader of West Rennell Richard Pautangata, speaking to Island Sun following the February-17 workshop, welcomed the idea of land recording and the awareness workshops.

“This initiative by the UNDP, World Vision and MLHS is very important in many aspects, not only just for peacebuilding.

“And, these trainings make aware the people of Rennell and Bellona the processes involved in registering and recording our lands, and know that these important information are stored with the rightful authority.

“Land recording will of course have its challenges, such as bring forth disputes, but this is expected in the search to find out who are the correct owners of lands in the two islands.

“Also, it will educate our youths on who the rightful landowners are, and teach them more on our cultures and traditions,” Mr Pautangata said.

China’s international development agency visits Solomon Islands

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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CIDCA Vice Chair Tang Wenhong (sitting, left) signs with SSPM Albert Kabui, with Chinese Ambassador HE Li Ming (back standing left) and PM Sogavare looking on. Photos credit - Chinese embassy media.

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

China’s international development cooperation agency (CIDCA) has visited the Solomon Islands with more cooperation and assistance to look forward to.

The CIDCA delegation led by its Vice Chairman Mr Tang Wenhong held site visits to China-aided projects such as the Pacific Games stadium and dormitories, held discussions with government line ministries regarding development cooperation between the two countries, and signed an MOU with the government on Global Development Initiative (GDI).

According to the Chinese embassy, this MOU will lead to “cooperation in society and livelihood, health care, infrastructure, social governance, culture and sports, human resources and think-tank exchanges under the GDI framework”.

The CIDCA delegation also paid a courtesy visit on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

CIDCA Vice Chairman Tang Wenhong shakes hands with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

In their discussions with the government, Mr Tang and his delegation gave detailed presentations on China foreign aid policies and practice.

“Since China and Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations in 2019, our bilateral cooperation has yielded tangible and fruitful outcomes, setting up a good example of mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation for all developing countries in the world,” Tang said.

“As a good friend, reliable partner and genuine brother to Solomon Islands, China upholds the principles of mutual respect, friendly consultation, common development and no political conditions attached in its development cooperation with Solomon Islands.

“I am so happy and proud to see in my own eyes the China-aided projects such as the Pacific Games Stadium, SINU dormitories (Athletes Village) and rural development support covering all nine provinces have made important contribution to help SI in hosting PG2023, boost social-economic development of the country, and deepen friendship between China and SI.

“The CIDCA attaches great importance to the development cooperation with Solomon Islands, and will keep pursuing more tangible benefits for the people of Solomon Islands.”

(Left-right) A CIDCA official, China’s ambassador to Solomons Li Ming, CIDCA Vice Chair Tang Wenhong, PM Manasseh Sogavare, National Planning and Development Coordination Minister Rexon Ramofafia, SSPM Albert Kabui, SPM Dr Jimmie Rodgers.

The embassy reports that the CIDCA and Solomons’ government also “signed the Exchange of Notes on Sports Technical Assistance to support training of 80 Solomon Islands athletes in China for three months and sending Chinese coaches to train SI athletes before PG2023.

“The training includes: athletics, weightlifting, boxing, taekwondo, judo, table tennis and swimming.”

The CIDCA advises China’s government on foreign aid and ensures China’s aid programmes “achieve better coordination and greater impact”. It reports directly to the State Council.

PM Sogavare meets with the CIDCA delegation.

Established in March 2018, the CIDCA “aims to formulate strategic guidelines, plans and policies for foreign aid, coordinate and offer advice on major foreign aid issues, advance the country’s reforms in matters involving foreign aid, and identify major programs and supervise and evaluate their implementation. Specific assignments will be allocated to different departments”, according to the CIDCA website.

CIDCA also supervises and evaluates the implementation of Chinese major programmes, such as the distribution of covid-19 vaccines and overseas infrastructure projects.

SI takes neutral stand on AUKUS nuclear deal

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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MFAET Permanent Secretary, Collin Beck

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands has chosen to be on the fence with AUKUS’s recent decision to arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Mr Collin Beck says Solomon Islands will continue to uphold the position not to participate in the power politics following the recent AUKUS nuclear arrangement signed between Australia, United Kingdom and United States.

Beck highlighted this during Wednesday’s media conference.

AUKUS is the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, established in September 2021 for the Indo-Pacific region.

“Australia has been sharing information with Solomon Islands on the AUKUS arrangement,” Mr Beck said.

“Now what does that mean for Solomon Islands, it creates security dilemma for us. Security dilemma means when a state tries to strengthen its security situation, modernise its military etc., on certain perceived threats it does have implications for their neighboring countries, it does have implications for the wider region and globally, because it could trigger not only arms race.

“This is because this is a billion-dollar investment, it also takes away attention from major threat that is in front of us which is basically climate change.

“The second one is Solomon Islands to trying strike a balance in light of the changing military posture from our neighbours because we have a security deal with them as well.

“As a small Island country, we continue to hold the position by distancing ourselves and not to associate too closely with them.

“We do not want to participate in any power politics. The last power politics we have seen is during the World War II on our shores, tens of thousands of people have died in the Solomon Islands.”

Beck said Solomon Islands firmly believes in upholding a neutral position going forward.

“Our position is based on the friends to all and enemy to none approach. Solomon Islands remains a nuclear free state. We are a signatory to the Rarotonga treaty. This means that no nuclear vessel is allowed to enter our waters.

“It is because of the nuclear legacy that the Pacific has been facing, we have learnt so much in the past where bigger powers have used Pacific as a testing ground both atmosphere, land and under sea, we’ve been used as a place for tests, dumping and storage for nuclear waste.

“This is where our interpretation of Rarotonga treaty is very clear because of that legacy Secondly, the history of accidents of nuclear military vessels there is a history of that. In the event of an accident for example, that in itself Solomon Islands does not have the capacity to deal with the it.

“Thirdly, is the threat of contamination. Once it happens it has possibility, the perceived threat can wipe out tourism and fisheries. It can also contaminate our sea as well. A classic example is what happen in Japan at the stricken Fukushima Nuclear power plant.

“Even here we also have concerned about proposed plans for Japan to dump nuclear treated water in the Pacific Ocean. This has prompted us to be more sensitive in dealing with these issues. We respect the right of Australia but the implications for us is much more worrying.”

02 & 03 OVERSEA

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MFAET Permanent Secretary, Collin Beck

Foreign affairs receives concerning reports of extra-marital affairs by our seasonal workers in NZ and Aus

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

Reports of extra-marital affairs by our seasonal workers are reaching our foreign affairs ministry.

And, while these reports are concerning, the ministry cannot do much except appeal to our seasonal workers for respect and to pray.

The Labour Mobility Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) has received reports of extra-marital affairs practised by Solomon Islands workers in Australia and New Zealand, Permanent Secretary Collin Beck told media on Wednesday

The workers are part of the Australia Labour Mobility Scheme and New Zealand Government’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

Mr Beck said men over socialising and marital issues like adultery are common.

He said this is something they try to tell everyone to respect each one and another and stick to their goals.

“We want them to show a little discipline and try praying together as a family.

“To ensure some sense of family remain with families, but these things do happen,” he said.

However, Beck said when looking at the number of cases compare to other countries, they are doing very well.

But he said it is a painful thing to receive wives expressing their concerns on the lack of attention from their husbands and fathers coming to say their wives did not receive their calls.

“A lot of human challenges we deal with them.

“But even numbers not look too big, but always painful to see, even a case like that, is a bad case,” he added.

In the past 24 to 36 months 5,332 were mobilised to Australia and some have already completed their contract.

Currently, there are 4,705 workers are in Australia and the total number of workers in New Zealand is around 600.

LMU hope to surpass 1,000 workers for New Zealand this year.

With the new recruitment drive opened recently, LUM has received over 15,000 applicants online from people showing interest to join the programme.

LMU is hoping to send more than 2,000 to 3,000 workers in the next 19 months.

Western province $47m budget passed

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA

WESTERN Province’s $47,164,338 Appropriate Budget for 2023/2024 went through assembly was passed on Thursday.

The budget received full support from the whole Assembly after two days of debate.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Calrick Runimetu said the budget requires the support of the whole to realize its objectives.

He said the executive alone cannot carry out all the task required and the collective support is paramount to improve service delivery and development aspiration of Western Province.

“There are considerable economic uncertainties facing us today besides the natural features of our economy.

“The fiscal stresses we are currently facing are mostly driven by external forces which are beyond our control but have continued to inflict serious issues to our vulnerable local economy.

“As price takers, we are very much vulnerable to these external sources. ACAREA government is also wary of the local issues affecting our very young population.

“The increasing demand for continuous delivery of quality education and health services, the needed economic infrastructure development to boost economic growth and provide equal opportunities for our citizens to participate in the economic development of our beautiful Western Province,” Runimetu said.

He also said that the execution of 2023/2024 budget will require all divisions to perform their mandatory roles properly and ensure the smooth implementation of the budget.

Runimetu strongly emphasised that all division will be required to put together their detailed divisional cost projections or plans, procurement plan for the whole year as soon as possible so that implementation of 2023 budget can be programmed accordingly to limit ad hoc or unplanned payments which can result to cash flow issues that lead to delayed or disrupted budget execution.

“My Division together with planning and development division will continue to monitor the implementation of 2023/2024 budget and ensure budget is executed as planned. A thorough review of the budget will be done during the mid term review to see if implementation is on track,” he said.

Runimetu reiterated that the execution of the budget is of paramount importance and it is everybody’s responsibility that it is properly implemented.

He said the government will continue to do the right thing and ensure that the budget is executed to achieve the government’s policy aspirations.

Sasako invited by police for questioning over his article ‘Top Secret Out’

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau has said Solomon Star journalist Alfred Sasako has been invited for questioning over his article published in the Solomon Star issue 8391 on  March 4, 2023.

Mangau said the content of the article is a threat to National Security and police are currently investigating the matter.

He said the author of the article will also be dealt with, if the investigation finds no truth in the contents of the article.

Mangau said it will take sometime as police will have to do thorough investigation on the matter.

He said currently police are doing general enquiry to find out whether the article is genuine.

The article stated that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was to be assassinated after the success of the November 2021 riot in Honiara, sources deep within the Malaita For Development (M4D) movement have revealed.

Sasako’s article also claimed that the seven-member assassination squad handpicked for the job was given support by the United State.

The US Embassy has denied and rebutted Sasako’s article labelling it as a ‘fantasy’.

650 award letters so far

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Franco Rodie

Education PS Rodie gives update on late government scholarships.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Government has so far given out 650 award letters of 1000 scholarships for this year.

This comes as tertiary institutions in the country and the region are either in their sixth week of classes or more.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education (MEHRD) Dr Franco Rodie at a press conference yesterday indicated that most scholarship recipients will commence studies under SIG sponsorship in the second semester.

Rodie said 1000 award letters will be issued and that will be final.

“Out of the 1000 scholarships that were allocated and budgeted for only 650 award letters have been issued so, that is what we have processed so far.”

Rodie said they are about to complete the scholarship rounds of 2023.

“The only activity that is happening is issuing of awards to those students who are yet to collect their awards.

“Regarding decision on those students who might not been able to commence their studies this year or this semester they have course or programs that they will commence in semester two.

“So those students who need to travel overseas within the Pacific region to regional universities their arrangement are being met so that they can go on next semester,” Rodie said.

“At the local institution because of the delay there are some students who are not able to complete their enrolment and so they should be able to commence their studies in semester two.”

Last month, SITESA, the body inside MEHRD which deals with scholarship, made a farce by secretly letting applicants know of the status of their application.

SITESA did not publish the list of scholarship recipients for 2023 in the public space.

This did not sit well with concerned members of public, who took to social media calling on SITESA to publish the list.

Many posted on social media their suspicions that the scholarship list may have been hijacked by politicians or manipulated through corrupt means by SITESA officials responsible for approving who gets a scholarship.

Since then, SITESA did nothing to quell public concerns and demands.

Earlier this week, SBM Online reported that the minister of education Lannelle Tanangada has directed her permanent secretary, Rodie, to overtake the role of CEO from the current, Constance Nasi.

PS Rodie told SBM Online that his role is temporary and that he was brought in to “troubleshoot and speed up the 2023 scholarship awards due to delays by the SITESA Management”.

“The instruction for me to oversight comes from the Minister under the powers and duties spelt out in the SITESA Act and in concurrence with the advice issued by the AG based on his review and analysis of the Act,” Rodie told SBM Online.

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