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MRD PS pays courtesy visit to Premier Suidani

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MRD Permanent Secretary Dr Samson Viulu, second from left, next to Malaita Province Premier Daniel Suidani with MRD and Malaita Provincial Government senior officials.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Dr Samson Viulu has paid a courtesy visit to the Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani at his Office in Auki, Tuesday.

During the meeting, PS Viulu explain to the Premier the purpose of MRD official’s presence in Auki which is to conduct a two-days consultation on the first ever Solomon Islands Constituency Development (SICD) Policy with its stakeholders.

It was a fruitful meeting as PS Viulu and Premier Suidani traded positive sentiments and encouragement during their discussion in the presence of Malaita Province Deputy Premier and Malaita Provincial Secretary (PS).

PS Viulu acknowledged the Premier for accepting him and his team into his office for the meeting and also for the opportunity to meet him in person and brief him on the Solomon Islands Constituency Development (SICD) Policy concept which now undergoing nationwide consultations.

“Our presence here in Auki is to do a two-days consultation on this new policy initiated by MRD called Solomon Islands Constituency Development (SICD) Policy.

“…MRD was established in 2007.

“However, it did not have any standing or development policy to guide its operation over the years. So, SICD Policy will be the first ever policy the ministry is embarking on and once realized it will help the ministry in reforming constituency developments.

“This policy will also guide our constituency offices to see what areas should be prioritized with more emphasis towards reforming development in our constituencies.

PS Viulu further told Premier Suidani that the consultation on the new policy is to gather honest views from rural people on the policy framework which will lead to reforming the CDF Act 2013.

He said that having an improved and robust mechanisms to guide MRD in its management of the CDF is of paramount importance.

“The idea to repeal the existing CDF Act is also forthcoming to replace it with Constituency Development (CD) Act so it accommodates every development approach and not just the fund,” PS Viulu told Premier Suidani.

“Our task force will commence drafting of the policy once we completed all consultations. With the political support that we have now, we want to make sure that this policy is complete in time for further deliberation at the government level,” PS Viulu added.

Meanwhile, Premier Suidani in response acknowledged PS Viulu for the courtesy visit where they were able to share together thoughts on a way forward for CDF.

The Premier said that perhaps PS Viulu is the first person in his capacity as the Permanent Secretary of MRD to have visited his office and discuss constructively on ways to improve the management of CDF.

Premier Suidani took the opportunity and shared his knowledge and concerns surrounding the CDF and its effect on the lives of our people and he said despite these concerns, he assured PS Viulu that he will support the CDF reforms and the current SICD Policy consultation and its framework.

He also highlighted decentralization of government services to the rural populace and how he ponders this policy will really help Malaita constituency to really feel the positive impact of CDF.

“If we really want to see our people involved meaningfully in development then this policy must capture the decentralization of government services with the assistance of the reformed CDF Act,” he added.

He also voiced his concern about the management of CDF and what mechanisms are in place to hold our leaders accountable if the funds are mismanaged.

He said having robust financial mechanisms in place will guide our Members of Parliament to be accountable in how they use this public fund.

“I support this policy and your ministry to make this policy come true not only for our leaders but for the rural population of this country.

“I encourage you and your ministry to carry on with these good works because I believe you can lead this work as an accountable officer for MRD,” he said.

UNITED AGAINST CORRUPTION

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Berdi Berdiyev, Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager, Japan Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Miwa Yoshiaki, Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption Deputy Chairlady, Anika Kingmele, Deputy Secretary for Prime Minister’s Office (Policy&Programmes), Tony Kabasi, SIICAC Director General John Kouni and UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze with the new ICT equipment.

$214,751 worth of equipment to SIICAC

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) has received a boost to its efforts to tackle corruption in the country.

This was after they took delivery of ICT equipment worth $214,751 from the United National Development Programme (UNDP) and Japanese Government yesterday.

The equipment were procured under the Transparency and Accountability Project (TAP) established between UNDP, the Japanese Government and the Solomon Islands Government.

UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze said this is to ensure SIICAC and the Anticorruption Secretariat has the digital capacity and the necessary resources to undertake the enormous tasks placed upon it.

Bouadze said since 2012, UNDP through its regional programme has been working to strengthen the anti-corruption landscape across the Pacific.

In addition, SIICAC Director General John Kouni has welcomed the generous support from both partners.

Kouni said for any anti-corruption body to carry out its task, it must by fully resourced mainly with human capacity, ongoing training so that they know exactly their work,

He added it also needs resources in terms of facility and working tools.

“We value this assistance, not in monetary terms but what it can deliver in fighting corruption in the country.

“The use of this equipment will go a long way to assist in fighting corruption in the country,” Kouni said.

Furthermore, Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy & Programmes), Tony Kabasi said the support of ICT equipment’s to the Anti-Corruption Secretariat, under the OPMC Policy & Program and the Anti-Corruption Commission is timely and crucial.

He said the donated ICT equipment’s will ensure the newly established Anti-Corruption Commission and the role of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat to coordinate and facilitate the integrity institutions framework are resourced and equipped with the relevant ICT needs for its operation including processing, storing, and communicating of relevant information.

Moreover, the Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, Miwa Yoshiaki said fighting corruption is not easy.

He said there maybe two alternative ways to fight corruption.

“The first one is very democratic, where you expect the initiative of the civil society to create common understanding and red line that we should never go beyond.

“Another is very extreme, which I don’t support at all. It is authoritarianism and very strict. People will fear the strict procedures of the government. That kind of procedure should not contribute to the development of our society,” he said.

Yoshiaki said there should be deeper understanding of culture and common understanding in the society.

UNDP and Japanese Government have supported SIICAC on the Transparency and Accountability Project, TAP since 2018.

Under the project, UNDP has supported SIICAC and the anti-corruption secretariat with the refurbishment of the office and with the purchase of equipment and furniture crucial to the setup of the new office.

Ramofafia thanks EU for $78M assistance

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia delivers his speech at the launching of EU projects in Honiara yesterday.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia has congratulated the European Union for its $78 million funding assistance to Solomon Islands.

The funding aims at strengthening the governance system for service delivery within the provinces, notably by improving the coordination between Provincial Governments and the provincial sector offices for education and health.

Speaking at the launching of the EU projects in Honiara yesterday, Ramofafia said the projects long term objective is to build sound, inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance systems within the provinces, for sub-national service delivery.

He said this response to the National Development Strategy’s call for ensuring effective governance at the local provincial level, which is a necessary element in creating an enabling environment for effective service delivery.

Further to that, Ramofafia said health and education remains critical to the empowerment of our people.

“Having a healthy and literate population is fundamental to sustainable development as it supports all other aspects of development.

“The provincial spread with a focus on Honiara and all nine provinces is also pleasing, as this ensures that there is equity amongst both the urban and rural population in all the nine provinces of Honiara,” he added.

In addition, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Sujiro Seam said this project is consistent with the global priorities of the European Union as reflected in their global gateways when they intend to strengthen networks particular in health and education.

He said it is also consistent with their regional priorities which are embodied in the European Union strategic cooperation in the Indo Pacific, which comprises the priority on human development which covers health and education.

“It is also consistent in good alliance with European Union and the Pacific which provides for the financial framework for our commitment to the region for the years 2021-2027 which we have an emphasis on as a third priority of human development,” he said.

Ambassador Seam said they are also contributing in strengthening Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This includes:

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 4: Quality Education

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

EU channels funds through PCDF

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia has welcomed the implementation of the European Union projects through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) mechanism.

Speaking at the launching of the $78 million EU projects in Honiara yesterday, Ramofafia said the projects modality of implementation by utilizing the existing PCDF grant mechanism is also very much welcomed.

“The PCDF grant mechanism is a longstanding modality of delivery in the provinces which has shown positive results and contributed a lot to improving capacity of provincial governments to deliver services.

“The PCDF modality also builds national ownership by allowing the national and provincial governments to be in the driver’s seat,” he said.

Ramofafia said this is the kind of inclusive engagement and partnership that the government encourages.

“As the Minister responsible for National Planning and Aid Coordination, I continue to urge our development partners to align to the priorities as set out in the National Development Strategy,” he said.

Moreover, Ramofafia said at such a time as this development, effectiveness remains critical.

“We must ensure national ownership, a focus on results, having inclusive partnerships and mutual transparency and accountability,” he said.

In a similar connection to ensuring development effectiveness, he stressed the importance of monitoring and evaluation.

“Improving governance is a means to an end.

“Whilst improving governance is a key vehicle and means to ensuring effective service delivery, the ultimate end that we strive for is effective service delivery to our rural people,” he said.

“In that regard, we must also monitor for development results, such that we are able to ascertain progress in service delivery in the targeted sectors of health and education,” he added.

Ramofafia encouraged all to work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, to ensure successful delivery of the project activities in a timely manner that will see tangible outcomes for our rural people.

EU pumps in $78M for water, sanitation here

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Berdi Berdiyev, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager, Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade, Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso, Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia and UNICEF Chief of Office, Dr Zalalem Taffesse.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands has received $78 million ($8 million Euro) from the European Union to improve water and sanitary conditions in schools and communities throughout the country.

The funding is also to strengthen the service delivery capabilities of provincial governments as prescribed in the major components of the project.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) will implement the projects.

Speaking at the launching of the EU funded projects at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday, Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso thanked the European Union, for this important gesture that would surely go a long way in improving water and sanitary conditions of schools and communities.

EU had also assisted the nine provincial governments through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) from 2008 to 2015.

Seleso said the overall contribution of European Union to PGSP phase one was over USD6.1million and USD3.5million of that went into PCDF.

“The European Union contribution in PGSP phase one did not only help the nine provinces to deliver critical infrastructure throughout the country, but it also supported the Ministry of Provincial Governments to strengthen the capacities of the provincial governments as critical service delivery agency of the National Government.

“Through the partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI, UNDP and UNCDF, the EU, the donor partners’ support to PCDF and PGSP has contributed a lot in improving the infrastructure and service delivery capabilities of the nine provincial governments,” he said.

“As of today, the nine provinces combined have completed and handed over 1,549 projects in various sectors from July 2008 to March 2022 at a total cost of USD41 million creating over 8,500 jobs for our construction industry most of whom are rural youths.

“Our records indicate that the provincial investment in water and sanitations stands at 520 projects at a cost of USD2.1 million.  In education sector, the provincial governments through the PCDF delivered 301 classroom projects at a cost of USD12.7 million whilst in health sector, they delivered about 133 projects across the nine provinces at a total of USD4.8 million,” he said.

Seleso said the new project they were launching yesterday shall greatly complement the efforts of the provincial governments and prepare them to provide the much-needed support to education and health sectors in their service delivery efforts at the sub-national.

He said because of the seed money provided by the development partners under the leadership of SIG, the capabilities of the provincial governments have been increasing.

“The National Government has recognized the impact made by the Provincial Governments not only in delivering rural infrastructure for service delivery but also the massive improvements realized in governance and accountability,” he added.

EU Ambassador and Head for the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, H.E Sujiro Seam and UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze could not attend the launching in Honiara but joined through virtual from Nadi airport in Fiji.

They could not come on Tuesday due to mechanical problem caused to Air Nauru but arrived in Honiara yesterday.

They start their engagement today by attending launching of other EU projects and held consultations with the Government before returning to Fiji on Saturday.

KILLER DRIVER GETS 6 YEARS

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court has sentenced a man found guilty for causing the death of five people at the Tenaru bridge last year to six year and six months.

 Danny Benson was charged for five counts of manslaughter.

High Court Justice Maelyn Bird said manslaughter is a serious offence and the maximum penalty prescribed under our laws for that offence is imprisonment for life.

 It is that serious because it involves the taking away of a man’s life through one’s negligence.

On July 7 2021 between 8pm to 9pm, the Benson was said to be drunk and driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser.

He was then spotted by a Police Patrol Team when he took off from the northern road at the KGVI crossroad.

Due to his careless driving at that time, the police patrol signalled him to stop but instead he tried to escape by driving through the middle of the single lane road without indicating lights to other vehicles on the road.

Justice Bird said despite signals from police to stop he drove on at very high speed.

During that time there was a fundraising at the western end of the old Tenaru bridge and the place was crowded with people attending the event.

In an attempt to avoid police patrol, he switched off the vehicle’s head lights and drove the vehicle towards the old Tenaru bridge towards the crowd.

It was during that time that the incident happened which resulted in the death of the five people.

Bird said the manner in which the prisoner was driving was extremely dangerous.

“You have no regard whatsoever for other road users and the public at large. You disregarded advise by your passengers to slow down.

“You were driving like a maniac and at night time and with your head lights off. As a result of your carelessness and negligence, you killed five people on the very same night.

“If you had your head lights on, you would have been able to see from a safe distance that people were congregated in the area for a fundraising,” Ms Bird said.

She also said the accident could have been avoided and loss of lives could even have been minimal if he drove the vehicle with due care and attention.

“These circumstances in my view makes your offending more serious than any other motor vehicle manslaughter cases previously dealt with by this court,” Bird added.

Mala youths to mark big day this Saturday

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki provincial town of Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Malaita Provincial Youth Council will hold celebrations this Saturday to mark International Youth Day which falls annually on 12th August.

President of the Malaita Provincial Youth Council (MPYC), Philip Subu said the event will be held at the Auki Market car park in Auki town.

He said the celebration is to recognize the efforts and important roles played by youths which contributed one way or the other to Malaita province

He said the celebration is also important for youths in the province to join the international youth community in marking this important day.

Subu said the event will be graced by Premier Daniel Suidani, who will be key speaker and speeches from MPYC and other stakeholders.

He said talks will also be presented during the event from stakeholders working with youths on youth related programmes in the province.

Subu said the celebration will happen on behalf of youths of Malaita province to mark this International Youth Day, 2022.

Wairiu is new Pro Chancellor and chair of SINU

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Press Release
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New SINU Pro Chancellor and Chair, Dr Morgan Wairiu.

DR MORGAN Wairiu is the new Pro Chancellor and Chairperson of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Council

Hailed from Marau Sound, East Guadalcanal, Wairiu has been formally appointed as Pro Chancellor and Chairperson of the 4th SINU Council by the Minster of Education and Human Resources Development.

“Wairiu is a respectable person of high standing in the academic circle and has wide experience in teaching, research and publication and managing an education institution,” a statement from SINU said.

“He is currently the Chief of Party of SCALE-NRM Project, implemented by Winrock International and funded by USAID,” it added. 

Prior to joining the SCALE-NRM Project, Wairiu was the Acting Director of the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji.  

He also served as the Deputy Director, Programme Manager and Research Fellow at the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development.

Wauriu also served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in 2001.

A Fulbright Scholar, Wairiu obtained Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Ohio, United States of America in 2001; Master of Science in Soil Science at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland; Postgraduate Certificate in Agriculture and Rural Development at Wye College at the University of London in the United Kingdom and Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Papua New Guinea.

At the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD), Wairiu was the Lead Author of the IPCC 1.5 Special Report on Climate Change and the Coordinating Lead Author of the Small Islands Chapter in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.

His research interest is in climate change and resilient development. He has also supervised over 20 research students (both Masters and Ph.D.) in this research area.

Wairiu has published several publications in some leading and reputable journals.

He has been awarded Best Paper Award in 2017 in the International Journal of Climate Change Impacts and Responses.

Wairiu also serves as member of renowned Committees, Advisory Working Groups, Councils, Taskforces, Conference of Parties, Trusts, Institutes and Forums.

$5m for youth hub on Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE National Government through the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs has put forward $SBD5 million to build a youth hub (multipurpose hall) for Malaita province.

This was announced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women (MWYCFA), Dr Cedric Alepedava to youth bodies in the province during his visit to Auki last week.

Malaita Provincial Youth Coordinator, Francis Samo also relayed the funding support in an interview with this paper yesterday.

“The $5 million support grant was relayed to us by PS Alepedava during a dinner at Auki Lodge last week, and soon it will officially be announced.

“My office is liaising with other responsible offices within Malaita to prepare for the funding,” he said.

“One of the areas we are looking at is a suitable site for the hub which will also a government owned land and must be within the vicinity of Auki town.

“Aligegeo futsal court is one, there is another government land we applied for behind the Women Resource Centre in Auki town, we are yet to get a response,” he said. 

Mr Samo said the Malaita Youth Desk has a plan to have a youth hub in the province for a long time, and the funding support will be a fulfillment of the plan.

He said the plan is to have a 50×50 metres multi-purpose hall that will also house a sporting arena for activities and accommodation.

“The plan is there and we’ll see if the fund is enough, if not we will push for additional assistance by the Malaita Provincial Government through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF),” Samo said.

He said the Malaita provincial government through its Youth Desk is happy to learn of the support and they will ensure it materializes to support youth programs and activities in the province.

Samo said his office will provide whatever support required from them and other relevant offices and stakeholders to successfully implement the fund for the benefit of youths in the province.

Madam Sogavare assist widowed market vendors

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Some of the many widows posing for a photo opportunity with Madam Emmy Sogavare and Hon Ethel Vokia.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE Wife of the Prime Minister, Emmy Sogavare has hosted another fellowship for widows who are market vendors at the Fisheries Market.

The Prime Minister’s wife said this not the first time she has hosted such a programme for these special group of mothers.

She gave them encouragement and stressed that they are powerful and are the windows of love and windows of hope.

“As a madam and a mother of this nation, you are always in my prayers. I don’t know the pain and hardships you faced, but I want you to keep seeking the lord in all that you do,” Mrs Sogavare said.

She also presented gifts to the windows donated by the Peoples Republic of China.

“I want to thank PRC and the Chinese Women Association in Solomon Islands for supporting this programme,” she said.

A representative from the Chinese Women Association in Solomon Islands, a newly formed cooperative association, Ms Lan stated her admiration for women at all levels of this nation, calling them very hardworking and loving.

“When you go to the market, half of the market is dominated by women, and you are so diligent to run from early in the morning up until late at night and sometimes they have no rest days over the weekend.

“So that is why I said Solomon Islands is a place full of love, because women are half of the sky and but women hold more than half of the sky because you are very responsible for your families,” she said.

President of the Honiara Market Vendors Association moreen Sariki thanked Sogavare for recognising the difficulties women vendors face in their daily lives.

“We thank you madam for inviting us to your home. We are all here with broken hearts. No one can read the tears we share with you, only God can,” Sariki said.

The fellowship was held over the weekend at Sogavare’s private residence at Tasahe, west Honiara. 

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