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New PS for Malaita soon

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

DISCUSSION is underway to recruit a new Provincial Secretary (PS) for Malaita province.

Deputy Provincial Secretary, David Filia Tuita confirmed this to the paper yesterday, adding the issue is now with the provincial executive of Malaita province.

He said as notified from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthen (MPGIS), the ministry wanted to get the views of the executive on the matter.

Tuita said this is where the matter is and as long as the Provincial Government advises the ministry on their decision, the recruitment processes will begin.

“So soon we are expecting a new PS to head the administration of the province,” he said.

Tuita also stressed the importance of filling up the PS position which was left vacant after the departure of the former PS, Mr Fredrick Faabasua.

He said the position is very crucial not only in the administration affairs of the province, but also it contributes to the required assessment under the PCDF program.

Tuita said his office also learned that other provinces are faced with similar issues and had their PSs interviewed and taken up position.

Tuita said the province needs the PS position to be filled to lead the administration of the province with the support of his office.

SolAir looks forward to Dash-8 service on Renbel

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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DASH-8

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Solomon Airlines is looking forward to providing Dash-8 service to Rennell and Bellona province.

However, the national carrier says implementing this would depend much on the national government.

The province is in dire need of transportation service with capital Honiara.

And, SolAir’s Twin Otter is the only regular transport servicing the two-island province.

New Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus in a media conference yesterday, says it is the Airline’s intention to provide Dash-8 service ‘almost everywhere in Solomon Islands’.

SolAir’s Board Chairman Frank Wickham says the route to Bellona and Rennell islands ‘is a very busy route for our domestic Twin Otters’.

“And we look forward to the day when we can get the Dash-8 into Rennell and Bellona,” he adds.

Renbel Premier Japhet Tuhanuku has welcomed the notion by Solomon Airlines, saying the Dash-8 service is a “huge and real need for his province and people”.

Tuhanuku in an interview yesterday thanks the airline for its service to his province which is the only transportation service keeping the province afloat.

He explains that services on the two islands are ‘very poor and remain to be so’ because of transportation from Honiara being confined to the few Twin Otter trips a week Solomon Airlines is providing.

This is made profound by the ‘very bad shipping service’, he adds.

“The whole of this year, MV Avaikimaine serviced the two islands only once. And with this very poor shipping services, the Twin Otter trips is not enough.

“It would have been enough if shipping service to Rennell and Bellona was good, and regular.

“But, since the bad shipping, we need that [Dash-8] service very badly.”

Meanwhile, SolAir Financial Controller Peter Soqoilo, during yesterday’s conference, explains that Solomon Airlines, as much as it would like to see Dash-8 service in Renbel, is only an operator, and the decision to maintain or extend airstrips belongs to the Ministry of Aviation (MCA).

Premier Tuhanuku agrees, saying it depends on MCA and ministry of infrastructure development (MID).

He adds that the national government has promised him and his Executive twice that the airstrips on Bellona and Rennell would be upgraded to cater for Dash-8 service.

“The Prime Minister and his Deputy, who is also the minister for Infrastructure [MID], they promised and they said that we [Renbel province] are among the recipients for projects for roads and airfield runway extension.

“We [provincial government] rely so much on aid donors and the national government.

“When we made a courtesy call on the Prime Minister earlier this year, he gave us this reassurance. During the Second Appointed Day celebrations this year, the deputy prime minister highlighted that the extension to the Tingoa and Bellona airfields will follow the wharf project, along with the road project.

“That is what the Central Government has promised us.”

Police deny split in force

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and Correctional Service officers assemble during the joint demonstration with China Police at Rove field recently.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau has denied claims the Royal Solomon Islands Police officers is falling apart because of the presence of Australian and Chinese police in the force.

Mangau was responding to questions asked during a press conference yesterday over Police unity given the organization’s work with both China and Australia Police forces.

But Mangau denied any disunity, saying they are working closely with their partners, the People’s Republic of China Police and the Solomon Island Assistance Force made up of Australia and its partners.

He said they are working with them because of security interest and not geopolitics.

“Those countries that come in and work with us are our bilateral partners and we work with our security partners on strategic interest of the country and basically on security interest, where police can boost its security capabilities, and capacity and there is no issue with partners and agencies,” Mangau said.

He said the RSIPF has no issues working with the PRC police and SIAF.

“We work closely with them and identify which areas of policing they can support and assist us, so that we can increase our capacity and capabilities, so RSIPF is working well with everyone and the two agencies,” Mangau said.

He said those partners came in to support RSIPF after what happened last year and to look at building the capability of the officers and assisting the force.

Therefore, it is an advantage for the RSIPF to have worked along with SIAF and PRC, Mangau said.

Pelican Express to resume services to Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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MV Pelican Express.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Malaita provincial government has granted approval for the Pelican Express shipping company to resume services to Auki.

This came after deliberations were held on the company’s operation license following the inclusion of their new vessel, MV Express 96.

Deputy Provincial Secretary for Malaita province, David Filia Tuita confirmed this to Island Sun yesterday.

““This week the executive has met and agreed for the Pelican Express to resume its shipping service to Auki,” he said.

Tuita said the approval came following challenges encountered by the shipping service to Auki since last week.

He said at the moment only the Auki Express, Taimareho I and Pelican Express are operating passenger services to Auki.

Thus, Tuita said the engagement of Auki Express with the US floating hospital, MV Mercy in Honiara and the ceasing of Pelican’s service to Auki has resulted in a shipping challenge.

He said these two boats provide regular services almost every day to Auki, except for MV Taimareho with only one or two trips to Auki per week.

Tuita said  upon approval, Express 96 – the new vessel of the Pelican Express Company will be serving Auki as of this weekend.

He said the other boat, Pelican Express is current on maintenance and as soon as it is done, it will join Express 96 to provide service to Auki.

Tuita said Pelican Express shipping company has a valid operating license with the province and will expire by the end of this financial year, March next year.

He said that the Auki Express will also resume services to Auki after their engagement with MV Mercy maybe in two weeks time.

Kraus back at helm of SolAir

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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New CEO of Solomon Airlines, Gus Kraus.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

SOLOMON Airlines yesterday officially introduced Gus Kraus as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Chairman of Solomon Airlines Frank Wickham said Kraus brings with him more than 54 years of industry experience.

“I would like start by welcoming Mr Kraus. He has re-joined us here as Solomon Airlines CEO,” Wickham said.

“We had a board meeting this week and we welcome Kraus in the board meeting and we had a welcome get-together yesterday with management and staff,” he added.

“As you may know Kraus is former CEO of Solomon Airlines on an interim arrangement and was previously general manager ground operations as well as commercial.”

Wickham said with the full confidence of the board, Kraus he has accepted the role of the CEO to lead the Solomon Airlines’ ongoing operations.

He also thanked the former CEO Brett Gebers for the Aviation experience and expertise that he brought to Solomon Airlines over more than four years and for his strong contribution to the national carrier during what has been an immensely challenging period.

CDF POLICY DEVELOPED

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT is developing a new policy that will guide the management and delivery of the highly controversial Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Dr Samson Viulu disclosed this to reporters yesterday,

Provincial-wide consultation, Viulu said, has begun in Isabel Province.

“This policy framework will set the basis for a MRD internal taskforce to develop the drafting instructions for the proposed review of the CDF Act 2013,” Viulu said.

“It will also further enhance the planning, coordination, implementation and management of the CDF,” he added.

Viulu said the new policy is also expected to address the issue of ownership of properties, equipment and machines purchased from CDF, but often taken over by the sitting MP after he or she lost the seat.

Furthermore, he said the police will explore the establishment of Constituency Development Centres to bring government services to rural people to grow the economy.

He said the policy will try to narrow down the focus of CDF because as it is now, “the scope is too wide”.

“Maybe focus on social, economic, infrastructures or livelihoods,” he said.

Viulu added the policy will also look at the governance of CDF – whether the delivery mechanism is already.

“The vision of the CDF policy is to achieve safe, clean, healthy, friendly, peaceful and vibrant rural communities across the country by 2035.”

Viulu mentioned that some national leaders are open to the idea to remove MPs from being signatories of the constituency bank accounts and leave it to constituency committees.

He said the police will also seek to establish strong and effective collaboration with other ministries on delivering the projects.

Under CDF, each constituency is allocated up to $6 million a year.

But these funds are currently controlled and managed by sitting MPs.

MPs also decide who benefits and how it is allocated.

Often, MPs have been accused of using the funds to pay supporters and keep them in power.

Although the funding was established to develop the 50 constituencies, there’s very little being translated into actual development.

Over the years, Solomon Islanders have been calling for the abolition of CDF and its removal from the control of MPs.

But those calls have fallen on deaf ears, and MPs continue to have access to the millions of dollars given in the name of constituency development.

Manuari: push to extend Parliament influenced by foreign elements.

Written by
Press Release
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

OPPOSITION MP Derrick Manuari says he believes the government’s agenda to extend Parliament from four to five years is influenced by foreign elements.

Speaking at the Opposition Group’s ‘Insight’ programme recently, the Member of Parliament for West Makira said it is clear because the current decisions and actions of the government is against the will of the people.

He said the government is pushing people to the edge knowing well that the people are not in support of any plan to extend parliament because they are confused and not convinced by the reasons given by the government.

“Foreign powers are dominating political play in our domestic affairs,” he said.

He said during the consultations, one of the messages put across by government officials is that government needed more time to allow China to fund government programmes in constituencies.

Mr Manuari said this is the same government and the same Prime Minister that had been in power of the last three years and even in the past.

“What have they done? We all know how they have underperformed over the years. Three years have gone by and there is nothing to show that this government has delivered its promises to the people so what makes you think another mere 8 months would make any difference,” he said.

“This government has already failed people in this country,” Manuari said.

He said even with the extension it would not make any difference at all.

The West Makira MP said the government has good policies in place but implementation is just anyone’s guess.

“They are busy trying to hold on to political numbers rather than delivering on their promises to the people in this country through the influence of foreign elements,” he said.

Manuari adds the government have the numbers to make amendment to the constitution and they could have used it to their advantage to make changes for the betterment of this country.

“This is not a responsible government. They are serving their own interests and that of foreign elements,” he said.

Mercy and partners only here for 12 days

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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United States Naval Hospital Mercy arrived in Honiara yesterday

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

U.S Navy Captain and Commander for the Pacific Partnership 2022 mission Hank Kim says Pacific Partnership 2022 commitment in Solomon Islands is only for 12 days.

This, he added, is due to Mercy’s commitment throughout the region.

Kim said Mercy is on operation need throughout the region. Each country has needs that Mercy tries to service.

“But Mercy also has operation commitments within the region and off course we need to spread that operation commitment to different countries,” he said.

Kim adds based on that they have had discussions with each country and having an initial discussion of about what is needed in the country.

“And in our initial discussion it was 12 days for our commitment here in Solomon Islands.

“I would like to add that this is our fifth visit to Solomon Islands and all though we would like to stay as long as possible.

“We have commitments to Solomons and we would try to come back as often as we can,” he said.

Acting Medical Superintendent and Head of Paediatrics Ward at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara Dr Titus Nasi says patients that require treatment on-board have been selected and also both teams at NRH and Mercy can managed them together in the hospital.

“Please come through the normal process of accessing health care services through the referral system from the clinics to NRH to each of the departments to work with colleagues on board to see who that needs to go on-board,” Nasi said.

He said the dental team have been working with the schools and they have organised a lot of kids to be seen by the dentist on board.

“Thank you very much PP2022 for coming over here we are all excited to see the biggest floating hospital which some of us will be receiving health care services from,” Nasi said.

Malaita supporting crime prevention efforts

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Police Commander for Malaita province, Lesley Kili

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA provincial police (RSIPF) is continuing with its support and engagement with communities on crime prevention and by-law programmes and activities.

In an interview with PPC Malaita yesterday, Lesley Kili made the statement stressing the importance of policing work with communities in the province.

He said recently his team visited communities of Sulufou, Kofiloko, Sasava areas in North East Malaita to strengthen their Crime Prevention Committees (CPC) or By-Law Committees and provided awareness on policing work.

Kili said a by-law was launched in Kwara’ae are where police attended and assured of their cooperation with the by-law committee and the community.

He said there are communities with existing CPCs or by-law programmes where police is liaising with them to strengthen their operations.

Kili also said that as part of the programme many other communities are requesting police to assist them on the establishment of their by-laws and CPCs.

“Lots of supports coming from communities in the province for the program and police are happy and committed to work with them,” he said.

Kili assured that although provincial police are handicapped on areas like staffing and logistics, they will take time to provide assistance to the communities with the programme.

The PPC however urged people to work together and respect orders carry out by CPCs and bye-law committees in the province.

He said these committees become the focal point of police out in the rural communities and everyone must support each to uphold and respect law and order in our communities.

NEW NRH STILL LONG WAY OFF

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

No master plan yet for proposed hospital

By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT says it is still to secure a master plan for the proposed National Referral Hospital earmarked to be built at Gilbert camp, east of Honiara.

And Health minister Dr Culwick Togamana says the ministry is yet to engage a consultant to design the master plan.

The project has been in the pipeline for almost 10 years now due to the design issue and associated land dispute.

Togamana told parliament yesterday the process for this planning was further stalled by the pandemic as state resources were put in preparedness and response to COVID.

“Likewise, our preparation to host Pacific Games 2023 play a vital role, slow down, we concentrate resources on the National Referral Hospital.

“We need consultation on the size of hospital we are going to build,” he said.

“Hopefully this consultancy group we are going to engage will come up with a Master Plan,” he added.

Togamana said this is important because the existing National Referral Hospital was built to cater for a population of only 300,000, but now our population exceeds 600,000.

“Therefore, we need to properly plan so that our new NRH caters for our growing population,” he added.

On site preparation, Togamana said this is an ongoing activity to date where 2,500 square meter perimeter fencing has been constructed.

“This is because squatters are there already?

“And therefore, we need to secure the site and when you fence the site, you need to deal with those in the perimeter,” he said.

Furthermore, Togamana said a ground survey on UXO needs to be carried out prior to construction.

This is because the area was subjected to heavy engagement during the second World War.

 Further to that, he said construction of security houses is being done, being tendered and awarded so that they have officers that will mann the site and prevent further interference from illegal settlers.

Attorney General, John Muria Junior clarified that in terms of legal proceedings, two disputes over the same land have been consolidated into one proceeding.

He said in 2016 when the government paid out the land from a landowner, that person transferred the land to the Commissioner of Land.

But he said when the land was transferred, other landowners challenged the transaction.

Muria said the matter is heading for trial so that a settlement could be reached sooner.

Parliament continues at 9.30am today.

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