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Suafa tribes set path for development

Written by
Samie Waikori
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current development happening on Suava area

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

HISTORY has been made for the first time after the 12 tribes of Harifafa and Bubuni tribal lands within the Suafa bay came together after years of court battles.

This happened over the weekend in a reconciliation ceremony where representatives from the tribes came together and assured each other to work together for the development of Suafa bay.

Premier Daniel Suidani who was the key guest at the reconciliation described this as a milestone that sets a bench mark for other land disputing tribes in the province to follow-suit.

He said in pursuit of Suafa Bay for development, MARA government has recently signed an MOU with the tribes and came the reconciliation linking them.

Suidani said for the last 30 years or so, tribes in Suafa bay have not come together as one people to due to land disputes amongst them.

“Now, the tribes and people of Suafa have restored them and came together as one and are ready for development,” he said.

Suidani said MARA government has valued the heart of the people and despite issues between them they have agreed to unite as one and work together.

“What we had witnessed at Suafa Bay is setting related ground work in order to be ready for development,” he said. 

According to Suidani, Suafa Bay is amongst other areas in the province the MARA government is working with to ensure they are prepared and ready for development.

He said this is the only magic to development “prepared them by addressing issues relating to your people, tribes and resources” and investors will have confidence to work with you.

Suidani thanked the people and 12 tribes of Suafa Bay for the efforts and commitment to come as one, assuring the MARA government support towards development aspirations of the people of Suafa.

Chinese Police assist sick children of officers

Written by
Press Release
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China Police and RSIPF officers visit in assisting police family

Six Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) families were visited over the weekend by two groups of China Police Liaison Team (CPLT) officers.

The groups were led by Commissioner Zhang GuangBao and Chief Instructor Yin Wei together with Chinese embassy staff accompanied by RSIPF Welfare Officers on 8and 9July 2022.

Most of these families have children with little health problems, so officers of CPLT visited them and assisted these families with goods and schoolbags.

Chinese Police assisting a local family

They had a conversation with them and expressed sympathy for their situation.

Team Leader of CPLT Commissioner Zhang Guangbao said RSIPF officers work very hard and play a very important role in the safety and security of Solomon Island.

 They are good partners and good friends with CPLT.

The team is deeply concerned about the RSIPF colleagues who have difficulties and try to provide some support.

 The assistance to each family is for friendship and goodwill. Hope they enjoy the support

Chinese and Local Police assisting a sick child

. Commissioner Zhang encourages them to overcome the difficulty and wishes them recovery from their sickness.

The police officers, who received the assistance-expressed appreciation to the CPLT Team and acknowledged them for their kindness.

 They will remember what the Chinese colleagues did for them and wish for the bilateral police cooperation and friendship to have more fruitful results.

Bomb blasting at Alligator Creek

Written by
Press Release
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A EOD officer displays the shell after safely rendered.

Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team will conduct a live demolition of bombs at Hells Point, in the Alligator Creek area East of Honiara today.

Officer In-charge (OIC) of EOD, Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “The Hells Point Demolition Range in Central Guadalcanal will be active from 8am to 2pm (13 July 2022).

 “Fishermen, farmers, hunters and the general public in the Henderson area, Alligator Creek and Tenaru School areas are kindly warned to keep out from Hells Point while the Operation is in progress. Safe evacuations of people and road blocks will be enforced within these areas from east Henderson to Tenaru School bus stop.

“This is our normal weekly EOD task aimed to reduce the number of Unexploded Ordnances stored at the site to a minimum level.

“The Air Traffic Control Tower at the Honiara International Airport will coordinate the firing of each serial. An EOD Operator/Technician from the RSIPF EOD Team will be posted at the control tower during this operation from the actual times of the demolition and completion time.”

CHINESE ATTACKED AT GOLD RIDGE SITE

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Police arrest 11 in relation to incident

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ELEVEN people attacked a Chinese worker at Gold Ridge mine site in Central Guadalcanal last Thursday, leaving him in serious condition.

Guadalcanal Police have arrested the 11 suspects; they are remanded to appear to face their charges in court.

Reports Island Sun obtained said the 11 suspects attacked the Chinese worker because they were angry over payments and repatriation packages.

However, Benjamin Afuga of Goldridge Communities Investment Ltd (GCIL), a landowner group that holds 10 per cent share in Gold Ridge Mining Ltd (GRML), told Island Sun the attack has nothing to do with the mine’s operation.

Rather, Afuga said it was a criminal attack committed by drunken youths.

“These drunken youths forced their way through the pit gate,” Afuga explained.

“The two China Railway workers (who were attacked) were on their way to the Pits when the group stopped them,” he added.

“On the way the youths stopped the vehicle so the two contractors stopped and got off, but when they were about to take off, one of the youths them kicked the vehicle.

“It was when the two workers came out to enquire that they were attacked.

“The youths took off with the vehicle but abandoned it when security chase them.

“The vehicle sustained damage and the two expat workers received injuries.”

Afuga said the GRLM management will meet over the incident today.

Meanwhile, Guadalcanal Police have also arrested two suspects that disturbed the work of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) on Monga bridge in east Guadalcanal.

GP police made the arrest following an early morning raid at the village, however other suspects fled the scene.

Hong Kong listed Wanguo hold the majority shares in GRML, which was shut down during the ethnic conflict.

According to past media reports, Wanguo has contracted state-owned China State Railway Group $825 million to complete the works over several phases.

The previous owner, Australian-listed St. Barbara, sold the mine for a nominal $100 to GCIL in 2015, which went on to secure interest from Australian-based Chinese company AXF Resources, and then Wanguo.

MEDIA CONTROL?

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Gov’t takeover of SIBC questioned

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CABINET decision to omit Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) as a State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) has raised more questions than answers.

The Government claimed SIBC has not been making any profits as required under the SOE Act 2007.

As such, the Government will now fully finance SIBC operation to broadcast information and education services to the communities around the country that have access to its AM frequency 1035 kHz and Wantok FM 96.3.

SIBC also operates Radio Happy Lagoon in Gizo, Western Province.

However, its Radio Temotu in Lata in the Temotu Province is currently not broadcasting.

Former Chairman of SIBC Board from 2018-2019, Robert Iroga said it is quite interesting to see Government taking this decision because SIBC has been making profits.

Iroga said under his leadership, SIBC had made $2 million profit.

“Maybe Government is blaming the situation on Covid-19?

“However, I am not aware if SIBC is in its bad state,” he said.

Iroga blamed the Government for not living up to its commitment on providing its subvention quickly to allow SIBC to meet is Community Service Obligation (CSO).

He said sometimes SIBC got its subvention very late.

Furthermore, Iroga said SIBC is also facing competition from other media organisations to get advertisements from Government because it is not a monopoly like Solomon Airlines and others.

He hopes the Government has a good intention to omit SIBC as an SOE otherwise it can be seen as a way of controlling the media.

Acting Chairman of the SIBC Board, Dr William Parairato said they will meet soon to discuss the government decision.

However, Parairato said SIBC has been performing well regardless of the challenges faced by any other organisation during the Covid 19 pandemic.

He said SIBC Board has a mitigation strategy in place to address the challenges.

Further to that, he said Government also supported SIBC on its CSO to allow SIBC to reach out to certain areas that are unviable to access the information and news.

Former Press Secretary to Prime Minister, Douglas Marau, said during his time at Office of Prime Minister the SIBC General Manager was summoned twice by PMO.

He said the reason being that SIBC has not given much publicity to the government of the day as expected.

“Sadly, I do not blame SIBC.

“Whilst I understand that the PM is the minister responsible for SIBC, the move to omit SIBC has only confirmed plans by PMO to take control of the national broadcaster,” he said.

Marau, now the press secretary of the Leader of Opposition, said taking control of the national broadcaster for political propaganda and launching a new government newspaper was the plan.

“In fact, I was tasked to head the proposed government newspaper.

“I submitted and presented the proposed newspaper to the PM before I left,” he said.

“The idea of having a government newspaper, radio or TV is in fact a good idea that myself and Director GCU George Herming personally involved in since PM Hou’s term.

“But the intention is not to punish the media industry and to put them on the back foot.

“However, it is likely a government newspaper would see a major cutback in government adverts in our daily newspapers,” Marau said.

“Our newspapers survive on adverts and not street sales and the government provides 70% revenue through adverts to our papers.

“Hope this will not be the case,” he stated.

President of Media Association of Solomon Islands, Georgina Kekea said MASI is concerned on the decision taken by the Government that can be seen as controlling freedom of press.

She said as the Government of the day, it should provide conducive environment for businesses to prosper and not to compete like running a radio, newspaper or TV.

However, Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Albert Kabui explained that SIBC remains the national broadcaster as provided for under the Broadcasting Act.

In this case, Kabui explained that SIBC has not been viable and has always been seeking government for financial assistance.

By omitting SIBC from the SOE Act, the national broadcaster will now be fully funded by the government with the expectation of it to focus on providing public service to the country rather than profit making.

It is likely SIBC will also cut down its staff in the sales and marketing because the Government will pay their salaries and all staff in the departments.

Currently, the SOEs remaining are:

  1. Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA)
  2. Investment Corporation Solomon Islands (ICSI)
  3. Solomon Airlines.
  4. Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA)
  5. Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (SIPC)
  6. Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA)

SIBC was established by an Act of Parliament – The Broadcasting Ordinance 1976.

Solomon Islands happy to host proposed Tropical Research Ocean Centre.

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Prime Minister Sogavare and Prime Minister Bainimarama pose for a photo with Solomon Islands delegates to the 51th PIFLM

BY BEN BILUA
Suva, Fiji

SOLOMON Islands has expressed its interest to host the Region’s proposed World Class Tropical Research Ocean Centre.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the announcement during the signing of Maritime Agreement between Solomon Islands and Fiji.

Sogavare says Solomon Islands is willing to allocate land and offer support towards the construction of the research centre.

 He adds that Solomon Islands is with other Pacific Island countries in the fight to combat issues that threatens the Blue Pacific.

“The Pacific region is in shaping the international convention as we celebrate the 51th anniversary of the Pacific Islands Forum.

“Global work to combat climate change, and keep our ocean vibrant and healthy is not only our duty, but calling as well.

“Moving the tuna away from our wards will need leaders to come together to develop a sustainable ocean economy, exploring farmed of Maritime culture products, Solomon Islands supports the call for a regional world class Tropical Research ocean centre and Solomon registered its interest to host the Centre,” Sogavare says.

Sogavare describes Maritime Agreement as historic achievement.

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Prime Minister Sogavare during the recent PIF meeting

BY BEN BILUA
Suva, Fiji

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has described the Maritime Agreement between Solomon Islands and Fiji as a historical achievement.

In his speech during the signing of the agreement, Sogavare says the agreement displayed commitments of Fiji and Solomon Islands to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which Fiji and Solomon Islands are both party to the convention.

He says the letter of Exchange complements efforts on preserving both countries maritime boundary while the region continues to work to conclude a uniquely binding biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction framework.

“Today (Monday), signing of Solomon Islands Fiji maritime boundary agreement is a celebration of the rolling out of the ocean chapter as we have on the 2050 strategies as we continue to invest in the sovereignty and sovereign rights of our people over maritime zones.

“It is indeed a momentous day for Solomon Islands as the region embrace our people’s connection to the ocean. As big ocean states, the blue pacific makes up a combined exclusive economic zone of more than 41 million square kilometres.

“I’m deeply appreciative of the fact that we have arrived at this historic moment, owing to the tremendous dedication and spirited efforts of our senior officials of both Fiji and Solomon Islands in ensuring that we finalize and conclude our shared maritime boundary.

“Equally important is the unwavering support and assistance of the South Pacific Commission and the consortium partners to the whole process,” Prime Minister Sogavare says.

He says Solomon Islands have five shared overlapping maritime boundaries with Pacific neighbours – This is includes; Australia, family Papua New Guinea, France, Vanuatu and now with Fiji.

Prime Minister Sogavare says the letters exchanged with Prime Minister of Fiji will ensure the agreement is consistent with the intention of all Pacific Island Forum members to maintain respective maritime zones in the face of climate change related sea level rise, which is set out in the Declaration on preserving maritime zones that was committed to in August last year.

He says Solomon Islands is committed to the agreement and will work alongside Fiji in making sure the treaty is ratified and enter into force in the near future.

Prime Minister Sogavare acknowledges Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama and the people of Fiji for the important achievement.

Prime Minister Bainimarama says the agreement is an important milestone to demarcate both countries reason for shared benefits going forward.

He says the agreement sets a foundation of the great blue Pacific wall to sustainably managed ocean space.

“Today (Tuesday) marks a promising step for a brighter and promising future for Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

“My friend, Hon Sogavare and I have signed maritime boundary delimitation agreement establishing our country’s respective maritime zone in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Convention of the law of the sea, mapping ocean boundaries is a determinative challenge for us, large ocean state in the Pacific implementing regional Ocean Solutions depends on such agreements.

“I am hopeful that the finalization of this agreement today will set the momentum for the finalisation of agreement with Tonga and the other level of many maritime boundary agreements in the region,” Bainimarama says.

Inside the Fiji-Solomon Islands maritime boundary agreement

Written by
Press Release
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PM Bainimarama and PM Sogavare after the Agreement Signing

The signing of the historic Solomon Islands-Fiji Maritime Boundaries Delimitation Agreement in Suva yesterday by Prime Ministers Manasseh Sogavare and Frank Bainimarama now establishes the two countries’ respective maritime zones in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The event marks a promising step towards a brighter and bluer future for Fiji and the Solomon Islands to demarcate their shared maritime boundaries.

Ongoing negotiations and bilateral discussions between officials from the two countries led to this signing with technical support provided by the Pacific Community (SPC) under the Pacific Maritime Boundaries Project and with assistance from Development Partners (the Consortium).

The Agreement sets out the intersecting maritime boundaries of Fiji and the Solomon Islands in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which both countries are a party to.

As Large Ocean States, the finalization of this Agreement will ensure that both Pacific Island countries’ maritime boundaries are clearly defined and that their rights and obligations under UNCLOS are properly established.

Through this Maritime Boundary Agreement, both Leaders have also declared the permanence of their country’s respective maritime zones, irrespective of climate change-related sea-level rise and its potential impact on maritime boundaries. This aligns with the Pacific Island Leaders’ Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise (‘Declaration’) that was issued in August 2021.

Prime Minister Sogavare said that the Agreement is a celebration of the chapter on oceans in the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.

“This is a historic moment which signifies Solomon Islands’ commitment to the UNCLOS and I thank Prime Minister Bainimarama for creating space for this signing,” he added.

The signing of this Agreement highlights the long history of engagement and diplomatic relations that Fiji has had with the Solomon Islands and paves the way for future cooperation.

There are 48 shared or overlapping boundaries between countries in the Pacific Islands region. 35 of these boundaries have been formalized through an Agreement, and there are 13 outstanding bilateral and five high seas boundaries remaining to be declared.

The signing of this Agreement brings the number of outstanding Agreements to 12.

ENDS///

Bilateral talks line-up for Solomon Islands delegates

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Prime Minister Sogavare, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeremiah Manele and Solomon Island High Commissioner to Fiji met with Secretary General of Pacific Island Forum Secretariat on Monday

BY BEN BILUA
Suva, Fiji

SOLOMON Islands delegates to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting has a long line of bilateral talks beginning today.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will meet with the Korean Delegation today to discuss matters that would bolster both countries bilateral relations.

Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia are up next for bilateral talks.

Source familiar with the arrangements says, Sogavare will meet with leaders of Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia tomorrow (Wednesday).

The source says there are other countries who are showing interest to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sogavare.

“We are still trying to find a free time to slot in bilateral talk session between Sogavare and the Palau delegates,” the source adds.

According to the source, these bilateral talks are very important for Solomon Islands going forward in terms of development aspirations and also close economic collaborate as countries move towards the post-covid error.

On the ground in Suva, Prime Minister Sogavare has been a most wanted person to talk to since Monday.

International journalists were trying to get hold of Prime Minister Sogavare last night who has had a very busy schedule representing Solomon Islands in the regional leader meetings.

PM pays tribute to Oversight Committee

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Members of the Oversight Committee recently. Photo PETER ZOLEVEKE II

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has paid tribute to the vigilance of the Oversight Committee who have put together efforts to prevent, contain and control COVID-19 in the country.

“I pay tribute to the vigilance of the Oversight Committee who for almost three years oversaw the development and implementation of our strategy to prevent, contain and control COVID-19 in our country,” Sogavare said in his nation-wide address last week.

“As we have finally re-opened our international borders, I thank all the front liners and their families for the huge sacrifices you have made over the past three years to protect our country and our people from COVID-19, in particular our staff from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services; Ministry of Police, National security and Correctional Services; Immigration, Customs and Bio-security,” the prime minister added.

He also thanked all other government ministries that became part of our collective defence against COVID-19 during the pandemic.

“I also take this opportunity to thank the Provincial Premiers and your staff and the Lord Mayor of the Honiara City Council and your staff for working with the national government to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for leading the vaccination efforts in your respective province.

“I also thank the members of our churches, the business community, and the general public that have assisted the government in our fight against COVID-19.

“It is our collective effort that has allowed the government to fully re-open our borders 6 days ago on 1st July 2022,” Sogavare said.

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