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CENTRAL GETS CLEAN REPORT

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Press Release
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Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva

Central Islands Province (CIP) has received clean audit report for its 2020/21 final audit carried out by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).  

Being the third clean audit report in a row (unqualified audit opinion), the CIP is being commended by the Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) for setting the pace for public sector accountability in the country.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker and the Provincial Secretary of CIP, the Auditor General (AG) stated that he has audited the Financial Statements of CIP and have expressed unqualified opinion on them in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) cash basis, and International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institution (INTOSAI).

In the report on the matters arising from FS audit of CIP for the period 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2021, the OAG found out that CIP has adequate control over its resources even though there are areas that need to be strengthened in order to improve internal control systems within the Province.

Unqualified audit report for CIP means that the financial statement produced and audited by the AG represents a true and fair view of the state of the financial affairs of the CIP.

Some of the areas identified for improvement did not impact drastically on the opinion.

CIP was once disqualified from accessing PCDF in 2015/16 but bounced back from the bottom to top all the subsequent PCDF Assessments conducted in 2016/17, 2017/18 2018/19 and 2019/20 retaining first position in four years in a row which is indeed manifested in the audit performance.  

The audit outcome for CIP is a clear demonstration of the commitment of CIP to good governance as far as compliance to acts, legislations, relevant regulations, financial instructions and other developmental policies are concerned.

Compliance through consistent application of policies, fiscal discipline, and proper accounting on the use of public resources will help the Province to move forward. 

In congratulating the Premier and his hardworking officers in Central Province, the Minister and the Permanent Secretary urged all provinces to emulate the examples being set by Central and Isabel Provinces.

Despite the size of the two Provinces and sometime lack of adequate manpower, the Executive Government decisions in the two Provinces has helped the officers to attain such a higher level of audit performance.

The Permanent Secretary indicated that the MPGIS and its PGSP program will continue to provide the best of technical advice to all provinces to come up to speed to Central and Isabel.

Whilst bigger Provinces have the manpower and revenue sources, the officers in bigger provinces need more support from the Executives to ensure proper internal control processes and procedures are in place in order to turn around their audit performances.

The Minister and the Permanent Secretary for MPGIS expressed sincere appreciation to the SIG for the continued support being provided to PGSP recurrent budget, from where the continuous capacity building of the Nine Provinces is being funded.

Without such a recurrent budget support, the Ministry could not have been able to sustain the capacity building of the Nine Provinces in Public Finance, Public Expenditure Management Systems, Good Governance, and the success stories of PCDF.

PS for CIP stated that he felt very honoured indeed for his Province to clinch such opinion from OAG which does not come by easily unless they are convinced to make confident independent opinion.

“I am grateful to CIP Heads of Divisions, especially Finance and Treasury, Planning, Executive Government, the Assembly and every other individual who in many ways contributed to elevating the position of CIP in terms of audit opinion,” PS Allan Siale stated.

He calls on CIP Government Officials, especially all HODs, CIP public entities, and citizens who do business with CIP to make every day an audit day.

The PS appeals to each official in the CIP to continue to shine and transform their daily work/outputs into desirable outcomes to grow Central Islands Province.  

The CIP PS expressed his sincere thanks to the National Government and the MPGIS for the continued support to CIP through the PCDF and capacity building.

He said with the SIG support, Central Islands Province would not be where it is at today.

SPTO focuses on digitizing Pacific Islands’ tourism industry

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Tourism Solomon

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PACIFIC tourism body, the South Pacific Tourism Association (SPTO) is looking at digitizing Pacific tourism industry for efficient and effective services during the pandemic.

SPTO Boss, Chris Cocker said the organisation has done quite a lot of work in the last two years preparing for recovery – one of which is to see how best services can be delivered in a much safer and reliable system.

He said Pacific Digitalization Transformation project – a four-year project funded by New Zealand (MFAT) is currently in face-two earmarked to end in 2025.

Cocker adds that SPTO has set up a partnership with UNSIDS targeting different organisations like the Caribbean Indian Tourism Organisation, Indian Ocean, ASEAN Travel Association and MasterCard International.

He said the partnership focuses very much on the recovery approach which is supported by UNSIDS.

“I think from SPTO’s perspective, we would like to reset through digital transformation and also rethinking through innovative collaboration regionally or globally and finally rebuilding through responsible sustainable tourism recovery,” Cocker said.

He said two key programs that SPTO is currently rolling out are the MFAT-DFAT-ADB (with) Funding (from) the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) and that is to help member countries recover and they work on a country basis in close collaboration with SPTO.

Cocker said PSDI has been running for the past years and in its fourth final phase, however negotiations with ADB have been successful with focus on tourism sector specifically because of the impact.

“That’s probably just a fair idea in terms of recovery in the Pacific and what we are doing. So other areas in training and also working with collaborator like-minded partners,” he said.

Revenue drop for Auki market

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Pineapple sell at Auki Central Market in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Revenue collection in Auki Market has dropped significantly due to the pandemic.

Market Master, Mr James Hagi said yesterday the market continues to lose almost a thousand dollar daily in revenue collection compared to past years.

He said chief reason is the current covid-19 situation that also has great impact on the country’s economy.

“As experienced since this year, there was a drop in number of vendors at the market as the result of the current situation that continues to affect our revenue collection.

“Adding to that, there was also a drop of cash flow especially within the market that also contributed to the drop of number of vendors,” Hagi said.

He said another issue faced was sometimes vendors do not pay dues to the market.

Hagi said in such case the market management understands the current situation and considers that the market is not only to gain revenue, but also to provide service to people.

He said both service delivery revenue aspects of the market must weight equally so that ACM through MPG continues to provide services through the revenue for the province.

However, Hagi said the current situation is not only affecting the revenue collection of the market alone, but also the vendors.

Chiefs in East Kwaio meet ahead of MP’s visit

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Member of Parliament for East Kwaio, Stanley Sofu.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

CHIEFS, elders and representatives from communities within Yuru Harbour of East Kwaio constituency met last Friday in preparation for the proposed MP’s visit.

The meeting was organised by Yuru Harbour House of Chiefs with the intention to get people’s view on the extension of the life of parliament from 4-5 years.

A person who spoke to this paper on the meeting said the meeting was convened and discussion made on the “extension of parliament” as the chief agenda and other current controversial issues.

He said concerns were raised on the chief agenda and a common understanding was reached that chiefs and communities within Yuru and even Kwaiba’ita do not support the proposal.

The person said that in addition to the understanding, the people even agreed not to receive the visit in the constituency.

He said the chiefs and communities vehemently disagreed with the proposal despite whatever reasons government is basing on for the extension.

The person said the issue of the security pact was also discussed and similar conclusion was reached that people didn’t agree with government’s preference on the matter.

Also, according to a post in East Kwaio Politic and Development forum on the meeting, the chiefs said they saw no benefit of the South Pacific Game as reason for the extension of the parliamentary term from 4-5 years.

“The chiefs of East Kwaio understand that there are two important events next year 2023, and so the election has to be moved.

“A question raised was, why should we allow that two weeks event to be the priority of the government than having election which is an important event that should be respected as it is an important element within our current laws and constitution.

“There are 52 weeks in a year and so the SP Game would be hosted for only two weeks, what about the other 50 weeks?

“Where is the sovereignty the Prime Minister is so boastful about that an important legal instrument within our constitution has to be defer just because of a two weeks event that comes and goes?

“The chief of East Kwaio asserted that the SP Game would not benefit us, but only people within the ruling government that is why they see it as a priority.

“Learning from past experience, when Solomon Islands hosted the Pacific Arts Festival in 2012, it only had an impact on the urban dwellers but not the rural people.

“Only the election would have an impact on us that is why we see it as an important event that usually occurs after every four years.

“The chiefs who convened for the one-day consultation meeting had passed a resolution that they do not support the extension of the life of parliament no matter what explanation would be made by the MP during his proposed visit.

“The people of East Kwaio appeal to their MP to not support the extension and must listen to the very people whom he duly represented.

“We also appeal to all our national leaders to listen to us as well,” he wrote.

Vehe explains ministry stand on Blue Economy

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Permanent-Secretary-of-the-Ministry-of-Mines-Energy-and-Rural-Electrification-Dr.-Chris-Vehe.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification has made its stand clear during discussion on the Blue Economy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China.

The Solomon Islands Government and Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is still to formalise the MOU, which covers various field of industries.

These include fisheries, marine, infrastructures, energy and exploration and development of offshore oil, gas and mineral resources plus deep-sea mining.

Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet recently said the Blue Economy MOU is a normal bilateral development initiative and at present it is in the consultation process with six other line government ministries.

MMERE Permanent Secretary Dr Christopher Vehe said his ministry has no issue with the Blue Economy MOU.

He said the MOU can go but they are certain that Acts and Regulations in the ministry will take care of implementation of any projects.

“For example, if it is to do with mining, it has to follow the process of the Mines and Mineral Act.

“If it is do with Petroleum, it has to follow the Petroleum Act and same for energy as well,” Dr Vehe said.

Furthermore, Dr Vehe, who holds a doctorate in Geology, states there is no legislation in the country on Deep Sea mining.

As such, he said Solomon Islands is not ready to welcome deep sea mining.

The OPMC statement highlighted that at the end of the day the beneficiaries of the Blue Economy MOU will be Solomon Islanders and anyone who opposed it is a stumbling block to the economic development and welfare of the people.

Government has repeated with emphasis that it remains stand firm to regional unity, maintains its respect for each other’s sovereignty, and will continue to explore pathways for development partnerships for the common good of the Pacific family.

The OPMC statement reiterated that the MOU is still work in progress and government did not flinch one bit about the document’s revelation, as the MOU is fully compliant to national and international laws and treaties.

“In the event that the MOU is signed by PRC government and the government respectively, its implementation will have to comply with other statutory obligations as required by our domestic laws and regulations,” the statement reiterated.

Lots of prizes 2022 SolRice rugby comp

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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Signing the SolRice-HRUA sponsorship deal. HRUA President Brian Taupiri (left) and SolRice Head of Solomons Office James Bradford

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

This year is set for another entertaining year of rugby, with a lot of prizes on offer for hardworking players, teams and officials.

The Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) and SolRice have again partnered to ensure this, signing the sponsorship deal yesterday.

HRUA President Brian Taupiri said covid-19’s community transmission since January had stalled preparations, however, with government’s successful addressing of the pandemic and with borders reopening in July, things are in the clear to kick off in July.

SolRice continues on its third consecutive year as the major sponsor of Honiara’s annual rugby union league, this year’s event dubbed the ‘SolRice Grand Premier Rugby Competition’.

Fifty thousand dollars is up for the taking as this year’s first prize. Second gets $35,000. Third $25,000, and fourth $15,000.

But that’s not all!

There’s a total $20,000-worth of 10 consolation prizes to reward individual players for their brilliance, as well as teams and officials.

Most improved team – $5,000; Fairest team – $5,000; Coach of the year – $2,000; Team manager of the year – $2,000; Captain of the year – $1,000; Rookie of the year – $1,000; Most improved player – $1,000; Forward player of the year – $1,000; Backline player of the year – $1,000; and the Player of the year – $1,000.

Then there’s the popular Man of the Match award. Recipients this year will not only get a 40lb bag of SolRice, but a shirt as well – a memorabilia.

But, a change from last year, this year’s man of the match awards will only be applied in play-off games.

Mr Taupiri says consolation prize winners will be merited according to their sportsmanship and playing performance. He explains that HRUA criteria promotes discipline as much as it highlights team/ player rugby skills and on-field performance.

“It’s not all about a player or team scoring the most points per game or the season throughout,” Taupiri said.

“How you conduct yourself and display discipline will be noted. This goes for teams, individual players and team officials.”

On that note, President Taupiri acknowledges all teams and players, saying that last year’s successful competition recorded the lowest number of yellow and red cards.

This he says reflects the increasing level of competitive rugby in the country, especially in Honiara where most of the talents are scouted for international matches.

Taupiri wishes all teams the best in preparations for the three-month competition.

Games will be played at the home of rugby – SIRUF Townground Rugby Stadium.

HRUA lauds major rugby sponsor SolRice

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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HRUA action is set to kick off with SOLRICE again major sponsors

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) has acknowledged its third-year major sponsor SolRice for making this year’s competition possible.

The SolRice Grand Premier Rugby Competition is set to kick off first week of July, ending early October, 2022.

HRUA inked the $145,000 sponsorship deal with SolRice yesterday.

Speaking to Sun SPORTS after signing the deal, HRUA President Mr Brian Taupiri said:

“On behalf of the rugby community and the country as a whole, I would like to wholeheartedly thank and acknowledge SolRice for the continuous support and once again stepping in to sponsoring and making it possible to have another rugby union competition.

“This means a lot for Solomon Islands rugby, SolRice sponsoring this competition which is the elite level competition of rugby in the country.

“Also, very significant that SolRice stands as a partner to HRUA in making and witnessing this historic period where the level of competitive rugby is pushing new heights nationally.

“SolRice is on its third year as the major sponsor of our annual rugby union competition, and we recognise and praise SolRice Head of Office James Bradford and his team for giving back to the community by way of sponsoring big events such as this.

“Raising the bar in terms of prizes has yielded much improvement in the standard of competitive rugby in the country, the standard of rugby competition has been raised, which has also seen a raise in the standard of players and teams.

“The signed deal sees SolRice donating $145,000 in total towards this sponsorship of the awards.

“Last year it was also the major sponsor for the Premier Division. The year before last, SolRice started off the consolation prizes initiative with individual players and teams, which since then has been a big highlight in the competition awards.”

James Bradford, SolRice Head of Solomons Office, after the signing, said he is pleased to see the improving level of rugby in the country and with SolRice being part of this development.

This huge and positive impact has given SolRice confidence to continue supporting HRUA with its annual rugby competition this year.

“SolRice as a business is always very keen to support sports and sports development in the country, both men’s and women’s sport.

“And, we’ve seen the level of rugby in the country improving year on year. Last year was extremely successful, and we see the 2022 season stepping up again from that.

“And, it will place the country in a very good stand point for 2023 Games.

“We wish all the rugby players and their officials all the best for the season.”

The grand finale is expected early October.

Eleven teams will tough it out for the first prize – a whopping $50,000. Second gets $35,000. Third $25,000, and fourth $15,000.

2021 champions Avaiki returns to defend against 2021 runner-up Matangiki, HammerHeads, Bridge 15s, Islanders, Crusaders, LuaPel, SOSA, Tia Warriors, Police and Diesel.

More than 10 consolation prizes are on offer.

And, the popular man of the match prize continues, now with an additional shirt to serve as memorabilia for the recipients. Taupiri however says for this year, unlike 2021, the man of the match awards will only apply in the play-off stage.

Games will be played at the home of rugby – SIRUF Townground Rugby Stadium.

SOLRICE RUGBY COMP JULY

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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SolRice-HRUA sponsorship deal. HRUA President Brian Taupiri (left) and Head of Solomons Office SolRice James Bradford

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The long-awaited 2022 rugby championship, dubbed ‘SolRice Grand Premier Rugby Competition’ is set to kick off first week of July.

SolRice and the Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) signed the sponsorship papers yesterday.

Head of Solomons Office SolRice, Mr James Bradford, inking the deal with HRUA President Mr Brian Taupiri, said SolRice is pleased to once again be the major sponsor of the annual rugby union competition.

President Taupiri acknowledged SolRice for the continuous support to rugby in the Solomon Islands, and promised another successful tough and entertaining competition this year.

Last year’s competition has been described as the toughest to date, many lauding the double-division league as providing the stage for a lot of youngsters to shine with their rugby skills and sportsmanship.

Bradford says: “SolRice as a business is always very keen to support sports and sports development in the country, both men’s and women’s sport.

“And, we’ve seen the level of rugby in the country improving year on year. Last year was extremely successful, and we see the 2022 season stepping up again from that.

“And, it will place the country in a very good stand point for 2023 Games.

“We wish all the rugby players and their officials all the best for the season.”

This year’s competition however will only see the Premier Division played. Taupiri explains this is due to constraints brought about by the pandemic, including short time teams have had to prepare, plus the lack of playing fields available due to upgrade works for the Pacific Games.

Furthermore, the grand finale is expected early October, and this three-month timeframe can only cater for the Premier Division to be played.

Eleven teams will tough it out for the first prize – a whopping $50,000.

2021 champions Avaiki returns to defend against 2021 runner-up Matangiki, HammerHeads, Bridge 15s, Islanders, Crusaders, LuaPel, SOSA, Tia Warriors, Police and Diesel.

More than 10 consolation prizes are on offer.

And, the popular man of the match prize continues, now with an additional shirt to serve as memorabilia for the recipients. Taupiri however says for this year, unlike 2021, the man of the match awards will only apply in the play-off stage.

Games will be played at the home of rugby – SIRUF Townground Rugby Stadium.

Malaita scales down on Covid travel restrictions

Written by
Samie Waikori
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This is the covid-19 swabbing centre for passengers at Auki wharf where Malaita PDOC has lifted since last Friday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Malaita Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) has scaled down on its covid-19 restrictions for shipping services to the province.

The scale down came after a decision by PDOC during a meeting held on Friday that resulted in the lifting of swabbing protocals for passengers at Auki wharf.

Acting chair of PDOC, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told Island Sun that this was agreed to on Friday and was also effective on that day.

“We met on Friday and agreed to lift covid-19 swabbing activity for passengers, especially those departing Auki to Honiara.

“PDOC decided on the lift and will continue to monitor the covid-19 situation in the province,” he said.

In the meantime, Koto pointed out that only swabbing was lifted but the public must continue to practice and adhere to all other covid-19 protocols.

He said while swabbing is lifted, passengers will be monitored on vaccination cards and face masks when boarding ships at the Auki wharf.

Koto said this means all passengers who are eligible to get their vaccines must do so before boarding ships from Auki.

He said Auki vaccination centre opens Monday to Friday and whoever is yet to get their vaccines are called to do so.

This week Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced in his nationwide address that he will lift all domestic restrictions at the end of this month.

The lift covers domestic shipping, aircraft, gatherings in churches and other social gatherings as well as lift of restriction on international cargo vessels.

However, the Prime Minister appealed to the general public to continue uphold all covid-19 measures such as face mask, sanitizer and social distancing while the country is still faced with community transmission.

Wale says reports of MPs being paid not surprising

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Press Release
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Opposition leader, Matthew Wale

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale says corruption claims that Malaita MPs were paid $250,000 each to remain with the Government following last year’s motion of no confidence is “not surprising”.

He said the claims are tragic for the country and sadly not surprising.

This followed an article in the Solomon Star yesterday, which reported that around $1.75 million were allegedly paid to Malaitan MPs to remain with the DCGA government in November last year.

Wale in a statement questioned where the Prime Minister and his government sourced such millions to pay off MPs.

“The claims which are likely to be true not only questions the integrity of individual MPs but also clearly indicates foreign interference in our domestic politics in keeping a corrupt leadership in power,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said it is likely that apart from Malaita MPs as reported, other MPs might also get their fair share of the deal.

Wale said it is no secret that the Prime Minister and his powerbrokers would do anything to hold on to power.

“It is no surprise especially when statements like no one else is fit to become Prime Minister are echoed at the political echelon and that the current Prime Minister will do everything possible to keep his seat,” Wale said.

He said the claims have confirmed sentiments shared from within Cabinet itself that the Prime Minister is power-mad and will do anything to hold on to power.

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