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Suidani, Talifilu told to compensate family of Asilaua over MONC issue.

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Asilaua's uncle, Mr Miniti shakes hand with Premier Suidani as Asilaua's dad, Mr Belo (at the back) also look on Talifilu for hand shake.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Premier Daniel Suidani and his political advisor, Celsius Talifilu were threatened by the immediate family members of rival politician Elijah Asilaua during a tour to the Urudao market within the Baegu Asifoloa constituency last week.

The threats were made over issues relating to the Motion of No Confidence that the Provincial Member for ward 11 took against Suidani last year.

 That motion failed to make it to the floor of the provincial assembly as it was withdrawn following public pressure in Auki late last year.

The incident happened last Wednesday when Suidani and his team arrived at the Urudao market for awareness talk to the people of that side of the Baegu constituency.

The team was welcomed by one of the chiefs within the Urudao area and privilege was given for Suidani and members of his team to organize the awareness program.

After formalities and words of welcome were said, Suidani began his talk and halfway into it, one of Asilaua’s uncles, Mr Miniti intercepted Suidani and started accusing him.

He accused Suidani and Talifilu for disrespecting Asilaua and his family and for incident the incident that happened during the motion which is yet to be settled between them.

Miniti said all criticisms and whatever received by Asilaua during that time were engineered by Suidani and Talifilu and they should not just ignore them and visit Asilaua’s ward.         

He demands Suidani and Talifilu address the issues by compensating members of their families with talufi’aes (shell money).

Asilaua’s father, Belo was also there with his cousin brother as well as Miniti who accused and demanded apology from Suidani in the form of compensation.

An Anglican priest, Fr Sam Kete a respected leader of the tribal land that hosted Urudao market intervened and demanded a stop to the commotion.

He asked both Miniti and Belo to stand down on their demand and called for an apology from each party in which they humbly accepted and reconciled with each other.

Premier Suidani and Talifilu on that note conveyed their apology to members of Asilaua’s family for what they had in mind relating to the motion.

Suidani said although the matter is political, he respected members of the Asilaua family for taking it up and to say sorry to each other and solve it.

He said that he had already settled the matter with Asilaua and they have nothing between them.

After the matter was settled, Suidani and team continued with the awareness program until they left to Abuisaia village along the Sasava River in Mbaelelea constituency.

Patrol boat Gizo has defects, says Veke

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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RSIPF Patrol boat Gizo. Photo by Austal.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

DEFECTS have been identified on Guardian patrol boat, RSIPV Gizo 05 during its refitting in Australia.

Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Anthony Veke confirmed this when asked by Leader of Opposition, Mathew Wale in Parliament on Wednesday.

Veke said at the moment they haven’t still receive a specific report on the defects.

“But coming back to Guardian Patrol boat, we still have Taro operational and Gizo was sent back for refitting and this is a normal exercise under the programme,” the police minister said.

“It is when Gizo in Australia that they identified some defects,” he added.

Veke said the defects that has been emerging shows to Guardian class patrol boat for the last 18 months.

He said this include cracks between engine and gear box, ventilation on seat base and crack on engine exhaust silencer.

Furthermore, Veke said in terms of reporting, the Australia government take this matter very seriously and committing to address this problem as soon as possible.

He said they are developing a report which will presenting to Solomon Islands Government through his ministry to inform government of Solomon Islands in relating to Gizo and Taro on specific defects.

“Actually, the Australia Government report to us not until our officers travel with Gizo patrol, when they identified the defects, they sent our officers home.

“They gave us initial reports on three areas identified for the last 18 months,” he said.

“My ministry is working with Australia to make sure we have this report.

“The manufacturer, which Austal, is sending team around Pacific including Solomon Islands for initial assessment of the boats within Pacific.

“Maybe when do assessment, we will have clear definite report on the defects of the Guardian Class Patrol boat,” he said.

Government has received the first RSIPV Gizo 05 in 2019.

It took the second Guardian-class patrol boat, RSIPV Taro 06 in June last year.

This was made possible under an existing Defence Cooperation Arrangement, which saw continuous support by Australia to Solomon Islands for more than 30 years.

The purchase of the donation is to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the Exclusive Economic Zones in the country.

Huge interest for DBSI in Gizo

Written by
Ben Bilua
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DBSI Relationship Manager Patrick Suti speaking during the awareness at Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The interest in the country’s Development Bank (DBSI) is apparently huge in the Western province.

This was clear in the huge turnout for DBSI’s awareness programme in Gizo this week.

Owners of small to medium enterprises as well as informal business operators flooded the conference room eager to listen.

Most participants expressed keen interest in the different types of loans, loan application processes and loan security.

As a result of the throng of interested participants, application forms ran out.

In his presentation, DBSI’s Relationship Manager, Patrick Suti spilled out types of loans, loan processes and requirements, repayment rates and period of payments for different types of loans.

He said DBSI has six lending opportunities under its lending programs.

“The first one is; Livelihood and investment facility which aimed at improving the living standard of people who are formally employed to invest for future benefits.

“The second one is; Investment property loan facility aimed at those who are interested in investing on properties to run a business.

“The third one is; Small and medium enterprise aimed at small to medium enterprises.

“The government also provides other loan opportunities to support respective sectors such as Agriculture, Tourism and Commerce.

“Central Bank of Solomon Islands also provides a scheme to assist applicants in circumstances where applicants security unable to meet the repayment requirements.

“Business Link Pacific also provides special lending opportunity for SMEs that are badly affected by the pandemic.

“The special lending opportunity is to assist SMEs to restart their businesses,” Suti said.

In her presentation, DBSI’s Business Support Officer (SME) Annie S Wate said all the lending opportunities has limits with certain repayment rates.

“For example, loans under the Tourism grant is ranged from 50,000 to 300,000. Percentage rate of payment is eight percent per annum for over five years.

“This is similar for Agriculture,” she said.

Wate said youths and women have special rates – a decision made by the government to encourage women and youths to go into business.

In his opening remarks Suti said the aim of reopening DBSI is to provide sustainable financial services to all Solomon Islanders with particular focus on the development of rural areas.

“Since the closedown of previous DBSI, there was no financial services and lending activities that took place in rural areas.

“Reason is that; rural areas are too risky for commercial banks to invest. That is the gap the government saw to need to reestablish DBSI with one aim and that is to provide financial service for small to medium business in rural areas,” he said.

SIBC to air news supporting government only

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

OFFICE of Prime Minister and Cabinet has ordered Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) to do self-censorship on its news and programmes.

This means SIBC is not allowed to broadcast any news and paid programmes that are against the government.

Acting Chairman of SIBC Board, Dr William Parairato met with staff of SIBC yesterday and informed them that any news or talkback show must go through a vetting process to make sure it does not create disunity.

Island Sun asked what this means for news or press statements from the Opposition Leader, who has the mandate as the watchdog of the Government to be critical of its decisions.

Parairato said it is not clear but all news and talkback shows must now go through a vetting process.

Previously, SIBC had allowed talkback show paid programmes like Transparency Solomon Islands, National Council of Women and Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale, MP for Small Malaita, Rick Hou and former Auditor General, Edward Ronia to be broadcasted on air that were critical of government’s decision to extend Parliament from four to five years.

SIBC had also provided full live coverage of Australia Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong’s visit to Honiara recently because the Australia High Commission paid for it.

Unlike the visit of Peoples Republic of China (PRC) Foreign Minister, Wang Yi visit to Honiara, there was no full live coverage because the PRC Embassy did not pay for it.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told Parliament this week when asked by Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale on government’s level of control in transition period over SIBC editorial policy.

Sogavare said they will not go to the extent of telling everything government wants to say.

“We are concerned about certain things we are not happy about.

“In the Broadcasting Act, I can report to Parliament,” he said.

SIBC was added to the schedule of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 2007, however the Government omitted it because it did not perform its core functions and not giving any dividends to the government since 2018.

Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui told media yesterday SIBC still remain as a statutory body under the Broadcasting Act Cap.112.

Kabui said its operational and functions will be guided by Broadcasting Act which established SIBC way back in 1977 and which SIBC has been operating up until 2007.

“I think the broadcast content management will determine, more of an administrative operation thing.

“Only Board Prime Minister can appoint,” he said.

Kabui said off course there is provision in the Broadcasting Act where PM can ask SIBC to broadcast any news on national interest.

“To take full control is not necessarily correct,” he said.

Government rental taskforce to complete work by year end.

Written by
Admin
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THE Public Service Rental Scheme taskforce will complete their work at the end of this year.

The taskforce was established to oversee the transition of public servants to the Mamara Estate jointly by the Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, MCILI and Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

The Taskforce is headed by the Ministry of Public Service.

Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Fredrick Kologeto explained this when asked by Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale in Parliament on Wednesday.

Kologeto said Public Service had completed a revised policy on Public Service Housing Assistance (PSHA) with the intention to financially empower public officers to use housing entitlements to rent to own one of the Solomon Islands Government purchased housing available at Mamara.

He said the Taskforce together with the Public Service needed to address important issues relating to the new rental scheme in various areas:

  1. to gauging public servants’ interest to purchase house at Mamara
  2. to dialogue with Inland Revenue Divsion on the implications of income tax on the new scheme
  3. to dialogue with relevant ministries on the possibilities of regulating housing rental rates
  4. dialogue with relevant ministries vested with non-devolved functions right down to the rural communities where Solomon Islands Government services facilitates and establish adhoc staff accommodation

Kologeto said in a joint paper by the key ministries they sought Cabinet approval from Cabinet to delay revised policy on PSHA.

He said subsequently, it was approved by the Cabinet.

Meanwhile existing policy in rental scheme is being used as of to date until the end of the year

Kologeto said it is important to note that if a public servant can buy a house using other means, this is permitted.

He said the process is to apply to the Public Service, the Public Service will intend forward to Ministry of Lands and Ministry of Finance to facilitate the purchase.

About 50 houses were purchased by the Government from the developer, Mamara Metropolis Pacific Limited (MPPL).

Currently, Government still pays rental payment to landlords of SIG and public service to waive part of their salary to rent a house that costs more than their rental entitlement.

With the new policy on PSHA, Government will pay rental entitlements directly to employees without waivers.

The rental eligibility based on the level of public servants still remains the same.

New work attendance system to enhance public service.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PS of the Ministry of Public Service, Mr Nego Sisiolo

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE successful implementation of the Electronic Attendance Management System (EAMS) at the Ministry of Public Services will pave the way in rolling the system to other Government Ministries.

This is according to the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Services (MPS) Nego Sisiolo.

“The successful implementation of this Electronic Attendance Management System in the Ministry of Public Service will pave the way in rolling this system to other ministries,” Sisiolo said.

He said this system is also part of the Solomon Islands Public Service commitment to its broader goal of achieving and sustaining a productive, healthy, efficient and high performing public service.

Sisiolo said with this new system, staff will automatically sign in with their thumb or ID cards and this would automatically record them in the system.

“This will certainly save cost and efficiently manage time wastage with in the Public Services.

He said the Ministry of Public Service through its research team had found out that the implementation of the current Attendance Management Policy to some extent is not very effective.

PACER Plus assists Soltuna secure international market

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Soltuna products

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SOLTUNA has secured markets in Australia and New Zealand, thanks to the PACER Plus Agreement.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo earlier this week, Trade Commissioner, Barrett Salato said Soltuna is enjoying the opportunity to export under the PACER Plus Agreement.

He said Soltuna now export its products to Australian and New Zealand Markets with duty free privilege – an achievement Salato wants other local commodities to follow.

“Its good sign for Soltuna and Solomon Islands in terms of expanding the markets,” Salato said.

Last week, Chairman of Soltuna Adrian Wickham said Soltuna produces 130 metric tons of tuna per day five days a week.

He adds that National Fisheries Developments (NDF) catches 25 tons of tuna on average per year.

Wickham said the Noro International Seaport has also provide substantial support towards the tuna industry.

He said Noro International Seaport have installed a container yard with cooling system to store tuna catches ready for export.

Two detained for allegedly printing and circulating counterfeit money.

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

TWO men were arrested and remanded in custody yesterday over allegations they printed and circulated fake $100 notes.

Paul Rubin Olofia and Mark Naku were remanded on the grounds they both had no respect to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands as the financial institution in the Solomon Islands having sole right to issue currency notes and coins in the country.

“In acting the way, they did, they disregarded numerous warnings issued to the public on awareness of fake note circulations and they kept on making fake currency notes,” documents investigators presented before the courts say.

The duo were charged for uttering in relation to an alleged incident that occurred on 25 July 2022.

Police said on that particular day at around 9pm both defendants attended to the Titinge area in Honiara, Guadalcanal Province, per car registration T-1613 driven by the co-defendant Mark Naku.

 Upon arrival at Titinge they turned around and parked at a spot and Paul Rubin Olofia approached a nearby canteen owned by the complainant.

At the front counter, the defendant said he wanted a small luncheon meat, defendant Olofia then pulled out a one hundred dollar note and gave it to the canteen owner.

The canteen owner carefully observed the note and discovered it was a fake note.

He turned around and told Olofia that the note is fake.

At this time, Olofia quickly escaped from the canteen.

The complainant rushed out from the canteen and saw the defendant ran pass the parked car that he was travelling inside and disappeared in the dark.

The canteen owner however, approached the driver who is the co-defendant standing in front of the car and told him not to move whilst he contacted and alerted police about the incident.

An hour later police arrived at the scene and located and seized some one hundred dollar fake and counterfeit notes in the possession of the co-defendant Mark Naku.

Police then escorted Mark Naku into the police vehicle and brought him to the Central Police Station.

During a Police recorded interview both the defendants’ made admissions and confessions.

Olofia confessed that he intended to buy a small luncheon meat with a fake 100 dollar note.

He was in possession of 17 x 100 dollars fake notes at that time.

It is alleged that Olofia also admitted to the police that he was responsible for printing the 100 dollars fake notes at his cousin brother’s Printing shop at Ranadi in Honiara.

At one time, he gave one-hundred-dollar notes to his girlfriend to buy fish and chip at Rove fish market.

Prosecution also alleged in their application yesterday that co-defendant Naku also made admission that on three occasions he drove Olofia around town to pay with the 100 dollars fake notes in shops and market stalls.

Both accused were remanded in custody yesterday and will appear again in court in the next 14 days.

Jonathan Auga appears for the crown.

Government launches new system to record work attendance.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PS of the Ministry of Public Service, Mr Nego Sisiolo

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Public Services launched its Electronic Attendance Management System (EAMS) aimed at saving cost and efficiently manage time wastage within the Public Service.

The launch event was held yesterday at the office of the Ministry of Public Services in Honiara.

Permanent Secretary for MPS Nego Sisiolo said this new Electronic Attendance Management System will replace the old AMP system, which has a manual attendance registry, which had to be filled by individual staff of MPS weekly during working days.

“With this new system staff will automatically signed in with their thumb or OD cards and this would automatically records them in the system,” Sisiolo said.

“This will certainly save cost and efficiently manage of the time wastage with in the Public Services,” he added.

Sisiolo said this system is also part of the Public Service commitment to the broader goal of achieving and sustaining productive, healthy, efficient and high performing public service.

He adds it is also found that installation of  CCTV is essentially important to complement the automatic registration management system in order for the Attendance Management Policy to be effectively implemented across the public services.  

“I believe to some extent this project will also support the overall implementation of performance Management Policy and Attendance Management Policy more efficiently and effectively,” he said.

Sisiolo says the successful implementation of this Electronic Attendance Management System in the Ministry of Public Service will pave the way of rolling this system to other government ministries.

Andrew Elbon, Councillor for Governance, DFAT, congratulated the Ministry of Public Service for finally getting the Electronic Attendance Management System installed.

Measures to help in students learning

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

STUDENTS in forms 3, 5 and 6 are given specific units by Ministry of Education and Human Resources to prepare for their exams towards end of this year.

Also, students in non-examination classes are guided by their teachers with right subjects to learn from.

This came about following five months of learning loss due to the covid-19 pandemic that affected face-to-face learning between students and teachers.

Minister Lanelle Tanangada confirmed this when asked by Member of Parliament for Small Malaita, Rick Hou in Parliament on Tuesday.

“Definitely, looking at the curriculum materials, in reality, 40 weeks to cover everything in 27 weeks is not possible for teachers to squeeze everything within.

“So, what we are focussing on is the examinable classes. We gave specification of units that teachers really need to cover so that students can sit their exams and progress to the next,” she said.

Tanangada said for the other students, they are hoping that at least teachers cover main things that students need to learn and they will continue to catch up in the next year or so.

Furthermore, Lanelle said from the ministry level down to schools, they really want to encourage parents to send their children to schools.

She said there was an allowance for students to repeat as the minister has power for students to repeat.

Tanangada said not only Solomon Islands is experiencing this, other countries are affected by covid 19.

She said in terms of getting in classroom, definitely there will be spaces in provinces, only town is full.

Moreover, Tanangada said the ministry will review the continue learning programme broadcasted on SIBC because schools have resumed classes.

She said the feedback from the radio programme is not good because students get use to face to face learning.

Further to that, she said UNESCO and UNICEF is supporting the ministry on e-learning on schools throughout the country.

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