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Small Malaita launches phase 2 of road project

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Road Project Team

The Small Malaita Constituency (SMC) has successfully launched the second phase of their road infrastructure programme.

A media statement from the constituency office said the event, held on January 3, 2022 at Rorongo, was witnessed by the Member of Parliament for SMC Rick Hou, the SAO, Mr David Mane representing Malaita Province, chiefs, church leaders, heads of landowning groups and hundreds of constituents from the Asimae and Asimeuri Wards particularly from the nearby Iola including Korutalaupeine, Korutalaumweimwei, Kalapea, Louatowa-Haitataimwane and Ueniusupeine.

The ceremony began with the escorting of MP Hou and other invited guests by the Rorongo Women’s band.

A short church service was followed by speeches and feasting,

Hou was the Guest of Honour and in his keynote address he said the primary goal of the SMC development plan is to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the rural people by providing access to government service and to provide the enabling environment for more economic opportunities.

He said the primary objective of the road infrastructure programme has been achieved.

“Today the communities of Tetele, Ou’oumatawa, Tapa’atewa, Ruru’uhe, Rorongo and Likimaea have direct road access to Matangasi Port. Now you can reach the Sea Port and Afio Government Station within 30 minutes.”

He further highlighted that once phase II is completed people from Asimeuri Ward in the eastern side of the island will also access government services.

“Today also marks another milestone – we are embarking on Phase II of the Road Programme. When completed, all communities between Walande and Roone will be connected with Matangasi Port and Afio Admin Centre. This will further enhance achieving our primary goal – to provide access to services. So we have every reason to celebrate this day.”

The statement said Part 2 is the main highlight of the programme that is, the dedication and blessing of machineries and the project team which took place at Rorongo Field where phase 1 terminates.

Officiating the dedication service was the Chief Elder of Asimeuri Association, Pr Felix Holo.

The programme ended with the cutting of ribbon by MP Hou, Chief Elder Asimeuri, Provincial representative and Land Owner representative to officially declare the launching of construction work for Phase II.

–SMCO PRESS

Reighila farmers stages open day

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Women with their produce

On 28 December 2021, the MP for East Guadalcanal, Bradley Tovosia, officially opened the Reighila Farmers Association Open Day at the Hanaga Riverside, East Guadalcanal. This open Day brought together communities as far as Makaruka and Bokasughu areas in the west to Chavunamate on the East

As the omens of covid-19 becomes globally prevalent and evasive, many Solomon Islanders living in Honiara headed back to their villages in their respective provinces as their means of safety.

But really, what are in our villages that will protect us from COVID?

Most probably to avoid people coming from abroad as Honiara is the gateway to our country. But how long did they last in the villages?

Many quickly returned to Honiara.

In the Christmas holidays of 2020, a group of villagers from East Guadalcanal, got together and formed an association that they called themselves, Reighila Farmers Association.


A farmer from a nearby community bringing his produces across the Hanaga River on a wheel barrow

The word Reighila in the Moli dialect means to ‘understand, recognise or acknowledge’ the essence or the truth behind an issue.

This follows some community awareness about the science of covid-19 and how it affects the organs of the human body and the possible consequences.

They were told that one possible preventative measure that was available to communities in rural areas was to eat more locally grown food in their diets and avoid or try to eliminate rice, noodles and taiyo as much as possible.

They were encouraged to grow more vegetables, fruits and traditional greens (kemau, boto, sabure, kwika, kailuvaluva, kumichi, etc).

This led to the formation of the Reighila Farmers Association. They have to pay a registration fee of $10 to be a member.

Now, there are about 110 formally members.


Part of the crowd listening to the discussions.

After their formation, Global Green Grant (GGG) provided a small funding for them, which helps them to formally register the association and to purchase some equipment and seeds.

They have since went into farming and on December 28 decided to come together and to demonstrate the produce from their gardens and at the same time earn some money to assist for school fees for their children in the coming new year.

It is the first time and has been described as a success.

Tovosia, MP for East Guadalcanal has also supported the East Guadalcanal Constituency communities with seeds and agricultural hand tools.

Bananas and taro on display

He is committed to do more in supporting the communities in the coming years.

After the official opening, prayer and remarks from the chiefs and elders, the stalls were inspected and then the produce were on sale. This was then followed by discussions on the challenges and opportunities that they encounter and exchanges of ideas and possible solutions to help each other going forward.

pawpaw on display

It was agreed that this will be an annual gathering and there will be another better and bigger one this coming Christmas with more inclusivity of traditional food and its preparation and at the same time to support families with their livelihoods and needs.

Jerry Atu, the chairman of the Association, sincerely thanked everyone for attending and urged every farmer to support each other.

He concluded that “only by supporting each other, they will be able to make progress for their respective families and communities”.

FUNDS UNACCOUNTED

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Audit Report revealed

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

A political appointee in the Opposition office has questioned Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) capability to manage the 100 percent increase of the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).

This comes after an Audit Report by the Office of Auditor-General for the periods from 1st April 2012 – 31 December 2014 and 1st April 2016 – 31 March 2017 on the Renbel Province revealed interesting findings on how substantial amount of funds have not been accounted for.

The 2016-2017 OAG findings also revealed that some of the Province’s funds, have not been recorded and a register to keep track of revenue collected and payments made were not established to make it easy for checking and reconciliation of Provinces financial records.

This includes simple control mechanism such as the introduction of Special Imprest Register, performance of Bank Reconciliations (regular), revenue collection records and regular review of Provinces General Ledger to check and verify financial position and finances in general.

MPGIS permanent secretary, Stanley Dick Pirione told the Malaita Executive during their meeting in Auki early this year that the PCDF that targets Provinces small scale infrastructure developments is increasing it from $30 million to $60 million.

However, Kosui, an economist by profession, said the announcement of an increase of 100% to the PCDF is good news to the Provinces but is the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) capable of administering, monitoring and management of the funds disbursed to the Provinces?

“Under the current funding arrangement, provinces receive funding based on how they perform according to minimum requirements standards set by the Ministry.

“Assessments are done at the end of each financial year by technical people in specific areas to assess how the Provinces implement recommendations and relevant standards that align each province financial and other system’s management and administration to the SIG procurement processes and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),” he said.

Kosui said while the 100 percent increase in funding is good news to the Provinces, it also leaves a lot of questions to be asked on how the MPGIS is able to get things under control, when some cases of corruption, abuse and misuse of funds have not been addressed.

He said the OAG has found that there was significant business and financial risks in the handling and management of Renbel Province’s finances which require further investigations or prosecution of those that involve in the mismanagement of the Provinces financial resources.

The OAG findings revealed that for the periods from 1st April 2012 – 31st December 2014 the following have been found:

  1. Premier collected licenses fees without depositing them in the Provinces bank account
  2. Misappropriation of $1.2 million of Provincial funds
  3. Awarding of PCDF to private company and construction of the Kia Koe Lodge
  4. Incurred $4 million in expenses on accommodation at the Heritage Park Hotel
  5. Mismanagement of funds that led to accumulated arrears that resulted in non-payment of Provincial direct-employee’s salaries for a period of 15 consecutive months

For the revenue’s collected in the periods from 2012 – 2014, a total of $3.08 million was collected from Samlinsan Logging Company, Bintan Mining, Mugaba Atoll, Eth Global Investment and Partners. From OAG findings, details of the revenue collected was sighted but unable to confirm if they are deposited in the bank accounts because the deposit books are missing.

In all, a total of $3.2 million was collected as revenue from companies operating in Renbel Province and a summary of their records revealed that OAG failed to ascertain how the funds have been used.

“These issues need to be put in order before any funds procured under the PCDF is nothing but a wastage of public funds.

“While the 100% increase in PCDF is good news to the Provinces, it is also important that the MPGIS ensure that financial management and administration of the funds are improved by 100% to ensure investment in the PCDF is not another hole that public funds are wasted,” he added.

Travelling overseas for less than 2 months discouraged

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Chairman of NHA and Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THOSE intending to travel overseas for less than two months are discouraged from doing so.

Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers highlighted this in a radio talk back show, Sunday.

“We would advice that you postpone your trip if you are travelling only for less than two months,” Rodgers said.

“We would recommend that any one travelling overseas, you plan to stay out for at least two months before coming back because the requirements and incubation period of the infection you might bring it,” he added.

Rodgers said for those that plan to travel and stay a little bit longer they must get a booster dose before leaving the country. 

He adds the Oversights Committee on its last meeting allowed to increase numbers of the country’s weekly flight from Brisbane.

“We are hoping to start on the 14th of this month on next Friday,” Rodgers said.

He also stressed that for those wishing to enter the country new requirement will be set in place for them to follow. 

“We will be putting in new requirements for people to come in.

“This new requirement we will have to require home quarantine for anyone who wants to come into the country.

“We will define the number of days but home quarantine will be mandatory.

“We will also introduce rapid antigen testing on airport before they enter.

“So they must test negative with COVID-19 before they board the flight. If detected positive they will not be allowed to board the flight. This will be instituted as of now,” Rodgers said.

Land row delays Kirakira project

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The Kirakira ramp destroyed by strong waves. Kirks Kwalo.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

LAND issue stops Trades Transformation Company Ltd (TTC) from building the $200,000 shed to accommodate toilet and shower close to the new ramp in KiraKira, Makira Ulawa province.

This was after the people who used to live on the land have threatened the TTC workers with knives after they made three attempts to build the shade.

It is claimed the people have demanded the Makira Provincial Government to pay them compensation after their homes were removed by the contractor to give way for the new shade.

The Kirakira ramp and Shed project along with the wharf in Malu’u, North Malaita, are part of the Economic Stimulus Package funded by the National Government to create economic activities and trading with the farmers to bring their products to Honiara.

Owner of company Leslie Tarzan Holosivi said if Makira Provincial Executive could not solve the issues with the people, they would pull out because they have completed the ramp already.

Holosivi said they have completed the $5 million ramp already in the first phase of the project and ready to build the shed when the issue with the so-called landowners popped up.

“If things are not sorted out, I have to pull my boys out for their safety.

“Therefore, I want the Makira Provincial government to quickly sort out the issue with the landowners,” he said.

TTC still remains in Kirakira because the Government has given them another contract to upgrade the road from Central Makira to West Makira and the airstrip.

However, some people have accused TTC on social media for not doing a good work on the ramp after recent strong waves destroyed the land pathway connecting to the ramp.

Holosivi said his workers have already filled up the gap caused by the waves.

Ministry of Infrastructure Development permanent secretary, Stephen Maesiola said based on the design of the ramp, there should be three layers, however the contractor only managed to complete the first layer due to lack of money.

Maesiola said the MID engineers should travel to Kirakira to reassess the ramp and make a report whether to complete the next two layers.

CBSI confirms royalty payment to Turarana landowners

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Central Bank of Solomon Islands. Photo by CBSI

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CENTRAL Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has confirmed the $447,000 plus paid to the landowning tribes around Turarana in Central Guadalcanal by WinWin Investment Solomon Ltd is ‘correct’.

This came after the landowners said they were shocked when they received the payment on Thursday 30th December 2021.

This payment comes out from the alluvial mining operation carried out by Win Win since July 2019.

In a letter received by the paper, Enoch Illisia, manager of currency and banking operations department said they further confirm that the total royalties payment receive for consignment 1-20 from the Winwin investment is $1,118,257.08.

Illisia said this is according to the Mines and Mineral (royalties) Regulation 2011, 40 percent is the Royalty Payment to landowners.

“This we confirm that Royalties Payment to Landowners is $447,302.82.

“For any other further details and information please refer to Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification,” he said.

Joel Jackson of Koehoto Landowners Association has written to Customs and Exercise Division to release the gold export data by Winwin in order to inform their people.

However, Alison Boso, Deputy Controller Operation/Revenue told Jackson that you would need to furnish Customs with a Court Order to extract commercial sensitive data from the Customs Data base.

Jackson said the concerned landowners planned to hold a meeting yesterday at Turarana to discuss the future of the company following the royalties payment.

He said they also seeking the company to furnish them with the list of deduction by some landowners from the company to avoid paying them twice when receiving another royalties payment.

Jackson said they could not believe the amount they were paid because the mining tenement is very wide.

Jackson said landowners usually get $600 to $800 a day when they panned for alluvial gold on the tenement.

He said they could not believe they payment because the company was using machines to extract alluvial gold.

According to the royalty sharing, two big tribes, Garavu and Koenahau, got 30 percent each from the $447,000.

As such each tribe received $75, 000 each.

The other two tribes, Lasi and Manukiki, received 20 percent each from the $447,000.

Each tribe collected $50,000.

Jackson said the Garavu tribe would share the $75,000 to the six trustees that signed the Surface Access Agreement with WinWin.

He said each trustee would get $12,500.

Jackson said their representative in one of six trustees would then share the $12,500 among six sub-clans.

Therefore, he said his clan only received $2,000.

“From the $2,000, I have to share it with my people as far as the Weathercoast region.

“Honestly, we could not share the money so we just use it to buy fish for the New Year,” he said.

Jackson said some families did not receive any money from the royalty payment when it was shared among the tribes and clans.

One of the directors of WinWin, Charles Meke said the royalty payments only covered 20 of the 34 shipments.

Meke said there is a shortfall because the company still waiting for confirmation on exchange rate from Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification before it can pay royalty for the outstanding 14 shipments to landowners.

He said during his time with World Bank, they used forex rate, which was standard.

“We are ready to pay, but government is still to confirm the exchange rate.

“We don’t blame the government because we just come out from the festive period,” he said.

According to the current practice of royalty’s payment, the Company pays 3 percent royalties from its gold export to the Government who then is responsible to pay the landowners and the concerned Provincial Governments hosting the operations accordingly.

The 3 percent royalty payment is then proportioned at 50 percent to the Government, 40 percent to the two Turarana Landowner’s Associations and 10 percent to the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.

The company started the trial alluvial mining operation on July 2019.

The trial mining commenced at the Mamasa alluvial flat deposit but was later shifted upstream to the Turarana Area (Kavahambe) after very low gold recoveries (0.15g/cubic meter(cu.m)) were experienced at the Mamasa alluvial flats deposit which is well below break even levels.

After heavy floods that left the Turarana wash plant inundated in October 2019; alluvial mining operations were shifted back to the Mamasa area in November, 2019 while reconstruction of the Turarana wash plant was progressing.

Mining operations were shifted back again to the Turarana wash plant in December 2019 due to improved gold recoveries experienced there.

Up to present time only the Turarana wash plant is currently being worked.

According to the Win Win’s monthly report produced on 10th July 2021 by contracted Geologist, Collin Midobatu, the company has exported a total of 3,258.47 ounce of gold from its last 6th shipment from January to June 2021.

This is worth around $48 million (USD$6million) base on the market prize of US$1,853.00 per ounce.

The export of gold shipment came from its operation at Turarana in Central Guadalcanal.

However, the company could not make any gold shipment from July 2019 to December 2020 as stated in the monthly report released on 10th July 2021.

Gov’t assures students of their allowances

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands students studying around the region have been assured that issues that resulted in the delay of the payment of their allowances will be rectified this week.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Dr Franco Rodie made the assurance during a talk-back show, Sunday.

“Let me assure our students in Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea that yes, there has been a delay with their allowances.

“But we are trying to rectify the problem that we have encountered in terms of accessing the fund so that by the end of this week hopefully we should be able to remit funds to the education bank accounts in those countries that I have mentioned,” he said.

“We still have seven students remaining in Philippines.

“Those of you who have been following they have also sort out their visas but there are some requirements in terms of health and quarantine which did not allow us to bring them home during December.

“We are planning to bring them home hopefully before end of February.

“Remember we have not given up on you yet. We will bring you home as soon things get cleared.”

7 quarantine stations active

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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King Solomon quarantine site .

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SEVEN quarantine stations remain active to accommodate in-coming individuals to serve their mandatory quarantine period.

This was confirmed by Jonathan Tafiariki from the Camp management.

“In Honiara we have seven quarantine stations remain declared for use quarantine use these include Vimo, Chengs, Pacific Casino Hotel east wing, Honiara hotel east wing, King Solomon hotel, Heritage and GBR,” Tafiariki said.

He said these quarantine stations are no go zones.

“We continue to urged the public to respect the quarantine stations and not to go closer them,” Tafiariki said.

He thanked those who completed the quarantine process and for abiding with quarantine regulations.

Tafiariki said some have breached the quarantine regulations but they thanked them for their patience.

“We continue to ask those who will be coming into the country to abide with our quarantine regulations so we can contain the virus within the quarantine walls and avoid community transmission.”

$800 Million Provincial Assistance Program Announced.

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Press Release
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PS Stanley Dick Pirione

The National Government has recently announced an $800 million dollar funding program for Provincial Governments over a period of five years targeted at developing economic and incoming generating infrastructure projects.

This funding assistance will be allocated through and administered by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).

Details of the funding program will be finalized and outlined to all nine Provincial Governments soon. This is likely to be injected into the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) to boost development programs into Provinces.

Permanent Secretary of the MPGIS Stanley Dick Pirione revealed this major funding initiative during a recent dialogue between the National Government and the Malaita Provincial Government.

“The national government through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening will be supported with an $800 million funding over the next 5 years, part of this funding will go to economic or income generating infrastructure projects.

“All Provinces including Malaita will benefit from these programs,” Pirione stated.

This five-year funding program was announced after an earlier announcement of the Government’s decision last year to increase the current funding allocation for the PCDF from $30 million to $60 million in this year’s development.

The 100 percent increase of the PCDF demonstrated the national government’s commitment to continue the positive impact of the funding in Provinces.

The increase of the PCDF reflected the national government’s confidence in Provincial Governments to continue to impact peoples’ lives through small infrastructure developments.

Vanuatu repatriation flight next month

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

REPATRIATION flight for Vanuatu is set for next month since Vanuatu is still COVID-19 free says Dr Jimmie Rodgers Secretary to the Prime Minister.

“For Vanuatu we are hoping that they will come next month. Vanuatu is still COVID-19 free at this time. Whoever bought flights to come in here as much possible we will not import COVID-19 into the country,” Rodgers said.

He said for now on they will not mix people that come from different flights in different quarantine stations.

Rodgers explains that one flight will be accommodated in one quarantine stations. So that if there is any extension it will not affect others that come from different flights.

He adds for the weekly Brisbane flights it will continue with limited passengers who fulfil all requirements.

Rodgers stressed they are hoping to bring in students from Fiji and other countries with high priority TA’s for government.

“For now, we are reviewing those flights,” he said.

Dr Franco Rodie Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development also stated that there are Solomon Islands graduating students remaining in Vanuatu these are law students who need to come back.

“So, we are planning before the end of February to bring them home.”

“There others as well in Fiji who will need to come home as well and so we are given green light to resume flight to bring them home. All continuing students will remain in their country of studies,” Rodie said.

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