Premier elect Christian Mesepitu (right) shook hands with the Deputy Speaker (left)
BY BEN BILUA Gizo
Western Province’s newly elected premier has called on the government to fast-track and immediately address the issue of federalism.
Christian Mesepitu made the call during his inaugural speech after his election yesterday.
He said Western Province is more serious than ever and is calling on the national government to seriously look into pending issues regarding the transition towards statehood.
Mesepitu stressed that Western Province is ready and should be granted statehood given that needed infrastructures have been present in the province.
“We have all the required infrastructures, the manpower and the resources to such demand and I call on the national government to immediately address the matter as it has been a long standing issue for the past years,” he said.
“I know that our forefathers have laid the foundation for statehood and I will continue to pursue their wishes to become reality,” he added..
“I want to make it clear that our time in the past has been wasted with negotiations, as such it is high time for more action,” he said.
Mesepitu said the recent rioting in Honiara indicates the need to decentralize investments and resources on all provinces.
He adds that the country needs to open up provincial developments and decentralize investments in provincial centers.
Mesepitu reiterated that federalism is important given the growing population of the country.
Premier elect, Christian Mesepitu's swearing-in witnessed by Deputy Speaker (left) and Principal Magistrate (right)
BY BEN BILUA Gizo
CHRISTIAN Burley Mesepitu was elected as the new Premier of Western Province yesterday.
He won by 17 votes during a closed-voting conducted by Deputy Speaker and Deputy Clerk of Western Province, and the declaration was announced in the presence of a Principal Magistrate.
Gizo residents and also people from the nearby islands also took the opportunity to witness the declaration held at the Fair Trade Building.
Speaking during the declaration, Mesepitu acknowledged fellow provincial members for the confidence rendered towards him to hold the post.
“To all our chiefs, church leaders, community leaders, elders, public servants both in private sector and public sector, Provincial Police Commander of Western Province, today I stand here as the newly elected premier of the Western Provincial Assembly. It is the greatest honor I have bestowed upon to the highest position. I have accepted this political position with grace and humility.
“To my honorable colleagues, I’m indeed most humbled by your collective-cum-political gesture of electing me to this highest position as the next Premier of Western Provincial Government.
“Your votes demonstrates your unwavering trust and belief in me to lead our government. Based squarely on that premises, I can ask nothing but the spirit of respect for one another as we govern our people and province,” he said.
Mesepitu also acknowledged David Gina for his leadership towards the development and welfare of Western Province.
He said past differences should be put aside so that ambitions of Western Province can be achieved.
“On behalf of the Assembly and our people, we graciously render you our thanks and appreciation for your leadership. It is my humble request that you will continue to render your support to the overall cause in leading our province. Let’s forget our past and work together for the good and benefit of our people,” Mesepitu said.
THE Democratic Coalition for Government Advancement (DCGA) has a numerical strength of 35 members ahead of the motion of no confidence on Monday, December 6.
Only 49 members are eligible to vote during the motion of no confidence after Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology and MP for West Kwaio, Titus Fika died recently.
Secretary of OUR Party, Wilson Rano confirmed this to Island Sun yesterday that DCGA has total of 39 members, but one died and three reportedly resigned.
The trio who are reportedly resigned are:
Jackson Fiulaua, Chairman of Caucus and MP for Central Kwara’ae;
Martin Mokolo Kealoe, backbencher and MP for Malaita Outer Islands;
Senley Levi Filualea, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and MP for North Malaita.
If the trio move over to the other side, the Opposition and Independent will only have a total of 14 members.
However, media report claimed Stanley Sofu, MP for East Kwaio and Deputy Speaker has indicated to his people in Honiara during the riot that he will resign from DCGA when he returns from his later brother Fika’s funeral.
The Ownership, Unity, Responsibility (OUR) Party led by political wing leader, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has dominated the DCGA government.
Fiulaua, Kealoe and Filualea were part of OUR until they revealed their intention to resign during the civil unrest.
The other three members in DCGA come from Solomon Islands People’s First Party (SIPFP).
They are Chacha Bule Amoi of Marovo, Fredrick Koloqeto of South Vella La Vella and Clezy Rore of North Vella La Vella.
The other Party that makes up DCGA is Kadere Party Solomon Islands (KPSI) which consists of John Maneniaru of West Are Are and Silas Vagara Tausinga of West New Georgia.
However, Kadere is going to be de-registered from DCGA after Maneniaru has moved to Opposition and Tausinga recently joined up with United Party led by Peter Kenilorea Junior in the Opposition Group.
Government House Deputy Private Secretary Rawcliffe Ziza said he is still to receive a resignation letter from Agriculture Minister Filualea.
He said upon receiving the letter, the Governor General Sir David Vunagi would acknowledge it.
Ziza said for MPs not holding ministerial posts, they can resign from their political parties without sending their letters to Government House.
Political Parties Registrar, Jasper Anisi said so far there are no resignation letters from MPs to leave Our Party.
He said according to the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, any MP intending to resign must notify his office.
Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale has filed a notice of a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Sunday 28th November 2021.
In a statement, Wale said he still does not have the numbers for such a motion to pass, after only three resignations from Sogavare’s government so far.
Opposition Leader Matthew Wale said he has sought a political solution to the current situation, as the Prime Minister’s lack of humility has resulted in great loss and suffering for our nation, especially in Honiara.
“No one in Honiara is spared the suffering and loss caused by the tragic events of these past few days. Now we have been informed there has been a tragic loss of lives,” the statement said.
Mr Wale said without a political solution this tragic situation will remain, even with foreign forces supporting the RSIPF to regain control and maintain order in Honiara.
Carnage on the streets of Honiara. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo
By EDDIE OSIFELO
SOLOMON Islands Chinese Association (SICA) is urging its members to assess the loss and damage to their shops and cargoes from the burning and looting last week.
Most of the looting and burning occurred at Chinatown, followed by Kukum and Ranadi.
Most of the victims were Chinese businesses. Few locally owned businesses were also destroyed or damaged.
SICA President Henry Kwan said the assessment is very important so the Association can provide a credible report to the Government to assist their members in the rebuilding phase.
He said it is not possible to speculate on the cost of loss and damage because no one knows how many cargoes were in the shops.
Kwan said only when individual members provide their report before they can know the basis of the cost behind the loss and damage of the properties and cargoes.
Billy Wong, President of Solomon Islands Fujian Community in Honiara told Radio Australia more than 60 shops with cargoes were burnt, already worth around SBD$2 billion.
Wong said during the 2006 riot, the Government did not provide them assistance to help in the rebuilding.
However, SICA President, Kwan said currently such amount is mere speculation.
According to report received by Island Sun, 350 Chinese nationals were affected after about 85 shops were burnt down during the riot.
Kwan said most of them have been left homeless after the riot, sheltering at centres provided by authorities.
However, he said since the situation had return to normalcy, most are living with their friends and families at the moment.
In addition, Kwan said SICA is working with the government to arrange any flight to repatriate Chinese who want to return home.
Solomon Islands Red Cross Society said it will be doing a registration soon to ascertain the exact number of those who have been affected.
SIRCS said the assessment will likely to be completed on Sunday.
“Right now, we are in discussions with the National Disaster Management Office and partners preparing to finalize matters for the assessment proper,” SIRCS said.
Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has categorically refuted the PM’s claim that him and other opposition members were behind the recent protests and riots.
According to the Opposition leader, these statements are not only false, but are aimed towards diverting the public’s attention from Sogavare’s own failures to properly deal with issues affecting this Nation.
Responding to this absurdity, Hon. Wale expressed that PM Sogavare must recognize his role in this tragedy. These recent events are the culmination of the PM’s leadership style which stretch back throughout his tenure as Prime Minister.
Honourable Wale pointed out that he has repeatedly made calls for the PM to humbly initiate dialogue with Malaita. In his own words, Hon. Wale emphasized ‘I have stated on several occasions the need for PM to have constructive dialogue with Malaita. In light of the deteriorating relationship between the Province and National Government, I specifically urged the PM last year to lead a delegation to Malaita to deal with their issues’.
Instead, PM Sogavare failed to do this. His negative attitude to deal with these issues, Wale insisted, is also reflected in the recent events when he ran away and refused to engage in dialogue with the people who marched to Parliament.
Reflecting on the damage occurred, Hon. Wale stated that what has happened in the last few days is truly a tragedy. ‘As a Leader, I lament with the people who have suffered losses and condemn what has happened. Because of the large damage that occurred these past days, the public’s impulse to blame someone is understandable’. However, the PM must not take advantage of this and divert the public’s attention from his actions and omissions which have directly contributed to this problem.
The Honourable Leader of Opposition therefore calls on the Prime Minister to stop blaming others for his own failures and take responsibility as a true leader should in these circumstances.
THE case of an accused Peter Fakaia will appear again in court to confirm the continuation of trial on the defence case.
This is the case of Peter Fakaia who is facing trial on three counts of false pretenses relating to allegations that occurred between 21 and 26 September 2019 in Honiara.
He was alleged to have faked his own death and obtain $76,000 from a local pharmacist in Honiara in 2019.
Prosecution said the accused sought medication at the People’s Pharmacy at the Kwaimani building at Kukum, after taking his medication he then left, however on the next day he returned to the pharmacy complaining that he had allergies with the medication.
He was then given another medication and advised to see a doctor.
On 23 September at about 8 am, the complainant received a call through his office phone by a person who allegedly purported himself as the accused’s brother-in-law.
The complainant was informed by the accused’s brother-law that the accused he diagnosed died at the National Referral Hospital and was at the morgue.
The accused’s brother-in-law then allegedly demanded a compensation of $10, 000 for the cause of the death.
The complainant in total allegedly gave $76,000 to the so-called relatives of the accused of the accused’s death.
It was on 26 September police were alerted about the incident and police arrested a person who came to collect the last portion of money requested for the accused’s death.
Using the accused’s alleged associates; police finally arrested the accused after halting him in his vehicle at the Ranadi Roundabout.
Private lawyer Ben Etomea represents Fakaia while Public Prosecutor Jonathan Auga is prosecuting the case in court.
WITH the arrival of the intervention forces in Honiara it has given Honiara residents some hope that peace and safety will be maintained during the motion of no confidence that is scheduled for next week.
A 45-year-old woman Jacquelyn Hana said the arrival of the intervention forces from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji with New Zealand personals to arrive in Honiara in the coming days, is a relief to innocent Honiara residents.
She said what happened last week is really disturbing and heartbreaking.
“Some of us were traumatized of what have happened and as a mother I am sad to see young people involved, this country’s future is in doubt if we continue with such behaviour”, Ms Hana said.
She said what happened in other parts of world now happening in Solomon Islands and while there are criticisms been made on social media regarding the call for assistance from the Prime Minister, it is good outside forces come to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
She said our police cannot control the situation as they are out-numbered.
“We have problem with our attitude and behaviour”, Ms Hana added.
Former Deputy Premier, Randol Sifoni (left) handshakes with Premier Daniel Suidani (right) as they exchange shell monies to reconcile past events they had gone through.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
AFTER the recent political impasse that had rampage the MARA government, deserted MPAs started to reunite with the government after almost five months of differences.
Yesterday, the former Deputy Premier under MARA government, MPA for ward 30, Randol Sifoni has reconciled with Premier Daniel Suidani and members of his executive and received back by the government.
Deputy Clerk to the Provincial Assembly, Ms Florence Idufo’oa has confirmed yesterday.
She said the reconciliation was happened between Sifoni and Suidani and was witnessed by members of the executive government and chiefs within ward 30 of the Langa Langa lagoon.
According to a statement released by Malaita Provincial Development Forum the two leaders had reunited in a brief reconciliation ceremony yesterday in Auki,
“The former Deputy Premier, Randol Sifoni re-joined MARA government after a brief reconciliation ceremony with the premier and number of MARA executive members today.
“He will now hold the vacant position of the Deputy Speaker of the Malaita Provincial Assembly.
“In the spirit of putting the past in the past, the two leaders shared that uniting Malaita for its development surpass any political differences and therefore reconciled whatever happened in the past as the best way to move forward.
“Both leaders shared that as leaders, moving forward in the spirit of brotherhood for the common good of the people of Malaita province is the top priority of their leadership.
“Both acknowledged the past and learn to move forward,” it said.
The re-inclusion of Sifoni brings MARA government to a majority of 18 MPAs in the government while the non-executive bench with minority of 15 MPAs.
THE COVID-19 vaccination site at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority Premises at point has reopened its vaccination roll-out programs for second dose and the unvaccinated qualified individuals.
This was confirmed by Dr Yogesh Choudhri senior advisor for Ministry Health and Medical Services yesterday.
Choudhri vaccination site below the Holy Cross will open soon. Discussions are currently underway to move this vaccination centre to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development parking lot.
He also adds that Vaccination centre for Kukum area will resume soon if new tent.
Island Sun Paper understands that vaccinations centers inside Honiara have closed due to the Honiara unrest.
Meanwhile, the two introduced vaccines that are currently administered in the country are AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is also already shipped into the country but id yet to be administered.
His Grace Archbishop with Fr. Gabriel, Dicon, Catechist amd Alter Servers after 9am Mass
CHRISTIANS should be peace makers and peace builders instead of involving in violence and stealing.
His Grace Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese in Honiara shared this during his welcome home Eucharistic Mass and First Sunday of Advent at the Holy Cross Cathedral on Sunday.
He said the recent unrest is a difficult situation for the country.
Archbishop Chris urged Christians to refrain from involving in any of the unlawful activities, especially in buying from the looters or even take anything that was stolen from the shops.
“We are in the Advent season, the season that begins the Christian Liturgical Year and focuses on Christ’s threefold coming: past, present, and future. First, it is remembering His humble first coming in the town of Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Secondly, it calls us to give thanks for His presence and continual coming to us through His Word and Sacrament. Finally, it is the looking forward with hope and longing to His Second Coming in Glory.
Christians Greeted His Grace after 9am Mass
“In the Gospel Jesus tells us to be vigilant, do not sleep, Jesus Tells “pray to have the strength to escape the tribulations that are to come and to stand upright with the lord”
“Therefore, Our Message is to be Vigilant, Stay awake, Pray and Hopeful”
“Last week has been very hard in the history of Solomon Islands, 3 days of violence, stealing, hatred and distractions.
“We should be peacemakers and peace builders instead of involving in causing distractions, he continued, “for St. Mathew Gospel, also says, “Blessed are the peace makers, they will be the children of God”.
“This advent we need to reflect why this situation happened the second time and what caused Chinatown a targeted area.
“What causes violence, hatred that made people feel so bad that forced them to do terrible and distractive violence?” he continued.
“It is important for us to reflect upon the events of past few days and know that God Loves us. He is with us in good times and in bad times. And even in worst disasters where we experienced, that God is present among us.
“I hope that we don’t pay goods from people who steal or take anything from the stolen goods,” he said.
He appealed to all Christians in the country to stay away from violence.
His Grace Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP share Homily and advicing christians to be Peace Makers
“Violence must stop, hatred must stop and we must live as a community to rebuild our nation, and be a place to have justice for all, not just for the wealthy parliament but for all because Justice is peace,” he said.
He appreciated the good initiative that Phil Bradford of Island Enterprise put out to all. The Message of Hope to Never Give Up.
Even if Solomon Islands faces this terrible situation, there have been a lot of good things that has happened in the Solomon Islands that we may have forgotten.
“Therefore, as we are in the season of Advent, we need to ask ourselves Questions what should we do to make us go out from this situation?
“What is our hope? Who will guide us? Who will be the peace makers?
“Pray, Hope and be Vigilant is the message we should take,” he said.
Meanwhile he shared his greetings and regards from family in New York to Solomon Islands, where he spent almost 5 months due to COVID,
