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SOPE extends for another 4 months

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PARLIAMENT has extended the State of Public Emergency yesterday to another four months.

Both the Government and the Opposition have supported the motion moved by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on the need to protect the country from the outbreak of covid-19 in the community and float the national economy.

The Governor General has declared the State of Public Emergency on 24 November 2021, pursuant to Section 16 subsection 3 of the Constitution.

This comes as the covid a new Omicron COVID-19 variant was discovered in Sydney, Australia.

Sogavare said this SOPE is to protect the country and the people and not to trample on your fundamental rights.

Furthermore, he said Solomon Islands is lucky not to have community transmission following low vaccination coverage.

Currently, Solomon Islands has reached

“I encourage people to come forward to get vaccination.

“It seems most are not taking heed of the call,” he said.

Sogavare said it disappointing to note some well-educated elites have refused to get vaccination and advocating against vaccination.

He said currently the government is stepping its ‘No Jab, No Job’ vaccination programme.

“Currently public servants with no jab are not allowed to enter their work station.

“These public servants can continue to work but at home but their salaries were cut by 50 percent,” he said.

Sogavare said by 31st January 2022, public servants with no jabs will be treated as self-terminated and their employment with the government will be ceased on the day.

He said the security and wellbeing of our people take precedent.

DCGA Prepares to face the motion

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Democratic Coalition for Government Advancement (DCGA) is preparing to face the motion of no confidence on Monday, December 6, 2021.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated this in Parliament during the debate on the motion to approve authorization of expenditure in advance of 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022.

Minister of Finance, Harry Kuma seeks that National Parliament of Solomon Islands, in accordance with Section 103 (1) of the Constitution to empower him to authorize the issue of money from the consolidated fund for purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year, until the expiration of four months from the beginning of the financial year 2022 or the coming into operation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022, whichever is the earlier.

Sogavare said government has a lot of things to deal with after the recess of Parliament.

However, he said they will come back to face the Motion of No Confidence.

“We are preparing to face motion of no confidence Leader of Opposition raised it but he sees the support of government remain here.

“So, you think twice before moving that motion come that time the motion matures to move it,” he added.

However, Sogavare said the passage of the budget resolution was itself a vote of confidence for the government.

“There are many ways to defeat the government, but they (Opposition) support the motion.

“This is vote of confidence to the government and its policy,” he added.

Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale filed the motion of no confidence on Sunday 28th November 2021 following the riot and looting since last Wednesday to Saturday.

Wale told Radio New Zealand on Saturday after urging Sogavare to step down that the basis for the unrest is political, so requires a political solution.

He said ultimately the Australians cannot provide a solution to their current situation.

“The basis for it is political and therefore the solution for it must be political.

“This really calls for leaders to take some decisive actions,” he said.

Further to that, Wale has categorically denied instigating the unrest that is going to cost the country billions of dollars after study on loss and damages complete.

Parliament has adjourned to next week.

Govt to assist affected business houses

Written by
Press Release
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The fantastic shopping building that was burned down by looters.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced that the National Government will assist business houses that were destroyed during last week’s unrest in Honiara.

Many business houses in the China Town, Kukum and Ranadi commercial districts have suffered from looting and burning during the unrest.

Speaking in Parliament today, Sogavare said the Government is already working on a recovery package to assist businesses that suffered last week’s destruction.

“As a responsible government, the government will come up with a recovery package for those who lost their properties during last week’s unrest,” Sogavare said.

The Prime Minister is already advancing discussions with development partners to explore ways to help in the rebuilding and recovery process.

In addition, Sogavare also announced that the Government will also beef up the capacity of the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) to withstand future unrests.

Last week’s unrest sunk the economy and further challenged the government’s twin policy objectives to contain and annihilate COVID 19 from community transmission and to sustain the economy.

The ruined businesses are amongst the contributors to the government’s tax revenue. These businesses’ tax contributions have helped to ensure main services such as health, security and education and utilities are maintained.

“The assistance package that government will put together is like “trying to pull up a sunken economy,” Sogavare said.

Meanwhile, Sogavare has commended the Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Members of Parliament for passing the Motion of Supply.

The passage of the motion of supply now empowers the Minister for Finance to authorize the issue of monies from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year.

The spending will continue until the expiration of four months from the beginning of the financial year 2022 or the coming into operation of the 2022 Appropriation Act 2022.

Parliament is adjourned for 30 November 2021.

GCU

Social unrest disturbs Bill to pass

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT could not bring the 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022 to pass in Parliament following the unrest in Honiara last Wednesday.

This is in accordance with Section 103 (1) of the Constitution to empower Minister of Finance to authorize the issue of money from the consolidated fund for purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year, until the expiration of four months from the beginning of the financial year 2022 or the coming into operation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022, whichever is the earlier.

Kuma said the budget documents have been finalised for printing when this unfortunate situation escalated prevented it.

He said the unlawful distraction of property has escalated so far and caused damage to public properties and business houses at Chinatown, Kukum and Ranadi.

“Further damage on businesses will have ramification on our domestic economy and altered expenditure mix on government finance.

“Government will run against time to pass the 2022 budget,” he said.

The Opposition has supported the government to pass the resolution.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete urged the government to table the 2020 budget outcome and the 2021 mid term review to help the committee in its planning and analysis.

Minister Kuma said Cabinet has already approved both reports but due to administration issue has delayed their tabling in Parliament.

RECOVERY TO COST MORE THAN 200 MILLION

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Press Release
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Fire officers trying to put off fire at the kukum area during the riot. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo

The recovery for businesses looted and burned in last week’s unrest are estimated to cost more than SBD200 million with a loss of more than one thousand jobs.

These figures are likely to increase as assessments are continuing to determine the exact cost of damages.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the carriage experienced in the past few days have already cost more than $200 million in damages and more than 1000 jobs.

Sogavare said the global pandemic has made our country vulnerable but the recent events have made us even more vulnerable.

The government is already working on a recovery package for those businesses that have been damaged and destroyed by the carriage as a means of minimizing the impact on our already struggling economy. 

Sogavare said the businesses that suffered were contributors to the Government revenue in the form of taxes.

“These are the people who pay taxes to the government to finance the essential services that the very people who are engaged in these destructions and their master-minders enjoyed,” Sogavare.

“It is for this reason that the Government will not let our business community down, and will do all we can, to rebuild their lives,” the Prime Minister added.

West motion successful with 17 votes

Written by
Ben Bilua
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WPG MPAs and Clerk far left who attended the meeting yesterday

“Assembly meeting challenged again”

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Government has successfully tabled the motion of no confidence against Premier David Gina yesterday.

The motion received a total of 17 votes in favor of the motion, one abstain and 8 members recorded as absent for not turning up for the meeting.

Western province has a total of 26 Members of Provincial Government.

Presenting the motion, Mover of the Motion, Brisbane Amatore listed five reasons which he believed there is a need to change the leadership of Western province.

Reasons listed includes conflict of interest and lack of transparency and accountability.

According to Presiding Speaker, Ramrakha Talasasa, the assembly meeting was held to satisfy the court order given by the High Court.

He said majority of members of provincial government turned up in response to the call by the court.

“We are here today to satisfy the court order which scheduled the assembly to meet today.

“Furthermore, we have completed the motion of confidence against the Premier in response to the agenda set forth by the court order,” Talasasa said.

Island Sun understand that there is a notice of adjournment coming from the office the Speaker of Western Province last week informing provincial members that there will be no meeting yesterday.

However, 17 members turned up for the meeting and assembly was resumed only to be presented by a court case presented to the High Court for an interim order to be made in response to failure to adhere the “Adjournment Notice” given out by the Speaker’s office last week.

A copy of the case was presented to members of provincial assembly who attended the meeting during their lunch break yesterday.

It is unclear where the decision is heading to at the moment and it is likely that the Ministry of Provincial Government will step in again to clear the air.

From the meeting yesterday, members uttered that the motion has been moved and successful in the floor of assembly with plans to establish the new provincial executive in the coming days.

This paper was not able to get comments from Premier and his party. Opportunity will be given to make sure they respond to this article.

HCC schools close early

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MORE than twenty schools under the Honiara City Council Education Authority have agreed to close down schools early due to the unrest and the current unstable situation.

Elision Mane Honiara City Council Education Authority Chief Education Officer said the decision will be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development. 

Mane said school leaders have come up this decision based on some key points. This include transport issue as most teachers have reside far from their schools and also the danger of having COVID-19 virus the country as students were not vaccinated.

He also echoed that students and teachers have been traumatised with the recent unrest.

The meeting was held at St John School yesterday in Honiara.

Anglican clergies urged to strengthen pastoral mission.

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Press Release
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CLERGIES of the Anglican Church of Melanesian have been urged to strengthen pastoral mission.

The advise was made following reports from Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) which states that 97 percent of those imprisoned are members of Anglican Church.

According to CSSI, the rate has increased this year compared to a 2016 report which indicated that 90 percent of prisoners are members of the church.

This report stunned clergies who attended the recent Synod held at Selwyn College which summoned Anglican Church clergies and also church leaders nationwide.

Serious discussions have been made for possible interventions that would pave a way forward for the church to address the issue.

On the same token, members of the Anglican Church have been urged to adhere to the church’s Christian values, principles and traditions while helping the country to grow economically and spiritually.

According to World Population Review, Solomon Islands has 92 percent of Christian population and 35 percent of the total Christian population are member of Anglican Church of Melanesia.

Foreign intervention personnel fully vaccinated

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Minister of Health and Medical Service, Dr Culwick Togamana has defended the intervention force of Australia and Papua New Guinea who arrived last Thursday to help restore law and order in Honiara following the peaceful protest that turned violent against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Former Prime Minister Rick Hou has questioned the government in Parliament yesterday whether the intervention force personnel have gone through covid-19 protocols as they were seen on the streets upon arrival.

However, Togamana said he has been thoroughly briefed that all the personnel coming are fully vaccinated and tested before they came in the country.

He said they were tested negative.

“Tests done at medical lab, and all negative and I am pleased for personels arrive in the country.

“The Standard Operation Procedures are strictly followed especially for defence force, they must put on their masks and live separately,” he said.

In addition, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said they required to be double vaccinated, and some go for triple vaccination.

“They have to have negative PCR test before boarding plane, all observed them.

“Then within 48 hours they have tests, then they test every two days on rapid anti-gen testing and must wear masks and limited contact,” he said.

Australia has sent about 100 Defence Force personels following request from Sogavare to quell the protests and riot.

This was based on the bilateral security treaty signed by Australia and the Solomon Islands in Canberra in 2017.

The bilateral security treaty that allows Australian police, defence and associated civilian personnel to be deployed rapidly to the Solomon Islands in the event of an emergency.

While PNG sent 37 Police personnel under a Police-to-Police arrangement to assist in the country’s civil unrest.

Hon Tausinga joins United Party

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UP leader, Hon Peter Kenilorea Jr, centre, new member of UP Hon Tausinga, right, and MP for Central Honiara, Hon. Efona.

The MP for West New Georgia and Vona Vona Silas Vangara Tausinga who resigned from Our Party and the Government last week has joined United Party,

Tausinga was the first of the 5 MPs to leave the government in wake of the riots and looting last week.

On his decision to join UP, Tausinga said: “I am happy to join UP because I believe in its ideals and its practical focus on the strength of a united Solomon Islands, it’s focus on peace and security, sustainable development, more focus on infrastructure, the need to rethink CDF, the importance of good governance, and the need to work closely with our development partners.”

Parliamentary Wing of UP, Peter Kenilorea Junior said: “I am honoured to have Hon. Vangara join our ranks in parliament.”

**He said Vangara shares the common vision and values that UP stands for. **

“He has great ideas on how we can move our nation forward and we welcome his contribution to the UP, the parliament and the nation as a whole. UP did not offer him any incentives, monetary or otherwise to join the party. Hon. Vangara came on his own volition under his own conviction. And I recognize and thank him for that,” Kenilorea said.

The latest addition now increases the number of UP MPs in Parliament to three. The other is the MP for Central Honiara, Alfred Efona.

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