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China funds new vehicle for Ulukolu Corporative Society.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Maneke MP for North Guadalcanal hands over the vehicle keys to Chairman of Ulukolu Corporative Association

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

ULUKOLU Corporative Society for the first time received a vehicle for transportation funded by the People’s Republic of China through the North Guadalcanal Constituency.

The vehicle gifted to Ulukolu Corporative is worth more than $370,000.

Speaking at the handover ceremony Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal Constituency Samson Maneka confirmed that this vehicle is for transportation for people and also commodities so people in communities can be able to sell their local produce to earn a living.

“With this, I urged you to please take good care of this vehicle and respect leaders that are given authority to look after it,” Maneka said.

Blessing of the vehicle

In response managing director of the Ulukolu Corporative Society Felix Garimane said he believes the Ulukolu Association knows what is best for its people.

“We have no doubt that Ulukolu association can run this project successfully that is my strong declaration promised through faithful and honest leaders. Eyes of the constituency are upon Ulukolu today I wish the constituency a prosperous peaceful future,” Garimane said.

Chairman of Ulukolu Association Casper Kanai on the same note thanked Maneka for the gift and promised they would take good care of it and use it for its rightful purpose.

On the same event a women representative Madalyn Limola said the handover of this vehicle will now address the long standing needs for women vendors in terms of transporting their commodities for sell at the Honiara Central Market.

Sam Toba adds this is an early Christmas gift for the 11 communities that formed the Ulukolu Corporative Society.

The handing ceremony was held on December 22, 2021.

RENBEL VOTE ROW

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Tuhagenga insists he’s still the premier

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

WILLIE Tuhagenga, the premier of Renbel Province who was ousted in a controversial motion of no confidence last week, insists he is still the legitimate holder of the position.

Members of the Renbel Provincial Assembly elected Japhet Tuhanuku as the new premier during a meeting on 20 December 202, at Moreno Rest House on Rennel.

But Tuhagenga told the Island Sun the meeting was illegal because the Provincial Speaker breached standing order 62 when he issued a notice for the meeting.

Under Standing Order 62, the Speaker may adjourn commencement day of date of the meeting after consultation with the premier where unforeseen circumstances make it impracticable or impossible to proceed as scheduled.

Furthermore, Tuhagenga argued any call for assembly meeting is vested on the power of the premier and not the speaker.

“In fact, I’ve advised the speaker to schedule the assembly meeting on 6 December, however due to logistic and funding issues, the proposed meeting date was deferred to January 2022,” Tuhagenga said.

“But when I announced the date on 6 December, the non-executive requested for a special assembly meeting on 20 December with the main business being a motion of no-confidence in the premier,” he added.

According to the notice issued on 10 December the Speaker calls to convene the meeting on 20 December under Standing Order 58.

Tuhagega said the same notice was issued to him on 14 December, which means there is no clear seven days from the date of service of the notice.

He questioned the validity of issuing and approving the date.

“This is an assembly meeting and I should be consulted prior within clear seven days.

“It ought to be made clear that I have no intention to defer the assembly meeting as there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled before the meeting can proceed.”

Tuhagenga said he’s taking the matter to court so that it can be sorted out.

He said there will be negative implications on the province if this issue is not sorted.

Tuhagenga said this so-called change of leadership through illegal means will set a bad precedence for the province and will affect its development and progress.

The province’s Speaker could not be reached for comments.

Comments are also being sought from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.

Isabel landowners refused to sign access agreement

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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A recent mining exploration on Isabel Province. Photo by Axiom Mining Solomon Islands.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE landowning tribes on tenement D in Bugotu, Isabel Province, have refused to sign the Surface Access Agreement with Solomon Islands Resources Company Limited to carry out nickel prospecting on their land.

This was after Director of SIRCL, Charles Meke said SIRCL has signed a Surface Access Agreement with landowners of Tenement D and Tenement E after number of consultations were held with them.

SIRCL also held a Prospecting License over Suma tenement after it signed SAA with the landowners.

Hong Kong based New Origin owned SIRCL and New Asia, however it sold it to another Hong Kong company, Hangzhou Gowin Mineral Product Ltd.

As such Hangzhou Gowen Mineral Product automatically owns SIRCL and operator, New Asia after it bought the 100 percent shares from New Origin.

One of the landowners of Tenement D, Jay Fraction said the first original SIRC had given 6 months to negotiate  its SAA  with Tenement land owners, but was unsuccessful.

Fraction said later SIRC Management sold off their companies’ shares to Hangzhou that also owns the controversial Win Win Mining Investment company currently operating at Turarana in Central Guadalcanal at Turarana that has a bad reputation been outlined in media.

He said the SIRC Hangzhou took over,  however  reapplied for another three-month extension on its Letter of intent.

“The mineral Board rejected the application for the extension because the land owners of tenement D does not want or even supported SIRC.

“There was no public meeting held on villages or even to call for land owners to meet,  none of this requirement was done,” he said.

Fraction said most of the landowners of Tenement D do not support new administration of SIRCL and do not want to sign the  SAA.

He said few landowners on tenement D signed with the former SIRC during the past Letter of Intent ,  but the land trustee refused to sign SAA with the new administration of SIRCL.

Furthermore, Fraction said landowners were also surprise that even the SIRCL Letter of Intent expired on Friday 17th December 2021, the company still insists and forced land owners to sign their SAA.

He said the SIRC still continue to contact the landowner to sign the SAA  on Monday 20th December.

Fraction said this is a clear corrupt company which the Ministry of Mines officers’ officer should aware of such unlawful and un procedural process  and should had been inform the company reps regarding it.

“Due to such attitude we landowners don’t have confident on the authority supervising such programs.

“Also, the landowner fears that this would result in forgery in land trustee’s signature,” he added.

Fraction said the company must respect their tribes concern , and not  individual’s tribe member’s interest.

“We the land trustees and landowners’ owners of tenement D call on the Director of Mines to verify the  signatories; with land trustees which had been appointed by our tribes.

“Tenement D land trustees  fully aware that most of land trustee and landowners did not sign on SIRC SAA or supported SIRC Company,” he said.

Fraction said the landowners call on the government  with responsible Authority to respect the landowners right and their freedom of choice on which company they prefer.

“We all want developments and our economy need to be raised ,but we need genuine investors who understand our culture and also investors who interested in long term development plans not only for the purpose of mining alone,” he added.

Disbanding of Area Council a curse: Mesepitu

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Premier of Western Province Christian Burley Mesepitu.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PREMIER of Western Province says the disbanding of Area Council is a curse that is haunting the country since the system changed back in the 1990s.

Christian Burley Mesepitu said the establishment of Area councils back in the 1980s was a blessing as it brought the government close to the people.

He said the Area Council was a focal point for rural communities to interact with the national government.

But, Mesepitu said the disbanding of Area Council was a very bad move by the government then as it distance the government and people in the rural areas.

He adds that the disbanding of the Area Council was also questionable it was passed by a mere Cabinet decision as an approach to diminish financial relief sever communities from the formal state apparatus.

“Note that almost 80 to 90 percent of Solomon Islands population live in rural areas whilst the National Government is located in Honiara, so the culling of the area council leaves Provincial Government as the only form of government that is close to the people.

“It is in my view that the closest we can access and link our traditional governance system through the chiefs is to recognise their roles by providing a special position in the area council so that matter and agenda pertaining to traditional governance can be addressed through a formal government system which is the area council, however it was abolished in the 1990s hence it left a vacuum or disconnection of traditional governance representatives in the formal government structure,” Mesepitu said.

Local performers rock Dubai Expo

Written by
Press Release
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Iare Panpipers performing in Dubai yesterday.

Solomon Islands cultural performers have raised the country’s profile a step higher with another electrifying performance at the Solomon Islands National Day celebration at the Dubai Expo 2020 on Tuesday 21 December.

Iare Pan Pipers from Makira Ulawa, two artists from the Kaumakonga contemporary band from Renbel and Solo Artist James Kauhiona from Amamata contemporary band of Malaita Province took center-stage throughout day at the main Expo Pavilion highlighting Solomon Islands ethno music to the world.

Dressed in indigenous costumes, the performers introduced a new hysteria to expo visitors mostly from the Arab world to the country’s indigenous music and dance that resonates our past and present way of island living.

The groups stole crowd attention for half of the day before the formal program was commenced with a flag raising ceremony and official speeches from Chief guest Chief Guest H.E Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for International Development Affairs and Solomon Islands Minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Hon. Frederick Kologeto.

“I am proud to represent my country at this event and to tell the people that there is a place called Solomon Islands in the world map,” said Kennedy Tekatoha of Renbel Province.

“I am honoured indeed to represent my country and expose my culture to the world,” said Raymond Mainge, a member of the Kaumakonga contemporary band.

With his stunning panpipe sounds blended with guitar, Solo artist James Kauhiona of Are’ Are in Malaita Province was the sensation with his ancestral chants.

“I’m very proud to raise our country’s profile at the international level and to show the world of our cultural diversity which is our strength that other places do not have,” Kauhiona said.

Similarly, Iare pan pipe front man, John Mark Huta expressed pride to show the world the unique sounds that Solomon Islands has.

“We are blessed with the unique sounds that we have and I am very proud to show the world what our country has. If they want to see more they are welcomed to visit our country to explore the many different sounds that we have,” Huta said.

The performers concluded the day at the Solomon Islands Pavilion with a final appearance at a dinner hosted by the SI Pavilion staff attended by members of the Expo Pacific Family including friends from Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia and Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Community in Dubai.

SIPO Rainbow tribe enthrones two chiefs

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Sitting in middle is the Patapata Chief who have been striped from his power. He wear no traditional garment as a sign of stepping down from his duty

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SEVEN House of Chief from Vela La Vela, Chiefs from Roviana, representatives from Isabel Tribes led by Chief Gasi Gitau Gloria Sibisopere, Premier of Western Province, representative from Western Provincial government, church leaders and communities gathered at Sipo village on Tuesday to witness the enthronement of two chiefs.

Sirula Chief (first chief) Bently Pano and Sepele Chief (assistant chief) Riley Henao Mesepitu were appointed and enthroned to replace the tribe’s Patapata Chief (Highest Tribal Chief) Eapy Nabou who voluntarily stepped down due to health reasons.

Two chief of Vella escort the Sirula Chief to the Patapata Chief for his enthronement

The event marked the transfer of inherited power and authority from the Patapata Chief to Sirula chief and Sepele Chief to manage the tribe’s social and economic welfares.

According to Sipo Rainbow Tribe’s hierarchy, the Sirula Chief holds the overall power and authority of the tribe while the Sepele chief holds the advisory role to guide the Sirula chief in decision-making.

Three women from Isabel who married and live at Roviana standing at the back row ready to escort the girls for the gift presentation

In his remark when passing the powers and authority, Patapata chief, Nabou urged the newly enthroned chiefs to be the role model of the tribe making sure culture and traditional values as well as principles of the tribe are upheld at all times.

“Based on the formal Declaration of Appointment I made on 18 December 2018, do now hereby formally confers to you my inherited power and authority, the custom investiture of the chiefly rank as Sirula Chief of Sipo Rainbow Tribe in accordance with our Sipo Tribe geonology and Custom jurisdictions.

The newly enthroned chiefs escorted by two little girl and two women to the traditional house

“I now formally transfers and passes onto you the authority and power to be the next custodian of Tribe’s “Jiku” which seals and stamps the customary heritage of our tribe and the customary inheritance of the ownership of the Sipo Tribe Customary Land and Resources.

“You are to be responsible for the tribe’s custom, tradition, culture, principles and practices as well as the general welfare and well-being of our people with loving care and concern,” he said.

These are the wives of Patapata Chief (middle) Sirula Chief (right) and Sepele Chief (left).

The newly enthroned chiefs both said that they are honoured to be appointed as chiefs and will do their bests to look after the tribe’s values and principle while manning the tribe’s social and economic aspirations.

“To lead is not easy and I trust in God for his wisdom to help me deliver whatever is required for the betterment of our tribe.

“I will be your servant to safe guide our tribe and its people,” Sepele Chief Mesepitu said.

Roviana Isabel tribes ready to escort the newly enthroned chiefs

While accepting the appointment, Sirula Chief (first chief) Pano calls on his tribal members for support and cooperation.

The event concluded with presentation of gifts to the newly enthroned chiefs followed by feasting.

Bad weather forces closure of clinic

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Pool of water inside the centre of the clinic

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

HEAVY rain in the past few days caused significant damages to White River clinic in west Honiara, resulting in its indefinite closure.

“We’ve closed down the clinic since Sunday,” senior nurse Debbie Ariki told the Island Sun outside the clinic yesterday.

She said the Honiara City Council’s health department is assessing the level of damage.

The storage room of the clinic was full of mud

“We don’t know how soon the clinic will reopen,” Ariki said.

“It will depend on the city council’s advice,” she added.

White River clinic serves the highly populated suburbs of west Honiara, as well as those living in northwest Guadalcanal.

Microscopist’s room still soaked with mud

Ariki said the heavy rain flooded the clinic, leaving it in a state that is no longer conducive for patients and nurses.

She said because the clinic is highly contaminated, it needs to be disinfected first before it could reopen.

Ariki said the clinic is always prone to flooding whenever there’s a heavy rain.

Left to Right ,Kaylyn and Debbie with damaged boxes of hand gloves

Another nurse, Kaylyn Tuita, says all health services they used to offer have been affected.

The clinic offers antenatal service, Non-communicable Diseases, Child Welfare, Postnatal, Family planning and every other health services. 

Mud washed up the bay outside the White River clinic

Members of the public who used to access these services are advised to visit other clinics around town.

Pollard meets Dubai business CEO

Written by
Press Release
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Bob Pollard with Products Pacific CEO Mr Ahmed Shak Ahmed at the Habtoot Palace Hotel in Dubai while Brian looks on

Managing Director of Kokonut Pacific Bob Pollard has met with Products Pacific CEO Ahmed Shak Ahmed at the Habtoot Palace Hotel in Dubai as part of the continuous expression by Emirati business entrepreneurs to establish business relations with product suppliers here.

The meeting, which was initiated by Business Representative Bryan Keniasina, had resulted in the favorable responses from the thousands of visitors that have visited Solomon Islands Pavilion since the opening of the Expo 2020 Dubai in October and who have expressed their satisfaction at the use of Kokonut Pacific and SolTuna products.

Pollard said that despite being a relatively small company, there were various business options which Kokonut Pacific plans to embark on in order to meet the demands of huge markets like the United Arab Emirates.

He added that Kokonut Pacific has also rebranded its products under the KOSI.

Pacific Products UAE will also promote Kokonut Pacific Logo on their Pacific Sports Academy apparels as part of their expansive Marketing campaigns.

Keniasina thanked both Ahmed and Pollard for agreeing to pursue the possible business opportunities that was made available to them on the margins of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Both parties look forward to signing a long-term agreement with Products Pacific planning to market Solomon Islands products to Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Regions.

As part of its commitment to further enhancing this business relationship, Products Pacific has proceeded with the design of its SolTuna and Kokonut Pacific promotional pamphlets. 

Commissioner General Moses Kouni Mose said that such positive engagements between Products Pacific and Kokonut Pacific reflected on Solomon Islands presence at such large gatherings as the Expo 2020 Dubai.

A Zoom Meeting will be convened later between Products Pacific and SolTuna representatives including Commissioner General Moses Kouni Mose and Business Representative Bryan Keniasina.

Miner clarifies Isabel tenement

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

NEW shareholder company, Hangzhou Gowin Mineral Product Ltd, has clarified the nickel operation by the former Solomon Islands Resources Company Limited (SIRCL) and operator, New Asia on Suma tenement, Isabel province.

This was after landowners called Three Brothers objected the transfer of shares from Hong Kong based New Origin which owned SIRCL and New Asia to another Hong Kong company, Hangzhou Gowin Mineral Product Ltd.

The Three Brothers wanted to stop the transfer of shares between both Hong Kong investors because of Hangzhou’s link to the controversial Win Win Win Investment Mining Limited that carried out alluvial mining on Turarana in Central Guadalcanal.

They accused Win Win company of trying to smuggle 1.7kg of gold in January 2020 and its alleged failure to address issues such as Corporate Social Responsibility of landowners.

However, General Manager of SIRCL, Charles Meke has rebutted the allegations because the 1.7kg of gold are released back to Win Win and should not be an issue any more.

He said Win Win is doing alluvial mining on Turarana, while SIRCL carries out nickel prospecting on Suma tenement.

Meke said the management and shareholders of SIRCL and Win Win are two different entities.

Furthermore, the Director said Suma landowners’ demand sent to Mines Division over the range of $100,000 US for the company to pay is highly questionable.

“The landowners have signed a document with former SIRCL in the Surface Access Agreement, therefore they should negotiate for such rates in the past,” he said.

Meke said such demand by the landowners need to be sorted out by the landowners, company and the Mines Division.

Director Meke said according to Company laws, Hangzhou Gowen Mineral Product automatically owns SIRCL and New Asia after it bought the 100 percent shares from New Origin.

He said the Foreign Investment Division and the Company Haus in the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration have also approved the change of names already.

The Director said the Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia has also approved the transfer of shares already.

He said currently they are waiting for the Attorney General to endorse the transfer of shares between New Origin and Hangzhou and the granting of Mining Lease for the company to carry out mining on Suma Tenement.

SIRCL held a Prospecting License over Suma tenement after it signed a Surface Access Agreement (SAA) with the landowners.

It is currently waiting for the Attorney General to grant the Mining Lease to allow SIRCL to get the Surface Access Rights to carry out mining on Suma land.

Further to that, Director Meke said SIRCL has also signed a SAA with landowners of Tenement D and Tenement E after number of consultations were held with them.

Due to Government’s fastrack policy to start mining operation to help the economy due to the COVID-19, the investor decided to maintain SIRCL and operator New Asia in Isabel rather than incorporating two new companies.

He said it will be a long process to go back to start engagement with landowners to get the Surface Access Agreement under a new business entity.

Currently the Government has hired two lawyers, Steward Tabo to deal with the three Brothers namely Martin Tango, Willie Denimana and Hugo Bugoro while Whitlam Togamae lawyer negotiates with Isabel Provincial Government.

The Director said once they get the approval of the Mining Lease from the Attorney General, they will go to the three Brothers to negotiate for Surface Access Rights to commence mining operation on Suma.

He said they had held three meetings with the Three Brothers already following three trips to Suma.

Meke said an audience was also held with  Isabel Premier and Deputy Premier last Thursday.

On the other hand, the Three Brothers highlighted in a document the allegations that SIRCL is not a genuine prospecting or mining company.

These include:

  1. lack of expertise,
  2. poor feasibility study,
  3. false promise by Garry Cheah of a package to landowners never eventuates after they signed the SAA;
  4. landowners given employment opportunities only as securities,
  5. cleaners while the Asian occupied rest of the jobs,
  6. SIRCL failure to protect the environment after carried out excavation on the land and
  7. lack of consultation with the three brothers.

However, Meke said these allegations fell under the former administration of SIRCL and not the new administration after the transfer of shares done between the two investors.

“Landowners should not refer to the old SIRCL because the company is still to carry out operation on the ground.

“Landowners have no right to criticize company that never go into the land as yet. To criticize the investor is unfair,” he added.

Officer to be tried over missing RAV4

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A POLICE officer accused of removing and selling a private RAV4 vehicle detained at the Kukum Traffic Centre in September 2019 will stand trial on 14 February 2022.

Michael Haomae, who used to work at the traffic centre, is facing count of conversion.

The vehicle was detained at the traffic centre after it involved in a traffic accident with an ambulance.

While there, Haomae allegedly removed it and sold it without the owner’s knowledge.

His action was only made public after the owner of the vehicle went to check it out.

A police investigation identified Haomae as the officer responsible for its removal.

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