Home Blog Page 823

Prosecution confirm investigation into case of Temotu Nende CDO complete

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE investigation into the case of the Constituency Development Officer for Temotu Nende has been completed and prosecution are prepared to serve disclosures to the defence lawyer.

Public Prosecutor Jonathan Auga confirmed that they have prepared full disclosures; since the accused, Philip Tuplo, has already engaged a lawyer to represent him in court, prosecution will provide the disclosures.

A lawyer from the Whitlam Togamae Law firm Steven Lalase confirmed their legal representation of the accused, therefore since they will be acting for the accused, they want disclosures and seek further time from the court.

Tuplo is facing one count of official corruption Contrary to Section 91(a) of the Penal Code.

This is for them to take instruction with their client for possible plea on the charge against Tuplo.

Meanwhile Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite adjourned the case to September 22 for possible plea.

Magistrate Chite also made directions for the prosecution to serve the disclosures to the defence before close of business yesterday.

Tuplo was arrested following allegation into the incident occurred way back in 2013, regarding payment of the housing material project for a community at Temotu Nende in 2013.

The accused was employed as CDO for Temotu Nende Constituency at the commission of the offence and is a native of Mebialo village in Santa Cruz, Temotu Province.

SMEC awarded water project

Written by
Press Release
-
0

SOLOMON Water has awarded a $16m contract to Australian based international consultants SMEC International Pty. Ltd. to implement the second phase of the wider Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP).

The second phase entailed a detailed engineering design project, which is funded by the Solomon Islands Government with its development partners the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB) and European Union (EU).

“Solomon Water’s vision is to provide safe water for a healthy nation and the detailed designs and studies that this contract will produce will advance us towards this vision,” CEO Ian Gooden said.

“Solomon Water welcomes SMEC on board and we look forward to the outcome of the project,” he added.

The second phase of the detailed engineering project covers six critical activities:

  1. Implementation of an Asset Management System.
  2. A new five year action plan.
  3. Identification and design of large pipeline replacement programme to reduce non revenue water losses.
  4. Expansion of Solomon Water’s service in Honiara to areas currently unable to be supplied in the Noah Hill, Nine ridges and Mount Austen area .
  5. Identification and design of pipeline replacements for the wastewater collection system rehabilitation.
  6. Feasibility study and design of the proposed Choiseul Province township water and waste water system.

The project will run for seventeen months and is due to commence shortly. 

Ends

Gov’t urged not to abuse ties with China

Written by
Press Release
-
0
Hon. John Dean Kuku

THE Leader of Independent Group in Parliament, John Dean Kuku yesterday offered some comments on the recent release of additional PRC National Development Fund (NDF) funding to DCCG members of parliament.

Kuku expressed concern that the release of NDF may be unconstitutional and called on the Government to take full responsibility for such gross inept actions.

He noted that even though PRC is a non-member economy of OECD, it had established a working relationship since 1995 and had earned the status as OECD Key Partner.

“China being an OECD Key Partner had always recognized and participated in global policy discourse to promote transparency, accountability, budget discipline and management, public governance and trade and investment policies,” Kuku said.

“These field of works are so important for our country and that which we should put some efforts to learn from the experiences of China and some member economies resident in our country,” he added.

“China is a donor country and had always adhered to specific principles and practices in transparency and public governance.

“We must not abuse their status as a diplomatic partner.

“PRC aid policies should be respected therefore must not be treated the same way as ROC, therefore the NDF scheme previously concocted under ROC must be abandoned and a new transparent and enhanced program of development assistance engagement with PRC should be developed and adopted.”

Kuku emphasized that all development funds from PRC should be properly appropriated pursuant to the provisions of the constitution.

“I am recommending that PRC development assistance should be captured under section 100 of the constitution.

“This should include any funds held in any ESCROW Account other than Special Funds established under the Public Finance and Management Act,” he said.

Kuku further noted that the funds in the ESCROW Account were meant for CDF.

He questioned why was the fund not fully disbursed in the 2020 financial year.

“Furthermore, the prime minister had authorized the conversions of the funds held with ESCOW Account from being CDF funds to NDF funds.

“If the ESCOW Account funds are held under section 100 of the constitution or other special funds established under the Public Funds and Management Act, then funds held in the ESCROW Account can only be released upon conditions on requests being fully satisfied.

“On this note, I would like to call on the Minister of Finance and Governor of CBSI to fully explain the conditions of the ESCROW Account.”

Kuku said he’d noted that the Economic Recovery justification as stated in the PM’s Minute may be misleading as the amount released will have insignificant impact on the proposed recovery.

He called on the DCCG and Prime Minister to take effective responsibility in managing the diplomatic relations and development partnership with PRC for the good of economic and social prosperity of our country, and avoid putting PRC between a rock and a hard place for the sake of political expediency.

Alternative forest products, a must.

Written by
Press Release
-
0
Participants from the various forest sector organisations and institutions at the 8th FSTWG meeting.

We will have to work on alternative commodities from our forests, either to add from the current reliance or fill in the gap that round log export will create as we continue to reduce round logs export due to its descending supply from our forests.”

Ministry of Forestry and Research Permanent Secretary, Dr Vaeno Vigulu told this to participants at the 8th Forest Sector Technical Working Group (FSTWG) meeting held at the Heritage Park recently.

FSTWG is being organised and coordinated by the JICA Sustainable Forest Resource Management Project with the Ministry of Forestry and Research.

“Over decades and till today, our country depends heavily on forest timber resources for revenue generation, housing materials, furniture makings and ecosystem services.

NRM Team Leader, Ms Lorenza Cordeiro who works under USAID SCALE, Winrock International shares her thoughts.

“And this will continue to do so into the next decade and beyond, as the demand for revenue increases with increasing reliance on our forest resources for increasing population and increasing dynamic demands.”

He adds forestry is an important sector that generated much of the government and resource owners’ revenues, materials and ecosystem services in the past decades until recently.

The Permanent Secretary explains that for “over last 5 years, an average of 2.5 million m3 of round logs were exported, this represents approximately SBD $540 million annually over the period, which represents approximately 20% of the government revenues and around 60% of export.

“That showed, forestry sector is one of the major drivers of the national economy of our country.”

Development Programme Coordinator, Mr Joe McCarter​from the NZ High Commission giving ideas into discussion. 

Dr Vigulu then urges for a quick turn to alternative forest products as a means to sustain the many uses of the forest going forward;

The government in particularly the Democractic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) through the Ministry of Forestry and Research is driving this swift and would like to see all other relevant groups within the forestry sector to follow suit.

Especially in promoting non-timber forest products and aesthetic values of the island rainforests to support livelihoods through eco-tourism, to reduce and moving away from reliance on timber products.

This would indeed help to reduce further degradation of rainforests and promote sustainable forest resources management, to progressively support the economy and with national collaborative attempt in addressing climate change in the long term, further explains the Forestry Permanent Secretary.

“The commitment shown is in the redirection priority policies of DCGA for 2021 encompassed promotion of downstream processing activities and sustainable development of logging programme to ensure and promote principles of sustainable forest management, good practice, monitoring, governance, work on alternative forest timber and non-timber products, ecosystem services through agroforestry systems, reforestation, enrichment and regeneration management on the logged over islands degraded and deforested landscapes.

Live and Learn Solomon Islands rep, Mr Billy Apusae presenting their organisations involvement in the forestry sector.

“The measures taken indicated the seriousness of the DCGA Government in reviewing and developing measures to sustainably manage the forest resources as we continue to harvest and benefit from them.”

The Permanent Secretary further adds that the Ministry had collaborations with donor partners on various strategies and activities, addressing and enhancing the ongoing priority policy area objectives of 2021 and it is proper that we update and discuss with each other, donor partners and stakeholders what Policy areas the Ministry implements using the government budget.

And also, share with us potential supports to Government Policies or your Work Programme areas where we can align to mutually benefit communities and resource owners through Government Policies.

In doing so, your support will assist and support the government initiatives to sustain and reduce the exploitation and reliance on forest timber products, hence, promoting sustainable forest management, says Dr Vigulu.

–MoFR Press

Dr Solomon is first female to head NRH

Written by
Press Release
-
0
Dr Janella Solomon, the newly appointed Medical Superintendent of NRH

THE National Referral Hospital (NRH) has its first female Medical Superintendent.

She is Dr Janella Solomon – a medical doctor who has served at the hospital for many years.

Dr Solomon is part Guadalcanal and Western province.

She is not new to the hospital nor the Ministry of Health.

A statement from the ministry said from 2020 to March 2021, she was the Supervising Medical Superintendent of NRH, Clinical Team Leader for COVID-19 Isolation Ward at NRH.

In 2018 she was the NRH paediatrician, and between 2013 to 2017 Senior Paediatric registrar of NRH with her two previous postings in Malaita province as Medical Officer at the Kilufi hospital in 2010 -2013 and Atoifi Adventist Hospital in 2009.

Dr Solomon holds a Masters and Diploma in Child Health, School of Medicines and Science Health, University of Papua New Guinea, International Post Graduate Diploma in Child Health, Westmead Children’s Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia and Bachelor Medicine and Bachelor Surgery, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPNG.

The statement said throughout her working career, she participated in numerous professional development trainings and engaged in many undertakings involving skills and knowledge related to her new job.

These include; local tutor for Sydney Child Health Program International Post Graduate Certificate Diploma in Child Health, School of Nursing, Solomon Islands National University and Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital for teaching of Post Graduate Diploma and Masters in Child Health Program for Doctors.

She was the local supervisor for Fiji National University graduates at NRH 2021, School of Medicines and Health Sciences for UPNG students at NRH 2014 -2021 that landed her the Deputy Chair position for the Medical Internship Training Committee of NRH 2019 -2021.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Pauline McNeil congratulated Dr Solomon to her new position stating that the ministry is indeed grateful to have her on board.

“Women comprise an estimated 70 percent of the total workforce in the Ministry of Health yet not too many of them are in key leadership and management positions,” McNeil said.

“Therefore, the appointment of Dr Solomon is a big achievement and a key milestone for women leadership in the health sector,” she added.

McNeil congratulated Dr Solomon in her new role.

“While we welcome Dr Solomon, I wish to also thanked Dr Rooney Jagilly, the Head of NRH Surgical Ward, who has been the acting MS in the past months while recruitment was being carried out.

“Sincere thank you indeed for job well done.”

Dr Solomon said she would strive to serve in her role as the Medical Superintendent to serve the people to the best of her knowledge, skills and ability.

“It won’t be easy but I assure of my determination, commitment and dedication towards this role to continue enhancing the operations of the hospital and continue on from the good work that previous MSs have achieved in improving the quality of patient care at the hospital,” Dr Solomon said.

‘COVID effect’ on business investment and expansion

Written by
Press Release
-
0

Uncertainty remains one of the biggest challenge businesses operating in the Solomon Islands face during this COVID-19 global pandemic.

This uncertainty over the impact of COVID-19 is hindering the expansion of investment opportunities, a third COVID-19 Enterprise Survey conducted by the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), has revealed.

SICCI reiterates that uncertainty is one area that is quite challenging as we do not know how long this pandemic will be around for and we do not know what will happen to our economy.

SICCI, as the peak body representing private sector, has around 200 members covering approximately 80 percent of the Solomon Islands private sector workforce.

43% of the SICCI membership (86 businesses) participated in this survey which was conducted online between 14th July and 17th August 2021.

A high rate of responses from the survey highlighted that expansion and investment decisions have been delayed due to international travel restrictions, hindering development plans as consultants, directors, investors, visitors and tourists are unable to enter the country.

Survey results show that seventy-one percent (71%) of businesses have postponed expansion/investment decisions due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis while twenty-nine percent (29%) stated no expansion and/or investment decisions have been made.

Cash-flow restraints due to COVID-19 was identified to be a major impact that has led to expansion and/or investment decisions to be postponed.

“Forty-one percent (41%) of business have experienced high financial impact on business and disruption to operations, thirty-eight (38%) have reported experiencing medium impact while sixteen (16%) have reported low impact.

“Twenty-seven percent (27%) of businesses saw no change in revenue in the first quarter of 2021 and thirty-two percent (32%) saw no change in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the previous year,” the Survey reported.

However, twenty-six (26%) saw a significant decrease in revenue in the first quarter while twenty-nine percent (29%) saw a significant decrease in the second quarter of 2021.

Twenty-six (26%) of businesses who responded experienced a moderate decrease of revenue in the first quarter and nineteen percent in the second quarter of 2021. Only twenty-one percent (21%) of businesses have seen a moderate increase in revenue in the first half of this year compared to 2020.

Twenty-one percent (21%) of respondents were large businesses employing more than 100 employees while majority of survey participants are small businesses with 1-9 employees at 47%, followed by Small Medium businesses with 10-49 employees at 26%.

Participating businesses were from the Technology, Banking and Financial services and professional Services, Agribusiness, Tourism sector, Wholesale and Retail, Printing/Stationary, Advertising Media and Health services sectors.

To support a majority of members, SICCI continues to provide services of COVID19 updated information, digital trainings and advocacy dialogue in national platform for the inclusion of private sector view in policy changes while keeping the business community connected.

–SICCI Media

West Kwaio villagers host Aust & NZ top diplomats

Written by
Press Release
-
0
School children of Osa’ania and Sinasu communities gather to meet high commissioners Georgina Roberts and Dr Lachlan Strahan yesterday.

TWO West Kwaio communities in Malaita Province yesterday hosted Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners.

The two top diplomats, who are in Malaita, visited an early education project in Osa’ania and Sinasu communities to celebrate International Literacy Day.

According to the NZ High Commission, the Coalition for Education in Solomon Islands (COESI) has received grant funding through the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) to implement the ‘Skul Blong Yumi Long Ples’ project, which aims to improve children’s reading and numeracy in early childhood education.

The project is delivered in partnership with Literacy Association of Solomon Islands (LASI) and will encourage communities to use a locally-developed early childhood curriculum, provide training to parents and teachers to improve children’s reading and numeracy skill, and will deliver practical, functional models of community education to engage disadvantaged groups.


NZ High Commissioner Georgina Roberts being enjoying a moment of laughter with school children of Osa’ania and Sinasu communities yesterday.

In welcoming the visitors to the community, Chief Patrick Ainigwaru said the community would plant a sprouted coconut and apple seedling by the new classroom as a reminder of their commitments to literacy and early childhood education.

Speaking at the event, NZ High Commissioner Georgina Roberts shared that International Literacy Day is a chance to come together to see why it is important to read and write, noting that it is a way to learn about the world around us.

She acknowledged the significant role teachers and parents play in supporting education.

“Mifala provide funding, but the most important thing stap inside iufala community lo hia,” Roberts told the villagers.

“Tagio tumas Osa’ania and Sinasu communities for your warm welcome and sharing your time with us!” she added.

The ESSP is a partnership between the governments of Australia and New Zealand to improve access to quality basic education for all children in Solomon Islands.

2014 White Paper important: Rodie

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development says that the 2014 White Paper is an important document that plays an important role in the reinvigoration of the country’s education ambitions and development.

Dr Franco Rodie said the document accommodates pathways that would elevate education development through establishing suitable policies.

“For example, the strategic direction of our education system under the new Framework for Education was outlined in the White Paper that was developed in 2014.

“The new Education Framework clarifies the role of the Ministry of Education in governance and strategic management, policy formulation, approval, implementation and monitoring,” he said.

Rodie adds that 2016-2030 Strategic Framework and the five-year cycle of National Education Action Plan is another product of the 2014 White Paper.

“The Education Strategic Framework 2016-2030 and the five-year cycle National Education Action Plan enshrine our expectations, aspirations and hope for a better education system.

“These provided us with a very sound set of foundation for our direction which includes;

“To build upon best practices and set a framework for development of education into the future, against a background of a society facing rapid change.

“To establish an agenda for change and development within the education sector

“To give and empowering sense of direction and definition of relationship between the Ministry of Education and all partners in education. This working relationship is critical as we progress into the future.

“To build an exclusive structure for the education system and should be included significant organisational development.

“To allow for flexibility to meet particular needs and circumstances, respect, legitimate rights and responsibilities amongst the partners and the different level within our education system,” he said.

Rodie said the education system has been working towards addressing some of the challenges that continues to put pressure on education ambition and aspiration.

He said the existing undertakings have continued over the past 10 years to address lots of huge challenges that exist before.

Solomon Islands performing well in literacy and numeracy

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SOLOMON Islands is sitting at the top in the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA).

This was confirmed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, Dr Franco Rodie in his speech during the opening of the 6th National Education Conference at Gizo, Western Province on Monday.

“Compared to other pacific island countries, our primary education pupils are performing well in the regional Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) especially in English and have performed exceptionally well in numeracy.

“National Examination results administered to 9, 11 and 12 students shows that our students are meeting the proficiency level set by the ministry in terms of curriculum outcomes, but are struggling in some subjects such as year 9 mathematics and in science at year 11,” he said.

Rodie adds that access to higher education has been improved over the past decade and that younger people in the country have more educational opportunities, attain higher levels of education than their parents.

He said the country’s education system have achieved impressive growth in enrolling rates, increased number of qualified and trained teachers, curriculum materials and students’ learning outcome.

Rodie stressed that the achievements were made possible through support from the government, communities and development partners who have made huge investment in education.

However he said, critics on the performance of the country education system still remains with enormous challenges.

Rodie said the demand for both schools and tertiary education have been increasing steadily at a much higher rate compared to say a decade ago.

PM’s wife given $400K food contract

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
A company registered to the Wife of the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Emmy Sogavare was given a contract to supply food to SIPA.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Shadel Café, a business registered to the wife of prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, has been given the lucrative contract to provide catering for Solomon Ports (SIPA).

This follows the termination of Red Cross’s contract, which had spanned one and half years from the start of 2020 to June this year.

Shadel Café is one of two catering businesses currently servicing SIPA, CEO Eranda Kotelawala told Island Sun early last month.

The other is an Asian-owned business, details of which SIPA has not been forthcoming with.

But, Madame Emmy Sogavare, the sole owner of Shadel Café according to Company Haus records, speaking to Island Sun yesterday, said there are three catering businesses servicing SIPA.

The third is unknown at this stage.

Shadel is on a six-month contract, reportedly providing 100 take-aways at $33 each five working days a week.

 This sums up to nearly $400,000 in the contract’s six-month duration.

On the outset, Sogavare stresses that there are no special or political favours involved in her business’s receipt of the state-owned enterprise’s service contract.

“There is no politics involved, to be honest. I do not know anyone working in SIPA. In fact, it was SIPA who approached Shadel Café after having tasted the nice food the Café offers.”

Sogavare said Shadel was awarded the contract to do catering for the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) commencing from July to December, 2021.

“I’ll make it clear we (Shadel Café) are same as the other cafés, to be honest there is no politics.

“We have signed a six-month contract with SIPA. The contract will finish in December 2021, the end of this year,” she said.

“Shadel café provided 100 take-aways at $33 each at first, but now at $30.”

Sogavare adds the service Shadel provides SIPA does not generate much profit as some members of public may claim.

“At $33 per plate, the revenue received is just enough to pay for the food and materials, the workers, not to mention the hard work involved since Shadel Café is only a small business.”

Shadel Café, was registered at the Company Haus on October 16, 2020 under ‘Entertainment and Catering’ as its primary business activity.

Meanwhile, few SIPA employees Island Sun had spoken to gave approval of Shadel Café.

One, who prefers to be called Mr John, said, “The menu Shadel provides consists of healthy local food, apart from the timely delivery and nice tasty food. We really appreciate it.”

Island Sun last month reported Red Cross having had their service contract ended abruptly.

CEO Kotelawala, via email [Aug 6] gave insight into why Red Cross’s contract was terminated:
“During latter part of their contract, meals were delivered late with varied standard of quality.”

Explaining the issuance of contracts to service providers, Kotelawala said:

“We have no particular choice of contracts but we look for quality and timely delivery.

“Further, we are not interested in knowing who owns these food houses. As long as they deliver what they agreed upon, they will continue till the end of their contracts. 

“We have two suppliers now and we need to give opportunities to others, not Red Cross on perpetual basis.”

Red Cross has not replied to Island Sun enquiries.

1...822823824...1,664Page 823 of 1,664